Heart of the Hunter

?Can you hear us, Tiger?? she asked.

The entire room listened to the captain?s voice as it came over the speakerphone. ?I can hear you.?

?Good. What is your status??

?Team Bravo has arrived with our vehicles. We expect the Oryx back any moment and another is on the way from Bloem-fontein.? She could hear the impatience in Mazibuko?s voice, the suppressed anger.

?What?s the weather doing, Captain??

?It?s not raining so hard anymore. The air force says the system is moving east.?

?Thank you, Tiger.? She went to stand alongside Vincent Radebe. ?We have established beyond reasonable doubt that Thobela Mpayipheli was an MK member who received specialized training in the Eastern bloc. There are still some details outstanding, but he is a worthy opponent, Tiger. don'?t be too hard on your team.?

Just hissing on the line, no response.

?The point is, he is not an innocent citizen.? She looked pointedly at Radebe, who boldly met her eyes.

?He knows how serious we are about that data and he did not scruple to use violence. He chose confrontation. He is dangerous and he is determined. I hope we all understand this.?

Some heads nodded.

?We also know now that the data he is carrying is of an extremely sensitive nature for this government and especially for us as an intelligence service. So sensitive that you have the right to use any necessary force to stop him, Tiger. I repeat. Any necessary force.?

?I hear you,? said Captain Tiger Mazibuko.

?In the next half hour I will be requesting the mobilization of the available manpower from the army bases at De Aar, Kimberley and Jan Kempdorp. We need more feet on the ground. There are too many possible routes to watch. Tiger, I want you centered in Kimberley so that you can respond quickly. given the background of the fugitive, we will need a concentration of highly mobile, well-trained men when he makes contact again. Let the police and the army watch the roads. I will ask that the entire Rooivalk Squadron be moved to Kimberley on standby.?

?How certain are you of Kimberley,? Mazibuko?s voice came back over the ether.

She thought a little before answering, ?It?s an informed guess. He?s tired, he?s wet, hungry, and the rain is slowing him down. He hears the clock ticking and his time running away. Kimberley is the closest to a straight line between him and Botswana, and he will see Botswana as freedom and success.?

She saw one of Rahjev Rajkumar?s people whispering in his ear.

?Is there something, Raj??

?Radio program, ma?am. SAFM.?

?Any questions?? She waited for a reaction from Radebe and Mazibuko.

?Mazibuko out,? said the captain over the speakerphone. Radebe sat and stared at the digital instruments before him.

?Switch on, Raj,? she said.

? joined by Allison Healy, crime reporter from a Cape Town newspaper, who broke the saga of the big, bad Xhosa biker in her newspaper this morning. Welcome to the show, Allison.

Thanks, John, it is a privilege to participate.

You have interesting new information about our fugitive motorcyclist?

I have, John. We have information that casts a new light on Mr. Mpayipheli?s motivation, and it seems this is something of a mercy mission. His motive, it seems, might just be noble.

Please go on.

I?m afraid that?s about all I can say, John.

And how did you get that information, Allison?

From a source very close to him. Let?s call it a love interest.

?Quinn,? said Janina with suppressed rage.

?Yes, ma?am??

?Bring her in.?

He looked bewildered.

?Miriam Nzululwazi. Bring her in.?

?Very well, ma?am.?

? on the side of the fugitive?

It is not for me to choose sides here, John, but there are two things that I find puzzling. According to information provided to the police by what is allegedly the Presidential Intelligence Unit, Mr. Mpayipheli stole the BMW motorcycle. But that seems to be untrue. No charges have been filed with the police, there is no theft investigation, and I spoke to the owner of the dealership just five minutes ago, and the truth is that Mr. Mpayipheli left a note behind, saying he had no choice but to borrow the machine and will pay for the privilege. That does not sound like theft to me.

And the second thing, Allison?