A Time to Die - Smith Wilbur - Страница 89

"I'll need more than ten Shanganes. There are two others I want with me."

"Of course, your Matabeles," China agreed readily. "They are definitely part of my calculations."

This was the opportunity to inquire about Job and Dedan that Sean had been waiting for. "Are they both safe?" he demanded "Quite safe and well, I assure you."

"I won't even discuss anything further until I have seen them and spoken to them," he said flatly.

China's eyes narrowed. "I beg you not to adopt that attitude, Colonel.

It will only make our future relationship difficult and unpleasant."

"I mean it," Sean repeated stubbornly. "I want to speak to my men General China glanced at his wristwatch, then sighed theatrically.

"Very well." He lifted the handset of the telephone and spoke into it again, then looked up at Sean. "The two of them will be required to work with you, you can explain that to them. There is an excellent chance that, with all your cooperation, I will be persuaded to give you yot* freedom. Of course, that offer of freedom includes the nubileeMiss Monterro."

"You are very generous." Sean was ironic.

"Wait until you hear my full terms. You might think I drive a hard bargain." General China turned to the lieutenant who came through the doorway in response to his summons and said in Shangane, "Take this man to visit the two Matabele prisoners," he ordered. "You may allow them to talk for"-again he glanced at his wristwatch-"ten minutes. Then bring him back here."

There were three men in the escort that marched Sean down the underground passages and out into the dazzling sunshine.

The prison barracks consisted of a single hut of mud daub and thatch surrounded by a stockade of poles and barbed wire, the whole covered by a spread of camouflage net. A warder unlocked the gate to the stockade, and Sean went in. He walked to the door of the hut.

Over an open fireplace in the center of the floor stood a black three-legged pot. Two thin mattresses of split reeds on each side of it were the only other furnishings. Dedan was asleep on one mattress, while on the other Job sat cross-legged and stared into the smoldering coals.

"I see you, old friend," Sean said softly in Sindebele.

Job came slowly to his feet and just as slowly began to smile. "I see you also," he said, and then they laughed and embraced, clapping each other on the back. Dedan jumped up from the other mattress, grin rung with delight, and seized Sean's hand, pumping it brutally.

"What took you so long, Sean?" Job asked. "Did you find Tukutela? Where is the American? How did they catch you?"

"I'll tell you all that later," Sean cut him off. "There are more important things now. Have you spoken to China, did you recognize him as the one we caught at Inhlozane?"

"Yes, the one with the ear. What are our chances with him, Sean?"

"Too early to be sure," Sean warned. "But he is talking about some sort of deal."

"What?" Job broke off, and they both spun to face the door of the hut. Outside there was an abrupt shrilling of alarm whistles and wild shouts.

4What s going on?" Sean demanded, and strode to the doorway.

The gate to the stockade was still wide open, but the guards were scattering, unslinging their weapons and peering up at the sky. The lieutenant was blowing shrill hysterical blasts on his whistle as he ran.

"Air raid," said Job at Sean's shoulder. "Frelimo gunships.

There was one two days ago."

Sean heard the engines now, very faint and distant, and the whistling whine of the rotors, growing swiftly shriller and more penetrating.

"Job!" Sean grabbed his arm. "Do you know where they are holding Claudia?"

"Over there." Job pointed through the doorway. "A stockade like this one."

"How far?"

"Five hundred meters. "The gates are open, and the guards are gone.

We are going to make a bolt for it."

"We are in the middle of an army. And what about the gunships?" Job protested. "Where can we go?"

"Don't argue, let's go."

Sean raced through the doorway and out of the stockade gates.

Job and Dedan were close behind him.

Which way?" Sean grunted.

"Over there, beyond that clump of trees."

The three of them ran in a bunch. The camp was almost deserted as Renamo took to their dugouts and bunkers, but Sean saw that there were crews manning the light antiaircraft guns in the fixed emplacements, and they passed a small detachment armed with the portable RPG rocket launchers heading for the nearest kopJe.

Elevation would give them a good field of fire from which to launch. However, the RPG was not an infrared seeker and had very limited surface-to-air capability.

The Renamo were so preoccupied that not one of them even glanced at Sean's white face as they scurried to take up their positions. Now the whistle of approaching rotors was punctuated by the crackle and rap of ground fire.