Chapter Twenty-Seven
Once outside the office, Simone strode down the corridor, grappling with the surreal situation. Resigning like that was about as immature as it could get, but she’d been fuming. Between the dubious video footage and Carlo’s interference into her life, she didn’t know what had angered her the most. Her head spun and she leaned against the wall for a moment to gather herself.
Passengers from the Selous flight filed through the door to the baggage claim area. The Kings were on that flight and would be there in a minute. God. She wiped at her face, brushed her hair back and breathed into her palms. She couldn’t believe she’d resigned, even if only verbally.
Liz and James came through the glass doors. Did they know what the Carlevaros thought of them? She wasn’t going to inform them of their budding status as criminals. There was no way she could tell them what had happened; it would only add to their distress. The last thing she wanted them to worry about was her impromptu resignation or untrue speculation. Forcing her emotions down she met up with them.
“It’s okay,” James said as she offered to take one of the bags he carried. He had dark circles under his eyes and a frown etched on his forehead.
“How are you?” Simone asked Liz. She was almost yellow with pallor, and had lost weight in the few days they hadn’t seen each other.
“I’m not any worse,” Liz said. “I’m more worried than anything else. There has been a little more blood, but I don’t know if it’s the start of something. There’s not enough to indicate—” Her voice broke off as they continued down the corridor. “I’m so glad to just be gone from Rufiji, even if it’s only for a few days.”
Simone didn’t want to think that far ahead. “Did you get an appointment with the doctor?” she asked instead. Her own worries had shrunk to nothing.
“They told me to come as soon as I could get there.”
“We’ll go there directly then,” Simone said, leading the way to her car. They got in silently, and she put the air conditioning on full blast. The atmosphere in the car was heavy, and as both James and Liz had their problems on their minds, she didn’t bother to make small talk.
When she parked at the Peninsula Clinic forty minutes later James jumped out to help Liz out of the car.
“Good grief,” Liz said, giving Simone an exasperated look. “You’d think I’m about to break in two.”
“He’s right. It’s better not to do anything stupid.” Simone turned to James, relieved that they could be there for Liz. “Please take my car. I’m not sure how long you’ll be, and then you won’t feel pressed.”
“You’re sure? How’re you getting home?” he asked, glancing up the empty road that was lined with frangipani trees and tall walls that hid the houses of the well-to-do neighborhood.
“I’ll walk, it’s not far.” Simone hooked her handbag over her shoulder.
“In this heat?” Liz stared at her with big eyes. “You must be mad.”
“Don’t worry, chances are I’ll meet a tuk-tuk en route.”
“You’re not needed at work?” James still hesitated.
“Nope. She’s all yours,” Simone reassured him as she patted her car on the roof. “Go see the doctor. I’ll see you back at the apartment.”
“Thank you, Simone.” James gave her arm a thankful squeeze before walking with Liz into the clinic.
She started down the road. The impact of her resignation hit her deep in her stomach and shivers rippled over her skin. She slowed down to a standstill. What had Carlo been thinking, telling them not to consider her as the next fleet manager? Why would he even do that to her? She was jobless, but that was not the biggest issue. She could get a pilot job anywhere in the world and had some savings that would see them through. But she had Sarah, and probably the worst thing was that Sarah’s little world was going to collapse. Dar es Salaam was the only place, and Ruth the only other person, Sarah really knew. They saw her mother and Gabi as often as they could, and spoke often enough, but they were not part of Sarah’s daily existence.
She’d hoped that Carlo would become part of Sarah’s life, but she was unsure how things were going to unfold. There was no way he could see Sarah every day with him living in Italy, traveling for work, and them living…who knows where. Her unknown future was too overwhelming to contemplate further. Even if the storm that Dino and Angelo had kicked up blew over by Monday, by which time they would hopefully have nailed the real culprit, it wouldn’t matter. The bottom line was she couldn’t work for Ross. The time to leave Carlevaro Air had come.
Minutes later her apartment lured in the distance. A sense of peace, which had been eluding her for years, settled deep inside her. All these years she’d been waiting, hoping to meet Carlo again, to get some closure over what had happened four years ago. Maybe it had been the real reason why she’d returned to Dar es Salaam, living for the faint hope that they would cross paths. Now they had met again she could get on with her life.
The relief was not mind-blowing, but the closure was something she’d needed. Hot tears burned her eyes. She would have to break the news to Sarah over a space of days. She couldn’t just pack up and leave on the next flight. It wasn’t fair to Ruth either. The least she could do was find her another nanny position before she left, but knowing Ruth’s capabilities it would hardly be an issue. The rock in her throat scratched. She’d manage one step at a time.
The Kings. Suddenly she wanted to avoid them at all cost. Adding their stress to hers and vice versa…her apartment was too small. Fleeing north to Carlevaro Kilweri Beach Camp, her weekend haunt whenever she could manage it, was the perfect solution. Sheila, the manager at the Carlevaro camp was one of her oldest friends, and saying good-bye to her would be on the to-do list in any case. Sheila wouldn’t mind if she just pitched out of the blue.
When James knocked on her apartment door two hours later she was packed and ready to go. Sarah bobbed up and down with excitement to go visit Auntie Sheila for the weekend.
“Where’s Liz?” Simone asked as she let him in. “What does the doctor say?”
“The baby’s heart is still beating. Liz seems to be fine, pregnancy-wise. They’ve put her on progesterone and bed rest.” He looked strained and she ushered him to the lounge, where he collapsed onto the sofa, Sarah following suit, staring at him. “They’re keeping her at the clinic for now. She’s dehydrated, so she’s on a drip.” His voice caught on some of the words and his hands trembled as he scrubbed his face. When he registered Sarah was there, he managed a weak grin, “How are you, Miss Moppet?”
Sarah grinned back. “Fine.”
Simone’s heart went out to him; he loved Liz deeply and was worried. “I’m sorry, I’m sure she’s going to be fine. And the baby too.”
“We’re going Aunt Sheila,” Sarah confided in James.
He nodded absentmindedly. “I just can’t help wondering, if I’d taken action earlier, if we would be here right now.” He shook his head in dismay. “Liz has been so exhausted with work, and everything that’s been happening at the lodge.”
There was nothing she could say to make any of it go away. “I’ll put the kettle on, and there’s some lunch if you’re hungry.”
“I…thank you, Simone, a cup of tea would be great,” he said, looking at her. “I left because I wanted her to sleep. She really needs it. And with me around, she won’t rest. She’s worried about me too, for some reason I can’t quite get.”
She understood, and if nothing else, Liz needed a break from everything she’d been subjected to.
Sarah got off the couch and took some toys from a box in the lounge’s corner to show James.
“Not now, Sarah,” Simone said, “James is tired.” She glanced at him. “You might like to have a nap yourself, after lunch,” she suggested. She and Sarah would be gone by then, and he could have some peace and quiet.
He didn’t respond, but stared in front of him with a blank expression. “Sorry,” he said, shaking his head, “I think a shower would help clear my head. Since yesterday—” He broke off. “I’ve been running non-stop.”
“Sure,” she said, sensing he wanted a moment alone. “Lunch can wait.”
He took his bag and disappeared down the corridor and into the second bathroom.
She went to the kitchen to switch the kettle on, and took the sandwiches she’d made earlier out of the fridge.
When James ambled back into the lounge twenty minutes later he looked marginally better. He had his phone in his hand, and she wished he would just let things be, but he was staring intently at the screen.
“I’ve got so many calls. Can’t they get on with it and leave me alone?” He sighed as he put his phone to his ear to listen to his messages. “The place won’t fall apart in one day. Although lately, with all the shit that has been happening…” He leaned against the kitchen counter with resignation.
Simone watched his face as he grimaced.
“Bugger.” James turned away and paced the lounge. She frowned, but he had his back to her, brushing his hand through his hair. He continued to listen, pressing buttons on his phone to save messages.
“What’s up?” Simone asked as she put the cups on a tray.
“Blimey,” he almost laughed as he turned around, “you think a day can’t get any worse, then this.” He met her gaze, shaking his head. “It was my assistant manager at the lodge. The Tanzanian army has blocked our airstrip. They pitched and parked an army truck in the middle of it.”
Simone stared at him in disbelief. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“Why would they do that?” James stood frozen, his gaze almost haunted. “Fuck me, and excuse my French, but the only reason they would do that—”
Blood had seeped from her face and she felt almost dizzy. “The trafficking.”
“Did word get to the government?” James shook his head. “It’s impossible. How?”
Her stomach cramped and she couldn’t reply.
“I should be worried about the guests,” James said, a faint blush rising to his cheeks. “But all I can think of is that we got out this morning.” He closed his eyes for a second. “Imagine being stuck there, with Liz, with the baby…with everything else that had been going on.”
The idea was harrowing. Being stuck in the bush was no joke, not when you needed urgent medical attention. And now with the army blocking the airstrip the only way out would be a very long and bumpy ride.
Thank God Liz was safely at the clinic. “Who could be planting those dead animals? It’s sick.” James must know something.
“No clue. It has been going on for almost a month now, but it has escalated the past week.” He shook his head. “Liz has been freaking out and I can’t blame her.”
“Could there be any link to the poaching?” She had no idea where the question came from, but it slipped straight from her mind off her tongue.
He threw up his hands. “I don’t know. The poaching has been going on for months, and this…only recently.” They stared at each other, not knowing what else to say. “All I know is that they know their business, because every time they don’t leave a trace.”
He was as flustered about the whole situation as she was. She couldn’t sit around with him and dissect everything again and again. “James, I—” She paused. “I’m going away for the weekend. I think you need your space. I…phoned Sheila at…Carlevaro Kilweri Beach.” It was a lie, but who the hell cared. She’d had no phone to call with. “Sarah loves it there, and after everything that has happened Liz needs to rest, which she won’t with us around.”
“I doubt they’ll discharge her today. The doctor said they might keep her for the night.” James stared at her. “I don’t want to kick you out of your flat.”
She shook her head, and for a moment they both said nothing. “You’re not kicking me out. I’m kicking myself out.” She laughed at the truth.
He blinked. “If you’re sure.”
“As long as you are all right. You know there are taxis about a hundred meters from here.”
“Yes, we’ll be fine. But don’t you need to work?”
“I’m…off.” She glanced away to where her bags were packed and ready.
He brushed his face with his hands. “With this mess…guests are going to miss their international flight connections, it’s going to snowball. I should be there.” He frowned. “Is Carlevaro Air insured for this type of situation?”
“Of course.” That was the least of her problems.
“They might need extra flights, more flights. They might need you.”
“I’m around, just a phone call away,” she said, her tone level, non-committal.
He gave her a queer stare at her blasé answer, but she walked away.
With a certain determination, she extracted herself and her daughter from her flat, giving vague promises of being back on Monday. With Sarah strapped in the back, she slipped the key into the ignition. She couldn’t curb the wave of sadness knowing she would only come back to pack.