Chapter 1.10
Chapter 11
The first lights of dawn began to filter through the surrounding vegetation. Romain stood up and walked through the camp in the half”light. He found that his shop and Yusuf's were riddled with bullets and when a series of light rays entered they entered through the holes made by the projectiles. Had he given in it, he would no doubt be dead at the time.
"I have to thank Yusuf. In a very literal way, he saved my life ”
As he left the store, he found the guide approaching from the edge of the clearing.
“Well, can you explain what happened? “ He said as he shook the man's hand with gratitude.
“We have been attacked by eight to ten heavily armed men. If it hadn't been for Jerome's perimeter device, they would have killed us.
“Explain yourself. What device are you talking about?
“ Improvised traps with hand grenades attached to twine. One of the attackers tripped on one of them and detonated it, being destroyed along with another attacker.
“That explains the first explosion. And what about the second one?
“Fleeing another attacker detonated a second grenade. Look, here comes Jerome to do a reconnaissance.”And added addressing the driver.” What have you found?
“ There are five dead around the camp. Two exploded with the first grenade, another two fell under machine”gun bursts, and the last one by the second trap.
"Have they followed us through our project?" Mercier asked, alarmed.
“ No, they are simple Ugandan bandits; village and caravan looters.
“You had planted traps all around the camp.
“Seven in all, enough to warn us about the presence of raids ..
“But also with a lethal effect.
“So is.
"And the rest are still scattered?"
“No, I've already taken them apart.
"I didn't know we had grenades in the truck, nor did we have a machine gun."
“I already told you that we have been cautious.” Yusuf said.
Moliki, who had not yet participated in the conversation, approached and said.
“ Let's leave this site as soon as possible. I am uneasy.
"Do you think they can come back?" Asked the Canadian.
“No.” Yusuf clarified.” It's just superstition for this place full of dead. But you are right. We must continue the trip.” Then he went back to Moliki.
“Is it long before you reach the village of your friends?
“If we leave we will arrive at the end of the afternoon, when there is still light.
"What will we do with the bodies of the fallen attackers?" Asked Romain.
"The vermin of the forest will take care of them," was the harsh response.
Hans Jungmann activated his radio and tried again to communicate with Popovic; For this he had to overcome a natural resistance that he did not know well to attribute.
The Serb had just had sex with the boy who was with him now and was putting on his pants; he answered reluctantly but when he heard the voice of his interlocutor changed his attitude. After conventional greetings the German said.
“I am in Bukavu and from here I will continue towards Goma. I have found the clue of the travelers we are looking for. A certain Romain Mercier was registered in a hotel in the city ...
"I never heard of him," Popovic replied.
“This is a Canadian, possibly a coltan prospector. Apparently he has hired three local guides and they left two days ago in an old Toyota SUV, loaded to the ceiling with all kinds of supplies, fuel and equipment. They have bought food for several days and gasoline for a long trip. They have supposedly left for North Kivu. I will try to follow in his footsteps.
…
"Do you have information on whether they are armed?" It was what the Serb was first interested in.
“Locally they have not bought weapons, but possibly they would already have them. I don't think they are unarmed. I will keep you updated.
“Do it.” Popovic replied.” They are coming towards my camp, although of course they won't find us.
Once the communication with the Serbian was cut off, Jungmann called Janssens in Brussels and began by giving him the same explanation he had given before. The Belgian was meditative for a moment.
“Romain Mercier you say ... the name sounds to me from somewhere. Let me consult with my associates and in case of positive identification I will call you again.
Two hours later Jungmann received a call from Belgium.
“Hey Hans, I found out who this Mercier is that you have detected in Kivu. My partners remember it well. This is a Canadian geologist who was active in Africa about ten years ago precisely on the subject of coltan. He has a lot of experience and facility to make contacts with natives. He also has direct contact with agents of Chinese government agencies seeking raw materials in Africa and has done good business with them. In short, he is a character to be seriously monitored, and in due course we will see what attitude to adopt with him.
When cutting the conversation to Jungmann they were pealing the last words of the Belgian.
"... in due course we will see what attitude to adopt with him."
He knew perfectly well that even if they wanted to have Mercier eliminated in Europe, they would never tell them openly, so that in case it complicated the situation they could argue that they had not asked to kill anyone. The duplicity of Belgians and French churned his guts ... but nobody would take Hans Jungmann for a fool.
The bell on the palazzo door rang and Alisha rushed the final touches to her makeup; He knew that she was alone in the huge house and that whoever was waiting for her to open it was getting wet in the persistent rain. Finally he went down the stairs until he reached the wide reception on the ground floor and only after looking through the peephole did he open the door; the dangers of the past years had made her careful.
“I'm going Pietro. Wait for me in your car.
The veteran taxi driver had been taking her all over the city for years and knew the destination of his outings and his preferences.
When Alisha finally entered the vehicle for both her briefcases the Italian asked her.
“Where are we going today Signorina?
“To the gallery.” The woman was very perceptive and noticed that something worried the driver.
"Is something wrong, Pietro?"
As if hesitating before making a decision the man shook his head and turned his face looking at the passenger located in the back seat.
"I don't want to scare you, Signorina, but ...
“Tell me once it happens.
The man pointed his chin toward a corner where the hood of a dark gray Mercedes Benz was visible.
“See that car there?
“Yes. What about him?
“ It is from before I arrived, and it was yesterday when I came to look for it, with the same man sitting behind the wheel.
“Maybe someone who has the same hours as me.
“But yesterday she followed us until we reached Signora Sacchetti's house, and she waited after I left her there.
Alisha realized that the driver's concern was not unfounded and recalled Romain's recommendation to keep her eyes open for changes in the environment around her. He knew that Pietro was a retired carabiniere and that he had been in the research area of the Benemerita, as the Carabineros Weapon is known in Italy. Man's judgments were always worth listening to.
“Thanks Pietro. Let's see if he follows us this time, but let's not go to the Gallery. Try to make him lose track.
…
“Signorsi.” Skipping the genre Pietro answered with the military phrase that ultimately means "To order".
As the rental car passed through the intricate alleys of Venice, fulfilling the task entrusted to it, the woman quickly thought about what decision to make. The gray Mercedes was indeed next, but she was sure Pietro would eventually lose it. She took her cell phone and dialed the number of her close friend Federica Bragadin, another member of the Venetian patriciate with whom she was meeting.
“Federica. I am Alisha Chand. Listen, I must speak quickly. Can I go spend a few days at your house? ... Yes, I may be in trouble.