1

      Tempala Airport, West Africa.

      Phil McReady wasn’t a nervous type but he felt slightly uneasy in the presence of the man he knew only as Mike Belasko. Since his introduction to the man at the airport just outside Tempala City, McReady had sensed there was far more to Belasko than the quiet-spoken, reserved persona he displayed. Belasko had stepped off the plane, checking the corner of the airfield that had been allocated to the U.S. team led by Ambassador Leland Cartwright. His manner was that of a man who didn’t trust any situation until he had checked it out personally. Because of the presidential authorization given to Cartwright’s organization, McReady had been able to take Belasko straight to the waiting car and out of the airport.

      Belasko moved with the confidence of a man who knew his way around. His manner belied his physical appearance. Over six foot in height, with a solid physical build, he weighed around two hundred pounds, none of it wasted on fat. He made no play about his appearance. He didn’t need to. McReady had also noticed the quiet way Belasko spoke. He didn’t raise his voice, yet there was something in his manner that drew good responses from those he did talk to.

      As far as McReady was concerned, Belasko was another addition to the U.S. government team in Tempala. That was how he had been told to view Belasko, and to ask no questions. Belasko was also to be given all the cooperation he required—again with no questions asked. It was all on a need-to-know basis. McReady had been given his orders and that was it. The moment Belasko had stepped off the plane, his eyes checking out the area as he walked across the apron to meet McReady, he showed his true calling. This was no man to fool with. McReady made a mental note to keep his curiosity in check. Plain and simple, the message was, do not ask questions and do not get on the wrong side of this man. On the other hand, McReady wasn’t an idiot. He knew why Belasko was there. It irritated him because his insider knowledge allowed him the privilege of knowing what had happened to start all this off. The frantic calls to Washington and the U.S. President. McReady had been in on all of it, and then Cartwright had started getting tight-lipped about the whole thing.

      In the air-conditioned comfort of the car on the way from the airport to the city, McReady concentrated on his driving.

      “So what the hell did they tell you about me, Phil?” Belasko asked. “The way you’re avoiding talking, somebody must have laid down the rules pretty hard.”

      “My boss, Leland Cartwright. He said to meet you at the plane, take you to the hotel and when you’re settled in, drive you to meet President Karima. Apart from that I don’t question you.”

      Belasko laughed. “What does he think I’m going to do? Shoot you if I don’t like what you ask?”

      “I guess we’re all a little touchy, Mike. Since Karima’s kids were kidnapped things have been a little tense.”

      “I can see why. Has the lid been kept closed on the situation?”

      McReady drew breath, unsure how to handle the question.

      “We all know why I’m here,” Belasko said. “Karima’s children have been taken and the kidnappers are using them as a threat. They don’t want Karima signing the agreement with the U.S. because that gives our military a foot in the door in this part of the world. The opposition see that as a means of imposing Karima’s authority on the country. They say he’ll use the American military to put down any opposition. That won’t happen. All we’re looking for are deep-water facilities at Rugendi Bay. Refueling and repair units. It will bring in a steady source of income for the country. Karima is also looking for financial backing to regenerate the copper-mining business. Tempala has vast copper deposits and Karima wants to get the business working again. The old regimes have let the business fall apart. I know that and you know that, so talk to me, Phil. I need some intel if I’m going to get those kids back.”

      McReady smiled. “I’ll say one thing for you, Belasko. You can sum up the problem without taking a breath.”

      “I don’t see any reason to walk around the block.”

      “I guess not.”

      That summed up Belasko as a whole, McReady decided. The man would tackle anything that came his way in the same manner. Direct, to the point. Given why he was there it was probably the only way to go.

      It took just under thirty minutes to reach the city. They drove along a straight, tarmac road cutting through fringes of lush forest and grass. Along the way they passed gas stations and a couple of small settlements. There was a fair amount of traffic.

      “Tempala is a nice place,” McReady said. “Developing at a steady pace. Joseph Karima is a good man. Runs a straight government and deals honestly with the people. The only problem he can’t get settled is the old tribal affiliations. Africa still has a hell of a time with these blood ties and such. You can have the most democratic government, build houses and power stations, run a stable economy, but it can all be knocked off track by these tribal issues.”

      “And it’s Karima’s stumbling block, from what I heard.”

      “You said it,” McReady agreed. “He has an internal struggle going on that’s threatening his whole power base. Rebel forces want to turn their backs on everything he’s done because they believe it will ruin the country. Damn it, the place was in ruins when Karima came into power. What he’s done in twelve years is a miracle. The people have never been so well off and they don’t want change. So the rebels have turned to terror tactics. The worst thing they’ve done is to orchestrate this kidnapping. The way Karima tells it, they want him to step down and hand over all power to the rebels. Allow them to form a new government on their terms.”

      “How widespread is the news of the kidnapping?”

      “As of last night it’s still in-house, so to speak. Karima has kept it under wraps. If the news does get out there would be an outcry. Family is everything to this country, and Karima’s kids are part of his strength in the eyes of the nation.”

      “Ten-year-old twins?” Belasko said.

      McReady nodded.

      “Boy and girl. Randolph and Katherine. Karima’s wife died six months after the kids were born. Since then he’s brought them up himself.”

      “What does he know about me?”

      “Only that you’ve been brought in by Ambassador Cartwright, via the U.S. President. You will handle the affair on your own without interference.”

      “How does Cartwright know about the kidnapping?”

      “Karima trusts him. Cartwright was appointed by the U.S. President to help organize the Rugendi Bay negotiations. When Karima contacted the President and asked for his help the President told Karima he could trust Cartwright. Seems the President and Karima are old friends. Dates back to when Karima was in the States, going through law school. The men and their wives were good friends. As soon as the President heard about the kidnapping he pulled some strings.” McReady grinned. “Which is why you’re here, I guess.”

      “Pays