“Probably. Bohdan is a narcissistic bastard and I made him look bad. I didn’t have the chance to take him out at the same time I went after the general. But he’s not stupid, and I don’t want to take any chances that he might find out about Jane and zero in on her instead. I’ll get MI6 to keep an eye on your property and she should be perfectly safe there with you, but it wouldn’t hurt if you arranged for additional security.”

“Of course,” MacDuff said curtly. “I won’t let anything happen to her. But if you’re calling on MI6, you’re more worried than I thought.” He paused. “And I can’t believe you’re leaving this entirely in my hands.”

“I didn’t say that. I only said it was better if I wasn’t seen anywhere near her. I don’t want anyone to believe she has any importance to me.”

“Then you definitely shouldn’t be seen with her,” MacDuff said sourly. “You’re fairly transparent.”

“Am I? That’s not the usual impression I give. Perhaps only to old and perceptive friends. I have to hang up now. Goodbye, MacDuff.”

“What do you want me to tell Jane?”

“Nothing. I’ll talk to her myself. I’m just in a bit of a hurry right now.”

“I can imagine,” he said flatly. “Are you going to tell her the truth?”

“Of course.” His voice was slightly mocking. “I always tell her the truth. No matter how difficult. I learned a long time ago that would be the only way I have any chance of keeping her. There are too many people like you ready to give her advice about sending me on my way.”

“Wise people.”

“Undoubtedly. And someday she might agree, but I’ll fight it as long as I can.” He cut the connection.

Chapter 2

Chapter
2

Savgard Jungle
Congo

Caleb ducked behind the tall buttress roots of a lombi tree, where he removed his phone battery and pocketed it. He’d been assured that the MI6-issued phone was untraceable when not in use, but you couldn’t be too careful when dealing with a well-funded butcher like Bohdan.

He felt vibrations beneath his feet and heard a low rumble from the east. Dammit. Heavy military equipment on the nearby jungle roads, no doubt, marshaled for one reason: to find and capture him. The armies had mobilized faster than he’d expected.

He was certain there were already dozens of troops swarming through the trees, and hundreds more would be arriving within minutes. No time to waste.

He crouched low and bolted through the foliage, knowing that the dense vegetation could harbor poisonous snakes and monitor lizards. At least it would offer some cover against the sentries.

He cocked his head. Was that a helicopter in the distance? He listened. Not just one, but two copters. Bohdan wasn’t playing around.