Zambezi by Tony Park Read Free Book Online Page B

don’t know enough about the scientific side of it, but there are certainly plenty of reports, even these days, of lions feeding on humans. They regularly take Mozambicans trying to cross the border into South Africa illegally.’
    ‘Really?’ Jed said, showing his surprise and disliking his ignorance of the continent where his daughter had chosen to live. ‘And elsewhere?’
    ‘Careless or reckless safari guides, tourists who don’t have the sense to zip up their tents at night… most of them had it coming.’
    Jed had heard enough, but Eveline went on. ‘What’s the family business you have to attend to, if you don’t mind me asking?’
    ‘It appears my daughter may have been taken by a lion.’
    Eveline fumbled with her plastic glass, spilling half the contents into her lap. Jed had had enough of talking anyway, and he needed some sleep.
    The flight attendant woke him an hour before landing. ‘You’ve been out for hours.’
    Jed rubbed his eyes.
    Eveline leaned over. ‘I’m so sorry about my comments last night. Please forgive me. I’m sure your daughter hadn’t done anything foolish.’
    Jed shrugged. ‘It was rude of me not to warn you what I’m going to Africa for, and I’m sorry for that. But I’m looking for honest information – for facts – not sympathy. My daughter’s missing, but I don’t know for sure yet that she’s dead.’
    ‘Well, I’m sorry anyway There’s a man you should talk to, if you need a guide or a tracker. He worked for me for a few years before I left Zimbabwe. I wrote down his address while you were asleep. Here, please take it. He lives in Kariba – at least, he did the last time I heard of him. He’ll look after you if you tell him Eve sent you.’
    After landing, Jed shook hands with Eveline and before they parted, she asked, ‘Was your daughter a smart girl?’
    ‘She was studying for a masters in zoology, researching carnivores, and she was no stranger to the African bush.’
    ‘Don’t give up on her, then. Africa’s a place where someone can easily get lost – whether they want to or not. Call the man whose number I gave you. If anyone can find someone, it’s him.’
    ‘Thanks.’
    ‘You’re a soldier, aren’t you?’
    ‘Is it that obvious?’ He didn’t recall his occupation coming up in their brief conversation.
    ‘I lived through fifteen years of war in my country. I’ve known a soldier or two,’ she smiled, her cheeks colouring a little. ‘Be careful up there in the valley It can be a dangerous place if you don’t know what you’re doing – and you can’t take a weapon with you.’
    ‘So I’ve heard, and thank you, I’ll watch out.’
    ‘Good luck.’
    Jed was surprised how modern Johannesburg International Airport was. He could have been anywhere in the First World. And as the hotel shuttle bus drove through an industrial area flanked by a multi-lane freeway Jed found himself thinking he could have been in any airport suburb in any major town in the western world.
    The Holiday Inn Garden Court was a sprawling affair in a mock hacienda style, complete with terracotta roof and stucco façade. The analogy was marred, somewhat, by the presence of an Irish Bar, but to some extent reinforced by a Wild West theme steakhouse. Of Africa, there was still no sign. The porters were black Africans, though the receptionist was white. She was blonde, blue-eyed, and efficient. Jed found her Afrikaans accent oddly appealing.
    ‘How long will you be staying with us, Mr Banks?’
    ‘Just overnight. I’ll need a wake-up call for seven tomorrow morning.’
    ‘Certainly, sir. Oh, by the way, Mister Banks, did your friend catch up with you?’
    Jed was confused. ‘What friend?’
    ‘There was a woman here about two hours ago, asking after you. When I told her you hadn’t arrived she said she would try to meet you at the airport.’
    He had no idea what she was talking about. ‘I think there must be some misunderstanding. I don’t know anybody