Reaper called Pieter, “Johannesburg Randburg Heliport,” he said.
Pieter shouted “Randburg” to someone over his shoulder. “OK, we guessed they might go there,” said Pieter.
“Where are you now?”
“We’re just about to leave Maputo.”
“By plane?” asked Reaper.
“No, we would have to land at Johannesburg International and the customs checks are horrendous. We have a chopper that will take us to the heliport. We can fly in low level and nobody will know we’re coming. We’ll grab the kids and fly back to Maputo. The Base Commander has been well rewarded and we even have our own hangar.”
“OK, how long?”
“If my calculations are right, we’ll get to the heliport ten minutes ahead of them. We’ll snatch the kids and be on our way back within thirty minutes. In just over four hours, the kids will be on a plane, heading in your direction.”
“Excellent. Remember you have another eight soldiers right behind them if you need the help.”
“We should be fine but I’ll bear it in mind.”
The gate intercom rang, Reaper checked the camera, it was the legal guy. He buzzed him in.
Reaper drove down to the gate and picked him up. He was already fully briefed but Reaper took him through the brief again, to be on the safe side.
“Donald, this is Mark, Mark this is Donald.” Reaper introduced the two men. “Donald, Mark will be accompanying you for the next day or so when you carry out your business. I don’t need to remind you that your son’s life is in your hands, do I?”
“No you don’t, I’m perfectly aware of that fact.”
“What exactly is this all about, anyway?” Donald asked again.
Reaper took him by the arm and led him into the lounge area where Rachel was sitting.
“OK. I’ll tell you. It has to do with your IBC deal.”
“What do you want with that?”
“Let’s just say some people would rather it didn’t happen.”
“But you can’t stop it,” blurted Rachel. “Even if you stop Donald from signing, somebody else can do it for him.”
“You’re right Rachel. I can’t stop them,” said Reaper.
“But I can,” said Donald understanding what they wanted.
“Well if that’s all you want. Donald make the call and stop the deal,” said Rachel following simple logic.
Donald looked at Reaper and read his mind.
“That’s no use, I need to pull out at the last minute. That’s why I have to keep up the pretence that the deal is going through. If I pull out now, there’s still time to find last minute buyers. If we wait to the last second, somebody can ride in like a knight in shining armour and save the day.”
Reaper applauded Donald.
“You are a very bright man, Mr Kennedy, now let’s go.”
They left the room and made their way to the office where Mark had made himself comfortable.
“I’m also bright enough to know that you’ll never let me live beyond 12.00 on Monday,” said Donald. He would not say it front of Rachel.
“Get to work,” said Reaper ignoring Donald’s remark and making his way back to the kitchen.