Burning Angels

57

Jaeger reached forward and powered down the SpyChest camera. He, Narov and Konig were seated in the privacy of Konig’s bungalow. They’d just watched Georges Hanna’s confession, from bloody beginning to bloody end.

‘So there is it,’ Jaeger remarked, handing the camera to Konig. ‘You’ve got it all. What you do with it is your decision. But either way, that’s one African poaching cartel closed down for good.’

Konig shook his head in astonishment. ‘You weren’t kidding – you nailed the entire network. That’s a game-changer in terms of conservation. Plus it’ll help the local communities involved in the wildlife here to thrive.’

Jaeger smiled. ‘You opened the door; we just oiled the hinges.’

‘Falk, you played a key part,’ Narov added. ‘And to perfection.’

In a way Konig had played a key role. He’d guarded Jaeger and Narov’s back, keeping watch over their getaway vehicle. And as they’d driven away from the scene, the gas-filled building had erupted into a ball of flame, incinerating all evidence in its wake.

Konig scooped up the SpyChest gratefully. ‘This – it will change everything.’ He eyed them for a second. ‘But I feel as if there must be some way I can repay you. This – it is not your war. Your battle.’

Now was the time. ‘You know, there is one thing,’ Jaeger ventured. ‘The BV222. The warplane beneath the mountain. We’d like to see inside it.’

Konig’s face dropped. He shook his head. ‘Ah, this… this is not possible.’ A pause. ‘You know, I have just taken a call from the boss. Herr Kammler. From time to time he checks in. I had to report to him your… transgression. Straying into his domain beneath the mountain. He wasn’t best pleased.’

‘Did he ask if you’d arrested us?’ Jaeger queried.

‘He did. I told him it was impossible. How do I arrest two foreign nationals for doing something that isn’t a crime? And especially when they are paying guests of the lodge. It was plainly ridiculous.’

‘How did he react?’

Konig shrugged. ‘As always. Very angry. Ranted and raved for a while.’

‘And then?’

‘And then I told him you had hatched a plan to take out the poaching gang; that you were fellow wildlife lovers. True conservationists. At which stage he seemed to relax a little. But he reiterated: the BV222 is off limits to all but himself and… one or two others.’

Jaeger fixed Konig with an inquisitorial look. ‘Which others, Falk? Who are they?’

Konig averted his eyes. ‘Ah… just some people. It doesn’t matter who.’

‘You have access to that warplane, don’t you, Falk?’ Narov queried. ‘Of course you do.’

Konig shrugged. ‘Okay, yes, I do. Or at least I have had. In the past.’

‘So you can fix a brief visit for us?’ she pressed. ‘Quid pro quo and all that.’

By way of an answer, Falk reached forward and pulled something from his desk. It was an old shoebox. He hesitated for a second, before handing it to Narov.

‘Here. Take it. Video tapes. All filmed inside the BV222. Several dozen of them. I expect there is not an inch of that aircraft that has not been covered.’ Konig raised one shoulder apologetically. ‘You gave me a film to die for. This is the best I can offer in return.’ He paused, then glanced at Narov with a tortured look. ‘But please – one thing. Do not watch them until you are gone.’

Narov held his gaze. Jaeger could see that there was real compassion in her eyes. ‘Fine, Falk. But why?’

‘They are… somehow personal, as well as being of the seaplane.’ He shrugged. ‘Don’t watch until you leave. That is all I ask.’

Jaeger and Narov nodded their consent. Jaeger didn’t doubt Konig’s honesty, and he was dying to see what was on those tapes. They’d stop somewhere on the drive out and spin through a few of them.

Either way, they knew now what lay beneath the mountain. They could always return, parachuting in there in force if need be, and fight their way on to that warplane.

But first, sleep. He craved rest. As his body came down from the massive rush – the buzz of the assault – he felt waves of deadening fatigue wash over him.

Tonight, doubtless, he’d sleep like the dead.