and just before impact Siegfried woke up bathed in sweat.
Panting, Siegfried rolled over and sat up. Reaching through the mosquito
netting, he found a glass of water and took a drink. The problem with
his dream was that it was too real. This was the incident through which
he’d lost the use of his right arm and had the skin of his face flayed
open.
Siegfried sat on the edge of his bed for a few moments before he
realized the shrieking he’d thought was from his dream was coming from
outside his window. A moment later, he realized the source: loud West
African rock music emanating from a cheap cassette player.
Siegfried looked at the clock. Seeing that it was close to two a.m., he
became instantly incensed. Who could be so insolent to make such noise
at that time in the morning?
Sensing the noise was coming across the green in front of his house, he
got out of bed and stepped onto the veranda. To his surprise and dismay
the music was coming from Kevin Marshall’s. In fact, Siegfried could see
who was responsible: It was the soldiers guarding the house.
Anger coursed through Siegfried’s body like a bolt of electricity.
Ducking back inside his bedroom, he called Cameron and ordered the
security director to meet him over at Kevin’s. Siegfried slammed the
phone down. He pulled on his clothes. As he left the house he grabbed
one of his old hunting carbines.
Siegfried walked directly across the green. The closer he got to
Kevin’s, the louder the music became. The soldiers were in a puddle of
light beneath a bare light bulb. Sprinkled across the ground at their
feet were numerous empty bottles of wine. Two of the soldiers were
singing along with the music while playing imaginary instruments. The
other two appeared to have passed out.
By the time Siegfried got to the scene, Cameron’s car had careened down
the cobblestone street and screeched to a halt. Cameron jumped out. He
was still buttoning his shirt as he approached Siegfried. He glanced at
the inebriated soldiers and was clearly appalled.
Cameron started to apologize when Siegfried cut him off. ‘Forget about
explanations and excuses,’ he said. ‘Get upstairs and make sure Mr.
Marshall and his two friends are tucked in for the night.’
Cameron touched the tip of hat in faint salute. He disappeared up the
stairs. Siegfried could hear him pounding on the door. A moment later,
several lights went on in the living quarters.
Siegfried fumed as he watched the soldiers. They hadn’t even noticed his
presence or Cameron’s.
Cameron came back looking pale and shaking his head. ‘They’re not
there.’
Siegfried tried to control his anger enough to think. The level of
incompetence with which he had to work was astounding.
‘What about his LandCruiser?’ Siegfried snapped.
‘I’ll check,’ Cameron said. He ran back, literally pushing his way
through the singing soldiers. He returned almost instantly. ‘It’s gone.’
‘What a surprise!’ Siegfried said sarcastically. Then he snapped his
fingers and motioned toward Cameron’s car.
Siegfried got in the front seat while Cameron climbed in behind the
wheel.
‘Call and alert your security force,’ Siegfried ordered. ‘I want Kevin’s
car found immediately. And call the gate. Make sure it hasn’t left the
Zone. Meanwhile, take me to town hall.’
Cameron used his car phone as he maneuvered his vehicle around the
block. Both numbers were stored in his phone’s autodialer so it was a
hands-free operation. Stomping on the accelerator, he headed north.
By the time they neared the town hall, the official search for Kevin’s
car had been initiated. It was readily determined that the vehicle had
not tried to go through the gate. As they turned into the parking lot
both heard the music.
‘Uh-oh!’ Cameron said.
Siegfried stayed silent. He was trying to prepare himself for what he
now suspected.
Cameron pulled to a halt at the building. His headlights picked up the
debris that had resulted when the bar frames had been yanked out of the
wall. The pile of chain was visible.
‘This is a disaster,’ Siegfried said with a tremulous voice. He stepped
out of the car with the carbine. Although he had to hold the gun with