Kevin winced and looked away, expecting to hear another blow. He admired
Candace’s courage and wished that he shared some. But he was terrified
of Siegfried and afraid to move.
When another blow did not materialize, Kevin looked back. Candace had
Melanie standing shakily on her feet.
‘You’ll be leaving the Zone soon enough,’ Siegfried snarled at Melanie.
‘But it will be in the company of the Equatoguinean authorities. You can
try your insolence on them.’
Kevin swallowed with difficulty. Being given to the Equatoguineans was
what he’d feared most.
‘I’m an American,’ Melanie sobbed.
‘But you are in Equatorial Guinea,’ Siegfried snapped. ‘And you’ve
violated Equatoguinean law.’
Siegfried stepped back. ‘I’ve confiscated all of your passports. Just so
you know, they will be given to the local authorities along with your
persons. In the meantime, you are to stay here in this house. And I warn
you that these soldiers and this officer have been ordered to shoot if
you so much as take one step outside. Have I made myself clear?’
‘I need some clothes,’ Melanie cried.
‘I’ve had clothes for both of you women brought from your quarters and
thrown into upstairs guest rooms,’ Siegfried said. ‘Believe me, we have
thought of everything.’
Siegfried turned to Cameron. ‘See that these people are taken care of.’
‘Of course, sir,’ Cameron said. He touched the tip of his hat before
turning to Kevin and the women.
‘Okay, you’ve heard the manager,’ he barked. ‘Upstairs you go and no
trouble, please.’
Kevin started forward but he detoured enough to go by Bertram. ‘They
were using more than fire. They were making tools and even talking with
each other.’
Kevin walked on. He’d not seen any reaction in Bertram’s face other than
a slight movement of his perpetually elevated eyebrows. But Kevin was
certain Bertram had heard him.
As Kevin wearily climbed to the second floor, he saw Cameron already
organizing an area for the soldiers and the officer to occupy at the
base of the stairs.
Up in the front hall Kevin, Melanie, and Candace eyed each other.
Melanie was still sobbing intermittently.
Kevin breathed out. ‘This is not good news,’ he said.
‘They can’t do this to us,’ Melanie whimpered.
‘The point is they are going to try,’ Kevin said. ‘And without our
passports we’d have trouble leaving the country even if we were to walk
out of here.’
Melanie put her hands on either side of her face and squeezed. ‘I’ve got
to get ahold of myself,’ she said.
‘I feel numb again,’ Candace admitted. ‘We’ve gone from one form of
captivity to another.’
Kevin sighed. ‘At least they didn’t put us in the jail.’
Outside they heard multiple car engines start and vehicles pull away.
Kevin went out onto the veranda and saw all the cars leaving except for
Cameron’s. Glancing up into the sky, he noted that twilight was
deepening into night. A few stars were visible.
Turning back into the house, Kevin went directly to the phone. Picking
it up, he heard what he’d expected to hear: nothing.
‘Is there a dial tone?’ Melanie asked from behind him.
Kevin replaced the receiver. He shook his head. ‘I’m afraid not.’
‘I didn’t expect so,’ Melanie said.
‘Let’s take showers,’ Candace suggested.
‘Good idea,’ Melanie said, making an effort to sound positive.
After agreeing to meet in a half hour, Kevin walked back through the
dining room and pushed open the kitchen door. As dirty as he was, he
didn’t want to enter. The smell of roast chicken teased his nose.
Esmeralda had leaped to her feet the moment the door opened.
‘Hello, Esmeralda,’ Kevin said.
‘Welcome, Mr. Marshall,’ Esmeralda said.
‘You didn’t come out to greet us like you always do,’ Kevin said.
‘I was afraid the manager was still here,’ Esmeralda said. ‘He and the
security man had come up earlier to say you were coming home and that
you would not be able to leave the house.’
‘That’s what they told me, too,’ Kevin said.
‘I’ve made food for you,’ Esmeralda said. ‘Are you hungry?’
‘Very much,’ Kevin said. ‘But there are two guests.’
‘I know,’ Esmeralda said. ‘The manager told me that as well.’