Nikos descended the stairs to the ground-floor exit. The General’s men had started fires with incendiary devices on the east side of the inn. Before long, the iconic Victoria Falls Hotel would be consumed by hungry flames.
The General had brought only a small force, probably because they were in the sovereign territory of another country and he couldn’t risk having their movement look like an invasion. That gave Nikos and his men an advantage.
Two sharpshooters targeted the General’s soldiers from outside, while three of his operatives worked the inside. He’d assigned his best man the job of making sure Thea escaped safely. No matter how well trained the Kanzian platoon was, the men would be no match against his special-ops team.
Nikos exited the building and crept along the thick foliage nearby, then sprinted toward the General’s Land Cruiser, which was parked at the far end of the hotel. The giant was issuing commands from the safety of the armored vehicle. This close to grabbing the throne, he wasn’t about to put himself in jeopardy.
When Nikos was within range of the General’s view, he slowed his pace and faked a limp. Chi’s blood helped sell the story. His breath was raspy from running as he approached the Land Cruiser. “I’m hit. Kimweri’s on the west side of the building, still alive.”
The General assessed him shrewdly. He hadn’t reached his position by being a fool. Deeply obsessed with his own safety, he never went anywhere alone, as evidenced by the two bodyguards sitting in the rear of the vehicle. But Ita Jemwa’s paranoia was outmatched by his lust for power, which Nikos was depending on. More than anything, the General wanted to be the next ruler of Kanzi.
His radio buzzed.
“The prime minister’s escaping. We need backup,” one of Nikos’s snipers shouted in Swahili, pretending to be a rebel soldier.
The General pressed the talk button. “Which way?”
“West.”
“Go.” The General gestured to his two guards. “Track down the old man.”
“Through the jungle path.” Nikos pointed. “You can catch him. The prime minister is old and slow.”
“Kill Kimweri and anyone with him,” the General instructed the guards.
The men exited the Land Cruiser and sprinted across the field, disappearing into the jungle. Rain pelted Nikos’s face. He opened the driver’s-side door. “The gods are angry today.” He gestured toward the sky.
“Because they want me to lead Kanzi in a new direction.” The General’s eyes blazed.
“I’m afraid the coup is over.” Nikos whipped out his Glock and pointed it at the General’s temple. “Hands on the wheel.”
Cold realization dawned on the giant’s face. He’d performed too many double-crosses himself not to realize he’d been duped. “I should’ve known.”
Nikos searched him for weapons, removed a knife and a pistol, dropped them to the ground and kicked them under the truck. “People believe what they want to hear most. It’s what helps men like you and I deceive them.” He remained alert. The General was a seasoned warrior who wouldn’t go down easily, and Nikos wanted to keep him alive for a little while longer.
“You need me. Don’t be a fool.”
“Get out, hands above your head. Make a move, and I’ll shoot you in the leg like Kofi did all those years ago.”
“And look what happened to him.”
“I’m not Kofi.”
The General slid his bulk out of the vehicle. Although his former abductor had aged, he still maintained his brute strength. Nikos remained far enough away that any attempt to escape could be stopped by a bullet to the giant’s legs. He didn’t want things to end quite yet, not before he’d had his say.
“Hands in front.” He grasped the Glock in one hand while securing a thick zip tie from his pocket.
“This isn’t necessary. We’re stronger as a team.” The General presented his hands with his thumbs together, palms facing downward, fists clenched tight.
“Unclench your fists, and turn your wrists inward.” Nikos wasn’t taking any chances the giant would squirm out. He yanked on the zip tie, making sure the thick plastic was tight around the General’s meaty hands. “Kimweri trusted you, and look what happened.”
“You’re different. We’re cut from the same cloth.”
“Desperation breeds false humility. I’ve been there myself, thanks to you. Now we’ve come full circle. Move.”
The General entered the thick bush at a lumbering pace. Nikos wanted him far from his Land Cruiser in case his bodyguards returned. No one was going to interrupt this long-overdue meeting.
“You’re different from your father. Not so greedy. You care about the people of Kanzi.”
“Don’t misinterpret my deeds. I’m no communist; I just like to help the underdog. Head to the right.” He’d hidden a few items in the jungle earlier in preparation for this moment.
“The people of Kanzi love and respect me.”