Hunted by Chris Ryan

Author:Chris Ryan [Chris Ryan]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781407049854
Publisher: RHCB

15

THUNDERBIRD

'Gaston's going up in a balloon to monitor the tagged elephants. Normally I'd go with him, but I've got other business to attend to. Would anyone like to go up instead of me?'

Joe Chandler had found Alpha Force in the lounge having breakfast. He looked as though he hadn't slept much. The sun streamed in through the lounge windows and highlighted the lines on his face, making him look older than they remembered.

It was Paulo who replied first. 'We'd absolutely love to go up,' he said.

'Yes please,' chorused Alex, Amber and Hex.

Li stayed quiet.

Joe seemed surprised by their enthusiasm. A smile spread across his tired features. 'Good. He can take three passengers.'

Li immediately said that she didn't mind staying.

'I'll stay too and feed Moya. You can help me, Li,' Paulo said quickly.

'Fab,' said Li.

Joe frowned. He pulled a chair out from another table and sat down. 'You know, you don't have to do all this. You can relax in the pool if you want – well, not this morning as it's got some nasty cleaning chemicals in it which you wouldn't want to swallow. But Patrick can do Moya.'

'Joe, we're happy to,' Paulo said. 'In fact when we leave, you might have trouble stopping me smuggling Moya out.'

Everyone laughed, including Joe.

Amber voiced the question that was on everyone's mind: 'This other business – is it something to do with Tessa?'

'No, it's a guest problem.'

Right on cue, Toby, Ralph and Ben walked through the lounge, each carrying a large suitcase. Ralph carried the ruined gun in a canvas case over his shoulder. They nodded curtly to Alpha Force and made their way to the french windows.

'Are they leaving?' said Paulo. 'They only just got here.'

'They are leaving,' said Joe emphatically. 'I am personally taking them to the airport. See that rifle they've got? They went out with it last night to shoot an animal. We'd confiscated their ammunition but they'd hidden some in their rooms.'

'How did you find out?' said Amber. She tried her best to make the enquiry sound casual.

'Gaston found them this morning. Their gun jammed and a lion chased them up a tree.'

Alpha Force looked at one another in amazement. Li let out a snort of laughter before she had time to control herself.

Alex shook his head. 'Serves them right. I bet they were in a state when Gaston found them.'

Even Joe was smiling. 'Yeah,' he said triumphantly. 'He thought they were poachers and he nearly shot them.' He got up. 'Listen, guys, I'll see you later. I'm dropping in on Tess on the way back – I'll give her your love.'

They watched his big frame as he crossed the room. 'I don't believe it,' Alex whispered to the others. 'They didn't even test-fire the weapon before they went out.'

Toby's voice floated through the windows. 'You can't do this to us; we're paying guests.'

They heard Joe's assured tones: 'Yeah, well, we don't need guests like you.'

'My dad will sue you,' said Ben.

Joe was not put off his stride in the slightest.

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