UMTATA by Brian Godfrey

Author:Brian Godfrey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Troubador Publishing Ltd
Published: 2019-09-24T16:00:00+00:00

24

Trust in an Old Friend

Charles was looking forward to seeing Naomi. He had left Nkana Golf Club a little inebriated, and drove slowly and carefully – he needed to if he was to survive the exit road. On the way home he gave a lot of thought to his meeting on the course with Martin.

When the heat had initially been put on him at Sullom Voe, he had suspected it was Martin who was the culprit who exposed him. Then later, during gym sessions, he was conscious of Valeron’s actions and mannerisms and felt as though he was setting him up.

It seemed to Charles at the time that he was devising tasks for him, including visiting the IRA’s operations cottage in Brae, a secret location where they could link Charles and his colleague to bomb making.

Could he trust him now? He was prepared to put things behind him and move on, but what if Martin did not feel the same way? He could set him up again. He’d seemed relaxed after the golf, but Charles would need to steer him and persuade Martin not to mention their meeting with anyone especially George Webster – he was sitting on a tightrope.

That evening it was a peaceful time for Charles and Naomi; they were excited about their recent endeavours, and hoped they would get some positive return from them. He had made contact with a friend from Zimbabwe – he had met this guy at the pub in Ndola, but later he’d lost his employment and moved back to Bulawayo. His name was Chola, and during one routine telephone conversation he’d mentioned that he knew of a Ghanaian family who lived in the neighbourhood, and promised to investigate.

They’d also heard from a lady in Nigeria, but soon the conversation dwindled; she, like many others, was trying to see how much money was in it for her.

“Please do not let your hopes run too wild in the first instance; nearly all the information we have received so far has suggested a hoax,” Charles warned.

“Yes, we must be careful, and I understand fully, but I am always hoping that the next telephone call we get will be a good one,” said Naomi.

“In the case of Zimbabwe I will send Chola a note asking him to verify the information about the family he mentioned.

“However, a note came to me from a family in a place called Maputo on the east coast of Africa.” Charles was matter-of-fact.

“Maputo, yes, I know exactly where that is; it sounds a good possibility, the sort of place that Kwasi would go to hide with his girlfriend.”

“You do not know that she is even still with him, or if the kids are with him.” Charles was trying to be constructive.

“Anyway, what shall we do with this one?” asked Naomi.

“I will try to make contact.” Charles got up. “Like some tea, or would you prefer a beer?”

He had requested the information he wanted from Chola, but never heard from him again.

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