The Summoner: by Layton Green

Author:Layton Green
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781456546861
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Published: 2011-03-07T05:00:00+00:00

32

Nya stopped at the Munhumutapa building on Samora Machel, in between Second and Third. The grey, utilitarian city block housed various ministries, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the well-fortified entrance allowed Grey to breathe. Two guards approached as soon as Nya killed the engine, and retreated after she identified herself.

“Not going inside?” Grey said.

“I don’t feel like answering questions. I already have to explain the loss of my second gun in a week.”

“What’d you throw at the man holding me down?”

“A pen. People will react to almost anything thrown at their face, even for a split second, especially if it’s dark.”

“Quick thinking. It probably saved our lives.”

She fell silent for a moment, then shuddered. “We need to talk.”

“I think we do.”

“I want you to come to my house. It’s safe there, and you need help with your wounds.”

Grey felt his head. Matted blood caked the top of it, and it hurt to the touch. He did need to clean it. “There are hospitals.”

“You know that would take all night, assuming they have antibiotics this week, which is doubtful.”

She was right about that; he’d heard horror stories of the situation at the floundering hospitals, reduced to a skeletal state by the broken economy. The Embassy had a clinic, but he didn’t want to call in a doctor at this hour for a non life-threatening wound, nor did he want to have to make a report and answer questions.

Could he trust her enough to go with her? There was no doubt she’d been fighting for her life, but there was also no doubt as to what he’d seen in the photo.

“I don’t think so, Nya.”

She didn’t answer, but reached up and gently wiped the dirt and blood from his face. He stilled and watched her.

“I assure you there’s no danger. Call your Embassy and let them know where you’re going, if you wish.”

He studied her face. Her eyes told him that tonight, at least, he was in no danger from her. He let his head fall back on the head rest. “Okay. I’ll come, and we’ll talk.”

• • •

The drive through the deserted streets of Harare didn’t take long. They headed north on Robert Tangwena Avenue into Avondale West, skirting the western edge of the northern suburbs. They drove down more jacaranda-lined streets and pulled up to a high brick wall capped with broken glass. Nya stopped the car in front of an iron gate, motioned for Grey to wait, got out of the car and deftly maneuvered a massive padlock. She undid the chain wrapped around the padlock, swung the gates open and drove through. She repeated the process to close the gate.

Two Alsatians sniffed Grey before running to Nya. She greeted them with tender hugs. “My security system.”

“I haven’t seen that many dogs in Harare. Given the security concerns I thought there’d be more.”

“Zimbabweans don’t believe in keeping pets in the house. And if the dogs are kept outside and someone wants to rob you, they toss poisoned meat over the wall.

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