Jock was thrown up against the dashboard by the deceleration.
Daniel jumped out of the Toyota and ran back to where the refrigerator truck had managed to pull up, blocking his tailgate.
He recognized Gomo, the senior ranger, at the wheel and called to him.
Sorry! My fault. Are you okay?
Gama looked shaken by the near collision but he nodded. I'm okay, Doctor. When did you leave Chiwewe? Daniel demanded, and Gomo hesitated. For some reason the question seemed to disconcert him. How long ago? Daniel insisted. I don't know for sure. . . At that moment there was the sound of other vehicles approaching down the escarpment road and Daniel glanced around to see the second truck come grinding through the next bend.
It was running in low gear to combat the gravity of the steep gradient.
Fifty yards behind the truck followed Ambassador Ning Cheng Gong's blue Mercedes. The two vehicles slowed and then pulled up behind Gomo's truck and Daniel strode towards the Mercedes.
As he approached, Ambassador Ning opened his door and stepped out into the dusty track. Doctor Armstrong, what are you doing here? He seemed agitated but his voice was soft, barely audible.
When did you leave Chiwewe? Daniel ignored the question.
He was desperate to know that Johnny and Mavis were safe and the Ambassador's -reaction puzzled him.
Cheng's agitation increased. Why do you ask that? he whispered.
Why are you returning? You were supposed to be on your way to Harare:Look here, Your Excellency. All I want to know is that there has been no trouble at Chiwewe. Trouble? What trouble? Why should there be trouble? The ambassador reached into his pocket and brought out a handkerchief.
What are you suggesting, Doctor? I'm not suggesting anything.
Daniel found it hard to conceal his exasperation. I picked up the tracks of a large party of men crossing the road and heading in the direction of Chiwewe. I am worried that they may be a gang of armed poachers and I am on my way back to warn the warden. There is no trouble, Cheng assured him. Daniel noticed that a faint sheen of perspiration bloomed on his forehead. Everything is well. I left there an hour ago. Warden Nzou is just fine.
I spoke to him when we left and there was no sign of any trouble. He wiped his face with the handkerchief. An hour ago?
Daniel asked, and checked his stainless steel Rolex. He felt a vast sense of relief at Ambassador Ning's reassurance. So you left there at about five-thirty? Yes, Yes.
Cheng's tone sharpened with affront. Are you questioning my word?
Do you doubt what I am telling you? Daniel was surprised by his tone and the strength of his denials. You misunderstand me, Your Excellency. Of course I don't doubt what you say. Cheng's prestige as an ambassador was the main reason that Chetti Singh had insisted that he be present at Chiwewe.
Cheng's natural inclination had been assiduously to avoid the scene of the raid, and even to fly to Taipei while it was in progress to give himself an infallible alibi. However, Chetti Singh had threatened to call off the operation unless Cheng was present to vouch for the fact that the raid had taken place after the convoy of trucks had left Chiwewe. That was the whole crux of the operation. As an accredited ambassador, Cheng's word would carry enormous weight in the subsequent police investigation. The testimony of the two black rangers alone might not have been accepted implicitly. The police might even have decided to give them a little earnest questioning in a back cell at Chikurubi prison and Chetti Singh was not confident that they would have withstood that treatment.
No, the police must be made to believe that when Cheng had left Chiwewe with the convoy all had been well. That way they must assume that the raiders had carried the ivory away With them or that it had been destroyed in the fire that consumed the godown. I'm sorry if I gave you the impression that I was doubting your word Your Excellency, Daniel placated him. It was just that I am worried about Johnny, about the warden. Well, I assure you that you have no reason to worry. Cheng stuffed the handkerchief in his hip pocket and reached for the packet of cigarettes in the top pocket of his open-neck shirt. He tapped one out of the pack but his fingers were slightly unsteady
and he let the cigarette drop into the dust between his feet.
Daniel's eyes were instinctively drawn down as Cheng stooped quickly to retrieve the fallen cigarette. He wore white canvas training shoes and Daniel noticed that the side of one shoe and the cuff of his blue cotton slacks were smeared with a stain that looked at first glance like dried blood.
This puzzled Daniel for a moment, until he remembered that Cheng had been present that morning when the fresh tusks had been unloaded from the truck and stored in the godown. The explanation for the stains on his clothing was obvious; he must have picked them up from a puddle of congealed elephant blood in which the tusks had lain.
Cheng noticed the direction of his gaze and stepped back quickly, almost guiltily, into the driver's seat of the Mercedes and slammed the door.
Unthinkingly Daniel noticed the unusual fish-scale pattern that the soles of his training shoes left in the fine dust of the roadway.
Well, I am happy to have been able to set your fears at rest, Doctor.
Cheng smiled at him through the window of the Mercedes. He had regained his composure and his smile was once again suave and charming.
I'm glad to have saved you an unnecessary journey all the way back to Chiwewe. I am sure you will want to join the convoy and get out of the Park before the rains break. He started the Mercedes. Why don't you take the lead position ahead of the trucks? Thank you, Your Excellency.
Daniel shook his head and stepped back. You go on with the trucks.
I won't be joining you. I want to go back anyway. Somebody has to warn Johnny Nzou. Cheng's smile evaporated. You are giving yourself a great deal of unnecessary trouble, I assure you. I suggest you telephone him from Mana Pools or Karoi. Didn't I tell you? They cut the telephone wires. Doctor Armstrong, that is preposterous. I am sure you, are mistaken. I think you are exaggerating the seriousness of this-'You think what you like, said Daniel with finality. I'm going back to Chiwewe. He stepped back from the window of the Mercedes.
Doctor Armstrong, Cheng called after him, look at those rain clouds.
You could be trapped here for weeks. I'll take the chance, Daniel told him blithely, but to himself he thought, just why is he being so insistent?
Something is starting to smell distinctly rotten here.
He walked quickly back towards the Landcruiser. As he passed the trucks he noticed that neither of the rangers had dismounted from the driver's cabs. They were both looking sullen and neither of them said anything as he passed close beside them. All right, Gomo, he called, pull your truck forward so I can get past you. Without a word the ranger obeyed. Then the second truck rumbled past and finally the Ambassador's Mercedes came level. Daniel lifted a hand in farewell.
Cheng barely glanced in his direction but gave him a perfunctory salute before following the trucks around the bend and heading on down towards the Mana Pools turn-off. What did the Chink have to say? Jock asked as Daniel reversed back into the roadway and put the Toyota to the steep gradient.
He says it was all quiet at Chiwewe when he left there an hour ago, Daniel replied. That's a fair do. Jock reached into the cold box and fished out a can of beer. He offered it to Daniel who shook his head and concentrated on the road ahead. Jock opened the can for himself, took a long slug, and belched happily.
The light began to fade and a few heavy drops of rain splattered against the windscreen but Daniel did not slacken speed. it was completely dark before they reached the crest of the escarpment. The lightning blazed through the darkness, illuminating the forest with a crackling blue radiance and thunder rolled across the sky and cannonaded the ridges of granite which rose on each side of the road.