Alex rushes inside. Spreads a MAP of Southern Africa.
Traces north. Marks Botswana.
He grabs pre-packed PROSPECTING GEAR.
Stuffs US DOLLARS from a SAFE.
Alex leaves a MESSAGE on an answering machine.
ALEX
Manfred — I need to get away.
I’ve been set up.
I took a backup disk—
He unplugs the PHONE.
Alex loads his MILITARY LANDROVER.
Fuel drums secured. Starts the engine.
Alex speeds north. The city falls away.
Wind tears through his hair.
Alex slips across — unnoticed.
Then freezes.
Realises.
No map.
Fear flashes.
He drives on.
Power. Calm. Authority.
Adrian studies a SECURITY PRINTOUT.
ALEX’S NAME HIGHLIGHTED.
IN: 7:00 AM
OUT: 7:28 AM
Adrian picks up the phone.
Dials.
ADRIAN
South African Securities
Commission.
He listens.
Face hardens.
A KALULA AIRLINES F28, painted SHOCKING GREEN, taxis to a
stop. Heat ripples off the tarmac.
Passengers spill out.
Last is HOLLY GARDNER (late 20s) — sun-darkened skin,
battered rucksack, bush hat dangling from one hand. Her eyes
are alert, wary.
A FLIGHT ATTENDANT offers help.
HOLLY
(smiles, firm)
I’m good.
She shoulders the rucksack and strides away.
Cool air. Noise. Holly pauses, overwhelmed.
She adjusts her pack, SLAPS ON HER BUSH HAT, heads straight
to a vending machine. Downs a JUICE in seconds.
She smiles faintly. Then checks a MONEY BELT under her shirt.
Counts quickly. All there.
Her expression darkens — memory intrudes.
FLASH IMAGES:
– A SHEEP STATION.
– A MAN FALLING.
– BLOOD IN DUST.
Holly blinks it away.
She rises, shoulders her pack, and heads for the exit.
End of Chapter Three