Lunch was a barbecue – thick steaks and boerewors (a southern African sausage), salads and bread. The Planeteers ate hungrily while Mapfumo talked.
"It started with almost half a herd of zebra. Then a litter of lion cubs went missing. We had been observing that particular family for months, so we noticed their absence at once."
"Did you have some kind of tracking device on them?" Ma-Ti broke in. "Surely that would …"
Tendai shook his head sadly. "It was like they had never existed, We could get no signal from the microchips – absolutely nothing. They just disappeared completely."
Wheeler started humming the Twilight Zone theme under his breath.
"Since then, more animals have gone missing – in huge numbers. And children, as you have heard." Mapfumo was silent for a moment. "Three children, playing beside a water hole."
"What makes you think their fate is connected to that of the animals?" asked Linka. "Perhaps they vanished for a different reason entirely."
Mapfumo nodded. "Yes, that is what I thought. But there was one thing …"
He reached into his pocket, and drew out a piece of folded cloth. "There was never anything found on the sites where the animals disappeared. But when we searched for the children, we found these."
Two things. A tiny mechanical contraption, shaped to look like a fly, with a camera implanted into its metal head. And a strip of zebra skin, smelly and stained with blood.
"This was cut with a sharp knife," said Wheeler, examining it. "And as for the little machine …"
"It reminds me of one of Luten Plunder's tracking devices," said Gi. "Like the one he used in China that time …"
"I remember!" said Linka. "It would cling to the panda's fur and scramble any signals from its microchips."
"And it looks just like a fly," Ma-Yi broke in, "so if oyu saw it, you wouldn't suspect anything …"
"That's pretty conclusive," said Wheeler. "Looks like Plunder may be behind this thing after all."
"Don't assume too much, Yankee," said Linka sharply. "Not until we find out more."
Wheeler's cheeks went the colour of his hair – whether with embarrassment or plan irritation, Linka couldn't tell.
"Yeah, well, of course we'll investigate this properly."
"Thank you, Planeteers." Tendai smiled at them. "This afternoon I will take you to the site where the children disappeared. Would that be a good first step?"
An hour later, the Geocruiser landed beside a water hole. The surrounding grass and bush was apparently deserted – although Ma-Ti could sense the presence of many small animals and birds not immediately apparent to the naked eye.
"This is where it happened," said Tendai sadly as they stepped down from the vehicle. "Twin sisters and their elder brother. Children of another ranger here in Hwange."
"Whose kids are they?" Wheeler asked as they walked to the water's edge. "What's his name?"
"Her name. Sarudzai. She has been a colleague of mine for over ten years. She is no longer working with us, however."
"Yeah, I can imagine. Great way to get someone out of the picture." Wheeler knelt on the banks of the water hole – although there wasn't much water left in it. "More of a mud hole, this."
"The drought," said Tendai heavily.
"It could be working to our advantage, though," said Gi, also kneeling beside the water. "Look at these."
Her finger traced the imprint of heavy tyre marks in the mud.
"They must have been hidden by the water before it dried up."
"Tyre tracks in the water?" said Wheeler. "And none on the banks? This is too weird."
Linka was standing still, listening. "There is no sound of birdsong. Is that normal, Tendai?"
The Shona shook his head. "The birds stopped singing here after the children disappeared. The villagers think there is some kind of curse on us."
"Seriously?" Wheeler raised his eyebrows.
"Oh yes – the fear of black magic is very strong here. And the n'anga doesn't help."
"Nanga?" Wheeler's Brooklyn accent made the word sound even more outlandish.
"Witchdoctor."
Linka shivered slightly. "I don't like the sound of that."
Wheeler straightened up decisively. "Neither do I. Can we meet this witchdoctor, Tendai? I've got a bad feeling about the guy."
"Certainly. I will take you."
The village, when they reached it, was small but prosperous. A busy market was doing a roaring trade.
"You American?" an elderly lady screeched at Wheeler. Her face was so lined that her eyes were hardly visible.
"Er … yeah," said Wheeler cautiously. He was used to meeting with anti-American sentiment in a lot of the countries they visited.
"You buy this!"
The old crone thrust a woven basket into the American's face.
"Um, I really don't think …"
"You buy! US dollars!"
"Hey, calm down." Wheeler rummaged in a pocket. "How much do you want for it?"
"One hundred US!"
"What? You've got to be freaking kidding!"
The old woman's eyes glinted avariciously. "One hundred!"
"No, forget it."
"Wheeler!" said Linka sternly. "Don't be so cheap."
"Cheap!" he spluttered. "I don't see you reaching for your roubles, babe …"
Mapfumo said something to the old woman in Shona, and she moved away, grumbling. As they moved through the market, Linka exclaimed at a tiny stone sculpture. She stopped to look at it, despite Gi's pulling her along.
"What is it?" she asked the street vendor.
A rapid sentence was translated by Tendai. "It is the Zimbabwe bird. Our national emblem. It appears in the carvings on the walls of Great Zimbabwe, the stone ruin from which our country gets its name."
"It is beautiful." Linka stroked the polished stone.
Wheeler stepped forward. "How much?"
"Gumi madhoro!"
The redhead looked questioningly at Mapfumo, who translated again. "Ten US dollars."
"Hey, now that's a number I can totally get behind." Wheeler handed over a handful of notes. "Pleasure doing business with you."
The vendor placed the little bird in his hand. By this time, Tendai, Gi and Ma-Ti had moved on ahead.
"Here you go, babe." Wheeler held out the sculpture to Linka. "It's yours."
She took it from him. "You didn't have to do that, Yankee." She smiled, a genuine smile, and Wheeler marveled once again at how it transformed her face. Her green eyes had a depth of colour to them that was almost unnatural, and her smile revealed two dimples that made his heart turn over.
"You're beautiful," he said, almost involuntarily.
Linka looked up at him silently.
"Guys!" Gi called from ahead. "Come on!"
Linka turned to follow her, and, after a minute, Wheeler did too.
They reached a small, dark hut. A bead curtain swung in the doorway.
"This is the home of the n'anga," said Tendai. "I will go in first." He disappeared.
"Creepy," Wheeler commented. A black rooster, scrawny and red-eyed, was pecking at scraps outside the hut's open door.
"This place gives me a bad feeling," says Ma-Ti.
Tendai stepped out into the street again. "He says he will only see two of you," he said in some bewilderment. "You, Wheeler, and Linka."
"Does he know our names?" asked Wheeler in surprise.
"No, but he said 'the one with red hair and the one with yellow hair'."
"Pretty spot-on descriptions," said Wheeler dryly. "Okay, come on babe. Let's get this over with."
One hand on her back, he guided her in, then followed.
Inside, the hut was dark, illuminated only by a small red fire. A pot of soup bubbled over it. There was a rustle from behind the flames, but the planeteers could see no one.
"Hi," said Wheeler. "I don't know what your official title is, sorry."
A chuckle came from the blackness. Wheeler pressed on.
"We're here to ask about those kids that disappeared. You said they had been cursed, apparently?"
"How is your father?" asked a voice, unexpectedly. Squinting, Linka could just make out the shape of a tall headdress.
"What's my father got to do with things?" asked Wheeler sharply.
"He will not live for much longer, fire-bringer. You should visit him."
Wheeler was silent for a moment, and then cried, "Fire!"
A flame shot up from his ring and illuminated the room. A spindly figure crouched in one corner started to cackle.
"Who are you?" asked the fire planeteer.
"Who are you?" asked the n'anga, laughing again.
"I could get this crap from a sideshow psychic," said Wheeler. "Tell us what we need to know."
"Wheeler!" Linka scolded. "Be polite."
"Ah yes." The witchdoctor's attention turned to the Russian. "You like birds, little yellow-head? But you don't like to see them caged. Why, then, are you in a cage of your own making?"
Linka paused, confused. Wheeler grabbed her arm. "Come on, babe. Let's get out of here."
As they turned to leave, the witchdoctor shrieked. "Something stirs beneath the water! I have warned you. Don't say I didn't warn you!"
Hysterical laughter followed the retreating planeteers as they emerged into the light.
"That guy is totally unhinged," said Wheeler, feeling unsettled. His father was very sick, it was true – after a lifetime of alcoholism, his liver was about to give up on him. But how would the witchdoctor know that? Perhaps he read it, thought Wheeler rationally. The Planeteers made occasional appearances in the tabloids, like any celebrities, and the media was always quick to pounce on any skeletons in the family closet.
Although, surely he would have known if his dad had been written about?
Linka was equally perturbed, trying to make sense of the witchdoctor's comments. "Da. He was no help at all," she agreed. "Let's go back to camp before it gets dark. We'll think again in the morning."
The first stars were piercing the grey sky by the time the group returned to the rondaavels, and the sound of crickets filled the air.
Gi sniffed. "Smells like rain?"
"Sadly, I doubt it," said Tendai, pulling in to the driveway. "Our hopes have been raised like this often in the past few weeks, but it comes to nothing."
Wheeler slapped at a mosquito that was feasting on his arm. "Ow! Time to get into a long-sleeved shirt, I think."
"I've got some insect repellent in my bag," said Linka.
"That's right, little Miss Organised." Wheeler's eyes were warm. He had seen her stroking the little stone sculpture on the drive back.
After dinner they settled in around a campfire. Tendai had a battered acoustic guitar which he passed to Wheeler.
"Sweet." The American strummed a few chords, then started to play 'Tears in Heaven'. "An oldie but a goodie."
"Play something we can sing, Wheeler," Gi complained.
Without missing a beat, he surged straight into 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight'. He had a good voice, as did Linka, and the two of them had fun with harmonies on the chorus. Tendai provided percussion, accompanying them on a small skin drum. As they dissolved into laughter after the song, none of them noticed the dark figure just beyond the firelight who watched for a few moments, then slipped away.
The night wore on. After a while, Tendai made his excuses and went to bed, smiling at the stamina of the young Planeteers. Ma-Ti left not long after. Soon it was just Wheeler, Linka and Gi.
Wheeler was still idly playing on the guitar, reclining against a log. Linka rested her head on his knees in a trusting gesture that made his heart swell with protectiveness and pride. Gi smiled at them, hugging her knees.
Wheeler stopped strumming and set the guitar down. "This is nice," he said with a sigh. "Apart from the mosquitoes, of course."
"And the moths," said Gi, swatting at one. "Shoo."
Wheeler tentatively stroked Linka's hair. "You okay, babe? You look pretty sleepy."
"Da, I think I will go to bed." Linka sat up and stretched, then shivered.
"You cold?" Wheeler quickly pulled off his sweatshirt. "Here."
"Thank you." Linka took it a little hesitantly. "Well, good night. Good night, Gi." She paused. "I just want to say, Yankee – you're doing a very good job on this mission. SO far," she added quickly. Linka wouldn't be Linka if she wasn't cautious with her praise.
She left, and Wheeler followed her with her eyes. Damn. Yearning looks again. Didn't he plan to stop doing that?
"You okay?" Gi asked quietly, shifting a little closer.
"Yeah, fine." The young American smiled a little wistfully. "She's just so damn pretty, you know? And sweet. Super smart, too."
"You've got it bad." She punched him playfully on the arm.
"I've had it bad for years." Wheeler sighed and leaned back. "And it hasn't gotten me anywhere."
"But it will! I have always had a good feeling about you two, from the very beginning."
"Yeah, which was six years ago. I mean, am I just being a dumbass? I should have taken the hint by now, right?" Wheeler was silent for a minute, resting his chin on one hand.
Gi laid a hand on his arm.
"I understand, Wheeler. I really do. I've been watching the two of you for years now …"
"Yeah, and doing your best to throw us together," said Wheeler. He smiled warmly to show he was just kidding.
"Well, maybe," Gi laughed. "I don't know what you can do about Linka. Sometimes I think she'll never change."
"Know that feeling," said Wheeler bitterly. He scuffed the toe of his trainer against the granite. "You think I should maybe just … let go of the whole thing?"
"You mean stop pursuing her?"
"I don't know. Maybe. Yes." He turned to her, his eyes very dark in the moonlight. "Maybe it's time for me to stop deluding myself that there's something there. I guess I'm just not the kind of guy she would be interested in."
"Oh, Wheeler …" Gi was, for once, lost for words. "I don't know what to tell you. I'm so sure that Linka has more feelings for you than she will admit, but she's so complicated."
"Yeah, I know." Wheeler smiled a little sadly. "Why couldn't I get involved with someone more straightforward?"
"Well, I'm pretty straightforward," Gi laughed.
"You're a great friend, Gi," said the American seriously. "I'm sorry you have to be in the middle of all this."
"That's okay. I'm just glad I can help."
"Yeah, I know you are," said Wheeler. He reached out and kissed her lightly on the cheek. "Thanks, hon."
He moved away slightly, but stayed close to her. Gi felt very strange, and did not speak. The fire planeteer looked closely into her brown eyes, then moved forward again; this time more purposefully. Just before his lips touched Gi's he glanced at her, questioningly, and the expression in her eyes encouraged him to kiss her gently.
Gi didn't know what to think. Wheeler had always been like a big brother to her. Sure, she thought he was good looking, and charming, and they always had a great time together, but … and then she had no more time for thinking, because the kiss had deepened. Making a tiny sound, half-laugh half-sob, she put up a hand to first clutch Wheeler's coat collar, and then touch his hair. Wheeler pulled her a little closer, and carried on kissing her with an intensity that made her head spin.
After some minutes, they broke apart. Gi was breathing quickly, and she found that somehow they had moved to a reclining position. A pair of blue eyes looked appealingly into her own.
"Oh god, Gi … I'm so sorry."
Gi said nothing. She felt numb, as if she was in shock.
"Oh man, I'm such an idiot. I'm just so, so sorry, Gi."
Wheeler scrambled to his feet, shaking his head.
"And I'm so damn selfish. Oh god …"
There was a break in his voice, and his eyes shone. Without saying anything more, he touched her shoulder with a tentative, gentle gesture, and then ran. Gi was left half-sitting, half-lying down on the granite, feeling confused and a little frightened.
Wheeler ran past the rondaavels and into the bush on the other side, feeling like a real jerk. What had he done? Alienated one of his closest friends by kissing her after he'd been whining about another woman for half an hour? That was about it. He didn't know what had come over him. A heady combination of the moonlight, the confusion of his emotions about Linka and Gi's friendly support had just made him into … a mess. Some leader he was turning out to be, managing to either piss off or sexually harass every member of his team, he told himself.
He was so engrossed in berating himself that he didn't hear the noise behind him, and therefore had no defence against the blow to the head that knocked him out.