Chapter 18

Nate and Sterling arrived in Kuruman a short time after making their get away, luckily Nate had taken both Wicus' and Johannes' wallets and they had some cash on them and Johannes' mobile phone. They had stopped in at the local PEP for clothes and from the looks they got from the clerk at the counter they knew they looked in a bad way. They smiled at the clerk and Nate offered up an explanation that they had been in a slight accident which was met with a smile and a nod and an expression of sympathy. They got the same looks at the bottle store when they stopped in to get some of Nate's favourite lubricant. Then they headed over to 'Die Oog' a nearby resort which had been recommended by the lady at the clothes store, which would offer them more privacy than a hotel, and the added benefit was that Nate doubted the guys that were after them would look there, they would look at the hotel yes, and when Nate and Sterling were not there they would assume that they had headed straight off to Johannesburg, or at least that was what he hoped.

Once they had cleaned themselves up and taken care of their injuries, they had both suffered bruised ribs and other minor scrapes. Nate had a gash on his stomach and Sterling on his leg where the bullets had grazed them, but although painful, neither of them had any life threatening problems. Their clothes were torn and bloody and they were filthy, which made them look a lot worse for wear.

"Ok so what is the plan now?" Sterling asked as he and Nate sat at the table in the small self-catering unit they had booked into.

"We get some food, we get some rest and then we head back to Johannesburg." Nate said as he picked up his glass of whiskey and took a sip, then looking at Sterling held up his and as he saw Sterling's mouth open to say something.

"I know you want to stop that sonofabitch and I also heard the comment 'new shipment' and believe me I understand what he meant. But fact is fact, we are in no position to go up against him alone. Now we call du Plessis and give him the heads up, tell him the when and where. At the same time we can find out about Olivia and make arrangements to get her home."

"Nate I know you did not sign up for this, we were just meant to get Olivia out and that is what we have done. We can walk away but…"

"Believe me I know how you feel and I feel the same way, but there is no way we can take them on alone, this time they will be more cautious after losing their previous 'shipment'. Be reasonable Sterling, your guy du Plessis seemed like a good guy with no information, so let's give him the information and let him run with it."

"Fine then let's give him a call now."

Nate nodded and picked up the phone and dialled in the number for the Interpol offices. It rang three times before somebody picked it up.

"Can I speak to Charles du Plessis please?" He said to the operator who told him to hold while she put him through. After a few more rings the phone was answered by another man who told Nate that Charles was not in the office but he would take a message for him. Nate asked for the mans mobile number but was told that he, Stephan, was not at liberty to give said number out and asked again to take a message. Nate told him it was ok and he would call back later.

"Don't know who we can trust in that office. I'm sure Charles is on the up but…" Nate replied to Sterling's unanswered question of why he did not leave a message.

"Agreed so now what?"

"Let's go get some food." Nate said rising and grabbing the keys to the car. "I don't think it will take those two much longer to get back to the compound, if they aren't there already."

"I doubt they will think we stopped over here, probably will think we headed straight to Johannesburg."

"Probably but no guarantee, that car is a dead giveaway."

"Agreed on that. So what do you suggest?"

"I suggest we go, get some food and then get back here as quickly as possible, they will look at the hotel, I doubt they will look here, if they do come looking for us tonight. We get some rest and then leave before dawn tomorrow."

"Why not leave the car and take alternate transportation."

"Because Sterling, there are not many options of alternative transport, I would figure only a bus or train would be an option, and if they come looking for us here and find the car and not us, they will know exactly where we are and how we are travelling."

"Of course…" Sterling said ruefully.

They headed into town and stopped at the first fast food place they found. Both ordered a hamburger and chips and then sat down and waited for their order. Nate picked up a tourist brochure of the area while they waited and read through it. It took ten minutes for the food to arrive and then they headed back to their place.

Nate poured himself and Sterling another whiskey and then they both ate their food without saying much. Once they were done Nate poured another whiskey and sat back in his chair.

"Two options, we take the car and head back to Johannesburg, which is what they will expect."

"Or…"

"We head in the opposite direction. We go to Upington and take a plane from there."

"I vote plane…" Sterling replied. "Quicker and easier. How far is Upington from here?"

"According to this about an hour and a halves drive." Nate said dropping the brochure on the table. "Seems to be regular morning and afternoon flights out to Johannesburg."

"Ok flights it is then." Sterling said drinking down the last of his glass. "I'm going to get some sleep. We should leave early tomorrow morning around 3am I would say to be there in time for the first flight out."

"Agreed." Nate said pouring another small glass of whiskey. "I'm right behind you."

Thanks again for reading guys. Hope you all still enjoying the story.