“We were hoping for the girl’s uncle but feel certain you’ll settle for the boy.”
“What makes you think we want him?”
“You came this far, didn’t you?”
Sam sensed Remi bristling. He checked her phone, sitting in the cupholder, waiting for Lazlo’s call. “How much?” he asked Makao.
“The same as before. One hundred thousand dollars. When you wire it to my account, I’ll give you the boy.”
Finally, Remi’s phone lit up. Lazlo was in place. “No need,” Sam said. “I’ve got the money here.”
“You expect me to believe you have that much cash with you?”
“I had it delivered by special courier when I thought you had my wife.” Sam didn’t give him time to think. “Keep the boy in the open where I can see him. Meet me halfway. I’ll bring the money to you. If you’re satisfied it’s all there, you send the boy to me.”
A stretch of silence followed, then Makao said, “Agreed. But keep your hands where I can see them or you won’t make it back to your car.”
The phone beeped as Makao disconnected. Sam saw him talking to Kambili, who nodded in response to whatever he was saying.
“Let’s hope this works,” Sam said.
CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE
Love never gets lost;
it’s only kept.
– AFRICAN PROVERB –
Remi handed Sam a Bluetooth earpiece. He placed it in his ear and tucked his Smith & Wesson into the back of his waistband.
Remi called his phone, telling him, “Be careful. I’m calling Lazlo now.”
He nodded when her voice sounded in his earpiece, then opened his door, holding up his empty left hand. Remi handed him his backpack. He lifted it by its strap with his other hand, making sure Makao knew he wasn’t holding a gun.
“I’m almost there,” Lazlo said.
Remi opened her door a few inches, bracing one foot on the frame, aiming her Sig in the direction of Makao’s truck. “Sam, stay to the left.”
Sam walked slowly toward the two men, glad to see the few wary pedestrians quickly running from the street out of sight. And no wonder. As many burned-out shells of houses Sam had seen on his way in, he knew the people here were no strangers to violence.
Makao and Kambili waited at the front of their truck, Chuk just behind them. When Sam reached the halfway mark, he tossed the backpack on the ground and held up both of his hands. “It’s yours.” Sam backed away to the left, making sure Remi had a line of sight.
Makao pushed Kambili. “Go get it.”
Kambili reluctantly moved forward.
C’mon, Lazlo …
“Here,” Lazlo said.
Sam saw him standing just behind the mud-sided building, waving at Chuk. The boy looked over at the professor, but then, surprising Sam, moved closer to Makao.
Sam heard Remi sigh. “I don’t think Chuk realizes that we’re trying to save him. Lazlo, you’re going to have to grab him.”
“I’ve got a better idea,” Lazlo said, ducking back behind the building. “Buy me a few more seconds.”
That’s all they had left. Once Kambili reached the backpack, and realized the only cash it contained was probably a bit of change in the front zippered pocket, they were done for.