Jason couldn’t move. He stared at the approaching mountain as one hypnotized.
“You can trust this man, Jason.”
The grizzly giant tapped on Jason’s window. “Do you blokes need some help?” His voice was as gruff as his looks.
Jason’s hand reached toward the window winder, and Tim started whispering furiously. “What are you doing? Just because you have a death wish, doesn’t give you the right to involve me—”
Ignoring Tim, Jason wound down the window. “We’re headed for Gauteng and my car is overheating. Can you help us?”
The huge man shoved his fist into the car. Tim gasped in fright and nearly choked on his tongue.
“The name’s Ward.” He shook Jason’s hand vigorously. “I have a toe-hitch and a toe-rope in my van. Let’s get you hooked up.”
Ward headed back to his vehicle, and Jason smugly commented, “You see? He’s a good guy. Not the monster you thought he was.”
Tim was not convinced. “That’s what you say now. We’ll talk again once he’s taken your car, slit our throats and left us in a ditch.”
“You’re being melodramatic. Stop it.”
“Well, I am NOT driving up front with him. I’ll stay in this car and steer.”
“Whatever blows your hair back. I still think you’re being completely paranoid. I should have you checked out when we get home – you have some serious issues.”
“Laugh if you want Halloway. Time will prove me right.”
***
Ward proved to be a very entertaining travel companion. Widely travelled and well read, he could converse fluently on any subject that Jason threw at him. Surprisingly, they seemed to have a lot in common and also shared a similar taste in music.
The conversation lulled for a moment, and Ward spoke up. “The only reason I stopped to help you this evening was because the Lord told me to.”
The hairs on the back of Jason’s neck stood on end. “Excuse me?”
“I was driving along, as usual. The moment I laid eyes on your car, the Lord told me to stop and help you. So I did.”
Jason stammered, trying to frame a coherent thought. “Told as in spoke to you out loud?”
“Nah, more like an internal nudge. The longer you know Him, the easier it is to recognize. The Bible says that His sheep hear His voice. God knows how to speak to each of us in a way that we will hear Him.”
Jason felt sick. He thought about it for a moment: he was sitting in the dark with a complete stranger who he would probably never see again. This man had just admitted to ‘hearing’ a voice of sorts, a voice that told him what to do. It was a fairly low-risk environment to spill his guts. Jason decided to leap in feet first.
“What would you say to me, if I told you that I’ve been hearing voices? Well, specifically one voice.” Even to his own ears he sounded insane.
Ward flipped on the overhead light and did a quick scan of Jason’s face before flipping the light off and turning his attention back to the road. He was silent for a long time before stating simply, “Jesus is trying to get your attention.”
Jason snorted. His hands were balled into white-knuckled fists. “Look Ward, I’ve tried that religious claptrap before.” He spoke in a carefully controlled tone, “In fact my whole family did. We went through hell and it didn’t help, so please don’t preach at me.”
Ward actually chuckled, then he spoke with much compassion, “It’s okay to be angry Jason.”
The heat in Jason’s cheeks was intense. “Don’t patronize me. You don’t understa—”
Ward spoke gently, “No I don’t Jason, but He does. All I’m saying is you can be honest with Him. He’s not going to give up on you, and He’d rather have you yelling at Him in honesty than shutting Him out completely. Aah, here’s the garage. We’ve arrived.”
Chapter 13 – Crossed Paths
The car had barely pulled into the drive and Doreen was already letting herself out. “I’ll never forgive myself if something’s happened to her.”
“I’m sure she’s fine love. You go ahead; I’ll just park the car and then join you.”
Doreen shut her door and walked as quickly as her bulk would allow. She reached the front door and let herself in. “Rebecca! We’re home.” Getting no response, she checked the kitchen and lounge. No Rebecca. Heading upstairs she called again, this time with a tremor in her voice. “Rebecca! Where are you?” It didn’t take long to do a full search of the house, no Rebecca.
Rushing downstairs, Doreen collided with Pete. His foot slipped and they both nearly took a tumble. Pete somehow managed to catch the balustrade with one arm, and Doreen with the other.
“Whoops… What’s the rush?”
Doreen clung to him. Half to stop herself falling and half to calm her panicked emotions. “She’s not in the house. I knew this would happen.”
Keeping his arm around her, Pete led the way downstairs. “Calm down love. You put the kettle on, I’ll go check outside. Maybe she’s wandering in the garden.”
Doreen forced herself to put the tea-makings ready and wait for the kettle to boil. All the while her ears strained for the sound of Rebecca’s voice.
Five minutes later Pete returned alone. “Nothing. I’m going to phone Elliot and tell him everything. I think we need to get a prayer chain going. I’ll also find out from Gabby whether this Claude Rochester is still staying with her. I’m sure he’s got something to do with this.”
“Good idea. I’ll come with you.”
Leaving their tea untouched, they headed to the hall. Knowing that Elliot was the last person he’d dialed, Pete lifted the handset and hit ‘redial’.
“Swiftwind Taxi Service. How may I help you?”
Pete got such a shock he slammed the phone down.
“Pete, what are you doing?”
“I know for a fact that the last person I dialled was Elliot. I pressed ‘re-dial’ and Swiftwind Taxi Service answered. How on earth—?”
Doreen’s face was a strange mix of disappointment and hope, “Rebecca took a cab to get away out of concern for us. She must have thought that as long as she was here, we were also in danger.”
Pete frowned, “That’s what happens in books and movies love. There must be a more practical solution.”
“Pete Goodwood, for all your male logic, you can be as thick as two planks sometimes. Why can’t you see the obvious? Phone the taxi company back and find out whom they delivered to where. I’ll go look in her room for some clues.”
Pete found Doreen upstairs minutes later, looking pale. “They picked up a single white female and delivered her to East London, thirty minutes after we left here to help Mrs. Dersley.”
Doreen nodded, “That old suitcase of ours is gone. Along with some of Marie’tjie’s clothes and the Bible we gave her. Rebecca is on the run.”
***
Claude sat huddled in a corner of the balcony and could feel his lips turning blue. His entry into the Goodwood’s home had been stymied by the arrival of the old couple. He’d decided to wait outside, rather than force a direct confrontation at this stage.
He laughed quietly to himself now, as he sat shivering in the cold. The decision had paid off. The gods were smiling on him. From his vantage point, he couldn’t hear everything that was said in the old house, but the bedroom he just happened to be outside had served to give him exactly what he wanted.
Rebecca was in East London.
***
Darkness was falling fast even though it was only 6:30 in the evening. This portion of beach was a popular holiday spot and was brightly lit for evening volleyball matches. Besides an old man walking his Rottweiler, Shane had the beach to himself. He had just completed a tough beach run from Gonubie Beach to Sunrise-on-Sea and back again, and was systematically working through a series of stretches that would hopefully prevent stiff muscles in the morning.
With his girlfriend away for the week visiting parents, and Tim and Jason out of town on their mission, Shane was at
a loose end. This was a very rare occurrence for him, and he was in no hurry to go back to the deathly quiet of their flat.
Using the low brick wall that separated sand and parking, Shane leaned into a calf stretch that burned deep into his muscles. It was the kind of pain he thrived on. Breathing deeply to slow his heart rate, he vaguely noticed a taxi pull into the deserted parking area. A young lady with raven hair and a bulky suitcase got out. Interest piqued, Shane continued stretching, working hard at looking as if he were not looking.
She put the suitcase down and looked around. Even in the dim light of the parking lot, she looked beautiful. She also looked very anxious, cold and close to tears.
Shane felt his insides stir. Some noble souls would call it compassion; Shane just called it ‘being soft in the head’. Jason always ragged him that he should have been born in the days of knights and damsels in distress. His heart was built for chivalry.
Feet moving before his mind reached consensus, Shane approached the woman with the tender tread one would use for a timid deer. He was so close now; he could see faint cuts and bruising on her face. He judged them to be a couple of days old as the healing process had already started. “Excuse me, are you alright?”
Eyes of the palest blue met his. Instantly wary, she began backing away. Shane stood still, “I really mean you no harm. If you want me to go, I will. I’m just concerned that you’re not safe here. Have you got somewhere to go?”
Chin tilted at a defiant angle, she sniffed and replied, “I’m fine.” Her lips pressed to a thin line. The newly risen moon lit her fair skin with a glow that made her look unreal, a vision of an angel perhaps.
“You’re not a very good liar. My name is Shane. You sure there’s nothing I can help with?”
“Well—Shane I’m actually waiting for someone.” With that, she started looking around as if to see whether her lift was arriving.
Shane started losing patience. “Okay. As long you’re fine, I’ll be on my way then. Nice meeting you, uh—?”
“Re—Rachel. My name is Rachel.”
Shane’s brow furrowed sceptically. “Good night to you Rachel.” With a mock salute, he pulled his car keys out of his pocket and turned to go.
Just then a beach buggy overflowing with a rowdy group of youngsters pulled into the car park. A few of them literally fell out of the vehicle as it stopped. The rest soon piled out. Swigging from half-empty beer bottles, they began dancing to the music from the buggy that was so loud that the beat thumped through Shane’s body. One mop-headed brute fell to his knees causing three others to trip over him in a drunken sprawl. With loud curses they berated the unfortunate soul at the bottom of the pile-up before erupting in raucous laughter.
Shane’s hackles rose, but he forced himself to turn away and continue walking to his car, away from Rachel. These guys were bad news, but you can’t rescue a damsel who chooses to stay with the dragon.
Then the mob noticed her. “Hey pretty lady. Come and dance with ussshh.” The drunken slur was cut off as the wretch leaned over the bushes and vomited noisily. Two others, slightly more steady on their feet, started making their way toward her.
“Wait!” Panic edged the woman’s voice. Shane halted mid-step. “Wait—I’m sorry. I do… need… help.”
He turned back, completely relieved at not having to leave this particular damsel to the mercy of an intoxicated pack of dragon’s. Reaching for her suitcase, he said, “So I’m the lesser of two evils, hey? Never mind, let’s get out of here.” Moving quickly to avoid a clash with the drunken mob, they ran to Shane’s 4X4. Shane threw the case into the back, lifted Rachel into her seat and pulled out of the parking lot, narrowly avoiding driving straight over one drunken oaf’s foot.
Chapter 14 –Honesty and Sweat
It was 8 o’clock in the morning. Jason had tried shaking Tim to wake him up. He even shouted as loud as he dared within the confines of the B & B they’d checked into. Having only landed at 4:30am, Tim was simply not ready to rise and shine.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. Muttering a completely insincere “Sorry Tim” under his breath, Jason yanked the duvet off his friend’s sleeping form. Tim began jerking spastically as the frigid July air enveloped him. Long arms wrapped around his knees, rubbing furiously in an attempt to keep warm. Tim peered at Jason through slit eyes, “Aaargh Jason. You’re sick—has anyone ever told you that?”
“I know, Sleeping Beauty, I know. Trust me; you’re going to be a stronger person for having known me.”
“You’ll have to remind me to thank you.” Focusing with great difficulty on the wall clock, “Why the blazes are we up so early? I thought this was supposed to be a paid holiday.”
“All in good time, my faithful comrade. We need to finish our mission first. Get some clothes on, breakfast is waiting.”
***
Over omelettes and coffee, they discussed possible strategies for Operation Employment Agency. Stirring sugar into his coffee Jason laid out the possibilities. “The way I see it, we have a couple of options. Firstly, I could distract and you could dig.”
Tim looked worried. “Two problems with that approach. One – I’m not too great on finding my way around filing systems. Two – we have one shot at succeeding. If we blow it, our bridges are beyond burned – they’re completely nuked. What are the other options?”
“We could claim to be long-lost family of sorts, trying to find our sister?”
Tim’s rolling eyeballs said it all, “Do I even need to comment? That would never work, next please.”
Jason shrugged helplessly, “The only thing left is complete honesty.”
Tim’s jaw dropped, “That’s it? That’s your whole plan? Are you telling me that we came all the way here on the strength of those three ludicrous ideas?”
“Well I don’t hear you coming up with any brain waves.”
“Do I need to remind you that I was the one crying “flaky” from the first moment we started planning this little excursion?”
Jason caught Tim’s hand in mid-air, “You’re going to hit something if you keep swinging those paws around. Have some coffee or something.” He took a moment to collect his thoughts then spoke quietly with conviction. “Tim, it will work out, somehow. Nearly every lead that I’ve followed so far has seemed like a dead end. It’s always worked out, and now we’re here. Let’s just trust whatever power is pulling the strings to get us through this one.”
“There’s not much else we can do, now is there?”
Jason frowned.
Tim apologized, “I’m sorry, I’m being a wet noodle again. I’ll be happy when this part is over, and we can move on to the holiday bit.”
Jason pinched his cheeks like an Aunt would a chubby baby. “That’s my boy, that’s the spirit!”
Swatting his hands away, Tim sighed “What did I do wrong to deserve a friend like you?”
***
Faith Halloway was teaching a group of Standard Nine’s to waltz when the text message came through. “Remember your rise and fall, Ché. Don’t fight gravity, people, work with it. Just like we practiced, remember?” Satisfied that all the couples on the floor were managing to keep moving without her help for the moment, she picked up her cell phone and opened the message.
Surprised to see the message had come from her son, she was even more surprised by the content.
“Hi Mom. Just wanted to let you know that I’m thinking about you. Love, Jay.” Pointless. Jason never did anything that was pointless, not even just for the sake of being nice. Something was up.
Setting her phone aside, she scratched her head and spoke under her breath, “Jason Halloway, what are you up to my son?”
Just then the couple passing in front of her came crashing down, legs horribly entwined. The girl had stepped too close to her partner, causing her heel to slip inside his shoe instead of just past it. He tried to step forward, causing her weight to shift in the wrong direction. The screaming crash brought the roo
m to a halt.
“Shannon, are you alright?” Faith rushed over to help untangle arms and legs. Getting the young couple apart was easy, getting them back on their feet was impossible. Doubled up in fits of laughter, they rolled around helplessly, tears streaming. Calming down enough to talk, Shannon smacked Jack’s shoulder affectionately, “That was all your fault, you big lump.”
“Oh really? So it was my heel planted in your shoe and not the other way around? Forgive me, I missed that bit.”
Shannon grinned at him before planting a kiss on his cheek, “That’s what I like, Jack – you’re a true gentleman.”
Helping her to her feet, Jack said, “Heck, for another kiss I’d even wear your high heels to prove it.”
Flicking her long blonde ponytail over her shoulder, Shannon waggled a finger at him in mock seriousness, “Now you’re pushing it Mister.” Their happy banter continued as they resumed their circuit around the floor.
In that moment Shannon looked so much like her Nicole. Faith’s chest tightened and she blinked quickly to stop the moisture forming tears. Forcibly pushing aside the grief that threatened to rise, Faith picked out a struggling couple and went across to help. Now was not the time or place for delving in the past or worrying about Jason, she told herself.
Try as she might though, she taught for the rest of the morning with Jason in her thoughts.
***
The employment agency was on the top floor of a tiny double-story face brick building that was squeezed between two towering glass structures. It was a little bit of yesterday stuck between the grinding molars of today, just waiting for some giant dental floss to remove it. Everything about the building groaned with age.
Jason and Tim paused for a moment to ready themselves. “Well, let’s go see what we’re up against.” said Jason.
Psyched for whatever odds awaited them, they marched into the building. Unanimously deciding to avoid the rickety elevator, they made their way up the narrow staircase. The wooden stairs creaked alarmingly under their combined weight. Tim sniffed loudly, “I’m surprised this building hasn’t caved in on itself.”