The Amulet of Power - Mike Resnick [100]
“People have been trying to kill you all across Africa. Now you’re within miles of what you’re after, and you’re really going to sleep?”
“Got to get my beauty rest.”
“You’re not kidding?” he said. “You’re really going to take a nap?”
“I’m really going to take a nap. Wake me about eight o’clock for dinner.”
He stared at her as if she was crazy, but finally he walked back to his own cottage. And then Lara did the one thing Oliver was sure she wasn’t going to do: She went into her cottage, lay down on the king-sized bed, and went to sleep.
She woke up as a cool breeze came through the window, and saw that it was already dark out. She washed her hands and face, then sat out on her patio until Oliver came by to take her to dinner.
“What did you do with your afternoon?” she asked as they ate.
“Not much. Walked around. Looked for ways an enemy could approach your cottage.” He paused. “You’re really not very safe there. They don’t have to come down the driveway and past the desk. They can walk a mile or two through the underbrush, or even come up from the sea.”
“I know. But the slope is very steep. If they slip, we’ll hear them.”
Besides, she thought, I’ve done my sleeping for the day. I won’t sleep again until this is ended one way or another.
They spoke about Africa and the Seychelles, about old times and future plans, and finally dinner was over.
“I think I’ll buy something to read,” Lara announced, walking to the small gift shop. She looked over the selection, picked up a science fiction novel and a murder mystery, then joined Oliver as they walked back to their cottages.
“I’d offer to visit for awhile,” he said. “But unlike you, I didn’t take a six-hour nap, and we were up pretty early this morning.”
“That’s all right,” said Lara. “I have my books.”
“All right, then,” he said. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Good night, Malcolm—and thanks for all your concern.”
“I wish you meant it. I have a feeling it just annoys you.”
“I do mean it.” Which is why, she added mentally, I’m not going to endanger you if I can help it.
He went off to his cottage, and she entered her own. She closed the rest of the windows so the insects couldn’t fly in, then turned on a light, sat down on an easy chair, and began reading.
When she finished the science fiction novel, it was three in the morning, late enough for everybody to be asleep. She picked up her holster and the item she had purchased on Mahé.
This is why I chose this cottage, Malcolm. You’re an old hunter. Your senses are better than the average man’s, and there’s always a chance that you’d hear me if I had to walk past your cottage.
She opened the door, quietly stepped out onto the path, walked up to the parking lot, got into the Mercedes, and drove off.
She was back an hour later. She returned silently to her cabin and picked up the mystery novel.
After she’d read a couple of chapters she got up and paced the room nervously, then sat down and forced herself to continue reading. Sleep was out of the question, but she needed all the rest she could get.
This was going to be one hell of a day.
33
Lara looked out the window and estimated that the sun would be rising in about half an hour, and she knew that Malcolm Oliver usually awoke with the sun. She checked her pistols, made sure the clips were full, put half a dozen spares in her holster, then put everything into her shoulder bag. That done, she opened her door very quietly, and shut it gently behind her. Then she walked silently to the registration desk.
There was no clerk on duty, but the night watchman nodded a greeting to her. She looked around, found a piece of paper, and wrote a note to Oliver, stating that she’d driven to the Amitie airstrip to buy some more clothing, plus some other items she’d forgotten to bring along.
“Will you please see that Mr. Oliver sees this?” she said to the watchman. “He’s the gentleman in the very last cottage.”
The watchman stared at her and pointed to his ear. She repeated her request in French, and he picked up the note and began walking out the door with it.