Chapter 10 - The Call

Steven picked up on the third ring and simply answered "You're late"
"By 2 minutes" Mel quipped, "sorry, I had to get a phone"
"Do I even want to know how you are traveling or how you got a phone?" He asked
"Probably not. Does anyone know I'm calling?"
"Do you really think I would tell you even if they did?"
"Good point." Mel sighed "Look, i'm on my own out here, I was set up, turns out by someone I was really close to and by some pretty scary people. I need to trust someone along the way, I cant do this alone. Maybe it was a mistake calling you and getting you involved, I'm sorry Steven. Bye"
"Wait," He said before she hung up "wait, please."
No dial tone meant she must still be listening, so he continued "I dont know why, but I feel I need to help you. I know you didnt do this, but you've been incredibly good at getting evidence to prove your innocence as it is. I'm a cop, its our duty to protect the innocent, and others may not have, but its my duty as a cop, and as a decent human being to do what I can to help you"
"Thats the nicest anyone has been to me all week" Mel answered.
"Its about time someone helped you out a little" He smiled, thinking this girl had more balls than the average guy, "what info do you have that you can tell me?"
"Well, turns out this Felix Osaba guy has been smuggling drugs and guns into the country through the harbour, some he drops off for distribution in jozi,"
"Stop, did you say Felix Osaba?"
"Yeah, why?"
"You're in way deeper than you know!"
"Why?" Mel was now puzzled "You've heard of him?"
"Mel, that guy is wanted for war crimes in 5 African countries, he's suspected of sex slave trafficking and he is one of the most wanted men in South Africa, heck even the US has Felix Osaba on their wanted list."
"Oh" a feeling of sick dread came over her
"Unfortunately there are many in the south african police force who are in his pocket. Considering how Detective Shabane stopped searching once he found you, I'm going to hazard a guess that he's also in Osaba's pocket."
Silence, Mel's mouth had gone dry and the road ahead was looking awfully blurry. She pulled the truck to the side of the road, "So what can I do? I'm basically on a suicide mission going in alone here. But if I stop running, I'll be falsely imprisoned." She gave her first sob since the whole ordeal began, it seemed there really was no way out and she was just collateral damage.
"Mel, its going to be ok. We'll work it out. I promise" He tried to reassure her, "What other information have you found out? I know you've been resourceful."
"Well, I tapped his phone, he's in joburg right now, they're offloading part of the shipment at 8:30 this morning and then heading straight for the border. I was planning on following them to their warehouse when they go to offload and take some photos, then try to get the upcountry cops to stop hi before he gets through the border." She took a breathe, "But now that all seems so stupid."

"Thats actually a really good plan." He admitted "But, like you said its a suicide mission on your own. There is nothing I can do to get up there in time to help you today. However, I have some buddies up on the reef who can help. I know Joburg, even if you can make it to the city in time, you wont make it to the warehouse in time."
"What are you suggesting?" she half pleaded, half asked
"There's a guy I know who used to be head the anti corruption unit. Unfortunately because the unit was actually doing its job, it got closed down and all the guys working it lost their jobs. I'll ask him if he can stake out the place and try get the evidence needed."
"Ok" she dryly stated. Exhausted and suddenly feeling like the damsel in distress from a fairy tale, even Steven could hear the defeat in this strong woman's voice. "What should I do then? Should I hide? Head up towards the border just in case?"
Scratching is his head, he knew a guy who might be able to keep her hidden and be resourceful enough to help. But if he sent her there, this guy could decide that the reward on her head was worth turning her in. With Jake it could go either way. But what choice did he have?
"Steven, are you ok?" Mel asked
She had the kindness in her heart to think of his feelings and his well being while he was part of the organisation hunting her. "Yeah, thanks." He responded. "Do you have a piece of paper and a pen, I need to give you a phone number and  address for someone who will help you hide. He owes me a favor."

Chapter 9 - On The Run

"A prius, Pavlo just had to own a prius didnt he?" Mel thought to herself. A prius was an eyesore and stood out like a sore thumb out here on the roads that were frequented by SUVs and big horse and trailer trucks.
She knew she needed new wheels pretty soon, otherwise she was toast. But she also knew out here where each town was at least an hour's drive apart, it wasnt going to be as easy to come by a ride as it would have been in the big city. Plus there were requirements, these days everyone knew any car was a potential hijack or theft item, and most of the modern cars and almost all fleet cars had trackers installed and she needed to not be tracked.

As her mind wandered on this, she saw the sun rising over the mountains in her rearview mirror. Realizing that she had been driving for 6 hours straight, well maybe the prius wasnt so bad after all with such good fuel economy, but she knew it was time to stop for a rest and food. Seeing a fuel station sign up ahead was just what needed.

Sitting on a picnic bench munching a burger at 6am, Mel tried to sort out what to do next. She knew that keeping still was out of the question, that is how the cops would track her, but if not that, where to? She had never handled a gun in her life nor for that matter knew where to acquire one. With some distance from that city, being betrayed and for now completely on her own, what match was she going to be against a ruthless Nigerian druglord and arms smuggler?

She had stuck around at Pavlo's place for a while after he was out, long enough to drag him to his bed and cabletie his hands to the bed posts, and write a letter apologizing for leaving and promising that she would not damage his car. She had managed to find out that Felix was heading to the Musina border, she had learnt to tap a phone from an ex who for reasons unspecified had known that skill and been listening to Felix's calls since Pavlo's last night. Obviously being the middle of the night, he hadnt had much communication, apparently Nigerian Criminal kingpins didnt particularly feel the need to hide in the shadows of the night. His only outgoing call was to someone called Shan saying that there was "a delivery in Jozi at the regular rendezvous at 8:30am and then the shipment needed to get to the Musina border post by 2pm when the shifts are changing at the border", come to think about it, she could make it to JoBurg by 8:30, but she would need faster wheels if she was going to make it before they had finished unloading.
Looking at her watch, she had another pressing matter to attend to also, calling Steven and bringing him up to speed. By her calculations, there was enough time to use Pavlo's cell to call him for 3 minutes, then leave the cell in the car and get a new ride. Or she could swipe a phone, at this time of the morning on a Sunday the only people around were devout people on their way to Sunday services and folks taking the overnighter bus between the big cities.

Looking around she spotted a truck driver let out flat across the ground fast asleep in the warm morning sun after a long night's drive. Next to him was his bag, keys and cell phone conveniently on top. Smiling to herself, she strode over and in one smooth movement swapped Pavlo's car keys and cell for the one the trucker had and moved towards the trucks parked at the other end of the lot.

The truck was easy to find and Mel only felt a small twinge of guilt as she entered the highway. She kept telling herself that it was just borrowing, no harm would come to the vehicles she was borrowing, and this was a small price to pay for her name being cleared and an international drug and arms smuggling ring being brought down. Hold on, she was about to blow open an international drug and arms smuggling ring?!?! Little insignificant Mel, who had no training with weapons or police and had no backup was in deeper than she knew and had to learn to swim with the sharks now. That thought really caught her throat. But there was no going back, not after all she had done now, including this ginormous 18 wheeler truck she was cruising in.

Enough thinking, she told herself, time to call Steven.