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“That sounds good,” Rana said. “They will be okay.”
“I know.” She smiled half-heartedly at her friend and watched the woman go to the hospital tent.
Fleur drew a deep breath and started back to the tent next to Miller’s, but she heard her name called. She turned and saw Mathias waving at her. Glancing back toward Miller’s tent, she grimaced. She needed to keep an eye on where Miller was …
“Hey, Fleur.” Mathias jogged up to her. “Could you come help me? That girl is back in the tractor area and won’t come out. I don’t want her to get hurt.”
Fleur narrowed her eyes. “She was on the convoy this morning.”
Mathias nodded. “I know, we got that much out of her, but she said she was too afraid of the big trucks. She’s crying. I did my best dad act, but I can’t get her to come out.”
“Okay.” She followed Mathias. He detoured to the actual tractor area, and she followed him. “She’s down here.” He waved her after him and went down a steep ditch. Fleur hesitated and looked around the field where they kept the tractors. A ghost of a chill ran up her back. She slowed as she moved to where Mathias had disappeared. None of his men were in the area. “Mathias, where’s everyone at?”
“We’re digging a new latrine trench, all hands on deck. Come on, sweetie, Fleur’s here.”
Fleur peeked over the opening and gasped. Mathias pointed a rifle at her. “Walk down that slope if you don’t want to die where you stand.”
“What are you doing?”
“Do it, bitch!” he yelled. “You’ve already lived longer than you should have. I’ll drop you where you stand.”
She knew if she went down that ditch, she’d never come back up. Her survival instinct kicked in, and she turned to run, but Miller was behind her. He had a handgun.
“What are you doing?” She started shaking. It was uncontrollable.
“I’m delivering on a promise,” Miller snarled. “You were supposed to meet with associates of mine outside of camp. They’re very interested in a blonde, blue-eyed woman. You’ll make them a lot of money.”
“Miller, you can’t do this.” She shook her head.
“I can and?—”
“Ms. Fleur? Ms. Fleur? You have a phone call at the admin tent.” Adil called for her from the fence.
Oh, thank you, Jesus. “I’ll be right there!” Fleur yelled back to him.
Miller turned, keeping his weapon out of sight. “Move or say another word, and I kill him.” Over his shoulder, he yelled, “She’s busy right now! She’ll return the call!”
“Mr. Miller, the caller said it was urgent.”
“Tell them what I told you, Adil!” Miller shouted at the man.
Fleur watched as Adil debated what to do. Finally, he lifted a hand and walked away. “What are you hoping to gain from this?” she asked.
“That’s none of your fucking business. Now, get down there.” Miller walked up to her and grabbed her arm, turning her and pushed her forward.
Fleur stumbled into the ditch, landing on her hands and knees. A rifle barrel was shoved behind her ear. She felt the skin rip and hissed. “Why are you doing this?”
“Shut her up,” Mathias said. Miller came up from behind her and shoved a gag into her mouth. He taped it there with duct tape. The fear that had gripped her before moved over for the terror that hit her so hard she wanted to be sick. Her hands were yanked behind her, and once again, Miller used duct tape to bind her.
Miller said, “Habib confirmed the ISIL is assisting in taking out the Guardian convoy.”
Fleur gasped and twisted, looking at Mathias and Miller.
Mathias snorted. “Don’t worry, sweetie, where you’re going, none of your lovers will be able to follow. Are we ready?”
Miller nodded. “Habib will come back, circle the camp, and we’ll do away with the rest of the staff. The ISIL will arrive, and we’ll do a wholesale movement of all the rest of the people. Then we get the equipment, bury everything incriminating, and start drilling. As far as the rest of the world knows, the ISIL went on a rampage. We’re dead, allegedly.”
Oh, God, no! I can’t let that happen. Fleur rippedher arm away from Miller and screamed, “No!” behind her gag.