Rabbit fever, p.13
Rabbit Fever, page 13
One of the group of friends, overhearing the conversation, chimed in,
“Don’t worry, little ratty. We’ll do your job as you need, and then we’ll be on our way. No need to get acquainted with us,” he sniggered.
King Rat was perplexed by being called ‘ratty’ and what it might imply. Trying to prevent any unnecessary drama, ensuring the mission proceeded swiftly, and securing his increased fee, Jose shot a warning glance at the group. He instructed them to calm down, stop drinking, and get into their cars.
While it might very well be a game, there was a possibility it wasn’t. With substantial earnings on the line and considering the dangerous nature of the situation King Rat was alluding to, showing up inebriated to meet these supposed kidnappers would not be productive.
The traffic in Maputo crept along, making the journey to the port painfully slow. Jose was behind the wheel of one of the cars, with one of his friends riding shotgun, while King Rat found himself relegated to the backseat, feeling somewhat like a child being chaperoned. A second vehicle followed closely, carrying the other three of Jose’s associates.
King Rat couldn’t help but be surprised by the condition of the cars. Both were top-of-the-range SUVs, gleaming in the African sunlight. He suspected these vehicles would not only come with a hefty purchase price but also considerable costs to have them shipped to Mozambique. He suspected finding cars like these in a local dealership was nearly impossible.
As they inched their way through the traffic, navigating through a chaotic blend of cars and mopeds, and swerving to avoid pedestrians who seemed to cross the road at will, King Rat’s nerves were on edge. He was trying to focus on his plans for the upcoming meeting, contemplating how it would unfold and what the ultimate outcome might be.
Jose now seemed to trust him enough to bring along friends for support, even if that support came at what King Rat considered an exorbitant price. He tried to refocus his thoughts, but the jolting of the car and the loud Mozambican pop music blaring from the radio proved to be a constant distraction.
Breaking the silence, Jose’s friend in the passenger seat turned to King Rat and asked,
“What do you think of our cars, huh?”
Although posed as a question, it was clear it was a rhetorical one, and King Rat was expected to respond with admiration for the vehicles. He offered his impressions, expressing how impressed he was and how he hadn’t realised such models would be available in Africa, let alone Mozambique. King Rat was attempting to establish a rapport, but Jose’s friend let out a hearty laugh,
“Oh, little ratty, look around you. Do you see mud huts with no water or electricity? We even have cars! We live in a modern country. Why wouldn’t a particular model be available in our country? You’ve been using the internet, computers, and phones since you’ve been here. You need to see more of the world.”
He went on to share, almost as if revealing a secret,
“But yes, you’re right. These models aren’t available in our country. Do you want to know how we get them? I’ll tell you. If we want a new car, we fly to a country like yours or similar”, he started.
Jose glanced cautiously at his friend as if warning him not to share too many details, but also implying he was happy for him to continue,
“We plan everything in advance, choosing the type of car we like. We’ve already arranged for a shipping container. We pretend we’re on vacation in the chosen country, spending a few days exploring sights and bars. We’re primarily scouting for the cars Europeans love to show off outside their houses, focusing on those with keyless entry.”
Interjecting, concerned there was more detail being shared than was needed, Jose wrapped up the tale,
“On their last night, they take the car they want, drive it to the port, place it in the pre-arranged shipping container, ensuring it’s loaded onto the ship minutes after they’ve placed it inside, and the ship departs soon. They then head to the airport and catch their flight back home a few hours later. Often, they’re high up in the air on their way home long before the car owner even realises their car is missing.”
The friend chimed in,
“The only downside is having to wait weeks or even months for your car to be delivered to you!”
King Rat found himself in a rather perplexing situation. He had already suspected these individuals he was dealing with were somewhat dubious, considering how readily they had agreed to accompany him and Jose to this meeting without probing for details.
Furthermore, he had noticed neither Jose nor his friends seemed to care about the nature of their tasks as long as they were compensated. It occurred to him Jose hadn’t really inquired about the purpose of the errands he had been assigned, as long as he received his payment. The revelation they might be connected to an international car smuggling operation wasn’t remotely surprising.
He began asking questions about how these cars were obtained, how they managed to evade law enforcement and border checks, and how often they engaged in such activities. He wanted to confirm the credibility of their claims and understand the kind of situation he had placed himself in.
“You don’t need to know” snapped Jose, as he shut down the inquisitive line of questioning, reminding King Rat, just as he had shared little about his motives, his friends were equally reticent about divulging details about their purported activities.
As they approached the port, its sprawling cranes reached for the sky, casting long shadows with stacks of shipping containers. Dock workers loitered in groups, on perpetual breaks, watching as cranes manoeuvred containers to and from waiting ships.
The scene appeared far too modern for the location King Rat had researched online when determining where their meeting was supposed to take place. There were no signs of the abandoned buildings he had seen in the online images, and he began to wonder if he was being deceived. He had already transferred the fee for this trip to Jose and his friends immediately when it was requested.
Now he was worried he might be abandoned at the entrance to the port, never to see these five dubious characters again.
Voicing his concerns, King Rat inquired,
“Are you sure we’re on the right track? This doesn’t look like the map.”
Jose replied curtly,
“Yes, this is the way. We need to go to the old port.”
King Rat leaned back in his seat, unsure if he should be reassured or more apprehensive. While it appeared Jose knew the way, the location didn’t match the one he had investigated online.
As they turned onto a dead-end road, bordered by warehouses on both sides, Jose looked back at King Rat in the rear seat and motioned toward a small gap between the buildings.
He explained,
“We’ll walk from here. Two of my friends will stay behind to keep an eye on the cars in case we need to make a quick exit, and two will accompany us. Are you ready for some excitement, my little English friend?”
He smiled broadly, a stark contrast to his usual sullen demeanour as he led King Rat through the streets of Maputo and spent the rest of the day lounging in his underwear. It was the most animated King Rat had ever seen him, he now appeared enthusiastic, motivated, and thrilled about what lay ahead.
Exiting the SUV, King Rat noticed the drivers repositioning both vehicles to face up the road, a strategic move for a quick getaway if necessary. He felt an urgent tug from Jose, who pulled his arm in the opposite direction, indicating,
“It’s this way, let’s get going.”
It seemed like this had become Jose’s meeting that King Rat was now attending, not the other way around. Together, they entered a narrow passageway nestled between two warehouses, causing rats to scurry into drains and other crevices as they approached.
It was evident very few people ventured down here, and the rats had learned they could emerge at any time, searching for food.
King Rat’s attention was focused on navigating puddles of stagnant water that covered the grimy floor of this dim, dirty alleyway. As they progressed, one of Jose’s friends prodded him in the back and pointed past King Rat’s left ear, stating,
“Look, there it is.”
Emerging from the alleyway, they found themselves in the vicinity of a collection of dilapidated warehouses in various states of disrepair. King Rat couldn’t help but feel bewildered at how a short stroll down a narrow alley from the gleaming modern port had led them to this forgotten and neglected area, which appeared to have been untouched for years.
Jose announced,
“These two will stay outside. I will come in with you.” He continued, “But first, we need to assess the situation. Call your contact.”
King Rat stumbled over his words, confessing he had never phoned a contact before a meeting. He turned up at the agreed location at the agreed time, assuming those he was meeting would do the same. Sometimes they wouldn’t arrive, other times they would be late, and occasionally they would already be waiting for him.
He had never considered the need to call and confirm details.
Growing impatient with King Rat’s lack of preparedness, Jose asked,
“Do you even have a number to call? Or are you expecting us all to go in there and hope for the best?”
Although Jose was astonished by the response, he wasn’t surprised. It was becoming apparent the peculiar Englishman had unwittingly arranged a doctor’s kidnapping but had no idea what he was doing or how things were done in such situations.
“Get out your phone and give it to me,” Jose ordered. “And until we’ve spoken with these people, we’ll wait in the alleyway between the buildings so we’re not exposed.”
The group of four retreated to the dark pathway, sending rats scurrying once more. Jose extended his hand, demanding King Rat’s phone, and instructed him to select the correct number.
Placing the phone against his ear, Jose waited patiently. The number didn’t appear to be answering, and he was beginning to suspect it might be a waste of time. Just as the phone was about to cut off, the call connected, and he could hear breathing on the other end. However, no one spoke.
Growing impatient, he demanded,
“Who is this?”
The response was curt, indicating the speaker’s identity wasn’t important.
Changing his approach, Jose asked,
“My employer is supposed to meet with you today, correct?”
The reply was brief,
“Yes.”
The conversation felt like pulling teeth, but he pressed on, inquiring,
“Are you at the meeting location?”
Again, a succinct
“Yes.”
This was starting to sound as perilous as King Rat had warned, maybe he wasn’t exaggerating.
Jose continued,
“Alright, we’re here too, and we’re about to enter. I must warn you I have two people just outside the door and two others nearby. Don’t attempt anything.”
In response, he heard a somewhat comical laugh from the caller.
“My friend, I have no idea who you are, but I can assure you we mean no harm. We’re here for a business transaction to meet someone we’ve been conversing with online. We’ve chosen this location for the sake of secrecy, not because of any sinister plans we may have. Nevertheless, if it makes you feel better, you can bring as many friends as you like to our meeting. We have no ulterior motives; our goal is to determine the next steps and receive our payment.”
Reassured, Jose instructed his two friends to wait near the entrance of the dilapidated warehouse opposite the small alleyway where they had been sheltering.
He then signalled for King Rat to follow him. It was bewildering. Just a few hours ago, King Rat had been desperate for Jose to attend the meeting. Now, it appeared to be Jose’s meeting and operation, and he had graciously invited King Rat along as a mere observer.
Chapter 13
Stepping through the small, low doorway, Jose and King Rat found themselves in a space that seemed much larger on the inside.
The warehouse was an expansive, empty space with numerous supporting pillars attempting to bear the burden of a crumbling roof. Puddles were scattered across the floor, and weeds sprouted from every available crack or crevice in the walls, floor, or even the roof.
Across from the small entryway they had used, there was a wider opening. Likely the main entrance that had been used in the past for loading and unloading shipping containers and various other cargo destined for distant locations or received from them.
Jose surveyed the warehouse, thinking it was empty and doubting King Rat’s choice of location. Then, slowly, out of the shadows, three men emerged, moving toward them.
They had been watching from the shadows, observing Jose and King Rat to ensure they were who they claimed to be before revealing themselves.
Jose noticed the trio approaching and hissed at King Rat,
“You didn’t mention there were three of them, you fool! Now we’re outnumbered.”
After weighing the options of either confronting the three men or making a run for it, Jose decided to stay.
“Well, we’re here now, and we’ll have to hope if anything happens, my friends outside will hear,” he grumbled in frustration.
The group of three halted just short of Jose and King Rat.
Jose examined them, trying to discern their backgrounds and origins.
They were clearly of African descent but had a slimmer build compared to Jose and his friends, with more angular and chiselled features. He deduced these three men were of Somali descent and was taken aback by the question of what King Rat had been involved in. How had he managed to contact these three men, and why was he meeting them now in a run-down warehouse in the capital of Mozambique?
The three men remained silent, confused by Jose’s presence and the earlier warnings he had given them on the phone about not coming alone.
Attempting to ease the tension, King Rat stammered,
“Thank you for meeting us,”
To his surprise, Jose silenced him and told him not to speak unless spoken to. With a confident and assertive tone, Jose addressed the three individuals across from them.
“We’ve come to ensure you’ve carried out your previous instructions and to provide you with guidance for the next phase of your employment,” he began.
The group of three appeared taken aback; this man seemed significantly more self-assured than the one they had interacted with online, the one they had assumed was told to remain quiet. The individual in the middle of the group responded,
“We weren’t aware you would bring friends, but it doesn’t matter. As we just discussed on the phone, this is a business transaction, and we have no intention of causing harm. We’re not into these dramatic scenarios your friend seems to enjoy. We’re here only to receive updates and find out what’s required of us next.”
Appreciating the situation, Jose desired to gather more information before proceeding.
He stated,
“I wish to gain a better understanding of the individuals I’m dealing with and who is standing before me. It’s my assumption that you have roots in Somalia, and if the information I’ve received is accurate, you’ve been involved in the abduction of a doctor for my employer, for reasons unknown. As a result, I’m inferring that you may have formerly engaged in piracy, and due to the increased difficulty in holding ships for ransom and disrupting shipping lanes, you’ve shifted your focus to kidnappings. Is my assessment correct?”
Both King Rat and the trio of individuals in front of them were taken aback by Jose’s remarks and his evident awareness of current events. King Rat regarded Jose as a pure security asset, assuming he had little interest or knowledge of global affairs.
In a matter of seconds, Jose had deduced something that had taken King Rat weeks to extract from the three men. Even when they shared limited information with him, he had needed to spend hours researching online to understand who these individuals were.
The three Somalis were equally astonished that Jose had accurately summarised their backgrounds based only on their appearance and knowledge of their recent activities. Jose himself was ever so slightly shocked at the speech he had been able to give, not sure of where the words or language came from, he was impressed with himself, and it spurred him on.
Jose turned to King Rat and inquired,
“Are you confident that these three gentlemen have secured the doctor you need?”
He received a nod in response.
“Are you certain they’ve executed your instructions to the letter?”
Another nod.
“Have they been compensated thus far?”
Another nod.
“Good,” Jose affirmed, “then I believe we are prepared to proceed to the next phase of the operation. My only remaining question is: where is the doctor now?”
One of the trio attempted to speak, but King Rat interrupted in a somewhat frantic tone,
“I don’t want to know, I can’t know. There must be enough layers of separation for everyone. That’s the plan. I’ll never have direct contact with the doctor. They won’t disclose any locations to me. They just carry out my instructions. We can’t afford any confusion in the plan,” he exclaimed.
Jose responded with a mixture of confusion and distaste at the outburst but understood the reasoning behind it to some extent.
He allowed King Rat to continue his conversation with the trio. First, King Rat inquired about the doctor, emphasising that he was looking for a specific type of doctor who had been treating people in isolated villages in Madagascar. Although this puzzled Jose, he remained silent, eager to learn more.
King Rat then probed the trio and their associates about any information they might have discovered regarding the diseases the doctor had been treating. He didn’t specify the particular disease he was interested in, but Jose suspected that King Rat unintentionally revealed his focus by repeatedly questioning the likelihood that the doctor had been treating the plague.
Finally, King Rat sought reassurance that the doctor’s absence would go unnoticed. It was crucial to the plan that no one knew the doctor was missing, except for a select few who knew his whereabouts.
“Don’t worry, little ratty. We’ll do your job as you need, and then we’ll be on our way. No need to get acquainted with us,” he sniggered.
King Rat was perplexed by being called ‘ratty’ and what it might imply. Trying to prevent any unnecessary drama, ensuring the mission proceeded swiftly, and securing his increased fee, Jose shot a warning glance at the group. He instructed them to calm down, stop drinking, and get into their cars.
While it might very well be a game, there was a possibility it wasn’t. With substantial earnings on the line and considering the dangerous nature of the situation King Rat was alluding to, showing up inebriated to meet these supposed kidnappers would not be productive.
The traffic in Maputo crept along, making the journey to the port painfully slow. Jose was behind the wheel of one of the cars, with one of his friends riding shotgun, while King Rat found himself relegated to the backseat, feeling somewhat like a child being chaperoned. A second vehicle followed closely, carrying the other three of Jose’s associates.
King Rat couldn’t help but be surprised by the condition of the cars. Both were top-of-the-range SUVs, gleaming in the African sunlight. He suspected these vehicles would not only come with a hefty purchase price but also considerable costs to have them shipped to Mozambique. He suspected finding cars like these in a local dealership was nearly impossible.
As they inched their way through the traffic, navigating through a chaotic blend of cars and mopeds, and swerving to avoid pedestrians who seemed to cross the road at will, King Rat’s nerves were on edge. He was trying to focus on his plans for the upcoming meeting, contemplating how it would unfold and what the ultimate outcome might be.
Jose now seemed to trust him enough to bring along friends for support, even if that support came at what King Rat considered an exorbitant price. He tried to refocus his thoughts, but the jolting of the car and the loud Mozambican pop music blaring from the radio proved to be a constant distraction.
Breaking the silence, Jose’s friend in the passenger seat turned to King Rat and asked,
“What do you think of our cars, huh?”
Although posed as a question, it was clear it was a rhetorical one, and King Rat was expected to respond with admiration for the vehicles. He offered his impressions, expressing how impressed he was and how he hadn’t realised such models would be available in Africa, let alone Mozambique. King Rat was attempting to establish a rapport, but Jose’s friend let out a hearty laugh,
“Oh, little ratty, look around you. Do you see mud huts with no water or electricity? We even have cars! We live in a modern country. Why wouldn’t a particular model be available in our country? You’ve been using the internet, computers, and phones since you’ve been here. You need to see more of the world.”
He went on to share, almost as if revealing a secret,
“But yes, you’re right. These models aren’t available in our country. Do you want to know how we get them? I’ll tell you. If we want a new car, we fly to a country like yours or similar”, he started.
Jose glanced cautiously at his friend as if warning him not to share too many details, but also implying he was happy for him to continue,
“We plan everything in advance, choosing the type of car we like. We’ve already arranged for a shipping container. We pretend we’re on vacation in the chosen country, spending a few days exploring sights and bars. We’re primarily scouting for the cars Europeans love to show off outside their houses, focusing on those with keyless entry.”
Interjecting, concerned there was more detail being shared than was needed, Jose wrapped up the tale,
“On their last night, they take the car they want, drive it to the port, place it in the pre-arranged shipping container, ensuring it’s loaded onto the ship minutes after they’ve placed it inside, and the ship departs soon. They then head to the airport and catch their flight back home a few hours later. Often, they’re high up in the air on their way home long before the car owner even realises their car is missing.”
The friend chimed in,
“The only downside is having to wait weeks or even months for your car to be delivered to you!”
King Rat found himself in a rather perplexing situation. He had already suspected these individuals he was dealing with were somewhat dubious, considering how readily they had agreed to accompany him and Jose to this meeting without probing for details.
Furthermore, he had noticed neither Jose nor his friends seemed to care about the nature of their tasks as long as they were compensated. It occurred to him Jose hadn’t really inquired about the purpose of the errands he had been assigned, as long as he received his payment. The revelation they might be connected to an international car smuggling operation wasn’t remotely surprising.
He began asking questions about how these cars were obtained, how they managed to evade law enforcement and border checks, and how often they engaged in such activities. He wanted to confirm the credibility of their claims and understand the kind of situation he had placed himself in.
“You don’t need to know” snapped Jose, as he shut down the inquisitive line of questioning, reminding King Rat, just as he had shared little about his motives, his friends were equally reticent about divulging details about their purported activities.
As they approached the port, its sprawling cranes reached for the sky, casting long shadows with stacks of shipping containers. Dock workers loitered in groups, on perpetual breaks, watching as cranes manoeuvred containers to and from waiting ships.
The scene appeared far too modern for the location King Rat had researched online when determining where their meeting was supposed to take place. There were no signs of the abandoned buildings he had seen in the online images, and he began to wonder if he was being deceived. He had already transferred the fee for this trip to Jose and his friends immediately when it was requested.
Now he was worried he might be abandoned at the entrance to the port, never to see these five dubious characters again.
Voicing his concerns, King Rat inquired,
“Are you sure we’re on the right track? This doesn’t look like the map.”
Jose replied curtly,
“Yes, this is the way. We need to go to the old port.”
King Rat leaned back in his seat, unsure if he should be reassured or more apprehensive. While it appeared Jose knew the way, the location didn’t match the one he had investigated online.
As they turned onto a dead-end road, bordered by warehouses on both sides, Jose looked back at King Rat in the rear seat and motioned toward a small gap between the buildings.
He explained,
“We’ll walk from here. Two of my friends will stay behind to keep an eye on the cars in case we need to make a quick exit, and two will accompany us. Are you ready for some excitement, my little English friend?”
He smiled broadly, a stark contrast to his usual sullen demeanour as he led King Rat through the streets of Maputo and spent the rest of the day lounging in his underwear. It was the most animated King Rat had ever seen him, he now appeared enthusiastic, motivated, and thrilled about what lay ahead.
Exiting the SUV, King Rat noticed the drivers repositioning both vehicles to face up the road, a strategic move for a quick getaway if necessary. He felt an urgent tug from Jose, who pulled his arm in the opposite direction, indicating,
“It’s this way, let’s get going.”
It seemed like this had become Jose’s meeting that King Rat was now attending, not the other way around. Together, they entered a narrow passageway nestled between two warehouses, causing rats to scurry into drains and other crevices as they approached.
It was evident very few people ventured down here, and the rats had learned they could emerge at any time, searching for food.
King Rat’s attention was focused on navigating puddles of stagnant water that covered the grimy floor of this dim, dirty alleyway. As they progressed, one of Jose’s friends prodded him in the back and pointed past King Rat’s left ear, stating,
“Look, there it is.”
Emerging from the alleyway, they found themselves in the vicinity of a collection of dilapidated warehouses in various states of disrepair. King Rat couldn’t help but feel bewildered at how a short stroll down a narrow alley from the gleaming modern port had led them to this forgotten and neglected area, which appeared to have been untouched for years.
Jose announced,
“These two will stay outside. I will come in with you.” He continued, “But first, we need to assess the situation. Call your contact.”
King Rat stumbled over his words, confessing he had never phoned a contact before a meeting. He turned up at the agreed location at the agreed time, assuming those he was meeting would do the same. Sometimes they wouldn’t arrive, other times they would be late, and occasionally they would already be waiting for him.
He had never considered the need to call and confirm details.
Growing impatient with King Rat’s lack of preparedness, Jose asked,
“Do you even have a number to call? Or are you expecting us all to go in there and hope for the best?”
Although Jose was astonished by the response, he wasn’t surprised. It was becoming apparent the peculiar Englishman had unwittingly arranged a doctor’s kidnapping but had no idea what he was doing or how things were done in such situations.
“Get out your phone and give it to me,” Jose ordered. “And until we’ve spoken with these people, we’ll wait in the alleyway between the buildings so we’re not exposed.”
The group of four retreated to the dark pathway, sending rats scurrying once more. Jose extended his hand, demanding King Rat’s phone, and instructed him to select the correct number.
Placing the phone against his ear, Jose waited patiently. The number didn’t appear to be answering, and he was beginning to suspect it might be a waste of time. Just as the phone was about to cut off, the call connected, and he could hear breathing on the other end. However, no one spoke.
Growing impatient, he demanded,
“Who is this?”
The response was curt, indicating the speaker’s identity wasn’t important.
Changing his approach, Jose asked,
“My employer is supposed to meet with you today, correct?”
The reply was brief,
“Yes.”
The conversation felt like pulling teeth, but he pressed on, inquiring,
“Are you at the meeting location?”
Again, a succinct
“Yes.”
This was starting to sound as perilous as King Rat had warned, maybe he wasn’t exaggerating.
Jose continued,
“Alright, we’re here too, and we’re about to enter. I must warn you I have two people just outside the door and two others nearby. Don’t attempt anything.”
In response, he heard a somewhat comical laugh from the caller.
“My friend, I have no idea who you are, but I can assure you we mean no harm. We’re here for a business transaction to meet someone we’ve been conversing with online. We’ve chosen this location for the sake of secrecy, not because of any sinister plans we may have. Nevertheless, if it makes you feel better, you can bring as many friends as you like to our meeting. We have no ulterior motives; our goal is to determine the next steps and receive our payment.”
Reassured, Jose instructed his two friends to wait near the entrance of the dilapidated warehouse opposite the small alleyway where they had been sheltering.
He then signalled for King Rat to follow him. It was bewildering. Just a few hours ago, King Rat had been desperate for Jose to attend the meeting. Now, it appeared to be Jose’s meeting and operation, and he had graciously invited King Rat along as a mere observer.
Chapter 13
Stepping through the small, low doorway, Jose and King Rat found themselves in a space that seemed much larger on the inside.
The warehouse was an expansive, empty space with numerous supporting pillars attempting to bear the burden of a crumbling roof. Puddles were scattered across the floor, and weeds sprouted from every available crack or crevice in the walls, floor, or even the roof.
Across from the small entryway they had used, there was a wider opening. Likely the main entrance that had been used in the past for loading and unloading shipping containers and various other cargo destined for distant locations or received from them.
Jose surveyed the warehouse, thinking it was empty and doubting King Rat’s choice of location. Then, slowly, out of the shadows, three men emerged, moving toward them.
They had been watching from the shadows, observing Jose and King Rat to ensure they were who they claimed to be before revealing themselves.
Jose noticed the trio approaching and hissed at King Rat,
“You didn’t mention there were three of them, you fool! Now we’re outnumbered.”
After weighing the options of either confronting the three men or making a run for it, Jose decided to stay.
“Well, we’re here now, and we’ll have to hope if anything happens, my friends outside will hear,” he grumbled in frustration.
The group of three halted just short of Jose and King Rat.
Jose examined them, trying to discern their backgrounds and origins.
They were clearly of African descent but had a slimmer build compared to Jose and his friends, with more angular and chiselled features. He deduced these three men were of Somali descent and was taken aback by the question of what King Rat had been involved in. How had he managed to contact these three men, and why was he meeting them now in a run-down warehouse in the capital of Mozambique?
The three men remained silent, confused by Jose’s presence and the earlier warnings he had given them on the phone about not coming alone.
Attempting to ease the tension, King Rat stammered,
“Thank you for meeting us,”
To his surprise, Jose silenced him and told him not to speak unless spoken to. With a confident and assertive tone, Jose addressed the three individuals across from them.
“We’ve come to ensure you’ve carried out your previous instructions and to provide you with guidance for the next phase of your employment,” he began.
The group of three appeared taken aback; this man seemed significantly more self-assured than the one they had interacted with online, the one they had assumed was told to remain quiet. The individual in the middle of the group responded,
“We weren’t aware you would bring friends, but it doesn’t matter. As we just discussed on the phone, this is a business transaction, and we have no intention of causing harm. We’re not into these dramatic scenarios your friend seems to enjoy. We’re here only to receive updates and find out what’s required of us next.”
Appreciating the situation, Jose desired to gather more information before proceeding.
He stated,
“I wish to gain a better understanding of the individuals I’m dealing with and who is standing before me. It’s my assumption that you have roots in Somalia, and if the information I’ve received is accurate, you’ve been involved in the abduction of a doctor for my employer, for reasons unknown. As a result, I’m inferring that you may have formerly engaged in piracy, and due to the increased difficulty in holding ships for ransom and disrupting shipping lanes, you’ve shifted your focus to kidnappings. Is my assessment correct?”
Both King Rat and the trio of individuals in front of them were taken aback by Jose’s remarks and his evident awareness of current events. King Rat regarded Jose as a pure security asset, assuming he had little interest or knowledge of global affairs.
In a matter of seconds, Jose had deduced something that had taken King Rat weeks to extract from the three men. Even when they shared limited information with him, he had needed to spend hours researching online to understand who these individuals were.
The three Somalis were equally astonished that Jose had accurately summarised their backgrounds based only on their appearance and knowledge of their recent activities. Jose himself was ever so slightly shocked at the speech he had been able to give, not sure of where the words or language came from, he was impressed with himself, and it spurred him on.
Jose turned to King Rat and inquired,
“Are you confident that these three gentlemen have secured the doctor you need?”
He received a nod in response.
“Are you certain they’ve executed your instructions to the letter?”
Another nod.
“Have they been compensated thus far?”
Another nod.
“Good,” Jose affirmed, “then I believe we are prepared to proceed to the next phase of the operation. My only remaining question is: where is the doctor now?”
One of the trio attempted to speak, but King Rat interrupted in a somewhat frantic tone,
“I don’t want to know, I can’t know. There must be enough layers of separation for everyone. That’s the plan. I’ll never have direct contact with the doctor. They won’t disclose any locations to me. They just carry out my instructions. We can’t afford any confusion in the plan,” he exclaimed.
Jose responded with a mixture of confusion and distaste at the outburst but understood the reasoning behind it to some extent.
He allowed King Rat to continue his conversation with the trio. First, King Rat inquired about the doctor, emphasising that he was looking for a specific type of doctor who had been treating people in isolated villages in Madagascar. Although this puzzled Jose, he remained silent, eager to learn more.
King Rat then probed the trio and their associates about any information they might have discovered regarding the diseases the doctor had been treating. He didn’t specify the particular disease he was interested in, but Jose suspected that King Rat unintentionally revealed his focus by repeatedly questioning the likelihood that the doctor had been treating the plague.
Finally, King Rat sought reassurance that the doctor’s absence would go unnoticed. It was crucial to the plan that no one knew the doctor was missing, except for a select few who knew his whereabouts.
