“It’s an assassination attempt on John Lazaro,” Gabriel continued. “He’s done some things—lots of things—and the people he did them to want him dead. It’s business and politics, all wrapped up. If Plan A fails, they’ll go to Plan B. Either way, he’s not leaving here alive.”
“So, let them fight it out. Let’s just wait here. Plan A or Plan B. What does it have to do with us?”
“Because!” Gabriel clenched his fists. “Because I’m Plan B, Mo. If John Lazaro’s security team gets him out of that food court alive, this whole place blows up.”
Mo opened her mouth and shut it. “I don’t . . .” She shook her head. “What are you saying, Gabriel? You’re not making any sense. Are you saying you’re involved in this . . . this assassination attempt?” This was her friend. He was a good man. Sheknewhim. And yet, the part of him that had always eluded her, the part of him that had remained an enigma was coming into focus. A weight settled in Mo’s chest. She found it hard to breathe.
“I tried, Mo,” he said, his Adam’s apple bobbing at the look in her eyes. “I worked two jobs. Day in, day out. But I wasn’t getting anywhere. I needed money. I needed money to get Scholastica to Wanza. I needed money to build the house. I needed money to save the kids. Gas money. Food money. I was running short all the time. Then one day, I was sitting at the bar, and someone offered me a job. It was simple. Pick up a shipment and drive it somewhere, no questions asked. I couldn’t believe the amount he paid me. So, I took on another job. And then another. And I haven’t stopped ever since.”
“I get that,” said Mo. “I get it, Gabriel. We all do what we have to. But what doesthishave to do with any ofthat?”
“Today . . .” He glanced at the ceiling, as if he couldn’t bear to meet her eyes. “Today, I picked up a truck and drove it to the mall. It’s in the underground parking lot. I met a guy in the food court and handed him the keys, just like I’d been told to.”
“So?” Mo wanted to shake him. He was talking in circles. “How is that Plan B?”
“The truck I drove? It’s packed with explosives, Mo. Someone is rigging John Lazaro’s car as we speak. If he tries to get away, they’ll blow it up, and everything else along with it. That’s why we have to leave. They’re still fighting, which means John Lazaro is still alive. And as long as he’s alive, as long as there’s a chance that he’ll slip out, we’re not safe here. We’re not safe anywhere in this mall.”
“No.” Mo’s thoughts were jagged and painful. “Gabriel. No. All those innocent people.”
“Exactly!” Gabriel’s eyes flashed with something wild and fierce. “All those innocent people. Do you know what John Lazaro does? He drinks albino blood. He thinks it makes him powerful and invincible. He thinks it will help him win the election. I just did my job, Mo. I did what I always do. I delivered the goods. But if I’m completely honest, IwantJohn Lazaro to die. I want him to die before any more innocent people lose their lives, including my daughter! The rest of it, I’ll have to live with. I’ll have to turn a blind eye, just like everybody else does, to the injustices that go on right under their noses, because they’re powerless, or afraid, or profiting from it. And if I burn in hell for it, then so be it. At least Scholastica will have one less monster coming after her.”
They were both crying, Mo and Gabriel, with tears streaming down their faces—Mo trying to come to terms with what she’d just learned, and Gabriel trying desperately to make her understand. Then slowly, tentatively, they moved toward each other, eyes searching eyes, probing the depths of friendship and betrayal.
“You came back for me,” said Mo. “You could have left me, but you came back.”
“I could never have left you. It was never a choice.”
Mo sobbed in his arms. Gabriel Lucas. He was both the angel and the devil.
“We need to leave now,” he said. “Let’s get the girl and go.”
“That might be a problem. Lily is convinced that her father is going to come and get her.”
“Let me have a go.” Gabriel walked over to where Lily was hiding and peered under the stage skirt. “Lily, what’s your father’s name?”
There was no reply. After a while, she asked, “Where’s Mo?”
“I’m right here, Lily. It’s okay. You can tell him.”
“My dad’s name is Jack,” she replied. “Jack Warden.”
“How about you come out of there, and we call your dad. Would that be okay?” Gabriel coaxed Lily out. “That’s right. Good girl. Now. What’s his number?”
Lily called out a string of numbers but trailed off. “I think that’s when I dial from Cape Town.” She tried again, but her face fell. “I’m not sure what the rest of it is. My mummy always dials it for me.”
“That’s okay. We’ll call the operator. She’ll be able to tell us.”
It was amazing how calm Gabriel was with her. Mo knew that it was taking everything for him not to swoop her up and carry her outside, kicking and screaming. It would be too much of a risk though, especially if she tried to break loose and got caught in the line of fire.
Mo glanced at her watch. It seemed like they’d been there forever, and yet it wasn’t long at all. Everything seemed to stretch out—each breath, each word, each tense, weighted moment, as Gabriel tried to get through to Jack. Mo knew the exact moment when Gabriel decided they were wasting precious time. His eyes changed as he spoke into the phone.
“Yes, operator. That’s him. Can you please put me through?” He waited a while before continuing. “Hi, Jack? I’m in the mall with Lily. She’s waiting for you to come and get her. Where are you? I see. No, she’s fine. Of course. I’ll let her know. We’ll see you soon.” He ignored Lily’s attempts to grab the phone and hung up. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. We don’t have time for that right now. You can talk to him soon. You were right. He’s on his way. He’s almost here, but he said it will be faster if we meet him at the safe place.”
“The safe place? Where’s the safe place?”
“Come with me. I’ll get you there.” He held his hand out to Lily. She stared at it for a few beats and then looked at Mo.
“I’m right behind you,” said Mo. “We’ll all go together.”
