Page 25 of Undefeated Love
Nita put the address into the GPS. “It’s a small eatery. Why don’t we go ahead and check it out now. We can grab something to eat and be there when she arrives in an hour.”
“Works for me.” Following the directions, it was only a few blocks away, complicated by all the one-way streets. They were finally able to find on-street parking on the backside of the block.
Inside, it could have been anywhere in the United States or England. The tile floor was clean, the modern tables and chairs all matched, but late in the afternoon, only a few patrons remained. Katlin and Nita decided on traditional foods including a chicken curry dish and a local favorite, Chakalaka, made from a variety of vegetables served cold.
Precisely at four-thirty, the nurse appeared and joined them. “Thank you so much for meeting me here. People in my office wouldn’t be happy that I’m talking with you.” She got right down to business. “There is a new doctor who has a compound a few kilometers from here. The man you’re looking for is with him. I didn’t see the man in the picture, but another nurse in the office did. She was too afraid to help you.” The woman in her late thirties leaned in and spoke just above a whisper. “My doctor did not like what they were doing.”
“What are they doing?” Katlin leaned in closer.
“They are looking for adult females with a very specific blood type.” She lowered her voice even more. “They are paying these women to have a baby.” She leaned back. “We have plenty of babies here in South Africa. More babies than homes.”
“Are they doing something bad with the babies?” Nita matched the nurse’s tone.
“The mothers aren’t allowed to keep the newborns. The man in the picture, he keeps the babies.” She shook her head. “That’s just not right. I don’t think it’s good what he’s doing.”
Katlin’s stomach roiled. “What blood type are they looking for?”
“It’s a rare blood type. We don’t have many here. If pregnant women have that type, they have to come to our clinic and get shots if they get pregnant.”
Katlin knew and understood all too well but waited for the nurse to continue.
“They are looking for women with B negative blood who have had at least one successful birth.” The girl’s eyes went wide as she named the amount of money they were willing to pay for a successful birth.
Nita gave Katlin a knowing look. Katlin was a B neg. So was her mother. But her father was an A positive, no doubt the reason for so many of her mother’s miscarriages.
“Where can we find this doctor and the man in the pictures?”
The helpful nurse had already written down the address. “You have to go to the gate and show the guard that you’re the right blood type. Come by my office tomorrow and I can make you a card that says that you have the right blood.”
“Thank you.” Katlin slid the woman one thousand South African rand, about the equivalent of fifty American dollars. “We’ll be by tomorrow to pick up the blood test card.” She gave her an encouraging smile. “You have truly been a wonderful help.” Katlin and Nita started to rise.
“Are you going to stop them?” There was so much hope in the woman’s eyes.
“Absolutely.”
The nurse stepped out of the restaurant and stopped. Katlin and Nita almost ran into her but gracefully stepped to her side. Smiling, the nurse looked over her shoulder at Katlin. “You’re a twin?”
What the fuck? Hell, no. Before Katlin could utter a word, she followed the nurse’s gaze.
Nikkole. What the—
The Jack-created lookalike who’d been fingering flowers from a vendor across the street bolted around the corner.
Katlin hesitated. Should she run after the other Section 7 operative? Given the growing cells embedded in her uterus, should she even try? She’d been warned that if they tore loose, she would suffer internal bleeding. She’d been instructed to take it easy for the next several months as they monitored her situation.
But Katlin was sure that was Nikkole. What the hell was she doing here?
Katlin needed to find out.
Nita grabbed her wrist. “Let her go,” her teammate said so only she could hear.
Katlin shot her a what-the-fuck look.
“Not here.” Nita slid the nurse a glance.
Katlin pasted on a smile. “They say everybody has a lookalike.” She held out her hand. “Thank you so much. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
Nita shook the nurse’s hand as well. “Please thank the woman who came forth but was afraid to meet with us. We understand her trepidation.” Nita and Katlin strode quickly toward their car.
