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It was dark when we finally saw lights from the lodge and drove up to park the Wrangler where we’d started our trip.
Mike was there to greet us and waved at us to come and sit down. The guests at his resort were all eating under the stars and enjoying a lovely buffet that we were encouraged to go and grab food from as well.
Once we were seated in a corner away from the others, we told Mike everything; from the first night at the waterhole, to the lions and elephants coming to greet us, and our slow journey through the park. We explained about our encounter earlier today with the angry ranger and how we’d found the remains.
“I know this logo. The owner of the lodge can be difficult, but I can’t imagine he’d be in on poaching.” Mike put the hat back in the bag.
“Maybe one of his staff then. The message from the animals here is clear.”
Mike sat for a long minute. “But think about it. If a ranger was in on it, why would he wear a cap that would give away where he worked?”
“He also drove one of the lodge Jeeps,” she said.
“But why not cover his tracks better?”
“He probably never considered that the animals would notice and be able to communicate it to someone like Fleur,” I pointed out. “And if he met some of the other rangers while out on his mission, he would look official enough to convince them he was patrolling to look for poachers.”
Mike’s fingers drummed on the table. “When I find out who did this…” He groaned. “Anyway, thank you, Fleur. You haven’t disappointed. Tomorrow, I’m going to the police with this, but will it calm the animals?”
“If you find the culprit and let the animals know, then I believe it will calm them.”
“Could you tell them? I’m not sure my mind is as telepathic as yours.”
Fleur popped a tomato in her mouth and nodded. “If you keep me updated, I’ll pass on the message to the animals, I promise.”
“Tonight, you two are staying in our luxury suite. You deserve it!” Mike patted her shoulder and held up a glass of beer in the air. “Cheers to both of you for coming all this way to help us.”
“Cheers,” Fleur said and lifted her own glass.
“Sláinte.” I clanked my glass against theirs and smiled wide. “I can’t tell you how relieved I am to be back in one piece. What an adventure.”
