Julian pointed at another monitor. “To get in and out of any of these locations, he has to use either this airstrip near Wajir or this one in Mandera, near the Ethiopia and Somalia border. The only other airstrip that could be used is the Irungu Family private strip next to the horticultural center they’re building on the outskirts of El Wak,” Julian said.
“He’d attract too much attention trying to use that one. Timothy Irungu’s team would know immediately if there was a breach at their private airstrip, alerting everyone of his location,” Zale said.
“I confirmed no unusual activity at those two airstrips. I’m waiting on a call back from the security team at the Irungu horticultural construction site to determine if they’ve noticed anything out of the ordinary out there,” Taye said.
Staring at the map, Julian calculated the distance between the four locations as over 250 miles. There was no way they could cover all that terrain quickly. Time was not on their side.
“We’ve got to split up,” Julian said. “There’s no way we can cover that distance in time.”
Sunny agreed. “We won’t have to. Timothy Irungu has handed over his entire security team to work with us and Wangari has wired more money than we’d ever need to fund our search.”
“When did that happen?” Julian asked, impressed with how quickly Wangari and her father had stepped in to help after ASF turned their backs on looking for Mena.
“Just a few minutes ago. I called them and they were more than happy and willing to help. Wangari wants nothing more than for Mena to be found and brought home safely, like she was,” Sunny explained.
“So, we can narrow down the most likely locations and cover those ourselves. The Irungu security teams can cover the two other areas Zale found and fan out to search the surrounding areas between all the locations,” Julian said.
“I’ll work on getting a contractor to join me, Zale, and Simon to cover Giriftu, where the ambush occurred,” Sunny said.
“Taye, Enzo, Glaze and I will head out now, and investigate the area near Takaba,” Julian said.
“Timothy Irungu offered up his private airstrip in El Wak as our muster point after we’ve finished searching. It’s the midpoint of all four spots. Communication is key, so let’s all stay connected with regular updates and activated trackers, got it,” Sunny said.
“We don’t have enough shit to do this right. Sunny, you gotta call Paul Defloria. Get his ass up and ready to hand over the equipment we need before we head to the hangar,” Enzo said.
“I’m calling him now,” Sunny said, then turned to look up at Julian. “Good luck.”
Chapter Forty-Two
“You must be Julian Montgomery. Sorry to hear about your lady. It’s a damn shame,” Paul Defloria said, stepping away from the door to allow Julian to enter. Paul was a short man, lean and petite with a head full of silver hair contrasting with his tan, leathery skin.
“Where do I sign?” Julian asked, not in the mood for small talk. They had over a hundred miles to search tonight and he was anxious to get back to northeastern Kenya.
Paul shuffled through papers, occasionally placing several of them on a clipboard. “Enzo and Glaze out there with my guys, right? It took some wrangling but I managed to get everything you’ll need for the rescue. Damn shame how this happens to women in those rural areas. Terrorists using women for sport or to kill, damaging, and changing their lives with their cruel acts.”
Julian scribbled his name next to the large highlighted X’s on the five sheets of paper, then handed the clipboard back to Paul. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled the TIDES corporate card out and slid it across the desk.
“Mr. Paul, all the provisions are loaded on the helicopter,” a voice Julian recognized floated from behind.
“Uhuru?” Julian stood and walked over to the teenage boy, who a week ago had almost lost his life when he was forced to be a suicide bomber at the private fundraising dinner for the president of Kenya. The kid looked good.
“Julian!” Uhuru said, then flung his arms around Julian.
Patting the boy on the back, Julian returned the hug and got a brief reprieve from the pain weighing on his heart.
“What are you doing here?” Julian asked, casting a glance back at Paul.
“Mr. DeFloria gave me a job. Now I can support myself and my sisters. It is a miracle that the police found them near Kibera. The bad men left them there the same night they sent me to bomb the fundraising dinner,” Uhuru explained.
“And they are alright? Both of them?” Julian asked. A happy ending like this was rare and it couldn’t have happened to a better kid.
“Yes, they are doing well. I’m so thankful for everything you did for me,” Uhuru said, then paused. Concern creasing his forehead, he asked, “Are you part of the team searching for the missing American woman?”
“I am. The missing woman is my girlfriend,” Julian said, then paused as his voice cracked with emotion.
“No, no, no,” Uhuru said, shaking his head, eyes wide with concern. “I’m so sorry she was taken. If there is anything I can do to help, please tell me. I owe you so much. I owe you my life!”
“Thanks, but we got it under control. My buddies and I are flying out now to start the search,” Julian managed to choke out.
