Redback. Lindy Cameron

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СКАЧАТЬ and cross-border terrorism within the 'South Pole to 23 degrees north' zone.

      Mr Danby had this to say before flying out to Wellington:

      'The purpose of the emergency meeting in Wellington is to discuss ways of opening a dialogue with the rebels on Laui. From all accounts Mila Ifran is a reasonable man; much loved and respected. We should have no trouble finding a solution.'

      When a reporter asked the Minister if he was going to agree to the PRA's demands, he said:

      'No. We don't negotiate with kidnappers. But we will open talks with Mr Ifran and try to resolve the issue.'

      Jana noted the Foreign Minister looked smug and smarmy, as usual, but also more harried than she'd ever seen him. Aaron Danby, great with the big-picture spin but hopeless with the personal detail. It was one thing to grip the tailgate of the US bandwagon and commit troops to overseas duty with the American posse, but another altogether to be responsible for the lives of nine Australian civilians. Especially when their names and mugshots were running across the screen as he spoke.

      Ifran hit the pause button. 'What does he mean, Dr Rossi? How can he say he doesn't negotiate but he will talk to us?'

      'He means that he will ask what you want in exchange for our release.'

      Ifran looked puzzled. 'Isn't that negotiating?'

      'Only in the real world, Mr Ifran.'

      'Will he give us what we want?'

      'It won't be up to him alone and it depends what it is. What do you want?'

      'For our government to hold a free election monitored by the United Nations. Or by Australia.'

      'This is a bloody stupid way to go about it.'

      'Quiet, Alan,' Jana snapped. 'Is that it? Sorry. I know that's a huge thing, but is that all you want?'

      Ifran shrugged. 'And for the aid that has been provided by Australia to reach the people it was meant for; instead of lining the pockets of our corrupt politicians.'

      'I don't mean to be a cynical hack,' Alan interrupted again, 'but foreign aid never goes from a country to a people. It goes from one government to another; and even then only when the government with the dosh has an agenda to keep the other one in power.'

      'We seek to change that,' Ifran said.

      'I'm sure you do,' Alan said nodding.

      Ifran glanced over his shoulder at the soldiers in the doorway. 'Take him back. Then escort Dr Rossi to the other cabins, so she may check on her delegates.'

      'Thank you.' Jana smiled her best smile.

      'You may not go inside. Just a few words with each to make sure they are well.' Ifran dismissed them both with a wave and turned his attention to a laptop and its incoming-email chime. Jana had barely reached the door when Ifran threw a final, apparently casual, question at her.

      'Will he negotiate for you Dr Rossi?'

      Jana's stomach lurched from hungry to queasy. 'I'm not holding my breath, Mr Ifran. So I wouldn't count on it.'

      'What did he mean by that?' Alan demanded, as soon as they were back on the path.

      'I've no idea, Alan,' Jana lied, wishing she'd had the sense to beg to be locked up anywhere else.

      Chapter Two

      Wellington, New Zealand

       Tuesday 6pm

      'Tell me again why we're meeting here.' The Foreign Minister asked his personal assistant, as he flexed his shoulders and cricked his neck. Even first class seats tended to be uncomfortable for his large frame.

      'So it looks like we're taking action while we're still just talking about it.'

      'And who's here?'

      'Aaron, didn't you read my email on the plane?'

      'No, Mick. On the plane, I was sleeping.'

      Mick Fleming growled at his boss and long-time best mate before proceeding, as usual, to fill him in on the run.

      'Your counterparts from here, Japan and Fiji; the New Zealand PM - because it's her building - a couple of our key navy personnel; and intelligence wankers from everywhere, including ASIO and ASIS of course and the CIA.'

      'What the hell do they want?' Aaron Danby asked.

      'If you mean the CIA, two of the hostages are theirs remember.'

      'What, spies?'

      'No. American citizens,' Mick stated.

      'Bugger. But we still don't negotiate with terrorists?'

      'No, but they're not terrorists; they're rebels.'

      'And the difference is?'

      'Politics, upbringing, an absence of religious fanaticism?' Mick shrugged. 'I don't know and it doesn't matter. We don't intend to agree to anything. We need to keep them talking while…' Mick hesitated as a harried woman emerged from a door ahead of them and rushed away down the corridor.

      Danby stopped dead. 'Mate. This is a high security government complex and I doubt the Kiwis are spying on us. You can probably talk freely.'

      Mick narrowed his eyes and looked guilty.

      'Oh.' Danby narrowed his eyes too, mimicking his friend, as he'd done ever since they were kids. 'Keep them talking while what happens?'

      'While we extract the hostages,' Mick lowered his voice to a whisper.

      'By force?'

      'In a manner of speaking.'

      'And how long have you been speaking in this manner?'

      Mick raised an eyebrow. 'There's a retrieval team in place, awaiting orders, as we…'

      'Speak?' Danby finished. 'A retrieval team? Was that in your email? The one I didn't read.'

      'No.'

      'Did I know about this before now?'

      'No.'

      'Do I want to know about it now?'

      'Not really.'

      'And when you say we do you mean we're assisting the CIA, or - someone?'

      'No. When I say we, I mean us,' Mick said and gave a sly grin, 'for a change.'

      Danby looked thoughtful. 'That's nice, but I wasn't aware we did things like that,' he said, then indicated they should proceed down the corridor.

      'It's not something we advertise, Aaron.'

      'It's not something listed in the Foreign Minister's handbook СКАЧАТЬ