Dangerous Deception - A Short Story Read Free

the RFAGC for the supply of mercenaries, with payment to be made in Dewana diamonds.”
    “How do you know this?”
    “I spent fourteen months in Liberia trying to expose Kanneh for the war crimes he committed while seizing his presidency. Six of those months were spent in a village filled with ex-RFAGC rebels who gave eyewitness reports of how diamonds were being mined and traded for arms supplied by the government of Liberia.”
    “Did you report any of this to the U.S. Embassy or the UN?”
    “Before we could get any real proof we were forced to evacuate.”
    He pondered her proposal several minutes . Then, with a heavy sigh, he said, “I’ll go along with you doing your story as long as there’s no danger to the others. Like I said, I’m responsible for everyone on this trip, including you.”
    “I can take care of myself.”
    “I’m sure you probably can, but I won’t have the others at risk.”
    “They won’t be,” she promised.
    As he made his way toward the front of the plane to join the others, she stretched out on the sofa, continuing to keep her eyes on him. He was a handsome man. His dark locks of hair brought out the strong features of his face, from his narrow jaw line and clef in his chin, to perfectly groomed eyebrows and emerald eyes.
    Dressed in blue jeans, a white polo shirt , and cowboy boots, he seemed much too casual for a businessman. His appearance made her question if he was a self-made man or a trust fund baby who hadn’t grown up yet. Either way, he seemed to have an air about him that would make anyone take notice, including someone nursing a broken heart.
    Michael had been the love of her life, or so she thought. It wasn’t until she’d gotten to know the real man behind the image that she realized the horrible mistake she’d made. Both ambitious by nature, it wasn’t until she saw herself through his eyes that she hated the person she was turning into.
    Their assignment in Liberia had been an awakening to her in more ways than one. She had seen Michael for who he really was: a bloodthirsty shark that would do anything, or screw over anyone, to get a story. Afterwards, she had come to the decision she would do anything to prevent the same thing happening to her. Dewana was her restitution. She figured if she could document the atrocities and inform the world of what was taking place there the UN would be pressured to intervene. If not, countless more lives would be lost at the hands of two ruthless men who cared only about their own futures and the vast fortune they could acquire by stealing Dewana’s mineral resources.

Chapter Three
     
    Gwen managed a couple of hours sleep before Jack announced they would be landing soon. Glancing out the oval window above the sofa, she could barely make out the lights along the coastline.
    Dewana was divided into four regions. Lerato, the capitol city, was located in the Western part of the country boarded by the Atlantic Ocean.
    After landing at the Airport in Lerato, the group was met by a young couple in their mid-twenties. They introduced themselves as Robbie and Kay Harrison, missionaries with the World Friendship Foundation. They were then led to an old white extended van.
    T he couple talked nonstop as they gave a brief tour of the city. Judging from the lively nightlife along the main streets where several clubs were located, you would never know a war raged only miles away.
    “We’re so excited about the new project. I can’t begin to tell you how badly it is needed,” Kay commented as she held Evelyn’s hand across the isle from her.
    “Are you talking about the orphanage?” Gwen queried.
    Kay nodded. “Along with new training workshops for young adults, so they can become self-sufficient.”
    “Incase you haven’t been warned, it isn’t advisable to travel outside the city limits. Pockets of rebel forces are scattered throughout the country,” Rob advised, glancing over his shoulder.
    “How long have you two been