Free The Crocodile's Last Embrace by Suzanne Arruda Page A

come up with this prank, it didn’t lessen Jade’s unease. That paint had looked too real to her, throbbing with a life of its own. She wanted to escape the noise and go home, something she couldn’t do without Beverly, since they’d arrived together. Dr. Mathews followed close by as though reading her mind.
    “If Lady Dunbury is unable to leave now, I’ll be happy to see you safely home,” he said. “Indeed, it would be best if you did go. I saw how you reacted. You’re not well.”
    “I’m only tired,” Jade said. She caught Beverly’s eye and waited while her friend excused herself from Lady Northey.
    “Are you ready to leave?” asked Beverly. She studied Jade’s face.
    “Yes. How much trouble are the girls in?” asked Jade.
    Beverly grinned. “The little darlings created quite a stir with their prank. I shouldn’t wonder if I was deposed as patrol leader soon. But I believe we can drive home now. I’ve already made my good-byes to our hostess. Having a baby waiting at home with a nanny is a wonderful excuse for leaving early.”
    “I’m glad Miss del Cameron has a good friend to watch out for her,” said Mathews. “But I am still happy to follow. I could prescribe a sedative for you.”
    “Thank you, but no, Dr. Mathews. I’ll be fine. I just want to sit on my porch, put my feet up, and drink a cup of coffee.” She looked at Beverly during the last part, hoping her friend would take the hint. She didn’t.
    Mathews frowned. “I would not advise it. That would only agitate you more. You must get some rest. I’m leaving early tomorrow for Fort Hall and some of the native villages. I’ll be absent about a week, but I intend to look in on you as soon as I return.” He bowed to both of them.
    “He’s a good man,” said Beverly after he’d gone. “Though I’d advise caution, Jade. It’s entirely possible that he’s interested in you as more than just a patient.”
    “All the more reason for not letting him tend to me.”

    JADE’S REST PERIOD, once she was home, lasted three-quarters of an hour. She’d changed out of her skirt, made a cup of the spiced tea, and settled herself on her porch with Biscuit at her feet. The tea wasn’t half-bad, but she still missed her coffee. She’d have to talk to Bev about that or just sneak off and buy some without telling her. But try as she might to relax, she couldn’t stop fidgeting. She kept envisioning the pulsing red liquid that had flowed from the target.
    Jade decided to get her camping gear together instead. Most of the older girls were counting on a little safari, and Jade and Beverly planned to take them next weekend to Fourteen Falls, on the Athi River. Jade intended to leave after tomorrow’s Mass to scout out a good spot. The falls were also near enough to Jelani’s village to allow a visit. She owed one to the young Kikuyu healer whom she’d befriended on her first trip to Africa.
    She pulled out a thin bedroll, her cooking kit, a tin mug, and her coffeepot, then stowed all but the bedroll in a canvas rucksack along with her tin of tea, matches, and a long-handled fork. She set the bundle beside her wooden chop box, which already held a small cast-iron skillet, a tin of flour, baking powder, a bit of lard, a wooden bowl, and a few tins of beef. Jade took her fishing rod from the wall along with her Winchester, a newer model that her father had given her for a birthday gift. Not that she planned on hunting for game. But this was Africa and it didn’t hold to go out unprepared. She set her tackle box atop the chop box. With any luck, she’d have some fresh fish to go with her biscuits. If not, she’d have the canned beef.
    Biscuit padded through her open door and sniffed the boxes.
    “Don’t worry. You’re coming, too. But if I don’t catch any fish, you’re going to have to hunt for yourself.” The cheetah brushed lightly against her exposed forearm, and Jade felt her skin prickle. A vague shadow darted just out of view and