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

she turned her head to see if a rodent had come in through the open door.
    Not likely. Not with Biscuit on patrol . She turned to her packing and shivered again. This time her back irritated her, as though she had returned to the war and was living in that flea-bitten farmhouse cellar.
    “I need some air,” she said as she stepped outside. She spied Beverly and Avery walking her way. “I thought you two were going to the theater tonight,” Jade said.
    “We are,” said Beverly. “And we’re dining at the New Stanley first. I wanted to see how you were before I dressed for dinner.” She studied Jade’s face. “You didn’t rest very long.”
    “Didn’t try to.” She pointed to the pile inside the door. “I’ve been busy.”
    “Ah,” said Avery. “So you still plan to scout out a camping spot for the junior Amazons?”
    Jade nodded. “Getting out of this crowded city will do me good. I plan to see Jelani, then do some fishing.” She sat down on the step and motioned for her friends to join her. “What did you think about Steven Holly’s gold mine announcement? Do you really think there’s gold up north?”
    Avery shook his head. “I shouldn’t think so, but then, in point of fact, I have no idea. There’s gold in the Belgian Congo and I believe someone found traces in the Tanganyika Territory, but no one has ever found much in the way of minerals in Kenya Colony. I’m wondering if Holly didn’t invest in a pig in a poke.”
    “Oh, dear,” said Beverly. “He may be a bit of a scamp, but I’d hate to see someone take advantage of him.”
    “Aren’t you both jumping to conclusions?” asked Jade. “We know nothing about this gold mine beyond Holly’s boasts.”
    “You’re probably correct, Jade,” said Avery. “It’s just that I think it would be rather simpleminded for Mr. Holly to enter into something unproven. He’s a bank clerk. I’d expect him to know something about business.”
    “But he said that this man Waters had samples,” said Beverly. “Isn’t that proof?”
    Avery smiled at his wife. “You are too trusting, my dear. Anyone could carry in a bit of gold he had purchased and say it came from his mine. Mr. Holly would have done better to go to the site himself and take a sample of the area for assay.”
    Jade rubbed her arms and twitched her shoulders. Beverly frowned. “You’re very agitated this evening, Jade. You might be catching something. Are you feverish? Have you been drinking your tonic water and using the mosquito netting?”
    “Bev,” said Jade, “I love you dearly, but I’m not sick.”
    “I could call old Dr. Burkitt in,” Beverly said. “Malaria is nothing to be sneezed at.”
    “I don’t want or need a doctor.”
    “Then at least stay at the house tonight. Let our cook prepare something for you. Matthew mpishi makes lovely chicken soup.”
    The left side of Jade’s mouth twitched. “I don’t have malaria. I need solitude, Bev, not mothering. And I don’t need a personal mpishi . I can cook for myself. I plan to scramble some eggs over my little spirit stove, butter up a slab of bread, and call it an early night.”
    “You’re not riding your motorcycle on the trip tomorrow, are you?” asked Beverly. “I don’t think—”
    Avery coughed and shook his head, hinting to his wife to drop the matter. “Our Jade knows that she can have the use of my new motor truck anytime she wishes. I shan’t need it for a few days. I’m sure Biscuit will be much more comfortable riding in it than running alongside the motorcycle for such a distance. There won’t be room in the sidecar with the gear.”
    “Thank you, Avery. I thought about going into town to hire a truck.”
    “Nonsense. It’s too late in the day for that. And she’s full of petrol and ready to go.” He stood and gently raised his wife to her feet. “Come along, darling. Time to get ready. Jade’s a big girl, you know.”
    Beverly laughed. “You’re quite right, Avery. I’ve