Free Bodyguard: Ambush (Book 3) by Chris Bradford

from a world-class chef. Trust me on this – I’ve sampled it
     myself.’
    There was another ripple of polite
     laughter.
    ‘And, rest assured, the service for
     guests will be uninterrupted throughout your stay. The lodge has its own electricity
     generator and I can guarantee no problems with your phones since a mobile mast has been
     installed. The lodge even has wireless internet access!’
    ‘We might just move in here
     permanently,’ commented Minister Mossi in a half-whisper to his young wife.
    ‘Guests will be spoilt by the highest
     standards of comfort,’ went on Minister Feruzi, ‘and combined with superb
     game-viewing opportunities, overseen by only the most experienced rangers, this resort
     promises to deliver the safari experience of a lifetime!’
    Minister Feruzi gave an affected bow to
     indicate his speech was over and was rewarded with gracious applause.
    ‘I must say
     it’s very impressive,’ remarked Laurent, eyeing the sumptuous luxury
     surrounding them. ‘Has
all
of France’s aid gone into developing
     this lodge?’
    The minister gave a hearty laugh, his jowls
     wobbling slightly. ‘No, I can assure you it hasn’t, we –’
    ‘Wow, are these
real
?’
     exclaimed Henri, drifting away from the main group as he tired of the speech. He was
     pointing to a wall display of a leopard-skin shield and two crossed spears with
     broad-bladed iron tips.
    ‘Not only real,’ answered
     Minister Mossi, joining him by the display, ‘but once used by the local chief of a
     Hutu tribe to kill a lion.’
    Henri stared in wonder at the fearsome
     weapons.
    ‘Do you want to hold one?’ asked
     the minister.
    The ambassador’s son nodded
     eagerly.
    ‘Do you kill everything here?’
     asked Amber, looking up in dismay at the stuffed head of an antelope on the opposite
     wall.
    Her father shot her a warning look. But
     Minister Mossi just smiled as Henri brandished the spear. ‘This is Africa. In the
     past, killing a lion was a symbol of manhood. But now –’ he shrugged, taking the
     spear back from Henri – ‘attitudes have changed.’
    ‘They most certainly have, Amber. And
     for the better,’ assured President Bagaza. ‘This project is all about
     conservation. The park has been revitalized, thanks to France’s aid. We’ve
     reintroduced lion, elephant, rhino and many other species – all of which you’ll
     spot on the game drives we have planned for you. But why not see for yourself
     now?’
    The president ushered
     Amber and the rest of the party through a set of bay doors on to the open-air veranda.
     There they were greeted by a spectacular view across the Ruvubu Valley. The African bush
     was spread out like a gilded blanket in the mid-afternoon sun. A natural waterhole
     nestled at the base of the slope in which a hippo wallowed. At the water’s edge,
     several long-horned oryx drank their fill beside a group of fawn-coloured gazelles. A
     kingfisher flitted among them, catching insects and dragonflies. Approaching the
     waterhole from the south was an elephant and her calf, and beyond was an abundance of
     zebra, wildebeest and buffalo. The scene was like a privileged peek into the Garden of
     Eden.
    Amber was left speechless.
    ‘This is no longer a “paper
     park”, Ambassador,’ declared the president. ‘The land has been
     returned to the wild. No human habitation at all.’
    ‘And, with your country’s
     continued support, we intend to establish this as a prime tourist destination,’
     asserted Minister Feruzi, ‘as well as deliver the discussed conservation and
     development objectives, of course.’
    ‘This is truly magnificent,’
     agreed the ambassador, shaking hands with the president and all the ministers.
     ‘The French government will be most pleased with the progress that’s been
     made. Burundi will certainly take its place on the map for this.’
    The breathtaking beauty of the location had
     made Connor almost forget why he was there in the