Marina appeared in the doorway behind Robert and cried, “I heard shouting. What’s happened?”
Rose stepped forward. “It’s OK. Everyone take a deep breath.” She turned to Robert. “One of the other guests saw Nina out walking earlier. Do you know if she returned?”
Robert shook his head and garbled, “No. Maybe. I’ve no idea. When I woke up, she was gone. Why did she go for a walk? Who was with her?”
Rose placed a hand on Robert’s shoulder. “She probably woke up early and went exploring. And we’ll find her looking around the vegetable garden, or just sitting on a rock admiring the view.”
Marina jumped in. “I’ll organise the staff to search the lodge complex.”
The three giggling yoga women were no longer smiling and called, “We’ll help.”
Marina took Robert by the arm and left the room, followed by the yoga women.
Rose caught hold of Thabiti’s arm as he was about to leave, and pulled him back into the room.
She gestured to Pearl to join them and asked, “Are you certain you saw Nina this morning?”
Pearl raised her head and replied with a clear voice, “Of course. She was wearing that floppy hat of hers. You know, the one with the bright red bow.”
“And what time did you see her?”
Pearl twisted her pearl earring and said, “Around half-past six. The top of the sun was just visible on the horizon. And before you ask, yes, she was alone and, no, I don’t know where she was going.” Pearl tugged her ear. “Actually, I’d say she was heading down the escarpment along the path we took to the watering hole where we had sundowners on Friday evening.”
Rose laid a hand on Pearl’s arm. “Thank you. You’ve been a real help, and hopefully we can find her before something dreadful happens.”
Pearl responded, “I think I’ll go and help with the search.”
As Pearl left, Rose turned back to Thabiti. “Can you drive into the conservancy and see if you can find Nina? I think you should concentrate on the area between here and the watering hole and then widen your search from there.”
Thabiti swallowed. “What about Craig? I promised to fetch him breakfast and get him dressed.”
She squeezed his shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’ll sort that out.”
Thabiti left Rose alone in the dining room. She felt she should be looking for Nina, but she couldn’t abandon Craig. She poured herself a cup of tea, a coffee for Craig, and returned to their room.
“What’s going on?” Craig asked the moment she entered.
“It’s Nina, Robert’s young wife. She’s gone missing, so Marina’s organising a search of the lodge grounds. And she’s being assisted by the yoga group.”
Rose half-lifted, half-pulled Craig into a sitting position on the bed and propped him up with her pillows. She placed his coffee on the bedside table.
“Where does Robert think she is?”
“He has no idea. But Pearl saw her out walking this morning, and she was on her own.” Rose walked over to the large window and stared out. “Craig, I’m worried. A young naive girl like that. Somewhere out there.” She gestured with her arm across the window. “Anything could happen to her.”
There was a knock on the door. Rose opened it to find an agitated Marina, who couldn’t stand still, and a concerned-looking Julius.
“There’s no sign of her,” Marina gabbled. “I don’t know what to do.”
Rose placed her arms on Marina’s shoulders and pushed down. “Breathe. And stop panicking.”
Marina stilled but continued to wring her hands.
Rose continued, “I asked Thabiti to drive into the conservancy and look for Nina there. Pearl is certain she saw her walking down the escarpment and thinks she was heading towards the watering hole. You know, the one where we had sundowners. Nina probably wanted to watch the early morning wildlife.”
Julius raised his hand and said, “Mama Rose. That’s what I came to tell you. I’ve been out at the jackal pen all night. I opened the gate so the jackals could wander into the conservancy, but I still wanted to keep a watch on them.”
“And did they go out?”
He bobbed his head from side to side. “Two did and two didn’t. I’ve shut the enclosure gate now but I’ll go back tonight, open it and keep watch.”
Marina interjected, “But what has this to do with the missing Nina?”
“Well, I saw someone walking through the bush towards the watering hole. I think it was a mzungu but couldn’t be clear as something was covering their head. Anyway, about twenty minutes later I heard the sound of a car engine.”
Marina clapped her hand to her mouth. “Oh no. She’s been kidnapped. We need to find her. Come on Mama Rose, I’ll drive.”
Rose hesitated and looked back into the bedroom where she met Craig’s concerned gaze. “I can’t leave Craig on his own.”
“But we need to find Nina.”
Julius coughed. “Perhaps I could keep Bwana Hardie company and fetch him whatever he needs.”
“But you’ve been up all night,” Rose said. “And you need some sleep.”
Marina gasped. “But not until you’ve eaten. You must be hungry. Why don’t you go to the dining room, collect breakfast for yourself and Craig, and eat with him in his room?” She looked through Rose’s open bedroom door.
“That’s very kind of you. And I am hungry. Don’t worry, Mama Rose, I will look after Bwana Hardie.”
“Sorted,” cried Marina.
Rose’s mouth was dry as Julius entered the room and she spotted his red-rimmed eyes.
She turned to Craig.
He nodded at her. “I’ll be fine. Go and help Marina before she turns herself inside out with worry.”
Rose closed the door and followed Marina. At the end of the corridor she turned and looked back, and felt a chill in her bones.