It was Flockhart, and he gave me the news.

27: REQUIEM

The air was still, here at the edge of the jungle.

The helicopter turned through forty degrees, forty-five, then settled on the pad across the lake. The power was shut down and the rotors began slowing.

As I lifted the gun I saw Flockhart for an instant in my mind as I'd seen him earlier, his face drained and his eyes burning as he gave me the news and at last a reason I could call my own.

Then the memory was gone and I sighted through the scope as the door of the helicopter came open and a man stood there in battledress, and as he thrust his arm above his head with his fist clenched a shout went up from the rebel soldiers who were there to welcome their leader.

I centred the target in the cross-hairs — Pour toi, Gabrielle — and coloured the morning with the blood of General Kheng.

The End