Risking All for Love (Wattpadprize14)

Chapter Fourteen

Margaux and her client stood with passports and plane tickets at Liberian Customs at Roberts Field, the International Airport.

"How'd you enjoy your visit to Liberia, my friend?"

The man looked at Margaux with a smile as they handed him the official their plane tickets and passports.

The official took a while looking at the passports and checking his wanted list. He then with a calm voice said, "Will the two of you come with me, please?"

They were joined by two armed guards, who escorted them to a waiting room.

Margaux's companion looked at her. "Mary, what's this about?"

"If I tell you the truth, you must promise to hold your peace and keep my name out of it, will you?"

"Why?"

"If you don't keep your mouth shut and do what I say, they will kill both of us. Got it?" Margaux looked convincing, scared.

The man nodded but whispered, "Why?"

"One false step and we'll just disappear. No missing person report will go to the American Embassy. The Government of Liberia will be able to say honestly that they have no idea where you are."

"Why, wouldn't the Liberian authorities tell us what we are accused of and file charges before doing anything drastic? Wouldn't they?"

"The real authorities here at Roberts Field are not holding us for questioning. These fake guards and fake interrogator bribed the real authorities to look the other way. At best the authorities here think this is all an elaborate joke. In a few minutes you'll be called in by uniformed guards and a well-dressed official-looking man with a vague nametag for questioning."

"Will they charge me with a crime?"

"They will try to make you believe you are being arrested. Likely they will say that you're kidnapping me. It's all a scam, but you have a reason to fear for your life. If you hint that you know this is a scam, I'll be dead in an hour and so will you. Your flesh and bones won't last out the day either. Crocodiles can remove all traces that we were ever here."

"Mary..."

"My real name is Margaux Dubonnet, remember that." Margaux's eyes spoke of the gravity of their situation. "We haven't much time. Now, will you listen to me? Do what you'd do in America. Deny that you have done anything wrong. Get angry about how innocent you are. They won't think that I told you anything. That will make you safer."

"Why?" He paused. "Oh, of course, I have to act like you never told me all of this, act surprised."

"At some point during your long interrogation, they will suggest that they can work things out with you. For a price."

"What do I do then?"

"Pay it.  Pay whatever they ask. You are buying your life.  They know that you have money. You'll be lucky if you walk away from here for less than a hundred thousand dollars American." Margaux breathed deeper, but fear made it difficult. Her voice had a sense of serious urgency. "You must agree. Cave in to their demands. Understand?"

"Can I ask you something?"

Margaux became more anxious. The voices in the office became boisterous. That meant they'd come out soon.

"Hurry up and ask."

"Why did you have sex with me all this week?"

"If I had not come on to you, it could have been worse.  I had to be convincing, or you would not have tried to marry me. You will pay to get out of here.  Besides, if I don't bring in enough money, my boss will force me to have sex with him again." Margaux took his hand. "You were sweet, good in bed. I almost enjoyed it. My boss is a pig. But I could not love you because..."