Who is Jonathan Clark

Untitled Part 17

                                                                            CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

                                                                               ALL IS GOING WELL

It was now 1993, the Governments in Guinea and Sierra Leone had been re-elected by a democratic vote, albeit in all ways a formality. In Senegal President Sumata was firmly established as the countries leader, Jonathan had two factories making clothes for his eight U.S. stores and now an outlet in all four Capital Cities in West Africa. He had made an offer and secured the purchase of the Resort in Guinea Bissau which was not paying its way only being used by the Oil Workers. He had decided to create a Holiday Resort to rival the popular Resorts on the neighbouring Cape Verdi Islands just off the West African coast. Jonathan was also heavily involved with Charlie Campbell who was now occupying a smart set of offices in the centre of Conakry pushing forward the building programs for Hospitals, Schools and Housing. At the last count there were 50,000 men and women employed on construction related projects. Loretta was Education Consultant for the W.A.A. and young Mirrani now seven years of age was attending a boarding school in Freetown.

Everything that happened concerning the W.A.A, could only take place after consultations with Angela Campbell (Rawllings) she was Chairman of the C.A.I, Bank which funded almost everything agreed by the Alliance. Although each country retained their own Monitory Systems all major projects were funded by the Oil revenue and this in turn was controlled by Angela. She unlike her partner Jonathan, had to hold on to the money that she had made, and there was plenty. Angela was by now easily the wealthiest woman in North and West Africa. Having a nose for a good deal she had invested freely on the New York and London Stock Markets never fully changing her statement to Jonathan all those years ago that her greatest orgasm and with a husband who although very committed and contentious about what they were doing in Africa, felt the same about money. While having children was still way down her list of priorities she was generous to a fault when it came to funding projects concerning the young. She had along with Jonathan set up an American style Foundation for under privileged children and single mothers. With success came friends but also enemies and Angela had many, having received death threats mainly from neighbouring countries fearful of the power she now had. It was therefor no surprise that whilst on a visit to a new College in Northern Guinea with her husband Charlie Campbell they were both kidnapped by a group calling themselves the M.L.A. They had left the College compound on a two day visit to some nearby Villages where Charlie had erected some Medical Units and were kidnapped on the way. It was 48 hours before the alarm was raised and a further three days before any demands from their captors were received.

Five million dollars was the ransom figure, and if not payed in five days Charlie Campbell would be killed, a further two days and Angela Rawllings would suffer the same fate.

The American Ambassador to Sierra Leone Paul Redford a personal friend of Jonathan and Angela was involved. He was adamant that no ransom should be payed by any Government as it only promoted terrorism. Paying the money privately as Jonathan was prepared to do  was more acceptable but could have the same affect. A U.S, Army Officer skilled in these kind of negotiations flew in from the newly set up base in Senegal. He played on the fact that the so called M.L.A. wanted the money not the reputation of killing American hostages. Very calmly he agreed and then rejected to their demands and time scale. He convinced them that no Bank within the W.A.A. would release that amount of money and that the cash would need to be flown in from the U.S.A. 

The kidnappers objected insisting that the Clark International Bank in Conakry had the funds.

The Army Officer quickly reminded them that they were holding the only person authorised to release that amount of money. As they watched the Officer going about his business, talking to them, taking notes, and making phone calls they were all to aware that the allotted time for Charlie Campbell was almost up. "If you harm Mr Campbell you get nothing" he told them, "you might as well kill them both, we need four days from now for the cash to arrive. Now can we discuss the transfer?

"Very well" said the M.L.A. negotiator, "forty kilometres north of Bamako the Mali Capital. There is a mountain range with a river running through it. At co-ordinates we will give you closer to the time you will drop the money from a single man Helicopter  into the water on a small raft securely wrapped in a water-proof container. When we have the money your friends will be released" Three days passed and the phone call came. "I have the co-ordinates, do you have the money" said a voice in broken English.

"We have the money" answered the officer, "lets do this"

"I haven't seen any money" said a concerned Jonathan Clark.

"Everything is under control" replied the Officer. Six hours passed, the phone rang four times and stopped. The Officer looked at the U.S. Ambassador, "they're here" he said, "let's go"

Jonathan followed both men outside. In the air above them was a Military Helicopter, as it landed on the lawn a covered truck backed up to within ten feet of the door, out jumped at least a dozen soldiers in full combat uniform and made straight for the waiting truck. A moment later out-stepped Angela and Charlie Campbell followed closely by Remi Jackson.

"My god" thought Jonathan, "they have been plotting this all along"

After hugging his two friends Jonathan walked over to Remi Jackson, "have you been involved the whole way through? he asked.

"Yes I have" he answered, "It was something to get my teeth into, but we did have help from the Mali Government, those abductors were acting alone. Once we had the co-ordinates and we knew that the river ran south, we estimated that 25 kilometers down stream was where they would be. The Malian President gave us permission to enter his country as long as the soldiers were accompanied by a Diplomat the rest was easy. I think I need a drink, will you join me?

"A pleasure" said Jonathan.