The Quest: A Novel

have him shot.”
    “That’s good.”
    “Or strangled.”
    “Even better.”
    “The Revolution,” said Colonel Gann, “eats its own.”
    “It always does.”
    “I predict that Getachu will put you and Miss Smith on a helicopter to Addis.”
    “And Mercado?”
    “Getachu will send him off to Addis to be dealt with at a higher level. Probably get expelled.” He added, “They’re not shooting Western reporters yet.”
    “Good. Well, you seem to know these people.” He informed Colonel Gann, “Getachu hinted that he may want you to train and advise his officers.”
    “That will not happen.”
    “Don’t turn down that job.”
    Gann did not reply, and Purcell pointed out, “The war is almost over. You won’t be helping him much.”
    “I won’t be helping him at all.”
    “Don’t be stupid.”
    “I’ve asked a favor of you. Please do it.”
    “Do it yourself.” He made eye contact with Gann and said, “Look, Colonel, I’m trying to save your life, and you’re not helping. Don’t take the knight thing too seriously.”
    Gann didn’t reply, but he looked past Purcell and said, “I think it’s time to go.”
    Purcell turned around and saw that Mercado was on his feet without help from the soldiers, and Vivian had awoken and was trying to minister to her lover, who was having none of it—which seemed to confuse the soldiers who’d missed the reason for Mercado’s bad behavior toward the lady.
    Purcell looked up at the dead Ethiopian, who seemed almost Christlike hanging there with his flesh torn. It occurred to Purcell that the new Ethiopia didn’t look much different than the old Ethiopia.
    Purcell turned to the rising sun above the eastern mountains, then to the large open field shrouded in morning mist. God did a good job with the heaven and the earth. Not so good with the people.
    The squad leader formed everyone up in a line of march and barked something in Amharic, then shouted, “
Avanti!
”
    Forward.

Chapter 12
    G eneral Getachu sat at his camp desk in his headquarters tent, speaking to an aide in Amharic and ignoring his four guests who were sitting facing him.
    Mercado sat on the far right, and Vivian had taken the chair next to him, though Mercado was pointedly ignoring her. Gann had sat himself between Vivian and Purcell, and behind them was a soldier armed with an AK-47 automatic rifle.
    Purcell was surprised that Getachu had included Gann in this meeting, but possibly this was a summary court-martial, with the general acting as judge and jury, and the soldier as instant executioner.
    The tent was not as dark as it had been at night, and the morning sun shone through mosquito net windows, revealing a dirt floor strewn with cigarette butts. Getachu took a call on his field phone, and spoke as he signed papers for his aide. A busy executive, thought Purcell, but there’s always time for fun and sport.
    On that subject, Purcell saw that neither Prince Joshua nor his two officers were present, and Purcell wondered if Getachu had sent his royal highness to the women’s tent.
    The aide left and Getachu looked at Gann and asked, “Do you know that your prince is here?”
    Gann did not reply, and Getachu seemed angry at the insolence.
    Purcell volunteered, “I informed him.”
    “Do not speak unless spoken to.” Getachu looked at Gann again, smiled, and said, “That is what I learned in the English missionary school.” He also informed Colonel Gann, “The prince has confessed that you and he have engaged in war crimes.”
    Gann had no response.
    Getachu saw that this was not productive, so he looked at Purcelland asked, “Who gave you permission to leave the medical tent and walk through my camp?”
    “We had no indication that we were under confinement.”
    “This is a secure military facility.”
    “As you know, we were looking for our colleagues.”
    “Yes? And is Colonel Gann your colleague?”
    “According to you he is.”
    “Then you are all guilty by association.”
    “According to you.”
    Getachu was sipping water from a canteen cup and Purcell said, “We need something to eat and drink.”
    “Why should I waste food and water on people who are to be executed? But I promise you a cigarette before you are shot.” Getachu thought that was funny and he translated for the soldier, who laughed.
    Getachu tapped Vivian’s camera, then held up three notepads and said, “There is enough evidence here to condemn you, Mr. Purcell, and you, Miss Smith, and you,