The Quest: A Novel

Mr. Mercado, to death by firing squad.”
    Purcell didn’t think so, but he also knew that Getachu didn’t need any evidence, except maybe to justify an execution to his superiors in Addis.
    Purcell said, “I must ask you, General, to return our personal property, including our credentials and passports, and to provide us transportation to the capital.” He reminded Getachu, “We came here expecting to be treated as journalists, not as criminals.”
    Getachu pointed out, “I think we have had this conversation.”
    “I think we need to have it again.”
    General Getachu looked at Colonel Gann, then said to his other guests, “Before we discuss your status, do you agree that this man deserves what he is to suffer?”
    Purcell replied, “No, we do not. Colonel Gann was captured in uniform and he is to be treated as a prisoner of war under the Geneva Convention, which Ethiopia has signed.”
    “That was the previous government.”
    Gann said to Purcell, “Save your breath.”
    “Excellent advice,” agreed Getachu.
    Mercado cleared his throat and said, “General… if you agree to release us, we will write and sign statements of any wrongdoing that we may have engaged in. We will also write a press story praising your victory and your qualities as a leader. We also agree to have our passports held by your foreign office and to stay in Addis writing articles for the duration of this war.”
    Getachu looked at Mercado. “Well, you are offering less than Mr. Purcell and Miss Smith have already offered.” He informed Mercado, “They offered to stay here with me for the duration of the war. I was looking forward to their company.”
    Vivian took a deep breath, hesitated, then said, “General, if this is supposed to be an inquiry or a trial, it’s actually a farce.” She concluded, “You are keeping us here unlawfully and against our will, and our press offices and our embassies know where we are, and they will be making inquiries, if they haven’t already. Please provide us with transportation to the capital and please return our belongings.”
    Getachu stared at her for a long time, then said, “But you look very good in the shamma.”
    Vivian did not reply, but she held Getachu’s stare.
    Finally, he said, “The Revolutionary Army came into possession of some interesting equipment which the Americans provided to the Royal Army. One such item was a device called a starlight scope. You know of this? A telescopic sight that allows one to see in the dark, which my sentries use in the watchtower to look for the enemy, outside and inside the camp.”
    No one responded, and Getachu continued, “So it appeared—to my sentry at least—that you, Miss Smith, and you, Mr. Purcell, engaged in a behavior that did not please Mr. Mercado.” He asked, “Or did my sentry misunderstand what he saw?”
    Again no one replied, and if anyone thought that Getachu had brought this up solely to amuse himself, Purcell knew otherwise.
    Getachu said to Mercado, “So perhaps you will write in your confession that you discovered that Mr. Purcell and Miss Smith were spying for the Royalists.” He assured Mercado, “You need not write that about yourself. That would condemn you to death.”
    Purcell glanced at Mercado, expecting that Mercado understoodthat he needed to reply with a firm fuck you, but Mercado did not reply.
    “Mr. Mercado?”
    “I… don’t know what you’re talking about, General.”
    “You do. And you should consider my offer.”
    Again, Mercado made no reply.
    Getachu glanced at his watch as though this was all taking more time than he’d allowed for it. He said, “To my mind, you are all guilty, but as I said to Mr. Purcell and Miss Smith last night, it is possible to make your punishment less severe.” He looked at Gann. “Even you, Colonel, could be spared from death.”
    “As you spared Prince Joshua?”
    “I’m glad to see that Mr. Purcell has told you everything, and I’m glad to see that you speak.”
    “Go to hell.”
    “There is no hell. And no heaven. There is no more than what you see here.”
    Gann did not reply, and Getachu continued, “They taught me otherwise in the missionary school, but I did not believe them then or now. But I do believe in the use of earthly pain to punish bad behavior, or to make a person confess to his sins.” He pulled Gann’s riding crop from his pocket and said, “Or simply to give me pleasure.” He flexed the crop.
    Gann stared at Getachu and