Read Online Stalking Ivory by Suzanne Arruda - Free Book Online

the Dunburys had generously added on a full lab just for her use.
    “I got you!” she whispered to the big bull elephant in one of the frames. She grabbed a magnifying lens and studied the negative, hoping to find part of the female herd in the background. None of them appeared, but Jade knew that the old boy was on their track. He never ventured farther than a mile from them.
    The moment she’d spotted this ancient bull circling the cows, Jade had amended her original intent to photograph only the elephant herds. He traveled alone, as did most mature bulls, his proximity to the cows only tolerated by the herd’s aging matriarch. The old dame ruled her herd with an iron trunk, guiding them through the mountain forest in the continuing search for fresh food, and she had little patience for would-be Romeos taking food needed by pregnant cows and growing calves.
    Jade looked at the last negative on the short roll and saw the mother cow and her baby as they passed below her tree blind yesterday. The recollection of their subsequent slaughter brought a fresh upwelling of anger to her throat. She wondered if these elephants had been some of the matriarch’s own progeny.
    Last night’s dreams flashed in her mind, and suddenly Jade felt a sense of urgency that made her hands tremble. This outpost was not the sanctuary she’d hoped it would be. She needed to document these giant animals before they and their world evaporated like the morning mists over the crater. Mr. Percival, who was forced to spend most of his time closer to Nairobi, must have suspected that as well, which was why he wanted her survey. If the herds were in danger, he could at least limit hunting permits.
    “Ja-ade,” sang a clear soprano voice from outside Jade’s sleeping tent. “I say, are you up or are you being a slugabed?”
    Jade left the developed negatives hanging from clothespins and tiptoed out of the makeshift darkroom. She slunk around the side of the tent as silently as a real lioness and paused. Then, in a single leap, she pounced behind Beverly and slapped her across the back.
    Beverly jumped a foot and shrieked. “Blast you, Jade,” she said as she collapsed against the tent post, a hand on her chest. “You scared me! My heart is pounding.”
    Jade chuckled, her voice a low contralto. “I’m sorry, Bev. Truly I am.”
    “No, you’re not. At least you don’t sound very sorry.”
    “You’re right. I’m not.” She clapped her hands together and laughed. “I couldn’t resist, you know. Don’t hurt me.” Her hands rose in front of her face in a mock defensive posture.
    Biscuit bounded forward, wanting to join in the romp. He butted his head against Jade, then slapped at Beverly’s leg.
    “Wonderful. All the cats are attacking this morning,” muttered Beverly. She put her hand to her stomach and grimaced. “Oof. I feel a trifle green today.”
    Jade quieted Biscuit with a gentle but firm touch on the cat’s head, then apologized to her friend again. “Come and see what I’ve discovered this morning,” she said as she motioned Beverly to the darkroom tent. Beverly waited outside in the misty morning air while Jade slipped in and retrieved the developed negatives.
    “Look at this one,” she said.
    Beverly’s soft blue eyes opened wide as she examined the strip. “He’s magnificent! Oh, Jade. I say, well done, old girl.”
    “What’s Simba Jike done now?”
    The deep, purring voice caught Jade completely off guard. She’d been expecting Avery’s mellow tenor, not Harry’s rumbling baritone. She spun around in an instant, her fists clenched at her sides.
    If Harry noticed, he pretended not to. “Good morning, ladies. I came to invite you to dinner tonight. Lord Dunbury as well, of course.”
    “Harry,” Beverly said. “Good morning. I’m afraid you gave us a bit of a start.”
    “My apologies.” He touched his hat brim in an attempt to be polite. “I wanted to catch you all early before you left camp. Guess