The Pursuit of the Ivory Poachers (7 page)

“Hi there!” he bellowed. “How are you doing?” He sounded like he was from South Africa. Jack guessed that Trevor had called ahead and that he knew to expect them.

“So glad you could come,” he said excitedly. “Welcome to my home. We call it Mr K's,” he added, “after the first letter in my last name, Kendall.” He looked over to Jack with a cheesy grin. “You get it?” he said.

Jack looked at the man and forced a smile. There was something about Jasper that wasn't quite right. When he glanced down at his choice in footwear, Jack was shocked. He was wearing boots made with the skin of an endangered sea turtle.

“I thought killing sea turtles for their skins was against the law,” said Jack, furrowing his brow in disapproval. He couldn't forget his duties with the GPF.

“These things?” he said, brushing Jack off. “These are so old,” he said. “I've had them since before you were born!” Quickly changing the subject, Mr K carried on.

“Why don't you come in and have a look around?” Jasper slapped Jack on the back and led him down a gravel path towards the front door.

“Must be off,” said Trevor as he climbed into the jeep. Trevor started the car up and began to back out. Before Jack could say goodbye, he'd sped away.

“Now,” said Jasper, slapping Jack on the back a second time, “let's go inside!”

Jasper led Jack under the covered walkway and through the front door. When they entered the lobby, the first thing that caught Jack's eye was the elephant tusks. There were two decorated ivory teeth perched on a wooden stand in the corner.

Sensing that Jack was a bit stunned, Jasper explained. “They were given to me
by the previous owners. I'd never kill an elephant for its ivory.” Jasper coughed.

Uh-huh, thought Jack. He's wearing boots from an endangered species and he's got two tusks proudly displayed in the front hall of his lodge. Definitely, Jack decided, a guy who needs to be watched.

As they moved into the lodge, Jack noticed several young men doing a traditional Maasai jumping dance. Jack knew that Maasai showed their strength as warriors by jumping as high as they could. Remembering what Chief Abasi had said, Jack figured they were there to entertain Jasper's guests.

The two of them moved through the hall and towards a wooden deck outside. Almost as soon as he stepped onto the platform, Jack was overwhelmed by the wildlife. Black and white colobus monkeys were jumping from tree to tree. A spider the size of his dad's hand sat in the middle of its web just above Jack's head.

He walked over to the railing and looked over the edge. The deck was perched ten yards above a river below. There were some hippos sitting low in the water with their ears and eyes peeking out. A handful of baby crocodiles were scurrying across a log as their parents snapped up whatever food they could.

“Why don't you have a seat?” said Jasper, motioning for Jack to join him at a round wooden table and chairs nearby.

Jack did just that, being careful to watch not only his surroundings but also his host.

“So,” said Mr K, “Chief Abasi told me about those tusks. Shame about the elephants.” At that comment, Jasper Kendall lifted his feet and placed them on the chair next to Jack. Since the shoes
weren't that far away, Jack couldn't help but notice a squiggly line on the soles, just like the one he'd seen at the shed.

Jack's eyes widened. He needed to be careful. There was a chance he was sitting across from one, if not the leader of, the poachers. He cleared his throat.

“Yes,” said Jack, trying to keep his cool. “It's terribly upsetting.” He didn't want Jasper to know that he'd seen the boots.

“Do you know who could have done this?” he asked.

“Gosh,” said Jasper, almost sincerely. “I can't think of anyone.”

“Well, why do you think someone would do it?” asked Jack.

“People round here don't make a lot of money,” he explained, “and poaching is one of the best ways to get it.”

Hmmm, thought Jack. Jasper wasn't admitting to anything. Jack didn't have
enough evidence. He couldn't have him arrested just because of his boots. For all Jack knew, that squiggly line could be on any number of boots in the area. He was going to have to do better. He was going to have to catch Jasper Kendall in the act.

As Jack was thinking, a waiter came over and presented him with a plate of food. “Jambo,” he said as he smiled down at Jack and placed the meal on the table.

“I ordered you some dinner,” said Jasper, smiling.

Jack looked down at the skewer of alternating vegetables and gray meat.

“What is it?” asked Jack. He'd heard that in Africa people ate all sorts of things like zebra, crocodile, and wildebeest.

“An ostrich kebab,” said Mr K.

Jack eyes popped open. The last thing
he wanted to do was eat that. Seeing Jack's reaction, Mr K roared with laughter.

“I'm actually not hungry right now,” said Jack, trying to be polite. “Maybe I can take it back to my room?”

“Of course,” said Jasper. He motioned to the waiter to wrap Jack's dinner.

“Just one more question,” said Jack. “Have you noticed anyone acting strangely around here?”

“No one that I can think of,” said Jasper.

“Well,” Jack said, thinking he'd gotten all he was going to get out of Jasper, “I think I'd better head off to bed.” He picked up his food.

“Let me show you to your room,” said Jasper, standing to join Jack.

Jasper led Jack out of the dining room, through the lodge, and back outside.

Passing several large green tents in the compound, they arrived at one near the other end of the river bank.

“This is where you'll be sleeping tonight,” said Jasper as he walked with Jack to a small wooden deck outside the tent opening. “I think you'll agree that our tents are pretty luxurious.”

Jack pushed back the flaps to the tent. He walked in and couldn't believe his eyes. It was as big as his bedroom at home.

“There's a hot water bottle in your bed already,” said Jasper. “It gets pretty cool at night. Electricity runs on a generator,” he added. “Lights go off at eight-thirty and don't come on again until five in the morning.”

Jack looked down at his Watch Phone. It was 7:30
PM
. “Great,” he said to Mr K, “that'll give me an hour to do some work.”

“Sleep tight,” said Jasper as he let himself out. “Don't let the bed bugs bite.” He gave Jack a big wink and pulled the flap to Jack's tent closed behind him.