A short bang. She hears a crash overhead. The cable jerks and Penelopes stomach turns over as the man cabled to her yells something to the helicopter pilot. The helicopter swerves crazily. Horror sweeps over Penelope. The pilot has been shot. Instinctively, with no thought at all, she jerks at the security harness, wriggles free, and simply drops away.
She can see the helicopter stall in the air, tip to one side, and flip over. The cable with her rescuer still dangling on it is entangled in the large rotor. She plunges through the air, unable to look away. The machine rattles deafeningly, and, with a two-part bang, the enormous rotor blades are ripped from the axle. Penelope falls about twenty meters before she smacks into the water. She sinks down deep, semiconscious with the impact and the cold. It is a long time before shes able to move. Reaching the surface, her lungs react automatically and her body takes a deep breath. Almost without sight, she dully looks around. Then she begins to swim away from the island and out into the open sea.
57
Joona Linna and Saga Bauer departed quietly from Silencia Defense after their short meeting with Pontus Salman.
Pontus Salman had ruined their trap by immediately identifying himself and pinpointing the date: 2008 in a concert hall in Frankfurt.
There had been discussion of a shipment of ammunition to Sudan, hed explained, a plan well advanced before it was broken off in the spring of 2009. Salman seemed to assume that Joona and Saga were well aware of what had happened then.
Hed added that this had been the only meeting concerning Sudan and that now, of course, any continued business arrangements were out of the question.
What was he talking about? Joona asks. Do you know what happened then?
Before theyve even swung out onto Nynashamn, Saga has phoned Simon Lawrence at Sapo.
I presume youre not calling me for a date, Simon says humorously.
Youre an expert on North Africa. What happened in Sudan in the spring of 2009? Saga says.
Whats the context?
For some reason, after that time, Sweden can no longer export weapons to Sudan.
Dont you read the newspapers?
Of course, she answers with gritted teeth.
In March 2009, the International Criminal Court in The Hague indicted Sudans president, Omar al-Bashir.
An arrest warrant for the president?
Thats right.
Thats big.
The indictment includes the presidents direct involvement in orders for plundering, rape, forced displacement, torture, murder, and genocide for all three ethnic groups in Darfur.
Oh.
Simon Lawrence goes on to give Saga a short history lesson about events in Sudan before she finally hangs up the phone.
So whats it all about? Joona asks.
The International Criminal Court in The Hague has an arrest warrant out for President al-Bashir, she says, and gives Joona a long look.
I hadnt heard about that, says Joona.
In 2004 the United Nations laid down a weapons embargo to the Janjaweed and other militia in Darfur.
They drive north on Nynasvagen. The summer skies begin to turn dark and clouds are building.
Go on, says Joona.
President al-Bashir denies any connection to the militia. After the UN embargo, only direct exports to the Sudan government were allowed.
Because there was no connection between the government and the militia.
Exactly, Saga says. Then, in 2005, a general amnesty was reached. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement. It was supposed to end the longest civil war in Africa. After that date, there was no reason for Sweden to stop weapons supplies to Sudans army. Carl Palmcrona had to decide if these shipments were morally and legally a responsible thing to do.
But the International Criminal Court thought differently, Joona says acridly.
But the International Criminal Court thought differently, Joona says acridly.
Yes indeed. They saw a direct connection between the president and the armed militia, and they demanded he be arrested for rape, torture, and genocide.
What happened after that?
There was an election in April and al-Bashir remains the president. Sudan will not allow any arrest warrant to be served, so today it is absolutely forbidden to ship arms to Sudan and have any business with Omar al-Bashir and Agathe al-Haji.
As Pontus Salman told us, Joona says.
And thats why they broke off business connections.
We have to find Penelope Fernandez, Joona says as the first raindrops hit the windshield.
Theyre now driving into a heavy thunderstorm that immediately obscures their vision. Rain sluices down, drumming on the roof of the car. Joona is forced to slow down to barely more than fifty kilometers per hour. Its totally dark, but at times lightning illuminates the sky. The windshield wipers swish at top speed back and forth.
Joonas cell phone rings. Petter Naslund snaps that Penelope has called SOS alarm twenty minutes ago.
Why didnt you call me right away?
My first priority was to alert the maritime police. Theyre already on their way. I also sent a rescue helicopter.
Good work, Petter, Joona says. Saga gives him a questioning look.
I know youll want to question them both as soon as possible.