Rescue! (4 page)

Bindi, Hannah, and Mike jumped apart a moment later as the door burst open. Brian stormed into the room, accompanied by two policemen. They were closely followed by Hannah and Bindi's mums.

Mike hid the camera beneath his jacket and pretended to clean up the breakfast trays.

“What's been going on?” Terri rushed over to Bindi and gave her a hug. “We got a call from the police saying you were being held here for questioning. We've just seen Thabu. He's outside with Robert and the horses. But he couldn't tell us what had happened.”

Kirsten checked in with Hannah. “Are you okay, darling?”

Hannah smiled. “I'm fine, Mum.”

Bindi was all business. “It's fine. We're fine. It's more like a case of mistaken identity.”

Brian tried to take control of the situation. “You're lucky I haven't pressed charges.”

Kirsten looked concerned. “I want to know what's going on.”

Brian puffed up his chest. “And I want to know who these two girls are trying to protect. They damaged property of mine, they were trespassing, and we know they had help.”

Terri bristled. She turned on Brian. “It sounds very much like you're accusing my eleven-year-old daughter of doing something illegal. You better watch what you say.”

“And you should keep a closer eye on your brat. Creeping around in the middle of the night! This is a serious operation we're running here. It's no place for helpless little girls.”

That last statement seemed to suck the air out of the room. Kirsten, Terri, Bindi, and Hannah all looked furious.

Bindi took a deep breath. “Mum, he's right.”

“What do you mean?” questioned Terri.

Bindi turned to the police. “Look, I know I'm just a ‘helpless little girl,' but I know this
is
a serious operation Brian's running.”

Brian relaxed a little. “About time I was shown some respect.”

“But it's not a sanctuary—in fact, it's the opposite of a breeding sanctuary. Big game hunters are paying money to hunt these beautiful creatures for sport.” Bindi pointed to the poster on the wall. “And Mike here has proof!”

All eyes turned to Mike, who was hovering in the corner. He nodded his thanks to Bindi and spoke. “Bindi's telling the truth. A couple of colleagues and I have been collecting proof after hours.” Mike looked Brian in the eye. “What you're doing is despicable.”

Brian yelled at Mike, “This is outrageous! I refuse to stand here and be accused of such nonsense.” He pointed to Mike. “Take this man and these two brats away and arrest them!”

“Calm down, Mr. Danbury, calm down.” The police placated Brian. “These are very serious threats, Mike.”

“Of which we've yet to see any proof!” said Brian, before receiving another stern look from the police.

Hannah pointed to the bulge under Mike's jacket. “I think the pics on the camera might be the proof you're looking for.”

Brian watched with suspicion as Mike pulled out the camera. “But my guards said that camera was smashed…” He gulped as he realized what he'd just said. One of the police officers took a step toward him.

“Mr. Danbury—”

Brian backed away. “You can't possibly take a child's word over mine. I'm a very powerful man.” Brian looked around the room, sizing up the situation. All eyes were on him.

Before anyone could do anything to stop him, he snatched the camera out of Mike's hand and took off out of the room.

Everything happened at once. The police radioed for backup. Brian made it out of the building and headed across the property toward the gates. Bindi and Hannah tried to follow on foot but he was too fast for them. Mike ran off to find other staff members to help.

Thabu was waiting outside with the three horses tethered nearby. Brian saw the horses and untied Pippi's reins from the fence before Thabu could stop him. He hastily mounted and tried to take off. But Pippi took offense at being treated so roughly. She pinned her ears back and gave a sharp buck. Brian managed to hold on and used the ends of the reins to let the horse know just who was boss. Pippi took off at a gallop in the direction of the gates.

“Thabu!” Hannah called out. “There's no time to explain. You've got to stop that man!”

Thabu jumped on his horse and took off after Brian.

Robert was watching the chaos from the branches of a baobab tree by the entrance to the park. Just as Brian and Pippi cantered past the front gate, Robert let something drop from the tree.

From out of the corner of his eye, Brian noticed an enormous, hairy spider crawling on his shoulder. He let out a yelp and lost his balance. Pippi spooked and shied to one side. Brian went tumbling into the hard dusty dirt, landing heavily on his bottom.

A family of meerkats who had been watching the events broke into an animated series of barking and chattering. Here was the best entertainment they'd seen in ages!

Thabu caught up and jumped down to stand next to Brian, who was too winded to move.

The police car pulled up along-side them and the officers helped Brian to his feet, taking the camera from around his shoulders.

Within half an hour, the police had taken statements and arrested Brian, handcuffing him and driving him to the local police station.

Mike and the other staff gathered around Bindi and Hannah. Mike shook Bindi's hand vigorously. “It's not every day two young girls topple a dirty business and save the day. Thank you, Bindi. Thank you, Hannah.”

“It's our pleasure, Mike,” replied Bindi on both girls' behalf. “Us ‘helpless' little girls can be quite useful sometimes!”

Mike laughed. He looked over at Robert, who was still up in the tree looking smug. “And I have to say, Bindi, your brother is one heck of a shot when it comes to the old spider drop!”

He gave them a parting smile, and moved over to Terri and Kirsten to explain the situation more fully.

Hannah and Bindi were now feeling seriously tired. They wandered slowly over to the baobab tree and Robert. They gazed up at the thick trunk and branches. Robert let out a mournful squeak.

“What's up, little buddy?”

“I can't get down!”

Bindi looked at Hannah with a wink. “We could help you if you promise not to give me any more eight-legged presents.”

Robert stared down at his big sister and thought about the offer. “Actually, it's okay.” He grinned mischievously. “Anyway, the view's great up here.”

The tiredness retreated as Bindi remembered she'd been itching to climb a baobab tree from the moment she landed in South Africa. She looked over at Hannah. “If you can't beat 'em, you may as well join 'em.”

As the two girls scrambled up the tree to join Robert, they were treated to an incredible view complete with giant sable antelope grazing contentedly in the park.

A few weeks later, Bindi was checking her emails before bedtime and was excited to see she had one from Hannah. She'd been dying to know how things had turned out in Limpopo. She'd been worrying about Mike and what he would do now that his cover as a wildlife warrior was blown. She'd also been missing Kirsten, Thabu, and Hannah like crazy!

Bindi hurriedly clicked open the email.

Dear Bindi,

Sorry it's taken ages to write to you but SO much has happened since you left. We've all been really busy!

I can't tell you how much we're missing you and Terri and Robert! I'm so glad you've seen my home now.

Before I forget, Mike asked me to let you know that he thinks you're amazing. Keep up the fight and keep being such a great wildlife warrior (even if you do have trouble with the not talking part! Ha ha).

So what happened after you guys took off? Well…

Brian was arrested for breaking the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. His license to run any animal sanctuary has been canceled and he's facing charges. Mike now runs the antelope sanctuary. It has been restored to its original purpose, breeding the sable to protect and expand the species.

I was lucky enough to see a little baby antelope born a few days ago. It was a long labor and the vets didn't think the baby would make it but she did. She's super cute and full of energy and already getting into trouble. We named her Bindi.

Much love,

Hannah

P.S. Thabu says that next time you visit, he'll take us out trekking and will make sure we don't nearly get arrested. He still can't get over the fact that he didn't hear us sneak out of the campsite.

Bindi turned off her computer. She'd have to reply to Hannah in the morning. Now it was bedtime.

As she lay in bed, she could hear the familiar sounds of the animals at Australia Zoo. Curlews were squawking and the dingoes were howling good night to one another. Africa had been a wild ride but it was really great to be home.