‘Drop your weapon,’ Hassan shouted.
‘Take the shot, Daddy. Kill him,’ Miranda called out.
Jed looked through the circular rear sight of the SLR and lined it up with the blade of the foresight. The heavy rifle wavered in his vicelike grip. It was the rocking of the boat beneath his feet that was spoiling his aim. He blinked the sweat from his eyes. It was too risky. ‘Let her go and I promise you one thing, bin Zayid.’
‘What’s that?’
‘That I’ll kill you quickly.’
Hassan laughed. ‘You make your stupid macho jokes while your daughter’s life is in the balance? You don’t scare me. I’m offering you one chance, and one chance only to save her,’ bin Zayid said as he pulled Miranda off their boat and back up the sandy riverbank. In the distance was the sound of a vehicle engine.
‘Talk,’ Jed sa
