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However, Luka was not part of the core business; he’d struck out on his own, joined the armed forces, and climbed the ranks in the British special forces.

‘Don’t we also know Luka from a joint SAS Australian-British military mission in Papua New Guinea years ago?’ I asked.

‘Same mofo,’ Levi confirmed. ‘From memory, he’s now retired and based out of Nairobi, running ops for International Rescue. They handle high-stakes travel risk extractions worldwide.’

‘I have his details,’ Jude muttered, flicking the contacts to the chat. ‘Call him and tell us how you go.’

I sighed, my worry easing. ‘Thanks, brothers, I’ll hit him up.’

They signed off, and I dialed Luka.

To my relief, he picked up almost at once.

‘Luka King? It’s Deacon Vega. Six Sinners? Also from the Alpha-8 mission in Port Moresby in 2011,’ I said when the line connected.

‘Deke, my man! SAS sniper turned sax god, how are you, my friend?’ the British operative answered, in a timbred, deep voice. ‘What’s hanging?’

‘I’m OK myself, but I’ve a critical asset down in the Omo Valley,’ I said. ‘Hayli Gubbi popped off, as you might know, and we have ourselves a volcanic ash blockade. On the real, it’s my ex-wife, Ana. She believes she has a broken limb; it’s swelling fast, and she needs a hospital. I need a secure extraction and medical bird plus trained professionals, a nurse and a doctor, please. I can pay upfront; cost is not an issue, and my manager is working on locking down a diplomatic waiver for the evacuation flight.’

Silence fell as Luka made a few notes.

I caught the rhythmic click of his typing in the background before he replied.

‘You’re lucky. My team and I are free and on standby in Nairobi,’ Luka said. ‘I’ll start researching a plan, gather a tight crew, look into getting the best bird for the mission, then send you an interim invoice and deposit number; just give me your details. You’re an old buddy, so you’ll get mates’ rates.

‘Ace, thank you, brother, I’m locked in,’ I said. ‘I’m also riding with you, all the way.’

Luka whistled under his breath.

‘Mate, I typically wouldn’t allow a civvie to hop on, but you’re one of us, Deke, and it’ll be my honor to have you fly with us,’ Luka replied.

‘Thanks, man. I’ll swing you the number for the Panoramik crew’s satellite phone.’

I rattled off a set of digits; Luka noted them and repeated them back to me.

‘Meet us at Jomo Kenyatta Airport as fast as you can,’ he growled.

‘See you soon.’

After hanging up, I sent him my email details.

I dialed Ana’s mother next, keeping my voice level as she answered.

‘Théa, I’ve secured an International Rescue team. I’m flying out of Spain as fast as I can. I’ll go all the way to Kibish with a professional retrieval squad and fetch her back myself.’

‘Merci, Deacon,’ she whispered. ‘Bring her home.’

As I hung up, a message came through.

Mason: The Knight Label G6 is wheels up from London; it’ll be with you in 3 hours.

Finally, I called Yael and Baz.

‘Expect us in the next forty-eight hours or so. How’s Ana doing right now?’

‘She’s asleep, Deke,’ Yael murmured. ‘She’s only on Paracetamol and in a hella lot of pain. Please come soon.’

‘Hold the line, I’m on my way,’ I said, severing the connection.