Chapter 7 — The Man Behind the Hunt
The abandoned camp looked ordinary.
Torn tents.
Discarded food wrappers.
Spent rifle cartridges scattered across the dirt.
But Daniel knew experienced poachers never left valuable equipment behind unless they had fled in panic.
"Search everything," he ordered.
Hours later, one young ranger called everyone over.
"I found something."
Hidden beneath a loose rock was a waterproof metal case.
Inside were satellite maps of the reserve, patrol schedules, and photographs of nearly every dominant lion in the region.
Emily felt her stomach tighten.
"This wasn't a random operation."
Daniel nodded grimly.
"No."
"They knew exactly where every pride moved."
Tucked inside the folder was a business card with only one name embossed in silver.
Victor Kane.
No address.
No phone number.
Just a black falcon logo.
The name immediately caught the attention of Inspector Amina Ndlovu from the Wildlife Crime Unit.
"You've never heard of him because he never appears in public," she explained.
"He finances illegal wildlife trafficking through shell companies."
"Lion bones. Leopard skins. Rhino horns."
"And anyone who gets in his way usually disappears."
Emily looked toward the endless grasslands outside the station.
"So why attack this pride?"
Amina placed another photograph on the table.
The black-maned lion.
"Because he's one of the last breeding males in this ecosystem."
"If he dies..."
"The entire bloodline could collapse."
Silence filled the room.
Emily finally understood.
She had never been the real target.
She had simply become an obstacle.
Late that evening, the reserve received an anonymous satellite message.
May you like
Only six words appeared on the screen.
Leave now... or bury more lions.
