Diplomacy, Betrayal, and Murder

 Aurora Jeffries’s murder was never just personal—it was political.

Her husband’s position as U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania masks secrets that ripple far beyond their marriage. In Peril, murder isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of global upheaval.

📚 Read the explosive thriller: Peril by Cole Steele

The sunrise over the Indian Ocean near Dar es Salaam was magnificent to behold on any cloudless morning.  But it wasn’t the only attraction for Douglas Jeffries.  He stood on a bluff wearing a plain blue ball cap along with khaki shorts and a Tommy Bahama tee shirt.  It was also the first time he’d worn sandals in several months.  The last had been with Aurora on their cruise.

Ambassador Jeffries focused his binoculars on the proposed site for Tanzania’s new port.  Several trucks were parked within walking distance from it on a dirt road.

“Surveyors?” asked Jeffries.

His director of security Alex Carlisle stood next to him.  “The second team we’ve seen in a month, sir.”

“The Chinese must be feeling fairly confident.” replied Jeffries.

“Give it a minute.” said Carlisle.

Moments later a convoy of security personnel bore down on the party below in vehicles bearing the Tanzanian flag.  They acted hostile toward the Chinese and shouted in Swahili for them to leave immediately.

Douglas Jeffries refocused his binoculars.  “Did this happen before?”

“No.  This is the first we’ve seen them respond.”

“So glad you’re in charge of security Carlisle.  I don’t know how I missed that.”

“The dust sir, they were in route on the road a few miles out.” replied Carlisle.

“A little myopic in my old age I guess.”

“Not your fault, sir.”

“Perhaps Andwele is more reasonable than I thought.”

“Maybe he’s not pleased with the terms.” said Carlisle.

“Would you lease anything you owned to a Communist nation for ninety-nine years and not have a say who or what comes and goes?”

“No sir.”

“I get the feeling that President Hamisi wouldn’t either.” said Jeffries.

They waited to the last vehicle had left.  Douglas Jeffries felt more comfortable now after he had witnessed the response by Hamisi.  He still wasn’t convinced that the Chinese would give up that easily.  They would probably respond by offering more lucrative terms until they got their way.  Jeffries couldn’t let it happen.  The President of the United States had counted on him to delay it if not stop it.