Zambezi by Tony Park

here and I’m not expecting to meet anyone.’
    ‘She seemed certain. She also asked if you were checked in under your rank. Is it Sergeant Major?’
    ‘Master Sergeant. But no, I still don’t know who it could have been.’
    ‘Don’t worry, sir. If I see the lady again I’ll be sure and call your room.’
    In his room at the end of a corridor on the second floor Jed tried to think who the mysterious woman could have been. He had meant to ask the receptionist for a description, but his brain was addled from jetlag and booze. The only explanation he could come up with was that the woman was from the American embassy.
    He opened the curtains of his room and saw there was a small balcony Beyond the railing, at the same level as the floor, was the roof of one wing of the first storey. His was a smoking room and Jed lit a cigarette. He opened the door and stepped outside. The night air was refreshingly crisp – he’d expected it to be hotter.
    Despite his fatigue, he was restless. He thought a couple more beers might help him sleep, and he wanted to stretch his legs.
    The bar was noisy and smoky. Imitation Irish bric-a-brac, horse brasses and signs to towns such as Dublin and Killarney cluttered the walls. People were talking over the top of each other and a jukebox pounded out rock classics.
    Jed made his way to the bar and ordered a beer. ‘Whatever’s most popular,’ he replied when the barmaid asked him what brand. She wore a black crop-top stretched tight across her ample breasts, and had hennaed hair and green eyes. Jed guessed she was in her late twenties.
    ‘You staying long?’
    ‘Just a night. From what I’ve read I’m better off in here than out painting the town.’
    ‘The crime?’
    He nodded. ‘Is Johannesburg as bad as everyone says?’
    ‘Sure, it’s bad in parts, but other parts are fine. Mind you, a friend of mine was carjacked the other day. Two bullet holes through the windscreen.’
    ‘Sounds like she was lucky they didn’t hit her.’
    The barmaid laughed. ‘Ach, no, man. It was she who fired the shots! From her automatic. The carjackers took off, but now she has to buy a new windscreen! I don’t go out at night without a weapon.’
    She opened a bottle of Castle Lager and slid it across the polished wooden bar.
    ‘Put it on my bill, please,’ he said after he’d drunk his beer and ordered another. He was beat. He held a hand over his mouth to cover a yawn. ‘If it’s OK with the house rules, I’ll take this one up to my room.’
    ‘Of course, sir, no problem.’ The woman punched the amount into the cash register and printed out a docket for Jed to sign.
    Jed signed and passed the paper across the bar. The barmaid picked it up and paused for an instant. Jed noted the look of surprise in her eyes as she read the docket.
    ‘Hey,’ she said, ‘I nearly forgot. It’s two for one tonight. A special promotion, but your free beer has to be a draft, so you’ll have to stay here and drink it. We don’t allow guests to take drinks in glasses out of the bar.’ Before Jed could protest, she reached into the fridge and pulled out a chilled glass and started filling it from a spigot. She sat the beer down in front of him.
    ‘Funny, you didn’t mention that when I ordered the first beer,’ Jed said.
    The woman looked away for a split second, then back at him. ‘I forgot. I’ll get you another, if you like.’
    ‘No thanks, don’t bother. Someone was looking for me earlier, at reception. Did anyone ask after me in here?’
    The woman turned away from him and picked up a cloth. She started to move away, busying herself by wiping down the bar. ‘No, not that I know of.’
    ‘Not too many Americans around tonight. Probably not too many by the name of Banks. I saw the look on your face when you read my name on that docket. What gives?’
    ‘Sorry, man. I’ve got other customers to serve.’ She turned away from him, but he could see there was no one waiting for a drink.
    He