12. THE BARON OF THE NAMIB — SA POLICE SERIES
In the scorching desolation where the Namib desert and the forbidden diamond territory meet, the young, resolute constable Ryk Schutte discovers a gruesome scene. In the dust-laden chambers of the isolated, haunted house Rheinplatz lies his friend, the prospector Nico Versveld, murdered. But Schutte is not alone for long. He is confronted by Versveld’s fiery daughter, Ida, who, with a shotgun in her hands and vengeance in her eyes, demands answers.
The murder is more than just a senseless act, it is a robbery. But the killer fled empty-handed, unaware that Versveld's true fortune, a pouch of diamonds amassed over seven years of arduous toil, lies hidden somewhere safe. The mysterious, masked murderer, however, is ruthless and returns. In a desperate search for the treasure, he abducts Ida and drags her deeper into the desert, convinced she knows the secret to the diamonds' hiding place.
For Ryk Schutte, a dogged struggle begins. Alone in his Land Rover, armed with only his police training and his courage, he gives chase to an adversary who knows the Namib like the back of his hand. The hunt becomes a grueling battle for survival, waged not only against a cold-blooded killer and his accomplices, but also against the unforgiving elements of the desert itself. A harsh landscape that yields no secrets and tolerates no mistakes.
Trapped in the heart of the murderous desert, the struggle for the diamonds becomes a fight for life and death. As Ryk’s headlights are shattered by bullets and his only hope is extinguished in the dunes, he must rely on his resourcefulness to turn the tables. With Ida’s life at stake and a fortune in the balance, Schutte must stand stronger than ever before. Can one man, driven by duty and a promise to a grieving daughter, outwit a deadly syndicate in the endless, deathly stillness of the desert? Or will the sands of the Namib, which have already claimed one life, become their final resting place as well?
SAPoliceSeries
