Chapter 36
Ian knotted his bathrobe and answered the nervous knocking on his door.
“What are you doing here at this ungodly hour, Pieter?” Ian asked in a bad temper.
He had only gone to bed around two in the morning and noticed it was now just past five. Even for him this was at the edge of decency.
“I wish you a very good morning also, Ian. I think that I have figured our how Jonathan got under that stampede. Or better, how the stampede was started. In any case, it is beyond doubt that he was not killed by a bullet.”
“Tell me something that I don't yet know. Last night Abdi briefed me on the most recent report of Oona and Kitwaela. So it turns out to be an accident after all. By the way, was it not you who made a fuss about shot wounds and bullets?”
“No, it was not an accident. The murder was constructed in a far more intricate manner.”
“You have my attention. Although I cannot say that I am sharing your enthusiasm.”
“Some of the security robots have been sabotaged by re-installing old software and obfuscate it as the most recent version. The normal scans did not pick this up. Only when a robot had to be repaired, the mechanics could find out whether or not the software had been tampered with.”
“You will explain me why someone would do this?”
“That is what I was wondering too. Till last night. Jane yelled as crazy after she got frightened by a disturbed, shrieking baboon. That made me continue to ponder how the herd got frightened. That is why I was originally thinking of a shot, also because of the shell. But that didn't match with the unanimous testimony of the outside workers that they had not heard any noise while a shot with that calibre is heard miles away. Secondly there was the lab analysis that the shell had been fired about a week ago. Most likely during Kik's safari party. Conclusion, the herd had not been startled by a shot. In addition these big cows are used to people. When I was walking in the meadow they stepped friendly with me. Dripping saliva all over me. I even yelled boo and clapped hard in my hands. No reaction. And then I screened the differences between the software versions. I found out that before they used ultrasonic to chase away the predators, they experimented with natural noises. You see, the latest version only supports ultrasonic. Those animals have a remarkably developed or retained instinct, so the idea was that they would flee from hearing the noise of their old natural enemies. Lion or puma. I suspect a puma because the noise a lion makes also resounds for miles.”
“That is all very well,” Ian reacted after he had been listening patiently, “but I fail to see the connections. Can you please come to the point?”
“I think I can partially explain the connections. Jonathan must have been dragged to that place. His stooped posture was interpreted by the robots as an animal like object and they were activated, just the same what happened to me. However, instead of producing ultrasound they started to roar like a predator. With the stampede as consequence.”
“What part cannot be explained?”
“Why Jonathan interrupted his agenda, rushed out of the security centre and went to that meadow. To find that out, you can help me.”
“How?”
“According to my information he was called by Iveta. Apparently you had forgotten to tell him something. That is when he went outside and stepped in a waiting car. Coincidentally the same time as the video surveillance system was rebooting after an unscheduled maintenance.”
“Iveta? But no, she has been with me the whole time.”
“The whole time? No interruptions?”
“Of course there were interruptions. Everyone needs at least a bio-break from time to time. But none of them that long that she could drive up and down to that farm. And, Pieter, you should know better. I don't forget things in my briefings.”
“We will question Iveta today.”
“That speaks for itself. This must be a mistake. I will call her immediately. Besides that, your theory shows quite some holes. That shell, just to name one. If someone goes through all the effort, even highly technical efforts, to make it look like an accident, than the offender will not leave a red-hot trace to make it look like a real murder? I am familiar with reversed psychology, but reversed reverse psychology is for me a bridge too far.”
“Also for that I have a theory, but I need to check it first with Abdi.”
Ian looked up while he was holding the phone next to his ear. “Involve also Bramaud in this whole case. He is now the new director of security. Hallo Iveta. Can you please come immediately to my room? It is urgent.”
Ian's temper did not improve as he disconnected: “weird, she is not picking up. That is also the first time that this is happening since I know her.”
“I think we will encounter more unexpected and strange things today, Ian.”
“I don't like unexpected things, you know that Pieter. So please restrict your surprises to the absolute minimum. I will let you know when Iveta is here.”
Pieter heard some noises from the bedroom. A woman appeared and stood next to Ian. “Pieter, may I introduce you to Lena? My wife. I was finally successful in convincing her and the children to be here with me. They arrived not one moment too soon.”
He shook hands with Lena who remarked friendly: “I have already heard a lot about you, Mister Van Dyck. I am honoured to finally meet you in person. My apologies to disturb you, but I heard noises and I came to check whether everything was fine with Ian.”
“No, no, actually I was just about to leave. I am sure we will meet each other again, a lot.”
He got out of the room contemplating what to do next. He had left his watch in his room but guessed that it probably was close to six. A bit too early to call Abdi and discuss his findings.
The man behind the reception desk nodded tiredly when Pieter passed him on his way to the chilly garden. The smooth surface of the pool reflected the first sunrays, now and then interrupted by a ripple when an insect bounced against the water.
Pieter stretched himself on one of the deckchairs. The cry that came from one of the room balconies reminded him of the shrieking baboon. He looked up and saw two people pointing in panic at something in the pool. Pieter got up and tried to distinguish any details against the shimmering of the water.
He bent forward and saw between the waving light the body suspended at the bottom of the pool.
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The Abacus Equation Page 42