‘Where too now?’ Doug asked, not looking at Brian.
‘Let’s drop Evans off, and then go back to the flat.’
‘You are staying here in Malindi?’ Evans asked.
Nobody answered as they drove to the night club.
‘What about my car? The damage you did.’
Doug said. ‘I will come and see you about it in the morning ok? And remember don’t tell anyone you have seen us, or I swear I will hunt you down.’
‘Ok, no problem,’ he said happily. ‘Goodnight, Mr. Nicholls.’
‘What an arsehole. What did you find out?’ Doug asked.
‘There’s no track to follow from Evan’s bank, all transactions have been in cash. I’ve never seen anything like it,’ Brian replied.
‘So what does that mean? This whole thing is a waste of time?’
‘No, I have Evans’s banking code. On the computer back at the flat, I can search for Golden Palm’s accounts in the other banks in Malindi. The money is earning interest somewhere.’
‘Can you trust Evans not to talk?’
‘I don’t know. He seems oblivious to his part in this fraud and more concerned about the money you promised him.’
‘Ok that’s good,’ said Doug reassured, ‘at least he has understood that much.’ He dropped Brian and Lucy off and went to find a hotel for the night.
TWENTY-TWO
In Nairobi, Firdus dressed for his meeting later that day with the minister. As he went down to breakfast, he collected the message from Doug and read it over a bowl of steaming porridge. He glanced at his watch. Katana should be at the hotel in about twenty minutes, everything was panning out well so far. After breakfast, he bought a newspaper and waited in the hotel lobby.
The detective arrived on time dressed in a leather jacket two sizes too big. ‘It’s damn cold here,’ he said to Firdus by way of greeting.
‘You came on the bus?’
‘Yes, I haven’t been here for two years, hardly know the place.’
Firdus smiled. ‘When I was a young man we would hunt impala for the pot where the hotel car park is now.’
‘It’s hard to imagine. Did you talk to the minister sir?’ The detective asked.
Firdus folded his newspaper. ‘We meet at ten thirty, let’s go up to my room, we can talk in private. Would you like breakfast?’
‘Just a cup of tea, I ate before I got here.’
Firdus ordered the tea and they walked to the room. ‘Did you get someone to call Rubia about the body in the river?’ He shut the door and motioned Katana to a chair.
‘Yes we called and left a message with his secretary.’
‘Good, that will give Rubia something to chew on this morning. ‘There was a discreet knock on the door, Katana took the tea tray and helped himself.
Firdus glanced at his watch. ‘I have to make a phone call,’ leafing through his address book. He picked up the phone and read out numbers to the hotel telephonist and waited for her to connect him. ‘Hello is that the British Embassy? I would like to talk to the liaison officer if I may. Is he in? Oh, she? Alright, my name is Firdus Fernandez.’
He gave the watching detective the thumbs up. ‘Hello good morning, Madam. My name is Firdus Fernandez. I’m a retired officer with the Kenyan Special Force - you can confirm that with the Kenyan minister of national security. Yes, Fe-rn-and-ez.’ He spelt it out to her.
‘Yes, I’m concerned about a friend of mine, a British national working with the NNB bank, called Brian Nicholls. I don’t know if you are aware that he is missing. His car was found abandoned in Tsavo East Park on Sunday - there was a report in a Kenyan daily on Monday. His sister in England is very concerned and called me asking if I can help trace him in any way. I will be seeing Rupert Omollo, the minister for national security later this morning on this matter. If you have any information as to this man’s whereabouts, would you kindly let me or the minister know?’
‘I’m staying at the Good View Hotel, room twenty five. No I don’t have a mobile, please leave a message with the reception and I will call you back just as soon as I can. Thank you Madam, I will look forward to your call.’ He hung up. ‘Claire Wood, is her name,’ he said to Katana, ‘she’s going to look into it and get back to us. Firdus rubbed his hands in satisfaction. ‘Now where were we? Ah yes, Rubia. Call his office and let him know you’re in town, use your mobile and ask if he got your message about Titus. Does he have any idea how one of his men could have ended up in the river. Be vague about when you can see him.’
Katana made the call to an answer machine. He held the mobile up and silently asked what to do. Firdus motioned for him to carry on so the detective relayed his message.
Firdus smiled. ‘Good that’s even better, his secretary is bound to get that first. Now when we get to Omollo’s office, let me do all the talking, you’re really only there to present the evidence and back up my story.’
‘Yes Sir. I have the ID cards of the two dead policemen, Nicholls’s passport and an eyewitness report signed by the WS boss in Voi.’
‘Excellent,’ Firdus beamed approvingly.
They caught a dilapidated taxi up the hill to the government ministries. The ancient Ford Anglia’s gearbox grinding noisily as it strained to make it. ‘I had one of these thirty years ago,’ smiled Firdus, ‘amazing how they keep going.’
In the foyer of the building Firdus studied the wall legend. Letters that were once pinned on the board were now missing like lost teeth. Civil servants milled about going to their offices. Katana asked a security guard leaning against the wall, and came back to Firdus. ‘It’s office 101, sixth floor.’
He peered over his bifocals and looked back at the board. ‘There is no sixth floor,’ he said still puzzling over the list, ‘how do you know that?’
Katana nodded in the direction of the guard. ‘He told me.’
At the lifts, only one of the four was working and a large crowd waited. The lift made slow progress to the ground floor, frustratingly going back up several times. The doors opened and a body of people surged forward, preventing the occupants from getting out and a silent determined crush emanated in both directions, briefcases and files adding to the mix. Secretaries rearranged their dresses and hairdo’s as they emerged from the melee tut-tutting in annoyance. The lift now full - designed to carry no more than twelve adults - refused to budge with more than twenty squeezed into it. People at the back started to protest and insisted others get out, a few were ejected complaining. Waiting passengers pushed back in, filling the gaps. The lift remained grounded. The security guard waded in with his truncheon poking people aside and yanking out passengers at random, some were laughing, others protesting and jeering at his efforts.
Firdus and Katana watched this circus for a while then the older man said. ‘Let’s find the stairs.’
‘All the way to the sixth floor?’ Katana frowned.
Firdus grinned. ‘You’re getting soft. ‘
They paused on each landing to catch their breaths. ‘How does the minister get to his office?’ asked Katana.
‘I would say his bodyguards toss everyone out of the lift.’
‘Yup,’ the detective puffed, going up another flight, ‘that makes sense.’ They got to the sixth landing and found the appropriate door. Two security men lounged on chairs in the corridor.
‘Is this Minister’s office?’Firdus moved towards the door.
‘Wait! We have to frisk you.’ The guard said sharply.
He stood arms wide as he was patted down. When it came to the detective’s turn, he pre-empted them and undid his holster. ‘I’m a detective’ he explained, at the same time holding out his ID. The guard quickly took the gun off him.
They were ushered into a waiting room. Chairs lined the walls with at least half a dozen people. A heavily made up secretary sported a large curly wig at a table, typing with one finger. Firdus introduced himself and she checked her diary. ‘It’s okay,’ she said pointing at the chairs. They sat down with the
others to wait.
From behind a door to the left they could hear people talking. On the wall behind the secretary’s desk was a photograph of the President of Kenya and another photo beside it of the minister - a studio portrait - in a shiny blue suit.
Firdus reached into his pocket and took out a magnetic chess set. ‘You still play?’
Katana smiled in delight. ‘Not for years.’
‘I think we could be here for a while.’ He set up the pieces and they got engrossed in their game.
Suddenly the minister’s door flew open and a large man in shirtsleeves and tie appeared. ‘Rose, my air conditioner is not working; can you get hold of the engineers?’
‘Yes sir.’
The minister looked round the room with a professional smile, his eyes paused on Firdus and then he was gone.
‘You’re about to lose your queen,’ said Firdus quietly. Katana frowned, his hand hovering uncertainly over the board.
The minister’s door opened and he emerged with his guests and with much backslapping and handshakes they said their goodbyes.
The secretary followed the minister back into his office, and few moments later she pointed at Firdus with a pencil. ‘You,’ she said. The two of them stood up. ‘No only him,’ her wand pointing firmly at Firdus.
‘We are together,’ Firdus explained.
‘No, only you,’ and sat down, discussion closed, at her table.
‘I shouldn’t be long.’ He gave the chess game to Katana.
The minister was at his desk. ‘Have a seat Mr. Fernandez,’ he waved without looking up, making notes on a legal pad.
He finished his task, leaned back in his swivel chair and pointed a large index finger at Firdus. ‘I know you from somewhere?’ A steady gaze, the statement part question.
Firdus kept it simple. ‘I was at your inauguration ceremony, Sir,’
‘Ahh yes, now I remember. You see I never forget a face, names yes, but never a face, good, eh?’
He smiled. ‘Yes that is good sir,’ he agreed.
‘Now let’s get down to business, you mentioned a matter of national security?’ Omollo offered pleasantly.
Firdus put Katana’s file on the desk and then quickly explained the events of the last few days. The minister listened without interrupting, his eyes widening at the mention of Rubia’s name.
‘I have a detective from Voi in the waiting room. He has evidence to back up my claims.’
‘This is quite a wild story, Mr. Fernandez. How long is this British man supposed to have been missing?’
‘Since Sunday.’
Omollo waved his hands in the air. ‘The British Embassy has not contacted me on this matter.’
‘They will, Sir. Can I introduce you to the detective and show you the evidence we have so far?’
‘Ok,’ agreed the minister glancing at his watch.
Firdus opened the door and motioned for Katana to join them, a small wave to the secretary to reassure her.
The Minister was leafing through the file when he returned.
Firdus quickly made the introductions prompting Katana to tell his part of the story. The minister listened, only to be interrupted as the phone on the desk rang.
‘Yes this is Rupert Omollo,’ he sat up straighter in his chair. ‘Yes Madam I’m aware. In fact,’ he reached across and expertly fished out Nicholl’s passport from Katana’s papers. ‘I have his passport with me right now. Yes, we have my detectives from Voi hot on the case.’ Omollo flicked through the passport as he spoke. ‘Yes, yes, I understand. No, at this stage I would rather you didn’t get your police involved, after all he has only been missing for a few days, there could be a perfectly reasonable explanation.
No Madam, I can assure you I have put all my national resources onto this case, and will let you know as soon as I have more information. Thank you too Madam.’ He put down the receiver tossing the passport on the desk and nodding at Firdus. ‘The British Embassy, you were right.’
‘Detective Katana please continue,’ the minister invited, eyeing Firdus. Once Katana had finished his story, leaned back in his chair. ‘So from what I have understood so far, you’re surmising that Rubia was hired by people unknown, to use his organisation to remove this Briton,’ he tapped the passport, ‘because he was about to stumble upon a massive bank fraud, and your nephew and his girl just happened to get in the way.’
‘Yes sir that’s correct.’
‘How much money are we talking about?’ He asked Firdus.
‘I don’t know the exact details but it’s in the millions.’
‘Don’t you think it’s possible these people were working without Rubia’s knowledge?’
‘Detective Katana spoke directly to Rubia on several occasions, he was fully aware. We also believe that Rubia could have been involved in the chief of immigrations accident.’
‘Ahh yes, Kamau, but why do you think that?’
Firdus pointed out the signature on Brian’s work permit.
‘That could be a coincidence and it’s hardly conclusive.’ The minister negated. ‘Ok gentlemen, now what do you expect me to do?’
Firdus said. ‘I want you to put Rubia under arrest.’
The minister smiled. ‘Come now sir, the man’s a senior officer, I can’t do that based on what you have here,’ he waved at the papers on his desk indulgently.
‘Senior officer or not, the man is a murderer and so long as he is not stopped, my nephew’s life is in danger, not to mention the British nationals.’
‘These are only allegations, there is no proof.’
‘Not yet but there will be, that I can assure you,’ Firdus said confidently, ‘furthermore,’ changing tack, ‘I read in the paper that you are due to meet the British minister of agriculture on Tuesday.’
‘Yes so what?’ Omollo asked, amused.
‘Isn’t the British government about to release a large amount of aid money, based on improved security?’
‘What’s your point?’ Omollo said shortly.
‘My point is this Mr Minister Sir, under the securities act of your office, you have the emergency powers to place Rubia under house arrest pending an investigation into his activities.’
‘If I so choose, I could also have you arrested.’
Firdus smiled. ‘Not before a complete report with evidence is placed on the British Ambassador’s desk, for his attention.’
Omollo leaned forward scowling. ‘Her attention,’ he corrected. ‘Fernandez are you threatening me, do you know who I am?’
‘Yes sir. You are a presently elected member of parliament in charge of the national security of the republic of Kenya.’ Firdus said respectfully.
Omollo nodded in satisfaction. ‘Yes that is correct.’
‘And according to the parliament act of nineteen sixty four, you can be removed from office, for failing to act on information that could become a matter of national security.’
He laughed. ‘This is no such thing my friend.’
Firdus unfazed upped the pace. ‘It is when the so called head of the anti-terrorism unit - appointed by your good office may I respectfully remind you Sir - a one Joseph Rubia, is abusing his power and running his own private army bumping off civil servants, and British nationals at will.’
Omollo stood up, clearly annoyed. ‘Out,’ he pointed at Katana, ‘I need to discuss this with your boss,’ he said sarcastically. Katana started to gather up his papers. ‘No!’ The Minster shouted. ‘Out!’
There was a silence you could cut with a knife after Katana left. Omollo walked around his desk and standing over Firdus his fists bunched aggressively, said with barely controlled fury. ‘You have a lot of nerve mister coming here with your crappy story, involving one of my senior officers, how dare you try to make a fool of me!’
Firdus sat calmly, waiting for the tirade to stop.
‘Who the hell do you think you are?’ Omollo demanded.
‘Sir,’ Firdus held up his hand. ‘I have laid the facts out
this morning as I see them. I have not in any way been disrespectful of you or your office. I have come here to ask for your help. I’m no stranger to officers going bad with too much power. Hear me out, please.’
Omollo went back and sat down. ‘Hurry up Fernandez, you’re trying my patience.’
‘Sir, I was for many years head of Special Force and in my time we had several unpleasant cases to deal with, namely the Orengo case, in seventy seven. He was a minister just like you, and saw it as one of his perks to get ten percent off all imports through this country to Uganda. You probably don’t know this, but he held back a consignment of luxury cars destined for Idi Amin and that madman in retaliation, threatened to invade Kenya with his army.’
Omollo was listening. He smiled. ‘I had no idea, of course I was still a schoolboy then. Orengo was a crafty bugger eh? I guess he got away with a great deal of money?’
Firdus frowned. ‘In order to placate Amin, we sent Orengo up to Uganda to apologise in person. The apology was accepted and he was given a stuffed lions head as a reconciliation gift. The aircraft blew up on Orengo’s return journey and he was killed along with several other high powered Kenyan businessmen.’
Omollo grunted. ‘And the Kenyan government did nothing?’
‘We made a diplomatic fuss of course, but it happened in Uganda’s airspace, there was very little we could do, and after the way things had gone there was not much incentive.’
‘It’s an interesting story but I fail to see the relevance.’
‘Sir, I don’t think as a minister you can afford to have your underling running an operation outside this government’s mandate, that could turn into a diplomatic row with your aid supporters.’
Omollo sighed and picked up the report. ‘So this bank fraud involves an Indian called Patel of Golden Palm?’
‘Yes he seems to be the top dog on the fraud, but we don’t know who else is involved.’
‘And this Nicholls you say, is with your nephew?’
‘Yes.’
‘I can arrange to have him picked up. We can put him in safe custody and he can explain to us exactly what has gone on, even where the money is.’
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