Elephant Dropping (9781301895199)

by Trzebinski, Bruce

  ‘Rubia had Patel arrested?’ Firdus asked.

  ‘Two days ago apparently, I have the name of the escort - Cyrus. I can confirm it when I interview him,’ Katana said eagerly. ‘Patel must be here in Nairobi.’

  ‘Hmmm, I wonder. Let’s see what Cyrus has to say.’

  ‘I still can’t believe Rubia has died.’ Katana snapped his fingers.

  Firdus grimaced. ‘I want you to do something for me. Do you have a driver who can take the range rover to Malindi?’

  ‘Yes, I can arrange that, but why do you want to do that. Why don’t you just get Nicholls to fly back here?’

  ‘I don’t want him appearing on any flight manifesto, and risk him getting picked up by anyone else.’

  Katana started. ‘Like who sir?’

  ‘Rubia’s tentacles ran deep. We can’t be sure he was acting alone. Now get that car organised as discreetly as you can. When you interview the rest of the late Rubia’s team, you must explain to them that we are not out to prosecute, we are merely conducting an investigation. If they co-operate they will be reassigned, their government jobs and pensions intact. I’m sure they will, once they hear Rubia is dead. I’m going up to my room to rest for a while. Are you going to be ok, do you think you can handle this?’

  Katana nodded. ‘Yes sir, thank you sir.’

  *

  After his nap Firdus went back to the conference centre. There were three people, one of them a woman, sitting on chairs outside the centre looking glum. Firdus nodded a hello to them as he entered the room.

  Katana was sitting at the head of the table, a tape recorder in front of him, as well as files and papers. ‘Evening sir. This is Cyrus,’ pointing his pen at a man sitting at the table.

  ‘Hello Cyrus,’ Firdus said kindly, as he picked up one of the files on the table and started leafing through it.

  ‘Ok detective, carry on. I will just be an observer for now.’

  Katana was skilful; his questions short and to the point.

  Cyrus began to look less ill at ease, after it had been explained to him that he wasn’t going to be prosecuted.

  ‘Now going back to the carjacking, there were two people on that first team, correct?

  ‘Yes,’ Cyrus said, ‘Loda and Titus.’

  ‘One we found shot in the bush as you know and the other one dead in the Sabaki River.’

  Cyrus looked genuinely shocked. ‘In the river?’

  ‘Yes the ID said he was Titus Nyagha.’

  ‘Titus? Titus is dead?’ Cyrus asked looking very upset. ‘Rubia told me he had been re-assigned!’ He exclaimed.

  ‘You were friends?’

  ‘Yes he was going to marry my sister. How did it happen?’

  ‘We don’t know yet, but when we find out I will tell you. I’m sorry about your friend.’

  Cyrus his head in his hands. ‘This is terrible,’ he said.

  ‘Do you have any questions Sir? Katana asked Firdus.

  Firdus studied the bereft Cyrus. ‘We are putting together a team to go after this Patel. Would you like to be part of that team or be re-assigned elsewhere?’

  Cyrus shrugged. ‘I don’t mind sir.’

  ‘Indifference I can find anywhere, or have I misunderstood your answer?’ Firdus looked at Katana.

  Katana nodded at Cyrus. ‘Ok you may go thank you, I might call you back tomorrow.’

  Cyrus got up looking nervous. ‘So will I be on the new team?’ He asked Firdus.

  Katana answered. ‘We will let you know.’

  After Cyrus had left, Katana explained to Firdus what he had found out. ‘It seems that Fimbo is playing both sides of the game, in league with Rubia and Patel and I’m pretty sure now, that he was involved with the body in the river. Is he also immune from prosecution?

  Firdus smiled. ‘Are you after his job, detective?’

  ‘No sir, I just want that body off my books.’

  ‘All in good time, now I need you to prepare a mini report for the minister, to keep him off our backs. Do not reveal our plans to bring Brian back to Nairobi. Imply that we are following up hot leads as regards Patel, which should keep him happy.’

  ‘Ok sir,’ Katana looked tired.

  ‘We can write the report together detective,’ Firdus assured him. ‘Now what about the car for my nephew, did you organise it?’

  ‘Yes sir it should be delivered tomorrow.’

  ‘Good,’ Firdus tapped the immigration file. ‘It looks as though Kamau might have issued Patel with a new passport, as a Mr. N.J. Shah. The receipt has been wrongly filed alongside Nicholl’s work permit allocation.’

  TWENTY-FIVE

  Doug left the phone booth trying to get his anger and frustration under control at the news he was still tied to Lucy and Brian. When he drove back to the apartment, he found the two cavorting in the pool; high peals of laughter from her.

  Doug stood hands on hips and stated. ‘We have to talk.’

  ‘Oh, hello to you too.’ Brian sent a playful splash in his direction.

  ‘Yesssey Mr.Gowan,’ Lucy joined in.

  ‘I’m serious, we need to talk now, alone.’ He waved his hand at Lucy in a shooing motion. She went to the pool stairs, taking her time and scowling.

  ‘You needn’t have been rude to her,’ admonished Brian as his eyes played over her retreating figure.

  Doug snorted. ‘Remember that when you’re at the clinic.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Never mind, this is no picnic. I have spoken to my uncle. He has managed to have Rubia arrested.’

  ‘That’s amazing, how did he do it?’

  ‘Yes it is, I don’t know the details, but we have to be careful of the head of the police here, an Inspector Fimbo.’

  ‘Oh that shit. I met him, on my first trip to Malindi.’

  ‘My uncle wants us in Nairobi and is arranging to have your range rover delivered to us so we can drive back.’

  ‘Wow he can pull some strings - when do we get the car?’

  ‘I don’t know yet, but in the meantime, you are to gather as much evidence as you can from Evans and the computer. My other concern is how you intend to extract yourself from her?’Doug jerked his thumb at the apartment. ‘She’s a liability, so stop thinking with your prick for a moment.’

  Brian blanched. ‘Watch your language, I don’t like your increasing racial innuendo’s, without Lucy I would be in real shit now. I don’t see why she can’t come with us to Nairobi.’

  Doug rolled his eyes up. ‘Racial? Oh for God’s sake, she’s is a tart in any colour. She’s only after the money; you think she threatened to go to the police, because she likes you?’

  ‘I think your colonial prejudice is getting the better of you, it’s plain that you don’t like her.’

  ‘Colonial?’ Doug spluttered. ‘A typical ignorant mzungu answer. Yes it’s true I don’t like her, Somali’s are as treacherous as they come, and this one has turned you into a blithering idiot. Mind you, maybe you’re an idiot all along, and I just didn’t see it.’

  Brian now got angry. ‘Who asked you to stick around if you don’t like it fuck off then.’

  Doug clenched his fists staring at Brian. ‘You’re really beginning to piss me off. I’m in this mess because of your bloody ignorance, and I have to make sure you get back to Nairobi in one piece so you can clear my fucking name.’

  ‘Oh and who appointed you my keeper?’ Brian shot back.

  ‘My uncle Firdus remember him? He now has the ear of the minister of security, who is very keen to interview you. For all we know you’re also involved in this bank fuck up!’

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ Brian flicked his towel angrily, ‘I’m the one who discovered it.’

  ‘Yeah yeah, so you say, but until you clear your name, I’m stuck with you, and I would appreciate it if you didn’t try to sell me a self-righteous dance with your Somali prostitute as well.’

  Brian took a deep breath. ‘Ok listen,’ he began, making an effort, ‘beyond cracking the c
omputer I have not thought this thing through. But try to see it from my side, I can’t just toss Lucy out, she may well go to the cops, as you say, but I think she’s got a good heart, whatever you may think.’

  Doug looked away. ‘Two or three days and this should all be over, so let’s make a plan and stick to it ok?’

  ‘Yes, I only ask that you try and be kinder to Lucy. Don’t refer to her as a prostitute, it’s demeaning and unkind, she’s had a rough life so far.’

  Doug sucked air in through clenched teeth, eyes closed, and muttered under his breath. ‘Ok.’

  Lucy had been watching them and now sauntered over, in her bikini. ‘Why you fightin?’ she said.

  ‘We’re not, we were just discussing things.’

  Doug made an effort. ‘Sorry sister if I have been rude to you,’ he tried to sound sincere.

  A flash of triumph in her eyes, she lay down on a sun bed and flexed her legs languorously, his eyes irresistibly drawn. ‘Mens always fightin,’ she announced.

  Brian sat next to her. ‘We were talking about going to Nairobi.’

  She took her eyes off Doug. ‘Nairobi?’

  ‘Yes, Doug’s uncle has spoken to the minister and we can be protected there.’

  Lucy watched him and waited, a small frown on her face.

  ‘We think you should come with us. You can help give information on Evans.’

  ‘To polices, in Nairobi?’ she asked incredulous.

  ‘Yes but good police,’ he told her.

  ‘They no good polices!’

  ‘I’m going to get a beer,’ Doug said; he couldn’t bear to listen.

  Brian soon joined him. ‘She’s agreed to come with us.’ Doug looked out to where Lucy sat on a sun bed. Her body language revealed this was unlikely. He held back a caustic comment, and instead muttered. ‘Oh.’

  ‘I have been thinking, we need to get back to Evans; you did say you would fix his car.’

  ‘I wasn’t being sincere.’ Doug yawned.

  ‘We need to keep him sweet, don’t you think?’

  ‘What difference does it make now? He won’t be able to drive it in jail. I presume that’s where he’s headed once this is all over or have I missed something?’

  ‘Listen just make contact with him, keep the pretence up, otherwise he could report us.’

  ‘Sorry I don’t get it - report us to who? Rubia is in jail.’

  ‘He could alert Patel and Azizza, and they could escape.’

  ‘I give a shit about them and your bank; quite frankly I can’t wait to get the hell out of here.’

  ‘I need more time, I haven’t cracked the password yet. I only get three chances and if I fail, access to the account will be automatically shut down until the owner is contacted.’

  Doug feigned interest. ‘And you think Evans might be able to help, is that it? Listen, my uncle has already paved the way. As I see it, all we have to do is get to Nairobi, you explain what has happened to your boss, they pick up Evans and you’re free to fiddle about with your computer thing. Anyhow didn’t you say those crooks are moving the money, why can’t you follow that?’

  ‘The money’s been moved to a bank in Mombasa in foreign exchange. It’s a different system entirely, I don’t have the software.’

  ‘Even more reason for you to tell your boss, surely he can do something?’

  ‘In theory yes,’ Brian agreed.

  Doug held his hands up. ‘So, what’s your worry?’

  He didn’t answer and then said. ‘Please just call Evans.’

  Doug shut his eyes. ‘Ok what’s the effing number?’

  ‘Thanks, its upstairs,’ said Brian relieved.

  As Doug and Brian reached the staircase, Lucy appeared looking surly. ‘I need shops,’ she announced.

  ‘You need to go shopping,’ Brian clarified.

  ‘Yes, that what I says.’

  ‘For what, I don’t understand.’

  ‘Give me moneys I need shop,’ Lucy said her voice rising.

  Doug shook his head and went upstairs. Brian looked in Doug’s direction and then back at Lucy. ‘You look angry, what’s wrong?’

  ‘No wrongs, I go shop,’ she gave him a little girl look.

  ‘Ok, ummm how much do you need?’

  ‘Ten thousands.’

  ‘What! Why so much?’

  She put her hands on her hips. ‘You wants me to Nairobi?’

  ‘I see,’ he smiled, ‘I can give it to you in Nairobi.’

  ‘No, you gives me moneys now.’

  Brian fished in his pocket. ‘I don’t have that much,’ counting through the notes, ‘as you can see.’

  She turned away from him. ‘Go to ATM, you get money.’

  ‘I can give you two thousand and go to the ATM later, ok?’

  She took the money, flicking through the notes contemptuously. ‘This nothings, you get me moneys.’

  ‘Ok not now, I have to work,’ he turned away and went upstairs.

  Doug raised an eyebrow in amusement as Brian entered the office, not meeting his eye.

  ‘You want Evans’s number?’ Brian asked unnecessarily.

  ‘That’s the idea.’

  He called, getting through to the secretary and waited to be patched through. ‘Evans it’s Doug, the man who bashed your car.’

  ‘Ahh good, I’m glad you have called, I went to the police. Hello, Dug are you there?’

  ‘Yes, I’m here, there was no need to go to the police.’

  ‘Dug but you told me to go to the police for the abstract, which is what I have done.’

  Doug stalled. ‘Let’s see what I can do, and call you back.’ He put the phone down and threw his hands up angrily as though it had given him an electric shock. ‘Shit you and your stupid ideas,’ he stared at Brian. ‘Evans has gone to the cops and now they need a statement from me.’

  ‘I clearly heard you tell him that he needed to go to the cops.’

  ‘Don’t play dumb with me, now what do we do?’

  Brian didn’t answer.

  ‘Ok this is what we will do,’ Doug decided. ‘You call him back and tell him that we are going to fix his car, but he has to let us have it for twenty-four hours.’

  ‘Why me and why would he agree to that?’

  ‘Because he wants it fixed, and you’re his boss.’

  ‘This is getting complicated, why do we want his car anyway?’

  ‘Hey - this was your idea remember - so he doesn’t go back to the cops,’ Doug tapped his forehead with his index finger, ‘get it?’

  ‘You just told me he has already gone to the police?’

  ‘Yes to get the police abstract, but the cops need to see me, before they issue the abstract.’

  ‘Ahhh I see, we can’t have that can we. But why would having his car solve that?’

  ‘So he thinks we are fixing it for him, for fucks sakes, and then he doesn’t need the abstract.’

  ‘Don’t swear. I don’t know how things work in this country.’

  ‘That’s for sure. Tell him that going through the insurance company will take too long, and if he leaves the car with me I can have it fixed immediately, like new, and we want to do it because he has been so helpful.’

  Brian rang and surprisingly Evans was quite amenable to the idea of them taking his car, they settled on a time to meet. ‘And another thing, can you open an account in your name at your bank? We promised you money and I need to transfer it somewhere.’

  ‘Oh good,’ Evans said, ‘I can do that but I will put it in my wife’s name, Rose Njugu it will be easier.’

  Brian wrote the name down. ‘Thank you, talk to you later.’

  ‘What did you do that for? Doug asked.

  ‘It’s just another way to stall him and make him think we are co-operating. You can collect the car after work today.’

  ‘Me? I don’t think so.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘I’ve got a car and I need to speak to my uncle, so you will have to come with
me to collect the Mercedes.’

  ‘What what if the cops see me?’

  Doug shrugged. ‘Unlikely, let’s just get it over with.’

  *

  Patel dropped Azizza back at the house after lunch and then drove through town, past his old factory. Memories of his childhood flooded in and he pushed them away, he needed to stay focused, there would be plenty of time for reminiscing when he was back safely with his family. He parked his car outside the old town, and set off on foot.

  At a shop with suitcases and bags on display, he bought two canvas hold alls and two matching suitcases. Next, he went to a spice shop and bought an assortment including cloves and nutmeg, and three packets of ground coffee.

  In the car he split open the coffee packets and poured the contents into the canvas bags. He put the suitcases into the boot of the Landcruiser side by side, they were a perfect fit. Then he rang the new owner of his factory.

  ‘Hello Farook, it’s me Patel.’

  ‘Ah yes, what can I do for you. Have the police caught you yet?’Farook teased.

  Patel laughed it off. ‘Very funny,’ and countered, ‘hired any more crazy rockets yet?’

  ‘He was a strange one,’ agreed Farook, ‘now what can I do for you my friend?’

  ‘I’m moving stuff and need to use my old driver for a few days.’

  ‘Ok, when do you want him?’

  ‘Can he come round to the house on Saturday morning? I should be done with him by Monday afternoon.’

  ‘Hmm so long, are you moving the entire house?’

  ‘Ha ha, by the way you can collect the title deeds from my lawyer’s office on Friday. He also has the details of where you are to send the money.’

  ‘Oh, are you planning to go away?’

  ‘No just a short holiday to catch up with the kids. I should be back at the end of this month,’ Patel lied smoothly.

  ‘Have a safe trip if I don’t see you before then, let’s go out for a curry when you get back.’

  ‘Ok thanks,’ Patel hung up. He then rang his former driver on his mobile and explained what he needed done.

  ‘No problem sir, does the car have petrol?’

  ‘I will make sure the tank is full, enough for your journey.’

  At the house, Patel removed the spare tyre, took out the rear carpet and undid the cover over the fuel tank. Then he undid the bolts holding the driver’s seat, set the seat to one side and undid the cover over the second fuel tank.