Cry of the Firebird

by T. M. Clark

  ‘Let me know what we need and we’ll buy it. We’ll look after her until she’s big enough to go back to her flock,’ said Quintin.

  ‘That’s good because you cannot take it back now. Its parents would reject it—they are very fussy breeders. They abandon their chicks too easily when disturbed. That’s one of the reasons that the island was built in the first place. It’s interesting to know that some of the flamingos are being successful on the shoreline. The island was working so well before it drowned all the babies. The municipality has a lot of blood on their hands. But at least we can save this one little flamingo,’ Mason said as he dialled the number for Pretoria Zoo.

  He wrote what they needed on a piece of paper and then handed it to Quintin. ‘Minke will need an egg-based and shellfish formula several times a day to substitute her mother and father’s milk. I’ll go collect this from my surgery; I have everything we need there. I’ll help you feed it once I get back,’ he said. ‘Minke is going to need to be dropper-fed every two hours around the clock, which means you’re not gonna get much sleep for a while.’

  ‘We can help,’ said David. ‘The school closed early for another teachers’ strike action, so we are on holidays again.’

  Quintin smiled. ‘I would need to speak to Piet about that, and David, to your sister, and Maddy, your parents. But I don’t have a problem with you sleeping over and helping; we need to let Lily know. I’m sure she won’t mind either.’

  ‘Good because you’re going to need the help. Between you and Bessie, even having Lily helping, it’s going to be a hard month,’ Mason said.

  ‘What’s a few hours of lost sleep. It will be worth it,’ said Quintin.

  * * *

  Lily crept into the studio for another peek at the newest member of the family as she’d done for almost a week now, that and to tell Quintin it was ten-thirty and it was bedtime.

  Tiger meowed as if to tell her he knew she was there, and he was still doing his job. She stroked both Tiger and Minke. Tiger purred. Minke made a noise that was a series of squeaks and honks as she fluffed herself up and pressed back into Tiger, tucking her head in against her little body.

  ‘So adorable,’ Lily said. ‘Quintin, I’m still worried that the cat will eat this chick and we’ll find it dead one morning. This is not normal behaviour for him. He always brings us all those dead-animal presents—lizards, geckos and even a rat—and now he adopts a baby bird?’

  ‘Mason said this type of thing does happen sometimes. Tiger will be fine, he’s adopted her.’

  ‘And the kids—aren’t they tired of babysitting a bird yet?’

  ‘Probably, but they are taking this seriously.’

  Lily elbowed him in the ribs. ‘I know, but they seem so young.’

  ‘Anyway, they’re only on the four and six o’clock shifts at night.’

  ‘Piet is amazing with what he is doing for these youngsters. Who else would do this type of thing?’

  ‘Not many. He’s a man in a million,’ Quintin said.

  ‘I’m really happy that Bessie has said that she could help by watching Diamond for David and Elise, and Elise can rest a few more hours each day. I’m worried about her; she’s beginning to lose weight. I fear she’s crossing into full-blown AIDS, despite taking the blockers. Her CD4 count was only slightly above two hundred last week. I changed her blockers to an imported make, and I’m hoping to see a difference with her resting. I feel like our house has gone from empty-nesters to full-time parents.’

  ‘I’ll admit it’s kind of nice having kids here, even if it’s just for a while.’

  ‘In another three weeks we won’t need to feed Minke so often, and then we can organise for the kids to go home at night. I’m sure we can manage the nights then between Tiger and us. We should have this little flamingo ready to fledge with the other babies in January or February. Piet said that there are a few hundred chicks which have survived, that were big enough to swim when the waters came in and covered the island, and others which bred on the shoreline.’ Lily smiled and put her head against Quintin’s arm. ‘With everything going on, trying to find the cause for the clusters, and now everybody under our roof, I’m not sure how you’re doing for your music time. It’s become rather hectic lately.’

  ‘Actually, amazingly well,’ said Quintin. ‘The flamingo is so sweet. I get hours of inspiration. Minke and Tiger play together so beautifully.’

  ‘I love the pictures you’ve taken of her, the one of Minke curled up inside Tiger’s legs, snuggled into his tummy. And the one where the kids are sitting back to back and Tiger is laying stretched out against them both, with Minke laying nose to nose with Tiger. They’re such an unlikely pair,’ Lily said.

  ‘David asked to learn the violin while he was here. So, I’ve got him using one of my old practice violins. He’s such a natural, he plays by ear. It gave me the idea to record all our sessions, and I’ve started a library of lessons for kids who can’t spend time with their teacher. We’ve been working on it when Minke sleeps.’

  ‘Have you finished any recordings for your album?’

  ‘A lot of composing in pieces at the moment. Nothing to share with you yet. How’s the data collection from the bereaved relatives going?’ Quintin asked.

  ‘Slowly.’

  CHAPTER

  27

  Ulwazi put her hand over her mouth as Anaya gave her a large bunch of flowers. ‘I wanted to thank you and give you something in appreciation. I’ve come to you for advice, and it’s helped me. My husband and I are now talking all the time. I believe that I can help him because I’m much stronger.’

  Ulwazi took the flowers and put her nose into them, taking a deep sniff. ‘I do not remember anyone giving me flowers on this bench,’ she said with a smile. ‘I thank you because I am so happy that you have been able to sort out your problems.’

  Anaya shook her head. ‘I cannot believe that people do not thank you for helping them. You’re better than any therapist. Your advice works.’

  ‘It is like it is,’ Ulwazi said, but she was still smiling.

  ‘I hope I’m allowed to still come and sit here and talk to you as a friend sometimes even when I don’t need help.’

  ‘Of course you can.’

  ‘Thank you,’ said Anaya. ‘I do have one thing to ask before I leave.’

  ‘I am always listening,’ Ulwazi said.

  ‘My husband has a problem with his sister. She’s causing us a lot of trouble because she wants to do things her way and her way is wrong.’

  Ulwazi smiled; this is why she put in the time on the bench. This is why she spoke with women—they always knew what was happening in businesses, and she made it her business to know theirs. Since the first day that Anaya had sat on her bench, Ulwazi had learned that her husband was the head chemist for Ayurprabhu Pharmaceuticals.

  Yebo, this was precisely why she sat on the bench, listening to stupid, whiny, spoilt women like Anaya.

  ‘What type of trouble is your husband in with his sister?’

  ‘Bad trouble. The type I want to go away, quickly. I like my new life with my husband. If I can make everything right for him at work, remove his sister, then perhaps there will be no reason for him to have to worry about her anymore.’

  ‘There are people in Africa who can sort out problems like this for you. They can make your problems go away for only a little money.’

  Anaya shook her head and with a wry smile said, ‘Go away?’

  ‘That depends on what you want,’ Ulwazi said.

  ‘I want her out of the picture. I want my husband to be the CEO as well as the head chemist. My husband is a good man, and she’s a bitch. She’s making him do things at work that he doesn’t like, and it was all her idea. He said that soon he might take too many pills and not wake up because he is so stressed about what is happening.’

  Ulwazi clicked her tongue. ‘Eish, she sounds horrible. Perhaps we need to take care of her for you and make your life with your husband even better. But
that will cost you a little bit more than flowers.’

  ‘I’ll happily pay the price to be rid of her. I have money of my own. What do you suggest?’

  CHAPTER

  28

  Acacia Ridge Farm

  Lily watched the lights from Piet’s bakkie as he stopped on the dusty driveway. The homestead had a steep thatched roof and whitewashed walls. It had a huge verandah in the front that was also protected by the big roof, with large overstuffed sofas on it. There was a BMX bicycle laying on its side, and a doll sat on the low wall. There was a colourful line of flowers on either side of the path, and a lush green lawn between the driveway and the house. A garden swing was motionless under the big camel thorn tree on the right, which was alive with a buffalo weaver’s nest colony that chirped constantly.

  Lily got out and stretched her legs, happy to be able to move them after the long drive. In front of her, Natalie appeared to be doing the same. She saw Khanyi, her new personal security guard, on the other side of the Land Cruiser. He was tall, his arms bulging with muscles, and his broad shoulders strained against the constricting fabric of his shirt. She was glad he was on her side, having recently made a switch from the police force into personal security. She and Quintin had employed him to accompany her throughout the day, but once she was inside the security of the home fence at night, he was off duty. He was living in the little house next to the one that Piet used.

  ‘Oh shit!’ Khanyi said loudly.

  Lily looked towards the house. An old man, probably in his late eighties, stood waiting on the verandah, two Rottweilers at his heels. They didn’t growl or make a sound. But the look of him was menacing, as were the dogs and the shotgun that hung off his shoulder.

  ‘You’re on point, Natalie,’ Piet said, ‘you spoke with him on the phone. Go work your charms so that he doesn’t shoot at us. Lily, stay behind your door until she has sorted this out.’

  Natalie walked forward to the bonnet. ‘Mr Parkes, I’m Detective Natalie Hatch, the driver is Sergeant Piet Kleinman and behind him is security personnel Khanyi Nzo with Dr Lily Winters. I spoke with you on the phone about visiting today.’

  ‘You said nothing about bringing the whole police force with you.’

  ‘Piet and Khanyi are Lily’s security detail. Someone attacked the doctor a few months ago. They’re not here for you, but to keep her safe on the road. I should’ve mentioned it to you; I apologise for that oversight. Would you consider putting your shotgun down and perhaps locking your dogs away?’ Natalie asked.

  ‘I’d consider it, except I’m not the hospitable type, so perhaps we can conduct our business with a little distance between us. That way we’ll both be happy because I know that you won’t be putting your firearms down. There’s no reason that you should be armed when I’m not.’

  Natalie nodded and took a deep breath. ‘We mean you no harm. I’m happy to put my firearm down here on the bonnet,’ she said, proceeding to do so.

  ‘Natalie,’ Piet cautioned.

  ‘It’s okay, Mr Parkes. I’m unarmed now. My colleagues will stay right here by the bakkie if you like and only Lily and I’ll come talk to you.’

  ‘I didn’t say that I’ve got a problem with blacks. I have a problem with people being on my land.’

  ‘If I come forward so that we can talk reasonably, instead of shouting, will I be safe from your guard dogs?’ Natalie said.

  ‘Here we go,’ Piet muttered. ‘Do better at your charm thing.’

  Khanyi said, ‘No, Natalie, just stay here, where we are all safe. You can hear him, he can hear you.’

  Natalie shook her head and took two steps forward. ‘Do I have your word, Mr Parkes that your dogs will stay by your side and not harm me and Dr Winters?’

  ‘Dr Winters’s security needs to get back in the vehicle, and they can point those guns of theirs somewhere else.’

  ‘Please, guys, if he wanted to kill me he would have done so already,’ Lily said. ‘Put your weapons away. Natalie and I need some answers, that’s all.’

  Both men pointed their weapons downwards and climbed back into the Cruiser, leaving the doors open.

  ‘You have my word,’ the old man said. Putting down his shotgun and stepping forward, he walked two steps in their direction. The dogs remained on the verandah. Watching her but not moving.

  ‘You coming, Lily?’ Natalie asked, and they walked together.

  As Natalie got closer, she put out her hand. ‘Thank you for agreeing to meet us. I’m so sorry to hear about Jenny.’

  ‘The loss of my granddaughter was difficult to talk about. My wife, Philani, is broken about losing her. We have the other girls, but it’s not the same without the four of them running around together.’

  ‘Dr Winters wanted to ask you a few questions about Jenny. She’s investigating several similar cases. While we understand this could be extremely difficult for you, your information might help save other children.’

  ‘Jenny was a sweet girl, and she was my granddaughter; that’s all I’m saying about her.’

  ‘Mr Parkes, the medical notes on Jenny.’ Lily gave her papers to him. ‘The file is very clinical, and there are notes in it that I need to know more about. The information you give me might help save other children from the same meningitis death that you have all had to witness. Meningitis is an agonising sickness. Your help could save someone else’s child from excruciating pain, even death.’

  He nodded, then reached for the file and opened it, squinting, trying to read the writing.

  ‘Try these; they may help. I’m also long-sighted,’ Lily said as she handed him her reading glasses.

  He put them on and looked at the file for a long time without moving a single page. A tear ran down his wrinkled cheek and dripped onto his shirt. ‘Nothing will bring her back, but I’ll help you do whatever I can so that another grandparent doesn’t have to feel this emptiness. The pain that is left knowing there is no God, because he took your precious grandchild, even when you offered yourself in her place. No one should have to lose their faith and their grandchild before they die themselves.’

  Mr Parkes returned Lily’s glasses to her and wiped his eyes with a white hanky that he took from his pocket. It was embroidered in the corner with blue monogram initials. Lily wondered who had made it for him. His wife or Jenny?

  ‘Mr Parkes, did Jenny ever go to the hospital other than when she broke her arm when she was five?’ Lily asked.

  He shook his head. ‘Normally, Philani can fix anything. She can set broken bones, she can stitch the deepest cut, but the day that Jenny broke her arm we knew that she needed extra help, so we got her to the hospital. Philani removed Jenny’s cast later, and she did all the physical therapy with her to make sure her arm was as strong as it had been before. That arm was perfect, or we would have taken her back to the hospital. Believe me, I would never let Jenny suffer any more in her life. After what she went through as a small child, she didn’t need any more darkness in her world.’

  ‘What profession was your wife in before you came to live on your farm?’ Natalie asked.

  ‘She was a nurse. She’d done a lot of work in the Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto. She gave up her career to live on my farm with me and to help bring up my sheep and cattle. She was a strong woman once.’

  ‘Do you still have any of the medications left that you gave to Jenny when she was sick?’ Lily asked.

  ‘We might have. All ‘my girls’ are generally healthy and don’t take many pills. I can ask Philani. She’ll know if we have them. She tried everything to get Jenny’s temperature down that day, even an ice bath. But she didn’t respond to anything. We couldn’t save her.’

  ‘She was a very lucky girl to have you in her life,’ Lily said. ‘She knew that she was loved and that you and your wife were there for her.’

  ‘I hope she knew,’ Mr Parkes said. ‘I hope she understood that we did everything we could for her. Come into the house, and we can talk with Philani. Bring your bodyguards with
you into the shade. Phoebe. Themis. Release,’ he instructed, and the dogs got up and ran off down the stairs past her and into the garden, totally ignoring everyone.

  Mr Parkes began to turn away from them. ‘I need to put the shotgun away; I don’t want it laying around where the girls can get to it.’

  A frail old black woman walked onto the verandah. ‘This is my wife, Philani. She’ll see you to the lounge, while I put this in the gun safe.’

  Mr Parkes’s behaviour fell into place. They were an old mixed-race couple. They’d spent so many years hiding from the law, going to extreme lengths to conceal their relationship, that even now, after the apartheid laws had been demolished, they kept themselves isolated so that no one could rip their world apart.

  Lily’s eyes stung with tears, knowing that she was about to do just that when she told them about the contaminated medication they had given their granddaughter.

  CHAPTER

  29

  As Lily drove towards home, Khanyi sitting next to her, her mind was on the bottles of drugs that they now had secured in the evidence bag in the police bakkie with Piet and Natalie. Her first case where she could be sure that she had the sample of contaminated drugs. Thankfully, none of it had been taken after Jenny had died.