Rhino Charge

by Victoria Tait

  At the end of the table, Deepak flexed his fingers in anger.

  “Who caused the damage?” Hinesh asked.

  “We believe it was Jono Urquhart.”

  Deepak flinched and Aatma strode into the middle of the camp. Hinesh hissed, “Don’t mention that man’s name to this family.”

  “Because of the accident?”

  “Yes, and if you know about that, you’ll know why he’s the last person any of this family associate with.”

  “Except if they wanted to get their own back by blackmailing him.” Rose’s words hung in the air.

  Hinesh shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

  Deepak appeared unmoved. He sat taller with his shoulders back and his chest and chin thrust forward.

  Rose asked him, “When did you find out Jono was back in Kenya?”

  “Why do you need to know? It’s enough that he’s here, larger than life, flying around in aeroplanes.” Deepak spat on the floor.

  “That must have annoyed you.”

  “It did. I wasn’t too bothered when he fled to Scotland or was hiding in New Zealand, but now he’s back and still denying any knowledge of the accident which killed my darling daughter.”

  Rose felt a knot in her belly. “So you have met him? Spoken to him?”

  Deepak crossed his arms. “I bumped into him at the Aero Club at Wilson Airport.”

  Hinesh looked at their father. “You didn’t tell us that.”

  Deepak said defiantly, “I don’t have to tell you everything.”

  Aatma walked towards his father. “Did you suggest he try and get a place on Kumar’s team?”

  Deepak raised his hands and stuck out his bottom lip. “I might have mentioned in passing that Kumar needed a navigator.”

  Marina had been impassive during the exchange, but now her eyes narrowed. “I was delighted when Thabiti was invited to join the Bandit Bush Hogs, but surprised as he had no experience as a mechanic. Was that your doing, Uncle Deepak?”

  Deepak sneered. “All it took was a phone call to their usual mechanic’s employer. I asked them to play around with the work schedule so he would be out of the country during the Charge. I told Jono to find a keen but inexperienced young man to be their team’s mechanic.”

  Marina turned to her father who was glancing around in confusion. “You see, Baba, you thought Thabiti was useless and not fit for this family. Well, you’re right about the last part. He’s too good for us.” Marina threw back her chair and ran out of the camp.

  Her father watched her leave, open-mouthed.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Hinesh walked towards his father, leant against a chair, and asked, “Da, are the allegations true? Did you persuade Jono Urquhart to sabotage Kumar Chauhan’s team car?”

  Deepak’s lip curled into a smirk. “So what if I did? Have you seen the way Kumar laughs at me every time we meet?”

  Hinesh straightened up. “That’s because you refuse to be civil and it’s become a sport to him. I do understand, but Nairobi is a small place and we all have to get along. Anyway, you always grunt or snarl at him.”

  Hinesh ran his hand through his hair. “I’m no fan of the Chauhans, and Kumar made life very difficult for us when he set up his business, but that is not the same as deliberately interfering with a vehicle in the Rhino Charge. This event is dangerous enough without tampering with equipment. Do you realise your action has led to Mayur’s death?”

  “Then Kumar will know what it’s like to lose a child,” Deepak spat.

  Sam asked, “Mr Seth, did you mean to injure Mayur Chauhan or any other member of the Bandit Bush Hog team?”

  “No, of course not.” Deepak gripped his hands together. “If that over-zealous mechanic hadn’t found the cheque, the team wouldn’t have started. I didn’t mean for anyone to die.”

  Deepak slumped into his chair, his bravado spent. “Living with death eats away at you. It’s a living hell.”

  Hinesh moved and sat beside his father. “What did you say to Jono?”

  “I told him that unless he made sure Kumar’s team didn’t beat us this year I would let it be known he was a convicted murderer.”

  Sam stood. “Can I confirm the facts, Mr Seth? You blackmailed Jono Urquhart, and you threatened to expose his criminal conviction in the UK, unless he helped the Rhino Force team beat the Bandit Bush Hogs.”

  Deepak interrupted. “He was only supposed to ensure they didn’t take part, or if they did, that they didn’t complete the course.”

  Sam continued, “So after his initial attempts failed, he damaged vital equipment which caused a horrendous crash.”

  “That’s on his own head. I never meant it to happen.” Deepak looked down at the floor.

  Sam widened his stance. “Did you forbid him from damaging equipment?”

  Deepak shook his head and mumbled, “No, but I didn’t mean him to go that far.”

  Rose interjected. “You threatened to ruin his life for a second time?” She was angry. “How far did you think he would go?”

  There was silence.

  “I can’t believe this,” exclaimed Hinesh. “Now I’ll have to go to the organisers and withdraw from the Rhino Charge.”

  “Why?” Deepak looked up and rubbed his forehead.

  “Because any prize would be too bitter to accept.” It was Hinesh’s turn to shake his head. “And this year I finally thought we had a chance of winning. We had a great run.”

  Chapter Forty

  Rose felt despondent as she and Sam left the Rhino Force camp. A tragedy had driven Deepak Seth to become a bitter old man. And he’d preyed on Jono Urquhart’s guilt and remorse, to coerce him into helping Rhino Force in a car rally by interfering with a vehicle, which led to the death of someone else’s child, in another car accident. There was so much heartache and misery.

  She stood to one side, allowing Hinesh past as he hurried in the direction of the registration tent.

  Sam looked back, waited for her, and commented, “You’re very quiet and withdrawn. Are you saddened by Deepak Seth’s actions?”

  She smiled weakly at him. “Don’t worry. It’s just the musings of an old woman. You see, I can accept death in its many forms, but it’s the damaging effect on the living I struggle to understand. When our lives pass so quickly, why spend them in bitterness and mourning, or consumed by guilt? It seems such a waste.”

  As they reached the centre of the headquarters, Nick West spotted her, raised his hand, and came to meet them. “Rose, may I have a quiet word?” He looked at Sam. “In private.”

  She stood a little taller and looked Nick in the eye. “Sam is a KWS officer and I trust him implicitly. Whatever you have to tell me, you can say in his presence.”

  Nick ran his tongue over his lips. “It’s about the Nairobi medical officer. By the way, thank you for looking after him. He must be back in Nairobi now, as he’s emailed me his initial findings about Mayur Chauhan’s death.”

  “That was quick.”

  Nick shuffled his feet. “The thing is, Mayur Chauhan didn’t die of internal bleeding, or in fact from any of his wounds from the car crash. He was suffocated.”

  “That’s unexpected.” It was all Rose could think to say. She considered the medical officer’s visit and realised he’d probably deduced the cause of death at the scene, but needed to check for internal damage and bleeding back in Nairobi.

  “I’m not sure what to do next.” Nick looked from Rose to Sam and back again. “Should I contact the police in Narok? Or is this a matter for the Criminal Investigation Department? What do you think?”

  “I have no idea,” replied Rose. She looked at Sam.

  He chewed his finger and then said, “I doubt either organisation will travel today, as it’ll be dark by the time they arrive. The problem we have is that tomorrow the competitors pack up and leave. And I can’t see how we or the police can stop them.” Sam shrugged his shoulders.

  Nick rubbed his forehead. “We’ve postponed the prize-
giving until tomorrow morning. I thought it the right thing to do under the circumstances, a mark of respect. Besides, a lot of noise and celebration tonight by the winning teams would be inappropriate.”

  Rose responded, “That’s a kind gesture, which I’m sure Lavanya and Kumar Chauhan will appreciate.”

  Nick glanced around uneasily. “Rose, in light of the medical officer’s findings, I have two favours to ask of you.” He held her gaze. “Firstly, can I ask you to break the news about the cause of death to Kumar and Mayur’s wife? I froze earlier and you did a really great job. You were calm and sympathetic.”

  Rose nodded. “Of course. I’ll do that straight away. What was the second thing?”

  “Frank told me you’ve recently helped the police with a couple of murder investigations in Nanyuki: Aisha Onyango’s death and the murder of Davina Dijan at the Giant’s Club Summit. So is there any chance you could look into this case? I fear your friend is right.”

  Nick looked apologetically at Sam. “The police will arrive too late to solve the case, or they will act in haste and focus on an easy target, and arrest the wrong person.”

  Sam spoke in an authoritative tone. “I will be happy to assist Mama Rose. And I have contacts with both the Narok police and CID.”

  Nick grasped Rose’s hand, squeezing lightly, and did the same with Sam’s. “Thanks so much. It’s a great weight off my shoulders, although I suspect I shall have to deal with whatever you do or don’t find out tomorrow. But at least I can complete my Rhino Charge business.”

  Chapter Forty-One

  Rose and Sam returned once again, through the leleshwa bushes, to the Bandit Bush Hog’s camp, where the atmosphere was sombre. The tents had been re-erected under the desert date trees and the bags stowed away.

  The staff and cooking area behind the thorny bushes was silent. The only people who seemed to be around were Kumar and Jono, who sat quietly at either end of the table in the events shelter. Jono nursed a Tusker whilst Kumar leaned back in his chair, staring into space.

  Rose coughed, but Kumar did not move. “What is it? Can an old man not mourn his son in peace?”

  “Pole, bwana.” Rose’s words were soft.

  Kumar turned his head to focus on her. “Mama Rose, please accept my apologies, but I was not expecting you.” He pressed his lips together when he spotted Sam.

  “I’m afraid we are the bearers of more sad tidings. Is Lavanya here?”

  Lavanya appeared at the entrance of a nearby tent. “Come here, my dear,” requested Kumar.

  They all sat down at the table although Jono remained detached and continued to stare at his beer bottle.

  Rose turned to Kumar and began, “Nick West wanted me to pass on his thanks for organising the Nairobi medical officer. The officer was unable to tell us anything when he was here, but he returned with Mayur’s body to Nairobi. And he’s just sent Nick the results of his examination. Has he also spoken to you?

  “Neither Nick nor the medical officer have contacted me.” Kumar tapped the table. “So they sent you in their place?”

  “Something like that.” Rose floundered but there was no easy way to say this. “Mayur did not die as a result of his injuries from the car crash. He was suffocated.”

  At the far end of the table, Jono knocked his Tusker bottle to the floor. Lavanya gasped and the colour drained from her face. Kumar’s body was rigid whilst his eyes swivelled from Rose to Sam and back again. He did not, or could not, speak.

  Rose placed a hand on Kumar’s arm. “I’m sorry I couldn’t find an easier way to break the news. We’ve all been focusing on the accident and how it was caused, so this news came as a shock.”

  Kumar ran his tongue along his lips. “I don’t understand. How was he suffocated?” Lavanya and Jono both stared down at the table.

  “If you don’t have any objections, Nick West has asked Sam and I to try and find that out.”

  “But Mama Rose, you are not a policeman. How can you?”

  Sam answered. “Mr Chauhan, I’m afraid the police may arrive too late to complete a proper investigation, as all the competitors leave tomorrow. I am a KWS officer, and did you know Mama Rose recently solved two murders in Nanyuki?”

  Rose fidgeted with her hands, feeling the colour rise in her cheeks.

  Kumar leaned back, his eyes wide. “Two?”

  Rose was unsure if he was surprised by her sleuthing abilities or the number of murders in her home town.

  Kumar looked around the camp. “Of course you are right. Tomorrow morning this will all be dismantled and everyone will leave, giving the police precious little to investigate. But my oldest son has been killed, murdered. I need to know who committed this terrible act and why.”

  Kumar stared at Sam and grunted. “You have depths I had not perceived. I give you my blessing to find my son’s killer as long as you promise to keep Mama Rose safe. I do not need her on my conscience as well.”

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Thabiti didn’t feel like returning to his camp, and neither did Marina. They found a table in the catering area away from the bar and those competitors and supporters who were finishing a late lunch. Thabiti picked at a chocolate muffin whilst Marina sipped a passion fruit juice.

  Marina moaned, “My family’s such a mess.”

  “No family’s perfect,” he commiserated. “Look at mine. My father did a runner, my mother was murdered, and my sister’s crazy.”

  “Pearl’s not crazy. The events surrounding your mother’s death were distressing, and she just needs time to recover. Is she home alone?” Marina circled her straw through her deep orange-coloured juice.

  “No, Dr Farrukh persuaded her to return to the Cottage Hospital for a few days. I’m afraid my working at Mr Obado’s garage all day didn’t help Pearl, and her recovery faltered. Besides, I was able to give Doris a much-needed week off.” He found a chocolate chip and extracted it from his muffin.

  “Is she eating properly?”

  “Pearl? Well not what I would call eating, but I suppose it’s a start. She skips breakfast and asks Doris to prepare her a salad for lunch. Doris insists on a hot meal at night with plenty of meat, which suits me. What’s not so good are the cakes Doris has started baking to tempt her. I end up finishing them, which isn’t good for my waistline.” He looked down at his tummy.

  Marina playfully patted it and said, “I thought you’d started cycling?”

  “I ride my bike to Mr Obado’s garage, but I haven’t been on any longer rides. I want to explore some of the tracks on Mount Kenya after I’ve recovered from the Rhino Charge. That is, as long as I’m free to do so.” Thabiti rested his hand on his chin. Would he ever be free of suspicion for causing Mayur’s car accident?

  Marina rubbed his back. “Don’t worry. You haven’t done anything wrong.”

  “But the police might not see it that way.”

  “I’m sure they will, but then what?” Marina sipped her juice. “I feel so lost at the moment. You, me, and Pearl. We’re all in our early twenties and we should be grabbing hold of life, gaining new experiences and trying to make a difference in the world. I shouldn’t be sitting around waiting for my father to introduce me to some fat boring man he wants me to marry.”

  Thabiti sat up. “No way!”

  Marina had a pained expression as she slumped back in her chair. “He’s arranged someone for me to meet when we get home and he’s told me to give up my safari and lodge work.”

  “So will you?” Thabiti bit his lip. Marina loved her work and he was certain she didn’t want to stop it.

  Marina twirled her straw. “I’m not sure.”

  Their conversation was interrupted by a short, stocky man who pulled up a chair and addressed Marina.

  “There you are. I’ve been trying to call you.”

  Marina patted her pockets. “I must have left my phone back at our camp. Sorry, I left in a bit of a hurry.”

  “Is everything all right?” the man asked.

  S
he looked at him forlornly. “Not really. Our team car had a nasty accident in the Charge yesterday. Only the driver was inside and we thought his injuries weren’t too bad. That is until we found out he’d died during the night. It’s rather a mess.”

  She raised a hand toward Thabiti. “Sorry, this is Thabiti, one of my teammates.” She turned to Thabiti and moved her hand across towards the new arrival. “This is Ollie. He works for Kifaru Safaris, who have lodges across Kenya and Tanzania. He sometimes gives me work.”

  Thabiti returned to the dissection of his muffin, and tried to ignore Ollie.

  He heard him say. “But that’s terrible. How did it happen?”

  While Marina explained the previous day’s accident, Thabiti thought about Pearl. She couldn’t keep returning to the Cottage Hospital every time he went away. Besides, Marina was right, it was now time for him to decide what he wanted to do, whether he should return to university or look for a job. But he didn’t want to leave Pearl all alone. He didn’t mind being by himself, and in Nairobi he’d usually avoided social situations.

  He found it better in Nanyuki, probably because the town was smaller, and the people friendlier and more helpful. But he didn’t think social isolation was good for Pearl, so how should he introduce her back into the community? Previously, she’d shunned the less glamorous people of Nanyuki, but surely it would be a bad idea for her to return to the glitzy parties in Nairobi?

  “So you see,” he heard Ollie say, “we need a relief manager while we invite and vet applicants for a permanent position.”

  “The lodge is in Borana?” asked Marina. “I don’t know that area.”

  “Borana is in Laikipia, adjacent to the Lewa Conservancy, and together they form a UNESCO Heritage Site. A few years ago the two conservancies removed their boundary fences and became the largest rhino sanctuary in Kenya. They have over a hundred black and eighty white rhino.”

  Thabiti watched the gleam return to Marina’s eyes as she sat up. “It sounds fascinating. And this is a brand new lodge?”