Rhino Charge

by Victoria Tait

  Rose asked, “Why does it matter? And why torment yourself? It’s clear it was an accident, and Jono didn’t deliberately crash his car. He just got it wrong in the poor weather conditions.”

  One of the children in the camp shouted, “No, I’m not going to bed yet.”

  Aatma stood still but he didn’t look at them. “That’s what he believes. And what the police believe, but it’s all a lie. One miserable lie which has been compounded and caused so much heartache and distress.”

  “Sit down,” Rose commanded. “All this moving around. I can’t make sense of what you’re saying.” She sighed, feeling weary, and her brain was beginning to fog.

  “I think what he’s trying to tell us, in his roundabout way,” Sam scowled, “is that he had something to do with the original crash. Am I right?”

  Aatma looked at the floor. “Yes.”

  Rose felt her head clear. “Did you cause the crash? Were you driving and not Jono?” Did he pull Jono from the car? To cover up the fact that he was driving?

  Aatma breathed out heavily and sank into a chair. “Thank you. I’ve never been able to say the words. They’ve eaten away at me for twenty years, but I couldn’t rid myself of them.”

  Rose leaned forward. “But the police said Jono was driving. Is that what you told them?”

  Aatma raised his shoulders. “Not exactly. When they appeared at the scene and asked who owned the car, I told them it was Jono’s. We were both on the ground outside and Jono was badly injured, so they presumed he’d been driving. I know I should have told them, or said something the next day when they questioned me, but I was a coward. I let Jono take the blame.”

  “Why didn’t you confess later?” Sam asked.

  Aatma rubbed his wrist. “I did tell Jono, but he was unconscious. And by the time he woke up I was flying back to Kenya with Vadhana’s body.”

  “I knew it!” exclaimed Deepak, stepping into the light.

  Aatma cowered in his chair.

  “How?” countered Rose.

  Deepak screwed up his eyes. “He refused to tell me what really happened. And wouldn’t admit what he’d done, but I knew.” Deepak gulped and wailed, “He killed my beloved Vadhana.”

  Rose was tired. She’d had enough. “Did you actually know? Or did you just want to punish your son because he was the reason your daughter was in the car that day?”

  Deepak looked at her and shook his head. “Vadhana insisted, against my better judgement, on visiting him in the UK. But I did know because he called out in his sleep. And he didn’t have the guts to tell me himself.”

  “What?” shouted Aatma sitting up straight in his chair. “You knew, yet you still let me suffer all this time?”

  “You betrayed me,” cried Deepak.

  Hinesh appeared in the tent. “What’s happening? Why’s everyone shouting?”

  Sam stood, raised his arms, and said calmly, “Aatma has just admitted that he was driving the car which killed your sister. And it appears your father knew this, but he’s allowed Aatma to wallow alone in his guilt.”

  Hinesh looked from Aatma, once more slumped in his chair, to his father, standing defiant with his arms crossed tightly over his chest. “But why now? And why here?”

  Rose looked up and explained, “Everything comes back to Jono’s reappearance in Kenya. It’s his recent arrival which has triggered all these events.”

  Hinesh clasped his hands together. “But Da, you blackmailed Jono and caused Mayur’s dreadful accident. Why would you do that if you knew Jono wasn’t to blame?”

  Deepak pinched his mouth. “I knew. But it was clear he didn’t. He still remembers nothing about the crash, so I solicited his help to finally beat Kumar’s team.”

  Hinesh shook his head. “But Da, that’s cruel.” He looked at Aatma who was curled up. “And so’s not admitting to Aatma that you knew the truth. You’ve bullied him all his life.”

  Rose stood. “You need to sort out your own family troubles, but Jono deserves to know the truth. Best do it now, Aatma.” Aatma shrank back.

  “Come on.” Sam lifted him out of the chair onto unsteady feet and propelled him out of the camp.

  Chapter Fifty-Two

  Sam held Aatma by the arm as he led him out of the Rhino Charge camp towards the Bandit Bush Hog’s camp. As they once again passed through the brightly lit central catering area of the headquarters, Aatma stopped and twisted out of Sam’s grasp. He looked from Sam to Rose, and asked, “Can I have a stiff drink before I confront Jono?”

  Rose nodded at Sam. “All right.”

  Aatma gave him a thousand bob note and stated, “A whisky.”

  Sam ducked inside the bar tent.

  Aatma twisted his hands and then looked at Rose with large pleading eyes. “I really am sorry for all the grief I caused Da and Jono.”

  Rose placed her hand on his arm and responded, “Where your father is concerned, I’m not sure he would have forgiven you whatever you said or did. In fact, it was probably much easier for him to vent his grief by bullying you, and believe he was justified in doing so. But secrets like this are best if they are not left buried in the past.”

  Sam returned with a plastic glass containing an amber liquid. Aatma drained it. He crumpled the glass, squared his shoulders and announced, “I’m ready.”

  They passed small groups of people gathered around tables in the catering area and walked on into the gloom. They found the entrance for the Bandit Bush Hog’s camp, between the leleshwa bushes, and entered.

  There were faint pools of light outside each tent where a paraffin lamp had been positioned but the main light source was the glow of the fire pit around which Rose saw shadows and heard the mutter of voices.

  She put her arms out and turned to Sam and Aatma. “I’ll go and find Jono. You two wait here.”

  She joined the group around the fire pit. Chloe and Marina were laughing at Thabiti’s confused expression, and Jono and Lavanya were whispering, their heads close together. She coughed and everyone looked up.

  “Hi,” exclaimed Chloe. “Wine?” she held up a bottle.

  “In a minute. Jono, sorry to disturb you, but there’s someone who needs to speak to you.”

  Jono glanced around the group. “Who?”

  “It’s a private matter. Can you come with me?”

  Jono hesitated and looked at Lavanya as he slowly pushed himself out of his chair.

  Rose tried to reassure him. “I promise I’m not trying to trick you.”

  In the darkness, it was difficult to make out Sam and Aatma, so she asked, “Which is your tent?”

  Jono pointed.

  “Over here,” she called into the blackness. She and Jono stood in the small pool of lamplight, waiting for Sam and Aatma to join them.

  Rose turned to Jono and laid a hand on his arm. “Aatma has something to tell you.”

  Aatma began to stutter, “I..”

  Sam pulled Rose away. “This is one conversation you shouldn’t listen to.” They joined the others around the fire pit.

  “Where’s Jono?” Lavanya pulled at a red and green shawl wrapped over her head and shoulders.

  “Catching up with an old friend,” Rose replied.

  Lavanya stood and took a step back. “I think I should check on Kumar.”

  As her figure retreated, Chloe handed Rose a glass of wine and asked, “What was that about?”

  Rose turned to Sam and asked, “Can you tell them?”

  Sam opened a can of Tusker, drank deeply, and began.

  When he had finished his sad tale, Chloe whispered, “I’ve felt sorry for Jono all weekend, even though he caused the crash. And now, well it’s so unfair. How could Deepak be so cruel?”

  “Time and practice,” remarked Marina.

  “I’ll second that,” a voice spoke in the dark. Marina’s cousin Hinesh emerged into the light thrown by the fire pit.

  Hinesh asked, “Where’s Aatma? I thought he might need some moral support. I’m afraid I’ve given hi
m precious little in the past.”

  “He’s still with Jono,” explained Rose. “Why not wait with us? There are plenty of chairs in the events shelter.”

  “It’s OK. I’ll stand.”

  Hinesh gazed into the fire as if mesmerised. “When Ma was still alive we used to roast marshmallows over a fire, but Da stopped us after Vadhana burnt her lip.” He looked around the group. “So is this the murder committee? I see you’ve joined their ranks, Marina.”

  Mariana quipped, “It’s better than looking after cousin Elaxi’s kids.”

  Hinesh laughed. “Elaxi may be bossy, but who can blame her? As well as her husband and their children, she has her father and us brothers to attend to.” He leaned forward with an eager expression on his face. “So, who are your prime suspects?”

  Rose waved smoke away from her face and coughed, “You and Aatma, for starters.”

  Hinesh exclaimed, “Is everything to be blamed on my family?”

  She responded, “Well, Mayur was undermining your business and seeking investors to take it over.”

  Hinesh pulled at his chin. “He was but he didn’t know that I’ve been having talks with his younger brother about merging the businesses. You see working together makes sense as our clients are mostly large hotel chains and lodges, whilst the Chauhans serve smaller hotels and restaurants. Through a merger we could save costs in the supply chain, and achieve economies of scale in our sales.”

  Rose asked, “Could Mayur have prevented your merger working?”

  Hinesh turned to her. “He would certainly have tried, but his brother told me Kumar still has authority to make the important business decisions.”

  “So there was no reason to kill him?”

  Hinesh sighed. “Kumar will decide if the merger goes ahead. Life will certainly be easier for all of us without Mayur, but in the end, Kumar was usually able to control him.”

  “Except when he broke his foot,” she suggested.

  “That was really nasty. Maybe Mayur tried to do the same to someone else and paid the price,” responded Hinesh.

  Thabiti leant forward and whispered, “Could Kumar have killed Mayur for causing all this trouble, and for deliberately injuring him?”

  Sam answered. “I’d have said it was more likely to have been the other way around, and that Mayur benefited from getting his father out of the way.”

  Chloe tapped the ends of her fingers together and said, “But I can’t see how Kumar could have done it. If he’d wanted to kill Mayur, it would have been much simpler to crack him over the head with a crutch. He wouldn’t have been able to suffocate him.”

  Aatma appeared, looked at Hinesh, and said, “I thought I heard your voice. Do you fancy a drink at the bar? I need something stronger than beer.”

  Hinesh turned back to the group by the fire. “I hope that clarifies matters. And clears us as potential suspects.” He followed his brother into the night.

  Chapter Fifty-Three

  Thabiti stood and collected broken branches from a small pile behind his chair. He threw them on top of the fire. Headquarters was quiet with only an occasional cry or peal of laughter. Rose heard the faint roar of a lion from the Mara and an answering call.

  Thabiti bit his lip and asked, “So who did kill Mayur?”

  “Good question.” Rose looked at Sam. “We’re really no further forward are we?”

  “I disagree.” He placed his can in a holder in the arm of his camping chair and stretched. “At least we got to the bottom of the original car accident, which is a relief, as it’s been hanging over this entire event. So now we can concentrate on the here and now. Let me ask, why do you think someone would commit a murder?”

  “Love,” exclaimed Chloe.

  “Or hate,” suggested Thabiti.

  “Money. That’s a prime reason.” Marina rubbed her hands together as if imitating greed. “As is power and control, as my family has shown.”

  Rose murmured, “And jealousy.”

  Sam looked around the group and repeated, “Money, power and control. Well, we know Mayur wanted all of these, but from the recent discussion with Hinesh, I don’t see how anyone else would gain them from his death.”

  “I agree,” said Rose. “I think we’ve exhausted motives for the Seth family. Of course, something else might turn up.”

  Sam arched his back. “I thought the reason lay in their businesses. But while there appears to be plenty of animosity and clashing personalities on the outside, behind the scenes their relationship seems to be cordial. So much so that they’re considering an amicable merger.”

  Marina tapped her foot on the ground and said, “In which case Mayur would be the loser. And there was no reason for my family to get rid of him.”

  “Succinctly put, Marina. So where are we now?” asked Rose.

  The fire spat as the fresh green wood began to burn.

  ‘Love,” voiced Chloe again.

  Marina crossed her ankles. “I’m not sure anyone truly loved Mayur, apart from his mother, but she’s dead now, isn’t she Rose?”

  Rose nodded. “She is and Kumar told me she spoilt Mayur.”

  “So that leaves hate,” repeated Thabiti. “And I think a lot of people fall into that category.”

  Rose leaned towards Thabiti and said, “Possibly, but hate is a strong emotion. Most of those who disliked Mayur found a way to work round, or even without him.”

  Chloe linked her fingers together and rested her chin on them. “Except poor Lavi, who had no escape route.”

  Thabiti looked at her, his eyebrows wrinkled. “I wasn’t actually thinking of Lavi. But why would she need an escape route?”

  Chloe pursed her lips. “Surely you’ve noticed the burns and bruises on her arms and neck. And those are only the ones we can see, as she covers her arms with long sleeved t-shirts, and wears scarves, even in this hot weather.”

  Thabiti sat up and said in a disbelieving voice, “Oh, I thought she covered herself for religious reasons. But how did she get those injuries? She’s not exactly clumsy.”

  Marina patted his leg and replied, “From her husband. He beats and hurts her.”

  Thabiti’s mouth hung open.

  Rose turned to Chloe and said, “I wasn’t certain she was a victim of domestic violence, as she kept it well hidden. But I’ve noticed she barely eats and I doubt she sleeps well. Of course, they are all signals of abuse and it’s likely she’s felt increasingly isolated.”

  Chloe moaned, “Oh why didn’t she just leave him?”

  Marina opened her mouth.

  Chloe jumped in, and continued, “I know, Marina, Hindu culture. And of course there don’t have to be religious or cultural reasons. I’ve met women who love their husbands, despite the abuse, but still refuse to leave them. So Lavi’s unlikely to have killed Mayur. Anyway, she’s such a timid little thing.”

  Sam looked around the group and said, “Which brings us to jealousy, or resentment…”

  “But we haven’t finished with hate.” Thabiti crossed his arms.

  Chloe turned to him, tapping her hand on her thigh. “OK, clever clogs. Who do you think hated Mayur enough to kill him?”

  Thabiti leaned forward again and whispered, “Jono!”

  The group was silent. Rose felt a fluttering in her tummy. Thabiti might just be right. “Go on,” she encouraged.

  “I might not be a woman.” He looked at Marina.

  She dug an elbow into his side.

  “Oy!” exclaimed Thabiti. “But I still see things. Like Lavi and Jono talking together away from everyone else. And Lavi smiling, even giggling, which is the only time she did. I think we’ve all noticed how grumpy Jono’s been in camp, but I don’t think he was only worried about the car. I saw the way he glared at Mayur. And it frightened me.” Thabiti shuddered.

  Rose remembered the conversation from the medical tent and said, “When I visited the medical tent the evening after the crash, I heard Mayur shouting at Lavanya. She ran out in tears and Jono
rebuked Mayur, and told him to treat her better. But Mayur retorted that Jono had abandoned Lavanya and she was now his.”

  Marina drew her eyebrows together. “I know Jono and Lavanya were friends at school.”

  Chloe gazed intensely round the group and announced, “Jono might have been her boyfriend.”

  “Shh,” said Rose. “Keep your voice down.”

  Marina met Chloe’s eye, “Interesting idea, but I’ve not heard anyone mention it. But Jono and the Chauhans are hardly popular topics of conversation in our family.”

  With wide eyes Chloe looked at Sam, then Rose, and asked, “But it is possible that Jono could have suffocated Mayur in the medical tent and then returned to this camp?”

  Sam added, “Maybe he did mean to kill Mayur yesterday in the Charge. And he intentionally damaged the winch strop so it would cause an accident.”

  Marina bobbed in her seat and cried, “And when Mayur was only injured, he finished him off.”

  Rose mused, “He certainly had the motive and opportunity.”

  She paused and felt, rather than saw, someone pass them, and then the air was still again.

  She heard Chloe plead, “Please don’t confront him tonight. He’s just found out he didn’t kill Vadhana, and after twenty years I think he’s allowed one night to savour the news.”

  Rose murmured, “It may be of little consolation if he killed Mayur.”

  She looked at the darkness around her. All was quiet, so the camp staff must be in bed, as, she presumed, was Kumar. There were pockets of scattered light beyond the tents from other camps and the central area of headquarters.

  She said, “I doubt we’d find him anyway tonight. I thought I heard someone pass a few minutes ago, but I’ve no idea who it was.” She finished the remaining splash of wine in her glass. Sam did the same with his Tusker, tipping his head back and draining the contents of his can.

  Marina stood. “I better see what joys await me back at my camp.”

  Thabiti joined her. “I’ll come with you.”

  “Ladies,” said Sam turning to Rose and Chloe as he scrunched his empty can in his huge hands. “Let me walk you back. It’s getting late.”