Rhino Charge

by Victoria Tait

  “I didn’t, not really. I heard you talking last night, and you were discussing Jono and me. You said you thought he killed Mayur… because of me.” Tears slipped down Lavanya’s cheeks and splashed onto the grey rock.

  “Well it makes sense.” Marina sat down and stretched her legs out along the rock behind Lavanya.

  “I swear he didn’t do it. I love him so much.” She sniffed. “But Mayur knew, and he taunted me. After a while I just ignored him, until he gleefully announced Jono was back. He kept saying Jono no longer cared for me, because he hadn’t called or visited me.”

  Rose smoothed hair away from Lavanya’s forehead. The poor girl was so torn up inside. “It’s OK,” she murmured.

  Lavanya shook her head. “No, it’s not. Mayur persuaded Kumar to ask Jono to join the Rhino Charge team just to torment me. But I was so excited that I would see Jono again. But in camp, Jono was so miserable and kept complaining about Deepak Seth. He said he’d never be free.”

  Lavanya tried to sit up, but Marina caught her head and rested it on her thigh. “I didn’t know what to do when I heard about the accident. I thought something awful had happened to Jono. But then officials spoke with Kumar and explained Mayur had been badly injured, but there was no Amref plane to collect him and airlift him to a hospital in Nairobi.”

  Rose rubbed her hands together. A shaft of sunlight lit the rock as the sun climbed higher in the sky.

  Lavanya tried to sit up again, but Rose took her head and laid it back on Marina’s thigh and said, “Steady, you must be careful,”

  Lavanya tried to jerk her head up again, as she said, “But I need to tell you. Nobody ever listens to me.”

  Rose stroked her cheek. “It’s OK. We’re not going anywhere and we’re listening. Go on.”

  Lavanya relaxed and continued. “I helped Kumar across to the medical tent, but I was shocked to find both Mayur and Jono inside. Mayur was furious, not about his injuries, but about the accident costing him the Rhino Charge title. Kumar and Jono told him he’d had a lucky escape. But he ranted on, first about Thabiti for his failings as a mechanic, then at Kumar for having such a sub-standard team, and finally at Jono and me.”

  Rose realised Lavanya hadn’t been able to talk to anyone. They’d all been so busy rushing around proving Thabiti’s innocence and getting to the bottom of the crash. Lavanya had hovered on the edge, but none of them had stopped to see how she was. And to really take an interest in her.

  They had seen the bruises and burns, but ignored them, believing it wasn’t their place. Rose chastised herself. If only she’d taken the time to sit down with Lavanya. Maybe she could have prevented the tragedy.

  The words spilled out of Lavanya. “I was so scared. Mayur’s eyes flashed. He was manic and boasted that I was his, and that Jono and I would never be together. He said he would treat me any way he wanted and there was nothing Jono could do about it.”

  Her tears cascaded onto the rock. “Kumar was furious with Mayur. He told him to be grateful as I’d cost him a high bride price and I should be treated with respect. But that only incensed Jono, who chastised Kumar, telling him it was inhumane to buy a bride. It wasn’t surprising that Kumar wanted to leave, and of course I had to help him.”

  Rose placed a hand on Lavanya’s shoulder and asked, “But you returned?”

  Lavanya nodded. “Yes. I didn’t want Jono to blame Kumar. He’s helped my family so much, and has given my father and brother jobs, and a bride price is a Hindu tradition. But Mayur wouldn’t let me speak to Jono and shouted horrible things at me in Hindi. And he twisted and hurt my wrist. So Jono started shouting at Mayur and I was worried about what he would do to him. It was all too much, so I ran away.”

  Lavanya sobbed. “I tried to please Mayur, to make it up to him. I took him some food, but because I also gave some to Jono, he shouted and threatened us both.”

  “Jono must have been furious,” remarked Marina. “No wonder he smothered Mayur. I would have done the same just to shut him up.”

  Chapter Fifty-Eight

  Sam shouted from the top of the cliff. “Are you all right down there?”

  “Yes,” called Rose.

  “Thabiti and Chloe will be there in a minute. They’re driving round to you. Jono’s with me and we’re going to lower a backboard down to you. Can you strap Lavanya onto it? Then we’ll work out how to manoeuvre her to the ground.”

  “OK,” Rose yelled.

  Several minutes later, she heard a clatter and Sam shouted, “Nearly there. We’ll have to swing it over that rock which juts out above you. Watch your heads.”

  An orange board swung out and down towards them. Marina grabbed hold of it and handed it to Rose, as she gently removed Lavanya’s head from her thigh and stood up. She took the board back and yelled, “I’ve got it. Can you lower it a bit more?” Marina guided the board onto a space between the cliff face and Lavanya.

  Rose knelt behind Lavanya’s head and explained to Marina. “I’m going to roll her carefully away from the board. Can you slip it underneath her? Be brave, my dear,” she said to Lavanya. “We’ll have you down soon, but this may hurt.”

  Lavanya cried out as Rose rolled her away from and then back onto the board.

  “We just need to shuffle you on a bit more, and strap you in securely.”

  “Ow!” moaned Lavanya

  “Nearly there.” Rose sat up and looked at Marina, “OK?”

  Marina nodded.

  “Tighten the straps carefully, but they must be secure so she doesn’t move.”

  A black Land Cruiser Amazon purred to a stop below them and Thabiti and Chloe stepped out. Chloe shaded her eyes and called, “Is everything OK?”

  “Yes, we’re nearly there,” responded Rose, returning to her patient.

  “Ready,” Marina shouted to Sam.

  Sam shouted back instructions. “Hold onto each end of the board. Push it to the edge of the ledge. Have you done that?”

  “Yes.”

  “Hold the board whilst we pull up the slack.” The two ropes at either end of the board became taught. “Now push the board out.”

  Chloe cried out as the board plummeted several feet before jolting to a halt.

  “Don’t drop me,” screamed Lavanya.

  Rose heard Jono’s voice. “Don’t worry, we’ve got you.” Rose peered over the edge, watching Lavanya’s descent until Chloe and Thabiti took hold of the board and guided it to the ground.

  “What about you two?” called Thabiti.

  Marina stood. She collected the empty water bottles and first aid kit. “Catch these,” she shouted at Thabiti and threw the items, one by one.

  “She turned to Rose. “If I go first. I can help you lower yourself onto the ledge you used to get up here. Is that OK?”

  Rose looked about and said, “It’ll have to be. I’m not sitting up here all day as live animal bait.” She looked down.

  “It’s not far,” shouted Chloe.

  It was all right for her to say. It looked a long way from where Rose sat. She turned away from the edge and gingerly lowered herself. Marina took some of her weight and steered her onto the narrow stone ledge. Rose’s arms stung. She had scraped them on the way down.

  “Don’t look down,” instructed Marina. “Watch the rock face in front of you and shuffle your way along. Tell me if you want to stop.” It was a slow, tiring journey and Rose was relieved when Marina helped her onto terra firma. As her legs began to buckle beneath her, Thabiti rushed forward and supported her.

  “Thank you.”

  Sam shouted from the top of the cliff. “Is everyone OK?”

  Rose looked up and saw him standing next to Jono.

  “We’re good,” shouted Marina.

  “Can you untie the ropes? We’ll reel them back up.”

  Marina and Chloe undid the ropes. Rose, able to support her weight again, joined them and bent over Lavanya. She asked, “Are you all right? That was quite an ordeal.”

  “Jono,” mutt
ered Lavanya. “Where’s Jono?”

  “He’s at the top of the cliff. He helped rescue you, and get you down from the ledge where you’d fallen.”

  Lavanya grasped Rose’s sleeve. “I didn’t jump. I thought about it, but I didn’t. It was dark and I must have tripped.”

  “There, there, it’s OK.” Rose covered Lavanya’s hand.

  “Can I tell you a secret?” Lavanya whispered.

  Jono shouted, “We’re done. Meet you at the airstrip.”

  “Watch out,” called Thabiti to Rose.

  He manoeuvred the backboard, with Marina and Chloe’s help, into the car boot and slid it along and up onto the top of a lowered rear seat.

  Rose opened a back door and locked eyes with Lavanya. “Are you comfortable?”

  Lavanya gripped her shirt with surprising strength, pulled her forwards and whispered, “Jono didn’t kill Mayur. I did.”

  She gently removed Lavanya’s hand and replied, “I know, dear.”

  Chapter Fifty-Nine

  Thabiti drove with surprising care to the airstrip, but the car still jolted over bumps and holes in the track and each time it did, Lavanya groaned.

  Chloe was sitting next to Lavanya’s head, and she pleaded, “Please be brave. We have to get you to Jono and the airplane so he can fly you to hospital in Nairobi.”

  They arrived at the Mara airstrip and found Sam waiting for them, whilst Jono was busy with pre-flight safety checks.

  Rose approached Jono “Are you ready? Do you want Thabiti to come with you?”

  “I’m fine.” He watched Lavanya being lifted out of the car and transferred across to the plane. “Actually, it might be best if Thabiti does come along. Just in case Lavi needs anything.”

  Rose lowered her voice and asked, “When did you realise she killed Mayur?” She followed him as he moved down the side of the plane.

  He didn’t look at her, but answered, “She was in a state the morning after the accident, but at first I wasn’t surprised. Mayur had been beastly to her the previous evening, but even so, I began to think something else was bothering her.

  She had bruising around her wrist from where Mayur had grabbed her and twisted it. But when I looked closely at it I noticed more scarring on her arm. I asked her about it, but she clammed up. She’s been alone for so long with nobody to talk to that I suppose she couldn’t bring herself to confide in anyone about the abuse she’s suffered, not even me.”

  Jono opened a panel in the side of the plane. Rose kept quiet whilst he checked various dials. She felt the plane rock as Lavanya was lifted in. She wondered how they would secure her. Sam would organise that. She needed to get to the bottom of Mayur’s death.

  Jono closed the panel, but continued to stare at it. “Later I realised she was missing her security bracelet. I returned to the medical tent to check, but you were there and the tent had been cleared. If I hadn’t been worrying about Deepak, the old accident, and the new one, I might have realised sooner how she was feeling, and stopped her before she took such drastic action.”

  Jono turned to Rose. “I don’t know how she did it. She doesn’t look strong enough, but I guess she was so desperate, so terrorised that she saw no other way out. If only she had come to me, I could have helped. Mayur didn’t scare me. If only she’d waited, as now I’m free of the shackles of twenty years of guilt, I can begin a new life. We could have. Together. Despite Mayur’s bravado and their Hindu culture I would have taken her away from him. And now?”

  He held his hands up. “I’ve gone from one nightmare straight into another. I doubt I’ll ever be free of guilt or be truly happy.”

  Sam appeared. “We’re ready.”

  Jono sniffed. “Two minutes,” he called back.

  Rose left Jono and strode around to the other side of the plane. She saw that Lavanya had been strapped to the floor and she looked drowsy, which was probably the shock of her ordeal taking over. Hopefully she’d sleep on the journey.

  Rose didn’t disturb her but approached Thabiti and asked, “Can you go with Jono? He may need your help in Nairobi. And some support after all he’s been through.”

  “I’ll be his wing man.” Thabiti beamed and handed Mayur’s car keys to Sam.

  Jono sat in the pilot seat, put on his headphones, and checked more dials. Sam pulled Rose and Chloe out of the way and they joined Marina by the car. Thabiti waved and climbed aboard.

  Jono removed his headphones and shouted out of the small window. “Don’t worry, I’ll be back to pick you up.”

  “Wow,” said Chloe. She looked down at her dusty Ugg boots and checked pyjama trousers. “I think I should change, and then, as Thabiti isn’t here to say it, breakfast anyone?”

  Chapter Sixty

  At nine o’clock the catering area was busy with competitors eating breakfast before the prize-giving. They proudly wore their rainbow of coloured team tops. Sam was seated at a table away from the main group and Marina was with him, a holdall on the floor beside her.

  They were both eating breakfast rolls. Sam pushed wrapped breakfast rolls towards Rose and Chloe and two large paper cups.

  “Thanks, Sam,” exclaimed Chloe. “Fantastic, a Dormans cappuccino.”

  “And a Kericho Gold Tea.” Rose was grateful for the warm sweet tea and the roll which she bit into without really tasting. What a morning. She felt light-headed, whether from the mornings events or the lack of food, she was unsure.

  Marina announced, “My family have left me. All that was left in camp was my bag. What a caring bunch they are.”

  Rose placed an arm round her shoulder. “Don’t worry, we’ll organise a lift for you.”

  Sam put his roll down. “I visited Kumar and told him we’d found Lavanya. I said she was injured, so Jono was flying her to Nairobi.”

  Rose cradled her cup. “Oh, well done. I need to see him again, and explain what’s happened. But first I need five minutes’ peace.”

  She sipped her tea and allowed her thoughts to drift. She was aware of Marina and Chloe quizzing Sam about his role in the anti-poaching unit and receiving guarded responses.

  The play Romeo and Juliet came to mind. Feuding families and desperate lovers. Juliet sacrificing herself for the love of Romeo. Rose felt that in the heat of the moment, either Lavanya or Jono could have killed Mayur, but Jono was able to pull himself back from the edge, maybe because he’d already lived so long with the guilt of causing someone’s death.

  Lavanya. Quiet, timid, Lavanya. Cooking, waiting on tables, helping her elderly, injured father-in-law whilst being subjected to physical, verbal and emotional abuse from a bullying husband. Rose couldn’t comprehend the effect of this or how Lavanya could have remained in such a frightening relationship. But she’d helped friends leave violent husbands and several had struggled, even after many years, with the feelings of guilt and inadequacy.

  She had to tell Kumar that his daughter-in-law had killed his son. Would he be entirely surprised? Would he feel any remorse? Could he have averted the tragic event? But that was for his own conscience.

  Lavanya had taken a life which broke the common law and the law of God, whether you followed the Hindu or the Catholic religion. But still, did Lavanya deserve to die as well, or should she swap the confinement of her marriage for that of imprisonment? It would be up to the Kenya legal system and courts now.

  “I’m ready to see Kumar.”

  Sam, Marina, and Chloe looked at her expectantly.

  Chloe asked, “So are you going to tell us who killed Mayur?”

  “Not until after I’ve spoken with Kumar. Marina, can you come with me? Chloe, why don’t you stay with Sam and enjoy the prize-giving? When it’s finished, join us at the Bandit Bush Hog’s camp.”

  Chapter Sixty-One

  Rose entered the partially dismantled Bandit Bush Hog camp. Marina accompanied her, bent under the weight of the holdall she carried over her shoulder. Kumar sat alone in the events shelter with white plastic chairs stacked behind him. The spotted P
VC tablecloth had been removed, leaving a marked wooden trestle table.

  Kumar looked old, and his skin was lined and blotchy. “They’ve all gone. They’ve left me.”

  “Jono and Thabiti will be back soon. I think Sam told you that Lavanya fell off an escarpment and was injured, so she’s been flown to Nairobi for immediate treatment.”

  “But what shall I do? How can I get home?”

  Marina stepped forward and patted Kumar on the shoulder. “I’ll help. I can drive us both back to Nairobi.”

  He looked up at her. “That’s kind of you. You were in the team, weren’t you, with my son? He’s dead now, you know.”

  Marina looked across at Rose with raised eyebrows.

  Rose wondered how she was going to break the news of Lavanya’s betrayal to Kumar when he was in this state. But she had to try. She sat down next to Kumar and laid a hand on his arm. “I know who killed Mayur.”

  “My son,” he cried. “My oldest son.” He turned to Rose. “I failed him, you know.”

  “In what way?” asked Rose, surprised by Kumar’s reaction.

  “I should have been stronger. I should have stood up to him. I should have stood up to his mother.” Kumar turned away from Rose and kneaded his forehead.

  Rose waited patiently.

  Kumar took a deep breath, turned back to Rose and held her gaze. “Mayur was always a difficult child and so full of anger. If he was playing a board game and losing, he’d throw everything on the floor, and if something didn’t work, or he was frustrated, he’d throw it at me or his mother. But rather than chastising him, she always forgave him. She’d hug him and tell him it didn’t matter and give him a biscuit or piece of cake.”

  Kumar tapped his fingers on the table. “He got worse when his brother was born, probably because his mother’s attention was diverted away from him. One day I saw him playing with his toy cars and when he thought I wasn’t watching, he hit his baby brother on the head with a metal truck. And it continued into school, where he was always getting into trouble. I would try and punish him and he’d always run to his mother who told him not to worry and to ignore my punishment. What could I do when I was constantly undermined?”