by Dan Fletcher
“This isn’t a joke Counsellor. You better not be holding out on me.”
Wei waited for his caddy to place another ball in front of him and move away before replying, “There is nothing to worry about. I spoke to the buyer this morning. Everything is in hand.” He lined himself up for the shot and took a practise swing, “Although he wasn’t happy to hear about the two missing items.”
He allowed Wei to take the second attempt without interruption and the ball landed just beyond Maliki’s drive. The Counsellor held the club out to be taken and they set off down the fairway with the caddies trailing some way behind.
“They will be made up in the next shipment.” Maliki’s lip twitched, “I already have my man working on it.”
Wei glanced over his shoulder and then spoke quietly, “I take it that this is the same man that let the baby elephant live?”
“What elephant?”
“The one with her picture on the front page of this morning’s newspaper.” Wei raised his eyebrows, a smug look on his face, “The one that was rescued in the Maasai Mara and brought to the orphanage yesterday. According to the report poachers killed the other ten members of the herd and then fled into Tanzania with the ivory. Your man must be getting sloppy, leaving the calf alive has brought a lot of unwanted attention.”
Bloody Gupta, Maliki had known that there was something he wasn’t telling him. Maybe it was time for the old fool to retire after all.
He maintained his composure, “What makes you think that it has anything to do with us? We were in Mombasa yesterday.”
“I just thought...”
Maliki cut him short, “Well don’t! It’s my job to do the thinking around here. If there’s ever a problem then I’ll deal with it. You just make sure that I get paid or it will be you that the papers are writing about.”
Wei opened his mouth as if to say something but must have thought better of it. Maliki lengthened his stride and headed towards his ball. Distracted by the story about the elephant he scuffed his shot and it fell well short of the green.
*****
Maliki barged past the sergeant into Deputy Director Tanui’s office. He slammed a copy of the ‘Daily Nation’ onto the desk in front of Tanui. A picture of the baby elephant being fed milk by her keeper with Dame Daphne occupied most of the front page. The caption at the top in bold capitals read ‘LEFT TO DIE BY POACHERS’.
Maliki gripped the edge of the desk with both hands and leant towards him, “What’s all this about an orphaned elephant?”
Tanui nodded to Ngozi, “That will be all Sergeant. Please close the door on your way out.”
“Yes sir.”
Maliki caught the Sergeant’s perplexed expression as he left the room. The door closed softly behind him and he turned his attention back to Tanui.
“Tell me why I have to read this in the paper instead of hearing about it from you?”
“I tried to call but your secretary told me that you were unavailable. You should check your messages.” He looked Maliki up and down and raised an eyebrow, “But I guess that you were too busy playing golf.”
Maliki cursed himself for not stopping to get changed before going to see the Deputy Director. The wily old fox must have noticed the grass stains on his trousers.
Tanui stood up and walked over to the bureaux next to his desk. He poured a cup of filtered coffee from the jug being kept warm on a hot plate and returned to his seat. Tanui nursed the cup in both hands and slurped the filthy liquid. The fact that none was offered to Maliki didn’t go unnoticed. His lip twitched, the Kikuyu bastard was trying to wind him up.
Maliki gripped the desk and his knuckles turned white. Forcing himself to relax he released his hold. He walked over to the coffee machine and helped himself before occupying one of the seats in front of Tanui. Like the rest of the office it was bought on a budget and about as uncomfortable as it looked. The metal frame dug into his shoulder blades through the thin foam padding.
Maliki swallowed, the coffee tasted like shit and was lukewarm. Pretending to drop the cup as he put it down Maliki spilled the contents over Tanui’s paperwork.
“How very clumsy of me. What a mess,” he picked up some of the papers and started using them to mop up the rest of the spillage. He locked eyes with Tanui, “But then accidents do tend to happen when you least expect them. Don’t they?”
The Deputy Director pretended not to notice the threat. But Maliki could tell by the short intake of breath that his words had the desired effect.
Tanui’s tone was more respectful this time when he spoke, “Why is the baby elephant so important?”
“The elephant is irrelevant. What I’m concerned about is the press snooping around the place, twisting the facts and stirring up trouble for us. How did they get hold of the story so quickly?”
“The reporter happened to be here when the orphan was brought in.”
“And you let him in?”
“What else was I supposed to do? If I had denied him access then it would have fuelled his suspicions.” Tanui gave him a strange look, “He already thinks that someone in the department is working with the poachers.”
“Does he now?” Maliki’s lip twitched and he scratched at the scars on his face, “Is this the same reporter who wrote this rubbish? I’m guessing he’s freelance.”
Tanui nodded, “Aaron Bernstein, he’s writing an article for the National Geographic.”
“Did you check his credentials?” There was every chance that this Bernstein wasn’t who he claimed to be. The American Ambassador was putting serious pressure on President Moi’s government to clamp down on poaching. On top of that the CIA had hired reporters before to investigate the election fixing.
“Of course I did,” Tanui took another noisy sip of coffee. The tasteless fool actually looked like he might be enjoying it. “He checks out, the New York office told me that he was on assignment for them.”
“And they gave you a description?”
“Yes, they even faxed over the photograph page of his passport.” Tanui pointed to a file that had somehow escaped the onslaught of coffee.
“Good,” the twitch wasn’t so bad this time. “Get me a copy and I’ll have my people do some digging. You can never be too careful these days.”
Tanui shook his head, “I don't think that’s necessary.”
“Do I really have to remind you who you are talking to?” He said the words through gritted teeth.
“I guess not.” Tanui shrugged, “It doesn’t matter anyway. You won’t find out any more than I’ve already told you.”
“For your sake you’d better hope not,” Maliki thought about the pain he would like to inflict on the Deputy Director. “Now hurry up with that file.”
“Give me a minute,” grunted Tanui. He picked up the document, “The photocopier is out in the corridor.”
Maliki remembered something else that he wanted to ask. It would save him from reading the official report. He stopped Tanui before he went out the door.
“In the article it says that Rangers who were tracking the herd found the elephant and brought her in but it doesn’t mention any names. Who was in charge?”
The Deputy Director frowned before speaking, “Nbeke, Captain David Nbeke.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Sheldrick Animal Orphanage, Nairobi
August 11th, 1996
David followed Benjamin along a wide path that cut through the dense forest surrounding them. The ground was churned up to mark the recent passing of the herd and a few of the trees along the route also showed signs of their attention. The bark stripped off the lower part of the trunks where they had stopped to sharpen their tusks and feed. He had come to check on how Ella was doing before he left, but she was on an outing with the rest of the orphans. The keeper was kind enough to show him where they were. On the way he explained that the daily treks were a vital part of the integration process for the elephants, both with nature and each other. Learning social skills as well as thei
r way around the different plants.
After a short walk they came to a point where the trees opened up and the track entered a clearing, a dusty patch of red soil. The twenty-something orphans were playing and cavorting about, chasing and blowing dust at one another, all except Ella. She was clinging to Mishak’s side for dear life, nuzzling him with her trunk. A chequered blanket covered her back, large brightly coloured squares roughly stitched together. Mishak was trying to steer her towards the others but she was having none of it and kept pushing him in the opposite direction. Six other keepers were in attendance, shepherding their flock. Including Julias, the other keeper who had escorted Ella from the Mara.
“I’ll leave you to it then.”
“Thanks Ben.”
Benjamin was one of those names that always got shortened whether the owner wanted it to be or not, there were just too many syllables.
David watched Benjamin disappear back down the track before heading over towards Mishak and Ella. He stopped about twenty yards away, not wanting to spook her any more than she already appeared to be.
Mishak beckoned him to come closer, “Come and help me get her nearer to the others. Go around the other side and spread your arms, make yourself big.”
David followed Mishak’s instructions but Ella was being stubborn. He soon realised that trying to make the two hundred and fifty kilo animal move when it didn’t want to was futile. Fortunately so did Mishak.
“That’s enough for today, we’ll try again tomorrow,” Mishak was puffing and panting from the effort.
“Why’s she wearing the blanket?”
“We give them the blanket as a reward for good behaviour. Normally the others respect the one wearing it and give them special attention.” He sighed, “But not today, some of them have even been trying to take it off her. I’ve never seen them do that before.”
“How’s she doing generally?”
Mishak tipped his head towards her and stroked Ella’s back, she rumbled appreciatively, “She’s feeding well enough but every time she goes near the others they try to chase her away. Her fear frightens them and they can still smell the death of the others, even though we have washed her many times.”
“When will you know if she’s going to be OK?”
“She needs to be accepted in the next few days, a week at the most or she will stop feeding.” Mishak shook his head and looked pitiful, “I’ve seen it happen before. Elephants are even more social than humans. If Ella doesn’t find affection soon, someone to replace her mother, then she will lose the will to live and there will be nothing we can do except pray for her.”
He bid Mishak and Ella well before leaving the keeper with his charge and heading back towards the orphanage. There seemed little point getting into a theological debate with Mishak but praying didn’t seem to do much good.
He was so lost in thought that Dr Brennan startled him. “Captain Nbeke,” she rushed out of one of the stable doors with a syringe in her hand. “I was hoping to catch you.”
David spread his arms in mock surrender, “Is that some kind of truth serum?”
“This?” Dr Brennan held up the thick two-inch needle and looked at it. Her smile was wicked, “No this one will only knock you out, it’s just an elephant tranquilizer.” She hid the scary looking syringe behind her back, “Seriously though, I wanted to apologise for what I said to you yesterday. It was bang out of order.”
David found himself wondering what kind of figure lay beneath the over-sized lab coat. Her prominent cheekbones, graceful neckline and slender wrists suggested that it was slim and athletic, but it was hard to tell. She was wearing dark blue jeans, a small portion of them visible between her white coattails and green wellingtons. Her thick auburn hair was tied back in a bun and she didn’t appear to be wearing any make-up. Her rose coloured lips and striking emerald eyes didn’t need the enhancement of cosmetics, she looked stunning.
He didn’t say anything so she continued, “I’m really sorry. Sometimes I forget to engage my brain before opening my mouth, it’s a terrible habit.” She pleaded with her eyes, “No hard feelings?”
He shrugged as if it didn’t matter, “What made you change your mind?” He guessed that it was as a result of speaking to Bernstein.
“I was talking to Mishak and few of the other keepers. Apparently you’re one of the good guys.” She frowned, more to herself than at him, “I just get so angry, you know?”
David nodded but felt little empathy. She hadn’t seen the corpse of Ella’s butchered mother or watched her own father being murdered.
He decided to be polite, “It’s good to be passionate Dr Brennan. Too many people simply don’t care. Let’s just pretend it never happened.”
“Thanks for being so understanding.” Her face widened into a smile and her eyes seemed to sparkle, “And please call me Caitlyn.” Maybe it was his imagination but David got the impression that she was flirting with him. He liked this Dr Brennan much better than the one from yesterday.
“OK, Caitlyn.” He realised that his smile probably looked stupid and wiped it away, “Out of interest can you tell me where you got your figure from?”
“What figure?”
He raised an eyebrow, “The one about the levels of poaching?”
“Oh,” her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment. She laughed nervously. “I should have remembered really shouldn’t I? The statistics came from a friend of mine who works with the ‘Friends of the Maasai Mara’. Have you heard of them?”
David nodded. They were a voluntary group who supported the rangers’ efforts by keeping tabs on the numbers of rhino and elephant in the reserve. He had seen their vehicles a few times whilst out on patrol in the park.
“He told me that there are only twenty-three black rhino left in the country. All thanks to old men wanting to get a hard on,” her cheeks flushed even redder. “Sorry there I go again getting carried away, but it’s just ridiculous.”
“Please stop apologising,” he was smiling at her again. “And it’s worse than ridiculous, it’s barbaric.”
Her eyes seemed to be searching his soul for something, “Do you think that someone in the KWS could actually be involved?”
“I hope not,” he sighed. “But who knows? Some people will do anything for money.”
Caitlyn glanced towards the stable door, “I’d better get back, there’s a sedated patient in there that needs a bullet removing.”
“Nothing life-threatening I hope?”
“No, it’s been in there a while but the scar tissue building up around it might cause problems. So we’re taking it out as a precaution.” She made it sound easy.
“Before you go, would you mind telling me the name of your friend and where I might find them?”
“You mean the one that works for the ‘Friends of the Maasai Mara?” She smiled, “You’re not going to have them arrested are you?”
David grinned. That settled it then. She had definitely been talking to Bernstein. He found himself wondering what kind of relationship they had.
“I just want to talk to them about an idea I’ve had, see whether they might be able to help.”
“Help with what?”
“I’d rather not say at the moment, not until I’ve spoken to them at least.”
“How mysterious.” Then she frowned, “Are you going to try and catch whoever’s responsible?”
David had to think about it, “At this stage I’m not really sure but a lot will depend on what your friend has got to say.”
“His name’s Spencer, Spencer Scott. He’s a great guy but a bit rough around the edges.” She smiled briefly, “Thinking about it you two will probably get on like a house on fire.”
The expression she used made him think about the barn, the heat of the flames and his father lying dead in the dirt. His face must have betrayed his emotions.
“Are you OK?” she touched his elbow. Her fingertips sent Goosebumps up his arm. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost or something.
”
“I’m fine,” he forced a smile. “How can I get hold of him?”
“He’s usually out in the bush, but the Fund own a lodge near Emurutoto, on the road leading to Oloolola Gate. Someone there will know where he is.” She released his arm, “I really should get going. The sedative will have kicked in by now. Hopefully I’ll see you again some time.”
“I’ll drop in the next time I’m in town,” he promised. “And thanks for the contact.”
Caitlyn was already heading for the stalls but she stopped and turned around to face him wearing a frown, “No problem, you just take care of yourself, I’d feel partly responsible if something bad were to happen to you.”
“Don’t worry I’ll be fine,” he replied, but her back was already turned. David wished that he really were that confident. The feeling of impending doom had been growing ever since finding little Ella.
*****
He slammed the door shut on the battered Nissan and headed across the busy car lot towards the main building. A busload of school children on a day trip was disembarking near the Veterinary Centre, kids of around five or six with backpacks. Wearing navy blue uniforms and white sunhats, all smiles and energy. One of the teachers, a bald headed man with horn-rimmed spectacles, was struggling to do a head count whilst two of his female colleagues tried to round up the rowdy rabble into some sort of line. It reminded David of the school trip he’d been on to Nairobi, the anticipation and excitement they all felt as they entered the city.
But that was before it happened. There hadn’t been many happy times since then, apart from when he was accepted into the Service. Even that was tainted by the guilt he felt leaving his mother and sister behind at the Mission with Aunty Farisi. They were both well looked after and he visited them as often as possible but David still felt that in some way he had abandoned them. His experiences seemed to be divided into two distinct categories, before and after his father’s death.
