Death by Tradition: Fiji Islands Mysteries 2

by B. M. Allsopp

  Tomasi covered his face with both hands, sat in silence for a full minute. His shoulders trembled.

  Horseman missed Singh’s velvet fist. Thinking of her, he softened his voice. ‘Constable Tomasi Kana, tell me what you did with the club.’

  Tomasi lifted his face and exhaled a shuddering breath. ‘I brought it back in the sports bag as I said before. I took it to the chief’s house. Ilai came out and received the bag from me. I did not see Ratu Osea at that time.’

  ‘Well done. Don’t you feel better already now you’re starting to tell the truth?’

  ‘No, I feel ashamed. You forced me to betray my chief!’

  ‘Tell me why you delivered the bag to the chief’s house.’

  Tomasi dropped his head into his hands again. ‘Because he asked me to.’ His spoke in a hoarse whisper.

  ‘When was this?’

  ‘About ten days before the theft.’

  ‘Did Ratu Osea tell you when and how to steal the club?’

  ‘No, he left it to me. He asked me to help him and gave me a picture of the club and a brochure with a plan of the museum, marked with the position of the club. I was very surprised, but I also felt honoured to be entrusted with a challenging task by my chief.’

  ‘Did he trust you with his reasons for taking the club?’

  ‘He told me it was crucial to his mission to atone for the sin of our ancestors who killed Rev. Weston.’

  ‘That’s rather vague, Tomasi. Anything specific about how he was going to atone—like murdering Viliame?’

  ‘No, sir! That is outrageous! Ratu Osea didn’t tell me more, and I could hardly be so disrespectful as to question him. Imagine! Perhaps you can’t imagine, as you are a part European and have no chief.’

  A low blow. Good. Horseman shrugged and smiled. ‘Maybe. Did the chief ask you to kill Viliame for him?’

  ‘Never!’

  ‘Did Ilai know about your mission for the chief? After all, it’s Ilai’s role to execute his wishes, isn’t it?’

  ‘Io, but all have different expertise, which Ratu Osea knows well. I assumed he chose me because as a police officer, I would know how it could be done and who could do it. Whether the chief confided in Ilai, I have no idea. Ilai has never spoken to me about the matter.’

  ‘Did the chief kill Viliame, or did he ask someone else to do that job for him too?’

  ‘I don’t know who killed Viliame!’

  ‘Were you disappointed Ratu Osea did not choose you to kill Vili?’

  ‘No! He didn’t! Kill Vili, I mean.’

  ‘What has happened to Kelera?’

  ‘Kelera? I know nothing about her. I respect her. She’s the pastor’s daughter and a teacher.’

  ‘She’s also very pretty. A sight for sore eyes. There must be a few men who enjoyed watching her going about her business.’

  Tomasi shrugged.

  ‘Be honest, man. You notice things in the village. You observed a man keeping a close eye on Kelera, didn’t you? Gazing at her in church. Always chancing to cross her path.’

  Tomasi seemed to consider this for a while.

  ‘Is Kelera alive?’ Horseman asked.

  ‘I don’t know. I pray she is.’

  ‘As I do, Tomasi. But as time passes, it’s looking less likely.’

  ‘I did all I could. I was searching until Sergeant Singh tricked me! She said you wanted my help.’ He looked wounded.

  ‘I did and I still do. I need your help badly. And I know you can help me more than you have so far. Time is running out for Kelera. We must save her.’

  The anger drained from Tomasi’s face. ‘All I can do is pray.’

  Did he know it was already too late? ‘No, you can do more, Tomasi. You can tell me two things: what you know and what you suspect!’

  ***

  Horseman joined Navala for a late breakfast at Ollie’s Oven, half a block up the hill. The super’s breakfast preference ran to tea and fresh warm buns, so Ollie’s was his favourite retreat. They sat with mugs of tea and cinnamon fruit buns at the front, where the old-fashioned louvres wafted cool air into the bakery.

  ‘I got annoyed yesterday, Joe. I had to do something about that. So I called a clerk in the Clan Registry—a friend of my wife. I must confess I did pull rank. Successfully this time. Emeli agreed to open up the office for me and helped me find what we need. She did all the work. When I praised her efficiency, she told me it was easy because it was the second time someone had come to research Viliame Bovoro’s ancestry recently.’

  ‘Really? Someone from Tanoa?’

  ‘Well yes, but it was Vili himself. Emeli showed me the record book they keep of visitors’ enquiries, so his interest in his descent is verified. To cut a long story short, Vili’s grandmother and great-aunts were the last generation of the clan before it was declared extinct because there were no male descendants. Just chance that only females of that generation survived. Two of them married in Tanoa, but the others ended up in other villages. Most of their land was not used for agriculture, being remote and hilly, but there was a large area of government mahogany leases. These, along with the land itself, reverted to the chief, who was Ratu Osea’s father.

  ‘Now, this sounds shonky to me, but Emeli insisted that it was usual practice. Nothing illegal. Nevertheless, these days, the younger generation often feels resentful when they find out such things. Influenced as they are by Britain and America, they are keen to feel cheated and to express that. Their own Fijian customs can seem strange to them.’

  ‘What’s your conclusion, sir?’

  ‘As this extinction and reversion was not illegal, there’s no motive for the chief to murder Vili. No crime for Vili to expose. No reason for the chief to fear exposure. Don’t you agree?’

  ‘Logically, yes. We have to consider Ratu Osea’s personality, too. He’s reserved, as expected of chiefs. But he has an odd intensity when he talks about his pet project, today’s ceremony. Like an obsession. He seems far more concerned with that than with either a village murder or a young woman’s disappearance. He’s quite calm about those. Don’t Tomasi’s claims justify us cancelling the ceremony and questioning both Ratu Osea and Ilai immediately?’

  ‘Your assessment carries weight with me, Joe. You know that. But we need evidence. I can’t agree, based on what Tomasi’s given us to date. You’d be bringing a landslide down on your head. We wait until after the ceremonies and then question them both. I bet we get nothing out of either of them.’

  ‘Yes, sir.’ Horseman was disappointed, but understood the super’s decision was prudent.

  ‘Sir, my second request is to fingerprint everyone in the village today. It’s the only way of finding who the watcher is. Not until after the ceremonies are over, goes without saying.’

  ‘Joe, the grounds are not sufficient. Whoever used that hideout may not have killed Vili. I understand how keen you all are to crack this one, but you’re getting ahead of yourselves, rushing in…’

  ‘Where angels fear to tread, sir?’

  Navala shrugged, one corner of his mouth creased. ‘Did it myself last Friday night. We all do it sometimes. That’s why I’m here. To stop you repeating my mistakes.’

  38

  She lay before the simple cross at the front of the church, arms outstretched, in the black blouse and gathered skirt she put on for the funeral of her beloved. A livid mark circled her neck, abrading her skin in places. Surely the silver chain still around her neck could not have done that? It was quite fine and would break. Beneath her was a fine pandanus mat, newly woven for the special service later today. There was no blood.

  Kelera’s mother had found her when she came to arrange the fresh flowers she’d picked herself. By the time Singh crossed the footbridge, Pastor Joni was waiting to tell them his daughter was found. She had returned to them.

  Singh’s heart lurched. She had failed this good family. Failed to protect this young woman whom she admired and liked, failed to save her from evil. Mere was right: evil h
ad once again killed good. Singh had failed to recognise the human face of evil, although she must have seen him, spoken to him, perhaps shared a cup of tea with him and smiled.

  When she entered the church with Pastor Joni, Mere and the younger children were sitting on the floor around Kelera, eyes closed, weeping. Singh waited in silence for a minute. She grasped the pastor’s hand. Would he understand?

  He held her hand and met her eyes. When he spoke, his voice shook as he repressed sobs. ‘You have a most important job to do. We depend on you, Susila. Mere and I both know that.’ He released her hand and went to his wife, put his arm around her shoulders, and spoke softly. Mere got up and took Singh by both hands. When she looked into Mere’s beseeching eyes, she could not speak; her lips trembled. Mere pulled her into a hug and rocked her gently. The older woman’s soft body, convulsing quietly, gave Singh resolve.

  Singh wriggled out of the hug. ‘I will find who did this, Mere. I will seek out this evil. Kelera was the finest of—’ She bit her lip hard.

  Mere nodded, trusting her. ‘You are too, my dear.’

  Singh forced a deep breath. ‘Have you moved her?’

  Mere shook her head. ‘We know that’s important.’

  ‘I’ll ask you to move further away from her in a minute or two. Constable Musudroka and the other constables will take a good look around the church, if you don’t object. Then, it would be best if you sat by the wall while we examine the area around her, or you may leave the church. It’s up to you.’

  The pastor put his arm around his wife’s shoulders. ‘Thank you. God bless you in your work. We’ll pray here until you wish us to leave.’

  ‘This new radio equipment is a blessing. I’ll contact Inspector Horseman now. He’ll send in the specialists.’

  Mere and the pastor nodded. Their children wept.

  Before she left them to their prayers, Singh had to ask, ‘Does Ratu Osea know about Kelera yet?’

  ‘Yes, I told him straight away. I thought he might still be in Suva with our special guests, but I found him in his house. Apparently he returned to Tanoa last night. It must have been late, because I didn’t see him pass my office window while I was working there after dinner.’ He paused, looked up as if trying to recall the question.

  ‘Where was I? Yes, Ratu Osea was as shocked as I. He enquired whether I could conduct the church service today and I replied that of course I could. What could be more comforting than worship with my family and congregation?’

  ‘Many thanks, pastor. We’ll start our work now.’ She signalled to Musudroka and gave him instructions.

  When her personal radio failed to get through, she returned to the vehicle where the more powerful transmitter connected right away.

  ‘Bad news, sir. Mere Tora found Kelera dead in the church this morning. Looks like she’s been strangled. She’s arranged in the same posture as Vili. Exactly the same.’

  ‘Poor, brave Kelera. Thank God for this radio. Has Ratu Osea arrived yet?’

  ‘Yes, Pastor Joni told him. He apparently returned late last night. The ceremony is going ahead.’

  ‘Hmm, can’t really call it off now with the VIPs already on their way, can they? Susie, we have to know when Kelera died. It’s a shame Matt Young’s away, he’s the only doctor I trust for an accurate opinion.’

  ‘Can we get him back, sir?’

  ‘I’ll look into it. We can’t leave Kelera in Tanoa. I’ll find the best available doctor. Ash will organise a team from SOC and Forensics.’

  ‘It’s Sunday,’ she reminded him.

  ‘We must respond as if it’s Monday! Do we let the killer get away just because it’s Sunday? Sorry Susie, I’m just frustrated. I’ll let you know when the team leaves. What’s your plan now?’

  Still shocked, she had to wing it. Never her preferred way. ‘Tanielo and the uniforms are starting a preliminary sweep of the church right now. They’ll expand from there if they can. The church service will go ahead, but I’ll ask Ratu Osea to hold it somewhere else. Kelera’s parents want to help, so I’ll talk to them some more. Ratu Osea and Ilai are my priorities for questioning. I’ll do my best, but I don’t hold any hope of full disclosure there.’

  ‘Neither do I. Probably one of them is our killer, but this is the worst day for forcing their hand. The super says there’s not enough evidence to bring them in, nor to fingerprint them or the whole village. He’s right. We’ll get that evidence today, though.’

  ‘Sir, I’ve talked to everyone the last few days, because of the search. They’re quiet people, but cooperative. I can’t imagine any of them committing these horrors. Someone did, however.’

  ‘As I told Tani last Monday, this killer is clever, organised, and bold. He holds the police in contempt.’

  ‘Mere would say evil holds good in contempt.’

  ‘Yep, the devil disguised as an angel. Keep an open mind, Susie. We can’t dismiss anyone without a proven alibi. Ratu Osea and Ilai are the front runners, but really, we know so little about Tanoa. ’

  ‘Agreed. Out.’ She felt like a fraud. Completely inadequate to fight evil, no matter how good at heart she might be. And she wasn’t even confident of that. But the boss and the others would fight for her, she knew. Horseman’s immediate reaction was focused on solving the problem, not fussing about whether he could cope or not. She must be more like him. Singh took a deep breath, bracing herself for her greatest challenge yet. She would just do it.

  39

  What a total idiot he was! He should have foreseen the worst and been prepared for it! Melissa had offered time after time to postpone her holiday because this bizarre case needed 100 percent of him. Why had he stubbornly refused to listen? So vain he thought he was superman? But, the job being what it was, he’d been afraid. It would just keep on being postponed until one or other of them, or perhaps both, would cool off. In the end, they would decide that such a long-distance relationship was doomed and do the sensible thing. Remain friends. That had happened to him before, and it wasn’t how he wanted it to be with Melissa.

  At this very moment, Melissa was leaving Suva with the other guests, travelling to a village where a murderer had killed twice in eight days. Yesterday he had the creepy feeling that he was a fly lured by a cunning spider. So today, had he flung Melissa into the web? Effectively saying, ‘Take her instead of me?’ He was disgusted with himself and frightened for Melissa.

  And what about Susie? The super said she was capable of running the Tanoa scene and so she was. But he was IO. He was responsible, and he would not lead from behind, feeding his troops to the enemy. He must get to Tanoa fast.

  He phoned Matt Young, who was lazing at Paradise Island resort. Dr Young could be at Suva hospital to start the post-mortem at three o’clock. He suggested a pathology trainee who lived at the Fiji School of Medicine campus where there was an equipped Land Cruiser. Luckily, Dr Krishna agreed to leave for Tanoa right away and also to transport the body back to the hospital. No problem.

  Ash wasn’t happy about being called from home on Sunday, but he promised to rally his SOC team together and set out within the hour. The super left in the middle of his church service to coordinate from the station. He commandeered extra uniforms and a detective constable, who piled into Horseman’s vehicle. They hit the road at eleven o’clock.

  40

  When Kelera’s family finished their prayers, they moved aside and sat next to the wall. Singh knew it would be better for everyone if they returned home, but she couldn’t order them to leave. She wouldn’t. They sat and watched the police begin their thorough search. Mere Tora was mesmerised by the process of measuring, taping, labelling, dusting for fingerprints. Suffering from deep shock after days of anxiety and fear, she seemed in a daze.

  Suddenly she leapt up and swiped a brush from one of the constables.

  ‘I can do this, you know. I’d like to help. You’ll finish quicker with more helpers. Come on, children, Joni. We can all do this!’ She got down on her knees and started swe
eping a square of floor, numbered B4.

  Pastor Joni quickly followed and touched her shoulder. ‘Mere, this is a job for the police. I don’t think we’re allowed to help, are we?’ He looked at Singh.

  ‘You’d probably do a better job than me, Mrs Tora, but your husband is correct. Perhaps it would be better if you went home now.’

  ‘Bring our children home, Mere. This is not the place for them.’ The pastor held her shoulders. She looked at him as if surprised to see him there.

  ‘Io, Joni. Come children.’

  The family walked to the door together. As the pastor opened it wide, Mrs Tora turned around. ‘How about a pot of tea for you all? You’ll be ready for it soon, I bet.’

  ‘That’s very kind of you and would be most welcome, Mrs Tora. But only if you’re making it anyway.’

  ‘Oh yes, my dear. I think we need a cup of sweet tea. Kelera’s sister will help me.’

  ‘Vinaka vakalevu, Mrs Tora.’

  The family held their hands together and bowed before they left the church. Were they bowing to God or to Kelera? Singh got a bit confused about the different customs of the various Christian churches, but she had the notion that Methodists did not bow or curtsey to God. That was the Catholics. They must be paying their respects to Kelera.

  Ash and the SOCOs wouldn’t be here for another ninety minutes. She’d supervise her team in the church for another fifteen minutes, then Musudroka could take over. Then tea and a talk with Pastor Joni and his family. They were going through hell, but they had their faith to see them through. Singh thought it would.

  Her next priority was to speak to Ratu Osea and Ilai. Would they consent to that? The super had got nothing from the chief. Horseman had got nothing, apart from tea at the Fiji Regiment Club. She had no choice but to try.

  She took Mere’s overloaded tea tray back to the church for the men to help themselves, then returned to the pastor’s house. Pastor Joni was on autopilot. He sliced bread, spread it with jam, cut it into neat triangles, arranged it on a plate which he placed on the table. His wife poured mugs of tea and passed the sugar to Singh. She seemed to have recovered some of her competence.