Maraia threw up both hands, incredulous. ‘He’s a doctor, that’s more than enough, Susie! Status, money. He could certainly show a girl a good time if she didn’t mind the whole of Savusavu knowing, including his family. It’s a small place, as you know. His wife must’ve gone through hell.’
‘Was he prone to outbursts of temper with his girlfriends?’
‘Did he beat them up, you mean? Not that I’ve heard or seen.’
‘Did any of them get pregnant?’
‘I’m not sure about that. If so, he’d have aborted them. Now, that’s something he did keep quiet. He did a lot of D and C procedures that I had my doubts about.’
‘What’s D and C?’
‘Dilation and curettage of the uterus, under general anaesthetic. Sometimes done after a natural miscarriage, and the preferred method of abortion in the first trimester.’
‘That’s a crime in Fiji.’
‘Sure, and he’d be struck off the medical register, too.’ Maraia glanced around the restaurant and leaned across the table. ‘Look, I’d better be careful.’
She now spoke softly, almost whispered. ‘I only know for certain about one of them— a nurse friend, who swore me to silence. Chakra wasn’t responsible for her pregnancy, though. She married the man who was, funnily enough. She had the abortion because she couldn’t bear her parents and the world to know she and her boyfriend were sleeping together. I ask you!’
Maraia paused, then continued thoughtfully. ‘He does have a mean streak, you know. Some time later, this friend resigned and moved to Lautoka with her husband. She told me just before they left that Chakra had been pressuring her for sex since the abortion. Said she was terrified. Did everything she could to avoid him.’
Singh mulled that over for a moment. ‘How does that work? He should have been terrified of her, surely?’
‘Weird, isn’t it? But when you think about it, how could she complain about him without her abortion becoming public knowledge? He’d done what she wanted, at great risk to his career. I had the impression that he enjoyed taking risks, you know. It was all a game to him and he enjoyed it more if the stakes were high.’
‘That fits. He’s a gambler.’
The waiter came to remove their dishes. Maraia ordered a fruit platter and smiled conspiratorially. ‘I don’t want to talk about that sleaze ball any more, Susie. I want to hear all about you working with Joe Horseman! What’s he like? I hope he’s not another sleaze ball.’
Singh was amused at her friend’s anxious face. ‘Not as far as I can tell, Maraia. I’ve a feeling he’s quite the opposite, in fact. So far, and it’s only been three days, he’s the best boss I’ve ever had.’
‘Oh, you’re so cautious! It must be heaven being with such a hunk all day. Is he so hot up close?’
Singh laughed, finally relaxing. ‘Pretty much, I’m pleased to report. But haggard, looks exhausted.’
‘How can you ever concentrate on your job?’
‘I was so nervous on Sunday when I met him, I admit. I thought he’d be another rugby big-head, fast-tracked while I do all the work and keep on being overlooked. But he’s not like that at all. He’s focused on the job, works hard even though I think he’s in pain a lot of the time, treats everyone fairly. Kind, too. You know, he’s starting up a rugby team for the shoe-shine boys and street kids. The keen new DC’s helping him. Trials are in a few days.’
‘How can he be a good detective if he’s so nice?’
‘Ask me when we crack this case, Maraia. I’m off to the Ladies’. Back in a tick. Leave me some fruit.’
Singh stood at the washbasins and sent Horseman a text with Maraia’s information. When she returned to the table, Maraia was eating a piece of red pawpaw. Singh tucked into guava and custard apple. She could enjoy herself now. If her boss didn’t get back to her, she’d ring him as soon as she left the restaurant.
WEDNESDAY
28
SUVA
Dr Vijay Chakra read the post-mortem report and dropped it on the scarred interview room table. He would have been a handsome man ten years ago. Now, his aquiline nose was open-pored, fleshy and bulbous, his jaw and chin flabby, his eyes dark-ringed. His black hair was gelled and slicked straight back from his face without any parting, like some sinister roué from an old Bollywood movie. Horseman wondered if he dyed it.
‘You see, I’m certain that a doctor of your experience must have noticed that Akanisi was pregnant. You wouldn’t have missed that, would you?’ Horseman asked.
‘Well. . . er. . .’ He turned to look round at the paunchy uniformed constable standing by the door, then at Tanielo Musudroka, sitting beside Horseman. He didn’t look at Horseman.
‘Why did you send Akanisi home on sick leave two weeks ago, Doctor?’
Dr Chakra licked his dry lips. ‘Well, I didn’t send her, you know, that was Ian’s decision.’ His voice was shaky, unsure of himself.
‘Mr McKenzie has stated that he simply followed your recommendation, as he invariably does in such matters.’
The doctor looked down his nose at Horseman. ‘Yes, he quite correctly gives staff welfare high priority.’
‘So, let me ask you again. Why did you recommend Akanisi go on immediate sick leave?’
‘I really do feel unable to talk about my patient in detail, Detective Inspector.’
The man was stalling for time, but Horseman needed to hurry. He placed a plastic evidence bag on the table. ‘Foil packaging found among Nisi’s things has traces of Mifepristone, or RU486. What can you tell me about this drug?’
Dr Chakra was quite still for a few moments. Then he sighed. ‘It’s a synthetic steroid, an anti-progestin that blocks one of the hormones necessary to maintain a pregnancy.’
‘Why did you give this drug to Akanisi?’
‘I have not said that I did.’ Damn, the man was getting his poise back fast.
‘But you did give it to her, didn’t you? Where else could she have got it?’
‘Any one of a number of sources, I imagine.’
‘But not legally, not at a pharmacy. Doctor Chakra, you know as well as I do that Mifepristone is not registered for use in Fiji. You are at risk of being struck off the medical register for supplying illegal abortion drugs to a young woman who is now dead.’
The doctor drew himself up straight in his chair and stared at Horseman. ‘You have no evidence that I supplied Mifepristone to the girl! Might I tell you that stupid prohibition, and the ludicrously restrictive abortion laws of these benighted islands, are responsible for more deaths than you are aware of, my dear Detective Inspector. The drug regimen using Mifepristone has been approved for more than fifteen years in France, where it was developed, and is legal throughout Europe, in India, China and now in the United States. In combination with Misoprostol, it’s safe and effective for termination of pregnancies in the early stages when used according to the approved regimen, orally. But no, that’s not good enough for God-fearing Fiji!’ Chakra was back on form now.
‘Interesting information, Doctor. Let’s get back to your patient, Akanisi. Why did she consult you that day two weeks ago, when you sent her on leave?’
Anger blasted through Chakra’s cool packaging. Good, he was more likely to trip up. ‘I wish I’d never found the girl on the reef. If Bill hadn’t insisted on chasing after his golf ball I wouldn’t have. At my own initiative I retrieved the body with great difficulty, did all any doctor could to resuscitate her. I also gave procedural advice to the resort manager who had not a single clue what to do. I would have thought I acted as an exemplary citizen! Possibly even deserved thanks. But no! I’m hounded on the phone when I’m with my family, frogmarched to the police station on my return, threatened, and generally treated as a criminal. The Commissioner will certainly hear from my solicitor about this!’ He thumped his hand on the t
able.
Horseman was genuinely amused by this account of the courteous service he’d given the doctor. ‘Dr Chakra, you know none of that has happened. You are not being treated as a criminal. You’re here at my request but entirely of your own volition. You may leave at any time. Because you discovered the body, you’re a key witness. I’ve been trying to talk to you for four days, and to say the least, have had no cooperation at all from you, your staff and colleagues.’
At this, Chakra’s mouth curled slyly at the corners. Supercilious bastard. ‘Your absence has delayed our progress, because, as Akanisi’s doctor, only you can tell us about her recent state of health. It would be best if you answer my questions directly and honestly. As you’re now aware, Nisi was probably murdered and we must find her killer. The identity of the supplier of this prohibited drug is not necessarily relevant.’
‘Aha, first the stick, now the carrot, Detective Inspector? Surely you’re not offering me inducements?’ The doctor lifted an eyebrow in feigned surprise. His unblinking eyes were expressionless.
‘Not at all, Doctor. Tell me about your acquaintance with Akanisi, professional and otherwise. Please start from the beginning.’
‘Otherwise? My dear Detective Inspector, what are you implying? But of course, you’ve had several days to chat to all the vicious gossips of Paradise resort, haven’t you?’ Chakra smiled, tight-lipped. ‘All of whom, without a doubt, were eager to help their rugby hero.’
This compulsion to indulge in barbs of sarcasm was a weakness he must exploit. ‘Just tell me how the two of you met, and go on from there, Doctor. I can judge what’s relevant.’
‘You can? There’s little to tell, perhaps unfortunately. It’s quite straightforward. About a year ago I did notice a new, pretty young maid at Paradise, I admit. She was stalked by that ludicrous individual, Jona, the dour boatman who, I understand, is her uncle. As I’m a regular visitor I came across her sometimes and passed the time of day, but as she was young and healthy that was the extent of my acquaintance with her. No doubt you’ve heard that many of my visits served as remote-location field experience for medical interns who came to assist me. So my focus was elsewhere.’ The outrageous man then winked conspiratorially at Horseman. Okay, let him run with the ball for a bit.
‘Please go on, Dr Chakra.’
‘I suppose it was about a month ago that the girl came to the clinic. She didn’t have an appointment, just appeared after the last patient had gone. That’s not uncommon when a patient prefers privacy to the nosy concern of colleagues. Naturally, I could see at a glance she was pregnant: gorgeous tits, a bit sallow and thinner. An examination and urine test confirmed my diagnosis. Of course, she must have known too, but when I broke the news, she reacted with terror. I thought she might faint, so I got her to lie down. I asked her about her circumstances, but she didn’t want to confide in me.’
‘But you did see her again. You advised her to take sick leave. What was that about?’
‘Yes, she came to see me again at the next clinic, two weeks later. She complained of fatigue, loss of appetite, constant nausea and vomiting. She’d lost two kilos since her last visit, so I recommended a week’s sick leave. She’s from Delanarua Island so she could easily go home. I expected her symptoms, common enough in early pregnancy, would be easing off after another week or so and time away from a physically active job would help.’
‘Did you prescribe Akanisi any drugs, any medicine at all?’
‘Anti-nausea drugs are no longer recommended in pregnancy because of safety concerns. She didn’t need any medicine. I did advise her to eat regular small meals of carbohydrates and to drink water and tea. That’s about it.’
Chakra came across as the competent and caring professional, but Horseman didn’t believe his story for a moment. It was not feasible that Nisi had obtained abortion drugs from anyone else.
‘Can you answer yes or no to my question, Doctor? Did you prescribe Akanisi any drugs, any medicine at all?’
A beat and a blink. ‘As I’ve said, or at least implied, no.’ The man was lying.
Horseman continued. ‘I understand you were on Paradise Island last Friday, Dr Chakra.’
‘Yes, Ian invited me for the Saturday celebrations and I arrived Friday afternoon. But that wasn’t my clinic day.’
‘On Friday evening Akanisi knocked on your bure door and you admitted her. I had assumed that was an irregular consultation. Are you telling me that her visit was just a social call?’
Now Chakra’s wariness returned. ‘Social call? Of course not. She simply wanted to tell me how she was after her leave. I could hardly turn her away.’
‘What did she have to tell you?’
A pause. ‘As I said, I have great difficulty reporting my patients’ confidential consultations to the police, or indeed, to anyone.’
‘You see, Dr Chakra, more than one colleague noticed Akanisi was not well last Friday—she seemed to be in pain, and suffering dizzy spells. Did she mention that? Was she worried about herself?’
For a moment the doctor glared at him, looked like he was about to throw a punch. But only for a moment. Then he resumed his amused, superior tone. ‘My word, you’ve been busy with your homework, Detective Inspector.’
Horseman failed to respond, and Dr Chakra eventually continued. ‘The girl told me she’d miscarried while she was on Delanarua. She did complain of abdominal cramps, which I thought were normal post-partum contractions. I gave her some paracetamol and asked her to come to the next clinic for a check-up. That should have been tomorrow’s clinic.’
‘Anything else?’
‘I beg your pardon?’
‘Did she mention anything apart from the abdominal cramps?’
‘Do you really think you’re competent to evaluate my medical consultations, old boy? I speak with the utmost respect, of course. Merely curious.’
‘And I merely want to know what Akanisi told you about eighteen hours before she died.’
Dr Chakra swallowed. ‘She mentioned some dizziness. She had a slight fever, which probably caused the dizziness. The paracetamol would take care of the fever nicely. I spoke to her briefly at breakfast the next morning, and she reported feeling much better.’
‘How did Akanisi feel about the miscarriage?’
‘Relieved and happy.’
‘And you felt the same, did you?’
‘I was satisfied the outcome was what she wanted. What are you suggesting?’
‘That it may have been your idea to terminate the pregnancy by means of drugs. I showed you the foil packaging for Mifepristone we found in her room.’
The doctor’s eyebrows shot up, enlarging the purplish black stain around his eyes. ‘And why would I do that?’
‘It seems that you are in the habit of seducing pretty young girls, Doctor Chakra. I’m suggesting that you seduced Akanisi, got her pregnant, and persuaded her to have an abortion.’
The insufferable man seemed genuinely amused. He smiled, then broke into chuckles, shaking his head in disbelief.
‘Detective Inspector Horseman, you can knock that one on the head. You see, I’ve had a vasectomy, and am totally infertile. Have been so for twelve years. No doubt you’ll want to confirm that with Dr Krishna at Suva Hospital. You see, I’m quite immune to extortion attempts by scheming little bitches who think I’ll support another man’s child!’
He threw up his hands, triumphant, the clever magician inviting applause and admiration.
29
SUVA
The application for a warrant to search both Dr Chakra’s surgery premises and his house for evidence of illegal drugs was awaiting the magistrate’s urgent attention. Horseman decided to review progress with Singh and Taleca over lunch, leaving Musudroka with the phones and faxes and strict orders to alert them when news of the warrant came i
n.
It was too early for the Hari Krishna to be busy. Horseman, Singh and Taleca settled at a corner table, their stainless steel trays loaded with small bowls of curries, dhal and sambals. The proprietor brought rice and a basket of naan bread. The spicy smells and warm colours of the food distracted Horseman just a little from his black mood. Taleca, quite unable to eat anything without thanking his Maker, bowed his head, lips moving silently. The other two, more secular, waited until he looked up and grinned.
‘Smells good, eh? What are we waiting for?’
Horseman had thought he was too churned up to eat but the thick, salty dhal and creamy paneer worked their magic, relaxing him despite himself. He had disliked Chakra before he’d met him, but the interview had provoked him to anger, not a recommended reaction for detectives.
‘You know what annoys me most about Chakra’s story of Nisi’s visit last Friday night?’ Horseman asked rhetorically.
‘What boss?’ Taleca obligingly asked.
‘I was certain she’d been murdered. But what Chakra told me casts doubt on that, doesn’t it?’
Taleca broke the silence. ‘Your thoughts, boss?’
‘Let’s just think it through. If she’d been feverish, and I can’t think why Chakra would invent that, perhaps she fell in a faint, perhaps from the jetty or sea wall, knocked her head on a rock, and the tide swept her out to sea. Matt thinks it’s unlikely she injured her head by falling, but he can’t be totally certain. It’s surely in Chakra’s interest to make light of her condition. It may well have been more serious than he knew or was prepared to tell. How could we know?’
Taleca said, ‘Boss, the tide was already ebbing when the chief’s boat began its circumnavigation of the island. Remember on Tuesday we had to move our boat from the end of the sea wall around the point to the main jetty? The sea wall landing is dry at low tide. If she’d fallen from there, probably the water was too shallow to carry her out.’
‘Good point, Keli. When we get back, double-check where the water levels at the wall and jetty would have been between three-thirty and five o’clock, will you?’ He looked around the table. ‘Now, let me eat while I listen to you two.’
DEATH ON PARADISE ISLAND: Fiji Islands Mysteries 1 Page 18
