Rhino Charge Page 3

  “Thank you, Lavanya,” said Marina as the attractive Indian lady brought some ice, bundled in a tea towel.

  Rose was about to place it on Marina’s bruised eye when she heard Mayur declare, “I tell you, this was deliberate. Deepak Seth is bound to be behind it.”

  “Calm down,” Kumar told Mayur.

  Rose tipped Marina’s head back and gently placed the improvised ice pack on her bruised eye.

  Kumar clasped his hands together. “How could Deepak interfere with our deliveries? And if he did, it is more bad karma to add to his already hefty debt, which he will pay for in a future life.”

  “Karma and future life? What good are they? We need to take action against Deepak and his team now and deter them from further destructive action,” argued Mayur.

  “The only action we need now,” stated Kumar, “is to find a winchman to replace your brother, and as he won’t be bringing Isaac, we are short of a runner.”

  Marina twisted out of Rose’s grasp. She stood and faced Kumar. “I’ll be a runner,” she cried.

  “Sit down, Marina,” Mayur spat dismissively. “This is serious.”

  “I am serious. I’m fit and run several times a week. And I’ve learnt a lot about topography during my work as a substitute lodge manager. Anyway, who else will you find at the last minute?”

  “I’ll go and ask around the headquarters.” Mayur turned and began to walk away, but his father spoke.

  “Thank you, Marina. I’m sure you are aware it is hot, tiring work, and you have to be on the ball and observant at all times. Your team’s safety will depend on it.”

  “No father,” cried Mayur.

  Marina beamed at Kumar. “Yes, Mr Chauhan. I promise I won’t let you down.”

  “Well, you better continue with Mama Rose’s treatment or you won’t be able to see out of that eye.”

  Marina sat down and hugged Thabiti.

  Rose watched as Mayur continued to argue with his father. Kumar eventually put a stop to it with a shake of his head and a look she could not discern. Mayur sat down next to Lavanya. She placed a hand on his arm, but he shrugged himself free.

  Jono had remained silent during the exchange, staring into a bottle of Tusker and twirling his penknife. Rose could not see his eyes, yet a feeling of pain and self-pity swept over her. She felt cold. It must have been the ice she was holding. Once again, she took Marina’s head and applied the ice pack. Marina was still grinning.

  Chapter Nine

  Thabiti volunteered to walk Rose, Chloe and Marina back to their respective camps. They walked past the registration tent and the large tent which now had “Bar” on a sign hanging above its entrance.

  “Will you have to move your tent now that you’re competing for the opposition?” Thabiti asked Marina. He chuckled.

  “That’s not funny.” She playfully slapped his arm. “You’re helping me move it if I have to.”

  “What does it matter where you camp?” asked Chloe.

  “You’ve no idea the animosity my Uncle Deepak feels towards Kumar Chauhan. I hate to say this, but I agree with Mayur; it wouldn’t surprise me if Uncle Deepak found a way to disrupt deliveries and keep two of Kumar’s team in Nairobi.”

  “You are joking?” Chloe stopped.

  “Not at all. Kumar used to work for my uncle and the Seths, until there was a family tragedy. After that, Uncle Deepak started mistreating workers and disappointing his customers. Kumar walked out and set up his own food import and wholesale distribution business. Actually, he’s very successful, which only makes matters worse.”

  They began walking again, past the back of the Rusty Nail catering tent. Two men sat on plastic water containers, peeling potatoes.

  “But what has this to do with Rhino Charge teams?” Chloe persisted.

  “Everything. Uncle Deepak cannot compete with Kumar on a business level, so he tries to do so through the Rhino Charge. The trouble is, his team, Rhino Force, have only beaten Kumar’s Bandit Bush Hogs once in the ten years they’ve both been competing.”

  They arrived at a gazebo and Rose looked up at a sign hanging across the top which read ‘Rhino Force’, printed in white lettering on a black background.

  Marina commented, “Black is the colour of Rhino Force, the Seth family team.”

  They walked into a large camp with numerous tents erected around the perimeter, interspaced with 4x4 vehicles, which created a barrier between the camp and the rest of the headquarters.

  Three children ran around with their African Ayah in close pursuit. A group of adults were seated in a large, grey, rectangular, marquee style tent. It was positioned in the centre of the camp and the front and one end were open.

  “There she is,” cried a stout middle-aged Indian lady. “Where have you been? You promised to play with the children and supervise their tea.”

  “Cousin Elaxi, I did not.” Marina squared up to the lady.

  “Well you’re back now,” an elderly Indian lady said. “Why don’t you play football with the children? They love it when you do.”

  Marina looked down at the old lady with affection. “OK, Mama.” She picked up a football which was lying beside a chair and said, “But this is the last time I’m babysitting. I’m taking part in the Rhino Charge. I’ve a place on a team as a runner.”

  “What do you want to do that for, daughter?” said an elderly man who Rose presumed was Marina’s father. “You’re a lady, not some loutish boy. I forbid you.”

  “Now, now,” soothed Marina’s mother. “Let the girl have some fun. Why should she spend all weekend looking after someone else’s children?”

  Elaxi stood and stomped away.

  A thin man with glasses sat apart from the group reading a book. “Good for you, cousin,” he commented without looking up.

  “Thank you, Aatma.” Marina blushed.

  “Well, as long as it isn’t the Bandit Bush Hogs, I can’t see her causing any harm.” A fit looking man in his early seventies strode into the tent.

  “Actually, it is them, Uncle Deepak.”

  The man’s face reddened and he snapped, “I can’t see what they want a girl for, anyway.”

  Two middle-aged men seated at the table smirked.

  Marina turned to Rose, Chloe, and Thabiti. The three children approached her and the oldest attempted to grab the football she held. “Sorry about that. I’m afraid my family are not the most welcoming bunch. I suppose I’d better play with these kids. At least they appreciate me.”

  Thabiti leaned towards Marina and lowered his voice. “Will you be OK?”

  She put a hand on his shoulder. “I’ll be fine. I’m used to being on my own in this family.”

  Chapter Ten

  Rose, Chloe, and Thabiti wandered through headquarters towards the officials’ camp. The varied smells of numerous evening meals, being cooked on camp fires, blended in the air. The cries of children cut through the low murmur of chatter and there was a dull thud as a wooden mallet struck a metal tent peg.

  Thabiti cleared his throat. “Was Pixel OK? Was she missing me?”

  Rose laughed. “She’s rather taken to Kipto, which is very sensible since she’s the one who’ll be feeding her.”

  “Oh that’s a relief,” said Thabiti. “Now, Jono told me you’re sharing a tent and he put your stuff inside it.”

  “What do you make of Jono?” Rose asked.

  Thabiti bit his lip. “I’m grateful he offered me a place on the team. The usual mechanic couldn’t get time off from his job in the Congo.”

  Rose placed a hand on his arm. “Well, you’ve done him proud. I know how hard you’ve been working on that car.” She stepped over a guy rope, but Chloe tripped and Thabiti caught her.

  “Thanks. I think there’s something melancholy about Jono,” Chloe remarked.

  “I know what you mean. In Nanyuki he was relaxed and often joked around, but here, particularly in our camp, he’s quiet and detached from the rest of the group.”

  They arrived
at the entrance to a fenced off area with ‘Officials only’ painted on a sign.

  “Jono said your tent is the third one on the left,” said Thabiti. They walked past red and grey-coloured mobile toilets and three small structures enclosed by green tarpaulins, above which white plastic containers were suspended with pipes dropping down.

  Chloe raised her eyebrows.

  “Showers,” said Rose. “And I’m relieved the Portaloos are not too far from our tent.”

  They had a green canvas safari tent which had seen better days; there were a number of patches and Chloe had to fight the zip to open it. Their belongings were deposited on two iron bedsteads.

  “Not bad,” said Thabiti, peering inside. “At least you can stand up and move around which is more than I can in my little tent.” He stood up. “I better head back. It’s getting dark and I don’t want to miss supper.” He turned on a torch.

  Rose and Chloe walked with him to their camp entrance. A large shape loomed out of the dusky light.

  “Evening all,” a voice drawled.

  Thabiti laughed.

  Rose pursed her lips and said, “Of course you’re here as well, Sam.”

  “Wherever the action is, you can be sure to find two people: myself and Mama Rose.” Rose scowled, but knew that he was correct. Recently, murder had followed them both around.

  Sam was a large, muscular, bald-headed African man. Rose was pleased they were friends otherwise she might be alarmed coming across him in the gloom. His ear and throat glinted in the torchlight. She hadn’t noticed the gold jewellery before.

  “Do you like my new earring? I needed a bit of bling.” Sam turned his head towards Rose.

  She replied, “I presume that’s part of a disguise for one of your undercover missions with the Anti-Poaching Unit.”

  “Perhaps, but first I hear there’s a vacancy for a strong man on one of the Charge teams.”

  Thabiti looked over at Sam and quickly looked away again. “Are you joining our team?”

  “I sure am. I just spoke with Kumar, and even that rat of a son of his couldn’t dispute that I’m a perfect match for the role. I’m your new winchman.”

  Thabiti shoved his hands into the pockets of his chino trousers and followed Sam back towards the Bandit Bush Hog’s camp. Chloe and Rose returned to their tent.

  “Time for a glass of vino,” Chloe announced.

  Rose sat down in one of the safari chairs placed outside their tent.

  Chloe returned with a bottle of white wine and two plastic glasses. “Wow, what a day. There’s been so much to take in.” She poured wine into each glass, returned the bottle to the cool box, and slumped into the empty chair. “I think I understand what the Rhino Charge is. I even spotted different 4x4 vehicles as we walked through headquarters. But now I need to remember who everyone is. Let’s start with the main officials.” She took a large swig from her glass.

  Rose began, “Christian Lambrechts is the Executive Director of Rhino Ark. That’s the charity we discussed which finances the fencing projects. They are ultimately responsible for the Rhino Charge. We’ve not seen Christian yet, but he’ll address competitors at the briefing, and hand out prizes at the end.” She paused and sipped her wine.

  Chloe declared, “We did meet Nick West and his bossy wife, Tanya.”

  “Shush,” Rose implored. “They’ll be staying in this camp, too.” She caught Chloe’s grin in the light of the paraffin lamp which an elderly African man placed outside their tent.

  “Frank and Wendy Butler are the friendly, organised couple in the registration tent. More officials will arrive to man the guard posts.”

  Chloe stretched her legs out in front of her. “Then we met Thabiti’s team, the Bandit Bush Hogs. I like Mr Chauhan but not his son, Mayur, as he’s too fond of throwing his weight around.”

  Rose continued, “Nevertheless, he’s driving this year. Thabiti is their mechanic and Jono the navigator. I’m happy for Marina as she’s so excited Kumar included her in his team as a runner. Finally, there’s Sam the winchman. I guess there must be another runner, but I don’t know who that is.”

  “What does a runner do?” asked Chloe.

  “Their job is to scout out the terrain ahead of the car, sometimes as far as a kilometre. They suggest possible routes to the driver and navigator, who ultimately decide where to go.”

  Chloe tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Then there is the team from Marina’s camp, who call themselves Rhino Charge. The main man is her Uncle Deepak, who has a grudge against Kumar and is intent on beating him. So much so that he’s flown a professional mechanic here from the UK.”

  “Well remembered. I think Deepak drives and the rest of his team is made up of family members. Probably the men we met. Of course, they didn’t include Marina.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Rose and Chloe were approached by an African man wearing a stained shirt. “Mama, Memsahib, supper will be ready at half past seven.”

  Chloe thanked him and said, “Poor Marina. I hope she’ll be OK.” She glanced at Rose. “Will Craig be all right without you?”

  Rose thought of previous Rhino Charges with Craig and her throat felt thick. She replied hoarsely, “Kipto will be fussing over him and ordering Samwell to plump up his cushions. And he might appreciate some time by himself. Several times now I’ve caught him half asleep with an album of old photos on his knee, or dropped to the floor. Perhaps he’s remembering the best bits of his life whilst he still can.”

  Rose sniffed and turned away from Chloe. She wiped her eyes with her sleeve and slurped her wine.

  Chloe crossed her legs and changed the subject. “I wonder what Dan does when he’s away. Whenever I ask him he either ignores my questions or tells me he’s always working. But I’m sure he can’t work all the time. He’s not in the army now. Besides, I don’t even know where he goes.”

  Rose wiped her eyes again and turned to Chloe. “I know that most security people used to work for oil companies, but when the oil price collapsed at the end of last year, they lost their jobs.”

  Chloe frowned. “I don’t think it’s oil. He does gets very excited when those convoys of lorries pass through Nanyuki. You know the ones carrying large pieces of concrete and oversized airplane wings.”

  Rose smiled. “So does Craig. Those pieces are parts for the wind farm that’s being constructed in Turkana. He thinks it’s a fantastic idea to harness the ever-present winds of that area for power.”

  Chloe pursed her lips. “I suppose it’s natural, like solar power, but I don’t like wind or solar farms. They look ugly. In the UK there are loads of wind turbines, even in some of the most remote areas, and it spoils them.” She sat up. “So Dan’s probably in Turkana. Have you been there? What’s it like?”

  Rose considered the question. “It’s the largest county in Kenya, but also the poorest, as it’s semi-desert, and very hot and prone to draughts. Actually, I’ve only ventured up there a few times, to a campsite beside the lake. It’s strange and beautiful in a moonscape way as the area surrounding the lake is mainly volcanic rock. And then there’s Lake Turkana itself, which is very saline, and the winds, well, they are either a welcome relief from the heat or a relentless nuisance. Anyway, if you have the chance, it’s worth visiting, but you have to take everything with you, and I mean everything, including a mobile fridge. There’s no power, and no shops or restaurants.”

  “So what do you think Dan does all day?”

  “He’ll be in a large temporary camp which will have its own facilities and dining area, although I’m not sure about entertainment. I guess they rely on the internet.”

  Chloe grasped her wine glass. “No wonder he’s started drinking again. It’s not healthy for him, spending so much time on his own. And I think he drinks to help himself sleep, and forget.”

  “But you think it only makes matters worse? A kind of downward spiral,” prompted Rose.

  “Yes, that’s exactly right.”

  Rose s
at back and sipped her wine. She knew what Chloe was going through, but there was only so much she could do to help.

  “Craig turned to the bottle after we lost the farm at Ol Kilima, and I thought he blamed me. After all, I was the one who shot the poacher and got us chucked out. I didn’t understand at the time, but I do now. You see, he blamed himself for not being at the farm to protect me and Aisha, Thabiti’s mum. Then he couldn’t find another job, and I had to beg friends to lend us a small cottage. Of course, that just made matters worse. On the other hand, I became rather self-sufficient, although I was soon fed up of eating eggs from our chickens, and the rabbits which I’d shot. I tried to supplement them with vegetables and fruit, but it depended on what I grew or we were given. ”

  Chloe leaned forward. “But Craig’s not like that now. What changed? How did he manage to get out of his rut?”

  “I admit it took time. But once I got him out of the house, and he met a few people, he soon realised lots of them were in far worse predicaments. I suppose they always are in Kenya. Anyway, he was offered a job by a Kikuyu man who worked in Nairobi and owned a small ranch in Laikipia, which he was looking for someone to manage. Of course, most farm managers would dismiss such a job as they’d think it was beneath them. But for Craig, well, it was the boost he needed. For someone to have enough confidence in him to offer him a job. After that, life gradually improved.”

  Chloe sat up and crossed her arms. “I try to be bright and welcoming when Dan comes home. I even attempt to make his favourite dishes, cottage pie or roast chicken, and I’m not the world’s greatest cook. Then I tell him about all the goings on in Nanyuki, and even suggest things we can do together while he’s back.”

  Rose leaned towards Chloe. “I know you’re trying to do the right thing, but I’m afraid you might actually be making things worse.”

  Chloe recoiled from Rose. “What do you mean? Why am I making them worse?”