The surprise was so plainly written on his face it was almost comical to see. Jackie couldn’t help but smile, “You knew it was inevitable, cousin. From the first day you saw us together you knew we loved each other.” 

“Of course. It’s just that it seems so sudden. And in the middle of such a crisis, Jackie, are you sure?”

“Robbie and I have been in the process of making this decision all our lives. It’s so right, Larry. We belong together”.

Larry sighed, “Congratulations, then, cousin. I wish you all the best. His eyes didn’t quite match his words. Jackie could tell that he did not approve of this new turn of events. In fact, it pained him, almost as if it didn’t quite match with his plans.

She mentioned it to Robbie later when they were alone. Larry had left the farm in a hurry as soon as Robbie arrived. Jackie though it was because the news had rattled him.

“It’s that, probably. But I think its more the fact that he can’t stand the sight of me.” Robbie decided that in view of the latest events, Jackie needed to know just how things stood between him and her cousin.

“I thought things were cool between the two of you.” Jackie obviously had no idea that her cousin was a whole lot bolder than he seemed.

“He accused me of trying to come between the two of you.”

“Well, that’s the way things are. He maintains that he doesn’t support his father’s actions, though. Somehow I believe him. I haven’t seen them together, but I can sense the antagonism between him and his father.”

“So what, you think its nothing more than boy mischief?”

“I said before, caution wont hurt.”

*****

She got to thinking of Angelie about three days after finding out about her death.

Angelie’s death had come as a shock. Jackie could still remember the warm, kind and friendly Angelie she’d shared a cup of tea with not so long ago. Jackie had been unable to reconcile the totally nice person to the memories she had of Angelie.

 Now, she was having a hard time reconciling the manner of Angelie’s death to the nice, kind young nurse she had shared a cup of tea with not so long ago.

 Why would Angelie commit suicide, when she seemed to have so much to live for?

 Jackie recalled Angelie’s kind advice, warm encouragement and that invitation she had extended to call her in case Jackie needed anything. Could she have been going through such a difficult time and yet be so comforting. Why give up?

 It just didn’t make sense.

***** 

Simon Ngunjiri finally responded to Jackie’s e-mail. She opened it on Monday morning. It was very brief, an invitation to ask anything she wanted to know.

 Jackie decided to work on him slowly, make it a long gradual correspondence. So she started by asking general questions about medical school, and life as medical students.

 She went to se Dr. Shah at his Thika surgery in the mid-afternoon. She told him about all the latest developments, especially Angelie’s death and why it bothered her so much.

 ”I could look into it, Jackie.” He offered. “Could you? I don’t know if you’ll find out much, but you being a doctor, you are in a much better position to find out anything than I am.”

 Dr. Shah had a twinkle in his eye, “I have my ways, little girl, and have some faith.”

 She was about to take her leave, when he stayed her, offering her a cup of tea and date biscuits.

 ”I really should go.”

 ”And I think we should have a talk” With a look that warned her not to protest.

 Jackie followed him up to his little apartment above the surgery. He served up the tea and biscuits in not time, all the while telling her about how big and busy the surgery in Nairobi city and grown.

 When he settled down, Jackie realized that he’d thought through what he was about to say.

 ”You have experience running a farm, Jackie. It’s a small farm, but it’s a farm anyway.”

 She nodded, wondering where the Doctor’s reasoning would end up.

 ”I have been thinking.” the doctor said, ” I have a farm not very far from Kinoo. Apart from the main house, which is only occupied during school holidays, there is a three-bedroom cottage on the farm.”

 Jackie refrained from speaking, only indicating with a not that she was listening.

 ”The farm is pretty large. 10.8 hectares. We used to keep cows, but we haven’t had a good manager in a while, so things have deteriorated. I’d like you to take the job.”

 ”I _”

 ”Before you say no, Jackie, I think you should look at the farm. And the cottage is large enough to house all you guys comfortably. I believe the remuneration package will appeal to you, too.”

 ”I don’t know what to say.”

 ”Then think about it.”

 The kids thought it was a great idea. So did Robbie. With the court hearing nearing, Jackie was feeling a strong need to resolve the living arrangements. Robbie had been right; it would be much easier for the kids to adjust if they weren’t at the far if she lost it. Dr. Shah’s offer made it possible for her to provide that adjusting space for the kids. If she did manage to keep the land then she could still run it for income.

 They had decided to put in notice of their marriage at the registrar’s office the next Monday. That meant that they would have a lot to sort out and adjust to in the next three weeks.

 They still hadn’t told Robbie’s parents about the plans. She was sure it would come as a shock but not a total surprise. She had decided to tell her relatives about it only at the very last possible moment.

 ***** 

 Wednesday, Robbie took the morning off work to accompany Jackie, Dr. Shah and his youngest son Sanjiv to the farm in Regen in the countryside off the Nairobi-Naivasha highway just a few miles away from Kinoo.

 After viewing the farm grounds, the main house and the cottage that she was to occupy with Robbie and the kings, Dr. Shah asked his son to show Jackie the recent farm records. Jackie and Sanjiv went off to the office in the main house, while Robbie remained with the Doctor outside.

 Robbie knew the older man had something he wanted to talk to him about. He had sensed it almost as soon as the Doctor arrived at the farm to pick Jackie up. She had introduced him as her fiance and the doctor had fixed him with a she-is-my-little-girl kind of look.

 Of course he knew how fond the old man was of Jackie. They had never actually met in person before, but Robbie had been aware of Dr. Shah’s godfather status to the Otieno family.

 ”So what is the rush?” Dr. Shah’s voice was soft but very strong. Robbie figured he wasn’t a man to be fooled with.

 ”I love her. I always have.” Was his simple and true answer. Dr. Shah straightened up. Age had gnarled his features and probably shrunk his height. Looking up at the older man, he found himself thinking that Dr. Shah had once been a tall, strong and handsome man. But at the moment, he was very menacing to Robbie.

 ”Like I asked, what is the rush? You ask a girl to marry you in the middle of a crisis when she’s vulnerable and probably doesn’t have the very best of judgment?”

 ”We came to the decision together, Dr. Shah. She may be troubled but I believe she is thinking with clarity. Now, I know that you are fond of her and so concerned about her safety. I assure you that her safety and well-being is of utmost concern to me, too.”

 For a moment, Robbie was afraid the older man would not back down. Then after a long menacing silence, Dr. Shah exhaled and leaned back against the wooden fence.

 ”I know she wants to find out the truth, but I’m concerned it will cause her more pain than she anticipates.” The doctor now voiced his worries as if he just hadn’t threatened Robbie.

 ”She deserves to know the truth at the very least.” Robbie now looked up into the Doctor’s eyes, “I know you know more than you have told her.”

 ”I don’t know if she can handle it right now. I was hoping to let this crisis pass. But it looks like she might lose the land. That’s why I offered her this place. She needs a home for the kids if the worst comes to worst. And she’s such a proud child. It had to be a job offer or she’d turn it down.”

 Robbie and the doctor smiled in quiet acknowledgment of the character of the young lady they both cared so much about. Robbie leaned back towards the huge house that marked the farm homestead.

 ”I think you should tell her what you know, doctor. It’s the least you can do for her after all she’s been through.

 ***** 

 

The records were in total chaos. Jackie was so appalled she couldn’t help but exclaim. “I can keep better records and I don’t have a B.Comm.”

 ”You understand now why things don’t look so good here. My father employed our relatives to manage the farm. Sadly, this was the outcome, “Sanjiv explained.

 ”At the moment, this farm looks like more of a liability than an asset, Sanjiv.” She observed with concern.

 He nodded, settling into a seat opposite her, “We are counting on you to reverse that. Of course, we have to revive the zero grazing project. But I’m trusting you to use all your creativity and innovation to make this place financially viable.”

 ”It’s the least I can do. Your father has been very generous to me. I really appreciate all he’s done for me and the kids.”

 ”Good. The cottage needs a little work so it might be a few days before you guys can move in. But I’m hoping you can start organizing things here right away.”

 ”Of course.”

***** 

He hated to admit it, but he was in a panic. First, Robbie had interfered. Now, the old man had completely changed the scene.

 She was going to get comfortable now. Then she’d have too much time to start scouting.

 Her efforts at figuring things out had been frustrated so far, but now with newfound security, she’d definitely get smarter and faster.

He couldn’t let that happen. It seemed to him that it was time to send Larry into the scene.

 Larry had not done a good job before, but he knew not to make mistakes this time. Any slip would have hell to pay.

***** 

Jackie went to the Shinali’s home to pay a condolence visit. The last thing she expected was a tearful Aunt Frederique to come running to meet her and embrace her with familial affection.

 ”My child, my poor sweet child. It is so good to see you.” She kissed Jackie on both cheeks, “How have you been? You must think I’m such a bad aunt not having visited you -”

 ”No, auntie. I understand. It has not been easy for anyone.” Jackie felt tears sting her eyes, “I am so sorry about Angelie.”

 Frederique burst into more tears. Jackie held her, knowing that there were no words to comfort her. When she quieted down, Frederique looked into Jackie’s eyes, “she didn’t kill herself, Jackie.”

 Jackie looked around in a little panic, and quickly led her aunt to a secluded area of the compound.

 ”Auntie, what are you saying?”

 ”I don’t know, Jackie. But I knew my little girl. You saw her. She told me you talked recently.”

 ”Yes. Angelie and I were together just a few days before she died. That’s why I was so shocked to hear -.”

 ”She had access to the drugs, working at the Hospice. And she’d had problems when her husband left her. But she was not suicidal.”

“Do you think she was killed, then, Auntie?”

“Yes. Oh God, I’m sure someone killed her. I knew my girl. She wouldn’t have killed herself.”

“Do you have any idea why, Auntie? Why would anyone kill Angelie? Debt? Revenge? Maybe an old boyfriend-.”

“No!! I told her it was dangerous, Jackie. Everyone else had left it alone. But Angelie. She was so sure she could help you. I told her-.”

“Auntie? Are you saying she was killed because of me?”

“She got so obsessed Jackie. She kept saying she had to do something to make things right. And now this.”

*****

 

She wasn’t killed because she was trying to find something,” Jackie decided, taking in everything her aunt had told her earlier in the day. Robbie rubbed her shoulders gently trying to ease the terrified tension in her body.

 ”She found something. Something that could have exposed the person who killed her. She was obsessed with what happened to us, so I’m thinking that whatever she found had to do with our case.”

 Robbie kissed her temple, “Try and relax, little girl. We’ll figure it out in the morning.”

 ”I need to talk to Dr. Shah. He was supposed to find out something about Angelie’s post mortem report. Does your cell phone have credit?”

 Robbie gave her his cell phone, resigning himself to the fact that his soon-to-be-wife would not relax until she had sorted the jigsaw puzzle out.

 ”Sorry, I know it’s late, Dr. Shah.” “She quickly briefed him on what her Aunt had told her.

 ”It figures.” Dr. Shah responded, “Listen, I have something I would like you to see. But I need you to be here in person.”

 ”You found something?”

 ”Yes. Why don’t you come here first thing in the morning? Theirs is something else I’d like to talk to you about.”

 ”I’ll be there.”

 *****

 

Now, this was a whole lot more than a panic. He retreated from the shadows of Jackie’s pretty little house and raced to his car hidden just a little way from the farm.

 That old man could not be allowed to cause any more interference. There was way too much at stake.

***** 

Alex, William and Simon rushed into the living room, “There was someone!”

 Robbie jumped to his feet “Where?”

 ”Outside. He took off towards the cowshed. He was right outside our window!” Alex pulled to the bedroom and pointed to where he’d seen the man.

 In a few minutes the whole household was awake and very scared. Jackie tried to be rational, “He took off. Maybe he thought we were asleep then found we weren’t and ran away.”

 ”You mean like a thief?” Alex asked with wide-eyed worry.

 Robbie touched Alex’s shoulder with reassurance, “He won’t be coming back. You guys go back to sleep.”

 ”How do you know he won’t come back?” Jessie demanded. She looked to her siblings and back to Jackie, “What if it’s the person who killed Angelie?”

 Jackie was dumfounded for a second. Robbie recovered sooner than she did, “What makes you think Angelie was killed?”

 ”Yeah, and why would the killer come here, anyway?” She tried to make it light.

 Alex stared her down, “We are not stupid, Jackie. All this mystery around here and you think we haven’t noticed?”

 ”And we heard you two talking anyway.” William said, earning a pinch from his older brother.

 ”You’ve been eavesdropping?” Robbie tried to look angry but gave up figuring that the kids were pretty determined to know what was going on. He looked to Jackie, who nodded into agreement.

 ”Let’s sit down.” Jackie invited, “Now, I won’t promise to give you all the details, but I’ll give you the general overview of the situation as we know it.”

 *****

 

Jackie was up early. Robbie had spent the night, sleeping in the boys’ room after the kids demanded that he stay. He was up early, too.

 He helped Jackie fix break first for the kids while she took care of things outside. The sun was rising in the horizon when Robbie found Jackie lost in pensive thought next to an opening in the wire fence behind the cowshed.

 ”Do you think it’s one of the relatives?” he asked, coming up to pull her against his chest, hoping to comfort or at the very least reassure her.

 ”Larry.” It was just one word, his name, but Jackie had thought long and hard, looking at things from all possible perspectives.

 Robbie had doubts, though, “He could be involved. But you have to admit, your cousin is a little too upper class for this.” He said this indicating the wire fence that had been clipped apart.

 ”You said you felt that he wasn’t supporting his father. What if he is acting alone and so cant use his father’s goons to do his dirty work?”

 ”Okay. For one, Larry can afford to employ his own goons. And two, I think he’s working with his father, only he doest support the way his father handles things.”

 ”That’s not what you thought yesterday.”

 ”I admit. I imagined that he was just his father’s little puppet. But I’ve thought about it, and he tires to come off as a weak helpless character, but he is a whole lot stronger than that.”

 ”So you think he commands the force.”

 ”Yes. I don’t know how he fits into this whole saga, Jackie. I don’t know if he is trying to cover up for his father of if he is trying to cover up for himself. All I know Jackie; we didn’t run into your cousin that day at the pub by accident. If Angelie was killed, he knows what that was about and probably who did it, if he didn’t do it himself. He knows about the will. My bet is, he knows about the loans fraud, too.”

 ”I’m not sure about all that, Robbie.”

 ”I don’t have the proof. But I’ve thought about this. I think that if you find what Angelie found, you’ll know the truth.”

 ”Dr. Shah said that if I found out why my father refused to marry my mother, I’d know the truth. You say I find what Angelie found and I’ll know the truth.”

 ”Maybe it’s all connected. In any case, perhaps talking to Dr. Shah about what he found out will be step in the right direction.”

 *****

The sight of the smoke blackened building still smoldering from the flames that must have consumed it hit Jackie with a strong terrifying force that sent her to her knees.

 ”Jackie!” she heard the voice, recognized it as Sanjiv Shah’s at the same moment that it hit her that Dr. Shah had died. She faded into the dark envelop of unconsciousness.

 When she came to, she was lying in a cool room; Sanjiv was besides her holding her hand. The rest of the room swam into focus and she realized that Sanjiv and his whole family were there.

 ”What happened?” She asked, thinking that this was one thing she definitely had not been prepared for.

 ”The flat burned down, Jackie. He was probably smoking in bed again. We don’t know, but we’ll find out.”

 Sanjiv’s wife Rina handed her a cup of warm tea. She accepted it with shaking hands.

 ”Daddy-,”he paused as if trying to find the right words,  “he probably suffocated in his sleep before the flames burst up. He didn’t suffer.” Sanjiv meant it to comfort her, knowing how much she cared about the old man.

 The rest of the family fussed over her almost as if she was one of them. But all Jackie could think about was the person who had been eavesdropping at her house. Had he heard her call Dr. Shah? Had he deduced from the one side of the conversation he heard, that Dr. Shah had information that could help her? Was Dr. Shah murdered?

 ”San, what about the surgery? Was it completely burnt?” She asked when she was feeling stronger and the family members were drifting away from the living room of the house that belonged to Sanjiv’s older brother Fhaizal.

 ”Pretty much. Only some documents in an old fireproof case at the back survived the fire. Why?”

 ”Your Dad was helping me with something. That’s why I came here today. I know its probably confidential stuff but do you think I could take a look at the case?”

 ”Is it something to do with your father, Jackie? Daddy mentioned it to me on the phone last night.”

 ”He did?”

 ”Yeah. He asked me to tell Ajay to bring some documents from the clinic in Nairobi. Dr. Kithenji left them at the clinic for him.” Sanjay hurried to find his brother who was busy making arrangements for the funeral in the next room.

 Sanjay came back ten minutes later. By then Jackie had pulled herself together and was sitting up.

 ”Jackie, I think you should be careful.”

 She looked up in surprise, “Why?”

 ”I don’t know everything, but from what Daddy told me, you should really be careful. And if you ever need me for anything just call me.”

 She nodded, “Can I still take a look at the fireproof case?”

 ”As soon as the investigation is over, I’ll bring it to you. It’s pretty big but it will be more convenient if you look at if from your place.”

 ”I think I’ll go now.” She rose from the sofa feeling like she had been run over by a thousand trucks.

 ”About the farm, I guess we have to discuss it as a family, but I think the offer still stands.”

 He walked her out to his car and instructed his driver to get her home. She hugged him before getting into the car. He hugged her back kissing her cheek.

 ”Don’t forget. If you need anything, call. We are family. Daddy’s death doesn’t change that.”

 ”Thanks, San.” She waved at Rina and her twin sons, and then got into the car.

 As the driver navigated out of the Shah home into the highway, Jackie thought how cruel the world was; taking away the people she cared about too soon. If Dr. Shah’s death was by the hand of a criminal seeking to cover up his or her sins, Jackie decided she wouldn’t be so ready to forgive.

© Juliet Maruru 2009 www.jmaruru.wordpress.com