Death Off Camera, page 11
‘Better hurry up, then! Go in hard on this Tuvoli. Doesn’t matter if he’s got nothing to do with Johnson’s death, if he’s supplying drugs, we want him behind bars! Maybe you like hobnobbing with Hollywood, rubbing shoulders with celebrities. Suits you to spend days out there at the Champion place, eh? Maybe this Duke will get you to replace Ken Johnson!’
Horseman knew better, but he couldn’t help himself. ‘No sir, we must go there, because that’s where Ken Johnson lived and died. He went nowhere else in Fiji.’
Ratini’s mouth twisted in his one-sided smirk.
‘Be quick about your meeting, man. I’ll come in about half an hour. We’ll celebrate an outstanding achievement. All the CID together.’ His eyes held amusement and a hint of triumph.
***
Horseman did as Ratini asked him. The team had already shared their thoughts on the drive back to Suva. Their additional information was meagre, and their notes were consequently brief. Horseman and Singh drew up two plans for Thursday, one if the second drug test was positive, and another if it was negative. Everyone was working on updating the running sheet, the case file or their official diaries when Ratini walked in.
He’d changed the old khaki tee-shirt he’d been wearing earlier, thank God. The short-sleeved striped shirt was clean although crumpled. He tugged it down in an effort to straighten it but gave up when he saw he’d lost a button over his developing paunch.
‘Let’s move to Inspector Vula’s end of the floor, detectives,’ Ratini said, looking back towards the stairs. ‘Ah, here’s Detective Chief Superintendent Tauvaga, our special guest.’
Everyone murmured respectful greetings to DCS Tauvaga, who was old-school in dress and dignity. He exuded an avuncular benevolence, but Horseman had learned on a previous case that his sharp eyes missed nothing, and his sharper mind rapidly processed what he saw. No wonder Ratini had changed his shirt.
When they were all present, Ratini took centre stage. ‘While some of us have been mixing with celebrities on film sets, and others mixing with Suva’s villains in the gutters, DCS Tauvaga has revealed we have a celebrity here in our midst at Suva Central CID.’
Ratini must have rehearsed this speech for the benefit of Tauvaga. Despite resenting the personal dig, Horseman had to admit it was an effective hook. Detectives glanced at one another, all intrigued. What was coming?
‘I’ll now invite DCS Tauvaga to reveal the identity of our celebrity.’
‘Officers, the Commissioner telephoned me yesterday with news that delighted me. The results of the recent round of officers’ examinations are finalised and about to be published. I am proud indeed to announce that one of Suva Central’s detectives has taken first place in the national Inspector’s level list.’ Everyone looked at Singh. After all, she was Suva Central’s only candidate in the exam. Tauvaga’s effort to draw out the suspense, like in a TV reality show, fell a bit flat. Still, respect demanded they wait for the announcement.
Tauvaga registered the direction of their looks. He smiled. ‘I can see some of you have guessed. After all, you are detectives, aren’t you? With no further ado, I ask you to congratulate Detective Sergeant Susila Singh. Step forward, DS Singh.’
Singh looked down in confusion but in a moment straightened her shoulders and shook the chief superintendent’s hand. ‘You have an excellent record in the field, in addition to this academic success, DS Singh. I have no doubt your appointment to the rank of Detective Inspector will be very soon, indeed almost immediate. Congratulations indeed!’ Singh blushed as DCS Tauvaga presented her with a certificate and shook her hand again. Ratini followed suit. Everyone clapped heartily—even some men who thought Singh was treated favorably couldn't argue with her exam result.
The tea trolleys were wheeled in, loaded with the essentials of Fiji catering: an impressive tropical fruit platter, scones, curry puffs and cake. Horseman chatted to colleagues as he stood in line, waiting to congratulate Singh. He wasn’t at all surprised she’d topped the exam. He knew how important this was for her. But a pit of fear opened inside him. There was no vacancy for a DI in Suva. What would he do without her? The others drifted away to the tea trolleys, and it was Horseman’s turn to congratulate Singh. Her green eyes shone as he shook her hand, but words failed him. Finally, he said, ‘Let me get you a cup of tea, this coffee will be terrible.’
THURSDAY
22
Dr Young rang the next morning. ‘No surprise, mate. Ken Johnson’s second test returned identical results to the first. I’m faxing the full screen details through as we speak. I’ll send an email with just the conclusion and MDMA level for your file. Feel free to forward that to the boss out at Champion: if he feels he’s in the official loop he might be more friendly. And don’t say I don’t do you any favours!’
‘Never! Vinaka vakalevu, Matt. I reckon Duke will approve the drug testing. I told him I wanted everyone tested but that will drag out the process. I’m confident only the four players and a dozen crew are of interest to the Ken Johnson investigation.’
‘I’ve got it in hand. Seru from the lab will liaise with Barbara at the camp. The screening kits are ready. We only need labelled urine samples produced and collected under hygienic conditions. Seru can help Barbara with that and get them back to the lab pronto.’
‘I guess even sixteen samples is casting the net wide, given it’s more than three days since Ken died.’
‘Yeah, but MDMA lasts longer in the system than cocaine or cannabis. And if anyone ingested the drug more recently, the evidence may not be admissible in relation to Ken’s death.’
‘Agreed, but it’s grounds for further questioning and leaning harder on them. That can produce relevant information. And the director will be grateful. Whether there’ll be a production to sack anyone from is still up in the air.’
‘Really? I thought it would be dead in the water.’
‘Seems there are technical ways and means to continue. Duke wants to sound out Ken Johnson’s father about what he wants. The poor man arrives today.’
‘Yeah, I hadn’t forgotten. His son is ready for his visit.’
‘Mr Johnson refuses to fly in a small plane, so Duke and his driver went to Nadi airport to meet him and take him to his Suva hotel. The poor man will need a rest after his long flight and three hours on the road. He might even sleep right through until tomorrow morning. I’ve left a note with reception asking him to ring me when he’s ready. If I don’t hear from him by late afternoon, I’ll call at the hotel. There’s no need for him to come to the station—I’d rather meet him and give him the forms and certificate he’ll need.’
‘Okay. If all that happens this afternoon, maybe you could bring him up to the hospital afterwards. If you can’t stay, I’ll get him back to the hotel myself.’
‘That’ll work. I’ll call him now and pray that wherever he is on the King’s Road has mobile reception.’
Horseman called Steve Duke’s mobile at ten-minute intervals. On the fourth call, Duke answered then pulled to the side of the road to keep the flukey connection. He accepted the positive result of Ken Johnson’s second drugs test with equanimity and approved testing Horseman’s proposed subjects that very day, if possible. Mr Johnson wanted to eat when he got to the hotel before he had a rest.
‘Would it suit you to join us for lunch, Inspector? I’d like to talk to you again, but not on the phone. This would save both of us an extra trip.’
‘Good idea. What time do you estimate?’
‘See you in the restaurant around one o’clock. Better get back on the road now.’
***
Horseman stood as Jethro Johnson approached. He was around sixty, his body lean and hard, like he still did physical labour. His short brown hair was wet and neatly combed, his blue check shirt was ironed and tucked into the belt of his Bermuda shorts. Only the sunken, lined flesh of his face and his lifeless eyes told the truth: he had flown halfway around the world to visit his dead son.
Duke made the introductions, and they sat down. The waiter, forewarned, greeted them with a subdued smile, handed them menus, then brought water.
‘I’m very sorry that such a tragedy has brought you to our islands, Mr Johnson.’ Horseman hated using the trite phrases and wished he could do better. ‘As the leader of the investigation, I can assure you that your son’s death has our full-time attention. I’ll also do everything in my power to make the official procedure as smooth as possible.’
‘My wife and two daughters are having a tough time dealing with this. When Mr Duke told me … I mean to say, a tragic accident is one thing, but … you suspect Ken’s death wasn’t natural?’ The father’s eyes implored him to say he’d made a mistake.
‘We do. Some circumstances aren’t clear, and the forensic results aren’t complete. Our field investigations are thorough because we want to find the truth for the sake of your family.’
‘Steve here thinks y’all could be dragging it out.’
Horseman glanced at Duke, whose focus remained on Mr Johnson.
‘I promise you we’re working as fast as we can to reach a conclusion. Lab analysis takes time, but getting people to tell us what they know can take even longer.’
The waiter approached them again and served bread rolls.
‘However, you need to eat after your long journey, Mr Johnson. What would you like?’
‘I don’t think I can eat anything right now.’ He picked up his bread and tore a small piece off it.
‘Do you like fish, Jethro? It’s usually good. Fried or grilled?’ Duke suggested.
‘Okay, better have something. Grilled, please.’ Mr Johnson put the piece of bread in his mouth. A good sign, Horseman thought.
They all ordered fish and chips. The food looked and smelled inviting. Eating in silence allowed the trio to ignore painful reality and get used to the presence of their unchosen companions. Even Mr Johnson ate with appetite. But he must have been mulling things over because when he’d finished, he aligned his knife and fork neatly on his plate and looked at Horseman, his eyes now resolute.
‘I know you have your duty, son. You must find the truth, whether or not I want to know it. I understand that. Ken understood duty, too. His ambition to win Champion was to get a million dollars, not the honour and glory. He’d won a college scholarship, but his little sisters probably won’t. He wanted to put them through a top college, which is beyond our means. That goal was driven by love and good old-fashioned family duty.
‘But he loved his sports and was very competitive—maybe too competitive. I don’t know. I do know he was doing what he most wanted to do in the entire world, and he was excited to be in Fiji. It was his dream come true. His precious and wonderful life was cut short. But how many people pass away living their dream?’
It was an awkward silence, both Horseman and Duke nodding solemnly. Horseman guessed Duke, like him, didn’t want to risk a well-meaning remark embarrassing or offending Ken’s father.
‘Steve here has kindly asked me my opinion about what should happen to all the episodes of the show he’s shot with Ken. I have some ideas, but I’ll sleep on that. It’s never good to be hasty. Steve, I sure appreciate you inviting me to the set this afternoon, but I’ll leave that until tomorrow. I’d like to see some of the footage with Ken, if y’all can arrange that.’
‘We’ll do that. I can talk to you more about that over dinner this evening.’
‘I don’t want to be rude, you’re a generous host, Steve, but I need to be on my own tonight to sort things out in my head. Thanks for everything. I’m sorta disoriented here, so in the morning …’
‘I’ll pick you up myself and take you to the set, Jethro. Don’t worry about a thing. And I’ll get some DVDs featuring Ken to you here later today.’
Mr Johnson nodded. ‘As for the terrible necessities of your business, detective, the sooner that’s done the better. However, I’ll cope better after I have a nap. Two hours will do me.’
‘Shall I call for you here at half-past three, sir?’
‘Sure. Holy moly, it feels like midnight to me!’ He looked around. ‘Y’all are very kind. I’m grateful.’
23
Singh didn’t know what she’d expected, but she was relieved. She hadn’t encountered instant drug testing kits before. The patient technician from the forensic lab explained the protocols to her during the drive out to the Champion base. Instant turned out to be a little exaggerated, but only a little. You could get a positive or negative result in less than five minutes. Or rather, not positive, but non-negative, which sounded like a double negative to Singh.
Nurse Barbara Koroi tested the women discreetly in spaced private appointments. The lab technician managed the men. The whole process was complete inside two hours. Singh and DC Kau came along to follow up a few crew who had missed being interviewed so far. They worked in their office on the main quadrangle, not even within sight of the First Aid post where the drug screens were done.
She allowed herself a rerun of yesterday afternoon’s formal announcement of her Inspector’s exam result. Embarrassing that Ratini had forced the whole floor to attend, but the warmth of most of her colleagues had touched her. After eighteen months of minding her own business, and working for Horseman most of the time, she’d realised she belonged to the whole CID team.
But not for long. How did she feel about that? She’d been so focussed on the exam as the gateway to promotion she hadn’t planned beyond it. Well, in a way she had: she’d taken a lease on her flat in Seaview Apartments knowing that as an inspector she’d no longer be eligible for Police department housing. She’d been looking for a temporary roof over her head but had never dreamed she would find a refuge and a home she loved. She would have to give her flat up since there were no current vacancies for an inspector in Suva. It was possible to turn down an offer of appointment but if she did it would count against her with the police hierarchy.
Then there was Joe Horseman. There were few of his calibre in the force. Anyway, did she want another boss of his calibre, or did she want him? She would have to think about that.
DC Kau stomped in, a frown on his usually genial face. A glowering Desirée Lopez was hard on his heels. ‘Sarge, Ms Lopez insists on speaking to you, even though Nurse Koroi has explained—’
‘You bet I do!’ Desi shouted. ‘I wanna protest to someone with authority, and it seems, Sergeant, that you’re the most senior officer here today. Where’s your cute boss? I’d prefer to talk to him.’ Her voice had lost volume as she spoke. Maybe she just needed to throw her weight around a bit, prima donna style.
‘Please sit down, Desi. DC Kau is right—you’ll have to put up with me today.’
‘Okay, you’ve been nice and reasonable. I need your help. The nurse tells me I tested positive on the drug screen. Impossible! She gave me aspirin herself yesterday. Surely that’s what the test picked up.’
‘Don’t worry, Desi. First, they classify no one as positive on the result of these instant tests. Nurse Barbara explained that didn’t she? They’re reliable, but not quite as reliable as lab tests. Your test sample will be taken back to the lab in Suva this afternoon and analysed by gas chromatography which will give an accurate result. Your sample will only be classified as positive if a drug shows up in that test.’
‘But I can’t be positive! It’s not possible!’ Desi put her face in her hands and sobbed. Not sobs again! Singh felt her impatience rising but strove to fight it. How would she react if this happened to her? She moved the box of tissues close to Desi.
‘Please calm down, Desi. Tell me what’s worrying you.’
Kau retreated to the corner table and put the kettle on.
Desi mopped her face and took a deep, shuddering breath. ‘Don’t you get it? They’re trying to get me out—thrown off the game!’
‘Who’s they? You must have your suspicions.’
‘The prankster, of course. The drugs are just another prank, aren’t they? That guy’s tampering with the samples. He, or she I suppose, must have substituted a contaminated sample for mine.’
‘Let’s check the process you went through again. Nurse Koroi waited outside the toilet door while you urinated into the test cup, right?’
Desi nodded. ‘Sure, and it’s only a half-door. Embarrassing!’
‘Did you give the cup direct to the nurse?’
‘Sure, Barbara was right there, holding her hand out.’
‘What did she do then?’
‘She put a stick in it and chatted a bit while we waited. When the stick changed colour, Barbara told me she had to send the sample to Suva, to the lab, because it wasn’t negative.’
‘Desi, think about this. No one could have tampered with your sample, because only you and the nurse handled it, right?’
‘I guess not.’
‘And your test kit was sealed. You opened it yourself?’ Desi looked down and nodded.
‘And I understand the test is automatic. Was Nurse Koroi wearing gloves?’
‘Yeah, she was. Okay, okay, there must be another way!’
‘I can’t see how, Desi. The best thing for you now is to relax. You’ll get the results from the Suva lab analysis tomorrow.’
‘Water’s boiled. Would you like tea or coffee, Ms Lopez?’ Kau asked.
Desi sniffed. ‘Oh, white coffee will do.’
When Kau brought her coffee and tea for Singh and himself, Desi was more composed.
‘Gee, thanks. That test was a real blow, a kick in the guts, after all I’ve been through. But I guess I overreacted.’
‘That’s alright. How are the other finalists coping?’
‘Okay, I guess. Maybe they’re not as sensitive as me. Since Monday when we moved on base here, we haven’t spent a lot of time hanging out. We’re pushed too, you know—quite busy, actually. Continuity and the story producer are getting us to do extra scenes where two of us have brief conversations. I’ve done two talking head scenes already.’
