The Crocodile's Last Embrace (29 page)

“Don’t,” he said. “It will be taken in as evidence. And I owe you an apology.”

“What else is in this desk? Check the bottom drawer.” She no longer bothered to make herself unobtrusive. She wanted confirmation of what she already surmised.

“It’s stuck,” said Finch. He yanked at the drawer and it broke free of whatever had jimmied it in place. A small strongbox filled the drawer. Finch felt under the desk blotter and found a key. He let out one low whistle when he opened the box.

“Mining papers,” said Jade as Finch took them out one by one. “Maps, a claim, blank forms.”

“One of these maps is from the Belgian Congo,” said Finch. “And these forms are from the land office but they aren’t filled in.”

“Waiting for another victim?” asked Jade.

“You’re probably right. How he acquired them is what I’d like to know. Here’s a claim file with three names.” Finch held it up to see them better. “One is Stockton’s.”

“That’s the man I found dead at the base of the Limuru Bridge.”

“Yes, and the other name is Waters. He’s our first crocodile victim,” said Finch. “There’s a third name as well.”

“Pellyn,” said Jade without looking. “Mathers Pellyn.”

Finch looked up sharply from the paper. “Yes, Mrs. Worthy’s supposed lover, right?”

Jade nodded and sifted through the rest of the maps. She stopped suddenly, a worn photo in her right hand. “Inspector. I think we have our proof that Dymant knew Lilith Worthy.” She handed him the picture. It showed several Africans, naked but for loincloths, burdened under heavy loads. But it was the woman standing like a queen to one side that riveted Jade’s attention. Lilith. The woman held a chunk of ore in her left hand and, in the right, a
panga
knife.

“Nasty piece of work,” said Finch as he placed the picture on the desk. He picked up another stack of papers and read the top. “This appears to be some love letter. Most likely to this Pellyn, since the hand looks feminine. At least it begins with ‘My darling.’ After that it becomes rather business-like.” Finch read aloud, “ ‘I’m entrusting this task to you and I know you won’t fail me. You’ve never balked at an indelicate task before. Bring all your resources to bear. You know, of course, what I want the most.’ ” His voice trailed off as he turned the page over. As soon as he did, he gasped.

“What is it?” asked Jade.

Finch hesitated a moment before handing it over to her. “It’s a list entitled ‘Target and possible resources to use.’ Your name is at the top, underlined.”

—The Traveler

THE PAPER READ like an innocent list of invitees to a social: Jade del Cameron, Lady Avery Dunbury, Madeline Thompson. But the additional
and brat
under both Bev’s and Maddy’s names said otherwise. Following their names were Pili’s and Sam Featherstone’s. Both of these had question marks beside them.

“They don’t know where Pili and Sam are,” murmured Jade.

“This next paper is rather curious,” said Finch. “It’s a map. Nothing is labeled but it’s fairly obvious that it’s the colony.” He showed it to Jade as well.

“Yes, that’s the railroad. There’s Nairobi, Naivasha, Mount Longonot to the west of the tracks. That looks like Ol Donyo Sabuk and Mount Kenya.”

“What do you make of the ‘x’s?” asked Finch.

“One is the Limuru Bridge; the other is on the Athi. That’s where I found the bodies. The ‘x’ near Mount Longonot could be an old farmhouse. I remember there being one there.”

“That was my guess,” said Finch. “The one farther north might be the alleged mining claim.” Finch folded the map and tucked it in his jacket pocket along with the letter. “More evidence against Dymant or Pellyn, if that was his name. But perhaps it would help me if you’d explain just why this Pellyn and his female companion are so bent on harming you.”

Jade explained in detail what she knew of Olivia Lilith Worthy’s past and ended with her not so recent escape from prison. As she spoke, her tone softened towards Finch. She’d suspected him for no good reason other than his age, gender, and the fact that he annoyed her. And while he didn’t know that, she still felt that she owed him some courtesy by way of a respect, a sort of unspoken apology.

“And you think this Lilith Worthy has come to the colony? Why?”

“Several reasons, Inspector. For one, her lover was here.” She gestured at the room. “For another, she can’t very well stay in England. Her business ventures were here as well.” She picked up one of the mining claims to illustrate the point. “She’s been involved with smuggling guns, drugs, and Roman gold in the past. Now it seems she’s involved with gold in the Congo and some scheme to steal from investors, not to mention murder. And finally,
I’m
here.”

“And she hates you,” Finch said. “That much I’ve gathered from what you’ve told me of your Moroccan encounter. But why this elaborate ruse with drugged tea and packages from the dead?”

“I’ve given that considerable thought,” said Jade. “I think Pellyn was supposed to get me out of the way before she arrived. I’ve interfered with her before, so she’d want to make sure I couldn’t do so again.”

“And if you weren’t frightened away, then you might be
put
away, is that it?” asked Finch.

“Possibly. Harry reacted very strongly to those drugs, from what I was told.” She shuddered at the memory of that night when she saw David’s ghost beckoning to her, his face melting into a skeletal nightmare. “I should probably thank Harry for providing an end to those hallucinations. Once he took sick, it was obvious to me that I’d been drugged, and that I wasn’t losing my mind. Pellyn had to try something else to drive me off: threats to my friends. If I were to leave the protection of my friends, I could be dealt with and who would be the wiser?”

“Which is why young Cyril was only hidden away and not actually taken. It was a message, a warning,” said Finch.

“That’s what I think. If I leave Kenya Colony, then they won’t be harmed, but if I stay or try to interfere . . .” She let the consequences remain unspoken. “Or perhaps it was all Pellyn and not Lilith’s doing. He may have been afraid of my testimony in Stockton’s and Waters’ deaths.”

Finch opened the medical bag and pulled out a stethoscope. “So was this Dymant-Pellyn a genuine doctor?”

“Probably,” said Jade. “At least, he had enough medical training to pass for one.”

“As long as he didn’t treat the British colonists? I take your meaning,” agreed Finch. “He could manage well enough with the
poorer
class of Indians and no one would question him or where he actually came from.”

“And no one would really comment on whether he came or went,” added Jade.

Finch went back to the papers and picked one up. “It appears that your Pellyn was in business with this Waters fellow to bilk green colonists out of their money, investing in a mine. Take their money and then the investor conveniently dies in some accident.”

“Stockton at the Limuru Bridge. Then why kill his partner?” As soon as she voiced the question, she knew the answer. “Holly!”

“Steven Holly?”

“Correct. Mr. Holly told all and sundry at that garden party that he’d just invested in a gold mine. He bragged about it to anyone with ears,” said Jade. “He said Waters brought him into it.”

“Dymant was there?”

Jade nodded. “Yes. He left just after you did, I recall.” She stared into space, trying to envision the scene. “You didn’t find a similar paper in that pile with Holly’s name on it, did you?”

Finch flipped through the pile again. “No. So perhaps this Waters decided to go one on his own. Find some other dupe without sharing with Pellyn.”

“Pellyn found out and killed him for it. Threw his body to the crocodile to dispose of.”

“The body would never be found, and even if it was, it would be just another tragic accident,” concluded Finch. “How many other accidental deaths have gone undiscovered, I wonder?” He slapped the papers with his hand. “Only
you
managed to be there for the first murder and heard a second automobile. We probably wouldn’t have looked beyond a drunken mishap if it hadn’t been for you.” He said it with a hint of admiration. Then, as if to cover up any possible display of feelings, he quickly added, “Making more work for us once again.”

“Not much more on this one,” said Jade. “Pellyn’s own disguise ended up killing him.”

Finch snorted. “Right. We still don’t have anyone apprehended in that knife fight. And unless some witness comes forward to the police, we’re not bloody likely to either. Wish I knew what that row was about.”

“Another squabble with business partners?” suggested Jade.

“If it was, then what was the business? Someone not get paid their share in killing Stockton or Waters? Blackmail for seeing more than they should have seen?” Finch shook his head. “Gardner!” he shouted.

The constable who’d been standing in the waiting area ran to the doorway. “Sir,” he said, executing a sharp salute.

“Gather up all these papers and ledgers. Bring them back to headquarters. You may have the car. I’m going to walk.” Finch looked at his watch. “It’s late. I’m hungry.” He gestured to the door. “You had best get home, too, miss. It’s already past lights-on time.”

Jade stepped outside and was surprised to see that the sun had already set. One street over, the electric lights maintained Nairobi’s sense of power over the wild African night that loomed not far away, like some great beast waiting for its prey to venture beyond its safe confines. She knew that the illusion was deceptive. Some of the greatest predators prowled within the city, striding unknown within the herd of humanity, camouflaged by respectable clothing and money. If there were street lamps in this part of the city, they were broken. Here, blackness swallowed all, held back by only a few dimly lit interiors.

“I know you’re an independent woman, Miss del Cameron, so I won’t insult you by hovering over you while you get your motorcycle. But you may choose to wait for Constable Gardner to escort you if you like.” He saluted her and took off in a fast stride around the corner, heading towards Government Road.

Jade idled a moment just inside the office door, trying to sort through her feelings. Only a few hours ago, she was hell-bent on finding Pellyn before he could strike again. Now he was dead. She was relieved beyond measure. One less adversary to worry over. But his demise also made it more difficult to find Lilith.

We might have been able to follow him and find her.
And now? Jade had no idea where to begin. She didn’t even know if the woman was in Africa or not. Well, there was time enough to worry later. Right now she needed to get back and let Bev and Avery know the news.
They’re probably getting worried.

Jade headed for her motorcycle, peering into the darkened street and berating herself for not anticipating the evening and choosing a better spot to park. She stepped into the alley, her entire focus on her friends and how she could help protect them. Dymant as Pellyn. Dymant dead. What did it mean? Were they safe now?

But how could she defend her friends against an unseen assailant? Hire more servants to watch their homes and children?

All her plans shattered the instant she felt a masculine arm wrap around her waist and a firm hand clamp over her mouth.

—The Traveler

THE GRASP WAS FIRM but gentle.

Jade’s reaction was not.

She immediately slammed her right elbow back and felt it connect just below a rib cage. A gasp and an
oof
told her that she’d bought a bit of time, and without waiting for a response, she shoved her head back, hoping to hit jaw. She did, but the blow was partially cushioned by a beard.