Black Mischief by Carl Hancock Page A

he was behind all that … stuff.’
    â€˜But, sweetheart, something puzzles me here. Why would Rubai go through all that trouble with Tom? And then bring him back? Remember, I was in Londiani when the Rubais arrived and then that fantastic phone call that Tom was alive
    â€¦ and the inspector from the Nakuru police. And Alex’s speech thanking Rubai for his work behind the scenes.’
    â€˜Dot, that was not the way it really happened. I’ll tell you another time. Rubai’s a snake. He’s … he’s hard. He can look you in the eye, smile and stab you in the back all in a single second. His warmest emotion is anger. Look, love, I’m sorry for working myself up! But have you ever met Sally, his wife?’
    â€˜I think I’ve seen her passing in the car once or twice.’
    â€˜She’s a one off and she loves him. And, more to the point, he loves her. And she’s pregnant again at forty-three, I think.
    And if he’s behind this, this stuff, Sally’s our best hope, perhaps our only hope. David, you’re looking at me as if I’ve just escaped from the loony bin! The point is we try to put some pressure on her, get her on our side. We have to go over there, and soon.’
    Between the sniffles and the tears she was struggling not to break down. ‘I’m no brain box. I know you won’t laugh at me, but, please God, don’t pity me.’
    David’s expression was grim and startled both at the same time, but there were tears as well. He sighed and when he spoke his voice had a tremble in it.
    â€˜No, you’re not crazy. We’re the stupid ones. Yes, the Daniels family. Stay cool at all times. Even today with all this crap raining down on us! Look at us. My old mam would have been straight down onto her knees. What did she call it? “Pounding on the windows of heaven!” We are much more sophisticated. When trouble comes, we smile, get on with our dinner and tell our stories. Not a lot gets done that way. Tell you the truth, I’m bloody ashamed. Listen. This afternoon, I was in the house on my own, feeling pretty useless. Dot, remember that gun Jock Andrews gave me when we were up north?’
    â€˜David! No!’
    â€˜Don’t be daft. Not me! I was going to go over there and, well, put one between his eyes.’
    â€˜And?’
    â€˜I fell arse over tip as I tried to get up out of the chair. Some assassin, me.’
    After a long silence, a weary Maura croaked a single question before leaving the room.
    â€˜What time does Sonya’s plane get in tomorrow?’

Chapter Twelve
    ext morning at the respectable calling hour of ten o’clock, two women passed through the wooden gates of Cartref, the Daniels’ house in the district of Karen, and turned right. Sonya Mboya and Maura McCall were on a mission. It was rare to see two white women out walking on these quiet roads at any time of the day. Three cars had been offered for the short journey, even a couple of volunteer drivers, but all were refused. Walking would give them a chance to get better acquainted and they could work themselves up for the ordeal that lay ahead.
    They had met at half a dozen social occasions but never shared a long conversation. On the way back from Jomo Kenyatta, David had mentioned Maura’s idea of confronting the Rubais at their home. Sonya’s mind was on thoughts of Simon.
    â€˜Why would she want to do that?’
    â€˜Sonya, we all know who’s causing all this strife.’
    â€˜I do, too. So, we knock on the door and ask if the man of the house can come out to play! They’d never let us near him.’
    â€˜Wrong, sweetheart. Maura can get you in. Listen.’
    * * *
    The two women drew curious glances from the busload of pupils from Hillcrest School as they passed on their way up-country to play a series of hockey matches against Saint Andrews Turi. The dark one moved with quick, clipped strides that