Death by Tradition: Fiji Islands Mysteries 2 by B.M. Allsopp

Author:B.M. Allsopp [Allsopp, B.M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Coconut Press
Published: 2018-08-06T22:00:00+00:00

26

Horseman arrived at the shabby little terminal at Nausori, which bore the misleading sign, Suva International Airport. He wondered what Melissa would make of it. He’d warned her that there were only six international flights arriving at Suva each week from Australia and New Zealand, serving mainly business visitors. But the airport linked many Fiji islands with the capital, and in daylight hours it buzzed with small aircraft traffic.

This was how he felt before a rugby game: hyped up, expectant, happy, but anxious too. He hadn’t realised how desperate he was that she would love Fiji. The terminal was clean enough, but needed a spruce up, and Melissa would hate to see that thin dog gnawing at its mangy hide, and the dull-eyed toddler wracked by bouts of coughing. He wanted everything to be travel-brochure perfect for her, but that was crazy.

Here was the Twin Otter from Nadi now, taxiing to a stop about 100 metres from the terminal. He was at the glass, ready to catch his first glimpse as she emerged onto the steps. Thirteen passengers disembarked. A couple of minutes later, the pilot and co-pilot descended and the baggage was unloaded.

Hours ago, his mother had phoned to say Melissa had arrived and he’d spoken to both of them. Melissa was about to buy a Fiji SIM card so she could use her own phone, then Mrs Horseman was going to take her out for a proper breakfast. What had gone wrong? He hurried to the Fiji Airlines counter. Yes, Melissa Martini was booked on the flight, but the clerk needed the passenger manifest from the pilot before he could say whether she had boarded the plane. The pilot turned up two minutes later, told him Ms Martini had not turned up for the flight, despite repeated calls broadcast from the Nadi check-in desk.

No need to worry. Due to his mother’s enthusiasm for her role as hostess and tour guide, they’d probably just got back late. No other explanation was possible. Then why was he gripped by terror, his chest in a vise?

He pulled his own phone from his pocket when it startled him by ringing. He fumbled at the screen but managed to answer on the third ring. ‘Mum? Melissa?’

‘Sir, it’s Singh. I’m at Kumi Police Post. Thought I should call you. I’ve already radioed CID and reported to the super, so no need to do that.’ She sounded very worried.

A new fear slammed him. ‘What’s happened, Susie?’

‘It’s Kelera. Maybe nothing, but I’m concerned after her call to me yesterday. She didn’t turn up to Vili’s funeral this morning. Well, that’s understandable, she could have been too distressed. But now, the feast’s getting underway and no one can find her. Her family is alarmed.’

‘What did the super say?’

‘He thinks it’s too early to report her as missing, says to wait until tomorrow for her to show up.’

‘Probably she’s taken herself off to be alone, as you say, can’t face the ceremonies and people. But I would act as if she’s missing, even so early.

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