Death Off Camera by B.M. Allsopp

Author:B.M. Allsopp [Allsopp, B.M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-11-14T16:00:00+00:00

32

Horseman was in the middle of updating the case running sheet back at the station when Dr Pillai called. Their appointment had slipped from Horseman’s mind.

‘Good afternoon, Joe. I’m hoping you don’t mind me checking with you. Are you free to meet Shiv and the others a bit earlier, at half-past five?’

Dr Pillai was much too polite to admit his call was a reminder, but he’d witnessed Horseman’s frequent late arrivals and occasional absences from Shiners’ training and even games.

‘Io, vinaka for reminding me, Raj. I got back from the Champion location a while ago. Is there something wrong?’ He shuffled through the loose papers on his desk. He was sure he’d printed out the agenda.

‘No, no. Are you ready to sign the application Shiv’s prepared?’

‘I think so. Shiv’s documents make sense: all in order as far as I can judge.’

‘I agree. My goodness, it’s a big step though, isn’t it? This meeting will be the time to raise the smallest question and slightest doubt. Unwise to rush in, Joe.’

‘You’re the angel, Raj. And I’ll try not to play the fool.’

‘Ha, ha, very funny but untrue. I’ll be seeing you soon, then.’

The light dimmed and Horseman glanced at his watch. Much too early for twilight. He looked out the louvres. Black clouds were rolling in. Black and threatening. When he left the station, the heavy curtain of rain made it hard to see anything. Yet vehicles, horns blaring and wipers struggling, hurtled through it as if their lives were at stake. It was knock-off time and workers crowded the narrow footpaths, spilling on to the road, holding their umbrellas low. His early days as a traffic constable told him there would be accidents.

The office of Patel, Narayan and Smith, Solicitors was above a busy fabric shop in Victoria Parade. He deposited his umbrella in the plastic bucket outside the door and went in. The receptionist smiled, reached into a cupboard behind her and presented him with a dry towel.

Horseman glanced at her name badge. ‘Vinaka, Evi, how thoughtful.’ When he’d mopped himself down, she ushered him into a conference room where Dr Pillai, the Action for Children adviser, Gloria Chung, and Shiv Narayan already sat enjoying a late afternoon tea.

‘Come in, Joe. You’ll remember my secretary, Rina, who’ll take notes. But perhaps you haven’t met Meri Street, the Save the Children publicist.’

Horseman shook hands and Rina poured him tea from the gold-edged china teapot. Evi placed the plate of biscuits in front of him then left, shutting the door.

‘Joe, it’s my greatest honour to help realise your vision of a hostel in Suva for the homeless boys in your Junior Shiners squad. You and Dr Pillai have wisely chosen to register the hostel as a charity. We’ll check through the application documents and if you agree, sign them off this afternoon. However, there are one or two details that Gloria and Meri could give us some guidance on first.’

‘Sure, I’m happy to consider any advice. What are these details?’ Horseman said.

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