Tandia by Bryce Courtenay

Author:Bryce Courtenay [Courtenay, Bryce]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, General
ISBN: 9781459620803
Publisher: Claremont/Penguin
Published: 1991-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

BOOK THREE

TWENTY-FOUR

Colonel Bokkie Venter looked down at the transfer approval notice in front of him from Pretoria. It simply stated that the application by Detective Sergeant Jannie Teunis Geldenhuis for a transfer had been approved and mentioned at the same time that he had been promoted to the Special Branch in Pretoria with the new rank of lieutenant. He was to take up duties as soon as he could be released.

Venter wasn't altogether pleased with the news. Police work is essentially about being a member of a team and Geldenhuis was by nature a secretive man who seldom asked the advice of his peers or, for that matter, showed more than cursory respect for his senior officers. It wasn't anything for which he could be reprimanded; it was just that the blond, blue-eyed policeman was too ambitious for his own good. SAT, the so-called Immorality Squad Geldenhuis ran, was deeply resented by the other divisions who accused him of headline-hunting and grand-standing.

Venter couldn't put his finger on it. On paper Geldenhuis was an exemplary police officer, but there was something about his manner which made his fellow officers dislike him and suspect his motives. Venter could see controversy ahead and controversy was something he'd spent most of his working life trying to avoid.

His appointment book showed that Lieutenant Geldenhuis was to see him at three that afternoon. He called his secretary to bring him the police officer's personal file. There'd been a lot of gossip about the nature of the young policeman's automobile accident and he wanted to bring himself up to date with the details.

At three minutes to three Lieutenant Geldenhuis presented himself to Colonel Venter's secretary. It had taken five months for him to recover from his injuries and he'd been back at work barely a month. He'd used this time to study and to pass the police examinations which allowed him to rise above the rank of detective sergeant. He'd also made real progress in learning the Zulu language.

Colonel Venter's secretary announced him on the phone and then, cradling the receiver, rose from her desk. 'The Colonel will see you now.'

Geldenhuis followed her through a small secretarial office.

She stood by the door of Venter's office to let him pass. 'Coffee?' she asked. Jannie Geldenhuis shook his head, declining. She closed the door behind him as he entered.

'Ah, sit down please, Detective Sergeant.' Venter indicated a chair.

'Thank you, sir.' Geldenhuis had been surprised at the call to see Venter; his senior officer had approved his request for a transfer and he knew of no reason why Venter would want to see him.

Now Venter half rose in his chair and extended his hand. 'Congratulations, Geldenhuis, Lieutenant Geldenhuis, it seems your career continues to prosper.'

Geldenhuis looked surprised, taking Venter's hand.

'Thank you, sir. I confess it comes as a surprise. I mean, being away for so long sick.'

'Better still, you've been promoted to the Special Branch in Pretoria,' Venter added.

This time Geldenhuis was unable to conceal his delight. 'Thank you, sir. That's even better news.

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