Tusk Justice by Victoria Tait

Author:Victoria Tait [Tait, Victoria]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781838061166
Publisher: Kanga Press

Chapter Thirty-Five

The strong voice behind Rose made her jump.

“Sorry to startle you.” It was the handsome dark-haired man Rose had seen the previous day in the Bongo Bar. He extended a hand, closing it firmly around hers as he vigorously shook her arm. “Freddie Shaw. I hear you’re the unofficial side of the law around here.”

“I wouldn’t go that far.” Rose couldn’t help blushing.

“I would,” said Thabiti. “Rose found my Ma’s killer and I bet she’s a good idea who murdered Davina Dijan.” Four pairs of eyes stared at Rose enquiringly.

“Not yet. I think there’s still much to be uncovered in this case.” Freddie, Hugo and Gabe all looked down at their feet. Even Thabiti shuffled in his chair.

Freddie recovered quickest. “I met Gabe at Gaia Conservancy. I’d been sent to write a piece on Davina ahead of the summit and the launch of her book.” Gabe groaned. “More on the book later.”

Freddie grinned, stretched his legs out, and clasped his hands. Rose thought he was enjoying performing to an audience. “I spend some time each year in the States and I was there last spring when Davina conducted one of her fundraising tours. I have to say, she was impressive and wowed her audience. From that tour alone, she secured half a million dollars from Supporting Africa Foundation, and at least the same again from Africa 2050, Renton Bright Wildlife Fund, and an individual donor, Blake Holiday.”

Freddie looked around his rapt audience. “I sense a but here,” said Rose.

“Exactly. When I returned to America in January, I discovered Blake Holiday had tried to get his money back. The general feeling is Davina allowed herself to be enticed into his bed so she could secure his donation.”

“Takes one to know one,” muttered Gabe.

Freddie gave him a sharp look, but continued. “Apparently, once Davina returned to Kenya, she wanted nothing more to do with him. He was furious, and when she refused to refund him, he sent an accountant to pore over her accounts. She’d been away and returned to find the accountant scaring her staff and complaining about missing money. She sent him packing, but the damage was done. Back in the States, Blake Holiday was gleefully stirring up rumours of embezzlement.”

“Exciting, isn’t it?” said Thabiti.

“Unforgivable if it’s true.” Hugo had chosen to join the conversation. “People trusted her. Gave her money to protect endangered wildlife and she was… stealing it.”

Freddie threw his arms in the air. “Now hang on. This is pure speculation. The grudge of a jilted lover who felt cheated out of a substantial amount of money. I didn’t get a chance to investigate if the allegations were true.”

Rose faced Freddie. “Because as a disgruntled lover yourself, she threatened to tell your wife of your affair if you didn’t drop it?”

Rose watched as the colour in Freddie’s face emptied like sand in an hourglass timer. He stammered, “How could you possibly know that?”

“She’s not the police’s best amateur sleuth for nothing.” Thabiti was enjoying himself.

“No, I’m not.

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