Free Softly Calls the Serengeti by Frank Coates

for?’
    â€˜For anyone who’ll pay,’ he said. It was true. He’d decided to do some articles while in Kenya to supplement his funds. He’d already got a couple of commissions from previous colleagues willing to do him a favour. ‘ Fortune magazine, for example.’
    â€˜I’m flattered. Why would Fortune take an interest in my little company?’
    â€˜Little fish can be sweet, Ms Ramanova,’ Riley said, smiling.
    â€˜Can they indeed?’ Her smile widened. ‘Call me Kazlana.’
    â€˜Mark.’
    â€˜Ah, Mark. Yes, I remember. Now…what would you like from me, Mark?’
    Riley unzipped his leather folder and took a pen and notepad from it, resisting the temptation to continue the little play on words. ‘Just a brief description of your business. Perhaps you could start by giving me some background and the names of the directors?’
    â€˜I’m the sole director of Ramanova and Company. It’s a very old family business going back five or six generations. Trading in Africa is an informal, rambling affair, but I can tell you that the family were originally traders between the Indian subcontinent and East Africa before the time of the Omani regime. They went on to supply goods and materials to the British during the building of the Uganda railway. Later, my grandfather and his father made money running supplies to the Germans through the British blockade in World War I. Grandpa Omar was just fourteen; he manned the Gatling gun while my great-grandfather steered the dhow.’
    â€˜It seems the Ramanovas were versatile,’ Riley said.
    â€˜Business is business,’ she replied with a shrug. ‘After the war we moved operations to the new capital of Nairobi, but we still retain some ties with the coast, dealing mainly with regional cargo. Farida can give you a copy of our company description and activities.’
    â€˜Thank you. And perhaps you can help me on a completelyseparate matter? I noticed that your company is involved with NGOs. I’m hoping you can direct me to the right government department to help me.’
    â€˜What do you need?’
    â€˜I’m trying to find an orphaned child I’ve been sponsoring for a few years,’ he said. ‘I found the building I was looking for in Kibera, but there was no one there. So I went to the Department of Community Development to get the new address…’
    â€˜â€¦and they refused to help.’
    â€˜Exactly.’
    â€˜They said something like: it’s not departmental policy to give out that information?’
    â€˜You’ve been down this road before?’ he said.
    â€˜Have you had any other experience with the Kenyan bureaucracy, Mark?’
    He smiled. ‘I know what you’re thinking: this guy is going to be taken to the cleaners by petty local corruption.’
    â€˜I know what it’s like—even for a local like me. You could waste a lot of time jumping through hoops for no reward.’
    â€˜I’ve had some experience jumping through hoops in Indonesia.’
    â€˜Then you have an idea of what you’re up against. What would you like from me?’
    â€˜Well, I could go back to Mombasa and start again, but I thought you may be able to put me in touch with someone in the department who’s cooperative.’
    â€˜Cooperation comes at a price.’
    Riley shrugged. ‘I’m prepared to pay a little to save some time.’
    â€˜Are you sure this child is still with the orphanage?’
    â€˜I’m not sure of anything. All I know is the money’s still coming out of my account every month.’
    â€˜I do know someone in the Department of Community Development, through my father’s side of the business.’
    â€˜Maybe your father can direct me to someone useful?’
    â€˜I’m afraid not,’ she said. ‘He passed away late last year.’
    â€˜I’m