Free Softly Calls the Serengeti by Frank Coates Page A

sorry.’
    â€˜It’s okay, but thanks.’ She smiled a little self-consciously. ‘It’s strange, isn’t it? It’s been almost a year and yet it seems like only a week ago. I still have trouble believing he’s not here, running the family business as he always did. So, this fellow in Community Development—his name’s Omuga. He’ll take your tea money, but you’ll probably get what you’re looking for.’
    â€˜How do I see him?’
    â€˜I’ll make a call and let you know. How shall I contact you?’
    Riley took a business card from the coffee table and wrote his mobile phone number on it.
    â€˜I’d take you to see him myself,’ said Kazlana, taking the card, ‘but, well, I made life difficult for a few of the senior people in the department when my father died, so if I were to introduce you, it would not be to your advantage.’
    â€˜What did you do?’ Riley asked.
    She took a moment before responding. ‘When Papa died, I enquired about the circumstances of his death.’
    â€˜And…?’
    â€˜Let’s just say they weren’t explained to my satisfaction.’
    â€˜How so?’
    Again she hesitated. ‘They said he died in a plane crash near Wajir.’
    â€˜I suppose aviation accidents aren’t uncommon in those remote places,’ Riley said.
    â€˜You’re right. But my father was an ace pilot. He wouldn’t have made a mistake. And the weather wasn’t a factor. I knew they were lying.’
    Riley could see that Kazlana was quite a strong, assertive woman, as demonstrated by her admission that she had made life difficult for people in the department , but he recognised a sign of grief that he shared. Rather than accept what had happened, she wanted to find someone to blame. AfterMelissa’s death he’d spent a lot of energy in the same pursuit. ‘I guess there’s nothing you can do about it now,’ he said.
    Kazlana stood up and moved to the door, indicating the interview was over. ‘That’s where you’re wrong. I intend to find out who was responsible. And when I do, I’ll know exactly what to do about it.’
    She didn’t elaborate, but Riley left her office feeling there was more to Kazlana Ramanova than just a pretty face.

CHAPTER 8
    After the last of the men had departed the warehouse in the depths of the industrial area, Gideon Koske stood for a moment beside his car, reflecting upon the meeting. He had called the men together to organise a protest march, designed to cause the authorities to retaliate. The ensuing violence would make front-page news, drawing attention to the government’s inability to maintain law and order. The twenty men he had recruited to incite the protesters were all very experienced operators.
    He felt a little apprehensive that the police response might be lukewarm, but he had some ideas about leaking information in the right quarters to ensure that they were properly primed to take strong action. His young supporters in Kibera could be relied upon to provide the necessary enthusiasm, ensuring that the authorities felt suitably aggrieved and reacted appropriately.
    He opened the car door and slid into the seat beside his driver, allowing himself a smile of self-congratulation. If this march had the desired effect, Kibaki and his supporters could be guaranteed to react vigorously to every future Odinga rally. The retaliations would escalate and the climate would be perfect for his purposes.
    Everything was proceeding rather well.
    Â 
    Raila Odinga stood in the very heart of Kibera, on a makeshift platform above the bare red earth of Kamukungi and in the full heat of the sun. He was there to address his followers. His voicefluctuated in strength as he moved the portable megaphone over the many thousands who had crammed into the railway easement to hear him speak.
    Joshua was near enough to feel the full volume of