Death off camera, p.29
Death Off Camera, page 29
‘How did Eroni know you told us you saw him with Desi on the beach?’
‘He didn’t, but he’s so devoted he will always lie to protect me.’
‘Did you eat the pufferfish yourself?’
‘No, I wasn’t hungry, and there was a chance I’d get sick, no matter how careful I’d been. And there was only a mouthful on the tiny snapper, so we tossed that to a heron nearby.’
‘Let’s leave it there for tonight, Mili. I don’t want to tire you. I appreciate your cooperation, but we’ll need to talk some more in the morning. Sergeant Singh will stay with you while I get a woman constable to take you to the custody section and look after you.’
‘But you haven’t charged me!’
‘You’re under arrest on suspicion of endangering the life of Steve Duke by poison, so we can detain you for forty-eight hours for questioning. My superior officer will decide on the precise charges. I would pray hard for Mr Duke’s recovery, if I were you, Mili.’
EPILOGUE
Ten days later, the entire CID staff gathered on the detectives’ floor, waiting for Detective Chief Superintendent Tauvaga to arrive. The big man walked in right on time, smiled at his juniors, and quelled the hubbub simply by raising his hands.
‘Bula vinaka, officers. I congratulate Detective Inspector Susila Singh on her appointment to Labasa CID, headquarters for Vanua Levu Command. All of you, her Suva colleagues, will miss her dedication, efficiency, and knowledge. I will miss her, too. However, I won’t wish her success, because her own qualities guarantee she will succeed in all her professional endeavours. Nevertheless, I wish her happiness in Labasa.’
Everyone applauded warmly, then fell on the buffet lunch Ratini had ordered for this occasion. Horseman watched Singh making the rounds of her colleagues until the chief super caught his eye.
‘Joe, you deserve to know that these Champion prosecutions are getting messy.’ Tauvaga said.
Horseman bridled. ‘Really, sir? They struck me as watertight.’
‘Yes and no. The evidence against Lui Tuvoli for drug supply, conspiracy to steal, receiving stolen goods and ancillary charges is strong, thanks to the cooperation of a few FIT interns. Tuvoli’s solicitor would prefer to avoid a trial, but his client so far refuses to accept reality and plead guilty. The scoundrel wants immunity from prosecution! That’s not on!’
‘I’m glad to hear that, sir. And the latest on Mili?’
‘Messy. As you know, the media storm following the arrest of Fiji’s beloved songbird for manslaughter sparked crazy accusations of racism by the Champion executives. Her solicitor claims her confession to you is invalid and has arranged a psychiatric examination for Mili.’
‘Hell!’
‘She’s still on bail at her parents’ home on Taveuni. Thank the Lord it’s off the beaten track. However, given any Fijian jury will be prejudiced in Mili’s favour, the prosecutor advises downgrading the manslaughter charge to reckless endangerment of life for both Ken and Desirée. He argues a jury is more likely to convict her on that charge.’
‘Hmm, I’m not surprised. What are the chances they’ll declare her unfit to stand trial?’
Tauvaga spread his hands in the air. ‘I don’t want to bet on that one. Wait and watch, Joe.’
After a final round of benevolent handshakes, the chief super left, an obsequious Ratini at his side.
Horseman found Singh at the ravaged buffet table, looking forlorn. ‘What’s the difference between a plague of mice and detectives, sir?’
‘None, by the look of this table. And Susie, no more sirs! How about a quiet coffee?’
‘Always, Joe.’ But she changed her mind when they crossed the road and Hare Krishna’s was right before her. ‘You know, I suddenly want an ice-cream, quite badly.’
Singh stuck to her favourite ginger-and-nutmeg while Horseman opted for mango-and-passionfruit. Ice cream would melt instantly on the street, so they sat side-by-side at the window counter. Between licks, Horseman told her what Tauvaga had said about the Champion cases.
‘It’s lucky for Mili that Steve Duke recovered, then.’ She sounded outraged.
‘Yep. But I can’t see a jury, even a jury of fans, going for not guilty on three charges of reckless endangerment of life.’
‘I hope you’re right.’
‘You know, Champion is set up to encourage the crimes we’ve seen. I mean, a million-dollar prize, super-charged competition in a stressful environment, fatigue and hunger—some contestants won’t cope well. Add in the system of shifting alliances, secrecy, betrayal of stronger rivals—that will weaken any honest player’s grasp of reality.’
‘It’s not cricket, Joe!’
‘Ha, no! Nor rugby. If your opponent has the ball, you bring him to the ground if you can. What Champion calls tactics and strategy involves the worst human failings of deceit, pretence, and exploiting others for your advantage. It corrupts the players in order to provide entertainment. The audience then views what used to be regarded as bad behaviour as desirable and clever.’ Noticing Singh’s frown, he smiled. ‘Am I going too far, Susie?’
‘Maybe, but you’re entitled to your point of view. I find the show entertaining. Without Mili, all could have gone well.’ She brightened. ‘I got a call from Kiti, the estate agent. She’s found a tenant for the rest of my lease on my flat. You know, if I can save more in Labasa, I’d like to buy that flat. Kiti thinks the owner would consider an offer.’
‘Wonderful, that will bring you back to Suva!’
‘Who knows? It may be simply a shrewd investment.’ Her eyes were laughing.
‘When’s your flight?’
‘Tomorrow afternoon. That will give me a full day and two nights to get settled into my temporary digs before I report on Monday morning.’
‘Sleepy Labasa won’t know what’s hit them.’
‘Don’t be rude! When you come to visit, I’ll take you to my sister’s farm for the best goat curry in the world.’
‘I’d hate to miss that! I’ve got a car booked tomorrow. Can I drive you to the airport?’
‘We’ll both be charged with corruption next! Thank you, Joe, but airport send-offs aren’t my thing.’ She gazed out the window.
He understood. ‘Well, onto Arabica for your last decent coffee for a while?’
‘Absolutely. But who knows what hidden coffee treasure awaits me in Labasa?’ She tightened her trembling lips, but her shaky voice gave her away. Turning away from him, she bent over her backpack, fumbling with a strap. Pretending not to notice the dark teardrop splodges on the purple canvas, Horseman went to the counter and paid the bill. When he held the door open, she smiled up at him and stepped out to the steamy street, her head high.
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Welcome gift for Fiji Fan Club members
I hope you enjoyed this book. Like other Fiji Islands Mysteries readers, you may have also enjoyed discovering Fiji. My years in these beautiful islands inspired me to write this series.
When I published Death on Paradise Island, I began a blog which has evolved to include Fijian food, customs, history, sport—whatever occurs to me. I was so delighted with readers’ responses, I compiled the best into an illustrated e-book with hot links to cool music and videos, too. Finding Fiji is a short, subjective collection that enriches readers’ enjoyment of my novels.
Finding Fiji is exclusive to Fiji Fan Club members, so I invite you to join us today. Each month, I’ll send you some news about my books and Fiji. I'll also share the latest crime fiction promos. As a welcome gift, I’ll present you with Finding Fiji and my prequel novella, Death of a Hero: How it all began.
Join the Fiji Fan Club here: bmallsopp.com
Glossary and Guide to Fijian Pronunciation
bula – hello
moce – goodbye or goodnight
moce mada – see you later
io – yes
oi lei – wow! /oh no!
ovisa – police officer
ratu - chief
vakalevu – very much
vinaka – thank you
yaqona – kava (the plant, its roots, ground powder
and drink)
Acronyms
DI – detective inspector
DS – detective sergeant
DC – detective constable
DCS – detective chief superintendent
SOCO – scene of crime officer
Spelling
The Fijian alphabet is based on English but it is phonetic,
so each sound is always represented by only one letter,
unlike English.
Vowels
a as in father
e as in let
i as in Fiji
o as in or
u as in flu
Consonants
Most consonants are pronounced roughly as in English,
with the following important exceptions.
b = mb as in member eg. bula = mbu-la
d = nd as in tender eg. dina = ndi-na
g = ng as in singer eg. liga = ling-a
q = ng as in stronger eg. yaqona = yang-gona
c = th as in father eg. maca = ma-tha
Enjoy this book? You can make a big difference.
As an indie author, I don’t have the financial muscle of a major world publisher behind me. However, I do have loyal readers who loved my first book and took the trouble to post reviews online. These reviews brought my book to the attention of other readers.
I would be most grateful if you could spend a few minutes posting a short review on Amazon, BookBub, Goodreads or your favourite book review site. Just a line or two will encourage potential readers to try a new author.
If you enjoyed this book, please consider recommending the Fiji Islands Mysteries to your community library or book club.
About the author
B.M. Allsopp writes the Fiji Islands Mysteries series. She lived in the South Pacific islands for fourteen years, including four in Fiji, where she worked at the University of the South Pacific in Suva. An avid crime fiction fan, she aims to share her love of Fiji with fellow mystery readers. She now lives in Sydney with her husband and tabby cat. You’re always welcome at her online home: www.bmallsopp.com.
Fiji Islands Mysteries
DEATH OF A HERO: HOW IT ALL BEGAN:
Fiji Islands Mysteries Prequel
Meet young Joe Horseman. How much will he risk to save his dead hero's honour?
When Horseman finds his rugby captain’s corpse in the changing shed, he vows to help investigate. But the police refuse to pass him the ball.
DEATH ON PARADISE ISLAND
Fiji Islands Mysteries 1
An island paradise. A grisly murder. Can a detective put his rugby days behind him to tackle a killer case?
DI Joe Horseman knows he'll have to up his game when guests at an island resort witness a young maid's corpse wash ashore.
DEATH BY TRADITION
Fiji Islands Mysteries 2
Must DI Joe Horseman sacrifice his chance at love to catch a killer?
Horseman can’t wait for his American girlfriend, to join him in Fiji. So he sets a deadline to crack a murder case in the remote highlands, But dangers loom through the mountain mist.
DEATH BEYOND THE LIMIT
Fiji Islands Mysteries 3
Can a landlubber detective combat evil on the high seas?
DI Joe Horseman stares into the eyes of a severed head fished out of a shark’s gut. Did the tiger shark kill Jona or was he already dead when it clamped its teeth around his neck?
DEATH SENTENCE
Fiji Islands Mysteries 4
A notorious convict is freed. The public wants him dead.
When Dev Reddy is released, the Fiji media whip up an outcry in Suva. As protest threatens to escalate to riot, DI Joe Horseman fears Reddy’s parole may be a sentence of death.
DEATH OFF CAMERA
Fiji Islands Mysteries 5
A TV reality hit. Players dying to win.
Champion, the TV game show sensation, is shooting a new series in Fiji. When a young finalist dies, DI Joe Horseman must unpick Champion’s tangle of ambition, fantasy and greed to stop a killer.
More details and buy links at: bmallsopp.com/books
Acknowledgements
I could never have begun the Fiji Islands Mysteries without the help of Mr Waisea Vakamocea, retired senior officer of the Fiji Police Force, who answered my many questions. Fiction demands simplified and accelerated police procedures, so I am entirely responsible for any errors and shortcuts.
Despite my viewing of several TV reality series for research purposes, I knew nothing about film production until I met John Blick of Shadow Play Films. John and his colleagues Greg and Julian generously opened my eyes to some realities of filming on location, including thefts of equipment. Again, any mistakes in this area are mine.
For editorial advice, I was lucky to find Troy Lambert, who is both a successful mystery author and editor. Troy's professional evaluation of my manuscript was most helpful. As for the volunteer advance readers of Horseman’s Cavalry who pointed out many errors and told me how much they enjoyed the story, I can’t thank them enough.
Finally, I thank Peter Williamson for his advice through reading draft after draft, his enthusiasm for my writing and constant support.
First published in Australia in 2023 by Coconut Press
Print book ISBN 978-0-6488911-7-8
E-book ISBN 978-0-6488911-6-1
The right of the author to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000.
This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced, copied, scanned, stored in a retrieval system, recorded or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
B.M. Allsopp, Death Off Camera
