Today's Embrace (41 page)

“Enough of missionaries! I shall be blunt, Rogan. We understand each other. I suppose you think I murdered Anthony?”

“That was the first solution that came to mind.”

Julien gave a bitter chuckle.

The door moved silently again and closed.

“One thing about you, you're straightforward. So I, too, will be blunt.” He finished his brandy and set the glass down.

That
bird
. Why was it here? Where had Julien gotten it? He wanted to ask, but doing so would give him away. He must move slowly, patiently, to keep Julien in the dark …

“You still intend to search for Lobengula's burial cave, I suppose?” Rogan asked.

“What do you think? Would I allow anything to stop me?”

No, nor would he allow
anyone
to thwart him in his quest.

“The Black belongs to me. It always has. It represents more to me than a mere diamond. It is the start of my kingdom in Kimberly. I've never told you this before, Rogan. I've never talked about my earliest beginnings here in South Africa with anyone. The family believes I always got along with Ebenezer Bley. Nothing could be more ridiculous. I hated him. He tried to control me. He tried to cheat me out of everything I earned in the pit. And in the beginning, it will shock you to know, I played fairly. I worked harder than most, but Ebenezer outsmarted me at every turn. I told him I'd never cooperate with him, but
he laughed at me. ‘You're like me, Julien,' he'd mock. ‘You'll follow in my footsteps.'

“I swore I wouldn't. I partnered with Carl van Buren … We made some crucial finds that allowed us to expand. Then I found the Kimberly Black … It was worth a fortune …”

Rogan was uncomfortable. In listening to Julien's beginnings, he could see himself. Even Julien's dislike for Ebenezer was a parody of how he felt about Julien.

“Wait,” Rogan said. “You claim you found it. But I've heard other renditions. I've heard it was Carl, and therefore it's actually Evy's diamond—”

“Bah. That's Heyden's story. That's why he'll kill to get it. He really believes it belongs to the van Burens.”

Rogan wasn't sure if he believed Julien. “I've also heard it said that Henry believed my grandfather discovered it.”

“So he told me on that day long ago at Cape House. Henry came to get financial backing for an expedition north. The Black was on my desk. He threatened me. He claimed it belonged to the Chantrys.”

“And I suppose that's not true?” Rogan asked wryly.

“Naturally not. I discovered it before the day the mine explosion took Carl's life. I tried to save him …”

“Yes, I'd think so.”

“But he was too badly injured. So you see the Black represents my beginning, my freedom from everyone and everything that controlled me. Including Ebenezer. That's when I lost my eye … but once I had the Black, I had the key to my future, my kingdom in diamonds. I naturally gravitated toward men like Rhodes and joined De Beers Consolidated Mining Company. Ebenezer became proud of me. He treated me as his heir after that and left me in control. He could see that only I, Julien Bley, had the ability to follow his steps. The Black Diamond represents my purpose in life, yes, my reason to live, my soul. And I will take it back from Lobengula's rotting carcass. It belongs in my showcase at
Cape House. When I need to be reminded of my purpose, I take it out, handle it, look at it, recommit to my goals.”

Rogan fought against the rising sensation of disgust. But why should he feel thus? Julien's ambitions were typical of many, though in an exaggerated fashion. While few would go as far as Julien, he had consistently followed his purposes to the fullest extent. Was he not even like him, himself?

“You'll go on the Matopos expedition, as well. So will Retford. You ask why? Because I don't trust some of the men I'll need to bring with me. I'll need protection, and so will the Black until I can return to Capetown.”

Rogan was not about to get involved in the Matopos diamond hunt.

“I'll say one thing for you and Retford. I can turn my back to you two.”

“That's something Anthony couldn't do to someone he trusted.”

“You think it was one of us?”

“Don't you?”

“I'm not convinced. What was there to gain by his death?”

“Maybe it was to cover something up.”

Julien's eye twitched. “Such as?”

Rogan stood. If he said anything about the plan to aid the Uitlanders, he might unmask Arcilla's knowledge of what was happening. Parnell, too, might be suspected.

“Just a suggestion. We do know someone did it, and it doesn't appear as an opportune killing by one of the Ndebele.” Now was his chance … “So Dumaka is dead, or is he? I've my doubts about that.”

“You heard about the tale I told at dinner that night? Yes, Harry got him. Trailed him to the Shangani.”

“He trailed a Zulu?” Rogan pointed out doubtfully. “You know the Ndebele as I do. Do you think a man of Harry Whipple's caliber could outrun and outsmart Dumaka? I don't. I'd like to talk to Harry about it.”

“Harry has no reason to come up with a story like that. I believe him.”

“Because you want to believe Dumaka is dead. As for having no reason, the reason is as clear as you'd want it. For your indebtedness, your favor. And it's worked, too, hasn't it? Why else is Whipple the head of your native Company police? Because of his great ability? It didn't take much to convince me he has little of that. But he's pugnacious and takes orders from you well.”

Julien, rather than getting angry, considered. He took a slim Turkish cigarette from his case and lit it.

“I won't deny he's been bought. In some ways I'd trust a spitting cobra before Harry. But in the matter of Dumaka, I do trust him.”

“Why, because he says so? Did he bring you any proof?”

Julien paced in front of his desk. Rogan's gaze was lured back to what looked to be a solid gold falcon with wings spread, its head looking to the right.
The exact replica of what Henry had drawn!
Somehow he had yet to bring up the subject. Would Darinda know anything about it? Perhaps—

“I'll call Harry now. Ask him any question you like.” Julien walked to the door and threw it open.

“Captain Retford, send for Whipple.”

Harry Whipple arrived almost at once, looking curious and pleased with himself until he noticed Rogan. He eyed him warily. Julien motioned for Retford to stay.

“Well, Harry,” Julien said in a baiting voice, “you've met Rogan here. He thinks Dumaka is still alive and conniving evil against us. What do you have to say about that?”

Rogan looked at Retford. He seemed alert and interested. Had he doubted the story as well? Rogan credited Retford with having good sense. He was a friend of Derwent, which spoke well for Retford. Darinda had entered the office from another door, and Rogan wondered how much she had heard. He thought she, wily as a little fox, knew just about everything her grandfather was doing in Bulawayo.
Rogan also noticed the enamored glance that passed between her and Captain Retford when they spotted each other.

Darinda walked over to the desk and stood with her back toward them as her grandfather sparred with Harry Whipple.

“Dumaka's dead, all right,” Harry stated firmly. “I saw five or six crocs headed straight for him after he jumped in the Shangani.”

“But you didn't actually see them attack?” Rogan inquired.

“Now, c'mon, Rogan Chantry, you think you could survive a bunch of hungry crocs?”

“No. But I'm wagering a Zulu warrior could.”

“Well, you're wagerin' wrong. There's nobody who could survive that many of 'em.”

“But you offer no proof Dumaka is dead. No bit of clothing, his assegai, nothing.”

Harry wore a sullen face. “Didn't think I needed any. Saw no reason why I should be doubted, and if I hadn't been sure the savage was killed, I wouldn't have come back saying so. I chased him from Lobengula's hut. Ask Sir Julien. I saved his life that time. Dumaka ran out of the hut, and I was on him like a vulture.”

Rogan didn't like the way he averted his eyes when he spoke. He wasn't convinced, but looking over at Julien, he saw satisfaction written on his face. Julien found it easy to believe his enemy was dead.

“There you have it, Rogan,” Julien said with the vibrancy of victory in his voice. “Harry is sure the crocodiles in the river finished the job. I for one find his story credible.”

Harry cultivated a look of humility. “Thank you, sir. Your trust in me does me honor.”

Rogan placed hands on hips and twisted his mouth. Captain Retford smiled.

Darinda turned from the desk, and her face was anything but smiling.

“Grandfather, what if he isn't dead? That may provide a better explanation of what happened here in your office the night Anthony was murdered.”

Julien appeared to tense. He turned toward her.

“I don't think we should bring that night up, Miss Bley,” Harry said in a baneful voice.

She looked at him. “If you expect to solve a murder, maybe we should.”

Rogan tried not to smile, but Harry looked doleful, as though she'd hit him unfairly.

“The spellcasting, the sacrificed animal, the hakata divining bones, I'm inclined to agree with Rogan that it fits Dumaka. For that matter, who's to say he didn't kill Anthony?”

“If he's alive it's possible, but he needs a motive, Miss Bley, if we're to add Dumaka to the list of possible murderers,” Captain Retford said.

Darinda looked over at Rogan. “Did Dumaka ever hold anything against Anthony?”

“I think we're jumping all over the place here,” Harry complained. “We're assuming too much. I say Dumaka is dead.”

“Only indirectly. He may have had a grudge against Anthony,” Rogan answered Darinda, ignoring Harry Whipple. “He knew Anthony was in the Cape House stables that night when the Black Diamond was stolen. He must have known Anthony was Uncle Julien's adopted son. He would despise him for that reason alone. And secondly, his sister, Jendaya, converted to Christianity under Dr. Clyde and Junia Varley. Dumaka despised Jendaya for becoming a Christian. In his way of thinking, she'd betrayed the Zulu kingdom and its gods. Jendaya was there at Rorke's Drift when the Zulus attacked. Dumaka was one of those impis. Jendaya managed to escape with Anthony's child. Dumaka could hold that against Anthony. Now, what was that about hakata bones?”

Julien had withdrawn into an uncanny silence.

“The captain can tell you about it,” she said.

Rogan stopped him. He already knew all about the nganga and their divining bones. He also remembered that Henry wrote in his journal about Julien having a set, and how when Henry walked in on him once, Julien had been doing something peculiar with them.

“Are you saying Julien's office here was the scene of spellcasting?” Rogan was alarmed. Now he was almost sure Dumaka was alive.

Sir Julien roused himself and took command again. He walked to his desk and snatched another Turkish smoke, lighting it with jerky movements. “Yes. The sign of a black future.” He looked at Harry Whipple. “You still stand by your oath that you cornered Dumaka by the Shangani?”

“Yes, he's dead. Whoever did that hokey-pokey will be caught, sir. We're still on it.”

Julien looked across the room at Rogan, then back to Harry. “All right, Harry, that's all for now. Keep on it, by Jove. We'll have the fiend who killed Anthony before all this is over. Darinda? You and the captain can go as well. I still have a few things to talk over with Rogan.”

They all trooped out, and when the door was shut and they were alone again, Julien turned to look at him. An unpleasant smirk was on his face. Rogan's gaze dropped to what Julien held in his hand.

The gold falcon glittered.

Sir Julien chuckled at Rogan. “Did you think you fooled me, my boy? I set it here on my desk to get your reaction. You tried to conceal your excitement, but little escapes me when I'm expecting it. Your reaction proves I was right. Henry drew this bird on his map.” Unexpectedly, he handed it to Rogan. “Am I right?” Julien challenged.

Rogan's temper flared. “You'll tell me how you learned it was on the map or—”

“Now, now. You and I are friends at last, remember?”

Rogan laughed. “Like you and Ebenezer, is that it?” He expected his uncle to get angry, but Julien smiled.

“Exactly,” he said. “You and I, Rogan. You'll go on the expedition to find the Black Diamond. You and Retford, both. As I've said, I can turn my back to both of you. Harry? He'd steal me blind.”

“How did you find out about the drawings on the map?”

“The emblems?” He chuckled. “Giles Mornay.”

“Mornay!” Rogan was stunned. He was tempted not to believe him, but how else could he have learned? Julien had never seen Henry's old map. Rogan had made certain of that.