The Flesh And Diamonds

By James K. Ngubiah

There are blue diamonds inside the Kasigao wilderness of Taita Taveta in Kenya. The ruthless ambition and greed of men and women fighting to control them set the shifting flow of fortune and crime in The Flesh and Diamonds. It is a delightful story of love and betrayal, full of suspense and thrill. Caesar Kichwa Tajiri is a mean but shrewd mastermind, with a loose sensual nut, who is pitted against insidious business scavengers, both local and foreign. Caesar loses the battle in a shocking murder plot. However, his gorgeous sweetheart and daughter exert terrifying vengeance on the enemy in a riveting drama of rivalry, sex, jealousy and intrigue. And yet at the end, it is her temperance and reason that throw a ring of light on Malkia Wembe Tamu as the heroine of the story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: James K. Ngubiah
• Release date: Oct 10, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301299430

James K. Ngubiah

Born in the central highlands of Kenya, James Ngubiah enjoys writing fiction as a hobby. He is the author of “The Love Birds” in print. He lives in Nairobi, Kenya.He is a Financial and Micro-enterprise consultant in profession.

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Dedication

This book is dedicated to the memory of my darling parents Wanjiru and Mwangi; my darling sisters Waithira and Wambui; my darling brother Mugo; all of who have departed for the empyrean home. Their love endures beyond the mortal lives.

The Flesh And Diamonds

Published by James K. Ngubiah at Smashwords

Copyright 2013 James K. Ngubiah

License Notes

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. The ebook is only licensed for your use as it is. It may not be re-sold, distributed or repackaged in any other form without an express permission from the author. If you are reading this book and you have not purchased it or it was not offered as a free download by the publisher, you are violating the rights of the author. Buy your own copy please. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

"To get rich is glorious."

Deng Xiaoping.

(Chinese premier.)

Thinking to get at once all the gold that the goose could give, he killed it, and opened it only to find – nothing.

Aesop: Fables, ‘The Goose with the Golden Eggs.’

CHAPTER ONE

Malkia Wembe Tamu turned over sluggishly in bed. She reached for her Cartier 3-diamond ring Sapphire glass watch from the bedside table: 6.30 A.M. And immediately the muted pulse electronic timer started. On the same bedside table too were her Monet gold-plated necklace and ear sticks. She sat up abruptly on the king-size ivory seal Slumberland mattress. The air outside was cold. The sunrise sprayed the huge hotel room with mists of gold and orient pearls. She felt a faint pang of pain in the temples- it must have been last night’s whisky. They had come from the Casino and the ballroom at 3.0 A.M. There was hardly any time left before 8.30 A.M, she stepped out of bed, completely naked, and tiptoed to the loo.

The humid air inside was chilly and irritating. Once inside the bath she set the temperature to 60C, then lay flat floating on her back- imbibing the warmth and caress of suds and eddies before she started the rigorous scrubbing and rubbing. When she was dry Malkia stood in front of the wall mirror just to confirm her body shape was perfect. She was twenty-two, slender and uniquely attractive. Five feet seven inch tall, her hipbone was broad like her mothers, the limbs were fully developed and the breasts pointed. Her Afro hair was dark and long, trimmed beautifully around the ears and nape. Her face had proportionate features except for the mouth which was rather wide, the thin lips a bit pursed at the edges. She had a supple chocolate skin and sexy penetrating jaguar eyes. Otherwise Malkia Wembe Tamu was a reigning beauty and a ballroom sensation.

She walked back to the bedroom where she slipped into new clothes: a lose cord drawer over seamless stockings, fancy silk brassiere, a cream silk designer dress that was quite revealing and then a light claw hammers jacket. Owing to the very cold weather she wrapped a cashmere neckerchief around her neck.

Miss Malkia Wembe Tamu was not only beautiful but also very smart. She was gifted with an inquisitive mind that fed on ideas for breakfast. That she inherited from her father. She had qualified with a first class honors degree in Business Administration from the University of Nairobi, only nine months earlier. And immediately after graduating she had joined with other colleagues to start a freelance business consultancy firm. She was the partner in charge of marketing and public relations. And right now she was following up an important contract that was likely to change her life and status in society completely. The time was running out as it was already 7.30 A.M.

Then she turned to the man still crouched on the bed, his lounging pajamas flung loosely exposing his hairy chest and wrinkled belly. Slumped languidly in deep stress-induced sleep, the poor darling now snored regularly like a two years old infant. She was amused by the hill on his Y-front as an erection must mean he was still dreaming. And then she was, for a fleeting second, apprehensive- whom was he dreaming about? But who else could it be but her? Involuntarily the sight of his erection triggered her own glandular secretions and Tamu felt the tremor and thrill as her nipples sharpened.

Although Caesar Kichwa Tajiri was twenty-six years her senior, his thigh and biceps were still strong and, even in sleep, his mean facial demeanor showed clearly as exemplified by thin pursed lips. Caesar was a money-barrel and an eagle-eyed business magnate. To Caesar business was a game: a mathematical game involving risk, bluff, deception, tact, and lots of luck. And he was a conjurer in it. His operating philosophy was very simple: if possible make money honestly, if not, somehow make the money. He owned four tourist class hotels in Mombasa, a coffee and tea plantation in central province as well as a transportation company that owned several vehicles in Nairobi and Nakuru. He was also a part time prospector in precious minerals. The separate businesses were all tied together under the name of Caesar Holdings Limited in which he was the executive chairman. According to the latest published accounts, the net worth of Caesar Holdings Limited was Kenya shillings 6.2 billion. For the last four years Malkia Wembe Tamu was the leading private business consultant for Caesar Holdings Limited. She was also Caesar Kichwa Tajiri's secret lover and financial controller. In Malkia's mind, the shrewd old bull was all hers for keeps. She had snatched him from her own mother, many years ago, and not a single time had she regretted her action. Now she knew him, loved him dearly, or more so his money, and wished to keep him protected from all harm- from within or without. With him on her side the future was going to be as glistening as the sun.

Caesar! Wake up, darling its already late, wake up, she called patting him gently on the side, but to no avail. The old bull still snored. Then smiling mischievously, she held the small bulge between his legs by her right hand and pinched. A stir as the molehill wrinkled, then Caesar jumped up with a grunt.

Tamu! That’s the most unacceptable- Her reckless smile met his frown, dissolving it as she kissed him on the right cheek

Its 7.30 already. You have to meet the Sinclairs at 8.30, she reminded him.

Aah-yes. The Britons are coming. That’s okay. I will be ready in seconds. Caesar said as he loafed out of bed, threw off the pajamas and walked to the bathroom. Malkia opened the curtains to reveal the sprawling rugged jungle that was Tsavo National Park. The Elephant Herd Hotel was built on a rocky knoll overlooking a wide valley of which at the bottom was watering points for the park animals. There was a huge herd of Elephants and Zebras down there, feeding on the dewy vegetation that surrounded the water holes. Viewed through the slanted twilight of dawn the beauty was gripping.

In less than fifteen minutes Caesar was back, clean-shaven and smiling. He started dressing quickly, slipping a gray two-piece suit over a stripped shirt and a bow tie. Caesar always wore a bow tie when he was expecting important guests. It was his idea of smartness. At eight o'clock she closed the door behind them and they departed to the dining hall for breakfast.

*****

At the check in counter Caesar found a note saying that Mr. Sinclair Foster and Mr. Edwin Moore, both from Sinclair Moore Gemstone Marketing Inc. of UK, were waiting for him at the Coconut Lounge. Coconut lounge was ideal, it was farthest into the valley and the wildlife scenery would be most vivid. It was also open, no gargoyle would overhear on their conversations. Caesar held his briefcase in his right hand with Malkia beside him as he greeted the two young Europeans.

Welcome to Kenya, Caesar said as he settled down on an armchair facing them. Malkia sat on his right hand side smiling boldly.

Thank you, thank you very much.

They then went through the formalities of introduction and exchange of business cards. Caesar learnt that the taller narrow-faced and spectacled man was called Sinclair Foster while the stout pudgy-faced man with wing ears was Edwin Moore. Moore was apparently the more talkative of the duo. Malkia Wembe Tamu was introduced simply as a private business consultant. After brief recitations to the visitors about the beauty of mother Kenya and the great tropical sunshine, Caesar went straight into the business of the day. He opened his brief case and pulled out a six-inch square walnut box that he placed on the table and then from his coat pocket pulled out a miniature key. He opened the box. Inside were three sparkling crystals of pure diamond; each was 250 Carats, or 50 grams. Caesar handed a piece to each man. What shocked the visitors most was not the unusually large size of the crystals but the fact that these were the rare blue diamonds, the most expensive type of diamond in the world. And although they did not want to show it so openly, both were extremely ecstatic, which was evident from their insatiable microscopic scrutiny of the crystals as well as the reckless grins. Moore took out a hand-held electronic instrument that shot a thin pencil of laser beam through the crystals to ascertain their molecular structure and authenticity: 100% pure! Sinclair came around and shook Caesar's hand vigorously. He also kissed Malkia's right cheek.

In a thumb up gesture, Sinclair declared: We have a deal!

Expert mineralogists estimate the seam stratum to contain deposits between 8 and 10 million metric tons of highest grade ore, Caesar said.

Our cash flow forecasts for the next five years are available for your perusal, Malkia intoned expertly. She passed the four inches thick feasibility study bound in pastel paper to Mr. Sinclair. The accumulated net cash balances during the fifth year of operations is over Kenya shillings 248 billions, the equivalent of 3.8 billion USA dollars at the prevailing foreign exchange rates. That does not take into consideration the significant appreciation of the shilling due to financial signaling, once the news of the discovery of the diamonds hit major world currency markets.

Thank you very much madam, Sinclair said impressed. Those projections will be examined by our financial and legal advisors who are currently looking at the Prospectus that you sent to us. I am sure, judging by these samples, it is all systems go now.

As you must have noted in the prospectus, Caesar said with cautious self-confidence, Almasi Ores Limited now owns the 99 years lease for the 100 acres plot. We have paid an extortionate price for that.

Caesar placed the original lease documents on the table. Sinclair took them and perused through very carefully.

But our 25% shareholding in Almasi is currently estimated at 18 million dollars.

Not any more, Caesar said curtly. The revised feasibility study will explain the reasons for the change. Two shareholders only, Mr. Caesar Kichwa Tajiri and Mrs. Cathy Upendo Tajiri own Almasi Ores Limited. The founder promoters have exhausted all their resources now and cannot raise further capital towards the investment. The minority interest will need to raise the money for the plant and equipment as well as for working capital. This works to be 25 million dollars- which is just a modest price for a 25% stake in such a lucrative project as this.

We will study your revised proposals carefully, Edwin Moore said. Our earlier estimates did not factor in the actual cost of the 99 years lease since the information was not available. I do not, however, expect payment of the additional amount to be a problem.

The sooner we're started the better, Malkia interposed, looking Mr. Moore straight in the eyes. Time is not on our side. Once the world hears of blue diamonds in Kenya, well your guess is as good as mine on what to expect next.

Precisely! Caesar came in. Time is of essence here.

In that connection, what is the official position about private ownership and foreign equity participation? Sinclair asked.

Leave all that to me, Mr. Caesar replied confidently. I know how the chains link into each other. The Government of Kenya expects to collect huge tax revenues from the project every year. But rest assured that you will be marketing the gemstones in Europe and America before many Kenyans even know what is happening. Provided that you’re able to pay in your contributions in good time.

We have no problem with the payment of our contribution, Mr. Caesar. Sinclair asserted, disappointed by the deliberate insinuation of inability to pay. Provided we are convinced that everything is in order, our share can be paid late next week.

Can or will, Mr. Sinclair? Caesar jabbed tactfully.

Will be paid late next week, you have my word for it now, Sinclair conceded.

Then I will ensure Almasi Ores Limited gets full import duty exemption and enjoys a tax holiday for ten years, Caesar asserted confidently, lips characteristically turned down at the edges.

Our marketing commissions stay unchanged in your revised projections Madam, don’t they? Moore asked Malkia.

No changes at all, Malkia assured. Please sign that contract document now. She pushed the carefully worded contract forms to Moore.

Fair enough. Then we have concluded a deal today, Mr. Caesar. Edwin Moore went on, signing the contract. We will pay you cash for these samples now. Then next week into your bank account in Zurich we will pay the 25 million dollars. From there the ball will be in your court. Right?

Right, Caesar replied confidently. This afternoon we will visit the site. It is about thirty kilometers from here. Then having seen the lease agreement already, you will have no reason to worry about the authenticity of your investments in Kenya. I also expect that from London, you will assist me in my efforts to import the mining plant and equipment by hunting for expert advice about quality machinery and favorable warranty terms. Do our minds meet on this?

Yes, the two Europeans chorused. Here we link up perfectly.

Later in the afternoon two cars left Voi town headed for Kasigao village market via Maungu. It was Caesar's BMW leading and the Avis self-drive Pajero trooper driven by Sinclair Foster and Edwin Moore following closely behind.

CHAPTER TWO.

The geographical area in Kenya described as Taita Taveta is an incline plateau rising from 500 ft to 1,500 ft above sea level, occasioned by frequent extrusions of lofty spires of naked boulders. The rolling landscape is straddled by the East and West wings of the Tsavo National Park which is world famous for plains game including large herds of Elephants, Lions, Cheetahs, Maasai Giraffe, Zebra, Rhinoceros, Buffalo and the Gazelle. The mighty Athi River cuts across the middle of the undulating landscape all the way down to the Indian Ocean and is fed on the way by scores of springs from the Chyulu Hills. The seasonal Tsavo River is its main tributary and their confluence is just twenty-five kilometers upstream from the famous Lugard's Falls. The beautiful Mzima Springs are a number of pools fed with crystalline underground water. The springs then coalesce to form a river which is the natural habitat for Hippopotamus and ferocious Crocodiles. Most of the tribal inhabitants of this vast land live very much the same traditional life-styles that they have lived for many generations. To the North-West of Mount Kilimajaro are the Maasai, to the North are the Kamba, to the East are the Pokomo, to the South-West are the Digo, to the South-East are the Giriama, and surrounded by all of them at the central area are the Taita.

Rainfall for this area is low and unreliable since the average expected rainfall could be as low as 250 millimeters in four out of every five years. The vegetation comprises of bush and thickets accompanied by wooded savanna and lowland forests. Yet while the rainfall is low and vegetation poor, the zone is very rich in mineral deposits. It has a pre-Cambrian basement complex of crystalline rocks. The plateau soils-types include ferrosols in the South, livisils, vertisols, lavas, and the ingenious volcanic rocks around mount Kilimajaro. The main minerals found here include the following: Limestone, Vermiculite, Garnets, Ruby and Gypsum. This fact has been known since the colonial days, and as a result, the crescent territory to the South East of mount Kilimajaro, on both sides of the boarder, has been the favorite destination and hunting grounds for prospectors, buccaneers, desert rats and petty conmen. Over the years hundreds of men have found, and often lost all, their fortunes in this semi desert scrubland.

Luka Jeraha Maskini was a desert rat who had deserted his matrimonial wife to live with another woman in Mombasa. They ended up staying in Voi town. For a living Luka Jeraha was always foraging on hills, caves and boulders for precious metals inside the wilderness of Kasigao and Rukanga. Once in a blue moon, after digging, crawling and shifting through heaps of course-grain gravel, Luka would find a pebble of green Garnets or Ruby. And then thanking Allah for his compassion, Luka Jeraha would walk day and night all the way to Voi town. There inside the big tourist hotels he would sell the precious stones to local or international dealers. Thereafter, for days on end, Luka accompanied by his mistress would drink and dance and fight in Kisumu dogo, one of the sprawling shanties of Voi, until the bounty got finished. Then Luka would sneak out and hitchhike his way back to the semi-desert, again to scavenge for underground mineral treasures.

It was one sultry afternoon in February, a very dry month in this region. Luka had stayed for several months in the wilderness without finding anything. Completely famished and dry lipped he was now walking on all fours around a jagged knoll which was encircled by a dry riverbed. His kite eyes suddenly focused on a purple rock buried under layers of loose sand. Using his pick, he unearthed two sparkling crystals that he immediately recognized as diamonds. And even as he held the two crystals inside his palm, he heard the fearful sound of galloping horses approaching. Luka swirled around in horror. But when he saw no one coming, he was relieved to realize that in fact it was only his own heart pounding. The blue gemstones were still in the palm of his right hand. He thrust then into his ragged jacket and picked the ground some more. He found another crystal not too far from where the first two were embedded. His energy ebbed, due to hunger and thirst, yet he had to travel all the way to Voi to try and market the gemstones. This Thursday afternoon, however, was Luka Jeraha Maskini's lucky day for, after he walked four kilometers only he was given a lift in a lorry that was overloaded with charcoal sacks. The driver told him to climb on top of the sacks, before long the lorry was hurtling through the wilderness tailed by a cloud of gray dust.

After washing and changing his clothes Luka Jeraha walked to the Elephant Herd Hotel the gemstones in his pocket. Every great fortune finds its source in the hands of Allah, Luka tutored himself silently as he passed the gate, heading straight for the public gallery adjoining the recreation hall. In the gallery he sat on a low chair and lit a cigarette. The time was already past sunset. An attendant who knew him came over asking whether there was any business. The hotel attendants often acted as the go-betweens, connecting gemstone dealers with the desert rats. This was an unavoidable necessity since many of the illegal dealers were foreigners on short visits to Kenya and did not even understand English or Kiswahili. Luka nodded but added that this time he would prefer a local dealer. Thirty minutes later Caesar Kichwa Tajiri came and sat besides Luka.

What is it? Caesar demanded.

I believe they're diamonds.

"Ati diamonds, eh?" Caesar scoffed. Many desert rats suffered blinkered vision and could not even tell the difference between a green Garnet and a piece of green colored glass. However, a generous two-way exchange of ideas always won the trust of the haggard money-hungry scoundrels. So Caesar invited Luka Jeraha to his table in the recreation hall. Caesar together with a young lady had been watching a trope of Duruma dancers. The girl faked ample smiles for Luka Jeraha, shaking his hand vigorously. Luka was served with a bottle of Tusker, his favorite drink for such occasions. Two more drinks followed and soon Luka Jeraha became free and silver-tongued. Under the table he handed one of the gemstones to Caesar. Even within the eerie twilight of the recreation hall, Caesar was surprised by the apparent large size and purity of the crystals.

Soon after Caesar handed his Master card to the attendant in settlement of the bills. Then they walked out of the recreation hall and went to Caesar's four-room suit. Caesar tested the crystals by his electronic instrument and confirmed their purity and weight. Immediately he offered to pay Luka Jeraha Maskini Kenya Shillings one hundred thousands for the diamonds and another twenty thousands if and when Luka showed him the place where the gemstones were dug out. Luka was just overwhelmed. That was the kind of money he had never dreamed of, even in the wildest nightmares. Every great fortune finds its source in the hands of Allah! Caesar took out of a bedside drawer Kenya Shillings fifty thousands. Malkia counted the money for Luka, who was rat-arsed already, pacing around and talking loudly. It was agreed that Luka was to return three days later to collect the balance of the money and also take Caesar to the spot where the gemstones were found. At that point they drove Luka in the BMW back to the sprawling Kisumu dogo slums.

*****

Many hours later Malkia sat up in bed. The alcohol in her blood had subsided and now she needed some action. Beside her Caesar was in deep sleep. She lit the bedside lamp and stepped out of bed. From Caesar's briefcase she took out the three gemstones then sat back on the bed, holding the diamonds in her palm under the glare of the lamp. The crystals glittered in polycolor ribbons, more beautiful than ten garish Christmas trees. Wembe Tamu hugged them, kissing them and then rubbing them gently against her bare breasts. She knew that with these sparkling diadems of purchasing power, her life would be more beautiful than any flashy Christmas tree. She then turned to observe the man who would introduce a pleasant revolution in her life - no ifs ands or buts. He was intelligent, mean, incombustible and sometimes barbaric. He was both magnificent and terrible. But to her he was ever gentle, generous and sweet. Yet whenever she looked straight into the dark depth of his eyes, Malkia always noted something mysterious- something odd like pain or pity. Pain or pity? What for? Yet when making love, the man simply became mad about her. It was then that she experienced an unnatural intensity, a dazzling sheen and attraction that was almost divine. And it devoured her passion and tenderness completely. So what would be the reason for his pain or pity? And what was it that made her feel completely defenseless in Caesar's arms- there was no other human being that made her feel so? May be it was love. May be, Malkia mused sadly, she was too inexperienced to understand love- the love of a full-blown senior man.

To Malkia Wembe Tamu, Caesar came like a sweet dream that turned true, one sweltering afternoon. She had known him for a long time, since she was a small girl when he used to come to their second floor two-room apartment in Eastleigh, a blue-collar estate in Nairobi. Caesar was her mother's lover and he used to come and stay late into the night. He was always gentle, affectionate and open to the little girl. Lucy Raha Nusu was Malkia Wembe Tamu's mother. Tall and unassuming, Lucy was herself a very beautiful woman who worked as a stores clerk with the City Council of Nairobi. Caesar Kichwa Tajiri befriended Raha Nusu when she was only struggling to establish herself after employment. They met at a weeding party of her distant cousin in Nyeri town. At that time Caesar was himself struggling to establish his hotels business in Mombasa. He was not very rich and his personal car was an unimpressive old Volvo. Many times Raha Nusu accompanied Caesar to the hotels construction sites, often helping soothe and cool him down when some contractors tried to jump down his throat. They often went out hiking and canoeing together at the shores of Kilifi Creek. And on most weekends Caesar took her on trips to popular historical sites like Fort Jesus, Gede Ruins, Shimoni and Vasco Da Gama Point in Malindi. Raha Nusu very much enjoyed the glamour and limelight that now redecorated her rural background repainting it with urban sophistication. Their love relationship thrived and Caesar became respected even by her own parents. However, since Caesar was already married, Raha Nusu was contented to stay a concubine. She blamed time not Caesar for the inability to consummate their warm relationship into a marriage. She was simply time barred, Lucy rationalized to herself. But so what? She