12 Presents: A BIB Novel

By Hadford Howell

It is December 2019, and preparations for Barbados Prime Minister Jeffrey Motby’s annual Christmas reception have been thrown into disarray when a close and dear friend of his dies in a vehicular accident. One week later, another long-term friend dies by drowning. Motby becomes concerned. Was this coincidence, or were his two friends’ deaths connected? He is unable to comprehend their untimely deaths and his friendship with them going back over 30 years as Mango Club members.

While not strictly a national security matter, Motby quietly asks the Barbados Intelligence Bureau (BIB) to investigate the deaths to see what, if anything, connects either or both deaths to him, his family, or his government. The apparent suicide of a third friend makes the investigation official. BIB operatives and Barbados police officers review the three deaths in different Caribbean countries. Other Mango Club members' lives are also threatened.

Can the Chaos Theory help? Are the killings being made due to anger, envy, jealousy, revenge, or elements of all four of these factors? The Barbados crisis has the potential to ripple across the Caribbean Sea and beyond. Long-held personal secrets are exposed and friendships fray. Only hard work, cooperation, trust, ingenuity, and some luck help in solving the 12 Presents puzzle.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Jul 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9781398497085

Hadford Howell

Hadford Howell was born in Barbados in 1956. He went to join his parents in England in 1968 before returning to Barbados in 1981. In the UK and in Barbados, he worked both in the public service and in the private sector. Prior to his early retirement, he served for 33 years in a senior position at a diplomatic mission in Barbados. Hadford is now consistently fulfilling his life-long ambition of writing novels. 12 Presents is the latest, featuring Barbados Intelligence Bureau (BIB) operatives. Subsequent novels in the BIB series are in advanced stages of development. A graduate of the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados, Hadford has served on his local Church Council and School Boards and has been a Justice of the Peace (JP) for over 20 years. He was awarded an MBE by HM Queen Elizabeth II in 1998. He sits on the Board of Directors of two Barbados charities, and is the government-appointed Chairman of the National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA).

Book preview

About the Author

Hadford Howell was born in Barbados in 1956. He went to join his parents in England in 1968 before returning to Barbados in 1981. In the UK and in Barbados, he worked both in the public service and in the private sector. Prior to his early retirement, he served for 33 years in a senior position at a diplomatic mission in Barbados.

Hadford is now consistently fulfilling his life-long ambition of writing novels. 12 Presents is the latest, featuring Barbados Intelligence Bureau (BIB) operatives. Subsequent novels in the BIB series are in advanced stages of development. A graduate of the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados, Hadford has served on his local Church Council and School Boards and has been a Justice of the Peace (JP) for over 20 years. He was awarded an MBE by HM Queen Elizabeth II in 1998. He sits on the Board of Directors of two Barbados charities, and is the government-appointed Chairman of the National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA).

Dedication

12 Presents is dedicated to St Clair E. Howell Q.C., my dad, for his support of the writing ventures I have undertaken. His continued interest and encouragement are appreciated. I am also keen to recognise the ongoing love and support of my family (wife, Anne; daughter, Kelly-Anne; son, Graeme) in this endeavour.

This novel tells us that a life can change in seconds. News received, good, bad or indifferent will not always be to your liking, but you should always endeavour to respond to, deal and learn from situations and the news of the day. Being fearful, hiding and/or running away will seldom solve your problems. Facing them directly, honestly and tackling them is far better. Therefore, embrace challenges. Fight if necessary and for as long as it takes—it may be the only way to overcome, win and so succeed.

The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

Copyright Information ©

Hadford Howell 2023

The right of Hadford Howell to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

ISBN 9781398497078 (Paperback)

ISBN 9781398497085 (ePub e-book)

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published 2023

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd®

1 Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London

E14 5AA

Acknowledgement

12 Presents is for those who love the season that is Christmas, for those you love and spend time with at this special time of each year. It is also for persons who care for those who have little around this festive season. Santa Claus may bring good cheer to most, but not to all. Surprisingly, this is also a time of the year when a lot of people are sad and unhappy. Christmas festivities—parties, church services, the giving and receiving of presents—are all very good, but even family get-togethers are not always what they are made up to be. Remember the homeless, the depressed and agitated persons around us who may not appreciate or share in the happiness and may just want the season to end and also forget the closing year, perhaps in anticipation of a brighter New Year. Let there be goodwill, love and respect for and to all.

I must also sincerely thank three Barbadians who have been of invaluable assistance to me on this project. Sylvester Welch and Philip Osborne, for carefully reviewing and commenting on the novel; and Ryan Theo Austin, who conceived of and designed the novel’s intriguing cover. I am extremely grateful for their commendable efforts.

Chapter One

A Distressing Call

Wednesday, 11 December 2019

The Christmas reception invitations had been issued ten days earlier by staff in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the day following the conclusion of Barbados’ annual Independence celebrations on 30 November.

Acceptances were already flooding back in. The reception was set to take place at Ilaro Court, the Prime Minister’s official residence, on Friday, 20 December. Like in recent years, it was set to be a huge event.

***

Zander Brown, Star News Corporation Inc’s (SNC) 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. radio personality, was having a ball. Three hours into his show, he had just given away his latest set of Christmas presents to callers, two hams—one a leg, the other a picnic—to two of his most frequent callers during the year. At the end of his conversation with the second of these callers, Brown announced that, after the five-minute 8:00 a.m. news bulletin, he would be playing one of his favourite Christmas songs, Andy Williams’ It’s The Most Wonderful Time of The Year.

Following the news, he kept his word and did just that.

Sitting in the back of PM1, the official limousine of the Right Honourable Jeffrey Zachariah Motby QC MP, Prime Minister of Barbados and Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs and National Security, started to sing along…

As Political Leader of the ruling Barbados United Party (B.U.P., or BUP as the party was now more widely and popularly known to Barbadians), Motby loved this time of the year. It was his view that Christmas was the best time of any year—outside that is, of his wedding anniversary, the birthdays of his two children, and of course, the anniversary date of the last BUP victory at the polls.

Motby’s overseas Christmas cards had been dispatched a week earlier. He planned to personally sign off on his local Christmas cards that afternoon to be distributed by mail at his personal expense, or for delivery by party members in the thirty BUP constituency branch offices around Barbados by Friday, 13 December.

Motby continued to sing along with Andy Williams…

He was still singing (though not loudly) as PM1 pulled up at the front and main entrance to Government Headquarters on Bay Street, St Michael.

Yet another day in paradise, Motby said to Sergeant Jack Marshall, his driver and one of his two Royal Barbados Police Force’s (RBPF) Personal Protection Officers (PPOs) allocated to accompany him wherever he was in public view.

Yes, Prime Minister, was Sergeant Marshall’s curt response, delivered with a smile as he exited the vehicle and came around to open the back door to enable Motby’s exit from the vehicle.

Have a good day sir. Still leaving at 4.30 p.m.? The man asking this question was Inspector Peter Eversley, Motby’s long-time lead RBPF PPO who was also detailed to be with him in public.

I think so, Peter… but if I change my mind during the day, I’ll advise you both of any earlier proposed departure, Motby responded.

Very well, Prime Minister, said Eversley.

While Eversley accompanied Motby up to his third-floor office, Marshall retuned to PM1 at the front of Government Headquarters, before driving it to the rear of the building where there were two covered parking spaces for any vehicle designated for the Prime Minister’s use.

Both Eversley and Marshall would remain close to Motby even when he was inside Government Headquarters, just in case an emergency situation developed involving Motby’s security and/or well-being.

***

Fifteen minutes after his arrival at Government Headquarters, Motby sat comfortably in the executive chair in his air-conditioned office sipping his second cup of tea for the day, his first in the office.

Having flicked through the day’s morning papers, he was just starting to review his urgent correspondence when there was a knock on his door.

Elizabeth Burkett, his Executive Secretary, approached him without waiting for an invitation to enter.

Prime Minister, I’m sorry to disturb you, but I have an urgent overseas call for you from Mrs Joyce Merrill-Anderson. She says it’s a personal matter. She says she’s the wife of—

Yes, I know who Joyce is, Liz. Please put her through. Many thanks.

Yes sir, Burkett stated before quickly exiting his office.

Seconds later, Motby spoke into the phone.

Joyce, you’re up bright and early. It’s nice to hear from you. How’s Wayne?

Motby sensed a pause, and thought he heard… a sob, before Merrill-Anderson responded.

Jeffrey, I’m sorry to trouble you so early. Wayne’s gone—just wanted to let you know.

What you mean gone? Gone where? Don’t tell me that the brilliant lawyer, colleague and long-time friend I know has left you alone to go off on another overseas trip? Has he forgotten that Christmas is coming up? asked Motby playfully.

No. Jeffrey. Wayne’s dead. He passed away earlier this morning, responded a now tearful Merrill-Anderson.

It was now Motby’s turn to pause out of shock, but he quickly recovered his voice.

What! How? I mean, I’m sorry, Joyce. Hell, please tell me more, said Motby, now regretting his earlier playful banter with the new widow.

Merrill-Anderson, normally a composed and articulate woman, was no longer that person.

Wayne died in a car accident on his way to the airport. He was going to catch the 7.00 a.m. LIAT flight to Barbados.

Oh my God, Joyce. Again, I’m so sorry. He didn’t tell me he was coming over. What terrible news.

Still trying to compose himself, Motby continued. Look Joyce, on behalf of my wife Jackie, myself—our entire family, please accept our sincerest condolences. We were so very much looking forward to having you both visit us as usual to see in another New Year.

Thank you, Jeffrey. Wayne only booked his flight around mid-day yesterday. He did not specify why he was going to Barbados, only that it was work related—he has, sorry, had a client to see there and also an old friend to catch up with. Urgently, he told me. I assumed he had spoken with you about his visit to ensure that the two of you could hook up at some point during his visit. Once you were available, that is.

Do you know how long he was planning to stay in Barbados?

Only overnight. He told me that he planned to return to Dominica tomorrow afternoon because he has… I’m sorry, I keep saying that word. Wayne had an important case to appear in court at on Friday morning.

Please let me know what Jackie and I can do to help. When might the funeral be? We’d like to come over for it.

Oh Jeffrey, that’s very kind of you. I’d greatly appreciate that, but I have no idea when it might be as yet. Anyway, I know how hard it might be for you to get away—

Nonsense Joyce, don’t worry about that. Once it’s not on a Tuesday—Parliament here, Jackie and I will try and make it over. Correction, even if Parliament, I’d just have to give it a miss for that day. My condolences again to you and the children, Joyce. How are they taking it?

Not very well, Jeffrey. Both kids are coming home. Zach expects to get here tomorrow afternoon, and Mary by Friday night.

Okay. Jackie and I will call you at home this evening… say around 6:00 p.m.?

That’ll be fine. Please use my mobile number, as our landline has been busy all morning and I expect it will be throughout the day, even perhaps tonight.

Okay Joyce. Please take care. I’ll notify Jackie, and we’ll both speak with you this evening, okay?

Thanks Jeffrey. I’ll hear you later.

Yes, you will, my dear.

As she ended the call, Motby caught what he believed might be Joyce’s soft sobbing again. This was understandable. The sudden and unexpected loss of her husband after twenty-eight years of marriage could not be easy. Joyce had tried hard to keep herself together during that conversation, but now the bravado had ended. The dam of tears burst and started to flow again, more heavily this time.

***

After replacing the phone, Motby reclined in his chair and reflected on the near thirty-five years of strong friendship that had existed between Wayne Anderson and himself. A lot of water had flowed under the bridge since their initial meeting as first-year students in the Faculty of Law at The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus (UWI—Cave Hill) in Barbados. He called Jackie at Ilaro Court to inform her of the sad news he had just received of Anderson’s death.

So much for a Christmas season that was meant to be full of joy and happiness. Motby felt Christmas 2019 was now blighted by the knowledge and sadness of his friend’s death, a mere fortnight before the big day.

Perhaps he would later regain that special Christmas feeling he normally experienced at this time of the year but for now, his balloon had definitely been punctured. Even welcoming a New Year, as Jackie and he had done with Wayne and Joyce over the past five years in Barbados, would never be the same again.

***

Jackie took the news of Anderson’s death from Motby badly.

She had known Anderson for a long time, but not as long as Motby had done. The two men had been at university together. He had been Motby’s best man when Jackie had married Motby and they had chosen him to be godfather to their first child, Michael ‘Mike’ Motby. Telling their son that ‘Uncle Wayne’ had passed away, would be hard. Jackie decided that she would wait until Mike had finished flying that day (around lunchtime), before calling to tell him the unfortunate news. Of course, there was a risk that he would find out sooner anyway, given the availability and wide use of social media, especially by pilots in between their flights.

***

As the morning progressed, Motby found it difficult to concentrate. Not even receipt of a beautiful Christmas card from H.E. Petra Carmichael, his former Permanent Secretary who was now Barbados’ High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, cheered him up. Yes, he was glad to receive Carmichael’s first Christmas card from London, following her appointment a few months earlier. The funk he had descended into however made it difficult for him to fully appreciate Carmichael’s gesture. Perhaps he would more do so when, as was his family’s custom before breakfast on Boxing Day, they would review all of the Christmas cards they had received and make a record of them so that for Christmas 2020, those persons would be sure to receive a card from the Motby family.

Motby snapped himself out of his mini-depression. Focus, he said to himself.

He had the usual weekly Cabinet meeting to preside over in another twenty-four hours. Luckily, he had, as was his practice, prepared for it on Tuesday night, so that was not a worry for him. Nonetheless, he could not remove from his mind the fact that one of his long-time friends had passed away a few hours earlier. What a shame. He would miss their friendship, as they had a lot in common. Motby was firm in his mind that Jackie and himself should attend Anderson’s funeral. They would do so at their own expense, as this would be a short private trip and not an official one. He was willing to speak at the funeral, but only if asked to do so by Joyce. Motby hoped their son Mike would join them, once he could get the day off work.

***

By mid-afternoon, one of the many visitors to Dominica had checked out of one of Roseau’s popular five-star hotels and entered a taxi that would take them to the Douglas-Charles Airport.

Mission accomplished, this visitor stated quietly to themselves on settling into the taxi’s back seat, satisfied with their day’s work.

How long will it take you to get me to the airport? the visitor asked.

About an hour and ten minutes, but I might shave five minutes off that if the road is clear, responded their taxi driver.

That’s fine. Just get me there safely please. I may doze off a bit during the journey, so drive carefully so that you get me there. There’ll be a nice tip for you if you do that, okay?

I sure will. Been driving this route for fifteen years now, morning and afternoon, so I know my way around. Please sit back, relax and enjoy the journey.

Chapter Two

Paying Last Respects

Wednesday, 18 December

One week later, Motby and Jackie found themselves on an 8:00 a.m. LIAT flight out of Barbados, bound for Dominica. They were on their way to attend Anderson’s funeral in Roseau later that afternoon.

Joyce Merrill-Anderson had asked Motby to deliver a ‘Friendship Tribute’ to her husband, as the Eulogy was to be delivered by Mary, the Anderson’s first-born child. Zach would read the first of two Lessons, with Larry Zoom QC, President of the Dominican Bar Association, reading the second Lesson. The Motbys planned to depart Dominica for Barbados the following morning on LIAT’s 7:00 a.m. flight.

Regrettably, with Motby being out of the country, he was going to miss the RBPF’s annual Christmas party that evening. He had apologised to Commissioner Willoughby ‘Willo’ Jeremie, a couple of days earlier. Motby’s absence would, on this annual RBPF occasion, be exceptional, but unavoidable for personal reasons. He knew Jeremie well, and so had felt the need to explain the reasons for his absence. Motby’s gesture was appreciated by Jeremie, who offered Motby his condolences and wished him a safe trip.

Jeremie knew he would see Motby and his wife Jackie on at least three other occasions before year-end. Two were set to be official, one social. Persons die, even during the Christmas season.

***

The major part of the scenic one-hour-and-ten-minute drive from the Douglas-Charles Airport near Marigot to Roseau, Dominica’s capital, was uneventful for Motby and Jackie. However, nearing the end of the journey, Motby received two calls on his secure official mobile phone.

The first one was from the Honourable Richard Preston Dawson MD MP, Leader of the Opposition Progressive Barbados Party (P.B.P.) who was also the Managing and Medical Director of The Dawson Clinic.

Jeffrey Motby.

Good morning Prime Minister. I hope you are well. Dawn and I should like to invite Jackie and yourself over to our house for a meal on Thursday evening, Boxing Day night. Are you game? asked Dawson.

Richard, I happen to know that we are free that evening, so yes, we accept your kind invitation. Time?

Seven-thirty. I’ll have my PA send over a formal invitation to your office shortly.

That’s fine. How are your preparations for Christmas going?

Well, not my preparations… more like Dawn’s. You know how the ladies love Christmas. Dawn’s no exception. She’s chosen a new lights colour scheme for inside our house and in the gardens which you’ll see when you visit. I spent last Saturday afternoon, and most of Sunday helping her to put them up. There was ‘no rest for the wicked’ last weekend, so to speak, finished Dr Dawson.

Richard, I’ll not go there! Jackie had similar ideas but luckily for me, I didn’t have to help put up anything at Ilaro Court. She and the staff changed some things from Independence and added Christmas pieces to make the place look right over the festive season for our forthcoming official engagements. So, we’re in good shape. You and Dawn coming to my party this Friday night?

We are. My PA sent the confirmation over to your office a few minutes ago.

Very well. I expect I’ll receive the full list of attendees prior to tomorrow’s Cabinet meeting. Thanks for calling, Richard. Have a good day.

My pleasure, Prime Minister. You have a good day too.

The second call came from Burkett, his Executive Secretary.

Jeffrey Motby.

Good morning, Prime Minister. Elizabeth here.

Hi Liz, what can I do for you? Missing me already? I’ll only be gone for twenty-four hours, he responded to her light-heartedly.

I know sir, but I thought I should alert you that it was reported here in the 8:30 a.m. news that someone you know apparently drowned while taking their daily morning swim, stated a sombre Burkett.

Okay Liz… calm down. What are you talking about? Who’s drowned?

Oh dear, I’m sorry sir… Melissa Mark-Snow.

There was a moment’s silence before Motby could respond.

Oh God. No! His brain was racing.

You’re kidding me, right? I mean, are you sure about this, Liz? he asked slowly. Motby felt like someone had punched him in the pit of his stomach—for the second time in a week.

Burkett appeared reluctant to speak, but finally did so.

I’m afraid not, sir. That’s what the radio station—SNC has reported. The newscast stated that police officers were notified about someone floating in the water around 6:30 a.m. The individual was pulled from the water by locals and a doctor among them pronounced the person dead shortly thereafter. It was Melissa. She was known to take her daily morning swim at Vigie Beach—that’s near the George F. L. Charles Airport, between 6:00 a.m. and 6:30 a.m.

"Good God! ‘Lissa’ gone! I can’t believe it. What the hell is going on in this world?" Motby asked.

Unfortunately, accidents do happen, sir, responded Birkett compassionately.

I guess they do, Liz. I’m just shocked. Thanks for letting me know so quickly.

I’m sorry, sir. I’ll try not to bother you anymore today. Please say good morning to Mrs Motby for me, and goodbye, concluded Burkett before ending the call. She realised that she had inadvertently been twice the bearer of bad news to Motby in a short space of time. It was something she did not like having been responsible for.

Once the call had ended, Motby briefly stared out the window from the back of the official car that had been sent by the Government of Dominica for them. By this time, Jackie had reached out to hold his hand and was instinctively aware that something bad had happened by his reaction to the second call.

Motby then told Jackie what had happened. Her instincts had been right. Jackie looked at Motby, alarmed. This news about Mark-Snow’s death shocked her too. She shook her head sadly. Having met Mark-Snow on several occasions over the years, she knew that Jeffrey and Mark-Snow had been ‘an item’ for a brief period well over three decades earlier when they had first entered university in Barbados.

Motby hit the redial key on his phone.

Good morning. Prime Minister’s Office, Elizabeth Burkett speaking.

"Hi Liz. Me again. Lissa has a brother in St Lucia. Please find his number and call me back with it to enable me to speak with him to express my condolences."

Yes sir. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. Oh, what’s her brother’s name please… and how was your flight over to Dominica?

I’ll answer your last question first. The flight was fine—no problem. Her brother’s name is Jensen Mark. I’ll hear you soon.

Yes sir.

Jackie spoke to Motby. Jeffrey, that’s two of your university friends that have passed in the past week. Don’t you think that’s too much of a coincidence?

Damned right. Jackie, you know I don’t believe in coincidences. Bad luck, perhaps. Anyway, I don’t yet have enough information on either case to be sure of anything, so let’s wait and see what local police in both countries report on their deaths. But it is a fact that I am indeed concerned, and wonder if the two deaths might in any way be connected, so I’ll ask Colonel Burke to quietly look into both cases, using his regional network. It might be nothing more than unfortunate timing. However, because my lifelong experiences tell me coincidences are very rare, depending on what Colonel Burke turns up, I might have to make a decision on what further investigations—if any, are warranted, and if so, who should undertake them, Motby concluded.

Sounds about right, dear. Okay, I hope to get at least a couple hours rest once we’re at the hotel before the funeral. What time is it at again? asked Jackie.

Four o’ clock at the Catholic Church in Roseau. Once we arrive at the hotel, you should be able to get in at least a couple hour sleep before taking a late lunch. I’ll organise room service for us for say, 1:00 p.m. as I’ve already arranged to meet with Joyce at 2:00 p.m. before she leaves for the church. She has agreed to receive me, as she will leave for the church at 2:45 p.m. to be in place to greet mourners as they arrive.

Good. You’ll come back here to pick me up, or will a car be sent for me? asked Jackie.

I will return in the government car that’s been provided for us throughout our visit and collect you.

Thanks, dear.

No worries.

***

Fifteen minutes later, Burkett called back with a mobile number for Jensen Mark, just as Motby and Jackie were being checked into their suite at the Fort Young Hotel in Roseau.

Though Mark was surprised to receive a call from Motby so soon after he had learnt of his sister’s unexpected passing, he was nonetheless grateful for the call. Mark had met Motby a few times over the years, most recently five months earlier when he had attended the annual four-day CARICOM Heads of Government (HOG) meeting that was held in Castries. The night before returning to Barbados, Motby and Jackie had sat at a table during the meeting’s closing dinner with Mark and Melissa Mark-Snow.

Mark did not have all the details of his sister’s passing earlier that morning, except that she had apparently drowned in the sea while taking her daily early-morning swim. He had taken Motby’s call while driving on the highway from Vieux Fort to Castries.

"Jensen, how did you hear of Lissa’s death?" asked Motby.

My former brother-in-law, Chetwyn Snow, called me from his home in England with the news. Soon after that, the police also spoke with me. Chetwyn lives there with his childhood sweetheart after he and Melissa were divorced a year ago.

"Yes, I remember. Jensen, please accept my family’s sincere condolences on Lissa’s unexpected passing. Please notify me of the date of her funeral once those arrangements are finalised. You’ll be able to reach me on this number."

Thank you, Prime Minister Motby. I’ll be sure to do that once we’ve set a date and time. It won’t be until after Christmas, though.

The conversation ended without Motby promising Mark that he would try to attend Mark-Snow’s funeral. However, if official engagements prevented him from doing so once the date was known, he would at least send an appropriate floral arrangement along with a note of condolence to Mark-Snow’s three children, one of whom was also a lawyer in her Castries chambers.

***

Once in their suite, Jackie drank her non-alcoholic ‘welcome’ drink, before changing her clothing and lying down on the bed to get the rest she had promised herself. Shortly thereafter, she fell fast asleep.

Motby, who had also changed into something more comfortable, decided that he would only wake Jackie up once their lunches arrived in another hour and a half. Closing the bedroom door, he walked into the living room to make a call on his official phone.

***

Trevor Burke.

Good morning, Trevor. Jeffrey Motby. I have something I’d like you to look into for me please—quietly of course, just to ensure that nothing funny has taken place.

Sitting in his Welches, Christ Church office, Colonel Burke, Director of the Barbados Intelligence Bureau (BIB), answered slightly awkwardly.

Go ahead, Prime Minister. What exactly is it that you should like me to do for you… uh, quietly?

I’ll message you the details shortly. I should be back in Barbados tomorrow by 8:00 a.m. With Cabinet set to meet at 10:00 a.m., please meet me at Ilaro Court with your findings at say, 9:00 a.m.?

I’ll do my best, Prime Minister. Until tomorrow.

Thank you, Trevor.

You’re welcome, sir.

Goodbye.

Colonel Burke placed his phone onto his desk. What the hell could Motby’s forthcoming request be all about? he wondered.

***

Ten minutes later, Colonel Burke’s question was answered. The passing of two long-term Motby friends in such close proximity to each other in neighbouring Caribbean countries, was cause for concern, but not yet full alarm. Unless both deaths were directly connected, or somehow involved him, his family or any action he had taken since becoming Prime Minister, Motby should not be worried.

But what if they were?

Chapter Three

What Does This Mean?

Motby was running his third successive five-year administration. He was unsure what BIB’s Director could establish about his friends’ deaths before he returned to Barbados in another twenty-four hours. But he had confidence that if anyone could do so discreetly, Colonel Burke would be the man to do so.

While Jackie slept, Motby thought about any potentially deeper connection between Anderson and Mark-Snow. Besides the two of them being at university with him all those years ago, he could find no other connection. Yes, the three of them were all qualified lawyers and had kept in touch since their days at university. What else? All three of them were successful at what they did, though Motby had not practiced now for almost thirteen years in Barbados or in any other Caribbean countries where he had also been called to the bar. Had his two friends worked on a few cases together over the years? He did not know… they had not mentioned anything like that to him. If they had done so, had someone decided to carry out some sort of a vendetta or revenge against them?

After racking his brains for a few minutes, Motby changed his thinking to focussing again on what he had decided to say at Anderson’s funeral. His presentation would not be a eulogy, but rather personal memories and a reflection on what had been a great long-term friendship. It was going to be a tough thing to do, but he had to do this for a very special friend.

Half an hour later, having polished his written reflection, Motby felt the seven-minute tribute was complete. He read it aloud to himself. It was very much to his liking and would be much shorter than the eulogy he expected Zach, Anderson’s son and Motby’s godson, would present. Zach had been named after Motby.

***

Room service delivered their lunch early, so at 12:50 p.m. Motby woke Jackie up from her slumber.

As they ate lunch together, Jackie asked. Do you want me to go with you to see Joyce?

Not necessary, I think a one-on-meeting would be best. This way, it’ll also give you some more time to get ready for the funeral. We’ll need to leave here by 3:15 p.m. as it is a ten-minute drive to the church. I’ve been advised by Dominican officials that tributes for Wayne are set to commence at 3:30 p.m., so we’ll need to be seated before then.

Good. I’m glad you’ll handle that. Anyway, I could do with the extra time to get myself ready.

After lunch, Motby left Jackie speaking with their daughter Kimberley Zendon, while he went to shower and dress ahead of departing for his prearranged meeting with Merrill-Anderson.

As he showered, Motby reflected on a well-kept secret related to Mark-Snow. They had gone out on half a dozen dates together early on in their first year at Cave Hill. They had always done so well away from Campus, wanting at the time for none of their fellow UWI students, even those closest to them, to know about their relationship. They had made love on two occasions, the first time without protection as it was a ‘spur of the moment’ thing. Their relationship turned out not to be anything serious, because Mark-Snow had broken it off with Motby a few weeks later, claiming that she had found someone more interesting, diverse and fun-loving to be with. Though Motby never established who that person was, he was not exactly heart-broken, only a little disappointed. He had quickly gotten over the break-up, making up his mind thereafter to focus on his studies, and not girls. They could come later, once he had achieved his ultimate goal, that of qualifying as an attorney-at-law. Both he and Mark-Snow had however remained good friends, especially after they had become members of the Mango Club study group in their last two years at UWI—Cave Hill, and a further two years at the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad.

Motby could not help but feel badly. Jackie knew Mark-Snow only as someone who had studied with him at university and had remained as a friend who was a fellow attorney-at-law. She did not know that Motby and Mark-Snow had ever gone out together, or had briefly been lovers. That was just as well. For if she had ever known that Mark-Snow had gotten pregnant for Motby, but had secretly had an abortion six weeks into the pregnancy without Motby knowing, Jackie might have felt differently towards her. Motby had only found out about the abortion six months later when she had casually told him about it over a coffee one afternoon overlooking the football field. It was at that time that he found out the real reason for her having broken up with him. In the circumstances, the fact that they might have had a child together, compounded the sadness he was feeling about Mark-Snow’s untimely passing. He reflected on what might have been.

At least their secret would now remain intact forever.

***

During the day, Colonel Burke spoke with Dominic Josephs, Commissioner of The Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF) and Martin Defer, Commissioner of The Royal St Lucia Police Force (RSLPF). He established from both men that their investigators’ initial findings were that in each incident, accidental death was most likely, although autopsies would have to be carried out on each body.

Looks like there was a loss of vehicular control here, probably caused by excessive speed, was Commissioner Josephs’ reasoning.

Commissioner Defer in St Lucia felt that Mark-Snow might have gone too far out into the sea and gotten into difficulty. At that time of the day, while there are persons on the beach mainly exercising, only a few of them tend to venture any great distance into the water that early in the day. Also, the water is cold this time of the year.

Well, that was Defer’s understanding of what might have taken place. Colonel Burke knew Defer was not an early-morning sea bather, so he was not speaking from personal experience.

Colonel Burke thanked both Commissioners for their initial responses to his enquiries. He did not expect to receive any more information from either Commissioner in the next twenty-four hours as autopsies would need to be conducted on both bodies, so he decided to follow-up by going lower down the chain of command to persons he knew well to see what else he might be able to glean from the initial respective investigations.

One of the persons he spoke to was Lorraine Muscatt, an Assistant Superintendent of Police at Police Headquarters in Roseau. She and Colonel Burke had met three years ago while in Barbados on a course sponsored by the Canadian Government and they had regularly kept in touch.

***

Motby’s meeting with Joyce Merrill-Anderson was a short one. She was running late, so the meeting lasted only five minutes. Her son Zach was with her. They were pleased that he had taken time out from running Barbados to come to Dominica for their patriarch’s funeral, especially as it was so close to Christmas.

Merrill-Anderson explained that her plans to visit Barbados between 30 December and 2 January would now not happen, given the circumstances, even though Motby had indicated to her that he and Jackie would still be delighted to welcome and host her at Ilaro Court over this period should she change her mind. Merrill-Anderson was grateful for the kind offer, but reiterated that she planned to spend the next few weeks in Dominica with her family, before going overseas to stay with her children for a while.

Perhaps when things settled back down, she would take up the Motby’s offer of a social visit, perhaps with Zach in tow.

***

Anderson’s funeral was a lengthy affair. As a Dominican scholar, a top attorney-at-law, President of the local Boy Scout’s Association, a prominent church member and former sportsman, organisations he represented and ordinary Dominicans alike attended his funeral service following his untimely death. Anderson was still a comparatively young man with much to offer his country, so it was a very sad occasion.

Motby’s reflection went well, if any such thing was possible at a close friend’s funeral. Zach’s eulogy of his father on behalf of his mother and sister was simple, touching and effective. He did not tear-up during its delivery, but it was obvious that he was hurting badly. Nearing the end of the eulogy, his sister joined him to help him get through the ordeal.

After the burial, Motby and Jackie visited the Anderson’s residence for the early part of the wake, before returning to their hotel ahead of having a late private dinner engagement with a colleague and friend.

***

Later that evening, Motby and Jackie joined The Right Honourable Bispham Neeley, Dominica’s Prime Minister and his wife Rhonda for dinner at their official residence. The two men had gotten closer personally since the attempt to assassinate Motby in Barbados a few years earlier.

It turned out to be a good evening. Jackie and Rhonda had also become firm friends, and so they also got on well. The two Prime Ministers were able to speak privately for a few minutes after dessert over a night-cap drink. Some new information on Anderson’s accident was also secured by Motby.

Back at the hotel, Motby thought about checking-in with Colonel Burke before going to bed to see what he had been able to find out about both deaths, but decided against calling. Colonel Burke would do so in the morning at Ilaro Court. Motby would also be able to report to Colonel Burke that he had secured some new information from an unimpeachable source. A decision would then be made about what happened next.

***

Colonel Burke, who by this time knew Motby quite well, half-expected him to have learned something further about Anderson’s death from his twenty-four-hour visit to Dominica. He believed they would exchange what they had both learnt from their respective sources when they met the following morning.

Colonel Burke knew Motby would have twice passed the area where Anderson’s accident had taken place, so he would not have been surprised if his Prime Minister had not asked his Dominican driver and PPO to show him the exact location where the accident had taken place on one of the journeys between Roseau and the Douglas-Charles Airport.

When they met in the morning, Colonel Burke would know if his inkling about Motby was correct or not.

Chapter Four

Thinking Back…

Thursday, 19 December

Prof. Alexander Montgomery Gomy Fleming was awoken by what he thought was a noise downstairs of his two-storeyed Edgehill, St Thomas home. The retired UWI-Cave Hill law lecturer, tutor and a former Dean of the Faculty of Law, had always been a light sleeper. He had never married and so lived alone. That night, they were no stay-over guests in his house, so the noise was certainly unusual. As there had been a series of burglaries in his neighbourhood over the past couple of months, Fleming started to wonder if tonight would be his turn to be raided.

Without moving from his bed, Fleming listened carefully. There it was again, a second noise which he recognised as his family room door being closed. He knew this for sure because he always kept that door open, and so knew that the door squeaked whenever it was being closed.

One of Fleming’s neighbours was Brigadier Tenton, Chief of Staff, Barbados Defence Force (BDF). He got on well with the Tenton family and knew he could call on them in a time of need or crisis. Like now.

Fleming felt for his phone on the side table and noticed that it was 4:10 a.m. He decided to call Tenton who might be able to help