Nobody Does It Better

Chapter Nineteen

When the woman opened the door, Richard Otieno burst in past her. 'Where is he?'

'In his study.'

Richard raced down the hallway and threw open the door. The tall man looked back at him, a calm look in his eyes.

Richard shut the door. 'Everything's gone to hell and I'm getting out of here.'

Baraza Baya sat back and shook his head. 'If you run, they'll know you're guilty.'

'They know I'm guilty now. I killed Penny Njuguna. I kidnapped June Mbogo. The backup guy you sent is probably dead by now.'

'I had hoped, when I trusted you with this, it would have all been taken care of. But it's still only their words against yours.'

'I also have another advantage. They think I'm dead. But luckily, they only shot at my vest.'

'How lucky.' Baraza looked thoughtful. 'Do you think they have anything on me?'

'I don't think so. Not yet at least. The only link was the pregnancy, and Penny is already dead and buried.'

Baraza stood up and looked at Richard. Good, that meant he still had a way out. Only one more thing, one more vital person to deal with, one who could incriminate him in seconds, and this whole story was over. He almost trembled at the thought of it.

'But who knows how much they know already? And how much digging they'll continue to do. Especially after tonight. Your name could come up sooner or later,' Richard continued.

'You actually killed her, Richard.'

'Don't act high and mighty now. What you did to those women ain't any better.'

'What did I do? Innocent until proven guilty, remember?' He eyed Richard with an unnerving calmness. 'As far as I'm concerned, there's no real proof of anything.'

'Well, there will be soon enough if we don't do something.'

Baraza rubbed his chin. 'Are you certain you want to run?'

'I'm not hanging around for the ax to fall.'

'I assume you'll need money?'

Richard nodded. 'I don't have a nice little retirement package like you. I have the bad habit of always living beyond my means.'

Baraza took a key from his pocket and unlocked his desk drawer. 'I have some cash right here. The rest will have to be by check. I can give you one million, to start.'

'That sounds good. To start.'

Baraza turned and pointed a pistol at Richard.

'You burst in here, clearly out of your mind, telling these outrageous crimes you've committed, including kidnapping June Mbogo, for what purpose I don't know. You threaten me. I manage to get out my gun and kill you.'

'You're crazy. No one will believe that.'

'Oh, they will, Richard.' Baraza pulled the trigger and Richard dropped to the floor. He heard a scream from the hallway. Baraza moved to the body, quickly searched Richard, found his gun, placed it in the dead man's hand and fired a shot into the wall. 'It's alright,' he called out, rising from the floor and putting the pistol down. 'I'm alright.' He opened the door and froze as Lucas stared back at him. Behind Lucas were June, Rick, Angela, Susan and Kavuku.

Baraza finally pulled his gaze from Lucas and looked at June. 'Richard Otieno burst in here making wild threats. He had a gun. Fortunately I was a better shot.'

June stepped forward. 'Governor Baraza Baya, does the name Penninah Njuguna ring any bells?'

Baraza flinched. 'Am I supposed to know what you're talking about?'