Chapter 5

iSigodi Resort, Northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

As the gravity of the situation sank in, I knew I had to act fast to protect Melanie. Despite the eerie feeling coursing through me, I couldn’t afford to remain frozen. I swiftly devised a plan to ensure her safety.

First, I needed to confirm my suspicions about the ominous figure in the photos. Carefully, I examined the images again, searching for any clues that might reveal the identity or intentions of the mysterious entity. Perhaps there was something in the background or a reflection that could shed light on the situation. But to my disappointment, I found nothing of value to help me in identifying the person.

I stood in my resort suite, grappling with the realization that Melanie’s safety was in jeopardy. I knew I had to act swiftly and discreetly. The significance of both the mysterious ghostly figure and the recent murders weighed me down.

Firstly, I needed a plan to keep Melanie from her morning walk without arousing suspicion. I needed to approach the situation carefully so that she didn’t sense any ulterior motives. The delicate nature of my mission at iSigodi dictated that I couldn’t afford to alarm her unnecessarily.

I could subtly suggest alternative activities or locations for her morning routine, perhaps other scenic spots within the resort grounds where she could enjoy her walk, safely away from the potential danger posed by the hilltop.

Additionally, I could offer to accompany her on her morning excursions, citing the desire for the company or simply the opportunity to explore more of the resort together. This way I could keep a close eye on her without raising suspicion, all while ensuring her safety in the process.

While Melanie’s safety was paramount, I couldn’t allow the recent murders to derail my mission at iSigodi. I needed to remain vigilant and focused on my primary objective of solving the mystery of the funds’ theft. But by balancing the need to protect her with the urgency of my investigation, maybe I could navigate the precarious situation with caution and precision.

I was jolted back to reality as my cell phone vibrated in my pocket. I forgot to switch it back to ringing mode.

The number on the display read “iSigodi Resort,” and I answered.

“Van Aswegen, how can I help you?”

Chuckle. “I knew you would be a little formal if I called you from my office phone.” Oh, that sweet voice of Melanie!

“Hello again. Are you done working?”

“No, not by a long shot,” she sighed, “But you seem to be the curious type, and I need you to help me solve a mysterious conflict of a price.”

“Oh? I’m not an accountant or and auditor, but fire away.”

“I know, but I do my accounting for the vet clinic myself. I found a little discrepancy in the price of a bag of potatoes I ordered from the same greengrocer that supplies the resort.”

I saw an opening to lay my hands on some invoices and delivery notes that could aid me in my original task.

“Where are you?”

“In my office at the reception building.”

“Okay, I’m on my way.”

“I’ll order us some coffee in the meantime.”

“As dark as the devil, as strong as hell...?”

“Yeah, and as sweet as you know how...” Chuckle.

“I’m on my way.”

“Bye!” And she closed the connection.

Ten minutes later I was shown into her office. Melanie Ková’s office at iSigodi reflected both her professional demeanour and the natural beauty of its surroundings in the subtropical region of Northern KwaZulu-Natal on the shore of Lake St Lucia. Situated within the admin building of the resort, her office serves as a place of tranquillity inside a hub of activity associated with running the resort.

As you step into her office, you are enveloped by a sense of warmth and tranquillity. Large windows overlook the picturesque views of Lake St Lucia, allowing natural light to flood the space and offering glimpses of the lush vegetation and diverse wildlife that surrounds the resort.

The earthy tones and organic textures dominated the aesthetic. Wooden furnishings crafted from locally sourced materials added a touch of rustic charm to the space, while plush seating arrangements provide comfort for visitors.

A large oak desk occupied a prominent position in the room, its surface adorned with neatly organized paperwork and a computer for managing the resort’s operations. Behind the desk, shelves displayed various awards and accolades, a testament to her dedication and success as the owner of iSigodi Resort.

Along one wall, a small seating area invites casual meetings and discussions with comfortable armchairs arranged around a low coffee table. This present guests in a relaxed setting and to foster a sense of camaraderie and collaboration within the resort community.

To further enhance productivity and creativity, the office is equipped with modern amenities, including high-speed internet access and audiovisual equipment for presentations and meetings. A small library corner houses a collection of books and reference materials, offering inspiration and insight to Melanie and her team.

As I entered the office, she rose from her desk and walked over to the little conference nook where a tray of coffee mugs and a French press stood waiting attention. She had a file with her.

“Hello, Ty. Let’s go over here and get comfortable while we have these discussions.”

“If I did not think it’s inappropriate, I would have whistled now. You have a great office, Mel.”

“Oh, thank you, Ty. It was my father’s office before, but after his passing I came to use it and added a few bits of my own décor to it.”

“It speaks of professionalism and commitment. It also has an air of authority in it without it being overwhelming.”

“You are flirting with me. Stop it, and pour us some coffee,” she replied, and looked down at her hands, but I could still see the blush spread over her cheeks and neck.

To defuse the situation, I changed the subject. “You wanted to show me something?”

“Yes. Here,” and she held out the file to me.

I took it and placed it on the seat next to me. I then proceeded to pour us some coffee and handed her a mug. I set my coffee next to me on the low coffee table, picked up the file and opened it on the coffee table in front of me.

“Look at the invoice on top. I ordered some vegetables for the Cape Grey Mongoose that’s recovering from a nasty wound he got somewhere during a fight or maybe escaping a leopard that tried to hunt him.”

“They, the Mongooses, eat veggies?”

“Oh, they are opportunistic and will eat about anything. Birds, reptiles, wild fruits and even cheese.”

“What a great diet! I believe they kill snakes as well?”

Chuckle. “A mongoose is faster than a cobra can strike. They read the snake’s attitude and the moment it strikes at them, they jump up in the air, twist, get on the snake’s back, and sink their sharp big top teeth into the snake just behind its head, killing it outright.”

“Next time we need to go visit a tree at night, I think I’ll take a flock of mongooses with me,” I softly said under my breath.

“A pack or a mob...” Mel corrected me.

“What?”

“A flock of mongooses is wrong. They are called either ‘a mob of mongoose’ or a ‘pack’, like in wolf pack, but unlike other mongoose, like the banded mongoose, the Cape Grey Mongoose is a solitary animal that only pairs up for mating.”

“Yes, Doctor...” I teased.

Chuckle. “Now do you see the price they charged me for the sack of potatoes?”

“Yeah. Thirty Rand.”

“Okay, now compare it with this invoice for the resort,” Melanie said and held out a similar invoice. I took it and nearly made a backflip.

“Seventy Rand!”

“Yes. From the same company, two days ago.”

“Did you only notice it now?”

“Yes. If I did not have to get veggies for the mongoose in the clinic, I would not have noticed it.”

“Something is not kosher here ... Do you have other invoices for the resort from this veggie place?”

“Several.”

“Can I see them?”

“Sure,” Melanie said and got up, walked over to her desk, took a similar looking file, came back and handed it to me.

I paged through the file and looked at the invoices for the same veggie shop. The prices charged for potatoes were all well above forty-five to fifty Rand. I looked at the invoice for Melanie’s purchase for veggies. I looked at the resort invoices and did a double take again.

“Mel? Look here at the other prices. If I compare it with the ones you ordered and the ones ordered by the resort ... All the prices are inflated by up to fifty percent!”

“Why? Why do they do it?”

“Mel, do you have the delivery notes for these invoices for the resort?”

“No, but I can get them. Why?”

“Just a hunch.”

“Do you think that the resort is paying inflated prices for stuff that we don’t get?”

“I am not going to speculate, but maybe. Someone is getting scammed here, and it is you.”

“Ty...”

“Mel, can I keep these files for a while, or at least have access to them?”

“The files will be in my office any time you need them, or better still, let me photocopy them for you.”

“Good idea, then I can go through them on my time. Give me a day or two and I’ll report back to you.”

“You seem to know what you are doing.”

“Besides being a freelance photographer, I also hold a private investigator’s licence. Let me get into this and I will advise you how to proceed.”

“Do you suspect some of my staff is involved in this scam?”

“It is a possibility. Now Mel, no word about this, until I get to the bottom of this. Agreed?”

“My lips are sealed.”

“Good, now something else. I want you to look at some of the photographs I took this morning. There is something strange about some shots.”

“How strange?”

“Let me get my laptop, and we can look at them together.”

“Okay, are you coming back here, to my office?”

“Give me ten to fifteen minutes.”

“Okay...” She agreed and I got up.

“See you in fifteen minutes.”

“Ty, thank you...”

“The pleasure is mine,” I replied and left her office towards my suite.

Excited by the breakthrough in my investigation, I couldn’t contain my elation as I left Melanie’s office. With her unsuspecting cooperation, I now had access to the crucial files and documents needed to uncover the extent of the scam plaguing iSigodi Resort.

My excitement and concern about recent events threatened to overwhelm me, so I took a pause on the way to my suite to wrap myself in the quiet and solitude of nature surrounding the resort. I knew I needed time and some way to work through the puzzle confronting me.

The subtropical palms swayed gently in the breeze, their fronds whispering secrets to the azure sky above. Acacia trees stood tall and proud, their delicate leaves casting dappled shadows upon the earth below. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, a symphony of fragrances mingling harmoniously in the coastal salty breeze off the ocean on the other side of the dune that cut off the lake from the sea.

Giant strelitzias, their vibrant orange blooms standing out against the verdant backdrop, added a splash of colour to the landscape. Other shrubs and foliage dotted the scenery, creating a tapestry of greenery that stretched as far as the eye could see.

The day unfolded in all its splendour, the sun casting its golden rays upon the shimmering surface of the lake, transforming it into a sparkling jewel in the heart of the resort. The water danced and glistened in the sunlight, inviting you to linger a while longer and lose yourself in its tranquil beauty.

I broke my reverie and made my way towards my suite.

I approached the door to my suite, deep in thought about a way to analyse the files and form an opinion of how far and deep the scamming operation was seeded in the system. I fumbled with my key card in my hand, and it slipped out of my fingers, dropping to the wooden deck at my feet.

As I stooped to retrieve the card, a sudden ominous buzzing like an angry bee filled the air, brushing past my now-bent form. Before I could comprehend the source, a sharp, thunderous crack split the silence, sending splinters flying from the door just inches from where my head had been moments before. The chilling realization washed over me like an icy wave; it was a bullet, fired from a distance!

Instinct kicked in, propelling me to the wooden deck with a force I didn’t know I possessed. I crawled behind the scant protection of a deck chair, even though I knew it offered little defence against a determined assailant. But for now, it shielded me from the line of fire and obscured my profile from whoever lurked in the shadows, intent on doing me harm.

Crouched behind the deck chair, my heart pounding in my chest, I strained to identify any hint of movement or sound that might betray the shooter’s location. The sun beat down mercilessly, casting harsh shadows and blurring my vision as I scanned the surroundings for any sign of danger.

Confusion and fear swirled within me as I grappled with the inexplicable attack. Why would someone target me in broad daylight in the midst of these peaceful surroundings? The unanswered question only added to the sense of urgency and dread that gripped me.

I knew that my safety depended upon swift action, so I frantically searched for a solution. An idea struck me like a bolt of lightning: I needed a distraction; I needed people around me. With trembling hands, I retrieved my cell phone, my fingers fumbling with the buttons as I dialled Melanie’s number.

Each ring felt like an eternity as I awaited her answer, my mind racing with a thousand possibilities, each more terrifying than the last. But amidst the chaos and uncertainty, one thing remained clear: I required Melanie’s help to get security here at my resort suite.

“Yes, Ty? I see it’s your number...”

“Mel! Get me security to my room please. Someone took a shot at me with a firearm!”

“What? When?”

“Mel, just send security on the double, I’ll explain later.”

“I’m sending them now! Are you safe where you are?”

“No, I’m on the wooden deck behind a deck chair ... Hurry. Get security.”

I heard a buzz and a voice say “Yes miss.” And Melanie said “Get security to room 206 ... STAT!”. Then she spoke into the phone, “They will be with you in two or three minutes.”

“Good! And Mel, Stay in your office. Don’t go near the window. Have someone close all the curtains and stay low.”

“Why?”

“It was either you or me that was the next target. I was about to get you proof I captured by accident in my pictures of this morning.”

“Hold on ... here is security now...” And Melanie spoke to someone. I heard the word “GO,” and then she came back on the line.