The curious case of the missing Tanzanian TingaTinga.

Agent Maci Allyn was new to the offices of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Quantico, Virginia. The rigorous field training and Special Agent Selection System to become a Special Agent was now behind her, and she looked forward to working in whatever capacity was required of her.

Yet, for her first assignment to be in Tanzania, East Africa, was a bit daunting to say the least. Although Africa is her ancestral home, she had never been there. Maybe it was her ability to speak the Swahili language which had gotten her chosen for the job placement.

Maci did a quick recap of what she knew of Tanzania. Officially the United Republic of Tanzania is within the African Great Lakes region. It borders Uganda to the north; Kenya to the northeast; the Indian Ocean to the east; Mozambique and Malawi to the south; Zambia to the southwest; and Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain, is in northeastern Tanzania. According to the 2022 national census, Tanzania has a population of nearly 62 million, making it the most populous country located entirely south of the equator.

Sitting across from her Supervisor Mark Gascoigne as he briefed her on the major job requirements, she found the information vague and shrouded in mystery.

"Agent Allyn, one of our field agents has gone missing on assignment in the country of Tanzania, you will fly there immediately with Agent Ross. Here is the file with all the intel we have gathered so far, as you know it is on a need-to-know basis, familiarize yourself with the case. You leave in two hours, good luck".

Maci had questions, but she figured she had better read the file first and ask them after.

"Thank you, sir", she said as she exited the office.

Sitting on the plane with Vincenzo Ross, a senior agent whom she had met and liked during training, Maci asked about the artform shown and mentioned in the file.

"What exactly is Tingatinga, Vince"?

"Tingatinga is a beautiful exotic painting style that originated in East Africa. It is one of the most widely represented forms of tourist-oriented paintings in Tanzania, Kenya and neighboring countries. The genre is named after its founder, Tanzanian painter Edward Tingatinga. It also inspired the kid's animation TingaTinga Tales.

The small, brilliant and highly saturated colored paintings cater to tourist-oriented markets; can be easily transported, and are intended to appeal to Europeans and Americans. A form of "airport painting", the drawings are affordable and can be described as naïve and caricatural; humor and sarcasm are often explicit".

Marci knitted her brows, something integral was missing from the sparse information contained in the file.

"If these paintings are everyday items which can be purchased on the streets, why is this one of such importance to the case"?

"Apparently that is the question to which we will need to find the answer". Vincenzo answered. He yawned, closed his eyes, and settled back for the long journey. Maci continued to review and think about the case.

Meanwhile

In Oyster Bay, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Inspector Ayan Zenebe too was trying to figure out the same puzzle. At the art village with Officer Bana, he spoke with some of the artists who sold Tingatinga on the streets. The neighborhood was not the friendliest of places for police officers, yet he was an avid fan of the Tingatingas featuring lovely dancing African women.

The community was upset about the artists who had gone missing without explanation. It was difficult to get information from anyone. Officer Bana went to speak to a few people he knew, while the chief walked around trying to find anything out of place or suspicious. People cast glaring looks in his direction. Maybe they thought he wanted to spy on them, yet what were they hiding. Bana signaled him over, fingers to his lips as they walked in silence between two lopsided shanties and entered a small dark room.

An elderly woman and a younger man were seated on chairs in the sparsely decorated makeshift room. The glared at the officers but said nothing.

Zenebe asked their names. Miramba and Josef Malawe.

"How much you pay to hear about de white woman"? The man asked. Bana started to object, but the Inspector gestured and pulled out five shillings and held it out, the man nodded for more and Zenebe added five more. It was accepted.

'De woman, we call her 'white angel' was or is well liked around here. No one would harm her. About a week ago, white men came looking for her, they were not very friendly, roughed up some of de Tingatingas and took some away. Other ones just disappeared just like de white angel".

"Any idea where they hung out when she was here"? Zenebe asked.

"They would be right here, she helped us from here". The old woman answered way too quickly.

"Could you identify the white men if you saw them again"? Bana asked, as Josef quickly shook his head, no.

They said their thanks and left. The younger man caught up to them, as he passed by, he whispered:

"The church, go to de Catholic church".

They found the small church, it was a modern but modest structure and well cared for. Inside they found a priest, workers and worshippers. A few questions later and they had not learned much. Yes, Nadine came there often to worship, no, they never noticed anything out of the ordinary and no, they had no idea where she might be.

They returned to the station to find the two FBI agents waiting for them. Inspector Zenebe had been expecting them, he welcomed them and showed them into his office.

Introductions were made.

"I trust you had a pleasant enough flight, it is a long journey from the U.S. to here".

"It was long, but thankfully uneventful. Thank you for asking". Vince answered smiling.

Everyone was brought up to speed on the latest information which both sides had uncovered. The agents then left to pay a visit to the apartment of agent Nadine Travers and do some other investigations of their own.

"Do you get the feeling that there is something they are not telling us". Maci asked Vince.

Zenebe asked Bana the same question about the agents.

The apartment had been ransacked. Now it would be so much harder to investigate. A call to Zenebe had fingerprint experts over to dust the place. They also sent a set to the FBI office for analysis, maybe some of those prints would have a hit on their database. Vince tapped the wall, nothing seemed out of place, but as Maci stepped into the closet, the floorboard creaked. Way back in the corner behind shoe boxes, was a strange looking board, she found a large knife and tried to pry it open. It took both of them together to yank it open.

"Whoever came looking for this must have been an amateur to have missed this". Said Vince.

"Makes you wonder who we are dealing with". Maci mused.

Wrapped in layers of dark papers were a large stack of diamonds, a black bound book with a clasp and a gun. But the most important clue was the copy of the same picture which was in the file that Maci had been given. On the back of it were the words:

"The answer lies within the artwork, follow the original copy"! Look as they could at the Indian maidens within the art, they had no clue what it was all about. Did they need to find the original copy to solve the case?

Before they could discuss the possibilities of the discovery, Maci's phone rang. It was officer Bana, they had found the bodies of two of the Tingatinga artists.

Finding nothing else of interest in the apartment, they drove back to the station and were taken to the crime scene. The old abandoned building had obviously been the scene of a professional crime. Whoever had done this knew what they were doing. The bruises and condition of the bodies, combined with the terror on the faces of the men meant that they would have surely given up any information which they possessed. If they were going to find Nadine alive, they had to move fast.

The Tanzanian heat was getting to them fast, both returned to their hotel for a well needed shower, then down to the hotel restaurant for dinner. They pored over a local newspaper for any news of the case, then went back to the rooms for a more thorough examination of the items found in Nadine's room. They had not yet shared the info with the local police.

An idea suddenly occurred to Vince. He retrieved the artwork, turned it over and ripped off the thick cardboard. Inside was another layer appearing to be glued onto the original layer. He ripped this off also. Tiny diamond pieces went flying all over the floor.

"Oh my God, are they smuggling diamonds out of the country in the TingaTinga artwork"! Maci gasped.

"But why is this in Nadines's apartment"?

"Quickly, Maci, I think there may be more evidence inside that closet".

Both bolted out of the hotel and ran towards their rental car.

Diallo, emerging from behind a tree where he had been waiting for a chance to speak with the agents, walked swiftly forward and knocked on the window. Both agents grabbed for their guns simultaneously, their training kicking in. Diallo raised his hands, it was getting dark and he did not want to get shot.

"Tunaweza kuzungumza". He said, unaware that he spoken in his native tongue.

"What, what is he saying"? Vince asked.

"He just wants to talk". Maci translated.

"Keep your hands up. Do you speak English"? Maci asked, slowly stepping out of the car, while Vince kept his gun on him, and went to pat him down.

Diallo nodded yes.

Maci saw a small crowd starting to gather.

"Put the gun away Vince, let's get back into the car". Vince got into the back, nudging Diallo in, gun still trained on him, while he glanced out the window for any strange movements by anyone else.

"Who are you". Vince asked roughly, suspicious of the stranger lurking around.

"I am Diallo, 'secret agent man', at least that is what 'white ghost' calls me. Look, I have my own Tingatinga of myself". He reached inside his coat, but Vince shoved the gun nearer and Diallo paused, smiling.

"I am just reaching for my artwork". He said.

"Ok, slowly". Vince was taking no chances.

Diallo pulled a drawing from his jacket's inside pocket. Maci laughed when he unrolled the caricature of himself.

"I did this myself. Good, right". Diallo laughed, trying to make light of the situation.

"It's ok. Now what is this all about".

"I am a friend of the 'white ghost'. I know where she is, and can take you there. I saw you at her apartment and I know that you found her secret hiding spot. She wants me to take you to her". Diallo said, sounding quite concerned.

The two agents looked at each other. Both were wondering why Diallo had not taken the items out of the apartment if he had known about it. Could he be the one who had ransacked the place, searching and not finding the diamonds.

"Ok, take us to her now". Both Maci and Vince knew that they were taking a dangerous chance with this stranger. Their senses were keenly on the alert.

Diallo agreed and gave them directions. They drove for a while, passing through some local neighborhoods.

Finally, they emerged onto a lonely stretch of dirt road, up ahead a vehicle was parked blocking the street. Vince stopped the car.

"Who are these, do you know them Diallo"? But Diallo had opened the door and jumped out, running towards the back of the car.

The men pulled out long evil looking weapons and ordered them out of the car. They got out and the men proceeded to search them, Maci objected, but they just ignored her. They then searched the car.

"Where are the diamonds, we know you found them in the woman's home"? Neither agents answered.

"Tie them up, take them to the old house over in the bushes. We need them alive for now, don't want the American FBI finding dead agents here in Africa, but maybe we kill them later". Two men shoved them ahead, placed them on chairs in the old ramshackle building, tying them up quite firmly, and left.

"They are oddly well dressed for rogue mercenaries. Whatever is going on here is well organized". Maci said, writhing like a snake and trying to undo her bonds.

They both jumped as two shots rang out.

"Watches". Vince said.

"Ok". Maci answered.

Both started jumping their chairs around, when close enough they touched the faces of their respective watches and a low pinging began.

"Hello. Agents Allyn and Ross. What is the emergency".

"We..uh..are a bit tied up. Can you find our location and get the local cops to give us a hand here. We are not hurt, just...inconvenienced. Thank you".

"Will do. . Amazing what technology can do". Mused the U.S. agent as he pinpointed them and relayed the message to the Oyster Bay police in Tanzania.

Inspector Zenebe and a few of his officers arrived not long after, they freed them and reported that a young man had been found shot not far from the house. Luckily, he was not dead, and was on the way to hospital.

"If that is Diallo, he can help us. Make sure he is kept alive"? Maci ordered".

Vince hurried back to the hotel while Maci went to the station to update the police on the latest developments. The men had indeed broken in and searched the place. But they missed the secret compartment expertly built into the back of his suitcase. The diamonds and everything else were safe. He took all the evidence with him back to the station.

After a long day, and awaiting the hopeful recovery of Diallo. They finally returned to the hotel, switched rooms, and had a good night's sleep.

The doctors refused to allow any visits to Diallo for two days. The local Inspector had Maci and Vince pore over mugshots and pictures with hopes of identifying any of the men they had seen. Only one of the white men was identified. He was a known diamond dealer/smuggler. Nothing had been proven against him. They again all went to question as many Tingatinga artists who would cooperate or even speak to them. A few of them again mentioned the Catholic church.

"My Spidey intuition is pointing towards that church, I think that is where Nadine is hiding out". Maci offered.

"I tend to agree, the priest was very eager to get rid of us last time". Vince agreed.

They found the church locked and bolted, which was highly unusual. A call came in from the officer at the hospital saying that Diallo was awake and was ready to talk.

On the way back the vehicles were attacked. Men jumped out of parked vehicles and started shooting. Zenebe radioed for backup, while they exited the cars and took refuge behind them.

Two of the shooters got shot, Bana grabbed his side and fell over, another officer was shot in the leg, Vince got grazed on the head and Macy got one in the shoulder. Another two shooters went down, leaving only two to worry about. Police sirens sounded.

The shooters grabbed their injured, maybe dead colleagues and piled into the two vehicles with officers giving chase.

Everybody ended up at the hospital, overwhelming the small staff. Maci and Vince were not seriously hurt. Bana had to get a bullet removed from his side and the other officers would live.

"They must really want those diamonds, why ambush two cars filled with policepersons and agents. Something else must be going on". Zendebe wondered.

Diallo was awake, a bit jaded from the anesthesia, but alert enough to speak. He spoke to the agents and Zenebe quickly and urgently, between coughs, gasps and wheezes.

"You must go to Josef and Miramba. They can take you to Father Gene Perigren, he is the one to speak to. You must hurry, if they found me, they will find them".

"Them who, Diallo". But Diallo had again dosed off.

Zenebe, Marci and Vince, accompanied by two police cars went back to the Tingatinga village.

Miramba objected a lot, but Josef hurried them along a path which Inspector Zenebe had not seen the first day. This time they followed an underground low dirt tunnel, at times they had to bend quite low, until they magically emerged into a lower section of the church. Here they were surprised to see a thriving TingaTinga business going on.

On the wall was a huge copy of the Indian TingaTinga painting. There was an underground messaging system attached to it. Apparently this was how genuine secrets were passed to the correct people. The crooks had actually been after the painting rather than the diamonds. The message on it had been of utmost importance to the business operations. Vince secretly passed it on to Nadine when Zenebe was not looking.

The biggest surprise were three 'dead' FBI agents. Nadine was unharmed, the agents, along with the three missing artists were all busy stapling and collating Tingatinga for export. Only Vince and Maci knew that diamonds were being smuggled in the artwork. The group of four agents had contacts with the diamond mines who supplied them with diamonds to help the church keep many communities afloat.

It was not being done illegally, except maybe from a moral standpoint, everyone argued. People were being fed, hospitals were being kept supplied with money to pay staff, buy medicines and care for the sick, artists and laymen were being kept employed. Nadine would continue running the whole show as long as she was safe.

A sting was carried out on the rogue agents who wanted to muscle in on the Tingatinga business. Thanks to Diallo who worked undercover for both sides, they were all apprehended. Some of the ones who got shot had died.

Back at the local police station. Zenebe surprised them by saying that he knew about the diamond smuggling business. He just never knew how the networking was being carried out. As long as people were not dying he played his role in keeping the peace. The job of smuggling was not his department.

"I am guessing that your agents will be in big trouble. Right"? He asked the agents.

Vince and Maci, scratched their heads, mumbled incoherently, and denied any knowledge of the eventual outcome of the situation. They went back to speak to Nadine and the agents before leaving.

Things were back to normal, all the agents were staying where they were. They thanked Maci and Vince for their success in helping to save their lives.

After a successful operation, they had a much deserved night out on the town, courtesy of Nadine and the other agents. A late sleep in, shower and a healthy Tanzanian breakfast made for a most delightful morning.

Tanzanian Breakfast menu

Mtori soup. Made with Kilimanjaro green bananas, Irish potatoes, short beef ribs, vegetables and salt. Popular among the Chagga people for its energizing properties and essential nutrients.

Chipsi mayai: A popular street food breakfast option in Tanzania; combines French fries with eggs, creating an omelette-like preparation with the fries dispersed throughout. It can also be customized with additional ingredients like bell peppers or onions to add extra flavor and texture.

Vitumbua: Coconut rice pancakes that are a popular breakfast food in Tanzania. They are often served with aromatic teas, rich coffees, and fresh fruits.

Uji: A millet porridge that offers both sustenance and warmth in the morning. It is a popular breakfast ritual in Tanzania and is often paired with bread, chapati, or mandazi.

After the final goodbyes to everyone, a quick drive to the airport and they were ready for the return journey home.

"Do you think the FBI know about the diamond operations in Tanzania, Vince"?

"Need to know Maci, remember. But, you wanna bet they are the ones actually running this whole show. They just sent us to clean up their mess. You never heard that from me. No way those agents could be working on their own. They are probably so deep under cover, they don't need cover"! He laughed at the irony of it all.

"I figured that out for myself as well. Well, we did what they asked us to do. All is well so far".

"You did a bang-up first assignment. Great work Agent Maci Allyn, FBI".

Maci smiled, leaned back and closed her eyes.

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