PROLOGUE

8Year
sEar
li
er
.
"
Baby
,ar
eyouokayi
nther
e?"
Thesoundofhi sv oi
ceandt hesof tknockont he
bathroom doorcausedNal editojumpof fthecl osed
toi
letseatshe'dbeensi t t
ingonf orthepast5
minutes.Forcingherwobbl ylegst obest eady, she
abandonedt hequest ionst hathadbeenr unningi na
l
oopi nhermi nd.Whati fit'
strue?Whati shegoi ng
tosay ?He'
lldef i
nit
elytellmet hathe'snotr eady .
Whatam Igoi ngt odo, then?Whati fheleav esmeor
for
cemet ogetr idofit?Whataboutmymot her ,
whati sshegoi ngtosay ?
Shedrewinadeepbr
eat
handslowlyrel
easedi
t.
"Yeah,
I'
ll
beouti
namoment,babe.I
'mfine.
"
I'
mf i
ne.Shewi shedshecouldbel
ievethatasshe
slowlymovedt owardsthevani
tyi
nt hesmall
bathroom.Takinganotherdeepbreath,
sheforced
herselft
otakeal ookatthetwohomepr egnancy
teststri
psl
yingont hefauxmarbl
et opofthevani
ty.
Alotofpeoplehopefortwoli
nesaft
erthetest,whi
le
somepr ayf
orjustoneli
ne.Shewasthelat
ter.But,
asshewoul dhaveit
,Godhadmor eimport
ant
prayer
stoanswer.Twolineswerecl
earl
yvisi
blein
bothstri
ps,
hereyeswerenotdeceiv
ingher.OhGod.
"Baby,pleasecomeout .I'
mrunninglate."Sfi
so
wasn'tjustrunningl
ate,hewasalsor unningoutof
hisconst ant
lylowsupplyofpat
ience, Naledi
coul
d
hearitinhisv oi
ce.
Shequi ckl
ygrabbedtheposi
ti
vetestst
ri
psandhi
d
them behindherbackasshewalkedoutofthe
bathroom.S'f
isowasbyt hebed,
closi
nghis
bri
efcase.
"I
'
mr unni
nglate.Di
dyouseewhereIputthe
schemati
cdesignsketchesIwasworki
ngonlast
night
?"Hedidn'
teventurntol
ookatherast
he
questi
onl
efthismouth.
S'
fisoKhumalowasherboy fr
iendofthreeyear
s.
They'dmetinuniver
sit
y,atWits,whenshewas
doingherthi
rdyearandhe,aMast er'
sdegr
eein
Archit
ect
ure.Hewasnowwor kingforGYB
Archit
ecture,anar chi
tecturefi
rm basedi nMelrose
Archinthebusyci tyofJohannesbur g.Thiswashi s
thi
rdyearwi ththef i
rm andhewasmaki nggood
moneybuthi sexcusef ornotmaki ngt hi
ngsoffici
al
withherwhenhi smot heraskedhi mt owas,"Ineed
tobef i
nanciall
yst abl
ebef oreIcanthinkoftakinga
wifeandhav ingkids.I'
m nott hereyet.
"Naledihad
agreedwi t
hhi mt henbecauseshe, t
oo, wasnoty et
readyforthatbigst ep.Butwoul dn'
tthebabychange
allt
hatnow?WhatwasS' fi
sogoi ngtosaynowt hat
shewaspr egnant?
"Ther
e,babe,
"withherfr
eehandshepoi
nted
towardsthel
ivi
ngareaofhisopenpl
anbachel
orfl
at.
"Youputthem i
nthedraweroftheTVst
andlast
night
."
Howcoul dshef or
get?She'dspenthourswatchi
ng
him worklastni
ghtandshe'dbeenhappyt oseehim
putt
ingthesketchesawayt ojoinheri
nbedjust
aft
ermi dni
ght.Butshe'
dbeendi sappoi
ntedwhenhe
tur
nedhi sbacktoherassoonashegotundert he
covers,
claimingtobeti
red.That '
swhenshe
wonderedi fhe'
dbeenpretendingtobeworki
ngon
thesket
chesj usttoavoidher.Thathe'dwantedher
tofal
lasleepbeforehecoul dcomet obed.There
wasjustsomet hingdif
ferentabouthi
ml at
ely,she
hadnoticed,eventhoughshehadnoi deawhatwas
goingon.
"
Thanks,baby
.Idon'
tknowwhatI
'
ddowi
thouty
ou.
"
Hebrushedasoftki
ssonherl
i
ps.
Herhear tswel l
edi nherchestatt hesimpl egesture.
Andwhenhel if
t edhisheadshecoul donlylookat
him aswor dsr acedt hroughherhead: there'
s
somethingIneedt otellyou.Pl easedon’ tmi nd.
Pleasedon’tleti tchanget hingsbet weenus.Il ove
you.Thewor dsonl yracedt hroughherhead, never
makingitoutofhermout h.S'fisot urnedandwal ked
totheliv
ingr oom t ogett hesket ches.Shef oll
owed
him,herhear tpoundi ng.Ahundr eddi f
ferent
thoughtsinvadedhermi ndal latonce.Butnowor
never,wast het houghtt hatroset othet opoft he
pil
e.Withdifficultyshesi l
encedt hev oiceofdoubti n
herheadandst art
edt ospeak.
"
S'f
iso,
ther
e'ssomet
hingIneedt
otel
lyou.
"
"Ummh,babe.
..
can'
titwai
t?Ir
eal
l
yneedt
ogetgoi
ng,
Idon'
twannabelat
e."
Late?Thefi
rm wasonl
y5minut
esawayanditwas
sti
l
l bef
ore7:
00,sowhatt
hehel
lwashetal
ki
ng
about?
"
No,
itcan'
t.
..
"
S'
fi
socutheroff
."Let
'st
alkov
erl
unch.You'
regonna
j
oinme,ri
ght?
"
"No.Ican't
.Itoldyouy ester
daythatI'
m gonnahav e
toworkonmyt hesisall
daytoday.Ihavetosubmi t
thefi
nal dr
afttomor row.Ineedtograduatenext
year.
"What ,di
dhewantt obet heonlyonewi t
ha
Master'
sdegr ee?"May be,wecant al
ktonightthen?I
don'
tthinkmymot herwil
lmindifIcomeov eragain.
"
"Toni
ght
'sout
.I'
l
lbeworki
ngl
ate.
..
att
heoff
ice.
"The
suddencol
dnessinhi
svoi
cest
art
ledher
.
"
Oh.Isee,
"wasal
lshecoul
dsay
.
Heplacedaki
ssonhercheek."
Don'
tfor
gett
oleave
t
hekeywi t
hKhat
hu,
okay."Thenhewasgone.Just
l
iket
hat.
Shewasl eftst andingint hemi ddleoft hel ounge,
tearswel linginherey es.Khat huwast heguywho
l
ivedi ntheopposi teapar tmentacr osst hecor ri
dor.
Sheal way shadt oleavet hekeywi thhim whenev er
S'fi
sol ef
therbehi ndinthemor ning,becauseKhat hu
wasal way sin, hewor kedf rom home.She' dnev er
reallyhadapr oblem wi t
ht hatbutnowt hatshe
thoughtabouti t,i
tdidn'tsitwell wi
thher .S'fi
so
nev erwant edhert ohav et hekeyt ohisapar tment .
Henev erwant edhert oleaveev enasi ngl eitem of
clothinginhi sspace.Thatwasodd, wasn' tit?But
whydi dittakehersol ongt oseei t
?BecauseS' fiso
hasasweett ongue, heknowshowt oconv ince
any oneofany thi
ng, sheanswer edhersel f.He'd
givenhert her easonwhyhedi dn'twanthercl ot
hes
i
nherapar tmentandshe' dbelievedhim.I tsounded
vali
d, atthet imeatl east,butnowshequest ionedit.
Shewasput ti
ngherstuffi
nherhandbagwhena
knockatthedoorstar
tledher.Whatshesawwhen
shewenttoopenwasat allwomanofaverage
beautywit
hapr otr
udi
ngst omachofadvanced
pregnancy
,leani
ngonei t
hersideoft
hedoorframe
wi
thbot
hhands.
"
Hel
l
o.CanIhel
pyou?
"
"
I'
m her
eforS'
fi
so.I
shei
n?"Theatti
tudei
nthe
woman'
svoicewasunmi
stakabl
e.
"No,he'
salr
eadyl
eftforwor
k.Whoar
eyou?Ican
giv
ehimt hemessage."
"Ishoul
dbetheoneaskingyouwhoy ouare.I'
mthe
womanwho' scar
ryi
ngS'fi
so'
sbaby.
"Shepushed
pastastunnedNal
ediandwalkeddeepinsidethe
apartment
.
HowNal edimanagedt ocl
oset hedoorshedi dn't
know.Allsheknewi sshedidn'
tdr awabr eathunti
l
she'
dmov edt ost andinf
rontoft hepregnant
womansi tt
ingi nherboyfr
iendscouch.Keepi ngher
l
egssteady, sheletoutasmal lfakesmiledespite
thechi
ll
thatcl enchedhermuscl es."I
'
m sor r
y,what
didyouj
ustsay ?"
"
Idi
dn'
tst
utt
er,
didI
?"
Thi
swomanwasf ull
ofitandNal
edihadnoener
gy
todeal
wit
hherr
ottenbedsidemanner
s."
Youmean
that.
..t
hat
'sS'f
iso'
sbaby
?"Withatr
embl
i
nghandshe
pointedatthewoman'sroundbel
l
y.
"Andthi
sishisapar
tment
.I'
dappr
eci
atei
tify
ou
coul
dleave.
"
Thenthewomanl aughed.Shewasl aughing.
Laughi
ng.Themocki ngsoundstabbedNal edi'
s
heartl
i
keami l
li
onkni v
es.Shecouldheari t
.Feeli
t.A
mill
i
onkni vessl
ashing.Heartpounding,
hands
tr
embling,shedroppedherhandbagt ot
hef l
oor.A
secondlatershefoll
owedt hebagdown, hitt
ingher
headont hecoldti
le.
.
Wil
lst
artposti
ngonWednesday
.Int
hemeant
ime
pl
easecall
others.
PeaceandLov
e<3
Phi
l
siweMaki
nana
Chapt
er1
Fr
iday
,13December
,10:
30a.
m
.
"
Whati
fsomet
hinggoeswr
ong,
chomi
?"
Naledijusthadtorollherey
esandst if
leachuckleat
thehysteri
calvoiceofherfr
iend.SkySiyangawas
suchadr amaqueen.Nal edienvi
sionedherpacing
upanddownasshespokei ntothephone, di
gging
holesinhermot her'
sfancycarpetwithher6-i
nch
heels-theonlykindofshoesSkyseemedt olove.
-Nal
edi:"
Not hi
ngisgonnagowrong,
Sky.You'
re
marryi
ngy ourbestf
ri
end.Tomorr
owisgonnabea
goodday."
-Sky:"
Butwhati
fI'
m makingamistake,chomi?What
i
fLux ol
oisnott
hemanIt hi
nkheis? "Shewasnow
cryi
ng,herl
oudsobsrev
erber
ati
ngt hroughNaledi
'
s
car.
I
'm gl
adIdon'thavepassengerstohearal
lofthis,
Nal
edithought,cur
singhersuperbasscarspeakers.
-
Nal
edi
:"Gi
rlpl
ease,
Luxol
oisanopenbook.Wi
th
him,whatyouseeiswhatyouget.He'
sagoodman.
Andhelovesyouwithever
ythi
nghehas.Your
swi
ll
bethehappil
yeveraf
terweallr
eadabouti
n
romancenovels.
"
Godknewshedi dn'
tbel i
eveawor dthatwascomi ng
outofherownmout h.Sheknewexact lywhatmen
wer ecapabl eof.Sheknewt hatt heycouldn' tbe
trust ed.She'dlearnedt hatthehar dway8y earsago.
Whi chwaswhyshedeci dedt oputal idont he
dat i
ngj arandthrowi tawayal oongt i
meago,
choosi ngt ofocusonhercar eerinstead,andon
raisinghersont hebestwayshecoul d.Butshe
wasn' taboutt ospreadher" bitter
ness"t oSky .She
nev erhadandshewasn' taboutt onow.SheandSky
hadbeenbestf ri
endsf or14y ears,sincethei rf
irst
yeari nv ar
sit
y.WhatmadeSkyhappymadeher
happyt oo.AndLuxol omadeSkyhappy ,shehadt o
admi t.Besides,themai dofhonour '
snumberonej ob
i
st okeept hebrideemot i
onall
ycal m.Andt hat
meantkeepi ngheropi nionaboutt rue,eternal l
oveto
her self.
-
Sky
:"Your
eal
l
ythi
nkLuxol
oandIwi
l
lgr
owol
d
t
oget
her
?"Shewassni
ff
ingbutherwor
dswer
ecl
ear
.
-Naledi:"
Ofcour se.Whaty ou'
reexperiencingisjust
weddi ngjit
ter
s.It'
sv er
ynor malbutyouneedt or est
assur edthateverythi
ng'
sgonnagookay ,alr
ight?I'
ll
bet herein3hour s.May beyou'l
lfeelbett
ert hen."
She'dbeendr ivi
ngf or5andahal fhour sfrom
Johannesbur g,andshewassl owlybutsur el
y
closingthedistancebetweenher selfand
Queenst own.
Queenstown, Sky '
shomet own,wast heonl ypl ace
she'deverv i
sitedi ntheEast er
nCape.She' dspent
thepastweekt her e,organisi
ngeverythingshehad
toorganiseast hemai dofhonourinpr eparationfor
herbestf r
iend'sweddi ng.Buttwoday sagoshe' d
hadt ofl
ybackt oJohannesbur gtodeal witha
familyemer gency .Thent odayshe'ddeci dedt owake
upear l
yanddr i
v edowni nhercarsoshecoul denj oy
thesceneryal ongt hef ri
endlyN6route.She' dal ways
l
ov edlongsol odr ives.Theywer ethebestt imet o
j
ustbebyher sel fandcont emplatewhat everneeded
contemplating, whiletakingintheroadsi deviews.
-
Sky
:"IguessI
'
llseey
out
hen.You'
l
lgether
eint
ime
f
ort
her
ehear
sal
."Hersni
ff
swer
enowsubsi
ding.
-Naledi:"
Iwouldn'
tmi ssitf
orthe..
.Whatthehel l?
!"
Shesl ammedont hebrakepedal.Tyresscreeched
thenhercarcamet oacompl etestopasecond
beforeshecoul dhitawomanwho' djustr
anst rai
ght
i
ntot heroad,outoftheroadsidepoli
cestationinthe
smal ltownofSmi thf
iel
dinFreeState.
"I
'
m sor
ry,ausi
.Reall
ysorr
y,"t
hewomanapol
ogi
sed
assherantotheothersi
deofther
oad.
I
fNal edihadn'
tseentearsinhereyesshewoul
d
havegivenherthef i
nger.Butshe'
dnoti
cedt
hatthe
womanwascr ying.Probabl
ybecauseofaman,she
thoughtandactuallyf
eltsorr
yforher
.
-Sky
:"Whatwasthat
?Whatj
usthappened?Chomi
,
areyoual
ri
ght?
"shewasfr
anti
c.
Naledi
keptherbreathi
ngsteadywi
ththefor
ceof
sheerwil
l
,ignor
ingthecarhornsbl
ari
ngbehi
ndher.
-Naledi:"Yeah,
I'
mf i
ne.Justanobstacleontheroad.
I'
ll
call andcheckony ouagainbefor
eIgetthere,
okay ?"Shehungupandf ocusedontheroadasshe
continuedt odri
veacrossthesmalltown.
Ifshewassomeoneel seshe'dpr obablybeshaking
aftercomingsocloset orunningahumanbei ngover
withhercar.Butno,notNal edi.Overtheyear
sl i
fe
hadt aughthert
oremai ncalm andal waysbei n
control,
nomat t
erwhat .
.
.
Shewas20mi nutesoutofSmi t
hfiel
dwhenshe
heardaloudboom r ever
berat
ingthroughhercar.
Thecarfish-t
ailed,awhooshingsoundgotf ol
lowed
byrepeatedflapping,andsheinstantl
yknewthat
oneofherr eartyreshadjustburst.Damn!
Shekeptaf irm gri
pont hesteeringwheel,fi
ghtingto
gaincont rol oftherearofthecaraswel lastheurge
tojam ont hebr akes.Hardbrakingwoul dbet he
wor stthingshecoul ddoasi twoul dfur
ther
i
mbal ancet hecarandt hrowi toutofcont r
ol,she
knewt hatfrom exper i
ence.Soi nsteadshekepther
ri
ghtf ootont heaccelerat
orandr el
easeditslowly
andgr adual lyuntilt
hecarhaddecel er
atedtoasl ow
speed.Oncei thadsloweddownandwasunder
control
,shesteeredi
ttot
hesi deandpull
edov er
safelyontheothersi
deofthey ell
owli
ne.Onl
yt hen
didshegi veher
selft
imet
odr awi nadeepbreath.
Goodt hingshewasnotdoingt hemaximum speed
oritwasgoi ngtobebad,
especi al
lyi
fshehad
panicked.
Idon'
tpanic,sher
emi
ndedher
sel
fassheact
ivat
ed
thehazar
dl i
ghtst
hej
umpedoutoft
hecar
.
"Goddammi t!
"sheki ckedt hebl ownt yre,wonder ing
whatshewasgoi ngt odonex t.Thi s—hav ingacar
emer gencyint hemi ddleofnowher e—wasaf ir
stf or
her.Ohshehadt hespar ewheel alright,shej ust
didn'
tknowhowt oputi tonev ent houghshegr ew
upherf ather'
sgirl.Whatshel ear nedandmast er ed
from herfatherwast hear tofmaki ngf urniture.
Whenhewasst i
llal
ive,herf at
herownedacompany
thatdesignedandmanuf actur
edof ficefur nishing
solut
ionsf orthecor porateenv ironment .Itwas
becauseoft hatsamecompanyt hatt heymov ed
from Jo'burgNor thtoAl bertonint heEastRand
whenshewasdoi nggrade8.Thecompanyf act ory
hadrecent l
ymov edt othei ndust r
ial suburbof
Alrodei nt hehear tofAl bertonandherf atherwant ed
hert ospendasmucht imeatt hef act oryasshe
coul d.Andt hatshedi d.Shewat chedandl earnedas
theymanuf acturedsol i
dwoodandv eneer
boar dr oom andexecut i
v esuites, deski ngsol uti
ons,
officeandsof tseat ing, recept i
onf ur nit
ure, f
il
ing
cabi net r
y ,brandandmodel speci fi
cpr i
nter
credenzasaswel l asanyot hercust om desi gned
solidwoodf urniture.Sheev ent houghtshewoul d
chooseadegr eeordi plomat hatwoul denabl ehert o
j
oi nherf ather '
scompanyaf termat ric,butshenev er
didbecauseherf at herwasal readydeadbyt hen.
Nowshewasget tingpai dtol istent oot herpeopl e'
s
probl ems.Butr ightatt hismomentshewi shedshe' d
alsol ear nedat hingort woaboutcar sfrom her
father .Cal li
ngandwai t
ingf orr oadsi deassi stance
wasgoi ngt owast et het imeshedi dn'thav e,butshe
hadnoot herchoi ce.
Shegotherphoneandwasaboutt omakethecall
whenacarpulledupafewmet er
sinfr
ontofhers,
l
ikel
ytohelpherout
.OhthankGod.Nowshewoul d
nolongerneedtomakethatphonecal
l
.
Butwhenamanwhoappear edtobei nherage
group,30tomi d-
30s,gotoutoft hecarachill
ran
downherspi ne.I
twasaman. .
.andshewasscar ed
ofhim.Ami dalar
mi ngrat
esoff emalemur der
s..
.and
RAPEi nthecountryherfearwasj ust
if
ied,
especiall
y
becauseshe, t
oo,wasast ati
sti
c.
-
Him:
"Hey
.Exper
ienci
ngacarpr
obl
em ov
ert
her
e?"
Sheschooledherf
eatur
estonotshowthef
earshe
fel
tinsi
de.Shehadtobeincont
rol
,asal
ways.
-
Her
:"Yeah.At
yrebur
st.
"
-
Him:
"Don'
twor
ry,
I'
ll
changei
tfory
ou.
"
Heappr oached,Naledi'
sey esnotl eavinghi m.She
assessedhim withadi sdainbor nofan8- year-ol
d
tr
aumai nthehandsofnotonebutt hr
eemen.He
camet ostandinfrontofher , hi
slightbrowney es
holdi
nghergazei nexplicably
.Sheshi veredy etst
il
l
shestared,unabl
et olookaway .Ther ewas
somethingdisarmingaboutt hisguy .Hewasno
danger,shecouldseei tinhiski nd,smi l
i
ngey es.
-
Him:
"Hi
.Youhav
easpar
e,r
ight
?"
-Her:"Yeah.I
nt heboot.I'
m Nal edi bytheway .
"Her
fearnowsubsi ding,sheoffer
edhi m herhandandhe
accept edi
t.Thensomet hingunexpect edhappened.
Theski nonskincont actsentel ectri
cshocks
throughoutherbody .Huh?St artled,shepulledher
handback.Butt hi
sperfectstrangerdi dn'
treact.
-Him:"
Naledi
.Nicename.I
tmeansst
ar,r
ight
?"Hi
s
l
ipscurvedtofor
m asmil
eandthesi
ghttookher
breat
haway .
Asimpl esmi l
et ransfor medhi sfacefr om good-
l
ookingt o…dev ast ati
ngl yhandsome.Herpoor ,
abusedhear tskippedabeat ,
andshehadt hegood
senset oagai nbesur prisedathersel
f.Shenol onger
reactedt omen, nott hatwayany way.I twasn'tthat
shedi dn'tnoticet hem orev enappreciateagood
specimenher eort here, shewasst i
llhumanaf t
erall,
butshej ustdidn'tfeel thiswayaboutt hem.Not
anymor e.Thisguywasmostdef i
nit
elyagood
specimen.Tal l
,br oad, andv erygood-looking.Of
courseshecoul dn' tnotnot i
cehim.Butwhatshef el
t
start
ledher .Shewast oobr okentofeel thi
sway
againf oranymemberoft hi
sgender.
Withoutwast
ingt
imet
heguyt
ookof
fhi
sjacketand
handeditt
oher.
-
Him:
"Youdon'
tmindhol
dingt
hisf
ormewhi
l
eIdo
t
hework,
doyou?"
Shehadtot
akeadeepbreat
hbeforeshecoul
dget
evenasi
ngl
ewordoutofhermouth.
-
Her
:"No,
notatal
l
."
Withoutsay i
nganotherwordhepoppedt heboot
andgott hesparewheel,j
ack,spannerandthe
tri
angleout.Shewatchedwithinter
estashewor ked,
themuscl esunderhisshor
t-sl
eevedT-shi
rtgoi
ng
tauteacht i
mehewor kedthespannertotight
enthe
bolts.
-
Him:
"Al
ldone.Let
'sgety
oubackont
her
oad.
"
Hereturnedeveryt
hingbackinherboot.Aft
ertaki
ng
backhisjackethewentt oopenherdoorforherand
gest
uredf orhert
ohopi n.Sti
l
linari
dicul
oustrance,
shehadt oshakeher sel
fbef
oreshecouldmov eand
geti
nt hecar.
-
Her
:"Thanky
ousomuchf
orhel
pingmeout
."
Hecl
osedt
hedoorandsmi
l
edt
hroughheropen
wi
ndow.
-
Him:
"Iwasj
ustdoi
ngmyj
ob,
sisi
."
Wit
hthathesteppedbacksoshecoulddri
veaway.
Heactual
lywai
tedunti
lshehadrej
oinedt
helane
andsoundedhergoodbyewit
hthecarhornbefor
e
hewentbacktohisowncar.
Iwasjustdoingmyj ob.Whatdi dthatmean?She
wonderedast heguyspeddownt heN6, over
taki
ng
hercar.Whowast hi
sguy ?Shit
!Shedidn'tev
enget
hi
sname.Shehadbeent oobusydr ool
ingthen
chasti
singhersel
f,shehadn'thadthegoodsenset o
ask.Andhehadn' toff
ered.Oh,well.
.
.
.
Fr
iday
,13December
,13:
45
Thesunwasscorchi
ngasNaledidr
ovedownBer ry
Str
eeti
nQueenst
owncentral
.Shecouldn'
twaitt
o
gettot
hehouseattheendofthest
reetandseeher
fr
iend.Thehousewasn' tonlySky 'shome, ithadal so
comet obehersecondhomeov erthepastdecade.
Sky'sparent streatedherli
keshewast hei
rown
daughter,justli
kehermot heralsot reatedSkyl ike
shewasherown.Skywast woy earsNal edi'
sseni or
butshe'dal way ssaidshewast het winshenev er
had.Howev er,nowt hatSkywasget ti
ngmar ried
Naledicoul dn'
thelpbutf eell
iket hingswer egoi ngto
change, bedi f
ferent.Shewasn'tgoi ngtosayt hatt o
Sky,though, becausesheknewt hatSkywoul df eel
bad.Get ti
ngmar ri
edhadal waysbeenSky 'sdream,
andatt heageof32t hatdream wasf inall
ycomi ng
tr
ue.Nal edi wasn'tgoingtomakeherf eelguil
t y
aboutit.
Shef oundacoupl eofmenbusyi nSky'sfr ontyar
d.
Andwhenshewentt ocheckt hebackyar dshef ound
af ewot herpeoplebusytheret oo,gett
ingt hespace
readyf orthebigdaytomor r
ow.Sky '
smot herhad
want edt obookthisbeauti
fulweddi ngv enuej ust
out si
deofQueenst own,nestledint hepicturesque
count r
y si
de,butSkyhadinsistedonusi ngherown
backy ardfortherecept
ion-thespaceshegr ewup
andplayedi
n.Itwasbigenoughany
way,
and
beaut
iful
lyl
andscaped,
soitwoul
ddo.
Theweddi ngwasgoingtobebeauti
ful
,Nal
edihad
nodoubt.Andast hemaidofhonourshewasnot
goingtoletanyoneorany
thi
ngrui
ntheexperi
ence
forherbestfri
end.
Whenshewal kedinsi
dethehouseshefoundSky
andtheweddingplannerwi
ththei
rheadstogetheri
n
thel
ivi
ngroom, pr
obablydi
scussi
ngsomel ast-
minutedet
ail
softheweddingandt her
eception.
-Sky
:"Chomi,
you'
reher
e."Shequickl
ygotof
fthe
couchwhenshesawNal ediwal
ki
nginandrushed
overtoher
.
Shelookedbeaut if
uland..
.feminineinherheelsand
theivorydressthatmouldeditselfperfect
lyagai
nst
herbody ,
exposingherper f
ectfigure.Butthenagai
n
Skywasal way sli
kethat,acompl et
eopposi teof
Nalediwhopr efer
redjeansandsneaker sandonly
favouredpantsuit
sandheel swhengoi ngtowork.
-
Nal
edi
:"I
'
m notl
atef
ort
her
ehear
sal
,am I
?"
Skyenv
elopedheri
noneofhersweet
,war
m hugs.
-Sky:"Nope, r
ightontime.Nowl et'
sgogety ou
freshenedupandchangedi ntosomet hi
ngal i
tt
le
mor e..
.appropri
atefortheoccasi on.
"She
dramat ical
lygrabbedNaledi'shandandpul l
edher
upt hest ai
rsbeforeNaledicouldev engoandsay
hellotot heotherbri
desmaidswhower ebusy
chatti
ngandl aughi
ngintheki tchen.
Nal
edisi
ghed,
butshewasgladherfr
iendwasback
t
obeingthej
ubil
ant
,exci
tedbr
ide.
.
.
.
Fr
iday
,13December
,14:
30
Theweddi ngwasgoi ngtobehel dattheCat holi
c
churchSkyandherpar entswer emember sof .And
therehearsal wasgoingt otakeplaceinthepar ish
hallbehi
ndt hechurch.Skyl ookedaround, seeing
howhappyev er
yoneinthehal ll
ooked.Whi leshe, on
theotherhand, wasasner vousasapr egnantnun.I t
wasn'tweddi ngnerves,thishadev er
ythi
ngt odo
withthepersonshet houghtshesawwhent hey
droveintothechurchgr ounds.Butitcoul
dn'tbewho
shethoughti twas,couldit?Shehadn'tseenthat
personi noveradecade.Thel astt
imeshesawhi m
waswhent heywerebot h18.Sowhywoul dhebe
herenow?No, maybei twasj usthermindplayi
ng
tr
icksonher .Buteveni fhewasi ndeedhere,whydi
d
shecar e?Whydi dthataf f
ecthersomuch?
Tocat chherbreat
handthi
nkthi
ngsthroughshe
excusedherselffr
om ev
ery
oneandwalkedaway .
Beforeherbestfri
endandmaidofhonourcoul
dsay
anythi
ngsher anoutandwentst
rai
ghttothe
rest
room.
Hol
dingont othesinkshetookadeepbr eat
handl et
i
toutslowly.Pull
yourselft
ogether
,Sky,pul
lyour
self
t
ogether.Sherepeatedthephraseinherheadasifit
woul
dhel pherfocus.
Shewasst i
llbusywi thhersel flect
urewhenaknock
ont hedoorst art
ledher .ThinkingitwasNal edi,she
cursedunderherbr eath.Yes, ashermai dofhonour
i
twasNal edi'
sjobt omakesur ethatshewasokay ,
butcouldn'tshegi veherj ustonemi nutetobeby
herselfandbr eat
he?I rr
itated,shewentt orelease
thebarr
elbol
tandopenthedoor.Herhear
tli
ter
all
y
stoppedbeat
ingandhermouthfel
lopenwhenshe
foundsomeoneelsest
andingt
here.
-
Her
:"Si
ya?
"
-
Him:
"Hi
,Sky
.Youlookbeaut
if
ul.
..
asIst
il
l
r
emember
edyou.
"
Shehadn' tbeenwr ong.HerexSi yabulel
aMosswas
real
lyher e.Andhel ookeddashi ngasi fhe'
djust
steppedoutofGQMagazi ne.Thismanwasherhi gh
school sweetheart.Backthent hewhol etownhad
alwaysassumedt hatt hey'
dmar ryoneday .That '
s
howt ighttheywere.Butt hingschangedwhenshe
hadt ogost udyatWi tsandhe, att heUniver
sityof
CapeTown.Thei rrelati
onshipcoul dn'
tsurvi
vet he
l
ongdi st
ance,i
tendedbef orethef i
rstsemester
couldev enend.Shenev ersawhi m againafterthat
becausehi sfamilyrelocatedtoEastLondont hat
verysamey ear
.
-
Sky
:"Wha.
..
whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
Si
yawal
kedi
nandcl
osedt
hedoorbehi
ndhi
m.
-
Him:
"Ihear
dyouwer
eget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed.
"
-
Her
:"Yeah.
..
yes.Iam get
ti
ngmar
ri
edt
omor
row.
"
-Hi
m: "
ThenIhadtocomeseey
oubef
oret
hat
happened.Why,
Sky?"
-
Her
:"Why
,what
?Whyam Iget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed?
"
-Hi
m: "Whydidyoudowhaty oudi
dtome?Iloved
you,Sky.I
.Loved.You.Buty
oudumpedme, vi
atext
,
asifIwassomest upidboywhonevermeant
anythi
ngtoyou."
-
Her
:"That
'snotwhatI
—"
Hehel
dupahand,st
oppi
ngherbef
oreshecoul
d
ev
enfi
nisht
hesent
ence.
-Him:"Letmef i
nish.Sky,It
ri
edtalki
ngt oyout hen.I
evenusedmyal l
owancemoneyt obuyapl aneticket
andf l
ewt oJo'
bur gjustt
otalktoyoubuty ou
wouldn'tevenseeme.Foury ear
slaterItr
ied
reachi
ngoutt oyouagai nbutsti
ll
,youignor edme.
Doy ouknowhowt hatmademef eel?Huh? "
Hekeptmov i
ngcl
osertoherashespoke,
andshe
keptr
ever
singunt
ilherbackwaspi
nnedagai
nstt
he
wall
.
-Sky:"I
'
m sorry,Siy
a.Idi dn'
tmeant omakey oufeel
l
ikey ounevermeantany t
hingtome.Ididn'
tmeant o
makey ouangry,butthingswer enolongerworki
ng
betweenus.It houghtIt oldyouthi
s."Hewasso
closeshecoul dfeelhiswar m,mintybreat
hbrushing
againstherface.
-Hi
m: "Angry?Iwasn'
tangry,Sky.Don'tyougeti
t?I
washur t
.Humi l
iat
ed,even.ButIwasnev erangr
yat
you.Youknowwhy ?BecauseIlovedy ou.AndI
sti
ll
..
."Heletthewordshangi ntheairashelowered
herhead,hismouthclosinginonhers.
OhGodhe'sgoi
ngt
oki
ssme,
shet
hought
,butdi
dn'
t
pushhi
m away.
Thei
rlipswereabouttomeetwhensomeone
cl
earedtheirt
hroatbehi
ndthem.God,no.Shehad
beentoofocusedonSi yashehadn'
tevenhear
dthe
dooropening.Si
yaretr
eatedandSkycouldseewho
hadjustwalkedinonthem.Hermaidofhonour.
-
Nal
edi
:"What
'sgoi
ngonher
e?"
-Sky
:"Not
hing.Nothi
ng'
sgoi
ngon.Thi
sisSi
yaand
hewasalreadyleavi
ng.
"
Siy
ajustshookhisheadandwal kedout
.Leavi
ng
Skystandi
ngthere,awfulscenari
osofwhatcould
havehappenedifNaledihadn'twalkedi
nrunni
ng
thr
oughherimaginati
on.
-Nal
edi:"Wast hatSiy
ay ourex?"Skycoul donlynod.
"Whatarey oudoing,Sky ?Howcoul dy oubeback
herewithy ourexwhent here'
sahallfullofpeople
whol oveandsuppor ty oubackt her
e?Peopl ewho
can'
twai ttowi tnessy ousay i
ng'Ido't
omor r
ow?Hell,
Luxolothemanwhol ovesy ouisbackt herewaiti
ng
foryou.Sowhyar eyoudoi ngthis?Whatwoul dyou
havedonei fhe'dbeent heonewhowal kedthrough
thedoori nsteadofme? "
WhatSkysawi nherf
riend'
sey eswasnotangerbut
di
sappoint
ment.Shefeltherheartsi
nk,
knowingver
y
wel
lthatNalediwasr
ight.
-
Her
:"Nal
edi,
please.Idi
dn'
taskSi
yat
ocomeher
e.
Hej
ustshowedup."
-
Naledi
:"Doyoust
il
lhav
efeel
i
ngsf
orhi
m af
teral
l
t
heseyears?
"
Di
dshe?
-
Her
:"Ofcour
senot
.Don'
tber
idi
cul
ous,
Ledi
."
-
Nal
edi
:"Doy
oust
il
lwantt
omar
ryLuxol
o?"
-Sky
:"Whatt
hehel
lar
eyouaski
ngme?Ofcour
seI
do."
-
Nal
edi
:"Ar
eyousur
e?"
-
Sky
:"Ofcour
seI
'
m sur
e."
-Nal
edi:"
Good, becausewehav ear ehearsalt
ofini
sh.
Andaf ancyrehearsaldi
nnertogot oafterwar
ds.
Thentomor r
owLuxol owillbewait
ingf oryouatthe
alt
ar,
readytomar ryyou.Andasy ourfriendI'
m not
gonnaletthi
sSi y
aorany oneelseruinthiswedding.
"
.
.
Pl
easel
i
ke,
commentandshar
e<3
Chapt
er2
Monday
,24Febr
uar
y,07:
00
.
Nalediheadedf ort
hest ai
rswiththesoundoft he
vacuum cleanerhummi nginherear s.Hermot her
wasdownst ai
rssomewher e,cl
eaningt hehelloutof
thehousef orthesecondtimei nfourday s.I
tdidn'
t
mat t
erthatshe'daskedhertosl owdownandst op
overworki
ngher sel
f,hermotherwast oostubbornto
l
isten.Butstubbornornot,Nalediwoul dn'
tknow
whatt odowi t
houther.
Shegott othekitchenandst art
edwi t
hherson's
l
unchboxasshest ruggledtoblockoutthenoise
comingf r
om thel i
vi
ngr oom.Put ti
ngonemor e
vegetari
ansandwi chinthelunchbox,shechecked
theclockmount edont hekitchenwallandreal
ised
thatshewasr unninglateforwor k.
-
Her:"Lebo!
"shecall
edoutforherson,
gladher
motherhadnowswi tchedof
fthedamnmachi ne.
"
Lebogang,pleasecomedown, baby
.We'rer
unning
l
ate.
"
Shewasput ti
ngtheboxi nherson'sschoolbag
whenhercellphonerang.Withoutevencheckingthe
di
splay
, shegrabbedthephonef r
om thecount erand
answered.
-
Her
:"Hel
l
o."
"
Nal
edi
,hi
,
"sai
davoi
ceshe'
drecogni
sei
fshel
i
ved
t
obeahundr
ed.
Whatt
hehel
l?Ragemixedwi t
hpainer
upt
eddeep
i
nsi
deheri
naninstant
,butshefor
cedher
sel
fto
r
emaincomposed.
Donotl
osey
ourcool
,Nal
edi
,donotl
osey
ourcool
.
-
Her
:"S'
fi
so?WhatcanIdof
ory
ou?
"
-
Him:
"No'
howhav
eyoubeen?
'Not
hingl
i
ket
hat
?"
-
Her
:"Ar
eyougonnat
ell
mewhyy
oucal
l
edornot
?"
-
Him:
"Isawy
ouwi
thmysony
est
erday
."
-
Her
:"Excuseme.
"
-Hi
m:"Att
hePanor
amaShoppingCent
er.Hei
s
i
ndeedmyson,hel
ooksj
ustl
ikeme.Hemustbe7
now,r
ight
?"
Act
ual
l
y,hewast
urni
ng7inMay, butshewasn'
t
goi
ngt
otell
himt
hat.I
thadnot
hingt odowit
hhim.
-Her:"He'si
ndeedyourson,huh?List
entome, S'
fi
so,
andl i
stengoodbecauseI'
m notgoingtorepeat
my self
.Youdonothav eason, atl
eastnotwit
hme.
Sodousbot hafavourandlosemynumber ."She
didn'
tev enknowhowhegoti tinthefi
rstpl
ace.
-Hi
m: "
IfyouthinkI
'
m gonnastayawayfrom myson
aft
erI'
veseenhi m,Nal
edi
,you'
remist
aken.Ihavea
sonoutthere,someonetoconti
nuemylegacylong
aft
erI'
m gone.JustwhenIthoughti
twouldnever
happen,myluckchanged."
Whathesai d,
thetoneheused.Whot hehelldi
dhe
thi
nkhewas?Nal edifel
thercomposurecrumbli
ng.
Sheletangertakeoverasshescr
eamedi ntothe
phone.
-Her
:"Asontocont inueyourl
egacy?!S'
fiso,you
shoul
dhavet houghtofthatbefor
eyout oldmet hat
youweren'
treadyt ohaveakid.AkidwithME!You
shoul
dhavet houghtofthatbefor
eyout oldmet o
getri
dofmychi ld.Hell
,youshoul
dhav et houghtof
thatbefor
ey ou..
."shestopped,notwant
ingtogo
backthere.Itwas8y earslaterbutt
hememor ywas
sti
llt
oopainf ult
orevisi
t."
Youknowwhat ?Idon'
t
havetimef orthi
s.Bye,S'f
iso."
-Hi
m: "
Ifyoudarehanguponme, woman,you'
ll
be
sorr
y.Verysorr
y .Listen,Iwanttoknowmyson, I
wanthimt oknowme.Andi fy outhi
nkI'
m gonna
backoffyoubet terthinkagain.I'
l
lmakeyourli
fe
ver
y,verymiserableify oudon'tmeetmehal f
way ,
sweetheart
.Ipromi sey outhat."
Naledinoticedthatherhandswer enowshaking.Not
outoffearbutbecauseoft heangert hatwas
coursi
ngt hrougheachandev erycelli
nherbody.
Shewant edt oscream, call
him names, useever
y
swearwor di nthebook, butshecouldn't
,notwit
h
hersonint hehouse.Besi des,thatwasnotthekind
ofpersonshewas.I ntheent i
re30y earsofherl
if
e
she'dneverbeent hatkindofper son,andshewasn't
abouttolethi mturnheri nt
osomet hingshewasnot .
-Her:
"Ifyouknowwhat
'sgoodforyou,S'
fi
so,
you'
ll
stopwiththethr
eat
sandstayawayf r
om meand
Lebo.Juststayt
hehel
lawayfrom us!
"Witht
hatshe
hungup.Butshemeantev
erywor
d.
"
Wast
hatmyf
ather
?"
OhGod, no.Nal
edislowl
yturnedt
of i
ndherson
star
ingatherfr
om thebott
om ofthestai
rs.Her
handbobbledthephoneassheputitbackont he
counter
.
-Her:"H-howlonghaveyoubeenst
andi
ngthere,
my
boy?"shet ri
edforasmi
lebutimmedi
atel
yknew
thatitprobablycameof
fmoreasagrimacethan
anythingelse.
Lebogangdi
dn'
tsmil
eback.Hi
sli
tt
lef
acewas
deepl
yseri
ousandsomber.
-Hi
m: "
Longenoughtoknowthatt
hatwasmyfather
.
Thathedidn'
twantmeandnowy oudon'
twanthi
m
anywherenearus.Whatdi
dhewant?Toseeme?"
-Her:"Li
tt
lechamp,"shelapsedi
ntot
hepetname
she'dhadf orhi
m whenhewassmal l
."Wedon'
thav
e
totalkaboutthi
snow. "
-
Him:"Fr
om thewayy
'spoketohi
m Icantel
lthathe
r
eal
lyhurty
ou,mom.Ihatehi
m."Hi
sv oi
cewascol d.
Terr
ibl
yadult
.Star
tl
inghi
smot her
.Whendi
dhe
becomesogr ownup?In3mont hshewasonl
y
tur
ning7forgoodnesssake.
Naledi'
seyesst ung, she'dneverwantedt ohearher
sonspeakl i
ket hat.Shemadeherwayt ohim and
croucheddown.Leboj uststoodthere,regardingher
throughnarrowed, glassyey es.Thesightwasj ust
toopainfulf
oramot her.She'dneverwant edherson
toknowt hathisf athernev erwantedhim.That '
swhy
she'dnevertoldhi mt hetruthaboutS'fi
so.When
Lebowas5andst artedaskingquestionsshe'dt ol
d
himt hathi
sf atherhaddi edbef or
ehewasev enbor n.
Shehat edhav i
ngt olietohi m,butatthet i
meshe
thoughtthetruthwoul ddomor ehar
mt hangood.
Andt hatst
il
l hadn'tchanged.
Hert r
embl i
nghandsmov edtocuphi sson'sface,
fi
ghtingbackt he8-year
-oldv
ilememor yofhow
S'
fisothrewheroutofhi sapartmentlateatnight
aftershe'
dt ol
dhimt hatshewaspr egnant,thatshe
waskeepi ngitandthatsheknewabouthi sother
pregnantgirlf
ri
end.She'dneverheardfrom him
againafterthat.
..
unti
lnow.
-
Her
:"Li
sten,
baby
—"
-Hi
m:"I
t'
sokay,
mom.Iunderstandwhyy ouhadt
o
l
ie.Whenhecal
lsagai
njustt
ellhi
m Idon'
twantt
o
seehi
m."
Hewr appedhistinybutsurpri
singl
yst rongarms
aroundheri nahug.Nal edipull
edhi m eventighter
againstherbody ,hereyesfil
l
ingwi thtears.Herson
wasgr owingupfasterthanshe'dreali
sedorev en
want edhimt o,butshecouldn'tbemor eproudoft he
wayhewashandl ingthewholet hi
ng.She' dsti
llhave
totalkt ohimthoughandhel phi m comet oterms
witht hi
snewr evelati
on.
-
Him:
"Yousai
dwe'
rer
unni
ngl
ate,
sol
et'
sgo.
"
Heletgoofher .Butshehadtowipehereyesbefor
e
shecouldletgoofhim.Hersonhadalreadyheard
enough,seeingherwitht
earyey
eswouldbet oo
muchf orhim.
-
Her
:"Ar
eyousur
eyoust
il
lwantt
ogot
oschool
?"
Henoddedandmov edtograbhisschoolbagonthe
counter
.Nal
edit
urnedtoseehermot hernow
standi
ngbythef
ridgeinthekit
chen,she'dbeen
l
istening.Beforeshecouldsayany t
hingt hough,her
mot herwhispered,"Gotl
asiama".She, too,wantedto
beli
evet hateveryt
hingwoul dbefine.Butsheknew
thatS'fi
sowasaboutwr eakhav ocint hetranquil
pondt hatwast heirl
if
e.Andt hewhol et hi
ngwas
goingt omessLeboupemot i
onall
yand
psychologicall
y.Thelastthingshewant edwasf or
himt ogr owupwi thangerandr esentmentt owards
themanwhobr oughthimt othisearth.
.
.
.
Monday
,24Febr
uar
y,7:
30
"
Daddy
!Daddy
,whywon'
tyouhel
pme?
"
"
Hangon,
baby
!Hangon!
"
LonwaboGamabol t
eduprightinhisbed,ayelldying
onhisli
ps.Hewassoakedwi thsweat,sheets
tangl
edar oundhislegs.Hi
shear twaspoundi ngso
fastandhar dhethoughthe'dexplode.He'dfail
ed
heragain.He'dfai
ledhisdaughterinhisdream just
ashe'
dfai
l
edheri
nreal
li
fe.
Het ookadeepbr eathandr ubbedhi shandsov erhis
face.Thedream hadbeenhaunt inghi m sincet he
dayhegotaphonecal lfr
om hisf ormersi ster -
in-
law
tel
li
nghi mthathi
sonl ydaught er ,Sesethu, wasno
mor e.Thatshe'
ddr ownedatanadv enturepar k
they'
dv i
sit
edinSomer setWest .Thathadbeen3
weeksago, butafterSesethu'
sf uner alt
hedr eam
hadbecomemor ef requent.I
thadn' tgivenhi ma
moment '
speaceint woweeks, nei therhadt hegui l
t.
Sesethuhadbeenl ivi
ngwi thhim hereinJo'burgbut
hehadl ethergov isi
therl atemother'sfamilyin
CapeTownt hatfateful weekendbecauseshehadn' t
spentti
mewi ththem dur i
ngt heDecemberhol i
days.
Butnowhewi shedhehadwentwi t
hheri nsteadof
j
ustputtingheronapl anealone.His13-year-ol
d
daughterwasnowgone, andhewast oblame.He
hadn'
tbeent heref orherwhensheneededhi mt he
most.Hehadn' tbeent heretosaveher .He,aman
paidtokeept hepubl icsafe,hadnotbeenabl eto
keephisowndaught erali
ve.Hehadf ailedtokeep
thepromi sehe'dmadet ohiswi f
ebef oreshedied
onl
y13mont
hsago.
Whenhi swifediedt hepai nwast oomuch, butat
l
easthest i
ll
hadSeset hut hen."Youst i
ll
hav eme.
Wear einthi
st ogether ,daddy .
"Hisdaught erhad
said,andshehadbeenr ight.Seset hubecamet he
reasonhehungi nther e,thereasonhegotupi nt he
mor ningandsol dieredonnomat terhowdi f
ficultit
was.Hecoul dn'tjustlethi mselffallapart
,hehada
youngdaught ertopr otectandl ivef or
.Butnowhe
nol ongerhadt hateither .Hewascompl etel
yal one.
Andhav i
ngnot hingt odo, nowor ktothrowhi msel f
i
nto, wasdr i
vinghi mi nsane.
Amont haft
erhi
swife'
sdeathSesethuhadbr ought
hi
m abookshesaidherschoolcounsell
orhad
suggest
edsheread.I
twasabookabouthowt odeal
witht
hedeathofsomeoneclosetoy ou,
writ
tenbya
Dr.Masil
owhowasacounsel l
i
ngpsy chol
ogist.
"Pl
easereadi
t,daddy.Maybeit
'l
lhelpyoucope,
the
wayit'
sbeenhelpingme.It
'st
helatestragei
n
copi
ngwi t
hgri
ef."Seset
huhadsaid.
ButLonwabohadbeenscept
ical
.Hedi
dn'
tneeda
shri
nk' sbookt ot ellhim whatt ofeel orhowt of eel i
t.
Thet rut hwas, hedi dn’tputmuchst ocki nt herapi sts
andputev enlessst ocki nsuchbooks.Hewas
hurti
ngbuthecoul dn'tseehowanybookcoul dhel p
him anymor et hanj ustt hegoodol d-fashioned
passageoft ime.Andwor k.Hepr efer redkeepi ng
himsel fbusy ,inst eadofwast i
ngtimer eadi nga
stupidbook.Butt hi soneni ghthecoul dn'tsleepand
he'dpi ckedt hebookupj ustt oki
lltime.Het hought
he'dski mi t,butonepaget urnedint of if
ty,thena
hundr ed.Thi sDr .Masi l
owasgood.Shedi dn'tjust
writefr om at her api st'
sper spective, shewr otef rom
personal experience.Hel earned,fr
om t hebook, that
shet oohadl ostal ovedone—herf atheri na
sensel essmur der .Butt hatdi dn'
tmakeherbook
heav y.Shewr ot el ikeshewoul dtalk, wryandf unny
andsodamnsi ncer e.Itwasal mostl ikeshewas
tal
kingj usttohi m.Hecoul dseewhyherdaught er '
s
school counsel lorhadr ecommendedt hebook.
Themoreheread,themorehefel
tli
keheknewDr.
Masil
oper
sonall
y.Likehewassomehowconnected
toher
.Hecouldhearheronever
ypage.Andher
wordshadremainedwit
hhimt hr
oughouthi
s
gr
ievi
ngjour
ney.ButwhenSesethudiedhecoul
dn'
t
br
inghimsel
ftoreadi
ngthatbookagain.
Nowheey edi tont heshel finhisbedr oom -" Now
ThatYou' r
eGone: PickingUpt hePieces"byDr .
Naledi Masilo.May beinst eadofreadi ngt hebookhe
shouldcall herof f
iceatt hehospitalshewor kedat
andbookanappoi ntmentf oratherapysessi on.Ifhe
wast ocont inuewi tht herapyhe'dr atheritbewi t
h
her,nomat terhowmuchi twouldcost .Afterhewas
doner eadingherbookl asty earhe'dwant edt osee
herinperson, tal
kt oher .Buthecoul dn' tbecause
shewasbasedi nJo'bur gandhewasst il
lli
vingin
CapeTownatt hetime.Now, howev er,theywer ein
thesameci ty,hecoul dgoseeheri fhewant edt o.
-
Him:
"Sor
ry,
Diane,
"hewhi
sper
edunderhi
sbr
eat
h.
Dianewast hei
rstaf
fpsychologistatwork.Shewas
anattr
activewomanwhowast hesameageashi m,
33.Buttalkingtoherwasacompl et
ewast eoft
ime,
hethought .He'
dnev erwantedtot al
kt oheri
nthe
fi
rstpl
acebuthi scommanderhadf orcedhimto
havetherapyaf t
erhisdaughterdied.He'dputhi
m on
compassi onateleaveagainsthiswi l
landsaidhe'
d
onl
yl ethim comebackt owor kaf t
erhehad
compl et
edt heprocess.Apparentlyitwasforhis
owngood.Bul l
shit.Hehatedhav i
ngt ositi
nDiane'
s
annoy i
nglydecoratedoff
ice,li
steningtoher
soothingvoiceast houghhewasamadmanwho
hadtobekeptcal m.He'dratherchewgl assthanput
hi
msel fthroughthatagain.
Buthehadafeel
i
ngthatwit
hDr
.Nal
edi
Masi
l
o
thi
ngswoul
dbediff
erent
.
.
.
.
Monday
,24Febr
uar
y,13:
15
Naledi'
sdaywasn' tgoingwell
.Thankst othephone
callS'
fi
sohadmadet hismorning.Ifshesaidshe
wasn'tworri
edshe' dbelyi
ng.S'f
isowasgoi ngto
playdir
ty,t
hatsheknew.Buti fhet houghtshe'
dlie
downandpl aydeadwhi l
ehewal kedalloverher,
he
wassadl ymistaken.Lebowasher sandhersalone.
Andknowi ngthathewascur rentlysafeatschool
andthathe'
dremainsafeunti
lhi
sgrandmot
her
pi
ckedhim uplat
er,
broughthersomecomfort
.
I
twasnowl
uncht
imebutshedi
dn'
tfeel
li
keeat
ing.
-
Her:"ButIhav
etoeati
fIwannaf
unct
ionpr
oper
ly
t
hroughtheday."
Onesandwi chf
rom thehospi
talcanteenwouldn'
t
hurt.Butwhensheopenedherof f
icedoortogoout,
Skywasst andi
ngthere,
herarmsl adenwit
h
takeoutsfr
om Nal
edi'sf
avour
iterestaur
ant
.
-Sky
: "
Goi
ngsomewher
e,Dr
.Masi
l
o?"Abr
ightsmi
l
e
adornedherf
ace.
Naledi
smil
edtoo,
happytoseeherfri
end.I
thad
beenawhil
e,awholemonthofnofacetimebut
cal
lsandt
exts.
-
Nal
edi:
" Hey,chomi.Act
ually,
Iwasgoingdownto
t
hecanteentogr absomethingtoeat
.ButIcansee
y
ou'
vebr oughtmesomet hingbett
er.
"
Sheletherf
ri
endinsi
detheoff
ice,
herappeti
te
al
readycomingback.Shecoul
dsmellthebeefstew
fr
om whereshestood.I
twasoneofherf av
ouri
tes.
-Sky:"
Well,I
'
m gl
ady ouhaven'
teatenyet
."She
placedthefoodontheroundtabl
ei nacornerand
Naledii
mmedi at
elywentfori
tbeforeshecouldeven
giveherfr
iendahug.
-Nal
edi
:"Mmmh, thi
slooksy
ummy .Thanky ou,
chomi.
"Shethrewherarmsaroundherfr
iendina
warm,appr
eciati
vehug.
-
Sky:"
Don'
tmenti
onit
.Li
sten,
I'
m her
etoasky
out
o
j
oinmeforcel
ebr
ator
ydr
inkstoni
ght
."
-
Nal
edi
:"Oh?Whatar
ewecel
ebr
ati
ng?
"
-Sky
:"Abreakt
hroughintheresear
chproj
ectI'
ve
beenworkingon."Theexci
tementinherv
oicewas
unmist
akable.
Skywasapost doct or
alfell
owint heChemi st
ry
depart
mentatWi t
s.SheandNal edihadboth
completedt
heirPhDdegr ees5y earsago,butunli
ke
her,
Nalediwasi nt
oPsy chology.Af t
erobtai
ningher
PhDSkyhadwentont owor kforachemi cal
companybutshe' dhatedherjobasmuchasshe' d
missedacademi a,andsoshedeci dedtogoback
anddoherpost doc.
-Naledi
:"That'
sfantasti
cnews,chomi.That
'swhyI
nolongerfeelneglectedwheny oudon'
tcome
aroundtoseemeasof tenasyouusedto.Between
yourresearchandy ournewhusband,Iunderst
and
thatyouhav eyourhandsf ul
l
."
Thattheweddingal
mostdidn'thappen2mont hs
agohadbecomeadi st
antmemor y,butr
ightnow
Naledicoul
dn'
thel
pbutrev
isititi
nherhead.
Theni ghtbeforetheweddi ngNaledihadsl eptin
Sky '
sbedr oom.She' dt houghtt hey'
dhav eapeacef ul
sleep, butal i
tt
leafter23: 00she'dheardSkysl owly
get t
ingoutofbedaf terherphonedhadbeepeda
dozent i
mesi ndicatingast ri
ngofincoming
messages.Acoupl eofmi nutesl
aterSkyhadputon
hercl othesandt iptoedoutoft hebedroom, probably
thinkingNal ediwasasl eep.Butassoonast he
bedr oom doorcl osed, Nal edihadjumpedoutofbed,
putonar obeandf ollowedherf r
iendoutoft he
house.ShesawSkyget tinginacarpar kedi nfront
oft hey ard,andsomet hinghadi mmedi atelytoldher
thatitbel ongedtoSi y a.WhatwasSkydoi ng?Nal edi
hadst oodbyt hef r
ontdoorandwai t
edf orhert o
comeback.Butwhen30mi nutesranoutwi thher
fr
iendstil
li
nthatcar,she'
dgot t
enwor ri
edand
decidedtogost andatthegate,cl
oseenoughf orthe
twot oseethattheywerenotalonebutf arenough
togivethem thespacetheyneeded.Fivemi nutes
l
aterSkycameoutandpul l
edNal edibackinsidethe
yard.
"
Wast
hatSi
ya?
"Nal
edi
hadasked.
"Yes.Buti
t'
snotwhaty
out
hink,
chomi
."Skyhad
defendedhersel
f.
"I
t'
snotwhatIt hi
nk?Whatdoest hatmean?Li st
en,
Sky,I'
m notgonnajudgey ouorev enconvi
ncey outo
dosomet hingyounol ongerwannado.I fy
ou're
havi
ngdoubt saboutmar ryi
ngLuxol ot
omor r
owt hen
postponethewedding.Thatwoul dbebet t
erthan
gett
ingintothi
smar r
iagehalf-
hear t
edl
y.Okay?"
"LikeIsaid,
chomi ,
it'
snotwhatyouthi
nk.Ist
il
l
wannamar ryLuxol
ot omorr
ow,butSiy
asaidifI
didn'tcomeoutandt alkt
ohimt oni
ghthe'
sgonna
stopt heweddingtommor ow.Idon'
twantnodrama
i
nmyweddi ng,t
hat'
swhyIcameoutt otal
ktohim.
Hewant
edcl
osur
e,Ij
ustgav
eitt
ohi
m."
Theweddi ngi ndeedwentwi thoutahitcht henext
day.Andt hent henewl ywedsl eftforanincr edi
ble
honey mooni nZanzibar .Theywer enowl i
v ingin
thei
rnewapar tmentinMaboneng.Anapar tment
withani nt
eriorascol ourful,
funandpl ayf
ul ast
heir
mar r
iagelif
e.Nal ediprayedf orthi
ngst oremai nthat
wayt hroughouttheirmar riage.Butsomet hingtold
hertheywoul dn't
.Somet hingtoldherSiyawoul d
remainat hreat.
Ahandpassingi
nfr
ontofherey
espul
l
edheroutof
t
herever
ie.
-
Sky
:"C'
monchomi
,wher
edi
dyougoj
ustnow?
"
-
Naledi:"
Huh?Nowhere,
ofcourse,
"shel
i
ed,
for
cing
asmile."
Didyousaysomet
hing?"
-
Sky
:"Ar
eyouokay
?"
Forasecondt hereNalediconsi
deredt el
l
ingher
aboutS'fi
so'sphonecallandthethreathe'dmade,
butshecoul dseehowexci t
edherfriendwasabout
herresearchandshedi dn'
twanttospoi lhermood
ordim herli
ght.
-
Nal
edi
:"I
'
mf i
ne.Tel
lmeaboutthi
sbreakthr
oughi
n
y
ourr
esearch.
"Sheflashedherar
eassuri
ngsmil
e.
-Sky
:"I'
m af
rai
dIcan'
tgoi
ntodet
ail
sunt
ilwe'
ve
publi
shedourfi
ndi
ngs.
"
-Nal
edi:"
Buti
t'
snotl
i
keI
'
m gonnast
eal
itor
anyt
hing.
"
-Sky
:"Iknow.Toni
ghtI'
llt
ell
y ouwhatIcan,
then
we'r
egonnagetdr unkandgety ouaman.Girl
,you
needtogetlai
d.It
'sbeenforever.
"Shel
aughed.
-
Nal
edi
:"Ar
eyouser
iousr
ightnow?
"
-
Sky
:"Yep.Noweatup.
"
Chapt
er3
Monday
,24Febr
uar
y,14:
00
.
Lonwabot hrewanotherpunch.Thenanother.
Foll
owedbyaser i
esmor e.He'
dbeenati t
conti
nuouslyforalmost30mi nutesnowbuthest i
l
l
wanted..
.needed.
..t
ogosomemor e.Hekeptthe
punchescomi ngandt hepunchingbagcontinuedt
o
takethem all
,asitalwayshad.
Hewasgr iev
ing.Hiswif
eanddaught erweregone.
Andhisst ati
oncommanderhadt akenthenext
i
mpor tantthi
ngi nhisl
if
e—hi sjob,l
eavi
nghim wit
h
nothi
ngbutal otofti
met ot
hinkanddr i
vehimsel
f
crazy
.
Spendingt i
meinhi shomegy m wasallhecoulddo
tonotgonut s.Inthepastcoupl
eofweekst he
punchingbag, t
hewei ghtsi
nthecornerandt he
treadmill
inthecent r
eofthesparebedroom he'd
turnedintoagym hadbecomehi sbestf ri
ends.
Wi t
houtthem hedi dn'
tknowhowhewoul dhave
surviv
edt hi
slong.Butmay beoncehest art
edseeing
Dr.Masil
ohewon'tneedstr
enuous,
vigor
ous
exer
cisetokeephi
mselfbusyandoccupi
ed.
Hewasabouttoconnecthi
sglovedfi
stwiththe
punchi
ngbagagai
nwhent hedoorbel
lrang.
Dammit!Whothehel lwasi tandwhatdi dt
heywant?
Hewantedtobeal one,tohav esomepeaceand
qui
etaf
terthei
ntensewor kout .Buti
tdidn'
tl
ookli
ke
hewasgoingtofindeither.Notwhent hedoorbel
l
wasri
ngingsoincessantly
.
Cursi
ngunderhi sbreathhet ookoffhisglovesand
wenttoopen, t
hinki
ngi twasoneofhi sannoy i
ng
nei
ghbours.Butwhent hedooropenedi twasn'tone
ofhisnei
ghboursst andinginfrontofhisapartment
.
I
twasDet ecti
veBongani "BB"Buthel
ezi,t
heman
who'dbeenhispar t
nerf orsixmonths-sincehe
tr
ansfer
redfrom CapeTownt otheCit
yofGol d.Oh
well
,heshouldhav eknown.
-
Bongani
:"Damn,
man.Youl
ookl
i
kehel
l
."
-Lonwabo:
"Tel
l mesomethingIdon'
talr
eadyknow.
Likewhatyou'
redoingher
e.Andhowt hehel
lyou
gotint
othebuil
ding."
-Bongani:"Theuni
for
medguy sdownst ai
rsletmein
becauset heyknowthatI'
m acopwhohappenst o
bey ourfr
iend.Aconcernedfr
iend."Hepushedpast
Lonwaboandgoti nsidetheapartment."
What
happenedt oyourphone?I'
vebeencalli
ngyousince
yesterday
."
-Lonwabo:"
Itur
nedi
tof
fbecauseIdi
dn'
twannat
alk.
Ijustwant
edtobeal
one.
"
-
Bongani
:"Ar
eyouokayt
hough?
"
-
Lonwabo:
"No,
dude,
I'
m notokay
,"hesi
ghed."
ButI
wi
llbe.
"
-
Bongani
:"Good.Youhadus,
me,
wor
ri
edwheny
ou
j
ustwentdark.
"
-Lonwabo:"Sorr
y."Buthewasn' texactl
yrepentant
.
"Youcanrelax,BB.I'
m notgoingt okil
lmy sel
f.
"He
unceremoniouslythrewhimselfont hecouchas
Bonganistoodint hemiddleofthelivi
ngroom,
handstuckedint hepocketsofhispant s.
-Bongani
:"Ineedyoubackatwor
k.Ther
e'st
hisnew
casethatI
'm worki
ngon."
-
Lonwabo:
"Oh?What'
sitabout
?"Hewasn'
texact
ly
i
nter
est
edbuthepl
ayedalong.
-Bongani:
"Twomissinggir
ls.Bot
hintheirf
ir
styear
atWits.Fi
rstonewasreportedmissi
ng7day sago.
Thesecond, t
oday
.Ithinkt
hecasesar econnect
ed.
Cappie'
sputmeoni ttoday."
Missi
nggirl
s?Nowt hatgr
abbedLonwabo's
att
ent
ion.Maybeifhecouldhelpsavet
hosegirl
s
he'
dfeelbet
teraboutnotsavi
nghisowndaughter.
Butwait,
hewasget t
ingaheadofthesi
tuat
ion.Of
hi
mself.Heneedn'
tbecarri
edaway .
-
Lonwabo:"
Ngokumnandi
ngenaphi
apho?
"What
'
s
t
hatgott
odowithme?
-Bongani:
"Ineedmypar tnerback.Idon' twantt o
workthiscasewi thany oneel sebuty ou.Youcanbe
apaininthebut tsomet imes, Lloy
d, butonet hingI
admireabouty ouisy ouri ntensedev ot
iontot hejob.
AndwhenI '
m outinthef ieldIf unctionbetter
knowingthatyou'rether et owat chmybackandt hat
youtrustmei mplici
tl
y .Imi sst hat.Hendr i
cksisjust
notdoingitforme. "
Lonwaboknewallthatwasbull
shit
.BBwant edhi
m
backjustsohecouldkeepaneyeonhi m.I
tdidn'
t
needageniustoseethathethoughtLonwabowas
sui
cidal-whi
chofcoursewasnott r
ue.
-Lonwabo:"Wel
l
,that
'stoobadbecauseyourst
ati
on
commander '
sbenchedme.Hedoesn'tthi
nkI'
mina
'
goodst at
eofmind'tohandl
eanycase."
Hecoul dsti
llhearCaptainMotaung'sannoyi
ngvoi
ce
i
nhi shead,"Youblamey oursel
fforyourdaught
er'
s
death,Gama.Isuggesty ouconfrontyourdemons.
Goandt alktotheshrink.Getyourheadright
.Onl
y
thenwillIl
etyoucomebackt owor k.
"
-
Bongani
:"Howmanyt
imeshav
eyougonet
osee
Di
ane?"
-
Lonwabo:
"One.AndI
'
m notgoi
ngbackt
her
e."
-Bongani
:"I
'
m gonnat
alktoCappieandconvi
nce
himtoletyoucomeback.Quest
ionis,
areyouready
togetyourassbackt
owor k?
"
-Lonwabo:"
Ofcour
se."I
nfact
,he'
dbegladt
oget
backtowork.Godknewhe'dbeengoi
ngnut
swit
h
allt
hatti
metothi
nk.
-
Bongani
:"Good.That
'swhatIwant
edt
ohear
."
-
Lonwabo:"
Nowgo.Ineedt ohavesomequal
i
ty
t
imewithabarofsoap.Ist
ink.
"
-
Bongani
:"Tr
ue.Iwantedtotell
youthatbutIdi
dn't
wannaof
fendyou."Helaughed.ButLonwabodidn'
t.
.
.
.
Monday
,Febr
uar
y24,
18:
30
Naledi '
swor kdaywasov er.Sheshoul dbehome
alr
eadybutshewasst il
linherof fi
ce,sit
tinginf ront
ofherl aptop,readingaboutS' fi
soKhumal oonl ine.
Thebast ardhaddonewel l
f orhimselfoverthey ear
s.
Fivey earsagohe' dpar t
neredupwi thtwoot herguy s
toopent heirownar chit
ectur e&st r
uctural
engineer i
ngcompany .Accor di
ngtowhatNal edi was
reading, t
hecompanywasdoi ngreall
ygood.Butt he
samecoul dn'tbesaidabouti t
sMD.Accor di
ngt ohis
publi
cFacebookpr ofi
le,S'f
isogotmar ri
ed7y ears
agot ot hemot herofhi sfir
stchi l
d,theyhadanot her
daught ert woy earslater,buttheywer enowi nt he
middl eofadi vorce.Naledi wouldhav eknownal l
of
thi
shadshef oll
owedhi scar eerandper sonal l
if
e
overt hey ears.Butwhywoul dshehav edonet hat?
Shehat edt hatmanwi thev er
yf i
breofherbei ng,and
sheav oidedany t
hingthatwoul dremi ndherofhi m.
Butifshehadt oadmi t
,somewher edeepi nherhear t
she'dsecr et l
yhopedhe' donedaygeti ntouchwi th
herandapol ogiseforwhathe' ddonet oher.Forthe
painhe' dcausedher .Nev erinami ll
iony ear
shad
shet houghthe' dcallandmaket hreatsand
demands.Butt hismor ninghe' dhad.Andhej ust
madeat rueenemyofher .
Getti
ngof fherchair,shegat heredherstuf f
,readyt o
gohomeandhav et hatdif
ficulttal
kwithherson.
Skyandhercel ebratorydrinkswoul djusthav et o
wait,
hersonandhi swel l
-beingcamef ir
st.Besides,
somet hi
ngnowt oldherthatt hecelebratorydrinks
stor
ywasnot hi
ngbutbul l
shit.Sky'smast erplan
wast ohookherupwi t
honeofhercol leaguesatt he
univ
ersit
y.Andt hatwasn' tgoingt ohappen, Naledi
wasnotgoi ngtol etithappen.I nthenameofal l
thingsholy, whatpar tof"Idon'twantnorneeda
man"wasuncl eart oSky?Nal edi hadalif
e.Andher
j
obandsonwer et hecoreofi t.Thatwasenoughf or
her ,
shewascont ent.Timeorf eeli
ngsformenwas
somet hi
ngshedi dn' thave.Event hough,i
fshehad
toadmi t
,onemanshebr i
eflymeti nDecemberl ef
t
hert ossi
ngandt urningforsev eralconsecuti
ve
nightsaf t
ert hei
rencount er.Butev enhedidn'tl
astin
herhead.Shedi dherbestt ochuckhi m out.And
event ual
ly,she'dsucceeded.I tsur ehel
pedthatshe
didn'tevenknowhi sname.
Shewasabouttodial
Sky'
snumberandcancelwhen
aknockatthedoorst
oppedhert
humbmi dai
r.She
putt
hephonedownandwentt ogett
hedoor.What?
Skywasstandi
ngther
e,herey
esredandpuff
y .
-
Naledi:"
Chomi?What'
sgoingon?Ar
ey ouokay
?"
Shesteppedt
ot hesi
detoall
owherf
riendt
ocome
i
n.
-Sky:"
Imessedup,
Ledi
.Imessedup.
"Shest
art
ed
cryi
ng.
Wi
thoutaski
nganymor
equest
ions,
Nal
edi
wrapped
herarmsaroundherfr
iendinacomf
ort
ingembrace.
Sheheldherti
ght
,let
ti
ngherarmsandshoul
derdo
thetal
ki
ng—I '
m hereforyou.
Whent hesobsdieddownsheputherar m around
herfri
end'
sshoulder
s,gui
dinghertothebluecouch
i
nt hecentr
eoftheroom,whereSkysatwi thher
handslockedbetweenherknees.Trembli
ng.Naledi
satbesideherandgavehershoulderasqueeze,
encouragi
nghertospeak.
-
Sky:"
Idon'
tknowwhatt
odo,
chomi
.Idon'
tknow
whatt
odo."
-Naledi:"
Kgantewhathappened?"I
twashar
dforher
tobel i
evethatthi
swasthesameSkywhohadbeen
sit
ti
ngi nthisveryof
fi
ceonlyafewhour
sago
l
ooki ngallhappyandexci
ted.
-
Sky
:"I
'
m pr
egnant
,"shesni
ff
ed.
-Naledi:
"Huh?Butthat'
sgoodnews, chomi.You'
re
mar ri
ed.Andstart
ingaf amil
yri
ghtawaywast he
plan,wasitnot
? "Ofallt
hingsshethoughtcoul
d
makeherf ri
endcr y,
pregnancydi
dn'tmaketheli
st.
-
Sky
:"Youdon'
tunder
stand,
Ledi
.It
'snotLuxol
o'
s.
"
-
Nal
edi
:"Huh?Sky
,whatar
eyousay
ing?
"
-Sky:"I
tcan' tbehis.Ihadn'tbeenpay ingattenti
on,I
couldn'trememberwhenl astIhadmyper i
od,but
l
astweekIr eal
isedthatIhadn' thadonei nawhi l
e.
That'swhenIt ookahomepr egnancyt est
,andit
camebackposi ti
ve.Luxolowal kedinonme, saw
thestickandgotsoexci ted.Wewentt othedoctor
thenextday ,andIwenti nforther esultst
hena
vaginalultrasoundaf t
erIleftyourof f
icethis
after
noon.I 'm 9weeks, Naledi.LuxoloandIst opped
usingpr otecti
ononl ymidJanuar y.
"
-Naledi
:"Soi
t'
sSi
ya'
s?"Skynodded."
Theni
ght
beforetheweddi
ng?
"
-
Sky
:"Yes.Andi
tnev
erhappenedagai
n,Iswear
."
Naledi
feltt
heairl
eav
eherl
ungsasi
fshe'
djust
beenkickedint
hegut.
-Naledi:"
Sky ,no.No."Shecoveredherface,t
hinki
ng
aboutt heev entsofthenighti
nquesti
on.She
trustedSkybutshe' dknownt hatsomethingwasnot
ri
ghtt hatnight.Cal
litexperi
ence.Cal
litwhatever
.
Butsomet hinghadtoldherthatnothi
ngholycould
bedonebyt woex-l
over
sinacari
nthemiddl
eofthe
night
, despi
tewhatSkyhadtol
dheraft
ert
hefact
.
God, she'dhopedshewaswrongbutnowsheknew
thatshewasnot .
-Sky:
" Chomi,pl
ease.Pl
easedon'tj
udgeme,I'
m
alr
eadydoi ngthatmyself
.Ineedyoutobeherefor
me.Idon' tknowwhattodo.Ineedy ou,
Ledi
.Ineed
mysi ster
.Ineedmyt win.
"
GodknewNal edi wantedthatt oo.Shewant edt obe
thesuppor ti
vef ri
endandsi sterSkyneeded, butit
washar d.This,hermar ri
edf r
iendbei ngpr egnantfor
anotherman, hittooclosetohome.I ttookherback
towhathappenedt oher8y earsago.I tt ookher
backt ot hemomentshef oundoutt hatt hemanshe
l
ov ed,themanwho' dpromisedheraf uturetogether
oncehewasf inanciall
ystable,hadact uall
ybeen
seeinganot herwomanbehi ndherbackandnotonl y
thatbuthe' dalsoi mpregnatedher .Theshock, t
he
pain.Ithadal lbeent oomuch.Sher emember ed
thi
nkingshe' dnev ereverexper iencesomet hingso
painfulagain.Losi ngherfatheri nthehandsof
mer ci
lesscr i
mi nalshadbeenpai nful,buthav ing
S'f
isodot hattoherhadfeltl
i
keshe' dbeencutopen
andherhear tri
ppedoutofherchest .Whatmadei t
thatmuchpai nfulwasknowingt hatthepai
nhad
beencausedbysomeoneshet rustedwithherheart
andev erythingshehad.Nowsheknewexact l
ywhat
betrayalfeltli
ke.Sheknewex actlyhowLuxolo
woul dfeel l
ikewhenthisnewsr eachedhisears.I
t
woul dhurt ,
itwouldhurtsobadhe' dendup
questioningev ery
thi
nginhislif
e.
-Naledi:"
Iwantt o, chomi ,"shest opped, fi
ght i
ngt o
keept earsatbay ."Iwantt obeher efory ou.Buty ou
knowhowt hi
smakesmef eel.Youknowhowpeopl e
whocheatont hei rpar tnersmakemef eel.Youknow
howmuchS' f
iso' sbet ray alhurtme.Youwer ethere.
Youwer ethere,Sky .Andnow, withthis,you' v
ej ust
takenmebackt her e.Howdoy ouexpectmet obe
abletosuppor ty ou? "Shecoul dnol ongercont ain
hertears,shel ett hem f looddownhercheeks, her
heartbreakingi nsi deherchest .Thiswasr eall
ynot
herday .Whydi dev erythi
nghav etomakeherr eli
ve
thepastshe' dbeent r
yingsohar dtof orget ?It
wasn'tjustSky 'sr ev el
at i
ont hatwast akingherback
there.Itwasal sothephonecallS'fi
sohadmadet hi
s
mor ningandt hepr egnantandalonesui cidal
teenagerwho' dbeenr ef
err
edtoherf ort herapythi
s
afternoon.Ther apy.Shewasat herapist,helping
otherpeopledeal withthei
rpai
nandpr oblems, but
she'dbeenr unni ngawayf r
om hers.
-
Sky
:"I
'
m sor
ry,
Idi
dn'
tmeant
o..
."
Naledi r
aisedherhand, st
oppi
ngherfrom tal
king.
Thenshecov eredherfaceandtookdeepbr eaths,
try
ingt oblockoutthepainful
memor i
esshewasst il
l
avoidingtothinkabout.Andtryi
ngtoremindher sel
f
thatthiswasn'taboutherandS'fi
so,t
hatitwas
aboutSkyandLuxol o.Butshewasfail
ing,di
smal l
y.
Afterwhatf
eltl
i
keforevershegr
abbedtheboxof
ti
ssuesontheendtablebythecouchandcl
eaned
herfacebef
oretur
ningtoSky.
-
Naledi
:"I
'm gonnaasky outhisquesti
ononemore
t
ime,Sky,andI'm gonnaneedy outoanswerme
t
rut
hful
ly.Doy oustil
lhavefeel
ingsforSi
ya?"
Shestudi
edSky'seyesandwhatshesawt
her
ewas
shame,desper
ationandregr
et.
-Sky
: "No.Idon't
.Whathappenedbetweenmeand
himt hatnightwasamistake.Ami st
akeIregr
et
everyday.Ididn'
t.
..
"Nal
edistoppedherwit
hherhand
again.
-Nal
edi
:"Anot
herquest
ion.Doy
our
egr
etmar
ryi
ng
Luxol
o?"
-Sky:"No.Ofcoursenot.Il
ov eLuxolo.Yes,
Ihada
momentofdoubtt hedaybef oretheweddingbutit
wasj ustweddingji
tt
ers.Thatmani smyev ery
thing,
Naledi.Inev
ermeantt obet r
ayhimt hewayIdid.I
nevermeantt ohurthi
m.Ij usthadamomentof
weakness.AndIhat emy selffori
t."
-Naledi:"ThenI '
m gonnasuggestt hatyoudon' tt
ell
himt het ruth.Iknowi t'
swrongandi tsoundscold,
butitwoul dsparehi mt hepain.Yousai dwhenhe
sawt heposi ti
vepregnancyt esthegotsohappy ,so
excited.Thepoormani sexcit
edandi slooking
forwar dtobei ngaf athertoyourfirstbaby.Don't
taket hatawayf r
om hi m.You'vealreadydonehi m
wrongonce, don'
tdoi tagain.Don'thurthimlikethat.
Thatmanl ovesy ou,Sky.Thet r
uthwoul dbreakhim.
Itwoul dkillhim.Don'tdot hattohim.Gi vehim
sedati
ves,
pullt
heknif
eyoust
ucki
nhi
sback,dr
ess
hiswoundanddon'tl
ethi
m bl
eedt
odeat
h..
.Oh,
and
stayawayfrom Si
ya.
"
Chapt
er4
Tuesday
,25Febr
uar
y,03:
45
.
Bloodf l
owedoutoft hedeepgashi nherforehead
anddownt ohereyes,bli
ndi
ndher .Herarm
stret
chedf orwar
d,tr
yingtoreachanythingshecould
l
eanon.Butherhandonl ytouchedair.Ther
ewas
nothinghere,not
hingtoholdont o.Thensheheard
thatsickeningl
augh.
OhGod, theyhadn'tleft
,theywer est il
lbehi
ndher ,
andt heywer egoingt okil
l her .Shet ri
edtocrawl
faster,t
ogetaway ,butaj arringimpactt ohernumb
bodypr essedherdownt ot hegr ound.Herwi ld,
sobbingscr eamsf oll
owedt heexqui si
tepain.Her
hoarsev oicebegging,pleadi ngf orthem tostop.But
theydidn't.Aknifeslashedherbar eback.Heav yfeet
kickedherf rom al
langles, trampl edonher ,crushing
herbodyagai nstt
hecoar segr avel,breaki
ngher
bones.Shescr eamedandbegged. .
.butitwasal li
n
vain.Noonewasgoi ngtocomeandr escueher ,
and
thesesav ageswer enotgoi ngt ostophur ti
ngher .
Theyweregoingtoki
llher
.Cry
ingandscr
eaming
werenotgoingtohel
p.Thispl
acewasdeser
ted,i
n
themiddl
eofnowhere.Shewasgoingtodi
ehere.
This.
..
wastheend.
Sheclosedherey esandr et
reatedtoanot herplace
i
nsideherself-herownut opi
a,theonl ypl
acet ogo
tojustt
onumbt hepai n.Butherscr eamsr et
urned
whenshef eltpai
nfulintrusi
onbet weenherl egs.
Theywerepenet rat
ingheragai n..
.onlythi
st i
mei t
waswi t
hanobj ect.Shehear dhar shlaughter,
hideousgrunti
ng,disgustinglanguage.
Thensuddenl
y,shefel
tamountainofwei
ghtcrash
downonher.Sheopenedhereyesandcouldnow
seethebul
kymanpr essi
ngherdown,hi
seyesscary.
Shefel
taspitpooli
nhermouthbeforet
heman' s
handscl
osedaroundherthr
oat,
squeezi
ngtight
.
Nal edijer
kedupr i
ghtandcl ut
chedathert hroata
fractionofasecondbef oreshejackknif
edandf l
ew
outofbed, l
andingonherf eetwithasof t
,soundless
thump.Shecr ouchedlow, ti
ny,f
ranti
cpant sofai
r
escapi ngasherwi ld-
eyedgazesur veyedthedimlyli
t
room.Shel etoutabreat hofrel
iefwhensher eal
ised
t
hatshewassaf
einherbedr
oom.
Therewasnobl oodher e.Nopai n.Nosav agemen.I t
wast hatnightmareagai n.Buti thadn'tcomear ound
i
ny ears,andthisti
mei thadbeenmor er eal—asif
shewer ebacki nthatisolatedf ieldagain.Foraf ew
minutest her
eshe'dr el
ivedt hemostt raumat i
c
experienceofherlife.She'dr eli
vedwhathappened
toher8y ear
sagoaf t
erS'fi
sot hrewheroutofhi s
apartmentsol ateintheev eni ng.
She'dlockedt hosememor iesi ntoatinyt i
ght
compar tmenti nherhead.Thatdoorhadal ways
stayedlocked.Unt i
lyesterday .Everytimeshe
happenedt othinkaboutS' fisoandwhathedi dto
her,whichhadbeenr areunt ilyester
day ,she'
d
alwaysst oppedbef oreshecoul dopent hatdoor.But
nowt hatdoorwasopenandt hemonst er shadcome
outtopl ay.S'f
iso'sphonecal lcoupledwi thSky's
revel
ationandt hecounsel l
ingsessi onshehadwi th
thatsuicidalpregnantt eenagery est
erdayhad
tri
ggeredt hei
rr el
ease.Thati nnocentlitt
legirl
had
beensexual lyassaul t
ed, r
aped, andthebabyshe
wasnowcar ryi
ngwast her esul t
.Mercy .
Naledistoodbyherbed, breathi
ngandsav ouringall
theairthatwashere,allofithers.Noonewas
j
erkingof fast
heystrangledher.Shewassaf e.
Lookingdownathermessed- upbed,sheshookher
head.Shewasn' tabouttofallbackintothatbed
becausesheknewt henightmar esti
llhovered,just
beyondi ntheether
,mucht oocl ose,wait
ingf orher
tosleepagain.Shewasn' taboutto.
Icy
-col
dremnant soffearsti
llpoundinginherblood,
shestr
aightenedli
keapoi nt
edar rowandwal kedto
theadj
oini
ngbat hroom.Sheflippedont hel
ight,
madeherwayt othesinkandst aredatherref
lect
ion
i
nt hemirr
or.
"Youaref i
ne,Naledi
.Youaref i
ne.Youarea
diff
erentpersonnow, st
rongerthanyouwereback
then.Youar enotavicti
m anymor e,
youarea
survi
vor."
Shefocusedondrawingdeep,
ev enbreat
hs—a
cal
mingexerci
seall
owinghertostophermi ndfr
om
spi
ral
li
ngoutofcontr
olandint
of ull
-bl
ownanxiety
.
Buthertear
sfel
landshetrembledasherrighthand
wentupt ogi
nger
lytr
acethescarthosesavagesleft
i
nherfor
ehead.Aft
ertwoscarr evi
sionsurgeri
esit
wasnowalmostinvi
sible,
butifyoulookedclose
enoughy
ou'dseethatitwasthere.
Thoset hreemenhadl eftherinthatfieldthinki
ng
shewasdead, butshe'
dsur v
ived.Scar redboth
physi
cal l
yandpsy chol
ogical
ly,butali
v e.Thegiftof
l
ife,
knowi ngthatsheandt helit
tl
ebei ngt hatwas
growinginsideofherhadbot hsur v
ivedagai nstall
odds,waswhatgav eherthest r
engthsheneededt o
conti
nuel iv
ingbackthen,tocontinueliv i
ngafter
suchtrauma.
Yes, she'dgonef orther apybutsheguessedshe
wasn' tthatinvestedbecausei tdidn'
tdoherany
goodandshe' dabandonedi t.Herson,herlit
tlegift
thatshet hankedGodf orev eryday,waswhatsav ed
herf rom herselfbackt hen.Sheknewt hatifshet ook
herownl if
eshe' dalsobeki l
li
ngthebabyt hatwas
growi nginsideofher ,
thelittl
eherowho' dclungto
l
ifedespi teeverythi
ngt hathadhappened.I twas
diff
icultbutshedeci dedt okeepherf ocusonhi m,
andaf t
erhewasbor nshe' dspli
tthatfocusbet ween
him, herPhDr esearchandhercommuni tyserv i
ce
trai
ningatHel enJosephHospi tal.Anumberof
peoplehadadv isedheragai nstt akingt he
communi tyser viceunt i
l shehadcompl etelydealt
wi t
hherowni ssues, butshe' dignor edt hatadv i
ce.
From hert herapi st'
spoi ntofv iew, ther ewasnoway
shecoul dsi tther ewithsexual assaul tcl ientsand
l
istent othem wel luntilshehadf ul l
ywor kedonher
ownsexual assaul texper i
ence.Thet her apisthad
toldhert hatsheneededt owor kt hroughherown
experiencesot hati twoul dnotov erwhel m her
duringsuchsessi ons.Butshe' ddi sregar dedt hat.
Shehadal readychosent oli
veandt her ewasnoway
i
nhel lshewasgoi ngtol etthatexper iencedel ayher
progressi nhercar eer.She' djumpedr ighti nt
oi tand
from whatshecoul dsee, thathadact uallyhelped
her.Listeningt oot herpeopl e'sexper i
enceshel ped
heragr eatdeal wi thherownexper i
enceandt he
subsequenti mpl icati
onsofi t
.
Butshe'
dknownt hatshe'
dnev erbeabl eto
complet
elymov eonwithherli
fei fshecouldn'
tl
earn
howtoov er
comeherf earofbeingat t
ackedagain.
Shecouldn'
tfr
eezeandbehel plessifanothercr
eep
ofamancamef orher
.Nextti
me, shehadtor eact
.
Knowhowt odef
endhersel
f.Pr
otecthersel
f.And
thatwaswher
eSebasti
anhadcomei n.
HewasanexMMAf i
ghterwhowasnowat rai
ner.
Butafterhetaughtherbasicsel
f-
defence
techni
queshe'dr ef
usedt ot
eachherthemor e
advancedmet hodsoff i
ghti
ngbecauseshewas
apparentl
y"tooangryandwi t
hthosefight
ingskil
l
s
shewoul dli
kelybecomeadangert oanyman
aroundher."Bull
shit
.
Soshe' dwentont oj oinSansei GojuRy uKar ateand
Kobudo.I nthatDoj oshedi dn'tonlylearnt he
tradit
ional Sansei GojuRy uKar ate,fi
ghting,combat
weaponsandsel fdef ence,butsheal sogott o
under standandpr act i
set heuni fi
cati
onofbody ,
mi nd,andspi ri
t.Andt hathadbeenv eryimpor tantto
her ,i
twassomet hingsher eall
yneeded.Shel ear ned
tomedi tat
easshewasi ntr
oducedt osat ori-a
JapaneseZent raditi
onwhi chdescr ibest henat ural
har monyofbody ,mind, andemot i
ons.Whent he
threecent resarei nasi multaneousr elationship
somet hingcli
cks, that'ssatoriandi tfeltreallygood
toNaledi.Asakar at
e-kaitbecamet hestat
eof
beingthatshealwaysshotf or.Itrepresent
eda
moment aryvacati
on,freeofpr oblemsor
complicati
ons,fr
eeofpastorf uture.I
tbecamethe
reasonshelivedandenj oyedKar ate.
Buthernotdeal i
ngwi thherpastt raumaheadon
hadnowcomebackt ohaunther .Ov erthey ears
she'
dputheremot i
onsi naf reezerandnowt he
combi nat
ionofy esterday '
sev ent shadt ri
ggeredt he
defr
ost i
ngpr ocess.Shehadl osti tinfrontofSky ,
shehadbr okendownandcr ied.My r
iademot i
ons
hadblendedt ogetherint oami shmashofboi l
ing
anguishandf ear.Andshe' dl ostcont roland. .
.sense.
She'
df oundi tdiffi
cultt odif
fer ent i
atebet weenwhat
happenedwi thherandS' fi
soandwhatwasnow
happeningwi thSkyandLuxol o.I nherheadi fS'fiso
hadn'
tcheat edonherandi mpr egnat edanot her
womanwhathappenedt ohert hatni ghtwoul dnev er
havehappened.Hadshenotknownaboutt heot her
womanandherpr egnancy ,hadshenotmethert he
daybef or
e,Nal ediwoul dnev erhav egonet oS' f
iso's
apart
mentt hatf ateful eveningt oconf ronthim.And
theirconver
sati
onwouldprobabl
yneverhaveended
thewayi tdi
d,withhi
mthrowingheroutofhi
s
apar t
ment.Shewouldneverhavewentdowntothe
streettowaitf
orhercabwherethosemonsters
grabbedher.
SowhenSkycamet ohery est
erdayherfi
rst
responsehadbeentotryandpr ot
ectLuxolofr
om
thetrut
hthewayshewi shedshecouldhav ebeen
protect
edbackthen.Butnowsher eal
isedthatshe
hadhandledthesit
uati
onbadly.Shehadbeenwr ong
andshewouldhav etofixt
hat.Butlat
er,f
ornowshe
neededtodealwithhersel
f.
Shewasn'tgoingbacktobed.Shewipedhertears,
ri
nsedherface,wenttochangeint
ohergym clothes
andmarcheddownst ai
rstoherhomegy m —ar oom
shecoul
dnol ongerdowithout
.
Thebaddr eam andthememor iesdi sappearedinto
obli
vionasshepummel l
ed, ki
cked, punched,and
tumbledt hem int
osubmi ssion.Sweatpour edfrom
herinrivulet
s,andsher eli
shedt hedeepcl eansing.
Whirl
ingf rom herpunchingbag, shesett hetreadmill
toabr eakneckspeed.Feetpoundi nginr hy
thmi c
pacewi thherhear t,
sher acedawayf rom any
remai ni
ngdemons.Sel f-
punishment,Sebast i
an
wouldhav ecal l
edit."Wheny ou'r
eangr y,scaredor
perceiveanyki ndofv ul
nerabil
it
yinyour self
,you
beaty ourselftoapul p,"hewoul dsay.Herf eet
poundedf asterasshesi lentl
ychantedhermant rai
n
herhead." Nev erpani corbreakdown.Nev ershow
weaknessorf ear.Alwaysbei ncontr
ol andexude
confidence."
.
.
.
Tuesday
,25Febr
uar
y,13:
30
Lonwabo'scarpul l
edupi nt
ot hepar kingl otofthe
hospi
tal.Ashecutt heengi ne, heleanedhi s
for
eheadagai nstthest eeri
ngwheel ,try
ingt ogather
thestr
engthtoopent hedoorandgoi nside.When
hecall
edy esterdaymor ni
ng,Dr .Masilohadt ol
dhim
toarr
iveatleast10mi nutesear lytofil
lthe
paperwork.Soher ehewas, 30mi nutesear ly
and.
.nervousasf uck.Despi t
ehi sowndet erminat
ion
tocomeher ehehadtoadmi tt
oaf eeli
ngof
apprehensionbecausehehadnoi deawhatmeet i
ng
Naledi.
..
umhDrMasi l
o,agai
nwoul dbel ike.I
nj usta
fewmi nuteshe'
dbeseei ngherface-to-f
acef orthe
fi
rstti
mei ntwomont hs.Andthi
st imet heirmeet
wouldnotbesobr i
ef.
Whenhemetheri nDecemberhecoul dn'tbel
iev
ehis
eyes.He' dknownt hiswomanf rom herbookand
fr
om soci almedia,buthe' dnev erthoughtthe
universewoul dputheri nf r
ontofhi mt hatday.What
achanceencount er.He'dconsi deredmaki ngsome
conv ersati
onwithher ,butint heendhe' ddeci
ded
againsti t
.She'
dseemedl i
keawomanwho
di
strust edmenandhedi dn'twantt omakeherf eel
evenmor euncomf ortable.Ormay bei thadjustbeen
hi
m shedi dn'
ttr
ust.Hedi dn'tknow.
Takingadeepbr eathhegotoutoft hecarandmade
hiswayinsidethepr i
vatehospit
ali
nRosebank.He
fol
loweddirect
ionst oheroffi
ceandusedthe
remaini
ngmi nutest ofi
l
l t
hepaperworkgi
ventohim
byay oungladyatt hedeskinfr
ontofDrMasil
o's
offi
ce-inthewai t
ingarea.
"DrMasil
oisnowreadytoseeyou,
"they
ounglady
saidaft
ershe'
dwentinandoutoft
heoffi
ce."
Are
youready?"
Notr
eal
l
y,Lonwabot
hought
.Butout
sidehesai
d,
"
Yes.
"
Al
readyhishandsweregrowingdampandhi
shear
t
wasbeginni
ngtobeatfaster
.
"
Youseem ner
vous.Why
?"t
hel
adyasked.
Goodquest i
on.Hewaswr estl
ingwiththeanswert o
thathimself
.All
heknewwast hathe'
dnev ermeta
womanl i
keDrMasiloandthatnoonehadev er
affectedhi
m asmuchasshehad. .
.f
rom adistance.
May beheneededt oadmit,
tohimselfatleast,t
hat
hedi dn'
tonl
ywanthertohelphim withhisgrief
,but
heal sowantedtogettoknowherbet t
er.
Thedoorswungopent orevealthewomanhe' dbeen
dyingtoseestandi ngbesideherdesk.Hestoppedin
thethreshol
d,hisgazei mmediatelyl
ocki
ngonher
acrosstheroom.Shewast hesameast hefi
rstti
me
hesawheri nper son,exceptshewasn'tweari
ng
j
eansandaT- shirt
.No, t
odayshewasi nanav y
pantsuitandhighheel s.Shel ookedsopr ofessional
.
Yettheout f
itcouldn'thidehert oned, athl
eti
cbody .
Shewast al
lwithshor t,
nat uralhair.Attr
acti
vebutby
nomeanscl assi
callybeaut if
ul.Shewas
somet hing.
..
mor e,andhecoul dn’tseem t omake
himselflookawayf r
om t hosei ntensedar keyes.The
airaroundherpr acti
call
yv ibrated.Hecoul dactually
feelt
hebl oodcour si
ngt hroughhi sveins.
Sheletoutabeautif
ulsmi l
eassheappr oachedhi m.
Thefir
stti
mehemethershehadast eelquali
ty
abouther–adon' t
-even-t
hink-
to-
fuck-wi
th-meaur a,
buttodayshelookedrelaxedandmor ewel coming.
Shewasi nherelement.
-Her
:"MrGama,wel
come.I
'
m Doct
orMasi
l
o.Buty
ou
cancall
meNaledi
."
Lonwabowai tedtoseeherey esli
ghtwit
h
recogniti
onassheext endedherhandt ohim,but
thatdidn'
thappen.I'mjustaguywhohappenedt o
helpherwi t
hhert yr
etwomont hsago,ofcour
seshe
wouldn'trememberme, hethought.Butfr
ankl
y,he
wasdi sappointed.
Beforeheaccept edherhand, beforehetouchedher
heknew.Knewi twoul dbemagi calasitwast hef
ir
st
ti
me.Thenknewhe' dbeenr i
ghtwhenhet ookher
handandf eltajoltthatskitter
edst r
aighttohi s
chest.Hisheartskippedat humpandhef elt
ri
dicul
ous.Thiswomanwasonl yint
erestedin
hel
pinghim deal withhisloss, nothi
ngmor e.Andhis
onlyfocusshouldbet hattoo,noot her
compl i
cati
ons.
.
.
Remember ! TheDepar tmentofHeal thhas
l
aunchedaWhat sappser vi
cewherenews,
i
nformati
on,quest
ionsandupdat esregar di
ngt he
Coronav
irusareavai
labl
e.Simplyaddt hisnumber:
0600123456asaWhat sappcontactandt ype" Hi
"
i
nthemessagebl ock.It
’ssimpl
ef r
om t here.Let'
s
uni
teinthefi
ghtagainstthespreadofthisv ir
us.
Chapt
er5
Tuesday
,25Febr
uar
y,14:
00
.
Lonwabohesi tantl
ysatont hecouchandt ooki nthe
office.Itwast otall
ydi f
ferentfr
om Diane' s.I thadlif
e.
Ther ewasapr ofusi
onofheal t
hygreenpl ant s;
comf ortabl
e,suppor ti
vecouchandchai rs, aswel las
natur e-basedar twork.DrMasi l
o'scertif
icat eshung
neat l
yi nacor nertoadv erti
seherexper tise.Andher
clean, clutt
er-
freedeskaddedt ot hefeelingof
opennessandspace.Basi call
ytheoff i
cehadacl ean,
l
iving, generati
v esensewhi chslowlyf oster eda
renewedsenseofphy sicalvit
ali
tyandal er t
nessf or
Lonwabo.
"
Please,f
eelri
ghtathome.
"DrMasi
l
o'sf
ri
endl
y
v
oicestart
ledhim.
-
Lonwabo:
"Sorr
y.Myey eswer
eal
lov
ert
hepl
aceas
i
fIwasakid,
weren'
tthey?"
-Nal
edi
:"Ihonest
lydon'
tmind.Becomfort
abl
e..
.So
howarey oufeel
i
ngtoday?
"Shesatdownont he
chai
ropposit
ehiscouchandcrossedherl
egs.Ther
e
wasnot abl
e,nobarri
erbetweenthem.Lonwabo's
heartbeatspi
ked.Thedi st
ancebetweenthem was
reasonablebuthefeltl
ikeshewast ooclose.A
weirdsensationf
il
ledhischest,asi
fhislungswer
e
suddenlybothempt yandy ett
oofullatt
hesame
ti
me.
-
Lonwabo:"
Ifeel
..
.umhal
i
ttl
ebi
tner
vous,
"het
old
t
hetrut
h.
-
Nal
edi
:"Al
i
ttl
ebi
tner
vous.Cany
ouexpl
aint
hatf
or
me?
"
-Lonwabo:"
Alitt
lebitnervous.
..t
alki
ngtopeople
aboutthi
ngs,youknow. "Ofcoursethatwasn'
tall
therewastoit
.Hewasal otmorenervousbecause
hewasi nherpresence.
-Naledi
:"Soy
ou'
venev
erbeent
ocounsel
l
ing
before?
"
-
Lonwabo:"No,I
'
dsay.
"Thatonebor
ingsessi
onwi
th
Di
anedidn'
tcount.
-Nal
edi:"
Soyou'r
enervousbecausethi
sisal
lnewt
o
you.That'
sunderst
andabl
e.Complet
ely
underst
andabl
e.Beforewestar
t,wouldyoul
i
ke
somet
hingt
odr
ink?
"
-Lonwabo:"
Yes.Waterpl
ease.
"Heneededitt
ocal
m
hisraci
nghear
t.Anditwassuddenl
ytoohoti
nthi
s
room.
Shegotup, walkedovertoat ableinthecor nerand
grabbedabot tl
eofsti
llwaterfrom ahandf ul.Then
shef r
eshlyrinsedaglassandputev eryt
hingi na
smal ltr
ay.Lonwabocoul dn'
thel pbutadmi rethe
wayshemadeeachsi mplemov e, wit
hsomuch
graceandel egance.Thenhi scellphoneshrill
ed.
Damn!Hepul l
editoutofhispocketandanswer ed,
knowi ngverywel l
thatBongani wouldnotst op
call
ing.
-
Lonwabo:
"BB,
I'
m qui
tebusyr
ightnow.
"
-
Bongani
:"Wher
ear
eyou?
"
-
Lonwabo:
"Af
ghani
stan.
"
-
Bongani
:"What
?"
-Lonwabo:
"InRosebank.Whatdoesi
tmat
terwher
eI
am? "
-
Bongani
:"Cappi
ewant
stoseey
out
oday
.Pl
ease
comei
nwheny
ou'
ref
ree.
"
-Lonwabo:"
Okay,
I'
ll
come.
"Hehungupandlooked
atNalediwhowasnowbacki
nherseat
."I
'
m sorr
y
aboutthat
."
-Naledi:"
It'
sokay.I
'm gonnasuggesty ouusey our
phonet or ecor
dthesession.Somecl ient
ssayt hey
fi
ndl i
steningtothesessionqui t
evaluabl
e,youknow.
Butf i
rstputthephoneonai rplanemodesoi fitri
ngs,
i
tdoesn' tstoptherecordi
ngordi st
urbus."She
struckbalance-inwor dandt one-betweenbei ng
professionalyeti
nformal,andLonwabof oundt hat
rel
axing.
Ashedr ankhiswater
,shewenton,t
ell
inghim about
whatgoesoni nthesesessi
onsandhowt heycould
worktogethershoul
dhechoosetotakeupt he
counsel
lingwit
hher.
-Nal
edi
:"Onthephoneyest
erdayy ousaidyou
wantedtocomeinbecauseyouj ustlosty
our
daught
er.Tel
lmemor eaboutthat."
-
Lonwabo:"
Hernamei s.
..
wasSesethu.Shewas13.
Theonl
ychi
ldIhad.Shedrownedthreeweeksago.
Gotbur iedaweeklater
.Thetrut
his,I
..
.Iuh..
.I
'm
str
uggl i
ngtocope."Hehatedtoadmitthathe
neededsomesor tofhel
p,butevenhe'
dr eal
isedhe
couldn'tbeatt
hesenewni ght
maresbyhi mself.But
God, thi
swashumi li
ati
ng.Whathadhebeent hinki
ng
comi nghere?Thismadehi mfeelweak.Andhe
hatedi t
.
-Naledi
:"I
'
m sorr
yforyourloss.Lossofalov
edone
i
sv erydif
fi
cul
t.Haveyouhadsomepeopl etotal
kto
abouthowy oufeelsi
ncethishappened?"
-Lonwabo: "Notreall
y.Idon'thavealotoffr i
endsin
thiscity.Iendedupher ebecauseofmyj ob.I
transferredf r
om CapeTownsi xmonthsago.My
twinbr otherlivesi
nPr etori
a.Myf at
herandsi ster
arebacki nCapeTown, andsoaremyf ri
ends.The
fewpeopl eIconsidermyf r
iendsherearethepeopl e
Iwor kwi th.AndIdon' tfeelcomfort
abletalki
ngwi t
h
them aboutmyper sonal pr
oblems."Thetruthwas,
hedi dn'thav emuchf riendsatall
.
-
Nal
edi
:"Youf
eel
li
key
ou'
l
lbebur
deni
ngt
hem?
"
-
Lonwabo:
"Yes.AndIdon'
twantt
hem t
othi
nkI
'
m
weakorcr azy.I
fIopenupt othem aboutmygr ief
theymight .Event hefactthatI'
m seeingat her
apist,
Idon'twantt hem t oknowabouti t.Whichisoneof
thereasonswhyIdon' twanttoseeourst aff
psychologist.I'
dratherpayf ort
het herapyonmy
owndi mebecauseIdon' twantmyheadanal ysed
andfort hattowi nduponmyper manentr ecord."
Beforeheknewi t,whathe'dbeenaf r
aidtoadmi t
wasoutofhi smout h.
-Naledi
: "
Isee...Butgr iev i
ngt hedeat hofal ovedone
i
snot hingtobeashamedof .It'
sent i
relynat ur
al.It'
s
notpathological inanyway .It
'snotacondi ti
on,or
wrong, i
t'
sanat ural par tofl i
fe.I'm sur ey ou'vehear d
somepeopl esayt her ear edi f
f erentst agest ogr i
ef.
From numbness, disbel iefanddeni althroughanger ,
shockandgui l
tt oi ntensesadnessandaccept ance.
But,ofcourse, differentpeopl edeal withgr i
efin
dif
ferentway sandnoonehast orespondi nal lthese
waysorexper i
encet hem i napar ticularsetofor der,
andnooneshoul dt ellthem ot her wi se.Butwhen
gri
ef'sconti
nual lybur deningy ourlifet hereis
absolutel
ynot hingwr ongwi thseeki ngpr ofessional
help.
..Howhasy ourexperi
encebeensof ar?What
aresomeoft hethi
ngsy ou'
vebeenstruggli
ngwith?
"
Therewast hatbal
anceinwor dandtoneagain.
Professi
onalyeti
nfor
mal .
Lonwabojustshr
ugged, notknowinghowt oanswer
herquesti
ons.Heunderstoodwhatshewassay ing
buthefoundopeningupt oanyonedi f
fi
cul
t.He'd
al
readysaidtoomuchev ennowandwasnow
beginni
ngtoshutdown.DrMasi l
olikel
ysawt hat
becauseshechangedgear s.
-
Naledi:
"Tel
lmeaboutyourj
ob.Yousai
dyou
t
ransfer
redf
rom CapeTown.Whatdoyoudo?"
-
Lonwabo:
"I'
m anof
fi
ceroft
hel
aw.Acop.
"
-Nal
edi
:"Oh.Ihonest
lythi
nkpoliceoff
icer
sarebr
ave.
Andwet hankyouforyourserv
ice.Whydidyou
becomeacop?Wasi tsomethi
ngy oualways
wantedt
odo? "
-Lonwabo:"
Honestl
y?No.Ichosei tbecauseof
cir
cumstances.Whenmypeer swantedtobe
doctor
s,cops,l
awyer
s,engineersandwhatnot ,al
lI
wantedwast obeaprofessionalpai
nter
.Butthat
changedaf
tert
hedeat
hofmymot
her
."
-
Naledi
:"Yes,
yourmother
.Inot
icedthaty
oudidn'
t
menti
onherwheny ouwerementioni
ngyourf
amil
y
members.Howdidshepassaway ?"
Het ol
dherabouthowhi smot hergotkill
edwhenhe
was18.Het oldherabouthi swi f
e'sdeathtoo.
Beforeheknewi t,hewasanswer i
ngt hetwo
questionsshe' daskedear l
ier.Hewast al
kingabout
Sesethuandhowherdeat hhadbeenaf fecti
nghim.
Thesl eeplessni ghts,
therecurrentnightmare,the
guil
t,everything.DrMasi l
ol i
stenedintentl
y,only
askingquest ionsandmaki ngcomment swhen
necessar y.Shebecameanexpl orerwithhimi nst
ead
ofbeingi nchar ge.
-Nal
edi
:"Whatdoy outhinkSesethuwouldsayt
o
younowaboutt hepai
ny ou'vebeensuff
eri
ngsi
nce
shelef
t?"Sheaskedafterthelengt
hytal
k.
-
Lonwabo: "
She..
.she'
dprobablyt
ellmethatl
if
eis
f
orli
ving.ThatIcanhaveanotherchi
ldagai
n.She'
d
t
ell
menott ofor
gether.Butshe'
dalsotel
lmetoli
ve
myli
fe."
DrMasi l
onodded, thensummar isedthesession
becauset heywer ealreadyrunni
ngoutoft ime.
Whenshegotupheexpect edhert oshakehishand
again,butshedi dn't
.Thatwaspr obablyforthebest
though,het hought,knowingv er
ywellhowhi sbody
wouldhav er eacted.
-Nal
edi:
"Itwasnicehavingyouheretoday,MrGama.
Wouldyoul i
ketomakeanappoi ntmentfornext
week?Iusuallyseemycl i
ent
sweekly.Butyouhave
ther
ighttoseesomebodyel seandnotseeme
agai
n.Youar enotobl
igatedinanywaytomake
anot
herappointment.
"
Lonwabot houghtaboutt hatforamoment .Unl i
ke
withDiane,he'
dhadt hatcl i
ckwithDrMasi lo.He
l
ikedher.She'dmadet alkingabouthi sstr
uggl esa
l
itt
leeasy.He'dopenedupt oheraboutt hingshe
neverthoughthe'devertalkabout .Butcontinuing
withthesesessionswoul dmeanhecoul dnotask
heroutonadat e.Adat e?Whathappenedt o
"deal
ingwithhislossandav oi
dingother
compl i
cati
ons"?Focusononet hingatat i
me
Lonwabo, you'
resti
llgr
ieving,hescoldedhi msel f
.
.
.
Tuesday
,25Febr
uar
y,19:
30
Naledi j
abbedt heelev atorbut ton.Shewasl ate
l
eav ingtheof f
iceagai n.Af terherof fi
cehour sshe' d
wentt oseeDrFr aser,herownt herapist.She'dbeen
seeingt heol derwomansi nceshest art
edpr actising.
Forev eryt hr
eehour sofl isteningt oherclients,she' d
takehal fanhourt opr ocessi ther selfwithDrFr aser.
Butshedi dn'tonlydiscussherwor kwi t
hher
therapist,she'dalsot alkaboutherper sonal l
ife, her
familylife.Andt onightshe' ddeci dedtoopenupand
tal
kaboutwhatshe' dbeenav oidingallthesey ear s-
hersexual assaultexper ience.Shecoul dt el
lthati ts
resurfacingwasgoi ngt obeapr oblem andshehad
towor kont hat.Count ertransfer ence­ -t r
ansf er r
ing
heremot ionsont ohercl ients,wassomet hi
ngshe
neededt oav oid.
Afterl
eavi
ngDrFraser'
soffi
ceshe'dmetupwithSky
backinherownoffi
ce.She'dneededtor
evi
sitwhat
they'
dtal
kedaboutyester
day.I
twasimportantf
or
hertoletSkyknowwhyshe' dgi
v enhertheadv i
ce
she'
dgi v
enher.Andt hatSkydidn'tneedtot akei t
becauseitwasn'texactl
yobjecti
v e.Admit
tingt hat
she'
dbeenwr onghadn' tbeeneasybutnowt hatit
wasoutoft hewayshef el
tli
ghter.WhateverSky
chosetodonextwasupt oSky.
Nowher eshewas, standingattheelevatort
ot he
parki
nggarage,aloneandal mosttoot i
redtocare.
Herphoner angbef oretheelevatorcouldopen.She
wasinnomoodt ot alkbutshej ustplai
ncouldn't
standtheconstantr i
nging.Shewat chedherhand
reachinsi
deherpur seandcomi ngoutwi tht
he
phone.Withoutev encheckingthedi spl
ayshe
answeredandf orcedhermout htoformt hesingl
e
word."Hel
lo?"
"
Hi,
Nal
edi
.It
'sme.
"
Shecl
osedhereyesasthathat
edvoice,
lowand
deep,
sweptoverher
,int
oher,maki
nghersoangry
shestar
tedt
oshake.
-
Her
:"S'
fi
so.Whatdoy
ouwant
?"
-
Him:
"C'
mon,
youknowwhatIwant
.Quest
ioni
s,ar
e
y
ougonnagi
vei
ttome?
"
Thisguyknewwhathewasdoi ng,heknewwhat
buttonstopusht omakeherangr y
.Shewant edto
pleadwithhimt oleaveheral
one,butshedidn’
t.
I
nst ead,
shesnapped.Shesi mplyl
ostit,
thelong-
buriedangercutti
ngthroughhermuscle-numbing
fati
gue.Shetightenedhergri
paroundthephoneand
yell
ed.
-Her:"
List
ent ome, yousonofabi t
ch.Stopcall
ing
me.Meandt hesony ou'r
enowcl aimingal
mostdi ed
becauseofy ou, becauseofwhaty oudid.Andnow
youthinkyouhav ear ighttohi
m?Whydon' tyougo
tohellwherey oubelong, youpatheticbastar
d?Don't
call
meany mor e."
Hekeptqui
etbutaf
terasl
i
ghtpause,
her
ecov
ered.
-Hi
m:"Nal
edisweet
heart,
Idon'tcarewhatyousay,
youknowaswellasIdothatifIwantmysonIwi l
l
gethi
m.Idon'
tneedyourpermissiontogettohi
m."
Hespokeinacalmvoice,i
nfur
iati
ngherevenmore.
-
Her:
"Fuckyou,
S'fi
so.Hearme?Fucky
ou!"Inaf
itof
r
ageshethr
ewt hephoneagai
nstt
heclosed
el
evat
ordoor
sandwat
chedi
thi
tthef
loorandbr
eak.
Somegaspi ngsoundedbehi ndher.Sheturnedto
seetwowomenst andinginthecorri
dor,notfarfr
om
her.Embar r
ased,shequi ckl
ypickedherdestroyed
phone,threwiti
nsideherpur seanddashedf ort
he
stai
rs.Thestupidelevatorwaspr obabl
ybroken
anyway .
Assher andownsher emember edhowhert al
kwi th
hersonwentl astni ght.Inf act,i
tdidn'tgoatal l.
Lebohadj ustsaid,"Mom, please.Idon'twantt otalk
abouthim.Hedi dn'twantmet hen,Idon' twanthi m
now."Thenhe'dl efttheki tchenandr anst r
aightt o
hisroom.That'swhatS' fi
sohadt urnedhersoni nto
andshehat edit.Nott hatshewant edhimt olike
S'f
isoorevenbei nterestedi nseeingt hebast ard,but
theangerLebowasbot t
lingupi nsidehi stinychest
waswor ry
ingher .Itwasn' theal t
hy.May beshe
shouldfi
ndhi m someonehecoul dt alkto,achi l
d
psychol
ogist.
Fi
li
ngt hatf
orlaterconsi
derat
ion,shesteppedout
i
ntotheparkinggarage.Mostlightswereout.
Darknessshroudedt hegar
age; t
heonlyavail
abl
e
l
ightcomi
ngfrom af
ewwor ki
ngl
i
ght
bul
bs,
cast
ing
shadowsacr
ossthespace.
Itwasqui t
escar yanddeser tedbutshebr av edon.
Shewasappr oachi nghercarwhent hehai r
sont he
backofherneckl i
ftedandhernosedet ecteda
sli
ghtshi ftinthesmel loft heai raroundher .Tir
ed
andangr y,yes,butnotal one.Someoneel sewas
here.Shecoul dsmel ltheirstrongl emonyscent .
Instinctandt rai
ninghadherr eachi ngf orthepepper
sprayshekepti nherpur se.Ev erymov ement
deliberate,shespun, herwei ghtev enlydistri
butedon
thebal l
sofherf eet, t
hecanofpepperspr ay
clenchedi nherf ist.Prepar edt oflee, butreadyt o
defend.
Shehadbutaspl i
tsecondt oprocessthesightof
themountainofamant hatst
oodbehindher —hal
fof
hisfacecover
edbyhisdar khoodie—beforehe
j
umpedback.Hi sbroadshouldersblockedwhat
l
itt
leli
ghtther
ewas, t
hrowinghisfaceintoashadow.
-Hi
m: "
Hey
,lady,
caref
ul.Youdonotwannamakeme
angry
.What'
sthati
nyourhand,apepperspr
ay?
"
-
Her
:"Whot
hehel
lar
eyou?
"
-Hi
m: "I
'
mt hemanwi thawar ni
ngfory ou,DOCTOR,
"
thewayheemphasi sed'doctor
'hewasbei ng
sarcast
ic."
You'rerui
ningpeople'sl
ives.You'
vebeen
fi
ll
ingmywoman' sheadwi thcrapandy ou'
regonna
payforthat.Hearme? "
-Her:"
Whatar ey out alki
ngabout ?Who'syour
woman?I fshe'soneofmycl i
entst
heny oudon'
t
understandmyj ob.Idonott ellmycli
entswhatto
do,Ionlyhelpt hem findtheirownway ,r
eachthei
r
owndeci sions.Sor eally
,Ihavenoideawhaty ou'
re
tal
kingabout .
"
-Hi
m:"
Bull
shi
t!Whatyou'
resay
ingi
sbullshi
tandy
ou
knowi
t.
"Heshouted,
taki
ngastepcloser.
-Her
:"Stop!Rightwhereyouare.I
fyouknowwhat '
s
goodfory ou,
y ouwon'tcomeanycloser
."Shewas
scar
edt odeat h,
feargri
ndi
ngherbones,butshe
coul
dn'tleti
tshow.Shehadt obeincontrol
.
"
Hey
.Ev
ery
thi
ngokayov
ert
her
e?"
Theybothturnedtoseeanot
hermanapproachi
ng
fr
om thelef
t.ThankGod,Nal
edit
hought
.Themani n
ahoodi egotachancet or unanddi sappearintothe
darkness.Amomentl aterNal edifoundher self
l
ooki ngupintoapairofst eadyl i
ghtbr owney es.And
everythi
nginsideher
,all t
het urmoi lofS'f
isoand
Leboandev enthemani nahoodi e...
allofitcal
med.
Itdidn'
tdisappear
,butitwassuddenl ymanageabl e.
Inthatonemoment ,
shewasn' tal
one.Theman
who' dhel
pedherwhenshet houghtshe' dbe
strandedforsomehour si nthemi ddl eofnowher e
backi nDecemberwasst andingbef oreherf orthe
secondt i
met oday.
Whenhe' df i
rstwalkedintoherof f
iceearli
erthis
afternoonshehadn' tr
ecognisedhi m.Shewasn' t
goodwi t
hf aces, y
es,buthisunkemptbear dand
ti
redey est hatspokeofsl eeplessnight
s, pai
nand
sufferi
ng, hadmadehi m evenmor eunr
ecogni sable.
Butwhensheshookhi shand, thefamil
iar
connect i
onhadt oldhersomet hing,andhisvoi ce
hadconf irmedi t.Hewasi ndeedt hestrangerwho' d
offeredherhopewhenshet houghttherewasnone
twomont hsago.Andr i
ghtnow, hewasst andingin
fr
ontofhert ohel pher.
..
onceagai n.
-
Him:"Doc?Whatar
eyoust
il
ldoi
ngher
e?Ar
eyou
okay
?"
-
Her:"
Yeah,
I'
mf ine,
"shedr
ewinadeepbr eat
h,
"
Thankyouforcomingtomyrescue.Butwhatwer
e
y
oudoinghere?"
-Him:"Icamet
odropoffacol
l
eagueofmine.Long
story
.ThenIhear
dthecommotion.Whowasthat
man? "
-
Her:"
Ihonestlydon'
tknow.Buthedi daverygood
j
oboffri
ghteningme,"sheputherpeppersprayback
i
nherpurse.Notactingasprofessi
onalasshehad
t
obackinherof fi
ce.Shecouldn'
tevenacknowledge
t
hefactthatsherecogni
sedLonwaboGamai nt her
e.
-
Him:
"Ar
eyousur
eyou'
reokay
?"
-
Her
:"Yeah.Thanksagai
n,butIshoul
dgetgoi
ng.
"
-
Him:
"Idon'
tthi
nkso,
Doc.
"
-
Her
:"Excuseme?
"
-
Him:
"Seef
ory
our
sel
f.
"Hepoi
ntedt
ohert
yres.
Naledi
lookedandfeltphy
sical
l
ysi
ck.Bot
hherl
eft
t
yreswereslashed.
-Her:"
Dammi t.I
'
m surei
t'
sthemanwhowasjust
here.Gosh!Where'
sthesecur
it
yper
sonnel
whenyou
needthem? "
-
Him:"Don’
twor
ry,I
'
llwai
twi
thy
ouwhi
l
eyou
r
equestanUber
."
-
Her
:"I
..
.Idon'
thav
eaphone.
"
-
Him:"Youdon't
?I'
vel
eftmineathomet
oo.Buti
t'
s
okay
,Icantakeyouhome."
Anot
herdayshemighthaver
efused,
butr
ightnow
shedi
dn'
thavemuchchoice.
-
Him:
"Mycari
sov
ert
her
e."
Hetookherhandandsuddenl yev erythinginsideher
tur
nedupsi dedown.Shecoul dt ryt otellherselfit
wastheshockofal mostbeinghur tbyt hatcrazed
mani nahoodie, butNalediMasilodi dn'tli
e.Atl east
nottoherself
.Herhear twast hunder i
ngi nherchest ,
herskinsensit
ised-justli
kethef irsttimesheshook
thi
sman' shand,twomont hsago.She' dfeltitthen,
shewasf eeli
ngitnow.Hel l,
shewoul dhav etobe
deadnott o.I
twasasi facur renthadpassed
thr
oughherbody ,st
rongandv er
yr eal.Itcertai
nly
wasn’tsomethi
ngthathappenedtoherever
yday.I
t
cert
ainl
ywasn’tsomethi
ngthathadhappenedt
oher
ever
,notbeforethi
sguy.
Shedidn'tmov e,
wonderingifLonwabohadf eltfel
t
i
ttoo.Hepl acedasteadyinghandonherbackand
engagedherey es.Hermusclestensedunderhi s
handashewat chedhiseyeschange.Theygrew
heated.Narrowed.God,he'dfel
tit
,too,t
heelectri
cit
y
betweent hem,andshewasnotsur esheli
kedi t
.It
scaredher .
-
Her
:"No,
thi
sisnotr
ight
."
-
Him:
"Excuseme.
"
-Her:"
Giventhefactt
hatI
'my ourt
herapist
,Ihavet
o
preventeit
herofusfr
om forminganunhealthy
psychologi
calatt
achmenttotheother.
"
Hechuckl
ed,
obl
i
vioust
oheri
nnert
urmoi
l
.Ormay
be
not
.
-Him:"POC,you'
renotmytherapist
.Ihaven'
tbooked
anotherappoint
mentwit
hy ouyet.AndIdon'tthi
nk
there'
sanythi
ngwrongwithmegi vi
ngy oualif
t
homeundert heseci
rcumstances."
Chapt
er6[ SL]
Tuesday
,25Febr
uar
y,20:
05
.
DearLuxol
o,I
’
m sov
erysor
ry.
Ugh.Thatwasater
ri
blewayt
ostar
taf
arewel
ll
ett
er.
Butshewassorr
y,sover
ysor
ry.
DearLuxol
o.Byt
het
imey
our
eadt
hisI
'
llbegone.
Evenwor se!Andshe'
dwr it
tenandpubl
i
shedsev er
al
papers?Buttheywereacademi c,
sci
ent
ifi
cpapers,
notsomet hi
ngli
kethis.Thi
swasanemot ional
di
saster.Aheartbr
eak.
Luxol
omy
eni
wam,
Ican'
tbewi
thy
ouany
mor
e.
Okay,al
it
tl
ebet
ter
.Butt
ell
him whaty
ou'
rer
eal
l
y
feel
i
ng,Sky.
I
'm dyingi
nside.Mysoul iscrushed,myhearti
s
broken.Butnotasbrokenasy ourswil
lbeonceyou
hearthetrut
h.Therearen'tenoughsorri
esinthe
worldtohealyourheart.Oh,Luxolo,pl
easedon'
t
hateme!
Shebl ewoutaf rustratedsi gh.Thatmi ghtbeexact ly
howshef el
t,buthi dingt het ruthwoul ddomor e
harmt hangood.Shehadt odot her i
ghtt hi
ng, t
he
noblet hi
ng.Shehadt ot ellLuxolot hetruth,and
l
eav e.Thethoughtofcausi nghi m painsl i
cedher
heartopen, shreddingi tt opieces.Doi ngsoi na
l
et t
erwasacowar d'swayout ,
butshedi dn'thavea
choice.Ifshetoldhi mt het ruthfacet ofaceshe
woul dseehi spain.Andt hatshecoul dnotst and.He
wast heloveofherl ife.Hur tinghim wasnev erher
plan.Butifsher eallylov edhi m, nowwast hetimeto
showhi mthatlov ebyl et ti
nghi m go.
Aquickglanceattheclocktoldhershewasr unni
ng
outofti
me, shehadtogett hi
sdonebef or
ehecame
home.Herpensl ashedacrossthepaper,andasthe
wordsspil
ledoutinagushofemot i
on,shegavehim
ever
ythi
ng.Toldhimt heheart
breaki
ngtruth.
Exhaustedfr
om pour i
ngherheartandsoulontothe
pages,shefol
dedt helet
terandsli
ppediti
ntoan
envel
ope.Scrawli
ngLuxol o'
snameont hefront
,she
wasaboutt oleav
et hesmallpacketonthekit
chen
counterandgopackherbags, butthesoundof
Luxolo'
sv oi
ceout
sidestoppedheri nhertracks.Oh
God,hewasback, t
alki
ngt otheirneighbourinthe
corri
dor.Themanshe'dmar r
iedonl yalit
tl
eov ertwo
mont hsagowasjustoutsi
de, andshewasaboutt o
breakhisheart
.
Aft
ertheweddi ng,notadayhadwentbyt hatshe
di
dn'twanttohugher sel
finsheerjoyf orhav i
nga
husbandli
keLuxolo.Honourable.Discipli
ned.
Compassionate.Courageous.Allt
het hingsshe'd
al
way swantedi nali
fepart
nerwer eembodi edint
he
manshel oved.Thatwouldneverchange.
Otherthingswer echanging, t
hough, andshe' dhada
decisi
ont omake.Apai nfulone.Onet hatwoul dhurt
Luxoloanddi sappointherr el
igi
ouspar ents.Butit
hadt obemade.Thesel f
ish,stupidmi stakeshe' d
madet heni ghtbef
or eherweddi ngwasnowcomi ng
backt odestroythenewl ifeshe' dbeenbui ldi
ngwi th
themanshel oved.Itwasbackt odestroyher
dreamswi t
hLuxolo,tocompl etelyannihil
ateev ery
planthey'dmadef ortheirfuture.
Heavenhelpher
,shedi
dn'
twanttolethim go.But
shehadto.Shecoul
dn'
texpecthi
mt orai
seachi l
d
thatwasn'this.Thatwoul dbesel f
ishofher .The
poormandi dn'tdeservet hat.Whi chwaswhyt he
momentshest eppedoutofNal edi'soff
icethis
ev eni
ngshe'dmadeuphermi ndaboutt el
l
ingLuxolo
thet r
uthandmov ingoutoft heirapartment.If
annulmentwaswhathe' dwantaf terheari
ngt he
truth,shewouldnotpr otest.Ithurt,anditwoul dhur
t
somemor e,butitwast her i
ghtt hingtodo.
Theirrelationshi phadhadi tsf airshar eofupsand
downssi ncei tstarted,butmost lyithadbeen
glori
ous.They 'dmetatwor k4y earsago.Luxol ohad
alsobeenanempl oyee,ar esear cher ,atthe
chemi cal companyshe' dj oinedaf tercompl eti
ngher
PhD.Thei rshadn' tbeenani nst antconnect i
on.In
fact,she'dhat edhi mi niti
ally,t
hi nkinghewasa
playerbecauseofhi sgoodl ooks.Butwhenshegot
toknowhi m she'dcomet or ealiset hatbehindthat
handsomef aceandgor geoussmi lelayagoodhear t.
Andwhathadbegunasaf orcedr esear ch
partnershipdev elopedintot hedeepestandmost
heartfel
temot ionsshehadev erexper iencedinher
adultlif
e.Luxol o'schar acter, t
hemanhewasont he
i
nside,madeherf allinlovewithhim.Inherworl
d,
str
ength,cour age,andgent l
enesswer erare
combinations.Luxol oembodi edthoseandsomuch
more.Somet i
messhe' dthi
nkhewast oogoodtobe
tr
ue.Andov erthey earsshe'
dwai tedforhimto
changeandr evealhistruecoloursbutthathad
neverhappened.I nsteadhe'dpr oposedtoher.
Thatdayhe' daskedhert otakeawal kwi t
hhi m.
They '
dlef therapar tmentinNewt ownwi thher
compl ainingt hatshewast ooti
redforawal k,but
afterhe'dpr oposedt oheri nthemiddl eoft he
NelsonMandel abr i
dget hey'
dmadei tbackt ot he
apar t
menti nhighspi r
it
s.She'dsaidy eswi thout
event hi
nki ngt wice.Butthedaybef oret heweddi ng
she'dhadcol df eet."
Whati fIwasrightabouthi m?
Whati fhe' sindeedt oogoodt obet rue?"Andt he
reappear anceofherexhadcompl i
cat edthings
furtherev enthoughNal edihadtri
edt omakehersee
thi
ngscl ear l
y.
Siy
awascompl etelydif
ferentfrom Luxolo.Hewas
unrel
i
abl
e,i
mpul si
v e,i
nsensit
ive,andf ul
lofhi
mself
.
ButSkyhadoncel ovedhimr egardless.Shecoul
dn'
t
explai
nwhyshe' dlov
edhi mtheywayshedidany
mor ethanshecouldexpl ai
nthetasteofwater.But
she'dguesseditwashi sbadboychar act
erthat
drewhert ohi
m backt hen.Andhisreappearance
thatdayhadignitedfeel
ingsshe'dthoughtwerelong
gone.
Shecl osedherey es, suddenl yfeeli
ngwor seev en
thoughshehadn' tbeliev edi tpossible.She
remember edt heni ghtshesl eptwithSi yai nhi scar.
Sher emember edhowgoodi twas.I twasno
ordinaryfuck, itwasherut terlywant onni ghtof
carnal l
ustwi thamanwhohadpl aguedhermi nd
withmessagesofdesi r eandpassi ont oapoi ntshe
wasbey onddesper at
et ohav ehi
m andbehadby
him.She' ddi sregar dedt heconsequencesand
walkedoutofherhouset omeethi mi nhi scar .Sex
withLuxol owas. .
.okay .Thatwast hepr obl em.What
she'dfeltwi thSi yawasn' tj
ustokay .Itwas
unadul t
erat edfire.Ragi nglust .Pure, throw- common
-sense-to-
t he-wi nd, mindbl owi ngsexual pleasur e.It
wasdi fferentfr om anypr eviousexper ience.
Compar edt oSi ya, Luxol owasst ore-br andv anil
la.
Sheswal l
owedt helumpt hathadf ormedi nher
throat .Luxol odeservedahel lofalotmor ethan
bei ngst ore-brandvanil
la.Shef el
tlikeadi r
tytrai
tor
ev enl ett
ingt hethoughtformi nhermi nd.Herhand
closedont heenv el
opeandshebl ewouta
frust r
atedbr eat
hbef or
equi ckl
yslippingthe
env elopei nsidetheupperdr aweroft hecabinet.
Luxol owasback, andthatmeantshecoul dn'tl
eave
toni ght.Shewoul dhavet owaitunt il
tomor r
ow.
.
.
.
Shebar el
ybreathedasshewai ted.Afterwhatfelt
l
ikefor ever,
thedooropenedandLuxol owalked
i
nside.Spot ti
ngherbyt hekitcheni sl
and,heletouta
bigsmi le.
..
whichonlyfeltl
ikeaki cktohergut .This
manl ov edherandhewassogoodt oher.Whenher
l
ifebecameat umult
uousseat hreeyearsago, he'
d
beent hereforher,he'
dbeenherr ock.She'dleaned
onhim, andhewasherst r
ength.Nowshewasgoi ng
towreakhav ocinhisli
fe.Shewasgoi ngt obreakhis
hear
t.
Hedroppedhi
sbagandqui
ckl
ygotr
idofhi
sjacket
ashewalkedovert
oher
,at
easi
ngli
ghtt
winkl
ingin
hi
seyes.
-
Him:
"Hey
.Ir
eal
l
ymi
ssedy
out
oday
."
Shef
orcedasmi
l
e.
-
Her:"Imissedyoutoo.Howwasy ourday?I'
m sur
e
you'
rehungry.Idi
dn'
tcookbutIboughtsome
t
akeaways."Thewor dsner
vousl
yspil
ledoutofher
mouthassher emainedroot
edinthatsamespot.
-Hi
m:"I
'm hungr
y,y
es.Butnotf
orfood.
"Hereached
uptoherandgaveherapeckonthecheek.
Shet ensed,notknowinghowt oreact.Hisarms
closedaroundheri nawarm embr ace.Fora
momentt hedisast
roussit
uati
onr ecededandal lshe
couldconcent r
ateonwashi m.Shel ethersel
fmel t
i
nhi sarms.Thi swashome.Shemi ghtbemov i
ng
outtomor row,butLuxol
o'sarmswoul dalwaysbe
theonlyplacesheev ertr
ulyf
elthomei n.
Forsev
eral
seconds,
theyhel
deachot
her
.Then
suddenl yhismout hwasonher s,hotandgr eedy .
Raw, wi ldpassi on.Heki ssedherl ongenought o
makeherf orgetaboutwhatshewaspl anni ngt odo.
Soonhewast uggingathercl othes, desper at el
y
unbut toningt hesmal lpearlbut tonst hatr andown
thebackofherdr ess.Thiswasn' tthesl ow,
consi deratelov ershe'dknown.Hewasn’ tgent l
e,and
thattur nedheron.What everpat iencehe' dbeen
practicingov ert heyear swasoutt hewi ndow.He
wasf ranti
c,shaki ng,hangingont ohi scont rolbya
thread.At hreadhesev eredwhent hebut tons
woul dn'tbudge.Hel if
tedher ,toreof fherpant i
es,
andpr oppedherat opt hekitchencount er ,withher
dressbunchedupar oundherwai st .Hespr eadher
l
egsopen, exposi ngheral r
eadywetsex.
-
Her
:"Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"
-
Him:"
Showi
ngy
ouhowmuchImi
ssedy
ou.Spr
ead
wi
der
."
Ohmy .Shehadnoideawhathadcomeov erhim but
shewaslovi
ngever
ysecondoft hi
s.Thei
rlastt
ime
toget
herwouldbememorable.
Shespreadherl egswideforhim andshiveredatthe
wayhel ookedatherdownt here.Herhairless,
del
icatefl
eshwasspl ayed,hotandreadyf orhim.
Whenhel ickedhisli
psandt uggeduntilherasswas
attheedgeoft hecounter,
shewasal readyhalfway
toorgasm, andhehadn'tevenlaidafi
ngeronhery et
.
Hel i
ckedhi slipsonemor et i
meanddr oppedhi s
head, t
oki ssthet enderspotbet weenherl egs.He
tol
dhernott omakenoi seashegui dedhissweet
l
ipst ohercl i
tandbegansucki ngandl i
ckingl i
keit
wast hemostdel icioust hingint hewor l
d.Thi swasa
fi
rst.Luxolohadnev erwentdownonher ,notev en
oncei nthepast4y ears.Herl egswer eshaki ng
withinmi nutes,andshewonder edwhyhe' dbeen
keepinghi swonder fultongueski ll
shiddenal lthese
years.Hedev ouredherwi thhi smout hli
kehehad
somet hingtopr ov e.Thesof twhimper sshel etout
everytimehedr ov eintot heent r
anceofherwet
channel withhist onguegr ewi ntoloudmoans.
Pressurebui lt
.Orgasm wasont heway ,shecoul d
feelit
.Shebuckedunderhi sface,readyforar el
ease,
buthepul l
edbackandwentf orhermout h.He
ki
ssedhersensel
ess,andsheenj
oyedt
het
ast
eof
herownjui
cesinhismouth.
Shesuckedi nadeepbr eathwhenhepul l
edbackt o
getr i
dofhi spant sandunder wear .Hel ower edher
fr
om t hecount erandgent lyputheront hef loor.
Reachi ngdown, hegr abbedhi scock, lower i
ngi tso
hecoul dusei ttor ubherwet nessal loverher .She
wassl ickandr eady ,andhel ookedi mpat i
entashel l
.
Hei nsertedhimsel finheropeni ng.Skyl ookeddown,
watchinghi scockdi sappeari nsideofherashe
slowlypushedi n.Whenhewasf ul
lyinside,he
l
ower edhi sheadt owhi sperinherear ,"
Wat ching
youwat chmeputmycocki nsideofy oui sthe
sexiestt hi
ngI’
v eev erseeni nmyl i
fe."
Shesmi
l
ed."
I'
m gl
ad,
becauseIr
eal
l
yli
kedwat
chi
ng
i
t.
"
Hepul l
edoutt henrammedinsi
deher ,
penetrati
ngt o
thehil
t.Hermuscl esti
ght
enedaroundhim asshe
groanedandar chedherback,
want i
ngmor e.He
pausedf orthebri
efestmomentthenbegant othrust,
hard.Damnt hi
swasgood,sogood.Andshe
couldn'
tstif
letheloudmoansthatkeptescapingher
mouth.ItwasasifLuxolohadl ostal
lcontr
olashe
gri
ppedhershoulder
s, t
hrust
ingintoherli
kehisli
fe
dependedoni t
.Herl
ongweav ecamel ooseandher
moansgotl ouder
.Pressurewasbui l
dingagai
n,she
wantedtocome.
Noty
et.
Hepul ledoutandt oldhertogr abt hecount er .Dr i
ven
bysheerl ust, shedi dasshewast old.Hebenther
overthecount er,readyt otakeherf rom behi nd.He
spreadherass, pushedhi scockdeepi nsi deherwet
canal andt hrusthar der.Histhrust sbecamef ast er
andf asterashegr abbedatherassandspankedher .
Sher eadjustedhergr ipont heedgeoft hecount er
ashepoundedhersl i
pperyhol e.Hergr eedybody
suckedhi mi nsi de, herwal l
sf i
stinghi mt i
ghter ,and
everyt i
mehet riedt opullout,shecl ungt ohiml ike
he'
dnev ergetf ree.Shemoanedl oudl y
, yell
i
nghi s
nameandbeggi ngf orhimt ogoev endeeper .He
compl ied,hisf inger srubbingagai nsthercl i
twi th
eachdeepgr ind.Shecoul dn’thol dof fany mor e, she
wailedt hr
oughherr eleaseashedr ovei ntoherhar d
andf astasi fhopi ngshecoul dfeel howmuchhe
l
ov edherwitheachpumpofhi ships.Orgasm
wr eckedherbody .Itwaslikenot hingshe'
dev erfelt
withhim before.Ecst asywrappedupi nbl
iss.Asher
bodyspasmedal l
ar oundhiscockhespeduphi s
paceandcamel ongandhar dinsideofher,groaning
l
ikeanani mal.Ther ewasnowayt henei
ghbours
didn'theart
heirspect acul
arfinish,butshedidn't
car e.
Hepul l
edoutofherandgentlypull
edherdownt o
l
ayhersl enderbodyonhisonthefloor.Whentheir
breathi
ngcalmed, hewi
pedast r
ayhai rf
rom her
foreheadandlookedint
ohersatedey es.
-
Him:
"Il
ovey
ou,
sthandwasam.Youandourbaby
."
Jesus.Thathur tonsomanyl ev
els.Butbeforeshe
couldsayany thingtheringingofhercell
phone
savedher.ItwasMi chael,oneofhercolleaguesat
theuniversi
ty.Itwasanunusual call
andherf i
rst
i
nstinctwast oi gnor
eit,butthatsmallvoiceinher
headt ol
dhert oanswer .
-
Her
:"Mi
ke.Ev
ery
thi
ngokay
?"
-
Him:
"No.Comet
othel
ab.Pr
ont
o.I
t'
sur
gent
."
.
.
Tuesday
,25Febr
uar
y,20:
50
Fi
nally.Hesatinhiscaracr ossthest
reetfrom Sky'
s
apartmentbuil
ding.Sky'sredVolvodroveout,
al
readyspeeding.Eitherherfoolofahusbandhad
j
ustkickedheroutorshehadf i
nal
lyr
eceivedthat
urgentcall
from hercoll
eague.Hewaspr et
tycertai
n
hecoul ddi
sregardtheformer .
Nowall
heneededt
odowasf
oll
owher
.Itwast
ime
f
orhert
ojoi
ntheot
her
s.
.
.
Howarey'
al
ldoingduri
ngt
hisl
ockdown?
#St
ayhome#Staysaf
e
Chapt
er7
Wednesday
,26Febr
uar
y,06:
59
.
Onadeep, deep, dar kness, aflickerofl ightappear ed.
Offtot hesi de.Justbar elynot i
ceabl e.
Orange. ..Yellow. .
.an­dt henhesawi tf orwhati t
was.Fi re.Ahousewasbur ning.I nt hatexact
momenti tjustbl ewupi nt othisscar y ,gigant icball
offl
ame.Hest agger edback.Butwhenhehear da
horr
ible, pier cingsoundcomi ngf rom i nsi det he
househesur gedf orwar d.Awomanwasscr eami ng..
.
i
nagony .Shewasal sosay ingsomet hing, buthe
couldn'tqui temakeoutwhatshewassay i
ng.Her an.
Rant oandar oundt hehouse, tryingt of indapoi ntof
entr
ysohecoul dr escuet hewoman.Butt hef ir
e
wasbl azi nguncont r
ollably,stoppi nghi mf rom
gett
inganycl oser .Thescr eamsandt hepai nful
voi
cecomi ngf r om insidegotl ouderandl ouder .
Dammi t,heknewt hatv oice.Heknewi t.Andhe
fi
nallyunder st oodwhati twassay ing, "Youdi dn't
saveme. "
Lonwabo'seyessnappedopen.Hi sface,coveredin
sweat.Sheet
s,tangl
edaroundhislegs.Al ar
m clock,
pl
ayingsomethingrel
entl
esslycheerful
.Hesl apped
i
toffthensatup.Zint
le'
svoicesti
llechoinginhis
head:"Youdi
dn'tsaveme."Fuck!
Hereachedf orabottl
eofpill
sfrom t
hemanyl i
ned
uponhi sni
ghtstand.Thesepil
lswereoneofhis
cr
utches,helpi
nghim standeventhoughhewas
weak.Heshookoutacoupl eandswallowedthem
dr
y.Tryingtoforget
.Tof or
getthatni
ghtmare."
You
di
dn'tsaveme. "
Zintlewashi slatewife.Thewomanhemeti njunior
highandhadadaught erwi t
hdur i
nghisf ir
sty earas
acop, butonl ymar r
ied5y ear sago.He'dt oldNal edi
abouthery esterdayint herapy .He'dopenedupand
talkedabouthowshesust ainedt hir
ddegr eebur ns
whent heirtwobedr oom housei nKhay elit
sha, Cape
Town, bur neddownl asty eari nJanuar y.He'dnev er
forgett hatfatefulevening.Hewasst i
l
latwor k.His
stationcommanderandcl osecol leagueshad
organisedal i
ttl
epar tyinhi sof f
icetocel ebratehis
accompl i
shment .Aser i
alkillerhe'dwor keddayand
nightt oputbehi ndbar shadf inal
lybeenf oundgui l
ty
onal lcount sandsent encedt o5l i
fet ermsi npr i
son.
Itwassupposedt obeagooddaybutal lthathad
changedwhenher eceivedaphonecal ltell
inghi m
thathi swifewasi nhospi tal.He' drushedt hereand
foundheri nICU, i
ncubat edandsedat ed.Shewas
unrecogni sabl eunderal lthosebandages.Seei ngher
l
iket hatwashear tbreaking, buthej ustcoul dn'
tleav e
hersi de.Hesl eptint hecol dhospi t
al chairsfor4
days.WhenZi nt l
ecoul dfinallybreat heonherown
andcoul datl eastt alkshedi dn'tsaymuch, butshe
madehi m pr omi set hathe' dt akecar eoft heir
daught er-whohad, luckil
y ,beenather
grandpar ents' housewhent hef ir
est art
ed.Lat ert hat
dayZi ntlesuccumbedt oherbur ninjuri
es, andher
deathwasr uledacci dent al.Ther ehadbeenal eak
ont heirgascy li
nder ,that'
showt hef ir
ehadst arted.
ButLonwabocoul dn'tstopbl ami nghi msel f.I
fhe' d
comehomeear ly,ifhe'dtur neddownt hepar tyidea,
hepr obabl ywoul dhav edet ect edthegasl eakbef ore
thef i
recoul dev enst artandhi swifewoul dn'thav e
died.
He' dtoldNaledit
hatyesterday.Whatthehel
lhadhe
beent hi
nking?He'
dnev ert
alkedabouthiswif
e's
deat hbeforeandnowt hathehad, he'
dhad
nightmar es.He'
dopenedt hatdoorandwasnow
facingt heconsequences.Whatt hehel
lhadhebeen
thinking?Heknewwhatt al
kingwoulddo,buthe'
d
stil
l t
alked.
Af t
erhi swi fe'sdeat hheonl ytooka2weeksl eave
from wor kthenwentback.Butwhenhekeptmaki ng
seriousmi stakes, oneofhi scolleagueswhoal so
happenedt obehi sbestandonl yf riendbookedhi m
i
nt ot hisgr ieft herapyf acili
tyi
nPaar lwherepeopl e
l
ivedandshar edt heirpai nandst oriesinasuppor t
groupset ti
ng.Butt hatbecameat otalwasteoft i
me
forLonwabo.Henev eropenedup, henevertalked
untilhel eftthef acil
ityandwentbackhome.What
kepthi m goi ngwasNal edi Masi
lo'sbookongr ief
.
Unf ortunat ely ,though, readingthebookmadehi m
feel psy chol ogicallyat t
achedt ot hewr i
ter.Awoman
hedi dn'tev enknow.He' dreadaboutherandev en
pract i
cal lyst alkhersoci almediapages, moreso
aftert heirchanceencount eri
nDecember .
Thatconnectionandther omant i
cfeelingshe
thoughthehadwi thandf orherhadcl oudedhis
j
udgement .He'dthoughttalkingwit
hherwoul dhelp
him cope.Buthowwast hatgoingtohappeni f
talki
ngonlybroughtbackbadmemor i
esandot her
nightmares?He'dbeenst upid.Sofuckingstupi
d.
Hegotoutofbedandmadef orthecl
oset .Openi
ng
thesaf
e,hepull
edouthisper sonal9-
mi l
.Captain
Motaunghadtakenhisserviceweapon, probably
thi
nki
nghe'dwanttokillhi
msel f
.Looksliketheold
manhadbeenr i
ghtafteral
l,Lonwabot hought,
emptyi
ngthemagaz i
net oleaveonlyoner ound.
Closinghishandt i
ghtlyaroundt heweapon, he
slowlywal kedt ohi
sdaught er'
sroom.Hesatont he
fl
oor ,thi
nkingabouthi sdeadchi l
d,crossi
nghislong
l
egsl ikehislitt
legi
rllikedtodo, sot hebottom of
eachf ootwaswedgedagai nsttheinnerthighofthe
opposi tel
eg.Thel otusposi ti
on,hedi mlythought
.Or
somet hingl i
kethat.Hedi dn'tevenknowwhyhewas
thinki
ngt his.Maybei twasbecausehemi ssedhis
daught ersomuch.
"
Thi
sisi
t.Not
hingl
eft
.Mywi
fe'
sgone.My
daught
er'
sgone.I
'
m notst
ayi
ngbymy
sel
f.Can'
tdo
i
t."
Helif
tedthecompactnine-
mi l
andmadesur ethe
roundwaschamber edbyracki
ngt hesli
de.He
cuppediti
nbothhands.Nicelit
tl
epiece.Itwas
accurat
e,wit
henoughstoppingpower .He'dnever
shotanyonewit
hit.Buthe'
dwant edto.
Hest areddownatt hemuzzl ewi t
hthei r
onsights.
Howmanyr oundshadhef ir
edatt hepolicerange?A
thousand?Tent housand?Mor e?Wel l
,hecouldn'
t
mi sstoday.Heopenedhi smout handswal lowedt he
muzz le,angl
ingitupwar dsot hebulletwouldhitthe
brainandmaket heendqui ck.Hi sfi
ngercamet o
restont hetri
ggerguar d.HelookedupatSeset hu's
framedphot oont henight
stand.Suddenl y
embar rassed,hesl i
ppedthegunoutandputi t
againsthisrighttempleandcl osedhi seyessohe
couldn'tseehisdaught er'
scutel i
tt
leface.
Again,hi
sindexf i
ngerslippedtothet
ri
ggerguar d.
Oncepastit,tothetrigger,t
henthesl
ow, steadypul
l
unti
lthepointofnor eturn.He'
dneverfeelanythi
ng.
Hisbrainwoulddiebef oreitcoul
dtel
ltherestofhis
bodythathe'dj
ackedhimself.Hej
usthadtopul
l.
Justpul
l,Lonwabo.Pull
.Yougotnothi
ngtolose
becauseyougotnothinglef
t.They
'r
egone.They’
re…
gone.
Hehel
dthegunthere,wonder
ingwhathewoul
dsay
t
ohisf
amilyoncetheywereallr
euni
ted.
I
'
m sor
ry?
For
giv
eme?
IwishI'
dbeent
heretoprot
ecty
ou?Ishoul
dhav
e
beentheret
osaveyou?
Hehel dthegunt ighter,di ggingthemet alagainsthi
s
templ esohar dhef el
tthesmoot hbar r
el cutintohis
skin.Hewasn' tseekingt hecour aget odoi t
.Hewas
desper atelysear chingf ort herightbal ance.Yet
couldt hereev erbebal ancei ntakingone' sownl i
fe?
Stil
lhol di
ngt heguni npl ace, hethoughtaboutt he
painful deathofhi swi fe.Hi sdaught er'
st oo.Fire.
Wat er.Andsuddenl y,withoutwar ning, hewas
seeingal l ofitoutli
nedi nt hemostt er r
ifyingshade
ofbl ue.Thei rbodiesi nt hecol dmor tuarysteel
tables,ev enint heircoffins, thewhol et hing.This
bubbleofbl ue, i
twasev erywher e.Het ilt
edhi sgaze
tothecei li
ngandscr eamedoutacur se,fuelingi t
withallther ageandl osshewasf eeli
ngr ightnow.
Thedamncol ors,i
ntrudingev enont his.Whycoul d
henotbenor mal,forjustthisonet i
me, i
nhi s
compl et
emi sery?Hel ower edhi sheadandsatt here
ont hefl
oorwi t
hagunt ohi sheadandabsol ut el
y
nothingleftinther estofhi m.Hewasr eadyt odi e,
readytoj ointhem.Hepul l
edt hetrigger,expect i
ngto
atleasthearasoundj ustbef orethebul l
ethithi s
brain.Butitnev ercame.Wi thoutev ent hinkingt wice,
hepul l
edt het r
iggeragai n.Stil
l,
not hing.Thef ucking
gunhadj ustjammedonhi m.Whatt hef uck? !
Asifoncue, hi
scellphonerangf r
om hi
sown
bedroom.Hedi dn'
tev enbothertogetupandgetto
i
t.Her emainedseatedont hefloor
.Shakingand
sweating.Whathe'djusttr
iedtodosinkinginhi
s
head.Scari
ngt heshitoutofhim.
Thephonecont inuedtor i
nguntili
tstopped.A
minutelatert
her i
ngingcamef rom hi
sdoor bel
l
.He
i
gnoredt hatt
oo.Fucki ngannoyingpeople!Why
coul
dn'ttheyjustleavehim al
one?
"Ll
oyd,
comeon,Iknowy
ou'
rei
nther
e.Isawy
our
cariny
ourcar
port
."
ItwasBongani .Fuckhim.FuckCapt ai
nMot aungtoo.
Whent heol
dmanwant edtoseehimy est
erday
Lonwabohadt houghthe'daskhimt ocomebackt o
work, butt
hathadn'tbeenthecase.He' donly
want edtogiv
ehi m alectur
e,totellhim whyhe
couldn'tl
ethi
m comebackev ent houghBongani had
tri
edt oconvi
ncehi mto."It
'sf
ory ourowngood,
Gama, "he'
dsaid..
.again.
Yesterdayhadj ustbeenonef uckedupday .Naledi
beingt hel astper sont oshowhi mt hathemeant
nothing.He' ddr ivenherhomeaf t
erhe'dsav edher
from thel unat i
cwho' dslashedhert yres.Thedr iv
e
hadn'tbeenasawkwar dashe' dthoughtitwouldbe.
They '
dt alkedandt alked, evenaboutt hedayhe
helpedherchangehert yret womont hsago.She' d
recogni sedhi m ear l
ier,she'dtoldhim, eventhough
he'dthoughtot her wisebackatherof f
ice.Alli
nal l
,i
t
hadbeenar eal
lyni cedr i
v e.Buteverythi
nghad
changedwhenhepul l
edupi nfrontofherhousei n
AspenHi ll
sNat ureEst ate.
She'
dtakenhi
shandandl
ookedupathi
m,"
Thank
youforf
orbri
ngi
ngmehome."
He'
dlookedintohereyesandfelthishearttur
nover
i
nhischest.Herli
pshadmov edagai n,sayi
ng
somethi
ngelse,buthe'dhear
dnot hi
ng.Allhe'
d
want
edwast oleanov erandkissher.Buthehadn'
t.
Hehadselfcontrol
.
"
Lonwabo?
"
He'
dr eal
isedhestil
lheldherhandandhast
il
yleti
t
go,butkepttheeyecont act
."Um,y
eah,i
twasonlya
pl
easuregivingyouaride."
Butshedidn'tgetout.She'djustsatt
herest
aringat
him wit
hthosewi de,beauti
fuleyesandful
lredli
ps
andhisfantasyhadf l
ashedr i
ghtback.Hernaked
bodyinhisbed, herbi
gey esdazedwi t
hpassion,her
ful
lli
psmoani nghisname.
"Ihadagr eatti
met alki
ngwi t
hy outoday.Di
nner
somet i
me? "theinv
itati
onhadl efthi
smout hbefor
e
her eal
ised.Hecouldn'ttakei
tbackev enifhe'
d
want edto.
Foramomenthe'
dthoughtshe'
dsayy
es.He'
d
wishedshewoul
d.Butshe'
dshakenherheadand
said,
"No.
"
"Doyouhav eaboy f
ri
end,f
iancé,
orsigni
fi
cant
other.
..
ofanykind?Am Ist
eppingint
osomeone
else'
sterr
it
ory
?"
She'
dshakenherheadagai
n,"No.Nof i
ancéor
curr
entboy
fri
endsandI'
m het
erosexual
,thanky
ou
ver
ymuch."
"Goodtoknow.CanIthenassumeyouhaveanex-
boyfr
iendwhohappenstobeyourbabydaddy
?"
"
Ver
yex.Soexhe'
swaypastZ.
"
"AndI'
m awi dower.Idon'tt
hinkmylatewif
eisasex
asyourbabydaddy ,probabl
yonlyhalf
waytoY,
but.
..
"he'dstopped,notknowinghowt osayit
,"You
feel
ittoo,don'
tyou?"
I
nstantlyshe'
dwenttotall
yserious.Openedher
mout handsaidsomethingthatf el
tli
keaknifetohis
heart."
Yes,If
eeli
t.Butthatmeansnot hi
ng.Forget
thatImightbeyourtherapi
st,
Ij ustwouldneverdate
you,Lonwabo.Notsomeonel ikey ou.Ever
.Lebala.
"
Thenshe'
dopenedthedoorandgotoutofhi
scar
wit
houtevensay
inggoodbye.
.
.
.
Wednesday
,26Febr
uar
y,07:
00
Nal edi absent-mi ndedlypokedathermuf finasshe
satatt hebreakf asttablei nherkitchen.Ther ewas
onlyonet hingi nhermi nd.Oroneper son.Lonwabo
Gama.Hi spict urehadbeeni nhermi ndal lnight
.
Thr ought hel atedinnerwi thhermot herandson, the
sleeplessni ght ,thehotshowert hismor ning-he'd
beent here.Superbl ackhai r
,li
ghtbrowney es,andal
l
thosemuscl es...God.Shehadmor eimpor t
ant
thingst owor ryabout .S'f
iso.Lebo.Sky .Themani ac
who' dt hreatenedherl astnight.Yetstill,
Lonwabo
stay edi nhermi nd.She'dt ossedandt urnedl ast
night ,
thinkingabouthi m.Abouthowhemadeher
feel.Thesamewayshedi daf t
ershe' dmethi mi n
December .
"
Ledi
,i
t'
sei
thery
oueatt
hatory
out
hrowi
taway
.
You'r
egonnabel
ate.
"Cat
her
ine,
hermother
,
thunder
ed,
thr
owi
ngherowncarkeysonthetabl
e.
Nal
edi
bli
nked.Hermot
herst
oodbyt
het
het
abl
e,
f
ist
sonherhips.
-Naledi
:"You'
reri
ght.Ishoul
dgogetLebo.Thanks,
onceagai n,
forborr
owingmey ourcar.
"Shegotup,
readytodashoutoft hekit
chen.Buthermot
her
stoppedherwi t
hherhand.
-
Catheri
ne:"
No.Si
tbackdownandt
ell
meexact
ly
what'
sbother
ingy
ou."
-
Nal
edi
:"Huh?
"
-Cat
heri
ne:"Don'tplaydumbwi t
hme, younglady.
Duri
ngdinnerlastnightyouwereexactlyl
ikethi
s.
Absent-
minded.Noteat ing.What'
sgoingon?Isit
thi
sthi
ngwi thS'fi
soandLebo?Ori si
taboutthe
psychowhosl ashedy ourtyr
eslastni
ght?
"
Nal
edisi
ghed,
notknowi
nghowt
otel
lhermot
her
t
hetrut
h.
-Nal
edi
:"No,
noneofthat.IcanhandleS'
fi
so."She
pushedawayfr
om t
het ableandrol
ledhershoulder
s.
"I
'
mf ine,Ma.Don'
twor
ry.Ev
erythi
ng'
sfine.Ij
ust
haven'tbeenget
ti
ngmuchsleeplat
ely
."
Hermot
herl
ookedwor
ri
ed.
-
Cather
ine:
"What
’swrong,baby?Youknowy
oucan
t
alktomeaboutanyt
hing,
right
?"
Baby?Whenwashermot hergoingtost opcall
ing
herthat
?Whenshewasgr owingup, Nalediwished
shehadasi bl
ing.Ay oungersi
bli
ng.Sohermot her
couldcallt
hem 'baby'andnother.Butshewasan
onlychi
ld.Andthatmeantshe, alone,hadtotakeall
ofhermot her
'sov ert
hetopendear ments,evenasa
grownup.Notev enLebocouldchanget hat.
Shecl
osedherey
esandbl
ewoutabr
eat
h.
-Nal
edi
:"Ma,doy
out
hinki
twoul
dbeokayi
fIst
art
ed
dati
ngagai
n?"
-
Cat
her
ine:
"Huh?Wher
edi
dthatcomef
rom?Hav
e
y
oumetsomeone?"
-
Nal
edi
:"No.Notexact
ly.
"
-
Cather
ine:
"Notexact
ly?Whatexact
lyisnotexact
ly?
Youeit
hermeetsomeoneoryoudon't.I
t'
sli
kebeing
notex
actl
ypregnant
."Shepull
edachai
randsat
downopposi
teherdaughter
.
-
Naledi
:"There'
sthi
sguy.Hisname'sLonwabo
Gama.He'stheonewhobr oughtmehomel astni
ght
.
Whenhedr oppedmeof fhe.
..
"shestoppedand
massagedhertemples."Hehel
dmyhand. "
Hermotherwasstar
ingatherasi
fshewer
ea
f
renchf
ryshortofahappymeal.
-
Cat
her
ine:
"And?
"
Naledicl
osedherey
es, remember i
ngtheheatal
l
overagai
n.Thealmost-painf
ulti
nglet
hatwouldstar
t
atherhandandshootst rai
ghtdowntohercore
everyt
imeLonwabot ouchedherhand.
-Naledi:
"Hel ookedatme. "Andshe' dfelthel
plessto
l
ookaway .Shedi dn’twanttolookaway .He'
d
want edtokissher .AndGodhel pher ,she'dwanted
himt o.Andhadbeenal i
tt
ledisappointedwhenhe
didn't
.Shewoul dhav ewi
ll
inglykissedamanshe' d
barelymet .Andthenwhat ?"Iheldhi shandandhe
l
ookedatmeandIt hinkIwouldhav ewel comedhis
kissifhe'dkissedme.Iwant edto...
youknow...j
ust
holdinghi shand, Ma."Shestoppedandl ookedinto
hermot her'
sey esandmadeher selfsaythehard
trut
h." Ineverfeltthatwaywithanymanbef ore.
Nev er.Thisguymakesmef eelthingsIdon'twanna
feel.AndI '
m scar ed,mama.Scar edtofalli
nlove
again.Scar edofmen.WhenI 'dsober eduplastni
ght
Itri
edt opushhi m awaybybeingr udetohim.Ididn'
t
knowwhatel set odo. "
Hermot
hert
ouchedherhandf
rom acr
osst
het
abl
e.
-Catherine:"Li
sten,baby,youshouldn'
tletwhat
S'f
isodi dtoy oustopy oufrom l
ivi
ngy ourl
ife.You
shouldn'tletthethreebastardswhodi dthat
despicabl ethi
ngt oyou8y earsagohav econt r
ol
overy ourlif
e.Youhav edonet hatlongenough, i
t'
s
ti
met omov eonnow.S' fi
soisli
vinghisli
fe.And
thoset hreemonst ersarestil
li
npr i
son.Youneedt o
startl
iving,baby.Yout oodeservetobel oved.Butbe
carefulwhoy oufallf
or."
.
.
.
Wednesday
,26Febr
uar
y,08:
30
Lonwabowalkedi
nsidetheHil
lbrowPol i
ceStati
on,
hi
splaceofwork,
wi t
hBongani r
ightbesidehi
m.
Whentheguycouldn'
tleavehi
sdoor stepearl
i
erthi
s
morni
ngLonwabohadf i
nal
lyl
ethimi n.
"Whatthehell
'swrongwithyou,man.Cappie'
sbeen
call
i
ngy ousi
ncebef or
e7.Heneedst otal
kt oyou,
eyebal
ltoeyebal
l.I
t'
ssomet hi
ngsubstant
ialthi
s
ti
mearound."BBhadsai dandbeggedLonwabot o
gohaveaqui ckshowerthencomewi t
hhim.
Lonwabohadhesi t
ant lycompl i
ed,sayingnot hi
ng
abouthisfailedsuicideat tempt .Nowher ehewas,
foll
owinghispar tnertot hestationcommander '
s
offi
ce.Severaleyesbor edintohi sbackashemade
hiswaydownt hepassage, l
eav i
ngBongani behi
nd.
Eversincehej oi
nedt hi sstati
onhe' dnev erbeen
populararoundt hesecor r
idors.He'dalway sbeen
thatnewguywi thunr eali
sticdreams, thinki
nghe
couldridJo'burgofcr ime.St upidmor on, mostofhis
coll
eaguescal l
edhi m.Butt heywer ewr ong.Ridding
theentir
ecityofcr imehadnev erbeenhi sgoal.All
hewant edwast odot hebesthecoul d, wherehe
coul
d,andbeanhonestcop.
Capt ainMot aung'soff
icewasal lst
andardandno
fri
ll
s, exceptforthesteelmi
niaturemodel ofBurj
Khal i
fat hatt
heteam gotforhim onhi sbir
thday
threemont hsago.Itstoodfourandahal ffeett
all
,
seatedont opofadeski nthecor ner
.Itwasa
replacementt otheglassmodel Motaunggotf r
om
hiswi febutdestroyedonar atheril
l-
temperedday
fi
vemont hsago.
Capt ai
nMot aunghadbout sofanger,more
frequentl
ynow, especi
all
yaboutproceduralthi
ngs.
Lonwaboknewt he60yearoldmanwasnotl ongi
ng
fortheforcedretir
ement.I
tmeantmor eti
meat
homewi t
hawi fewhopubl i
clymadef unofhim.The
policefor
cewashi sl
if
e,al
way shadbeen, healways
preached.Butthatwasn'tgoingtostopthem from
reti
ringhi
m any way.
-Lonwabo:"Cappie,"hecal
ledoutashestooped
underthedoorfr
amet oavoidhit
ti
nghishead.He
wast ootal
lforthisunusualdoorf
rame.
-
Mot
aung:
"Cl
oset
hedoorandhav
easeat
,son.
"
He'dcall
edLonwaboson, t
hatmeanthewasnoti n
hisusualfoulmood.Lonwabopushedt hedoor
closedandwentt ositint
heuncomf ortable,
strai
ght
backedst eel chai
rinfr
ontofthecapt ai
n'
s
desk.Rumorwas, t
heoldermansentbackt he
standar
dchai rthatcamewi thhisof
ficef urnit
ure
andboughtt hisoneonhi sown.Itdefinit
elysett he
toneforhismeet ings.
-Mot aung: "Wer eceivedsomesadnewst hi s
mor ning,"hel ookedatLonwabo, wai t
ingf ora
response.Mot aunghadahabi tofdel iveringone- l
ine
statement sfordr amaticeff
ect.Si ncehehadnoi dea
whatt henewswas, Lonwabowai ted,too.Looki nga
bitdisappoi ntedt hatLonwabohadn' ttakent hebait,
Mot aungwenton, "
Thecaseoft het womi ssi
nggi rl
s
youwant edt obeputonhasj ustt urnedi ntomur der.
Oneoft hegi rl
shasbeenf ounddead, brutally
mur dered, atTheWi ldsthi
smor ni ng.Thi scoul d
be..
.serial.Gama, Ireadyourfil
e.Iknowy ouhav ea
knackf ori nvestigati
onsofthiski nd.AndIwanty ou
i
noni t.
"
Lonwaboal
mostl
aughedmi
rt
hlessl
yatt
he
stat
ement.He'dwantedtobeputonthecaseto
savebot
hgi r
ls,butMotaunghadf
rozenhi
m out.
Andnowt hatoneofthegirl
swasdeadthi
sman
wantedhi
m back?
-Lonwabo:"
Iwantedtofi
ndt hem whentheywer
e
sti
llal
i
ve.Notdead,Capt
ain.Notdead!"
-Motaung:"Iknow, butthisisthesit
uationnow.We
needt ofi
ndt hatsecondgi rlandarr
estt hi
sguy
beforewef i
ndour selveswi t
habunchofdeadgi r
ls
onourhands.Hopef ull
yshe'sst i
l
lali
vewher evershe
i
s.Butr i
ghtnowIwanty ouandBut heleziatthe
cri
mesceneupi nHought on.Theboy sfrom
Norwoodwi llbewai t
ingf oryou."
Thiswas..
.f
unny .
..
weird.Justoverahouragohe'd
tr
iedtokil
lhimselfbecausehe'dthoughthehad
nothi
ngtolivefor.Andnowt heywantedhim backat
worktoinvesti
gateamur der
?
Chapt
er8
Wednesday
,26Febr
uar
y,09:
00
.
Naledijumpedof fherchairwhenLuxol obargedinto
herof f
icelookingallkindsofcrazy.She'dbeen
awar ethathewascomi ng.He'
dcal l
edfrom
downst ai
rsaski ngifshewasn'tbusy .Hernextcli
ent
wasonl ygoingt obeher ei
nahal fhour,andsoshe'd
tol
dhi mt hathecoul dcomeup.He' dsoundedodd
onthephonebutshehadnoi deahe' dbargein
l
ooki ngthispissedof f
.Hewasn' tangryhewas
fur
ious.Ifhewasadr agonhe'dbebr eathi
ngfir
e.
Andt hatwassounl ikehim.Luxolowasoneoft he
calmestpeopl eshe'dev erknown.She'dnev er
,not
evenonce, seenhi mt hisangry
.Thisguyhadnev er
l
osthi stemperev enwhenSkyr eall
ypushedhi s
buttons.Sowhywashet hi
sangrynow?
-
Nal
edi
:"Luxol
o,what
'sgoi
ngon?
"
-
Luxol
o:"
Wher
e'sshe,
Nal
edi
?Wher
e'sshe?
"
-
Naledi
:"Wher
e'swho?Whatarey
out
alki
ngabout
?"
Shewashonestl
yconfused.
Withatrembl
i
nghandhepul l
edanenv el
opefrom
hi
scoatpocketanddroppeditonherdesk.Naledi
hesi
tat
edbutthenpi
ckeditup.
-Naledi:"
What'sthi
s?"Theenv
elopehadhi
sname
wr i
tt
enoni t
,sowhywashegi vingi
ttoher
?She
didn'tunder
stand.
-
Luxol
o:"
Don'
tfuckwi
thme.Justopeni
tandr
ead.
"
Sheopenedi tandi mmedi atelysawSky '
s
handwrit
ingont hefirstpage, onthesecondonet oo,
andthenextone.Whatt hehellwasthis?Shestarted
readi
ng.Skyhadpour edherhear toutontothe
pages,t
elli
ngLuxol oev ery
thingthathadhappened
betweenherandSi ya,andaboutt hepaterni
tyofher
unbornbaby .Therewer eal otofapologi
esont he
pagesbutobv iousl
ynoneoft hem hadpenet r
ated
Luxol
o'shear t
.
Damn,thi
sai
n'
tgood,Naledi
thought
,put
ti
ngthe
l
ett
erbackonthedesk.HowcouldSkydothi
s?
-Nal
edi:
"Lu,I
'
mr eall
ysorr
yy ouhadtof i
ndoutt
his
way.IswearIdi
dn'tknow.Ididn'
tknowwhatshedid
unti
lshetol
dmeonMonday .Iknewt hatshewas
goingt
ocomecl eantoyoubutIdidn'
tknowshe
wasgoingtodoitinalet
ter.AndIdefi
nit
elydi
dn'
t
knowthatshewouldleave.It
houghtshewouldtal
k
i
toutwithyou,
notrunaway ."
Hekeptqui
et,j
ustbr
eat
hing.Ev
ident
lybat
tl
ingwit
h
hi
sanger.Whenhefi
nal
lyspokehesoundedless
angr
y.
-Luxol
o:"
Soy
ou'
ret
ell
i
ngmey
oudon'
tknowwher
e
sheis?"
-
Nal
edi
:"No,Lu.Iswear
.Whatexact
lyhappened?
Howdi
dy ougetthi
slet
ter
?Whendidsheleave?"
-Luxolo:"
Lastni
ght
.Igothome.We...
gotcl ose.She
receiv
edaphonecallfr
om Michael
,hercol l
eague,
askinghertocometothelabimmediately.Sheleft
.I
foundt hel
ett
eri
nadrawerintheki
tchen.Shedi dn'
t
comeback.Herphone'sbeenoffeversince."
-Nal
edi
:"Shelef
twhi
l
eyouwer
ether
e?Whatabout
hercl
othes?
"
-Luxolo:"Ever
ythi
ng'
ssti
l
linourapartment.Sheonly
l
ef twithherphoneandpurse.Michaelsay
shedi d
callherlastni
ghtbutshedidn'
tshowupatt helab.
Naledi
,pl
easet
ellmethet
rut
h.Yousur
eyoudon'
t
knowwheresheis?"
-Naledi:"Iswearonmyson'sli
fe,Idon'
tknow
anything.AndI '
m of
fi
cial
lywor
riednow.I'
m Sky'
s
bestfriend,Lu.Whydidn'
tshetellmewhatshewas
planning?Andwhywoul dshel
eav eever
ythi
ng
behind?Thi smakesnosense.I'm gonnahavetocal
l
hermot her.
"
-Luxolo:"I
fyouhearfrom Skytel
lherthatIsai
d
running'snotgonnahelpher,okay.Sheneedsto
comef acemeandanswerf orheracti
ons.
"He
grabbedt helet
terandmar chedoutthedoorwithout
evensay inggoodbye.
Naledi reachedforherphoneanddi alledSky'
s
numberi mmedi atel
yafterthedoorbangedcl osed.
Luxol ohadt oldherthatSky '
sphonewasof fbutshe
want edt obesur e.Wheni twentstraightto
voicemai lshecalledSky'smot her
.Mr sSiyanga
didn'tknowany t
hing.Saidshehadn' tspokentoSky
si
ncey esterdaymor ni
ng.
Thi
swasodd.Not
hingabouti
tfel
tri
ght
.
Naledihungupandsatbackdowni nherchai
r,her
kneesweak.Shecl osedhereyesandmassagedher
temples,herheadsuddenlyachi
ng.Somethi
ngwas
wrongandshewaswor r
iedaboutherf
ri
end.
Shewasaboutt
ocallRendani
,anot
herfr
iendof
Sky'
swhenaknockatthedoorarr
estedher
progr
ess.
-
Nal
edi
:"Comei
n,i
t'
sopen.
"
Whatthehel
l?Shecoul
dn'
tbel
i
eveherey
esasshe
l
ookedatthewell
-gr
oomedmanwalki
ngint
oher
of
fi
ce.
-
Her
:"S'
fi
so?
"
Hewalkedinandstoodbythedoor.Nal
edili
ter
all
y
f
roze.Shehadn'
tseenthi
smanf ace-
to-
facein8
year
s,andnowhewasst andi
nginheroffi
ce?
-Him:"Hi,Nal
edi.Canwepleasetal
k?"Hi
sv oicewas
surpr
isingl
ysoftandcalm.Completel
ydif
ferent
from howhe'dspokenont hephone.Ri
ghtnowhe
waspr acti
cal
lybegging.
-
Her
:"Tal
k?Aboutwhatexact
ly?
"Sher
ecov
ered.
-
Him:
"CanIhav
easeatf
ir
st?
"
-
Her
:"No.Emakadi
nao.
"St
and.
Heignor
edherharshcommandandwal
kedov
ert
o
si
tonthechai
rfacingherdesk.
-Him: "
First
ly,Iwantt oapologisef oreveryt
hingthat
happenedi nt hepast .Iknowt hatIdidy ouwr ong,
Naledi,andf orthatI'm sorr
y.I'
dlikeust ostart
afresh,forourson'ssake.Iwantt obei nmyson' s
l
ife.Ineedt hat,Naledi.He'stheonl ysonIhav e,the
onlysonI 'l
leverhav e."
Naledi keptquiet.Ev ent
soft hatfatefulni
ght
fl
ashingi nherhead.No, no, no,pl
easedon' tgother
e.
Shecl osedherey esanddr ewabr eath.Tryi
ngto
suppresst hevilememor yoft hi
smant ell
ingherto
aborttheirunbor nbabyal lthosey earsago.She
didn'
twantt olosehert emperi nherof fi
ce.Shehad
toremai nprofessi onali
nthisenv i
r onment.Butshe
stil
lgotupf rom herchai randst aredathim with
contempt .
-Her
:"S'
fi
so,Idonotwantyourmeani
ngl
ess
apol
ogies.Okay?I
nfact
,Idon'
twantany
thi
ngf
rom
you.Youl i
edt ome.Yougav emef alsehope
knowi ngv erywellthaty ouwer eonl ystri
ngingme
along, thatyouwer ewi t
hanot herwoman.You
i
mpr egnatedherbehi ndmyback.Andt heny ou
discar dedme.Tel l
ingmet hatIshoul dabortour
baby .Nowl i
stentome.Youdonothav easonwi th
me.Youwant edhi m abor t
ed, right?SoLeboi snot
yours.Hewoul dneverbey ours, Sfi
so.Youonl ywant
him nowbecausey oucan' thav eanot herson,as
you'vej ustsaid.That'
st heonl yr easony ouwantt o
bei nhi sli
fe.Howf uckingsel f
ishcany oube?You
couldn' thavesonswi tht hewomany ouchoseov er
me.Andshe' snowev endiv orcingy ourass.Serves
your ight,youknow.Ser v esy our ight."
Hecoveredhi
sfacewit
hbothhandsanddr
ewa
deepbreat
hbefor
espeaki
ngagain.
-Hi
m: "
Naledi,
please,I
'mtry
ingher
e.Can'tyousee?
Let'
spleasenottalkaboutt
hepast.Let
'sfocuson
thefut
ure."
Shecamet ostandri
ghtnextt
ohim,all
thedeep
seet
hinghatr
edandr ageshe'
dburi
edforsol
ong
bubbl
ingtothesurf
ace.Shewishedshecoul
dri
p
hi
mi ntoshredswit
hherbarehands.Butagai
n,she
hadtofighthardt
okeepherangerundercontr
ol.
..
becauseshedidn'
twantdramainheroffi
ce.Wrong
pl
ace,wr ongti
me.
-Her:"Let'
snott al
kaboutt hepast ?Let '
snott alk
aboutt hepast ?Pastiswher eI'm sti
lll
iving,S'
fiso.
Doy ouev enknowwhathappenedt omet henight
yout hrewmeoutofy ourapar t
ment ?Inev ergot
homet hatnight.MenIdi dn' tknowgott omewher eI
wasst andi ngwaiti
ngf ormycab.Theyt ookmet o
rapeme, S'fi
so.All
threeoft hem.Theybeatme.
Torturedme.Andl eftmef ordead.I ntheVaal .I
spentt womont hsinhospi talafterthat.Twomor ein
physio.Wi thdeepphy sical scarsandbr okenbones.
Thedoct or stol
dmet hatmybabyandIwer elucky
tobeal ive.Sono, youdon' tgett ositthereand
demandt obei nmyson' slife.Wedon' twanty ou
anywher enearus.Hearme?Wear edoi ngjustfine
withouty ou.Nowpl easel eav e.Leave!"
Helookedather .Andforamomentshethoughtshe
sawguilt
,remorseandsy mpat
hyi
nhiseyes.But
theyal
ldisappearedquickert
hanshewouldhave
l
i
ked.Herosefrom thechairandtuckedhishandsi
n
t
hepocket
sofhi spants,hi
sgazesquar el
yonher
f
ace.Hi
sexpressionunreadable.
-
Him:"
I'
vetri
ed.I
'
ver
eall
ytr
ied.Don'
tsayIdi
dn'
t.
"
Andwi
ththathewal
kedoutoftheoff
ice.
Iwasstupi
dtothinkthi
sbastar
dwouldeverbe
remor
seful
,shethought,
herangerboi
l
ingover
.
Daycompl
etel
yrui
ned.
.
.
.
Wednesday
,26Febr
uar
y,09:
30
"Randf oryourt
houghts?"Bongani saidasthey
wal kedupthestone-pavedf ootpat
hintheurban
foresttheJoburger
scal l"
TheWi l
ds"-16acresof
i
ncr edibl
eindi
genousv egetati
onandl ov
elyhil
l
sthat
Lonwabowasv eryfami l
i
arwi th.
Lonwabodi dn'
tsayany t
hing,hejustshruggedhis
shoulder
sandcont inuedupt hesteep,oldpathway
thatusual
lyledtothepromi seofreachingthetopto
cl
aim aspectacularviewofJoburg'
sskyli
ne.Today
,
howev er,
itwasleadingthem toacri
mescene, t
o
wheret hebodyofay ounggirll
aydead.That
tr
oubledLonwabo.Andi tsur
edidn'
thelpthatt
he
cri
mescenewasr i
ghtinhisbackyar
d.
Hewasar esidentinaKi llarneyf latthatf lankedThe
Wi lds.HeandSeset huhadf requent edt hi sol dpark,
wal kingKi smet-Seset hu'sDober mant hatwasnow
l
ivingwi thLonwabo' stwi nbr otheri nPr etor ia.
Kismethadneededdai lywal king, buthi snei ghbours'
crimescar est ori
eshadkeptLonwabof rom
vent uringbey ondt hewal loff oli
agehi ski tchen
windowl ookedont o.He' ddr ivet oot herpar ksfor
wal ksunt i
lhemetGor gio, aFr enchpai nt erwhol iv
ed
ont hef i
rstfl
oorofhi sapar tmentbui lding.Gor gio
alsohadadogandwhenhet oldLonwabot hathe'd
beenwal ki
ngTheWi ldsf ort woy earsandnot hing
terriblehadev erhappenedt ohi m, Lonwabohad
j
oi nedhi m.He, Gorgio, Seset huandt hei rdogshad
enjoy edt hispieceofheav enandnot hinghadev er
happenedt othem.Somet imest hey '
dmeetanodd
coupl e, school gr
ouporot herdogwal ker s, but
essent
iall
ythey'
dhavethepar
ktothemselves.Ther
e
wasnot hi
ngscaryher
e.Butwit
hthi
smur derallt
hat
wasaboutt ochange.
Gor gi
owast heonewho' ddi scov eredthebodyear l
y
thismor ningwhi lewal kinghi sdog.Lonwabowoul d
hav ebeent heret ooifhe' dcomeal ong.Whenhe' d
droppedGor gioof fforav isitatt hehospi t
al l
ast
night,theguyhadaskedhi mt ocomeal ongf ora
wal kthismor ning,butt hathadn' thappened.
Stroll
ingi nthispar ti
cul arpar kwast helastthing
Lonwabowant ed.Andhewasnol ongerkeenon
spendi ngal otoft i
mewi thGor gio.ThisFrenchguy
hadsomewhatbecomehi scol leagueov erthepast
fewmont hs.Noti nlawenf orcementbuti nart.On
Saturday st heybot ht aughtar tt okidsatashel t
er
cateringf orabusedanddi sadv antagedchi l
drenup
i
nMi drand.Andt hatwasal lthet imeLonwabowas
nowwi ll
ingt ospendwi ththemanwhor eminded
him somuchofSeset hu.
-
Bongani
:"Looksl
i
kei
t'
sgonnar
ain.
"
Thecloudswer
edar
kandlow.I
twouldst
artr
aini
ng
soon.Andthewi
ndwasev
encoldert
odayasifit
wasawi nterday .ForLonwabo, whowasi nf l
uenced
bycolouri nalmostev erything, i
tseemedt heonl y
oneleftint hewor l
dr i
ghtnowwasgr ay.Buthe
wasn'tgoi ngtot ellBongani that.Henev ertalked
abouthi scondi t
ion.He' dbeenl ivingwi t
hitf or21
year
snowbuthewasst il
l notcomf ort
abletal ki
ng
aboutit.Ifpeopl edon' tunder standy ourneur ological
condit
ioni tbecomeseasyf ort hem t ocallyoucr azy.
Anditcer tainl
ydi dn'thel pt hathe, hi
msel f
,thought
hewasaf reak.Nal edi probabl yt houghthewasa
fr
eakt oo.Thatwoul dexpl ai nwhyshemadei t
perf
ect l
ycl earthatshewoul dnev erdatehi m.Fuck,
whywasheev ent hinkingabouther ?Hecoul dn't
aff
ordt hatr i
ghtnow, itwoul ddi stracthim.
-Lonwabo:"Hopefull
ythef
orensi
csteam wi
l
lbe
doneprocessingthescenebefor
ethefi
rstr
ain
dropshitt
hegr ound."
-Bongani:
"Ihopesotoo.AndI'm gl
adyou'r
eback,
partner
.Sit
ti
ngony ourassfeel
ingsorr
yforyour
sel
f
andobsessingoveryourdaughter'
sdeathwasnota
gooduseofy ourti
me."
-
Lonwabo:
"Idon'
tl
ikey
ourchoi
ceofwor
ds,
Bongani
.
Theymightj
ustpi
ssmeof
f.Buty
es,
I'
m gl
adt
obe
backt
oo."
-Bongani
:"Butdon'
tyouev
ergett
ir
edofi
t?Chasi
ng
scum, murder
ers?"
-
Lonwabo:
"It
'swhatIdo,
Bongani
.IfIdi
dn'
thav
e
t
his,
I'
dhavenothi
ng.
"
-Bongani:
"Oh,i
fonl
ymorepeopl
ecoul
dreal
i
se
happinessthr
oughhomi
cide.
"
Washebei ngsar casti
c?Lonwabocoul dn'ttel
l,he
wasn' tgoodatr ecogni si
ngsarcasm.Sohej ust
i
gnor edhi spar t
nerandkeptwal king,approaching
thecr i
mescene.Ther ewasal otofact iv
ity.A
numberofof f
icers,andcr i
mesceneexper tswho
wer est i
llcombi ngf orcluesthatcouldassi stthe
i
nv estigation.Thescenewascor donedof fwiththe
policet ape, whichLonwaboduckedundert ogett o
thebodycov eredont heground.
"
Hey
,st
op.Whoar
eyou?Thi
sisacr
imescene.
"
Lonwabostoppedandlookeduptoseetheman
standi
ngi
nsidethecor
donedarea.Hehadalean
bodyandafuck-youat
ti
tude.
-
Lonwabo: "
I'
m Det ect
iveWarrantOfficerLonwabo
Gamaandt hati smypar t
ner,
Det ect
iceSer geant
BonganiButhelezi
.From theHil
lbrowst at
ion."He
i
ntr
oducedhi mselfbutmadenomov et oreachhis
SAPScredentials.
-
TheMan:"Ohyou'
ret
hefamousGama.I
'
m
Det
ect
iveMkhi
ze.Nor
woodstat
ion.
"
-
Lonwabo:
"Famous?
"
-Mkhize: "
Capt ai
nMot aungsaidyou'dbehere.And
yourf ri
endov ertherealsocall
edyoubyname. "He
pointedov ertoGor gi
owhowasf l
ankedbyt wo
uniformsout sidethecor donedof
farea-probably
sti
llbeingaskedal lsortsofquest
ions."Hesaidyou
weresupposedt ocomewi t
hhimforawalkt hi
s
mor ning.Whydi dn'tyou?"
-Lonwabo:"
Iover
slept
."Hedi
dn'
tneedt
oexpl
ain
himselft
othi
sman.
-
Mkhi ze:
"Yeah.Noshit.
"Heey edLonwabo,
obv
iouslysizi
nguphisunkemptappearanceand
l
ookingunfavourabl
yimpressed.
-
Lonwabo:
"Idon'
thav
eti
met
ofuckar
ound.CanI
seethebodynow?I
'mtakingover
."Hi
saver
siont
o
thi
smanwassmal l
,butgermi
nati
ngli
keaseed,f
ast
.
-
Mkhi
ze:
"Excuseme?Honest
ly,
Idon'
tevenknow
whyy
ou'
rehere.Thi
sismycr
imescene.
"
-Lonwabo: "
AndIdon' tknowwhywe' r
eev en
discussi ngt his.Ibeli
ev et hegi r
l l
yingov erther ehas
beeni dentifi
edonsi t
easOwam Di ke,ourmi ssing
per son.She' dbeenmi ssingf or8day sbefor eher
bodygotdi scov er
ed.Ther e'sanot hergirlwho' sbeen
mi ssingf or3day snow.Hername' sLeratoPhi r
i.
Likel ytakenbyt hesamecr eepwho' smur der ed
Owam.Weonl yhav eaf ewday sbef orewef i
ndher
splay edatanot herpar k.Ther ei snot i
met owast e.
Wor kingthiscasecoul dleadust oLer ato'
s
wher eabout s.Butifyouandy ourdogswantt opi ss
i
tawayandr i
skLer ato'slife,I
'll
gladlyaddmyl ittl
e
stream. "Thiswasnotev enNor wood' sjurisdiction.
Hedi dn'tknowwhyt hisguywasst art
ingat ur fwar .
Buthewoul dnotpar ticipateini t
.
-
Mkhize:
"Fine.Knockyoursel
fout.
"Hissmalleyes
wer
esetcloset oget
herbeneathanaggressi
ve
f
rown.NotthatLonwabocar ed.
Hemov edalong,f
oll
owedbyBongani .Hest oodnext
tothebodyandpol it
elyaskedoneoft hetwo
for
ensicanal y
stst
ouncov erit.Whenhi seyes
l
andedoni theimmedi at
elyknewt hathewasi ndeed
l
ookingatOwam Di ke.Her ecognisedherfrom the
photoshe'dseenbackatt hest at
ion.Onlydiff
erence
nowwast hatinhi
sey esherbodywasout li
nedina
ter
rif
yingshadeofblue.
Becauseofhisconditi
onLonwabomost l
ythoughti
n
colour
,someti
mescoupl edwithimages.He
associ
atedoddthings,l
ikedeath,wit
hacolour.I
n
thecaseofdeath,i
twasav isceralel
ectr
icbl
uethat
couldrai
sethehair
sont hebackofhi sneckand
makehi mfeelsi
cktohisstomach.
Hehadbeenwor ki
ngmur derscenesf oroverten
years.Heshoul df eelperf
ect l
ynat ural
here,buthe
didnot .Hef el
tli
keal lt
heai raroundhim wasbei ng
suckedawayf rom hi m.Thinkingaboutt heparents
ofthisy ounggirl
.Howt heywoul dfeelwhenthey
seet heirdaughterlikethi
s.Hef oughthardagainst
hisemot i
onsthenl ookedatt hebodyagai n.Shewas
compl etelynaked.Herhear tcutoutandt heoutside
ofhergeni
tal
smut
il
ated.Si
ckf
uck!
"Defi
nit
elynotmurderedher
e.Anditcan'
tbemore
than24hour sago.Butdon'
tquot
emeont hel
att
er,
"
saidtheforensi
canalyst
.
Lonwabo'
sheadwasdancingt
herhythmlessdance
ofthesl
eepl
ess,
thought
sjumpi
ng,unfocused,
wit
houtdept
h.
Chapt
er9
Wednesday
,26Febr
uar
y,14:
30
.
YoungLebowal kedbehi ndhi scl assmat est ot he
exit
.School wasout ,andf iv
ehundr edchi ldren
pour edout sidet heirclassrooms, eagert ogethome
andpr obabl ypl aysi l
lygamesandwat chtel ev i
sion.
Lebonev ersawanypoi ntinwat chingTVunl essi t
wasoneoft hoseeducat ional gameshowsor
Discov er yChannel orNat i
onal Geogr aphicWi ld.He
hadnot imef orst upidcartoons, notwhent her e
weresomanybookst oreadandmi nd- st
imul ating
boardgamest opl ay.Notsomanypeopl egothi m,
buthi sgr annydi d.Sheunder stoodt hathewas
diff
er ent ,hi
smot herdidn't.Itseemedl ikemommy
didn'twantt obel i
ev eoracceptt hathersonwasn' t
l
ikemostki dshi sage. .
.butgr anny ?Gr anny
under stoodanddi dn'ttr
yt omakehi m somet hi nghe
wasnot .May beitwasbecauseshespental otof
ti
mewi thhi m.Mommyonl yt ookov eronweekends.
Nott hathebl amedhert hough.Heunder st ood,
bettert hananyofhi speer s,thatgr ownupsneeded
t
oworktoprov
idef
ort
heirf
ami
l
ies.Heknewt
hat
moneydi
dn'
tgrowont
rees.
Hest oodont hev er
andaandwat chedasal ineof
vehicl
esi dl
edalongtheparentpickupl ane,justpast
t
heschool fl
agpoleandbikerack.Att hemi nibus
l
oop, minibusesspewedexhausti nt
ot heair,wait
ing
withtheirsli
dingdoorsopen.Student sdispersed
i
ntodi f
ferentgroups-somer unningt owardt he
minibusloop, ot
herstowardtheirparentpickup.
Lebost oodstil
lundert heshelt
erandwat ched.It
wasr aini
ngsof t
lyandhi sgrannywasn' thereyet.
Shehadnocart oday,mommyhadt akeni tt
his
mor ni
ngbecauseher swasbr oken.Gr annysaid
she'dtakeanUberbutLebowasseei ngnoUber
here.Heknewal lthecarsintheparentpi ckuparea,
theyallbelongedt otheotherparents.Grannywas
probablyjustrunninglateandshe'dbeher esoon.
Theylivedonly10mi nutesawayaf t
eral l
.
Buttenminutesl
aterhewasst il
lstandingonthe
samepositi
on,hi
sgr annynowheret obeseen.Mrs
Mil
ler,
hist
eacher,waswai ti
ngwithhim, chat
ti
ng
hi
m up.HelikedMrsMi ll
er.Shewasni ce.But
every
thi
ngshetaughti
ncl
assheal
readyknew.And
thatwasfr
ust
rati
ng.
-MrsMi ll
er:
"I'
mjustgonnagogetmybagf r
om t
he
classroom andberightback.Don'
tl
eav
ethi
sspot,
okay ?
"
-
Him:
"Okay
."
Shewal kedbacktot heclassroom ashi
sey es
scannedt heareaforhisgrannyagain.Awhi t
ecar
droveinandpul l
edupi nthemi ddleoft
hepar ent
pickuplane.ItwasaToy otaCor ol
la,
sameasuncl e
Sebasti
an's,butdif
ferentcolour.I
twasprobablyhis
granny'
sUber .
-Hi
m: "
MrsMil
ler
!"Hecall
edout."
Ithi
nkmygr
anny
's
her
e."ButMr
sMi l
lerdi
dn'
trepl
y.
Hef i
xedhi sbeani ethengr abbedhisAl bertEinst
ein
backpack-agi ftf r
om granny ,andslungi toverhis
shoulder
sbef orel eavi
ngt hev er
anda.Her andown
thesidewalkpastmul ch-
pl antedbushesandt othe
parentpickuparea.Al lt
hechi ldrenhadal ready
comeandgone, andt helanewasempt yexceptfor
theCorolla.Thet eacherandadmi ni
strati
onpar ki
ng
l
otwasaheadwi
thonl
yaf
ewcar
slef
t,i
ncl
udi
ngMr
s
Mil
l
er'
s.
Hestoppedwhenamanhedidn'
trecognisecame
outofthedr
iver
'ssi
deoft
heCor
oll
a,lookingathi
m.
-
Theman:
"Lebo?
"
-Lebo:"Where'
smygr anny
?"Thi
swasli
kel
ythe
Uber'sdri
verbutLebowasnotaboutt
ocomeany
closerunt
ilhisgr
annyhadcomeoutofthecar
.
-Theman:
"Justcomewi
thmeandI
'
llt
akey
out
o
her.
"
Lebot ookast epback.Gr annywasnother e,
and
tal
kingtimewasov er.Heknewbet t
erthantotal
kto
str
anger s,l
etalonegetint heircars.Hewasaboutto
boltandr unbacktot hev erandawhenhef el
t
someonegr abhisbackpackf rom behi
nd.Huh?He
tur
nedswi f
tl
y,hisheartracing.Onlytobemetbyt he
warm, famili
areyes.Mr sMi ll
er.
-Her
:"Itol
dyounottol
eav
ethatspot
.Gobacknow
andI'
llhandl
ethi
s."
Howdi
dthi
smangeti
ntot
heschool
groundsi
fhe
wasn'twithapar
ent
?Hewonder
edasher
anbackt
o
t
hev eranda.
.
.
.
Wednesday
,26Febr
uar
y14:
45
Naledihur ri
eddownt hecorridortoMi chael'
sof f
ice
i
nt heChemi strydepar tment .She'
dgot tenhis
numberf rom Luxol othencal ledhim andaskedf ora
meet.Shehadt wohour stospar ebef or
ehernex t
cli
ent,andwhatbet terwayt ouset hem t hantofind
outwhatexact l
yhappenedt oherf ri
end.Luxolo
didn'
tbel i
ev eSkywasmi ssingandwasn' tgoi
ngt o
doany thingt of i
ndher ,soitwasupt oNal edit
oget
thefactsbef or eshecoul dgot othepolice.She
neededt ol ookMi chael str
aightintheey easshe
askedhi mt hei mpor tantquest i
on:"Whyexact lydid
youcal lSkyl astnight?"
He'
daskedhertocometotheuniver
sit
y-heral
ma
mater-andtol
dherwher
ehisoff
icewas.Sohere
shewas.Readi
nghisnameonthedoor.
Mi
chael
Greenber
g.
Sheknockedandwastoldtocomei
n.Shestepped
i
nsideandhereyesl
andedonatal
l,
blondman
l
eaningonthebackwall
,l
ooki
ngoutthewi
ndow.
-
Her:"
Mike?
"She'
dnev
ermetMi
chael
bef
ore.She
onl
yknewofhi
mf r
om Sky
.
Heturnedt
olookatherandsmi
l
ed,
hisbl
ueey
es
spar
kli
ng.
-Him:"Nal
edi
,hi
,"hi
ssmil
ebr oadened."Pl
easehav
e
aseat."Heseemedtohaveseenherbef ore.I
n
pict
uresmaybe?Hewaspr obablytheguySky
wantedtohookherupwith.I
nsanei dea.
Shesatdownandqui
ckl
ygott
hepl
easant
ri
esoutof
theway.
-
Her:"
Ihearyoucall
edSkylastni
ghtandaskedher
t
ocomet othelabimmediatel
y.Why?"Herey
es
wer
eonhi s,
readi
nghim.
-
Him:"Why'
sever
yoneaski
ngmeaboutSkyt
oday
?I
t
houghtyoucametoseeme."
-
Her
:"I
'
m sor
ryi
fImadei
tsoundl
i
ket
hiswasa
socialcall
.I'
m onl yhereaboutSky .I'
m worriedabout
her.AsI'm surey ou'veal readyheard,shedidn't
comehomel astnightaf t
ersheleftforthelab.No
one'sheardf rom hersi nce.You'retheonewho
call
edhersoi t'
sonl ynat uralt
owantt ohearf rom
youwhyy oucal l
edheri n."Shekeptherv oi
cel ow
andsof t,
toindicat ethatshewasn' tf
ighti
ngwi th
him, j
ustconcer nedaboutherf ri
end.
-Him:"Wel
l,I
'
m gonnat
ell
youthesamethi
ngIt
old
herhusband.Ical
l
edandaskedhert
ocomebutshe
didn'
tshowup."
-
Her
:"Whydi
dyouaskhert
ocomesol
ateatni
ght
?"
-Him:"Look, Iknowt hatSky'
smar r
ied.I'
vealway s
respectedt hatandnev ercall
edhersol at
e,butlast
nightIdidn'thav eachoice.See,Ialway scomet o
thelabar oundt hatt
imet owor k.Andilewouldjoin
meal ittl
el aterandwe'dgohomear oundmi dnight.
Wewor kt hroughoutthedayandgohomet orestat
17:00,thenI '
dcomebackar ound20: 00.Wehav ea
l
oomi ngdeadl i
ne.Butwecoul dn'taskSkyt oalso
wor kl
atebecauseshe' sanewl ywed."
-
Her
:"Pl
easegett
othepoi
nt.
"
-
Him:"Thepointis,whenIgother
elastni
ghtIf
ound
t
helabdestr
oy ed.Vandal
ised.
"
-
Her
:"Vandal
i
sed?
"
-Him: "
Yes.AndIcalledSkybecausewhenI
contactedtheguyatI Thet oldmet hatthecar d
readerindi
catedthatSkywast helastonet oaccess
thelab.Exactl
yaroundt hattime,alit
tl
eaf ter
nineteenhundredhours.Nobodyget sinoroutoft he
l
abwi t
houtanaccesscar d.Andwedon' tletanyone
who'snotinourt eam inthere.I
t'
sar estri
ctedarea."
-
Naledi
:"Becauseoft
her
esear
chy
ou'
rewor
king
on?
"
-Him:"Peopl
est eal andmanyofourchemi calsare
toxic.
..We'
redoi ngagov er
nmentf undedr esear
ch.
Andnowwe' r
escr ewed.Ourequi pmenti sdestr
oyed,
andwi thi
tcount lesssampl esthathav ebeen
painstaki
ngl
ypr epar ed.I
twillprobablytakeusa
coupleofmont hst oregeneratethatdata."
-
Her
:"Andy
out
hinkSkydi
dit
?"
-Him:"Idon'tknowwhatt othi
nk,Naledi.Butli
keI
said,t
hecar dreadersaysSkywast herealone
aroundt hatti
me.AndwhenIcal l
edhert ocomeand
explai
nwhatex act
lyhappened,shedidn'tshowup.
Shest i
llhasn'
tshownupbuthercar 'sbeenf ound
herethismor ning.
"Thatwasnewst oNal edi.Lux
olo
hadn'ttoldheranythi
ngaboutthecar .Butthenagai
n,
theguywast ooangrytotalk.
-Her:
"Well
,Icant
ell
yout hismuch.Skywouldnev er
destr
oywhatshe'
sinvestedsomuchi n.Andaround
7lastni
ghtshewasnowher eneart
hisuni
versi
ty.
Shewaswi thmeinmyof fice,
inRosebank.
Somebodymusthav estolenhercard.
"
-Hi
m: "
That'
spossibl
e.Butwewon' tknowunti
lshe
showsupandexpl ai
neveryt
hing.Wedon'thave
camerashere.Butacri
minalcasehasbeen
opened.
"
-
Her
:"Acr
imi
nal
caseand.
..
"
Shestoppedwhenherphoner
ang.I
twasherson'
s
school
.
.
.
.
Wednesday
,26Febr
uar
y,15:
30
Lonwabopul ledupinthesmallparki
ngacrossthe
streetfrom thebuil
dinghealwaysdreadedwalking
i
nto-t heHi l
lbrowmor t
uary.I
twasan
unpr epossessingpl
acef r
om theoutsi
de:anoldtwo-
storeybuildi
ngwi t
hal otofbi
gsteelwindowsand
anexposedbr i
ckf
oundation.
Thecol ourblueheassociatedwi thdeathhad
i
niti
all
ybeenl imit
edtobodi es.Butnowt hi
s
parti
cularmor t
uaryandev eryt
hingwi t
hinakil
ometr
e
ofitwasbl ue.Hehadf i
rstexperiencedthi
sthe
fourt
ht i
mehecameher e, andithadbeent hatway
eversince.May beitwasbecauseoft hehigh
numberofdeadbodi eshe'dseenher e.
Hecoul dneveradequatel
yexpl
aintoanyonewhati
t
fel
tli
ket oseebluestr
eet,bl
uestr
eetlamps,bl
ue
grass,orabluewallonabuildi
ngyouknewwas
paintedgrey.
Het
ookadeepbr
eat
handl
ookedatt
hemor
tuar
y
entr
ance,wher
eBonganiandMi ssDike,
mot herof
Owam, werewait
ingf
orhim.Mi ssDi
kehadbeen
cal
ledandwasnowher etoidenti
fyt
hebodyofher
daught
er.Themostdif
fi
cultthi
ngforaparenttodo,
Lonwaboknew.
Hef eltnauseous, thesamewayhef eltbackatt he
crimescene.He' dfoughthar dtokeepi ttogether
then.Andwhenhewasf eelingcomf ortablewor king
thescenehe' df ellbacki ntot herout i
net hathehad
empl oyedi ncount lessot heri nvestigat i
ons.He' d
walkedar oundandobser vedandaskedquest ions.
He'dwal kedar oundt heper imeteroft hescene
several ti
mes.Lookedati tf r
om ev erypossi ble
vantagepoi nt.Hischi efstrengt hhadal way sbeen
obser vation.Lookingar oundandseei ngt hings, but
notthewaymostpeopl edi d.He'dbui ltconv i
ctions
from smal ldetail
st hatmostov er
looked, i
ncluding,
mostsi gnifi
cantly,theoneswhohadcommi t
tedt he
crimes.Butt histimear oundhehadn' tseenany thing
thatcoul dbeacl ueatt hescene.Pr obabl ybecause
thescenewasn' tpr i
mar y.
Hi
sey
esr
emai
nedonMi
ssDi
ke.Shewasi
nherl
ate
30s,asingl
eparent,he'dbeent ol
d.Howwasshe
goingtodeal wi
ththi
sal one?From whereLonwabo
wassi t
ti
ngshelookedt enseandscar ed.Hishear
t
brokeforher.Emphathyandi tsclosecousin
sympathyhadst oppedbei nghisbestfr
iends21
yearsago,butnotwheni tcamet odeath.Deathwas
thereasonhewassi tt
ingher e.Deathwast he
reasonhebecameacop.He' dalwaysfeeli
tandhe'd
alwaysbeempat heti
candsy mpatheti
cwheni twas
i
nv ol
ved.
Heclosedhi sey esandconsul t
edthemanabov e,
aski
ngHimt ogi vethispoorwomanst rength
becauseheknewex actlywhatshewasf eel
ing.It
wasashor tpr ayer,
af t
erwhi chhegotoutoft hecar
andslowl
ycr ossedt hestreettohispartner
,a
shal
lowti
r ednessper v
adinghi sbody.Thank
heavensther ainhadnowst oppedorhewasgoi ng
tohavetor un.
Fl
uorescentl
ight
sandt hesmellofindustr
ial
-
str
engthanti
septicmetthem astheyenteredthe
mortuar
y.Theinsideofthebuil
dingwasev enmor e
spart
ananddepr essi
ngthantheoutside:t
henarrow
corri
dors,
thesmells,t
hememor iesofmacabrepost
-mortemsLonwabohadt oat t
end.Butaboveallhe
dreadedtheident
if
icat
ionofthedead-at er
ri
ble
momentofhugedi scomf or
tanddistr
essi
ng
emot i
onforthenextofkin.
Het ri
edtopr epar
eMi ssDiket hebesthecoul d
beforeshecoul dseet hebody .Wheni tgotr ev
ealed,
from headtoshoul ders,t
hepoorwomanst oodstil
l.
Allthreeofthem staredatt hebody .Lonwabo
noticedthatithadnotbeenpr eparedy et.Ther
ewer e
stil
lacoupleofdr yleavesembeddedt ohernatural
hairanddirtonherf ace.Butt hatwasn'tsurpri
sing,
theyhadal otofbodi estodeal wi
thher e.
Itbecamedeathlyquieti
nther
oom forthenextf
ew
minutes.Theonlysoundcamefrom outsi
de,
somewher einthecorri
dor,
asoundofat r
oll
eybei
ng
pushedalong,onecrookedwheelmakingan
annoyingsqueak.
MissDikestoodmot i
onlessforsol
ongthat
Lonwabot houghtt
heidenti
fi
cati
onwasn'tgoi
ngt
o
bepositi
ve.
-
Her
:"I
t'
sher
.It
'sOwam.
"
Shefinal
lysai
d,nearl
yinaudi
ble.Andthenherl
egs
gaveway .Shewouldhavehitthefl
oorhadLonwabo
notreachedouttocatchherandhelptosteadyher
,
onehandonherar m, onebehi
ndherback.
Sheonlybegantoweepasshewal kedoutsi
de,
fl
ankedbybothdetect
ives.Lonwabooffer
edt odr
ive
herhomeasBongani r
eturnedtothestati
on.Ther
e
wasnoot herway.
Noneofthem spokeastheydrovet
oThokoza,a
townshi
pinthesouthofJo'
burg.Helett
hepoor
womancr ysi
lent
lyi
nthepassengerseat
.Cr
yingwas
goodforher.
-Her:"
Promisemet hatyou'l
lfi
ndwhodidthist
omy
daughter.
"Shefinal
lysai
dwhent hecarpul
ledupin
frontofhershackinaninformalset
tl
ementofthe
township.
Lonwabol
ookedatherl
ongandhar
d,f
eeli
ngt
he
pai
nshewasfeel
ing.Heknewt
hathecoul
dnot
makesuchapromisebut
..
.
-
Him:
"Youhav
emywor
d,ma'
am.Iwon'
tl
ett
his
casedie.Iwon'
tletthisbastar
dbej ustanother
murdererwhohasj oinedthehordesoft he
unarr
ested,j
ustanotherstati
sti
c."
-Her
:"Owam wasmyf ir
stborn,
youknow.Myhope.
Bendi
cinganguy eozosi
khuphaendlal
eni
.Ngoku
kunj
e?"Ithoughtshe'
dbet heonetodeli
verusf
rom
pover
ty,nowthis?
Shesniff
edandal onetearranoutofherrighteye.
Lonwabo,withhisheartbreaki
ng,didn'
tmov e.He
wait
edunt i
lshe'
drecoll
ectedherselfandwipedher
tear
s.Heclearedhisthroat,
wantingtoaska
questi
on.
-Hi
m: "
WhenIwasr eadingthest atementsand
i
ntervi
ewsinthemi ssi
ngper sonsf il
eearl
ier
,I
noti
cedthatyousaidOwam di dn'thaveaboyfr
iend.
Whensomeone' smur dered,theirpart
neralway
s
becomesthef ir
stsuspect.I
nt hiscaseOwam di dn'
t
haveapartner.Whataboutex- boy f
ri
ends?"
-Her
:"Justone.Ayabonga.ButIcantell
y outhis
much, t
hatboy'
sgotnot hi
ngtodowi ththis.He'
snot
evenaround.Theywerenol ongerseei
ngeachot her
whenOwam wentmi ssi
ng.Theyweret
ogetherl
ast
year
,inhi
ghschool
,thenlastmont
hhelef
ttostudy
i
nFreeState.
"
-Him:"Isee.ButIhadtoask.I'
llkeepy
ouposted
aboutthei nv
esti
gati
on,okay.Andagain,
I'
m sorr
yfor
yourloss."Hedidn'
twanttoaskanymor equesti
ons,
atleastnottoday.Thi
smot her'
spainwassti
llt
oo
fresh.
Hewat chedhergetoutoft hecarandj umpov era
pool ofr ainwaterathergat e.Thewhol ethi
ngt ook
him backt owhenhewasst illalit
tleboy ,l
iv
ingwi t
h
hisaunti naninformal set t
lementi nSi teC,
Khay eli
tsha.Itwasn' tthebestpl acetol iv
ein,but
he'denj oy edhisli
fet her e.Onweekendsheandhi s
fri
end, Mzwandi l
e, woul dhel pouther eandt here
aroundt hetaxirankandear naf ewr andst obuy
theirfavour i
temagwi nyaf r
om KwaNgena-asmal l
super mar ketthatal sosol df astfoodbyt hetaxi r
ank.
Itwasf ununt i
lataxi hithim andchangedhi sli
fe,
andwhohewas, forev er.Hewas12wheni t
happened.Ther esul ti
ngbr aint r
aumahadal most
kil
ledhim.Andwhi l
ehehadsur vived,theblowhad
for
cedhisbrai
ntorewi
rei
tselftoal
lowheal
ingt
o
occur.Andt
hispr
ocesshadlefthi
m adif
fer
ent
person.
Chapt
er10
Wednesday
,26Febr
uar
y,18:
30
.
ThemomentNal edisteppedi nsidet heHill
brow
poli
cestat
ionsher emember edt hatLonwabosai d
heworkedher e.Abi gpar tofherwi shedshecoul d
seehim eventhoughshewoul dn'tknowwhatt osay
aft
erwhatshe' dsaidt ohiml astni ght.Shebrokehis
heartl
astnight,shecoul dseei ti
nhi seyesbef or
e
shegotoutofhi scar.Shebr okehi sheartbecause
shewasconcer nedaboutpr ot ectinghers.Truthwas,
shewasasscar edofhear t
breakasshewasofmen.
Shekeptwalking,wishingshecouldgetanother
chancetoseeLonwaboandmaket hingsri
ght.But
thensheremember edt hathe'
dsaidhewasonl eave,
sochancesofbumpi ngintohi
m herewerezero.She
shookherhead, wonder i
ngwhyshewasev en
thi
nkingabouthim afterthecr
azydayshe'dhad.
Immediatelyaft
err
eceivi
ngthecal
lfr
om Lebo's
schoolshe'dlef
tMike'
soffi
ceanddrovestr
aightt
o
Glenvi
sta.Getti
ngt
herehadtakenherabout15
minutes,onlytof i
ndhersoncurli
ngi
nachairi
nMr s
Mil
ler'
sof f
ice,scared.Hi
sgrandmahadn'
tcometo
pi
ckhi m up,insteadanunknownmanhadt r
iedto
gettohim, totakehim.S'f
iso.Nal
edi
hadnodoubtin
hermind.
Getti
ngpastt heguar datthegat
eandi ntothenout
oftheschool premiseshadonlycosthim R300and
asimpl eli
e.Theschool wasnotsafe.Thechi l
dren
weren'tsafe.Naledihadlodgedacompl ai
nt
i
mmedi at
elyandwoul dseet oi
tthattheguardin
questi
ongotf ir
ed.
Thenshe'drushedhome,tofi
ndoutwhatwasgoing
onwi t
hhermot her
.Somethi
nghadtobewr ong.Ma
Catheri
nehadnotbeenansweringherphoneandit
wasunl i
kehertonotshowupforLebo.
She'dpul
ledupinthedri
v ewayandi mmedi ately
noti
cedthatthefr
ontdoort othehousewasaj ar
.
She'di
nstant
lyfel
tit
.Thewr ongnessofi t
.Theheav y
dreadshecouldactual
l
yt aste.Andithadtast edbad.
HadS'fi
sodonesomet hingt ohermotherjustsohe
couldgettoLebo?Herhear tbeati
ngfaster,she'd
l
eftLebointhecarandrushedi nsi
det hehouse.
Whenshesawhermot herlyingonthecouch, her
hear
thadalmostst
opped.OhmyGod, she'sdead.
Butwhenshegottoher,she'dfel
therstrongpulse.
Shewasn'
tdeadbutsleeping.OhthankGod.
"Nwabi
sawasher
e."MaCat
her
inehadsai
dwhen
shewokeup.
Nwabisa,thei rhelper ,
usual l
ycamei nonFr idaysto
dolaundryandi roning, butnowshe'dshownupona
Wednesdayj ustfora" chat"withMaCat herine.
Apparentl
yt hewomanhadmadecof feefort hem
andthatwast helastt hingMaCat herine
remember ed.She' donl ycamet owhenNal ediwoke
herup.Itdidn'tneedageni ustoseet hatNwabi sa
hadputsomet hi
ngi nMaCat heri
ne'
scof f
ee.Ort hat
she'
dbeenpai dtodoi t.ByS'fi
so.S'
fi
sowasbehi nd
all
thi
s.Nal edi wassur eofi t
.Butshecoul dn't
confi
rm hersuspi cionsei t
herfrom Nwabi saorLebo.
Nwabisawasnowheretobefound.AndwhenLebo
sawpict
uresofS'
fi
sohedidn'
tident
if
yhi
m asthe
manwho'dtri
edtotakehi
mf r
om school
.Thenagai
n,
sheknewthatS'
fi
sohadalwayshadaknackof
havi
ngpeopledohisscut
workforhi
m.Andshe
coul
dn'tev enbesur pr
isedwhenhedenied
ever
y t
hingov erthephonewhenshecal l
edhim.She
hadexpect ednot hi
nglessfr
om anaccomplished
l
iarl
ikehi m.Onet hi
ngwasf orsuret
hough,from
nowont heyallneededtobeextracar
eful.
Butfornowshewasi nthi
spoli
cestati
ontoopena
missingpersonscase.SkywasmissingandNaledi
hadtoalertthepol
iceinthear
ea.She'dpr
omised
Sky'
sparentsthatshewould.
SheapproachedtheCSC, gladt hatt herewasno
l
ongeranywai t
ingperi
odtor eportaper sonmissi
ng.
Theconstabl
eatt hecounterdi dn'tgiveheranygr
ief
,
hehelpedherquickl
y.Hopef ull
yt heywoul dfi
ndSky
j
ustasquickly
.ButNalediwasn' tgoingt ohol
dher
breat
h.
Shedashedoutoft hestat
ionandqui cklyturned
aroundthecornerintoSam HancockSt r
eet-wher e
she'dparkedhercar ,
herheadspinning.Justt hree
daysagoherl i
fehadbeenaf amili
arroutine,
peaceful
.Butnowi twasgoi ngsideway sfast,too
muchwashappeni ngandnoneofi tmademuch
sense.Monday ,S'
fi
sohadcal led.
..
aft
er8y earsofno
contact .Tuesday,astrangemanhadsl ashedher
tyr
esandt hr
eatenedher .Thismor ni
ngshe'dlearned
thatherbestf ri
endwasmi ssing.Andthenher
mot hergotdr uggedandhersonal mostabducted.It
fel
tasi fshe'dwal kedinont hemi ddleofanact i
on
mov ie.Ev ent
swer etakingplacequi ckl
y,anditwas
diff
iculttocatchup.
Shewasappr oachi
nghercarwhenay oungman
camer unningtowardsher,beingchasedbymor e
otherguys.Hewasobv iouslyajunkie,shesawthat
crazedli
ghtinhiseyesjustasecondbef or
ehe
bumpedi ntoherhardandsentherf lyi
ng.Thenext
thi
ngsheknewshewassai li
ngthrought heai
r,
crashi
ngherheadi ntot
hepav ement .Thenitwas
l
ightsout.
Whenshecamet oshefeltthewar mt hofabigbody
kneeli
ngbesideher.Andt henshef oundher sel
f
l
ookingupi nt
oapai roffami l
i
arey eswhichwer e
sti
ll
ami xofgriefandpainanddesol ati
on.Theman
she'
dwant edtoseewaskneel ingrightbesi
deher.
Butwait.Wast hi
smanev enrealordi dheonlyexist
i
nherhead?Whywasheal way stherewhenshe
neededhel
p?
.
.
.
Wednesday
,26Febr
uar
y,18:
55
LonwabohadseenNal edileavi
ngt heCSCi nahur r
y.
He'drushedaf t
erher,evencal l
edoutt oherwhenhe
steppedout side,butshe'dseemedt oopr eoccupied
tohearany thing.He'dfoll
owedherandwasaboutt o
turnaroundt hecor nerwhenhehear dthe
commot i
onandsawsomepunkr unning.Asudden
surgeofadr enalinehadf uell
edhi slegstor unand
gocheckwhatwasgoi ngon.Andt henhe' dseenher ,
l
ay i
ngont hepav ement,thi
nst ream ofblood
tri
ckl
ingfrom hert empl edownhercheek.Some
peoplewer ejumpi ngov erher,othersjustwat chi
ng.
Reall
y?
He'drushedtoheranddroppedt ohiskneesbesi
de
her,t
ookherwr i
st,
andexhaledi nrel
i
efwhenhefelt
theslowsteadythr
obofherpul se.Andthenher
eyesflewopen.Wideanddar k,
t heyf
li
ckeredwi
th
recogni
tion,thenther
ecogni
ti
ongavewaytowary
assessmentasshesear chedhisey
es,
hisf
ace.
Then,asi fsheaccept
edwhatshesawther
e,shel
et
outat i
nysmi le.
Andi ncr
edibly.
..sodi dhe.Everyt
hinginsidehim,al
l
theemot ional
lyt axingeventsofthedayandt hepai
n
she'
dcausedhi ml astni
ght.
..i
tal
l st
il
led.Itwasasif
shesoot hedital lawaywi t
hapal pabletouch,
alt
hought hrought heenti
reexchangeshe' dnever
mov edamuscl e.
Neit
herhadhe.Norhadhebr
eat
hed.Hedi
dnowas
sheslowl
ystr
aight
ened.
-Her
:"Lonwabo?
"Hervoi
cewassoftandhusky
,li
ke
she'
djustwokenfr
om adeepsl
eep.
Shestruggledtosi
tupbuthepl
acedonehandon
hershoulder.
-Hi
m:"Youneedt
okeepst
il
l,
"hesai
dqui
etl
y."
Wher
e
doyouhurt
?"
-Her:
"Justmyhead."Gi
nger
lyshetouchedher
templeandgri
macedwhenherf i
ngert
ipscameback
coveredi
nblood."
Damn."
-
Him:"I
'dsayt
hataboutsumsi
tup.
"Hehel
dupt
wo
f
inger
s."Howmany?"
Shebl
i
nked.Herey
eswereali
tt
ledil
ated,butnot
al
armi
ngl
yso.Onceagai
nshemethisgazeand
st
eadi
l
yheldit
.Andhi
shear
tskippedat hump.
-
Her:"
Two.Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?It
houghty
ou
wer
eonleave.
"
Hest
udi
edherforamoment .Hercolourwas
comi
ngback,
hereyesbecomingbrighter
.
-
Him:
"I'
m back.Theycal
ledmei nt
hismorning.And
y
ou?Whywer eyouinthestat
ion?Ever
ythi
ngokay ?
"
-Her:"
Myfriend'
smissi
ng.Icametoopenami
ssi
ng
personscase.Doyouthi
nky oucoul
dhel
pmeup
now? "
Heopenedhi
smoutht
osuggestshestayputf
ora
moment,t
hencl
osedi
t.Al
readyhe'
dconcl
udedthat
shewasawomanwhowoul ddoonlywhatshe
want
edtodo.
-
Him:
"Gi
vemey
ourhand.
"
Forj
ustamomentshef
alt
ered,
herbi
gey
es
fl
ickeri
nguncert
ainly
.Butthenshesquaredher
shouldersandextendedherhand.Hetookitand
helpedherup.Andonceagai n,
hecouldn'tmi
ssthe
connectionbet
weent hem.
-Her
:"Thanky
ou.
"Pol
i
tel
ybutf
ir
mlyshedi
sengaged
herhand.
-Him:"Ical
l
edaft
eryouwhenyoust
eppedoutoft
he
stati
onbutyoukeptwal
ki
ng.
"
-Her
: "
Ihopeyoudidn'
tthi
nkIwasignori
ngyou.I
honestlydi
dn'
thearyou.
"Hereyessoft
enedandhis
hearttookasl
owr ol
linhi
schest.
-Hi
m: "
Iknow.Youhadthi
sredhaloaroundy our
headandIcouldt
ellt
hatyouweretoostressedto
hearanyt
hing.
"
-
Her
:"Ahal
o?"
Damn,he'
ddonei
tagai
n.Showi
nghert
hathewasa
fr
eak.
-Hi
m: "
Nah,i
t'
snothing."Hesaidthef
ir
stt
hingt
hat
camet ohi
smi nd,
andofcour seshedi
dn'
tbuyi
t.
Shelookeduncomfortabl
e.
-Her:"
Thanksforyourhelp.ButIreal
l
yhav etogo
now."Shetookast epforwardbutLonwaboputa
handonherarm, stoppingher.Heknewwhyshe
suddenlywant
edt oleavebuthewasn' tgoi
ngtolet
her.Heknewallaboutheadi njur
iest
oknowt hat
theycouldbeveryseri
ous.
-Hi
m: "MaybeIshoul
dtakeyoutothehospit
aland
getthatcheckedout
.Youneedsomest i
tchesand—"
Sheheldupherhand,stoppi
nghim.
-
Her
:"Ar
eyouamedi
cal
doct
or,
MrGama?
"
MrGama?Butaft
erl
astni
ghthet
houghtt
heywer
e
ont
hefi
rstnamebasi
s.
-
Him:
"Ofcour
senot
."
Shesmi
l
ed,
buti
tdi
dn’
treachherey
es.
-Her:
"Exact
ly.Soyouhavenomedicalbasisforyour
opini
on.WhatIam isti
redandnowIhav ea
headache.WhatIneedistogethome,takeashower ,
swall
owanaspi ri
nortwoandgostrai
ghtt obed.
Andy oucangobackt owhatev
eryouwer edoing
befor
ey ousawme. "
Shewasdi smissinghim,pol i
tel
ybutbutf i
rmly.
Troublewas, hewasn’ ti
nt hemoodt obedismissed.
Afterhisf ail
edsui ci
deattemptt hismorninghe
start
edseei ngthingsdiff
erently.Hewasst i
llal
iv
e
forar eason.Hest il
lhadal i
feandhewasgoi ngto
l
iveittot hef ul
lest.I
fhewant edsomet hing,hewas
goingt odoany thi
ngandev eryt
hingtogetit.Andhe
want edher .
-Hi
m: "
Idon'
thavetobeanywher
e, Nal
edi.Iwas
act
uall
ygoinghome.AndI'
m sur
ey ousawt he
pol
icevanspeedi
ngdownthestreettotakecar
eof
whateveri
tist
hatwashappeni
ngwi t
hthoseguys.
"
Hewast i
redtoobutsomehowhe' dpushedhis
fat
iguebackandt heheadachehehad, hadnow
ebbedenought oall
owhi mtospendsomet i
mewith
thi
swoman.He' dhav etogohomeandt ryt
oget
somesl eeptoosohecoul dwakeupf r
eshenough
tomorrowt oworkont hemurdercase,
butfornow
hewant edtobewi t
hher .
-
Her
: "
Iwantedtot al
ktoy ouactual
ly.Toapologi
se
f
orwhatIsaidlastnight
.Iknowt hatIprobabl
yhurt
y
ou,butIdi
dn'tmeant o.It'
sjustt
hatIuh...
"
-
Him:"Areyougonnagi
vemet
he'
i
t'
snoty
ou,
it'
s
me'speech?"
Shesmi
l
edshy
ly.
-
Her:"
Notexactl
y.I
t'
sjustt
hatI
'm notr
eadyt
oget
i
ntoanyt
hingr
ightnow.AndI.
..
"
-Him: "
Ididn'taskyoutomar r
yme, Naledi
.Ij
ust
wantt oknowy oubett
er.
"Herey eswi denedathis
bluntnessandheshr ugged."Atthismoment ,though,
allIwantist ohearaboutyourmi ssingfri
endand
alsomakesur eyoudon'thaveaconcussi on.I
fIcan
dobot hatt hesamet i
me, t
hat'
sagooduseofmy
ti
me. "
-
Her
:"ButIdon’
thav
eaconcussi
on.
"
-
Him: "
Arey
ouamedi
caldoct
or,DrMasi
l
o? "he
i
nject
edmil
dhumori
ntohi
svoice,
sur
pri
singhimsel
f.
-Her
:"Iseewhatyouj
ustdidther
e."Shel
etouta
genui
ne,rel
axedsmil
e.Missi
onaccompli
shed.
-Hi
m: "
You'renotadoctor
,thenhowdoyouknow
youdon'thaveaconcussi
on?Areyouhungr
y?"he
addedbeforeshecouldcomebackwithaput-
off
.
Shehuf
fedav
eryt
ir
ed,
almostmi
rt
hlesschuckl
e.
-
Her
:Icoul
deat
."
-
Him:
"Thenl
et'
sgohav
esomedi
nner
."
.
.
.
Wednesday
,26Febr
uar
y,19:
20
Somet hi
ngwasi nhermout h.Sky'stonguesli
dalong
theedgesofit.Itwascot ton.Someonehadst uff
ed
araginhermout h,andt ieditaroundt hebackofher
head.Shecamei nstantlyawakeandopenedher
eyes.Buttheroom wasdar k.Andi tsmell
edmust y.
Herarmswer espr ead, eachhandcuf f
edto
somethingonei thersideofherhead.Andshel ay
faceupona. .
.bed?
Panicfl
oodedhersenses.I nhali
ngdeeplythr
ough
hernose,shewi l
l
edher sel
ftocalm down.Naledi'
s
mottofl
ashedt hroughherbrain:neverpani
c
becausepanicnev eraccomplishedanythi
ng.Butit
washardnott opanicr i
ghtnow.Shehadnev erbeen
ki
dnappedandt
iedupbef
ore.
Sherememberedbeingforcedoutofhercarat
gunpoi
ntasshewasdr i
vingtothelab.God,how
l
ongagowast hat?Andwhower et
hoset woguys?
Whatdidtheywantfr
om herifi
twasn'tthecar?
Luxolo.Shewant edtocr yj
ustt hinki
ngLuxol o'
s
name.OhLor d,hewasgoi ngt of i
ndt hel ettershe'
d
l
eftbehi ndandt hinkshe'dlefthim.Hewon' tknow
thatshewasact uall
ykidnappedandwon' teventry
tofindher .Butshewoul dn'tjusttakeof fleavingal
l
herst uffbehi nd.Sur ehewoul dthinkt hatandknow
thatsomet hingwaswr ong.Ri ght?AndNal edi?
Naledi woul dnot icethatshewasmi ssi nganddo
somet hing.Ri ght ?Theywoul df indher .Yes, t
hey
woul df i
ndher .Butwher eev enwast hispl ace?And
woul dt heyf indherst i
l
l al
iv
e?
Shejerkedherheadtot
herightandsqui
ntedi
nthe
darkness.Maybeshewouldseesomethi
ngshe
couldusetofreeher
sel
f.
Whatthe.
..
?Sher
ecoi
ledinhor
ror
.Shefel
ttheburn
ofbi
l
easi tr
osef
rom herst
omachint
oherthroat
.
Shecouldseewhatwasonthebedsi
detabl
e,
medici
neandsomesurgical
inst
rument
s.Whatwer
e
theygoi
ngtodotoher?
Pani
cwelledinsideheragai
n.Thisti
met oomuchto
di
smiss.Herhear tr
aced.Br
eathe,dammi t
,br
eat
he!
Butshecouldn'
t.OhGod, whoweret heseguy
s?Why
di
dtheypickher?
Chapt
er11
Wednesday
,26Febr
uar
y,19:
30
.
Naledisatacrossfr
om Lonwabointhecosy
rest
aurantinMaboneng.He'daskedtodri
vehercar
andcamest r
aightt
othi
splacebecausehe"l
oved
thei
rsalmon."
Whent heywal kedi n,
Nal edihadlefthi
mt oplacea
drinksorderandmadef orthebathroom t
ocleanup
thebloodf r
om t hecutonhert emple.He'
dbeenr ight
,
shepr obabl yneededast it
chort wobutaband- aid
from herpur sedi dthetrick.Abruisehadformedon
hercheekwher eshe'dtakent hebruntofthefallbut
i
twoul df adeinadayort wo.She'dhadwor se.She'd
beent hroughhel l
andl i
vedt otel
l t
hetal
e.Any t
hing
elsewasj ustawal kinthepar k.
Whenshecamebackt othet abl
eshe'dor deredt
he
samethingasLonwabo.Gr il
ledsal
monser vedwith
boi
ledpotatoesandveggies.Hewasr ight,the
sal
monwasr eal
lygood.Butsurpri
singly
, hehad
har
dlytouchedhis.Hi
splatewasst i
llful
l.Whathe
seemedt onotbehol dingbackonwast hecoffee.
He'ddr ankt wocupsal readyandwasnowonhi s
thir
d.Poorman. .
.heneedst hecaff
eine,Naledi
thought .Anyonelookingathim couldtel
lhewasnot
sleeping.Thedar kci
rclesunderneathhiseyeswere
phy si
cal pr
oofandhel ookedexhausted.That
wor ri
edher .Butheseemedt obewor ri
edabouther.
He'dbeensi t
tinginthatchairli
steningt oherspeak
aboutSky '
sdisappearanceandherownf earsfort
he
past15mi nutes.Itwasast hought heywer eina
ther
apysessi onalloveragain,onlythist i
mehewas
thetherapi
standshe, aclient.He'dlethergoonand
onandj ustli
stened.Andt hatsheappr eciat
ed.She
knewt hatSkywasi ndanger ,shecoul df eeli
tinher
heart.Andhav ingsomeonet ot al
kto, someonet o
offl
oadherwor ri
estowassomet hingsheneeded.
She'dal r
eadyt ol
dhim ev er
ythi
ngshe' dlearned
aboutt hedi sappearance, t
hesamewayshedi dt
he
constableatt hepoli
cest ati
on.Sky '
sstolenaccess
card.Thev andalism attheuniversit
ylab.The
researcht heywer eworkingon.Mi ke'
spr edict
abl
e
routi
ne.Thecal l
hemadet oSky .Sky'
scarbei ng
foundpar kedont heroadsi
deoppositecampusgat e.
Pol i
cechecki ngitoutandreleasi
ngittoherhusband.
Shewasaboutt ot el
lhi
m aboutthepregnancy,the
baby 'squestionablepater
nit
yandt hel
etterSkyhad
wr i
tten,butshehel dback.Unli
keLuxolo,shedidn'
t
thinkt hathadany thi
ngtodowi thSky'
s
disappear ance.
-Hi
m: "
Thisisn'
tj
ustanydi
sappear
ance.Itsounds
l
ikeaplannedabducti
on,
"hesaidf
inal
ly
.Hi svoi
ce
expr
essionl
ess,noemoti
on.
-Her:"
Exactl
ywhatIt hi
nk.ButIhav
enoideawho
couldbebehindi torwhy.Noonehascontactedher
parentswit
har ansom demand.SoIdon'tt
hinkit
's
aboutmoney .Ifeelsohelpl
ess,
youknow."
-
Him:
"What
'si
tabout
?"
-Her:
"What
?Haveyoubeenlist
ening?Ij
ustsai
dI
haven'
tani
dea.
"Shewasfrustr
atednow.
-Hi
m: "I
'mtalki
ngabouttheresear
chtheyar
e
workingon.What '
sitabout
?"Hisvoi
cewassti
l
l
expressi
onless.
-
Her
:"Oh,
that
.Honest
ly,
Inev
erqui
teunder
stoodi
t
whenSkygav emeasummar y ,Ionlygott o
understandi tthisevening, aftertalkingtoMi ke
again.Theyar ewor kingonf igur i
ngoutanef fi
cient
wayt osy nthesisehydr ogenf ormasscl eanf uel
production.Butt hat'
snot hingnew.Resear chers,
l
ongbef or ethem, haveseenhy dr ogen-basedgases
asawayt osolvetheemi ssionspr oblem thatt he
globaldependenceonf ossi l
f uelshascr eated,but
there'
sbeenamaj orst umbl i
ngbl ock.The
productionofhy dr
ogenf orthesef uelshasnev er
beenef f
icientorcost -eff
ect i
v eenoughf ormass
production.AndnowSkyandhert eam ar etryi
ngt o
solvethatpr oblem."
-
Him:
"How?
"
-Naledi:"
From whatMi ket oldme, theyhav e
discoveredmor eabouthowsy ntheti
cenzy mescan
playar ol
ei nthesimplepr oducti
onofhy dr ogen.And
theyhav eidenti
fiedabi ologicalenzyme. ..what'sit
call
edagai n?Hy drogenase.Yeah, that.They '
ve
i
dent i
fi
edahy drogenaset hatcanhel psy nthesise
hydrogenmor eef f
ici
entlythananycur rentpr ocess.
Thent heysetoutt of i
ndt her i
ghtchemi cal
composi tiont osy nthesi set hishy dr ogenasebased
ont hei ron- i
ronmat er i
al bal ancet oi nteract
efficient lywi thH2f orpot ent ial fuel product ion.
Appar ent ly,organismshav eonl yonewayof
i
nt eract ingwi thhydr ogenandt hatwayi nvol ves
hydr ogenaseenzy mes.Ot her wi sehy drogenj ust
doesnoti nteractwi thl i
v ingcr eat ures, i
t'
sj usti nert
.
Buthy dr ogenasesdoi nt eractwi thH2andt henwi r
e
theirint eract iontoot herpar t
soft hecel l
.Bef ore
embar ki ngont hi
spr oject , eachmemberoft het eam
alreadyhadagener al under standi ngoft hechemi cal
composi tionoft heact i
v esi teswi thi nthe
hydr ogenaseenzy me.Sobui ldingupont his
knowl edge, theycameupwi t
hahy pothesi st hatthe
siteswer eassembl edusi ng10par ts:fourcar bon
monoxi demol ecul
es, twocy ani dei ons, t
woi roni ons,
andt wogr oupsofasul fur-cont ainingami noaci d
calledcy st e-somet hing.For gott hename.Any way ,
dur i
ngt hecour seoft her esear ch, howev er,they
discov eredt hatt heyhadhy pot hesi sedwr ong.I twas
i
nst eadmor el i
kelyt hatt heenzy me' sengi nei s
composedoft woi dent ical groupscont ainingf i
ve
chemi cal s: t
wocar bonmonoxi demol ecules, one
cyanideion,onei roni on, andonecy ste-something
group.Toget hert hegr oupsf orm onet ightl
ybonded
unit
,andt wouni tscombi netogi vetheengi neat otal
of10par ts.Butst i
ll,afterdoingl aboratoryanal y
sis
ofthelab-synt hesisedenzy me, t
herewasanot her
surpri
seinst or efort hem.Theyr eal
isedt hattheir
formulaforenz ymecomposi ti
onwasi ncomplete.
Thattherear eact ual ly11bi tsrequiredt omaket he
acti
vesiteengi ner athert han10.Nowt heywer e
workingonsear chingf ort hatlastpieceoft he
puzzle.Andt heywer et hi
scl oset ofindingitbefore
thei
rlabgotv andal ised. "
-Him: "I
tsoundsi nt
erest
ingeventhoughI '
veonly
under st
oodabout2%ofwhaty oujustsaid.
"Hesai d
casual l
ythenleanedbacki nhi
schai r
."Sky'
s
disappearancecoul dbeconnectedt othi
sresearch
projectoritcouldbeaboutsomet hingtotall
y
diff
erent.Idon'tknowwho' sgonnabehandl ingthe
casebutI 'l
lseetoitthattheyt
akeitser i
ously.
"
-
Her
:"Pl
ease.I
'
dreal
l
yappr
eci
atet
hat
."
Shewasdonetal
ki
ngaboutthi
snow.I
twasti
meto
changet
hesubj
ectbef
oreshewentcr
azywi
thwor
ry.
Somet hi
ngelsewasi nhermi nd.Shewant ed
Lonwabot otalkabouthi msel f.Shewascur i
ous
abouthim.Thisev eni
nghehadsai dsomet hi
ng
aboutahaloar oundherheadandl astnighthe' d
spil
ledoutdetailsofev eryt
hingshewaswear ingthe
fi
rstdaytheymet ,downt otheear ri
ngsandt he
colourofhernai lpoli
sh.Itwaswei rdandi thad
creepedherouti niti
all
y.Butthent hefearhadgi ven
wayt ocuri
osit
y .Sheopenedhermout htoaskhi m
aboutit,
buthespokef i
rst.
-
Him:
"YouandSkyar
epr
ett
ycl
ose,
Isee.
"Ohdamn.
-Her:
"Thatwear e.We' vebeenf ri
endssi nceourfi
rst
yearatvarsi
ty.She'
sthesi st
erInev erhad.Andshe
alwayssaysI'
mt hest arinhersky .That'swhyI'
m
thi
swor ri
edabouther .Ifshe'sindeedlockedup
somewher ebysomecr eep, Iknowshewoul dnever
survi
ve,Lonwabo.She' snotasst rongasIam.She
maybet woy earsoldert hanIam butIf eelli
keI'
m
theolderone.
"
.
.
.
-Him:"She'llbef ound...beli
evethat.Thebestpl ace
tostartthei nvestigat
ioni swheretheyf oundher
car.
"Hegul peddownhi scoffee."
Ihadaf r
iendlike
thattoo,youknow.Backi ntheCape.Wewer eli
ke
brothers.Ver yclose.Cl oserthanI'
l
l ev
erbewi t
h
Langa, myt winbr other.HisnamewasMzwandi le.
Hewast hreey earsol derthanme.ButIwashi s
keeper...
sincepr imaryschool ."
-
Her
:"Was?Whathappenedt
ohi
m?Hepassedon?
"
-Him: "
Nah.He' ssti
llali
ve.Justmov edtoLondon
fouryearsago.He' sadoct orandwhenhef ounda
betteropportunit
yov ertherehesaid'fuckthe
mot herl
and'andl ef
t.Nev erlookedbackeversince.
I
nt hebeginningwet ri
edt ostayintouchbutastime
wentbyt henumberoft exts,email
sandcalls
decreased.Andt hent heyjuststopped."
-Her
:"Longdi
stancecanrui
nanyform of
rel
ati
onshi
p.AndIthinkhi
m bei
ngadoct ori
sal
soa
fact
or.WhenSkyfir
stcametoJo'burg,
toWits,
she
hadaboy f
ri
endwho'dwenttoUCTi nst
ead.Tostudy
medi cine.Theironlyform ofcommuni cati
onwas
phonecal l
sandSMSes.Butasmont hswentbyt he
numberofcal l
sandSMSesf rom theguydecreased
dramat ical
ly.Hecl ai
medmedschool was
challenginganddemandi ng,thathedidn'
thavetime.
Duringst udybr eakbeforetheJuneexamsSky
endedt herelat
ionship.I
twasj ustnolongerworking
forher .
"
-
Him:
"Soundsl
i
keast
oryf
rom amov
ie.
"
Shel
aughed.
-
Her:"SometimesIwi shMYl i
fewasamov i
e.Now
t
ellmeabouty ou,Lonwabo.Yourlif
eseems
i
nter
esting.I
'
venot i
cedthatyouhaveav er
ygood
memor y.Andthathalothi
ngy outal
kedaboutear
li
er?
Whatwast hatabout?"Yes!Fi
nall
y,achancetoask.
-Hi
m:"Yah,mymemor y'
sgood."Hi
sanswerwasthat
shor
t,i
ndicat
ingt
hathedidn'
twanttot
alkabouti
t.
-
Her:"
O-kay
.Sor
ryi
fI'
veover
steppedmybounds.
"
Herv
oicewasnowlow,di
sappoint
ed.
Shewant
edt
oknowmor
ebutknewbet
tert
hant
o
push.
Heshi
ft
edi
nhi
schai
r,l
ooki
nguncomf
ort
abl
e.
-
Him:"
Ireal
l
ydon'
tl
iketal
ki
ngabouti
t,y
ouknow. "
t
henhewentqui
etforamoment."
ButIwil
ltel
lyou.
"
-
Her:"No,
Lonwabo.I
fyoudon'tfeelcomf
ort
abl
e
t
alki
ngabouti
t,y
oudon'thav
et o."
-Him: "No, i
t'
sokay,I'
llt
ell
you.Thet ruthis,Idon't
l
iket herapy.ButIthoughtwi t
hy ouitwoul dbe
diff
erent.IguessIt houghtitwoul dbedi f
ferent
becausey ou'r
ealsodi f
fer
ent,atleasttome.
Honest ly,Iwenttoseey ounotj ustfortherapybut
becauseIwant edachancet obei nyourpr esence
andt alktoy ou,getclosetoyou.Iknowt hi
ssounds
weirdandpr obablycrazybutafterreadingy ourbook
Ithoughtt alki
ngtoy ou,asaper sonnotasa
therapist,wouldhelpmewi t
hmyi ssues."
-Her
:"Whatdoy oumean?Idon'
tunder
stand.
"She
wasconfused.Hewastalki
ngbutshewasnot
hear
inghim.Noneofwhathewassay i
ngwas
makingsense.
-Hi
m: "
We'l
lgetther
elat
er.Idon'
tl
iket
herapy
becauseIdon'
tl
iketal
ki
ngaboutorbeingreminded
ofmypai n.AndIdon' twantmyheadanal y
sedby
shri
nksbecausemybr ai
niswi r
eddifferentl
yfr
om
muchoft hegeneral populat
ion.Itwasn'talwaysl
ike
thatthough.Isust
ainedabr aininjur
ywhenIwas
sti
llaboy,andmybr ai nwasf or
cedt orewireit
sel
fto
all
owheal i
ng.Thepr ocessleftsomedi sti
nctmarks
onme. "
-
Her
:"O-
kay
?"Shewasst
il
lnotf
oll
owi
ng.
-Him: "
Oneoft hem ishy pert
hymesi aorHi ghly
Super i
orAut obiographicalMemor y.Idon'tknowi f
you'veev erheardofi tbutit'
sar arecondi ti
oni n
whichpeopl ecanr emembernear lyeverydayoft heir
l
iveswi thprecisedet ai
l.Icanremembert hings
aboutmyl if
eal lt
hewaybackt owhenIwasst i
ll
l
itt
le.Givemeanydat ebet ween1988-ay earaf terI
wasbor n-andpr esentday ,andIwi l
ltel
lyouwhat
dayoft heweeki twasandev erythingIdidor
happenedt omeorar oundmet hatdayi n
extraordinarydetail
.Yousee, mymemor yislikea
CandyLandboar d.Inmymi nd,Iseeeachmont has
adifferentcolouredsquar e.Themont hsconnectt o
form apat h,weav i
ngbackt oApr i
l1988.OnceIf i
nd
theri
ghtmont hint herightyear,Iki
ndazoom i nto
thesquareandv isuali
seeachweekasa7- pi
ecepie
chart.ThenIgost rai
ghttot hespecifi
cdateand
rememberev ery
t hingthathappenedont hatday.I
cantellyouwhatIwasdoi ng, whattheweat herwas
l
ike,whoIwaswi th,whatt heysaid,whattheywer e
wearing,andso-and-so.Icanr ememberev ents
downt othehourandi tdoesn' ttakememucht i
me
torecallt
hosememor ies.Theyjustcome. "
-
Her:"Youmemor
iset
hem?
"Nowt
hiswas
i
nter
esting.
-Hi
m: "
No.Li keIsai d,theyj
ustcome.Ican' tjust
memor i
set hings.Itdoesn'twor klikethat.Ihaveto
seeit
.Ihav etoheari t.Ihavetobet here.Ihaveto
l
iveit
,oritdoesn'taf f
ectme.Iam notabl etorecal
l
event
st hatIdidn'tpersonall
yhearaboutor
experi
ence.Butonceanexper ienceent ersmyhead
i
tdoesn'tleaveev enifIwanti tto.Myl ongt erm
memor yisthatgood, butmyshor tter
m memor yis
thesameasev er
yoneel se'
s."
-Her:
"That
'spr
ettycool
.Ihav
e—"Buthecont
inued
asifshewasn'
ttalki
ng.
-Him: "Thesecondr esultoft hehi twasmy
dev elopingsy nest hesi a.Aneur ological or
psy chol ogical phenomenoni nwhi chor dinaril
y
distinctsensor ypr ocessesbl urintooneanot her .I
per sonal lyhav esev eralf ormsofsy nest hesiabutt he
promi nentonei scol oursy nest hesi a.Di fferentf orms
ofcol oursy nest hesi a.That 'swhyIwoul dsee
colour edhal osor' auras' aroundaper son' sheador
body .Andmostofmyt hought s,feelingsand
emot ionst ri
ggeracol ourper cept ion.Iseet he
colour sofot herpeopl e'
semot ionsorpai nt oo,but
onlypeopl eI'v
emetbef or eort hoseIf eel connect ed
to.Ial soassoci ateoddt hingswi thacol our .Myl ife
i
sj ustheav i
lyinf l
uencedbycol our .Last l
y, t
hei njury
l
ef tmewi thanar t
isticgi ft
.Somet hingIdi dn'thav e
bef ore.WhenIwasathomeaf terbei ngdi schar ged
from hospi tal,Isuddenl yf eltahuge, creat iveur get o
paint .Ibegancov eri
ngt hewal lsandev ent hecei l
i
ng
ofmyaunt '
sshacki nbr ight, vividpat terns, until
ther ewasl it
er allynospacel ef t.Itwasast hougha
balloonhadpopped.Icoul dseet hebeaut yoft he
wor ld.IknewwhoIwas.TheboyIusedt obehad
gonef orever.Thedoct ormyf athert ookmet osai dI
hav ewhatiscalledacqui redsav ant
syndrome—whent ragedyt urnsy oui nt
oageni usof
somesor t
.Hegav emet heHSAM andsy nesthesi
a
diagnosesbef orehecoul dev enexami neme.But
whenhest art
edt al
ki ngaboutat wo- parttestIhadto
takeandst udieshe' dli
kemet opar ti
cipateinI
refused.Ididn'
twantnopar tint hat.AndInev er
wentbackt ohim.Ionl yconf irmedt hedi agnoses
whenIwasol der,from thei nternet.Andt hat's
enoughf orme. "
-
Her: "
Wow.Thisisreal
l
ycool.Imeanitwasa
t
ragedybutitl
eftyouwit
hsomet hi
ngreal
l
yamazing.
I
'
ver eadaboutHSAM andsynesthesi
abefor
ebut
I
'
venev ermetanyonewhohast hem."
-Hi
m: "Iwouldn'
tsayit
'scool
.Hav i
ngthissortof
ext
remememor ycanbeabur den,Nal
edi.
Somet i
mesi tcanbeav er
yisolati
ngsortofthi
ng.
TherearetimeswhenIf eell
ikeI'
mf l
uentina
l
anguaget hatnobodyelsespeaks.OrthatI'
m
walki
ngar oundandeverybodyelsehasamnesi a.I
am boundbyr ecoll
ect
ionsofmypast .Iam
constantl
yreli
vingmomentsf r
om myper sonal
hist oryandnotal l oft hem ar egood.Icanr emember
all kindsoff acts.AndwhenIt hinkaboutsomet hi
ng
from t hepast ,anev entorsomet hing,If eel l
ikeIam
ri
ghtbacki nthatsi t
uat ion.That '
sexact lywhyIdon' t
l
iket her apyort alkingaboutpai nf ulexper iences.
Oncet heygetbr oughtupIr eli
vet hem emot ional l
y ,
att hatmoment ,andatni ghtt heycomebackas
falsememor iesinaf or m ofnight mar es.Thef eeling
becomesv i
vidandawf ul.Itwaswor seint he
begi nni ng.I'vestruggl edf rom depr essionandI 'm
stillstruggl i
ngwi thanxi etybecauseIj ustcan' tlet
cer taint hingsgo.Idot endt odwel lont hingsl onger
thant heav erageper son, andwhensomet hing
pai nful happens, Idon’ tforgetthosef eelings.And
onceIt alkabouti tIwi l
lsur ereli
v eit.I'
mt aking
somemedi cationnowandIt rytokeepmyhead
busywi thot herthi ngs.It r ytocol l
ectal otofhappy ,
war m andf uzzymemor i
est hatIcant hinkbackon. ..
Andsy nest hesia?Wel l,t
hatmakesmeawei r do.
WhenIwasst i
llyoungandnewt ot hewor ldof
sy nest hetesIl ostal otoff ri
endsandgotcal l
eda
wei rdoandaf reakatschool because, forexampl e,I
woul dt alkaboutapi nksong, ay ell
owl aught er .Ino
l
ongerper ceiv
edt hewor l
dthesamewayasmost
people.AndwhatIsaywoul dbedi smissedoutof
handaswei r
dorat tenti
onseeking,orbel
ittl
edas
crazy.That '
swhyInol ongerfeelcomfortabletal
king
aboutmycondi t
ionormyexper i
ences.Al i
feti
meof
unconv entionalreacti
onshasaccumul atedt oaffect
myat ti
tudeaboutmy self
,ot
hers,andthewor l
d.But
ont hebrightside, t
henewmehel psmeagr eatdeal
i
nmyj obasacop. "
.
.
[IknowIdon' twri
teasoftenasy '
al
lwouldli
kemet o
andf orthatIapol
ogise.I
'm anessent
ial
wor kerandI
wor klonghours.ButIpromisetowrit
eatleasttwice
aweek] .
Chapt
er12
Wednesday
,26Febr
uar
y,19:
30
.
I
nadar k,mustyr
oom.Handcuffedtoabednextt oa
bowlofsurgi
calt
ools.Ahor
ri
blereali
sat
ionhitSky.
MotherofGod.Thiswasbeyondbad.Shehadt o
fi
ndawayt oescapeorshewasgoi ngtoloseher
l
if
e.Theywouldcutheropenli
keacadav eranddo
whatevert
heywanted.
Buthow?Howwasshegoi
ngt
oescape?
Shemanagedt opusht her agoutofhermout h.
Thengav eherarmsapani ckedjerk,
butpainshotup
fr
om herwr ist
sthrought ohershoulders.Ter
ror
crashedthroughher,fi
ll
inghermi nd.Therewasno
escaping.Notwiththeser estr
aint
s.
Ascr eam roseinhert
hroatbutcameoutar usty
croak.Hert hr
oatwasdryasdust,herl
ipscracked.
Thensher ememberedtheinj
ecti
ontheygaveher
beforetheypushedherinsi
detheirowncar.They
druggedmeandIpassedout .MyGod.Howl ong
agowast hat?Andwhyme?
Shedr
ewadeepbr eathandtri
edtocal
m her
sel
f.I
havet
oescape.Ihaveto.Thi
nk,Sky
.Thi
nk.
Themust yodouroftheroom burnedhernose,
makinghersneezev i
olent
ly,
sendingherhead
spi
nning.Sheclenchedherteet
h.Rodethenausea
thr
ough.
Sheli
stened,
butther
ewasnot
hing.Shehear
d
not
hing.Nowind.Nomusi
c.Nov oi
ces.
Okay
.Okay
.Thi
sisani
ght
mar
e.At
err
ibl
eni
ght
mar
e.
Shef or
cedherar mst orelax,fel
tthelongchainsof
thehandcuffsgosl ack.Shemov edherfi
ngers,her
toes.Str
aightenedherspine, car
efulnottomakeany
mor esuddenmov ements.Shewasonabedwi t
ha
sheet.Andapi ll
ow.Slowlysher ubbedhercheek
overthepill
ow.Rough.Ther oom wasmust y,butthe
pil
lowsmel l
edcl ean.
Asuddencr eakhadherfreezi
ng.Thedooropened,
l
ett
inginsomel i
ghtandacol ddraf
t.Thesmel lof
l
emonst oo.Andthebeginningofashril
lscream,
muffl
edbyt hequickcl
osingofthesteeldoor.
Whoi
sscr
eami
ng?Whoel
sei
sher
e?OhGod,
anotherwoman.She'
sscreami
ng.Somebodyi
s
hurt
ingherandthey
'l
lhur
tmenext.
Thebitofli
ghtthathadcomethr
oughtheopendoor
wasnowgone, sendi
ngther
oom backint
odarkness.
Butshe'dal
readyseenwhohadjustwalkedi
ntothe
room.Oneoft hetwomenwhohadf orcedheroutof
hercar.Theonewhohadnomaskon.
-
Him:
"You'
reawake.
"hesounded.
..
hesi
tant
.
-Her
:"Whoareyou?Why
?"Shewhi
sper
ed,
hert
hroat
sodryitbur
ned.
Themanappr oachedherbed.Shecoul
dseehis
tower
ingshadowandcoul dhearhi
sfeetshuf
fl
e
agai
nstthefl
oor.Themattressshi
ft
edashesat
downont hebedbyherlegs.Hewasbig,heavy.
-
Him:
"Ar
eyout
hir
sty
?"
Hewasn'tansweri
ngherquesti
ons.Butshewoul
d
l
etitgo..
.f
ornow.Becauseshewasextremel
ythi
rst
y,
herthr
oatdry.
-
Her
:"Pl
ease.Wat
er.
"
-
Him:
"Ofcour
se,
"hesai
dagr
eeabl
y.
Hegotupandwal kedbackt ot hedoor.Buthedi dn'
t
openit.I
nstead,hef li
ppedonal i
ghtswitchont he
wall
.Skyblinkedhar d,squinti
ngagainstthebr i
ght
overheadli
ghtstogetherf i
rstgli
mpseoft heroom
shewasi n.Itwasspar tan,withdarkwallsandno
windows.Theonl yt hi
ngher ewast hesteel si
ngle
bedshewason, theni ghtst
andwi thsurgicalt
ools,
andasmal ltabl
ei nacor ner.
Theguywentt ot
hetabl
e,gotacupandpour ed
somewat erfrom asmal
l,whit
ebuckett
hatwas
si
tt
ingthere.Hewalkedbacktoherandplacedthe
cupagainstherli
ps.
Ametalcup.Notglass.Gl
asscouldbebroken,
used
asaweapon,butthatwasn'tgoi
ngtohappenhere.
Theywerecaref
ul.
Thewat ert
ri
ckl
eddownhert
hroat
,andshegul
ped
greedi
l
y.
-
Her
:"Mor
e.Pl
ease.
"
-Hi
m:"Later
,"hegent
lylay
edherheadbackont
he
pil
l
ow."You'
v ehadenoughfornow.
"
-
Her
:"Whoar
eyou?Whyam Iher
e?Whatdoy
ou
wantf
rom me?"Shet
ri
edt
okeept
hepani
cfr
om
f
il
li
nghervoi
ce.
Theguydi dn'
tanswer.Heputthemet al
cupont he
ni
ghtstandandt ookt
hemet albowl contai
ning
sur
gicaltoolst
hatwassitti
ngthere.Panicwon, and
Skyl
unged, rat
tl
ingherhandcuffchains.
-
Her
:"Tel
lme,
dammi
t!Whot
hehel
lar
eyou?
"
Therewasalonghesi
tat
ion,
thent
heguysai
d,"
I
havetogo.I
'
llcomecheckonyoulat
er.
"
Hewal kedtothedoorwit
ht hebowlofsurgi
calt
ool
s
i
nhi shands.Wasthatagoodt hi
ngforSky,orabad
thi
ng?Shewonder ed.Thedooropened.Andthe
otherwoman'sscreamsfil
ledtheai
ragain.More
terr
orclaweditswayupSky '
sthr
oat.Shewouldbe
next.
-Her:"Pl
ease.Who'
sthescr
eamingwoman?What '
s
happeningtoher?Andwhatdoyoupeoplewant
from us?"Hervoi
cewassoftnow,beggi
ng.
Butagain,
theguydi
dn'
tanswer
.Hest
oodatt
he
doorthenshookhi
shead.
-
Him:"
I'
mv erysor
ry.
"Andhewas,Skycoul
dheari
t
i
nhisv
oice.Orwasshedesper
atetoheari
t?
-
Her
:"Butwhyar
eyoudoi
ngt
his?
"
Theguytur
nedthel
ightswit
chof
fandwalkedout
.
Shehear
dthedoorclosebehi
ndhi
m andherhear
t
sank.
-
Her
:"No,
no,
no.Pl
easecomeback.Comeback!
"
Butt
hemanwasgoneandshewasal oneinthe
dar
k..
.again.Notonl
yscar
edt
hist
imearound,but
al
soconf used.
.
.
.
Wednesday
,26Febr
uar
y,20:
30
Lonwabowouldforev
err ememberNal edi'
sreact
ion
tohi
scondit
ion.I
twasf ascination,notaneye-r
oll
.
Thenagai
n,shewasapsy chologist.She'
dprobably
metalotofmesseduppeopl einhercar eer
,soshe
wasusedtoit.I
nanycase, hef eltgoodnowt hat
he'
dtol
dher.Shehadt oknow.Shehadt oknowwho
hewas. .
.bef
oretheycoul dexplorewhat everi
twas
thatwasdef i
nit
elyhappeni ngbetweent hem.
Especial
lybecauseal ongwi thhi
sbrainchange, his
personal
ityhadbeent r
ansformedaswel l
.Hehad
oncebeenout going,gregarious,abi
tgoof yeven,fun
-l
ovingandalway sreadywi thaquip.Butnowt he
gregari
ousfun-l
ov i
ngpr anksterhadforevervanished,
i
ni t
splacewast hisnewLonwabowhost ruggl
edt o
evenrecogniseaj okeorsar casm.
Thedi nnerhadbeenachancef orthebothoft hem
tolearnaf ewt hingsabouteachot her.Afterhe'd
openedupt ohert hey'
dt al
kedandt al
kedsome
mor e.Andnowheunder st
oodwhyshesai dwhat
she'dsaidt ohiml astni ght.I
twasn'tbecauseshe
wasnoti nt
erestedi nhim.I twasbecauseshewas
scared.Scar edtobei nloveagain.Herexmusthav e
doneanumberonher ,hethoughtbitter
ly.Butshe
hadn'tsaidany thingoft hatsort
,he'dreachedt he
conclusional l
onhi sown.
Thewomanwascar ingalotofpai
ninsi
deher.He
couldt
ell
from t
hewayshespokeandf r
om the
ter
ri
fyi
ngwhitecol
ouredl
i
ghtthathadoutl
i
nedher
facewhentheytalkedaboutromant i
c
rel
ati
onshi
ps..
.i
ngener al
.Whathet houghthesawin
herwhentheyfir
stmetwast rue.Shedistrust
edmen.
Anditwasupt ohimt oshowhert hatnotallmen
werebad,t
hatshecoul dtrusthim.
Dri
vi
nghome, he'
dbeenthinki
ngaboutherbutal
so
l
ookingfor
wardtocatchi
ngaf ewhoursofsl
eep
bef
orethenight
marescouldstri
ke.
..
agai
n.
Hepul l
edintohi
scar porti
nf r
ontofthemoder nsix-
storeyapar t
mentbuildinginKill
arney.Thehonest
tr
ut hwas,wi t
hhiscopsal aryhewoul dneverhave
affordedanapar t
menti nthisbuildi
ng.Butbecause
ofZi ntl
e'
slif
einsurancehe'dmanagedt oget
Seset huanew, beautif
ulhome6mont hsago.
Afterclaimingfrom t
heinsurancecompanyhehad
l
ett hemoneysi ti
nthebankaccountuntouched.
Takingi thadnotseemedr i
ght,hedidn'
twantto
benef i
tfrom t
hedeat hofhiswife,
sothemoneysat,
untilhecouldn'tli
vei
ntheCapeany mor
e.There
wer etoomanybadmemor iesther
e.Hewant eda
fr
eshst artforhisdaught
er.Sohe'dappli
edfora
tr
ansf erthenpackedhisbagsandhi sdaughter
's
andmovedtoJo'bur
g.Thenandonl yt
hendidhedi
g
i
ntothemoneyandgotthisplace.Hi
sdaughter
deser
vedasafe,
comf or
tabl
ehome.That'swhathi
s
wif
ewouldhavewanted.
Butnowhi
sdaught
erwasgonet ooandhedi
dn'
t
knowwhatt
odowiththe3-bedr
oom apar
tment
anymor
e.I
twassuddenl
ytoobigforhi
m.
Hest oodbyhi scarandl ookedupt othesecond
fl
ooroft hebuil
ding,att hewi ndowofhi sapartment,
andf eltthesenseofl ossal l overagain.The
paralysingshadeofbl uecuti ntohiml i
keagut ti
ng
knifemadeofcol ouredl ight .Hecl osedhi seyesto
blockoutt hememor iest hathadcomer ushi
ng,
thought heywer eallst i
l
l ther e,l
ikeaci nemascr een
ont heinsideofhi seyebal ls.Theywoul dal wayssti
ll
bet here.Becausehi sbr ainr efusedt of orget
.
Everythinginhisheadwasr ecor dedi nper manent
mar ker.Heei t
herdialledi tupwhenneededori t
poppedupofi tsownaccor d.Thef ormerwas
helpful,butthelatt
erwasi nfini
telyfrustrati
ng.
Heshookhi
sheadandfor
cedhisbrai
ntorepl
ace
t
hebadmemorieswit
hNaledi
.Herbri
ght
,beauti
ful
smi
le.Andhersweetvoi
ce.Asmi l
esuddenl
yfound
i
tswaytohisl
ips.Thenalazychuckl
e.
I
'
vegoti
tbad.
Hetr
udgedtot
heent
rancedoorofhi
sbui
l
dingand
l
ethi
mselfi
n.
"
Lloy
d.Mai
soùét
ais-
tupassé,
bonsang?
"
Lonwabost oppedint hel obby ,
knowingv erywel l
thatthev oicebelongedt onooneel sebutGor gio.
Theguywi thaFrenchf atherandaGy psymot her—
hencet hewei r
dRomani name.Butashi sname
suggest ed, "
non-Gypsy ",hedi dn'
tspeakRomani .He
spokeper fectEngli
shandFr ench.Thelatterbei ng
theonehehadbeenf orcingonLonwabof orthe
pastcoupl eofmont hs.Lonwabowoul dent ertain
him andl ethi mteachhi m someusef ulFrench
phrasesandbasi cs,butr ightnowhehadnoi dea
whatt heguyhadj ustsai d.Andhedi dn'
tcar et o
know.Hewasexhaust ed.Andal l
hewant edwast o
gost r
ai ghttohisapar tment ,
takeashowerandgo
tobed, thinkingaboutnot hingelsebutNal edi.Buthe
sti
llt
ur nedandsawt heguycomi ngoutoft hel obby
el
evat
or.
-
Lonwabo:
"Notnow,
Gor
gio.
"
-
Gorgio:"
Wherethehellhavey oubeen?Andwhere
wereyouwheny ourpartnerwasf r
yingmewith
questi
onsal
loveragainatt hestat
ion?Het
reated
melikeIwasafuckin'suspect,man."
Lonwabowasawar et
hatBonganihadint
ervi
ewed
thi
sguyagai
nwhenLonwabohaddr i
venOwam's
motherhome.Buthedidn'
tthi
nki
twasabi gdeal
.
-Lonwabo: "I
twasj ustprocedure,Gorgi
o.Youf ound
thegirl
,y ouhadtogi v
eaf ormal stat
ement .
"He
answer edalreadymov ingagain,totakethestair
s.
Hedi dn'twanttotalkaboutdeadpeopl er i
ghtnow.
Infact,hedidn'twanttotalkatall.
-Gor
gio:"I
tdidn'tf
eell
ike'
justpr
ocedure'
tome.I
hadalreadygiventhedamnst at
ement.Andtheguy
spoketomel i
keI'
m guil
ty.
"
Lonwabowantedtokeepwalki
ng,butGor gi
ogave
ever
yindi
cat
ionthathewouldsi
mpl yfol
lowhim up
thest
air
s,t
ohisapartment
,andint
ohi snextli
feif
needbe.Sohestoppedagai
nandt urnedtohim.
-
Lonwabo:
"Ar
eyou?Gui
l
ty.
"
-Gorgio:"Ofcoursenot.Howcoul dyouevenaskme
that,bro?I'
vetol
dy ouandy ourcoll
eagueswhat
happened.Ist umbledupont hegir
l'
sbodywhenI
waswal ki
ngmydogandi mmediatel
yrecogni
sed
herfrom the'MISSING' post
ersI'
veseenplast
ered
allaroundBraamf ontei
nt hi
spastweek.SoIcall
ed
thepol i
ceimmedi atel
y.That'
sit
."
-
Lonwabo:
"Theny
ouhav
enot
hingt
owor
ryabout
."
Heturnedandhurri
edupt hestair
sbeforeGor
gio
coul
dsaymor e.Hetookt hecorr
idordowntohis
apar
tmentbutimmediatelystoppedwhenhesaw
thewomanstandinginfrontofhisdoor.
"
Hey ,
babe.I'
vebeenwai
ti
ngfory
ouf
ort
hepast10
minutes.
"Shesai
d,smi
li
ng.
Godno,
notnow.
-
Him:
"Mel
i
nda.Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?"
.
.
.
[Imaynotrepl
ytoyourcomment s(becauseI'
m
alwaysonthemov eorbusy)butIdoreadthem and
Ireal
l
y,real
l
yappreci
atethem..
.yoursuppor
tmeans
alottome<3.]
Chapt
er13
Wednesday
,26Febr
uar
y,20:
40
.
Lonwabocamet ostandbef oreMel i
ndabutbi tback
thedesiretotellhertoleav e.Mel i
ndaDekkerwas
beautif
ul.Forty-
twoy earsol d,butcouldeasi l
ypass
fortenyear syounger.Infact ,whenLonwabof ir
st
metherhet houghtshewast hesameageashi m,
butgotshockedwhenhel earnedt hatshewas
actuall
y9y earsolder.Shehadani ncrediblebody ,
andheknewahandf ulofdet ecti
ves, i
ncluding
Bongani,whowant edher .Shehadt hesecapt i
vati
ng
browney esandasmi l
ethatcoul dli
ghtupt heroom.
Bongani alwayssaidshewast oobrightand
beautif
ultobewor ki
ngwi t
hdeadbodi es.
..
andhe
woul dactuall
ymar ryherifshewasnotCol oured—
butofcour sethatwasbef orehel earnedabouther
andLonwabo.
Herlong,
cur
lyhai
rwasblackandalwaysrestedon
hershoul
der
swhenshewasn' ti
ntheautopsyroom.
Shewasabsolut
elyf
lawl
ess,andthef
irstt
ime
Lonwabohookedupwi t
hherhebel ievedsheonly
di
ditbecauseshefel
tsorryforhim.Howcoul dhe
notthi
nkthat
?Shewasamedi calpracti
ti
oneraf
ter
al
l.Andhewasjustapolicedetecti
ve.
ShewasaFor ensicPat hologistatt heJohannesbur g
ForensicPat hol ogymor tuaryi nHi l
lbrowandal soan
academi cl ectur er,t
eachi ngbot hunder graduat eand
postgraduat est udentsatt heUni versi
tyof
Wi t
water srandMedi calSchool .SheandLonwabo
had,wei rdenough, bondedov ert hef i
rstaut opsyhe
hadt oat tendatt hemor t
uary .Butt hatwasata
fri
endshipl evel.Theydi dn'tsleept oget herunt i
l t
wo
mont hslat er.Thef i
rsttimehadbeensudden, four
mont hsago.She' diniti
atedi tandhe' dbeenmor e
thanwi ll
ingt ogoal ongwi t
hi t..
.becausehe' dhada
roughday .Andhehadn' thadsexsi ncehi swife's
passing.They 'dgonet oherpl acei nPar ktown, he
couldn'tbr inghert ohi sapar tment ,notwhenhi s
daughterwast here.Ont heot herhand, Mel indawas
notmar r
iedandhadnoki ds.Shel ivedal one.Soher
placewasi deal.Andi tbecameLonwabo' sgo-to
placeev er ytimeheneededadi st
raction.
-Her
:"It
houghtI
'dpopin.Youdidn'
tlookokayear
li
er.
Thoughtyoumightneedsomedi st
racti
on.
"Herri
ght
handwentuptobrushhischeek.Hecr i
nged.
Detecti
veMkhi ze, f
rom Nor woodPol i
ceSt ati
on, had
alr
eadycal l
edint heJohannesbur gFor ensic
PathologyServicet eam whenLonwaboandBongani
arri
vedatthecr imescenet hi
smor ning.AndDr
MelindaDekkerhadr espondedtothecal l
.Shegot
therenotlongaf terLonwaboandhi spar t
nerhad
arri
ved,andshehadkeptcommuni cationstrictl
y
aboutthebody .They 'dbothkeptthingspr ofessional
,
asalway s,andfocusedonget ti
ngtheirrespect i
ve
j
obsdone.Butnowshewasher e,andhedi dn'tl
ikeit
.
-
Him:
"I'
mfi
ne,
Mel
i
nda.
"Her
emov
edherhand.
-
Her
:"So?Ar
eyougonnaopent
hedoororwhat
?"
Hedidn'
twantheri
nhishome.Buthegothi
skey
s
out
,openedthedoorandl
etherwal
kinsi
de.
-
Her
:"Yousur
eyou'
reokay
?Youl
ookexhaust
ed.
"
Heclosedt
hedoorbehi
ndherandleanedonitasan
att
empttostopherf
rom goi
ngdeeperi
ntot
he
apart
ment.
-
Him:
"Yes,
I'
mfi
ne,
"hesai
duncomf
ort
abl
y.
Hewant edhert ol eav e.He'dbr oughtherhereonl y
once,ont hei
rlastni ghtt ogether.Itwastheni ght
aft
erSeset hu'
sf uner al.He'djustf l
ewinfrom
EasternCapeanddi dn'twantt ospendt heni ght
al
onei nt hisapar t
ment .Mel i
ndawaskeen. ..
as
al
way s.Butt hatdi dn'tmeanshecoul djustrockup
herewhenev ershef eltli
kei t
.Yes, shewast hef i
rst
andonl ywomanhe' dhookedupwi t
hsincehi swife'
s
passing, buttheywer enoti nar elati
onship.There
wereboundar iessheshoul dn'
tcr oss.
Shewenttostandintheno-man'
s-l
andofhiski
tchen
andtookoffherj
acket,
droppi
ngitonthef
loor
toget
herwit
hherhandbag.Okay,t
hatwasit.Hehad
totel
lhert
oleave.Now.
-
Him:
"Mel
,I
'm notgoodcompanytoni
ght
,"he
r
emai
nedwherehewas."It
hinky
oushouldleav
e."
Thatwasthebesthecouldcomeupwit
h.Atl
easti
t
wasn'
t:"
Leave.Idon'
twantyoui
nmyhousethe
samewayInol ongerneedyoui
nmyli
fe.
"
Ly
ingdi
dnotcomenat
ural
l
ytohi
m.Andaf
terhi
s
braini njuryhisf il
terhadbeenv ast lyreduced, soi t
wasev enhar derf orhi m nott oal way stellthel iteral
truth.Hei nstincti
velycr avedpr ecisi onandwas
reluctantt oacceptany thingl esst hant hat.ButZi ntl
e,
hisl atewi fe,hadnev ermi ssedachancet ot ell him
to,"Liesomet imes, babe.Tr uthsomet imeshur ts
andwedon' talway swannaheari t.Ifthetrut hwi l
l
hur tsomebody 'sfeelings, pleasel ie."Shedr il
ledt hat
i
nt ohi shead.Andasapol icemanwhosomet i
mes
mov edi nt heunder bel l
yoft hecr imi nalwor ld,hehad
hadt ododget hetruth.Asadet ectiv ehehadt obe
ablet obul l
shit,otherwi sehi sjobwoul dbe
i
mpossi ble.Andov ert hey earshehadf inall
yst r uck
onamet hodt hatseemedt owor k.Ift hesituat i
on
calledf ori t,
he'dliet hroughhi st eeth.
-Melinda:"
Oh?Tomor
rowni
ghtt
hen?
"Shesounded
disappoint
ed.
-Him:"Idon'tthi
nkso.Mel
inda,Ithoughtwetal
ked
aboutt his,
aboutkeepi
ngourrelati
onshi
pstr
ict
ly
professional.
"
They
'dhadanunder
standi
ng,anagreement
.The
ni
ghtshewasheret
hey'dbot
hagreedthatt
hey
wouldn'tcont i
nuewithwhatt heyweredoi ng.Sowhy
wassheher enow?Hedi dn'tunderst
andwhatshe
wantedf rom him.Butifitwasar elat
ionship,she
wasdef init
elynotgoingtogeti t
.Het houghtshe
understoodt hat.Hethoughttheyhadan
understanding.Lookingbackt hough,hehadt o
admit,withacer tai
ndegr eeofshame, that,al
linal
l
,
he'
dusedher .
Washewr ong?Wasi twr ongofhi mtouset he
together
ness,thesex, t
heav ail
abil
it
y,wit
hout
want i
ngsomet hingseri
ouswi ththiswoman?The
wayshel ookedathi mitwasasi fshethoughtso.
Buthe'dneverliedtoher .He'
dnev erpromised
eternall
ove,orgivenevidenceofdeeperdev oti
on
thathewasn'tpr epar
edt ogive.He'dbeenhonest
withherfrom dayone.Whatt heyhadwaspur ely
physical
.Theybot hknewt hat.Andnowi twasov er
.
-Her
:"IguessI
'
llseeyouaroundthen."Shetr
iedto
actf
inebuthecouldtel
lthatshewashur t
.Butther
e
wasnot hi
nghecoulddo,thei
r"t
hing"hadrunit
s
cour
se.
Wi
thoutsay
ingany
thi
ngmor
e,shepi
ckedupher
handbagandj
acketandwal
kedt
othedoor
.
.
.
.
Wednesday
,26Febr
uar
y,21:
00
Beadsofsweatr
oll
ingdownhishandsome,
deter
minedf
ace,hehel
dNaledi'
sarmsaboveher
head.
-
Him:
"Sayi
t,
"hegr
owl
edsof
tl
y.
Herentir
ebodystret
chedal
mostpainf
ull
yonthe
f
loor,v
oicestr
ainedfr
om t
heeff
orti
ttooktospeak,
Naledigr
itt
edoutoneword:"
Never
."
-Hi
m: "
Comeon,giv
eitup,Ledi
.SayitandI'
lll
etyou
go.
"Hekepthisvoi
celowandsoft,asifspeaki
ngto
awildani
malhewastryi
ngtotame.
Notbot heri
ngwit
hwor dst hi
st i
me, Nalediwrapped
herlegaroundoneofhi sandj erked.I
twasl ike
tr
yingtomov eamountain.Dammi t,
shedi dn'twant
togivein,buthe'
dgivenheralmostaf ullminuteof
l
eeway .Someonel essstubbornwoul dhav esaid
whathewant edtohearwel lbef
orenowand
recei
vedsomer el
ief.Butno,notNal
ediMasil
o.
Thoughitcosther,shearchedanarrogantbr
owand
said.
..
-
Her
:"I
'
vegotnot
hingel
seonmyagendat
oni
ght
."
Hischuckleechoedi ntheemptygym asSebast
ian
Cloeterol
l
edof fher.Deter
minedtoshowno
weakness,Naledisprangtoherfeet
,readyf
or
anotheratt
ack.
-Sebasti
an:"Justbecauseyoudidn'
tsayI'
mt hebest
doesn'tmeany oudidn'tmeani
t."Hedrawled,
sprawledont hematasi fi
twereabed, hi
sgrinas
cockyasev er.
-
Her
:"Keepdr
eami
ng,
Hul
k."
Sebastiangottohi sfeetandgavehisusualsnortof
disgustforoneofhermanyni cknamesforhim.She
brushedt hepalm ofherhanddownhersweat yf ace
thenov erhershort,natur
alfadehai
rcut
.Panti
ng
l
ightly
,shesmi l
edatt hemanshe' dalmostbested.
Sebastianwasn'tbreathingashardasshewas, but
stil
l
,she'dcomeascl oseasshe'deverbeento
bri
ngingdownthebi
gbeast
.Hi
sanswer
ingwi
nkt
old
herhe'dr
eadhermind.
-
Him:
"Yougotcl
ose.
"
Unlikeherkar ateSensei , Sebast iandidn'thav et hat
hard, coldexpr essi on.Hewast oughbutsweet .And
verypat ient .Ormay bei twasbecausesheknewhi m
toowel l
.He' dbeeni nherl ifef ort hepast15y ear s.
They 'dli
v edi nt hesamest reetwhenshest il
llived
withbot hherpar entsi nAl ber toncent r
al.Andt hei r
father swer epar tner sint hef ur nituremanuf act uring
business.Hewas10y earsol dert hanherbutt hey
wer ev erycl oset henandt heywer estil
lclosenow.
Shewashi sbabysi ster,hewasherbi gbr other.He' d
alway shadherback.Ev endur ingheror deal 8y ear s
agohewasoneoft hef ewpeopl ewhost oodbesi de
her.Hewast her edur i
ngt het oughphy siot herapy
sessi ons, t
hel ongr ecov eryper iodandt hest ressf ul
cour tday s.I nfact ,hewast heonewhohel pedf i
nd
thebast ar dswho' dr apedherwhent hepol i
cewer e
draggi ngt heirf eet.Hehel pedherpi ecetoget hert he
bit
sandpi ecesofmemor iesshest il
lhadoft hose
monst erst hent ookt hei nf ormat i
ont oaPIwhodug
deeperunti
lhefoundthebastardsandhandedt hem
overtothepoli
ce.Thatwasav erygoodPIwi t
ha
goodrelat
ionshi
pwithalotofpoliceoffi
cer
saround
Jo'bur
g.Toobadhedi edofheartattackacoupleof
yearsl
ater.
Ev enwhenNal edi want edt olearntoov ercomeher
fearofbei ngattackedagai n,Sebastianav ailed
himsel f.Hewasal readyar eti
redMMAf i
ght ert hen
andsheknewshewast her i
ghtmant ohel pher
l
ear nsomeusef ulself-
def encemov es.Except ,hi
s
sizemadeherf reezewhenev erhegott oocl ose.But
he'dmanagedt ot eachherasmuchashewas
willi
ngt oaboutsel f
-defence.Thenhe' dst opped,
say ingshewast ooangr yandwoul dpossi bl
ybea
dangert oev er
ymanar oundheri fshel earnedmor e
adv ancedf i
ghtingski l
ls.Ofcour sethatwascr ap,
whi chwaswhyNal edimov edont ojoinSansei Goj
u-
Ry uKar ateandKobudo.Butshest i
l
l camet o
Sebast ianwhenshewant edamor echal lengi ng
spar ri
ngpar tner .Shecoul dbestany onecl oset oher
size-manorwoman-buti nsist
edonwor kingout
wit hhim, event houghhehadagood35ki logr ams
andsev eralcenti
metresonher .Shel ikedthathe
waswi l
lingtotreatherli
keawor t
hyopponent ,even
thoughshehadnev erbeenablet ot akehi m down.
Didn'
tmeanshe' deverstoptr
yingt hough.Someday
hewoul dbepay ingherthethousandbuckshe' d
promisedi fsheeveraccomplishedt hatgoal.Never
onetobackdownf r
om achallenge, shei ntendedto
coll
ectinf ul
l.
-Her
:"Oneday,Hul
k..
.oneday
."sher
epl
i
ed,
hergr
in
equal
lycocky
.
-
Him:"I
nyourdreams,
"hethr
ewheratowel."
So
what
'seat
ingyou,Ni
no?Andwhathappenedtoy
our
t
emple?"
Aftertheinteresti
ngdinnershe'dhadwithLonwabo
she'ddrivenst r
aightt
oSebastian'
shouse, want
ing
totalk.Butthemomenthesawhowst ressedshe
l
ookedhe' dinsi
stedthattheytakeitt
ohis
professionalgym.
"Youneedsomether
apy,"he'
dsaid."Andno,
notthe
kindoft
herapyy
ouoffertoyourcl
ients.
"He'
dadded
withasmil
e.
She'dknownex actl
ywhathemeant .Sebasti
an
beli
evedthatphy si
calpuni
shmentinthegym was
thebestther
apy .Soheretheywere.Goodthi
ngshe
alwayskeptagy m gearinherl
ockeratthi
sgy m.
Nowt heysatdown,si
de-
by-
side,
andshetol
dhim
every
thingt
hathadbeenhappeni
nginthepast3
days,t
henadded..
.
-
Her
:"Ineedyourhelp,
bro?St
il
lhav
ethatPIcont
act
y
ouused3y earsago?"
Sheknewt hiswasat ouchysubj ect,
butshedidn't
knowhowel set oputit
.Sebast ianhadusedanew
PItoinvestigat ehiswif
e'sinfidelit
y3y earsago,and
whathadf ol l
owedwasanast ydi vor
cethatonlygot
fi
nali
seday earago.Hel ostsomeofhi sassetsi n
theprocessandhadt omov eoutoft hehousehe
andthewi fel ivedininGlenvista.Henowl i
vedalone
i
nasmal lest atehousebacki nAl bert
onCentral.And
workedasat raineri
nhisownMMA&Fi tness
Academyi nt hesamenei ghbour hood.
-
Him:"Ja.Syisei
ntl
i
kmyv ri
end.Hoekom?
"Yes.
She'
sactual
lymyfri
end.Why?
-Her
: "
IwanthertocheckoutS' fi
soforme.Iwant
somet hi
ngIcanuset ogethimt obackoff
.Hetri
ed
tokidnapmysont odayandIknowhewon' tst
op.
He'l
ltryagainunt
ilhegetshim.Andinvol
vingt
he
poli
cewon' tbeofanyhelp.Ican'
trel
yonthem to
ensuremyson' ssafet
y."
.
.
.
Wednesday
,26Febr
uar
y,21:
30
S'
fi
so'srent
alcarpul
ledupi
nthedri
vewayofanold
houseinNelsonRoad,Booy
sens.Hehatedt
hispar
t
oftheci
tybuttoni
ghthehadnochoicebutt
ocome.
Het ookhi sjacketfr
om thepassengerseatandput
i
tonbef oregetti
ngoutoft hecar.Aft
erfi
xinghi s
nicebutton-upshi r
t,hesmoothedhishandsov erhi
s
nav ydesignerslacksthenslowlywalkedovertot he
frontdoor .Helookedgoodandheknewi t.Some
mi ghtsayhewasar rogantbuthewoul dt
ellthem
thatitwasn' tar
rogancebutconfidence.
Hisexpensiveshoescomplet
edhisappearanceofa
manwel l-
respectedi
nthecommunity.Noonecould
tel
ltherealreasonhewasherebyjustl
ookingat
him.
Theidiot,Zolani
,openedt hedoorforhim bef
orehe
couldevenknock, thensteppedbackl ooki
ng
nervous.Zolaniwast hesameageasS' fi
sobut
l
ookedol derbecausehewasov er
weight.S'
fi
so
steppedinside,cl
osedt hedoorbehindhim and
l
ockedi t
.
Quietly,hetookint heinter
iorofthehouse.He'd
thoughthi stempor arybachelorfl
atinNewtownwas
beatendownbutt hi shousewaswor se.I
thad
defi
nitelyseenbet terdays,justl
i
kemosthousesi n
thi
sar ea.Itneededsomemaj orrenovati
onsandthat
wouldcostt hisidiotalotofmoney .Sowhydidhe
fuckupt hesimpleassignmentS' fi
sohadgivento
himt hismor ni
ng?Di dn'thewantmoney ?
-Zol
ani
:"Youshoul
dn'
tbeher
e,man.Mydaught
er
andhermotherwil
lbeher
esoon.
"
S'
fi
sodi
dn'
tsayany
thi
ng.Wi
thashar
psweepofhi
s
l
eg,hesentZol
anidown.Zolani
'
sfeetwentoutf
rom
underhi
m,andthenexti
nstanthewasonhisass.
Pulli
nghi sgunf rom hi
swai st,S'f
isopressedi tst
ip
againstZol ani'sfor
ehead.Themor onwasspr awl
ed
fl
atonhi sbackont hecheapl ami natedwooden
fl
oor i
ngofhi slounge.S'f
isopinnedhi m downwi t
h
onekneeacr osshisbell
y ,for
cinghi sout-of
-shape
gutt osuppor tmostofS' fiso'
swei ght
.Zolani
struggledt ocat chhisbreathandwheezedl i
kea
four-pack-a-daysmokerwho' dj ustsprint
edupaf ew
fl
ightsofst airs.
Lackofexer
cisei
sabi
tch.
-S'
fiso:"
Wel l
?What '
sitgoi
ngtobe?Arey ougonna
dowhatIwanty out
odoorwhat ?"Hi
sv oicewas
pleasant,asifhewereawai t
ert
akingthisguy'
sfood
orderdownatt hedi
ner.
Noanswer .Hepressedthepistolharder,
transf
err
ingsomeofhi sweightfrom thi
sunfi
tguy'
s
stomacht ohisforehead,whereal i
tt
leredri
ng
formedont hei
ndentedskinthatsurroundedthegun
barrel
.Zolanicr
iedoutandt urnedhisheadtoone
si
det
otr
yandal
l
evi
atet
hepr
essur
e.
-S'
fi
so:"Idon'thav
eal
lni
ght
.Tel
lmewhatIwantt
o
hear,ordie.
"
-Zolani
:"Please…Don'
tforcemetodot his.Ialr
eady
tri
edandi tdidn'
twork.Andit'
swrong.I'
m af at
her,
S'f
iso,youcan'texpectmet oki
dnapanot her
parent'
schi l
d."
-S'
fi
so:"
Anot
herpar
ent
'schi
l
d?That'
smyson,
Zol
ani
.
Lebo'
smyson."Hewasangrynow.
-
Zol
ani
:"Pl
ease.
..
"
S'
fi
sor
anoutofpat
ience.Hehat
edweakmen.
-
S'f
iso:
"Pl
easenot
hing.Cl
osey
ourey
es.
"
Zolanisqueezedthem shut,f
orci
ngouttears.They
randownt hesideofhisfaceandpooledinhisear
beforeoverf
lowinganddrippi
ngontothefloor.
-S'
fi
so:
" Idi
dn’
twantt
odot
his,
Zo,
buty
ou'
vel
eftme
nochoice."
Hegotup,pull
edasilenceroutofhi
sjacketpocket
andquickl
yfi
tt
editontohi s9mm.Adjust
ingthe
pi
stol
,hesqueezedthetrigger
.Pai
nti
ngthebrown
l
ami natedwoodenfloorcr
imsonred.Justli
kethat
Zolaniwasgone,gonet omeethi
smakerorhi s
ancestors,
whichev
eroneitwas.S'f
isodidn'
tcare.
Hest
oodov
ert
heguy
'sbodyandshookhi
shead.
-Him:"
YoushouldhavejustdonewhatIaskedyou
todo,Mageba,andshutyourmout h.Damnyou.Why
didyouhavetomakethingsdiff
icult
?Whatwereyou
gonnadonext?Tell
Naledieveryt
hing?"
Thensomet hingdr ewhi sat t
ention.Ont opofanol d
butattr
activesi deboardwasaphot oofZol ani'
s
famil
y..
.wheni twasst il
lwhol e.Theywer eseat edon
acouch.Zol ani wasi nthemi ddle,hi
swi feont heleft
andhisdaught eront heright.Hewasasl ightl
y
over
wei ghtman, butgood- looking.Wi t
hasmi leful
l
ofconfidence, andanexpr essiont hatsaid:"Lookat
thebeaut i
ful t
hi ngsl i
fehasgi venme. "Thephot o
wastakent hreey earsago, whent hingswer esti
ll
rosy
,S'fisoknew.I tspokeofhar monyand
happiness,for etoldaf air
yt ale.
Andnowl
ookatt
hem,
S'f
isot
hought
.
Zol
ani
andhi
swi
fewer
enowsepar
ated.Andt
he
l
it
tlegi
rlwaslivi
ngwit
ht hewife.Nofai
ryt
aleendi
ng.
S'
fisohadjustdonehi
m af avour,t
hebull
eti
nhis
headhadjustputhim outofhismisery
.
Ashemov edtothef r
ontdoor ,S'f
isothoughtabout
hisownf ami l
y.Theywer eoncehappyt oo.Buthe
andhiswi fewerenowgoi ngthr oughadi f
fi
cult
divor
ce.Thandi l
eev enwant edf ul
lcustodyofthei
r
twochildren.Fuck!Buthewoul dgi v
eherwhatshe
wanted.Thechi ldr
enwer egi r
lsany way.ButLebo?
Nowt hatwasadi f
ferentstory.Hewashi smini
versi
on.Hi sson.Hisf ut
ure.Andhewant edhim.
NEEDEDhi m.
Chapt
er14
Thur
sday
,27Febr
uar
y,08:
00
.
Whomur
der
edy
ou?
Lonwaboaskedthequest
ioninhisheadwhi
l
e
l
ookingatOwam Dike'
spr
ofil
epictur
eonher
Facebookpage.
Asacophe' dwi tnessedal ongl i
stofthingst hat
woul dbeupset t
ingt omostpeopl e:senseless
vi
olence, humanbei ngsdeci matedbydr ugs,
domest i
cabuse, andt hegranddaddyoft hem all
,
deat h.Theot hersdidn'tbotherhim asmuchas
deat hdid.Especiallyifther
ewasachi l
dorot her
helplesspersoni nvolved.Likemostr ati
onal adul
ts,
hehadasof tspotf orkids,andashesati nhis
policev ehi
clegoi ngthroughOwam' ssocialmedi a
pages, agutf eeli
ngofsadnesscr eptoverhi m al
l
overagai n.
Owam was17, andtohim shewasonlyachi
l
d.A
chi
ldt
obepr otect
ed,notmurder
ed.She'
donlybeen
4year
solderthanhisowndaughterwhenboththei
r
l
i
vesgotcutshor
t.
Godknewhewishedhecoul
dhav
epr
otect
edhi
s
owndaught
er.
Iwillf
indwhodidthistoy ou,Owam.Finding
mur derersi
stheonlythi
ngI '
m goodat.Hevowed
event houghhesti
ll
hadnoi deawhichdir
ecti
onto
take.Therewasnot rai
ltofoll
ow.Noev i
dence.
YesterdayheandBongani hadspentt i
mer ev i
ewing
thecase.He' dspenthour sreadi ngr epor ts,
i
ntervi
ewsandst atement sfrom t heor iginal missi
ng
personsdossi er .He' dev enwentt oseet hegi r
l
who'dcompl etedandsi gnedt heSAPS55( A)form.
Thegirl who'dr epor tedOwam mi ssing, her
roommat e.He'dal sotalkedt oev eryonewhogot
i
ntervi
eweddur ingt heinitialinvestigation: Owam' s
fri
endsandcl assmat es.Butst il
l,her eallyhadn' t
comeupwi thany thi
ng.Butt hatwasokay .Mi r
acles
andepi phaniesr arel
yhappenedi nt hemi ddleof
cri
minal investi
gat i
ons.Ify ouwant edsomet hi
nglike
thatyouneededt oturnont heTV.Resul t
si nthereal
worldtookt i
me.Theycamef rom sl ow, doggedwor k,
compi l
ingf actsandbui ldingconcl usionsand
deducti
onsbasedont
hosef
act
s.Andal
i
ttl
eluck
neverhurtei
ther
.
ButwhataboutLeratoPhi
ri
,theot
hermi
ssi
nggi
rl
?
Didshehavethatkindoft
ime?
Frustrated,helockedt hescreenofhi sphoneand
gotoutoft hecar.Hecr ossedt hestr
eetand
approachedt heentranceoft hemor t
uaryinHill
brow.
He'dbeensur pri
sedt oreceiveacallfrom the
mor tuarythismor ningaskinghi mtocomeand
attendOwam' saut opsy.I
thadbeenhi s
under standingthatthegirl
'sbodywoul djoinaqueue
ofbodi esthatwer estil
lawaitingautopsy,andthatit
woul dtakesomet imebef oreitgotattendedto.
Itwasaf actthatt heJohannesbur gForensic
Pathologymor tuar yinHi ll
browwasundersev er
e
pressur et ohandl eanev erincr
easi
ngwor kload.It
wassai dt hatanav erageof3500deceasedpeopl e
endedupher eev eryy ear.AndMel i
ndahadonce
explainedt oLonwabot hatonl yasmallnumberof
medi cal student swhospeci ali
sei
nforensicsended
upwor kingaspat hologists.Mostchoselucrativ
e
j
obsasanat omical pathologist
sforpri
vatelabs,
l
eavingstatepathol
ogi
stsworki
nginoneofthetwo
mainmor tuari
esint
heprovi
ncedoingnothi
ngless
than20aut opsi
esaweek,al
mostdoubletheweekly
average.Soautopsi
estookawhiletobedone.
Buther
eLonwabowas,r
eadytoattendanautopsy
ofabodyt
hathadbeenrecei
vedonlylesst
han24
hour
sago.Buthewasnotcomplai
ning.
Melindapr obablyhadhi m cal l
edbecausesheknew
thatheal way sattendedhi saut opsies.Hedi dn'tl
ike
missi nganaut opsybecauseheneededt o
i
mmedi atel ytakecont rol oftheexhi bitandsubmi ti
t
tothepol icel aborat oryf ortest i
ngi nor dert o
eli
mi nateanypot ent ialchai nofcust odyi ssues
whichcoul dar i
se.Heal sobel ievedt hatat tending
autopsiesof fer
edf arbet terinsightintowhat
happenedt ot hev ictim.ButBongani nev ercar ed
aboutt hat.Hehat edaut opsi es.Ev ent odayhe
woul dn'tcomeal ongbecausehecoul dn't"stand
seeinganot herhumanbei ngbei ngcutopen.I tdidn'
t
mat t
ert hatt heywer eal readydead. "
Aft
ercheckingin,Lonwabogotpr
ovidedwi
th
per
sonalprotecti
veequipment
.Thenhewalkedi
nto
theaut opsyroom tof i
ndMel i
ndawi t
hadienerand
twoot herassist
ant salr
eadyreadytobegin.He
greetedbutMel indadidn'tgr
eetback.Wasshest i
ll
madaboutl astnight?Reall
y?Wher ewasthe
professionall
adyheknew?I gnori
nghim,shestart
ed
speakingi nt
othev oicerecor
der.
-Her:"Thi
sisDr .Meli
ndaDekker , Forensic
Pathologist
,assist
edbyPet erDlami niandMpho
Mawi sa,ForensicOffi
cers,attheJohannesbur g
ForensicPathologymor tuaryinHi l
lbrow,per
forming
anaut opsyonOwam Di ke,age17.OpenHomi cide
CaseFi l
eNumber- -
Petery ou'
llf
illi
nt henumber
alongwi t
hthedat eandt i
me.Obser vingisDetecti
ve
Gama.Sayhel l
o,Detecti
v e.
"
Wasshemocki nghim?Lonwabowonder ed,
standingawkwar
dlytotheside.Hemumbleda
"hel
lo"asMeli
ndamov edalong,begi
nni
ngherv
isual
i
nspect i
onofOwam'sbody.
Hercamer afl
ashed,
photogr
aphingthebodyst i
l
l
i
nsidethebodybag.Shedidn'
tpayLonwaboany
att
enti
onasshecol l
ect
edmor eev i
denceoffofthe
ext
ernalsurf
acesofthebody.Hairsamples,
fi
ngernai
l
s,pai
ntchi
ps,put
ti
ngthem i
nevi
dence
bags.Shewassofocusedassheandherteam
removedthebodyfr
om thebagtoexami
nethe
wounds.
They ounggi rl'
sbodyl aynakedont heaut opsyt able.
Looki ngather ,Lonwabof eltsick.Hewast het y
peof
per sonwhocoul demot i
onal lydisconnectt hiskind
oft hing.Hi sjobr equiredhi mt o.Ifhewenti ntoa
casel ookingati tas,'Geez, thisissomebody '
sli
t t
le
girlorsomebody 'slit
tl
eboy ,
' he'dnev erbeabl etodo
hisj ob.Hecoul dn'tper sonal i
sei tinanyway .Hehad
toki ndaputt hat'thi
sissomebody 'slovedone'
i
nf ormat i
onasi deandl ookatt hebodymor easa
puzzl e, apuzzl ehehadt ohel psor tout .
..i
na
respect f
ulmanner .Butwi tht hisgirlhewasf ai
li
ng.
Looki ngather ,hecoul dn' thel pbutseehermot her's
dev ast atedface, thepai ni nherey es.Loss.He
thoughtabouthi sownl oss.Hi spai n.Hewasal soa
par entwho' dj ustlostachi ld.Seset hu.
Hegotlostinhisownpainfulmemor i
esunt
il
Mel
inda'
sv oicebr
oughthim back.Shewasalr
eady
f
argonewi thherext
ernalexaminati
on.
-Her:"Theseinci
sionslookl
i
kethosemadewi tha
scalpel.Andthecutslookprof
essi
onal.
"Shewas
pointi
ngt otheopeninginOwam'schest,wher
eher
heartusedt obe.
-
Him:"Wai
t.Youmeant
otel
lmet
hatasur
geondi
d
t
hat?
"
-Her:
"Thisheartisnotjustcutout,
it'sbeen
surgi
call
yremov ed.Willhavetodof urt
her
examinati
on.ButI '
vecutenoughpeopl ei nmyl i
feto
knowwhatI '
mt alki
ngabout .Aprofessional sur
geon
orsomeonewi thmedi caltr
aini
ngdidt his."She
answeredwithoutev enlooki
ngup.
Mer
cy.
.
.
.
Thur
sday
,27Febr
uar
y,08:
30
OhGod.Skyfoughtthesuddenwav eofnausea,
cur
li
ngi
ntohersel
f.Herheadachedt oo.Wine.Too
muchwine.Thi
sisthewor sthangoverev
er.
But.
..
Wait.No.Can'
tbe.Asli
verofcl
ari
tyr
etur
ning,
sheshookherhead,swall
owingamoanwhent he
room t
il
ted.Haven'
thadadri
nkinmonths.
Theflu.Dammi t
.Butshe'
dhadthedamnf l
ushot.
Andwhywasi tdar
kinhere?God.Shetr
iedtogetup,
torubhereyes,butshecoul
dn'
t.Wheream I
...
what
hap—?
Clari
tyretur
nedinar ushandwi t
hitcamebli
nding
panic.Notahangov er.Drugged.Shehadbeen
drugged.Andshewasst il
linthatdarkroom,hel
d
captive.Handshandcuffedtot hebed.
No.Shefoughtwi
ldl
yforafewseconds,hi
ssi
ng
whenthehandcuf
fssearedherski
n.Shesl
umped,
herhear
traci
ng.
Drugged.Theguyhadcomei nt
ot heroom again,
unlockedherhandcuffs,allowedhert oreli
eve
herselfi
nabucketundert hebed,andgav eherwat er
andf oodtoeat
.Andt henhe' dhandcuf fedheragain
andputanI Vwithmedi cineinherar m.Ifshehadt o
guess, t
heIVcontai
nedananaest heticandi twas
oneoft hosewit
hapump, rel
easingtheanest het
icin
gradualdoses.Jeez
!Forhowl onghadshebeenout?
Theguyhadsai ditwasnightwhenhecame.May be
i
twasnowmor ni
ng,shecouldn'
ttel
lbecausei
twas
al
way sdarkinthisr
oom.Ther ewasnowayof
knowing.
Therewasalotshedi
dn'tknow.Shesti
l
l di
dn'
tknow
whot heguywasorwhythey'dt
akenher.Hesti
ll
ref
usedtoansweranyofherquesti
ons.
She'ddeci dedtocallhim Redheadbecausehi shai r
wast int
edr ed.Hewasbi gbutseemedwayy ounger
thanher .Earl
yt omid-t
went i
esifshehadt oguess.
Andi nsidehischesthest il
lhadahear t.Shecoul d
tel
lthathedi dn'tl
ikewhatwashappeni ngt oher .He
alway ssaidsorryeveryti
mehewal kedin.He' dalso
apologisedbef oreheputint heIVwi t
ht hedrugt hat
sentheri ntoadeepsl eepalmostimmedi ately.The
samedr ugthatwasnowmaki ngherf eeldisoriented,
drowsyandsi ck.
Damn, whatdi
dtheyusetodrugherthi
stimearound?
Shewant edt
othrowup.Butshecouldn'
treachthe
bucket,
shewashandcuffedtothebed.Shetri
edto
hol
di ti
nbutwhenshecouldn'
t,shetur
nedherhead
tothesideandr eleasedthebreaks,vomit
ingallov
er
themat tr
ess.Ormay bei
twasn'tthedrugthatwas
maki ngherfeelnauseous,may beitwasmor ni
ng
sickness.Shedidn'tknow.Whatsheknewwast hat
thiswholethingwashumi l
i
ati
ng,dehumani si
ng.
Atfi
rstshe'
dpray edthatsomeonewoul dsav eher.
Butnowshedoubt edthatsomeonewoul dcome.
Nowshepr ayedfordeat ht ocomequi ckly.Butit
di
dn'tseem l
ikethatwast heplanf ort
heguywho
wast hemastermindbehi ndall ofthi
s.Whoev erhe
was,heseemedi ntentonst r
etchingthisout .On
makingthefearandant icipati
onofdeat hlast.He
hadn'tev
encomei nt
ot her oom y et
.Heal way ssent
Redhead.
Asifoncue,akeyturnedi
nt hedoortoherroom
andthedooropened.Shejerkedupont hebed,
her
heartt
hunder
ingwithawfulanti
cipat
ion.
Theawf ulscr
eamst hatusual
lyf
il
ledtheai
rwhen
thesteeldooropenedwer enowquiet
.OhGod,that
otherwomani sprobablydeadandtheyarenow
heretokill
met oo.Shewasscared.
ButwhenRedheadappear edalone,shewasr el
iev
ed.
Hecl osedthedoort henturnedont heli
ghts.Hewas
carryi
ngat rayoffoodwhi chhewentt oputont he
nightstandnexttoherbed.Whenhesawt hepuke
ont hemat t
ress,awav eofpainflashedacrosshis
face.Heunt iedher,
tooktheempt yIVoutandgot
hersomewat ert
odrink.
-
Her
:"Thanky
ou.Howl
onghav
eIbeenout
?"
-Hi
m: "
It
'snowmor
ning.Doy
ouwantt
ouset
he
bucket
?"
-
Her:"
Please.
"Shewantedt
opeesobadherbl
adder
f
eltl
i
keitwouldbur
st.
Hepull
edthebucketoutf
rom undert
hebedand
t
urnedaroundsoshecoulddoherbusiness.
Usingabucketasatoil
et,i
nt hesamespacey ou
l
ivedin,wi
thamanpr esentwasdegr adi
ng,
humili
ati
ng.Butsheusedit.Nootherchoice.
Whenshewasdecent ,Readheadsatont hefootof
thebedandl ethereat
.Thefoodwascol d,
justfat
cakesandat chaar
.Shehatedatchaar,butnowshe
ateitbecauseshehadnochoi ce.ThankGodi tdidn'
t
pushbackupheresophagus.
Shetri
edtoaskRedheadsomequest ionsassheate
buthekeptquiet
,asusual
.Justwatchinghereat
.
Whenshewasdone, hesl
i
dasy r
ingeoutofthe
pocketofhi
sjacket
.
-
Him:
"I'
m supposedt
odr
ugy
ouagai
n."
Buthedidn't
.Shewatchedhim squeezeoutthi
n
squi
rt
soft heprel
oadedbrownliqui
d.Itl
ookedli
ke
i
cedtea,sameast heonethatgotinj
ectedi
ntoher
vei
nsall
nightthroughtheI
V.
Shegotshockedwhenheempt i
edt heent i
resy r
inge
onthefloor.Huh?Wast hishi swayoft el
linghert o
go?Tor un?Shedi dn'tthink, sheact ed.Grabbi ng
holdoftheni ghtst
andbehi ndher ,sheswungwi thall
hermight.Shehear dt het hud.Thev ibr
ationoft he
i
mpactt ohisheadwentt hroughherbody .Wi tha
smallgr
unt ,Readheaddr oppedt othefloor .Shehi t
hi
m again,thenhur r
iedlyr i
fledt hroughhispocket s.
Cameupwi thacandybar ,and, sweetheav en,keys!
Sheracedt ot hedoorandouti ntoanar row,
windowless,butl i
tcor ri
dor .Thiswasabi g
basement .I
twasqui et.Noonei nsi
ght
.Butt here
werefourotherdoor s.Weretheremoredruggedand
hel
plesswomeni nsi dethoserooms?Shedi dn'thav
e
ti
met othinkaboutit.Shehadt okeepmov i
ng.A
doorseveralmetresaway ,attheendofthecor ri
dor
,
caughtherattent
ion.Somet hi
ngt ol
dherifshegot
thr
ought hatdoor
, shewoul dbehomef r
ee.
"
Stop!
"
Sheheardani ndist
inctvoi
cebehindher,butshe
didn'
ttur
n,didn'
tstop.ThiswasnotRedhead.I twas
theotherguy,hi
sv oicewasthisalt
eredunderhis
maskt henighttheytookher.Andshebelievedifhe
caughther,hewoul dkil
lher
.
Herlegspumpedf asterandfast
er.Shehadt odoit
,
hadtomakei t.Ther
ewer epeopleoutther
ewho
wantedhert ocomebackhome.I fshedidn'
tescape
today,shewoul dneverhaveanotherchance.She
woulddi ehere,al
one.
Herbreathheavedasherlungswor
kedtofull
capaci
ty.Shecouldfeelt
hemanbehindher,hearhi
s
foot
steps.Wit
hallherremaini
ngst
rengt
h,shegav e
i
theral landr eachedf orthedoor .Jammi ngakey
i
ntot hel ock, shetwi st
ed.Itwoul dn'twor k.
Swallowi ngapani ckedsob, shet riedanot her.Then
another .Themanwascomi ngt owar dher,closingin
onher .Please, ohplease,ohpl ease.Lett hisone
work.Shet urnedthekeyi nthel ock.Andi twor ked.I
t
worked!Thedoorswungopen, andsher anout .She
couldn' tstoporl ookback.Shewoul dn'
tst opunt i
l
shewasi nt heopen, awayf r
om her e.Sher acedup
thest airway .Onef l
ight,t
wof l
ight s.Whenwoul dit
end?Themanwasbehi ndher .Shecoul dhearhi m
running.
Shef or cedherlegstor unupt heflightofst ai
rs.Her
l
ungsached, herendurancedepl eted.Shef ell
forwar d,landi
ngonahar sh,unforgivingtil
ef l
oorat
thet opoft hestair
s,ont hegr oundf l
oorlevel.Pain
wassecondar ytodesper ati
on.Bumpsandbr uises,
ev enbr okenboneswoul dnotst opher .Ugly,ungodl
y
soundssur roundedher ,andsheknewt heycame
from her .Partwail
ing,par tr
aspingbr eaths.Her
l
ungsf eltasthought heycoul dexpl odeanymoment .
Ignor i
ngal lt
hepain,shesur gedt oherf eet.
Shewasi nthel
ivi
ngroom oft
hehouse,shereal
i
sed.
Abriefl
ookaroundshowedheranotherdooronl
ya
fewfeetaway.Sobbi
ngherrel
ief
,shehobbled
towardthedoorandpull
edit
.
Thedoorsl ammedshutbehi ndher .Sunlight
sur roundedher .Shewasout si
de!Fort hef ir
stti
me
i
nshedi dn'tknowhowl ong,shewasbr eathingfresh
ai
r .Butshecoul dn'
tst
opandappr eciateanyofi t.
Justbecauseshewasout si
dedidn' tmeanshewas
saf e.Andwher eev enwast hi
splace?Al lshecould
seewer ewideopenf i
eldsandar ockyt railt
hatled
i
nt oaf orest.Shewoul dhavetogoonf ootuntil
she
wasf araway .Shehadnopl ansaf terthat.Forri
ght
now, heronlygoal wastogetasf arawayf rom t
his
placeaspossi ble.
Asshest umbleddownt her ockytr
ailbaref
oot,
she
l
ookedov erhershoul
der.Noonewasbehi ndher.
Andthatall
owedhert i
met otakeinwhatshehad
escaped.Atwo-stor
eyhouset hatl
ookedabandoned.
Surr
oundedonl ybysomet rees,itwasplainand
i
solated.Whydidtheybringherher e?Whenshehad
ti
me…whenshewassaf e, shewoul dsitdownand
thi
nk.Shehadsomanyquesti
ons,
somanythings
shedidn'
tknow.Butf
ornowsheneededt
orun.
Chapt
er15
Thur
sday
,27Febr
uar
y,08:
50
.
He'dbeenputt
ingtoget
herabodybagforthe
tr
ansport
ati
onofthebitchlay
ingonhi
stablewhen
heheardfoot
stepshurr
y i
ngdownthecorr
idor
.Neo?
Wherewasher ushingt
o?
He'dopenedthedoortocheckwhatwasgoingon.
Thenhe'dseenher.Sky.Runni
ngdownthecorr
idor
tothedoorleadi
ngtothestair
wel
l.Shewas
escapi
ng.
Dammit!Hecoul
dn'
tl
ett
hathappen.Andwher
ethe
hel
lwasNeoandhisemptyr
edhead?
Not imetowaste,he'dranafterher.Immediatel
y
feeli
ngpainshootinguphi sknee.He'dhadacar
accidentthr
eeyear sago,busti
nghisr i
ghtkneeand
hip.AndTuesdayni ght,
whent heywer ecarr
yingthat
otherbit
ch'sbodyupt hestonepathwayatTheWi lds
he'dsli
ppedandf ellontheunforgi
vingstone,hur
ting
hishipandkneeal loveragain.Nowhecoul dnotr un.
Hewasf i
newalki
ng, buteverytimehepushedhi s
kneet
oomuchi
twoul
dpr
otest
.
He'dtri
edt ocatchupt oSkyandgrabherbutshe
wasf ast
ert hanhewas.Andt henshithadhappened.
Asher eachedt helandi
ngont hegroundfl
oorlevel
,
whereSkyhadf all
en,he'
dsli
ppedonsomet hing.Hi
s
l
egshadshotf orwardandhe'dfal
lenhardont heti
l
e
fl
oor.Excruciat
ingpainhadshotuphi shi
p,forci
ng
hi
mt ol i
edownf orawhil
e.
Nowher ehewas, t
ryingt ogettohi
sfeet.Fuck!He
cursedunderhi
sbreat hwhenher eal
isedwhathe'd
sl
ippedon.Amol t
encandybar .Skymusthav e
droppeditwhenshef ell
f or
ward.Neowoul dhaveto
answerforthi
s.Butlater.Nowhehadt oseewher e
Skywas.
Her eachedf orthefrontdoorandst eppedoutside,
butSkywasnowher etobeseen.Dammi t
!Howl ong
hadhebeenl y
ingthere?Fuuuck!Hehadgi vent he
bitchagr eatheadstart.Butthatdidn'
tmatter.This
placewasi sol
ated.I
twoul dt
akeherawhi l
ebef ore
shecoul dseeanot herhumanbei ngandaskf orhel p.
Andt heywoul dcatchherbef orethathappened.He
j
ustneededt ogoseewhatwashappeni ngwit hNeo.
Thent
heywoul
dgof
indher
.
HefoundNeosi
ttingonthefl
ooroft
heroom Sky
hadbeeni
n,hol
dinghisheadinhi
shands.How
pat
heti
c.
-Hi
m: "
Whatt
hefuckhappened,
Neo?Howdi
dSky
getpasty
ouandstr
aightt
othedoor
?"
-Neo: "
Iwasn'
tlooki
ng,man.Ididn'
tseeitcomi ng.I
thoughtshewasst i
lldr
owsyfrom thebarbi
turate.
Shehi tmewiththefucki
ngnightst
andandst olethe
keys."Heansweredwi t
houtevenlooki
ngup.
-Hi
m: "Justgogett
hedogsout .Andwe'l
lgoaf
ter
her.Shewon'tgetf
ar.Shedoesn'thav
eiti
nher.
ThatIknow. "
Neonodded,
gotupandwalkedoutoft
her
oom.
St
upi
dungratef
ulweakl
i
ng.Hewasgoingt
ocost
hi
m.
.
.
.
Thur
sday
,27Febr
uar
y,09:
00
Eeriesoundsi nt hedi
stancecausedSkyt ostop
abruptly.Gaspinganotherbr eathintoherov er
taxed
l
ungs, shel eanedagainstabi gt r
eeandl ist
ened.
Bloodhoundshowl ed.Terrorincreasedt heshiver
s
runningr ampant l
ythr
oughherbody .Thesearch,
i
ncludingdogs, wasapparent lyon.Wer etheythe
kindthatt orehumanst opi eces?No, shecouldn'tl
et
herselfthinkaboutthat.Shehadt okeepongoi ng.
Besides, beingtornapartbyr avenousdogswoul dbe
betterthanbei ngtort
uredthenki ll
edbyt hosemen.
Nowaywasshegoi ngbackt here.Ever.
Shehadtokeepgoing.Ifshehadshoeson, she
coul
drunfaster
.Butevent houghshehadseenher
shoeswhenshewasr eturningthebucketunderthe
bedint
hatbasementroom, shecouldn'
ttakethem.
Theywerehighheel
s,shecoul dn'
trunont hose.
Cursinghersenselesspr efer
enceinshoes, sheheld
herhandt othepai nful
stit
chathersideandl ooked
around.Shewasi nthemi dstoftheforest
.Trees
surroundedher,asf arastheey ecouldsee.Shehad
noideawhi chdi
r ecti
ont otake.I
fonlyshecoul df
ind
aroadsomewher e, maybeshecoul dwav edowna
car.Onceshegottothepol
i
ce,shecoul
dtellt
hem
aboutthesepeopl
e.Theywoul
dsavetheother
womanorwomen.
Thet hr
obbinginherbarefeetmadeherlookdown
atthem; shewinced.Theywereabloodymess.But
shecouldn'tl
etthatstopher.
..
shehadtokeepgoing.
Pushingawayf rom t
het r
ee,shebr
okeintoafl
at-
out
run.Therehadtobeawayoutofher e.Ther
ehadt o
be.
.
.
.
Thur
sday
,27Febr
uar
y,12:
00
Lonwabol eanedont hebackwal lofthei
roffi
ce,
thi
nking.Owam Di kehadbeenmi ssingfor8day s
beforeherbodywasdi scovered.She'dbeenbound,
sexuall
yassaul t
ed,t
ortur
edthenmur der
ed.Taking
i
ntoconsi der
ationbodytemperature,ri
gorandli
v or
mor t
is,DrMelindaDekkerhadest i
mat edtheti
meof
deathtobebet ween9:30and11: 30P. M.on
Tuesday .Thecreepwhohadt hegi r
lhadkepther
boundf or8day s,sexuall
yassaultingher,andt hen
drainedherbodyofbl oodbysev er i
ngherl eftcar ot
id
artery.Thepathol ogi
sthadprov i
dedapr el
imi nary
autopsyr eport.Accordingtohert heimmedi ate
causeofdeat hwasexsangui nation.Lonwabohad
i
nitial
lythoughtt hiswasaboutor gant r
afficking.But
whenhel earnedt hatthehearthadbeensur gi call
y
remov edpost -
mor t
em hehadt ochangehi st une.
Whyr emoveherhear twhenshewasal readylong
dead?Tomakeast atement ?Whatst at
ement ?And
whywoul dapr ofessionalsurgeonorsomeonewi t
h
surgicalt
rai
ningkill
heratal l
?Whatwast hemot i
ve?
Owam wasst i
llachil
d, andev er
ybodyonlyhadnice
thi
ngst osayabouther .Thenagai n,ser
ialki
ll
ers
don'tneedmot i
ve.
Atthecr i
mescenet hey'dfoundtwoset sof
unidenti
fiedshoepr i
nts.Therewer etwoki l
l
ers.One
probablymor edomi nantthant heother.Someone
capableoft ortureandmur der.Psychopath,
sociopath,atleastsomesy mptoms.Behav ior
establi
shedper sonali
ty.Lonwabohadl earnedthat
fr
om t heforensi cpsychologisthe'
dextensivel
y
workedwithbacki nCapeTown.Pr ofi
li
ngt he
evi
dentl
ymot iv
eless,theserialki
ll
ers,t
her apists,
thesexmur der
er swhower edr i
venbyt hedemons
ofthei
rpasts:thefucked-upf ami
lyli
fe,theviolent
fat
her,t
hewhor ingmot her.
Now,
whatwast
hiski
l
ler
sfuckeduppast
?
Butwer etheyev ensurethatthiswast hewor kofa
seri
alkil
ler?Whatwast hecommonal it
ybetween
Owam' scaseandLer at
o's?Othert hanthefactthat
theywentt othesameuni v
ersit
y ,
therewasnor eal
commonal itybetweenthegi r
ls.Differ
ent
backgrounds, di
ffer
enttri
bes,diff
erentages.Owam
wasat eenager ,
Leratowas21.Andt heydi
dn'teven
knoweachot her.
Lonwabocoul dnotst andst il
l.Hepacedupand
downwhi l
eBongani wor kedonat imel
inewi t
h
cursorydetai
lsont heboar d.Lookingatt he
photographsoft hetwogi rlsont heboard,Lonwabo
onceagai nstr
ivedtoseet het i
e..
.t
hecommonal it
y.
Theof fi
cerswhoi nit
ial
lywor kedont hecases,
beforeBongani wasbr oughti n,sai
donedi dn'texi
st.
They'dtreat
edthedi sappear ancesassepar ate
cases.Logically,Lonwaboknewheshoul d,t
oo.
Therewer enosi mi l
ari
ti
eshere.Therewere
numer ousr easonswhyeachoft hesegi
rl
scoul
d
havedi sappeared,andnonecompar edt
otheother
.
Sowhycoul dn'thelookatthedisappear
ancesas
separateent i
ti
es?
BecauseBongani t
houghtt hecaseswer econnected.
Theguywasnobody '
sfool.Hemi ghthav elovedhis
boozebuthehadr eal
lygoodi nstincts.Ifhethought
thecaseswer econnect ed,thent heywer e
connected.Butrelat
edornot ,theyst i
llhadnot hi
ng
towor kwi t
h.AndLonwabowasnowpani cking.
PleaseGodl etLerat
ol i
ve,please, justlongenough
forustogett oher.Buthowwer et heygoi ngtoget
toheriftheystil
lhadnol eads?Toomucht i
mehad
elapsedsincethegirldi
sappear ed.Toomany
possibil
i
ties.
Bonganisaidsomethi
ngaboutMeli
nda,but
Lonwabobar el
yheardhi
m.Hewasl osti
nt hought,
hi
sbr ai
nsearchi
ng.Thefr
ustr
ati
on,t
hejunky ar
dof
i
nformationinhi
shead.Hehadtosiftt
hrought he
chaos;every
thi
nghehadheardandseen, every
thi
ng
heknew, hadt obesor t
ed.Butbecausehehad
hypert
hy mesia,hismi ndwasal way smov i
ng.Getti
ng
dist
racted.Therewast oomuchnoi seinhishead.
Andhewasget t
ingimpat ient
,anxious.Theclock
wast i
ckingandhest il
lhadnot hi
ng.Hef el
tli
kethe
wall
swer eclosingi nonhi m.Hishear twasbeating
fast
er.Hecoul dn'tbreathe.Fuck,heneededhi s
anxiet
ypi l
l
s.
Withoutsay i
ngany thi
ngt oBongani ,
hewal kedout
oftheirof f
ice, randownt hecor r
idorandoutt he
buil
ding, str
ai ghttohiscar .Hej umpedi nsideand
i
mmedi at
elyr eachedf orthegl ovecompar t
ment .But
thepi l
lbottlewasn' tt
here.Shit,wher ewasi t?He'd
hadi twi t
hhi my ester
day.Wai t.Itwasint hepocket
ofhisj acket.Thesamej ackethewaswear ingright
now.Hepat tedt hepocket s,butt hepil
l
swer en'
t
there.Damn.Wher eweret hey?Heopenedt he
windowandt ookdeepbr eat
hs, tryi
ngtocal m
himsel fdown.Af t
erawhi le,
hispul sebegant oslow.
Lastni
ght
.Yeah,l
astnightwhenheenteredNaledi
's
caranddr
ovetoMabonenghehadt hebott
leinhis
pocket
.Maybeitf
elloutinhercar
.Dammi t
,thatwas
hi
sl astbottl
e.May beheshoul dcall
Nal ediandf i
nd
outifshehadn' tseenit.Besi
des,he'
dbeendy ingto
cal
l herall
mor ningbuthe'dbeenscar edt o.Thepill
s
havenowgi venhim agoodexcuset ocal lthe
womanhe' dfellasl
eept hi
nki
ngaboutl astnight.And
amazi ngl
y,he'dsleptsopeacef ul
.Nonight mares,
nothing.Nalediwashi smedicine.
Pull
ingouthi sphone,hedi all
edhernumber ,butit
wentst r
aighttov oi
cemai l
.Ohdamn.Shewas
probablybusy .Hewoul dcallagai
nl ater,buthesti
ll
l
eftav oicemessageaski nghertopl easecallhim
back.Justashewashangi ngup, acal l
from Langa
camet hrough.Hei gnoredit.Hisrelati
onshipwith
histwinbrotherwasshaky .Andrightnowhedi dn'
t
feell
iketalki
ngt ohim.Het ossedt hephoneont he
passengerseatandst art
edt hecar,determined.He
knewexact lywher eheneededt obe.Thokoza.
Tocrackthisheneededtost ar
tatthebeginni
ng.He
neededtoputhimselfintheshoesofthev i
cti
ms.
Andrightnowheneededt oknowtherealOwam.
Notthegirlhe'
dseenonsoci almediaorheardabout
fr
om herfri
endsandr oommat efr
om varsi
ty.
Nowaday s,wearingamask, pret
endingtobe
somet hi
ngy ou'
renot ,onsocialmediaandinf r
ontof
fr
iends,wasbecomi ngcommon.Butf amil
y?You
couldneverfooly ourownf amily
.Heneededt ot al
k
tothegirl
'
smot her .He'dal
readytalkedtothefri
ends
andreadev eryt
hingi nthedocket,butnotall
ofhi s
questi
onshadbeenanswer ed.
.
.
.
Thur
sday
,27Febr
uar
y,12:
15
Naledihurr
iedfrom cl
ass,
asfastasshewasable.
She'dthoughtthoseyoungwomenwoul dnev
er
l
eav e.St
udents,al
waysaskingamill
i
onquesti
ons.
ThursdaysandFri
daysweredif
ferentforher.She
wouldspendthedaysattheuniversi
ty,andher
off
iceatthehospi
tal
woul dbeclosed.Shetaughta
Psychologycl
asstothi
rdandsecondy earsatWits.
Andr i
ghtnowshewasr unni
nglateleavingt
heclass.
Shehadanappoi
ntmentwi
thRendani
,oneofSky
's
cl
osef r
iends.Shehonest lydidn'tli
ket hewoman,
al
way sthoughtt herewassomet hi
ngoddabouther .
Thatshewant edSky '
sli
fe.Butshet ol
erat
edher
becauseshewasi nSky'
slife,andr i
ghtnowshe
neededt oaskheraf ewquest ionsaboutSky .Sky
wasmi ssingandshecoul dn'tjustfoldherhands
andwaitf orthecopst odot heirjob,shehadt odo
somethingt oo.
Rushingtohercar ,shedroveoutofcampusand
str
aighttothecof f
eeshopRendani hadsai dshe'
d
beat.Afterfindingapar ki
ngspaceshequi ckly
l
eapedoutoft hecarandhur r
iedof ftothecoffee
shop'sentrance, herhandbusyt urningherphoneon.
Messagespour edi nassoonast hephonewason,
butshecoul dn'tcheckanyoft hem, Rendanihad
al
readyseenher .
Shewalkedovertohertable,
knowingverywel
lthat
thepeti
tewomanwasal readypissedbyall
the
waiti
ng.Shekeptpul
l
ingatherneatbraidsasshe
drankhercof
fee.
-
Nal
edi:
"Rendani
,hi
.Sor
ryI
'
mlat
e.Andt
hanksf
or
wai
ti
ng.
"
-
Rendani
:"Ni
khout
odami
ni?
"Whatdoy
ouwant
?
Naledihadn'tseent hi
swomani ntwomont hs.The
l
asttimet heywer einthesamespacewasatSky '
s
weddingandt hey '
dhadaheat edar gumentthat
al
mostwentphy si
cal.ThelookonRendani '
seyes
ri
ghtnowt ol
dhert hatshestil
lhadnotforgott
en
aboutthat.Andt hatshehadnot i
met opret
end
otherwi
se, shejustwant edtogetwhateverthi
s
was...
overanddonewi th.
-Nal
edi:
"Pl
easebepat
ient.
"Shepull
edtheonl
y
avai
labl
echai
ratt
hetableandsatdown.
-Rendani
:"At
hinat
shi
fhi
ngat
shi
nzhi
-i
,Nal
edi
."Idon'
t
havemucht i
me.
-Nal
edi: "ThisisaboutSky .AsIt oldyouy ester day,
onthephone, shedisappear edTuesdayni ght.Now
I'
mtryingt of i
ndouti fthepeopl eshewaswi t hon
Tuesdaydon' trememberany t
hingthatcouldshed
somel ightonherdi sappear ance.Iknowy ousai d
youdidn' tknowwher eshei s,butmay bether e's
somethi ngy our emember .Somet hi
ngshesai d,
somethi ngt hathappened, any t
hing.Imeanshe' sa
fr
iendofyour
s,y
ouspendti
mewit
hheroncampus
every
day.AndonTuesdayy
ouwer
etoget
her
.Di
d—?"
-Rendani
:"You'
vewastedyourtimeandmi ne,y
ou
know."Shecutheroff
."Idi
dn'tseeSkyonTuesday .
AndlikeItol
dyouont hephoney ester
day,Idon'
t
knowany t
hingaboutherdi
sappear ance.
"
-Nal
edi
:"Real
l
y?Icouldhaveswornshesai
dshe
waswithyouint
hisverycaf
ethateveni
ngbef
ore
shecamet omyoffi
ceinRosebank.
"
-Rendani:
"Ihonest
lydon'
tknowwhaty
ou'
retal
ki
ng
about.Lastti
meIsawSkywasonMonday .
"
Shewasl
yi
ng,
Nal
edi
wassur
eofi
t.Quest
ionwas,
why?
-
Nal
edi:"
Oh.Mybad.Andthel
ab?Didyouhearthat
t
hei
rlabgotdest
roy
edtheni
ghtshedi
sappear
ed? "
-Rendani
:"I
'
minthesamedepar
tment
,Nal
edi
.Soof
course,I
'
vehear
dabouti
t.
"
Justl
ikeSky,
Rendaniwasapost
doctor
alfel
lowin
theChemist
ryDepar
tmentatWit
s.AndSkyhad
oncetol
dNaledit
hatRendani
hadalsowantedtobe
i
nv ol
vedi nther
esearchproj
ecttheywer eworking
onbutt heywouldn'
tall
owher.AccordingtoSky ,
Rendani gotsoangry.Nowcomet ot
hinkofit,if
therewasany onewhowoul denjoyseeingthatlab
destroy
edi twouldbeRendani.AndasSky 'sf
riend
shecoul dhaveeasil
ystol
enSky '
suniv
er si
tyI
Dcar d.
-Naledi
: "
TheysaySky 'sI
CAM IDcardwasusedt o
enterthel abaroundthesametimet helabgot
destroyed.ButSkywaswi thmei nmyof fi
ceatthat
ti
me.SoIt hi
nkhercardgotst
olen.Didn'
tyouseeor
hearany thing?"
-Rendani:"
Skywasoncampust hewhol edayon
Tuesday, r
ight
?Sosheusedhercar dunt i
lsheleft
thecampus.Nowi fIdidn'
tseeheronTuesday ,how
wouldIknowany thingabouthercar d,acardthat
waswi thheralldayt hatday?Doy ouev erstopto
thi
nkbef oreyouopeny ourmout h,
Nal edi
?Please
stopwast i
ngmyt ime, maan.
"Shegotup, gr
abbed
herhandbagandwal kedaway,angry .
Whywasshesowor kedup?ThemoreNaledi
thoughtabouti
t,t
hemoreshesmell
edarat.And
sheneededt of
indoutwher
eitwasbur
ied.
Justt
henhercel
lphoner
ang.I
twasthePri
vat
e
I
nvest
igat
orSebasti
anhadref
err
edhert
o.
.
.
.
Thur
sday
,27Febr
uar
y,12:
20
Thef orestwassuddenl ybehindSky ,i
nf rontofher
wereopenst ret
chesofgr ass.Oht hankGod.Af ter
runni
ngar oundincircl
esi nthef or estforGodknew
howl ong, she'
dthoughtshewoul dnev erf i
ndher
wayout .Thatshewoul ddi eint her e,eatenbywi ld
animals.Butnowshewasonopenl and,andev en
thoughshesawnohouses, atleastshecoul dsee
whereshewasgoi ng,shecoul dseeaf ootpath.She
breathedasi ghofr eli
efandst art
edpi ckingupher
pace, f
ol l
owingthepat h.Thedeci siont ojogno
l
ongerhadany t
hingtodowi thspeed.Theonl yway
toforgett hepaininherbar ef eetwast okeepi t
hurti
ng.
Thenshesawafor
kinthefootpat
h,choset
helef
t
oneandkeptr
unni
ng.For
typacesandthenshe
l
ookedbehi
ndher
.Ohno.
Faroff
,attheedgeoft hef orest
,st oodthetwoof
them.Small,
wat chf
ulfigures,nodogs.I fshedidn'
t
seetheredheadshewoul dhav et houghttheywere
j
ustpeoplegoingaboutt heirbusiness.Andshe
wouldhaverunbackt ot hem toaskf orhel
p.But
nowshewasn' tseei
nghel pbutdanger .
Frightened, shepi ckedupherpacesomemor e.She
didn'tknowwhet hertheyhadseenher ,butwhenshe
l
ookedbackov erhershoul dershecouldseet hat
theywer enol ongerst andi
ng.Theywer erunning,
towar dsher .Despai rdr aggedather.Onesol uti
on
woul dbet ost op, sot hatitcouldal
lbeov er
, t
he
i
nev itablecoul dhappen.Shecoul dn'
tkeept hisup,
herst rengthwasgone.Forasecondt hatoption
seemedi rresisti
ble,theper fectwayout,andit
slowedherdown.Buti nhermi ndsher epl
ayedt he
scenewi ththeot herwoman' sscr
eamsi nthat
basement ,andt headr enali
negushedandshe
carriedon, weepi ngassher an.
Chapt
er16
Thur
sday
,27Febr
uar
y,12:
25
.
Skyf eltsur eshehadmadeami stakebyl eavi
ngt he
forest.Shewasnowi nplainv iew, nothiddenf r
om
herpur suer s.Howf arbehi ndwer etheyany way?She
hadnoi deaandcoul dnotr i
skev ent hemi cr
osecond
i
twoul dt akehert olookbackov erhershoul der.The
horrorofnotknowi ngcreat edadr eadunl i
ke
any t
hingshe' dev erexper i
enced.Shehar nessedt he
adrenal ine,wallowedi nt hef ear,any t
hingt hatmight
pickupherspeedandhel phergetawayf rom t
hem.
Butwhowassheki dding?Herf eetwer ebar e,i
njured
andpai nful,t
her ewasnowayshe' dout r
unt hose
men.They '
dgr abherandki llher.
Withherf oot
stepsandfranti
chear tbeatdrowni ng
outallothersound,shehadnoadv ancewar ni
ngof
ther i
verunti
lshe'dt
umbleddowni t srockyv al
ley.
Focusedonherf ear
,shehadn'tseeni tandwasn' t
preparedforthesuddendrop.Herf ootl andedbadly
onr oundpebblesandshef el
ldownhi ll
.Tr y
ingto
brakeher selfwi thherhands, shebangedher
shoulderhar dandwaswi nded.Sher oll
edov eronce
andlayst i
ll
,awar ethatherhandswer egr azed, that
somet hinghadst ruckherchi n, buthergr eatestneed
wasf orai r
,sheneededt oforcei tbacki nt oher
l
ungswi thgr eat,raggedbr eaths.Herf irstat tempt
wasabel lowi ngcr oakl i
keanani mal andshe
neededt obequi et,theymustnothearher .Twi ce
sheinhal edhoar sely,theninsmal l
er ,
qui eterbr eaths.
Sizi
ngupt her ushingwat erbel ow, shewast hankf ul
shehadmanagedt oputont hebr akes.Thewat er
seemedt obeaboutknee- deep—notexact l
ya
ragi
ngr iver.Buti nt hiscoldwi nt er-l
ikeday ,wi t
honl y
softpyjamapant sandat hinlongsl eev edT- shi r
ton,
soakingi ncol dwat erwast hel astt hingsheneeded.
Shel ookedar oundt
her i
verbankandsawacr evi
ce
carvedoutunderagi antrockpossi
blybydecades
anddecadesofwat er.Justbi
genoughf orherto
creepi nto.Shemovedl i
keasnake,oversomer ocks,
herbl eedinghandsheldoutinfr
ontofher,towards
theopeni ng.
Shehear
dtheur
gentr
unni
ngst
epsofherpur
suer
s
from abov e.Howcl osewer ethey?Notwaitingto
fi
ndout ,shecr awledintotheopening.Butthen
reali
sedt hatherbleedinghandshadl eftbl
oody
printsont hegiantrock.Herpursuerswould
def i
nit
elyseethatandhaul heroutofherhiding
place.No, no,shecouldn'tlett
hathappen.
Withhersl eev e,shet ri
edt or emov etheblood, butit
wouldn'tcomeof f.Ohno!Shewasr unningoutof
ti
me; theywoul dseeher .Forget t
ingt hecol d,she
quicklytookt heT- shi rtoffandusedi ttodesper atel
y
rubatt herock.Andi twor ked,thebl oodcameof f.
Withoutwast i
nganymor etime, shewr iggledher
bodyi ntothehol low, draggingt heT- shirtafterher.
Notlongaf tert hat, shehear dRedhead' sv oicef r
om
upabov e,
aski nghi spar t
nerwher eshecoul dhave
gone.Theot herguydi dn'tanswer .Skyhel dher
burningbreat h,sawhowt hebl oodf r
om herchi n
dri
ppedont hepebbl esundert her ock.Shel aysti
ll
,
andshutherey es, asi fthatwoul dmakeheri nvi
sibl
e
tothem.
.
.
.
Thur
sday
,27Febr
uar
y,12:
40
Hest oodont helev el
groundabov et hestream,
wonder i
ngwher eSkyhaddi sappear edt o.Forthe
past10mi nut
es, heandNeohadf ollowedt hebody
ofwat er
, l
ooki
ngf ort
hei
rcapt i
ve,butshewas
nowher etobef ound.Wher ecoul dshehav ehidden?
Hewast ir
ed,hiskneeandhi phur tlikehel l
,andhe
wantedt ogobackt othefarm.Hewasgi vi
ngupt he
search,thesamewayhi stwost upi ddogshadaf ter
runningaroundf orhoursinthef orest .
Assomeki ndofcomf or
t,hetoldhimselfthatit
didn'
treal
lymat t
erthatSkyhadescaped, shewoul d
notmakei toutofherealone.Hunger ,exhausti
on,
andt hecol
dweat herwouldtakecar eofher .She'
d
madeami stakebyrunningthroughthef orest,
ifshe
hadr antotheoppositedir
ecti
onshewoul dhav e
reachedcivil
i
sati
onbynow.St upidbitch.
Hemoti
onedforNeot
ocomebackandt
heymade
t
hei
rwaybacktothef
arm.
Asheent
eredt
heol
d,t
wo-
stor
eyf
armhouse,
his
cel
l
phonerang.I
twasnoneothert
hant
hewoman
hewassleepi
ngwit
h-Rendani.
Whent heymet2mont hsagoshe' dpracticall
y
thr
ownher selfathi
m.I ft herewasonet hinghe
hatedmor ethancheat i
ngbi t
chesitwascheap
women.Di sgusted,he'dtur nedherdownt henand
l
eft.Butwhenhi splant ogett oSkyformedi nhis
headhe'dreconsideredt hiswoman' soffer.Hecould
usehertogett oSky ,andt hathadwor ked.Pity
Rendanithoughtsomewher einthi
sequat ionther
e
wasl ov
e.
-
Him:
"Rendi
."Hemaskedhi
sfr
ust
rat
ion.
-
Her
:"Baby
,we'
vegotapr
obl
em.
"
-
Him:
"Whatdoy
oumean?
"
-Her:"Naledii
saskingquesti
ons.Andshe'sget
ti
ng
suspicious,Icoul
dseeitinhereyes.Sheknowsthat
I'
vegotsomet hi
ngtodowi t
hbotht hel
abandSky's
disappearance."
Nal
edi
.Thatnosybit
ch.Al
wayspoki
nghernose
wher
eitdi
dn'
tbelong.Hewoul
dhavetofi
ndaway
t
odealwit
hher.Andthist
imehewoulddomore
t
hanj
ustsl
ashhert
yres.
-
Him:
"Whatdi
dyout
ell
her
?"
-
Her:"
Whatdoyouthi
nk?Ideni
edev
enseeingSky
onTuesday
.Butt
hatonl
ymadehersuspi
cious.
"
-Him:"Justst
ickt
othest
ory
.Andl
eav
eev
ery
thi
ng
else.
"
-Her
:"Babe,Idon'
twantt
roubl
e.Makesurethi
sgoes
away,okay.What'
shappeni
ngwithSkyanyway?"
-
Him:
"Shewon'
tbeapr
obl
em.
"
Hewasexhausted,col
d,hungryandpi ssedthatSky
hadescaped.AndnowNal ediwasmaki ngthings
worse.Fuck,
hecouldfeelangerboil
i
ngi nthepitof
hi
sstomach.Wi t
houtsayi
ngany t
hingmor eto
Rendani,
hehungupandswi t
chedhisphoneof f.He
neededtothi
nk.
.
.
.
Thur
sday
,27Febr
uar
y,12:
45
Lonwabopul l
edupi nfrontofOwam' shome, not
l
ookingforwardt oseeingt hepai nint hegir
l'
s
mother'
sface.Ashewasaboutt oopent hedoor
andgetoutoft hecar ,hisphoner ang.Asmi lefound
i
tswayt ohissadf acewhenher ealisedwhoi twas,
andhispulsequi ckenedi nresponse.Nal edi.Hel et
outthedeepbr eathhehadn' tevenreal i
sedhe' d
beenholdingast hecont entofhi sdreamsf r
om l ast
ni
ghtrushedthr oughhi shead, causinghi spantst o
ti
ght
enar oundt hegr oi
n.
-Hi
m:"Nal
edi
,hi
,
"hegat
her
edhimsel
fenought
o
answer
,pr
obabl
yari
ngbef
oreshehungup.
-Her:"Hey.SorryIcouldn'
ttakey ourcall
earli
er.Were
yougoi ngtotellmeaboutDet ecti
veMabuse?The
detectivewho'sbeenassi gnedt oworkonSky '
scase?
Hej ustcall
ed.Want stointerv
iewme, t
ogetmor e
detail
saboutt hedisappearance.Say she'
sgonna
givethiscasehi sabsolut
ebest ."Shewasspeaki ng
fast,buthervoicewasst il
laswar m asev er
.
Hisabsol
utebestmyfoot,Lonwabothought.He'
d
l
earned,t
hismorni
ng,t
hatSky '
sdockethadbeen
handedtoMabuse,andthatactual
l
ywor r
iedhim
becauseheknewMabuset oowel l
.Noonecoul d
accuset heguyofbei ngacompet entdetect ive.And
hewasasst ubbor nasamul e.Whenhewal kedi n,
comi ngf rom t hemor tuary,Lonwabohadt ri
edt o
discussSky '
scasewi thhi m, butt heguyhadshot
him down, t
ell
inghi mt hatheknewhowt odohi sjob,
thathedi dn'tneedasel f-appoi ntedment or.Cal li
ng
him a'fucki ngXhosawhot hinksheknows
everything. 'Butallthatdi dn'tbot herLonwabo.What
didbot herhi m wasknowi ngt hatwi t
hMabuse
handlingt hecaseSkyhadasmuchchancesof
beingf oundast hedeadhadofcomi ngbackt ol i
fe.
Andt her oy albitchofi tallwas, ther ewasnot hing
Lonwabocoul ddoabouti t
.I twasCapt ai
n
Mot aung' scal l
.Thest and-inst ationcommander
whohadaskedhi m andBongani t of ocusont he
Owam andLer atocaseexcl usively .Andt hatmeant ,
forthef or eseeablef uture,theduo' sprofessi onal
l
iveswoul dr evolvear oundt hatpar ti
cularcase,
nothingel se.Skywasbasi cal l
yonherown.But
Lonwabowasn' taboutt otell Naledi that.Hedi dn't
wanthert owor ry.
-Him: "
That'
sgoodt ohear
.Andhopefull
yy ourfri
end
willbebackhomesoon. "Godknewhepr ay edfor
thattohappen,andwishedtherewassomet hi
nghe
coulddo."Butthat
'snotwhyIcall
ed.Iactually
want edtohearyourvoi
ce.Andtoaskifyoudi dn't
seemypi ll
sinyourcar.It
hinkIdr
oppedthem l ast
night."
-Her
:"Yourpi
l
ls?Nah,Ididn'
tseethem.AndIwas
dri
vi
ngmymom' scaryester
day,soI'
l
laskherto
l
ookforthem l
ater
.Youdon'twantthem r
ightnow,
doyou?"
-
Him:"No,l
aterisf
ine.WhatIwantr
ightnowi
s
t
o..
.j
usthearyourvoi
ce.Howareyou?Areyou
f
eel
ingokaytoday?"
Hecouldhearherlazy
, sexyl
aughontheotherend
oft
hephone.Andf orthatmomenteveryt
hinginhi
s
wor
ldfeltal
ri
ght.
-Her
:"I'
mf i
ne,Nwabo.Itol
dyoulastnight,
Iwasn'
t
concussed.Hadal otonmymindt hough.Butnow
I'
m..
.okay-
ish.Thi
ngsseem tobelookingup.So
yah.
..
I'
m okay.Whataboutyou?"
Hismi ndinst
antl
yf l
ashedtothepictur
eofOwam' s
body.Followedbyhermot her
'sface,painedandtear
-st
reaked.Restl
esslyhecasthiseyesont heneat
shackt hatwasOwam' shome, wonderingwhathe
wasgoi ngtosayt othepoormother.AndLer at
o?If
Leratogotkil
ledtoo..
..
he'
dneverforgiv
ehi msel
f.
"
Lonwabo?Ar
eyoust
il
lther
e?"
HejumpedasNal edi
'ssof
tvoicebroughthi
m back
tothepresent.Foundthet
urbulenceinhi
ssoulonce
againcalming.
-
Him:
"Yeah.I
'
m her
e."
-Her:"
Icantell
thatyou'r
enotokay.What'
swr ong,
Nwabo?I '
m agoodl i
stener.I
fyouwantt
otalk."
Therewassomet hi
nginthewayshesaidit
.Not
fal
se,phony,orther
apist-
li
ke.Butl
i
keshereally
cared.
Andsuddenl yhewantedt otal
k.Tohaveherl
isten.
Justlikelastni
ght
.May bejustt
ohearhersmoot h
voice.Justtokeepthefeeli
ngofcalminthestorm,
event houghheknewt her
ewasnot hi
ngshecoul d
helphim wi t
h.
-Hi
m:"I
t'sthecaseI '
m wor ki
ngon.Twogi rls,one
deadgir
l,t
heot hersti
ll
mi ssing.ButIcan'
tr eall
ygo
i
ntodetail
s.It
'sjustt
hat..
.I
'm scaredthatIwon' tfi
nd
thegi
rli
nt i
me.ThatIwoul dfailt
osav eherlife.
"
Shekeptqui
etf
oramoment
.Then.
..
-Her:
"Butyou'
redoi
ngeveryt
hingy
oucant
ofi
ndher
,
aren'
tyou?
"shesaidsof
tly
.
-
Him:
"I'
mtr
ying,
but
—"
-Her
:"Whathappenedtoy ourf
amil
y..
.t
oyour
daughter
,wasn'
tyourf
ault,Nwabo.I
tshoul
dn'
t
aff
ecthowy oudoyourjob.Butyouknowthat
,don'
t
you?"
-
Him:
"Yeah,
"hesai
dbi
tt
erl
y."
Iknowi
t.
"
-Her:"
Butat3a. mitstil
lgetst oy ou.Ev enwhen
you'r
esi t
ti
ngaty ourdeskatwor k,stari
ngatt he
pict
uresoft hedeadgi rlandt hemi ssingone.I tcan
behar dtobet heonet hatlives.Gui l
tandal lt
hat
addedr esponsibi
li
ty.
..Youar est il
lhere.Yourwi fe
anddaught eraren't
.Itmakesal otofpeopl ewonder
why ,
makest hem searchf oranewpur pose.And
thatpurposef oryourightnowi stof i
ndt hemi ssi
ng
gir
landsav eherl i
fe.Youf eelli
keifyousav eher
you'l
lfeelbett
eraboutnotbei ngtherefory ourown
daughter.Andy es,may bey ouwi l
lfeel
good, f
ulf
il
led.
Butwebot hknowt haty oucan'tjustwav eamagi c
wandandgett hedesi r
edr esult
s.Itwil
l t
akesome
ti
meandhar dpol i
cewor k-whichIbelievey ou'
re
alr
eadydoi ng,sodon'tbehar dony our
self.Youar e
onlyhumanandy ou'
redoi ngthebesty oucan. "
Lonwabobli
nkedslowlyandletoutagri
m smil
e.It
wasasifshe'dreadhi
smi ndandopenedhischest,
sawhisheartandwhathewasf eeli
ng.
-
Him:
"I'
dal
readyf
orgot
tent
haty
ou'
reashr
ink.
"
Shechuckl
ed.
-
Her:"ThatIam.ButI
'
m nottal
ki
ngasat her
apist
r
ightnow,I'
mt al
ki
ngasafri
end.Yourf
ri
end."
Hi
sfri
end.Heli
kedt
hesoundoft
hat
.Andact
ual
l
y
want
edmor e.
-Hi
m:"AndIr
eal
lyappr
eci
atei
t.
..I
'dl
iketoseey
ou
agai
n,Nal
edi
.Butwhenwe'
rebothfr
ee."
Shewentqui
etf
oramoment
,then.
..
-Her
:"I
'
dreal
lyl
ikethat
.We'l
ltal
k.AndI'
l
lcall
you
aboutt
hepil
l
slateraft
erI
'
vetalkedtomymom.Let
menotwasteanymor eofyourti
me,okay.Godo
whatyoudobest.
"
-Hi
m:"Lat
erthen.Andmakesur
ey outel
lMabuse
howimportanti
tistof
indy
ourf
riend.
"
Bythet i
mehehungup, gotoutofhi scarand
headedt owardtheshack'
sgat e,hewasi nafar
bett
ermoodt hanhe'dbeenintenmi nutesago.But
he'
dfocusont hecasefornow, event houghthei dea
ofexploringarel
ati
onshipwithNal ediheldincredibl
e
appeal.Soon,hepromisedhimsel f
.He' dcallherup
andaskheroutt odinnersomet imesoon.Adi nner
datethist i
mearound.
Chapt
er17
Thur
sday
,27Febr
uar
y,12:
55
.
Lonwaboknockedont heopendooroftheshack
andawomanst andingatthestovei
nthekit
chen
areaofthemodestopenpl anrecept
ionroom asked
himt ocomeinside.Hewalkedintot
hedecentsize
shackandintr
oducedhi mselfasDet
ecti
veGama,
theleaddet
ecti
veonOwam' scase.
Thewomanwhol ookedexactl
yli
keOwam' smot her
,
butsli
ghtl
yyounger,may
beinherearly30s,
i
ntroducedhersel
fasOwam' sauntt
henmot ioned
forhi
mt ocomet akeaseatattheki
tchentable.
-
Her
:"CanIgety
ousomet
hingt
odr
ink,
det
ect
ive?
"
-Hi
m:"
No,t
hanky ou,si
s'wam,
I'
mfi
ne.AndI
'
m so
sor
ryf
ory
ourloss."
Herfacewashaggard,herey
eshaunt
ed.Beyond
pal
e,herskinhadthel
ookofbei
ngstret
chedtoo
thi
noverherbonesthatcamefr
om hoursandhour
s
ofconstanttear
s.
-Her:"Doyouhav
esomet
hingf
orus?"Herv
oice
shookwhenshespokeandLonwabo'
sheart
clenched.
-Him:"Noty et,butwearedoingev erythi
ngwecan, "
hesqueezedherhandbutqui cklyl
etgo." Ineedt o
askyoual lsomequest ions.Someoft hem may
soundt hesameast hequest i
onst heotherofficer
s
askedwhenOwam wentmi ssing.Pleasedon't
becomef r
ustratedwit
ht hi
spr ocess,though.
Sometimesy our emembert i
dbitstodaythaty ou
didn'
tthinkabouty est
erday."
-
Her:
"Andt
hoset
idbi
tscoul
dhel
pyouf
indwhodi
d
t
hist
oourWam?"
-
Him:
"Theymi
ght
."
Shepul
l
edachai
routandcol
l
apsedi
ntoi
t.
-Her
: "
Thenask.Butmysist
ercan' treal
lyt
alkri
ght
now."Shepoint
edtoadoort hatLonwaboassumed
l
edt oabedroom."She'
sint
her e,sit
tingonthe
mattresswit
htwoofourneighour swho'vebeenvery
supporti
vesi
ncethisdar
kcloudhi tus."
-
Him:
"It
'sokay
,youranswer
sal
onecoul
dhel
p."He
tookouthispocketbookandapen, r
eadytowri
te
downanyi mportanti
nfor
mati
onhecoul dget
.He
didn'
treal
l
yneedt owrit
ethi
ngsdownt oremember
them,hewasj ustfol
l
owingprocedur
e.
-Her:
"Bef
orewest art.Yousai
dyou'
reGama,
right
.
Whereareyouoriginall
yfr
om?TheGamasIknow
arefr
om EastLondon, myhomecity
.Doyouknow
them?"
Lonwabodi
dn'
tli
kesmall
talk,butundert
hese
ci
rcumst
anceshecoul
dtolerat
eit.
-
Him: "
No,Idon'
tknowthem.I
'mfrom Whi
tt
lesea.
Butspentmostofmyli
feinCapeTown."
-Her
:"Whi
ttl
esea?Forreal
?Iknowtheplace.Wher
e
about?
"Therewasat i
nysmileonherf
acenow.
-
Him:"
Sada.Butwe'
ver
ecentl
ymov edtoTambo.I
makesur
etogodownthereatleastonceay
ear.
"
-
Her:"
That
'sgood,mkhay
a.Weshoul
dn'
tfor
get
wher
ewecomef rom."
Lonwabonoddedandshi
ft
edinhischai
r,suddenl
y
thi
nki
ngabouthi
stwinbr
otherandwhyhe-
Lonwabo-hadt omov etol
ivewit
hhisauntinCape
Townwhenhewasst il
lali
tt
leboy,l
eavi
nghiswhole
famil
ybehind.Butnotwanti
ngtobesidetr
ackedhe
openedhispocketbookandgotdownt obusiness.
-
Him:
"Pl
easetel
lmeaboutOwam.Whatwasshe
l
i
keasaperson?
"
Shekeptqui
etf
oramoment
,thencl
ear
edhert
hroat
.
-Her:"Shewas. ..uni que.Cer t
ainlymadean
i
mpr essiononev ery oneshemet .Nott osay
everyonel i
kedher ,shecoul dbeout spokenand
offensiveatt i
mes, butshewast hebestni eceI
couldev eraskf or .Ifsher eall
ycar edabout
somet hingshedi dn' tcarewhatpeopl ethought,andI
admi r
edherf orthat .She.
..shesawt hi
ngsinav ery
creati
v eway .Andwasv ery,verysmar t.Atschool
theyev enhadherski ptwogr ades.Onei npr i
mar y
andanot heri njuni orhigh.Noneofusgotsur pr
ised
whenshesai dshewant edt obeadoct or.
..
"Ther e
wasal ongingsmi leonherf ace, andherey eswer e
nowgl assy.
-
Him:
"Butshewasnowdoi
ngBi
omedi
cal
Engi
neer
ing,
notmedi
cine.Whywast
hat
?"
-Her
:"Thatwasact ual
l
yhersecondchoi ce.She'd
appl
iedformedicineatUCT,t
hent houghtshe
shouldappl
yforsomet hi
ngdif
ferentatWi ts.Justi
n
casetheydi
dn'ttakeheri
nmedi cine."
-
Him:
"Sot
heydi
dn'
tacceptheratUCT?
"
-Her:
"Actually,t
heydid.Andshewasv eryexcited.
Thensomet hinghappened.Idon'tknowwhat ,but
shechangedhermi ndi nJanuarywhenwewer esti
l
l
backhomef ortheholidays.Shedecidedt otaket he
Witsoffer.Ithoughti
twasbecauseshedi dn'twant
tobeallthewaydowni nCapeTownwhenher
boyfr
iendwasgoi ngtoFreeSt at
e.Butt hatturned
outtonotbet hecasebecauseshebr okeupwi th
theboy."
-
Him:"Doyouknowwhyshebrokeupwi
thhi
m?Was
t
heresomeoneelsemay
be?"
-Her:"
Youknowt eenagers.Shesai dsomething
aboutlongdistancerelat
ionshipsbei ngal
otofwork.
Somet hi
ngshewasn' treadyfor .Saidsheneededa
cleanbreak.AndIdon'tthinktherewassomeone
else.Ift
herewas,Iwoul
dhav
eknownabouti
t.We
talkedaboutever
ythi
ng.
"
Ther
ewassomethingther
e,Lonwabocouldfeel
iti
n
hi
sbones.Hej
ustneededtofindoutwhati
twas.
.
.
.
Thur
sday
,27Febr
uar
y,13:
55
Naledipull
edi ntoanopenpar kingspaceandsi mply
satforamoment ,
tryi
ngt oquiettheriotinhermind.
Shewashav ingadev ilofatimef ocusingon
anythi
ng.Herbr ainwoul dfl
ipfrom Skyt oLebot o
LonwaboGama' sbr owney esandhi sdeep,
masculinev oice.Thenbackt oSkyandt hewhole
damnsl ideshowwoul dbeginagai n,accompanied
bytherhy t
hmi ct hrobbinginherhead.Sher est
edher
for
eheadont hest eeringwheel andcl osedhereyes.
Sky.Herbestf
ri
endwhowas...
Godknewwher e,
l
ikel
yscaredashel
l.She'
dbeenmi ssi
ngfort
wo
daysnow.AndNalediwassurethatRendani
knew
somethingaboutherdi
sappear
ance.She'dt
old
Detecti
veMabusethatmuchandt hedetect
ivehad
promisedtofol
lowuponit.Hopef
ull
yitwouldlead
tosomet hi
ngandSkywouldbefound.
Lebo.Hersonwhosesaf etywasbei ngthreat
ened
byhissper m donorofaf ather.Hersonwhoneeded
her.Hersonwhowasnowsi tti
ngathomewhenhe
shouldbeatschool learning.Concernedabouthis
safet
y, shehadaskedhi mt onotgot oschoolunt
il
shehaddeal twi
thS'fi
so.Hopef ul
lythePIwoul df
ind
somethi ngsoon,somet hi
ngshecoul dusetogetthe
guytol eavethem al
one.Lebocoul dnotbecooped
upinsidet hehouseforever.
Sheli
ft
edherheadthengotoutoft
hecarandmade
herwaytotheent
ranceoft
hechemical
manufact
uri
ngcompany.
AfterleavingDet ecti
veMabuseatt heHil
l
brow
PoliceStat i
onshe' ddri
venst r
aighttot
heindustr
ial
subur bofI ndustr
ia,whereSky '
shusbandnow
wor ked.Sheneededt otalktotheguyandbeghi m
tonotl ethisangercont r
ol hi
m, andgethimtosee
thelightbef oreSky'sparentsgottothecit
ythis
af
ter
noon.
Shefoundhi minhisti
nyoffi
ce,busyinhiscomputer
.
Whenhel ookedupandsawherst andingi
nthe
door
wayhi sfaci
alexpressi
oninstant
lychanged.He
cl
ear
lydidn'twantherhere.
-
Him:
"Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e,Nal
edi
?"
Shewalkedintostandinf
rontofhi
sdesk.Buthe
act
edasi fshewasn'tt
her
e,hewentbackto
whatev
eritisthathewasdoingi
nhiscomputer.
-Her:"
Luxol o,wehav et otalkaboutSky 's
disappearance.Iknowt haty ou'reangrybecauseof
whatshedi d,andy ouhav eev eryrighttobe.But
she'ssti
llyourwi feandr i
ghtnowsheneedsourhel p,
sheneedsus.Can' tyou..
.putwhathappenedasi de
forawhi l
eandwor ktowar dsbr i
ngi ngherhome?
She'smissi ng,Lu.Missing.Shehasn' trunaway .And
Ibeli
evet hatdeepdowni nyourhear tyouknowt hat
too.YesterdayIr eportedhermi ssingandIbeliev e
thedetectivewor kingthecasewi l
lpayy ouavisitat
home.It hinkIknow—"Shedi dn'tf
inishthesentence,
Luxolostoppedherwi t
hhi shandt hent urnedtol ook
ather
.
-Him: "
Pleasest op.Youdon' tknowany thing, Naledi.
IlearnedaboutwhatSkydi dbef oreIev enr eadt hat
l
et t
er.Igott oknowabouti tbeforeIgothomet he
dayshedi sappear ed.Buty ouknowwhat ?Ir efused
tobel i
evei t.Irefusedt obel i
evet hatmywi fecoul d
sleepwi thanot hermant henightbef or eourweddi ng.
Youknowwhy ?BecauseIt rustedherwi t
hal lofmy
heart.Iref usedt obel ievethatshecoul ddo
somet hingl iket hattome.SoIwenthomet hat
eveningwi thnoi ntentionofaski ngheraboutwhat
I'
dhear d, butofshowi ngherhowmuchIl ov edher .
Thenshel eftinahur ryandIf oundt hel etter.Inthat
l
et t
ershedi dn'tjustconf i
rm whatI 'dhear d,butal so
toldmet hatt hebabyshe' scar r
y i
ngi sn'tmi ne.My
wife,thewomanIpai dl obolafor ,i
scar ryinganot her
man' sbaby .Doy ouknowhowt hatmakesmef eel?
Doy ou?Youhav enoi dea, Naledi.Noi dea. "Ther e
wasnoangeri nhi sv oicebutpur ehur t.Deephur t
thatwast her esul tofbei ngbet rayedbyt heone
personhe' dgivenhi shear tto.
Nal
edi
didn'
tknowwhatt
osay
.Butatt
hismoment
onethi
ngwasverycl
eartoher
:itwasn'tj
ustmen
whowerecapabl
eoftrampl
ingontheirpart
ner
s'
hear
ts.
-
Her:
"I'
m sor
ry,
Lu,"shesaidf
inal
l
y."
Ireal
l
yam.Who
t
oldyouaboutwhatSkydid?"
-Hi
m: "I
tdoesn'tmatt
erwhotoldme.AndIsimpl
y
don'
tcarewhathappenst oSkyanymore.Tr
ustme,
I
won'tgiv
eaf uckevenifshedi
es.
"
.
.
.
Thur
sday
,27Febr
uar
y,14:
00
Skyeasedherf eetintothecoldriverwater,hi
ssing
outasof tcurseatthebiti
ngpain.Shecoul dn't
decidewhi chhurtworse,t
hefreezingt emperatureor
thestingofthewat eronhertorn,bruisedfl
esh.But
sheknewt hecol
dwoul dhelpstopt hebleeding,so
sheendur edthebiti
ngpain.Abr eathshudder ed
from herasshepushedpastt hei nit
ialagony.
Lower
ingherhandi
ntot
hewat
er,
sher
insedher
meal—t hewil
dberrieswereagodsend.Shehad
beensohungrybeforeshefoundthem.She'd
somehowdr oppedthecandybarshe'dfoundin
Redhead'
spocket.Andthetwofatcakesfrom t
his
morningwerelonggone.Shewaseat i
ngfortwo
aft
erall
.
Thoughtemptedtostufftheenti
rehandf ul
ofberri
es
i
nhermout h,shemadeher sel
featoneatat ime,
reli
shi
ngtheburstoffl
avouronhert ongue,the
textur
eofeachberry…thesheerpleasure.
She'dwai t
edundert hebi gr ockf orwhatf eltli
kean
hour,want i
ngtomakesur et hatherpur suer swere
gone.Ithadbeenv er ycoldi nt hatcr evi
ce, butcol d
wasbet terthanbeingf oundbyt hosemonst ers.
She'dputherT- shi
rtbackon, tensedandwai t
ed.
Thenaf terwhatfel
tlikef orev ershe'dcr awl edout
andlookedar ound,cont empl at i
nghernextmov e.
Heronlypr ior
it
ywast ofigureoutawayt ogetoutof
here.Andonceshehad, she' dleadpeopl ebackt o
wheret hosemonst erslived.Butt henshe' dseent he
berri
esacr osstheriverandhermout hhadwat ered
i
nresponse.She' dbeensohungr ythatcr ossingthe
r
ivertotheot
hersidehadf
eltl
i
keadr
ivet
oher
f
av our
it
erest
aurant.
Af t
erplaci
ngt helastberr
yonhert ongue,
shet ooka
breathandl ookeddownatherf eet.She'
dhel dthem
i
nt hewat eraslongasshedar ed.Theywer enumb
from thecold,butatleasttheynol ongert
hrobbedor
bled.Shelift
edthem f r
om thewat erandwincedat
theirappearance.Nowt hatthebloodhadbeen
washedaway ,shecouldseet hattheyhurtfora
goodr eason—amul t
it
udeofbr uisesandcut s.
Whenshe' dpickedherber r
iesear l
ier
,she'
df ound
somet hin, fl
exibl evinesshet houghtwoul dcomei n
handy .Pi ckingt hem upf rom thegr oundbesi deher
now, shet ookof ftheT- shir
tshewaswear ing.Wi t
h
herteet h, shet oret wol ar gest r
ipsoffatthebot t
om
oftheT- shirt,
wr appedt her agsar oundeachf oot,
andsecur edthem wi tht hev i
nes.Notexact lygreat
protection, butbet t
ert hannot hing.Bothfeetnow
wrapped, shepul ledt her aggedT- shi
rtbackonand
pushedher selfupt ost and.Shest rai
ghtenedher
shoulder sandt ookadeepbr eathasshepl ottedher
nextpat h.
Thisplacewasi solated,
butitwasn'tAnt ar
ctica.I
f
shef ol
lowedt her i
verfarenough,soonerorl atershe
wassur et orunintosomebody .Shet ookast epand
swal l
owedacr yatt heagonyinherfoot .Thenshe
tookanot herstepandanot her
.Gainingspeed, with
thedr i
vetosur vi
vegr owingstrongerandst ronger,
sheheadeddownt hest ream,hopingandpr ay i
ngfor
freedom.
Afterwhatf
eltl
ikeal i
feti
meshenoticedsmoke
throughsometallt
rees.Wasi tr
eal
orwasi tjusta
cloud?Orwishf
ulthinking?Smokemeantfire;fi
re
meantpeople.
Ther i
vermeander edar oundacur ve.Shef ol
lowedi
t,
al
r eadysmel li
ngfreedom.Andt heret hesmokewas,
ri
singi ntothechil
l ai
r.Evenmor eexci ti
ng,shecoul
d
nowseet hesourceoft heplume.Af arm house
acr ossaf encethatsepar at
edthel andshewas
standingonandt helandt hatbelongedt othefarm.
Heartl
eaping,shetriedtobreakint
oar un,butthe
pai
ninherf eetremindedherthatitwasstil
lthere.
Undaunted,shehurriedtothefence,t
owardt hi
s
pl
aceofsaf ety
,ignoringt
he'notrespassi
ng'plaque
att
achedt
othefence.Shel
ter
,warm cl
othes,
hot
food,
aphone,
rescue—al l
withi
nreach.
Idi
dit
!Iescapedf
rom capt
ivi
ty!
Itwasnotunt i
lnow, wi
ththeordealal
mostov er,
that
shereali
sedwhatal ongshotithadbeenf orherto
gettothismoment .Asshestumbl edoverthefence,
sherehearsedwhatshewasgoi ngtosaytothese
people:Mynamei sSky ,andI
’m akidnapvict
im.
Pleasecallt
hepolice..
.
Shemov edclosertothehouse, andasshe
approachedthefrontdoorshepassedawi ndow.
Thesceneinsidewasacozydomest i
cone.Awhit
e
womansati naneasychai r,
war mingherf
eetbya
fi
repl
ace.Amanl eanedagai nstthemantl
e.The
couplewasdeepi nconversati
on.
Fr
eedom!Skyt
hought
.
Shewasgoingtobehomewi thherhusbandsoon.
Thi
sordealhadmadeherreal
isejusthowfr
agilel
i
fe
i
s.Andthatshedidn'
twantt
obeawayf r
om Luxol
o.
ShehopedtoGodt hey
'dbeablet
of i
xthi
ngs.That
he'
dtakeherback.
Chapt
er18
Thur
sday
,27Febr
uar
y,15:
00
.
Ti
red.Col
d.Hungr
y.
Inaway ,SkySiyanga-Xhamel ahadceasedt oexi st
exceptf orthosethreewor ds.Herper sonalit
y,her
spiri
t,hadbeenwhi t
tledaway .Allt
hatwasl ef
twas
whatt orment edher:exhaust ion,cold,star
vation.But
atleastshewasnol ongersur r
oundedbymount ain
slopes, hi
ll
sandout stret chedf iel
ds,oraf r
aidthat
herkidnapper smightgr abheragai n.Freedom was
j
ustaf ewf eetaway,ont heot hersideoft heol d
doorthev arni
shofwhi chhadf adedwi t
hage.Yet
shest oodst il
lonthel owv erandaoft hecount ry
house, maki ngnomov et oknockont hedoor .
Mostpeopl ewoul
dcallheraf oolf
orj
uststandi
ng
there,butshewassuddenlyawareofthewayshe
l
ookedandwasnowaf raidthatshewouldscarethe
elderl
ycouple.
Shehesit
atedther
eforafewmoment s,herar
ms
wrappedaroundhersl
enderbody
,tr
yingtoquell
her
shiveri
ng.Buthav i
ngnoot heropt
ionshetookastep
forwardtostandont hebr
owndoor matsayi
ng
WELCOMEandknockedont hewoodendoor.A
voiceaskingiftherewassomebodyoutt here
soundedl i
keat rai
nofhope.Pushingthedooropen
becameherr esponse.Shet ookastepforwardand
enteredthevictori
anhouse,butwhenaf l
oorboar
d
creakedshest oppedandlookeddownatherf eet—
whichwer estil
lcoveredwithther
agged,makeshif
t
bandagesandhur tli
kehel
l.
Whenshel i
ft
edherey es,shesawt hecouple
standingbyt hef i
repl
ace,star
ingatherwi t
hwide
openedey es.Theylookedlikethey'
djustseena
ghost .Understandablyso.Withonlydirt
ypyjama
pant sandabl oody ,r
aggedT-shirtcover
ingher
bruisedbody ,shemi ghtaswel lhavebeenaghost.
"OhmyGod.Whoar eyou,andwhathappened?"the
womanaskedandherhusbandpul l
edhercloserto
hisbodyasi ft
opr
otectherfr
om t
hisscary-
looki
ng
trespasser
.
-Sky:"
I'
m sorr
yto.
..
dist
urbyou.Myname'
sSky.I
'
ma
kidnapvict
im.Pl
ease..
.hel
pme."Shewasshi
ver
ing
uncont
rol
l
abl
y,herj
awt
rembl
i
ng,
teet
hchat
ter
ing.
Boththewomanandt hemanwer eact uall
ynotas
oldasSkyhadi niti
all
yt hought.Thewoman' sface
seemedki ndbehi ndt hosefinewr inkles.Theman
waspr obablyinhi sear l
y60s, wi
thal ittl
ebitofl
oose
skinabov etheov erthet opcravatar oundhisneck,
andliverspotsonhi sfaceandhands, butsti
l
lin
goodshape.Hest udiedSky ,f
adedbl ueey estaki
ng
i
nev erythi
ngbutgi vi
ngawaynot hing.Hewas
probablysceptical,andSkyunder stoodwhyhe
wouldbe.Shewasbl ackafterall
.
-Sky:"
I..
.Iunder st
andwhyy ouwoul dn'
twanttohelp
me.Andt hat's.
..okay.I'
l
ljustgetoutofyourhair
.
Andagai n, I
'm sorryfordi
sturbi
ngy ourpeace.
"She
turnedtot hedoorsur et
hatsheandherbabywoul d
dieoutther e.Butshesawnoot herwaybecauseshe
wascl earl
ynotwel comeher e.
"No,
wait,
"theol
dmansaidbehi
ndher
."You'
rei
n
badshape.Wherear
eyoufr
om?Whokidnapped
you?
"
Skyt
urnedt
olookathi
m.Hi
sey
eswer
enowwat
ery
,
andactuall
ylookedsadbehi
ndt
hegol
d-r
immed
spect
acles.
-
Him:"Wecan'tl
etyougobackoutther
e.Myname's
Pi
etJansen.Andthi
sismywi f
eAnna.You'
l
lbesaf
e
wi
thus."Ther
ewasgr eatcompassi
oni
nhisvoi
ce.
Emot
ionwell
edupi
nSky.Sel
f-
pit
y,grat
it
ude,
the
i
mpul
setojumpandhughersavi
ours.
-Sky:"
Oh, t
hankyou,si
r.Thanky ou.
"Herv oice
trembledwithemoti
on."Idon'tknowwhot hoseguy
s
areorev enwhytheytookme.Theyki dnappedmei n
Jo'bur
gonTuesday .Thismor ni
ngImanagedt o
escapeandI '
vebeenrunningfrom them forhours.
Looksl i
keI'
vebeenrunningincircl
est hough."
-Anna:"
Ohsweetheart
,youarealongwayf r
om
home.Comesitbythef i
re,
you'
reshiver
ing.
"Her
voicewaski
nd,l
i
ket hatofaconcernedmother.
-Sky
:"Thankyou.
"Sheslowlywentt ositdownonthe
chai
rbythefir
epl
ace,butapar tofherwasstil
l
unwil
li
ngtoacceptt
her el
ief,
therelaxat
ion."
Long
wayfrom home?Wher eisthi
splace?Wher eam I
?"
-
Anna:
"Rhodes.I
nEast
ernCape.
"What
?Skywas
shocked."
Andwedon' thav
eaphoneher e.Wel i
ve
quit
ebusyl i
vesi nDurbanandcomeher etobr eak
awayandr ejuvenate.Butwecangi v
ey oushel ter
andfood.Andy oucoulduseahotbat hbef orewe
dri
veyoutot hepolicestati
on.Looksli
key oual so
needahospi tal
."Sheadded, t
hengrabbedaqui lt
fr
om anice,v i
ntagecouchandwr appedi taround
her.
-
Piet
:"I
'
llmakesomet
ea.
"
.
.
.
Thur
sday
,27Febr
uar
y,15:
10
Hest oodi
ntheki
tchenofthehugeVictor
ian-
sty
le
farmhouseandwait
edforthekett
letoboil
,hi
sanger
growingwit
hever
ypassingsecond.Whatwashe
goingtodowitht
hesuspici
ousNaledi?
Thekettl
eonthegasstoveseemedt obetaki
ng
for
evertoboi
l,sohewenttostandbythewindow
andlookedoutatthepi
ctur
esquelandscapebut
appr
eci
atednoneofi
t.
Thisfar m hadbeeni nhi sf ami lysincet hemi d-90s,
beforet heent ireRhodeshaml etgotpr oclaimedasa
National Monumenti n1997.Hi sgr andf athergott he
chancet obuyt hepr oper tywhenmostf armer sin
theregi onwer esel l
ingt heirfar msf ollowi ngthe
passingoft he" wool boom"i nt he70sandt he
remov al ofgener ousf armi ngsubsi diesaf ter1994.
Allt
heol dmanhadwant edwast of arm cat tl
eev en
thought heaf fluentf armer sint her egionhadal ready
i
mpl ement edt our ism dev elopment ,diversifyi
ngl and
uset oaddt ot hei rincomest reams.Mor ethan50%
offarmsi nt hedi st r
ictnowpr ov i
dedar angeof
acti
v i
tiesnotdi rect l
yassoci atedwi thagr icult
ure, but
thi
spar ti
cularf arm wasnotoneoft hose.I thad
alwaysf ocusedoncat tleandsheepf armi ngunt il
earl
yl asty earwhengr andpadi edandhi sonlyson
soldal lthel ivest ock, releasedt hewor ker sandl eft
thefar mhousev acant .Butnowt hegr andson, the
manst andi ngi nt heki tchen, hadf oundanew
purposef ort hehouse.Andt her ewasar easonwhy
hechoset hispl ace.I thadal ar gebasementand
stoodatleastanhour '
sdriv
ef r
om theneighbouri
ng
farm whi
chnowser vedasasecondhomef oran
elder
lywhitecouple.Itof
feredthecompletepriv
acy
heneededt ocarryouthisactiv
iti
es,andwasonl y
reachabl
ebygr avelroad.Aperfectl
ocati
on.
Hereachedf ort
hecupont hetabl
ewhentheket
tl
e
boi
led,buthishandcompletel
ymissedi
t.Dammit
,
hehatedthis.Hehatedi
t.
Angr yandf rustr
at ed,hepr essedhi suncont roll
abl y
shaki nghandsdownont het ableandwat chedt he
tremorr esol ve.Thet r
emor shadbecomewor set his
afternoon, andheknewwhy .Elevatedemot i
onal
stress, f
atigueandt hecol dtemper atureshe' d
exposedhi msel ft ooutt here.Nowhowt hef uckwas
hegoi ngtodeal wi t
ht hebi t
cht iedupdownst airsin
thebasementorev endot he8- hourdrivebackt o
Jo' burgifhecoul dn'tdoasi mpl etasklikehol dinga
cup?Hewoul dmi ssthegearl everandt hei ndicat or
ev erytime, andt hatwoul dn'tbegood.
Fuck!Hewassoangr
yhewant
edt
oscr
eam.
Ev
ery
thi
ngwasconnect
ed.Hi
swr
ath,
thet
remor
s,
andt hepaininhishipandknee, theywereall
connected.Hewasnowsuf fer
ingfrom i
ntenti
on
tr
emor sandpost -tr
aumat i
carthr
iti
s,andhadto
l
eav ethejobhel oved,al
lbecauseofawoman.
Nev eri
nami l
li
ony earshadhedr eamedthathe
woul dbeforcedt ostopoperati
ngonpat i
ents,
especial
lyat32y earsofagewhenhi scar
eerasa
cardiot
horacicsurgeonwasj ustbeginni
ng;however
,
i
thadhappened.
Forasl ongashecoul drememberhewant edtobea
doctor .Ev enf r
om t heageofei ght,her emember ed
alway st ellingpeopl et hathewoul dbecomeadoct or
whenev ert heyaskedhi m.Andhi sdr eam had
mat erialisedwhenhegott hechancet ogot omed
school rightaf terhighschool .Asay oungdoct or
he'dr otat edt hroughal mostal lthemedi cal
disciplinesandt hat'swhenher ealisedt hat
cardiot hor acicsur gerywaswhathewant edto
speci alisei n.Heact uall
ywant edcar diology,buthe
wasasur geonathear tandsohedeci dedto
combi nehi slovef orsur gerywithhi sdream of
cardiology .
Straightfrom communi tyservi
ceshe' dbegant he
fascinat i
ngcardi
othoracicsurgerytr
aining,but
registrarli
fewasnoteasy ,thepr ogr
am pr act
ical
ly
tookov erhi
slif
e.Hehadt owor khard,putinlong
hour s,andasar esulthi
sr el
ationshi
pwi thhisthen
gir
lfriend,Poppy,suf
fered.Butsur pr
isi
nglyshehad
nev ercompl ai
ned.
Hesawawi f
einher,af
antasti
cwomanhecoul d
bui
ldalif
ewi t
h.Andsohalfwaythr
oughhistr
aini
ng
he'
dboughtanexpensiveri
ngandpoppedt he
quest
ion.Themomentshesai dyeswashis
happi
est.
..upunti
lshewent180degreesonhim6
monthslater
.
Theywer eatafriend'
spar ty3y earsagowhenshe
droppedthebombshel l t
hatchangedev erythi
ng.She
tol
dhimt hatshecoul dnol ongerbewi t
hhim, t
hat
shewasdonepr etending.Therewassomeoneel se,
shesaid.Someonewhowasmor eav ail
able,more
spontaneous.Shehumi l
iatedhi
mi nf rontofhis
fri
ends.Him.Ofal lt
hewomenhe' dev erbeenwith,
andtherehadbeenmany ,
shewast hesecondone
toeverbreakupwi thhim.Andhi segowoul dnever
recov
er.Especi
all
ybecauseoft
hewayshe'
dwent
aboutdoingit
.
Hewassuperangr ywhenhel eftthatparty.He'
d
j
umpedi nt
ohiscarandspedaway .Onlyhedidn'
t
gethome.Hegoti nvolvedinacaracci dentthatput
hi
mi nhospit
alforweeksandl efthim wit
ht r
auma-
i
nducedinvol
untarymov ementsofbot hhandsand
post-
tr
aumaticarthri
ti
sinhisrighthipandknee.
He' dnot icedt het r
emor s2mont hsaf terthe
acci dentbutt heyhadbeenmi ldatt het ime.Heonl y
seemedt ohav ethem whi l
ener vous, sohedi dn't
thinkmuchaboutt hem.Howev er,ay earlatert he
tremor shadwor senedenought owor ryhim, andone
ofhi sconsul tantsur geonsnot icedit.Sheaskedhi m
toseeamov ementdi sorderspeci al
istandaddr ess
hist remor simmedi atel
ylestheshoul dhar m hi s
pat i
ent s.Hesawanumberofexper tsand
under wentaser i
esofi nvesti
gat i
ons.Thef i
nal
verdi ctwas-t remor sl i
kelyi
nducedbyt hetr auma
he'dsuf f
er edi nthatcaracci dent .Hewasputon
medi cati
onandr esistancetrainingtor educet he
tremor sandi mpr ov ehismanual dexteri
ty,andt hat
hadseemedt
owor
k.
Lasty earhe' dbeeni nt hisnewst eadyst atef ora
yearwhent herewasanot herav al
ancheofpr oblems,
andt histimet heybr okehi sback.Hehadr ecent l
y
qualifi
edasacar diot
hor aci csur geonbutwasi nno
fi
tstat etooper ate.Thet remor shadbecomewor se
andt hemedi cat i
ondi dn' tseem t obewor kingf or
him any mor e.Hi sGPf eltv er ystronglythathe
shoul ddistancehi msel ff rom t heORandhegav e
him somet i
meof fwor k.Howev er,thedayhe
returnedheal mostki l
ledapat ient,andunf or tunat el
y
thenextdayapat i
entdi edonhi soper at
ingt abl e.
Ther esultingst ressonl yexacer batedhist remor s.
Hewasr ef erredt oaneur ologistwhost oppedhi m
from oper atingal together .Thatwast hehar dest
thinghe'dev erhadt odeal with,everhadt oaccept .
Hiscar eerhadj ustbegunandwasnowal ready
ending?Andt hef actthatt her ootcauseofi tall was
awomanpushedhi m ov ert heedge.
Uponref
lect
ion,
hewoul dhavechosenanot
her
car
eerhadheknownt hatthi
swouldhappentohi
m.
Hel
l,hewouldneverhavei
nvestedsomuchof
hi
mselfinhisrel
ati
onshi
pwi t
hPoppy .Butt
her
ehad
beennowayofknowi ngwhatwasgoi ngt
ohappen.
Therewasnopeekingintothefut
ure.Desti
nywas
dest
inybecauseitwasalwaysunknown.
ButthefactthatPoppywasnol ongeraroundtoruin
anotherman'slif
ewaslit
tl
econsolati
on.Shewas
deadandhergr avewouldneverbediscovered,he'
d
madesur eofit.Andhe'
dalsovowedt ocleanthis
countryofasmanycheat i
ngbit
cheslikeherashe
possibl
ycouldbef or
ehegotcaught.
Thr
eedown,
notcount
ingPoppy
,mi
l
li
onsmor
etogo.
May beheshoul dgetNeot odriv
ethem tothe
nei
ghbouri
ngf armj ustt
ochecki fSkyhadn'
tmadeit
al
lthewayther e.Skywasj ustonewomanbutshe
wast hemajorpieceandcal l
ingoffthesear
chfor
herhadbeenonebi gmistake.Hesawt hatnow.
.
.
.
Thur
sday
,27Febr
uar
y,15:
15
Skyclosedt hebathroom doorbehi
ndher,al
ready
feel
i
ngbet ter.Thefir
einthetradi
ti
onalf
ir
eplacehad
workeditsmagi c.AndPietandAnnahadgi venher
somet eaandahotmeal bef
oreshowingherwhere
thebathroom was.Theywer enicepeopl
e,thatmuch
she'
dal r
eadyr eal
ised.
Feeli
ngtheurgentneedt opeeshewentstr ai
ghtto
thetoi
letseatandreleasedthewater
yf l
uid.The
rel
iefwassogr eatandt hesoundsoloudt hatshe
wonderedifPietandAnnacoul dhearherf rom t
he
l
ounge.
Onl
ywhenshewasf i
nisheddidshelookaroundt
he
bat
hroom.Itwasoutdatedbutveryneat
,andthe
cl
aw-footbat
htubwasv eryi
nvi
ti
ng.
Butshewenttothebasinfirst.Shebentover,sl
owly
openedthetaps,
pickedupt hesoapandwashedt he
dri
edbloodandmudof fherhands.Shehadn' thad
thechancet
owashawayal l t
hedirtear
li
er,heronl
y
pri
ori
tyhadbeentowar m herbodyandf i
llher
tummy .
Shemi
xedhotandcol
dwat
eri
ncuppedhandsand
spl
ashedherf ace.Thenshet ookthecakeofsoap,
l
atheredi tov erherent i
refaceandr i
nsedagai n.The
dark-
bl uet owelwasf r
eshandr ough.Sherubbedi t
sl
owl yov erherf aceandhungi tupneatl
yagai n.
Onlythendi dshel ookinthemi rr
or.I
nahabi t
ual
mot i
onherhandsr eachedf orherhairt
obr ushi t
backbutt hensher emember edthatshenol onger
hadher16- inchesweav e.Allthatwasleftwasher
natural,pl
ai t
edhai r.Shelookedhaggard.Dr eadful
.
Herpl ait
edhai ramess.
Therewasacutonherchi n,sur
roundedbyalight
purpl
ebrui
seandanot hersmallgr
azeacrossher
for
ehead.Herneckwasgr imy,l
i
kethecream T-shi
rt
shewaswear i
ng.Yuck!
Buty
ouar
eal
i
ve,
Sky
.That
'swhat
'si
mpor
tant
.
Shewasf i
l
ledwi thenor mousgrati
tude.Thencame
thewonder .WasLuxol oawarethatshehadbeen
kidnappedordi dhet hinkshe'
dlefthim?I fhe'
d
foundtheletterthent helat
terwasthecase.God, he
waspr obablydev astatedwherehewas.The
emot i
onwashedov erherli
keat i
dalwav e,sudden
andov erwhelming, t
heawf ulshamet hatshehad
hur
ttheonlymanwho'devertr
ulycaredabouther.
Maybeherbeingki
dnappedwaspuni shmentfor
whatshe'
ddone.Karma.That
'swhatherreligi
ous
motherusedtostr
ess,
thatwhateveryoudishout
wouldal
way scomebacktoyou.
OhGod, herf ragilemot her.Shemustbesowor ried
ri
ghtnow.Nal edi waswi thoutadoubtawar ethat
Skywasmi ssingbynow. ..
andmusthav etol
dher
parent salready .DearGod, herf
atherhadahear t
problem.Whati fthenewssenthi m strai
ghttot he
ER?Thet houghtbr okedownherdef ences.I
nf r
ont
ofthebat hr oom mi rr
ori twasal lt
oomuchf orher .
Shecoul dnotl ookather self
.Sheletherheadhang,
graspingt hesi desoft hebasi nindespair.The
emot ionwasphy sical,anausear i
singfrom her
stomacht hatmadehergut sspasm andmadeher
wantt ov omi t,awav eofdr yret
ching.Shebel l
owed
once, andshudder ed.Thenshebegant ocr y.
Shewantedt
ocallherparent
s, herhusbandandher
bestf
ri
endsobadlyandtellt
hem ev er
ythi
ngthat
washappeni
ng.Thefactt
hatt herewasnophone
herewasbey
ondf r
ustr
ati
ng.Butt hesoonershegot
cl
eanedupthesoonershecoul
dgetoutoft
his
houseandgett
oaphonet omakethosephonecal
l
s.
Soshewi pedhert ear
sandranhersel
fabat h.Then
shest r
ippedandangr il
ythr
ewthedirtyPJsandT-
shirtonthef l
oor.Shedidn'
tev
enknowwhot hey
belongedt o,she'
dwokenupi nthatdarkbasement
room wear ingthem.
Getti
ngintothebat h,shesatdown.Thehotwat er
stungthescratchesandcut s,butthesati
sfacti
on
wasi mmense.Shesl owl
ylayback, sur
renderi
ng
hersel
ftotheluxuryshehadn'tbeenaf fordedin
days.Lett
ingthepai nandthef at
iguemeltaway .I
t
fel
tsosur r
eal,herbeingsafeandawayf r
om those
monst er
s.
ButthenMr
sJansensof
tl
yknockedont
hedoort
o
del
iv
ersomebadnews.
"Theweatherisget
tingworseoutthere.Lookslikea
stor
mi scoming.Andt hatmeanswecan' tleav
euntil
i
t'spassed,
"shesaidont heot
hersideoft hedoor.
Ohno.
Chapt
er19
Thur
sday
,27Febr
uar
y,15:
20
.
Whywoul day ounggir
lwhohadalwaysdr
eamedof
becomingadoct ort
urndownamedschool off
er
andaf ul
lscholar
shi
ponlyweeksbefor
eon-campus
regi
str
ati
on?
Lonwabost ruggledwitht hat.Itj
ustdidn'
tmakeany
sense.And,unfor t
unately,Owam' saunthadn't
helpedhim withthateither.She'dsaidOwam had
neverprovi
dedananswert ot hatquesti
on,onlythat
shesaidshewasnol ongergoi ngtoCapeTown, that
shewasgoi ngt oWi t
sandt hatwast hat.Theywer e
sti
lli
nEasternCapef ort hesummerhol idayswhen
theteenagegirlsuddenlychangedhermi ndwithout
somuchasgi vinganexpl anat i
on.
Maybesomet hinghappenedwhi l
eshewasdown
ther
e.Somet hingbigenought omakeherabandon
herbiggestdream.Butwhatcoul dithavebeen?The
auntsaidshe'di ni
ti
all
ythoughti
twasbecause
Owam want edt ostickaroundJo'
burgtobecloser
toAyabonga—hert henboy fri
endwhohadbeen
admittedtotheUniv ersi
tyofFreeState.Butthathad
tur
nedoutt onotbet hecasebecauseOwam br oke
upwitht heboyaroundt hatsameper iod.Nowt he
questi
onwas, why ?Whydi dshej ustbreakupwi t
h
herfi
rstboyfri
end,aboywhowas, apparentl
y,
seri
ousabouther ?Thatquest i
onwasj ustas
i
mpor tantasthefir
stone—whydi dshegot oWits
andabandonherdr eam tobecomeadoct or
?
"Ianswerthesetwoquestions,Ianswerever
y t
hing.I
don'tanswerthem,thecasegoesnowher e."
Lonwabomumbl edunderhisbreat hashesteered
hiscardownBeet hovenStreeti
nt heSouthWest5
(SW5)subur bofVanderbi
jl
park.
Lif
ehadcoi ncidences.Itwaspossiblethatthese
twoquest ionswer eunconnect edandthatt heyhad
nothingtodowi ththegirl'
sdeath.Buthedi dn'tknow
enought odi scardanythingyet.Andtherewasan
unwr i
ttenruleinpolicewor k:Ther
eareno
coincidences.Allyouneededwasmor ein-dept h
i
nvest i
gationtoshowt hattherearenocoinci dences.
Andt hatwasexact l
ywhatLonwabowasgoi ngt odo:
i
nvest
igat
eev
eryl
ead.
Aft
erleavi
ngOwam' shomehe'dvisitedAy abonga'
s,
j
ustaf ewshacksdownt henar
row, dustystreet
.
He'dwentthereeventhoughhehadal r
eadybeen
tol
dthattheboycouldn'
thavehadany thingtodo
wit
hthemur der,t
hathewasnotev enar oundbutat
var
sit
yi nBl
oemfontein.
Playal ltheangl es:hisownv oicehadsoundedi nhis
head.Amur dercasei slikemydaught er'
spor tapool,
he'dt hought .Ev eni feverythi
ngl ooksblueand
refreshing, eveni fthesungl i
ttersont hewat er,
somewher et here'saf uckingleak.Andhewasgoi ng
tofindi tifhel ookedev er y
wher e.Atthispoi ntoft he
i
nv estigationhecoul dn'toverl
ookany thing.Ther e
wer esomet hingsaboutamur derinvestigationt hat
wer eobv i
ous.Rul i
ngoutsomeoneasasuspect
becauset heywer ebasedi nanothercityorbecause
ofanassumpt ionwasnotoneoft hem.Ift he
breakupwasbad, ifOwam haddumpedAy abonga
foranot herman, thent heboyhadampl er easont o
wantherdead, andi twasLonwabo' sdutyt ol ook
i
ntot hat .
"Ihonest lydon'tknowwhyt heybr okeup, Ayanev er
want edt ot al
kabouti tevent houghhedi dn'tseem
toobr okenaboutt hewhol et hing.ButIcan
specul ate,youknow.Owam i s...
Imeanwas. ..
the
sweet estandsmar t
estgirlI'
v eevermet .Ilovedher
forAy abonga.Butmay beitwasagoodt hingthat
theybr okeup.Ummh. ..
Idon' twantt ospeaki llofthe
dead, Det ecti
ve,butalongt hewayt hefi
nanci al
strugglesathomesomehowt urnedOwam i ntothis
unat t
ractivegirlwhowasv er yfondofmoney .She
andAy abongacl ashedal otbecauseoft hat.May be
that'swhyshebr okeupwi thhi m.May beshe' df ound
someonewhocoul dprovi
def orherandAy abonga
wassuddenl ynotgoodenough. "Ayabonga' seldest
sisterhadsai dwhenLonwabof oundheral onei nthe
shackt hatwasAy abonga'shome.
May bet hatwasindeedwheretheanswerslay.But
howcoul dthatbe?Owam'saunthadbeenadamant
thatifthere'
dbeenanewboyi nherniece'
slif
eshe
woul dhav eknownaboutit
.Thegirl
'
sfri
endsandher
mot herhadal sosai
dthesamet hi
ng,t
hatOwam had
notbeenseei nganyone.EvenLonwabo,hi
msel f,
had
wentthrought het eenagegi r
l'
sonl i
nest uff:post s
andphot osonherI nstagr am,Twi tt
er,Facebook.
He'dseennot hingt osuggestt hatshewasseei ng
someone.Nonet hel ess,hestil
l neededt ospeakt o
Ayabongaandhearwhathehadt osay .He' dlefthis
cardwiththeboy '
ssi sterandaskedhert ot ell
Ayabongat ocal lhim.Andhewasal sogoi ngt oput
morepr essureont het echguy st ogot hrough
Owam' semai ls,messages, phot osandev ery t
hing
onherbaggedl aptop, thecloud, whatev er.Unt i
l then,
hewasgoi ngtoinv estigatetheol dfashi onedway .
Evenwai ti
ngf oral eadt ocomef rom theev idence
coll
ecteddur i
ngaut opsy —whichhe' dhada
constabletaket otheSAPSf orensi csci ence
l
aboratoryinPr etoriathismor ning—wasoutoft he
questi
on.Resul tsfrom t helabt ookf orev ert ocome
back.Andhedi dn'thav ef or
ever .NotwhenLer ato
wasst i
lloutthere.
Afamili
arsoundr ev
erberatedthrought hecar
,
pull
i
nghim outofhist houghts.Withouteven
checki
ngwhot hecallerwashepr essedtheoff-
hook
swit
chont hesteeri
ngwheel ,answer i
ngthecall
comi
ngi
nthr
oughhi
spai
redBl
uet
oot
hphone.
-
Him:
"Det
ect
iveGama.
"
"Ll
oyd,
wher eareyou?Youjustr
anoutwit
hout
sayi
nganythingearl
ier
.Cappi
eandIhavebeen
cal
li
ngyou.
"I twashispart
nerBongani
andLonwabo
i
nstant
lyr
egr et
tedtaki
ngthecal
l.
-
Lonwabo:
"Yeah,
Isawt
hemi
ssedcal
l
s."
-
Bongani
:"Thenwhydi
dn'
tyoucal
lback?Lonwabo,
I
r
eal
lydon'
tgetyousomet
imes.
"
Lonwabohadheardt
hatlastl
inefr
om hispartnerso
manytimesheknewthatBonganididnotexpectan
answerandt
hushedidn'
tbothergi
vingone.
-Bongani
:"YouknowCappi
e.He'sgoi
ngtoeaty
ou
ali
veforgoingAWOLamidinvest
igat
ion.
"
-
Lonwabo:
"Wel
l
,Ihav
eanacei
nthehol
e."
-
Bongani
:"Yeah?What
'st
hat
?"heaskedcur
iousl
y.
-Lonwabo:"Idon'tgi
veashit.
"Hereall
ydidn'
t.He
hadlitt
let
olerancefortaki
ngorder
s.Andheenj oyed
workingal
one, hewasmor eproducti
vethatway ,
whichwaswhyhe' dlef
tBonganibehi
nd."AndI
hav
en'tgoneAWOL, BB.I'
m wor
kingt
hecase.
Col
lect
inginf
ormat
ion."
-
Bongani
:"Wher
ear
eyou?
"
-Lonwabo: "TheVaal .I
'm gather
ingfactstocompar e
thetwocases, conduct ingmor eint
ervi
ews. "Hel eft
hislaneandpar kedatt hecur bbecausehecoul dno
l
ongerheart henav igator'svoi
ce."I
'mlookingar ound
forsomet ractionont hi
scase.We' vetalkedt o
Owam' sfami ly,fr
iends, andpeoplewhoknewher .
Weal sotalkedt oLer ato'svarsi
tyfr
iends,soI '
m
roundi ngitoutwi thherf amil
y.Wedon' tseem tobe
maki ngmuchpr ogress, Bongani,andthat'sreall
y
frustr
at i
ng."
-Bongani:
"Lonwabo,wehaven'
tevenbeenwor
king
thecasefor48hours.I
ttakest
ime.Youknowthat
bettert
hananyone."
-Lonwabo:"
Probl
em i
s,wedon'
thavethatmuch
time,BB.Weprobabl
yonl
yhaveacoupleofdays
beforewefi
ndoursel
vesst
ari
ngatanothergi
rl
'
s
deadbody."
-
Bongani
:"Iknow,
"hesi
ghedheav
il
y."
Andt
his
suckermaybef
argonet
hatwei
nit
ial
l
ythought
."
-
Lonwabo:
"Whatdoy
oumean?
"
-Bongani :"Toassi stwi tht heinv est i
gati
onandknow
exact lywhatwe' redeal i
ngwi thher eIhadCappi ego
oldschool .Askedhi mt ocont actt henearbypol i
ce
stationsthismor ningandchecki ftheydidn'
thav e
anycasessi mi l
art ot heoney ouandIar ecurrentl
y
wor kingon.Fi vedocket sgotshar edwi thusjust
aftery ouleft.Istudiedal l
t heircont entsthor
oughl y
andguesswhat ,
t herear et womor egirlswhowent
mi ssinglastNov ember .Justl ikeOwam andLer at
o
theywer eal sost udent satWi ts, doingtheirf
irstyear.
Onewasf rom Jeppest ownsot hemi ssingperson's
repor twasf il
eddownatJeppePol iceStati
on.The
otherwasr epor t
edi nYeov il
l
e.Theywer ebothnot
oncampuswhent heywentmi ssing,hencethe
casesdi dn'tcomet oourst ation.Butt hepointis,
there'sapat ternher e, Lloyd.Looksl i
kewewer e
ri
ght .Wehav easer ialkidnapperandmur dererinour
streets."
Lonwabofel
tsi
ck.Bei
ngr
ightwasnotal
way sa
goodthi
ng.Someti
mes—j
ustli
kenow—itcouldbea
bad,
spi
nechi
l
li
ngt
hing.
-
Bongani
:"You'
requi
et.Whatar
eyout
hinki
ng?
"
-
Lonwabo:"I
'
mt hinki
ngthatther
e'sar ut
hlesskil
l
er
wal
kingar
oundourci t
y,t
argeti
ngy ounggirl
s,and
t
hat'
sreal
l
ypissingmeof f
."
.
.
.
Thur
sday
,27Febr
uar
y,16:
00
Hekeptqui etal
ongt heway,j
ustlookingoutthe
window.Theskywasobscur ed,tot
all
ycloggedwith
darkclouds.Therewerefri
ghteni
ngr umblesof
thunderbuttherewasn'tanyli
ghtni
ngy et,atl
east
thathecouldsee.Itwasclearthatast or
m was
abouttohitfull
force.
Neo,i
nt hedri
ver
'sseat
,shookhi
sheadin
di
sapprovalashekeptthecarmovi
ngatast
eady
pace.
-Neo:
"Di
dwereall
yhavetodothi
s?Isti
l
lthinkwe
shoul
dhavewai
tedfort
hestor
mt opass."
Hefurrowedhisbr
ows, t
ryi
ngt ostoptheangerhe
fel
tfr
om seepingi
ntohisexpression.Thelastt
hing
heneededwast oali
enateNeo, hestil
lneededhim.
Heneededhissteadyhands,andnotj ustfordr
ivi
ng
ordel
iveri
ngfoodtohiscapti
ves,therewasmor eto
thi
sthanthat
.
-
Him:"Wewouldn'
thav
et odothi
s,Neo,
ify
ouhadn'
t
l
etSkyescapei
nthefi
rstpl
ace.
"
-
Neo:
"ButIt
oldy
out
hati
twasami
stake.
"
-Him: "Ami st
akewenowhav etocorr
ect.Justfocus
ont her oadandgetust othatfarm."Headjustedthe
guni nahol sterthatrodeont hebackofhi s
waistbandbef or
eset t
li
ngbacki nhisseatand
l
ooki ngoutt hewi ndowagai n.Hewatchedt heroad
zipby .Theywer eheadedr ightint
oagat heri
ng
storm.
Nastyblackcl
oudsrearedupaheadoft hem l
i
kea
toweri
ngserpentabouttodosomeser i
ousbusiness
overthi
spatchofthenorthEast
ernCape.But
nothi
ngwasgoi ngtostophimfrom hunti
ngSkythis
ti
mear ound.Nothi
ng.
Tenmi nuteslatert heyhadr eachedtheirdesti
nation.
Theypar kedt heircarnextt oastati
onaryblackLand
Rov eront heext ensi v
ebr i
ghtgreenswar dinfrontof
thechar mingf armhouse, thenjumpedout .The
storm nowf ul
lyenv el
opedt hearea.Thewi ndkicked
upandbuf fetedhi m ast heyracedupt hebasal t
steppingst onepat hl eadingtothecov er
edv eranda
ofthehouse, andheknewt herai
nwoul dbecomi ng
atanymoment ,pr obablyinsideway ssheets.They
reachedt hehouse' sfrontstepsandspr i
ntedupf or
thef r
ontdoor .
Alonewickerchairsatinthecornerofthever
anda
nexttoaplantboxwi t
hsomeher bs.Andhanging
abovethefrontdoorwasasetofwi ndchimest hat
j
ingl
edcheer f
ull
yeacht i
met hegustywindsweptby .
Yetther
ewasnot hingcheerfulaboutthi
sday,at
l
eastnottohim.
Reachi
ngout,
her appedhi
sknuckl
esagainstt
he
woodendoorthenturnedt
oNeoast heywait
edfor
ananswer
.
-
Him:"I
'
m gonnaneedy
out
otaket
hel
eadont
his
one,
okay?
"
-
Neo:
"Al
ri
ght
."
Hest oodt heret hi
nkingaboutal l t
het hingshewoul d
dot oSkyift heyf oundherher e.Andt heyal lended
withhersoul l
eav i
ngherbody .Amomentl aterthe
soundoff oot stepspul l
edhisat tenti
onbackt othe
doori nfr
ontofhi m.Hi ssenseski ckedbacki nt
o
place,earsper kingupatwhatsoundedl i
keaheav y-
dutybar r
el boltbeingslidopen.Thecl ickst hat
foll
owedt oldhi mt hattheelderlycoupl eowni ngthi
s
propertyhadnotone, nottwo,butt hreel ockson
theirdoor.
Hesli
ppedonehandovert
hebuttofhisgun,
di
sengagedt
hesafet
yandwait
ed,li
steni
ngint
ent
ly.
-
Neo:
"Thi
nkshe'
sher
e?"
-
Him:"
Oh,she'
sherealr
ight.Whyelsewoul
dtheybe
t
hiswor
ri
edaboutsecuri
ty?Beready."Her
emarked
i
nalowvoice.
Theystoodpati
ent
lyunti
lthedooropened.Wheni t
di
d,hefoundhimselfst
ari
ngdownt hebarrelofa
st
eel-
blackshot
gun.Byinsti
nct
,morethanany thi
ng
el
se,hepull
edouthisowngunandhi sfingermov ed
t
othet
ri
gger
.Bam!
Itwasonlyafterhe'dpull
edthet ri
ggerthathe
reali
sedthatoldPiet'
sintent
ionshadnotbeent o
shootbuttoscaret hem away .Theoldmanwasnow
l
ay i
ngont hefl
oor,thegunonhi sside,
andblood
flowingoutfr
om wher etheshothadst ruckhi
m.
Shi
t!
.
.
.
Thur
sday
,27Febr
uar
y,16:
10
Itwasnotjustthearchitectureofthehouset hatwas
Vict
orian,
thedecorst yl
ewast oo.Itmadet hehouse
feelwarm andcozy.Skyhadal way slovedt hisstyl
e
overtheoneherinteriordesignermot her
prefer
red—thecontempor ar
ystyle.Cont empor ary
designmeantsmoot h,cleanli
nesanduncl uttered
spaces,sheunderstoodwhyhermot herlovedi t
.But,
unfort
unatel
y,i
tcouldal someanhomest hatwer en'
t
exactl
ycosy.Moder nhomeswi t
hsi mpl ecolor
pal
ettescouldseem al
it
tl
ecoldandster
il
e.AndSky
wasn'tforthat
.Shel
ovedcosy,war
m andinvit
ing
spaces,exactl
ywhatVi
ctor
iandesi
gnisallabout
.
Toki l
ltimeandst opherselff
rom goinginsaneshe
haddeci dedt okeepbusybyv i
ewingt heelder
ly
couple'shouse, admi r
ingthedécorandev eryt
hing:
fr
om t hest ackedcornicestotheboldercoloured
walls,throughf l
oorlengthembroideredcurtai
nswith
fl
oralmot i
fstopat t
ernedrugsandev eryt
hingin
between.
Shewasnowi nthespar ebedroom shehadusedt o
changeintothefreshclothestheJansenshad
provi
dedherwi t
h.Thebl uejeans,t
hethicksweater
,
eventhesneakers,allbel
ongedt otheJansens
youngestdaughter.Luckil
ytheyfi
tSkyperfect
lyand
shewasgr at
eful.
Shewasadmi ri
ngtheblackandwhitephot
ogr
aphs
hangingonthelef
twallofthebedr
oom whenshe
heardagunshotfoll
owedbyMr sJansen'
spai
nful
scream.
"
Oh,
myGod,
"thef
earwasi
nst
ant
lybacki
nherv
oice.
"
They
'vef
oundmeandt
heyar
egoi
ngt
oki
l
lme.
'
'
WhenMr sJansentol
dhert hattheywouldnotbe
abl
et odriveoutunt
ilt
hest or
m hadpassedshehad
panicked,afr
aidt
hatherkidnapperswouldfi
ndher
beforeshecouldgettothepolice.Butt
hecouple
hadconv i
ncedhertorelax,pr
omi si
ngtokeepher
safe.
"Idoubtthatt
heywoul dmakei touthereinthi
s
weather.Buti
ft heydo,Ihav
emyshot gun.
"Mr
Jansenhadsai d,whil
eherwifeboltedallt
hedoor
s
shut.
Butlookatwhatwashappeni ngnow.Those
monst er
shadf oundherandtheyhadpr obablyhur
t
PietorAnna.Wi t
hallt
herumblingofthundershe
hadn'theardthei
rcardri
vi
ngin,butt
hatdidn'tmatt
er.
Whatmat t
eredwasthattheywereherenowandshe
hadtogetaway .
Shespunaroundinpani candr anaf ewst
epsacross
thesof
tcarpett
ot hedoor .Shewasaboutt opull
the
dooropenandruni nt
ot hehall
wayt henouttheback
doorwhensomet hingtoldhertostop.
No,
theyaregoingt
oseemeorheart
hesoundof
t
hebarr
elbolt
sonthebackdoor
.
Shet urnedandr antothewi ndow.Grabbi
ngthe
steel handle,shet wi
sted.Butthehandlewasali
ttl
e
rustyandi tresisted.Shetwistedagai
n.Butst
il
l,
it
woul dn'tbudge.Dammi t!
Theywer egoi
ngt ofi
ndherinthi
sroom trappedli
ke
ahelplessani
mal i
nacage.Nowsheknewpani ci
n
i
tspur estf
orm andheari
nganothergunshotdidn'
t
help.Shewhimperedinfearandtwist
edtheol d
windowhandlewi t
hallhermight
.Thisti
me. .
.i
tgave
i
n.
Thi
rdt
ime'
sthechar
m.Thatwast
rue,
sheguessed.
Slowlyopeni
ngthewindow,shequicklycli
mbedup
thenjumpedout,l
andi
ngonhi sf
eetandhandson
thewetlawn.Aft
ercaref
ull
ypushi
ngt hewi ndow
closedshebrav
edthesheetsofdri
v i
ngr ai
nand
sprint
edfort
heshedshe'dseenstandingatt he
backofthehousewhenshewashav ingherhouse
tourearl
i
er.
Toomuch.Thi
swasj
ustt
oodamnmuchf
orhert
o
handl e.Hermot herwasfondofsay ingthatGod
nev ergav eyoumor ethanyoucouldhandl e.
Obv iousl y,t
hishadt obethenew, i
mpr ovedGod
heapi ngal lthisonher .Ei
therthat
,orhermot her
wasn' tr eall
yascl oset ot
heManupst air
sasshe
thought .Allthiswasmor ethanshecoul dputup
wi t
hi noneday .Shewasnott hatstrong.Ithadbeen
hardenoughendur ingtheelementsafterescapi
ng
from t hatdar kbasementr oom withouthav i
ngtodo
i
tal lov eragai n.
Thedoort otheshedwaspadl ocked.Ohno.She
couldn'tbeoutsideinthisweather.Inadesper
ate
mov eshesteppedbackonl ytosur gefor
wardand
hitthefli
msydoorwi t
hhergoodshoul der.I
tcreaked
butr emainedintact
.Shewentati tagainwithf
ull
forceandt hi
st i
mei tbuckl
edundert heimpactand
fellopen.
Thedr enchedSkystumbl
edinsi
deandt
urnedr
ight
tohidebehindastackofol
dwoodenboxesand
gardeningtool
s.
Thestor
m wasscr
eamingout
sideandt
herai
nwas
fal
l
inghard,
whi
ppedbythewi
ndintoasti
ngi
ng
f
renzy,asthestor
m empti
edmill
i
onsofgall
onsof
wateroverthi
spartoft
heEast
ernCapeHighl
ands.
Butamomentl atershemanagedt ohearacarst art
upanddr i
veaway .Thosebastardswer eleavi
ng,and
thatwasar el
i
ef .They'dbedrivi
ngrightintothe
storm andshewi shedt heycoul
dgetki l
led.Buti
f
theydidn't
,shewant edt ohavesomethingmor eto
givetothepol i
ce.Sosher antothesmal lwindow
andpeer edoutsi de.
Theskywasbl ackandomi nous,makingt he
after
noondar k.Butshecoul dmakeoutt hecar
speedingaway ,ablackJeepCher okee.Shesqui nted
soshecoul dseet heregistrati
onnumberbuta
l
ightningspearcame.I tseemedt ostr
ikerightinto
thewindowgl ass,dir
ectlyinf r
ontofherey es.Itwas
soonf oll
owedbyamuchl ouder ,
deafeni
ng
explosionofthunder.Sheduckeddownandst ayed
thereforawhi l
e,scared.
I
tt ookheracoupleofminutestor
isebacktoher
feet.Andwhenshedid,shedidn'
thesi
tat
e,sheran
outoft heshedandstr
aighttot
hehousetocheck
ont heJansens.
Thefrontdoorwaswideopen.Hear
tpoundi
ng,she
racedupthestepsandthr
oughtheopendoor.
No.
Shefrozeatwhatshewasseeingintheli
vi
ngroom.
I
twasani magethatwouldhauntherever
yminute
unt
ilshedrewherlastbr
eat
h.
.
.
.
Thesearehardti
mes,fol
ks.I
'
vebeenthroughhell
andbackinthepastcoupl
eofweeks.Smelleddeath.
Butit
'sgoodtobeback.Hopey'
al
laretaki
nggood
car
eofy our
selv
es.#COVID19
Chapt
er20
Thur
sday
,27Febr
uar
y,16:
10
.
Lerato'
shomeaddr ess,asLonwaborecal
leditfr
om
thedocket,wasinGriegStr
eet,aqui
ettr
eel i
nedcul
-
de-sacintheS.W.5suburbofVanderbi
jl
park.Hehad
dri
venf oranhour,
viatheN1r out
e,t
ogetdownher e.
Andt henavigat
orhadhelpedagreatdeal
.
Thesubur bofSW5housedsomeoft hemost
extravagantandsoughtafterhousesi ntheVaal
tr
iangle,acoll
eagueofLonwabo' swhoappar entl
y
l
ivedher e,andwhobraggedmor ethananysocial
medi aobsessedbeingLonwabohadev ercome
across,hadoncev ol
unteer
edt hatinformati
on.
Seeingt hehousesonthisstreetnowLonwabohad
toagree.
Theywereallenclosedbyhi
ghwall
s.Lonwabocoul
d
seewhatlaybehindonlythr
ought
hegates.Neat
housesf
rontedbypav eddri
veway
sandwel l
-t
ended
l
awns.
Ler
atowasi
ndeednot
hingl
i
keOwam,
shecame
fr
om awell
-of
ffami
l
y.Twocompl
etel
ydi
ff
erent
backgr
ounds.
Ashi scarslowlymov edforward,Lonwabof el
tglad
hehadwokenupear l
yt hi
smor ni
ngt ocuthishair
andshav ehisscruff
ybear d.Henowl ookedl i
kea
professi
onal det
ecti
ve.Andt hatwasgoodbecause
hebel i
evedthatthefolkshewasv i
sit
ingdeserved
nothinglessthanthat.
Her eachedLerato'
saddr ess,
pulledupinf r
ontof
thegateandhi tt
heint er
com.Awomanwi tha
groggyv oi
ceanswer ed.Shesoundedl i
keshe'djust
comeoutofadeepsl eeporshewasdr unk,
Lonwabocoul dn'tt
ellwhichonei twas.Heidenti
fi
ed
himselfandthewoman, whoi denti
fi
edherselfas
Lerato'
smot her,
openedt hegat eforhi
m.
Heshookhi sheadashedr oveupthedri
veway.This
wasabeaut i
fulhome, f
orsure,butunl
iketheot
hers
ont hisstr
eet,i
tlookedabandoned.Forsuchani ce
residence,t
hegr oundswer epret
tyl
etgo.Thefront
l
awnl ookedli
keithadn'tbeenmowedi nages.The
treesandshr ubswer el
argeandsomewhat
ov ergr
own.
Lonwabopar kedhi
spersonalcar,
aoney ear-
old
RAV4,infr
ontofthecloseddoublegaraget hen
cli
mbedout .AsperMrsPhiri
'
sinstruct
ionshedi dn'
t
gotothefrontdoorbutmadehi swaytot hebackof
thehouse.
Hecamet oast andstillbyt hebackdoorandl ooked
around.Justl ikethef ront,ther eargr oundswer e
oncebeaut if
ul ,buttheywer enowi nseriousneedof
someat tenti
on.Ther ewasawat erfeatureanda
decentsizedpool whi chwasnowf i
ll
edwi thdead
l
eav esandev eryotherdebr is.Justl i
keev erythi
ng
elseinthisproper ty
, i
tcl earlyhadn' tbeent akencare
ofinages.Whatcoul dbet hemat t
er?Itcoul dn'
tbe
thestressofLer at
o'sdi sappear ance.She'donl y
beenmi ssingf or4day s.Thi sy ardlookedl ikeit
hadn'tbeent endedt oi nmont hs.
ThedoorswungopenandMr sPhiri
,whoseemedt o
beinherear ly
-50s,stoodi
nt hedoorway,l
ooki
ngout
athim.Herl ong,rel
axedhairwasdishevel
ledand
shelookedpal eandwor ninhersatinpyj
amasand
ni
ghtr obe.Herfacewasf all
enin,herey
es
bloodshot.
-Lonwabo:
" Sor
ry.Di
dIwakeyou?"heasked,givi
ng
heralonglook,si
nceitwasl
atei
nt heaf
ternoon.
Shestr
etchedouthersl
enderf
ramebef
ore
answer
ing.
-
Her:
"Act
ual
l
y,y
oudid.Whatdoy
ouwant
,det
ect
ive?
Youf
oundmydaught
er?"
-Him:"Noty
et,
I'
m af
rai
d.MayIcomei
n?"He
steppedfor
ward.
Shebackedawayandwav edhi min.Hestepped
throughandsheclosedt hedoorbehi ndhi
m.Shel ed
himt hr
oughthespaciouski tchentoanevenmor e
spaciousl
ivi
ngroom.Lonwabowoul dhavefound
thespacereall
yni
ceifitdi dn'tl
ookli
keapigstyand
stankofoldfoodandst alealcohol
.
MrsPhi
rimusthavenot
icedhowuni
mpressedhe
wasbecauseshesai
d,"
It'
sfi
l
thyi
nhere,
Iknow."
Shelazil
ypointedtoacouchforhimt otakeaseat
thenploppeddownonanot her,herexpressi
onone
oftotalwear
iness.Shel
ookedast houghsomeone
hadsuckedhersoul out
.Andt hesmel l
ofliquor
from herbr
eatheasil
ycrossedthewi dt
hoft he
cl
assyendtablesetbetweentheircouchesandwent
str
aightt
oLonwabo'snostri
l
s.Shest ret
chedouta
handtoanothersmallt
ablebehindhercouchand
pi
ckedupabot tl
eofcheapwhi skeyandaglass.
-
Her
:"MayIpoury
ousome?
"
-
Him:
"No,
thanks.I
'
m ont
hecl
ock.
"
-
Her:"Moref
ormet hen.
"Shepouredhersel
ftwo
f
ingerst
hengul
pedt hest
rongl
iquiddownasifi
t
wouldgi
veherst
rength.
Thiswomanwasdef i
nit
elyusingalcoholasan
escapeandifthecharacteri
sti
cweat her
ingofher
facewasanyindicat
ion,she'dbeenabusi ngalcohol
forawhil
e.Lonwabowoul dn'
tevenbesur prisedif
hefoundoutthatshewasn' teveninherfift
iesy et
.
Hesawherout linedinacreamywhi t
e.Alookof
despai
r,andhecoul drel
ate.Forhim deathwasblue,
whil
ewhi ter
epresenteddespair.Everyt
imehe
l
ookedathi mselfinthemirroraft
erhisdaught
er'
s
deathhe'dfi
guredhewast hewhitestbl
ackmanin
thewholewor l
d.
Mr
sPhi
rir
ubbedherhandsov
erherf
ace.Lonwabo
coul
dseehintsofformerbeaut
yther
e,l
yi
ngunder
thet
racksofalcohol
abuse.
-Her:
"Whatdidyousayyournamewasagai
n?"she
asked,pour
ingher
sel
fanotherdr
ink.
-Hi
m: "MrsPhiri
,mynamei sDetecti
veGama. .."he
wasawar eofthesy mpathyinhisownv oi
ce,andf or
afracti
onofasecondt hel ogi
calnextsentencel ay
ont heti
pofhistongue,".
..andjustbeforeIgot
assignedtoyourdaughter'
scaseIdi dn'
twantt ol i
ve,
Itr
iedtokil
lmy sel
f.
"Buthebi ti
tbackandsai d, "And
l
ikeIsaidatthegate,I
'minchar geofthesear chf or
yourdaughter.
"
-Her
: "
Sotel
lme,Detect
iveGama.Doyouthi
nk
ther
e'sachanceI'
l
lgetmyLerat
oback?Ali
ve?"She
putthebott
leandthegl
assonthefl
oor,
infr
ontof
her.
Probablynot ,notal
iveanyway, Lonwabothought
,
consideringOwam' sfate.Stat
isti
csr ant
hrewhis
mind, noneoft hem good.Thef ir
stfewdayswere
cri
ti
cal andt hosedayswer eal
readygone.ButMr s
Phir
iwasl ookingupathim withglassyeyesandhe
f
oundhi
msel
fnoddi
ng.
-Him:"
Ihopeso,
MrsPhi
ri
."Hef
orcedopt
imi
sm i
nto
hisvoi
ce.
-Her:"Yahwell
,Iwon'
thol
dmybr eat
h.Iknowhow
uselesscopsare.Mydaughter
'sbeenmi ssi
ngf
or
fourday sandyousti
l
lhaven'
tfoundher."
Thathi tLonwabohar d.Theywer en'tperfect,
but
therewer est i
llhonest,hardwor kingmenandwomen
i
nt heSer vi
ceandhewant edt odef endt hem.
Howev er,thathadnev erhelped.Hehadbeeni nthe
Servicef or14y earsandhadt r
iedt ogi vesome
perspect ivet othef i
gures–t oolittl
er esources,too
fewhands, t
oohi ghcri
mer ate,toobi gagap
betweent hehav esandt hehav e-nots,toomuch
polit
ics, t
oomuchbadpubl i
city.Fuck, thepubl i
cit
y
frustr
at edhi m somuch, thegoodwor kand
successesonpagesev en, t
hemi stakesand
corruptiononpageone.Sal ariest hatwer eaj oke,
thatcoul dnev ercompensat efort hewor ki
ng
condi t
ions, thel onghours, t
hescor n.Hehad
occasional lytriedtoexplain, butpeopl edi dn'
twant
toheari t
.Theyhadl ostfaithi npol i
ce.Itwasj ustthe
wayi
twas.
-
Him: "
Ma'am, I'
vejustbeenassignedtot hi
scase
yest
erdaymor ni
ng.Look, Iknowhowst ressfult
his
mustbef oryou.Ihadadaught ertoo.ButIlosthera
f
ewweeksago.SoIknowexact l
yhowy oumustbe
f
eeli
ng.AndIpr omi seyou,Iwon'tr
estunt i
lI'
ve
f
oundy ourdaughter .
"
Shej
ustwav
edhi
m of
f.
-Her:"
Iaskedherf athertohi r
eapr i
vatedetect
ive.
Butyouknowwhat ?Heref used.Moneyi snotan
i
ssuef orhi
m, buthest i
llrefused.Herefusedtopay
forsomeonet ofindhisowndaught er.Hisown
daughter.
"Alonet eartri
ckleddownhercheekand
shewipedi twit
ht hebackofherhand.
-
Him:"
Yourhusband.I
'
dliket
ospeakwi
thhi
mtoo.
Wher
e'she?St
il
latwork?
"
-Her
:"Idon'
tknowwher ehei sandIdon'tcar
e.He
l
eftus5mont hsago.Hel eftMEforaprettyyoung
thi
ng.Thenacoupl eofweeksagohesentdi vorce
papers.Canyoubel i
evethat?Hesay sIcanhavethe
houseandev eryt
hinginit
, i
ncludi
ngthecarinthe
garage.Andt hatt hatshoul dmakemehappy
because, afterall,Isignedapr enup,"shegav ea
short,mirthlessl augh." Thehousebondi spaidup,
butwhatt hehel lam Igoi ngtodowi t
ht hi
shousei fI
can'tpayt her atesandt axes?Whatam Igoi ngtodo
wit
ht hecari fIcan' tputpetrolin?Ihavenomoney ,I
havenot hing.Ihav en'thadaj obin22y ears.That
bastardaskedmet oquitandbeahome- maker,and
nowhe' sdoi ngt hist ome?Thr eemont hsagoIhad
toletthemai dandt hegardenergobecauseI
couldn'taffordt hem any more.Doy ouknowhow
embar rassingt hatwas? "
Oh,
allofthi
sisnowmaki
ngsense,
Lonwabo
t
hought.
-
Him:
"Soy
out
urnedt
othebot
tl
eforcomf
ort
?"
-Her
:"Notbecauseheleftme, no.Ist
art
eddri
nking
heavi
ly4yearsagowhenhest art
edmakingit
obvi
ousthathewascheat i
ngonme, wit
hmultiple
women.AtleastIcouldstil
l affor
dgoodboozet hen.
NowIdr i
nkwhatIcanaf ford,"shenoddedtothe
bott
leofcheapwhiskey."LikeIsaid,money'
stight.
"
Ahusbandwhowaschr onical
lyunfai
thf
ul,aman
whocouldn'
tkeephi
shandsof fanythi
nginaskirt
.A
manmaki ngbi
gbuckswhilehiswiferott
edawayat
home.Somemen.Lonwabocoul dneverunder
stand
them.Buthewasn'
ther
ef orthat
.
-Hi
m: "
Lerat
o?Doyouhav
eanyideawhatcouldhave
happenedtoher
?Whocouldhav
edonethistoher?
"
-Her:"
No.Buti ftheywantedust opay ,well,t
hey
wastedt heirti
me.Asy oucansee, there'snomoney
here.Andherf atherhasprov enthathewoul dnever
havepai danyr ansom f
orher .ButIdon' tknowwhy
thatsurpri
sedme.Thebast ardst oppedsuppor ti
ng
herwhenhemov edout
.Soi fwhoev ertookLerato
wantsmoney ,theyshoul
dhav etri
ednextdoor .
"She
gaveani ronicsnortandpushedherhai rback.
-
Him:
"Issheseei
ngany
one?
"Shenoddedsl
i
ght
ly.
"
Whoishe?"
-Her
:"Idon'tknow.Imean,shenev
erwant
edtotal
k
abouthim andsheobviousl
yhasn'
tbr
oughthi
m
homet omeethermot her.
"
Exact
lywhatLer
ato'
svar
sit
yfr
iendshadsai
d,t
hat
shewasseei
ngsomeonebutt
heydi
dn'
tknowwho
hewas.
-
Him:
"Howl
onghav
etheybeenseei
ngeachot
her
?"
-Her:"
Shemethimlastmont
h.Whenshemov
edt
o
Jo'bur
gforherst
udi
es."
-
Him:"Andshe'
snev
ersai
dany
thi
ngabouthi
m?
Not
hing?"
-Her
:"Iasked.Morethanoncewhenshecamehome
thr
eeweeksagowi thal
lthi
smoneyandgrocer
ies.
Butshedidn'tbi
te,
"shepaused."
Wel
l,al
lshecould
saywast hatIwouldn'
tapprov
eofhi
m.Becausehe's
so…mat ur
e."
-
Him:
"Meani
ngol
der
.Noti
nvar
sit
y?"
-Her:"Iguessed.Imeant hatwoul
dbet heonl y
explanat i
onforal lthatcash.ButIdidn'tcare,aslong
ashecoul dprov ideformydaught er.Andme.Igot
thatfrom her,"shepoi nt edtoanexpensivel ooki
ng
goldwat chsi
ttingont opofpaper sscat t
eredacross
thecof feetable."Shesai dheboughtitforher.But
Leratodoesn' tlikewat ches.Andwi t
ht hewayt hi
ngs
aregoi ngaroundher e,lookslikeI
'
m gonnahav eto
sel
li
t.Icoul
dmakegoodmoneyof fofthat
.Theman
hasexpensi
vetast
e.Bet
tert
hant
hatloserLer
ato
bor
eachi l
dfor
."
-
Him:
"Shehasachi
l
d?"
-Her:"
Athr ee-
year
-ol
dboy .Mysoon-to-
beex-
husbandt ookhim whenLerat
ol ef
tforvarsi
ty.Sai
dI
couldn'
ttakecareofhim.Iguesshisf l
oozy'
smor e
thancapabl e.
"Shecl
ickedhertongue.
-
Him:
"Who'
sthef
ather
?"
-Her:
"Kagiso.Somel oserfr
om Bopai
tong.Iwas
gladwhenshet ol
dmet hatshebrokeupwithhim
l
astmont h.Itwaslongov er
due.Ineverl
i
kedthat
punk.Hewasj ustnothert y
pe.
"
Thi
spi
eceofi
nfor
mat
ioni
nter
est
edLonwabo.
-
Him:
"Iwouldli
ketot
alkt
othi
sKagi
so.Cany
ougi
ve
mehi
saddress?"
-Her
:"Ican.Butyouwon'tfi
ndhi
mt here.Hekil
l
ed
himself
.Couldn'
tdeal
withthebreakup.Li
keIsaid,
hewasal oser.
"Shesaidthatwi
thoutacareinthe
worl
d,asifitwasthemostnatur
al thi
ngtosay.
.
.
.
Thur
sday
,27Febr
uar
y,16:
40
Lonwabopacedhiscarupthedustystreetsof
Bopait
ongunti
lhepull
edupinfrontofaf ourr
oom
housethatwasindesper
ateneedofaf reshcoatof
pai
nt.Lif
eupherewasdiff
erentfr
om theonehehad
j
ustseendowninSW5.Thatwaspr obablywhatMrs
Phir
imeantwhenshesaidKagisowasnother
daughter
'st
ype.
KagisowasnowgonebutLonwabost i
ll
wantedt o
speakwi thhi
sf ami l
y.Ifheindeedkill
edhimself
becauseofLer atot hatwouldbeenoughmot iv
ef or
hisfamilytowantt hegi r
lgone.Yes, t
herewasa
possibil
it
yofaser ialkidnapperslashkil
lerwal
king
thestreetsbuteveryl eadwaswor t
hfoll
owing.And
Lonwabowasal readyconnect ingsomedot shere.
Hewalkedthr
oughthegat
eandwenttoknockon
theopenfr
ontdoor
.Noonewasintheloungebuta
54cm boxTVsit
ti
ngonananti
queent
ertai
nment
wal
luni
twason.Amomentl ater,awomanabout
MrsPhi
ri
'sagewal
kedint
othel ounge.Shehadan
i
nvi
ti
ngfaceandLonwabogreetedwithasmi l
e.
-
Her
:"Dumel
amor
wa.Nkagot
husa?
"
Lonwabohel
duphi
scr
edent
ial
s.
-Hi
m: "
Myname'sDetect
iveGama,
from
Johannesbur
g.MayIcomein?"
Shehesit
atedbutult
imat
elyi
nvi
tedhi
minand
off
eredhim aseat
.
-
Her
:"WhatcanIdof
ory
ou,
det
ect
ive?
"
-
Him:
"I'
dli
ket
otal
kabouty
ourson.Kagi
so.
"
Amy ri
adofemoti
onspassedthr
oughherf
aceli
ke
seasonsbef
oresheopenedhermout
hagain.
-Her
:"Mysoni
sdead.Hekil
l
edhimselfamonthago.
Nowwhywouldthepoli
cebeint
erest
edint
alki
ng
abouthi
m?"
-Him:"Yes,Iheardabouthi
spassi
ng,
andI'
m sor
ry
foryourloss.Ihearhewasdati
ngLer
atoPhi
ri
beforehepassedaway ?"
-
Her:"
She'
sther
easonhekil
ledhi
msel
f.Nowwhat
's
t
hatgott
odowithanyt
hing?
"
-Hi
m:"Ler
ato'
smi
ssi
ng.I
'
m wor
kinghercase-
-"She
cuthi
m off
.
-Her
:"Waitami
nute.Soyouthinkwehave
somethi
ngtodowithherdisappear
ance?Thatwe
wentaft
erhert
oav engeKagiso'
sdeat
h?Isthat
whatyou'
resay
ing?"
-Hi
m: "
I'
m notsayi
ngany t
hing,ma'am.Butsi
nce
you'
vealr
eadyjumpedt othat.Di
dy ou?Goaft
er
her?
"Heaskedqui et
ly.
-Her:"
Ofcour senot .Li st
en,IlikeLer ato.Iwoul
d
neverhur ther
.She' sthemot herofmyf i
rst
grandchild,myonl ygr andchil
d, okay .Andshe's
generallyagoodper son.Unlikeherpar entswho
thi
nkt hey'r
ebet t
ert hanev er
y bodyel se."She
mumbl edthelastsent ence."WasIangr ywhenI
foundoutt hatmysonki ll
edhi msel fbecauseshe
l
efthim?YoubetIwas.ButIdi dn'
tputal lt
heblame
onLer ato.Kagisowasanadul t.Heshoul dhave
handledt hi
ngsbet ter.Hewasn' tt
hef i
rstmantobe
dumped.
"
-
Him:
"Doy
ouhav
eanyot
herki
ds,
ma'
am?
"
-Her:"
Yes.Anot hersonandadaught er.Daught er
's
sti
ll
inhighschool .Thesonwasauni v
ersitystudent
buttheywoul dn'tl
ethimregist
ert hisy ear
.
Outstandingfees.Hehadapar ti
al scholarshipand
Kagiso'
st heonewho' dbeenhel pi
nghi m withthe
rest
.Wi t
hhi m gone,ther
ewasnot hingwecoul ddo.
Hewasy ettogot othebankt oaskf oraloanwhen
he..
.t
ookhi sli
fe.Hewast hebr eadwi nner,youknow.
Hehadaj ob.Idon't
."Hereyeswer enowgl assy.
-
Him:
"Thatmusthav
ebeenhar
dony
ourot
herson.
"
-
Her
:"Youbet
."
-
Him:
"Whi
chuni
ver
sit
ywasheat
tendi
ng?
"
-
Her:
"Wit
s.Hewasgoi
ngt
oregi
sterf
orhi
sfour
th
y
earinmedi
cine.
"
Wit
s.Medi
cine.Thoset
wowor
dssentbel
l
sri
ngi
ng
i
nLonwabo'
shead.
.
.
.
Thur
sday
,27Febr
uar
y,18:
30
Cather
ineMasilosetthetabl
eforthr
eeeventhough
shehadcookedf orfi
ve.Shehadinvi
tedSky'
s
parent
sfordinnerbutthey'
dtur
nedherdown,sayi
ng
theyweretoogloomyt obegoodcompany .
TheyhadlandedinJo'burgthisaf
ternoonandNal
edi
wasnowwi ththem,helpingthem sett
lei
ntheci
ty
andconnectthem wi
tht hedetect
iveworki
ngthei
r
missi
ngdaughter'
scase.
Thiswhol ethi
ngwasst ressf
ul.Catheri
newished
therewassomet hi
ngshecoul ddo,butshedidn'
t
knowwhat .AndNaledi wasev enmor estr
essedout.
Theev entsofthisweekwer etaki
ngat oll
onher.
S'f
iso'
ssuddenr eturn,t
heef fectofthatonLebo,and
nowSky 'sdisappearance.Itwasall t
oomuch.
Cather
ine'
seyesmovedtothebott
leofpil
l
sont he
ki
tchencounter
.Shehadfoundi
tunderthedr
iver'
s
seatofhercarwhenNal
edihadaskedhertol
ookf or
i
tearli
er.
"
LonwaboGama,
"sher
eadt
henameont
hebot
tl
e
outl
oudasshewr
appedherf
inger
sar
oundi
t.
Lonwabo.Happi ness.Shel i
kedthesoundoft he
name.May besheshoul dinvi
teHIMt odinner.Naledi
hadbeenst r
essedoutl at
elybutshehad
i
nv oluntaril
ysmiledwhenshet al
kedabouthi m
yesterday .Godknewsheneededt ostar
tlivi
ngher
l
ife.Itjustwasn'tnaturalforayoungwomanherage,
withmostofherl i
feaheadofher ,t
oinsiston
stayinglonely.Shewasbeaut i
ful
,wasf i
nanciall
y
comf ortable,andhadabeaut i
ful
sonwhoneededa
fatherf i
gure.Sheneededamani nherli
fe.Andi f
thatmanwasgoi ngtobeLonwabo, Catheri
ne
neededt omeethi m andseewhatki ndofmanhe
was.
JustthenNalediwal
kedt
hrought
hedoorl
ooki
ng
exhausted.Cat
heri
nequi
ckl
yputt
hepil
l
sinthe
upperdrawer.
Naledi
:"Hey,
mom,"shedraggedherfeett
othe
ki
tchenisl
andanddroppedherbagsandphone.
-
Catheri
ne:
"Hey,baby.Youl
ookdr
ained.Howar
e
Zanel
eandFreddie?"
Thosewer eSky'
sparents.Cather
ineknewthem as
wellassheknewt hei
rdaughter.Theyweregood
people.Theyal
ldidn'
tdeservewhateverSkywas
goi
ngt hroughr
ightnow.
-
Naledi
:"Di
str
aught
.Underst
andabl
yso.Skyi
sthe
onl
ychil
dtheyarel
eftwi
th."
Catheri
neknewexact
lywhatNal
ediwast al
ki
ng
about.She'
dhear
daboutSky'
soldersisterwhogot
ki
ll
edi nanaut
omobil
eacci
dent14y earsago.
-Catheri
ne:"Iknowexactlywhatt heymustbegoi ng
through.Notknowi ngwher eyourchil
discandr iv
e
anypar entcrazy.
"Shethoughtaboutherown
experiencewhenNal ediwentmi ssing8y earsago
onlytof i
ndheratahospi tali
ntheVaal threedays
l
ater.Butshedi dn'
twanttogot her eri
ghtnow.
-
Naledi
:"ButIhopeSkywillbefoundsoon.Det
ect
ive
Mabusepromisedt odoeveryt
hinghecantofi
ndher.
AndI'
vegivenhim someleads.
"
-
Cather
ine:
"That'
sgood.It
'ssomethi
ng.Nowgo
f
reshenup,baby
.Dinnerwil
lbereadysoon.
"
-
Nal
edi
:"Sor
ry,
Mama,
Iwon'
tbej
oini
ngy
ou.I
'
mjust
nothungr
y."
-
Cat
her
ine:
"Ledi
,youneedt
oeat
."
-Nal
edi:
"Iknow,Ma.ButI'
m nothungr
y.I'
ll
justtake
ashowerandgost r
aightt
obed."Shegrabbedher
handbagandlapt
opbagandmadef orthestai
rs.
"Where'
sLebo?"
-Cather
ine:
"Inhisroom.Pr
obablyr
eadi
ngsome
bookoranot her
."Shewantedt
osaymor ebutwhen
shesawNal edi'
sphonelef
tonthecount
ershe
stopped.
WhenNal edidi
sappearedupst air
s,Catherine
reachedf ort
hephonehopi ngt hatithadnokey pad
l
ock.Nal edihadjustboughtity est
erday,aftershe
hadbr okentheoldone, andCat heri
nehopedshe
hadn'tsetthescreenlockyet .And..
.herprayergot
answer ed.Thephonewasn' tlocked.Shequi ckly
wentt oherdaughter'
scont actsandf ound
Lonwabo' snumber .
Chapt
er21
Thur
sday
,27Febr
uar
y,19:
30
.
Lonwabopul ledint
oNaledi'
sdr i
veway ,st
il
l
wonder i
ngwhyi t'
dbeenNal edi'smot herwho'd
call
edhi mt ocomeandgethi spi l
l
sinsteadofNaledi
herself.Naledi'
scarwasn'tint hedr i
veway,soshe
waspr obablynothomey et.Ort hecarcoul dbein
thegar ageandshecoul dbei nside.Hisheart
fl
uttered,reall
ylooki
ngforwar dt oseeingher.He
want edt ohearaboutSky'scasebutmost
i
mpor t
ant l
yhewant edtojustt alkwithher,spenda
l
itt
let i
mewi t
hherbeforegoi ngbackt ohisempty
apartmentandcol dbed.
Hisphonebuzzedinthepassengerseatandhe
grabbedit
.Itwasanunknownnumberbuthe
answered.
"
Det
ect
iveGama?
"Itwasawoman'
svoi
ce.
-
Him:
"Yes?
"
-
Her
:"I
t'
sLer
ato'
smot
her
.Youl
efty
ournumber
wheny
ouwer
eher
eear
li
er.
"
-Hi
m: "Ofcour
se,ofcourse.HowcanIhel
pyou,
Mr s
Phir
i?"Hehopedshe'drememberedsomethi
ngthat
coul
dhel pwit
hthecase.
-Her:"
Thankyouf ort
akingmycal l
.Ij
ustwant
edt
o
thankyoufortakingyourti
met ocomeallt
heway
downher etotalktomet oday
.I'
m sorr
yIdi
dn'
t
thankyouthen."Hervoicewaspolit
eandshe
soundedlessdrunk.
-
Him: "Noneedtot hankme, Iwasonlydoi
ngmyj ob,
MrsPhi r
i.Andwenowhav emor ecopsoutthere
r
etracingyourdaughter
'ssteps.I
fwehearany t
hing,
you'
llbethefi
rsttoknow."
Therewasasi
l
enceov
ert
hephone,
thenshef
inal
l
y
spoke.
-Her
:"Det ecti
ve,Iwasn'texactl
ynicet oyouwhen
youwer eher e.
..
Ihopey ouunder st
and, asapar
ent,I
am veryconcer ned.Leratoisal
lIhav e.All
Ihave.
"
Hervoicewasnowt rembling,
shewascr yi
ng."
Tell
me,Det ectiv
e,areyour eall
ydedicatedtoyourj
ob?
CanItrusty ou?"
-
Him:
"'
Yes,
MrsPhi
ri
.Youcant
rustme.
"
-Her
:"ThenIwi
lldot
hat
.Iwi
l
ltr
usty
ouwi
thmy
daughter
'sl
i
fe.
"
Don'tsayt
hat
,Lonwabot
hought
.Hehadt
ofi
ndher
fi
rst
.
-Hi
m:"
Iwil
ldoever
ythi
ngIpossi
blycan.Andyoucan
cal
lmeanyt
imeify
ourememberany thi
ngthatcan
hel
pusfi
ndher.
"
-
Her:"Wil
lyou,
Detect
ive?Wi
l
lyouf
indmyli
ttl
egirl
?"
Therewasadesperat
enotei
nhervoi
ce,
grabbingat
ali
fel
ine.
-
Him: "
LikeIsai
dear l
i
er,Iwil
lnotr
estunt
ilIhav
e."I
wi
llf
indher,deadoral i
ve,
hewantedtoaddbutt hat
woul
dbei nappropr
iate.
Hehungupandcov eredhisf acewithbothhands.
Heshoul dn'
thavesaidi
t.Heshoul dn'thavemade
promi ses.Heshouldhavest uckto:"Iwill
do
everythingIpossibl
ycan."Orheshoul dhav esaid:
"I
nt heci r
cumstancesIdon'twantt omake
predicti
ons."ButMrsPhirineededsomet hingtohol
d
onto.Sheneededhope.Andsohe' dgiveni tt
oher.
Nowhehadt otryandkeephi spr omise.Buthowt he
fuckwashegoi ngtodot hat
?Hedr oppedhi shands
andtri
edtoconcent r
at e.Hehadconnect edsome
dotstodaybutthetrai
l didn'
tseem tobeleadinghim
towhereLeratowas. .
.evenafterhe'
dcheckedout
thegi
rl'
sroom.
Thef r
ontdoorofNal edi'
shouseopenedandhe
reali
sedt hathe'
dj ustbeensi tti
ngtherelikeani di
ot
i
nst eadofgoi nginside.Hel ookedt hehouseupand
downashecal mlygotoutoft hecarev ent houghhi s
hear twasbeat i
ngl i
keadr um inantici
pationof
seeingNal edi
.Itwasani ceest atehouse, reall
ynice.
Theni ghthehadcomet odropof fNaledi he'dbeen
toof ocusedonher ,
hedi dn'tt
aket i
met otakei nthe
house.Hewasnowal it
tl
esur pri
sedhowni ceitwas.
Hehadn' treali
sedpsy chologi
stsmadesuchagood
l
iving.
Hedraggedhi sfeett ot
hefrontdoor
,feeli
ngt i
red.I
t
hadbeenal ongday .Hi
seyesburned,hishead
ached,andhisst omachgrowled.Thesandwi chhe'd
boughtfrom Freshstopwhenhewasf i
ll
inguphi s
petr
oltankatCal texdowninVanderbij
lparktwo
hour
sagowasnowhi
stor
y.
.
.
.
St
andingatthedoorwasawomanwi
thabeaut
if
ul
smil
elikeNaledi
'
s.
"
Lonwabo.Comeonin,son,
"shewel
comedhi
m
i
nsi
dewhereatant
ali
singar
omatorment
edhi
snose.
-Him:"
Thanky ou."Hequickl
yl ookedaroundthe
house,hopingtoseeNaledi.Whenhedi dn'
tseeher
,
hement al
lycursedhi
msel fforacti
ngli
keachi l
dand
yankedhisgazebacktot hewomanst andingnextt
o
him.
Shewasobv i
ousl
yNaledi'
smot herbuthecould
swearshewashersist
er.Shelookedsoy oung.
..
and
asbeauti
ful
asherdaughter.
-Hi
m:"
Howareyou,MrsMasi
l
o?"Heof
fer
edherhi
s
handi
naf
ir
m shake.
-Her
:"I
'
m good,
son,
I'
m good.Letmet
akey
our
coat
."
-Him:"No,Ma,t
hatwon'tbenecessar
y.Ican'tstay
.
I'
llj
ustgetmypil
lsandbeonmyway .Ireall
yneed
them.Iwon'tbeabl
et ogetmyprescri
ptionfi
ll
edfor
anothertwoweeks."
"I
t'
sal l
right
,"saidali
ttl
eboy'
sv oice.Lonwabo
l
ookedupt ofindtheboywalkingdownt hest
airs,
comi ngtowardhi m."Gr
annysay syou'remy
mot her'
sfri
endandt hatyou'
reacop. "Hecamet o
standnexttohi sgrandmotherandf oldedhi
stiny
arms."Isthattrue?"
-Lonwabo:"
Um, yes.I'
m adetect
ive.
"Heanswered,
somethingtel
l
inghimt hatt
hiswasNal edi
'
sson
eventhoughhedidn'tl
ookany t
hingli
keher.
-
Theboy:"
Soyoucat
chbadguy
sandsol
ve
myst
eri
es?"
-
Lonwabo:
"Yeah,
somet
hingl
i
ket
hat
."
-
Theboy :
"That'ssocool .Ilovemy steri
es.Imean,
I
l
ov ereadi
ngmy sterynovels.Currentl
yI'mreadi
ng
'
Escapef rom Mr .Lemoncel l
o'
sLi brary
'byChris
Grabenstein.Youknowi t
?Wel l,i
t'
saboutt hi
sboy,
Kyle,
whol ear
nst hatthewor l
d'smostf amousgame
maker ,Lui giLemoncel l
o,hasdesi gnedt het own's
newl ibrary—t hecool estli
braryinthewor l
d, Imust
add—andi shav i
ngani nvi
tati
on-onlylock-inon
openingni ght.NowKy l
e'
sdet er
mi nedt obet here!
Butthet r
ickypar tisn'tgett
ingintothel i
br ary,it
's
gett
ingout .Becausewhenmor ningcomes, the
doorsst ayl ocked.SoKy leandt heot herki dsmust
solveev erycl ueandf i
gureoutev erysecr etpuzzl eto
fi
ndt hehi ddenescaper oute.
..I
t'snotwhatIusual l
y
gofor ,buti t
'sapr ettycool book.Ican'twai ttofini
sh
i
t."Hespokef ast,withat onofent husiasm.
Hei sal ovel
yboy,verycute,Lonwabot hought
smiling.Andheknewt hebookt heboywast al
king
about .Hisdaughterhadloveditt oo.Andhebelieved
thatitwasf or4thto5thgrader s.Howol dwast hi
s
boy?Hewonder edasheknel tononekneeandput
hisrighthandont heboy'sshoul der.Nowhewasat
eyelev elwit
hhim.
-
Lonwabo: "Oh,y
oulov ereading,Isee.Wel
l,
Iknow
thatbook.Buti
sn'ti
tfor.
..atleast3r
dgrader
s?How
oldareyou?Aren'
tyoustillingrade1orsomething?
"
-
Theboy
:"ButIr
ead—,
"hi
sgr
andmot
hercuthi
m of
f.
-MrsMasil
o:"
Forgi
vehi
m, Lonwabo,
hetal
kstoo
much,"shel
ookeddownathim."Thi
sisNal
edi'
sson,
Lebo.
"Sheshooedhim."
Go...
dosomethi
nguseful
."
-Lebo: "IcouldgogetSpeedy ,
"heshotLonwaboan
engagi nggr i
nthathadhim smili
ngback."Youdon't
mi ndshar ingthedi
nnertablewithadog,doy ou?
Gr annyandIadopt edhimf r
om theanimal shel
ter
today .Hewasi nt
hekennelsfor5mont hsbuthe's
finall
yfoundhi sfor
everhomenow. "
Lonwabocoughed,anditwasnotbecauseoft
he
dog.Di
dtheyreal
lyexpecthi
mtostayfordi
nner?
-
Lonwabo:
"No,
Lebo,
I'
mjustl
eav
ing.
"
-Lebo:"
No,pleasedon'tgo.I
'
dliketogettoknowmy
mom' snewandi nt
eresti
ngfri
end,andI'
m suremy
grandmotherwouldaswel l
.Don'ty
ou,Granny?"
Lonwabowascer
tai
nhesawt
hewoman'
sli
ps
twi
tch.
-Her
:"Absol
utel
y.Wouldyoul
i
ket ost
ayfordinner
,
Lonwabo?Ijustr
oastedawholechi
cken.ButLebo
andIarebothveget
arian.
"
Wast hatherwayoftell
inghimthatsheroastedthe
chickenspeci
all
yforhim?Lonwabowonder ed.But
thatwouldbeweird,wouldn'
tit
?Shedidn'teven
knowhi m.Buthecouldn'tt
urnherdown.Yes, he
washer eforhi
spil
ls.Butpragmati
cal
lyspeaking,he
hadt oeat
.
Chicken.Itdidsmelldel
ici
ous.Aftereat
ingtakeaway
foodforday sahome- cookedchickendinner
soundedj ustshortofheavenl
y.Hisstomachwas
growli
ng.Andf rankly
,hewantedt ostaysohecould
seeNal edi.
-Lonwabo:"
Actual
l
y ,Iwouldreal
l
ylov
esome
chicken,
Ma.IsNaledihere?"
Mr
sMasi
l
ogl
ancedov
erhershoul
derupt
hest
air
s.
-
Her
:"Shewentt
obedear
ly.Longday
."
-
Lonwabo:"
Oh."Hewasr
eal
l
ydi
sappoi
nted.Andhe
wassur
eitshowed.
MrsMasi
lost
eeredhi
mtowar
dthecouchesasLebo
r
anbackupst
air
s.
Whent
heboycamebackdownhewaswi
tha
puppy—achocol
ateLab—andhewentt
ojoin
Lonwabointhel
oungewhil
ehisgr
andmother
fi
nishedset
ti
ngt
hedinnert
abl
e.
-Lebo:"Thi
sismydog, Speedy.He'
saLabr ador
Retri
ever.Attheshelt
ertheysaidhe'sabout10
mont hsold.Iwanthimt obeat her
apydog, you
know.HeandIcoul dgov i
sitsi
ckpeopleandhe
couldhelpthem feelbett
er.Wouldyouliketopet
him?"
Hisgr andmotherhadbeenr ight
,Lebotalkedt
oo
much.Andhei sv erybr
ight
,Lonwabot hought
.He
couldn'tbemor ethan7.Andheal readyknewabout
therapydogs?Butt henagain,hi
smot herisa
therapist,
Lonwabor emindedhimselfasheshuff
led
forwar dandtentati
vel
yputouthishandt opat
Speedy 'shead.
-Lonwabo:"
Speedyisreal
l
ynice.I
'
m surehewould
makeagr eatther
apydog.Mydau..
.Imean,
Ihavea
dogtoo.Hisname'sKismet.
"Hedidn'
twanttobr
ing
uphisdaughter.
-
Lebo:
"Real
l
y?Whatki
ndofdogi
she?
"
-Lonwabo:"
He'saDoberman.Twoy ear
sold.But
he'scur
rent
lyl
ivi
ngwit
hmybr otheri
nPretor
ia.
"
Becausewhenmydaught erdi
edIcouldnolonger
takecareofhi
m ormysel
f,headdedinhishead.
-
Lebo:"
Cool.Youshoul
dbringhi
m ov
ernextt
ime.
Hecoul
dplaywithSpeedy
."
NalediwasnotherebutLonwabowassur ethat
dinnerwouldnotbeawkward.Asl
ongasl i
tt
leLebo
washer eLonwabowouldnotrunoutofthi
ngst o
sayandi deasofwhatwoul
dbesocial
lyacceptable
todo.
Thet ruthwas, Lonwabocoul dbesoci all
yawkwar d,
whi chwaswhyhedi dn'
thaveal otoff r
iends.Butthe
soci al awkwardnesshadnotal way sbeenapar tof
him.I tr esul
tedfrom thebrai
nt raumat hathad
almostki ll
edhim.Whent heblowf orcedhisbrainto
rewi rei t
self
,hi
sper sonal
ityhadal sobeen
transf ormed.
Becauseofthewayhenowwas, i
twasnoteasyfor
hi
mt ojustl
ikepeopl
e,butr
ightnowhedidn'
tneed
anotherper
sontotel
lhimthathehadal
readyfal
len
i
nlov
ewi
thLebo.
Heandt heboywentt ojoi ngrannyatt hetabl
e.The
foodwasdel iciousandt heev eningmadeawel come
contrastt ot hest ressfuldayhe' dhad.Lebowas
suchabr eathoff r
eshai r.Lonwaboenj oyedthe
company .He, ofcour se,didn'tmentionthe
i
nv estigation,andi tdi
dhi m goodt ofreehimself,
eveni fforashor ttime,oft hesightofthedetecti
ves
room whi teboar dandt hepi ctur
esoft hedeadOwam.
Orhi sdaught er.
MrsMasil
o'
sint
err
ogat
ivequest
ionswerenothi
ng
compar
edtothepi
ctur
esofdeaththathaunt
edhim.
.
.
.
Thur
sday
,27Febr
uar
y,20:
15
"DoyouknowwhySkyi nsist
edonget t
ingmar ri
edat
hercommuni tychur
chandhav i
ngther ecepti
onon
herparents'
backyar
dinsteadofthepicturesque
countr
ysideweddingvenuehermot herhad
suggest ed?Wel l
,i
twasbecauseherbacky ardis
wher esheshar edherfir
stkisswi t
hSi ya.Wher e
she'dimagi nedhersel
fgett
ingmar r
iedt oSiyaall
thosey earsago.Ilear
nedall ofthi
sj ustbeforeshe
disappear ed.Youknowwhatt hi
smeans, Naledi?I
'v
e
nevermeantmucht oSky.I
thasal way sbeenSi ya.
"
Luxolo'
sv oi
cekeptechoinginNal edi'
searsasshe
ti
ghtenedhergr i
paroundther andom or bi
tsander.
WhatLuxol ohadsai dtoherwhenshewasi nhis
offi
cet hisafter
noonhadl ef
therwonder ingifshe
reall
yev erknewSky .Thatwomanhadsecr ets.She'
d,
mor ethanonce, t
oldNal edithatherr elati
onshi p
withSiy ahadbeenpr ett
yintenseandt hatev erybody
i
nt heircommuni t
yhadt houghtt heywoul dget
mar r
iedoneday .Butwhendi stanceand
cir
cumst ancesforcedhert obr eakupwi thhim all
thosey earsagoshe' dswor nt hatitwasf i
nal.And
whenshemetLuxol oshe'dtoldNal edi thatshe'd
foundhersoul mate.Butshe'dst il
linsistedon
mar r
yingLuxol oonherbacky ard—wher eshe' d
dreamedofhav i
ngherweddi ngwi thSi ya?Thesame
Siyashe' dwentonandsl eptwi ththeni ghtbef ore
herwedding?Whatt hef uckwast hatal labout?
Worstpart,shechoset okeepal l ofthatf r
om Nal edi,
shechoset ohideitfrom herbestf riend.ButMr s
Siy
angahadknownt her eal r
easonwhyherdaught er
wantedther ecept
iont obei nt heirbacky ard,she'd
confi
rmedi ttoNaledi t
hisev ening.Butwhydi dSky
notsayany thi
ng?Wasi tbecauseshewasst il
lin
l
ovewi t
hSi yaandact uallythoughtNal ediwoul d
j
udgeherf orit?Naledi didn'
tknow.Butwhat everthe
casewas, shedidn'tblameLuxol of orthinkingthat
he'
dnev erreall
ymat teredt oSky .Ort hatthewoman
hadalwaysbeenhunguponSi ya.
RightnowNal ediwasactuall
ydoubti
ngev
erythi
ng
she'dbeli
evedsinceSkydisappear
ed.Washerfri
end
real
lytakenordidsheleaveofherownaccord—to
bewi t
hSi y
a,t
hef at
herofherunbornbaby
?
Thatquest i
onhadbot her
edhersomucht hatshe
coul
dn'tfallasl
eepevenaftershe'
dcrawledi ntoher
bedearli
erthiseveni
ng.She'dtossedandt urned
unti
lshedeci dedtosneakoutthebackdoorandgo
toherwor kshop.Workinginhersoundpr
oof ed
workshophadal wayshadt hesameef f
ectas
wor
kingout
—ithel
pedherr
eli
evesomet
ensi
on.
HerhouseinAspenHi ll
sNat ur
eEst atehada
quadrupl
egar age,butsheandhermot herhadonl y
onecareachandsoshewasusi ngt herestoft he
spaceasawor kshop.Hav i
nghadl earnedal lt
hat
shecouldfrom herf at
her'
sfurni
turemanuf acturi
ng
busi
nessbacki nt heday,shenowenj oyedsomeDI Y
fur
nit
ureprojects.
Rightnowt hepr oj
ectshewaswor kingonwast he
manuf actur
ingofapai rofcustom night standsthat
she'dbeenput ti
ngof fforweeks.Sheabsent ly
watchedt herandom or bitsanderrotatingi na
random patternacrosst hesurfaceoft hewood.
No...
thisshitwasnothel pinghert akehermi ndof f
Sky'scompl i
catedmess.Shewasst il
lthinkingabout
i
t.Andt hatonequest ionst i
l
lbuggedher .Angr y,she
droppedt hesanderandt ookoffherpr ot ecti
vegear.
Shet ossedevery t
hingont hewor kbenchandwal ked
outoft heworkshop.
.
.
.
Whenshewal
kedint
othehousesheabrupt
ly
st
oppedbyt
heki
tchendoorandbl
inked.
Lonwabosi
tt
ingatherdi
ningt
abl
e?
No,t
hiswasnei
therf
ant
asynormemory.Lonwabo
Gamawasatherdini
ngroom t
abl
e.Eat
ingherf
ood.
Hewassi t
tingnextt ohersonwhi l
ehermot her
l
ookedoni nbeami ngapproval.Whywasheher e?
Washet hest al
kingtype?Thet ypethatwouldj ust
showupony ourdoor steporev erywhereyouar eand
saytheywer e'i
nt hearea'
?Washet hatki
ndofcr eep?
Acreepwhowasnowsi tt
ingnextt oherson?And
whywashermot herentert
aininghim?Unhol yf ury,
pentupallafter
noon, simmer edandbur stforth.
"
Whatthehel
li
sgoi
ngonher
e?"Sheasked,
her
v
oicemenaci
ngl
yqui
ett
oherownears.
Thebuzzofconv ersati
oni nst
antlyceasedandev ery
headlookedup.Shewat chedLonwabosl owlyput
hi
sforkonhisplate.Hesai dnothi
ng,justlookedup
atherwitht
hosel i
ghtbrowney esofhis.Butr i
ght
nowtheyweren'tfullofpassion,butreproach.Which
madeherev
enangr i
er.Ont
heedgeofherv
isi
onshe
sawhermotherr
isetoherf
eet
.
-MaCat
her
ine:"
Ithoughty
ouwereupst
air
ssleepi
ng.
Wewerehavi
ngdinnerwit
houty
ou,
"hervoi
cewas
col
d.
-Naledi
:"Icanseet
hat
,"shegr
it
tedf
rom behi
nd
clenchedteeth.
-MaCather
ine:"
Andwehav eaguest
,"sheadded,
herv
oicedroppi
ngtosheerice.
-Nal
edi:
"Icanseet hattoo.ButIdon'tremember
aski
ngy outoinv
itethismani ntothi
shouse. "She
matchedhermot her'stone,nottaki
ngherey esoff
Lonwabo'sface,
whi chhadgonest i
l
lasst one."
What
exact
lyareyoudoingher e,Lonwabo? "sheadded,
hervoi
cedeceptivelymi l
d.
-MaCather
ine:
"Idi
dn'
tknowmydaught ercoul
dbe
sorude.
"Sheball
edherfi
stsathersi
des.
Lonwabost
oodupabr
upt
ly.
-Hi
m:"
Ithi
nkIshouldbegoi
ngnow."Hel
ookedov
er
atMaCather
ine."
MayIhavemypil
l
snow?"
Pi
ll
s.Naledi
drewabr eat
handf eltherfuryf
izzl
eint
o
ati
nywispofsmoke.Shecl osedherey esand
swal
lowedhard.Herdist
rustinandf earofmenhad
j
ustcausedhertostepinit
.Royally
.
-
Her:"
Youcamefory
ourpi
ll
s."Herv
oicewassol
ow
i
tcoul
dhavebeenawhi
sper
.
-Lebo:"Buti sn'
they ourfr
iend,Mom?Gr annysaidhe
forgothispi ll
sinhercarwhenshel entittoyou
yesterday,"heof fer
edsober l
y.Nalediopenedher
eyestoseehersonsi dlealit
tleclosertoLonwabo
whost oodst i
llasamar blestatue.Shecouldseehe
wasangr y,unspeakablyso,buthecont r
oll
edhimself
toahai r.Lebof rowned."Sohecamet ogetthem."
Naledi
'sguttur
nedov er.Lonwabohadonl ycomet o
gethispil
l
s,nothingmor e.She'dtot
all
yf orgot
ten
aboutthem.Dammi t.Sheshothermot herahel pl
ess
l
ook.MaCat heriner et
urnedi twit
hscor nandlooked
backtoLonwabo, herexpr essi
onsoftening.
-
MaCather
ine:"Buty
oucan'
tleavenow,
Lonwabo.
Youhav
en'
tfini
shedyourdi
nner.
"
LonwabometNal
edi
'
sey
esandshef
eltani
ncht
all
.
-
Him:
"I'
vehadenough.Thanky
ou,
Ma.
"
Lebot
uggedonLonwabo'
ssl
eev
e.
-
Lebo:"
But,
UncleLonwabo,
youpr
omi
sedt
ohel
p
meteachSpeedyt
osit.
"
Lonwabobentdownandschool
edhi
sfeat
uresi
nto
agentl
esmil
e.
-Lonwabo:"
SoIdid.Well
,It
ell
youwhat .I
fit
'sokay
withyourmotherI
'l
lcomebythisSundayandy ou
andIcantakeSpeedytotheparkforhi
sfir
stlesson.
Howdoest hatsound?"
Lebof
rowned.
-
Lebo:
"ButIwant
edt
ost
artnow.Pl
ease?
"
Lonwaboranhisfi
ngerdownLebo'
snoseand
tappedt
hepointyend.
-Lonwabo:"
Butyoudon'tal
waysgetever
ythi
ngyou
want.Besi
des,onceIgetmypi
lls,
Ihavetogohome
andgetsomewor kdonebefor
egoi ngt
obed."
-Lebo:"
Cany oucomebytomorrowint
he
after
noon?"Heaskedpl
aint
ivel
yandNaledi
closed
hereyes,herhear
tsi
nki
ng.Lebohadal
readyformed
anat tachmentt hankst
ohermot her'smeddli
ng.An
attachmentt hatwouldbri
ngnothingbutgriefand
disappoi nt
ment .Andwhocouldbl ameherboy?Who
woul dn'tdevelopsomesortofat
t achmenttoaman
l
ikeLonwaboGamai nasi
nglemeet ing?Godonly
knewsheher sel
fhad.
-
Lonwabo:"
No,Lebo,
Ican'
t.Ihavewor
k.Youdon'
t
wantmetomisswork,doy
ou? "
Nal
ediopenedhereyestof
indLebosl
owl
ywaggi
ng
hi
sheadbackandf or
th.
-
Lebo:"
Iguessnot.
"Hisfacebri
ght
enedashade.
"
Canyoustayfordesser
t?Grannymadealay
ered
mangomousse."
-Lonwabo:"Mangomousse?Goodness. "Heshook
hishead."No,I'
m afrai
dnot
,myboy .Ihavetogo
now."Hest r
aightenedandangl
edal ookatMa
Catheri
ne."Ma,canIgetmypi l
lsnow,please?And,
Lebo,myjacket,ifyoudon'
tmind."
Wit
hasighMaCat heri
nemadef ortheki
tchen.Wi
th
agl
areaimedinNaledi
'sdi
rect
ion,Lebowalkedover
t
othelounge.Hecamebackwi thLonwabo'scoat
andhandedi
ttohi
m.Thenhelookedathi
smot
her
wit
hascowlonhisl
it
tl
eface.
-Lebo:"Di
dy oureal
lyhavetorui
nourdinner,Mom?"
Het ur
nedt oLonwabo."Pleaseexcusemymot her
's
behavior,
UncleLonwabo.Andf eelfr
eetotakehome
somel eft
overs.I
'm nothavi
nganymor e.I
'
velostmy
appeti
te."
Naledil
ockedherj awasLebot ur
nedonhisheeland
r
ant othest air
s.Shewai t
eduntil
hewasgone,
l
eav i
ngjustt hetwoofthem andat abl
eoverfl
owing
wit
hdel i
cious-lookingf
ood.Lebowasr i
ght.She'
d
r
uineddinnerandhadbeeni nsuffer
abl
yrude.
-Nal
edi:
"Lonwabo,I
-"Hehel
duphi
shand,
stoppi
ng
hermidsent
ence.
-
Lonwabo:
"That
'snotnecessar
y,Dr
.Masi
l
o."
Ouch.Sot
heywer
ebackt
ofor
mal
i
tiesnow.
-
Nal
edi
:"I
'
m sor
ry,
"shesai
dqui
etl
y.
-Lonwabo:
"It
'snotmeyoushoul
dbeapologi
singto,
butLeboandy ourmot
her
.Thatwasi
nexcusable.
"
-
Nal
edi
:"I
'
dli
ket
oexpl
ain.
"
Heshookhi
shead.
-
Lonwabo:
"Idon'
twantt
oheari
t.
"
MaCat heri
neappearedwiththebot
tleofpil
l
sand
Naledisteppedforwardt
ot akei
tandgiveitt
o
Lonwaboher sel
f,buthegrabbeditf
rom Ma
Cather
ine'shandwi t
hwhatcouldonlybecall
eda
pol
itesnarl.
-Lonwabo:"Thankyouf
ory
ourhospi
tal
i
ty,
Ma.I
'
m
sorryIhav
et orun.
"
-
MaCat
her
ine:
"Iunder
stand.
"
Andjustl
ikethat
,Nal
ediwatchedLonwabowal
kout
herf
rontdoor.Whenhecloseditbehi
ndhi
m,she
sawhermot herl
ooki
ngather.
-
MaCather
ine:"Youreall
ydidn'thav
et obethat
r
ude,
"shewhisperedthenleftherstandi
ngalone.
Chapt
er22
Thur
sday
,27Febr
uar
y,21:
00
.
She'
dbeenfrozenout,Nal
edithought,st
ari
ngather
phone.Byhermother,
herson,andnowbyt heman
whoseforgi
venesssheneededt osecurebefor
e
she'
dbeabletosleepanotherwink.
Shedi al
ledLonwabo'
snumberagain.Buthesti
ll
didn'tpi
ckup.Withadeepsi
gh,sher est
edher
foreheadont hecol
dmarbl
etopoft hekit
chen
peninsula.
Whatsheint
endedt
osaytohi
m, shehadnoidea.
Shej
ustknewshehadtomakethisonethi
ngri
ght.
She'dt
riedtoletthewhol esituati
onj ustdi
edown.
Aft
erhe'dleftshe'dfixedherselfaplateofchi
cken,
whichsomehowt astedl i
kesawdust .Butshe'
deaten
i
t,i
ffornoot herreasont hantohav esomesenseof
normalcy.Thenshe' dlookedupt ofindLebostari
ng
atherwiththosebi gintel
li
genteyes.
"
Your
eal
l
yshoul
dn'
thav
eyel
l
ed,
Mommy
,"Lebohad
said."
UncleLonwaboisniceandI'
mt heonewho
beggedhimt ostay.
"He'drai
sedbot
hbr ows, hi
s
facelooki
ngsomuchol derthan7."
Youneedt o
apologi
setohim, Mom,"Wisert
hana7y earoldtoo.
Andi fthatwer en'
tchasti
sementenough, he'd
startedextoll
ingLonwabo'sv i
rtuesandfrowningat
hismot herast houghshewer emud.MaCat her
ine
ont heotherhandwasj usti
gnor i
ngher.Soshe'd
tri
edt ocallLonwabo.Buthewasnott akinghercall
s.
Ifonlysheknewwher ehest ayed,she'
ddr i
vetohis
placerightnow.
Butwai
t,t
her
ewasaway
.
Whenshe'dbeenstalki
nghi ssoci
almediapages
ear
li
ertodayshe'
dnot i
cedthathehadhi saddr
ess
l
ist
edinhisFacebookpr of
il
e.Andshewassur eit
wasrecentbecauseshe'dthoughti
tthesameast he
onehe'
dwr i
tteni
nhisfil
eatherof f
ice.
Hopeful
,shequickl
ygotherphoneandl oggedonto
herFacebookaccount
.Shewentst r
aightto
Lonwabo'sprof
il
eandcopiedtheaddress.Thatwas
wayeasierandsomewhatethical
thandr i
vi
ngtoher
of
fi
ceandst
eal
i
ngt
headdr
essof
ftheguy
'sf
il
e.
Shewenttograbherhandbagandcarkey
sthen
rushedoutoft
hehouse.
Thirtymi nutesl atershewaspul l
i
ngupatLonwabo' s
apartmentbui ldingi nKi l
l
arney .Shegotoutofher
carandst artedf ort heent r
ancej usti nt i
met osee
Lonwaboexi tthebui l
dingwi thsomewoman.She
abrupt l
ycamet oahal tthensl owlyr ev ersedtol ean
onhercar .Shewat chedt hem ast heybot hwal ked
overt owhatsheassumedwast heot herwoman' s
car.Shewasf arf rom them butundert hebr i
ght
l
ightsshecoul dseet hatthewomanwasr eall
y
beaut i
ful.Herj ealousyqui cklyt hreatenedt ospi l
l
over.Especi allywhent heygott ot hecarand
stoppedt otalksomemor e.Shecoul dn'thearwhat
theywer et alkingaboutbutt heyseemedt obev ery
familiarwitheachot her,thewomanwasgi ggl
ing
andkeptput tingherhandonLonwabo' sshoul der .
Thewhol escenemov edi nslowmot ionasNal edi
struggledt ocat chhernextbr eath.Shef eltli
ke
someonehadj ustdeal tabl untbl owt ohergut , and
toherhear t
.
Ofcoursehehasawoman.Hehasawomanandhe
l
iedtome.Al lthat"I
'v
enev erdatedany onesi
ncet he
deat
hofmywi fe"crapwasal i
e.Bul l
shi
t.Hejust
wantedt oscoresomepoi ntswithmet hengetinto
mypant s.Whatt hehellwasIthinking?Ofcoursehe
woulddot hat,
he'samanandmencan' tbetrusted.I
wasn'twrongfort hi
nkingthewor stofhim.
"
Int
erest
edinLloyd?"Anamusedmal
evoi
cecomi
ng
f
rom behi
ndstart
ledher.
Shej
umpedandqui
ckl
ytur
nedt
oseet
hisguywi
tha
wei
rdaccent
.
-Her
:"Whothehel
lareyou?Andwhythef
uckdi
d
yousneakuponme? "Sheshoul
dbescar
edbuther
angert
rumpedall
otheremoti
ons.
-
Him:"Ididn'tsneakuponyou,butI'
m sor
ry.The
wayyou'r
el ookingatt
hosetwo,anybodycansee
t
hatyou'r
ej ealousoft
hem.What, y
ouwanthi m?"He
wasobviouslyf i
ndi
ngthewhol
et hi
ngamusi ng.
-
Her:"
Idon'
tknowwhaty ou'
ret
alki
ngabout
.What'
s
i
ttoyouanyway?Idon'
tknowyou,youdon'
tknow
me.So—"
-Him: "
Myname' sGorgio.I
'm Ll
oyd'
sfri
end,"he
steppedf orwardandof fer
edherhishand,butshe
wast ooannoy edandt ooangr yt
oacceptit.Angryat
Lonwabof orlyi
ngtoherandangr yatthi
snosy
stranger."Icantel
lyout hi
s:Lonwabo'
snotdat i
ng
her."Headded, cal
ml y.
-Her
:"Well
,Idon'
tcar
e."Shecl
i
mbedbacki
ntoher
car,
leav
ingthemanstandingt
her
e.
Shestart
edtheengineanddr oveaway,feel
ing
st
upid.Tearsthr
eatenedtoescapeherey esasshe
drovedownt hest
reet.Butwhenherphoner angshe
bl
inkedthem awayandcur sedhersel
fforbeing
st
upidandwant i
ngt ocryoveramant hatwasnot
evenhers.
Thecal
lerwasNwabi sa,herhel
per
,theonewho'
d
di
sappearedaf
tershe'ddruggedMaCatheri
ne.
-
Naledi
:"Nwabi
sa?I'v
ebeencal
l
ingandlooki
ngf
or
you.Wheret
hehellarey
ouandwhatdidyoudoto
mymot hery
est
erday?"
-Nwabisa:
"Pl
easeforgi
veme,
sisi
.Ionl
ydi
dthat
becauseIwasforcedto.
"
-
Nal
edi
:"For
ced?Bywhom?
"
-Nwabisa:"Ican'tt
ell
youev
er yt
hingov ert
hephone.
Buti
fy oucomet omynewpl acer i
ghtnowI '
l
ltel
lyou
ever
ything.I'
llsendyout
headdr ess."
Thenshehungup,
leav
ingNal
edi
conf
used.
.
.
.
Thur
sday
,27Febr
uar
y,21:
45
Damn,
Jessi
cahat
edbei
ngcol
d.
Hunkereddowni nt hehalf-buil
tbuildingacr
ossthe
str
eetforhalfanhouri nthecol d,she'dbeenwaiting
forhertocomebackhome.Fi nall
y,theli
ghtcame
onintheapar t
ment .Jessicapi ckeduphercamer a.
Usingthelong-di
stancelens, shezoomedi nasthe
womanent eredt heli
vingar ea.Shet hrewherbagon
thesofaandcr ossedoutofsi ghtintowhatJessica
assumedwasherbedr oom.
Jessi
cawasapr ivat
einvest
igatorandshetookher
j
obseriousl
y.Lastni
ght,
herf r
iendSebast
ianhad
contact edher ,t
elli
nghert hattherewast hisclose
fri
endofhi s,Naledi,whoneededherser vices.Naledi
appar entlywant edtoenl i
stJessica'shel ptofind
what evershecoul duset ogett hetrasht hatwasher
babydaddyof fherbackandoutofherson' slife.So
earli
ertodayJessi cahadcal ledandmetupwi thher
atacof feeshopnotf arfrom thecampusNal edi
taughtcl assesat .They '
ddiscussedal ltherewast o
discussandNal edihadpr ovi
dedphot osof
S'fi
so—t hebabydaddy —andev er
ythingsheal ready
knewabouthi m.Jessi cahadaccept edthej ob.She
reall
yneededt hegi gbecausebusi nesswassl ow
theseday sandagi r
lhadbi l
lst opay.
She'djumpedrightintoitanddrovestrai
ghtto
S'f
iso'
scompanyof f
icesinMel r
oseafterl
eaving
Nalediatt
hecof feeshop.Butwhenshegott here
she'dspott
edtheguyl eavi
ng,onfoot
,andshe' d
fol
lowedhimt oar estaurantacr
ossthestreetwhere
hemetupwi t
ht hiswomanwhoseemedt obe
aroundNaledi'
sagebutdef i
nit
elyontheheaviersi
de
ofthebathroom scale.
Foramomentt
her
e,Jessi
cahadt
houghtshewas
hismistr
ess.Butlooki
ngathershe' dreali
sedthat
thatwashighlyunli
kel
y.Herhair,hercl
othes,she
j
ustdidn'
tlookhistype.Jessicaknewmenl i
keS'f
iso
andtheydefini
tel
ydidn'tgoforwomenl ikethi
sone.
Jessicahadt akenat abl
einacor ner,al
it
tl
ef arbut
withacl earvi
ewofS' fi
so'
s,andshe'ddiscreetl
ykept
aney eonhi m.What everheandt hewomanhad
beent al
kingaboutwasnot hingromant i
c,t
hey '
d
seemedt obefight
ingaboutsomet hinginhushed
tones.Ithadlookedconspirator
ialand,ofcourse,
Jessicacouldnothearany thi
ng.
ButwhenS'
fi
sorosetoleav
ethet
abl
ethewoman'
s
voi
cehadn'
tbeensohushanymore.
"Iexpectt
oseeyouatmyplacetoni
ght.Twent
ytwo
hundredhour
s."She'
dsai
dwithaseri
oustoneashe
walkedaway.
Whowast hiswomanandwhatwasgoi ngon
betweenherandS'fiso?Jessicahadwondered.
Curi
ous,she'
ddecidedt ofol
lowherinst
eadof
fol
l
owingS'fi
so.IfS'fi
sowasgoi ngtobeatthi
s
woman'splacetonightJessi
caneededt oseethe
pl
acebef
oret
heappoi
ntmentt
imesoshecoul
dset
up.
Thewomanmi ghthavelookedpl ainandin
desperat
eneedofamakeov erbutshehadacar .I
t
wasapi eceofjunkbutitcould,obviousl
y,t
akeher
fr
om pointAtoB.Jessicahadf ol
lowedhertothe
parki
ngthenoutandal l
thewayt othishugehouse
i
nHought onwher eshe'
dr emainedunt i
l17:
00.
She'
sprobabl
yamai d,
Jessi cahadthought
.And
she'
dfol
lowedheragain, butthi
stimetoani ce
apar
tmentbuil
dinginNewt own.I
tcouldbewher e
shel
ivedbutJessicadidn'tworkonmay bes.She
hadtomakesure.
Foraniceapar t
mentbui l
dingthepl acesur ehad
poorsecurit
y.Jessicahadeasilymanagedt oby pass
i
tandf ol
lowhermar kupstai
rstot he3r dfloor.
Withoutthi
nkingtwiceshe'dknockedont hedoorof
theapart
mentt hewomanhaddi sappear edinto.
Whensheanswer edJessicahadsai dsomet hi
ng
aboutbeinglost.I
thadbeenl ameandsocl i
chébut
she'dwalkedawaywi t
hwhatshewant ed.The
apartmentindeedbelongedtot hemy sterywoman.
AndJessicawassurethecluel
esswomanhadn' t
suspectedany
thi
ng.Hell
,shehadn'tcheckedonce
toseeifshehadatai
l.Talkaboutnaïvet
é.
Acrosst hestreetstoodahal f-buil
tbuilding,and
Jessicahadnot i
cedt hatt
her ewascur rentl
ynoone
onsi t
e.Nosignofr ecentactivit
y.Const ructi
onwas
obv i
ouslyonhol d,f
orwhat ev erreason.Upon
readingthesiteboar d,shehadest abl
ishedt hat
S'f
iso'sarchi
tectureandst ructuralengineering
companywasi nvol
v edintheconst ruction.Gofigur
e.
Butshewasn' tr
eall
yinter
estedinthat.Whatshe'
d
seeninthisbuil
dingwasaper fectvantagepoi
nt
fr
om whi chshecouldsurveyherapartmentof
i
nterestacrossthestr
eet.Sohereshewas.
Trespassing.
She'dgottenheret hi
rt
ymi nutesagot osetup, and
noticedthathertargetapartmentwasdar k.The
womanwasoutandS' f
isowasobv i
ouslynother e
yet.Butshewoul dwai t
.Earli
er,allshe'dhadwi thher
washersmar t
phone.Fi nefortakingsel f
ies,but
crappyforgetti
ngt hegrit
typhot ossheknewshe' d
need.Butt oni
ght,she'
dcomepr epar ed.
Thewomancr ossedpastthefl
oort oceil
ingwindow
agai
nbutsti
lldi
dn'tdrawthedrapes.Shewal ked
towar
dsthedoorwi thsomuchconf idence.Awhite
SUVhadpulledupout si
dethebuil
ding.Ah,S'fi
so
hadprobabl
yarri
ved.Earl
y.
Adjust
ingthelens,Jessicapressedtheshutt
er
rel
easetocapt urewhateverwasaboutt ohappen.
Suddenly,
thewomanf lewt hr
oughtheairand
l
andedagai nstthewall
.Shecr umpledinaheapon
thefl
oor.AndS' f
isowasst andingt
here.
Shi
t!
Jessi
cakeptt
hecamer
acl
i
cki
ng.
Anothermanst alkedthrought heapartmentand
start
edt urni
ngov erfurni
turewhi l
eS'fi
sograsped
thedazedwomanbyherunt i
dyafroandhaul edher
toherf eet,j
usttoslam af i
stintoherfaceandsend
hercrashingintot hewallagain,knockingapainti
ng
tothef l
oorbesideher .Hel i
ft
edhert oherfeetagain,
blooddr i
ppingfrom hernoseandmout h,andsaid
somet hingtoher.Damn, Jessicawishedshehad
somesor toflong-di
stancelisteni
ngdev i
cetohear
whatthemanwassay
ing.Butshekeptt
aki
ng
pi
ctur
es.
Thewomanshookherhead.S' fi
soslappedher,
then
saidsomethi
ngagain.Jessi
cazoomedi nonthe
woman' sf
ace.Tear
smi xedwit
htheblood.Again
sheshookherhead.S'f
isonowpointedagunather.
Ithadasil
encerontheend.Thenextmomenther
bodyslumpedinthesecondman'shands.
Fuck!Theyki
l
ledher
!
Jessi
cascrambledbackbehindacementcolumn,
afr
aidthey'
dsomehowbeabl etoseehert
hrough
thedar
k, ev
enacrossthest
reet.
Onceherheartratereturnedt
onor mal,shef
ocused
t
hroughthecamer alensagain,zoomingouttokeep
t
hewholer oom intheframe.Thepi ct
urewasback
i
nitsfor
mershot .Thet womenwer enowbentov er
,
r
oll
ingupthewoman' scarpet
.Afterafewmi nut
es,
t
heyhefteditontotheirshoul
ders.
Crap.Thepoorwomanhadt
obei
nsi
dei
t.Theywer
e
gett
ingri
dofherbody
.
Butwhati
fshewasn'
tdead?Gr
abbi
ngher
equipmentandt hewrapperf r
om theburgershe'
d
eatenearl
ier,
Jessicascrambledoutoft he
constr
uctionsit
etoherr entalcarpar
kedinthelot
nextdoor.Shewasn'tleavinganyev i
dencethat
someonewasher e.
.
.
.
Insi
det hecar, shestartedt heengine,t
hen
scruncheddowni nthedr i
v er
'sseattowatchtheexit
oftheapar tmentbui ldi
ng, keepingtheli
ghtsoff
.It
tookaf ewmi nutes—pr obablybecausetheywer e
carryi
ngadeadbodyi nar ug—butf i
nal
ly,t
hetwo
menexi ted.Theywentt other earoft
heSUVpar ked
ont hestreet,openedt her eardooranddeposited
thewomanandr uginside.AndJessi camanagedt o
snapapi cture.
Aftertheycl
osedthedoorandcli
mbedintothe
vehicl
e,shesnappedapict
ureofther
egistr
ation
plate,
thenputhercari
ngear.Shegav
et hem halfa
blockheadstart
,pul
ledout
,andslowl
ystartedtotai
l
them.Atf i
rstshestay edcloseby,try
ingnott olose
them i
nthet hetraf
fic.Butoncet heyturnedof fthe
M1Fr eewayont oN1, headi
ngsout hofthecity,the
traf
fi
cthinnedoutandshebackedof fal i
tt
le.Wher e
weretheygoi ng?Andmosti mpor t
antly
,whywas
shefoll
owingt hem?Thesensi bl
et hi
ngtodowoul d
betotaket henextex itthenrej
oinN1anddr i
v eback
home.Butt heinvestigatorinhercouldn'
tletitgo.
Whatift
hewomanwerealiv
esti
ll
?Whatwouldshe
do?Butno,
shewasprobabl
ydead.Hadtobe.And
Jessi
cawasdet
ermi
nedtoseewhatthesemen
weregoi
ngtodowit
hherbody.
Afterawhil
e,andseveralcarl
engthsinfr
ontofher
,
theSUVtookt heexi
tintoR57t owar
ds
Vanderbj
i
lpark,andJessicabackedoffmore.
Bythet i
met heyapproachedal odgesit
uat edont he
banksoft heVaalRiverthetwocar swereal mostt he
onlyonesont heroad,exceptforar edVW
hatchbackthatseparatedthem.AndJessi cahad
easedupmor eontheaccel er
ator.Ashortdistance
pastthelodge,theSUVpul l
edoutt otheright
wit
houtasi gnalandstopped.TheVW dr ov epast.
TherewasnowayJessi cacouldstopandnot
arousesuspi ci
on.Soshedrovefor
war dandonly
gl
ancedatt heSUVasshedr ovepast.Thewindows
weretinted.Shecouldn'
tseethem orwhattheywer
e
doinginside.
Crap.Sheneededapl acetopul lovertoot hen
doubl ebackonf oot .Suddenl y,t
oherr ight,sever
al
met resahead, ther ewasasecondt urn-off.She
pulledi n.Thethi ckgr owt hoft r
eeswoul dhideher
car.Pul li
nginf arther ,shecar ef
ullymov edhercar
i
nt ot heunderbr usht henkill
edt heengineandt he
over headl i
ght.Unl ikebacki nNewt own, therewere
nobr i
ghtstreetl i
ght sher e.Sosheswi tched
camer as,pref
er ringherdi gitalonef ortaking
picturesi nthedar k.Asqui etlyasshecoul d,she
cl
imbedoutofhercarandsl owlypushedt hedoor
cl
osed.
Shest ar
tedtot i
p-toeherwaybackt hrought he
brush.Butwhenshehear dsomething, shestood
perfectl
ysti
l
l andlistened.Loudcrunchi ngofbr ush
andheav ybreathingcar r
iedthr
ought heni ght.They
weregoi ngt
odumpt hewomani nthef orestbelt
alongtheshoreoftheriver.Didshet ryt ofoll
ow
them?Theywer edef
ini
telytoherr ight,probably
about15met resinfr
ontofher .Whati ftheyrani nt
o
her?Shehadnoexcusef orbeingouther eatt hi
s
hour.AndS'fi
sohadagun.Shedi dn't.Shewasno
l
ongeracop, shewasapr ivat
einv estigatorandshe
seldom car
ri
edagun.Buti fshedidn' ttr
yt ofoll
ow
them,shewoul dn'
tknowwher ethey '
ddumpedt he
woman.
Deepbr
eat
h.
Sheeasedherwayi ntot hebr ush,t
ryingt opar all
el
thepaththey'
dpr obablyt aken.Goingsl ow, she
pickedherwayt hrought heunder brushandbushes,
tryi
ngnottomakemuchnoi se.Itwoul dbegr eatto
turnonthetorchapponherphone, butt hatwoul d
bel i
keaski
ngt hem toshoother .God, shepr ay edno
snakeswer earoundt histimeofni ght.Pr obablyt oo
cold.Hopeful
lytoocol d.
Upaheadtoherright,shecoul dseel i
ghts,mov
ing
backfr
om thefor
est .Theyhadn' ttakenthewoman
far
.Astheli
ghtsgotcl oser,Jessicahunkeredl
ow
neart
hetrunkofat hicktree.She'dlovetoget
picturesoft hetwoment hisclose,butdi dn'tdar e.
She'dhav et ohopet heonesf rom theapar tment
woul dbeenough.Theypassedl esst hanthr ee
met resf rom her .Shehel dherbr eathandr emai ned
stil
l
.Fi nally
, shehear dtwocardoor sclose, andt he
engineoft heSUVst artup.Sheexhal ed,but
remai nedst illunti
l sheheardi tdri
veaway .Sl owly,
shemov edt het hreemet restot heright,tobeont he
samepat hthemenhadt aken, workingherwayi nto
thef orest.Nowshehadhert orchappon, slowl y
scanni ngsi det osi de,t
ryi
ngt oguessj usthowf ar
they'dgonebef oret heygaveuphaul ingtheheav y
bundl e.Suddenl y,toherright,shesawwhatatf irst
l
ookedl ikeal og.Herhear tfeltl
ikeitwoul dpopout
ofherchest .
Calm.Staycal
m.You'
veseendeadbodi
esbef
ore.
Focus.
Sheli
ftedhercamer
a,fl
ippi
ngont heflash,
and
snappedapictur
eofexactl
ywheret hey'
ddumped
thepoorwoman.Thenshewi pedhersweat ypal
ms,
oneatat i
meonherjeans,befor
emov i
ngcloser
.
They'
dalsowrappedthebodyandr uginahuge
gar
bage-
bag-
typepl
ast
ict
arp.
Kneelingdownnextt othebody ,shepeeledbackt
he
plasti
ct of
indaniceTur ki
shrug.Shepul l
edback
onecor ner
,thentuggedunt i
li
tunr av
eledenoughto
revealthewoman' sface.AgainJessicatooka
pictur
e.Thef acewasv erypal
e,andt heeyeswere
closed.Shesnappedagai n.
Deepbr
eat
h.
Shehadtoknowifshewasali
veornot
.Sl
owl
y,she
reachedahandt
owardsherneck.

Thur
sday
,27Febr
uar
y,22:
10
Theacr i
dodourofl i
quidcopperhitNaledi asshe
pushedopenNwabi sa'
sunlockeddoor .Thesmel l
rousedmemor iesofpainanddr ead.She
remember edt hedayshel ostherfatherandher
heartbeatleaptintodouble-
ti
me.Somet hingwas
wrong.Reachi ngintoherhandbag, shepul l
edouta
stungunt hensl owlyputthebagdownj ustinsi
de
thedoor waybef orepushi
ngt heapartment '
sdoor
openf art
her.Thiswoul dbethefir
stt i
meshe' dused
theweaponbutshe' dboughtit7yearsago,and
afterwhathadal mosthappenedt oherinthe
hospitalparkinggaragetheotherni
ghtshe'dthought
i
tbet t
ert ocarryitwit
hherallthet
ime.Therewasno
doubtt hatshewaswel l
-t
rai
nedinhand-t
o-hand
combatbutt hatdidn'
tbeatbeingabl
etoat t
ackata
range.Andshet houghtastungunbetterthanthe
pepperspr ay.
Shef
oughttocont
rolthef
astbeat
ingofherhear
tas
shet
ight
enedhergri
paroundtheweapon.
Idon'
tpani
c.Nal
edidoesn'
tpani
c.Sher
epeat
edher
mantr
ainherhead.
"
Nwabi
sa.
"Shecal
l
edouti
nthedar
kness.
Si
l
ence.
Somet hi
ngwasver
ywrong.Shecal
l
edoutagai
n.But
sti
l
l,nooneanswer
ed.Shetur
nedonthel
i
ght.And
sawi t
.
Pool
ofbl
oodont
hef
loorofar
ansackedapar
tment
.
No!
Chapt
er23
Fr
iday
,28Febr
uar
y,00:
30
.
DoctorCeboDikanaledt hewaydownt hebr i
ghtlyl
it
corr
idorofthei
rsmall gov er
nmenthospi tali
nBar kl
y
East,t
hencamet oast op.Thev eter
andet ecti
ve
wit
hpi er
cingdarkeyesandgr eyhaircamet ost and
besi
dehi m,andtogethert heylookedthrought he
gl
asspar t
iti
onint
othepost -sur
geryrecov er
yroom.
Tubesandmachi nessurroundedtheol
dwomanon
thebedinthei
rdirectl
ineofsight
.Shel
ookedso
pale.
..
soli
fel
ess.Butthegoodt hi
ngwas,shewas
ali
ve.
ThesurgeonDoct orDi
kanahadcalledinhadworked
veryhardtokeepherthatwaywhenshegotbr ought
i
n7hour sago.Thehospitalhadhadt onot
ifyt
he
poli
cebecauseshewasagunshotv icti
m.Toobad
theysti
l
l di
dn'
tknowwhoshewas, otherwi
sethey
wouldhav eal
readynoti
fi
edherfami l
ytoo.
-Dr
.Dikana:
"She'
snotawakeyetbutweare
expecti
nghertomakeaful
lrecover
y.I
t'
sagood
t
hingt
hattheyoungerwomanwhobroughtheri
n
t
ri
edtostopthebleedi
ngbef
orer
ushi
nghertous."
Theol derwomanhadbeenshot .Thebul lethad
l
odgedv erycl osetoherhear t,almostni ckedan
artery.Thel adywho' ddr i
venherher ehaddonea
wonder fuljobi ntryi
ngt ost opt hebl eedingatt he
scene.She' dact uall
yusedaf i
rstai dt echnique
Doct orDi kanahadonl yhear daboutbef orebutnev er
seen.She' dspr inkl
edt hewoundwi thwet ,f
resh
yarrowl eav esandf l
ower s, thenduct -
tapedi t.Ifshe
hadn' tdonet hatorgett ot hehospi talwhenshedi d,
Doct orDi kanawaspr ett
ysur et hatt heol derwoman
ont hatbedwoul dhav ebledt odeat h.They 'dhadt o
callinanexper i
encedcar di othor acicsur geon, andit
hadt akenhi mf ivehour stor epai rthedamageand
stabiliseher .Butshewasst il
lnotoutoft hewoods
yet.Shemi ghtr equireanot hersur gery.Andt hey
mi ghthav et ot ransf
erhert oal argerhospi tal.Only
ti
mewoul dt ell.
Det
ecti
veBl
iet
urnedtol
ookathi
m,hi
sey
esnow
sof
tandsympat
heti
c.
-
Det
ect
iveBl
i
e:"
Iknowher
."
-
Dr.Di
kana:
"Youdo?
"
-Det.Bl
i
e: "
Yeah.That'
sAnnaJansen.Hasahol iday
homeupi nRhodeswi thherhusband,Piet
."Doctor
Dikanaknewt hatcoul
dn'tbeimprobabl
e,Rhodes
wasonl yanhour'sdri
veaway ."
Who'stheladywho
broughtherin?"Thedetecti
veasked.
Doct orDikanatookaf ewst epstothelef
tt hen
pointedtoanot herbedt hr
ought hegl
ass.The
youngerwomanwhol ayi nthebedwassl enderand
bruised.Herheadhadbeenshav edbeforeherown
surgeryandwasnowbandaged.Herr i
ghthandwas
alsobandaged, heavil
yso, andsuspendedabov eher
headi nasl i
ng-l
ikedevice.Shelayperf
ectlysti
ll
,
nothingmov i
ng,asthev enti
lat
ordidal
l t
he
breathingforher.
-Dr
.Di
kana:
"Ther
esheis.Butweareyett
oident
if
y
her
.Unl
essyoucanhel
puswi t
hthatt
oo."
Det
ecti
veBli
epressedhisforeheadagainstthe
gl
assandsquint
edtotakeacl oserlook.Aft
era
momentheshookhi shead,seemi ngquit
e
di
str
aughtatt
hewoman' scondition.Yeah,t
he
feel
ingismutual,DoctorDikanathought .Thepoor
womanwaspr obablyinherearly30s, sameage
groupashim, andshehadbeenbr oughti nmor e
deadthanalivefoll
owingacaracci dentt hathad
happenedjustupt heroad.Butshel ookedl i
keshe'd
beenthroughal otevenbeforetheacci dentthatput
herinthatbed.
-Det
.Bli
e:"Whathappenedt
oher
?It
houghty
ousai
d
shebroughtAnnain.
"
-Dr.Dikana: "
From thel ookofthings,shewas
speedi ngthrought hest orm,t
ryi
ngt ogett heolder
womant oourhospi tal.Shel
ostcont rolofthecar,
drov eint
ot hebigfallent r
eejustupt heroadand
i
njur edherheadpr et tybad.I
fitweren' tf
oroneof
ourdoct orswhowi tnessedtheacci dentandqui ckl
y
calledinforreinforcement s,
bothwomenwoul d
hav ediedint hatcar."
-Det
.Bli
e:"
Oh,shewastheonedr
ivi
ngthatcar
?
Heardaboutt
heacci
dentfr
om myguysatthe
stat
ion.
"
Dr
.Di
kanawonder
edwhyt
heyt
ookt
hei
rti
met
oget
her
e.Thenagai
n,t
hatwashowt
heyoper
ated,
even
whenitwasanemergency
.
-
Dr.Di
kana:
"Yeah,
shewast
hedr
iver
."
Her emember edt heshapeshe' dbeeni nwhenshe
gotwheel edi n.I nt hev i
ol enceandext remi t
yoft he
crash,akni felikebl adeofhar dpol y merhadpi erced
herskullandembeddedi tselfinherbr ain.Herv it
al
signs,howev er, wer estrong, andgi vent heblade's
positi
onandhowi thadul ti
mat elybeenr emoved,
theywer eal lopt imisticforasat isfact
or yrecovery .
Thesur geryhadl astedf orabout5hour s.The
recentl
yr eti
redneur osurgeont hey'dbroughti nhad
remov edapor ti
onofherskul l
t ogetaccess.He' d
carefull
ypickedoutbi t
sandpi ecesofboneunt i
lshe
wascl ean,ev ent houghhe' dbeenwor ried.Remov e
thebitofpl ast icfrom t hewoman' sbrainandt her e
wasav erygoodchanceshe' dlive.Leav eitinplace
andshe' ddi e.Makeami stakeandshewoul dbel eft
functi
onal l
yi mpai r
edordead.Buti ntheend, t
he
surgerywentwel landt heywer enowal l opt
imistic.
-Det
.Bli
e:"
I'
veneverseenherwi
tht
heJansensor
anywherebef
ore.
"
-Dr.Dikana: "Whent heybroughtheri nshewas
practicall
youtofi t.Andnow, event houghwet hink
she'llmakei t
,she'sinamedi cal
lyinducedcomat o
giveherbr ai
nt i
met oheal andr estfrom allshe's
beent hrough.Wecan' texact l
yaskherwhoshei sor
whatexact lyhappenedunt ilshewakesup.Andt hat
couldt akehour s, days,weeks, t
here'sjustnowayof
knowi ng...Anothert hing,shehadsomecut sand
bruisest hatdidn'tseem consi st
entwi ththeaccident.
Herwr i
stswer er aw, asifshe' dbeenbound,
handcuf fed.Andshehadsomecut sandbl isters
underherf eet,l
ikeshe' dwal kedbar efootforlong
distances. "
She'dbeenpr egnant,
too.Stil
linherfir
sttr
imester
.
Intheendt herewasnot hingtheycoulddotosav e
herpregnancy .
..Dr
.Dikanashookhi shead,feel
i
nga
stabofpainashi smindj umpedt othebabyheand
hiswifelostaboutay earago.Thispoorwomanwas
goingtowakeupt othesamedev astati
ngnews.
Howwasshegoi ngtosur vi
vethat?Godknewhi s
mar r
iagedidn't
.
Det
ect
iveBl
i
erubbedhi
shandsov
erhi
sface.
-
Det
.Bl
i
e:"
Somet
hing'
snotr
ighther
e."
Doct orDikanaagr eed,somethingbad, something
theydi dn'
tknowev enhalfof,hadobv i
ously
happened.Butasanemer gencymedi cinephysici
an
hisjobwast osav epeople'sl
ives,nottogooutand
i
nv estigatehowt heyendeduphi spatient
s.That
wast hejobforthepolice.
-Det.Blie:"Iwoul dneedt otakeacl oserlookather
face.Coul dy oupl easegetmeherwei ght,height,
thi
ngsl i
ket hat ?Iwantt ocheckt heSAPSMi ssing
Personsl ist,may beI '
llgetahitbutIwon' tholdmy
breath.Basedonwhaty ou'vejustsaid,thatwoman
waspr obabl yabduct edandendedupont he
Jansensdoor steplooki ngforasaf ehav en,
unwi tt
inglybr ingingt roublealongtot hecoupl e.Who
knowswhatshi t'
shappeni ngupt hereont hose
farms. "Hepul ledouthi sphone."ThemomentAnna
wakesup, pleasel etmeknow.I nthemeant ime, I
'
ll
calltheRhodesPol iceSt ati
onandaskt hem t osend
acoupl eofcopst ocheckoutt heJansensf arm.
Fuck, IhopePi etisokay ."Themanhadacol orful
l
anguagef orhi sage.
.
.
.
Fr
iday
,28Febr
uar
y,08:
30
Lonwabost areddownatt hesteami ngbowl ofoat
s,
unabletodeci deonabananaoraf reshpeachasa
topper.Hisbr ainfeltassof tast heoat sandnot
muchmor ehi ghlyev olved.Zol
pi dem somet imesdid
thattohim.Att hreeint hemor ning,rapidlyl
osingal
l
hopeofget tinganysl eep,he'
dgi veni nandpopped
oneoft hetabl ets.Thenhe' dsaidscr ewi tandshut
offthealarm.Foronce, hecouldbel ateforhisshi
ft
.
Ifhedidn'tgivehi sbrainar est
, hewoul dn'tbeworth
adamnt oany body .
Mel i
nda'sv i
sitlastnightwasoneoft her easonswhy
hehaddi f
ficult
ysl eeping.Justashewascomi ngi
n
from Naledi's,Mel i
ndahadar r
ivedtodr opof f
Owam' sf ullautopsyr eport.Thatwaswei rd,tosay
theleast.Del i
veringanaut opsyr eporttot he
i
nv esti
gatingdet ectiveathomei snotst andard
protocol.Buthe' ddeci dedtoletitsli
deandkeepi t
tohi
msel fwhensheexpl ai
nedwhyshedi dit.
Apparent
ly,Owam'scaseandhowshe' ddiedhad
beengivi
ngMel i
ndasl eepl
essnights,
takingher
backtothetimeshel ostherbabysisterallt
hose
year
sago.Shewant edOwam' skil
lerf
ound.And
havi
nghadl ear
ned—f rom t
hebody —allshecould
abouthowt hegir
ldiedshe'dbeenmor ethanwil
l
ing
tobounceaf ewtheoriesoffLonwaboaboutt hekind
ofpersonwhocoul dhav epossi
blykil
ledher.
Lonwabohadj ustlistened, notwill
ingtodiscussan
ongoingi nvesti
gationwi t
haci vili
an.Bythet i
mehe
walkedheroutoft heapar tment ,shewasal ready
backt oherol dself, nolongerdi str
aughtov eradead
girl
butseemi ngtoohappyt ohavehadt hechance
totalktoLonwabo, sayingt heycoul dmakeagr eat
team.Cr ackingjokesandl aughingast heywal kedto
hercar.Extrawei rd.ButLonwabohadi ndulgedher,
foroner easonandoner easononl y:hesimplyf el
t
sorryforher .
Whenhegotbacktohi
sapart
menthe'dwent
t
hrought
heautopsyr
epor
tandrev
isi
tedever
ythi
ng
Meli
ndahadsai
dandever
ythi
nghe'
dgottenfr
om
Bonganiaboutthetwoothermissi
nggirl
s.
Something,somewhere,
didn'
tfeel
right
.Buthe
coul
dn'tfi
gureoutwhat.
Andt hentherewasNal edi
.She'dbeenr udetohim at
dinner.Jeez!Wherethehelldidthatcomef r
om?
He'dthoughttheywer egetti
ngalongokay ,
andt hen
she'dwentonanddi dthat
?Why ?Herbehav ior
hadn'tonlysurpr
isedhim,ithadhurthim.Al otmore
thanhe'dbeenwi ll
ingtodi
splay.
Nkul
unkulu.I
fhecoul
dfi
gur
ewomenout
,he'
dbe
t
hehappiestmanali
ve.
Allthr
ought henighthismindhadracedbetween
twopol es,spinni
ngar oundoneuntili
troar
edacross
totheot her.He'dtossedandt ur
ned,unabl
etofall
asleepunt i
lhedeci dedtotakethedamnsleepi
ng
pil
l
s.Andnowhewasf eel
i
nglikecrap.
Hey awnedandstretchedhisarmshi ghov erhis
head.Fuckthi
soat s.Hedumpedt hebowl of
congeali
ngmushi ntothesinkandr anthegar bage
disposal
.Hedidn'
tneedf oodr i
ghtnow; heneeded
caffei
ne.Good,st
rong,coffee.Hestart
edf orthe
kettl
ebutther i
ngingofhiscellphonearrest
edhi s
progress.Hehopedi twasn'
tNaledibecausehe
didn'
tfeell
iketalkingtoheruntilshehadcompl etel
y
dealtwithwhatev eritwasthathadupsetherlast
night.Thelastt
hinghewant edwasf orsomemor e
unpleasantwordst obeexchangedbet weenthem.
Reachingf
orthephoneonthecount
er,
hereal
i
sed
thati
twasn'
therbutanunknownnumber.
"
Gama,
"heanswer
edl
azi
l
y.
"Detecti
veGama, it
'sAy abonga.Youl
eftyour
numberwi t
hmysi steryester
dayandsaidIshould
call
,"theteenager
'sv oi
cewasshakyandhusky ,asif
he'dbeencr yi
ng.
Lonwaboleanedagainsttheki
tcheni
slandandt
ri
ed
toshaket
hement alcobwebsfrom hi
sbr ai
nwhi
l
e
summoninghisstrength.
-Lonwabo: "Oh,y
eah.Thankyouforcall
ingmeback.
Ineedt oasky ouafewquestionsaboutyourex-
girl
fr
iendOwam.We' r
equesti
oningeverybodywho
knewher .Now,t
hisisnotaformali
nter
v i
ew, buty
ou
havear ighttonotansweranyofmyquest ions
wit
houtapar
entpr
esentorl
egal
repr
esent
ati
on.
"
Theboywas17,aminor.
-
Ayabonga:"
No,it
'sokay
,Idon'
tmi
nd.Ihear
dOwam
i
s..
.t
hatshe'
sdead."
-
Lonwabo:"
She'
snotj
ustdead,
she'
sbeenbr
utal
l
y
murder
ed.
"
Therewasasilenceoverthephone.Whent
heyoung
manf i
nal
lyspoke,hi
svoicewassigni
fi
cant
ly
breaki
ng.
-
Ayabonga:
"MyGod.Whocoul
dhav
eki
l
ledher
?"
-
Lonwabo:
"That
'swhatwear
etr
yingt
ofi
gur
eout
."
-Ayabonga:"
Iknowt hatshe'dt
urnedintoapersonI
nolongerrecognised,butshedi
dn'tdeser
vetohave
herli
fecutshortli
kethat.Shedi
dn'tdeser
vewhat
happenedtoher .We'dbrokenupbutIdidn'
twishher
anyharm."
-Lonwabo:"Ihear
dthatyou'
dbeentoget
herf
orover
ay earwheny out
wobr okeup.Whydidy
oubreak
up? "
-
Ayabonga:
"Shet
oldmeshe'
dfoundsomeonenew.
Someoneol der ,
experiencedandmonied.Ev eryt
hing
I'
m not.Shedr oppedt hebombonmej ustaftershe
camebackf r
om t heEasternCape,af
terweeksof
notseeingeachot her
.Thathurt
,Idon'
twannal i
e,
butIwasgl adshet ol
dmei nst
eadofplayingmef or
afoolandcr eepingaroundonme. "
-
Lonwabo:"
Themanshewasseei
ng.
..
didshetel
l
y
ouanythi
ngabouthi
m?Whohewas?Wher ehe
l
i
ved?"
-Ayabonga:
"No.Butshebeggedmenott osay
anythi
ngabouthimtomyf amilyorher
s.Sheknew
thathermotherandauntwouldneverhaveapprov
ed
ofanolderguydati
ngthei
rli
tt
legirl
.Andshedidn'
t
wantpeopleinourcommunitytojudgeher.
"
Soshehadamyst
eryl
over,
anol
derman..
.j
ustl
i
ke
Ler
ato.Nowwhot
hehell
wasthebast
ard?
-Ayabonga:"Owam is..
.Imeanwas. ..agreatperson.
Butshewast ooambi t
iousandi mpat i
ent.She
wantedtogopl acesandshel ikedt hefinert
hingsin
l
ife.Now,there'
sabsol ut
elynothingwr ongwiththat
butshewant edital
l now,shedi dn'
twannawai tor
workhardf
orit.Andshemadei tperf
ectl
ycl
earthat
she'
ddoanythi
ngt ogethersel
foutofpover
tyand
getaheadi
nlif
e.Anythi
ng."
-Lonwabo:"DoyouknowwhyshedroppedMedi
cine
atthelastminut
eandwentwi
thBiomedical
Engineeri
ng?"
-Ayabonga:
"No.ButIguessshet
houghtsixyear
s
toolongawaitbefor
eshecouldgr
aduate.Li
keIsai
d,
shewasani mpati
entbeing.
"
.
.
.
Fr
iday
,28Febr
uar
y,09:
00
ItwasFriday,butnobodywasthanki
ngany
body.Or
atleastNalediwasn't
.Notwi
thevery
thi
ngthatwas
happeninginherlif
e.
Shelefthersmalloffi
ceoncampusandhur r
iedto
hercar.Herpri
vateinvesti
gat
or,Jessi
ca,
hadjust
cal
ledaskingtomeet ,andNaledihadsometi
met o
sparebeforehernextclass.
Shespedoutofcampusgl adthatthiswasoneof
thetwodaysinaweekt hatshewor kedawayfrom
thehospi
tal
.What,wi
thhercl i
ent
sandal l
,she
probabl
ywouldn'
thavehadt hi
schancet ostepout
andgomeetupwi thJessicaunti
llater
.
Shefoundaparki
ngspacethenrushedi
ntot
he
cof
feeshopjustl
i
keyester
daywhenshewasheret
o
meetupwithRendani
andlaterJessi
ca.
Sheimmediat
elyspott
edJessicaatat
ableatt
he
backofthemedium-si
zedcoff
eeshop—faci
ngthe
door—andmadeherwayt ojoi
nher.
-Jessi
ca:"Gi
rl
,youl
ookl
ikehel
l.Di
dyougetany
sleeplastni
ght
?Letmeorderyousomecoffee.
"She
l
iftedherhandtocal
lawait
erbutNal
edi
quickly
stoppedher.
-Nal
edi:"
No, Jess,
Idon'twantcof f
ee.Ionlywantto
hearwhaty ouhaveforme.Whathav eyouf ound?"I
t
wastrue,shehadn'tsleptatall
lastni
ght.Hermi nd
hadbouncedf rom Lonwabot oNwabisaandSky
thenbacktoLonwaboagai n,anexhausti
vecy cl
e.
Butri
ghtnowshewast ooanxioustohearwhat
Jessi
cahadt
osay
,shecoul
dn'
twast
eti
mewi
th
coff
ee.
-Jessi
ca:"
Cal
m down,wi
l
lyou?"Sheleanedbacki
n
herseatandt
ookasipofherorangejui
ce.
-Naledi
:"Calm down?Jess, mysoncan' tstay
i
ndoor sforever.AndIcan'tgot othecopsbecauseI
don'thaveany thi
ngtoprov ethatS'fi
soi ndeedtr
ied
toabductmyson.Yes, Iknowt hathewant shim and
thatheknowst hatnocourtwoul dev ergivehim
custody,butthat'snoproofthathe'st r
iedtotake
Lebo.Soy ou'remyonlyhope, Jess,myonl yhopeto
getthatbastardof fmyback."
Jessicaslowlyranahandthrought heblondpixie
haircutthatbeauti
ful
l
yfr
amedherper fectface.A
faceNal ediwi
shedshecouldrearrangewi t
hahot
slaprightnow.Thiswomanwasi r
ritat
ingtheli
ving
helloutofher.Whywasshet akinghersweett imeto
talk?
-
Jessi
ca:
"Yah,well
,he'
smorethanjustabast
ard.
He'
samur der
er.Youshoul
dbeafrai
dofhim."
-
Nal
edi
:"Huh?
"
-Jessica:"Ifoll
owedhimy est
erdayandsawhi m
talki
ngwi tht hi
sotherwomanatar estaur antin
Mel r
ose.Thenl at
er,ar
oundt enlastnight,hewentto
thewoman' sapart
menti nNewt own.Onl ythisti
me
hedi dn'twantt oj
usttalk.Heputabul letinher
chest .Iwitnessedital
lfrom acrossthest reet.
"
Wai tami nute.DidshesayNewt own?Nal edi
'sheart
skippedabeat ,
thinkingaboutNwabisa.Lastni ght
she'df oundbl oodi nherransackedapartment .
..
in
Newt own, andnosi gnofher .She'
dcall
edt hecops
andaf tercheckingoutt heapartmentandt aki
ngher
statementt hey'
dt ol
dhert hattheywouldlookinto
the" disappearance" .Andthathadbeent hat.
-Nal
edi:
"Whatarey
outel
l
ingme,
Jess?Wher
e
exact
lywasthi
sapart
ment?
"
Jessicagavehert
headdr
esswhi
l
esl
owl
ysi
ppi
ngon
herjuice.
-Nal
edi
:"OhGod, t
hat
'sdef
ini
telyNwabisa.Igot
ther
etoolat
e."Shecoul
dbarelyhearherownv oi
ce.
I
tcameoutaswhi sperasherheartsanktothe
bott
om ofherstomach.
-Jessica:"Youknowher ?Wel l
,It
ookadozenof
picturesthroughherwindowt odocumentthecri
me.
Youcandowhat everyouwantwi tht
hem.May be
uset hem toblackmailS'
fisotobackoff
,Idon'
tknow.
ButIf oll
owedhi m andhissidekickf
rom t
he
apar t
mental lt
hewayt owher etheydumpedthe
woman—"
Nal
edi
coul
dn'
tl
ist
enany
mor
e,shef
li
pped.
-Naledi: "
Jessica, no.No!"Shesl ammedherhand
downont het abl
esohar dt hatthecoupl eatt henext
tablelookedatt hem.Embar rassed,sheshi ftedin
herchai randl ower edherv oi
ce." Jessica,yougot
closeenought oseet hem kil
linganot herwomanbut
i
nst eadofcal l
ingt hepolicey out ookthet i
met o
takepi cturesandf oll
owt hem?Whatt hef ucki s
wr ongwi thy ou?Whodoest hat?"Shecoul d
appr eciatethiswoman' sjob, butsitti
ngacr osst he
streetanddonot hingbutt akingpi ctureswhi l
e
anot herwomanl ostherlife?Whatt hehel lwast hat
?
Jessi
ca'
sbr
owskni
tt
ed.
-
Jessi
ca:
"Thi
sisnotAmer
ica,
Nal
edi
.Her
eyoudon'
t
call copsandexpectt hem t orespondi n5mi nutes,
theyt aketime.TimeIdi dn'thav e.Besi des, Iwasina
j
obf ormycl i
ent.WhatIhadt odowasst icktot he
briefandgety ou,mycl ient,whaty ouwant ed.Calli
ng
thecopscoul dhav er ui
nedmymi ssionf ornot hi
ng.I
wasacop, Naledi,IknowwhatI '
mt alki
ngabout .I
l
ef ttheSer vi
cebecausei t'
si nfestedwi thcor rupt
copswhochasebr ibesinst eadofcr i
mi nals.What
goodwascal l
ingthem goi ngt oaccompl ishlast
night ?Chancesar e, al
lwewer egonnaseei sS'fi
so
wal kingthestreetsandhearnot hingabout
Nwabi sa'
sfate.I'
veseeni thappenbef ore.Butnow
thatIf oll
owedt hem Igott oseewher etheydumped
herand. ..
"
-Naledi
:"Andwhat,Jessi
ca?What?Whatgoodis
THATgoi ngtoaccompl i
sh?Nwabisai
sdead.S'
fi
so
kil
l
edherandy oulethim."Shewasbeyondangr
y.
-
Jessi
ca:
"She'
snotdead,
Nal
edi
."
-
Nal
edi
:"What
?"
-
Jessi
ca:"
She'snotdead,that
'swhatI
'
vebeent
ryi
ng
t
otell
you.Theythoughtshewaswhent hey
wrappedherupi nthatcarpetandpl asti
c,butshe
wasn't
.Whi l
einthebackoft heircarshecl earl
y
managedt oloosenthematar oundherenought o
mov eherhandt ot
earawhol et hroughthepl ast
ic
andall
owsomeai rin.Thenshepassedoutagai n.
WhenIf oundherdumpedi nthatforestIthought
shewasdeadt oobutwhenIf eltforapulseIf ound
i
t.I
twasf aintandfadingfastbutshehadi t.
"
-Nal
edi
:"Oh,t
hankGod.ThankGod.Wher
eisshe
now?Wher ei
sshe?"
-Jessica: "
Irushedhert othenear esthospi t
alin
Vander bijl
park.Shel ostalotofbloodandshe' snow
i
nacoma.Thedoct orsdon'tknowwhenori fshe'
ll
wakeup.Butwhat 'simpor t
antist hatshe'ssti
ll
holdingon.Wher everS'fi
soi sri
ghtnowhe' ssure
thatshe' sdeadandt hathe'sgottenawaywi th
mur der ,
buthe' swrong.Hedr ov
eal lthatdist
anceto
dumpheront heVaal Riv
ertocov erhi str
acks,but
theyai n'
tcov ered.
"
VaalRiver
?Vander
bij
lpar
k?Naledi
'stemper
atur
e
rose.Thosemonster
swhor apedher8year
sagolef
t
herfordeadneart
heVaal Ri
veronthe
Vanderbi
jl
parksi
de.AndnowS'
fi
sohadlef
tanother
womanf ordeadaroundt
hesamearea?Wasthata
coi
ncidence?
-Nal
edi:
"Jessi
ca,
wher
ear
ethephot
os?Ineedt
o
seethem."
-Jessi ca:"Wel l
, Ineedmydar kroom t odev el
opt hem
firstbecauseIt ookt hem wi t
haf i
lm camer a.Af ew
year sagoIl earnedt hehar dwayj usthoweasyi tis
tot racet heor i
gi nofdi gi
talphot osandIdon' twanna
findmy selfinanyki ndofcr apbecauseoft hatev er
agai n.AndIhav eot herreasonswhyIpr efermyf i
lm
camer aov erdi gitalones.I'
m sur eSebast ianwoul d
l
ov etot elly
oual laboutt hatsomeday .Butrest
assur ed, you'l
lgety ourpi cturessoonenough.
Pr eferablybef or eIkill
S'fi
somy self.I
nt hemeant i
me,
youcant akeal ookatt hese."Shepul l
edadi git
al
camer aoutofherbag, pressedacoupl eofbut tons
thenhandedi tt oNal edi.
Naledif
oundhersel
fst
ari
ngatagr
otesqueimageon
theli
tt
lescr
eenofthecamer
a.Awomani naforest
,
wrappedupinsomethi
ngthi
ck,ar
ug,i
nsideatr
ash
bag.Mercy.
Thenextpict
urewasacl oseupofherface.Itwas
i
ndeedNwabi sa.Withhereyescl
osed,
shel ookedso
l
if
eless.
..
Dead.Naledi'
sheadspun.
-
Jessica:
"Ther
e'ssomethi
ngel
seI'
vediscov
ered.
Therealr
easonwhyS'fi
sowantsLebosomuch. "
Chapt
er24
Fr
iday
,28Febr
uar
y,9:
30
.
Jessicawassay i
ngsomet hi
ngbutall Naledi could
hearwast hethunderofherownhear tbeat.Itbeat
tooloud.Drummi nginherears.Shecouldn'tt ake
herey esofft
hepictur
ethatshowedNwabi sai nthe
forest,wr
appedupi naruginsideatrashbag. .
.lef
t
fordead.
No,
no,
thi
scan'
tber
ight
.
Herhear tbeatpoundedinherchest
.Thatdul
lthud
thatseemedt oshakehereardr
ums.Sheknewt hi
s
forest.Jesus,sheknewit.
..par
ti
cul
arl
ytheunique
carvingont hetrunkoft
hebi gt
reeNwabisahad
beent ossednextt o.
Sevenyearsago—asaf orm ofexposur et
her apyfor
her
self—she'
dwalkedev eryinchofthisarea.She
j
usthadt oseetheplacewher eshegotassaul ted
andtortur
ed.I
twasi nafieldnearthi
sv er
yf orest
bel
tthatshewasf oundlayinghelpl
esslyandnaked
ei
ghtyearsago.Herbodycov er
edwi t
hbruisesand
deep,
bleedi
ngsl
ashes.Lef
tfordead.Justl
i
ke
Nwabisa.
Now,wasthesamemanbehi ndboththose
gr
uesomeactsofvi
olence?Yes,
ithadtobe.Nal
edi
di
dn'
tbel
ievei
ncoi
ncidences.
Sheputt hecamer aont het abl eshiv ering,ev en
thought heFebr uarydaywasqui tesunny .Andshe
knewt hatsoont heshi verswoul dt urnt oshudder s.
Muscl est hroughoutherwhol ebodywoul dbegi n
clenchi ng, andherf inger swoul dtingl e.Apani c
attackwascr eepinguponher .Diagnosi ngi twas
easybutst oppi ngit, notsomuch.Shegr i
ppedt he
table, closedherey es, andwi lledher selftoi nhalefor
sixseconds.Hel dthebr eath, andexhal edf or
anot hersi xseconds.Thenshehel dwi thout
breat hingf ort hesamedur ati
on.Sher epeat edthe
samebr eat hingtechni que—at echni queshehadt o
mast ery earsago—asshesqueezedherey esshut
againstt het earsthatwant edt of all.Ifshel etthem
outnow, shewoul dn' tbeabl et ostop.Shewoul d
hav eabr eakdownr ighther ei nt hi
scof f
eeshop, in
frontofal lthesepeopl e.Andt hatwast hel astthing
shewant
ed.
MyGod, shehadn'tr ealisedunt i
lthisverymoment
j
usthowmuchwhathappenedei ghtyearsagost il
l
hauntedher .Evenwhenshehadt hatviv
idni ght
mar e
theothernightshedi dn'tthinkthingswoul dgett his
worse.Nowshewasl earningthatherpastwas
mor ethanjustani ght mar eaway ,itwasbackt o
hauntheri nbroadday li
ghtasherbr ai
npi eced
togetheranew, disturbingpi ctureaboutt hatfateful
evening.
Ast heanxiet
yattacksubsi ded,shenot i
cedthather
handswer eshaking.Itwasf r
om fury
...
.andfear.The
absolutehorr
orofr eali
singthatshe'dloveda
monst erandshedi dn'
tev enreali
seit.Forthree
years,S'
fi
sohadbeenathersi de.She'dsharedabed
withhim, madelovet ohim, evenfel
lpregnantfor
him.Butshe'dfail
edt oseehi mf orwho. .
.whathe
real
lywas.Aki l
l
er.
Tobef air
,she'
dfailedt
oseeal otofthi
ngsabout
hi
m.Lov ehadt urnedherint
oabl i
ndfool.Butshe'd
al
way sknownt hathelovedbeingincontrol,
thathe
neverthoughtt
wi ceaboutgoingtoextr
al engthsi
n
ordert ogetwhathewant edandt ogaincont rolover
anythingorany one.Butshenev ert houghthewoul d
goasf araski ll
i
ng.Especi al
lykilli
ngher .Butr i
ght
nowheri nsti
nctswer escreami ng, t
ell
inghert hat
S'f
isowast heonewhohi redthosement okill her8
yearsago.Hehi redthem becauseheknewt hatshe
woul dr efusetoabor tthei
rbaby .Andt hathis
mot her—whohappenedt oli
keNal edi—woul df orce
himt omar ryhersot heycoul draiset hebaby
together .Somet hinghecoul dn'
tgoal ongwi th.Not
whenheal readyknewwhohewant edt ospendhi s
l
ifewi th—t hewomanhe' dimpr egnat edf i
rst
.Theone
heev ident l
ylovedandwasn' twi ll
i
ngt olosebecause
ofNal edi orherpr egnancy.
Sobybeingpregnant
,Nal
edi
hadnowmov edf
rom
bei
ngasidepiecetobei
nganobst
acl
e.Anobstacl
e
tobeel
i
mi nat
ed.
Ontheeveningi
nquesti
on,
S'f
isohadknownt
hat
shewouldbeathisapar
tment
...
andsohe'
dmade
hi
ssickarr
angements.
Yes,
thathadt
obeit
.Noot herexpl
anat
ion.S'
fi
so
wasnotthemanshethoughthewas.Hewasa
mur
der
er.
Andl astnighthe'
dt ri
edt oki l
lNwabi sa—thewoman
he'dhi redtohelphi mi nhisr ecent
scheme—pr obablybecausehe' dl earnedthatshe
wasaboutt otel
lNal ediever ythingabouthi splanto
kidnapLebo.Thesonhenev erwant edt obeginwith.
Howt wist
edwast hat?IfitwasGod' swayoft r
ying
tobef unny ,
well,
ther ewasnot hingf unnyaboutit.
S'fi
sowasdanger ous.Andi fhewasasev ilasNaledi
nowbel ievedhimt obe, itwoul donl ybeamat t
erof
ti
mebef or
ehecameaf terher ...again.Shewasan
obst acleonceagai n.Anobst acl est andingbetween
him andLebo, andhewoul dwantt or emoveher.
Any onest andinginhi sway —j ustl ikeNwabi sa—he
woul dr emov e.I
ncludingMaCat heri
ne.
Ohno,
notmymot
her
.Ihav
e—
Ahar dgriponhershoul
derstar
tl
edheroutofher
thoughts.Shejer
kedandlookeduptoseeJessi
ca
nowst andingbesi
deher.
-Jessi
ca:"
Areyouokay?Youlef
tmet her
eandI'
ve
beentryi
ngtogetyouback.
"Thereseemedtobeso
muchwor r
yinhergr
eyey esast
heysweptover
Naledi
.Ey
essounusual.Sodeep.Ey
esthatal
ways
seemedtohaveseentoomuch.
Nal
ediopenedhermouthtospeakbutjustcoul
dn'
t.
Thel
umpi nherthr
oatwastoothi
ck.Toohar d.
-Jessi
ca:"
Ithi
nkyouj
usthadapani
cattack,
"she
grabbedhergl
assofj
uice."
Her
e,dr
inksomething.
"
No.Nal
edi
neededsomethi
ngmore.Shel
urchedt
o
herf
eet
.Hercheeksi
ce-
col
d,t
henred-
hot
.
-Nal
edi:"
Ineed.
..
air
."Sheneededtost
opstar
ingat
Nwabisa'
shorri
bleimage."
Excuseme."Shepushed
pastJessi
caandstumbledfortheexi
t.
She'dalwayspr i
dedher sel
fonbei ngabletostay
composedandkeephi semot ionsincheck,hi
dden.
Shewasaqual if
iedtherapi
stwi thcli
entswho
tr
ustedhert ohelpthem witht hei
rproblems.She
wast rai
nedt oneverhav eareactionli
kethi
sonher
cl
ients'cases,nomat t
erhowgor yorbrutalt
hey
were,butthis—thiswasdi f
ferent.Thi
swasper sonal
.
Thiswas. .
.
Howmanymor
epeopl
ewi
l
lhav
etodi
ebef
oreS'
fi
so
get
stoLebo?
Shef el
tsi
cktoherstomachandshepi ckedherpace
totheexit
.Shewasapr ofessi
onal
psy chologi
st,yes,
butshewasal sohuman.Shedidn'
thav etost
ay
str
ong.Shedidn'thav
etoactasifseeingahal f-
dead
womanwhohadbeenshotbyt hefatherofher
chi
ld—amanwhocoul dalsobebehindherown
att
empt edmurderandrape—hadn'
tjustr i
ppedher
heartout.
Herhandssl
ammedi ntothecoff
eeshop'sdoor,and
thenshewasoutside.Thewarm airhi
therli
kea
slap,
buti
tcoul
dn'tbanishthechil
lfr
om herbones.
Carsbuzzedonthestreet
s.Shet ookafewdeep
breat
hst henl
ookedtotheleft
,totheri
ght.Somany
people.Peopl
egoingabouttheirbusi
nesses.
Every
thingwassonormal outhere.
Butnothi
ngwasnor malf
orNwabi sa,notanymore.
Shewaslyinginhospi
tal
..
.i
nacoma.AndS' f
iso.
..
he
wasprobablyalr
eadydevi
singanotherplant
ogett o
Lebo.
Butwhy
?WhywasS'
fi
sowi
l
li
ngt
otakeal
i
fej
ustt
o
gett
oLebo?Whywas.
..
?
Shi
t.
Sher
ushedbacki
nsi
de.
.
.
.
Fr
iday
,28Febr
uar
y,9:
40
Nalediret
urnedtoJessi
caatthet
abl
e,pul
l
edouther
chairandquickl
ysatbackdown.
-Nal
edi
:"Jess,Idon'
tknowifIheardcorrectl
y.ButI
thi
nkIheardyousayy ouknowwhyS' fi
sowant s
Lebosomuch. "Shehadn'
tex act
lybeenlist
ening
whenJessicasaidsomethingalongthoselines.Her
headhadbeenspi nni
ng.
-Jessi
ca:
"Yeah,Iknowt
her
eal
reasonwhyhewant
s
him.Areyouokay?"
-Nal
edi:"
I'
mfine.Whatdoyoumeany ouknowthe
real
reason?Het ol
dmethathewantedtobein
Lebo'
slif
ebecauseLeboistheonl
ysonhehasand
wil
leverhav e.S'fi
sodoesn'
thav esi
bli
ngs.Andhim
bei
ngt het r
aditi
onalZulumant hatheis,
hewantsa
sontocar ryhislegacyandfamilynamef or
ward
l
ongaf terhe'sgone.Oratleastthat'
swhathemade
mebeliev e.
"
-Jessi ca: "
Thatmaybet rue, butsoi swhatI 'm about
tot ellyou,"shetookamani lafolderoutofher
over sizedhandbagandputi tont hetablebutdi dn'
t
openi t."Ihavemanycont act sthroughoutt hi
sci t
y.
That 'showI '
m abletodomyj ob.Yest erdayImade
sev eral phonecallstosomeoft hosecont actsand,
asal way s,t
hey'
vecomet hroughf orme.Thi s
mor ningsomedi stur
bingi nformat i
onl andedonmy
doorst ep.Itooksomet i
met oanalysei t
.Andmy
hospi tal cont
act,theonewhobr oughtmet he
i
nf ormat i
ontobegi nwith, helpedmeunder st
andi t
..
.
S'fi
soi ssick.
"
-
Nal
edi
:"Ofcour
sehei
s.He'
ssi
cki
nthehead.
"
-
Jessica:
"Ican'
tdisput
ethat
.Butit
'snotwhatI
meant.Hewasdi agnosedwi
thtest
icul
arcancer3
year
sago."
-Nal
edi:"
Hewas?I sthatwhyhecan'
thavemore
chil
dren?
"Sher ememberedreadi
ngsomeart
icl
e
abouthowt est
icul
arcancerandi
tst
reat
mentcan
causeinfer
ti
li
ty.
-Jessica:"Yes.Andi t'sl i
kel ywhyhi smar r
iagei salso
oni t
swayt ohel l
.Accor dingt ohismedi calfi
le,the
cancerbegani nhi sleftt estisandt hewhol ething
hadt ober emov ed.Ther ightonewasonl ymi l
dly
affectedsot heyonl yr emov edpar tofit.Butt henhi s
postophi st ologyshowedmi croscopiccancerspot s
throughoutt her emai ni ngt issue.Andt heyhadt o
remov eittoo.Now, tokeephi mselfaheal thyman,
hehast obegi venamont hlyt estosteroneshotat
hisdoct or
'sof fice,onehe' llhav et otakef orther est
ofhisl i
fe.
..Andt hat'
showwegotat rai
l tofollow.
WhenIchoset of oll
owt hewoman. ..
ImeanNwabi sa,
from therest aur antyest er day ,Icall
edmypar tner
andaskedhert ogokeepaney eonS' fiso.Shel ater
tail
edhi mt oaur ologist '
sof fi
ceatapr ivatehospi tal
upnor th.That 'swhensev eral bell
sbegant oringin
myhead.SoIcal l
edmycont actatthehospi tal.
TurnsoutS' fi
sowast her ef orhi smont hl y
t
est
ost
eroneshot
."
-Nal
edi:"
Sothecancertookawayhisabili
tytofather
mor echi
ldr
en.Good,
"shehonestl
ydidn'tfeelsor
ry
forhim."
ButI'
m curi
ous.Whydidn'
ttheyhar v
estand
stor
ehissperminasper m bankf
orlateruse?"
-Jessi
ca:
"Becauset
heycoul dn'
t.Testi
cul
arcancer
cancauselowsperm counts,whichcouldmakeit
hardtogetagoodsampl e.Andt hat
'swhat
happenedwithhim.
"
-Nal
edi
:"Icoul
dcel
ebr
atet
hat
.Butpl
easegett
othe
Lebopart.
"
-Jessi
ca:"IhaveacopyofS' fi
so'scompl etemedi cal
fil
e.Hiscancerisback..
.inanewf orm.Whenhewas
diagnosedwi t
htesti
cularcancert hreey earsagohe
underwentahar shchemot herapytreatmentbefor e
hegotschedul edfort
hesur gery.Thenhehadt he
surgeryandhadt ogof orcheckups—i ncludi
ngblood
wor kandscans—ev er
yt hreemont hs.Itwasafter
oneoft hosecheckups, amont hgo, t
hathegott he
badnews.Hi sbloodwor kshowedt hathisbloodcell
counthadgot tentoolow.Sot heydidabonemar row
biopsy.Resul
tscamebackandt hev erdi
ctwas:he
hasleukemia.Acut eMy eloidLeukemi atobeexact .
Apparentl
yit'
sabl oodcancert hathappenswhen
youngabnor mal whitebloodcellsbegi ntofi
llupt he
bonemar row, pr
ev ent
ingnor mal bloodproducti
on.
InS'f
iso'
scaset heybel i
eveit'
sbeencausedbyt he
previ
ouschemot herapythather eceivedforhisot her
cancer.Now, thebestchancef orhi mt osurvi
vet his
newcanceri sstem celltranspl
ant .Andthat'
swher e
Lebocomesi n.S'f
isoneedshi sst em cel
lsto
survi
ve."
-Naledi
:"What?What ?!
"Shecoul
dn'
tbel
iev
ewhat
shewashear ing."Youmeantotel
lmethatS'
fi
so
onlywantsLebobecauseheneedshi mtoprol
ong
hisownl i
fe?Sot hatHEcoul
dhaveafut
ure?"
-
Jessi
ca:
"Yes.Youwer
eri
ght
,thatmani
sscum.
"
Naledicover
edherfacewithbothhands.She'
d
thoughtshe'
dheardital
l.Nowthis?Howcould
S'f
isobesoselfi
sh?Soev i
l?Towantt ouseachi
l
d
l
ikethat?Achil
dhenev erevenwanted?
-
Jessi
ca:
"Appar
ent
ly,
thesear
chf
oradonorst
art
s
witht hepat i
ent'sclosef ami l
ymember s, usuall
y
brothersorsi sters.Butl i
key ousai d, S'
fisodoesn' t
hav esibli
ngs.Sot hesear chst art
edwi thhi stwo
daught ersthenmov edont ootherr elati
v es.But
noneoft hem wasf oundt obeacl osemat ch.They
turnedt othenat ional r
egistrybutf i
ndi ngan
unrelateddonorcoul dtakemont hs, andt imei s
ti
cking.SoLeboi shislastopt ion.And, basedont he
picturesy oushowedmeofLeboandt hoseofS' fi
so,
any onecanseet hattheboyi shi sfat her'smi ni
ature
copy .HenceIt hinkS' fi
sobel i
ev esthatt hei rti
ssue
typeswoul dalsobeamat ch,t
hatt heboyi sthebest
potent i
aldonoroft hest em cellsthatcoul dgivehim
abet terchanceatsur v
ival.Idon'tthinkt hat '
showi t
wor ksthough. "
Naledir
aisedherheadandst ar
edstraightatJessica.
Shewasangr y,f
uri
ous.Butbecauseshedi dn'twant
todir
ectherangeratthewrongperson, sheforced
her
selftotakeafewdeepbr eathsbeforespeaking.
-
Naledi
:"S'
fi
soiscrazyi
fhethi
nkshe'
l
lgetanyt
hing
f
rom meormyson. "Hervoi
cewaslow,suppr
essing
t
heanger."Besi
des,howcoul
dhischi
l
dbeamat ch?
I
tismyunderst
andi
ngthatpar
entsgi
veonl
yone
hapl
oty
petothei
rof
fspr
ing.SoLebowoul
donl
ybea
hal
f-
match.
"
-Jessi ca:"True.Butappar ently ,onr areoccasi on,
becauseofr andom cr ossoverev entsdur i
ngmei osi
s,
apar entbecomesaper fectmat chf ortheir
child...andvicev ersa.Butev eni fLeboi sahal f-
mat chf orhi
sf atherthatwoul dn'tpr eventhimf r
om
beinghi sdonor .Apparently,itwasonl yinthepast
thatt hesepot ent i
all
ylif
e-savingt ransplantswer e
l
imi tedt othosewhocoul dfindper f
ect l
ymat ched
donor s.Mycont actsaysov ert hepastdecadeorso,
medi cal r
esearchhasadv ancedhal f-matched
transpl ants,maki ngiteasierf orapat ient'
spar entor
childt obecomeadonor .
"
-Nal
edi:"
Well,
Idon'tcar
e.S'
fi
sowon'tgetmyson'
s
stem cel
l
s.Infact
,Iwon'tl
ethi
m comeanywhere
nearLebo."
-Jessica:
"I'
m sur eheknowsthatyou'dneveragr
ee
tothis.He'salreadytr
iedt
oabductLeboonce, he'
ll
tryagainunti
l hegetshim.AndIbelievehe'
snot
planningonf oll
owingtheproperchannel
stosetup
t
heboy
'st
est
inganddonat
ion.
"
Nal
edi
slammedherhandsont
het
abl
e.
-Nal
edi:"Youknowwhat ,
Jess?IthinkI
'veheard
enought omakemeangr yforawhol efucki
ngy ear,
"
shecoul dfeelherangerboi
li
nginherchestasshe
gottoherf eet
."Ihavetorushbackt owork.And
you..
.pleasemakesur ethatIgetthephotosy ou
tooklastnightASAP.They '
l
lhel
pmedeal withS'fi
so
onceandf orall.
"
-Jessi
ca:"
I'
ll
gett
hem toyoubef oretheendoft he
day.FornowIwantyoutotaket hisfi
le.Ever
ythi
ng
I'
vejustt
oldyoui
sinhere.Butremember ,
wedi dn'
t
exactl
yobtai
nitl
egal
l
y .I
'
m surey ouknowwhatt hat
means."ShehandedthemanilafoldertoNaledi.
Nal
ediwasn'
tsur
eshewant
edi
t,buthershakyhand
r
eachedfori
tany
way.
-
Jessi
ca:
"Ar
eyouokay
?"
Noshewasnotokay
.Shewasf
arf
rom i
t.
-
Nal
edi
:"I
'
m not.ButIwil
lbe.Thanks,Jess.
"Less
t
hananhouragoshe'dbeenmadatt hiswomanf or
j
ustwatchingandtakingphot
oswhi l
eNwabisagot
shot,
butnowshewast hanki
ngher.Thatwas
becauseshecouldnowseet hebenefi
tsofwhat
Jessi
cadid,andthatshewasactuall
ygoodather
j
ob."Inv
oicemewheny oubri
ngthephotos.
"
Shegr abbedherst uffandwal kedoutoft hecof fee
shop.Shewasmaki ngherwayt ohercarwhenshe
caughtsi ghtofLuxol o'sshiny,expensi v ecarpul ling
upint hepar kinglot .Shewasaboutt owal kov erto
him butanot herwomanbeathert oi t,stoppi ngher
i
nhert r
acks.Ev erymuscl einherbodyseemedt o
l
ockdownasshewat chedSky '
shusbandgetoutof
thecart otalkt othewoman.Nal edi knewt hat
woman.Yesshe' dseenherbef ore.Act uallyitwas
j
ustlastni ght.Shewast hewomanshesawwi th
Lonwabowal kingoutofhi sapart mentbui l
ding.Who
wasshe?Andhowdi dsheknowbot hmen?Orwas
thi
swhol ethingacoi ncidence?Nal edi didn'tbelieve
i
ncoi ncidences.Especi all
ywithev erythingt hatwas
goingon.
Theduowassti
llst
andi
ngnexttoLuxol
o'
scar.And
i
fthei
rbodyl
anguagewasanythi
ngtogoby,t
hey
weren'
ttoohappywitheachother
.Theywere
fi
ghti
ngaboutsomethingwhil
emakingsurethat
thei
rvoi
cesremainedlow.Whatthehel
lwasgoing
on?
Shoul
dIgoov
ert
her
eandf
indout
?
Chapt
er25
Fr
iday
,28Febr
uar
y,9:
40
.
Lonwabopul ledintoanempt yparki
ngspacei nfront
ofthealway sbusyHi ll
browPol i
ceStati
on,butmade
nomov etogetoutoft hecar.Hewasal most3
hourslateforhisshi f
tandheknewt hatCaptain
Mot aungwoul dthrowdagger shiswayt hemoment
Lonwabowal kedintothest at
ion.Thatwassome
dramahecoul ddowi thout.Butthatwasnott he
reasonwhyhedi dn'twantt ogoinjustyet
.No, he
wasst il
lcheckingsomet hinginhisphone.
Alit
tl
eoveranhouragohe' dgot
tenanewpieceof
i
nformati
onregardi
ngthecasehe'dbeenworki
ng.
Ayabongahadconfir
medt hatOwam hadi
ndeed
beenseei
ngsomeonebef oreshewentmissi
ng,an
ol
derman...
justl
i
keLerato.
Butt
hatdidn'
tmeananythi
ng.Theyst
il
lhadnot
hing,
i
fyouthoughtabouti
t.
I
thadbecomenormalforyoungwomentodate
ol
dermentheseday
s.Thiswasthegener
ati
onof
"bl
esser s"and" blessees".SothemanOwam was
seeingmi ghtnotbet hesamemani nLerat
o'slif
e.
Event houghbot hLonwaboandBBbel i
evedt hatthe
caseswer econnect ed,theyreallyhadnoev idence
thattheywer e.Therewasst i
l
lnot hi
ngtoconnect
thetwowomen.Atl eastnonet hatLonwabocoul d
see.Andhecoul dn'tgowi t
hnot hingtothebr i
efi
ng.
Hehadt ohav esomet hi
ngt angiblewhenheandBB
andt her estofthet eam exchangednot es.
Hisfingerconti
nuedtoscrol
lthr
oughOwam' s
pict
uresinherpubli
cInstagr
am profil
e.Theremust
besomet hinginthi
spage,somethingt opointhimin
thedirect
ionofthemy st
eryguytheteengi r
l had
beenseeing,eventhoughhecouldn'trecal
lseeing
anythingofthatsor
there.
Thefactthathehadt orevisitt
hepagewas
somethingofwonderoni tsown.Lonwabohada
brai
nthatrefusedt oforget.Ifhesawsomet hing
once,hedidn'tneedt oseei tagaintorememberit.
Every
thi
ngi nhisheadwasr ecordedinpermanent
marker,hejusthadt odialitupwhenneeded.But
l
atel
yhe'dbeenf eel
ingal i
ttl
ediffer
ent.He'
dbeen
exper i
enci ngsomel apsesi nmemor y.Coul di tbe
becauseofhi sdaught er'
sdeat h?Coul dlosi nghi s
daught erbecausi nghi mt olosehi sexcel lent
memor yaswel l?Thatwoul dbe. ..hedi dn'tknowhow
hewoul dt rulyfeel aboutt hat.Hi sext raordinar y
memor yhadal way sbeenadoubl e-edgedswor d.I
t
wasundoubt edlyahugeasseti nhi sjobasa
det ective,butal soi nfinit
elyf r
ust rati
nganda
signif i
cantl iabil
itywhenunwant edmemor iesj ust
poppedup.Butnomat t
erhowf rustratingitof ten
was, thet houghtofl osingi tscar edhi m.He' dl i
v ed
withi tmostofhi slif
e.Whowoul dhebewi thouti t
?
Whatki ndofdet ect i
vewoul dhebe?Notanexcel l
ent
one, thatwasf orsur e.Hecoul dseet hathewas
alreadyl osi nghi st ouch.Thatscar edhi m, andt he
pressur ehewasf eeli
ngwi t
ht hiscasewasn' t
maki ngt hingsanyeasi er.Findingt hiski l
lercoul d
takeday s, mont hs,years, heunder stoodt hat .But
thet hingwas, ay oungwomanwasst il
l missing.He
coul dn'taf fordt obel osinghi sedger i
ghtnow.
Bi
ngo!
Hi
sthumbsuddenl
yst
oppedt
appi
ngt
hescr
een.
Stari
ngathim wasapi ctur
eofOwam i nabr i
lliant
whitecroptopandbl ueski nnyjeanst hatperfect l
y
moul dedherlongsl enderlegs, l
egst hatendedi na
pairofredsti
lettos.Herposemadeherl ookl ikea
supermodel.Shewasbeaut i
ful
...
ali
ve.Buti twas
somet hi
ngonherl eftwristandoneonherexposed
fl
attummyt hatdr ewLonwabo' sattenti
on.
Adrenali
nebur nedt hroughhi sbloodstream like
fl
ameonashor tfuseashi sbr ainconnect edt he
dotsatlight
ningspeed.
Hejumpedoutofhi scar
,locki
ngitasheran
towardstheentr
anceofthestati
on.Hehadtoask
Lett
y,theadmincler
k,t
obl owupthisphot
oand
pri
ntitoutforhi
m.
Small
detai
ls.I
twast
hesmal
ldet
ail
sthatal
way
s
matt
ered.
.
.
.
Fr
iday
,28Febr
uar
y,09:
55
Themor esecondspassedwithNaledi wat
ching
Luxoloandtheotherwomanar gui
ng,themor eshe
fel
tbother
ed.Somet hi
ngwit
hthispicturej
ustdidn'
t
feelr
ight
.Andsheknewt hatapproachingthepair
ri
ghtnowmi ghtnotbesuchagoodi dea.
Shedr ewbackandwentt ohercarbeforeLuxol
o
couldseeher.Shequi
cklycli
mbedi nandthrewthe
mani l
afol
derandherhandbagont hepassenger
seatbefor
epulli
ngoutherphonetocal l
the
detecti
vehandl
ingSky'
scase.
Seei
ngLuxolowit
hthatwomanmadeherthi
nkof
herfr
iendandt
hisuneasyf
eel
i
ngkeptnaggi
ngat
her.
Detecti
veMabuse'sphonerangunanswer ed.
Dammi t!Shehatedi
twhenpeopl edi
dn'tpickup
thei
rphones,butsheunderst
oodwheni twasheron
theotherendofthephone.Talkaboutcont r
adi
ctor
y
standards.
Notgi
vi
ngup,
shedi
all
edagai
n.
"
Mabuse,
"hef
inal
l
yanswer
edasNal
edi
wasabout
t
ohangup.
-Nal
edi:"
Det
ect
ive,
it'
sNaledi
Masil
o.I
sthere
anythi
ngnewyoucant el
lmeaboutmyfr
iend'
s
case?"
-
Mabuse:
"Andwho'
syourf
ri
endagai
n?"
Reall
y?Nal edi'
sbeenwi t
ht hi
sguyjustyest
erday,
howcoul dhehav efor
gottenhersosoon?Shet r
ied
tocontrolherfrustr
ati
on,buttheloudgroanthat
i
nv ol
untar
ilyescapedhermout hgaveheraway.Not
thatshecar ed.
-Her:"Detect
ive,
Isaidmynamei sNalediMasil
o.We
spokey ester
dayaboutmymi ssi
ngfriend.Sky
Siyanga-Xhamelaishername.Rememberher ?"She
wassuperannoy ed,
thetoneofhervoicetol
das
much.
-Mabuse:"Oh,
youmeant heonewhol ef
ther
husbandagoodbyelet
terexplaini
ngwhyshewas
l
eaving?"Hist
onewassar cast
ic.
Ohdamn.Nal edihadomi ttedthatpartwhenshe
openedthemi ssi
ngper sonsreportbecauseshe
knewthatthepol i
cewoul dn'
ttreatherf
ri
endasa
missi
ngpersoni ftheyheardabouti t
.Andnow
Luxol
ohadgi venthelett
ertothem?Didher eall
y
bel
ievethathi
swi fewouldleaveal
lherstuffbehi
nd
anddisappear,ordidheknowsomet hi
ngNal edi
di
dn't
?Not hi
ngaboutt hi
sfeltr
ight
.Calli
tinsti
nct.
Calli
twhatever.Butsomethingfel
tver
ybadabout
al
lofthis.
Naledimayhav ehadherdoubt stooy est er daybut
themor eshet houghtabouti tl
astnight ,themor e
shegotconv incedt hatherf r
iendwasi ndeed
abducted.Skymi ghthav eplannedtol eav eLuxol o,
butNaledi di
dn'tbelievethatshewoul dl eav eal
l of
herstuffbehindwhendoi ngso.Orthatshewoul d
l
eav ewithouttell
ingNal ediorherpar ent sabouti t.
She'dbeengoi ngt ot helabwhenshedi sappear ed
forgoodnesssake, andhercarhadbeenf ound
abandonedneart hecampusgat e.Thatdi dn'tsound
l
ikesomeonewhoj umpedoutoft hev ehi cle
planni
ngt odisappeari ntothesunsetwi thherl ov er
.
No, i
tdidn'
t.
-Nal
edi
:"Soherhusbandshowedyouthatl
ett
er?
"
sheaskedaft
ertaki
ngadeepbreath.
-
Mabuse:
"Oh,
soy
ouknewabouti
tbutchosenott
o
tel
lus?Lady ,doy ouknowhowmanycasesget
openedatourst ati
onev eryday ?Wedonothav e
ti
meorr esourcest owast eonanadul twhol efther
mat r
imoni al
homebecauseofherwhor ingway s.Her
husbandshowedust helett
erandadozenot her
notesshewr oteinthepast .Wegotherhandwr i
ting
sampl efrom thoseandconf irmedthatshe'sindeed
theonewhowr otethatgoodby el
ett
er.MsMasi lo,
yourfri
endr anawaywi thishendelakhe,thefatherof
herunbor nbaby .Weseei t,
herhusbandseesi t.
Casecl osed.Nowst opwast ingmyt i
me. "Andwi th
thathehungup, leavingNaledi st
ari
ngatherphone
i
ndi sbeli
ef.
Copsi
nourcount
ry.
Butwhywoul dLuxologivet helettertot hepolice?
Didn'thewanthiswi fefound?Ev enifhehonest l
y
beli
ev edthatSkyleftofherownaccor dwoul dn'the
wantherf oundsohecoul dgetanswer soutofher
andsomef orm ofclosureifnothi ngelse?The
mor ninghe'dwalkedintoNal edi'
sof f
icecar ryi
ng
Sky'slett
erhe'dgivenherev eryindicationthathe
woul dli
kesomeanswer s."Ifyouhearf rom Skyt el
l
herthatIsai
drunning'
snotgonnahelpher.She
needstocomef acemeandanswerf orheract
ions.
"
That'
swhathe'dsaid.Sowhywoul dhenotwanther
found?Wasitangerorsomet hi
ngelse?Andwhat
thehellwashedoingwiththatot
herwomanany way?
Thewayt hi
ngswere,Nal
edihadtocomeupwi t
h
anotherpl
antofi
ndSkyandhelpherparent
sreuni
te
wit
ht hei
rdaught
er.
..
deadorali
ve.Apl
anthatdi
dn'
t
i
ncludeMabuseorhispart
ner.Aplani
nvolv
ingj
ust
oneman.
Lonwabo.
Shecouldr unbacktoJessicaandaskf orherhel
p
againbutshe'dseenherleav ethecof f
eeshopabout
ami nut
eagoandsheknewt hatshewasgoi ng
homet oprocessthephotosNal edineededbefor
e
theendoft heday.Butmay beLonwabocoul dhel
p.
Godknewsheneededhi ssmar tdetecti
vebrai
nri
ght
now.Andmay behecouldal sot el
lherathingort
wo
aboutLuxolo.Thetwomenhadamut ualf
emale
fri
endafterall
.
Butt
hepr
obl
em was,
Lonwabohadst
il
lnotcal
l
ed
herbackaf tert
hedr amashe'
dcausedatdinnerlast
night.Shedidn'
treall
yblamehimthough,
andshe
knewt hatshewoul dhavetodosomeserious
grovell
ingbeforeshecouldaskhi
mf orafavour.She
wasmor ethanwill
ingtodothat
,onl
yifhecouldjust
l
ether .
Shedial
ledhisnumberbuthedidn'tpi
ckup,j
ustl
ike
hedidn'
tlastni
ght.Hewasobviouslyst
il
lmad.Ugh,
thi
swasnotgoi ngtobeeasy.
Sti
llonherphone,shescroll
eddownt ogetto
Sebasti
an'
snumber .Shetrustedtheguyandshe
neededhimt obetheonet otomakesur ethatLebo
andMaCat herineweresafeathome.Butbef or
eshe
coul
dcallhisnumberanot hercall
camethrough.A
cal
lfrom Michael
,Sky'
scolleague.Whywashe
cal
li
ng?
-
Nal
edi
:"Mi
ke?
"
-
Micheal
:"Hey
.Hav
eyouhear
dany
thi
ngaboutSky
y
et?"
-Nal
edi
:"No.Andt
hepol
i
cear
en'
tl
ooki
ngf
orher
anymor
e."
-
Micheal
:"Why
'st
hat
?"
-Nal
edi
:"Longstor
y.Whatabouty
ou?Hav
eyou
hear
dany t
hing?
"
-Micheal
:"Nah.Butthere'
ssomet hi
ngwe've
discover
ed.Thetrashingofourl abwasjustasmoke
screentohidesomet hingelse.Theftoft
enofour
uniqueXenonstoraget anks,fi
ll
edwi t
hXenon.
"
-
Nal
edi
:"Xenon?
"
-Micheal :"
It'
sanobl egasmai nlysour cedf rom the
Earth'satmospher e.I
thasahi ghmol ecularwei ght
whichmakesi tidealasaf uel forel ectri
cpr opul
si on
systemssuchasSPTandi onengi nes.Asy ouknow,
myr esear chteam andIar ewor kingonf indingmor e
environment all
yf ri
endlyener gysour ces.AndXenon
i
sanot hergaswe' vebeenr esear chingont heside.It
alr
eadyhasanumberofexi sti
ngappl ications,
howev er,i
tslowabundancei nt heat mospher eand
thecost lycryogenicdi st
il
lationpr ocesst hatisused
toobt ainitcommer ciall
yviaai rsepar ationhav e
l
imitedt hescal eofi t
sappl i
cat ionsandpr oduction.
Basical l
y,pureXenoni sdiff
icul ttopr oduceandi tis
expensi
v e.Sowe'
vebeendev el
opingaunique,more
vi
ableandpossiblycost-
eff
ecti
vealt
ernat
ivefori
ts
separat
ionandstoragewiththeai
m ofits
appli
cati
onasaf uel.Nowourtankshavebeen
stol
en."
-Naledi: "
I'
m sor r
yt ohearthat,Mike.Butli
keIt ol
d
yout heot herday,Iknowf oraf actt
hatSkydi dn'tdo
anyoft his.Hercar dwasst olen.AndIbelievethat
theper sonwhost olei
tisthesameper sonwhost ol
e
thegasandabduct edher."Shewant edtot el
lhim
thatshesuspect edRendani butshedidn'twantt o
openl yaccusesomeonewi t
houtsolidproof ,
especi all
ynowt hatshealsohadsomesuspi cions
aboutLuxol o."Whatcoul daper sonpossiblysteal
thegasf or ?"
-Micheal
:"I
thasappli
cati
onsinelect
roni
cs,l
i
ghti
ng,
andt hemedicali
ndust
ry.Thel
atterbei
ngtheoneI
wouldpersonall
ygothroughall
thistr
oubl
etosteal
thegasfor.
"
.
.
.
Fr
iday
,28Febr
uar
y,10:
00
Lonwabo' sphoner angashewal kedoutofLett
y'
s
off
ice.Checki ngthedispl
ay ,
hesawt hatthecal
lwas
fr
om Nal edi.Shouldheanswer ?Godknewhe
wantedt o,buthest i
ll
hesitated.Whatifshesai
d
somet hingthatwouldr ui
nhisday ?Thewomanwas
unpredictable.
"Gama.Myoffi
ce.Now!
"CaptainMotaung'
svoi
ce
boomedacrossthecor
ri
dorbreaki
ngoverLonwabo
l
ikearoguewave.
Hejerkedhisheadupt oseethecapt
ainstandi
ngat
theendofthecorridor.Theoldermanwasi nafowl
mood, nosurpr
isethere.Answeringt
hephonewas
nowoutoft hequestion,Lonwaboknew.Heputi ti
n
hispocketandfoll
owedhi scommandert ohisoffi
ce.
Whenhewalkedi
n,t
hecapt
ainwasalr
eadyseat
ed
behi
ndhi
sdesk.Hi
sfacei
ntense,
menaci
ng.
..
as
al
ways.
-Motaung:"Wher
ethehel
ldi
dyougowheny ou
disappear
edyester
day
?"hesnappedbef
ore
Lonwabocoul
dev
ensi
tdown.
-Lonwabo:"Iwasworki
ngt hecase,si
r.Get
ti
ngthe
backgroundcover
ed."Hesatatt heedgeofthe
uncomf or
tabl
echairi
nfrontofthecaptai
n'
sdesk.
-Motaung:
"Worki
ngthecasewi
thouty
ourpar
tner
knowinganyt
hingaboutt
hat
?"
-
Lonwabo:
"Cap,
Iwas—"Mot
aungcuti
n.
-Motaung:"
Andtoday?You'
vecomeinlat
e.Thisisa
placeofwork,
Gama."Heslammedhishandont he
desk."Thi
sismypoli
cestat
ion,
noty
ouruncle's
shebeen.Youcan'
tcomeandgoasy ouplease.
"
-Lonwabo: "
I'
m sor
ry,
Cap."Hehat
edbei ngscol
ded
l
ikeachildbutheunderst
oodhisposi
tioninthe
hier
archy,sohekepthisvoi
cel
ow,tr
yingt ogett
he
commandert ocal
m down.
-Motaung:"Yeahyoushoul
dbe,
becauseyou'
reoff
thecase."Hisvoi
cehadnowshif
tedali
tt
letothe
calm si
de.
-
Lonwabo:"Excuseme!
"Hecoul
dn'
tbel
iev
ewhathe
washear
ing."But,
Cap—"Mot
aungl
if
tedhishand,
cut
ti
nghi
m of
f.
-Motaung: "
Thisisabigcase,Gama.Ispoket othe
commi ssioneryest
erdaywheny ouwer eAWOLand, "
predi
ctably,hepausedwithhiseyebrowscrooked.
WhenLonwabor ef
usedtori
set othebait
,headded,
"Weputt ogetherataskteam andyou'r
enotpartof
i
t."
What ?Butwhydi dBongani notsayany thi
ng
yesterday?Yes,themomentmor esi
mi l
arcasesgot
unearthedLonwabohadknownt hatthepossibi
li
ty
ofaser ialki
ll
erroami ngthestreetsofJoziwasno
l
ongerj ustapossi bi
lit
y,andthatthef or
mat i
onofa
taskteam wasi nev i
table.Butnotbeingpartofi
t?
Nowt hat .
..
hedidnotseecomi ng.
-
Lonwabo: "
Sir
,I'
mtheleadinvesti
gatorint
hiscase.
Youcal
ledmeathome, youbroughtmei nbecause
yout
rustedmet ohandl
ei t
.Youcan'tkickmeout .
"
-Motaung:"Yes,Ibroughtyouin.It
ossedy outhi
s
hotpotatobutyoudeci dedtodropit.You'v
emade
mer egretcal
li
ngy ourassin.Gama, you'
resmart
andy ou'
regood, t
here'
snodoubtabouti t.Buti
fyou
can'tplayinateam you'
l
lonlybesogood.Listen,f
or
thi
st askteam toworkwedon'tjustwantpeople
whoar egood, wewantteam player
s.Thosewho
respectrules.Noti
nsubordi
natesli
keyou.
"
Lonwaboopenedhi
smouthtodefendhi
msel
fbut
Motaungcuthi
m of
fonceagai
n.
-Mot aung: "Thiscasei sal ready3day sol dandwe' ve
barelyscr atchedt hesur face.Wehav en'tgonet ot he
medi ay etbecausewewantt oav oi
dpubl icpani c.
Plus, west i
llhav en'tprov ent hatt hi
sist hewor kof
oneabduct orsl ashki l
ler, sowecan' tannouncea
serialkil
ler.Thatwoul dbeabi tprematur e.Buti t'
s
onlyamat t
eroft i
mebef orewor dgetsoutaboutt he
thet heorywear ewor kingwi th.It'
sgonnabea
medi af r
enzy ,Gama.Thepr essi sgonnabebar king
l
ef t
, r
ightandcent re.Andwhent hathappens, Iwant
tohav eabonet ot hrowt hem.Somet hingt el
lsmeI
won' thav ethati fIletyoubepar tofthistaskt eam.
SoBongani Buthel eziwi l
l belead.He' llbewor king
withsomeofourguy s, theI nv esti
gati
vePsy chology
Sect i
on, andt hedet ectivesf r
om t hetwoot her
stations."
Thiswascr ap.Bull
shi
t.Lonwabocoul dunder st
and
thatMot aungwasunderal otofpr essuretogett his
guy .Hewast heacti
ngst at
ioncommander .Healso
l
ov edget t
inghisfacesplashedont henews.I fhi
s
stationtookdownt hisser i
almur der erduri
nghis
rei
gn, he'
dbeabl etowal l
paperhi sof f
icewi t
hallthe
newsst oriesbeforehisloomi ngret i
rement .He'
dbe
ablet ogooutwi thabang.Buti fhet hought
Lonwabowasgoi ngtost opwor kingt hiscase,he
hadt othinkagain.
-Lonwabo: "Cap, Irespecty ouandy ourseat ,buti f
yout hi nkyou'regonnast opmef rom l ookingf or
Owam' skil
lerorf rom f
indingLerat otheny ou're
mi staken.Shor tofthesecondcomi ng,nothingand
noonei sgonnakeepmef rom fi
ndingt hatgirl—not
thepr ov i
ncial orthenationalcommi ssioner,not
event hemi nisterhimself,anddef i
nitelynoty ou.I'
m
gonnaf i
ndLer ato.Imadeapr omi set ohermot her.I
promi sedhert hatIwoul dbr i
ngherdaught erhome.
Ler ato'sgotason, y
ouknowt hat?Al itt
leboywho
needshermot her.NowI 'm notgonnal etyoust op
mef rom uni t
ingt hatboywi thhismot her.
"Her ose
t
ohi
sfeet
.
-Motaung:"SeewhatImeantbyy oubei ng
i
nsubor di
nate?"Hestoodupandwal kedaroundt he
desktostandinf r
ontofLonwabo.Hest oodt oo
closeforLonwabo'scomf ort." Yout hinkyou' r
ethe
onlyonewhocangett hatgirl back?Yout hinky ou'r
e
theonlyonewhocansol vethi scase?I '
veputup
withyouandy ourcrap,yourhol i
er-t
han- t
houpost ure
thatgetsupev er
yone'snosef orfart oolong, Gama.
Youwal karoundthesecorridor slikey ou'r
et heonl y
onewhoknowswhathe' sdoi ngar oundher e.The
onlyonewhowant stoputthewor ldt ori
ght s.
"
-
Lonwabo:"Idon'
twantt
oputtheworl
dtoright
s.I
j
ustdon'
tl
ikepeoplewhoputi
ttowrongs.
"
-Motaung:"
Youaremakingacr usadeoutofthi
s
becauseyoudonotwanttof aceyourpersonal
gri
ef.
Butletmetell
yousomething.Solvi
ngthi
scase
won'tbri
ngyourdaught
erback."
Lonwabowinced,
feel
i
ngast
abofpai
ninhi
schest
,
i
nhishear
t.
-
Lonwabo:
"Iwi
shy
oudi
dn'
tbr
ingmydaught
eri
nto
t
his.
"Nowhewasmad.
-
Motaung:"
Gama,
thi
sconver
sat
ioni
sov
er.Youar
e
of
fthi
scaseandt
hat
'sf
inal
."
Lonwabocouldn'
tcontr
ol hisanger.Ragi
ngbl
ood
andathumpingheartpaintedhisfacecri
mson.
-Lonwabo: "Fucky ou. "Suddenl ythewor dswer eout.
"Iresign.Ri
ghther eandnow.You' l
lhavei ti
nwr i
ting
assoonasIgetbackt omydesk. "Hisrighthand
reachedf orhishol sterandpul ledouthisser v ice
weapon, whil
ehi sleftpulledouthi sSAPScar d.He
putt hem bothont hecapt ain'sdesk." Thisway ,you
won' tbeablet ocont rolmeormymov ement s.Butif
youwantt oknow, I'
l
l beoutt heretryi
ngt ofind
Leratowhi l
ey ouandy ourst ell
ardetectiveswhoar e
obsessedwi t
hr ulesandr egul ati
onst i
p-toear ound,
i
ncapabl eofr ealpolicewor k."Het urnedandmade
forthedoor .
-
Motaung:"Gama,"Lonwabot urnedtolookathi
m.
"
Don'
tbotherwiththeresignati
onlet
terbecauseI
won'
tacceptit
.Infi
vemi nutesIexpectyoutobein
t
hegreatroom tosharewi t
hthetaskteam
ev
eryt
hingy
ou'
vel
earnedaboutthiscasesof
ar,
br
ingt
hem upt
odatewiththedetail
s."
Chapt
er26
Fr
iday
,28Febr
uar
y,10:
15
.
Neowat chedDocwi nceashet ri
edt ogetoffthe
bed.Thepai ninhishi pmustbegi vinghim hell
,
especi
all
yaf terthesl i
phe'dhady est er
day.He'd
sli
ppedandf ellonthebasal tsteppingst onepat h
l
eadingawayf rom theJansensf rontdoorast hey
ranthr
ought hehar shr aintotheircar ,l
eav i
ngbehind
twoblood-soakedbodi es.Seeingt hosei nnocent
soulsbl
eedingoutont hefloorstil
l hauntedNeo.
Theydidn'thavet odi eli
kethat.Thi swasnotwhat
he'
dsignedupf or.
"Thef
uckingr
ubain'twor
king,Neo.Getme
somethi
ngstr
onger.Morphine.
"Docsaidashesat
backdownonthebed.
-Neo:"
Ithoughty
ousai
dyoudon'
twantany
narcot
ics.
"
-Doc:"
IknowwhatIsai
d,butthi
spai
nist
oomuch.I
didn'
tevengetmuchsl
eeplastni
ght
."
NeitherdidI
,Neosaidinhishead.He'
dstayed
awakenotonl ybecausehehadsomethingonhi s
consciencebutalsobecausehewasscared,scared
thatthepoli
cewouldshowup.
-Neo:"
Istil
lthi
nkweshoul dleavethi
splace.Ican
getusbackt oJoburgbeforey ouknowit.We'r
enot
safehere.WhatifSkygottot hepoli
ce?
"
Docpunchedhi
slef
tpal
m wit
hhisri
ghtf
ist
,amov
e
heal
waysmadewhenf r
ust
rated.
-Doc: "
Dammi t
,Neo.We'vealreadytalkedaboutthis.
Whyar ewet al
kingaboutitagain?Itoldyouthatwe
arenotgoi ngany wher
eunt i
lI'
m donewi thher.
"He
pointedtoadr uggedandpassedoutLer atoont he
wor ktable."
Gof etchy
ourballs,boy,andstop
whining.IfSkyhadmanagedt ogett othepoli
ce
stati
ont hepolicewouldhaveal r
eadypaidusav isi
t.
Butev eniftheydocome, theywon'tf i
ndusher e,not
i
nt hisbasement ,noti
nthisroom. "
Yesthesoundpr
oofedroom t
hey'
dbarr
icaded
themsel
vesinwasbehindafal
sewalli
nthe
basement,
Skydidn'
tknowanythi
ngaboutitandt
he
poli
cemi ghtal somi ssit,
butNeowasst il
lnerv ous
aboutthiswhol ething.Henol ongerwantedt obe
here.Henol ongerwant edt odothis.God,he
regret
tedlettingDocr ecruithi
mi ntothi
sshi t
.But
he'dbeenpr essedf ormoneywhenDocappr oached
him withanent i
cingof f
er.He'dhadnochoi cebutt o
takeit
.Ifhe'dknownt hough, t
hatthiswouldincl ude
unnecesaryt ortureofy oungwomenandanev en
mor eneedlessmur derofseniorciti
zenshewoul d
neverhavet akent heoffer.
-Neo:"
Butdoy oublamemef orbei
ngner v
ousafter
thecal
lIgotthismor ni
ng?Thecopsher emightnot
knowany thi
ngbuttheonesi nJoburgknow
something,Doc.That'
swhyt heyquest
ionedmy
mother.That'
swhyt heycal
ledme."
-Doc:"Nowy ou'r
er eall
ygetti
ngonmyner ves.The
copsdon'tknowany thing.Meli
ndatoldmeasmuch.
Herboy f
ri
endi sjustfollowi
ngat r
ailt
hatwouldlead
him nowhere."
-Neo:
"Buttheywil
lkeepsnif
fi
ngunt i
ltheyfi
nd
somethi
ng.AndSky ?Shesawmyf ace.Shemay
havenottal
kedtothepoli
cey etbutshewil
l.They
wi
l
lfi
ndme.
"
Hewasnowki ckinghi msel fforletti
ngSkygo.But
he'dfeltsorr yforher .Hecoul dn'tstandseei ngyet
anotherwomansuf fer.Now, coul dshesel lhim out
tothecopsaf terev erythinghe'ddonef orher ?But
afterwhathappenedt otheJansensshe' dbeaf ool
notto.Neoknewt hatshe' dbeent hereyesterday.
He'dseent hePJpant sandT- shirtshe'dbeen
wear i
ngint hel aundr ybasketi ntheJansens'
bathroom, buthe' dsai dnot hi
ngt oDoc.Hel l
, t
he
manhadal readyl osti tandshott heJansens.I twas
i
ncol dbloodev ent hought hemanhadsai d
otherwise.Hesai dhe' dbeenai mi ngf ortheold
man' sshoul derbutt het remori nhi shandmadehi m
missandhi tt heman' schest ,kil
li
nghi mi nstantl
y.
ButNeodi dn' tbelievet hat.
"
Andt
hewoman?
"He'
dasked.
"
I'
dalr
eadyki
ll
edAnna'shusband.I
fIl
etherl
iv
eshe
woul
dhavegonet ot
hepoli
ce.Icoul
dn'
thavethat
."
Dochadanswered.
Butt
hatst
il
ldi
dn'
tmakeNeof
eel
anybet
ter
.
-
Doc:"
Justst
opwhini
ngal
ready
,Neo,
andgetme
t
hedamnmor phi
ne!
"
Nah,Neohadtodosomet
hingt
oeasehi
s
consci
ence.
.
.
.
Fr
iday
,28Febr
uar
y,10:
20
Lonwabowasst i
llpissed, butforLer at
o'ssakehe
decidedt otakehisangerandputi tinaf reezer.He'
d
l
earnedl ongagot ocompar tment alise,separati
ng
histhought sandf eeli
ngsf rom hi sact i
ons.Sohe
wasgoi ngt odoasMot aungor der edbecausehe
understoodt hattheyneededal l handsondeckt o
fi
ndt hatpoorgi r
l,event houghMot aungseemedt o
notseei tthatway .Butt hatwashi spr oblem.
Lonwabowasgoi ngt oat t
endt hatmeet i
ng,share
withthet eam everythi
nghe' dalreadyl earnedabout
thecaseandhopet oGodt hattheyusei ttoget
Leratohomebef oreshebecameast ati
sti
c.But
nobodywasgoi ngt or ushhi m,hewasgoi ngtotake
hi
sti
met
ogett
othatgr
eatr
oom.
Hef i
nishedhisi
mportantphonecall
andputhi
shalf-
fi
nishedcupofcoffeeonhisdesk,hi
sstomach
prett
ymuchbeggi ngformercy.He'
dhadalousy
ni
ght ,
andnowhecoul dbarelyfor
cedownthecoff
ee
heneeded.May beheshouldpickupsomeRedBull
alit
tl
el at
erandgivet
hatatry.
"
Damn, man,youl
ookl
ikeyou'
vejusttr
avell
edup
f
rom oneofthesev
encir
clesofHell
."Bongani
'
s
v
oicesoundedbehi
ndhim.
Lonwabohadbeenundert heimpressi
onthatthi
s
guywasav oidi
nghim becausehehadn' tseenhim at
allsincehecamei nthismor ning,andhe'
dprefer
red
i
tt hatway .Notwant i
ngt osayany thi
nghemi ght
regretlater,hekeptquiet.Hedi dn'
teventur
ntoface
theot herman, hejustfocusedont i
dyi
nghisdesk.
Butt heguyj ustwouldn'tleavehim al
one.
-
Bongani
:"Look,
I'
m sor
ryCappi
edeci
dedt
otakey
ou
of
fthecase."
-
Lonwabo:"
Fuckyou,Bongani
.Fuckyou!
"Hetur
ned
t
ofacehim."
IthoughtyouandIweremoret
hanjust
part
ners.It
houghtwewer efri
ends.Fri
endswho
alwayshadeachot her'
sbacks.Itrust
edy outohave
mybackwheni tcamet othecrunch.Howmany
ti
meshav ewecov eredforeachot her
?Huh?Whydi d
yousellmeoutforcr aptoMot aungyesterday
?And
whythehelldi
dyounotcov erformet hi
smor ning
whenIwasr unni
ngl ate?"
-Bongani:"Well,i
t'
sbecauseIal sodi dn'
tli
kewhat
youdidy esterday,man.Runni ngoutonmel ikethat
withoutsayingany thi
ng?Goi ngtot hefi
eldalone,not
tell
i
ngme, yourpartner,anythi
ng?Thatwasnotev en
thefir
sttimey oudi dthat.Thetruthis,you'
rean
oddball,
Lonwabo, andar ebel.Icouldn'
ttakethat
kindofnonsense, notwi ththiscase.Cappiehadt o
knowev erythi
ng."
Ohsot hi
sjackasshasbeendiscussingmewi ththe
captai
ninst
eadofcomi ngtome, Lonwabothought ,
angerbubbli
ngupinhischest.Bonganiwasagood
cop.Lonwabohadseenhi m perf
orm actsofbravery
andmay beevenheroi
sm.Butt heguyalsolovedhis
bott
le.He'
dsomet i
mescomet owor kl
ate,
hungov er
asfuckandmakebl undersl
eft,r
ightandcentre.
Lonwabowoul dcoverforhim.He'
dev enlethimrest
,
playri
dealonginthei
rdetecti
vescar
.Henev er
compl ai
nedbecausethat'
swhatpart
ner sdidfor
eachot her
.Andnowt hesameguyhaddeci dedto
goanddot hi
stohim?Thatwasbet r
ay al
.But
Lonwabowasn' tgoi
ngtowast ehi
stimet eachi
ng
l
oy al
tytoagrownman.
-Lonwabo:"Tellme,Bongani.Didy oudowhaty ou
didbecausey ou'
djustreali
sedhowbi gt
hiscase
actual
lyi
sandwant editforyourself
?Doy ouregr
et
getti
ngMotaungt obringmeback? "Heexpectedthe
guytoatleastbehonest .
-Bongani:
"Ofcour senot.Ididn'
tevenknowt hat
Cappiewoul dtakey ouoffthecase.Howev er,we
bothknowt hattherearetwot hingsMot aunghasno
usefor—peopl ewhodonotcommuni catet heir
acti
onsandt hosewhodonotpl aybyhisr ules.
You'vedefi
nitel
ybeenpushi ngit,man..
.Butt hat'snot
whyI '
m here.I'
m heretogety ou.We'
v ebeenwai t
ing
foryouinthemeet i
ngroom.Wecan' tstartunt i
lyou
j
oinus."
Lonwabowassoov
ert
hiscr
ap.Hewasdonewi
th
Bongani,Mot aungandt hi
sent i
replace.Inthepast
sixmont hshe'dbeent aki
ngal otofcr apfr
om most
ofhiscolleaguesbuthe' dt ol
erat
edi tbecausehe
wascool wit
ht hepeopl ehewor kedcl osel
ywit
h.But
eventhathadnowchanged.Heswor etohimsel
f
thataft
ert hemeet inghewasgoi ngt owalkoutthat
doorandnev erlookback.Hecoul dn'teven
understandwhyt heywoul dn'
tstartwi t
houthi
m.He
wasn'tev enpartoft heteam forGod' ssake.
Apict
ureofcont
rol
ledfur
y,hepickedupthe
documentsandphotosonhisdeskandtookthe
hal
lwaydowntothemeetingroom, wi
thBongani
ri
ghtbehi
ndhim.
.
.
Fr
iday
,28Febr
uar
y,10:
30
Lonwabowal kedintothemeet ingroom andf ound
ever
y bodyal
readyseated.Thewel l
-wornt
ableshad
beensetupasabi gholl
owr ectangle.Motaung
occupiedthecentrechai
ratt hehead, f
aci
ngt he
door.TwomenLonwabodi dn'trecogni
seflanked
thecaptai
n—obv i
ouslyfrom thet wootherstati
ons.
Therestoft heteam fil
ledi nther emainingchair
sat
thesi
des.Lonwabot ookt hel astav ai
l
abl eseatnext
toBongani attheendoft hetabl e.Heputev eryt
hing
he'
dbeencar r
yinginfrontofhi m andtookouthi s
phone.Hewasadj usti
ngt hev ol
umeont hephone
whenCapt ainMot aungcl earedhi sthroat.
-Motaung:"
Thanky ouforf
inal
lygr
acinguswithyour
presence,
Detecti
veGama.Wewoul dhaveal
ready
coveredalotofgroundify
ou'djoi
nedusearl
ier.
"
Hewaspushi ngLonwabo'sbuttons, butifhehoped
toseehi ml osecont r
olhewasgoi ngt obe
disappointed.Lonwabohel dontoi t
,dear l
y,wit
hbot h
hands.Hekepthi smout hshutandj ustof f
ereda
grim nodbef orefixi
nghiseyesont hepaperont op
ofthedocument sinfr
ontofhim.Tor emindhimself
thatthismeet ingwasi mport
ant,thatitwasnot
abouthi m orMot aungbutaboutapsy chot
ickil
ler
whowast arget i
nginnocentyoungwomen, he'
d
wr i
tt
en" PLAYNI CE"inthetopcor neroft hepaper.
Hedi dn'twanthi stempertoovercomehi srestr
aint
nomat t
erhowmucht hecaptainkeptpl ayi
nghim
l
i
ket
hepi
ano.
Seeingt hatLonwabowasnotr isi
ngtothebai t,
Mot aungbegani ntroducingt het womenf l
anking
him—Det ecti
v eJaft
haandDet ectiveNdlovuf r
om
Yeov i
ll
eandJeppepol icest ati
onsr especti
vely—then
ment i
onedt hattheIPSr epresent ati
vewoul dbe
j
oiningt hem al i
ttl
elater.Hewentont osummar ise
thestateoft hefourinvestigationsandt hecreation
ofthet askteam.Whenhef inished,heaskedt he
detecti
v esfrom Yeov il
leandJeppet obring
everybodyupt ospeedwi tht hedetail
soft heir
i
nv esti
gat i
onsbef oreLonwaboandBongani could
takeov er.
DetectiveJaf t
haf rom Yeov i
l
lel
ookedexhaustedas
hestoodupandspokei nalowvoice.Lonwabojust
satther eandl i
stened.Heaskednoquest i
onsand
madenocomment s.Hewassur ehel ookedat
peace, upunt i
lDet ecti
veNdlovu'
sphonebegant o
ri
ng,dist urbi
ngev eryone.Whycouldn'theputthe
damnt hingonsi l
ent ?Lonwaboshookhi sheadas
themi ddl eagedmanwhol ookedli
kehe'djust
steppedoutofa90sact ionmoviegotupandwent
outsi
detoanswer.Whenhecamebackhelooked
l
ikehecouldusesometimealonebuti
twashist
urn
tostandi
nfrontoft
hewhit
eboard.
Hisdemeanorsolemn, hestoodnexttot
heboard
thatr
evealedthefacesofOwam andLeratoaswell
asthetwoot hery
oungwomenwhower e
missi
ng..
.andpossiblydead.Hepoint
edatagir
lwit
h
cornr
owsandabr i
ghtsmi l
e.
-Ndlovu: "
Thisi sSimphiweThobi l
eNcube.Shewas
19anddoi ngherf i
rstyearatWi tswhenshe
disappear edlastNov ember .Shewashomef orthe
weekend.Hergr andmot her,withwhom shel i
vedin
Jeppest own, reportedhermi ssingaft
ershewentout
tomeetaf ri
endoneev eningandnev ercameback.
Grannygotal armedandwentt oopenami ssi
ng
personsr epor tthenextdaybecausedi sappeari
ng
l
iket hatwasoutofchar acterforhergranddaughter
,
andt hef r
iendshe' dclaimedt obegoingoutt osee
knewnot hingaboutt her euni
on. "
Hepaused,
hisf
acet
urni
ngmor
esour
.
-
Him:
"Si
mphi
wewasagoodki
d.Shehadi
trough
forafewy ears.
..
ranpr et t
ywi l
dbackthen,butwi t
h
thehelpofat herapistshe'dmanagedt oturnherl i
fe
around.Shewasnowf ocusedonschool andshe'd
dumpedhergoodf ornot hingboyf
ri
endwhoal ways
l
edherast ray
.Appar entlyshewasnowseei ng
someonenew.Wenev ergottoknowwhot hat
someonewast houghwhenwewer einvesti
gating
herdisappearance."
-
Bongani
:"Whatdoy
oumeansher
anpr
ett
ywi
l
d?"
-Ndl
ovu: "
Minorjuviest uff.
..
andusi ngweed.Iknew
herandherf amilyprettywel l.Herfatherwasoneof
us,acop.Mot herwasahai rdresserwhospentmost
ofhertimeint hebottle.WhenSi mphi wewasf i
ft
een,
theparentsdiedinamur der-sui
cide.Mom shotPop,
thenatethegun.Ki dwi tnessedt hewhol ethi
ng.
That'
swhenshest artedact ingout .
"
Lonwabocoul
dhearBongani
sucki
ngi
nabreat
h
befor
emurmuri
ng"Chr
ist
"underhi
sbr
eat
h.
-Lonwabo:"
Ican'
thel
pbutnot i
cethatyou'
retal
king
aboutheri
npasttense.Shecouldsti
ll
bealiv
e."He
openedhismouthforthefi
rstt
imesincehewal ked
i
ntot
hismeet
ing.
-Ndlovu:"Thecal l
Ijusttooksaysot herwise.That
washergr andmot her
.Say ssomemanhasj ust
call
edher ..
.usingaprivatenumber .Het ol
dher
wher ehergr anddaughter'
sbodyi sburiedthenhung
up.Conf usedandshakenshedeci dedtocal lmeand
Imadeacal lt
oourst ati
on.Iassumewe' l
lallheadto
thesceneaf t
erthismeet i
ng.Forensicsandt heK9
unitwill
alreadybet here.Nowt hi
scoul dbeapr ank,
butwest i
llhavetochecki tout.
"
Thismadenosense,butLonwaboagr eed.Thi
s
vict
im hadsi
gni
fi
cantsi
milarit
ieswit
hOwam and
Leratoandhewasprett
ysur eshewasmur der
edby
thesameguywho'dmur deredOwam.Nowhehad
onemor ethi
ngtosaytoDet ecti
veNdlovu.
-Lonwabo:"IfSi
mphiweisindeeddeadt henthe
cli
entpri
vil
egeshehadwi t
hhert her
apistisalso
dead.Hertherapi
stwil
lhavetotalktousandgi veus
herfil
e.May bet
henwecanf i
ndoutwhohernew
boyfri
endwas.Becausetrustme, t
hemanshewas
seeingdidthist
oher."
-
Ndlovu:"Iagree.ShewasseeingaDr.NalediMasi
lo.
Shehasanof ficeatsomepr i
vat
ehospit
alin
Rosebank.WhenSi mphiwewentmissingwet al
ked
toherbutshecoul dn'
tgi
veusmucht henbecause
wecouldn'tgetawar r
ant.
..
"
Themanwasstil
ltal
ki
ngbutLonwabowasno
l
ongerl
i
steni
ng,
hisbrai
nsti
l
lstucki
ntheNal
edi
par
t.
.
.
Guys, I
'm back.Thankst oev ery
onewhost uck
aroundwhenIwasgoi ngt hroughthemostand
couldn'twrit
e.Iappreciat
et helove.AndIapol
ogi
se
forjustdisappeari
ngony ou.
Chapt
er27
Fr
iday
,28Febr
uar
y,10:
40
.
Lonwabostoodnextt
othebigwhi t
eboard,
his
demeanourall
busi
ness.Hepointedtot
he
phot
ographsofOwam andLerato.
-Him: "
Owam Di ke, 17,andLer at oPhi r
i,21.Basedon
whatwe' velear nedsof arandwhatDet ectives
JafthaandNdl ov uhav esai d,wecansaf elysaythere
i
snodi rectlinkbet weenOwam, Ler ato,Simphi we
NcubeandBokamosoChuene, othert hant hefact
thattheywer eal lfreshmenatWi tswhent hey
disappear ed.Thesecaseshav ef ewsi milarit
iesbut
theyar esignificantsi mi l
ari
ties.Al lthesey oung
womencomef rom f inanciall
yunst ablehomes,
maki ngt hem v ulner abletoasi ckmi nd.Theywer e
alsobeaut ifulandhadboy fri
endsnoonecoul d
i
dent if
y,notev ent heirclosef ri
ends.Fr om whatI '
ve
gathered, howev er,bothOwam andLer at ower e
seeingr i
ch, oldermen.AndI '
m pr ettysur et hesame
couldbesai daboutSi mphi weandBokamoso.But
that'
snoreasont
ohi dewhoyou'
reseei
ng,dat
ingan
olderper
sonisnolongerast
abooasitusedtobe."
-
Mot
aung:
"Wher
ear
eyougoi
ngwi
tht
his?
"
-Lonwabo: "Myt heory?All
fouroft hem wer eseeing
thesameman, theyjustdi
dn'tknowi torabouteach
other.AndI '
m prettysurethatverymandi dt hi
st o
them.He' stheonewhomadesur et hattheydi dn'
t
shareany thi
ngabouthi m withany one, l
ikelyby
feedi
ngt hem somebul l
shitstor
y.Hedi dn'twanna
beseenwi ththem inpubli
c,hedidn' twannabe
known, hewant edt obekeptasecr etbecausehe
knewhi sendgame.Thesegi rl
snev erev en
mentionedhi snamet oanyonebecauseheasked
them notto.ButIcanbetev eryt
hingI 'v
egot ,
theyall
hadoneni cknamef orhim."
-Bongani:
"Oneni
ckname?Howdoyoufigur
ethat
?
Everyonewetal
kedtocoul
dn'
tgi
veusanykindof
name. "
-
Lonwabo:"Isawitonthechalkboardi nLer
ato'
s
r
oom atherparent
s'house.Aftert
alkingtoher
mothery
esterdayIaskedtoseeherr oom hopingt
o
fi
ndaclue,
any t
hing,butIcoul
dn'
tseeany
thing
usef
ult
hen,justatypicaly
oungwoman'sroom."
Her emember edwal kingaroundt hespaci ous
bedroom.He' dl
ookedar ound,takingi nev erything,
fi
tti
ngt hingsi nlif
eni chesinhismemor y.He' d
l
ookedunderpi lesofpaper s,inthey oungwoman' s
closet,knel tdownt oseeunderherbed, scr uti
nised
thescul pturesandt hewal l
artthathungev erywher e,
i
ncludingawhol esect ionofEllemagazi necov ers.
Sheal sohadchal kboar dsquaresaf fi
xedt oonewal l.
Ont hem wer eshor tsnatchesofpoet ry.Ev eryt
hing
hadconf i
rmedwhatLonwabohadal readyhear d
aboutherf rom herf ri
ends,thatshel ov edf ashion
andt hear ts.Butont hebottom centresquar ewas
onlyonewor d,aname.I tdi
dn'tmeanany thingt o
Lonwabot hen,untilthismorning.
-Mot
aung:
"Pl
easegett
othepoi
nt.Whati
sthe
name?"
Lonwabor
eachedf
oroneoft
hepri
ntedphot
oshe'
d
comeinwi
thandstucki
tont
heboard.
-
Lonwabo:
"Hephaest
us.
"Thecr
oppedandbl
ownup
photohe'dj ustputupshowedat attoooft hesame
name." Thiswasaconspi cuoust at t
ooonOwam' s
bell
y.SamenameIsawonLer ato'schal kboar d
yester
day .Wecoul dn'tseeitonOwam' sbody
becauseherski nwasdamagedi nt hear ea.My
guess,thatwasnotpar toft hetor t
ur e,thekill
erwas
j
usthidingev idence.Nowi fy ouknowmey ou'l
l
knowt hatIdon' tbeli
eveincoi ncidences.Thi sname
musthav emeantal ottobot hthesey oungwomen.
Andwhocoul dhavedeser vedsuchst ampsmor e
thantheboy f
riendtheylovedbutcoul dn'ttal
k
about?"
-
Bongani
:"Hephaest
us.Whatdoesi
tev
enmean?
"
-
Jaf
tha:"
Theanci
entGr
eekgodoff
ir
eand
met
alworki
ng?
"
-Lonwabo: "
Yes.Hephaestuswast hegodoff ir
e,
met al
wor king,stonemasonry,
f orgesandt heartof
sculpture.Hewasapat ronofthear t
s.Andhemade
dwel l
i
ngs, furni
shingsandweaponsf orthe
i
mmor tals.Oneoft hefamousweaponshe' sknown
tohav efashionedar ethear
rowsofEr os,also
knownasCupi d.That'
swhyseei nghisnameon
Ler
ato'schal
kboardwit
hCupiddrawnnexttoi
t
di
dn'tseem oddtome,unt
ilIsawthi
sphotoof
Owam t hi
smorning,
showi
ngof ft
hetat
too.
"
Hestuckont heboardthefullphotohegotof
fof
Owam'sInstagram page.Thegirlwasposi
ngwith
herl
eftarm overherhead,herhanddangli
ngover
herr
ightshouldermakingthef r
ontofthewat
chon
herwri
stvisi
ble.
-
Ndl
ovu:
"Ist
il
ldon'
tgeti
t.WhyHephaest
us?
"
-Lonwabo:"Thi
smy sterymangav ehi
mselfthat
name, t
here'
snowayt hegir
lscoul
dhav et
houghtof
givi
nghimt hesamepetname.ButIt hinkt
heyl ov
ed
i
tbecauset heydi
dn'tful
lyunderst
andthestory
behindit
."
-
Ndl
ovu:
"Whati
sthef
ull
stor
y?"
-Lonwabo: "
InGreekmy t
hol
ogyHephaestusisnot
onlyknownf orhisworkorforbei
ngapatronofthe
arts.Zeuschosehimtomar ryAphrodi
te—the
goddessofl oveandbeauty
.Shewasv erybeauti
ful
and, maybebecauseofthat,shecheat
edon
Hephaest usmorethanonce.Shehadmanyaf fai
rs
withbot hgodsandmen.Butoneaf fairstandsout .
Theoneshehadwi thAr es,t
hegodofwar .
Hephaest usdi dn'tknowany thingabouti tuntil
Helios,thegodoft heSun, whohadt hepowert o
obser veeverythingf rom hisgol denchar i
ot,tol
dhi m
abouti t
.Ofcour se, Hephaestuswasi nsultedand
sad, sohedeci dedt oplanhisREVENGE.Hebui l
ta
tr
ickybutsubt l
ei nventionwhi chcaughtAphr odite
andAr esint heact ,tr
appingthem bot hint hebed,
naked.Thehecal ledal lt
hegodst ocomeandl augh
atthecoupl e'sexpense, andr i
diculethem.He
want edtoembar r assthem.Af t
erthat,hegott obe
knownast hev engef ulgodwhodespi sedi nfi
deli
ty.
"
-
Ndlovu:
"Howdoy ouknowal
loft
his?
"Heasked,
l
ookingi
mpressed.
Lonwabowasaboutt
oanswerbutBongani
answeredf
orhi
m.
-Bongani
:"Her
eads.Andhedoesn'
tfor
getanyt
hing
hereads.Don'
taskmehowhedoest hat'
causeI
alsodon'
tknow."
-
Lonwabo:
"Nowher
e'swhatIt
hink:
thi
smy
ster
y
mannamedhi mselfHephaestusnotbecausehe's
i
ntothear tsbutbecausehe'sbeencheatedon
befor
eandpossi blydumpedbyawomanhel oved
withallofhisheart,andnowhedespisesi nf
idel
it
y.
Allt
hesegi rl
sstartedseei
nghim whil
etheywer esti
l
l
withtheirboyfr
iends.Theyonlydumpedt hem aft
er
they'
dalreadyst ar
tedcheat
ing..
.wi
thhim."
-
Jaftha:
" So,
basicall
y,t
heysealedthei
rfatest
he
minutetheysaidyestohim knowingverywellt
hat
t
heywer ealreadyinotherr
elat
ionshi
ps."
-Lonwabo:"
That'
smytheor
y.Themot
ivef
ort
hese
kidnappi
ngsandkil
l
sisi
nfi
del
it
y."
.
.
.
-
Lonwabo: "
Owam wasfoundnakedandsplayedat
thatparkforpeopl
etoseeever
ypartofherbody.
Thisguywant edtoembar
rasshereventhoughshe
wasal r
eadydead."
Ther
ewer
enodsofunder
standi
ngar
oundt
het
abl
e.
-Ndl
ovu:"Toembarrassher,
justli
keHephaest
usdi
d
toAphrodite.NowIfeel
li
kewe'reget
ti
ng
somewher e."
-Motaung:"
No,Ithi
nkwe'r
egetti
ngaheadof
oursel
ves.Gama,youconcl
udedthatthesegi
rl
s
wereseeingthesamemanj ustf
rom anameof
someGr eekgod?"
-Lonwabo: "Notatall.
"Het ookanot herpictureand
mount edinont heboar d."Thisi sacl oseupoft he
wat chOwam i swear ingint hisphot o."Hepoi ntedt o
thef ullphotoofOwam he' dputont heboar dear li
er.
"Isawt hesamewat chatLer at o'
sy ester
day .Her
mot hersai ditwasgi ftedt oLer atobyhermy stery
l
ov er.Andbef or
eIcamet ot hismeet i
ngImadea
coupl eofphonecal ls.Thef irstonewast oOwam' s
aunt .Iaskedi ft
heyboughtOwam t hewat ch.The
answerwasno.Shesai dOwam cl ai
medt ohav e
gotteni tfrom afri
end.Af riendshedi dn'
tcal lby
name.Thesecondcal lImadewast othe
manuf acturer
softhewat ch.Asy oucanseei nt he
cleanedupandenl ar gedphot o,t
hebr andnamei s
visi
bl e.
"
-
Jaf
tha:
"Nako?
"
-Lonwabo:"Nakoisapr oudl
ySouthAfri
can
i
nnov at
ivewatchbrandbasedi nPret
ori
a.Theymake
highquali
tywatches,andtheyalsooff
erthei
rcli
ent
s
theopti
onofhav i
ngtheirpiecescust
omisedfrom A
toZ."
-
Jaf
tha:
"Damn,
I'
m sonoti
nfor
med.
"
-Lonwabo: "WhenIcal ledt hem t heyaskedmet o
emai l
them pi cturesofthewat chIwasaski ngabout .
Ididandt heycal ledmeback.Appar ently
, t
heper son
whopur chasedt hewat chinJanuar ycamei nwi tha
conceptandsatdownwi tht heNakodesi gnersto
makehi sconceptcomet ol i
f e.Nakomadet woof
thesewat chesf orhim.Theyar eunique,nooneel se
hasasi milarpiece.Theguypai dwi t
hcashandt hey
onlyhavehi sf i
rstnameonf i
le,nosur name.Name
hegav eisBen.ButIt hinkit'
sbul l
shi
t.Ifi
twasn' t
,he
wouldn'thav ehadapr oblem wi thgivi
ngt hem his
full
name. ..Hehadt wosimi larwat chesmade, one
endedupwi thOwam, anot herwi t
hLerato.Nowev en
you,Captain,canseewhat '
sgoi ngonher e.
"
-
Mot
aung:
"Ist
il
lthi
nky
ou'
respecul
ati
ng.
"
-Lonwabo: "WayIseei t,y'
allhavet wost reetsy ou
cant aket ogett othisguyandpr ov emewr ong.Get
Doct orMasi lotogiv ey ouSimphi we' sfi
leandNako
Wat chest oshowy out hei
rCCTVf ootages.
Hopef ull
yy ou'l
lgett hi
sguy '
snameandhi sface.
Whent hathappens, you'll
knowwhot oinvestigate.I
f
youf indt hathe' scleant heny ou'l
l knowt hatIwas
wrong.I fnot ,
y'all
wi l
lgett oputt hispsy chotickil
ler
behindbar s.Buti f,Capt ai
n,youwannabl owt his
caset ohel l becausey oudon' tvaluemyopi nion,I
saypul loutachai randbr ingthepopcor n."
-Ndl
ovu:
"Gama'
sgi
venusav
aluabl
elead,
wehad
none.
"
.
.
Iknowit
'sshor
t,t
hingisI
'
mti
red,
butI
'
llf
ini
sht
he
chapt
ertomorr
ow, <3.
Chapt
er28[ Cont ai
nsscenessomer
eader
s
mayfi
nddist
urbi
ng]
.
Fr
iday
,28Febr
uar
y,10:
45
Thefast-actingmor phinetabletswer eabl essing.He
wasal r
eadyf eeli
ngl i
kehimsel fagain, andr eadyt o
work.Butt hef actt hathedi dn'tfi
ndSkyy esterday
sti
l
l f
rustratedhi m.Thi swasnothowi twas
supposedt obe.He' dwant edt osav eherf orlast.
He'dwant edt ot akehi st i
mewi t
hher .Lazi lywatch
asshest ruggl edagai nstherbonds, hopi ngt oget
fr
ee.He'dwai tunt ilshe'dgivenup, untilhergaze
fi
xedonhi sbar ef aceandr ecogniti
onseti n.The
shockonherf acewhensher eali
sedt hati twashi m
who'dabduct edherwoul dhav epleasedhi m.The
shockthatwoul dhav esoongi venwayt of ear.They
werealway sscar edandt hatalway spleasedhi m.
Hewouldhavemadet hatwhor
escream i
nagonyas
heslowl
ysli
cedherfl
esh.Hewoul
dhav emadeher
sayshewassorrybef
orehewasthroughandhe
wouldhaveenj
oyedeverymomentofit
.Because
eventhosewhot houghtt hemsel
vesst rongalways
saidi
t,soonerorlater.Usual
lyastheybeggedhi mto
l
etthem die.Damn, hewoul dhavelovedseeing
hopedrainfrom Sky'seyesassher eal
isedthatshe
wasgoi ngtodie,t
hatt her
ewouldbenoescape.
ButthenMel indahadmesseduphi splanswhenshe
call
edtell
i
nghi mt hatshe'df oundacl ientthat
wantedsomeoneofSky '
stype.Sohe' dhadt o
expedit
ehispl ans.He'dhadt ogethert ohiscr i
b
soonerthanhe' dplannedandl etNeowat chher.
Thenthest upidkidjusthadt ol etthebitchescape.
Butwhent hiswasov erhe'dmakeNeopayf orhis
acti
ons.Andhe' dhav etot eachMel i
ndaal essontoo,
oneshe'dnev erforget.Thebi tchhadt hener veto
yell
athim ont hephonel astni ghtandagai nless
thananhourago.Whodi dshet hinkshewas?Hi s
boss?Nowhor ehadt her i
ghtt oshoutathi m.Ev er.
Hepushedhi semptyplateawayandwentbackto
hi
st ortur
eroom wi t
houtsayi
nganyt
hingtoNeo.
He'dv entsomeofhi srageonLer
atobefor
ehisnext
huntingexhibit
ion.
.
.
Fr
iday
,28Febr
uar
y,10:
50
Thef ami l
iarpungentsmel l
ofaf reshlysnapped
ammoni at abl
etrousedLer at ofr
om herdr ugged
haze, burninghernost r
il
s.Shebl inked,clawed
towardconsci ousnessasshewat chedhisshadow
walkawayf r
om her.Shecoughedandgaggedbuthe
couldn'tgiveadamn, henev erdi
d.Shehear dt
hecli
p
ofhisshoesont hetil
efloorashemov edaway .The
doorcl osedbehi ndhim, hewasgone, leavingher
alonei nthisroom ofhor rors.
Ther oom they'drecent l
ymov edheri nt
owascl eaner
thantheoneshe' dbeeni nbefore, waycl eaner ,butit
wassmal landst i
ll
int hebasement .Ther ewer eno
windows, j
ustt hefri
ght eningdar kness.Thecont ents
ofherst omachchur nedandr oseupi nhert hroat .
Sheliftedat r
embl i
nghandt ohermout hbutt he
sli
ghtmov ementdr oveacut ti
ngpai nthroughher
muscl esandr i
bs.Shef roze,didn'twantt omov e,
feari
ngmor eagony ,butnauseaov erruledev erythi
ng
andhadherr oll
ingtohersi de.Tear sbur nedher
eyesasshegr ippedt heedgeoft hemet alt
abl eand
vomi teduntil herthr oatbur ned.Whent hewor stof
thev omi t
inghadst opped, shecol l
apsedonherback,
allowi ngonlysmal lshall
owbr eathsasshest ared
i
nt ot hedarkness.Shecl osedwat eryeyesandgently
swi pedherf inger t
ipsacr ossherl ips.Withthe
sicknesssat isf i
ed,therewasonl ythefamili
arpain.
Onl y.Everysquar ei nchofherf leshpulsated.
Thr obbed.Bur ned.
Thepastfewday s,ormor e,ofherlifehadbeen
brut
al.Shest i
l
ldidn'tknowwher eshewasorwho
waskeepingherher e.Trut
hwas, shedidn'
tev en
knowhowl ongshe'dbeenher e.Bythispoint,
she
wassowr ackedwi thpai nshebar elyremember ed
whoshewas.Bei ngdr ugged,rapedandt ortur
edday
i
nanddayoutwoul ddot hattoy ou.Butshest il
l
rememberedt hatbef oreshe'dfall
eni nt
hishel l
she
hadbeenhappy ,
inlov eandgener all
ylovedlif
e.Now
shejustprayedforittoend.
"I
'
m gonnat eachyoutoli
kepain,"he'
dsaidthefi
rst
ti
mehest artedtort
uri
ngher.Thebastard'
svoice
wasar asp.Disgui
sed.He'
dlift
edthebloodyknif
e
andpressedt heti
ptohercheek."Thi
sisjustawarm
up.Soont
hereal
funwil
lbegi
n.Bythet
imeI'
m done,
you'
ll
bebeggi
ngfort
heknif
etosli
ceyoudeeper
."
Hemeantshe' dbebeggi ngf ordeath.Andhe'dbeen
ri
ght.Att hispoint
,shewi shedt hi
swhol et
hingcould
beov er,thathermi serablelifecouldbeover.She'
d
beenhol dingonf ortool ong.Thepai nwastoomuch.
She'
dbeenst uckinthishel l
ishdarknessfordays,
possiblyweeks—t her ewasj ustnowayofknowi ng,
shecoul dn'teventelldayf rom night.Anditwas
cl
eart hatshewoul ddi eher e.
Sheknewherki dnapperandsoon-t
o-bekil
l
erwas
goingtocomeback—he' dwokenherupf orareason.
Soonthedoorcr eaked.I
twasli
keadeathknell,
heral
dinghisarr
ival
.Asthedoorswungopen, she
didn'
tlook.Shefel
tthetear
str
ail
ingdownher
cheeks,knowingexactl
ywhathewasgoi ngtodot o
her.
Hef l
ippedonal i
ght.Inablink,over
head
fl
uorescent scl
ickedon, fl
oodingthecli
nical
lycl
ean
room wi t
hl i
ghtandf orci
nghert owinceandshiel
d
herey esfrom thebur ni
ngglare.Caref
ull
y,she
crackedherl i
ds,let
tingthelightl
eakintoherpupil
s.
Whenhergazef inal
lyfocusedonherj
ail
ershe
coul
dn'tbel
iev
eherey es.Themanwoul dalway
s
comeinwear i
ngaSt arWar svoi
cechangermask.
Butnottoday,notnow.
Shocked,shecouldonlyst
areatthemanwhost ood
dir
ectl
yinfrontofher
,amanwi thafacethatshe
knewtoowel l.Hel
ookedsocalm...
hishandstucked
i
nt hepocketsofhisj
eans.
-
Him:
"Ler
ato.You'
rest
il
lhangi
ngi
nther
e,Isee.
"
-
Her:"
Ne..
.Neo?Wh-
why
?"Herv
oicecameoutasa
whi
sper.
-
Neo:"Why?Whyareyouhere?Whyam Iher
e?Why
what
?"Hisvoi
cesentf
earknif
ingi
ntoher
.
-Her
: "Whyareyoudoingthi
stome?I sthi
sabout
yourbrother
?Isthi
saboutKagiso'
sdeath?"He
i
gnor edthequest
ionsandjustst
aredather."
You
didthist
ome, dammi t
!Nowt el
lmewhy ."
-Neo:"
Inev
ertouchedy
ou,
Ler
ato.Hedi
d."He
point
edtotheaj
ardoor
.
Herheadspun,
andherpai
npar
aly
sedhermuscl
es.
-Her:"
Therearet
woofy ou?"Agai
n,hedidn'tanswer.
Shelaybackagainstt
hecoldmet al
,herbody
coll
apsingwit
hexhausti
on.Whateverli
tt
lereserv
es
she'
dpossessedhadnowv ani
shed.Shewasempt y
.
"Whatar ey
ougoingtodo?"
Throughthedoorsteppedanotherman.No, what?!
Sheknewt hi
sman.She' dki
ssedhislips,hisface.
Gottentoknowthefeelofhisbroadshoul derblades
underherhands.She'
dlovedhim, t
rustedhim.No,
shemustbedr eaming.Ther
e'snowayt hi
scoul dbe
tr
ue.Itmustbethedrugstheygav eher.
-Neo:"
I'
m sorr
y.Butyoushoul
dnev erhavelef
tmy
brot
herforhi
m. "Thatal
onewasconf i
rmati
on
enoughthatLeratowasn'
thal
l
ucinati
ng.Thatthi
s
wasindeedthemanshehadf all
eninlovewi t
hso
hardandsoquickly.
Neowalkedoutoftheroom l
eavi
ngherwit
hthe
monst
ershe'doncethoughtwasherher
o.
-Her
:"Youdidthi
stome?Butwhy ?Why?Ithought
youlovedme."Shecoul
dheartheshockand
conf
usioninherownvoiceassil
entt
earsstr
eamed
outofherey
es.
Hedidn'tsayany thing,hejustsmil
edandsnappeda
pict
ureofhernaked, batt
eredbody.Hewaswear i
ng
thenicefi
tti
ngcl othesshe'dalwayslov
edhimin,not
thebaggycov erall
she' dal
way sputonever
ytimehe
camei ntotortureher .Maybethatwasagoodsign.
Right
?
-
Ler
ato:
"Baby
,pl
ease.Justl
etmego.
"
Stil
lquietandsmi l
ing,hecontinuedtaki
ngpi ctur
es
ofherf rom dif
f er
entangles.Wi t
heverypicturehe
tookofhernakedandspr eadeagledonthemet al
table,shefeltlessandl essofahumanbei ng.My
God, whatdidshef all
inlovewi t
h?Apsy chotic
monst er,t
hat '
swhat .
Asobbubbl edupi nherthroatwhenhel ai
dahand
onherlegandst rokedup.Shecr i
ngedawayas
muchasshecoul d,buttherestrai
ntsatherwai st,
kneesandankl esdidn'
tall
owf ormuchmov ement.
Whenhecuppedhi shandov erhersex, herscream,
l
onganddesper at
e,spli
ttheair.Hewasgoi ngt o
rapeheragain.Shescreamedandbeggedhi m notto
hur
theranymor
e.Buthej
ustwat
ched,
amused.
..
pl
easedwit
hherter
ror
.
-
Him:"Scr
eam asl
oudasy
oul
i
ke,
sweet
hear
t.
Nobodycanheary
ou.
"
-Her:"
Please..
."herthr
oatwassodr yandr awfrom
howshehadscr eamed.Howshehadbegged.How
shehadpl eaded.Shealmosthat edhersel
f,f
or
begging.Forgivinghimthatpl
easure.Somepar tof
herjustwasn'treadytoacceptthetrut
h,wasn't
readytogiveup.Ev enthough,
inherhear t
,sheknew
i
twasusel ess.
-Her:
"Baby,Idon'
tunderst
andwhyy ou'
redoingt
his.
Justletmego.Pleaseletmego..
.Iwon'tt
ell
anybody,Iswear.
"Hesighedandpattedher
shoulder
.
-
Him:
"Yes,
I'
m sur
eyouwon'
t.
"
Thenhetur
nedandwenttoatableint
hecorner
,a
tabl
ewit
hsever
alsurgi
cal
tool
s.Hepickedupatype
ofsawshe'
donlyseenonmedicalTVdramas.
No,no,no..
.Hy
sterical
pani
ctor
ethr
oughherand
shestart
edtoscream agai
n.
-Hi
m:"
Don'
tworr
y,sweet
hear
t.I
'
m goi
ngt
omaket
he
pai
ngoaway.
"
.
.
Fr
iday
,28Febr
uar
y,10:
50
"
Arewel ooki
ngatot
herpossi
bil
it
ies?"Capt
ain
Motaungasked,
star
ingatBongani.
Bef
oreBongani
coul
danswerLonwabospoke.
-Lonwabo: "
Here'
sOwam' sf ul
l autopsyreport."He
pushedt hef i
leacrosst het able,nottothecapt ain
buttoDet ectiveNdlov u."Thef orensicpathologi st
foundnodef ensi
vewoundsonher .Thegirltrust ed
whoev erkill
edher ,
anot herr easonwhyIdon' tt hinkit
wasar andom personof fthest reet.Al
so,whoev er
kil
ledheri smet i
culousi nhisownhabi ts.May benot
cli
nical
lyinsane,butI '
dsaycr azy ,
justnotvisiblyso.
Afterall,
hemanagedt ochar m hiswayi nt
ot he
heartsoft hesegirl
s.Soci opat h,beyondadoubt .His
ownsat i
sfacti
onexcl udesanyconcer nforother s."
-
Ndl
ovu:
"Itwon'
tbet
hef
ir
stt
imesomet
hingl
i
ket
his
happened.
"
-Lonwabo: "
We'veallseenitbefore,
womenhav i
ng
theirpart
nerst
urnfrom lovi
ngfriendtodeadl
yfoe,
hitt
ingthem,cr
ushingt hem t
owi thi
naninchofthei
r
l
ivesand, i
nsomehor r
ifi
ccases,kil
l
ingthem.
"
Ndl
ovupassedt
her
epor
ttoDet
ect
iveJaf
tha.
-Lonwabo: "
Thatgi rlhadbeenmi ssingf or8day s
bef oreshewasf oundspl ayedatTheWi l
ds.Whi ch
means, wedon' thav emucht imebef oret hi
ski ll
er
doest hesamet oLer ato."HelookedatMot aungt o
answert hequest i
onhe' dasked." Aboutl ooki ngat
otherpossi bil
iti
es.WhenIwast alkingt oLer ato'
s
mot hery esterday,shet oldmet hatt heboy friendher
daught erlefttobewi ththisnewguydi dn'ttaket he
rejectiont oowel l,
heki lledhimself.Whenshesai d
thatIi mmedi atel
yt hought ,hel
ltheboy fri
end' sfamil
y
coul dnothav ebeent oohappyaboutt hat."
-Jaf
tha:"
Thatt
heyhadenoughmot
ivet
owantt
o
hurtLer
ato.
"
-
Lonwabo: "
Exactl
y.SoIpai
dthem avi
siti
n
Bopai
tong.Ispoketothemother
.Shesaidshewas
ofcourseangrywhenhersonki l
l
edhimsel
fbutshe
didn'
tblameLeratoforit
.Shesai
dshewouldnever
doany t
hingtohurtLerat
obecauseshei
s,aft
eral
l,
themot herofheronl
ygrandson.
"
-
Bongani
:"Youbel
i
evedher
?"
-Lonwabo:"Isawnot hi
nginherfacethattoldme
shewasl yi
ng.Butthere'
ssomet hingelse.
Apparentl
yKagi so,
thedeceasedson, wasassisti
ng
hisli
tt
lebrotherNeowithhistuit
ionfeesatWi t
s,so
whenhedi edNeocoul dn'
tregist
erthisyear.He—"
-
Bongani
:"Thatwouldbeenoughmot
ivef
orhi
mto
wantt
oexactrevengeonLerat
o."
-Lonwabo:"
That '
swhyIaskedt otalkt
ohim butt
hey
toldmehe'soutoft own.Igothisphonenumber
from hi
smot her,cal
ledhi
m, hi
sphonesentme
strai
ghttovoicemail
.I
di
dn'tleaveamessagebutIcal l
edagai nthi
s
morningbef or
eIcamet owor k,
andt hi
stimearound
heanswer ed.Iaskedhimthebasicquest i
onsand
hi
swher eaboutsont heni
ghtLeratodisappear
ed.
Hesaidhe' sbeeninPortEl
izabethforthepast2
weeks, thathehasaj obthere.Hegav emet hename
ofthepr ivat
ehospitalhewor ksatasa. ..
waitf
orit,
a
fuckingpor t
er.IGoogledi
t,foundt hei
rHRnumber ,
call
edi tandtheyconfirmedt hathe'sbeenwi t
hthem
forthepast2weeks.But ,ofcourse,theycouldn'
t
confirm nordenythathewaswor ki
ngt hedayLerato
disappeared."
-Ndl
ovu:"Capt
ain,
"hewaslooki
ngatMotaung."
I
hatetosaythi
s,butwesti
ll
haveapossi
blecri
me
scenewaiti
ngforus.Weshouldfol
l
owthelead
Gamagav eusearli
erandstopwasti
ngt
imewedo
nothave.
"
-Mot
aung:"I
'
llgett
hebal
lrol
l
ingont
hat
."Hegott
o
hisf
eetandwalkedout
.
-Lonwabo: "
Owam waskeptf or8day sbeing
torturedandr apedbef oreshel ostherli
fe.Thekil
ler
cutt heleftsi
deofherneck, sev er
ingbothher
j
ugul arveinandcar oti
dartery.Shebl edtodeath.
Thenhemut i
latedhergeni tal areaandcutouther
hear t.Hedidn'tjustri
pitout ,hesur gi
call
ycutitout
asasur geonwoul difi
twasgoi ngt obe
transplantedonanot herpatient.Thepat hol
ogist
saysthi
swasdonelongaft
ershewasdead.That
puzzl
esme.Whydidthi
skil
lerwast
ehisti
medoi ng
thatwhent
hegir
lwaslongdead?Orwast hathi
s
wayofmakingsomekindofsickst
atement?"
"
That
'spossi
ble.
"
Turni
nghishead, Lonwabosawthemanheknew
toowellentertheroom.Ofcour
se,Langajustdidn'
t
simpl
yent eraroom.Hehadawayofst r
oll
ingin,
l
azymov ement sandlazyl
ooks,l
ikehewasj ustint
o
stopandchat .
-Lonwabo: "
Langa?"WhenCaptainMotaungsai
dan
I
PSr epresentat
ivewouldbejoi
ningt
hem soonhe
didn'
tthinki
twoul dbeLanga.
-Langa:"Youshouldtakemycal l
s,br
other."Hehad
thatthousand-wattsmilethatheusedwi thlaser
precisi
ontodisarm witnesses,caj
olejudges,and
pissoffdefenseattorneys.Lonwabohadof t
en
thoughthisbrothercouldselli
cetoanEski mowi th
thatsmile.
-
Ndl
ovu:
"Yout
woar
ebr
other
s?"
-
Lonwabo:
"Twi
nbr
other
s,act
ual
l
y."
-
Ndlovu:"What?Getout taher e.IknowCapt ain
Gama.WhenIf irstsawy ou,Detecti
ve,Ididn'teven
forasecondthinkthaty oucoul dber el
atedt ohim,
l
etalonebei
nghi stwi nbr ot
her.Ithoughty outwo
j
usthappentohav et hesamesur name. "
I
twast r
ue,Lonwaboandhi sfr
aternal
twincouldn'
t
bemor edi f
ferent.Lonwaboof tenheardpeoplesay
hewast hegood- l
ookingonewher easLangamor e
thanmadeupf orwhathel ackedinthatdepartment
withabr i
ghtper sonali
ty—whi chLonwabol acked.
Butitwasn'tjustlooks,theywer eopposit
esinso
manyway s.Andt hatwasl i
kelyoneoft hereasons
whyt hei
rrelati
onshipwasascol dasice.
-Langa:"
There'
salotyoudon'tknow,Detecti
ve
Ndlovu.
"Hef l
ashedthatsmil
eagainandcamet o
standbesideLonwabo."Goodtoseey '
al
latthetabl
e.
I'
m sorr
yforbeingl
ate.Toomuchwor k,veryfew
hoursinaday .
"
Langawasacl ini
cal
psy
chologistwit
haspeci al
i
nteresti
nf orensi
candi
nvestigat
ivepsychology
.
WhenLonwabochoset ogot othepoliceacademy
aft
ermatric,Langahadwenttov arsi
tytostudy
psychol
ogybecausehewant ed"tounderst
andthe
mindofcriminal
s."ButLonwabodoubtedanyone
couldeverbeabletofull
yunder
standthehuman
mind.
Aftercompl eti
nghi smast er'sdegr eeandi nternship,
qualif
y i
ngasaCl inical Psy chologist,Langahadwent
ont owor katapsy chiatri
chospi t
al i
nPr etor i
af ora
yearandahal fbefor etakingupaposi tioni nthe
SAPS'sI nvesti
gati
v ePsy chol ogySect i
on( IPS)—
whichi stheequival entoft heFBI 'sBehav iour al
AnalysisUnits(BAUs)i nt ermsofr ol
esand
responsibil
it
ies.Hewasnowani nvestigatorwi th
them, aswor npoliceof ficer.Cur r
ent l
yhol dingt he
rankofacapt ai
n,hewast wor anksabov eLonwabo
event houghhe'djoi nedt heSAPSl ast—somet hi
ng
Lonwabowasmadet of eel everynowandagai n.
-
Lonwabo:"Myjobher
eisdone.Letmeleav
ey '
allt
o
i
t.
"Thearri
val
ofhisbrot
herwashiscuetol
eave.
Theyj
ustcoul
dn'tbei
nthesamespacefortoolong.
I
gnori
ngwhateverLangaandtheotherswer
esaying
t
ostophi
m, hegrabbedhisphoneandwalkedoutof
t
heroom.I
nt hecorri
dorhebumpedi nt
oCaptai
n
Mot
aung.
-
Mot
aung:
"Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
"
-
Lonwabo:
"Out
."
-Motaung:"
Ihopey ou'
regoinghome.Look,I
'
m sorr
y
i
thascomet othi
s.Butjustgohome.All
owy our
sel
f
torestandgri
evef ory
ourdaughter
.Theteam wi
ll
handlethecase."
Ifwhatwasimpor t
anttoLonwabor ightnowwasnot
thecallhewantedtomaket oNaledi hewouldhave
toldthi
smansomet hinghewouldr ememberf orthe
restofhisl
if
e.Didn'
thefucki
ngtellhimt onottal
k
abouthisdaughterj
ustthi
smorning?
I
gnori
ngthefakeapology,Lonwabokeptmovi
ng.He
l
oweredhishead,makinggravi
tyhi
sfri
endunti
lhe
wal
kedoutofthestat
ion.Whenout si
deandmaking
hi
swaytohiscar,hedial
ledNaledi
'snumber
.He
wasdefi
nit
elynotgoi
nghome.
Chapt
er29
Fr
iday
,28Febr
uar
y,11:
40
.
Leav i
ngt helecturehall
,Naledi madeherwayback
tohercl austrophobicoffi
ce.Shepul l
edherphone
outoft hedr awerandt urnedi tonassoonasshe
ploppeddowni nhercomf ortablechairbehindthe
wor nwoodendesk.Shehadt ocall
Sebastianand
aski fhe'dalreadymadei ttoherhouse.Thef act
thatshel iv
edi nasecur enat ureestatedi
dn'tmake
heranyl esswor r
iedaboutt hesafetyofbothher
mot herandson.Knowi ngt hatSebast i
anwast here
witht hem woul dmakeherbr eatheeasier
throughoutt heday .
Whent hephonebootedupsher eal
i
sedthata
numberofpeoplehadcalledherwhil
eshewasin
cl
ass.Butnoneofthem deservedanimmediat
ecall
backmor ethanSebast
ianandLonwabo—i nthat
order
.
WhenSebast
ianansweredhesoundedpani
cky,
causi
ngNal
edi'
sheartt
ojumpstrai
ghtt
oherthroat
.
"I
'
mt ryi
ngtosolvethisbl oodyRubi
k'scubei
n30
secondsorless,
"het oldherwhensheaskedwhat
washappening."Ican'tletLebobeatme.Andpl
ease
askMaCat hytostopl aughing.
"
Naledicouldhearhermot herl
aughinginthe
background.Shebreathedasi ghofreli
eft
henl et
outherfirstl
aughoftheday—oroft heweek, she
wasn'tsosureany more.Shelaughednotbecauseof
theRubik'scubethough,no,shewasj ustr
eli
evedt o
hearthathermotherandsonwer esafeathomeand
alsohavingsomef un.
-Her:"
I'
m gladyou'
ret
herewit
hthem,Seb.Thank
you.NowI '
llj
ustl
eavey'
all
toyour
..
.act
ivi
ti
es.ButI
'
ll
call
againlater
."
Shewasst i
ll
smi l
ingwhenshehungup.She
appreci
atedSebast i
an.Hewast heonlyfatherfi
gure
Lebohad, andhedi dn'
tmindplayingwhatevercrazy
gamet heboyt hrewathim.Thet wowerer eal
lyfond
ofeachot her.JustasLeboseemedt obeal sofond
ofLonwabo.
Lonwabo.Shedi
all
edhi
snumber
,readyt
oapol
ogi
se
forherbehaviorl
astni
ght.Heprobablyt
houghtshe
wasat otalbi
tchandhatedthethoughtofspeaki
ng
withheragain.Butshewasdeterminedtomake
amendsandsmoot hthi
ngsover.
-Him:"Hey,
"heanswer
edafteronlyonering.Andhe
didn'
tsoundmadasNal edi
hadt houghthewould.
-
Her
:"Hi
.Sor
ryImi
ssedy
ourcal
l
,Iwasi
ncl
ass.
"
-Hi
m:"I'
m sor
ryt
oo,formi
ssi
ngyour
searl
ier
.Iwas
busyatthest
ati
on.Howareyou?
"Gosh,
couldhi
s
voi
cesoundanysexier
.
-Her
:"I'
m okay.ButIwantt
oapol
ogiseforwhat
happenedlastnight
.Youdi
dn'
tdeserv
et obetr
eat
ed
l
ikethat.
"
-
Him:
"Nah,
don'
twor
ryabouti
t.
"
-Her:"Youdon'tunderstand.Ineedt oapol ogise.
WhatIdi dwaswr onganduncal l
edf or.Evenlast
night,Ididn'
twannagot obedwit hy oustill
madat
me. "Andt hefactthatIcoul
dn'ttalkt oyoumademe
tossandt ur
nformostoft henight ,sheaddedi nher
head." Ievengotyouraddress,drov et oyourplace—"
-
Him:
"Wai
t.Youwentt
omypl
ace?
"
Sheblewoutabr
eath,
feel
i
ngstupidfort
hewayshe
react
edwhenshesawhim wi
ththatwoman.
-
Her :"
Idid.ButIdi
dn'
tev enmakeittothefr
ontdoor
ofyourbuildi
ng.Isawy ouwalki
ngoutwithawoman,
youtwol ookedcosy,Ididn'
twannadist
urbsoI
ret
reatedbacktomycar .
"
-Him:"
Don'ttel
lmey outhoughtMelindaandIar e
toget
her.BecauseIcantelly
ourightnowt hat,
that
concl
usioncouldn'
thavebeenmor ewr ong."
-Her
:"That
'sexact
lywhatIt
hought,actual
l
y.Ev
en
aft
eryourfr
iendhadtol
dmeot her
wi se.
"
-
Him:
"Yout
alkedt
oMel
i
nda?
"
-Her
:"No, notMel inda.Ithinkhesai dhisnamei s
Georgeorsomet hing.Imethi m outsi
deyour
apart
mentbui lding."Shecoul dhearLonwabo'slazy
l
aught ravelt
hrought hev i
rtualphoneli
net oreach
herear.Thismandi dn'
tlaughof tenbutwhenhedi d,
hemadeev erythingi nherwor ldseem alr
ight
.
Somethi ngshenev erthoughtwoul deverhappent o
her.
-Him:
"Youspoket
oGor
gio?Theguysur
enev
erl
ets
hismouthr
est.
"
-
Her:"
Hetol
dmethatt
hewoman'
snotwi
thyou,
not
i
nthatwayany
way
.AndnowIbel
i
evehi
m."
-Hi
m: "
I'
m gl
adyoudo.'CauseImeantitwhenIsaid
I
'm notseei
nganyone,Nal
edi.Idi
dn'
tl
ietoyou.I
'
d
neverl
ietoyouaboutsomethingl
iket
hat,bel
i
eve
me."
Abroadsmil
efoundit
swayt
oNal
edi
'
smout
h
bef
oresheevenknewit.
-Her
:"Ido.Ibel
i
eveyou.
"Shedi
dn'
tknowi
fshe
shoul
d,butshedid.
-Hi
m: "
Good.Nowl i
sten,
don'tworryaboutwhat
happenedaty ourplacelastnight
, I
'
m overit
.I
for
giveyou.Butt here'
ssomet hi
ngIneedt otalkt
o
youabout.It
'skindaser i
ous.No,itISser
ious."
-Her:
"Oh?Well
,Ial
sohav esomethingser
iousIneed
total
ktoyouabout.Facetoface.Whereareyou
now?Atthestat
ion?I'
llcometoy ou.
"
-
Him:
"No,
I'
minPar
ktown.I
'
llsendy
out
hepi
n."
-
Her
:"Okay
,thanks.Seey
ousoon.
"
-
Him:
"Seey
out
hen.
"
Shehungup.Asshewai tedforLonwabo' slocati
on
tocomet hr
oughherey eswander edofft othe
mani l
af olderonherdesk.Jessi cahadt oldherwhat
wasi nit,butshest i
llwant edt oseei tf
orher self
.
Therewassomet hingt hatdidn'tmakesenset oher,
nowt hatshet houghtabouti t.IfLebocoul ddonat e
stem cellstoS' fi
soasahal f
-mat chdonorandathi s
age, whycoul dn'tthatbeapossi bil
i
tyforS' f
iso'
s
otherchi l
drenaswel l?Shecoul dunder standwhyhi s
mot hercoul dn'tdonat e.Theol derwomanhadal ong
hist
or yofpoorheal th.Buthischi ldren?Whatwas
thepr oblem?
Herhandreachedf orthef i
leandopenedi t
.There
wasaPost -
itstuckont het opofthefi
rstpage.
Jessi
cahadwr itt
ensomet hingonit
:"Thoughtyou'
d
wanttoseet hi
sf oryourself.
"Huh?Whatwast he
'
thi
s'shewasr eferri
ngto?
Nal
ediqui
ckl
yr i
ppedthePost-
itsheetoffand
st
art
edgoingthroughthepageJessicahadmarked
asi
mpor
tant
.
"Mygoodness,"shefoundherselfsay i
ngoutloud.
"S'
fi
soisnotthebiol
ogical
f at
herofbot hthose
chil
dren?Wow."Herfacebrightened.Itwasasi fal
l
thestarshadcomeoutatonceandt hesunand
moonhaddonet het
angot ogetherjustforher.
.
.
Fr
iday
,28Febr
uar
y,12:
10
Naledi spottedLonwabowalkingoutofthecoffee
shop, anest abl
i
shmentsheknewt oowel latSt
Dav i
d'sParki nParkt
own.Thecoffeehousehada
wideassor tmentofcoffeesandteasanddel i
cious
pastries.Backinthedaysheusedt ocomeher ewi t
h
SkyandBuhl e—anow- l
atef
ri
endoft hei
rswho
studiedatt heWitsParkt
ownEducat i
onCampus.
Lonwabol eanedonthewall
bytheent
rance,
speakingonhisphone.Butwhenhesawherhe
smiledandhungup.
Gosh,
thi
smanwasent
ir
elyi
mpr
essi
ve,
tal
land
broadshoul
dered,withextraor
dinaryeyest
hat
seemedtotakei neveryt
hing.Naledit
ookadeep
breat
htoquell
t hebutter
fli
esfli
tt
ingaroundinher
stomachbefor
ewal kingov ert
ohi m.
"Hey,
"hegr eetedfirst.Hi si
ntentgazesweepingov er
her,t
akingint hemodestbl uedressshewas
wearing.Thiswashi sfirstt
imeseei ngherinadress,
sheremember ed.Thought herewasnot hi
ngov er
tl
y
sexualinhisgaze, shecoul dsenset hemale
approvalthereandashocki ngbur stofheatfi
ll
edher
l
owerabdomen.Sur prisedbyherv i
scer
alreact
ion,
shechidedher sel
ff orit.Thiswasnott hetimeor
placeforthatsortofat tract
ion.Thereweremor e
i
mpor tantthi
ngst heyneededt otalkabout.
-
Her
:"Heyyoursel
f.
"Shecamet
ost
andbef
orehi
m,
f
eel
i
ngal i
tt
leshynow.
-
Him:
"Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
"
-Her:"
Why ,
thankyou.Youdon'tlooktoobad
yoursel
f.
"Helookedtir
ed,exhausted,
y es,
butinher
eyes,noneofthatcoul
devermakehi ml ookanyless
handsome.
-Hi
m: "
Naledi.
..
"Hadsheevert
oldhim howmuch
sheenjoyedthewayhesaidhername?Hemadei t
soundsensual.Asi
fhernamewer eacaress.Asif
shemat t
ered.
..
"Wher
edidyougoj ustnow?Ilost
youthereforamoment."
She'dbeenaski ngherselfwhethersheshould,one
oftheseday s,l
ethim knowt hatshefeltapull
towardshi mjustashef eltapullt
owar dsher
.That
shewant edt obewithhim.Butknowi nghowbr oken
shewas, shesti
ll
didn'
tknowi fexplor
ingwhateverit
wast hatwashappeni ngbet weenthem wouldbea
goodi dea.
-
Her
:"Sor
ry,
Igotdi
str
act
ed.
"
-Him:"
Iknowwe' r
esti
llgett
ingtoknoweachother
butyoucantrustme,Naledi.Iwantyoutoknowthat
.
I'
ll
watchyourback.I
'
llholdy oursecr
ets.
"Aqui
ver
sli
dthr
oughher .
-
Her
:"Whatmakesy
out
hinkIhav
esecr
ets?
"
-Him:"BecauseIcanseethem inyoureyes.You
alwaysfighttol
ockdowny ouremotions,your
feel
ings,giv
ingt
hewor l
daper f
ectmaskt ov i
ew.But
somet
imesyouloweryourguard,
andIgetagl
i
mpse
oft
hepai
nthere.Ij
ustsawitnow."
Thisguyi sagreatobserver.Naledi
suddenlywent
col
d, al
lthebadmemor iesfloodi
ngherhead.No,no,
shecouldn'tgobackt here.Notnow.Shet ur
ned
fr
om Lonwabo, wantingt omakeherwayi nsidet
he
coffeeshop.Buthecaughtherar m andgentl
ypul
led
hertowardshim.
-Hi
m:"I
t'
sal
it
tl
ecrowdedi
nther
eformyl
i
king.Let
's
gotal
kinmycar
."
Hetookherhandandt heywalkedtheshor tdistance
overtohiscari nthepar ki
nglot.Heunl ockedt he
miniSUV, butwhenhewasaboutt opullopent he
fr
ontpassengerdoorf orhertogeti n,shestopped
hi
m.Shel eanedagai nstthedoor,withhim standing
ri
ghtinfrontofher .Hishandwentupt ot ouchher
bareski
n.I tsl
idupanddownt helengthofherar m.
Asoothingcar ess,calmingher .
-Him:"
Youcant al
ktome,Nal
edi.Youdon'thavet
o
hideanyt
hingfr
om me."Hewasstill
feat
heri
nghis
fi
ngersoverherar
m.Herski
ntingledunderhis
gentl
etouch,andthewar mthofhisfi
ngerscaused
herbreathtost
utterout.He'
dalwaysmadeherf eel
toomuch. .
.t
oofast.Herbodywast ooatt
unedto
him.Toosensiti
ve.Ormay beI'
vej
ustgonef art
oo
l
ongwi thoutaman, hervoi
cesoundedinherhead.
-Her:"
I'
vebeenbadl yhurtbefore,
Nwabo.Andnow
i
t'shardformet ogetclosetosomeone.I t'
shardfor
met otrust
.Whenpeopl egett ooclosetome, It
end
tohaveoner esponse—topushaway .Exact
lywhatI
didtoyoulastnightandt heeveningyouwentt o
dropmeatmyhouse. "Shehadt otel
lhim..
.now.
-
Him:"Hey,Iunderst
and.Every
thi
ngismaki ngsense
t
omenow. "Hi shandstoppedbrushi
ngherar m.In
f
act,
hepulleditawaycompl et
ely
."Li
sten,i
fI'
vebeen
maki
ngy oufeeluncomfort
able,I
'
m sorry.
"
-Her:"
No, Nwabo, y
oudon'tunderstand.That
'snot
whatImeant ."Youcanaf f
ordtotakesomer isks,
Naledi,sai
dt hatti
nyv oi
ceinherhead.Gi v
eyour sel
f
achanceat .
..
love."Younevermademef eel
uncomf ortable.I
nfact,wheneveryoutouchmeI
alwayst hi
nkt heusual f
earIhaveformenwoul dhi t
me, butitneverdoes.Notwi thyou.Wheny ou'r
e
around,Ifeel
li
keevery
thi
ngwi l
lbeallri
ght.Li
keI
'v
e
al
way sknowny oueventhoughwe' v
ejustmet.I
admit,Ihavesomedeepscar sthatsti
l
lneedtoheal,
but.
..
"
Tell
him,Naledi
,ther
e'snoturni
ngbacknow.You
can'
tletf
earcontrol
you,thatti
nyl
i
ttl
evoi
cespoke
again.
Shewasnott hebestjudgeofcharact
er,Godknew,
butsomethi
ngt oldherthatLonwabowasoneoft he
goodguys.Ther ealt
rue-bl
uesort
.Thekindofaguy
thataper
soncoul dcountonandt r
ust.
-Her
:"I
'm sickofbei ngscared,
offeeli
ngvul
nerabl
e.I
j
ustwannaf eel saf
eandbei nasafespace.Nwabo,
youaremysaf espace.AndIwouldloveiti
fyou
wouldkissmer i
ghtnow."Thewordswereout,she
coul
dn'ttaket hem backnowev enifshe'
dwantedto.
Smili
ngt hatgl
ori
oussmil
eofhi
s,Lonwabocupped
hercheeksi nhi
shands,
andherl
astshredof
resi
stanceseemedtodrif
tcl
eanaway.
-
Him:
"Tr
ustme,Ihavemyfearst
oo.Butmaybei
t'
s
t
imewebothpushedoni
ntothef
ront
ier
."Whenhe
l
oweredhi
smouthtohers,
Nal
edi
lethi
min,
she
wel
comedhissof
tli
ps.
Chapt
er30[
Par
t1]
Fr
iday
,28Febr
uar
y,12:
15
.
Hewaskissingher.Notascar
efull
yashe'dstar
ted.
Notassoftl
y.Butwithawil
d,f
erocioushungert
hat
Nal
edihadn'texpect
ed.Hewasdev ouri
nghermouth
ashepressedheragainstt
hedoorofhiscar.
Shegaveherselffull
yt ohiskiss, holdingnothi
ng
back.Wit
hherey escl osed,wi thherbodypr essedt o
hi
sandhi smout hdesper ateonher s,shedidn'tsee
herpast
.Shedi dn'
tseeany t
hi ngatal l
.Shejustf el
t.
Andshelikedhowshewasf eeling.Itdidn'
teven
mattert
hattheywer ei npublic.Ther estofthewor ld
di
dn'tmatter
.Itwasj ustthet wooft hem andthe
pl
easuretheywer egivingeachot her.God, i
thad
beenalongtimesi nceshef el tthi
sway .
Butthenhestoppedandhisheadli
ft
ed.Sheopened
hereyesandfoundhimlooki
ngather.Mymy ,
she
coul
dn'tmissthedesi
rei
nhiseyes.
-
Him:"Thisfeel
s—"hi
svoicewasroughandragged,
"
—great.Butcouldwefi
nishi
tlat
er,
someplace
el
se?
"
Shecoul
dsti
l
ltast
ehim.Herbr
eat
hcamei
nquick
pant
sandshewantedhi
smouthonher
sagai
n.
-Him: "
Naledi?"Hesteppedback, t
aki
ngtheheatof
hisbodywi thhi m.Butthen.
..
itwasJozi
,i
nFebruar
y.
Ther ewaspl entyofheattogoaround.Hishand
reachedar oundherandgr abbedthedoorhandl
e.
"Pleasegetint hecar.
"
-
Her
:"I
’
m sor
ry,
"herv
oicecameoutasawhi
sper
.
-
Him:"Comeon,babe,youdon'
thavetoapologise.
"
Hewassmili
ng,andshecouldfeel
herheartrollover
i
nherchest
."Let
'sgeti
nthecar.Wehavepr essing
i
ssuesweneedtotalkabout
,remember?"
Right.Thathadbeenthei rpl
anbeforeshe'
ddeci
ded
toaskhi mtokissher.Andbef or
eshemadeany
othermov esthatshemi ghtregr
et,sheneededt
o
getherthoughtstogether.
BecauseI
'm st
il
lnotsur
eifIcanf
ini
shwhatI
'
m
st
arti
ng.
Thathadbeent
hepr
obl
em acoupl
eofy
ear
sback.
Wanti
ngt otesther sel
fshe' dstartedsomet hingwith
apaediatri
cianatthehospi talshewor kedat .Jason
wasani ceguyandwasv erygood- looking,butshe
di
dn'
tlov ehim, shedidn'twantanyr el
ationshipwit
h
hi
m.Shewasj usttesti
ngher selfandt ryingt obe
nor
mal whennor mal wast helastt hingshe' dfel
t.
Theywer einhi sof f
icewhenshe' ddeci dedtot ryand
bebr ave.She' dbegunwi thdesirewhenshet ouched
him,butt hent hedar k,twisti
ngf earhadconsumed
her.She'dshov edagai nsthim, f
earcl awingather .
Whenhedi dn'tlethergor i
ghtaway ,shehad
screamed.Shecoul dn'tstopscr eami ngwhenhe
touchedher .Thewhol ethinghadbeenso
embar rassingshedi dn'teventell Skyorhermot her
abouti t
,shej ustpushedi ttothebackofherhead
andlockedi taway .Butf orJasont hingsgotbad.I t
didn'
tmat t
erhowmanyt imesNal edi li
edandt ol
d
everyonet hatshe' dscr eamedbecauseshe' dseena
spiderinhisof f
ice,peopl ekeptwhi speringint he
corri
dor sunt i
lJasondeci dedtol eav ethehospi t
ala
fewmont hsl ater.Somet hingthatl eftNal edifeeli
ng
l
ikecr ap.
Nowshehopedandwi shedthatt
hesamething
won'thappenwi
thLonwabo.Becausesher
eall
y
l
ikedhim.
.
.
.
Fr
iday
,28Febr
uar
y,12:
17
Aft
ercl
osingNal
edi'
sdoor,Lonwabowal
kedar
ound
tohi
ssideandhoppedin.
Nal editurnedi nherseatt olookathi m. ..
anddamn,
shewetherl ips.Hi seyesi
nv olunt
arilyfoll
owedt he
quick, ner
v ousmov ementofhert ongue.Fuck, he
want edher .Hewant edtotouchher .Toki ssher
agai n.Tohav eherbodyi nhi s.Hewant edt ogetlost
i
nt hepl easur eheknewt heycoul dgi veeachot her.
Butt hiswasn' tjustphysi
cal.Itwasast rongphy si
cal
andemot ional connecti
onthatscar edhi mt oo.He
didn'tonlywantt ohaveher,hewant edt okeepher
andev ery
t hingshecamewi th.Buthecoul dn'
tbe
thinkingaboutt hatnow.Heneededt of ocus.Focus
ont hecase.
-Nal
edi:"Youwereri
ght.Let
'sfocusonwhatwe'
re
herefor.
"Didshejustr
eadhismi nd?"
Let
'sgett
he
i
mpor tantst
uffoutoft
heway .Butyougofi
rst
."
-Lonwabo: "Befor ewedot hat,Iwantt omakeaf ew
thingscl ear.Ireally,real
lyli
key ou,Nal edi.AndI '
ll
nev erdoany thi
ngIknowwoul dhur tyou,"she
shifteduncomf or tablyinherseat ."
Imeani t
.Iwi l
l
nev erl etyoudown. "Painf l
ashedi nherey es,
comi ngandgoi ngi nani nstant,
samewayi tdid
ear l
ieri nfrontoft hecof f
eeshop.Andt hatt er
ri
fy i
ng
whi tecol our edlightout l
inedherf acef oramoment
—pai n, emot ional sufferi
ng.Dammi t,hehat ed
seeingherl i
ket his."ImeantwhatIsai dear li
ertoo.I
willal way swat chy ourback.Iwantt obewi thyou
andbet heref ory ou, al
way s."
Shejustnoddedandl etoutabri
efsmi l
e.Hedidn't
knowtheki ndofpainshewascar ry
inginsi
deher
chestbuthehadani dea,andhewant edtomakei t
al
lbetter.Hedidn'
tknowifhe'
dev erbeabletobut
hewant edto.Todaywashi sf
ir
sttimetoev ersee
herwear i
ngsomet hi
ngwithshortsl
eeves.Andwhen
he'
dtouchedherar m he'
dseensomet hingthere.A
scarinherf or earm.Adef ensi vewound.Thatwas
defi
nitelythet ypeofscarv ict i
msnor mal
lygotwhen
theylif
tedupt heirhandstof endoffanattacker.She
hadamat chingscaronherot herarmtoo.Didherex
dot hattoher ,
orwasi tastr anger?Hetookherhand,
pressedaki sst oherscarandt ri
ednottoimagi ne
herf i
ghtingf orherli
fe.Butashor tmomentl ater
Naledi pull
edherhandbackandf ol
dedherar ms
acrossherchest ,
suddenlyseemi ngsel
f-
consci ous.
-
Lonwabo:
"I'
m sor
ry,
"
-Naledi
:"Don'tbe."She'dassumedherpr ofessional
personainani nstant."Andthere'
l
l beti
mef or
sharingpersonal st
oriesbutnow'snott hattime.We
havemor eimpor tantthingstotal
kabout ."This
womanwasdef init
elymadeofst ernerstuffand
Lonwabocoul dn'
thelpbutf eel
prideatherst rength.
-Lonwabo:"Right.Iwantt
ot al
ktoyouaboutthe
caseI'm workingon.TheoneIt ol
dyouaboutthe
otherday.Twogi rl
s:onefounddead,t
heothersti
l
l
mi ssi
ng.
"
-
Nal
edi
:"Yeah,
Iremembery
oument
ioni
ngt
hat
."
-Lonwabo:"Tur
nsouti t
'snotj
ustthem,ther
ear etwo
mor egir
lswhodi sappearedinasimil
arfashion."He
toldherabouttheirseri
alabduct
orslashkil
lertheor
y
andhisv i
cti
m preferences.
-Naledi
:"You'
ret
elli
ngmet her
emightbeaserial
kil
leramongstuswho' star
get
ingf
emaleuniv
er si
ty
students?"Themixtur
eofpainandangeri
nher
voicecouldnotbemi ssed.
-Lonwabo: "
Notjustanyuni ver
sit
y.Wits.Andnotj ust
anyf emalestudents,fi
rstyears.Yes,that'
sour
wor ki
ngtheory,butithasn'tbeenmadepubl i
cy et.
Thissickoseemst obet argeti
ngv ul
nerabl
egirl
s
from fi
nancial
lyunstablehomes.Hel uresthem in
wi t
hmoneyandexpensi vegift
s,andthenwhent hey
areheadov erheelsinlov ewi t
hhim hekill
sthem. "
Hewentont otellheraboutt heprofi
lehehadoft he
perpetrat
orandt hepossi blemotiveforthekil
l
ings.
-Naledi:"
OhmyGod.Thi
sissi
ck.Andit
'sonl
yfour
gir
lsthatthepol
i
ceknowabout
,ther
ecouldbe
mor e."
-
Lonwabo:
"Iagr
ee.AndIbel
i
evey
ouknowoneof
t
hosef
ourgi
rl
s"
-
Nal
edi
:"Ido?
"
-Lonwabo:"Yes.SimphiweThobil
eNcube.Ibel
i
eve
shewasy ourclientunt
ilr
ightbef
oreshe
disappear
ed."
-Naledi:"Simphi we?Ar eyousur eshe'soneoft he
victims?Iknowher .Shewasoneofmypr obono
clients.Andi tismyunder standingthatshest i
ll
hasn' tbeenf ound.Thepol i
cecamet ot alktome
whenshedi sappear edlastNov ember .Butt hey
didn'treall
ybel i
ev ethatshewasmi ssing,they
thoughtshel eftofherownaccor d.Teens, youknow.
Andt obehonest ,that
'sexact l
ywhatIt houghtt oo.
Any way ,Icouldn'tgivethem any thi
ngt hen, Isti
ll
can't,notunt i
l t
heysubpoenaherr ecords.Youknow
thisLonwabo.Ihopey ou'
renother ebecausey ou
wantmet obr eakt her
apist-
clientconfidentiali
ty.
Thati ssomet hingIcannotdo. "
-Lonwabo:"I
'
m notexpectingyouto.Si
mphiwe's
grandmotherreceivedananonymouscallt
his
mor ni
ng.Thecallergavehert
heapparentl
ocati
on
ofhergr anddaught er'sunmar kedgr ave,thenhung
up."Naledigaspedt hencov eredherf acewi t
hbot h
hands."Thepol iceandf orensicsar eonsceneaswe
speak.Itwasmypar t neront hephonewheny ou
foundmei nfrontoft hecof feeshop.Hesay s
they'v
efoundhumanr emai nsatt hatl ocation.The
remainsar eli
kelySi mphi we's, butitwi l
ltakeawhi le
beforewegetaconf irmat i
on.Sooutoft hef ourgirl
s
thatweknowabout , onlyonecoul dst i
llbeal i
ve.
Lerato,t
heonewhodi sappear edl ast.Tof indher
beforehert i
mer unsoutt oo, Ineedt oknowt hatI'
m
ont heri
ghtpat hasf arast hiscasei sconcer ned.
"
-
Nal
edi
:"Andwhatdoy
ouwantf
rom me?
"
-Lonwabo:"
I'
m gonnaasky ouafewquesti
onsabout
SimphiweandallI
'm aski
ngisfory
outojustnodor
shakeyourhead.
"
Shehesi
tat
ed,
butev
ent
ual
l
ysai
d,"
Okay
,It
hinkIcan
dothat
."
Chapter30seemedt
oolongsoIspl
iti
tint
otwo
par
ts[Part1andPar
t2]
.Thisi
sPart1,Par
t2is
comingupnext—now,now.
Chapt
er30[
Par
t2]
Fr
iday
,28Febr
uar
y,12:
22
.
Lonwabo: "Ibelievepeopletalkaboutal otofthi
ngs
withtheirtherapist
s.DidSimphi weevert al
kabout
herlovelif
e? "Naledinodded."Lastyear,didshe
l
eav eherboy fri
endf orsomeoneol der,someone
l
oaded? "Anot hernod" Shecalledhim Hephaestus,
didn'
tshe?Andshewasst i
l
l seeinghi
m whenshe
disappeared."Doublenod."Di dsheev ermentionhi
s
realname? "
-Nal
edi:"Idon'
tremember.Butev
eni
fIdi
dIwoul
dn'
t
tel
lyou,Lonwabo,notbef
oreIseeawarr
anti
nmy
hand."
-Lonwabo: "
That'
sokay .Ihav eenough."He'
dbeen
right.Allt
hesegi r
lshadbeenseei ngthesameman
bef oretheydisappeared."NowIj ustwannaspi
tbal
l.
Hopey ouwon' tmind."Her eall
yneededsomeonehe
coul dbrainst
ormi deaswith, someonehecouldtr
ust.
Nal edil
ookedi ntohiseyesandsmi led.
-
Nal
edi
:"Ofcour
seIwon'
tmi
nd.Asl
ongasy
ou
won'texpectmet otal
kaboutmycl ient
.Nowlet
's
hearit
..
.part
ner.Andthi
swi l
lbeforourearsonl
y.
"
Lonwabocoul dn'
thelpbutsmil
et oo.
-Lonwabo: "Par
tner.Ili
ket hat.
"Heki ssedherhand
againbeforeassumi nghi sser i
ousper sonaagai n.
"SoOwam' sbodywasf oundatTheWi lds,r
ight.At
thescenewef oundt wouni dentif
iedset soffresh
shoepr i
nts.Lookingatt heirpositi
onsont hedamp
soil
,theyhadt ohav ecomef rom thepeopl ewho
dumpedt hebody .HenceIbel ievewe'redealingwith
twopeopl ehere.Thisguyi snotwor ki
ngal one."
-
Nal
edi
:"Asinhe'
sthebrai
nswithasideki
ckwho'
s
t
hemuscle,
anomegat ohi
salpha?"
-Lonwabo" Somet hi
nglikethat.Anot
herthing, t
he
girlwasf oundwi thhergenital
iamutil
atedandher
chestopen.Accor di
ngt otheforensi
cpat hol
ogi st
,
herchestski n,downt hesternum, wascutwi t
ha
scalpel.Thent hesternum it
selfwascompl etelycut,
strai
ghtdownt hemi ddle,wit
hanoscillat
ingsaw—
apparentlyt hat'sthemostcommont ypeofsaw
usedi nhear tsur ger
y.Thecuthal vesofthest ernum
wer ethenspr eadapar t
,li
kelywithaproperretractor
.
Thent hehear
twascar
eful
l
yremoved,
asi
twoul
d
havebeeni fi
twer
egoi
ngtobetr
anspl
ant
edon
anotherbody.
"
-Naledi
:"Whatar
eyout
ell
i
ngme?Thi
sguyi
sa
surgeon?"
-Lonwabo" Lookst hatway ,oratl eastsomeonewi t
h
propermedi cal tr
aini
ngandequi pment .
..According
tot hepat
hologi stallt
hiswasdonepost mor t
em.
Afterthegirlhadexsangui natedf rom aslitneck.But
thatdoesn'tmakesenset ome.I tjustdoesn't.Why
woul dsomeonegot hroughallthistroubleonan
alreadydeadgi rl?Ifhewant edtor emov eherhear t
forsomesi ckr eason,whynotj ustr ipi
tout ?Whydo
i
tsocar efull
yandso. .
.perfectl
y?"
-Nal
edi:
"Andwhyleaveherchestopenaftersuch
i
mmacul acy
?It'
sli
kehewassay i
ng,'Look,I
'v
etaken
herheart
.Whatareyougonnadoabouti t?
'Givi
ng
thecopsorherfamil
ythefi
nger.
"
-Lonwabo:"Exact
ly.Andtheydumpedheratthat
parkknowingv er
ywellthatsomeonewouldfindher
.
I
t '
sli
ketheywantedhert obefound.Quest
ionis,
why?Iftheyki
ll
edSimphiwei
nNovemberandbur
ied
her,
whydi dn'
ttheybur
yOwam t
oo?Whydispl
ayher
l
ikethat
? "
-Naledi :"
May bethisguyi ssendingamessageand
hewant sittober eceived.Hewant shissi ck
statementt obehear d.Andnoneoft hatwoul d
happeni fhecont i
nuedt oburythebodi es.NowI'm
notacl i
nicalpsychologistI
'mincounsel li
ng,soI
can'tr eal
lysaymuchf orsure.Butassomeonewho
speci ali
sesingriefcounselli
ng, I
'
vedeal twit
ha
numberofpeopl edealingwithdifferentkindsof
grief.Iknowwhatgr iefcandot oaper son.Itcan
sendot hersdownadar khole,itdependsonwho
youar easaper son."
-
Lonwabo:
"Whatar
eyousay
ingexact
ly?
"
-Naledi"Yousai dthisguyisli
kel
ytohav ebeen
cheatedonbef oreandl ef
tbyawomanhet r
uly
l
ov ed,whi chi
swhyhe' snowdoingthis.That'
sgrief
.
He'sstil
l notoverthewomanwhodumpedhi m.He's
sti
llgri
ev i
ngthatloss.Gr i
efcancauseanger,rage.
Soi tcouldbet hatev er
yti
meheki l
lsagirl
,inhis
headhei skil
li
ngt hewomanwhocausedhi m pai
n,
overandov eragain.Andt hemutil
ati
onoft he
genit
aliacouldbesy mbolic.Fr
eudwoul dhav ehada
fi
elddaywi thit
.Any way,i
tcouldbesy mbolicofthe
hatr
edt hisguyfeelsforcheati
ngwomenandwhat
theyrepresent.
"Sheclearedherthroat."
I'
m surey ou
getwhatImean.Andt heheart
?Itcouldbet hathe
feel
st hatcheati
ngwomenhav enohear ts.Thatthey
donotconsi derthei
rpartners'
feel
ings.ButI'
mj ust
speculati
ng,ofcourse."
-Lonwabo: "No,I'
ml iki
ngt his.You'remakingv al
id
point
s."Point she'dalsor eachedi nhishead."But
backt omyquest i
on.Whyr emov et heheartso
careful
lyandnotj ustr i
pi tout?Thisbuggedmet he
wholeni ghtlastnightunt i
lItooksl eepi
ngpil
ls.Buti
t
buggedmeev enmor ethismor ning.Andthemor eI
thoughtabouti tthemor eitmadenosense.Now
hearmeout ,here'
swhatI 'mt hi
nking."
-
Nal
edi
:"Let
'sheari
t.
"
-Lonwabo: "Mel
inda,t
hewomany ousawmewith
l
astni ght,
isaforensi
cpathologi
stdownatt
he
mor tuaryi
nHill
brow.Andshe'stheonewho
performedOwam' saut
opsy."
-Nal
edi:
"Ifeel
sost
upi
dfort
hinki
ngy
out
wo.
..
"He
cutheroff
.
-
Lonwabo:"
No,wedi
dhav eathing.Buti
tendeda
whi
leago.I
twasnot
hingser
ious.Anditdi
dn'tl
ast
."
Shelookedathi
m wit
hdisappr
ovi
ngey es,
making
hi
mf eelbadanduncomfort
abl
e.Butshedidn'
tsay
anyt
hingaboutt
hemat t
er.
.
.
.
-Lonwabo: "Anyway,thisiswher eIam goingwith
this:Meli
ndai sverybusy .Shewor ksatthemor t
uary
andshe' salsoanacademi cl ecturer,
teachi
ngboth
undergraduateandpost graduat estudentsatWit
s
MedSchool .Sherarelyattendscr imescenes.But
Wednesdaymor ni
ng, whenOwam' sbodywasf ound,
shemadei ttothescene.It hought ,
okaymay beshe
wasf ree.Nothingraisedmyey ebrows.Thenthere
wast heaut opsy.Thursdaymor ni
ng,whichis
yesterday,Igotacall f
rom t hemor t
uarytel
l
ingme
aboutOwam' sautopsywhi chwasaboutt obedone,
andaski ngmeast hei nv est i
gat i
ngof fi
cerifIwant ed
toat tend.Thatt oowasoddt ome.I nmyl ifeasa
detect iv
e, hereandi nCapeTown, I'dnev erseenan
autopsydonesoqui ckly.Usual lyabodyj oinsa
queuebecauset her e'sashor tageofFPsi n
gov er nmentmor t
uar ies.Butst ill
, Idi dn'tsuspect
any thing, Iwasj ustgl adi twasgonnabedoneand
overwi t
hsot hatOwam' sf ami lycoul dgett obur y
theirdaught erwhenev ert heywant ed,andIast he
i
nv est igatorcoul dgetabet terunder standingof
whatr eall
yhappenedt oher .Butt henl astnight
Mel indacamet omypl acet odel i
v ert hef ul
l autopsy
repor t.She' dal r
eadycompl etedi tandshedel iv
ered
i
tt omypl acei nper son, somet hingt hatisn't
standar dpr otocol .Butnotonl ythat ,sheal so
seemedawhol eloti nter estedi nt hiscase.She
want edt oknowhowf arwe' veal readygone.Then
shesatt here, shar i
ngaf ewt heor iesaboutt heki nd
ofper sonwhocoul dhav epossi blyki l
l
edt hegi rl
.
Anot herr edf l
ag. "
-
Nal
edi
:"Di
dyoushar
ethi
swi
thy
ourpar
tner
?"
-
Lonwabo:
"No.Icoul
dn'
t.
"Hedi
dn'
twantt
otel
lher
aboutt hedramaatt hestationj usty et."Andt helast
thi
ngIwanti stoaccuseadecor atedf orensic
pathologistli
keMel i
ndawi t
houtpr oof.Thi sisa
womanwho' shelpedthestat einal otofcases.
Mostofourdet ecti
veswor shipt hegr oundshe
walkson.Andshe' sanupst andingci tizenwi thabig
heart.She'sbusybutshest illdonat eshert i
meand
moneyt oanumberofshel tersforhomel ess
chil
drenacr ossthecity.I
fIt ai
ntt hatspect acular
reputationwithoutproof,
I'
df i
ndmy selfint r
ouble."
-
Naledi
:"Whatexact
lywoul
dyoubeaccusi
ngher
of
?"
-Lonwabo: "
I'
m notexact l
ysur e.Butcheckt hi
sout :
l
astni ghtwhenIaskedherwhyshewasso
i
nt erest edinthecaseshesai di tremindsherofhow
shel ostherl it
tl
esi st
ersomey earsback.Andt hat
sher eallywantsthiskil
lertobeappr ehended.I
believ edher,butthemor eIthoughtt hingsthrough
todayt hemor eev eryt
hingfeltwr ong.Itbot
her edme.
Ihadt odosomet hing.SoIcameher e.Iwantedt o
talkt oTony ,theowneroft hecof feeshopy ouf ound
mei n.He' sMelinda'scousin,Igott oknowhi m
throughher .Ihadt owai tforal mostanhourbef ore
hecameoutt ot alkt omet hough.AndIhadt omake
somesmal l talkbef oreIcoul dski llfull
yaskhi m
aboutt hecousi nhel ost,Mel i
nda' sl it
tlesist er
.Tur ns
outshenev erexi sted.Thatst ory'sbul lshit,Mel i
nda
fabri
cat edit.Theonl ypersonMel indal osti sher
daught er.Appar ent lyshewasbor nwi thabadhear t
andneededat r
anspl ant.Unf ortunat elyt hough, she
passedawayj ustaf terherf our t
hbi rt
hday , sti
l
l on
thetranspl antl i
st .ButMel indanev erment ionedany
ofthatt ome, Ijustwonder edwhyshenev erhad
kids.Nowt hi sbegst hequest i
on: ifshecoul dlie
aboutadeadsi st erwhatel sehasshel iedabout ?
Whati fshel iedont heaut opsyr epor t?Whati f
Owam' shear twasr emov edpr emot erm andt he
neckwassl itpost mor tem asawayofconf usingus?
Inthatcase, theseguy swoul dhav eputt hegi rl
underanaest hesi at hencutherchestopen.Under
normal ci
rcumst ances, whent hehear tisr emov ed
from thebody ,thepat ientismai ntainedonahear t
-
l
ungmachi newhi choxy genat esandci rculatesbl ood
throughoutt hebody , r
eplacingt hef unct i
onofbot h
thehear tandt hel ungs.Buti nt hiscase, they
wouldn'
thav eneededthatmachine.Andthecause
ofdeathwoul dn'
thavebeenexsanguinat
ionbut
car
diacarrestorsomethingalongthosel
ines.Whi
ch
wouldinturnmeanMel indal
ied."
-
Naledi
:"Ar
ey ousayi
ngwhatIt
hinky
ou'
resay
ing?
Organt
raff
icki
ng?"
-Lonwabo:"I
t'
stheonlythi
ngthatmakessenset o
meatt hi
spoint.Itwoul
dexplai
nwhytheheartwas
caref
ull
yremov ed.AndwhyMel i
ndawantedto
handleevery
thi
ng, whysheseemedint
erest
edi nthe
caseandwhyshel i
ed.I
twouldmeanshe'sinvolv
ed
i
nt hi
sbrutal
it
y."
-
Naledi:
"Butwhywouldshet el
lyouever
ythi
ngel
se
t
hatshe'stol
dyou.
..abouthowt hehear
twas
r
emov ed?"
-Lonwabo: "Thegreatestl
iesevertoldaremi xedwith
thetruth.Besides,shedoesn'
twor kalone,shehas
assistantswhocoul dhaveeasilypickeduponher
l
ieswhenIwast hereandtri
edtopoi ntthem out.
..
in
mypr esence, andIbetshecouldn'thaveafforded
that.Butany t
hingelsewasupt oher .
"
-
Nal
edi
:"Andwhataboutt
heser
ial
kil
l
ert
heor
y?"
-Lonwabo: "
Thi sdoesn'teraseit
.Thisguycoul dbe
wor ki
ngwi t
hMel i
ndaandwhoev erelseisinvol
vedin
thisring,butalsosat i
sfyi
nghi surgesont heside,
exactingr evengeonhi sv i
ctimsandst il
lgett
ingto
harvestt hei
ror gans.Twobi rds,
onest one.Think
abouti t,
Mel inda'sdaughterdiedwaitingforanew
hear t
."
-Naledi
:"Yooh,
nowthi
sissomethi
ngelse.I
f.
..
"She
stoppedandLonwabocouldheart
hewheelsturnin
herhead."OhmyGod."Hereyeswerenowout,big
l
ikesaucers.
-
Lonwabo:
"Whati
sit
?"
-Nal
edi:"
Whati ft
hiswhol
ethingi
saboutSky?Oh
myGod. "Shewaspanicki
ngandspeakingfast
.
"Whatifthi
sguyiskil
li
ngbecauseofSky?Whatifi
t'
s
him who'sabduct
edher?"
Lonwabowasn'tfoll
owing.HowdidSkyfi
tint
othis
equati
on?Shedidn'thaveanyt
hingcommonwi t
hthe
othervi
cti
msasf arashewasawar e.Hewasabout
toaskNaledi
toelaboratewhenapuzzlepi
ece
suddenl
yfel
lint
oplaceinhi
shead.Yes,
he'
dbeen
ri
ghtaboutt
hisguy
, he'
dbeenr
ight.
-Lonwabo:"Theotherni
ghtyoutol
dmet hatwhen
Skywasdoi ngherfir
styear
,atWits,
herboyf
ri
end
wasdoi ngmedici
neinCapeTown.Andshedumped
him becausehewast oobusyforher.
"
-Naledi
: "
Yes.Buthenev ersawi tt
hatway .He
thoughtSkyhadmetsomeonenew.Heaccusedher
ofcheat i
ngonhi m beforeshedeci dedt oendt hings
withhim.I tdidn'
tmat terwhatSkysai d, hebelieved
whathewant edtobelieve.Andt heirr
elationshiphad
beent i
ght ,Skytoldmeev eryonebackhomet hought
theywoul dgetmar ri
edoneday .Butinsteadshe
endedt hingsandhedi dn'ttakethatprettywel l
.The
guy '
snowaqual i
fi
edcar diothor
acicsurgeon.Dr
Siyabul
elaMoss.Il ookedhi m uponl i
newhenhe
suddenlyappear edatSky '
sweddi ngv enuet heday
beforeherweddi ngthispastDecember .Whati fher
getti
ngmar ri
edbecamehi stri
gger?At ri
ggert okill
."
-Lonwabo:"
Andhe'
skil
li
ngWitsfi
rstyearfemal
e
student
swhocheatedonthei
rpartner
s.Makes
sense.ButSi
mphi
weandBokamosodi sappear
edi
n
November
.Skygotmarr
iedi
nDecember
.Howcoul
d
t
hathavet
rigger
edhi
m?"
-Naledi
: "
May bethat'
swhenhel ear nedabouther
engagement .Idon'tknow.Butsomet hingt ell
sme
thattheguyy ouandy ourguy sarelookingf ori
sDr
Siyabulel
aMoss.AndIt hinkhehasSky .Isawy our
Mel i
ndat hi
smor ni
ngar guingwithSky '
shusband
outsidemyf avouri
tecoffeeshopi nBr aamf ontein.
That'swhatIwant edtot alkt
oy ouabout .I
nl i
newith
Sky '
sdisappearance.Ij
ustdidn'tknowt hatwe'd
reachthisconclusion.
"
-
Lonwabo:
"Yout
hinkSky
'shusbandi
sal
soi
nvol
ved
i
nthi
s?"
-Naledi
: "
Idon'tknow.Butt hewayhe' sbeendoi ng
thi
ngsl atel
yraisesquestions.Anotherthi
ng, Michael,
acol l
eagueofSky 's,cal
l
edt hismorningtot ellme
thatXenongaswasst ol
enf rom t
heirvandalisedlab.
WhenIaskedwhatcoul dsomeonepossi blysteal
thegasf orhesai dithasanumberofusesbutonl y
onei sscreamingatmer i
ghtnow, Imeanaf ter
hearingwhaty oujustsaidabouthear tsurger i
es.
Mikesay sXenonhasacoupl eofusesi nthemedi cal
i
ndustr
y,includi
nggener al
anaest hesia.Appar entl
yit
i
sanideal anaestheti
c.I
tsafelyandef f
icientlysends
apati
enttoanunconsci ousst ate,nocar diovascular
si
deeffects.Butitisgeneral
l
ynotananaest heticof
choi
ceforsur ger
ybecauseofi t
sst eeppr icetag.
Nowif.
.."
Theringi
ngofherphonest oppedhermi d-
sent
ence.
Sheexcusedher sel
fandansweredit.Lonwabo
watchedherfacel i
ghtupasshescreamed" what?
"
i
ntothephone.Whenshehungupandt urnedtohim,
shelookedanxious,worr
iedandhappyal l
atonce.
-Nal
edi :"
ThatwasDet ecti
veMabuse.Saystheymay
havef oundSky.Apparentl
yaDet ect
iveBl
i
ef r
om
EasternCapecalledafterchecki
ngtheSAPS's
missingpersonslist
..
."
.
.
Quickquest
ion:whydoy '
all
thinkNalediand
Lonwabotookforevertogettothekissi
ngpart
?
ThesetwometonTuesdayandt heyki
ssedon
Fri
day. I
sthat"for
ever"
?
Chapt
er31
Fr
iday
,28Febr
uar
y,14:
00
.
Naledil
ookedoutt hepassengersi
dewi ndowas
Lonwabopul l
edoutofherdr i
veway.Lebowas
standi
nginfrontofthegarage,smi
lingandwavi
ng
sti
ll
.Naledi
chuckledandt ur
nedtolookatLonwabo
whowasal sostil
lsmili
nginthedri
ver'sseat
.
-
Her
:"Her
eal
l
yli
kesy
ou.
"
-Hi
m: "
He' sabri
ght,
lovel
yboy .You'
redoingagreat
j
obr ai
singhim al
oneasasi nglemother.
"Heputhis
phoneint hecent
erconsolecupholder."
Ireal
l
y
wantedt okeepmypr omisetohimthisweekend.
Butherewear e."
Hetoowasf ondofLebo, Naledihadwi t
nessedit
againtoday.She'
dstoodj ustoutsideherfr
ontdoor
wit
hherbag, theimagebef oreherpl ay
ingalmost
l
ikeamov i
esceneunfoldinginslowmot i
on.Theguy
shewassl owlybutsurel
yf al
linginlovewit
hwas
kneeli
nginthewalkwayt eachingsaf et
yrul
esand
showingthebestwayt oputonpr otecti
vegear
beforeabikeri
detoherfavourit
elit
tl
epersonwho
wasst andi
ngnexttohisnewbi ke(agif
tfr
om
Sebastian)
,pay
ingeveryl
it
tlebitofatt
enti
on.She
couldseetheobviousadorati
oninboththeirf
aces.
Shehadn' tmoved.She'
dstoodther
ef eeli
ngthankf
ul.
Ov erwhel
med.Blessed.Amazed.Andj ustso
gratefult
hatGodhadsentthiscarr
yingmanherway .
-Her
: "
Don'twor
ry,heunder
standswhywear e
l
eaving."Sher
epli
ednowandgent l
ybrushed
Lonwabo'sshoul
der.
Af t
erthecal lshegotf rom Det ecti
veMabuse,she
hadt ol
dLonwaboev erythingthedetecti
vehadsaid.
Wi t
houtev ent hinkingtwi ce,Lonwabohadjumpedi n,
takingmat tersintohi sownhands.He' dmadeacal l
toMabuse, askedf orDetect i
veBli
e's—thedetecti
ve
from EasternCape—number ,
thencall
edtheguy
himself.WhenDet ecti
v eBlieansweredhe'd
requestedt hatt heyprov i
deSkywi thpoli
ce
protecti
on, st
r essingthatt hewomancoul dsti
llbein
danger ,
thatshewasl ikelystil
lbei
nghunted.
WhenhehungupNal
edi
hadl
ookedathi
m andsai
d,
"Ihav
etogoseeherformysel
f.Today."Shewanted
tomakesurethatt
hewomanl y
inginthathospi
tal
wasindeedSkybef
oreshecoul
draiseherparents'
hopes.
"Iagree.AndI '
m comi ngwithyou, "hehadsaidwith
ast r
aightv oi
ce,l
eav i
ngnor oom f orar
gument."Not
becauseIbel ieveSkyt obeatt hecentreofmy
i
nv esti
gation,butbecauseIwantt obethereforYOU.
Wedon' tr eal
lyknowwhat '
sgoingonov erthere.I
needy ousaf e,Naledi
.AndIwi ll dowhatev
eris
necessar ytoensur et
hatsaf et
y .Iwannadothiswith
you,bet hereforyouev erystepoft heway."
I
thadbeenawhi l
esi nceNalediheardaman, ot
her
thanSebast
ian,sayhewant st obet her
ef orher
.
Heari
ngthatcomi ngf r
om Lonwabohadnotonl y
madeherhear tsmile,i
tmadeherl ikehim even
more.Soshe'dnoddedwi thasmi leandt oldhim
howmuchshe' dlikethat.
Lonwabohadescor
tedherbacktohercarsoshe
couldgohomeandpackherweekendbagwhilehe
al
sowenttopackhis.Thenhe'
dcometopickherup
becauset
heyweregoingtodri
vedowntoEaster
n
Capet
oget
her
,inhi
scar
.
Soheretheywere,
beginningthei
r7-
and-
a-hal
fhour
j
ourneytoBarkl
eyEast.Leavi
ngLeboint
hecar eof
MaCat her
ineandSebasti
an.
Theyl eftAspenHi ll
sNat ureEst atebehindanddr ove
downt heM7i ncomf ort
abl esilence.Nal edi satt here
thi
nkingaboutSky ,andr evisit
ingsomepr ettydeep
memor iesoft hey earsshe' dknownher .Shel ost
herselfint hememor iesandLonwabodi dn' tdi sturb
her,hel etherbe.Unt ilshet houghtaboutt hecal l
Sky'smot herhadmadeear l
ier,whenNal edi wasst il
l
backatt hehouse.Theol derwomanhadcal ledt o
tel
lhert hatt hey'
dhi r
edaPI ,setupasoci al medi a
pageandal soputupawebsi t
ef orthei
rdaught er.
Theyst illdidn'
tknowt hatSkymayhav ebeenf ound,
Naledi hadaskedDet ecti
v eMabuset onotsay
anythingt ot hem untileverythinghadbeen
confirmed.Thecoupl ewast oobr okenov ert his,
theycoul dn'taffordtohav etheirhopesr aisedf or
nothing.
Nal
edinowpull
edoutherphonetocheckoutt
he
websi
tethey
'dhadputup.Ther
ewasal ar
geport
rai
t
ofSkyont hepage.Underi twasacapt i
on: "
Hav e
youseenourdaught er?",
andt heamountofr ewar d.
Theywer eof feringR500000t oanyonewhocoul d
helpt hem f indt hei rdaught er .Withaheav yheart
Nal edimov edont othenextphot o.Thisonewasof
Skyandherpar ent sonherweddi ngday .Shelooked
sohappy ,socont ent.Looki ngatt hephot onow,
Nal edicouldn' thel pbutwonderi fherhusbandwas
i
nv olvedinherdi sappear ance.Shedi dn'tli
ke
thinkingthewor staboutpeopl e,butsomet i
mest hey
l
ef thernochoi ce.Swal l
owi ngt hebadt astelefti
n
hermout h, shemov edont ocheckoutt henext
phot o.Thisonehadherbl inkingbackt ear sbecause
shewasf eat uredoni t.I
twast akenay earagowhen
sheandSkywer eenj oyi
ngsnowi nHogsback.The
twooft hem wer ewear i
ngleggi ngsandmat ching
bluepuf fyjacket s, andt heywer eholdinghands,
l
ooki ngl i
ket hesi stersthatt heywer e.
Ontherightofthepagewasal i
nkwherepeople
coul
dleavemessagesandanot herdev
otedtomor e
pi
ctur
esofSky .Naledi
didn'topenanyofthem.She
coul
dn'
t.Herheartwasbr eakingi
nherchest,t
ears
threateningt ospil
l outofherey es.Herbody
suddenl yranhotandcol dasshet houghtaboutt he
possi bil
it
yofSkybei nginthehospi t
al i
nacoma.
Whati fshedi dn'
twakeup?Orwhati fshewokeup
functionallyimpaired?God, shecoul dn'
tloseher .
Shecoul dn'tl
oseherbestf riend,hersister.Naledi
didn'tprayof ten,
butshedi dnow.Si l
entl
y .Please,
God, letSkybeokay .
Feel
ingsuperemot i
onal
,sheputherphoneonthe
dashboar
dandt urnedherheadtotheopenwindow
soLonwabocoul dn'
tseeherface.
Looki
ngoutthewindowsheonlyreal
i
sednowwher e
theywer
e.They'
djustt
urnedont
oM1i nBooysens.
-
Lonwabo:"
Naledi
?"Shethoughthewoul
daskifshe
wasokaybuthedi
dn't
,hesaidsomethi
ngel
se."I
t
hinkwehaveatai
l.
"
-
Her
:"Huh?
"
-
Him:"
Thewhi t
eAudi behi
nduswasparkedoutsi
de
t
hegateofyourest
ate.Whenwedroveout,i
t
f
oll
owedus.I'
vebeenkeepinganey
eoni t
.WhenI
t
akeaturn,
itdoesthesame.Seemsli
ketheydon'
t
wannal
oseus.
"
Sheshi
ft
edt
ocheckt
her
ear
viewmi
rr
or.
-
Her
:"It
hinkweshoul
dpul
lov
er.
"
-
Him:
"Thi
nkt
hat
'sagoodi
dea?
"
-
Her:"
Ifwepull
overt
hey'
l
ldri
vepast.What
'st
he
wor
sttheycando?Dri
vebyshoot
ing?"
-
Him:
"Iwoul
dn'
tknow.
"
Buthedidpulloverontheyell
owli
ne.Thenhetol
d
hertogetdownandst ayther
eashepul l
edouthi
s
gun.Shestayeddowni nherseat
,herhear
t
thunder
inginherchest
.
-Lonwabo:"
Youcansi tupnow."Hesaidaft
erafew
moment s."
It
'sdri
venpast.Buti
thasdarkwindows,I
couldn'
tseethepersonbehindthewheel
."
-
Her:"
Whocouldi
tbe?Andwhyt
hehel
lwer
ethey
f
oll
owingus?
"
Lonwaboj
ustshr
ugged.
.
.
.
Fr
iday
,28Febr
uar
y,22:
30
Visi
tinghour swerelongov erwhenLonwaboand
Naledi gott othehospi t
ali
nBar kl
eyEast ,but
Lonwabot al
kedtot hedoctorandbeggedhi mtolet
them seet hepati
ent .Theycouldn'
tsendt hem
pict
ur es, theleasttheycoulddowasl etthem see
her.Lonwabocoul dseehowwor ri
edNal ediwas,
she'dbeenqui etal
l thewaydownher e, andhe
couldn' tlethergot obedwi t
hthecloudof
uncer taintyst i
l
lhangi ngoverherhead.Theyneeded
toknowi fitwasSkyl yi
nginthatICUornot .Now.
"Okay ,
Detecti
ve,butI
'l
lonlyall
owoneofy outogo
i
n,"Thedoct orwho'didenti
fi
edhimselfasDoctor
Dikanasaid."We'l
lbetransfer
ringhert
oEast
Londont omorrow.Ifshe'ssti
l
lnotawakebythen,
thatis.
"
Thenit'
sagoodthi
ngthatwegother
ebeforet
hat
happened,
Lonwabothoughtast
hedoct
orledthe
waytotheICU.
-
Nal
edi
:"IneedSkyt
obeokay
,Lonwabo.
"Shewas
walkingcl
osebesi
dehi
m ast
heyf
oll
owedt
he
doctor.
-
Him:
"Shewi
l
lbe,
wegot
tabel
i
evet
hat
."
Whentheygottothedoortot
heICUshegr
abbedhi
s
arm.Helookedatherandsawtear
sgl
eami
nginher
beaut
if
uleyes.
-Her:"Theyhavetobewrong,
Nwabo.Shecan'
tbe
theonei nther
e.Shehastobest
il
loutther
eandwe
willf
indherokayandsti
lli
nonepi
ece."Shewas
breakinghishear
t.
-Him: "
Naledi.
..
"Herl i
pst r
embledandshesuddenl y
j
erkedawayf r
om hi m.Shepushedopent hedoor
andwal kedinside,l
eav i
nghim outtherewiththe
constableonguar ddut y.Det
ectiveBli
e,withwhom
they'
dcome, j
oinedhim andt heyoungof fi
cershor
tl
y,
carryi
ngt wostyrof
oam cupsandcof f
eewi t
ha
thermos.Whatagodsend.Lonwabocoul dreall
yuse
thecof f
ee.He'dhadacr appynightl
astnightand
nowhecoul dfeeltheexhaust i
onrelentl
essly
tuggingathim.
Thei
rfi
rstst
opwhent
heygott
otownhadbeent
he
policestati
ont omeetwi thDetectiv
eBl i
e.Theol der
detective,whowasasbr oadashewashi gh, had
fi
ll
edt hem inont hel i
tt
leheknew.Het oldt hem
abouthowt hewomant heybelievedtobeSkyhad
endedupi nhospi t
al.Apparentlyshe'dsav edan
olderwoman' sl
ife.Thatwomanwasnowr ecovering
i
nt hisveryhospi t
albutsheappar entl
yhadn' tsaida
wor dsinceshecamet o,fol
lowingasur ger y.Bli
e,
withhisl i
mitedmedi calknowl edge,hadat tri
buted
thattoshockbecausehebel i
evedthewomanhad
witnessedherhusband' smur derinthehandsoft he
samemanwho' dputheri nhospital.
Alotseemedt obehappeni ngint hissmall t
ownand
theneighbouringv i
llageofRhodes, andsomet hing
tol
dLonwabot hatt hiswaswher et hey'dgetmostof
thei
ranswer s.Hewasscar edt hough, scaredt hat
theywouldn'tfindLer at
ostill
alive.Thisguyseemed
tobespiral
li
ngoutofcont rol,kil
l
ingl eft
,ri
ghtand
centr
e.Hehadnor easont okeepLer atoali
ve.The
poorwomanwaspr obablyalreadydead.The
thoughtofthatpi ssedLonwaboof f.Hi
shear tbeat
l
eaptintodoubl e-ti
meandhef el
tlikehewasdy i
nga
sl
owdeat hinside.He' dfailedt osav eal i
fe.
..agai
n.
Buthest il
lplannedt odriveoutt oRhodesi nt he
mor ning.That ,
howev er,j
ustl i
keev ery thi
ngel se,
wasgoi ngtobedet erminedbyt heident i
tyoft he
womanl yi
ngi nt heICU.I fi
twasi ndeedSkyt hen
he'ddr iv
et ot hosef arms.He' dworkt hecase.He’ d
getjust i
cef orSky ,Owam, Si mphiwe, Leratoandany
otherwomanwho' dbeenv icti
misedbyt his
psychot icmanandwhoev ert hehellel sehewas
wor kingwi t
h.Al l t
hosewomenmat ter ed.Mot aung
andhi spoli
tics?Theydi dn't.Notev enal it
tlebit.
Whi chwaswhyhehadn' tev entol
dhi mt hathewas
comi ngdownher e,fol
lowingapossi blelead.He
di
dn' tneedhi sbul l
shittogeti ntheway .
Nal edicameoutabout5mi nuteslat
erandLonwabo
coul dtel
lbyt hesobthatbrokefrom herasshe
threwher selfinhi
sarmst hatitwasindeedher
fri
endi nthereandshewasf arfr
om okay .Thiswas
goodf ort hecasebutnotsomuchf orNal edi
..
.orSky
.
Hekeptqui etandoffer
edhert heshouldershe
neededashegent l
ybrushedherback.Whenshe
fi
nal l
ylif
tedherheadandst eppedoutofhi s
embr ace,shebl i
nkedawayt ears.Damn,howcoulda
personlooksobeaut i
fulwhil
ecr yi
ng?Howcoul d
shelooksof ragil
eandst rongallatthesamet i
me?
Lonwabof eltli
kekissingherrightther
eandthen.
Buthedi dn'tdare,thatwaspr obablythel
astthi
ng
shewant edr ightnow.
Deepbr eath,Lonwabo, deepbreath.Thisf r
agi
lesoul
needsy our i
ghtnow.Sheneedsy ourv erybest
.Your
biggestcompassi on.Sot r
yandpul litout.She
needsy ourmostgent leandfir
ml ov eand
reassurance.
-Hi
m: "
Sky'
sgonnabeokay,babe.
"Hegentl
ybrushed
hershoul
der."
Thedoct
orsaidhe'
sopt
imist
ic.
"
-
Her:"
Butshe'
snotokayri
ghtnow.She'ssost
il
l,
Nwabo,y
oushouldhaveseenher.She'
ssosti
l
l.
"
-Him:"
Listen,
weneedtogonow.We'l
lcomeseeher
againi
nt hemorni
ng.Maybet
her
e'l
lbeachange
then.
"
-Her
:"But
...
she'
smyfr
iend.Ican'
tl
eaveheral
one.I
havetostayher
eunt
ilshewakesup."
-
Him:
"Babe,
we'
rebot
hti
red.Weneedt
ogoget
somesl eep.Wewon' tbeabletogettothebot t
om
ofthi
sorbeofanyhel ptoSkyifourbodiesand
brai
nsar enotwell
-r
ested.Andshe'shardlyalone.
Therearedoctorsandnur seshere,
andaf t
erthetalk
Detecti
veBlieandIjusthad,he'
soffer
edt ostaywith
ConstableMaliandmakesur et
hatSky'
ssaf e."
Theseasoneddetect
ivelovedhi
sjob,Lonwabohad
pi
ckedthatupfrom t
heirconver
sati
on.Hewasa
goodcopandLonwabot r
ustedhimtokeepaneye
onSkyunti
ltheycoul
dcomebacki nthemorni
ng.
Heli
ftedhishand,off
eri
nghispal
mtoNaledi
.She
hesi
tated.Thenherhandli
ft
edandpr
essedtohis.
Seemedt ofithi
s.
-Hi
m:"She'
l
lbesaf
e.AndnowIneedt
okeepYOU
saf
e."
Aft
erthetailthey'di
dentif
iedthenmanagedt olose
backinJo'burg,theycouldn'
tbet oocaref
ul.They
sti
l
ldidn'
tknowt heful
lextentofwhatwasgoi ngon,
orhowmanypeopl ewereinvolvedini
t.Theydidn'
t
knowwhoel sewasoutt herekeepingthem inthei
r
si
ghts.Onet hingwasf orsurethough,thi
swas
biggert
hanDoct
orSi
yabul
elaMoss.Andunt
ilt
hey
knewmor e,
hewasn'
tl
etti
ngNal
edioutofhi
ssight
.
.
.
.
Fr
iday
,28Febr
uar
y,23:
30
"Ther
earetwor oomsinthesui
te.
"Lonwabopointed
totheroom ontheri
ght."
Youcantakethatone,and
I
'll
beinhere."Hemovedhishandtoindi
catethe
doorontheleft.
Theywer eonthet opfloorofthetwo- st
oreycountry
boutiquehot
el.Lonwabohadl eftNalediatthepoli
ce
stat
ionwithDet ect
iveBlieandcomeher etoget
them roomsbef oretheymadei ttothehospi t
al.And
l
uckyenough, theygott heonl
ysui t
et hehotelhad.
-Naledi
:"Okay
,"shesoundedsomewhat
disappoi
nted.
Hisgazesweptov erher.Shelookedpaleanddown
eventhoughthey'
dalreadygottenthechanceto
ref
uelthei
rbodieswithtakeoutfood.Hereyeswer
e
t
oodar
k.
-
Him:
"Youshoul
dgetsomesl
eep.
"
-
Her
:"I
'
drat
hergetadr
ink.
"
Hebli
nked,sur
prisedbyherresponse,but
..
.hel
l
,if
shewantedadrinksheshouldgetit.Hemadehi s
wayovertothemi ni
barandcheckedtheselect
ion.
-
Him:
"Looksl
i
kewe'
vegotwi
neandbeer
."
-
Her
:"Wi
ne."She'
dcomet
owar
dhi
m,mov
ingsi
l
ent
ly
ont
hesof
tcarpet
.
Hepour edheragl assoft hedeepr edliquid.Hegav e
herthegl assandwat chedasshedr ankit.Shewas
standingt ooclosetohi m.Naledi waswi thhiminhi s
hotelsuite.Thiswasn' tadamndr eam.Thi swasr eal
.
Shewasr eal.Andhewant edher .God, buthe'd
wantedhert oolong.Thedayhest artedr eadi
ngher
bookay earago.Ot hersmi ghtsayhebecame
obsessedwi thher.Ormay behedi d.He' dstalkher
onli
ne.Somet imeshe' dfi
ndhi mselfr eachingoutf or
heratnight .Howf uckedupwast hat ?
-
Her
:"Don'
tyouwantadr
ink?
"Herv
oicepul
l
edhi
m
outofhi
sthought
s.
-
Him:
"Idon'
tdr
ink.
"
-
Her
:"Youdon'
t?
"Shesoundedsur
pri
sed.
-Hi
m:"
Baby,
Icaneitherpumpmybl oodst
ream wi
th
pil
l
sonadai
lyorIcandrink.Ican'
tdoboth.
"
-Her
:"Oh.Isee.
"Sheconti
nuedtosi
pherwi
ne.Her
eyeswatchinghi
m,hergazeshadowed.
Heneededt
ostepaway
.Shewashur
ti
ng,herf
riend
wasi
nhospit
ali
nacoma.Shedi
dn'
twanthimto—
-Her
:"Iwantyou,
Nwabo.
"Fuck.Ev
erymuscl
einhi
s
bodytensed.
-Him:"Becareful."Thewar ningsl
ippedoutofhi m.
Becareful,
baby .Don' tpushmet oofar.Mycont rol
onlyworkswi t
hot herpeople.Notwithyou.I
've
wantedy outool ong.Imi ghtnotbeabletohol d
back,notnowt hatwe' r
efinall
yal
one.Hef i
nishedall
thati
nhishead.
-Her:
"Ihavebeencaref
ul.I'
vealwaysbeenthe
caref
ulone.Iwasthegoodgi rl8yearsago,
andt
hat
gotmeaswi fttr
ipt
ohell.IalsotaughtSkyt
obe
careful
,butshest il
lgotabduct edany wayandshe' s
nowl yi
nginhospi tal.Andseei ngherl i
kethathas
broughtbacksomepr et
tybadmemor i
esforme.So
tr
ustme, car ef
ulsucks. "Hest il
l didn'tknowher
storybuthesur ehat edherpai n." Ther e'
st oomuch
paininthewor ld.Toomuchdar kness.Iseei tall
aroundme, andI'm sot i
redofi t."Shemov edher
bodyclosert ohis.Herhandr oseandcur ledar ound
hi
sneck." Idon'twantt ofeelthepai nanyl onger.
Rightnow, Iwantt of eel.
..
pleasur e.Pleasur ewill
combatpai n."
-Him:"Nal
edi
—"Butsheshookherheadandputher
glassdownonthesmallt
ablebehi
ndhim.
-Her
:"Goodni
ght
,Lonwabo.
"Thenshet
urnedonher
heel
,star
ti
ngt
owalkaway—
No,Lonwabocoul
dn'tl
ethergo.Notli
kethi
s.He
snaggedherwr
ist
,curl
i
nghisfinger
saroundhersof
t
arm..
-Hi
m:"Areyousureyouwannabewi t
hme? "Her
choi
ceofwordshadmadehi m doubtit
.Shel
ooked
upathim.Hereyeswereevenbigger
.Sobighe
couldgetl
oststari
ngint
hem."
Iwanty
out
obesur
e
beforewecrosstheli
ne.
"
Hewasf eelingplentyatt hismoment .Whenev ershe
wascl ose, thehungerhef eltforher,ther awdesi re,
wasnev erf arfrom thesur face.Butt het i
mi ngwas
wrong, hedi dn'twantt oseem l i
kehewast aki
ng
advantageofheratt hismoment .Andheal so
neededhert obesur eofwhatshewant ed.Af ter
whatshej ustsai dandt hewaysher espondedwhen
heletherknowofhi sintent i
onsbacki nJo' burg,he
neededt oknowt hatthiswasn' tj
ustabouthert r
ying
toforgetherpast .Heneededt oknowt hatshef elt
thesamewayashi m, t
hatshedi dn'tseehi m asjust
aguyshemanagedt of eel comf ort
ablewi thandnot
scaredoff ollowingwhat ev erhadhappenedt oherin
herprev i
ousr elati
onshiporherbadexper iencewi th
men.Heneededt oknowt hatshewasn' tusi nghim.
Becauseoncet heycrossedt helinetherewoul dbe
nogoi ngback.Notf orhim.
Shepr
essedherli
pst
oget
herandkeptqui
et.That
wasanswerenoughf
orhi
m.
-
Him:
"You'
l
lbesaf
eher
etoni
ght
.Just
..
.i
fyouneed
any
thi
ng,
I'
ll
beher
e."Hepacedt
owar
dhi
sroom.
-Her:
"Lonwabo...
"Hisshouldersst
iff
ened."Iwantto
bewithyou."Hekeptwalking.Thelastthi
nghe
wantedwast oforceherintosomethingshewasn't
sureof.Hecouldn't
,wouldn'
t,dosomethingli
kethat.
Heshutt hedoorbehindhim andknewheneeded
onehellofacoldshowert ogetthr
ought henight
.
.
Fr
iday
,28Febr
uar
y,23:
35
Nal
edistoodoutsi
deLonwabo'sdoor
.Whathadshe
j
ustdone?Whydi dshedrawback?Whydidshelet
hi
m go?Ofcourseshewantedtobewi t
hhim.She
wassure.Butwhydidshehesit
atewhenheasked?
Whydidn'tshet
ellhi
mthatri
ghtaway?Fear
.That
washeranswer.
Anddamn, thewayshe'dputit
,heprobablythought
shejustwantedtousehimforsex.Butthatwasn' t
tr
ue.Shedidn'tdocasual
sex..
.unli
kehim.She'd
beensodisgustedwhenhet ol
dheraboutMel inda
backinJo'
burg.Shedidn'
tli
keitwhenmendi dthat
towomen.Buti fthet
wohadagr eedtoit
,theni twas
noneofherbusi ness.Itwasnowov eranyway.And
shelikedLonwabo.Yes, sheneededt ofeel
somet hingotherthanpainri
ghtnow, butshewant ed
thatpleasuretobef r
om him becausesher eal
lyl
iked
him andshe. .
.wantedtobewi t
hhim.
Sheknockedonhi sdoor .Itopenedalmost
i
mmedi ately
.Withthelightinhisroom off,t
heonly
avai
labl
elightcamef r
om t hesideshewasst andi
ng
on.Shecouldseehi m standingthere,
juststari
ngat
her.
-Her:"I
'm sure,"shealmostscreamedt hewor ds."
I
l
ikey ou,Lonwabo.AndIwantt obewi thyou.Iwant
ust oexplorethisandseewher ethi
srelat
ionship
takesus."Thi swasn'tjustphy
sical.
Hisli
pspartedasifhewouldspeak,butshedi
dn't
giv
ehimt hechance.Shepressedherli
pstohi
s.Her
ki
sswasn'tseducti
veorteasing.I
twasdesper
ate.
Shewasdesper at
e.Buthishandsgrabbedher
shoul
dersandhesl owl
ypushedherback.
Oh.My
.God.Thepai
ninherchestj
ustgotwor
se.
-
Him:
"Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
"She'
dthoughtshewas
ki
ssinghim.Hercheeksbur ned."Youdon'thaveto
dothistogetridofpain,
Naledi.Justgogetsome
sl
eepandy ou'
ll
wakeupf eeli
ngbet t
eri
nthe
morning.Orwecanj ustsi
tandt alkunt
ily
ouf eel
bet
ter.I
'm herefory
ou."
No,
shedi
dn'
twantt
otal
k.Shewant
edhi
m.
-
Her:
"Tr
ustme,Iwantt
his.Andnotj
ustf
ort
oni
ght.I
woul
dn'
tmindwaki
ngupnexttoyouever
ymorni
ng."
Hest eppedback, l
etheri
ntohisroom andclosed
thedoor .Thenhewast heonet oki
ssher.Therewas
nothi
nghesi tantabouthi
skiss.I
twashot.Itwas
rough.Itwasconsumi ng.Anditwasexactl
ywhat
shewant ed.
Beforesheknewi the'dpi
ckedherup,heldherso
easil
yandt ookhertohisbed.Heputherdownt her
e,
ri
ghtinthemi ddl
eoft hecover
s,andstoodbythe
edgeoft hebed,star
ingdownatherwithasmi l
e.
Thenhel oweredhisheadt oki
ssheragain.Sl
owly
thi
stime.
-Him:"Il
ovey
ou,"Hi
svoi
cewassof
tashi
sli
ps
brushedagai
nsther
s.
Didhejustsaylove?Herhear tthunderedi nher
chest.Andshedidn'tknowwhatt osay .Hislips
feat
heredoverherthroatandshecoul dn'thelpbut
sti
ff
en.Sheoncehadascart her e.I
twasnow
almostinvi
sibl
efoll
owingascarr ev
isi
onsur gery.
ButasLonwabot ouchedhersocar efully
, she
couldn'
thel
pbutt hi
nk..
.S'f
iso'sthugsputt heir
handsonmet her
e.
Lonwabo'sf
inger
strai
l
edafterhi
sli
psandshehad
tosqueezehereyescl
osed.
Thel eaderofthoset
hreemonstersthatassault
ed
me, theonetheycall
edBenny,chokedmet here,j
ust
forfun.Justtoshowmet hathecould.Hechoked
me, thenhesli
cedme.Notdeepenought okil
lme.
Justenought omakemef eelpainandwat chme
bleedashef orcedhi
mselfonme.
-Lonwabo:"Nal
edi
?Nal
edil
ookatme."Hereyes
opened.Athiscommand,
shelookedj
ustoverhi
s
shoulder
."Atme."
Hergazecamet ohi
s.Buthedi
dn'
tseehi
m.I
twas
Bennystar
ingbackather
.Sheshi
ver
ed.
-
Lonwabo:
"Iwoul
dnev
erhur
tyou.
"
No,Lonwabowoul
dn'
t,shebeli
evedt
hat
.Heki
ssed
herandtear
ssl
i
dfrom hereyes.
-
Him:
"Baby
?"Hepul
l
edback."
Arey
ouokay
?"
Shenoddedeventhoughshewasfarfr
om being
okay.S'
fi
soandhi
smonst er
stookthi
sfrom me.
Theybrokeme.I
'l
lneverbenor
malagain.
No,shecoul
dn'
tacceptt
hat
.Shecoul
dn'
tl
ett
hat
happen.
-Her:
"I'
mjustgl
adthisi
shappeni
ng,
"Hernai
l
sbit
i
ntoLonwabo'sskinasshepul
ledhi
mtoherand
heldhimti
ghter
."Makelov
etome."
Shecoul dfeel hisarousalpressingagainsther.He
tookof fhi
sshi rt,keptonjusthisjeans.Shekissed
him,want i
ngt hepassi onthathadbeenbet ween
them thismor ningt ofl
areoncemor e.Shewant edt
o
feell
iketherestoft heworldhadf adedawayagai n.
Sheneededt hat.Sheneededt hatobli
vion.She
neededt hatpleasur e.Shewasf eeli
ngt oomuch
pain.Painshe'dt riedtobury8y earsago.
Lonwabost
ri
ppedher.Kissedherbody,
andshefelt
gl
aditwasdar
kinhisroom.Shet r
embledbeneat
h
hi
m asshepart
edherlegsforhim.Sheshovedhi
s
j
eansdown.
-
Him:
"Baby
,wecangosl
ow.
..
"
Butsheshookherhead, fr
antic.Shedidn'
twantslow.
Slowl etherthi
nktoomuch.Shewant edf ast
obli
vion.Lonwabomov edbetweenherl egs.Shefel
t
thelong, har
dridgeofhisarousalpressi
ngagainst
her.
-
Him:
"You’
renotr
eady
.Idon'
twantt
ohur
tyou.
"
No, shewasn'tgetti
ngr eady.Herbodywasn'tt
urned
onbecausehermi ndwasi nchaos.Butsheneeded
thi
s.Hernail
sbi tevendeeperi nt
ohim andshe
archedherhipsagai nsthim.Herheadt ur
ned.Thei
r
eyesmet —Bennysmi led.
-Her:"
No!"Sheshovedagai
nsthim,fearcl
awingat
her.Shelosther
sel
fintheter
rorandshovedhim of
f
ofher.Thenextthi
ng,shewasrunningoutofhi
s
room.
Chapt
er32
Sat
urday
,29Febr
uar
y,04:
15
.
Inthecolourl
essroom thewoman'sbodyl ay
sprawledfacedowni nt
hebloodpoolingbeneat
hand
aroundheront hehardwoodfloor
.Lonwabo'spulse
racedandhi shandsshookasher eachedtotur
nher
over.Herlongweav ecover
edherface.Hedidn'
t
wanttomov eher,di
dn'
twanttotouchhercold,
l
ifel
essbody ,buthehadtoknow.
Abr
ancht
appedont
hewi
ndow.
Hepul
l
edheront
ohersi
de.
Thet
appi
ngcont
inued.
Hebr
ushedherhai
rof
fherf
ace.
Thet
appi
nggr
ewr
hyt
hmi
c.
Nal
edi
'
sbi
gey
esst
aredathi
m,l
i
fel
essandcol
d.
Thet
appi
ngst
opped.
ThenNaledi
'
sli
psmoved,
andshewhi
sper
ed,
"Why
di
dn'ty
ouhelpme?"
Lonwaboshotupoutofthecov
ers,
pantinghard,
his
hear
tpoundi
nginhischest
.Heshovedthecovers
fr
ee,satont
heedgeofthebedandtri
edt ogethi
s
bear
ings.
Wi thgreatefforthesuckedi nairandf orcedhis
hear tr
atetosl owdown.Hewasn' ti
nt heshadow-
fi
lledroom ofhi sdr eam anymor e.Eveni nthefaint
l
ighthecoul dseet hecolorfulbedspr eadandt he
pictureont hewal lofhishot el
room.I thadjustbeen
oneofhi sni ghtmares.Onl ythi
st i
mei thadn'
tbeen
abouthi slatewi f
eorhi slatedaught er,butaboutthe
womanhel ovedatt hepresenttime.Andshespoke.
Int hedream shespoke.Shewant edhi mtohelpher.
Afterthewayshe' dscreamedandr anoutofhis
room lastnight,maybesher eall
yneededhishelp.
Dammi t
,hest i
l
lhatedhimsel fforwhathappened.
Buthowwashet oknowt hatitwasgoi ngtohappen?
Heknewt hatNalediwasgoi ngthroughsomet hi
ng,
yes,buthehadn' tknownt hatitwast hatbad.He
hadn'tknownt hatshewoul df reakoutlikethat
.He
hadn'tknownbecauseshe' dnev ertol
dhi m anyt
hing.
I
fhehadknown, hewoul dn'thaveletherintohis
room,hewoul dn'thav egivenintohi surges.God
he'dwantedherf orsol ong.He'dtriedt odot her
ight
thi
ngandwal kawaybutwhent heirli
pst ouchedfor
thatki
ss,he'dlockeddownev er
ymuscl einhisbody.
He'dtr
iedhar dtofighthisf er
ociousneedandst ep
awayfrom her ,
buti thadbeendi ffi
cult.Ifhehad
known,though, hewoul dhav etri
edhar der.Because
i
twasnowcl eartohi mt hatthegoodt her api
st
neededintensivetherapy.
Andf r
om nowon, hewoul dtr
yhar dertodot heri
ght
thi
ng.Hewoul dbeal i
tt
lelessselfi
sh,andnott hi
nk
abouthisownneeds.Hewoul dletNalediknowt hat
henot i
cesher
,thatheseesherdeeppai nandt he
weightofherowndemons.Hewoul dlist
ent oherif
sheopenedupt ohim.Hewoul dletherseet hatone
drowningswimmercoul dactuall
ysav eanother.He
wouldholdherhandt hr
oughi tal
landexer tno
pressureonher.Hewant edtobet hereforher,be
themanshecoul dtrust
.Butheal soneededhert o
l
ethimi n.
Hi
sbr eat
hcomingatal
essfrant
icpace,hesquint
ed
t
hroughtheear
ly-
morni
ngl
ightraysseepingt
hrough
theslat
softheblindstoreadtheti
meonthe
bedsidecl
ock.Quarterpastf
our.Hehadbeen
sleepi
ngforonlyanhour.Andthefucki
ngbaddr
eam
hadt oi
nvade.Goodgr i
ef!
AfterNaledi ranoutonhi m hehadwant edt of oll
ow
hert ochecki fshewasokay , butt henhe'ddeci ded
againstit,suret hatshe'dappr eciatesomet ime
alone.Sohe' dwentt ost andout sideherdoorand
toldherthathewassor ryandt hatifsheneededhi m
sheshoul dn'thesi tat
etoshout .Waiti
ngf orno
response, he'dthent urnedar oundandwentbackt o
hisroom.Despi tet heexhaust iont hatrant hr ough
hisv ei
nshe' dstay edawakef orawhi leaf tert hat,
alerttoeveryr ustlefrom herr oom.Hedi dn' twant
hert ohurther self.Butthent hiswasNal edi , he
doubt edshewoul dev erdosomet hi
ngliket hat.
Howev er
,itwoul donl yhav ebeennor mal forhert o
hav enightmar esf oll
owingt heev entsoft heev ening,
butshehadn' tmadeasound.Hewonder edt hough.
Hadshest ayedqui etbecausenoni ghtmar escame
toherorbecausesheknewbet terthantocr yout ?
Sur
ethatshe'
dfal
l
enasl
eep,
hehadpul
l
edouthi
s
l
aptop.He'dneededtoworkbecausesl
eepsur
eas
hel
lwasn'tgoi
ngt ocomeeasi
lyforhi
m nomatt
er
howtiredhewas.Therewasalotthatwas
happeningandhismindwasinchaos.
Leratowasprobablydead.Howwashegoi ngto
explai
nthatt
oherf ragi
l
emot her?Thewomanwho
hadaskedhim: "
Tellme,Detecti
ve,ar
eyoureal
l
y
dedicat
edtoyourjob?CanIt r
ustyou?"Andhehad
sai
d: "
Yes,MrsPhiri
.Youcant r
ustme."
"ThenIwill
dothat.Iwi
l
ltr
usty
ouwit
hmy
daughter
'sli
fe.
"Thewomanhadsai
d,andnowt
his?
Buthecoul
dn'
tgi
veup,
noty
et.
Af ewmi nuteslater,
hehadboot eduphi slaptop,
connect edittot hehot elWi-Fiandst artedlookingup
DrSi yabulel
aMossont henet.He'dr eadev er
ythi
ng
hecoul dfi
ndaboutt hemanandst oredi tinthehard
dri
v einhi shead.Pul l
ingbi t
sandpi ecesof
i
nfor mat i
onf r
om t heinternetandpi ecingt hem
togetherwasoneoft hethingshedi ddur ing
i
nv estigati
ons.
He'
dbeent
ir
edbutheal
way
swor
kedbestatni
ght
.
Most
lybecausehehadsomuchtr
oublesl
eepi
ng.
Ni
ght
mar esseemedtoal
wayswai
tforhi
mt ocl
ose
hi
seyesthencomerushi
ng.
Whenhe'
dgl
ancedattheclockanddeci
dedtogoto
bedi
twasal
readyj
ustaft
erthreei
nthemorni
ng.
Anhourl
aterher
ehewas,
awakeagai
n.Bl
oody
ni
ght
mare.
Helistenedtothesilenceinhisroom.I twasso
sil
ent.Thenhehear dasound.Nott apping.
Somet hingal
togetherdif
ferent
.Asof tgr unt
ing
camef rom Naledi
'sroom.Andat huddingsound,
l
ikesomeonehi t
ti
ngsomet hing.
Visi
onsoft hebloodpool andNal edideadinhis
dream sti
ll
freshinhismind, hequicklyreachedfor
hi
sgunont henightst
and.Hedi dn'
tknowwhatwas
goingonint henextroom, butifsomeonehad
somehowmanagedt ogeti nandwer enowhurti
ng
Naledi
,theyweren'tescapingwi ththeirl
i
ves.
Heslowlyopenedhisdoorandwalkedout.Thedoor
t
oNal edi
'
sroom wassl i
ght
lyaj
arandal i
ghtshone
t
hroughthecracksaroundi
t.Hefurt
ivel
ymov ed
towardsit,t
heur get orushinf i
rmlypusheddeep
i
nt ot
hebackofhi sbr ai
n.Thegr unti
ngandt hudding
conti
nuedi nanoddsor tofst opandst artfashion.
Inhal
ingdeeply ,
hepushedt hedooropenwi t
hhi s
foot,
andwedgedhi mselfintothenarrowopeni ng
betweent hedoorandt heframe.Wast ingnot ime
withasilentcount,hequi cklytur
ned,mov edthrough
thedoorway ,andcr ouched.Thewhol et hingseemed
tobeoneswi ftmov e,he'
ddonei tanumberoft imes
before.Hisgunext endedi nfrontofhim, hegr owled
out,"
Freeze!"
Hef
oll
owedhi
sowncommand.
Naledistoodfrozeninmi d-
kick,l
ookingallki
ndsof
sexy.Alightsheenofsweatcov eredherlonglegs
andar msstretchi
ngfrom beneat hherT-shir
tand
shorts.Herwideeyeswi denedev enmor easshe
watchedhi mfrom acrossther oom.Thenshepar ted
herli
ps,hertonguedar t
ingoutt omoi st
enthem.
-
Her
:"CanIputmyl
egdownnow?
"
Heswal
lowedhard,
nodded,
lower
inghi
sweaponas
shel
oweredherl
eg.
-Him:"
Sor
ryfordi
stur
bingandaboutthegun.My
mindranwil
dwhenIhear dt
hesounds.Idi
dn'tknow
thaty
ouwereexerci
sing.
"Henowwi shedhehadn't
come.
-Her: "
No, Ishouldbetheonet oapologise.Ididn'
t
meant owakey ou.I
t'
sj ustthatIcouldn'tsl
eepsoI
wokeupt odoaKat a."Heknewt hatshedi dmar t
ial
arts.Butatt hi
shour?" Ihadt omodifyt hestepsabit
thoughbecauseoft hel imit
edspace.Ineededa
distracti
on.Somesor tofphy si
calactivi
tyclearsmy
brain."
Shestretchedtothesi de,herT-shi
rtsl
i
dingupand
rev
ealingmor eofherski n,thi
stimeonherwai stand
abdomen.Andv i
sionsoft hem bothparti
cipati
ngin
anotheracti
vit
yfi
ll
edhi ssleep-
depri
vedbrain.Hebit
backacur seandqui cklychuckedthoseimagesout
ofhishead.
-
Him:"Youdothisal
lthet
ime—exer
cisei
nthe
middl
eofthenight
?"
Sheshr
ugged,gr
abbedthet
owelf
rom t
hebedand
moppedatthesweatar
oundherf
aceandneck.
-Her:"
Ifthere'ssomethingbotheri
ngmeandIcan' t
sleepIusuallygotomyhomegy m andexer cise
my sel
fintoexhaustion.
"Exactlyhisstyl
e,hethought.
"Orgof orar uninoursafepark.ButIcouldn'tgofor
ar unherebecauseIdon' tknowt hearea.SoI
thoughtthiswasabet t
ersoluti
on.I'
mr eal
lysorryI
wokey ou.Thi swasstupidofme. "
-
Him:"No,i
t'
sokay
.I'
l
ljustl
eav
eyout
oit
."Hemade
f
orthedoor.
-Her:
"Lonwabo?"Hestoppedandturnedt
ol ookat
her."
I'
m sor
ry.
..
aboutwhathappened.Mefreaking
outandrunni
ngoutony oul
i
kethat.
"Shesounded
andlookedembarrassed.
-Him: "
Baby ,no.Youdon'thav etoapol ogise.
"He
closedt hespacebet weenthem, wantingt ot
ouch
herandr eassureher.Buthedidn't,afr
aidofhowshe
mi ghtreact."Iunderst
andthaty ou'r
egoi ngthrough
somet hing.LikeIsaidbackinJo' burg,inyoureyesI
somet imesseet hepainyoualway strysohar dto
hide.Toni ghtitr
efusedtostayhi dden.Andt hat'
s
okay ,i
t'
snot hingtobesorryorembar rassedabout.
I'
m surey oudidn'
taskforit
,itfoundy ou.AndI
bel
ievet hatwheny ou'r
ereadytotalktomeabouti t
,
youwi l
l
."Hedi dn'
twantt opushorputpressureon
her.Hewant edhert otellhi
m ever
ythi
ngwhenr eady.
He, t
oo, hateditwhenpeopl epushed."Whenthat
happens, I'
l
l beheref oryou,I
'l
ll
ist
en.Iwon'
tlookat
youdifferently
, I
'
llsupportyou."
Tearsgleamedinherey
es.Thenshetookastep
cl
oserandpressedherl
ipssoft
lyagai
nsthi
s,
surpr
isi
nghim.
-Her
:"Youareagoodman, Lonwabo,"shel ooked
deepint
ohiseyes."
Thanky ouf
orunder standing.
Wewi l
ltal
k.Ipr
omise.Butnotr
ightnow. "
-
Him:
"Ofcourse.Goaheadandcont
inuewi
thwhat
y
ouweredoing.I'
l
lleav
eyoutoi
t.
"
.
.
.
Sat
urday
,29Febr
uar
y,08:
30
Asudden,l
oudpealofmusi
cerupt
ed,waki
ngNal edi
f
rom herdeepsl
eep.Jumpi
ngnear
lyoutofherskin,
sheshotupinbed.Thesoundwascomi
ngf
rom
Lonwabo'
sroom,itwashisri
ngt
one.
GoodLor
d!Sheneededt
ost
opbei
ngt
hisedgy
.
Yawning,hereyesmov edtoreadtherednumber s
onthebedsidecl ock.Halfpastei
ght.Ugh!She'
d
meanttowakeupal it
tl
eearli
erthanthi
s.Buthow
wasshegoi ngt omanaget hatwhenshecoul dn'
tget
muchsl eeplastnight?
Aft
erthefl
opt hathappenedinLonwabo'sroom
she'
dranbackt ohersandbur i
edhersel
funderthe
cover
s.Scared.Embarrassed.Angr
y.
Dammi t
,she'
dfoughtt oohar d,f
oreightyears,toget
herlif
eback.Tot akecont roloncemor e.Andnow
themonst erswer eback.Theywer eback, t
ryingto
tearherwor l
dapar t
..
.again.She'
djustfoundl ove,
tryi
ngtoliveagain,andt heyweretryi
ngt odestroy
that.No,shecouldn'tletthathappen.Shecoul dn'
t
beav icti
m again.Shewoul dn'tl
etfearcontrolher
.
Notev eragain.
She'
dlai
dawake,notwant
ingtocloseherey
esand
gi
vethemonster
stheopport
unit
yt ocomeforher
.
Layingonherback, she'dstaredouti ntot he
darkness, thinkingaboutS' f
iso, Lebo, Nwabi sa.She
hadcal ledJessi cabef or eshel eftJo' burgandt ol
d
herthatshehadt oleav eandt hatt hey 'l
lmeetand
tal
kwhenshe' sback.Yeah, shewasgoi ngt ohaveto
deal withthisS' fi
sot hi
ngassoonasshegotback
home.Thatmanmadeherl ifeal i
vinghel lei
ght
yearsago, shewasn' tgoingt olethi m dot hatagain.
Sheknewexact l
ywhatshewoul dhav etodo.She
woul dhav ehi mt hrownbehi ndbar s,exact lywhere
hebel onged.Hedeser v edacel l nextt ot hethree
monst er shesentt odest royheral lthosey earsago.
Shewoul dmakesur et hathegoesdownf or
Nwabi sa'sat tempt edmur der,i
fnot hingel se.But
unti
l t
hen, shehadt ohel pfi
ndt hemanwhohad
abduct edSky .Siya.
Seei
ngSkyl yi
ngsounresponsi
veinthathospi
tal
bed
hadremindedheroftheti
meshe, t
oo,spentin
hospi
tal
.Eightyear
sagoshe'dspenttwowhole
monthsinhospital
all
becauseofS'f
iso.
Ever
ythi
ngt
hat'
sbeenhappeni
nginherl
i
fel
atel
y
seemedtogobacktoS'
fi
so.Bast
ard!
Notwanti
ngtothi
nkabouthi
m anymor
e,she'
d
deci
dedtowakeupanddoal i
tt
lebi
tofexer
cise.
ThenLonwabohad—
Herowncel
l
phonerang.Shescr
ambl edf
ori
tand
answer
edevent
houghshedidn'
trecogni
set
he
number.
"Doct
orMasilo,
"aslightl
yfamili
ar,deepv oi
cesai
d
ontheotherend."ThisisDetect
iveBlie.Yougave
mey ournumberlastnight.
"
-Her
:"Oh,
yes,Detect
iveBl
i
e."Shehadn'
ttakenhi
s.
She'
dseennopointbecauseLonwabohadi t
."What
canIdoforyou?"
-Hi
m: "Iwantedt
otalktoDetectiv
eGamabuthe's
notpicki
ngup.I'
m sorrytobotheryou.I
sther
eany
chancey oucancontacthimforme? "
Yeah, shehadhear dhisphoneringingbutshehadn'
t
heardhi m answering.Whatwasgoi ngon?She
swungherl egsoutofthebed,andhur ri
edoverto
hisroom, thinki
ngt hewor
st.Walkingin,shesawthe
closedbathr oom doorandheardtheshowerwat er
running.
Thankgoodness.Sheleanedagai
nstt
hedoor
frame
andheavedasighofreli
ef.
-
Det
.Bl
i
e:"
Doct
orMasi
l
o?"
-
Her:"
Uh,yes,
Det
ect
ive.Icangethi
m amessage.
Whatdidy
ouneedmet opasson?"
-Hi
m: "Iwantedtotel
lhimthatI'
vet
alkedtothe
detecti
veupi nRhodes.Theonehandli
ngPiet
Jansen'scase.He'dl
iketomeetwithGamai ntwo
hours.Butnotatthestati
on,he'
l
lbeatthecri
me
scene—Pi etJansen'sfar
m house.
"
-
Her
:"Andwhat
'st
headdr
ess?
"
-
Him:
"Doy
ouhav
eapenandpaper
?"
ShespiedapenandpadofpaperonLonwabo'
s
bedsi
dedeskandreachedf
ori
t.
-Her:
"Yes.Goahead."Shebentovert
hedeskwr
it
ing
downbot hthedir
ecti
onstothefar
m andt
hename
oftheleaddetect
ive.
-
Her:"
Okay,Igotit
.Thanky
ou,Det
ect
ive.I
'
llpasst
he
messaget
oDet ecti
veGama."
Shehungupandt
urnedt
olookoutt
hewi
ndow.I
t
wasasli
ght
lywi
ndydayoutther
ebutt
hev
iewt
othe
l
it
tl
etownwasmagnif
icent
.
"
Whowast
hat
?"
Shet or
ehergazeawayf rom thewindowandt ur
ned
tofindLonwabostandinginthebathroom doorwit
h
onlythehotel
'
swhitetowel wrappedlowaroundhis
hips.
Al
lmoi
stur
einhermout
hdi
sappear
ed.
Hergazewander eddownhi sstil
lwetbody ,t
akingin
thewell-
definedmuscl esofhisshouldersandar ms,
thenwental lthewaydownhi sst rongchesttohis
abdomen.Hedi dn'thavetheoverdevel
opedsi x-
pack
bodybuildershad, butwhathedi dhaveheatedher
blood.Sheshoul dhav eseenallofthi
slastnightbut
shehadn't,hermi ndhadbeeni nchaosandt hel i
ght
wasof fi
nhi sr oom.
-
Him:
"Nal
edi
?"
Startl
ed,shejer
kedhergazenor
th,onl
ytoseethe
cornersofhismouthri
seinasmileandabitofa
twinkl
einhisdarkgaze.
Qui
ckl
y,shet
urnedbackt
othedeskandl
i
ftedt
he
not
e.
-Her:
"Detecti
v eBli
ehasbeent ry
ingtogeti
ntouch
withyou.Hesay sDet ect
iveSi
ko,thepr
imaryinPiet
Jansen'
smur dercase,wouldl
iketomeetwithy ou
thi
smor ning.ButnotattheRhodespolicest
ation.
"
-
Him:
"Wher
ethen?
-
Her:
"Hewantsyout
omeethim att
heJansens
f
arminaboutt
wohours.Iwr
otet
hedir
ect
ionsher
e."
Seri
ousnow,Lonwabost
rodeov
er,hi
sbar
efeet
thuddi
ngsoft
lyont
hecarpet
edfl
oor,
andt
ookthe
notefr
om her
.
-Hi
m:"Okay,I
'
llbet
her
e.ButIwantt
otakey
out
othe
hospi
tal
fir
st,
toseeSky.
"
Hisbodyheatwar medherskinashestoodnextto
her.Shewasn'tscar
ed.Thescentoft
hemascul i
ne
hotelsoapti
ckledhersenses,
set
ti
nghernerveson
hi
ghal er
t.
Shefel
tli
kepull
inghimtoherandki
sshim
sensel
ess,bef
oretaki
nghi
mt obed.No,
whatwas
shedoi
ng?Shecouldn'
tdothat.Sheneededt
o
addr
esswhathappenedlastni
ghtfi
rst
.
Getagr
ip,
Nal
edi
.
I
gnor
ingtheheatr
ushi
ngt
oherf
ace,
shet
urnedand
madeforthedoor
.
-
Her
:"I
'
llber
eadyi
naf
ewmi
nut
es.Thenwe'
l
lgo.
"
.
.
.
Sat
urday
,29Febr
uar
y,09:
15
"Igotsomewor kdonel astni
ght."Lonwabosai das
hedr oveoutoft
hehot el'
sparki
ngl ot."
Al i
tt
lebitof
researchontheint
ernet.Justli
key ou,Icouldn'
t
sleep."
Nal
edi t
houghtaboutt hewayhecamei ntoherroom.
He'
dcomei nr eadytodef endandprotecther.Who
wouldn'
tbemov edbyt hat?Hereal
lycared.He
car
edaboutandf orher.Andthatfeel
ingwas
def
init
elymutual.
Thiswastherightmanf orher
,sheknewt hati
nher
heart
.Itwasjustunfor
tunatet
hatlastni
ght
happenedthewayi tdi
d.
She'dalway spr i
dedher selfonbei ngablet okeepit
together,shedi dn'tl
ikeforany onet oseeherbr eak,
butLonwaboshowedhert hatshecoul dbr eakdown
i
nf rontofhi m andnot hingwoul dchange.Wi t
hhim
shenowf eltli
keshecoul dbeher self
,thatshecoul d
betruthfulwithhi m whileshef eltshehadt okeepon
herper f
ectmaskwi thsomanyot herpeopl e.The
guycoul dseer ightthroughher .Andhest illwanted
tobet hereforher .Af t
erwhathappenedl astnight
she'dbeenaf r
aidt hathewoul dn'tunder stand,that
hewoul dbeputof fbyher.Butheunder stoodandhe
want edtosuppor ther.
Whatmor
ecoul
dagi
rlaskf
or?
-Her:"
Whatdidy ouf
ind?
"Themomenthecomes
backfrom Rhodesshewouldsi
thi
m downandt
ell
him ever
ythi
ng,shemadeamentalnot
e.
-
Him:"
Yest
erdayyousai
dDoctorSi
yabul
elaMoss
wor
ksatCharl
ott
eMaxekeJohannesbur
gAcademic
Hospi
tal
."
-Her:"Yeah,that'
swherehedi dhisregistrartr
aini
ng
andhest ay
edwi ththem aft
erhequal if
iedasaCT
surgeon.Youknow, Isti
l
lcan'tgetovert hefactthat
he'
dbeeni nJo'burgforsomanyy earsandSky
hadn'tbumpedi ntohim evenonce. "
-Hi
m:"Jo'
bur
gist
hemostpopul
ousci
tyi
nthe
count
ry.
"
-Her:"
Yeah,Iknow.Butst
il
l,
hewasi
nPar
ktown,
just
aroundthecorner.
"
-Hi
m: "Well
,i
thappened.Any
way ,
her
e'swhereIwas
going:Mossactual
lyWORKEDatCharlott
eMaxeke,
pasttense.Hel
eftthehospi
tal
3mont hsago,i
n
Nov ember.
"
-
Her:"
InNovember .Thesamemont
hSi
mphi
weand
Bokamosodisappeared?
"
-
Him:"Exact
ly.Andhe'
snol
ongerpr
act
isi
ng.He
qui
t.
"
-
Her
:"What
,why
?He'
djustqual
i
fiedasasur
geon.
"
-
Him:
"I'
m notexact
lysur
e.ButIcameacr
ossan
arti
cleaboutaf amil
ysui ngthehospitalandour
doctoraftert
heirsondi edduringasur geryto
repl
aceanaor ticvalve.ThatwasinlateOct ober.I
n
Nov emberhel eftt
hepr ofessi
on.Coi
nci dence?But
accordingtothearticle,
thehospit
al'
sdeny i
ngany
wrongdoingbyt hem orbyt hedoctor.Thesui ti
sstil
l
ongoing."
-
Her
:"Andhest
il
lqui
t?"
-Hi
m: "
Yep,theydi
dn'
tfi
rehim,hequitmedi
cine
alt
ogether
.Hemadeitclearonhissoci
almedia.
"
-
Her:"
May beheorthehospit
alknowsomething
ot
hersdon't
.Theywouldn'
tj
ustacceptt
hatthey
werei
nthewr onganyway.
"
-Hi
m:"May be.Butthewhol ethi
nganswer edthe
quest
iont hathadbeennaggi ngatmesi nceIstart
ed
worki
ngt hiscase.Appar entl
yOwam wasabr ightki
d
andshewant edt obeadoct orforaslongasany one
coul
dr emember .Butthenshechangedhermi ndat
thel
astmi nute,inJanuary.Mybi ggestquest
ionwas,
why?NowIgeti t
.IfshemetMossdur ingthe
Decemberhol i
dayshecoul dhav esharedwit
hher
hisnot-so-
greatexper
iencesintheprof
essionand
thereasonwhyhequi t.May behe'snowregret
ti
ng
choosingthatcareertobeginwith.I
magineallt
he
ti
mehei nv
estedinitand..
.l
ost.
"
-Her
:"Andthatcouldhavei
nfl
uencedOwam' s
deci
sion.Teenager
scanbeeasilyi
nfl
uenced.
Especial
l
ybyt hepeopl
etheyl
oveandidoli
se."
-
Him:"
That
'smypoi
nt.Andy
ousai
dMosswasher
e
i
nEast
ernCapei
nDecember.
"
-
Her:"
Yes.Isawhimfort
hefi
rstti
meatSky'
s
weddi
ngvenuethedaybef
oretheweddi
ng.
"
-
Him: "
Hewasi nQueenst
ownandhi
shomet
owni
s
EastLondon.
"
-Her:
"Yep.HeandSkybothgrewupinQueenst
own,
butSkysayshi
sfamil
ymov edtoEastLondont
he
yearhewenttovar
sit
y."
-Him:"AndIrememberOwam' saunttel
li
ngmet hat
theGamassheknowsar ebasedi nEastLondon,her
homeci ty
.Thispastyear
,theywerehomef orthe
Christ
mashol i
days,i
nEastLondon,andIbelieve
that'
swhereMossmetOwam andsweptherof fher
f
eet
,feedi
ngherbul
l
shi
tonl
ytoendupki
l
li
ngher
."
-
Her
:"Looksl
i
kewewer
eri
ght
.Ev
ery
thi
ng'
spoi
nti
ng
t
oSi
ya."
Hesmil
ed,
tookherhandtohi
sandki
ssedi
tbef
ore
f
ocusi
ngbackontheroad.
-Hi
m: "You'
reamazing.You'r
etheonewhopoi nt
ed
met otheri
ghtdir
ection.Nowev er
ythi
ngismaking
sense.Wesur emakeagr eatteam."Shesmil
edtoo.
-
Her
:"Lookst
hatway
."
-Him: "Thisisnotal l
.Tur nsoutMossi sthisguy's
mot her '
smai denname, hisfatheri saHot e.Ilooked
i
nt oitwhenIl earnedt hatt heguy 'spaternal
grandf atherwasEmmanuel Hot e.Ol dmandi edearl
y
l
asty ear,Mosspost edabouti tonhi sFacebook
pageandt aggedhi smot her,aunt sandt woy ounger
sisters.Butgett his:IknewMrHot e.Mydadbought
cattlefrom him acoupl eofy ear sback.LangaandI
drov eat ruckfrom Whi t
tleseaandcamet oRhodes
togett hem.Heownedaf arm ov erthere.Whichhe
toldLanga, i
naconv ersat i
on, t
hatuponhi sdeat hor
reti
rementhewoul dl eavet ohi sonl yson,Bant u
Hote—whoI 'venowl earnedi sSiyabulelaMoss' s
estr
angedf ather.Il
ookedt hef arm uponl i
ne, tur
ns
outit
'snol ongeroper at
ional
.Now, Ibeli
ev ethat'
s
whereMosshasbeendoi nghi sdirt
ywor k.Wher ehe
keepst hesegi rl
s.Wher ehekeptSkybef oreshe
foundawayt oescapeandendupont heJansens
doorstep.Iknowt hef ar
m.I t
'sisolated,aperfect
l
ocation.Andi tisunderaHot e,heisaMoss, noone
wouldqui cklyf i
gureitoutandassoci at
ei twithhim."
-Her:"
Buty oudi d.
"Shesmi l
edathim,impressed."I
bethedi dn'tbetonthat.Youstar
tedconnectingthe
dotsfrom asi mpleFacebookpost.Whenhehear s
thathe'l
lkickhimself,
Itelly
a.Peopleshouldreal
ly
l
earntonotpostev eryt
hingonsocialmedia."
.
.
.
Sat
urday
,29Febr
uar
y,10:
15
Skywasstil
lnotawake.AndNaledi
'
sheartbr
oke.
She'dpr
ayedforami r
acl
elastni
ght
.She'
dprayed
forhert
oregainconsci
ousnessdur
ingt
henight.
Thathadn'thappened.Butatleasthertransf
erhad
beendelayed.Thatusuall
ysucked, buti
nt hi
scase
shefel
tlikeitwasagoodt hing.Aslongasshewas
hereNaledicouldcomecheckonher .Andher
parent
swer ealsocomingdownt oday.Theywould
needtoseet hei
rdaughter.
..
here.
-Lonwabo:"
I'
m sor
ryshe'sst
il
lnotwokenupy
et.But
shewill
,i
t'
sjustamatteroft
ime."
-
Her
:"Ir
eal
l
yhopeso.
"
Theywerewal
ki
ngtowardstheexi
toft
hehospi
tal
.
Lonwabohadt
orushtoRhodesandmeetwitht
heir
pol
ice,
hewasalr
eadyr
unninglat
e.
-Her:"
I'
m comingwit
hyou.
"Shesai
dassoonast
hey
steppedoutsi
deint
othewi
ndyday.
-
Him:
"What
?No.Babe,
youhav
etost
ayher
e."
-Her:"
ButIwantt obether
e.LonwaboIt houghtwe
werepartnersinthi
s.Sky'
ssti
l
lnotoutoft hecoma,
shedoesn'tneedmeher e.Iwannagowi thyouand
seewheret hi
sbastardwaskeepingher .Iwannasee
him bei
nghandcuf f
ed.Iwannahelp..
.somehow.And
thatwouldinturnhelpmetoo.Don'tshutmeout .
Pl
ease.Ineedt
obet
her
e."
Hi
shandsr
oset
ocov
erhershoul
der
s.
-Him:"Baby, I
'
m sor rybutIcan'ttakey ou.You'
renot
acop, Ican'ttakey outothefield.Idon'tknow
what '
sgonnahappenupt here.Buti fMossi sther
e
hemi ghtnotgodowneasi l
y.Bul l
etsmi ghtfl
yandI
don'twanty ouany whereneart hatki ndofacti
on.If
yougothur t,Iwoul dneverbeabl etol iv
ewithmy sel
f.
Please,stayher eforme."Hisey eswer ecompelli
ng,
butintheendi twast heemot i
oni nhi svoi
cethat
wonheracqui escence.
Lonwaboneededt otakecareofher.I
tdidn'tt
akea
psychologistwithdecadesofexperiencetopullthe
piecestoget her
.Hehadl osthi
swi f
eanddaught er
.
Andhest illblamedhimselffornotbeingtherefor
them andsav ethem.He,amanpai dt okeepthe
publicsafe,hadnotbeenabl etokeephisownf amily
ali
ve.
Nowhe'
skeepi
ngmesaf
e.Hedoesn'
twantt
olose
metoo.
-
Her
:"Al
lri
ght
.I'
l
lst
ayher
e."Hi
srel
i
eft
angi
ble,
his
handsl
oosenedt
hei
rgr
iponhershoul
der
s.
-Him:"Thanky
ou.I
'
llbebackassoonasIcan.But
calli
fyouneedme."Heleaneddownandcovered
herli
pswi t
hhi
sinahardkissthatl
efthermi
nd
reel
ing.
Thenhequi
ckl
ytur
nedandr
ushedof
f.
-
Her
:"Besaf
e,"sheshout
edaf
terhi
m.
-Hi
m:"Al
ways.Il
ovey
ou.
"Hi
swor
dswer
ebl
own
awayonthewind.
-
Her:"
Ilov
eyoutoo,
"sheshout
ed,
butshecoul
dn'
t
t
ell
ifhehadhear
dher.
Shewat chedhi
mr untohiscar,sodetermined,so
urgent
,andshefeltt
hatemot i
on,thatbadfeeli
ng
andsadness,asthoughitwerethelastti
meshe
wouldseeLonwaboGama.
Shepressedherf i
nger
ti
pstohermouth,st
il
ltender
fr
om hishardkiss.Andwishedshecoul
dhavet ol
d
hi
mt hathelovedhim sooner.
Godpl
easekeephi
m saf
e.
Chapt
er33
Sat
urday
,29Febr
uar
y,11:
05
.
Wr appinghi shandar oundt hemi crophone, t
he
musi cal notesmov edi nsideofGor gio'
sheadand
hear tashecl osedhi sey es.Hi svoicef l
owedwi th
themel odyof" SayGoodby e"andahushf ellov erthe
smal lcrowdi nOasi s,ashel tercateringforabused
anddi sadv antagedchi ldreni nMi drand.Hehadbeen
teachingar ttothesechi l
drenonweekendsf ort he
past5y ears.Andt hathadal waysbeenaj oyt ohi m.
Butt herewasnot hingj oyful aboutt oday.Feeling
emot i
onal ,
het ransf i
xedt hem al lwi ththemel odi c
wor dsinf usedwi thl ayersoff eel
ingsf ewev ersaw
befor ehegotont hisst age.
Thiswasamemor ialserv
iceoft wofor
merresidents
oftheshelter,gi
rl
saged15and16whowent
missingont hisdayfoury earsagoandwerenev er
found.Thisyeartheshel t
erhaddecidedtoholda
memor ial
ser vi
ceforthem.I nthismoment,howev er
,
Gorgiowasn' tonl
ysingingt orememberthem,he
wasalsoremember
ingt
hebr
other
shel
osti
nthe
bat
tl
efiel
d.
Gorgiogrewupbat tl
ingdepr essionandsui ci
dal
thoughts,foll
owingthedepar t
ur eofhisSerbian
Romani mot herwhodi edwhenhewas8.Asa
teenager,growingupi nfostercar e,he'
doncet r
ied
topoisonhi mself.Buthedi dn'twantt oendhi sli
fe
withoutapur pose.Hesoughtanobl ewayofdy ing
l
iketheol dwar r
iorsofSpar tawhi chhegr eat
ly
admi r
ed.Soatt heageof19hej oinedtheSerbian
Armywi thv i
sionsofmeet inghi sendgl ori
ously
underenemyf ir
e.Butitwoul dt akehimt woyear s
beforehewentt ocombatzone—wher ehedeci ded
tosacrif
icehimsel ft
osav ehi sbr other
s.
Therewasasni perwhohadbeent akingoutt heir
soldi
ersonebyone.Andt heycoul
dn'tlocatehim
becausehewasusi ngonlyonebull
etbef or
eal ong
breakandshootingf r
om anotherl
ocat i
on.Tiredof
thecrap,Gorgi
ogotupwhent hesniperaction
retur
ned,sai
dgoodby et ohisarmybrothersand
shoutedforthesnipertoshootathim.Abul letf r
om
thesniperri
fl
ehithimi nthechest
,buthedi dn'tfall
.
Toenabl eSerbi
ansniperst
olocatet heenemy ,
he
remainedstandingandreci
evedanot herbul
lettot
he
chest.Theverynextmoment ,
Serbiansnipers
l
ocatedt heenemysniperandshothi m down.But
unli
kethatsniper,
Gorgiodi
dn'tdi
et hatday.
Wheni
t'
snoty
ourday
,it
'snoty
ourday
.
Foll
owi nghi
sr ecov erytheyputhi
m behi ndthedesk,
somet hingt
hatdepr essedhimfurther.Everyminute
thatpassedbyal lowedt heol
dsuicidalthoughtsto
comeback.Heneededt odosomet hi
ng.Heneeded
togetawayf rom t hisplacehewasst uckwi th.
Acoupl eofmont hslaterhel ef
tBelgr adeandflewto
Francetobeclosertohi sFr enchfather—t heman
hephy si
cal
lyresembl ed—want ingtobui l
da
rel
ati
onshipwithhim.Whent hatdidn'tquit
ewor k
outashe'dhoped, hi
sj ourneysoont ookhi mt othe
gatesofFortdeNogentont heoutski rt
sofParis.
There,hebeganhi squestf oranewl ifeandanew
purpose—t obecomeaFr enchFor eignLegionnair
e.
Theroadt
obecomi
ngalegi
onnai
reistough,
desi
gnedt
obreaky
oudownfrom yourol
dselfand
thentobuil
dyoubackupasanewper son.Andf
or
him, i
twasall
worthit
.Itwasexact
lywhathe
needed.Aft
er4gruell
ingmonthsoftr
aini
ngat
AubagneandCastelnaudar
y,hebecameaLegion
Etranger
e.Asarul
e,healsoassumedanewname,
droppinghi
sSerbi
anRomani name—Gor gi
oĐur
ić.
Hedepl oyedforpeacekeepi ngdutiesi nt heCentr
al
Afri
canRepubl ic.NextstopwasatDj i
bout i
.Then
DRC.AndMal i.InMalitheLegi onnai reswer esentto
quelltheAlQaedamenace.Thi swasGor gi
o's
secondcombatt ourasal egionnaire,andt hat'
s
wher ehelostmor eofhi smi l
i
tarybr others.Butin
thosediff
icul
t,harsh,run-downcondi ti
ons, t
his
provedtobeameani ngful andsatisf yi
ngwor kfora
oncewander ingsoul whohadf oundaposi ti
vere-
starti
nlif
e.Hisdedi cati
onandpr ofessi onali
sm
earnedhim praisesfrom hi sregiment al commander.
Thisrenewedfocusanddir
ecti
onsteadi
lychi
pped
awayathisinnerdemons.Thi
st i
me,whenhehad
boutsofsadness,hewasnotalone.Hi
slegi
onnai
re
brother
sweretheretoj
oinhiminthefi
ght.
I
nmi
d2013,
hef
ini
shedhi
sfi
ve-
yearcont
ractwi
th
theFr enchFor eignLegion.Buthedi dn'twantt o
sti
ckar oundFr ance.Andhedi dn'twantt ogoback
toSer biaeither.Hef oundhimsel fservingasa
body guardi nBrussels.Atthispoi nthe'dr everted
backt ohi soldnamebuthe' dt akenhi sfat her'
s
Frenchsur name, Guigonnet—notbecausehel iked
hisfatherbutbecausehewant edt ofitininBel gium.
Howev er,whenanol dfri
endofhi saskedhi mt o
comeandj oinhimi nSouthAf ricaay earl ater,
not
onlyof fer
inghim aj obbutalsoapar t
ner shipinhi s
tacti
cal company ,hedidn'
tthinkt wice.Heor ganised
hispaper s,packedhi sbagsandf lewdownt o
Jo'burg.
He'
dnowbeeni nJo'bur
gfor6y ears,enj
oyingthe
st
ay.Andhefelthecoul
dn'tt
rulycall
Serbiaor
Fr
ancehomebecauseoft hetraumaheexper i
enced
i
nbothcountri
es.Henowconsi der
edhi mselftobea
gl
obalci
ti
zen.Hishomewasi nhishear t
.
Hegrippedthemicr
ophone,angli
nghi smouthclose
ashisemotionsent
winedthewor ds,scul
pti
ngfresh
angl
esandaddi ngl
ayer
sofdimensi ons.Inhi
s
mind'
sey e,
hecouldseethefacesofal lt
hemili
tary
brot
her
shel
ost
.Menhehadn'
tthoughtabouti
n
year
s.
Thesongsl owlywounddownandt hegui t
ari
st
playedthelastdeli
catechords.Gorgiowai t
edafew
mor ebeatsandt henheopenedhi sey es.Hisvi
sion
focused.Andt hefir
stpersonhiseyesl andedonin
thecrowdwasnoot hert
hanDrMel indaDekker.
Seeingherheredidn'tsurpri
sehi mthough.Melinda
wasaso- cal
ledphilanthr
opist.Shedonat edmoney
toanumberofshel tersaroundt hecity.She'
dbeen
donatingtot
hisonet ooev ent houghthelastti
me
shedonatedhert i
mewasf oury earsago, y
ears
beforeGorgi
ohadLonwaboj ointheshelterasa
secondinfor
mal artteacher.
Pull
inghisgazeawayfr
om Meli
ndaheswepthis
handt owar
dthegri
zzl
edguit
ari
stbehi
ndhim and
thankedMrsMhlongoforl
ett
inghi
m getonthe
stage.
Helef
tthest
ageandwal
kedovert
oawat
ercool
er
st
andi
ngagainstt
hef
arwal
l.
"
Hey
,Gor
gio.
"Af
ami
l
iarv
oicesai
dbehi
ndhi
m.
-
Him:"Mel
i
nda.
"Hedidn'tneedtotur
ntoknowwho
i
twas.Hecont
inuedf
il
li
ngt hepl
asti
ccupwit
hwat
er.
-Her
: "
Thatwas...
beaut
if
ul,
soul
ful
.Idi
dn'tknowyou
couldsingli
kethat.
"Hedownedthewaterthen
tur
nedt ofaceher.
-
Him:
"Ther
e'sal
oty
oudon'tknowaboutme.Ibet
y
oudon'
tknowmuchaboutLloydei
ther
."
Hedidn'
tli
keMelinda,t
hatwasaf act.Ther
ewas
j
ustsomethingabouther.Asfarashewas
concer
ned,sheactedandsoundedf ake.Andther
e
wasnothi
nghehat edmor ethanthat.When
Lonwabostoppedsleepi
ngwi thherhewasglad.
-Her:"
Speaki
ngofLonwabo, It
houghtI
'
dfi
ndhi
m
here.Imean,heteachesar
therewit
hyouon
weekends,doesn'
the?"
-
Him:
"Whenhe'
snotwor
king.
"
-
Her
:"He'
snotwor
kingt
oday
,sowhyi
shenother
e?"
-Hi
m:"Idon'
tknowwher eyougotthatfr
om.Asfar
asIknowLloydisinEasternCape,
fol
lowingal
ead
onacase."Lonwabohadt oldhi
mthatmuch
y
est
erdaybef
orehel
eft
.
-Her
: "Real
ly?
"Hedidn'
tli
kewhathewasseei
ngin
herfacer i
ghtnow.Amixtur
eofshock,
sur
pri
se,f
ear
.
"I
tmustbeani mport
antcasef
orhimtogoal
lthe
wayt here.
"
-Hi
m:"Maybe.Excuseme.
"Hewal kedawayfr
om her
bef
oreshecouldaskanymorequestions,
somethi
ngtel
li
nghimthathe'
djustmadeami st
ake
bytel
l
ingherwhereLonwabowas.
Growingupinfostercarehadtaughthi
mt oread
peopl
e'sfaces,f
orhisownsur vi
val
.Andmi l
it
ary
tr
aini
nghadf ur
therdri
ll
edthatint
ohishead.And
now,hedidn'tl
i
kewhathej ustsawinMelinda'
sface.
Hewal kedout
sideandpul
ledouthisphonetocall
Lonwabo.Heneededt ot
ellhi
m aboutwhathadjust
happened.
.
.
.
Sat
urday
,29Febr
uar
y,11:
15
Lonwabopulledupbehindanumar kedv ehicl
eand
j
umpedoutofhi sSUV.Hestaredacrossthegr een
l
awnt othethelineofyel
lowpoli
cetapesur rounding
thechar
mi ngVictor
iancount
ryhouset hatbelonged
totheJansens.
Skywasher
etwoday
sago.Andamandi
ed.
Heinhal
edabr eat
hoff r
eshai
r,lett
ingi
tfi
llhi
slungs
andstr
engthenhisresol
ve.Walkingupthestone
pat
h,hemadehi swayt othef
rontdoorofthehouse,
det
ermined.
Amanwal kedoutthehouse,duckedunderthet
ape,
andapproachedhi
m.Hewasal it
tl
eolderand
l
ookedli
keacopwho' dsteppedstrai
ghtoutof
pri
me-t
imeTV.Soli
d,tough,andbald.
"Det
ect
iveGama?"Hi
svoi
ceandf
acewer
efr
iendl
y
andwelcomi
ng.
-
Lonwabo:
"Yes.AndyoumustbeDetect
iveSi
ko.
"
Theymeti
nfrontoft
hehouseandshookhands.
-Det.Siko:"
Forensi
csonlymanagedtocome
processt hescenetoday
,theycoul
dn'
tmakei
t
yesterday.Ihadtosti
ckaroundunt
ilt
heywer
edone,
andt hentheyhadt orushof ftoanotherscene.But
afteryourcallIcont
actedmypar t
nerbackatt he
stati
on.She'smanagedt or ushasear chwar r
antfor
theHot efarm.She'sgotacl oserelat
ionshipwiththe
magi str
ate,shegothimtoi ssuethewar rantl
ike
this,
"heclickedhisfi
ngers."Itwi
llbehereshor t
ly.
"
Aft
ergetti
ngt hi
sguy'snumberfrom Detect
iveBli
e,
Lonwabohadphonedhi m andbroughthim upto
speedaboutt heHotefarm.Hewasst il
lonhisway
tothehospitalwi
thNaledibuthe'
dhadt ogetthi
ngs
mov i
ngont heotherend.
He'dalsocal l
edCapt ai
nMotaungwithever
y
i
ntentionoff i
ll
i
nghi minonwhatwasgoi ngon,but
thecapt ai
nhadanswer edthephoneand
i
mmedi atel
ysaid,"Gama,pl
easestayathome,focus
ony ourself
,theteam'sgotever
ythi
ngundercontr
ol.
"
Thenhe' dhungup.
Lonwabodi dn'tcall
back, butheknewt hatbythe
ti
met heteam obt ai
nedcel l
phonerecordsofthe
gir
lsortheDNAr esultsconfi
rmingthatthebones
foundwer eindeedSi mphiwe'sandenoughr easont
o
getherfil
efrom Nal edit
oputanameont heface
t
hey
'dseenontheCCTVfoot
agefr
om Nako
Wat
ches,t
hiswhol
ethi
ngwouldal
readybeov
er.
-Lonwabo:"
That'
sgood.
"Hesaidnowt
oSiko."ButI
thinkweshoul
ddriv
euptothefar
m.Yourpar
tner
andmor eofyourmenwil
lcat
chupwit
husand—"
Theri
ngingofhiscell
phonestoppedhim mid-
sent
ence.Checkingthedi
spl
ay ,
her eal
isedt
hati
t
wasGorgio.Hedidn'
tknowwhyt heguywascal l
i
ng,
buthewasgoingt ohavetocalll
ater.
-Det.Siko:"Wehav ereasonablesuspici
ont hatthis
SiyabulelaMossi stort
uringandmur deri
ngwomen
i
nhi spr emises,wecangosear chthepremi ses
withoutal egalsearchwar r
antont hegr
oundst hat
wet hinkhemi ghtkillt
hewomanwebel i
evehe' ssti
ll
holdingupt herebeforewecangetawar r
ant .ButI
wantust odot hi
sr i
ght.Idon'
twantanythingt hat
mi ghtenduphel pingthisanimal t
owalkfreeona
technicali
ty.Assoonast hewarrantget
sher ewe'l
l
beonourway .
"
.
.
.
Sat
urday
,29Febr
uar
y,12:
15
Naledisati
nthewaiti
ngareaatthehospi
tal
,feel
ing
bored.TheyoungcopLonwabohador gani
sedt o
keephercompanywasannoy ingthehel
loutofher
withhisnonsensi
cal
talk.
Can'
tSky
'spar
ent
sgether
eal
ready
?
Thecouplehadboardedamor ni
ngf l
ightoutof
Jo'
burg.Andtheysai
ditwouldtakethem 2hoursto
tr
avelfr
om MthathaAir
portt
oBar kl
yEast.Sothey
shoul
dbeher eanyminutenow.
Naledi t
hrewhergazedownthehal
lway,
hopingto
spotthem.Butshedidn'
t.Sheonl
ysawal eggy
colouredwomanmaki ngherwaytothewaiti
ngarea.
Shewentt osi
tnextt
oaguywho'dbeensitt
inghere
forthepast20mi nut
es.
"
Sorr
yI'
mlate,
"shesai
dasshepressedaquickki
ss
t
otheguy'
scheek."
Spi
nclasswasabitch.
"
Thewomanhadaneasy,casualconfi
dence.Her
fi
nger
sli
nkedwi
thherboyf
riend'
s.Therewas
war
mthandaff
ecti
oninhergaze.Theset
wo,
they
wer
enor
mal.Happy.
Iwantt
obel
i
ket
hat
,Nal
edi
thought
.
Theguywhi speredtohisgi
rl
fri
end,andshelaughed
softl
y.Feeli
ngalit
tl
ebitofj
ealousy,Nal
ediexhaled
sl
owl y.Thenshegotupandt ol
dherguardthathe
shouldstayputbecauseshewasj ustgoi
ngt othe
bathroom.Theguywassuf focati
ngher.
Shemadeherwaydownt hehall
way
,andexi
tedt
he
hospi
tal
.Sheneededsomeair
.Andtomakeaphone
cal
l.
ShewasstillworriedaboutLonwaboandshe
wishedshecouldcal lhi
m,butshedidn'
twantto
di
sturbhi
m orbet hatwoman.Thepersonshe
wantedtocallri
ghtnowwasDr .Fr
aser,
herther
api
st.
Sheneededt otalk.Especi
all
yaboutwhathad
happenedlastnight.
Uponnotici
ngthati
twassti
l
lwindyout
side,
she
walkedovertoashel
teront
hesideoft
hesmall
hospit
al.
"
Awungowal
aphanhe?
"Youar
enotal
ocal
,ri
ght
?
Aman' svoicecomingfrom behindst
artl
edher
.She
quickl
yspunaround,herheartraci
ng.Theman,who
seemedt obeaboutthesameageasher ,was
standi
ngbehindher,undertheshelt
er.Andshewas
surethathewastalki
ngt oherbecausenooneelse
wasar ound.
-
Her
:"Kut
heniusi
tshokanj
alo?
"Whyareyousayi
ng
t
hat
?Sheaskedwi t
hherTswana-
accent
edXhosa.
-
Him:"SeewhatImean?Youraccentj
ustsol
dyou
out
."
-
Her:"
Right
."Shedi
dn'twanttotal
ktot
hisguy
.He
wasgiv
ingherthecreeps."
Excuseme,
Ineedto
makeaphonecall.
"
-
Him:
"Hey
i!
"hi
svoi
cewasnowr
ough,
grav
ell
y.
Her oughlygr
abbedherleftarm assheturned,about
towal kaway.Thewholethinghappenedsof ast.But
notasf astasshespunaroundandl andedamean
punchonhi sface.Shesworeshehear dsomet hi
ng
break.Good.Theguyletgoofherar m anddoubl ed
over,holdi
nghisnose.
-
Him:
"Bi
tch,
"hebar
ked,
fur
yradi
ati
ngof
fhi
m.
-Her
:"Don'
tfuckingmesswit
hme, "shesai
dwi
tha
deadl
ycalmt hatsur
pri
sedevenher.
Butshedidn'
tst
ickaroundtowitnesshisnextmove.
Shejumpedbackandr antothefrontofthehospi
tal
,
herhear
tnowbeat i
nglikeadrum insi
deherchest
.
Andtheret
heywer
e.Sky
'spar
ent
swal
ki
ngt
othe
ent
rance.
.
.
.
Sat
urday
,29Febr
uar
y,12:
15
WhenLonwaboar r
ivedattheHotef ar
m, thefour
pol
icevansthathadbeenspeedingi nfrontofhim
hadalr
eadyparkedinf r
ontofthefarm house.He
pul
ledupbehindthem andgotoutoft hecarasSi ko
andhispart
neralsoarri
vedandpar kedrightbehi
nd
hi
m.
Whil
ethetwodetecti
vesgaveorder
stothe
uni
for
medoffi
cers,Lonwabotookamomentt ol
et
hi
seyesroam ar
ound,takei
nthescene.Thepl
ace
l
ookednot hi
ngl i
ketheonehesawacoupl eofyears
ago.Thecampst hatusedtobehomet oherdsof
cattl
eandf l
ocksofsheepwer enowdev oidofany
l
ife.Andtherewer enomor ekraalsoroutbui
ldi
ngs,
exceptforasmal lshedthatst
oodbehi ndthemain
house.Ther ai
sedst r
uctur
ethattheyusedt ogetthe
cattl
eontotheirtr
uckwasgonet oo.
Foramomentt hereLonwabocoul dseehi sbrother
standi
ngbyt hatstr
uctur
et alki
ngandl aughingwith
MrHot e.Langahadawayofdr awi
ngpeopl ein.
Lonwabohadj uststoodtot hesidethatday ,
l
isteni
nginont hei
rconversat i
onasitautomat i
call
y
gotstoredinhishead.Li
ttl
edi dheknowt hati
t
wouldhelphim oneday .
-Lonwabo: "Theplacel ooksdesert
ed,"hesaidnow
ashet urnedt oSiko."Butthatdoesn'
tguaranteet
hat
Mossi sn'tholedupi ntherewithbig-
ti
mef i
repower.
Weal l
needt otakecar ewhenweappr oachthe
house."
Si
koglancedatDet
ect
iveOli
phant,
hispar
tner
,anda
smal
lgrinqui
rkedt
hecorneroft
hewoman' smouth.
-
Her
:"We'
regoodt
ogo.
"
-
Siko:"Gama, youandIwillt
akethefront
.Oliphant
wi
lltaket woguysandcov ertheback.Whil
et hese
t
woof ficerschecktheshed."
Alright
.Thi swashi sjurisdi
cti
on, hisshow.Lonwabo
wasgoi ngtof oll
owhi slead.Heopenedt heback
doorofhi scar,retr
ievedhisv estandputi ton.
Oliphantmot ionedf orherment of oll
owher ,and
theydr oppedi ntorunningcrouches, headedf ort
he
backoft hehouse.I nahandf ul ofseconds, they'
d
disappear edar oundthecor ner,theirgunsatt he
ready .
Gunsout, LonwaboandSikoapproachedthef r
ont
doorfrom eit
hersideatwi
deangles.From behind
thefi
rstvan,twounifor
medoffi
cerstookupf i
ri
ng
posi
ti
ons, asdidtheremai
ningoff
icer
sbehi ndthem.
-
Siko:"
Siy
abulel
aMoss?Thi
sist
hepolice.Opent
he
f
rontdoorandcomeoutwit
hyourhandsintheai
r.
"
Nothi
ng.Si
korepeatedtheinst
ruct
ionsandwai
ted
f
if
teensecondsthenorderedLonwabotogoin.
Lonwaboki
ckedt
heol
ddooropenandsl
i
pped
i
nside,guncl
aspedinf
rontofhi
m.Wi
thSi
kor
ight
behind,hepr
obedthel
ivi
ngroom.
-
Him:"
Frontr
oom cl
ear
,"hesai
dloudenoughf
oral
l
t
ohear.
Ol
iphant
'sv
oicef
oll
owedi
mmedi
atel
y."
Kit
chen
cl
ear.
"
Shemett hem i nt
helivi
ngr oom asLonwabo
glanceddownahal l
wayt owar dfiv
eot herdoors,
probablybedroomsandabat hroom.Al r
eady
forgott
ent hathewasn'tcalli
ngt heshots,heuseda
handgest ure,i
ndi
cati
ngt hatOl i
phantshouldtake
thefir
stroom ont heri
ght.Andhemov edforwardto
takethefirstoneonhisleft,whileSikoandt hetwo
otherguysr anupstai
rs.
Walki
nginsi
de,hegli
mpsedadoubl
ebedint
he
centr
eoftheroom.Empty.Hey
ankedopent
hedoor
ofthesmallcl
oset
.Nothi
ng.
-
Him:
"Bedr
oom onecl
ear
,"hecal
l
edout
.
-
Oli
phant
:"Bedr
oom t
wocl
ear
."
Theot
herbedr
oomsandt
hebat
hroom wer
eempt
y
too,sowast het opf l
oor.Fuck!Lonwabowas
frustr
ated.Leratowasnother e.Atleast
,he'dhoped
tofindsomet hing.Asmoki nggun.I nthi
scase,
bloodysurgicaltools.Becauseev enthoughheknew
thatMosswasgui l
ty,hehadnot hingconcreteto
proveit.Nothinghehadwoul dhol dupincour t
.
Knowingsomethi
ngandact
ual
l
ypr
ovi
ngi
tar
etwo
di
ffer
entthi
ngs.
Thedet ecti
vesgatheredinthekitchen.All l
ooking
defl
ated.Thepl acewasneat ,tooneat.Unl i
kethe
outsi
det hatlookeddeserted,theinter
iorlooked
l
ivedin.Inspiteofitsage,Mosshadobv i
ouslykept
i
tcleanandt idy.Nodishesi nthesink,nof oodon
thecount er
s,andt hewall
s,floor
s, f
urnit
ureand
appli
anceswer efr
eeofdustandanyv i
siblestains.
Theplacewasj usttooneat.
-Si
ko:"Ihaveahar dt
imeenvi
sioni
ngt hi
shouseas
thesceneofgr uesometor
tur
eandmur der.Thisi
s
notacr i
mescene.AndIdoubtf or
ensicscancome
outheretoday,butI'
l
lmakethecallanyway ."He
pull
edouthi sphoneanddial
l
edashewal kedoutthe
backdoor .
-
Oli
phant
:"Gama,
let
'
stakeacl
oserl
ooki
neach
r
oom."
ButLonwabowasalreadymovi
ng,nott
orecheckt
he
roomsbuthewasseeingsomethi
nginthel
ivi
ng
room.Whatappear
edt obeawoodenpanelonthe
bri
ckwall
,orsomekindofdoorwi
thnolockor
handl
e.
Hepusheditwi t
hforceanditopened,let
ti
nghim
seewhatwasbehi ndit.Thedoorhadbeenhidi
nga
stai
rcasel
eadingtoabasement .Yes!Thi
scouldbe
i
t.HegesturedforOli
phantandtheguy stocome.
ButSikowasst i
l
loutsi
de.
Thef ourheadeddowntothebasement.The
overheadlight
swereon,i
l
luminat
ingalong,
nar
row
andwi ndowlesshal
l
wayofwhatlookedtobeahuge
basementr unni
ngundert
heentir
emainhouse.
"Youcouldki
ll
cat
tl
einabasementt
hisbi
g,l
etal
one
peopl
e,"sai
doneoftheuni
for
medoff
icer
s.
-
Oli
phant
:"Idon'
tknowwhyIdidn'
trememberthi
s.
Si
koandIoncesearchedabasementthi
sbigi
none
oft
hefar
m housesinthear
ea.Thereweresev
eral
gener
ationsofboil
ersandpumpsinthatv
astspace,
devi
cesr epl
acedbysuccessiv
epi
ecesofmodern
machinerybutneverremoved.
"
-
Lonwabo:
"Thi
sonel
ooksl
i
vedi
n."
Andj ustlikethefloorsabov e,itwasneat .Lonwabo
doubt edtheywoul dfi
ndany thing.Hewas
wonder i
ngifhehadbeenwr ongi nassumi ngthat
thisfarm housewast hesceneofmul t
iple
homi cideswhent heterri
fyi
ngel ectr
icbluecolour
suddenl ycoveredt heentir
espacei nfr
ontofhi m.
Everythingsuddenl ylookedbl ue.Samewayi tdid
everyt i
mehev i
sitedt heHill
browmor t
uar y
.Tohim,
thiswast hecol ourofdeat h.Mul t
ipl
epeopl ehad
diedint hissubterraneanvault,hewasnowsur e.
Therewer etwocloseddoor
soneachsideofthe
hall
wayandanot heroneattheendofi
t.Hegestur
ed
foreachofthem totakearoom anddoaneyeball
search.Butall
theroomsturnedoutt
obeempt y,
andclean.
Thi
swasfuckingf
rust
rat
ing.Di
dsomeonetipthi
s
guyof
f?Ordidheleav
ejustaft
erSkymanagedto
escape?Lonwabowonder
ed.
Inthef i
ft
hr oom therewer ecar tonsofbooksand
crates—someempt y,somecont ai
ningemptywine
bottles—st ackedt othecei l
ingagai nstt
hebackwal l
.
Lonwabopi ckedupat hi
nbookt hatseemedtohav e
fall
enint hespacebet weent hecar tonswhenthey
werebei ngst ackedup.Inf act,thesewer epapers
stapledtogether :
ResistanceTr ainingonReducing
Essent i
alTremorandI mprov ingManual Dexteri
ty.
Thiswasa2015studyfr
om Aust
ral
i
a.Mosswasa
cardi
othor
aci
csur
geon.Whywashei nt
erest
edi
n
thi
s?Unless.
..
Somet hi
ngderail
edLonwabo' sthought s.Hi seyes
l
andedonsomet hingint eresti
ngi ntwooft hecr at
es
stackedagai
nstthewal l.Itwasdef ini
telynotwi ne
bottl
es.Hedroppedt her esearchpaperandqui ckl
y
grabbedanearbyst epl adder ,
climbedoni tand
start
edgetti
ngthet opcr atesdown, Oli
phant
assist
ing.Whenhegott ot hecrateshewant ed,he
quickl
ygotthem downandcheckedwhatwasi nside.
Notonebut10shi nylooki ngobjectsthatl ookedl i
ke
someki ndofstoraget anks.Her eadthel abel :
Xenon.
.
.
.
Sat
urday
,29Febr
uar
y,16:
00
"MrandMrsSiy
anga,"Nal
edihadjustcl
osedher
eyeswhenDoctorDi
kana'
svoicewokeherup.
Sheopenedherey esandsti
fledayawnasSky '
s
parentsjumpedupfrom t
hebenchi nthewai
ti
ng
area,al
readyaski
ngthedoctorift
herewasany
newsaboutt hei
rdaught
er.
Naledil
ookedatthedoctorexpectantl
y .Theguy
l
ookedasbadasshef el
t.Poorhim, hehadpul l
eda
doubleshi
ftandexhaust
ionwasnowr adiat
ingoff
hi
m.
-Doct
orDi
kana:"
Theswell
i
ngonherbr
ainhasgone
downandshe'soutoft
hecoma.
..
."
Chapt
er34
Sat
urday
,29Febr
uar
y,16:
40
.
Naledistrodedownt hecor ri
dorev ent houghshe
wast i
redandhungr y .Shecoul dn'tfinishher
breakf
astt hismor ningatt hehot el andshehadn' t
eatenany thi
ngsi ncet hen.Asf oragoodni ghtsleep,
shehadn'thadt hatinday s,andnowt heexhaust ion
wascat chingupwi t
hher .Shef eltlikeherl egswer e
abouttogi veoutonher .Andshepr obabl yl ooked
l
ikethewr athofhel l,butshedi dn'tcar e.Skywas
okay.Theswel l
ingonherbr ainhadgonedownand
therewasi mpr ovementi nhergener al condi ti
on.The
doctorshaddeci dedi twassaf etor ever seherst ate
ofunconsci ousness, andsoananest hesi ologisthad
broughtheroutoft hecoma.Suddenl ynot hingel se
seemedi mpor tanttoNal edi.Thef earof
complicationsDoct orDi kanahadhadandt heneed
forSky'stransferwer enowoutoft heway .Thatwas
thebestnewsev er.
Thedoct
orhadaskedt
hem t
owai
tatl
east30
minutesbefor
et heycouldgoinandseeherbecause
shewasappar entl
ysti
llconfused.Andonl
ytwo
peoplewereall
owedt ogoi natat i
me.SoNaledi
hadletSky'
sparentsgoi nfi
rst.Nowitwashertur
n.
Herhear tt
rippedov erasshepushedopent hedoor
tothesmal lroom.Herey esimmedi atelylandedon
Sky '
sbed.God, shest i
lllookedl i
kedeat h.Butt hat
wast obeexpect edaf terev eryt
hingshewent
through.AsNal ediappr oachedt hebed, Sky '
sey es
fl
ickeredopen.Wi that ent at
ive,t
rembl i
nghand,
Naledi t
ouchedherf ri
end' sfreehand.Ther ightone
wasst il
lbandaged, andsowasherhead.Tear s
blurr
edNal edi'
svisi
on, shej ustcouldn'thelpit.But
shet r
iedtokeepi ttoget herwhenshet houghtshe
sawSkyt r
yingtosmi le.
Somuchhadhappened, t
hereweresomanyt hi
ngs
Nalediwantedtotell
andaskherfr
iend.Butt
hefew
minutesshewasal l
ocat
edwerenotgoi ngt
obe
enough.Eveniftheywer
e,shedoubtedSkywas
l
ucidenough.
-Sky
:"Ledi
?"I
twasbar
elyawhi
sper
,butNal
edi
heardit
.
Smil
ingt
hroughhert
ear
s,shesatont
hechai
rnext
tot
hebed.
-
Nal
edi:
"I'
m sohappyy
ou'
reokay
,chomi
.Howar
e
y
oufeel
ing?"
-Sky:"Likesomeonehasst uffedmyheadwi th
cotton.Mymout hfeel sasi fI
'vebeenchewi ngsand
andmyt hroathurtslikehel l
,asi fI'
veswal lowed
glass."Thatwast obeexpect ed, Nal
edi thought.The
breathingt ubehadbeenr emov edonl yanhourago.
"AndI '
mt hir
stybutnoonewi llgi v
emewat er.They
sayt heyar econcer nedI '
m goi ngt othrowi tup.So
i
nst ead, t
heybr oughtmei cechi pstomunchon.
Funnyt hingaboutt hati s,thedamnt hingsain't
quenchi ngmyt hi
rst.Buthey ,I'
m happyandgr atef
ul
tobeal ive."
Naledi t
houghtaboutthebabyherfri
endhadl
ost.
Noonehadt oldSkyanythi
ngyet,
andsheapparent
ly
hadn'tasked.AndNalediwasn'
tgoingtosay
anythingeit
her.
-
Nal
edi
:"Thatmakesthetwoofus.
"Shewipedher
t
ear
s."
Yougav eusquit
eascarewhenyou
di
sappeared.Sky
,you'
vebeenmybestf
ri
endand
mainst
ayf orsol
ong,Iwoul
dn'
tknowwhatt
odo
wi
thoutyou."
-Sky:"Mypar entstol dmet haty ou'
retheonewho
playedamaj orroleint ryingtof i
ndme.Youopened
ami ssingper sonsr epor tand...
"Shest oppedand
swal l
owed." Thanky ou,chomi .I'mtheonewho
woul dn'
tknowhowt odot hi
sl i
fethingwithoutyou.
WhenIwasgoi ngt hr ought hathellandwant ingto
giveup, Ikeptthinking, '
Whatwoul dNal edido?'The
strengthIknowy oupossessgav emet hest r
engthI
neededt opushonandsur viveoutthere.Iloveyou,
sis."
-Naledi:"
Seewhaty ou'
redoingnow?You'r
emaki ng
mecr yagai
n,"shet
riedtochuckl
easherey es
water edagai
n."Wheny ougetoutofher
ey ou'
re
gonnaneedal lt
hehelpyoucanget.I
t'
sagoodt hing
thatyouhav eanumberofpeopl ewhocareabout
you, meandmymot herincl
uded."
-Sky:"Dadsay
syou.
..t
hatyouandt hepoli
cet
hink.
..
thinkit'
sSi
yawho'
sbehindthi
s."Hereyeswer
enow
closing.
-
Naledi
:"Youmeany
oudon'
tknowwhodi
dthist
o
y
ou?Don' ty
our
emember
?"Sky'
sey
esopenedan
i
nch.
-Sky
:"Therewer etwo.One.
..
Idi
dn'
tknow.Hehad
redhair.Ot
her..
.hewore.
..
woreamask..
.butt
he
l
emon. .
.Theot herwoman..
.i
nthebasement—"Her
eyesclosed,shedozedoff.
Throughahazeoft ear
s,Naledisawanur seatthe
door,si
gnal
li
nghert ol
eave.All
owi ngher
selfone
smallgi
ft,
sheleaneddownandki ssedSky'
scheek.
-Her:
"Il
oveyoutoo,si
s.Of ol
ekapotlako.
"She
shuff
ledoutt
hedoor ,
emot i
onsbubbl
ingtothe
surf
acesofastherheartpoundedtokeepupwith
them.
.
.
.
Sat
urday
,29Febr
uar
y,16:
45
Naledi'
sphonevi
brat
edinherpocketasshedr
agged
herfeetdownthecorr
idor
.Shesmiledandqui
ckl
y
wipedhert earswhenshesawwhoi twas.Lonwabo.
He'dtextedaboutanhourago, justchecki ngonher .
Thattexthadal l
eviatedherworries.Hewasokay
andst i
l
l i
nonepi ece.ThankGod.Butwhenhe' d
text
edagai nsoonaf terthat,
tel
linghert hatthey
hadn'tfoundany t
hingatt hefar
mhouse, she'dfelt
defl
ated.Ev ennow, angerandter r
orstil
l warred
i
nsidehert hatthi
sasshol ecoulddowhathedi dto
Skyandal lthoseotherwoment henj ustdisappear..
.
-
Her
:"Hey
,"sheanswer
edt
hephone.
-
Lonwabo:
"St
handwasam.Wher
ear
eyou?
"
-
Her
:"St
il
latt
hehospi
tal
.You?
"
-Hi
m: "
Par
kingl
ot.I
'
vej
ustar
ri
ved.ButI
'
llcomei
n
now,now.
"
-Her
:"No,
I'
llcometoyou.Seeyouinabit
."Shehung
upandmov edfor
wardwitheff
ici
entst
ri
des.
Shespi edSky'sparentsint
hewai ti
ngroom seat ed
nexttot heguywhohadbeenwai t
ingintherewi t
h
hi
scol ouredgirl
fr
iendforhours.Seeingthatthe
Siyangaswer ereadingtheBibl
e,shequicklyturned
aroundt otakethelongestrout
et otheexit.Thetwo
weretoomuchonpr ay
er.She'dpr
ayedwiththem
thr
eetimessi
ncetheyarr
ived.Shedi
dn'twantthem
toaskhertocomeandpr aywitht
hem agai
n.Not
now.
Sor
ryGod,
butI
'
vedoneenoughpr
ayi
ngf
oroneday
.
Afewmi nutesl
atershewasout si
de.Herey es
i
mmedi atel
ywenttot hesmallpar
kinginfr
ontoft he
hospit
al'
smainwing.Thepar ki
ngwasf ul
lbut
Lonwabohadappar entl
yfoundthefir
stparkingbay
vacant.
Hewasnowst andingther
e,hi
shipproppedagainst
thefrontpassengersidedoorofhiscar,
arms
crossedov erhischest.Ev
enfrom t
hisdi
stanceshe
couldseet hathewasasexhaust edasshewas.But
hestill
lookedsodamnsexy .Andwhenhesawher
heletoutabr ightsmil
e.
Tearsjumpedi ntohereyes.Shewassohappyt o
seehim backunhar med,she'dbeensoworr
ied.Her
l
egshadf el
tli
ketheywoul dgiv
eoutonherearl
ier
,
butjustthesightofthi
smanr i
ghtnowhad
adrenali
nepumpi ngthroughherbody.Sher
anto
him.Heopenedhisarmsandsheeager l
ysli
dint
o
hisembrace.Hi
sstr
ongarmswr appedaroundher,
hishar
dbodypressedful
ll
engthagainsther
s.Fora
fewmoment snoonespoke,t
heyjustheldeach
othert
ight
.
Growingup, Naledi wast easedbecauseofher
height.Nowstandi ngat1. 82m,sheli
kedthat
Lonwabowast allerthanshewas.Shebur iedher
faceinhisneck, breathingi nhi
sexpensiv
emusky
mascul i
nescent .Mascul inescentsusual
lymadeher
feelquit
euncomf ortable.Buthismadeherf eelsaf
e
andatt hesamet i
met urnedon.
Hisarmstight
enedar
oundher
.Itwaslikehewanted
tohol
dheruntilt
heworl
dandalli
tsturmoil
simpl
y
vani
shed.Andshewasn'
tcomplai
ning.Inhi
sarms,
shewashome.
Thenhissoftl
ipswer eonher s.Andallhert r
oubles
blurr
edinherheadanddr ownedt onothingness.He
wentsoftl
yatfir
st,andt henwithgrowingpassi on
thatmadeherclingtohi m astheonlysol i
dthingina
dizzyswayi
ngwor l
d.Hi swar m mouthsentwi ld
tremorsal
ongherner ves, ev
okingfrom her
sensati
onsshehadneverknownshewascapabl
eof
feel
ing.
..
unt
ilshemethi
m.
Whenhefi
nall
ydr
ewback,shecouldn'
tmist
aket
he
l
oveandpassi
oni
nhi
sey esastheyengagedher
s.
-
Him:
"Imi
ssedy
ou.Howwasy
ourday
?"
-
Her
:"Icoul
dn'
tst
opt
hinki
ngabouty
ou.
"
Herrighthandautomat
icall
ymovedfrom histor
so
totouchhishandsomeface.Buthi
sownhandf l
ew
up.Hisfinger
sgentl
ycurl
edaroundherwr i
stbefor
e
herhandcouldtouchhi
sf ace,
concer
nglinti
nginhis
eyes.
-Him:"St
handwasam,areyouokay?Whathappened
toyourhand?"Hewasnowgentlyexami
ningthe
bruisi
ngonherknuckl
es.
-Her
:"I
t'
snothi
ng,
babe.Youshoul
dseetheot
her
guy,
"sheinj
ect
edhumourint
oheranswer.
Itwasr
eal
lynot
hing,
she'
dhadwor sebef
ore.And
shehadputt
hehandonice.Thatwasenough.
-
Him:
"Theot
herguy
?Whatdoy
oumean?
"
Shet
oldhi
m ev
ery
thi
ngt
hathappenedear
li
er.And
bef
oreshecouldwi
thdr
awhermi ndfr
om t
hat
i
nci
dent,hi
sarmswerearoundher,
assur
eandhar
d
asbefor
e.
-Hi
m:"St
handwasam, I
'm sor
ry.I
'm sorr
yIwasn't
her
ewhenthathappened.
"Hel ookedintoherey
es.
"Ar
eyousureyou'
reokay?"
-Her:"
Ofcourse.Don'tworry,babe,Icantakecareof
my sel
f.Andpleasedon'tgivetheconstableanygri
ef.
Thiswasnothi sfaul
t,Iaskedhimt onotfoll
owme. "
Lonwabokissedherhand, t
hensighed.
-Him:"Looksl
ikewebothhadabadday.Moss
eludedcaptur
e.Wedidn'
tfi
ndLer
ato.Yougot
—"She
cuthim off
.
-Her
:"I
twasn'tall
bad.Somet
hingposi
ti
vehas
happened.Skyisawake.
"
-Hi
m: "Shei s?That'
sgr eatnews. "Hepull
edouthi s
phone."TheXenont anksy outol
dmeabout ?Ithink
wef oundthem ont hef arm.Wet ookthem,together
wit
hev erythingelsewet houghtcouldbeevidence,
tothestati
on.ButIhav epi ct
ures.I'
dli
keSkyto
i
dent i
fythet anksforme.Iwantt oknowiftheyar e
i
ndeedt
heonest
hatgotst
olenf
rom t
hei
rlab.
"
-Her
:"Uhh..
.that
'sgonnabet ri
cky.Idon'
tthi
nkSky
candot hatforyourightnow.Shedozedof fwhen
wewer estil
ltal
king.Ithi
nkit'
sthepainmedsorthe
aft
ereffectsofthebr ai
nsurgeryi
tsel
f.
"
-Hi
m:"That
'sunf
ortunat
ebutunderstandabl
e.Di
d
shemanagetotell
y ouany
thi
ngthatcanhelpus
wit
hthecasebeforeshedozedoff
? "
-Her:"
Shesay sshedoesn'tknowi fit
'sSiyawho
abductedherornot .Saysthereweret woguy s.And
thatsupportsyourtheoryoftwoperps.Appar entl
y
oneoft hem woreamaskandt heotherone,she
didn'
trecognise.Theonewi thamaskcoul dhave
beenSiy a.I
twouldmakesensewhyhewor eamask,
hedidn'twanthert oi
denti
fyhim ont hespot.That
elementofsur pri
segivescreepsli
kehi m ahardon."
Henoddedi nagreement.
-
Him:
"Whatel
sedi
dshesay
?"
-Her:"
Somethi
ngaboutlemonsandanotherwoman
i
nt hebasement.Icoul
dn'
tqui
temakesenseofwhat
shewassay i
ng.Shewas—"
-Him:"I
tdoesmakesenset ome.Ther e'
sabi g
basementrunningunderthatfar
mhouse.Andt here
wasasmel loflemonsinthere.Ibel
iev
et hat
'swhere
Skywaskept .Andtheotherwomanshe' stal
king
aboutcouldbeLerato.Shewast her
ewhenSkywas
there.
"
-Her
: "
Butnotany more.Siyaprobabl
yvacatedthe
premisesrightaf
terSkyescaped.Hemusthav e
knownt hatshewouldev entual
lygett
ot hepol
ice
stat
ionandt akethepoli
cebackt othefarm."
-Hi
m: "
Probably.Anyway ,
Idon'
tthi
nkSkywill
giveus
anythi
ngnew.Ionl ycamebackt ocheckonyou.I
needtogobackt ot hefarm.Butnotwit
htheother
poli
ce,al
one.Rightnow.Theremustbesomet hing
we'vemissedinthere.Andit'
seit
herIgobacknow
orli
eawakewi shingI'
dgoneback."
-
Her
:"ThenI
'
m comi
ngwi
thy
ou.
"
-
Him:
"Baby
,It
houghtwet
alkedaboutt
his.
"
-Her
:"Lonwabo,no.I
'm notgonnaletyougoout
ther
ealone.Whatifsomethinghappenstoyou?I'
m
comingwithyouandt hat
'sfi
nal
."Shedidn'
twantto
debat
ethi
s.I
fther
ewasagoodt i
metousethe
str
engt
hSkywastalki
ngabout
,nowwasthatt
ime.
Lonwabosmi
l
edashesl
i
ght
lyshookhi
shead.
-Hi
m: "Youaresostubborn,youknowthat
?Butit'
s
okay,we'l
lgotoget
her.Butlet'
sgogetsomethi
ngto
eatfi
rst.
"Heopenedt hepassengersi
dedoorforher
.
-
Her
:"I
'
llhav
etot
extSky
'smot
herandt
ell
hert
hat
I
'
mleavi
ng."
.
.
.
Sat
urday
,29Febr
uar
y,17:
00
"Unbeli
evabl
e,
"Mel indahuffedintoherphone,angry
.
"Fucki
ngunbelievable.SaphoandMi akeptaney eon
herandy ouhadonesi mplejobtodo,Khwezi.But
youjusthadtof uckitup.Ican'tbel
i
evethis.Youlet
hersli
pawayj ustli
ket hat
?Whatt hehellareyou?A
sissy?
"
-
Khwezi
:"I
'
m gonnaf
ixt
his,
sist
erboss.Ipr
omi
se
y
ou."
-
Mel i
nda:"
No,
for
getit
.SaphoandMi aar
egonnaf
ix
i
t.Justdomeafavourandtakecar
eofSky.
"
-
Khwezi
:"Butshe'
sunder
—"
-Meli
nda:"Pol
icewat ch.
"Shefini
shedforhim."
You
alr
eadytoldmet hat.Butyou'
reacopt oo,
Khwezi.
I'
m sureyou'
ll
f i
guresomet hi
ngout."
ShehungupandtextedSapho.Whensherai
sedher
headshespot
tedthemanshe'dbeensit
ti
nghere
wait
ingf
or.AmanasuselessasKhwezi.
Shepressedthecent
rall
ockbuttononthe
dashboardasheapproachedthecar.Heknewwhat
todo.Hewentstrai
ghtforthefr
ontpassengerdoor
,
pul
leditopenandgotin.
-Mel
i
nda:"
I'
vebeenwaiti
ngf
ory
ouf
ormor
ethanan
hour
,Capt
ainMotaung.
"
-Capt
.Motaung:
"Ihav
eaj ob,Meli
nda.Ican'
tjust
j
umpandr untoyouwhenev ery
oucall.What'
sthi
s
anyway?Whyam Ihere?
"
-
Melinda:"
Youtoldmet hatLonwaboi
snol
ongera
t
hreat,t
hatyou'
vebenchedhim."
-Capt
.Mot
aung:
"Ofcour
seIsai
dthat
.What
'sy
our
point
?"
-
Meli
nda: "
Accordi
ngtowhatI
'
v eheard,
Lonwabois
i
nEasternCapeaswespeak,foll
owinguponalead.
He'
sstil
lworki
ngthecase,
Captain,
comeon."
-Capt
.Mot aung: "
No,t hatcan'
tbet r
ue.I
fhewer eI
wouldknowabouti t.
..IbroughtGamai nandmade
himleadbecauseIknewt hathewasst i
llgri
eving
hisdaughter.Ihopedhewoul dmakeamessof
thi
ngsandnotcr ackthecase.ButwhenIr eal
ised
thatI
'dunder est
imatedhi m Isenthi
m home. "
-
Melinda:"
Well,
I'
m notaski
ngyou,Capt
ain,
I'
m
t
ell
i
ngy ou.LonwaboisinEast
ernCape.
"
-
Capt.Motaung:"
Howdoy
ouknowt
hat
?Doy
ou
t
rustyoursour
ce?"
-Mel
inda:
"Ihavemypeopl
eont hegroundr
ightnow.
Lonwaboisther
ewit
hhisgir
lf
ri
end."
-
Capt
.Mot
aung:"
Withhisgi
rl
fr
iend?Thenhowdo
y
ouknowt
hathe'
sthereworki
ngthecase?"
-
Mel
i
nda:
"Iknowbecauset
heyar
eint
hear
eaMoss
i
sin.Yest erdayIreali
sedt hatIcannol ongercont r
ol
Moss, soIsentt hreeofmypeopl etoRhodest otake
careofhim.Theguyi sr uini
ngev eryt
hingforus,he's
si
cki nthehead.Ther e'
sar easonwhywepi ck
peoplenoonewoul dmi ss,butno,theguydoesn't
getthat.He'smaki ngthisaboutr evengeandhe' s
tr
yingtomakeasi ckstatement .Thatisbri
nging
heattous, andwehav et ocleanuphi smess."
-
Capt
.Mot
aung:
"You'
ret
heonewhobr
oughthi
min.
"
-Meli
nda: "Biggestmi stakeI'veev ermade.It hought
he'dbeanasset ,buthe'sprov i
ngt obeal i
abili
ty.
Andt hewor stpartisthathe'snol ongertakingmy
call
sandt hepeopl eIsentt oRhodeshav en'tlocat
ed
hisfarmy et.Theysaysomeoft hosef armsar e
vacant.Andi t
'snotliketheycangoar oundki cking
downev erydoorunt ilt
heyf indhi m.Butt hegood
newsi s,they '
velocatedt hewomanhel etescape.
She'sinhospi talinBarklyEast .Af ri
endof
Lonwabo' s,Gor gio,l
edust ot hatlocat i
on.Whenhe
tol
dmet hatLonwaboi sinEast ernCape, I
i
mmedi atelywentt ohisgi rl
fri
endt odosome
fi
nishing.She' stheonewhot oldmet hatLonwabo' s
i
nBar
klyEast
."
-
Det
.Mot
aung:
"Gama'
sgi
rl
fr
iend?
"
-Melinda:"No, Gorgio's.
"Gosh, thi
smanwassl ow.
"Shewor ksi nMi drand, j
ustar oundt hecor nerfrom
theshel t
er.Tur nsoutt hisBar klyEasti sonl yan
hour'sdrivefrom Rhodes.That ,Capt ain,cannotbe
coincidence.That 'swhyIi mmedi atelycal ledmy
peopl eonthegr ound.Oneoft hem wasal r
eadyi n
BarklyEast, t
ouseaPostOf fice.Hest artedaski ng
aroundi nthef ewB&Bsandhot el
si nt hear ea,
showi ngthem pi ctures,andhegotal ead.Lonwabo
andhi sgirl
fri
endappar ent l
ylefttheirhot el thi
s
mor ningtalki
ngaboutgoi ngtot hehospi tal.So
Saphor ushedt otheonl yhospi talthet ownhas, but
heonl yfoundt hegi rl
fri
end, Lonwabowasgone.
Turnsoutt heywentt othehospi t
al t
ov i
sitSky ,t
he
womanwhoescapedf rom Moss. "
-
Det.Motaung:
"Andwhati
fyourmenhadf
ound
Gamathere?Whatwer
etheygoingt
odo?Ki
ll
him?
Ki
ll
acop? "
-
Mel
i
nda:
"Mypeopl
ear
eal
socops,
justl
i
key
ou,
so
pl
easespar
eme.
"
-
Capt
.Mot
aung:
"Copsf
rom whi
chpr
eci
nct
?"
-Meli
nda:"Youknowt her
e'sar easonwedon' tal l
knowabouteachot her,r
ight?Any way ,whent he
othert
wocopsj oinedt heoneatt hehospital
, Iasked
them t
odot hi
sol dschool .Grabt hewomanand
we'dusehert of orceLonwabot osur renderev ery
l
itt
lebitofev i
dencehe' salreadygat heredandt hr
ow
theinvest
igationof f
.Butt hatdidn'tquit
ewor k.
Khwezi l
etthewomansl i
paway ."
-Det.Mot
aung:"Yourst
upidplanwasnotgonna
workevenifshedidn'
tsl
ipaway .IknowGama, he'
s
gotasteelroduphisspi
ne.Hedoesn' tbend,he
alwayscravest
odowhat '
sright.Therewasnoway
hewasgonnal etyouholdhi
m host ageli
kethat
.
He'snotthatki
ndofguy."
-Mel
inda:"Whichiswhymypeopl enowhav eor
ders
toshootonsight.Shoottokil
l
.Ifyoudon'twantthat
tohappen,youbettergetGamat obackoff.Cal
lhim
i
nandf i
ndawayt oputhim onashortleash.Orhe's
gonnadie.Il
ikehisface,andafewother..
.body
parts.Ir
eall
ydo, butnotenoughtol ethi
m si
nkme.
Despiteeveryt
hingwe'vetri
ed,he'smanagedt o
trackdownMoss.Thatmeansi t
'sjustamatterof
ti
mebef orehef i
guresthiswholethingoutandcome
forus.Ican'
thav ethat.
"
.
.
.
Sat
urday
,29Febr
uar
y,17:
15
Miaf oll
owedSaphooutoft hei
rcartot hetwo-storey
count r
yhot el
,deter
mined.Thiswasanol dbui l
ding
butitlookedcleanandi nvi
ti
ng.Thetwoshal l
ow
stepst hatstr
etchedalongthefr
ontoft hebuildi
ng
l
edupt oawi dev er
anda.From t
hev erandaMi a
noticedt hatt
hehotelalsohadagiftshoponsi t
e.
May beIshoul dgetasouv eni
rwhent hisisover,she
thought .
Theyenter
edint
oamar bl
e-ti
l
edf oy
erandthe
recept
iondeskwasimmediatel
yaheadofthem.The
youngmanbehindthedeskseemedt obearound20
andlookedli
kehewoul
dr at
herbeanywhereelseon
ear
tht
hanwher
ehecur
rent
lywas.
-
Sapho: "He'
snottheonewhowasher eear li
er.
"He
whisperedtoMia."Theonewhowasher ewasabi t
olderandheimmedi at
elyassi
stedmewhenhe
reali
sedthatIwasacop.Heev engavemet hename
ofGama' scompanionandshowedmet heCCTV
footage,t
hat'
showIgott oseeNaledi
'
sf ace."
Theyoungmanputdownhi siPhone, t
ookoffhi
s
desi
gnerspecs,wipedthem onthesleeveofhis
shi
rt,
andr epl
acedthem astheywalkeduptohim.
Whent heygottohimtheybothflashedthei
rSAPS
IDcards.
-
Sapho:"I
'
m Det
ect
iveFi
hlaandt
hisi
smypar t
ner
Det
ecti
veAdams.Wearehereonpol
icebusi
ness.
"
Miawatchedt
heguy'
sAdam'sappl
ebobupand
downli
keanout-
ofwhackel
evat
orcar
.
"
Okay
,"hesai
dsuspi
ciousl
y.
-
Mia:
"What
'sy
ourname,
kid?
"
"Peter,
"heanswered."
Neverseeny'
al
lar
oundhere
before.Ar
ey ouf
rom anot
hertown?Ial
waysthought
copsfr
om outoftownwouldl
ookscar
yand
i
nti
midati
ngthanthesof
ti
eswehavehere.Buty
ou
guysdon'
tlookscar
yatal
l.
"
-
Mia:"
Wecanbev eryscar
y,i
fthesi
tuat
ioncall
sfor
i
t,
"shesai
dbright
ly."Wewanttohavealookaround.
I
'
m sureyouhavenopr obl
em wit
hthat,
right
?"
-Peter
:"Yeah,Ido.Idon'tknowifyoucanlook
aroundwi t
houtawar rant.Thi
sismymoms' hot
el
andI '
m sureshewouldn'tletyoul
ookaround
withoutawar r
ant.
"
Saphol
eanedi
ncl
oset
othi
scheeseboy
.
-
Sapho:"
Yousurpr
iseme,
Pet
er.Thatdoesn'
tsound
t
oohelpf
ulorf
ri
endly.
"
-Pet
er:"Whatdoyouwantmet odo?Themanager
's
notaround.I
fIl
etyoui
n,thatwoul
dbeonme."
-
Mia:"
Iunderstand,
Peter.Butf
actis,we'
re
i
nvest
igat
ingamur derhere.
"Thatsimplel
inehad
Pet
erontheirsidei
naninstant
.
-
Peter
:"Whogotki
ll
ed?"Theint
eresti
nhi
sv oi
ce
mir
ror
edtheoneinhiseyes,
anditwasexactl
ywhat
Mi
ahadhopedf
or.
Saphopul
ledouthi
sphoneandshowedPet
er
Lonwabo'
sphoto.
-Sapho:"
Seethi
sguyher
e?He'
swantedformur
der
i
nJo' bur
g.Andwebel
iev
ehecheckedi
nherel
ast
night
."
Pet
erl
ookedatt
hephot
o.
-Pet
er:"
Haven'
tseenhi
m.Thenagai
nIwasn'
ther
e
l
astnight
,Ij
usttookov
erf
rom Paul
li
ke15minut
es
ago.
"
-
Mia:
"HisnameisLonwaboGama.Lookhi
m upi
n
t
hehotel
'
ssyst
em."
Pet
ertur
nedtothecomputeronthecount
erand
workedt
hekeyboar
d.Af
teraf ewmomentshe
l
ookedup.
-
Pet
er:
"Hehasn'
tcheckedouty
et.
"
-
Mia:
"Good.Doy
oumi
ndgi
vi
ngusakeyt
ohi
s
r
oom?"
-Pet
er:
"No.Wewouldn'
twantt
obehar
bour
inga
danger
ousfugi
ti
ve.
"
Hequi ckl
ygavethem t
hekeyandt oldt
hem wheret
o
go,askingnofur
therquesti
ons.St
upidkid,Mia
thoughtastheymadet hei
rwayupt hestai
rs.
Home, sweethome, shesaidsi l
entlyastheywalked
i
ntoLonwabo' ssui
teont het opfloor.I
twasactuall
y
ani ceplaceforasmal ltownhot el.Therewasa
l
ivingroom wi t
hacomf ort
ablesof aandadi ni
ng
table,andtwoseparater ooms.Saphot ooktheone
ont herightwhil
eMiat ookt heoneont helef
t.
Bot
hroomswer
eempt
y.
-
Sapho:
"Doy outhi
nkwe'llf
indany
thinghere?"He
wasnowstandingi
nt hecentr
eoftheli
vingroom
whi
leMiastoodinthedoorwayoftheroom onthe
l
eft
.
-Mia:"
Ify oudi
dn'tl
oset hisNal
edibackatthe
hospit
al wewouldknowexact l
ywhereourcoupl
eis
ri
ghtnow.Wewoul dlett hem l
eadustoMoss.But
no,youf ucki
nglosther.You'r
enodiffer
entfr
om
Khwezi."Men.Shenev erunderstoodthem.
-
Sapho:
"Youwer
ether
etoo.
"
-
Mia:
"Iwentt
othebat
hroom andy
oul
osther
."She'
d
wentt ot hebat hroom,leav i
ngherpr etend-boy friend
sit
tingnextt ot heoldercoupl e—Sky '
spar ents,
they'dlearned.Whenshecameback, theol der
coupl ewast herebutGama' sgir
lfr
iendwasnotback
yet.Whent heyasked, pretendingtobemaki nga
conv ersati
on, Sky'smot herhadt ol
dt hem thatt he
gir
lfri
endhadl eft.Dammi t
."Justgobackt ot hat
room andl ookar ound,findussomet hingthatcan
pointust ot her i
ghtdirecti
on.Orwecanj ustf orget
aboutMossandwai tf
orourcoupl et ocomeback
andputasuf fi
cientnumberofbul l
etsi nbot ht heir
heads. "
-Sapho:"
Icamet othi
sgodf or
sakenareatoget
Moss, Mia.Ihat
efail
ure.We'
ll
onlytakeoutGama
afterhe'
sledustoMoss.Gott hat
?"
Shedidn'tanswer .Somethi
ngont hebedsi
dedeskin
theroom hadgr abbedherattent
ion.Apadofpaper.
Shereachedf oritandreadwhatwaswr itt
enonit
.
Dir
ectionstosomef ar
mi nRhodes.Andtherewasa
nameatt hebot t
om.Det ect
iveSi
ko.
-Mi
a:"
Hey,Sapho.Looksl
i
kewe'
vef
ound
somet
hing.
"
.
.
Sorrythiscamel ate.I'
m notmaki
ngexcuses,the
factismysonsoakedmyphonei nhisj
uiceon
Sunday .WhenIf oundi t,
itwasal
readysoaki
ngwet.
Notev enricecouldr everset
hedamage.Igotanew
oneonl yyester
day .
Chapt
er35
Sat
urday
,29Febr
uar
y,17:
45
.
Nal
ediopenedhereyesandLonwabowasst
il
l
dr
ivi
ngupthedepressi
nggravel
road.
-Her:"
Geez,we'
resti
llnotther
ey et
?"She'
dbeen
rest
inghereyesfort
hepastt enminuteshopi
ngthat
bythetimesheopenedt hem theywouldhave
alr
eadyreachedthei
rdesti
nation.
-
Lonwabo:
"Rel
ax,
we'
l
lgett
her
e."
-Her
:"Feel
slikewearedri
vi
ngtot
hecentreofthe
Eart
h.Howf arist
hispl
acefr
om Whi
tt
lesea,y
our
hometown?"
-
Him:"WhenLangaandIcame,
wedr
ovef
oral
most
f
ourhour
s."
-
Her
:"Fourhour
sjustf
orcat
tl
e?"Lonwabochuckl
ed.
-Him:"Theywer en'
tjustanycatt
le,babe.Theywere
Drakensber gers.Theyadaptwell t
olocalcondi
ti
ons,
haveal ongbr eedinglif
e,lowmor t
ali
tyandhighmilk
production.That '
swhymyf at
herwant edthem.
"
-Her:
"Oh,
okay,
"shelaughed."
IguessI'
vej
ust
exposedmylackofknowledgewhenitcomesto
l
ivest
ockandallt
hat.
"
JustthenLonwabo'sphoneinthecentr
econsole
vi
brat
ed.Naledi'
seyesimmediatel
ywenttoit
,and
sodidLonwabo's.ACharli
ewascalli
ngbut
Lonwabojustlett
hephoner i
ng,makingnoatt
empt
toanswerit
.
Soon,at
extmessagecamethr
oughandNal
edi
coul
dseeitont
hescreen:
"
YouknowI y
ou,
right
?Cal
lmeback.
"
Lonwabodi dn'
tevenchecki t
.ThisChar l
i
ehadcal l
ed
yesterdaytoowhent heyweredrivi
ngfrom Jo'
burg.
Justlikenow,Naledicouldseethescreenof
Lonwabo' sphoneinthecentreconsole.Andhe'd
i
gnor edthecalleventhen.NowthissameChar l
i
e
personwassendi ngamessagel i
kethis?Whowas
heandwhatwashi sstor
ywithLonwabo?Why
wouldhesendanot hermanamessagel iket
his?
-Her
:"Whyareyouignor
inghi
m?Whati
fit
's
somethi
ngimport
ant?"
-Hi
m: "
Him?"Hechuckl
ed."Charl
i
eisawoman.Her
nameisCharl
ott
e.Myli
ttl
esister
.Ioncet
oldy
ou
abouther
."
-
Her:"Ri
ght.
"Shefel
tstupidandembarrassedfor
l
etti
nghermindrunwil
d...
again."
Iremembery ou
t
alkedabouthert
henightwewer ehavingdinneri
n
Maboneng.I'
dalr
eadyforgot
tenhername."
-Him: "She'salsomypsy chiatr
ist.She'st heonewho
prescribesmeanxi etymedsandt heot her
medi cationthatI '
m using.Sheunder standst hatI
don'twantt ocombi nepsy chotherapyand
medi cations.Butt hatdoesn' tmeanshe' lleverst op
tel
lingmehowcombi ningt hetwomaybemor e
effecti
v ethanj ustmedi cational one.Especial l
ynow,
afterwhathappenedwi thmydaught er,shecal ls
ever ynowandt hen,tel
lingmet of i
ndat her
api st.
'
Bhut i,I
'm doingt hisbecauseIl ovey ou.'
"Hef akeda
woman' sv oi
ce." That'
swhyIi gnor ehercal l
s, Iknow
whatshe' sgonnasay ."
ForamomentNal ediopenedhermout ht
ot el
lhi
m
thathi
ssi
sterwasr i
ght
,butthenshestopped.Thi
s
wasnottherightt
imeforthat.Butwhenthi
swas
over,
shewoul
dencour agehi
mt ogofort
herapy—
asshewouldherself
.Shewouldhel
phimfinda
goodther
api
st,becauseshecoul
dnolongerbeone
forhi
m.
-Her
:"Soyourtwinbr
otheri
saclini
cal
psy
chologi
st
andyoursist
erisapsychi
atr
ist
.Whatani
nter
esti
ng
choi
ceofcareers.
"
-
Hi m:"
AndI'
m acopwi t
haCr i
minologydegr
eethat
tookme8y earst
of i
nishvi
acor r
espondencewit
h
UNISA.Al
lourcareer
swer einf
luencedbythedeath
ofourmother.
"
-
Her:"
Irememberyout
oldmet hatshegotki
l
led
whenyouweredoi
ngmatri
c."
-Hi
m: "
ButIdi dn'
texactl
yt ell
y ouhow.Mymot her
wasoneoft hefi
rstvi
ctimsofJi mmyMaket t
a, also
knowas' TheJesusKi l
ler'
.He' saseri
alki
ll
erwho
wasact iveinPhill
ipi
,CapeTown, betweenApr i
l and
Decemberof2005.Mymot herwaskill
edinApr il.
Shelefthomet hatdaytov i
sitafr
iendwholivedon
Weltev
r edeFar mi nPhil
ippi.Onherwayback, down
theWelt evredeRoad,itseemsshehadapunct ure.
Shestopped,gotoutoft
hecar,andthat'
spr obably
whenthekill
ershowedup.Shewasf oundr apedand
wit
hherheadbashedi nwit
habl untobj
ect,likel
ya
woodenpole.ButwhenMakettagotar r
estedi n
December,thepoli
cecoul
dn'
tprovethatmymot her
wasoneofhi svi
cti
ms.Henevergotconv i
ct edfor
hermurder.
"
OhmyGod.Nal edi'
sthr
oatti
ghtened,emot i
ons
bubbli
ngupinherchest.Thi
swashor ri
ble.She
di
dn'tknowwhattosay.ButthewayLonwabospoke,
heshowednoemot i
on,i
twasasi fhewasn'ttalki
ng
abouthismother
'sbrut
almurder.Ormay beit'
s
becausehe'
stoousedt omurder,Nal
edithought .
-
Her:
"I'
m sor
ry,
Nwabo.I'
m sosor
ryy
'al
lhadt
odeal
wi
thsomethi
ngliket
hat
."
-Him:"
It'
sokay ,welearnedt olivewithi t
.Butsi nce
thenmybr ot herandsi stergotobsessedwi th
studyi
ngpsy chopat
hs, want ingtounder standwhat
makesaki ll
er .I
,ont heot herhand,justwant edto
putthebast ardsbehi ndbar s.SoIwentst raightto
thepoli
ceacademyandmadei tmyl i
fe'swor kto
chasekil
lers.Ifeltl
i
kei fIcouldgiveot herf amili
es
l
ikemi necl osur
e, Iwoul df eelbet
tertoo.Mymot her
nevergotj usti
ce, t
hat '
swhyIwor ksohar dtotryand
getjusticeforotherf ami l
ies..
.Evennow, I'
m
planni
ngonsol vingt hi
scase.May bei fIcansol v
e
i
t...
may beifIcangi v
et hef amili
esoft hosegi r
ls
somecl osur e.
..
thenev erytimeIwakeupIwon' tfeel
solostinside.May beI'll
stopbl amingmy selff
ornot
beingtheref ormyowndaught er.
"
-Her :
"Iunder stand, Ireall
ydo. "Shewant edt otell
him, onceagai n,thatitwasn' thi sfaul tthathi s
daught erdrowned, t
hatheshoul dn'tfeel responsible.
Butshedi dn'twantt otellhim whatt of eel orhowt o
feel i
t,especi al
lyrightafterwhathe' dj ustt oldher.
"Andwhaty oudoasadet ect i
v eisamazi ng.We
needmor ecopswhoar ejustasdedi cat ed.AndI
believeiny ou, you'llsolv
et hiscase.Hel l,y ou'r
e
alreadyt here."Shel ookedst raightahead, thinking
aboutherownt rauma, theonet hatmadeher
choosehercur rentcar eer."Ourpastexper i
ences
shapeus.Theymakeuswhowear e.Af t
ermyf at
her
died,af t
erhegotki l
ledint hathouser obber y,Icould
seehowdev astatedmymot herwas.Shewentdown
adar kholeandIal mostlosthertoo.That'
swhyI
decidedtodocounsel li
ngpsy chology,and
special
iseingriefcounsell
ing.Icouldseehowgri
ef
almostdestroyedmymot her ,
andIwant edtohel
p
othersli
keher."Lonwabosqueezedherhandashe
focusedont her oad.
-Hi
m: "
Whenli
fedeal
sy ouabadhandy oul
ear
nto
makethebestofi
t.I
t'
scal l
edsurv
ival
.Butnot
ever
ybodyget
stosurvi
v e.Onl
ythestr
ongdo."
.
.
.
Sat
urday
,29Febr
uar
y,18:
00
Lonwabost aredatt hel i
nesofpolicetapemakinga
crossont hefrontdooroft heHot efar
mhouse.
Thosesmal l,pl
asticli
neswer esupposedt okeept he
peri
met ersafefrom intrusi
on.Heshookhi shead.
Detecti
veSikohadt al
kedaboutsendi ngtwocops
around,buttherewasn' tevenasi ngl
ecopst at
ioned
heretokeeppr yingey esaway .Andthatli
tt
lebitof
tape?Itcert
ainlywasn' tgoi
ngt okeepLonwaboor
any
oneout
.
Theli
ghtsinthehousewerenoton, butthatdidn'
t
meanany t
hingtoLonwabo.Somet i
mest hingsaren'
t
whattheyseem.Mel i
ndahadrecentlyr
emi ndedhim
oft
hatwhenshet urnedoutt
obei nvolvedinthis
whol
et hi
ng.
Oneoft
het
hingsIst
il
lneedt
opr
ove,
het
hought
.
Hewal kedt
othebackoft
hecar,pul
l
edopenthe
tai
lgat
eandpull
edouttwovest
s.Naledi
wasnow
standi
ngnextt
ohim.
-Her
:"I
sthereaneedf
orthose?
"Shepoi
ntedt
othe
vest
s."Thehousei
sdesert
ed.Who'
dbeouther
e,
especi
all
yatthi
shour
?"
-
Him:"Wecanneverbetoocar
eful
.Takeof
fyour
j
acketandputt
hison.
"
Shedidn'
tpr
otest.Shet
ookofft
hejacketandputon
thevest
.Hehelpedherti
ght
enthestr
apst henput
hisownveston.
-
Him:
"Knowhowt
ohandl
eagun?
"
-
Her
:"Sev
eny
ear
sagoIst
art
edt
aki
ngupt
arget
shoot
ingasahobbyandIst il
l doit,
af t
ereveryt
wo
weeksIgotot her
ange.ButIunder standthat
shoot
ingapapertargeti
sdifferentfrom abreat
hing
humanbeing.Toanswery ourquestion,yesIcan
handl
eagun, butI
'
venevershotany onebefore.
"
-Him:"Hopefull
y,youwon' tneedtoshootany one
eventoday,"Therewoul dbeemot ional f
alloutifshe
did,heknew.Takingt helif
eofanot herisnev ereasy .
Butthey'
dcr ossthatbridgewhent heycamet oit.
..
Hepul l
edouthisper sonal 9mm pistolundert he
backseatoft hecar."Taket hi
s.I
'm surey ouwon' t
haveapr oblem withit
.It'
seasytouse. "
Shet
ooki
tandgent
lysl
i
dherf
ingeracr
osst
hesl
i
de.
-Her:
"Glock19Gen4?Nice.Thist hi
ngi
srel
i
able.
"
Shepressedthemagazinereleasebutt
onand
checkedthemagazine."
Fif
teenr oundmag
capacit
y."
Sherackedtheslide,r
emov edthechamberedround
andheftedtheguni nherhandaf ewtimes,t
esti
ng
i
t'
sweight.Whenshel oadedt heroundbackint
othe
magazine,herhandswer enowmov i
ngfast
er.She
rei
nsert
edt hemagaz ine,
tappedi
tfir
ml y
,grasped
thesl
idetightl
y,pull
editbackandletitf
lyfor
ward.
Thewayshequi cklydidt
hisandhowshegener al
ly
handl
edt hegun, Lonwabocouldtel
lthatshewasn't
newtoit.
Shekeptt
heguninlinewi
thherforear
m, bar
rel
,sl
i
de,
al
lonthesameli
ne,andfi
nishedthegri
pwi t
hher
suppor
thandandthumbs.
-
Her
:"Ready
?"Lonwabocoul
dn'
thel
pbutsmi
l
e.
-Hi
m: "
I'
mi mpressed.Andr emember ,i
fthesit
uati
on
cal
lsforyoutofir
e,justal
ignyoursightswithyour
tar
getandpullthetri
gger.Don'thesi
tate.Ev
ena
secondcouldmeant hedi
ffer
encebet weenlif
eand
death.
"
-Her:"
Goti t
.Trustme, i
fthesit
uati
oncallsformeto
shootSiya,Iwon'thesit
ate.Themanabduct edmy
fri
endandal lt
hoseot herwomensuf fer
edathi s
handsbef oreheki l
l
edthem.Shootinghim wouldbe
thechancet orightawrong.There'
snothingIhate
mor ei
nthi swor l
dthanmenwhohur twomen. "She
tal
kedwithsomuchpassi on,
andthatmade
Lonwabot
hinkaboutherapparentbadexper
ience
wit
hamanormen.Whatr eal
lyhappenedtoher?
-Hi
m: "AndIhatepeopl
ewhot akeadvant
ageoft he
defensel
essandv ul
nerabl
e.Per
iod.
"Hegrabbedt wo
fl
ashli
ghtsfrom hi
suti
l
itypackandgaveonetoher .
Hebel i
evedinkeepi
ngalmostevery
thi
nginpairs,
youjustneverknowwhenonewoul dmalfunct
ionor
l
ety oudown."Let'
sgo.
"
Theyheadedt owardt hehouse,Lonwabo'sgaze
scanningtheperi
met er.Whent heygottot hefront
doorhepushedi topenwi thhisfootandtol dNaledi
tofoll
owhi sl
ead.Gunsdr awnandusi ngt hetorches
i
nsteadoft ur
ningont heli
ghts,theycheckedt he
mainlevelforanythreatsthentheymov edupst air
s.
Thehousewasst i
llasquietandasempt yast hey'
d
l
eftitearl
i
er.Theywer ealone.
Lonwaboledthewaythrought hesecr etdoorinthe
l
ivi
ngroom anddownthest airstothebasement .
Thist
ime,hewentfort
hel i
ghtswi tchandt urnedit
on.Theoverhear
dfl
uorescentsill
umi natedthe
spaceandhecouldhearNal edigasp.
-
Her
:"Thesmel
lofl
emons.
"
Lonwaboonlynoddedandt heyrushedforwar
dt o
checkther
oomsoneachsi deofthelongcorri
dor.
Theyweresti
ll
empt yasbefore.Theonlyroom t
hat
hadsomestuffworthcheckingoutwast hefi
ft
hone
l
ocatedatt
heendoft hecor r
idor
.
LonwaboshowedNal
edi
wher
etheyf
oundt
he
Xenontanks.
-Hi
m: "
Thet ankswerestolenfrom Sky'
slabon
Tuesdayandwef oundthem incratesi
nthemi ddl
e
ofthestack.Thattel
lsmet hatal
l t
hesecratesand
cart
onswer estackedagainstthi
swal l
recentl
y,a
fewdaysago. "
He'dpointedthatoutearl
ier
,butSi
kohadn'tseen
anysignif
icanceinit.SoLonwabohadstoodback,
notwant i
ngtobut theadswit
hthedetect
iveinhi
s
j
urisdi
cti
on.Butnowhewasback, andSikowasnot
around.
-
Her:"
Let
'st
aket
hem al
ldownandseewhatwecan
f
ind.
"
-
Him:
"You'
ver
eadmymi
nd,
"hegr
abbedt
hel
adder
he'dusedear
li
er,
climbedonitandstart
edtaki
ngthe
cratesdown,
handingthem offt
oNaledi
."Keepyour
earsopenandyoureyespeeled,okay
?"
-
Her
:"Goti
t.
"
Hewasgr abbi
ngaf ourt
hcr atewhenhi sknuckles
brushedagainstthewallthecr at
eswer estacked
against.Hefel
tsomet hi
ng, somethingodd.He
quickl
yhandedt hecratetoNal edit
hent apped
againstthewallwit
hthesi deofhisf i
st.
-Him:"
Aww,shit
!"Hecoul
dn'
thel
pbutshout
."How
didImisst
hisearl
i
er?
"
Nal
edi
steppedt
ohi
ssi
de.
-
Her
:"Whati
sit
?"
-Him:"
Thi
sisnotbri
ck.I
t '
sfake.Thesearever
y
goodfauxbr
ickpanel
s,andwheny outapagai
nst
them y
oucanhearthattheyareattachedtoa
board.
"
-
Naledi:
"What?
"Beforehecoul
dsaymoreshe'
d
r
eleasedamaeger i
andlef
taholeont
hewall.
"
Whatacl ev
erfaker
y."
Hehadt
oagr
ee.I
thadf
ool
edt
hem al
lear
li
er.
-Hi
m:"
Come,l
et'
sremov
ethesecr
atesandt
eart
his
damnwal
ldown.
"
Togethertheyremovedenoughcr
atestoall
owthem
spacetoopenabi genoughholet
hroughthewall
.
Theyrippedthebri
ckpanelsandt
heplast
erboar
d
offt
hef l
imsyti
mberf r
ame.
-
Naledi
:"Lookwhatwehaveher
e?"Shehadj
ust
r
ippedapieceofpanel
offt
heothersi
deoft
hewal
l
.
-Lonwabo: "Thatl
ooksli
keanA2Spr otect
ion
soundpr oofpanel
.Thosethingsaregreatforloud
noises."Ashiverr
anuphi sspine,knowingexactl
y
whatt heywoul df
indontheot hersi
de.
.
.
.

Sat
urday
,29Febr
uar
y,18:
35
Lonwabocoul
dsmel
ltheodourcomi
ngf
rom t
he
room ontheot hersi
deoft hewall.Thedist
inct
scentsofbloodanddeat hwer en'
teasytomi ss.
Supplementingt hel
ightpouri
nginf r
om thecurrent
room withhisflashl
i
ght,heenteredthedarkroom
preparedtofindanotherwomancut ,t
ort
ured,dead,
but—
"
Whoa,
"Nal
edigaspedassheent
eredt
her
oom.
"
Whatt
hehel
li
st hi
splace?
"
-
Lonwabo:
"Looksl
i
keamakeshi
ftORt
ome.
"
I
twasn'
tthebl
oodyscenehe' dimagined.Theroom
wasnotj
ustcl
ean,i
twascl i
nical
lyclean.Thewall
s
wer
ecoveredwit
hwhitesoundpr oofi
ngpanelsand
t
hefl
oorwasofwhiteporcelainti
le.
Therewasast eeltableinonecor nerwithbottl
esof
drugs,IVbagsandanassor t
mentofsur gi
caltools,
i
ncludingtheoscil
lat
ingsawMel indahadtalked
about.Inthecentr
eoft her oom wasar ectangular
tabl
ecov eredwit
haf loor-
length,bloodywhitesheet.
Theonl ythi
ngbloodyinthisr oom.
-Nal
edi:
"It
hinkI'
m gonnabesi
ck,
"Hervoi
cewas
almostawhisperassheremai
nedroot
edtot
hespot
.
Lonwabo'
seyesmov edtoadoorontheopposit
e
wall
.Wonder
ingwhereitwasleadi
ng,hest
rodetoi
t,
hi
sgunattheready
.
Therewasal i
ghtswitchonthewal l
.Hefli
ppediton
thenwentforthedoorhandle.Butinthenow
bri
ghtlyl
itr
oom, hecaughtsomet hi
ngoutofthe
cornerofhi
sey e.Hequickl
yturnedand..
.Shi
t!
Ther
e,ontheothersideofthecoveredtabl
e,ont
he
fl
oor
..
.wasthehorrorhe'dal
readythoughtt
hey
woul
dnotseeint hi
sr oom.
-Hi
m: "
Naledi
,comequick!"heshoutedasherushed
tothenaked,
horri
fi
cal
lytort
uredwomanl yi
ngonthe
fl
oor.Hi
shandimmedi at
elyfl
ewt oherneck,
checki
ngforapulse.
-
Nal
edi
:"Oh,no.Ler
ato?"Shewasnowkneel
i
ngnext
t
ohi
m,horrorinhervoi
ce.
-
Lonwabo:"
Yeah.Shehasapul
sebuti
t'
sweak.
Comeon,hel
pmegetheroutofher
e."
Hepull
edthesheetofft
hetableandusedittocover
thewoman'snakedbody.Ther
ewer ecutscover
ing
herent
ir
ebody.Andhorri
bleabrasi
ons.But.
..
she
wasst
il
lal
i
ve.
Nal
edihel
pedhim car
ryheroutoft
her
oom, upthe
st
air
sfrom t
hebasementandoutthef
rontdoor
.
Butassoonastheysteppedoutsidet
heyreali
sed
thatt
heywerenolongeralone,
theyhadcompany .
Andthei
rvi
sit
orsint
roducedthemselveswit
hbull
ets.
Chapt
er36
Sat
urday
,29Febr
uar
y,18:
45
.
"
Shi
t!
"Thecur
seseemedt
opr
opel
Lonwabo.
Thenextt hi
ngNal edi fel
twasherbackpai nful
l
y
connectingwitht heconcr etefloorofthe
farmhouse'sfrontpor chasLonwabodr oppedont op
ofherandLer at o,usinghismassi vebul ktoshiel
d
them fr
om thebul l
ets.Bef or
eshecoul dt akeanother
breath,
he'drolledof fofher ,pull
i
ngLer atotohis
chest,l
ikel
ytokeepherf rom getti
nginjuredany
furt
her.
ForamomentNal edi wasdaz ed.ButLonwabohad
alr
eadyspr angi ntoact i
on,returningfirewi thone
handwhi lepul li
ngLer atobacki nsidewi tht heother.
Naledicoul dn'tmov e.Shecur ledont hegr oundand
coveredherheadwi thherhandsasmor egunf i
re
exploded,spr ayingbul l
etsaroundher .Ani nstant
l
ater,shef eltLonwabo' shandgr abbingher s,haul
ing
herintothehouse.Hi sf ootkickedt her uineddoor
cl
osedashehast i
lypulledhert othesi de.
-
Him:
"Ar
eyouhi
t?"Hi
svoi
cewast
enseandur
gent
.
-
Her
:"I
..
.Idon'
tthi
nkso—"
-Him:"Good.Keepl
ow.Anddon'tt
urnonthel
ight
s."
Hewasal readymovi
ng,cr
ouchrunni
ngtothe
biggestofthetwowi
ndowsintheli
vi
ngroom.
Shotssti
llrangoutf rom outside.Naledicouldhear
thepepperingpopsf rom thehandgunsandt he
i
mpactofbul let
sast heyhitthewal l
.Herachi ng
bodyinvoluntari
lydroppedandcoi l
edont hef l
oor
whensplintersflewasbul letspoundedint othe
woodendoor .Every
thingwashappeni ngsof ast,and
shewasst rugglingtocatchup.She' dnev erbeeni n
asit
uati
onl ikethisbefore.ButLonwabodi dn'tseem
tobehav i
ngt hesamepr oblem.
Shecouldseehi m kneel
ingbythewindow, l
ayi
ng
downf i
reresponsewi t
honehandt hrought he
brokenglass.Buthiswasn'tr
apid-
fi
re.Hi sshots
weretimedasheoccasi onall
ytookcov erbehindthe
bri
ckwall.Nounnecessar ywasteofbullets.
Howev
er,therewer
etwoshoot
ersoutt
her
eand
Nal
edidoubtedhewoul
dmanagetokeept
hem bot
h
atbay.Sheneededt opullher
selft
owar
dsher
sel
f
andstartmoving.Sheneededt ohel
phi
m ort
he
chancesofthem allsur
viv
ingwouldbesli
mtonone.
Thet houghtoft hathadadr enali
nerushi ngthr
ough
herv ei
ns.Andt hepai ninherbacknol onger
mat t
eredassher ol
ledont hehar dwoodf l
oor,
reachingf orthel arge,shinyhomemadecof feetabl
e
sit
ti
ngbet weent wov i
ntagecouchesi nt hemiddleof
theroom.Sur et hatitwasst eel
,shequi ckly
overturnedi tthenf astcrawl edbackt ogetLerato
whowasst il
llyi
ngont hef l
oor ,
occasionally
rel
easingsof tmoans.Sheusedt hetableasacov er
forthebat teredwomant henpul ledouthergunf rom
herwai stband.
Idon'tpani
c.Nal edidoesn'tpanic.Shesi lentl
y
repeatedhermant r
aasshest ayedpar ti
ally
crouched,mov i
ngatabr i
skpacet owar dtheot her
windowf l
ankingt hefrontdoor .Takingachance, she
peeredoutsi
de, gunatt heready .Itwasst il
lli
ght
enoughoutt her
eandshecoul dseet hetwo
shootersshooti
ngf r
om behindt heSUVt hey'djust
j
umpedoutofwhent heystartedshoot ing.
Whot
hehel
lwer
ethey
?
Butthatdi
dn'
tmatt
er.Whatmat
ter
edwast hatt
hey
wereshooti
ngatt
hem andshehadtoshootback.
Thankfulfort
hebull
etpr
oofv estLonwabohad
i
nsistedsheputon,shebroket hewindowglasswi
th
thebuttofhergunandjoinedhermani nlay
ing
downst eadyfi
reatt
hetwoshoot er
s.Thr
eeshots,
four.
..
-
Lonwabo:"Nal
edi
,gi
vemey
ourgun.
"Shecoul
dhear
t
heurgencyinhi
svoi
ce.
-
Her:"
What
?"Shewassurehewasn'toutofbul
l
ets
y
et,
sowhywasheaskingforhergun?
-
Him:
"Justdoi
t.
"
Seeingnoneedort imetopr otest,
shewentdown,
puttheGl ockont hefl
oorandki ckedi tovert
ohim.
Heeasi l
yr etr
ievedi
tandstar t
edf i
ri
ngagai n,
keepingtheshoot ersbusy,beforekickingtheot
her
gunt owardher .Shecaughtitthenr ose,r
eadyto
star
tf i
ri
ng, butLonwabohadot herplans.
..
-
Him:
"Run.Go!
"Heshout
ed.
-Her:"
What ?No!"Therewasnowayi nhellshewas
goingtodot hat
.Aftertheheart-
plungingfearshe'
d
hadear l
iert
hatLonwabowoul dgethur tandshe
couldlosehim,she'dtaggedalongbecauseshe
didn'
twantherwor stfeartoberealised.Therewas
nowayshewasgoi ngt oleavehim behindnow.No
way .
-Hi
m: "Naledi,
pleasego.LeaveLerato.Gobackto
thebasement .I'
m surethedoorinthatroom wil
l
l
eady ouout si
de.You'll
knowwhatt odo."Therewas
somethingi nhisurgentvoi
ce.Somet hi
ngthatwon
heracquiescence.
Butshewasn'tgoingtoleaveLeratotoo.That
womanwasher8y earsago.Shewasgoi ngt oget
heroutofhere.Tuggingtheguni nthewaistbandof
herj
eansandst ayi
ngl ow,sherushedtoherand
haul
edherfragil
ebodyov erhershoulder,
risingwi
th
her.
Shewasusedt ol
ift
ingheavyburdenatthegym.
Andshealwayscamecl osetol
if
tingSebasti
an,
a
manwhoout matchedherbothinheightand
physi
que.Ler
atowasmuchl essstruggl
e.Shewas
sl
enderandshor
ter
.Pr
obabl
ywei
ghi
ngar
ound50kg.
Tornbutknowingwhatshehadtodo,shelookedat
Lonwaboandcouldseethathewastotal
lyfocused
onthetaskathand.
-
Him:"I
'l
lkeept
hem f
rom ent
eri
ngt
hehouse.Go.I
t
rusty
ou."Heshout
ed.
-Her
: "
Ilov
eyou.
"Waiti
ngf ornoresponse,she
hurr
iedtothest
air
caseleadingt
ot hebasement.
.
.
.
Sat
urday
,29Febr
uar
y,18:
50
Totall
yfocusedonkeepi ngt hetwoshoot ersbusy ,
Lonwabost i
llmanagedt oseeoutoft hecor nerof
hi
sey ethatNalediwascar r
yingLeratodownt he
stai
rs.Hehopedt oGodt hattheweightoft he
i
njuredwomanwoul dn'tslowherdownt ot he
detr
imentoft hem al
l.Butmosti mpor tantl
y,he
hopedshegothi smessagewhenhegav eherhis
gunandt ol
dhert ogoout si
de.Inthisgunfirenoise
hecoul
dn'
tcommuni
cat
eev
ery
thi
ng,
andt
her
ewas
noti
me.
Buthet
rust
edhert
oknowwhatt
odo.
Theseshoot
ersseemedtobeexperi
enced,
he
doubt
edhecoulddefeatt
hem al
one.
Shotscameinquicksuccessi
on,smashingtheglass
ofthewindowandsendingshardseverywhere.Shi
t!
Lonwaboquickl
yleapedtothesideandcrouched
behindthewal
lastheshooter
scontinuedtospray
l
eadi nt
othewindow.
Whothefuckweret
hey
?Hedidn'
tknow,buthe
coul
dseethatt
heywer
eoutf
orblood.
Stayi
ngfocused,hejumpedov ertheshar
dsandsl
id
acrosst
hef l
oortoreachthewindowont heot
her
si
deofthedoor ,
theoneNal edihadbeenusi
ng.
Whenher oset ofir
e,her osejustint
imetoseeone
oftheshoot er
s,thewoman, peeki
ngoutfrom
behindtheSUV, gunr ai
sed.Hehadacl earchancet
o
nailheri
nt hehead.Buthedi dn't
.Hisbul
letsai
l
ed
pastherhead, f
orcinghert odropbackdownand
takecover.Exactl
ywhathewant ed.
Hedidn'
twantt
ohitthem wit
hhishol
lowpoi
nts,he
onl
ywantedtokeepthem fr
om ent
eri
ngthehouse
l
ongenoughforNaledit
ogetoutsi
de.
Hehatedthatithadtobehert ocarr
youtthattask,
buthecouldneverhaveleftherbehi
ndtobet heone
towardoffthi
sgunmanandwoman.Thatwas
ri
ski
er.Andhecouldn'tst
andput t
ingherl
i
featr i
sk.
Hel
l,
hehat
edthatshewasher
eatal
l
.Ifshegothur
t,
hewoul
dnotknowwhattodowit
hhi
mself.
Hecouldhav esi
mpl yaskedhert orunouttheback
doori
nsteadoftakingthel ongrout
ethroughthe
basement,buthewasn' tsureift
herewasn'tanot
her
gunmancov eri
ngthebackoft hehouse.Hedidn'
t
wanthertorunintotrouble.
Andinbet
weentheshot
shekeptt
hrowinggl
ances
att
hekit
chendoor
,wanti
ngnosur
pri
ses.
Shooti
ngwi thonehand,hecouldfeel
t heshar
pbur n
i
nhi sotherar m ashi
shandwentdownt ocheckfor
thetwoext raGlockmagazineshe'dputinthei
rbelt
holder
st hismor ni
ng.Ear
li
erintheporchhe'dbeen
hiti
nthel eftarm.Hehadn'tf
eltanypainthen,onl
ya
ti
ghtpr
essur
ei nhisar
m, butnowthestainofblood
onhisdar
kjacketwasspr eadi
ngf
asterthanhe
wouldhavel
iked.Andhisupperar
m wasonf i
re.
Thewoundwaspr obabl
ynotlif
et hreat
eningthough,
hi
sentirear
m wasst i
llr
esponsive.Butevenifit
wasn't
,hecouldn'
tacknowledget hepainorhe
wouldstopshooti
ngandt hey'
dal lbeintr
ouble.
That
,hecoul
dn'
thav
e.
Nothi
ng,ot
herthandeath,woul
dkeephimf r
om
pr
otecti
nghimselfandthetwowomendownst ai
rs.
Adr
enali
neandt hefi
erceneedt
oprotectandsur
v i
ve
bl
ockedouteverythi
ngelse.
Hecouldnotstopglobalwar
mi ngorovercome
worl
dhunger,buthewasgoingt ostopthosetwo
fr
om enter
ingthehouse.Hewasgoi ngtokeepthem
busyandfocusedonhim unti
lNaledicouldcome.
Andthenallt
hreeofthem wouldmakei toutofher
e.
Butifhehadtobehonest,Ler
atowasi
nbadshape.
Wouldsheev enl
ivel
ongenoughfort
hat?Hehoped
toGodt heanswerwasyesasheconti
nuedt
oretur
n
fi
re.
.
.
.
Withthewei
ghtonhershoulder
sNaledi
couldn'
trun,
butshecoul
dsti
ll
makest r
ideswit
hherlonglegs.
Thankfult
hatshe'
drefuel
ledherbodywi t
hfoodand
coff
eebeforecominghere, shelethersneaker
s
carr
yherandshewasbacki ntheroom of
horr
ors—wherethey'
dfoundLer at
o—innot i
me.She
madef ort
hecloseddoor,pr ay
ingtoGodt hati
t
wasn'tl
ocked.ButGodwasobv i
ousl
ytoobusyt o
answerherurgentpr
ayer:thesol i
dwoodendoor
waslocked.
Fuck!
Frustr
ated,shequicklybutgentl
yputLeratoont he
coldti
lefloort
henl ookedaroundthecreepyroom
forsomet hi
ngshecoul duset ogetthi
sdoortoopen.
Shewast empted,ohsot empted,tousethegun
tuckedagainstthesmal lofherback.Butshedidn'
t
wanttowast ebulletsbecauseshehadnoext ra
magazine.Shehadt omaket heroundslefti
nthe
guncount
.
Hereyesl
andedonthest
eel
rect
angul
artabl
e
standi
ngi
nthecent
reoft
heroom,not
ici
ngthati
t
hadwheel
s.
Per
fect
!
Sherushedtoi
tandpushedittothedoor,sl
amming
i
tagainstt
hewoodwithforce.Butthedoordi
dn'
t
budge.Dammit
!Shewasr unningoutofti
me.
Pull
i
ngthet
ableback,shepusheditwit
hmuchmor
e
for
ce,sl
ammingitagai
nstthedooragai
n.
Butst
il
l,
thedoorr
emai
nedi
ntact
.
Angernowfuel
li
ngher,
shegr
it
tedhert
eethand
repeat
edthepr
ocessonemoreti
me,gi
vingi
tal
lshe
had.
ThankGod,
thest
ubbor
ndoorf
inal
l
ygav
eway
.
Shekickeditoutoft heway,reveal
inganother
basementr oom.Nowshepul ledouthergunand
walkedin,herotherhandimmedi atel
yreachingf
or
thewalltofindalightswi
tch.Shefoundi tand
fl
ippediton.
Whoa!
Thisseemedt obewher eSi yaandhi ssi dekickhad
beenspendi ngt heirnightt ime.Ther ewer etwo
singlebeds, awar drobe, anot hersteeltable,adesk
withdr awers,t
wochai rs, acof feemaker ,asmal l
fri
dge...andwhatl ookedl ikesomeki ndof
sophist i
cat
edmedi calmachi nest andingbyt hesteel
table.Thewal lofthisr oom, j
ustliketheot her,
was
l
inedwi t
hwhi t
esoundpr oof ingpanel s.I
twasal so
supercl eanandneat —f r
eaki sh,consideringwhat
thesebast ardsdidher e.
Shewi shedshecouldl ookar oundsomemor ebut
ti
mewasnotonhersi de,shehadt okeepmov i
ng.
Haulingass,shereachedf orwhatseemedt obea
doorlocatedonthef arwall.Ifitweren'
tf ort
heshi
ny
handleandlock,shewoul dn'thav enoticedit
becauseitwasalsocov er
edwi thwhite
soundproofi
ngpanels, matchi ngthewal l
.She
reachedforthehandleand. ..
Huuu!Sheletoutasighofr
eli
efupondi
scov
eri
ng
t
hatitwasn'tl
ocked.
Tuckingt
hegunbackinherwaist
band,
sher anback
togetLer
ato.Theot
herwomanwasst i
llal
i
ve,
holdi
ngon..
.f
ornow.God,
Naledidi
dn'
twantherto
die.
"Pl
easehangint her
e,sweethear
t.I
'
llgety
outo
safet
y."Shetr
iedtoencourageherasshecar
ri
edher
outoftheroom, ent
eri
nganotherhal
lway.
Pulli
ngoutherphone, shewi shedshehadDet ectiv
e
Siko'snumbersoshecoul dcal lhi
m.Butev enifshe
hadi t,
itwoul dtakethedet ectiv
eforevertogethere,
andt hisgunf i
ghtwasn' tgoi ngtolastthatl
ong.She
usedt hephonef orthet orchappi nstead,l
ooki
ngf or
alightswi tch.Spotti
ngt hest ri
ngdangl i
ngfrom the
ceil
ing, shepulleditandaser i
esofbulbsskimmed
al
ongt hetopoft helow, darkceili
ng,dri
bbli
nglight
ont heeer i
espace.
Unli
ketheonebehi ndher ,
thishal lwaywaswideand
runni
ngsout h,sameast hetwor oomsshe'djust
walkedthrough.Andi twasn'
tascl ean.I
nfact
,there
wasnot hi
ngat tr
acti
veaboutt hisspaceatall.
Moistureclungtotheexposedbr ickwall
sanddi r
t
fl
oor,andamust yscentfi
ll
edt heai r
.Godonlyknew
whatthemol
dcountwasdownhere,butnei
ther
cl
utt
ernormuckwoul
ddeterNal
edi.Shekept
moving.
Att heendoft hecor r
idorwasanot herr
oom.She
didn'tknowthel ayoutofthishousebutsomet hing
toldherthatthisconnect i
ngbasementr oom was
undert heshedshe' dseenst andingatthebackof
thef armhousewhent heyarriv
ed.Ther ewasfree
accessbet weent hebasementoft hemainhouse
andt heoneundert heshed.Aper soncouldmov e
from onet otheotherwi t
houtbei ngseen.Andi fthat
wasr eal
l
ythecase, i
tcouldhav ebeenhowSi ya
escaped.
Bast
ard!
Shehitt heli
ghtswi t
chandherey esqui cklytookin
thesurroundingsundert hebrightli
ght.Ther oom
wasasbi gasshet houghttheshedwas, wi thadirt
fl
oorandabr i
ckcei l
ing.Toherimmedi atel eftwasa
l
argesunkenci stern,probabl
yusedt ocol lect
rai
nwat erthr
oughdownpi pesfrom ther oofbacki n
theday.Toherr ightwassomesor toffur naceand
pump, andont hef arsideoftheroom, agai nstthe
sout
hernwal l
,weremoder nappli
ances:adeep
fr
eezerandawashi ngmachi ne.Shel
vi
ngbankedthe
wall
sandhel datypicalassor
tmentofbasement
j
unk,paintcans,
andt ools.
Butwher
ethehel
lwer
ethest
air
sandt
hedoor
?
Lookingclosel
y,shespot
tedarust
ict
rapdoori
nthe
cei
ling.Cr
ap!Howwasshegoi ngtocl
imbupwith
Lerato?
Gentl
yputt
ingherdown,shey ankedont hecordt
hat
rel
easedapull-
downretr
actableladderthatshe
hopedwouldleadhertotheshedabov e.She
cli
mbedup, t
ensewit
hant i
cipat
ion.Finallyshe
wouldbeoutside.
.
.
.
Sat
urday
,29Febr
uar
y,19:
02
Gri
ppingt
heedgeoftheopeni
ng,
Naledi
heavedher
bodyupward,
herf
eetlandi
ngonthemainf
loorof
theshed.
She'dbeenri
ght.Thiswasthesheder ectedbehi
nd
themainhouse.Andi twaspackedwi thcart
ons,
pall
etsofmechanicalpar
ts,powertools,
plast
erboar
ds,somemor efauxbrickpanels,
soundproof
ingpanels,ahugearr
ayof .
..
Suddenl
yshef l
ewthr
oughtheair
,landedwi
that
hud
onthedustycementf
loor
,andletl
oosealoud
cur
singgroan.
Whatt
hehel
l
?
Raisingherheadslightl
y,hereyesfoundafamili
ar,
gri
m- facedmanst andi
ngaf ewf eetaway.Wherethe
hel
l didhecomef rom?Buthi spr
esenceexpl
ained
whyt hespacewasal readylitwhenshecameup.
Shehadn' tquest
ionedthat.Sloppy.
Shenowwant edtoaskhi m whohewasbutbef or
e
shecouldut t
erasingl
ewor dshehadt odrawin
deepbreathsintoherlungs,recov
eri
ngfr
om thekick
thathadlandedonhersi de,sendi
ngherfl
ying
half
wayacr osstheroom.
-
Her:"You?
"Shedidn'
thavet
ofaket
heshockinher
v
oice."Whatdoy
ouwant ?Andwhoarey
ou,real
l
y?"
Allsheknewwast hathewast hemanwho' dt
ri
edt
o
grabherbackatthehospit
alearl
ier.Shedi
dn'
t
underst
andwhyhedi dthat
, l
etalonewhyhe
fol
lowedheral
lthewayher e.
-Him:"Whoam I ?Wel l
,I
'mthemanwho' sgoi ngto
reuni
tey ouwit
hy ourancestors."Eventhoughhi s
nosewasobv i
ouslybroken,thebr i
dgecoveredwi th
asmal ladhesi
vebandage, t
hei diotwasgrinning.
"Consideri
ngwhaty oudidtomeear li
er,I
'
dr ather
givethatgif
ttoyout hantoyourf ri
endwho'sl yi
ngin
hospital
."Thegri
ngotmeaner .
What
?Washesentt
oki
l
lSky
?
Beforeshecouldask, themanchar gedt owar dsher.
Hewasf ast,butnotasf astassher oll
edont hehard
fl
oortododgehi sdirectkick.Pai
nshotupherback
andshel andedsideway s.Despit
e,ormay be
becauseof ,t
heplateont hebackoft hebulletproof
vestshewaswear i
ng, herbackhadt akenthebr unt
ofbothfall
s.Butshei nstantl
ypushedher selftoher
feetwit
hagr oan,facingheropponent .
Nowshewasf
uri
ousandherbackhur
tli
kehel
l
.She
didn'
thavet
imetodealwitht
hisguy
.Gunshot
swere
stil
lri
ngi
ngoutf
rom out
side,
Nwaboneededher,
and
thismoronwasslowi
ngherdown.
Furyandf rustr
ati
onmadeal et
hal combi nation.
Withoutanyr el
uctancesher eachedf ortheguni n
herwaistband, wanti
ngt ocutthisr eunionshor t.
She'dnev erpoint
edagunatanot herper sonbef ore,
muchl essshotatone.Butsheknewf rom theday
shestartedlearni
nghowt oshoott hatshewoul d
neverhesi t
atetodefendher selforsomeoneshe
caredabout .Thatwast hewhol epoi nt.Andr ight
nowsheneededt odefendher selfandLonwaboso
theycouldgett orushLer at
ot othehospi t
al.
Butherhandonl
ytouchedherbareback.Thegun
wasnolongerwhereitwas.I
nthischaosandwith
thepai
nspreadi
ngacrossherbackshehadn'tev
en
real
i
sedthati
thadsli
ppedout.
Wher
ethehel
lwasi
t?
Hereyesmadeaqui cksweepacr ossthef
loor.And
thenshesawit.Thebl
ackmet al
oftheSAPS-i
ssued
VektorZ-
88layafewf eetaheadofher.Onthefloor
,
wher
eshe'
dlandedwhenshef
ell
.
Shetrustedherhandswi t
hthethi
ng.Af t
eral
l
, i
twas
onlyalocall
yproducedcopyoftheIt
alianBeret
ta
92F—herf avour
it
epiece.Butt
heproblem nowwas,
theguywascl osertoitt
hanshewas.
Dammi
t!
Sheknewrightt
henandt her
ethatthi
scouldver
y
well
turni
ntoadisaster
.Butshecouldn'
tqui
ton
Lonwaboanymor ethanshecouldgiveuponLerat
o.
Shehadonlyoneopti
onnow—f i
ght
ingwi
thherbar
e
hands.Shewasupforthatbuti
twasgoi
ngtotake
ti
me,timeshedi
dn'
thav e.
Thegleam intheguy'
sey essai
ditall
—hewasn' t
pl
anningonusi nganyweapont oeli
minateher.That
wouldbeaneasywayt odieconsider
ingthatshe'
d
humili
atedhim ear
li
er.Hewasbackf orroundtwoof
hand-t
o-handcombat .Wanti
ngtokickherass
befor
esqueezingthel i
feoutofherwithhi
sbar e
hands.
Whathehadapparent
lyf
orgot
tenwast
hatshe
shoul
dn'
tbeunder
esti
mated.Shewasafi
ght
er.Asa
womanwho' dbeent hroughallthatshe'dbeen
through,shehadnev erstoppedf i
ghti
ng.Mar ti
alar
ts
hadhonedherf ighti
ngski l
l
s,butathercor e,she
wasar ebel
.Noone, especial
l
ynott hisshit
head,
wasgoi ngtokeepherf r
om doingwhatshewant ed
todo.Shewasgoi ngtohelpbot hLowaboand
Leratooutofhere.Nowaywasshegoi ngtoletthi
s
fuckerstandinherway .
Hekickedthegunawayandl
ungedf
orwar
d,
t
hrowingthefi
rstpunch.
Thepai ni nNaledi'
sbackdi dn'tr
egisterasshe
l
aunchedher selfbackward, t
hepunchmi ssi
ngher
facebyi nches.Theguywasbi ggerthanshewas.
Andj udgingbyt hebr ut
alstrengthoft hatpunch,
she
knewt hatapunchf rom him wouldknockher
strai
ghtt hehellout.Thebestt hi
ngshecoul ddo
wasmaki ngsur ethathisfi
st sorkicksdidn't
connectwi t
hherbodyatal l.
Shequickl
yspri
ntedtowardshi
m, gi
vinghi
m no
chancetoatt
ack.Let
tingl
ooseaflurr
yofpunches,
shehadhim bat
tli
ngtostayonhisfeet.
Fi
nishi
ngtheatt
ackoff
,shegr
abbedhi
sheadand
pusheditdown,
herkneesl
ammingint
ohi
sface.
Hisalr
eadybrokennosebledafr
esh.Shetook
advantageofhisdazedst
ateandlandedamean
ki
ckst r
aightt
ohisabdomen,sendi
nghimf l
yi
ng
acrosstheroom.
Hegruntedashefel
latopthest
ackoffauxbr
ick
panel
sbehindhim.Anddustsooncoat
edhisj
eans
andexpensi
ve-
looki
ngjacket
.
Shethoughtt hatwoulddist
racthiml ongenoughto
giv
ehert hechancesheneededt or etr
ievehergun
fr
om undert heclutt
erofheav y
-dutyplasti
c
scatt
eredont hefloor—whereithadl andedwhenthe
guykickedit.Hastil
yreachi
ngf orthepile,she
fr
anti
callysearchedforthepistolwithbothhands.
Butheropponentwasstr
ongert
hanshe'dt
hought
.
Herecoveredsoonert
hanshe'
dexpect
edandwas
comingforher.
Not
ime!
I
gnori
ngthegun,
shepushedher
sel
ftoherf
eet
,
get
ti
ngreadyt
odefend.
Hecameatherf ast,f
urynowradi
ati
ngoffofhim.
Shelaunchedhersel
ftothesi
detoavoi
dhisright
punch,buthi
slef
tcaughthersquar
einthejaw.
Shemusthav
ebi
therl
i
pbecauseshesoont
ast
ed
bl
oodi
nhermout
h.
Shi
t!
Feeli
ngdizzy,shestumbled.Herfeett
rippedonan
overtur
nedpaintcanandshef l
ewheadlongt oward
awor kbenchstandingagainstt
hebackwal lofthe
shed.Shet wi
stedtopr ot
ectherhead,buther
shoulderhitt
hethicklegoftheworkbenchhar dina
crunchofboneagai nstsoli
dwood.
Herbodycr
ashedi
ntotheunfor
giv
ingf
loorandher
handsl
appedsomet
hinghard.
Shewantedt
ogetupandf i
ghtbackbutherar
ms
andbackwoul
dn'
trespond.
Dammi
t!
Themanwasnowst andingthere,
gri
nning.Hewas
obvi
ousl
yenj
oyi
ngthis.ButNalediwasn'
t.She
neededt
oendit
.Now.Ti mewasr unningout.
Gasping,sheforcedherbodyup,pushi
ngtoher
knees.Herrightshoul
derachedandherlef
thand
wasnumb, j
ustli
keherback.Butshehadtoburyt
he
painandgetr i
dofthisman.Lonwaboneededher
outthere.
Herey eslandedonami t
ersawsi t
ti
ngonthe
workbenchandapl anquickl
yformedinhermind.
Judgingbyt hepowercordrunni
ngt oadust
ywall
socket,thepowertoolwaspluggedin.
Gr
eat
!
She'
dusedthet
hingamil
li
ontimesinherwor
kshop
andknewexact
lyhowdanger
ousitcoul
dbe.
Heropponentlungedatherasshe'djustscrambled
toherfeet.Rel
yingonnothi
ngbutadrenali
ne,she
quickl
ysteppedt ot
hesideandgrabbedhiswr i
st,
usinghisownbodywei ghtt
olaunchhimf orward,
towardthemi t
ersaw.
Wit
houtthi
nkingtwi
ce,shegrabbedt hetool'
shandle
wit
ht heot
herhandandpulleditdown, wi
ncingwi t
h
pai
n.Theplasti
cguardwentup, exposi
ngt heblade
ofthesaw.Itwasal
readytoolatetodoany t
hing
whentheguyr eali
sedwhatwashappeni ng.She'd
al
readypul
ledt hetr
iggerunderthehandleandthe
sharpbl
adewascut t
ingthroughhisf
lesh,choppi
ng
hi
sforear
m cleanof f.
Hecri
edoutandwentdownonhiskneesasart
eri
al
bl
oodsplat
ter
edev
erywher
e.ButNal
edifel
tno
compuncti
on.
Withthiskindofinjur
yandnomedi calhelp,she
knewt hathewoul dbleedhiswayt ohisancestorsin
not i
me, butshewasn'tgoingtojustleavehim.He
couldstil
lcauseproblemsf orher
.Sheki ckedhim
andhear dhisheadconnect i
ngwiththecementf l
oor
withacr unch.Avoidi
nglookingathisface,she
rushedtot heclut
terofplasti
ctofi
ndhergun.
.
.
.
Sat
urday
,29Febr
uar
y,19:
07
"Cr
ap!
"Lonwabomut
ter
ed,
real
i
singt
hatheonl
yhad
onebul
letl
eft
.
Wher
ewasNal
edi
?
Thebastardswerenowgoi
ngtorushint
othehouse
anddealwithhi
m.No,hewasgoingtohavetofi
gur
e
outaplan.Fi
ndsomethi
nghecoulduse.
Hiseyest r
avel
ledt owardsthekitchenandcaught
thebaseofar edst eelcyl
inderstandi
ngnearthe
sinkcabinet
.He'dknownt hatthe6kgfir
e
exti
nguisherwast here.He'dseenitearl
i
erwhen
theyweresearchingt hehouse.
Acti
ngfast
,hehur
ri
edtot
heki
tchen,
knowi
ng
exact
lywhathewoul
dhav
etodo.
Butasi
ngleshotcomingfr
om out
sidestoppedhim
i
nhistr
acks,especi
all
ywhenf
ourmor eshots
fol
l
owedinquicksuccessi
oni
mmedi at
elyaft
er.
Nal
edi
?
Hecoul dn'
tbesur e,buthest il
lbacktr
ackedtothe
l
ivi
ngr oom.Taki ngadeep, qui
etbreath,
hemadef or
thefrontdoor,thegunl evelandai medaheadofhim.
Heknewt hatonebul l
etwoul dn'tki
ll
bothhosti
les
buthewasgoi ngtohav et omakei tcounti
fitwasn'
t
Nalediwho'djustdischargedherweaponoutt her
e.
"
Lonwabo?
"
Theinstanthehear dthatvoi
ceheknewt hatNaledi
hadcomet hrough.Reli
efwashingoverhi
m, hehital
l
thel
ightswi t
chesbyt hedoorthenrushedoutofthe
house.
Thereshewas.Nal
edionthefr
ontlawnwithher
kneeonthebackofoneoftheshooter
s,r
estr
aini
ng
hiswri
stsbehi
ndhi
sback.
-
Lonwabo:
"Baby,ar
ey ouokay
?"Heaskedal
ready
r
unni
ngtowardsher.
Hisheartwasr
aci
ng,
seei
ngbloodonhercl
othes.
Damn, t
hatwasal
otofbl
ood.Howbadwasshe
i
njur
ed?
-Her
:"Thebl
oodisnotmine,
don'tworr
y."She
answeredqui
ckl
y,t
henrosetoherfeet
.
Hegottoherandusedhi
sgoodhandt
oquickl
ypat
herbody
,makingsur
ethatsher
eal
l
ywasn'
tbleedi
ng.
-
Him:"
Oh,thankGod,"rel
i
efwasev i
denti
nhisvoi
ce.
"
Whathappened?"Onlynowdidhetakealookatthe
t
woshooterswhower ebleedi
ngandgroani
ngon
t
heground.Hedidn'
trecogni
set
hem.Andnoneof
t
hem wasSiyabul
elaMoss.
Naledi
hadkickedawaytheirweaponsandbound
thei
rwri
stswithhar
dplast
icbands.Hesmi l
edto
himsel
f,i
mpressed,
eventhoughhedidn'tknow
whereshegotthebandsfrom.
-Her"Iunderstoodwhaty ouwant edmet odo.I
surpri
sedtheshoot ersfr
om behi ndandt ookt hem
down.Thef irstshotwast ogett hem t
of aceme.
Thent heotherspiercedtheirfl
esh.ButIdidn'tshoot
tokil
lwithyourser v
icepistol.I
t'
sadi f
ferentstory
withtheguyIf oundi nt
heshedt hough.Thisishis
blood."
-Him: "
Youdidgood, babe.Wenowj usthaveto
changeaf ewthingsinthiscri
mescenebef ore
maki ngthenecessaryphonecalls.Nowai t,
where'
s
Lerato?Wehav etorushhert othehospi t
al.
"Befor
e
shecoul danswer,hepointedtothemanandwoman
l
y i
ngont heground."Keepaney eont hem.I'l
lgoget
her."Hewasal r
eadymov i
ng.
Butdammi
t,whywashesocol
d?Wast
heweat
her
suddenl
ychangi
ng?
Hef elthisfeetmoveforward,butf
orsomereason
het houghthemi ghtbefly
ing.Maybefl
oat
ing.A
roaringinhisears.Achopper?Someonewasher eto
rescuehi m.Him?No, t
hem.Them, who?Whoel se
washer e?
Blackspotsdancedbef orehi
sey es.Ther oarinhis
headincreased.Li
keabl ack,oozi
ngr i
ver,darkness
fl
owedov erhim.Hef elthi
mselffall
ing.Thought
aboutcatchinghimselfbefor
ehehi tthegr oundbut
hecouldn't
.
No!
Chapt
er37
Sat
urday
,29Febr
uar
y,19:
30
.
Sit
ti
nginhiscarasi gni
fi
cantdist
anceaway,Gor
gio
couldseeMel i
ndagetti
ngoutofhercar.Shewalked
overtoanothercarparkedi
nf r
ontofhergat
e,her
bodylooki
ngt ense.
Gorgi ohadbeenf oll
owingherar oundallday,si
nce
shel efthisfri
end'
swor kplacethi
smor ni
ng.Hewas
usedt of ol
lowingpeopl e—sur v
eil
lancewaspar tof
hi
sj obandhewaspr ettygoodati t
.Todayhis
personal missionwassi mple,str
aight
forward.
Wat chMel inda.Seewher eshegoes, whatshedoes,
whoshemeet s.Pr oceedwi thcauti
on.Don't
approach, don'tengage.Justobser veatadistance.
Thewomanhadr ai
sedhissuspici
onswhenshe
l
ookedr at
tl
edandafraiduponreal
isi
ngt hat
Lonwabowasi nEasternCapefoll
owingal eadona
case,t
henshe'dhadhisinst
inct
sscreami ngwhen
shewentf i
shi
ngfrom Bel
la—Gorgio'
sclosef emal
e
fr
iend.
Melindawasupt osomething,
hewassur eofit
.Hell
he'
dal waysthoughtt
herewassomet hi
ngoffabout
her,
t hatshewasnottheangelever
ybodyseemedt o
thi
nkshewas.Nowhewasdet er
minedtoproveit
.
Lonwabohadignoredhisphonecallearl
i
er,butt
hat
wasprobabl
ynotabadt hi
ngbecausei taff
orded
Gorgi
oanopportunit
ytocoll
ectenoughinformati
on
aboutt
hewomanbef or
ehecouldtalktoLloyd.
Headjustedhimselfinhisseatandfocusedhisgaze
asthedriveroftheothercaral
sogotoutt omeet
Meli
ndaout si
de.Itwasanunr ecogni
sable,
i
mpeccabl ydressedman.Andf rom whereGorgi
o
wassitt
ing,hecouldn'tpl
acetheman'sage, maybe
ear
lytomi dthir
ti
es.
Gorgiowasbynomeanshomosexual ,buthe
couldn'
tdenythefactthattheguy'
slooksshift
ed
moret otheat
tracti
veside,evenf
rom thisdi
stance.
That,however
,didn'ti
nter
esthim.Whatdi d,
was
knowingtheguy '
sidenti
ty.
Forthatt
obepossi
blehehadt
odr i
vecl
oserandget
theguy'
scarr
egi
str
ati
onnumber.Hetur
nedthekey
i
nt heignit
iont heninstinctiv
elyr eachedf orhis
phone,want i
ngt ouseitt oqui cklysnapapi ct
ureof
thenumberashedr ovepast .Butt henhe
remember edt hatthephone' sbat terywasdead.I t
haddiednotl ongaf t
erhe'dcal l
edBel l
afollowingher
chatwithMel i
ndat hismor ning, andhehadno
chargerinhiscar .Frustrated,he' dtossedt hephone
i
nt hepassengerseatanddi dn'tev entr
yt ogogeta
charger,af
raidt hathewoul dloseMel i
nda.
"Cr
ap,
"hecursedandsatbackinhi
sseat
, knowi
ng
ver
ywellt
hathewasn'tgoodatmemori
sing
numbers.
Buttheri
ngi
ngofhisotherphonef orcedhimto
focus.I
twasacheap,disposablephonesi tti
ngi
nhi
s
glovecompart
ment.Heusedt het hingforone
purposeandonepurposeonly:wor k.Sowheni t
chimed,hei
mmediatelyknewt hatt i
mef orhi
s
personalmi
ssi
onwasov er
.Dutycal led.
Notpl
eased,hereachedf
ort
hesmal
lpi
eceoft
ech
andanswered.
"
GG,
Iknowy
oudon'
twor
konweekendsbutwehav
e
anewcase,andwecouldusey
ourhel
p."Quincy
,the
l
eaderoft
heircompany
,sai
dontheot
hersideofthe
l
ine.
-Gorgi
o:"I
'
llbether
ein10,"hehungupandputt he
caringear,hopi
ngtoGodt hatwhathealr
eadyhad
wouldbeenought oconvi
nceLloydtobecareful
aroundMelinda.Hewouldchargehisphoneandcall
him assoonashegott otheoffi
ce.
.
.
.
Sat
urday
,29Febr
uar
y,19:
30
S'f
isowat chedDrMeli
ndaDekkerapproachhis
vehicl
einasnailpace.Hegotoutofthecar,
a
str
ongf eeli
ngofdispl
easur
eri
singuphischest.
-Hi
m: "I
fthere'
sonet hi
ngIhat et hemosti nthi
s
worldisbeingtreat
edasaf ool,DoctorDekker,
"he
sai
dbef oreshecouldev engreethi m."I
'
v ebeen
cal
li
ngy oualldaybutyouhav en'
tbeent akingmy
cal
ls.Ievenwentt oyourplaceofwor k,
buty ou
weren'tt
here.AndI'
vebeensit
tingi
nf rontofthi
s
gateofyoursforalmostanhour.Tellme, wereyou
notsupposedt oupdat
emet hi
smor ni
ng? "The
wordsspill
edoutofhismouthcoat edwi t
hal ay
erof
anger.HewasS' f
isoKhumalo,dammi t.Noonehad
theri
ghttofuckhim ar
oundandmakeaf ooloutof
him.
-
Her:"Sor
ry,MrKhumal o,t
odaywasverybusyfor
me."Butshedidn'tsoundevenabi
tapologet
ic.
"
Please,l
et'
sgot alki
nmycar .
"
-Him:"No.Wewi l
l talkri
ghthere!"Hetookast ep
closertoher,angry ."You'
reabr oker,
DrDekker .And
I'
m aclientwho'sj ustasi mportantasanyother
cli
entofy ours,i
fnotmor e.Iexpecttobetreated
withrespect.Wehadadeal .Nowwhatt hehellis
this?Ithoughtyouwer eapr ofessi
onal,
runninga
professionaloperation."
Herf
aceturnedredandhernostr
il
sfl
aredasshe
bl
ewoutabr eat
h.Wassheangry?Whatanerve!He
wastheonewhohadev er
yrightt
obeangry,nother
.
-
Her
:"Fi
rst
ly,
don'
tev
err
aisey
ourv
oiceatmeagai
n,
okay ?"Herar rogantt onesentanewwav eofanger
throughhi m.Bi tch!Buthest illneededher ,hisli
fe
dependedont hatt ransplant.Sohef oughtbackt he
i
mpul set owraphi shandsar oundherl i
ttl
et hroat
andshowherwhohewas." Secondl y,"sheadded
witht hesamet one." Idon'tknowhowy ougotmy
homeaddr ess,butdon' tev er,Imeanev ercomet o
myhouseagai n.Thi rdly
,I'vebeeni gnor i
ngy ourcall
s
becauseIhadnot hingtor epor t.You'ret heonewho
sloweddownt hepr ocess,remember ? "Shel ower ed
herv oice."You'ret heonewhosai dy ouwer egonna
bringy ourowndonorandt hatIshoul donl ysety ou
upwi tht hedoct orswho' dper f
or mt hepr ocedure—"
-Him: "
Ifucki
ngknowt hat,
"heinterj
ected,teeth
grit
ted."ButthenIcalledyouThur sdaynightandt ol
d
yout hatImightnol ongergetthatdonor .Iaskedyou
tofindmeanot heroneandy oupr omisedt odeli
ver.
AndnowIhav etorunaf t
eryou?"Hemi ghtnotget
Lebo, t
hatheknew.Andnowt hisbitchwasal so
taki
nghersweett imet ogethi
m anot herdonor ?
Whatt hefuck?
-
Her
:"Iwi
l
ldel
i
ver
,okay
?Todayi
sonl
ySat
urday
.
Theset hi
ngst aketime.Findingabonemar row
mat chisnoteasy .I.
..
"Shest oppedandherey es
quicklyscannedthear ea.Apparentl
ysati
sfi
edt hat
therewasnoonet ooverhearthem,shecontinued.
"I
'm anor ganandt i
ssuebr oker,MrKhumalo,nota
magi ci
an."
-Hi
m: "
AndI'
m amanwhowant stoli
ve."Adesper
ate
man,headdedinhishead."I
'vepaidyoualotof
moneytomaket hathappen,somakei thappen.I
'
m
giv
ingyouonlyoneweekt odeli
verorI'
m gonnabe
for
cedtotakedrast
icsteps.
"
-
Her
:"Wai
tasecond.I
sthatat
hreat
?"
Hecamealotmorecl
osertohernow,
socl
oset
hat
t
hei
rfor
eheadsal
mosttouched.
-Him:"Keepfucki
ngwit
hmeandy ou'
llsoonfi
ndout
thatS'
fisoKhumalodoesn'
tmakethr
eats,j
ust
promises."
Heheldt
hedeathst
aref
oramomentt
hent
urned
andgoti
ntohi
scar.
Bl
oodybi
tch!
.
.
.
Sunday
,01Mar
ch,
10:
00
Lonwabo'sphonerangasNaledi
satinthehospital
'
s
wait
ingroom.Peoplehadbeencall
i
ngitsincelast
ni
ghtbutshehadn'tanswer
edanyofthecalls,
not
wantingtohavet
ol i
e.
Shemutedi
tthenshi
ft
edintheuncomfort
abl
eseat.
Thepai
ninherbackt
hrobbedli
keatoot
hache,but
compar
edtoLonwabo'si
njur
y,i
twasnothi
ng.
Whyohwhydi dn'tshenot i
cethathe'dbeenshot?
Hehadn'tsai
dany thing,butsheshoul dhaveseen
somethi
ng.Sheshoul dhaveseent hebloodsoaking
hi
ssleevenomat terhowdar khisjacketwas.Butno,
she'
donlyreal
isedt hathe'dbeenhi twhenhe
passedoutduet obl oodloss.
God,
whatdi
dthatmakeher
?
Lonwabowasnowl yi
ngi
nthathospi
tal
bedbecause
ofheri
gnor
ance.Theywer
esupposedtohaveeach
other
'sbacksoutther
e.SHEwassupposedtohave
HISback,that
'swhyshe'
dtaggedal
ong.Butt
hen
shefail
edhim.
"
DrMasilo,
it'
svisi
ti
nghour snow."Shewasgett
ing
r
eadyf
oranot herdoseofguiltwhenDoctorDi
kana'
s
voi
cei
nterr
uptedher."Youcangoi nandseeMr
Gama,noone'sgonnast opyou."
Thedoctorprobabl
yknewev enhermi ddlenameby
now.She'dbeeninteract
ingwithhim alotsinceshe
gottot
hispartoftheEast er
nCape.Thr eepeople
shecaredaboutwer elyi
nginthishospital
.Sky,
Lonwabo,Lerat
o.Ev enMr sJansen,t
hewomanwho
hel
pedsav eSky.
-Her
:"Ohthanky ou,Doc.Iwassoinmyhead,
Idi
dn'
t
evenreal
i
set hatitwastenalr
eady
."
She'dt r
iedtogett oseeLonwabol astnightbuthis
doctorandt henur seswouldn'tl
ether .Eventhis
mor ni
ng, theyst i
llwouldn'
tfuckinglether,tel
li
ngher
thatthepat ientneededt orest.Thewhol ethinghad
beensof rustrati
ng,especi
allybecauset heywoul dn'
t
event el
l herev er
ythingshewant edt oknowabout
Lonwabo'sconditi
on.Somet hingthatconsequentl
y
l
edheri nt
othinki
ngthewor st.Wel l
,upuntil
Doctor
Dikanacamei nandeasedherwor ri
es.Lonwabo
wasn'tevenhispati
ent,butbef or
ehecoul dstar
this
shif
tthi
smor ninghe'
dspar edsomet i
met ogo
checkonhi mthencomebackt ogiveNaledia
properupdateonhiscondition.
-Him:"I
thappens.
"Hesaidnow,andf
lasheda
sincer
esmile."
Butevery
thi
ng'
sgonnabeokay.
Detecti
veGamai sgonnabeokay.
"
Nalediret
urnedt hesmil
eandt hankedthedoctor
beforehepointedhertoay oungnur sethenexcused
hi
msel fandwal keddownt hecor ri
dor.Theman
caredandhedi dt hi
ngshisway .Nal
edi f
eltnot
hing
butrespectforhim.
Wit
houtwast
inganymor
eti
me,
shet
urnedand
f
oll
owedthenurse.
Thelastt
imeshesawLonwabowasl astni ght,j
ust
bef
oretheyt
ookhimt ot
heORt orepairthedamage
i
nhisupperarm.Buthehadbeendelir
ioust hen,
havi
ngnoideawhatwasgoingon.She, t
oo, had
beenunderalotofstr
ess.Notknowingwhet herto
focusonhim oronLerat
o.Andinall
t hatchaos
therewasalsothepol
icewhowantedt ospeakt o
her.Itwasj
usttoomuch.
Butiftherewasany thi
ngpositivei
nt hatsituati
on,it
wast hefactthatbothLonwaboandLer atowerest i
l
l
ali
ve.She'ddoneev ery
t hi
ngshecoul dfort hem back
atthescenet henspeddownt hegravel road,l
eaving
theRhodesf armsbehi nd,unt
ilshejoinedt hemain
roadleadingtoBarkleyEast.
Speedingdownt hattr
eacherousroadatnightand
makingittothehospital
injustunderanhourhadn't
beeneasy.Ithadbeenani ghtmare.Butshe'
dpull
ed
i
toffbecauseshet rul
ycaredaboutthepeopleshe
wastransporti
ng.Shedidn'
twantt oloseei
therof
them.
Lerat
ohadbeenunconsci oust hroughouttheway .
ButLonwabohadoncer egainedconsciousnessand
askedacoupl eofdi
rectquestionsbeforelosing
l
ucidit
y.Thenhe'dstar
tedshout i
ngandmut teri
ng
thi
ngsNal edi
didn'
tunderstand—basicall
y
hall
ucinat
ingoncemor e—beforepassingoutagai n.
Inhisunconsciousst ate,he'
dsl eptli
kethedead,
nevermov ing.Nal
edi hadcheckedhi spulse
repeatedl
yjusttoreassur eherself.Andthestr
ong,
soli
drhy t
hm hadn'
tf ailedtogiveheri mmeasurabl
e
rel
iefunti
lshegott ot hehospital.
Thebulletwoundit
selfwasn'
tthatbad, she'dfi
gured.
Itwasthelossofbloodthatthr
eatenedhi sli
feand
scaredthehell
outofher.Butasshewal kedintohis
wardnow, sheexpectedtofi
ndhim clear-headed.
Andshewasgl adthepolicehadn'
tshowedupy etto
tal
kt ohim.
Therehewas, i
nhisbed,st
ari
ngather.Hisot her
arm wasi naheavybandageupt ohiselbow.But
otherthanthatandatoo-pal
eface,heseemedt obe
healt
hy .DoctorDi
kanahadbeenr i
ght,
shet hought.
Lonwabowasgoi ngtobeokay.Hermanwasgoi ng
tobejustf i
ne.
Emot
ionsbubbleduphert
hroatasshemadeher
wayt
ohisbed.Butwhenshelookedintohi
swar
y
ey
esasmilefoundit
swaytoherlips.
Sheknewshepr
obabl
ylookedl
i
ker
oadki
l
lbutshe
reallycouldn'tbebot heredwi thherlooksr ightnow,
seei ngLonwabookaywasev ery
thing.Shehadn' t
hadanysl eepl astnightandt osayhercl otheswer e
amesswoul dbeanunder st atement .Aftertal
kingto
thepol iceshe' dgonebackt ot hehot elwi t
hev ery
i
nt entiontot akeashowerandchangeoutofher
bloodycl othes.Butwhensher eali
sedwhathad
happenedi nt hei
rsuitewhensheandLonwabower e
out ,she'dleftwithoutev enmaki ngi ttot he
bat hroom.Pi ssedandf eelingunsaf e,she'dcome
backt othehospi talsti
llint hesamecl othesand
spentt henightononeoft heuncomf ortable
benchesneart henur sesst at i
on.
"Nwabo,
"hervoi
cecameoutasawhi
sperasshe
cametostandnextt
ohi
sbed.
.
Holi
day
sareoverandI'
m back.How'
s2021t
reat
ing
y'
al
lsofar
?Good,Ihope
Chapt
er38
Sunday
,01Mar
ch,
10:
10
.
Nalediwast heonlywomanLonwaboknewwho
couldlookbeauti
ful i
nbloodstained,wrinkled
clot
hesandamessyf adehaircut.Herbeaut i
fulface
andgor geous,at
hleti
cbodywer eaplus, butitwas
thegraceandconf idencewithwhi chshecar ried
hersel
fthatmadeany thi
ngshewor elookgood.
Sincehewokeupi nthi shospi tal bedandr ecall
ed
l
astni ght'
seventshe' dbeenwor ri
edaboutherand
kicki
nghi mselfforbringi ngt hatki ndofchaosi nt
o
herlif
e.Hell,
he'dbeenwor ri
edt hatshewoul dnev er
wantt oseehim agai naf terwhathe' dputher
through.Butwhenshewal kedinexhi bi
ti
ngsi gns
thatshe'dspentt heni ghther e,hei mmedi atelyknew
thatshehadn'tabandonedhi m.Andwhenshel et
outasmi l
eandcal ledhi m Nwabo—t henickname
thatonlysheused—wi tht hatsexyv oiceofher s,the
remnant sofhiswor r
iessi mplyv anished.Hecoul dn'
t
helpbutsmi l
et oo,andi tfeltdamngoodonhi s
mout
h.
-Hi
m: "
Sthandwasam. "Hesnaggedherhand, pull
i
ng
hertohim.Shecamedowni nt
ohisembr ace
wil
li
ngl
y,sotrusti
ngly.Heclosedhiseyesandj ust
hel
dherf orawhile,eventhoughtheone-armedhug
sentastabofpai nshooti
nguphisot herarm.They
bothneededthis.May behim morethanher.
Afterwhatfeltl
i
kef or
ever,
wit
hthem hol
dingeach
otherinsi
lence,shepull
edback,
tookhishandand
heldittohermout h.
-
Her
:"Yougav
emequi
tet
hescar
e."
-Hi
m: "
I'
m sor r
y.Sosorr
yforever
ythi
ngthat
happened."Butshewasshakingherheadbefor
ehe
coul
df i
nish,obvi
ousl
yseeingnoneedforanapology
.
-Her
:"No.Don'ty
oudareapol
ogiseforwhat
happenedlastni
ght
.Youdidnothi
ngwr ong,
babe.
I
'mtheonewhoshoul dbeapologi
sing.
"
Wassheki
ddinghim?Hepull
edherbackdown,
l
eani
ngherf
oreheadagai
nsthi
s.
-
Him:
"Baby
,Ihav
etoapol
ogi
se.Youal
mostgot
ki
ll
edlastnight,andy ouhadt
otakeal i
febecauseof
me."Hecoul dfeelandhearemot i
oncoati
nghis
ever
ywor d."Theny ouhadtoseemebl eedinfront
ofyoureyes.Thatmusthav ebeenawf ul
,especial
l
y
wheny ouhadt obet heonetostopthatbl
eeding."
-Her:"ButI'
m alsotheonewhoi nsistedonbeing
there.AndthenIf ai
ledtoseethaty ouwerehitand
gety outhehelpy ouneededsooner ."Tear
slefther
eyesandl andedonhi scheeks."Il
ety oudown, baby,
Iletyoudown. "Fuckno!Hewasn' tgoi ngt
olether
blameher selff
orsomet hi
ngshehadnocont r
ol over
.
-Him:"Baby,no.No."Hegentlypushedherbackand
wipedhert ear
s."I
fyouwer en'
tthereIprobabl y
wouldhav ebeenshotagainorbl edoutont hatfarm
j
ustli
ket heotherguy.Butyoudi dn'
tletthathappen.
Yousav edmyl i
fe.AndLerato'
s.Ihear dshe's
recov
er i
ngintheotherroom.Thati s.
..wonder ful
.If
i
tweren'tforyouIwouldn'thavebeenabl etokeep
thepromiseImadet ohermot her.Sothanky ou,
babe.Thanky ou.Yousavedt wol i
veslastnight."
Abreathshudder
edoutofherandshebli
nkedaway
f
reshtearsasshesatonthechai
rbesi
dethebed.
Shel
ookedbeaut
if
ulandf
ragi
l
eandst
rongal
latt
he
sameti
me.
-Her
:"Isav
edli
ves.AndIalsotookone."Theguy
she'
dcutwithamitersawandki ckedt
ot hegr
ound
hadbledoutanddied,he'
dlear
ned.
-
Him:
"Exact
lywhyIwasapol
ogi
sing.Idi
dn'
t—"
-
Her
:"No,
Lonwabo.Idon'
tregr
eti
t.
"
Hewant edt ogoonandt ellhert hati twasokayt o
feeldeadi nsideafterwhathappened, butshewas
tryi
ngsohar dtobebr ave.Ifhepushed, hedidn't
knowhowshe' dreact .Shewashol dingupahel luv a
l
otbet t
ert hanmostpeopl ewoul dhav e.Howmany
normal peopl ecoul dstaycomposedaf terfacingt he
traumaofbei ngfor cedtot akeanot herper son'sl i
fe?
Heknewshe' dnev ergetthati mageoutofhermi nd.
Itwouldhaunther .God, hewi shedhehadn' ttaken
hertothatf arm.Damn, whyt hehel l didhei nvolve
herinpol i
cebusi nessi nthef irstplace?Thi scase
wasnotf orawomanl ikeher .Yes, shewasst rong
andsmar t,butthatcoul dn'
thav eprepar edherf or
whatshewi t
nessedont hatf arm.Andcer t
ainlynot
al
mostbei
ngki
l
led.
-Hi
m: "
Youdon'
tregreti
t?"Het
ri
edtoinj
ecthumour
i
nhisv oi
cet
oli
ghtenupt hemood."
Ihopeyoudidn'
t
saythatt
othepoli
ce."
-Her:"Ofcour senot .
"Shel etoutaf leet i
ng,rather
forcedsmi l
e." Itol
dt hem t heonl ytrutht heyneeded
tohear .Thati twassel fdef ense.Not hingmor e.I
alsodidn'tsayany t
hingaboutmeshoot ingthet wo
otherasshol es.Wheny ouhandedmey ourservice
weaponandwheny ousai dwehadt ochangeaf ew
thingsatt hatsceneIunder stood.Iknewwhaty ou
want eddone.Don' twor ry,afterI
'dgi veny ousome
fi
rstaidhel pandj ustbef oreIr ushedy ouandLer ato
downher e, Itri
edmybestt ocollectall t
hebul l
ets
andshel lst hatwer edischar gedf r
om y ourper sonal
weapon.Nowi tdoesn' tmat t
erwhatt hoset wosay ,
wheny out alkt othepol icest i
ckt othest or
y.You' r
e
theonewhot ookt heshot swhi l
eIwasi ntheshed
fi
ght i
ngof ft hemanwhowasat tackingme. "
-
Him:"Youdi
dthat?"Hecoul
dn'tbel
i
eveit
.
"
Sthandwasam,youdidgood.Great
,act
uall
y.
"The
womanwassmar t.Andthewayshecouldeasi
ly
readbet
weenthelinesandunder
standhim coul
dn'
t
amazehim more.Becauseofwhatshedidthey
wouldnowbeablet oavoi
dalotofbul
lshi
t."Tel
lme,
wherearet
hosebast ar
dsnow?"Hehadt oask.
-Her:"Here,underpoli
cewat ch.Thanksf oral
way s
keepingalmostev erythi
nginpairs.Igotacoupl eof
yourhandcuf fsandcuf f
edthoset wotot hesteel
polestandingbyt heshed.ThenIgoty ourphone
andcal l
edanambul anceandDet ecti
veSi kobefor
e
dri
vingout .
"
Wow, wouldsheev erceasetoamazehim?Howshe
managedt ostaycomposedenought odoal
lthat
andstil
lgetthem t
ot hehospi
tal
inti
mewasnot hi
ng
shor
tofawondert ohi m.Butbefor
ehecoul
dsay
anyt
hing,sheconti
nued.
-
Her
:"Doy
ouknowt
hem?Thoseshoot
ers,
thati
s."
-
Him:
"No.Idi
dn'
trecogni
seei
theroft
hem.
"
-
Her :"
Thisisdeep,Lonwabo.Thosetwoarecops.I
foundtheirSAPSidenti
fi
cat
ioncardsint
heirpocket
s.
SergeantS.Dalasi
leandConstabl
eM.Jacobs.Not
onlythat
,butIrecogni
sedthem asthecouplewho'd
beensitt
ingnotf arf
rom mei nthewai
tingroom of
thi
sv er
yhospi t
alyesterday.They'
dbeenkeepingan
eyeonme, Lonwabo.Andt heoneIkil
l
edi ntheshed
i
st hesameguywhot ri
edt ograbmeher eyester
day.
Hewasacopt oo.Const abl
eK.Manana.Bef orehe
tri
edtokill
mehepr ettymuchl etmeknowt hathe'd
beensentt okil
lSky."
.
.
.
-
Him:"
What?Sentbywhom?"Nal
edishrugged."
You
t
hinkt
hey
'vebeenwor
kingf
orSiy
abulel
aMoss? "
-Her
:"Idon'
tknow, appar
ent l
ytheyain'
tsayin'
anyt
hing.WhatIdoknowf orsurethoughist hat
they
'r
enotf r
om aroundher e.Bothdetect
ivesSiko
andBlietol
dmet hatmuch. "
-
Him:"Buthowdidt
heyf
indusoutt
her
e?Nocar
wasbehindus.
"
-
Her
:"Iaskedmysel
fthatsamequest
ion.ButIgot
myanswerwhenIgotbacktothehot
el.They
managedt
ogeti
ntooursui
teand—"
-
Him:
"Wai
t?Theygoti
ntoourhot
elsui
te?
"
-Her:"Yeah.Theymani pul
atedt heteenagerthey
founddownatt herecepti
on.Liedtohi m.Tur nsout
he'sbeendeal ingweedr i
ghtoutofhi smot her's
hotel.Sowhent hecopsshoweduphet houghtt hey
wer etheretobusthi m.Butwhenher eal
isedt hat
theywer en'tt
her eforhim butforaLonwaboGama
who' s'wantedf ormurder'inJo'bur
g, he'
dbeenso
rel
ievedt hatheeasi l
yhandedt hem thekeyt ot he
suiteundery ourname. "
-
Him:
"St
upi
dki
d."
-
Her
:"Tel
lmeaboutit
.Anyway
,thosecr
eepsgot
t
hei
rhandsonthepadIusedt
owr i
tedi
rect
ionst
o
t
heJansensf
arm."
Lonwabohadn'
ttakenthepadwi th,he'
dlookedati
t
onceandthedir
ecti
onswritt
enoni thadbeen
permanent
lyr
ecordedinhishead.Butstil
l,
hedidn'
t
under
standwhatNalediwassaying.
-
Him:"
Idon'
tfol
l
ow.Wewer
eatt
heHot
efar
m,not
t
heJansen'
s.
"
-Her:"
Iknow.Det ectiv
eSi kogav emesomecl ari
ty
onthatf r
ont .Hesay saf tery 'alll
efttheHotef arm
yesterdayhesentt woconst ablest owatchthepl ace
andkeeppr yingey esout .
"Yeah, Lonwabo
remember edhear i
ngSi kosay i
nghewoul ddot hat.
"Buttheconst ablesappar ent l
ymi sheardhim and
wentt otheJansensf ar mi nst ead.Thatfarm'salsoa
cri
mescene, Iunder standwhyt hoseguy seasil
y
confusedt hings.Andt henwhent hedirtycops
showedupt herewi tht heirSAPScar dsclai
mingt o
befrom Jo' bur gandwor ki ngwi thy ou,t
hey oung
constablest oldthem t haty ouwer en'
ttherebutal so
saidwher ey oucoul dbe.Theygav eoutthe
dir
ectionstot heHot ef arm. "
Nah,t
herewassomethingof
faboutt
hisst
ory
,
Lonwabothought
.Buthewasgoingt
ohavetofi
gur
e
i
toutlat
er.
-Him:"
Soifthoseguysdi
dn'
tknowthel
ocat
ionof
Moss'sfar
mi t'
ssaf
etosaytheywer
en'
tworki
ngfor
him."
-
Her
:"I
'
dsay
."
-Hi
m: "Butthenwhydidt heycomef orSkyaf
tershe'
d
escapedf r
om theguy'sclut ches?Andwhycome
aft
erus? "Hisbrai
nhadal readypi ecedtoget
her
someanswer sbuthewant edt ohearwhatshewas
thi
nking.Hedidn'twanttoi nfluenceherthi
nki
ngby
sayi
ngwhathewasal readysuspect ing.
-Her:"
Rememberwhaty ousai dbacki nJo' burg?
Thatthiscoul dbeabouti llegalsaleofor gans?Wel l
,
you'dagr eewi thmet hatpeopl ewhoar ei nvolvedin
thatkindofbusi nessdon' twor kalone.Ther e's
usuall
yanet wor kofpeopl ewhodon' tnecessar i
ly
knowev erythingaboutal lthepar t
iesinvolved.I f
someonei nt henet wor k,possiblyMel i
nda, foundout
thatSiyahasbeendoi nghi sthingont hesi de,
drawingat tent i
ontot henet work,theywoul dhav e
start
edseei nghi m asal iabili
ty.Andwi t
hhi m and
thewitnesswho' descapedf r
om him gone, nothing
wouldl eadbackt ot henet wor kandt heiract i
vit
ies.
"
-
Him:
"Iagr
ee.
"
-
Her:"Ithi
nkSky.
..
andSi
yaweretheor
igi
naltar
gets.
Andthatthoseguysonl
ycameforusbecausewe
werestandingi
nthei
rwayandmaybebecausethey
real
i
sedthatwewer
ebegi
nni
ngt
ofi
gur
esomest
uff
out.
"Heagreed.
-
Him:
"Andhowwoul
dtheyhav
ereal
i
sedt
hat
?"
-
Her
:"ThatIcannotanswer
.Youdi
dn'
tsayany
thi
ng
t
oMelinda,
didyou?"
-Him:"Ofcoursenot.
"Herquesti
onshouldhave
probablybot
heredhim,buthi
sbrainwasbusy
workingtobebot her
edbysomethingsotri
vi
al."
My
commander ."Hesaidaf
tersever
alseconds.
"Captai
nMot aung."
Di
rt
ycops.
-
Her:
"Whatabouthi
m?Youthi
nkhe'
sal
soi
nvol
ved
i
nthi
s?You'
resayi
nghe'
sdi
rty
?"
-Him:"I
'm sayingmoneycanmakepeopl edot hi
ngs
theyotherwisewoul dn'
t.Cappiehasdedicatedmost
ofhisli
fetot hepoli
ceser vi
ce,andnowhe' sabout
toreti
rebuthe' sgotnothingtoshowf oral
lthe
sacri
fi
ceshemadef ortheService.I
fsomeone
approachedhi m wit
hal otofmoney ,whatdoy ou
thi
nkhewoul ddo? "
-
Her
:"Tur
n?"
-Him:"Themanputmeoncompassi onateleave
foll
owingthepassingofmydaught er.AndwhenI
askedt ocomebackhewoul dn'
tletme.Tel li
ngme
thatIwasnoty etr
eady .Butt
hensuddenl yhe
broughtmei nandputmeont hi
scase.Fr om
beli
evi
ngIwasnotr eady,t
omaki ngmel eadinsuch
abigcase, t
hatisquiteamajorturn.Woul dn'
tyou
say?"
-
Her
:"Soyouthi
nkhegav
eyout
hiscasehopi
ng
y
ou'
dfuckitup?
"
-Hi
m: "
It
'sapossi bi
li
ty.Andwhenher eal
isedthatI
wasn'
tdistract
ed, t
hatIwasdoingthenecessary
l
egworkoutt hereandkeepinghim outoftheloophe
gotunsett
ledandki ckedmeof ft
hecase."Ital
l
madeper f
ectsenset ohim now.
-
Her
:"Heki
ckedy
ouof
fthecase?
"
-Hi
m: "Fr
iday,yeah.SorryIdidn'ttel
lyou.
"Shejust
shookherheadsl ightl
y."ButIleftthatpol
icest
ati
on
knowingv erywellthatIwouldn'tstopworkingthi
s
caseuntilit
'ssolv
ed."
-
Her :"
Soy ouwerekickedoutbef
orewecouldfigur
e
outthatSiya'
sthesuspect
?"Lonwabonodded.
"Thenyourcommandercoul dn'
thaveknownthat
youwer edownhere."
-Him: "Actually,hedoes. "Hesatupst raightinthe
bed."Ical ledhimy esterdayt ol ethi m knowandhe
dismissedme.Butwheny ouandIwer ehav ing
takeout sinmycarbef orewedr oveoutt othef arm,
wheny oust eppedoutt olookf orar estroom, he
call
ed.Hecal l
edmeandt oldmet hatheknewt hatI
washer e.Het oldme, noor der edme, tostopwhatI
wasdoi ngandgobackt oJo' bur g.Thatwas
under standablebecausehe' dal readytakenmeof f
thecase, Iwasbasi callynotwor ki
nginmy
professional capaci ty.Whatdi dr aisemyey ebrows
thoughwast hef actt hathedi dn'tsayany thing
aboutsendi nganot herteam ov erorli
asingwi ththe
Rhodespol i
ce.Sikowoul dhav ecal ledmei f
Mot aunghadgot teni nt ouchwi ththem.Now, why
woul dCappi eignoresuchal ead? "
-Her
:"MyGod.Sowhatdoest
hismean?
"Hecoul
d
hearfeari
nherv
oice.
-Him: "
Itmeansweareallnotsafeandwecannot
trustanyone.Rememberthecarthatwastai
l
ingus
backi nJo'
burg?"Hepul
ledtheIVcannul
aoffhi
s
handandswunghi sf
eetoutofbed.
-
Her
:"Whoa,whatarey
oudoi
ng?"Shej
umpedof
f
t
hechai
rtoblockhi
smovement
sashegottohi
s
f
eet
.
-Hi
m: "
I'
m get
tingoutofhere,
Ledi,andyou'
re
comingwithme.Butbef or
ewel eaveIwanttosee
Ler
atoandmakesur et
hatsheget sthepr
otect
ion
sheneeds.ThenI'
llcal
lhermother."
-Her:"
Ialr
eadycal
l
edMr sPhir
ifrom yourphonelast
night
.Andshesaidshe'
dbeher ethi
smor ning.Sorr
y,
Ithoughtshewoul
dwantt oknowimmedi atelyt
hat
herdaughterwasali
veandinhospit
al."
Knowinghemi ghtnotgetthechanceanyt i
mesoon,
hepushedasi detheknowl edgethatt
hiswasabout
themosti nappropr
iateti
met oki
ssheranddi dit
anyway.Cov eri
nghermout hwithhis,heall
owed
everyt
hinghewasf eel
ingtoshowi nhiski
ss,not
givi
ngaf uckaboutwhowaswat ching.Hismouth
ateathers,sucki
nganddevouring.Hi
stongue
plungeddeep,sweepi
ngthroughhermout h,t
angl
i
ng
andduelingwithher
s.Shetastedwarm, andso
damnaddi cti
veheknewhecoul dkisshera
thousandtimesandnevergetenough.
Hejerkedaway,hi
sbreathi
ngheav yander rat
ic.
Damn, he'
dal
mostlostallsenseofwher ehewas
andwhatwaswai t
ingforthem outthere.Shecould
dothatdohim,andhecoul dn'
taff
orditrightnow.
-
Him:"Igot
tatakeyousomewher
esaf
e,t
hengoout
t
hereandfi
nishthi
s."Hi
svoi
cewasur
gent
.
Hismov ement squickanddecisi
ve,
hey ankedthe
bedsidelockeropenandpulledouthisclot
hes.He
wincedasheputt hewhit
eveston,leavi
ngthe
bl
oodyshi rtandjacketi
nthepaperbag.Hewas
al
readymaki ngforthedoorwhenNal edisoft
lysai
d
hi
sname.
-Him:"
Yeah?"Turning,
hel ookedbackatherst i
l
l
standi
ngbyt hebedandhi sinsidesfeltl
i
kethey
werebeingri
ppedt oshreds.Nal ediwaswhathis
grandmotheryearsagoreferredt oasgoodpeople.
Shehadheart
,courage,andgoodness.Shedi
dn'
t
deser
veanyofthis.Shedidn'
tdeser
vetohavea
tar
getonherback.
-
Her:"I
'm comingwithyouwher
everyou'
regoing.
We'r
egonnaf i
nishthist
oget
her
.I'
m alr
eadyinvol
ved
whetheryouli
keitornot.
"
Chapt
er39
Sunday
,01Mar
ch,
10:
25
.
Naledi
couldf eelher
sel
fswaying,
doi
ngherbestt
o
stayonherfeet,asshewalkeddownthenar
row
hall
way,l
eavingLonwabobehind.
Lastnightshe'dhadt ost ayaler
ttheenti
reti
me, j
ust
i
ncaseanenemydeci dedt ocomepayherorher sa
visi
tatthehospi t
al.Besides,she'
dbeenhaunt edby
deathandt oowor ri
edaboutLonwabot obeabl eto
closeherey es.Nowexhaust i
onwaspul l
ingat
her..
.har
d.Butshecoul dn'taf
for
dt ohaveashut-eye
ri
ghtnow, shehadagoal infr
ontofher.Onceshe
reachedthatgoal,shecoul dl
etgo.
Unt
ilt
hen,
shemov
edf
orwar
d.
Lonwabowasst i
lli
nhiswar d,
exchangi
ngwor ds
withhisdoctor.Anursehadshownupbef oret hey
couldleav
eandi mmedi atel
ycall
edthedoctor.When
thedoctorcame, he'
dplainoutref
usedtodischar ge
Lonwabo.Nal ediunder
stoodtheman'sreasons, but
shealsounder st
oodwhyLonwabowant ed,no
needed,t
oleavet
hehospital.Bef
oreshecouldadd
hertwocentsonthemat t
er,however,
Lonwabohad
askedhertogi
vehim somet imealonewit
hthe
doctor
.Andsoshe'dquietl
ysteppedoutoftheward.
Reachi
ngforabenchi nthehall
way,sheinelegant l
y
thr
ewherselfonitandpull
edoutherphonet ocal l
hermother
,want i
ngtocheckonherandLebo.I thad
beenawhilesincesheheardtheirv
oices.Yest erday
tobeexact
,whensheandLonwabower estilldrivi
ng
uptothatf
arm ofhorror
s.
Shedial
l
edhermot
her
'snumberandMaCat
hy—as
ever
yonecal
l
edher
—pickedupaft
eraf
ewri
ngs.
-Cather
ine:"Baby,areyouokay ?"Sheansweredwit
h
thatwarm, mot her
lyvoice.ForyearsNaledi
hadonly
hadhermot hertocallher'baby'butnowshehad
Lonwabo, anditstil
lfel
t..
.weir
d.
-Nal
edi:
"Yes,Ma,I
'mfi
ne."Shetr
iedtokeept
he
exhaust
ionoutofherv
oice."Howareyouand
Lebo?"
-
Cather
ine:"
We'reokay
,baby.Don'
twor
ryaboutus.
"
Sheaudibl
yblewoutabreat
h,andwasstar
ti
ngto
saymor
ebutNal
edi
qui
ckl
yint
err
upt
ed.
-Nal
edi:"I
sSebasti
anthere?"Shehadtoask
becauseshewaswor r
iedabouthermotherandson.
Hell
,shecouldn'
tnotwor ryaboutt
hem.Theywere
herli
fe.Andsheknewt hatS'fi
sowassti
lloutt
her
e
andnotwi l
li
ngtoplaynice.
-
Cat
her
ine:"
Yes,he'
sjustar
ri
ved.Itol
dyou,
he'
s
t
aki
ngoursafet
ypret
tyseri
ousl
y."
ProbablybecauseNal edihadtol
dhi
m whatwasat
stake.Andy es,i
tlookedli
ketheguywasn'ttaki
ng
thewholet hingli
ghtl
ybecauseyest
erdayhermot her
hadt ol
dhert hateveryt
imeSebasti
anwasn'tthere
hemadesur ethatTebogoorJoshwer e.Theytook
turnsguardingthehouse.
TebogoandJoshwer eSebastian'
sf r
iends,hi
s
buddiessincehi
sacti
veMMAday s.Naledit
rust
ed
them tobeabletokeepherfamilysafe.Butshe'
d
j
usthadt omakesurethatatleastoneoft hem was
ther
eatt hemoment.
-
Naledi
:"That
'sgood.I
'
m gl
ady
'al
lar
est
il
lsaf
e."She
wasreal
lyrel
i
eved.
-Catheri
ne:"Andhow'sSky?Hermot hercall
edlast
night,sayi
ngtheywouldbetransfer
ri
nghert o
anotherhospital
todaybecausetheydon'tthi
nk
she'ssafethere,
notaslongasherabduct orissti
l
l
i
nt hewi nd.
"
Nalediagr
eed,Skywasnotsafehere.Neit
herwas
Lerat
oorMr sJansen.Hel
l
,theywereallnotsafe,
butshewasn'tgoi
ngtosaythattohermot her
.
-Naledi
:"Herabductorhasaname, mom.Pl easeuse
i
t."She'
dt ol
dhermot heraboutSiyayest
erdayeven
thoughshewasn' tsupposedto.Nowshedi dn'
t
understandwhyshewoul dn'tsayhisname.
-
Cat
her
ine:
"Doy
our
eal
l
ythi
nkherexdi
dit
?"
-Nal
edi:"
Idon'
tthi
nkso,
Iknowso.Si
yabul
elaMoss
didt
his.He—"
-Cat
herine:
"But,baby,Sky'sparentsaren'tsosure
aboutthat.
"Naledihadgot tenthatvibefrom them
yest
erdaybuttheyhadn' tsaidanything.Andshewas
yett
oseet hem atthehospi tal
today .Butassoonas
shewasdonewi ththi
sphonecal lshewoul dgosee
Sky,t
hathadbeenherpl an.
-
Nal
edi
:"Wel
l
,IknowwhatI
'
mtal
ki
ngabout
.We—"
-Catherine: "
Idon'twanty outost epont heirtoes,
baby .
"Shei nter
jected."Theydon'tbeli
evet hatthi
s
SiyabulelaMossi ssomeser i
al ki
ll
er.Accordingto
them, i
t'sjustnotpossi ble.Theysayt heyknowSi ya.
HewasSky '
sf r
iendfrom theti
meshewast enyears
old.Hel ov edhert hen,andhel ovedhert hedayshe
brokeupwi thhim.Theysayhewoul dnev erhurt
her."Nal edisuckedi nabr eat
h.
-
Nal
edi
:"Idon'
tknowaboutt
hat
.Al
lIknowi
s—"
-Cather i
ne: "
Siyaliv
edj ustdownt heroadf r
om them
whenhewasgr owi ngup, Naledi
."Shesoundedl i
ke
shewast ryi
ngt oconv i
nceNal editoagreewithSky's
parent s."Accordingtot hem, hewasanor mal ki
d.
Hewer efri
endswi ththeirdaughter,t
henhedat ed
herinhi ghschool,andev eryoneintheircommuni t
y
expect edf orthem togetmar ri
edoneday .They
knowhi m.Theydon' tbeli
evehecoul dkill
evenaf l
y,
l
etal onemul ti
plewomen. "Naledishookherheadi n
frustration.
-
Nal
edi
:"See,
that
'sj
ustt
het
hingaboutser
ial
kil
l
ers,
Ma.Theyappearper fect
lynor maltomostpeopl e."
Shet houghtaboutal ltheser i
alsshe'deverread
about ."That'
swhyt heysomet i
mesgett orunup
l
ongst ri
ngsofkill
swi thoutbei ngcaught .
"She
hadn' tbeenplanni
ngont ellinghermot herabout
whathadhappenedl astni ghtbutnowshewent
aheadandt oldher."Yester dayIwentwi ththepol i
ce
tohi sfamily'
sfarm andwef oundoneofhi sv i
ctims
trappedi nthebasement ,car v
edupwi t
hascal pel,
torturedbey ondmeasur e, barelyhangingontol i
fe.
SoIknow—"Buthermot herdi dn'
tletherfi
nish.
-Catheri
ne:"Youdidwhat?"I
twasn'tangerinher
voicebutconcern.Amot her
'sconcern."
Nalediy
ou
puty our
selfint
hatkindofdanger?Gosh,whatwere
yout hi
nking?Whatifyougothurtoutthere?"
Ial
mostgotki
ll
ed,
shethought
.Butshewasn'
tabout
tot
ellhermot
hert
hat
.Shedidn'
twanttoki
l
lherwit
h
worr
y.
-
Naledi:
"Ididn'
tgethurt
.I'
mf i
ne,not
hinghappened
tome.ButIcan'tsaythesameaboutt hewoman
Siy
akeptforday s,
rapi
ngandt or
turi
ng.Thatbast
ard
i
sguilt
y,IknowwhatI '
mt al
ki
ngabout .
"
AnimageofLer atof l
ashedbef oreherey es.She'd
seent heroom thepoorwomanhadbeent r
appedin.
She'dseenhert orturedbody ,
thecut s, t
heblood.
She'dseent hewaySi y
awr eckedher .Thatbast ar
d
obviouslyenjoyedhur t
ingher.Heenj oyedherterr
or
andpai n.He'dkeptheral i
veint hatbasementf or
days, t
ortur
ingher,lett
ingherknowt hatdeat hwas
comi ngandt herewasnot hingshecoul ddot ostop
i
t.Thatbot hdisgustedandi nfuriatedNaledi.And
shewi shedpeopl ecouldstopdef endingthe
monst er.
-
Cather
ine:
"MyGod.Is..
.i
s..
."Shest
oppedand
Nal
edicoul
dhearhertaki
ngaf ewdeepbreat
hs."
Is
t
hewomangonnabeokay ?"
-Nal
edi
:"She'
sinpret
tybadshape,Iwon'
tli
e.Butt
he
doct
orsareopti
misti
c.I
t'
sgonnabeal ongroadbut
she'
l
lgetther
e.Physi
call
y,atl
east
."
Butpsy chol
ogicall
y?Nowt hatwasadi f
ferentstor
y.
Ifthenursesdidn'tdr
agNal edioutlastnightshe
wouldhav estayedwithLeratoforawhi le,she
thought.Seei
ngt hatpoorwomani nhercondi t
ion,
especiall
yinherage,hadfeltli
keakni feinhergut.
Knowi ngthatthereweredeadv i
cti
msofSiyaout
therewasonet hing,
butseei
nganal i
veonewas
wor se,i
naway .SheknewLeratowouldberif
ewith
trauma, ni
ghtmar esandfl
ashbacksfort
herestof
herlife,
somet hingsheknewalltoowell
hersel
f.
-Cather
ine:
"This...
thi
s..
.Naledi
,Idon'
tl
iket
his."And
Nalediknewwhy .Thi
swasbr i
ngi
ngbackbad
memor iesforthem both."Whenareyoucomi ng
home?Ar en'ty
ougoi ngt oworktomorrow?
"
-Nal
edi
:"No.I'
m gonnacallBont
le—"herassist
ant
.
"—andaskhertocancelall
myappoi nt
ment sfort
his
week.I
'm gonnasti
ckaroundhereandhelpt he
poli
cef
indthatbastar
d."
-Cat
heri
ne:"NalediMasil
o,areyouinsane?!"Herbar
k
nearl
yspli
tNaledi'
seardrum.Shewasdef i
nitel
y
angrynow."Doy ouwantt ogetyoursel
fkil
led?You
arenotacop.Hel l
,you'
renotevenaf orensic
psychol
ogist
.Ifthepoli
cewantaf orensic
psychol
ogist
,theycangetone.That '
snoty ou."
-Nal
edi
:"Ma,t
hisi
sSouthAfri
ca.Techni
cal
l
y,we
don'
thavefor
ensi
cpsychol
ogist
shere,wehave
cl
ini
calpsychol
ogi
stswhospeci
ali
seinf
orensi
cs.
"
Shejusthadtocor
recthermot
her,i
fonl
ytodil
ute
heranger.
-Catheri
ne:"
Doesitsoundl i
keIcare?
"Herangerwas
defi
nitel
ynotdil
uted."Youdonotwor kf
orthepol
ice,
Naledi,t
hat
'sthebot t
om li
ne.Thi
swholethi
ng'
sgot
nothingtodowithy ou."
-Nal
edi:"I
t'sgotnot hingt odowi thme? "Shegott o
herfeetinani nstant."Skyi smybestf ri
end.Orhav e
youforgottenthat ?Thatmonst ertookmyf riend,
mom.Skyi slyingint hishospi talri
ghtnowbecause
ofhim,andshedeser vesj ustice.
"Thedayshewoke
upinthathospi talbedi nVander bij
lpar
keighty ears
ago,hav i
nghadsur vivedabr utalrapeand
att
empt edmur der,shemadeav owt oneverl et
anyonehur therorher sagai n.Skywasoneofher s.
AndLer ato?Nal edididn'tknowt hewoman, butaf ter
seei
ngwhatSi y ahaddonet ohershewasi nfuriated.
Therewasnot hingshehat edmor ei nt
hiswor ldthan
menwhohur twomen.
-Cather
ine:"
Idon'
tl
iket
his,
Naledi
."Shesai
daf
ter
beingquietf
oralongmoment."ButIknowwhy
you'
redoi
ngit.Iunderst
and.AndIknowthatwhen
yourmindismade, i
t'
smadeup.Just..
.pl
easebe
safeoutt
here,okay?Takecareofyour
selfand
comebackt ousinonepi ece.
"
Hearinghermot hersaythatmeantal ottoNaledi
,
becauset herewasnowayshewasgoi ngtotakea
stepbacknow.Notwhenshesawsomuchof
herselfi
nLer at
o.Shewasgoi ngt ohelpLonwabo
fi
gureallthisoutandfi
ndSi ya.Lerat
o,Skyandall
thoseotherwomendeser vedjusti
ce.
-Nal
edi
:"Iwi
l
l.Thanky
ou,mom.TellLeboIl
ove
him.
"Shehungupbeforeemot
ionscouldr
unhigh.
I
'mt r
yingt
ohel pthisinvestigat
ion,shethought
.I'
m
try
ingtohel
pt hevictims.Ican'tjustwalkawaywhile
thatfr
eakSiy
ai soutt here,possibl
ylini
ngupanother
poorwomani nhissi ghts.Thatisn'tme.
Putt
ingthephoneinthebackpocketofherjeans,
shestret
chedherarmsandpainfulback,
correcti
ng
herpostur
e.Withherchi
nupandt heexhaustion
keptundercontr
ol,
shemadeherwayt ot
hesmal l
wardSkywasi n.Acopinuni
form wasstanding
guardjustpasttheentr
ance.Naledicouldseethat
hewasn' tt
heonewho' dbeentherey est
erday
,and
shecastasuspi ci
ouslookhisway .She'
ddealtwit
h
dir
tycopswho' dalmostki
ll
edherl astni
ght.Was
shesupposedt ostar
tsuspecti
ngev erycopshesaw
now?
May
be.Exceptf
orLonwabo,
ofcour
se.
.
.
.
Sunday
,01Mar
ch,
10:
30
Herheadhurt
.ButSkywastootr
oubl
edtopay
att
enti
ontoit
.Shesati
nherbedthi
nki
ngaboutthe
marri
ageshe'
drui
nedbecauseofamanwho'djust
tur
nedouttobeakil
ler
.
Gosh, whatdidshedo?She'druinedeverything.
She'druinedtheli
feshehadwi thawonder fulman,
al
lbecauseofamanwho' dendedupt r
yingt okil
l
her.Lord,thewholethi
ngstil
lfel
tli
keadr eam.Onl y
sheknewi twasn'
t.Hersur
roundingsandt he
thr
obbi
ngpaini
nherheadandhandkeptr
emi
ndi
ng
heroft
hatf
act.
Thepai nwasal soconf irmationthatshewasst il
l
breathing.Forthat,shewasgr ateful.Butwhatwas
shegoi ngtodoaf terleav i
ngt hehospi t
al?Wher e
wasshegoi ngt ogo?Shecoul dn'tgobackt oLux ol
o
event houghshesomuchwant edt o.Herpar ents
hadt oldherwhatLuxol osaidwhent heywentt ohim
upont heirarri
vali
nJo' burg.She, t
oo, hadmanaged
tocallhimf rom hermot her
'sphoney est
erday,and
she'dgot t
ent hesamer esponseasherpar ents.
Luxolomadei tpainf
ull
yclearthathedidn'twantt o
haveany thi
ngtodowi t
hher .Hewashappyshewas
okayandhewassor ryshewentt hroughev ery
thing
she'
dwentt hr
ough,he'
dsaid.Buthedi dn'
twant
anythingtodowithher.Thenextt i
met heyt al
k,he'
d
added, i
thadbetterbeaboutthedissoluti
onoft heir
marriage.Thenhe'dhunguponher .
Hi
swordshadshotstr
aighttoSky
'shear
t,sl
i
cingi
t
i
ntopi
eces,
andtheyst
il
l hur
t.
Buthonest
ly,
whatdi
dsheexpect
?She'
dbeen
planni
ngtol eaveLuxol
ot hedayshegotabducted.
Shehadwant edtoleav
ehi m becauseshewas
pregnantforanotherman.Amanshehadsl eptwith
thenightbeforethei
rwedding.Sor eal
ly
,whatdi
d
sheexpectLuxol otodo?Coul dsheblamehim?But
evenso, t
hishurt.I
thurtsobadbecauseshest i
ll
verymuchl ovedherhusband.
God,sheregret
tedherownacti
ons.Sheregr
ett
ed
sl
eepingwithSiya.Sher
egr
ett
edbreaki
ngLuxolo'
s
hear
t.Sheregrettedi
tal
l
.
Tear st
ri
ckleddownhercheeksandshemadeno
att
emptt owipet hem.Upunt i
lshesawNal edi
walkingint
ot hesmal lward.Thecopst andi
ngguard
bytheent r
ancequi ckl
yst oppedherandaskedto
seeherIDbef orehecoul dletherin.Theguywas
doinghisjob,beingcareful,Skyunderst
ood.But
Nalediseemedannoy edandf rom whereSkywas
sit
tingshecouldt el
lthatherf r
iendwasabouttocut
thepoorguydownt osize.
Shequickl
ywipedhertear
sthenrai
sedherv oice
l
oudenought opol
it
elyaskthecoptoletherfriend
i
n.Naledil
ookedli
kehelli
nbloodst
ainedclothes
and,ift
hebagsandshadowsunderherey eswere
anyindi
cati
on,shehadn' tsleptinawhile.Butwhat
wasimpor t
antwast hatshewasokay .Andshest i
l
l
managedt oletouthersi gnatur
esmi l
ewhenshe
sawSky .Hersmilewasal wayswar m.Fri
endly
.
Approachabl
e.Shecameacr ossascaring.Andthe
tr
uthwas...
shereall
ydi dcare.Of t
enfartoomuch,
Skyknew.Whi chwaspr obablywhyshemadesucha
goodcounselli
ngpsy chologist.
-Nal
edi
:"Chomi.It
'sgoodtoseeyouawake.
"She
cametositbesideheronthebedandtookherhand
i
nhers."
Howar ey oufeel
i
ngtoday?"
Skyshr ugged.Shewasfarfr
om okay
, both
physicall
yandemot i
onal
ly
.Butshedidn'twantt
o
getintothatri
ghtnow.
-
Sky:"
I'
mf eeli
ng.
..
happy.Happyt
hatyou'
reokay.
Happythatyousurvi
vedwhathappenedl
astnight
."
Nal
edil
ookedsurprised.
-
Nal
edi
:"Youhear
daboutwhathappened?
"
-
Sky
:"Thisi
sasmal l
hospital
,chomi.I
trar
elygets
t
heacti
onitgotl
astnight
,Icantel
l.Thenurses
coul
dn'
tst
opt
alki
ngabouti
t.
"
She'dhear dthenur sesgossipingintheward, about
thecopandwomanf r
om Jo'burgwhohad
appar entl
ygot t
enhur tsavi
ngat ortur
edwoman
from af arminRhodes.She' dimmedi atel
yknown
whoandwhatt heywer etalki
ngabout .I
tcouldn'tbe
acoi ncidence.Butshe' dstil
lneededt ohearthef ul
l
story,from Naledi herself
.She'dwanted,needed, to
seef orherselfthatherf ri
endwasokay .Howev er,
thenur seshadn' tallowedhert oleaveherbed.She
wasst uckinitandi nhercondi ti
onshecoul dn'teven
dream ofget ti
ngoutofi twithoutthenurses'
assistance.
-Naledi
:"Newst ravel
sf ast,
huh."Shesoundedti
red.
"Thewhol ethingstil
lfeelssosurreal
,youknow.But
I
'm gladallofussur vi
v edit
.Thebastardswere
goingtokillus,butthatwasn'thowt hi
ngswere
goingtoendf orme. "
-
Sky:
"Whatr
eall
yhappened?I
sitt
ruet
haty
'al
lsav
ed
awomanonthatfar
m?"
-
Nal
edi
:"I
tis.Youwer
eri
ght
,ther
ewasanot
her
womani nt hebasement .AndthankGodwegot
ther
eint i
me.She'shurtpr et
tybad,thatIwon't
sugarcoat,andshedefinit
elywon'tbet hesameafter
thi
s,butwet hanktheLor dforherli
fe."Shewenton,
tel
li
nghert hewholestory.
Byt hetimeshef i
nishedSkydidn'tknowhowt of eel
.
Shewassur el
ygladt hatherfr
iendwasokayand
thatsheandt hedet ecti
vehadmanagedt osavethe
victi
m.Butt hefactthatthepoorwomanhad
endur edthekindofhel l
Naledihadjustdescr
ibed,in
Siya'shands,tor
eSky 'shearti
nhalf.
-
Sky:"
Ididn'
tknow.IswearIdi
dn'
tknowt hatSi
ya
wascapableofsomethi
ngsohorri
d."Hervoice
t
rembledandshecouldfeelmoi
stur
ef i
l
li
nghereyes.
-
Naledi
:"Soy
oudobel
i
evet
hati
t'
sSi
yawho'
sbehi
nd
t
his?"
-Sky:"
Youmeanunli
kemypar ents?"Naledinodded.
"Imaybesoft,
Ledi
,butIain'
tnaï
v e.Whent hey
abductedmehehadamaskcov eringhisfaceand
hisvoicewasr
aspy,al
ter
ed.It
'sobv i
ousthathe
didn'
twantmetorecogni
sehim ont hespot .Hewas
probabl yonlygoi ngt oshowhi sf acewhenI 'dlostal l
hope, whenhewasaboutt oki l
l me. "Shecr i
ngedat
thet hought ."Siya'sal waysbeencl ean, achr onic
neatf reak, almostt ot hepoi ntofobsessi on.He
l
oat hesmanuf acturedbodyf ragr ancest hough, he's
comf ortablewi t
hhi sownnat ural odour s.Howev er
,
he'sobsessedwi thlemonscent edai rf reshener s.I
n
hisspace, wher ev erhespendsmostofhi st i
me,
you'ddef i
nitelysmel l t
hef ucki ngl emons.Whent hat
smel l hitmei nthathel lofabasement ,Ishoul dhav e
known.Ishoul dhav eknown, i
nst antl
y ,
thatitwas
him whowasbehi ndt hewhol et hing."Thebast ard
hasr ui nedlemonsf ormenow, shet hought ,bitterl
y.
"Isl
eptwi t
haki ll
erandIdi dn' tev enknowi t.He'd
neverhur tme. ..
wel l
, beforet heabduct i
on.ButI
shoul dhav eknown, Naledi.Howcoul dInotknow? "
Shewhi speredthel astsent encei nabr okenv oiceas
tearsl eakeddownhercheeks, herhear tbreaking
i
nsideherchest .
Nal
edi
'
sgr
ipt
ight
enedar
oundherhand.
-Naledi
:"That
'sthet
hing,
"sheblewoutaheav
y
breath."
Somet i
mes,youjustdon'
tknowwhopeopl
e
r
eal
l
yar
e.Notunt
ili
t'
stool
ate.
"
Thewayshesai dit
,itwasasifshewast alkingfrom
personalexperi
ence.DidSkymisssomet hing?She
wantedt oask,butthenagai
nifNalediwant edhert o
knowsomet hi
ngshewoul dstr
aightoutt
ell her.The
factthatshewasn'tsayi
nganythingmeantshe
wasn'tyetready.Whenshewas, shewoul ddef i
nitel
y
tel
lher.
-Sky:
"Thr
eewomen.He'ski
l
ledt
hreewomen.
"She
pull
edherhandf
rom Nal
edi
'
sandwipedhert
ear
s.
-Naledi:"Andt hat'
sonlythenumbert hepoliceknow
about .Therecoul dbemor e."OhGod.Skysqueezed
herey esclosedandal ow, keeningsound
i
nv oluntari
lyemer gedf r
om her ."
Butweal sogotta
acknowl edget hefactt
haty ouandt hewomanwe
savedl astnightsur vi
ved.ThatSi y
af ail
edtoaddy ou
tohisl i
stofv icti
msi nthegr ound.
"Sheadded,
obv i
ouslytryingt omakeSkyf eelbetter
.
-Sky:"
Butwhy?"Sheopenedherey
es."
Whyi
sSi
ya
doingthi
s?"Nal
edisi
ghed.
-
Nal
edi
:"Idon'
twanty
out
otaket
hist
hewr
ongway
,
okay ?Becauset rustme, nobody 'sblami ngy ou.You
didnot hingwr ong.You' real soav i
ctiminal lofthis.
"
Sheshi ftedi nt hebed." You' veasked, andal iewon't
comet omyl ips. "Shelookedherst rai
ghtint heey e.
"Thisseemst obeabouty ou, Sky.Thepol i
cear e
wor kingundert hatt heory .ThatSi yatargetedt he
otherwomen, butonl ybecausehewaswor kingup
toyou.I fhehadn' teverkilledbef orethisspr ee,then
hewoul dhav ewant edtoper fecthiscraftbef ore
gettingt ohi sr eal goal.Hi smai npr ey.You."She
cont i
nued, talkingabouti nf i
deli
ty,thewhol et hi
ng
seemi ngt ohav ehadst emmedf rom thewaySky
brokeupwi t
hSi yaal l
thosey earsago.Butf rom that
pointon, Skycoul dnol ongerhearher .Thewhol e
room f eltl i
kei twasspi nni ng.AndSky '
shear t
seemedt ofreezei nherchestasherwhol ebody
begant ot rembl e.
-Sky:"
MyGod!Theyar edeadbecauseofme.Al l
thosewomenar edeadbecauseofme. "Andshe
knewof f
ici
alquesti
oningbythepoli
cewouldfoll
ow.
Naledimightnotbeblamingher,butSkywas
blaminghersel
f.Andthefamili
esofthoseother
womenwereprobablygoi
ngt
oblamehertoo."Oh
God.
..
ohGod..
."Asobbrokef
rom herandher
t
remblesgr
ewwor se.
Naledir
eachedout,want
ingtocomf orther.And
probabl
ytel
lhert
hatitwasn'therfaul
t.ButSky
pushedherback,notwanti
ngt ohearanyoft hat
.
Hershakyhandt henmov edt ot ouchherbel l
y.Just
6day sagoshe' dlearnedt hatshewascar r
y i
ng
Siya'sbaby .Butnowt hatbabywasgone.Thenews,
whent heygotdel i
veredy est erday ,hadpi ercedr i
ght
throughher .Thatwasherbaby .Herf l
eshandbl ood.
Butal so,hal fofi tsDNAhadcomef rom Siya.A
monst er
.Washerbabygoi ngt obel ikehim hadi t
surv i
ved?Nal edihadoncet oldhert hatunlike
soci opaths—whi charemade, psychopat hsar ebor n
witht hei
rdi sor der.Whati fSi y awasi ndeedacl i
nical
psy chopat h, andt hatherchi l
dwasal sogoi ngt o
growupt obel ikehim—apsy chopat hicmonst er?
Hadt hemi scar ri
agebeenGod' splan?Hi m sav ing
herf rom rai singamonst er ?
-Sky
:"Mybaby?Wasi
tgoingt
obelikehi
m?"She
nearl
ychoked."
Wasi
tgonnabe.
..
wrong?
"Tears
camehar
dernow.
Nal
edi
didn'
tsayanyt
hing.Shej
ustwrappedher
ar
msaroundherandheldherasshecri
ed.
Machi
nesst
art
edbeepi
ng.
.
.
.
Sunday
,01Mar
ch,
10:
35
Lonwabosl owlymadehi swaytoLerato'
shospital
room, hi
sarminasl ing.Thedoctorhadfinal
l
y
agreedtolethi
ml eav e.Buthe'
drefusedtoprepare
thedischar
gepaper s,obv i
ousl
ynotwantingtobe
heldli
ableshouldsomet hinghappentoLonwabo
outthere.
Lonwabodi dn'
tcare,aslongashewasget t
ingout
ofhere.Hehadt oreturntot hefiel
d,one-armedas
hewas.Ti metoloungei nahospi t
albedwasa
l
uxuryhecoul dnotafford,notwhenSi y abul
elaMoss
wasst i
ll
outthere.Anddef init
elynotwhenCapt ain
Motaungseemedt obehi dingsomet hingandt r
ying
t
osabot
aget
hei
nvest
igat
ion.
Wouldn'
tbethefir
sttimealawenf or
cementoffi
cer
wentbad.Thatnolongersurpri
sedLonwabo,buti
t
di
dn'
tmakehi m anylessangryeit
her
.
Keepinghi sgazef or
war d,
henoticedat all
,broad-
shoulderedguar dstati
onedoutsidewhathebel i
eved
wasLer at o'sroom.Thedoct orhadtoldhi mthatthe
womanhadj ustbeenmov edtoaspeci al i
sol
ated
room att heendoft hehall
,onherparent s'r
equest.
Herfathermusthav ecomear oundwithhi sdeep
pockets,Lonwabof i
gured.Andtheoldmanmust
haveper sonal l
yhiredtheguardtoo,becausej udging
bythepr ot ecti
vegeartheguar ddonnedandt he
hardwarehecar r
iedhewasf rom apri
v atesecurit
y
fi
rm.
Thatwasgood, Lonwabot hought,becausehe
beli
ev edthatMosswasn' tgoi ngtoletLeratowalk
away .Ifhewasindeedchoosi ngthesewomen
specifical
l
ybecauset heywer eWi tsfi
rstyear
student swhower echeatingont heirpart
ners,he
wasn'tgoingtof i
ndaneasyr eplacementf orLer
ato.
Andherescapi nghim. .
.he'dtakethatasaper sonal
att
ack.She'
dsurvivedwhathedidtoher
.Hecoul dn'
t
l
etthathappen.Hewoul dtryt
ocomeafterheragain,
onewayort heother,Lonwabobel
i
eved.
Theguar dl
ift
edhisheadtolookathim ashe
approached.Lonwabocouldnowseehi sfaceunder
thecap.Waitami nut
e.Heknewt hi
sguy .
"
Gorgi
o?"Hesaidashecamet ostandbef
orehi
m.
Hewasreal
lysurpr
ised.Howcoul
dhenot?He'dl
eft
t
hisguyi
nJo'bur
g.
-Gorgi
o:"Ll
oyd?Ididn'
tthi
nkI
'
dgettoseey oui
nthi
s
l
ousyt own.
"Heseemedhappyt oseehim and
extendedhisfi
st.
-Lonwabo:"I
t'
sasmal
l t
own,"t
heyfistbumped.
"You'
rehere.Sowewereboundtobumpi ntoeach
other,
onewayoranother.Whatar
ey oudoi
nghere
anyway ?
"
-Gor
gio:
"Prov
idi
ngsecuri
ty,
obv
iousl
y.
"Hechuckl
ed
andgestur
edtohisgear
.
-
Lonwabo:
"Tomywi
tness,
Isee.
"
-
Gor
gio:
"Wai
tami
nut
e.Mi
ssPhi
rii
sther
easonwhy
youcamedownhere?She'
sthecasey
ou'v
ebeen
worki
ng?
"Lonwabonodded."
Youdon'
tsay.
"
-Lonwabo:"
Isay.What
,y'
al
lpr
ovi
deper
sonal
securi
tynow?"
-Gor
gio:
"Ther
e'saloty
oudon'
tknowaboutt
he
companyQuincyandIrun.
"
-Lonwabo: "Clear l
y."Whatheknewwast hatthei
r
company —Opt ionZer oTact ical—wascr eatedto
teachsur vival skil
lst oothers, sotheynev erhaveto
l
iveinf ear.Theyof f er
edser viceslikerifl
eandpi st
ol
skil
ls,self-
def ense, kidnappingdet er r
ence,
wildernesssur vival,hand-to-handcombat ,and
sit
uat i
onal awar enesst opr i
vat eci
tizens.Butt hose
wer ejustthebegi nnerl evelclassesf orev eryday
people, he'
dl ear ned.Gor giohadoncet oldhimt hat
theyalsopr ov idedcor poratesecur i
tytrainingthat
wasmuchmor ei nvolvedanddanger ous.But
providingper sonal securi
ty?Thatwasnewt o
Lonwabo.
-Gorgi
o:"
Yest
erdayMrPhiricont
act
edQuincy
dir
ectl
y.WhenQuincyacceptedt
hejob,
however
,it
wasasearchandr escuecase.Andhecalledmein
becausemostofouroperati
vesalreadyhadthei
r
handsful
l
.Butduringthebri
efi
ngMrPhi rimadea
phonecal
lthatchangedeveryt
hing.
"
-
Lonwabo:
"Becausewe'
dal
readyr
escuedLer
ato.
"
-Gorgi
o:"Yeah.AndMrPhir
inowwant edustocome
downher eandprovi
desecuri
tyf
orher.Butthey
'l
lbe
transf
err
inghertoapri
vat
ehospital
tomorrow."
-Lonwabo:"That'
sgood,becausewecan'tbesure
thekil
lerwon'tcomebacktofini
shthejob.
"Atleast
theoldmanhasev ent
ual
lycomet ohi
ssensesand
decidedtodosomet hi
ngtohelphisdaughter
,he
thought.
-Gorgio:
"Iseeyougothitduri
ngtherescue,
"he
pointedtoLonwabo'sbandagedandslungar m."And
youspentt heni
ghthere?"Lonwabocouldonlynod.
Wasn' tt
hatobvi
ous?"ThenIguessthatexplains
whyIcoul dn'
tgethol
dofy ouonthephonelast
night.
"
-Lonwabo:"Whenyoucal
l
edduringthedayIwas
busy.ButIcal
ledy
ouback.Yourphonewasoff.
"
-Gor
gio:"Mybatt
eryhaddied.WhenIcall
edlat
er,
yourphonerangunanswered.Li
sten,
ther
e's
somethingIneedtotal
ktoy ouabout
."
-
Lonwabo:
"Yeah?
"
-
Gor
gio:
"Regar
dingy
ourcase.
"
-Lonwabo:"Okay
?"hewonder
edwhatt
heguyhadt o
say ."
Butl
emmegetinandseeLer
atofi
rst
,thenwe'
ll
talk."
-Gorgi
o:"
I'
vegotnowher
etobe,
you'
l
lfi
ndmer
ight
here."
Lonwaboturned,pushedthedoorandstepped
i
nsideLer
ato'sroom.Hei mmediat
elyheardthe
beepsandbuzzesf r
om themachinesnearthebed.
Hepushedthecurtai
nasideandt r
iedtopast
ea
smil
eonhisfaceforLerato'
ssakeev ent
houghhe
knewthatshemightsti
l
l besleepi
ng.
-
Him:
"Ler
ato,
I"m—"hedi
dn'
tfi
nish.
Amanstoodt
here,t
all
,wi
thsal
tandpepperhai
r,
andanAr
manisuit
.
-
Theman:
"Mygi
rlai
n'
tseei
ngany
oner
ightnow?
Thatdamnguar
dwassupposedt
okeepev
ery
one
outand—"
"Er
ic...
"Asof tvoicecamef rom behindhim."Thi
sis
DetectiveGama. "Mr sPhiriemerged,looki
ngsober
andt ent i
mescl eanerthanthelasttimeLonwabo
sawher ."
He'stheonewhosav edourdaughter,
"she
added, hervoicestil
lsoftasshecamet ostand
besidehersoon- t
o-beex-husband.
MrPhir
i'
sexpr
essioni
mmediatel
ychanged.I
nan
i
nst
ant,hewentfr
om bei
ngfi
erceandangrytowil
d
wi
threl
ief
.HegrabbedLonwabo'
shand,pumpingi
t.
-
MrPhir
i:"
Det
ect
iveGama? "Heti
ghtenedhisgr
ip.
"
Yousavedmyli
tt
legi
rl
,"hewhisper
ed."Thankyou.
"
BeforeLonwabocouldsayanythi
ngMr sPhiri
yankedhimforwar
dandhuggedhi m, hardenought
o
senddeeppainuphisinj
uredarm.Hef roze,not
exactl
ysurehowtoreact.Buthedidn'
tpushher
back.Heenduredthepainandonlywincedinter
nal
l
y.
-MrsPhir
i:"
Mylitt
legir
lmeanst hewor
ldtome,"she
sai
dwhenshef inall
ylethi
m easebackandrecover
fr
om thepain."
Thanky ouforkeepi
ngyourpr
omise
t
ome.Thanky
ouf
orbr
ingi
ngherbackt
ome.
"
-
MrPhi
ri
:"Weowey
ou.Iowey
ou.
"
-
Lonwabo:
"No,
sir
,you—"
-MrPhiri
:"Youeverneedanythi
ng,y
oucal lme.
"He
yankedouthiswalletandshovedacrisp,
white
businesscardint
oLonwabo'shand."Myname' sEri
c
Phir
i,andyoucanbel i
eveI
'l
lpaymydebtt oyou."Hi
s
hardgazet ol
dLonwabohewasser ious.
Lonwabodidn'
twanttot
aket
hecardbutforsome
reasonhi
shandmov edt
oputi
tint
ohispocket.
-Lonwabo:"Iappreciat
ethat,Mr.Phir
i,butIwasjust
doingmyj ob.Y'al
ldon'towemeany t
hing.Asfaras
I'
m concerned,Leratoistherealher
oher e.She
surviv
edthathel l
.She'
saf i
ghter.
"MrPhi ri
'
schest
puffedup.
-
MrPhi
ri
:"Sheget
sthatf
rom me.
"
I
st hatwhyy ouini
tial
lyref
usedt
ohireaPItofindher
,
orwasi tbecausey ouweretoobusyrunni
ngafter
youngskirtstocare?Lonwabowantedt oask,
buthe
bitbackthequesti
on, rememberi
nghislat
ewife'
s
words:i
fyourwor
dshav
epot
ent
ial
tocausedamage,
keepthem i
n.
Doingexact
lythat
,hesl i
ppedar oundt hecoupleso
hecouldseeLerato.Bandagescov eredthewoman' s
arms,andhecouldseet hebul kofot herbandages
pokingupbeneathherhospit algown.Mosshadn' t
heldbackonhisscalpel.Buthe'dmadesur ethatthe
woundswerest r
ategical
lyplacedandnotdeep
enoughtokil
lher—atleastnotr ightaway,justashe
di
dwi thOwam.Bast ard!
-Lonwabo:"Iwantedt
oseehowshewasdoi ng.
"
He'djustneededtoseeheroncemor e.Tomake
surethatshereal
lywasokay.Off
ici
alquest
ioni
ng
wouldcomel ater
.
-MrsPhiri:"
Allsti
tchedup. "Sheletoutapai nf
ul si
gh.
"Shewokeupwhenwe' djustarri
ved, andappar entl
y
thatwasf orthefirstt
ime, butshedidn' tsaymuch
beforeshe...
.dozedoffagai n.
"Shet ookher
daughter'
shandi nher s."
Wear etakinghert oa
betterhospit
al t
omor r
ow."
-
MrPhi
ri
:"Themanwhodi
dthi
stoher
..
.t
his
Si
yabul
elaMoss.
..
arey
ougoi
ngt
ofi
ndhi
m?"
-
Lonwabo:
"Iwon'
trestunt
ilIhav
e."Heassur
edhi
m.
-
MrPhiri
:"Good.BecauseIwanthi
mtospendt
he
r
estofhi
sl i
febehi
ndbars."
ButLonwabohadotherpl
ans.Hedidn'
twantt
he
fuckert
ohur
tanyoneelseeveragai
n.
.
.
Timesar ehard,foreveryone.Wear eal ldeali
ngwith
alotri
ghtnow.Idon' tev enwannat alkaboutt heshi
t
I'
m goingthrough,becausei thurts.Toomuch.So
forpeopletobombar dmyi nboxandWhat sAppwith
nastymessagesbecauseIhav en'
tbeenpost i
ngis
unfai
r.Infact,
it'
swr ong.Let'
sallbeki ndtoone
anothertu.Wedon' tknowhal fthestuf fpeoplear
e
goingthroughoutt here.Masici
ngelane.
Chapt
er40
Sunday
,01Mar
ch,
10:
45
.
WhenLonwabowalkedoutofLer
ato'
sroom he
f
oundGorgiost
andi
ngbythedoorwit
hanotherman
whoworethesameprot
ecti
vegearashim.
Gorgi
oint
roducedhiscol
leagueasChri
sti
an—his
part
neronthi
sjob.Thenhelefthi
m manningthe
postandaskedLonwabot ofol
lowhi
m outsi
de.
Heledt hewayt owhatLonwabobeli
evedwast hei
r
company 'scareventhoughi
twasn'
tmarked.And
i
nsteadofunl ocki
ngitandget
ti
nginsi
de,heleaned
againstit
,let
ti
nghisweaponhangfrom i
tscarry
str
apacr osshischest.
-Gor
gio:"
Iwasattheshelt
eryesterday,asper
usual
."Hesai
d,casual
lyashetuckedhi shandsi
n
thepocket
sofhisdarkcargopants."Andyour
Meli
ndawasthere."
-
Lonwabo:
"She'
snotmyMel
i
nda.
"
-
Gor
gio:
"Wel
l
,I'
m gl
ad.BecauseIdon'
tthi
nkshe'
s
t
hewomany outhoughtshewas.WhenIt oldher
t
hatyou'
dgonetoEasternCapeonacase, Ididn'
t
l
i
kethelookIsawonherf ace.Shel
ooked.
..r
attl
ed.
"
-
Lonwabo:
"Rat
tl
ed?
"Hedi
dn'
tunder
stand.
-Gorgio:"
It
'salwaysintheey esandt heentir
ef ace,
Lloyd.AndI'm goodatreadingf aces.ImeanIcoul d
ready our
sev enthoughyout riedsohar dtohide
behindamask.Icoul dtellt
haty ouandIwer ejust
thesame—f i
ghti
nginnerdemonst heonlywaywe
knowhow.Exact l
ywhyIbef riendedy ou.
"
Wer
etheyf
ri
ends?Real
l
y?
-Lonwabo:"
Youcangettothepointatanymoment."
Lonwabowasn'ttheki
ndofpersonwhof i
ll
edtheai
r
withidl
echi
tchat
.Besi
des,
timewassomet hinghe
didn'
thave.
-
Gorgio:"Thewomant r
iedtogetmor einformati
on
outofme.WhenIdi dn'
tbite,
whatdidshedo?She
wentstraighttoBell
a.Shewenttoherbecauseshe
obvi
ouslyt houghti
fIknewwher eyouwer eBella
wouldtoo.Thenshemani pul
atedherintotell
i
ngher
whatshewant edtoknow.Andy es,Bell
atoldher
exact
lywhereyouwer
einthi
spr
ovi
nce.Shetol
dher
thaty
ou'df
ollowedal
eaddownt
othistown,
down
toBarkl
yEast."
-
Lonwabo:"Bel
l
a, huh?
"Nowheunderstoodhowhis
l
ocat
iongotout.Buthowdidi
treachMotaung?"So
y
oudiscussmymov ement
swithyourgi
rlnow?"
-Gorgio:"Mygirl
?"hechuckl ed."A-Bel l
a'snotmy
gir
l,she'sjustaclosefri
endf rom wayback.I '
vetol
d
yout hisanumberoft i
mesbef or
e."Yahwel l
,
Lonwabodi dn'
tbuyit.Thetwower et oocloset onot
besl eepi
ngt oget
her."B,"headded." Ididn'tdi
scuss
yourmov ementswi t
hBel l
a.Shewasi nt hekit
chen
wheny oucamet omyapar tmentt otellmet hatyou
werecomi ngdownher e.Shehear dy ou."
-
Lonwabo:"
Sheheardme.Okay
,I'
l
ltakethat.So
Mel
indal
earnedaboutmyl
ocat
ionand..
.?"
-Gorgi
o:"
Shenowknowsy ourl
ocation,whatdoes
shedo?Shedr iv
eslikeamadwomanst rai
ghttoa
pri
vatehospit
alinParkt
ownWest .Atthi
spointshe'
s
alr
eadyrai
sedmysuspi cionstothemax, soItail
her
allt
hewayt her
eandupt oanof fi
cet hatbel
ongsto
aDrPat
el.Acar
diot
hor
aci
csur
geon.
"
Acardi
othor
aci
csurgeon?Thathadbell
sri
ngi
ngi
n
Lonwabo'
shead,buthedi
dn'tsayany
thi
ng.
-Gorgio: "Acoupl eofmi nut esl ater ,anot herdoct or
from anof f i
cedownt hecor ridorj oinst hem.Igo
readt hepl aqueonhi sdoor ,tur nsouthe' sal soin
cardiot horacicsur gery.Thet hreespendal mostan
houri nsideDrPat el'sof f
ice, andwhenMel i
nda
fi
nallywal ksoutshe' st hrowi ngcur sesi ntheai r
.
Thenwhatdoesshedo?Shedr ivest oanot her
hospi talinSunni nghill.Thist ime, shemeet swi tha
paedi atri
ccar di
othoraci csur geon.St ay st her efora
whi l
ebef orespeedi ngdownt oahousei nHought on.
Igett headdr ess,grabt hephoneIusef orwor kand
callIzzy —ourheadofI Tbackatt heof f i
ce.She
checkswhosenamet hehousei sunder , t
urnsouti t
belongst oaDrMnguni .Thi sone' saur ologic
surgeon. ..atthesamehospi tal i
nPar ktownWest .
Appar ent lyhehasadi sti
ngui shedcar eerasa
surgeonandr esearcheri nkidneyr elat edai l
ment s.
Andhe' swel l
-knownf orl eadingsuccessf ul kidney
transpl ants."Hef oldedhi sar msacr osshi schest .
"Mel
indaspentanhourathi
shousethenshedrove
outt
omeetwi th.
..
wai
tforit
..
.y
ourcommander.Your
capt
ain.
"
-
Lonwabo:"CaptainMotaung?
"Nowt hi
ngswere
makingsense.Hecouldn'
tsayhewassurpri
sed
t
hough.Butdamn, he'
dhopedhewaswr ong.He'
d
wantedtobewr ongaboutMotaungandabout
Meli
nda.
-Gorgio:"
Yeah.Opposit
eJoubertfuckingPar k.That
placeisseedy ,
man.It
'sli
ketheydidn'twannabe
seent ogether
.Andthewayy ourcaptainjustwent
upt ohercarandsli
dintothepassengersi de,itwas
l
ikehe' ddoneitmanytimesbefore.Doy ousee
wher eI'
m goingwit
hthis?"
-
Lonwabo:"Ican'
tsayIdo.
"Hedefi
nit
elydid.Buthe
wantedhi
mt oconti
nueunint
err
upt
ed"Pleasego
on.
"
-
Gorgi
o:"Ll
oyd,
I'
mt heonewhof oundthebodyof
t
hatgi
rlatTheWilds.Isawtheopeninginherchest
.
NowI'
m noexpertbuttrustme,I'
vebeenaroundand
I
'v
eseenenought oknowt hatherhear
twas
surgical lyremov ed.That '
sthecasey ou'v
ebeen
wor king.AndwhenMel indalearnst hatyou've
foll
owedal eaddownt ot histown, sheget sspooked
andv i
si tsnotonebutt hreeCTsur geonswho' veled
teamst hroughsev eralhearttransplantsov ert
he
years?That '
swhat ?Acoi ncidence? "Heshookhi s
head." Notonl ythat,butsheal sogoest omeety our
capt ain, t
hemanwhoov erseest hecasesy ouwor k.
Doy ouseet hepict
ureI '
m painti
ngher e?"
Thecaptai
nthencall
smeandor dersmetoreturnt
o
Jo'
burg,
Lonwabofini
shedinhishead.Ohyeah,he
wasseeingthepi
ctur
ealr
ight
.
-Lonwabo:"
Ido."I
nfact
,Gorgi
owasonl yfi
nishi
nga
paint
inghe—Lonwabo—himselfhadalr
eadystart
ed.
Fil
li
nginthegaps.Theguy'
sheadev i
dentl
yworked
thesamewayasLonwabo' s.Hedidn'
ttakethi
ngsas
theycame.
-Gor
gio:"
Ispokewi thMel i
ndaThursdaynight.When
she'
dcomet oseey ou,aftery
ou'
descortedherback
tohercar.Iappr
oachedherbecauseIwas. .
.curi
ous,
youcansayt hat
.Imean, yousai
dyoutwower eno
l
ongersleepingtogether.SoIwonderedwhyshe' d
comear ound.Let '
sjustsayI '
vealway sbeen
suspici
ousofher .
"Hi seyesnar r
owed, deepeningt he
crow'sfeetfanningoutf rom them.Fora34y earold,
thi
sguy '
sfacewasweat hered.Hedef ini
telyhadn't
l
ivedasof tli
fe,Lonwabohadal way snot i
ced."She
tol
dmeshe' dcomet odr opoffanaut opsyr eport
.An
autopsyreportoft hegi r
lsheknowsIf oundatt hat
park.Afullautopsyr eportintwoday s?Andshe' d
j
ustdeliver
edi tdir
ect l
ytoy ouathome?Thatdi dn'
t
makemet hinkshe' seffi
cient
, no,itmademe
wonder.Al otofquest ionscamet omymi nd.And
now—"Thebeepi ngofhi sphonei nterruptedhim.
Hepul
l
edi
toutandr
eadat
extmessage.
-Gorgio:"Theyneedmebacki nsi
de.Butbef oreIgo,I
wanty out ohav et hi
s..
."Heopenedt herightback
doorofhi sSUVandgotabl ackbr i
efcasef r
om the
seat.Heopenedi tandpulledoutaf i
lewhichhe
handedt oLonwabo." Ev er
ythingIzzyandImanaged
toputt ogetherisi nhere.I
'm surey ou'l
lknowwhat
todowi t
hi t
."Hewasn' tstraightoutsay i
ngwhathe
wast hinking.Heobv i
ouslywant edLonwabot odraw
hisownconcl usions.
-Lonwabo:"G,t
hanky ou.Iappreciatet
his."Hereal
l
y
did,event
houghhe, himself,wasn'twi
ll
ingtoshare
detail
softhi
songoingi nvesti
gati
onwi t
hGor gi
o.But
Gorgiosur
elyunder
st oodt hathecouldn't
.
-Gorgi
o:"
Don'tment
ionit.I'
m doingthi
sbecausewe
bothwantthesamet hi
ngher e.Justbecar
efulout
ther
e,okay?Watchyoursix.
"
Thathewoul ddo.Buthewoul dnotonlybewat ching
hi
ssix,he'
dwat chhistwelvetoo.Becausehe'dj ust
l
earnedthatbadguy sdon'tonlycomef rom behind,
butfr
om thefronttoo.Theleastexpected,t
hose
whoactasi ftheyarehelpi
ng.
-Gorgio:"
Oh,onemorething,
"hehadal readybeen
walkingaway ,
buthenowst oppedandt urnedto
l
ookatLonwabo." Ihear
dMi ssPhiritel
li
ngher
parentsaboutthemanwhot ookherandhur ther.
Siyabulel
aMoss.Turnsoutupunt i
lthreemont hs
agohe, too,
wasacar di
othoraci
csurgeon.I'mjust
saying—"
-
Lonwabo:"
Thatev
ery
thingf
it
s."Hef
ini
shedforhi
m.
"
Butyouknowwhatdoesn'
tfi
t,G?Megoingout
therewithnohardwar
e."Hi
sserv
iceweaponhad
beent akenint
oevi
dence."
Thi
nkyoucanhelpme
withthat?"
Whenthi
swasov erhewoul
dbehandi
ngi
nhi
s
r
esi
gnati
on.
..
forr
ealthi
sti
me.
.
.
.
Sunday
,01Mar
ch,
11:
30
Skysati
nherbed,
event
softhelastf
ewday
s
pl
ayi
ngli
keasli
deshowinherhead.
Herbeinghaul
edoutofhercarandi nj
ectedwi t
ha
drug.Waki
ngupi nthatdarkbasement.Get
t i
ngthe
chancetoescape.Runningforhour
sinthewi l
d,
enduri
ngtheelements.Thenendingupont he
Jansensdoorstep.
Thecoupl
ehadbeensoni
cetoher,
theysavedher
.
Butwhatdi
dshedo?Shebr
oughtdangert
ot hem.
Sheblamedher
selfeventhoughMrsJansen—when
she'
dbeenwheeledintoseeherbef
oreshegot
di
schar
gedjustafewmi nut
esago—t ol
dhernott
o.
Buthowcouldshenotblameherself
?Theolder
womanhadconf i
rmedthatitwasindeedSi
yawho
pul
ledt
hetri
ggerandkil
ledherhusband.
Fourpeople.
..
fourpeopl
earedeadbecauseofme,
Skythought,
herheartspl
it
ti
nginhal
f.
"St
ressi
ngyoursel
fov
ert
hingsy
oucan'
tchangei
s
neveragoodidea.
"
Sheli
ftedherheadtoseeDoct orDi
kanastanding
nearthefootofherbed,asmileonhisface.The
manhadabeaut i
fulsmil
e,shewonderedifanyone
hadev ertol
dhimthat.I
twaswar m andwelcoming.
Disar
mi ng.Andshewassur eall
ofhispati
entsli
ked
hi
m, j
ustasshedi d.
-Her
:"You'r
epreachi
ngtot heconverted,
Doc.
"A
smil
ebr okefr
om hertoo.DoctorDikana'
swas
obvi
ouslycontagi
ous.
-
Him:
"Ther
eyougo.Youshoul
dsmi l
emor eof
ten.
Wedonotwantar
epeatofwhathappenedear
li
er.
"
Ear
li
erheranxi
etyhadshotupandherBPhad
sky
rocket
ed,herhear
trat
ehit
ti
nganall
-t
imehi
gh.
She'dhonest
lythoughtshewouldpassoutast
he
machinesbeepedlikecrazy
.Fri
ght
ened,Nal
edi
had
rushedouttogetthedoctor.
-Her:"
Iam fi
nenow, Doc."Sheli
ed."I
'l
lkeep
fol
lowingdoctor
s'order
sev enwhereI'm goingand
notstresst
oomuch. "Shewasbei ngtransferr
edto
EastLondontoday,nonow.Ev eythi
ngwasal r
eady
set.Andshewasr eady,onlywai
tingforthe
ambulancecrewt ocomegether .
-Him:"Bef
oreyoul
eave.I
'vebeenmeaningtoask.
"
Hecamet ostandri
ghtbesideher
."Thetechni
que
youusedonMr sJansen'
swoundt ostopthe
bleedi
ng,wher
edidyoulearnit
?"
-Her:"
Woul dyoubel i
evemei fIsaiditwasmyf ir
st
ti
meusi ngit?"Heshookhi shead."Well,I
'
m adoct or
too.ButnotanMD, "shequicklycl
earedthatup."I
'm
i
nChemi st
ry.Anddur i
ngmyhonour syearoneofmy
tworesearchpr ojectswasi nphy t
ochemistr
y.Igot
tobetterunderstandt hechemi cal
sfoundincertai
n
plant
sandhowt ouset hem. "Andthatknowledge
hadcomei nhandywhenshedesper atel
yneededi t.
Themomentsher eali
sedthatMr sJansenwasst il
l
al
ivebutbl
eedingoutonthefl
oor,
shewasf or
cedto
shakehershockoffandnotonl
ythinkqui
ckl
ybut
al
soactfast.
-
Him:"Nowt
hatexpl
ainsi
t.Iwasr
eal
l
yimpr
essed,
I
won'
tl
ie.
"
Justt
henanurseandt
heambul
ancecr
ewwal
kedi
n.
I
twast i
meforhert
ogo.
-
Her
:"Guesst
hisi
sgoodby
e,Doc.
"
-Hi
m:"Cebo.ThenameisCebo.I
'
m notyourdoct
or
anymore.
"Thesmiledi
dn'
tl
eavehisf
ace.
-Her:"
Right.Andy oucancallmeSky.JustSky.
"
Damn, shewasn' tsurewhatherl
astnamewas
anymor e.Hermar ri
agewasendingandshewas
goingtohav etodr opLuxol
o'
sname.God, shesti
l
l
hadar oughr oadaheadofher.
-Hi
m: "
Youknowwhat
,Sky
.Ipr
efer'
seey
oul
ater
',
notgoodby
e."
Wasshecr
azyf
ort
hinki
ngshesawi
nter
esti
nhi
s
ey
es?
.
.
.
Sunday
,01Mar
ch,
11:
35
CaptainMotaungsatbehi
ndhisdesk,
star
ingatthe
steelmini
atur
emodel oft
heBurjKhal
i
fasitt
ingon
thetablei
nonecornerofhisdepr
essi
ngoffi
ce.
I
ft hedamnt hingwasmadeofgl ass—j ustl
ikethe
onehehadbef ore—hewouldhavebr okenitthi
s
mor ni
ng.Inaboutofangerhe'dsmashedi tagainst
thewall.Butthereitwas,
sti
l
lstanding.Inst
eadof
breaki
ngi thadjustbenti
nafewpl aces.
Thi
nkingaboutitnow,hewishedhecoul dadopti
ts
st
rength.Event
swereunf ol
dingfastandfr
om the
l
ookoft hi
ngshiscareerandreputati
onwouldsoon
beont heli
ne.I
ntheendwoul dhebendorbr eak?
Gamahadn'tobeyedhiscommand.He'dcont i
nued
toworkthecase.Andhe'dr
escuedthatmissing
womanf rom Moss.Thewomanwoul dnowt alk.
PerhapsMeli
nda'sappr
ehendedmenwoul dtoo.But
nothi
ngwouldleadbacktoMotaung.Forhowl ong
though?KnowingGama,hewouldnotstopdigging
unt
ilhe'
dunmaskedal
lthepl
ayer
sinv
olv
ed.
Dammit
,howdidIgether
e?Hesl
ammedhi
sfi
st
downonthedesk.
Heneededt
ost
opGama.Heneededt
o—
Aknockont
hedoori
nter
rupt
edhi
sthought
s.
Dammit!
-
Mot aung:
"Comein."Hebar
ked,
andDet
ect
ive
BonganiButhel
ezi
walkedi
n.
-
But hel
ezi:"
Cap,Idon'tt
hi nkweshouldwai tforthat
warranttobeissuedbef orewev i
sitNakoWat ches.
"
Thewor dsroll
edoffhist ongueashewal kedi n.
"Theycloseatthreetoday .I
'mthi
nkingofdr i
vingup
thereandtalkwit
ht hem.Askt hem nicel
ytor elease
thefootagesweneed. "
-Motaung: "Youdon' tneedt heNakoWat chesl ead
anymor e,atl eastnotrightnow.Gamahasal ready
i
dentif
iedt hesuspect .Doct orSiy
abulelaMoss.He
tr
ackedhi m downt oEast ernCapeandr escued
Lerat
oPhi ri."He'dlearnedal l
ofthisthismor ning
whenhecal ledt heBarklyEastPoliceSt ationanda
Detecti
v eBliet r
ansferredhimt oaDet ect i
veSi koin
Rhodes.
-But
helezi
:"What
?"Hedi
dn'
tj
ustsoundsur
pri
sed,
he
soundedangry.
-
Motaung:"WhatIjustsai
d.Unf
ort
unat
ely
,though,
Mosseludedcapture.
"
-
Buthel
ezi
:"Whendidthi
shappenandwhywasn'
tI
oranyoft
hetaskteam memberstol
d?"
Thisdr unkwasdefi
nitel
ytakingthi
scaseseri
ousl
y.
Hell,hewast heonewhocameupwi t
htheseri
al
kil
lertheorytobegi
nwi t
h.AndMot aungcoul
dnot
j
ustshooti tdownwithnor eason.He'
dhadtoplay
alongsoast onotr
aisesuspici
on.Butnowhe
regrettedit
.
-Motaung:"
Well,I'
mt ell
ingyounow.Justst
op
complaini
ng,Buthelezi,
willyou?Theout
comeis
good.Thev i
cti
m gotr escued.Andwenowknow
whowear ehunt i
ng."
-
But
hel
ezi
:"Butsi
r,
—"
-Mot
aung:"
Butnothi
ng.Pl
easecl
osethedoor
behi
ndyou.I
'l
lbr
ingyouandther
estofthet
eam up
tospeedassoonaspossi bl
e."Heneededtogeta
handleonthesi
t uat
ionandmakesurethatnotev
en
ahintofsuspi
ciongotcasthi
sway .
.
.
.
Sunday
,01Mar
ch,
12:
00
Ther oadtoRhodeswasqui et.Al
mosttooqui et
.Or
atleast,
itseemedt hatwaytoNaledi
.Maybeshe' d
j
ustspentt oolonginJo'bur
g—toolongsurr
ounded
bythesightsandt hesoundsofthecit
y.Butthe
si
lenceputheronedge.
Itwassil
entoutsideanditwassi
l
entinthecar
.The
sil
encemadehert hi
nk.I
tmadehert
hinkaboutwhat
happenedlastnight.
No.Shedi
dn'
twantt
ogobackt
her
e.Shedi
dn'
twant
t
hosememories.
SheturnedtoLonwabointhepassengerseat
.He
wasst i
l
lstar
ingoutt
hewindowashe' dbeenfort
he
pasttwentyminut
es,si
ncetheyl
eftthehotel
.
-
Her
:"Youar
eawf
ull
yqui
et.
"
-
Him:"
Justenj
oyi
ngt
hescener
y."Hedi
dn'
ttur
nto
l
ookather
.
Scenery?Wel l
,shesupposedt her ewasacer tain
ki
ndofpeacef ulnesstothelandscape.And
someonewi t
hnoi nnerdemonst obat t
lecoul denj oy
i
t.Butshewaspr ett
ysureLonwabowasn' tenj oying
anyofit.Hekeptpul l
ingatthesl eeveofhisj acket .
AndNal edi couldtel
lthathewasst r
essed,anxi ous.
Shewasf ami l
iarwit
hanxietyticks.Howcoul dshe
notbe?Herownsonwasal sosuf feri
ngfrom anx i
ety.
Yes,she'dnev erseenLonwabo' sticksbefore, but
shewaspr ettysurehewast ickingr i
ghtnow.
-
Her:
"Doyoust
il
lhav
eyourant
i-
anxi
ety
medi
cat
ion?
"
-
Him:
"Yeah.Tooki
tbackatt
hehot
el.
"
Shewishedshecouldst opt
hecar ,pullhi
mi ntoan
embraceandtellhi
mt hatheshouldn'tstress
becauseever
ythi
ngwasgoi ngtobeokay , t
hatthey
wouldfi
nisht
his.Butsheknewt hatwoul dn'thel
p.
Andshehadnoi deawhatwoul d.Shedi dn'tknow
anyrelaxi
ngtechniquesthatusual
lyhel
pedcalm hi
m
down.Shedeci dedtojustlethi
m bebecauseshe
bel
ievedthebehav i
orit
selftobeaselfsoothi
ng
copingstr
ategyforhim.
Theonlyt hi
ngshecoulddowaspr essherfootdown
ont heacceler
atorandgethi mtoRhodespolice
stati
onasf astaspossible.Hi
scarwasan
automatic,hecouldsti
l
l dri
veit
,butshe'
dinsi
stedon
beinghischauffeur
.
-
Her
:"Yousai
dyou'
vebeenint
heSer
vicef
or14
y
ear
s.Howoftendoyoutakel
eav
e?"
-Hi
m: "Notv
eryof
ten.Onlywhenther
e'saf
ami
l
y
cri
sis,
somethi
ngIcan'tavoi
d."
-Her:"
Why ?Whycan'
tyoujustt
akeabreakfr
om i
t
allandtakecar
eofyou?"Theconst
antstr
essoft
he
j
obcoul dnotbegoodforhi
m.
Het
urnedandl
ookedather
.
-
Him:"BecauseI '
m afr
aid.Themor erelaxedIget,
t
hemor etimeIhav etot hi
nkuphere."Hisfinger
t
appedagai nsthi
shead." Andwhent hathappens,
i
t'
ster
rif
ying."Yeah,Nalediunder
stood."Evenwhen
myl atewif
eanddaughterwerestil
laround,
I'
dbe
sit
tingathomebutI'
dbedy ingtogetbackouti nt
he
fi
eld.ButwhenI'
m outi
nt hefi
eld,
I'
dr egr
etnot
taki
ngabr eakandbewithmyf amily
.Aconst ant
battle.
"
-
Her
:"Li
keRocketMan,
"
-
Him:
"Who?
"
-Her:
"RocketMan.Thest ory.Theastronautwho
misseshisfamilywhil
ehe'sinspace, butmisses
spacewhenhe' swithhisfamily
.It
'saboutthe
str
ugglebetweencontentmentandchasi ngthatone
l
asthigh.Lebolovesthatstory.
"May bebecauseI'
ve
beenspendingmor eti
meatwor kthanIdowi thhi
m,
shethought,gui
lti
l
y.
-
Him:"Lebo,huh?"hesmiledandsloweddownon
t
hesleeve-
pull
ing.Good."
Whenl astdi
dyouspeak
wi
thhim?Ar etheyokay?"
-Her
:"Yester
day .Andyes,t
heyareokay.Ical
l
edmy
motherthi
smor ni
ngbutIdidn'
tgett
ospeakwi t
h
Lebo.Hewasbusy ..
.wi
thhi
sbooksorsomet hing."
Thelastsentencewasal i
e.Butshedidn'
twantt o
bej
udged.Notthatshet
houghtLonwabowoul
d
j
udgeher.Butst
il
l.
..
-Hi
m: "
Aslongashe'sokay,
that'
sgood."Thesmil
e
onhisfacel
inger
ed.Hereal
lyl
ikedLebo,thatwas
evi
dent."
Ist
ill
owehim somepar kt
ime."Headded.
-
Her
:"Thaty
oudo.
"Thesmi
l
ewasnowonherown
l
i
ps.
-
Him:"Whenthisisoveranddonewi t
hI'l
lhav
eall
t
hetimeinthewor l
dtospendwithhim."Whatdidhe
mean?Shewant edtoaskbuthedidn'tgi
veherthe
t
ime."Butf
orthattohappenwefirstneedtofi
nd
Moss."
-Her
:"Whatdoy out
hinkt
hef
reakwil
ldonext?
"
Lonwaboturnedtol
ookoutt
hewindowagain.
-Him:"Ithi
nkwehav etwoopt ionswi thakill
erl
ike
him."Aser i
alki
ll
er.Asadi sti
ckiller
."SkyandLer at
o
bothgotaway .Hemayl ookatt hem asunf ini
shed
business.Hemayf ocusont hem.Fi xate.
"That
soundedv ery,v
erynotgood.ButLonwabowasnot
thesugar -
coati
ngty pe,Naledididn'
tmi ssthatfact
.
"Orhemayi mmediat el
ypicktwomor enewv i
ctims
t
orepl
acet
hem.
"
Peopl
etodiewhileSkyandLer
atol
i
ved?Nal
edi
shookherhead.
-Her
:"Idon’
tli
keei
theropt
ion.
"Herv
oicecameout
soundingver
ysmall.
-Hi
m: "
Neit
herdoI.ButIdon'
tthi
nkhe'll
managet o
gettoSkyorLerat
o,nomat t
erwhathet r
ies.
"
BecauseLerat
owasunder24hourpr otecti
onand
Skyhadjustbeentr
ansfer
redtoanotherhospit
al
andwouldalsobeclosel
yguarded.
-
Her
:"Thenmor
epeopl
eoutt
her
ear
en'
tsaf
e."
-Him:"WhichiswhyI '
m hopingthatSikodidn'tcome
totalkt
omeandLer at
oatt hehospit
althi
smor ni
ng
becauseheandhi smenar eouttherecombi ngev er
y
corneroftheirvi
ll
age.That'
swhatt heBarklyEast
copsaredoi ng.Wehav etof i
ndMossbef oreany one
elsegetshurt."
-
Her
:"Bef
oreheat
tackssomeoneel
se.
"
-
Him:"
ButIhav
eafeel
i
ng,f
indinghim won'
tbeeasy
.
He'
ssmart
.He'
swhatwecallanorgani
sedkil
l
er.
"He
rubbedhisey es.Washeal soast ir
edasshewas?
"Organi
sedki l
lershav ehigherIQs,andtheytendto
planoutthei rattacksinadv ance.Theyhave
control
ledcr imescenes. ..aswe'veseenwi t
hMoss.
Theydon' tleav ealotofphy sicalevi
dencebehindfor
theauthor i
tiestof i
nd."Het ur
nedt olookather.
"Whent heyar en'tmur deri
ng,theycanblendinpretty
wellwit
hev eryoneel se.They'
r et
hekill
ersyounever
seecomi ngbecause—"
-Her:"Becauset hey'
llhavenor malj
obs,"shefi
nished
forhim."Bei nrelat
ionships.Hidebehindcharming
smi l
esbutar er eal
l
yt hewor stmonstersofthei
r
kind."Yeah,sheknewt hatkindofpeople.Shebor ea
childforone.AndSkywasal sotry
ingtocomet o
gripswiththef actthatshe'dneverreall
yknownt he
manshe' dgiv enherbodyandawhol elotmoreto.
-Him:"I
not herwordstheylookjustl
i
keev ery
one
else.Charmingmost l
y.Whichiswhyt hosegir
lsf
ell
soeasilyforMoss.Andwhymor ewomenst i
llmi
ght.
Andhe' ddefini
tel
yki
llthem.Unlesswest ophim.
"
Nal
edi
wasn'
tl
iki
ngt
his,
notonebi
t.
-Hi
m: "Ki
ll
ersl
ikeMossusual l
ydon'tkil
linsome
fur
iousrage.I
nst ead,theyplanoutev eryt
hing.They
canhuntforday s, weeksorev enmont hs.Exactl
y
whathedi dwitht hosegirl
s.Butnowt hathegot
deniedthesati
sfact i
onofkill
ingSkyandLer at
o,he
mayspi r
aloutofcont rol,
escalate.
"
Shi
t!NowNalediunderstoodwhyhewasso
st
ressedoutandanxious.
.
.
.
Sunday
,01Mar
ch,
12:
40
AsNaledi
pulledupinfr
ontofthesmal lpol
i
ce
st
ati
oninRhodes,Lonwabowasal readydyi
ngtosee
Si
koandgetanupdat eontheinvesti
gati
on.The
manhadn'tbeenansweri
nghisphone.
-Lonwabo:
"Thankyoufordoi
ngthi
swit
hme."He
saidashetur
nedinhisseatt
ofaceNal
edi
.
-Her:
"Ther
e'snowhereI
'
dratherbe,
"Hehadn'tbeen
sureaboutt
akingheral
ongbutshe'
dinsi
sted.And
tobehonest
,hef el
tbett
erknowingthathehad
someonehecouldt r
ustri
ghtbesidehi
m.Someone
whotrust
edhimt oo."
I'
vegotyourback,Nwabo.I
wil
lst
andwithyounomat t
erwhatcomesourway .
Youcanalwayscountonme. "Thesinceri
tyi
nher
voi
ceshotstr
aighttohi
sheart.
-Hi
m: "Andy oucancountonme. "Hehopedshe
couldseet hat
.Wi ththem, thetrustcutbothway s.
Shewast heonl yper sonhecoul dcompl etelytr
ust
ri
ghtnow.I nfact,he'dt r
ustedherf r
om dayone.He' d
l
ovedher ,andthet rusthadcomeaut omatical
ly.
Whichwaswhyhenev erhesi t
atedtoopenupt oher
aboutthecasei nt hefirstplace.Andwhyhet ooka
bull
etforheront hatpor ch.Hell,he'
dalway sstand
betweenherandanyt hreatt hatcame." Il
ov eyou."
Tell
ingheralway sf el
tgood.
Shest
aredi
ntohiseyes,
asifr
eadi
ngt
hem.What
,
wasshedoubt
inghim?Stil
l
?
-Her
:"Il
oveyoutoo.
"Shesai
daft
eramoment
.Then
herl
ipsbrokeouti
ntoasmil
e.
Hi
shandr
eachedoutt
ocupherf
ace.St
ari
ngi
nto
herexpr
essi
ve,beaut
if
uley
eshecouldseeherhear
t.
Hecouldseethatshemeantev
erywordshe'
djust
sai
d.Andhehopedshecouldseethesameinhis.
Loweri
nghishead,
hisl
ipst ookher
s.Sl
owly.
He
di
dn'
twanttorushthekiss,hewantedi
tto
communicatehi
struef
eelings.Hepour
edhisent
ir
e
souli
ntoi
t.
Butbefor
ehecouldgetlostint
hedeli
ghtsher
mouthoffer
ed,hepul
ledbackthenwhisper
ed
agai
nstherli
ps,"
Gott
ago, butI
'
llbebackbefor
eyou
canevengettomissme. "
Shesmil
edthennodded.Hepushedthedoor,
cl
imbedoutofthecarandhur
ri
edint
ot hebui
ldi
ng.
Damnhi
sar
m hur
t.
Whenheent eredthepol
i
cest
ati
on,t
heareawas
oddl
yquiet.Butitwasasmal
lst
ati
on,heguessed
thequi
tnesswast henor
m.
Heglancedattheconst abl
estati
onedbehi ndt
he
deskattheCli
entServiceCentrethenmadehi sway
tohi
m.Af t
eridenti
fyi
nghi msel
fhequi ckl
yaskedto
seeDetect
iveSiko.Theconstabledidn'tl
eavehi
s
post,
heonl
ygav
ehi
m di
rect
ionst
oanof
fi
ceatt
he
back.
Lonwabobr iskl
ymadehiswayt othebackand
reachedthedetect
ivesoff
ice.Beforehecouldknock
ont hedoorhecouldalr
eadyseeDet ecti
veSiko
standingbehindadeskfacingthedoor,sor
ti
ngout
somepaper s.
"Detecti
veGama?"Thedetecti
veraisedhisheadto
meetLonwabo'seyesasthelattersteppedint
othe
offi
ce."Iwoul
dhaveexpectedyout osti
llbein
hospital
."
-Lonwabo:"
AndIwoul dhaveexpectedy outocome
talkt
omeatt hehospital
."He'
ddischargedhis
weaponlastnight
.He'dshottwopeople.Hehadt o
answersomequest i
onsandgi veaformal st
atement
.
Andhe'dexpectedthedetecti
vetobedy ingt
oask
Lerat
oaf ewquesti
ons.
-Si
ko:"I
t'
sbeenabusymorning.
"Heret
urnedto
sorti
ngthepaper
s."
Andmanpowerisstret
chedtoo
thi
ninhere.Weareal
lwaytoobusy.
"Hewasal one
i
nt heroom.
-
Lonwabo:
"Sear
chi
ngf
orMoss,
Ipr
esume.How'
s
t
hatgoi
ng?"
-Siko:"Aboutthat
."Herai
sedhisheadagai
n."Your
capt ai
ncalledthi
smorning.Hesaysyougotpull
ed
from thiscasebeforey
ouev encamedownher e.
"
Lonwabowasn' tsur
pri
sed.Andhesawnor easonto
voiceouthi
sthoughtsont hematter.Thatwouldbe
prematureandstupi
d.Hej ustst
oodst i
llbythedoor
andkeptquietastheotherdetect
iveputt hethi
n
stackofpapersunderhisarm andmadehi sway
towardshim.
-Siko:"Now,inl
ightofthi
snewi nfor
mat i
on,Idon'
t
hav etoshareanythingwit
hy ouregardingthecase."
Lonwabonowwant edtosaysomet hing,butSiko
didn'tgivehi
mt hechance."I
fyou'l
lexcuseme, I
'v
e
gotwor ktodo.
"Hewal kedoutthedoor .
Lonwaboshookhisheadt
henturnedandstepped
outoft
heoffi
ce.Hewasabouttospitoutacurse
whenhealmostbumpedintoDet
ectiveOli
phant.
Thefemaledet
ecti
vewasstandinginthecorr
idor
,
j
ustoutsi
dethedet
ect
ivesoff
ice,car
ryingadocket
i
nherhand.
-Her:
"Det
ect
iveGama."Sheofferedhi
m herhand
andheaccept
edit.Goodtoseey ouupandabout.
Forgi
veSi
ko.He'
sgotal otonhismind.
"
-
Lonwabo:
"What
'sgoi
ngon?
"
-
Her:"
Thi
smor ningawoman' sbodywasf oundnot
f
arfr
om here.Andthewayshe'sbeenkil
l
ed. .
.we'
ve
l
i
nkedhertothebodyy'al
lfoundinJo'
burg."
-
Him:"
Meani
ngMosshasstr
uckagain?
"Hisbl
ood
r
ancol
d.Hi
sworstf
earhadj
ustbeenconf
ir
med.
-Her:"
Af r
aidso.Nowy oucanunder standwhySi koi
s
thi
sgr umpy .Aser i
alki
lleri
shuntinginhi s
communi t
y."Sheeasedoutasl owbr eath."We'
l
lbe
coordinati
ngandwor kingwiththepolicefrom
Jo'bur
g, acoupl eofthem willbeherebyt omorr
ow.
Andy ou'r
ebei ngsideli
ned.I'
m surethatsucks.But
don'tworry,I'
l
l keepyoupost ed.
"
-
Him:
"Andwhywoul
dyoudot
hat
?"
-
Her:"BecauseIknowagooddet ect
ivewhenIsee
one.
"Shef i
ddledwit
hthedocketinherhands."
Thi
s
shouldn'tbeaboutwho' ssitt
inginwhatchai
r,who's
call
ingtheshotsorwho' swor kingoutofwhi
ch
precinct
.Itshouldbeal lhandsondeck.Weareal l
ont hesamesi deher e,
weal lwantthesamething.
Weneedt owor ktogethersot hatwecanfi
ndthe
fr
eakt hatwear eafter.
"
He'
dknownhel i
kedheraur
awhenhefi
rstsawher
i
nthefi
eldyest
erday
.Hewassti
ll
notsureabout
Si
ko'
sthough.
-Hi
m:"Thankyou,detect
ive.I
'
llsur
eappr
eci
atey
ou
keepi
ngmei ntheloop."
-Her:"
Nowhere'swhatIneedyoutodo.Ineedyou
togobacktoyourandwai tf
ormet her
e.I
'l
lbr
ing
youwhatyou'
llneedtohelpthei
nvesti
gat
ionwhil
e
standi
ngonthesidel
ines.
"
Chapt
er41
Sunday
,01Mar
ch,
14:
30
.
"Frozenintime"wast hephraset hatcamet o
Lonwabo' smi ndwhenhet houghtaboutt helit
tle
vil
lageofRhodes.Whatheunder stoodaboutt his
remot epartofthecount rywast hatitwasdecl ared
aconser vati
onareai n1997andser vedasar et r
eat
from civi
li
sati
on.Whi chwasl i
kel ywhyMosssawi t
asaper f
ectlocat
ionf orhisdirt
ydeeds.And
now. .
.nowhehadj ustturneditintohi snewhunt ing
ground—t ai
ntingt
hei mmenseappeal ithadretained.
Fucker
!
"
Baby,
"heputthecari ntoparkwithhi
sri
ghthand.
"
Wearehere,"heturnedt oNalediwhowascurl
edup
i
nthepassengerseatlikeasmal l
chil
d.
-Her
:"Oh,
thankGod.
"Sheslowlyopenedherey
es
and,i
natell
ingsi
gnofherexhaust
ion,
yawned.
Shehadinsi
stedondri
vingfrom Barkl
yEastt
ot he
RhodesPoli
ceStat
ionearl
ierbutexhaust
ionhadn'
t
all
owedhert odri
veanyf urt
her.She'
dtr
iedtoputup
afightthoughbutLonwaboj ustcoul
dn'
tlether
for
cei t
.He'dinsi
stedthatshetakeanapinthe
passengerseatandl ethi
m dri
ve.
Ov ert
hey ear
shehadgot t
enusedtopushingaside
hisfat
igue.Didn'tmeanhewasn'tti
redandfeel
ing
l
ikecrapnow, justmeantthathehadtomakesur e
thatNalediwasokay ,comfor
tabl
eandrestedbefore
hecouldletgo.
-Her
: "
Wow!Thisplaceisbeaut
if
ul.
"Shewaslooki
ng
outthewindow.Andbef or
ehecouldsayany
thi
ng,
shejumpedoutoft hecar.
Forsomeonewho'dlookedfati
guedjustamoment
agoshesureseemedr ej
uvenatedri
ghtaboutnow.
Theplacemusthaveinst
antlybreat
hednewl i
fei
nto
her,
Lonwabothought.
Amazi
ng.
Itwastrul
ybeauti
ful
,hehadtoagree.After
answeringaloadofquest
ionsatthepoli
cestat
ion
abouttheshooti
ng,andaft
ergett
ingsomecopiesof
Moss'scasefil
efrom Det
ecti
veOliphant
,heand
Naledihadt r
iedtofi
ndapl aceinoneofthequaint
andcharmingaccommodat i
onhousesscatt
ered
acrossthev i
ll
age.Theycouldn'
tgobackt ot
heir
hoteli
nBar kl
yEast,notaft
erwhathadhappenedt he
otherday.Anddr i
vi
ngupt henarrow,wi
ndinggravel
roadtoandf rom Rhodesev er
ydaywouldn'
thave
madesense.Theyhadt ofindaplacehere.
Thisv i
l
lagewasr emoteandbecauseoft he
i
naccessi bil
it
yithadbenef i
ttedbyr emainingoneof
themostobscur eandleastf requentedlocationsin
thecount ry.I
thad,nonetheless,beendiscov eredby
propertyseekingexecuti
v es,result
inginthet ypi
cal
vil
lage-
st y
leweekendandhol i
dayhomest hat
remainedempt yformostoft heweek.Buton
weekendst hehomesgotf i
ll
edup, Lonwabol ear
ned
whenhest ruggledtogettheaccomodat iont hey
needed.Hewasaboutt ogiveupwhenhef oundthis
placeav ai
lable.
Thedet ached,self
-cat
eri
ngcot
tagewassit
uatedon
theout ski
rt
s,about4to5km fr
om thecent
reofthe
vil
lage.Theroadwhenhedr oveupherewasquite
steepandst ony,butnowthatt
heyhadarri
vedhe
coul
ddef
ini
tel
ysayt
hedr
ivewaswor
thi
t.
Hegotoutoft hecartojoinNaledioutsideasshe
continuedtotakeinthesur r
oundings.Thev iewsup
thesur r
oundingSouthernDrakensbergandov erthe
BellRiverval
l
eywer estunning,
br eat
htaking.And
thi
scal mingoutmospher ewaspr obablywhatt hey
bothneededt oclearthei
rheadsandf ocus.
-
Naledi:
"This,
"herhandqui
ckl
ygestur
edtowardhi
m
t
hent ohersel
f."
Us.It
'smovi
nginanunusual
way ,
wouldn'
tyousay?"
-Him:"
Whatdoy oumean?
"Hedr
apedhi
sgoodar
m
aroundhershoul
der
sandpul
l
edhert
ohi
m.
-
Her
:"Imean..
.t
hisi
sstil
lnewbuty ou'
vealreadymet
mymom andmyson.Andnowwear eouthere.A
r
omanti
cgetaway,al
ready?"Shechuckled.
-Him:"Aromanti
cgetaway,huh?"Thi
swasaqui et
andpeacefulpl
aceinbeauti
fulcount
rysur
roundings.
Defini
tel
yperf
ectforacouplel
ookingtogetaway
from soci
etyf
orawhile."
Iwishthiswasexact
ly
that.
"
-
Her
:"Buti
nst
eadwe'
reher
ehunt
ingf
oraki
l
ler
."
-
Him:"
Thatdoesn'
tmeanwecan'
tdobot
hthough.
Enj
oyt
heplaceandworkt
hecase.
"
Shesighedthenpul
ledawayfr
om hi
m.Shestart
ed
towardsthethi
rt
ystepsl
eadi
nguptothecot
tage,
foll
owingthetwoguyswhowerehel
pingt
hem with
thei
rluggage.
-Hi
m:"Wantmetocar
ryyou?"Thewaysheswayed
asshemoved,
hedoubtedshe'
dbeabletomakeit
tot
hetop.
-Her
:"Carr
yme?"Shechuckl
edasshetur
nedtolook
athi
m." Wit
hyouronear
m?Don'tmakemelaugh."
-Hi
m:"ThedayIcan'tcar
rymywomanwhent he
sit
uat
ioncal
lsfori
tisthedayIdon'
twanttosee.
"
Hisar
m surehurt,
buthe'dhadworsebef
ore.
-
Her
:"Yourwoman,
"asmi
l
etweakedhermout
h.
Thef i
r stti
mehet oldherthathelovedherhehadn' t
plannedi t,i
tjustsli
ppedout .Andhe'dbeenaf r
aid
thatitwoul dfreakherout .Butapparentl
yitdi
dn't
.
Becauseshesai dittoothenextday.Tobehonest
though, theonlyt i
mehe' dtrul
yfel
titwast hi
s
mor ningwhent hey'djustpull
edupinf r
ontofthe
poli
cestati
on.Weretheymov ingal i
tt
letoofast?He
didn'
tthi
nkso.He'dlovedNaledif
orqui t
eawhi l
e.
Shejustdidn'
tknowit.Hell
,i
thadt akensomet i
me
forhimtoadmi thi
struefeel
ingstoo.Butf or
tunatel
y,
Nalediseemedt ohavenoproblem catchingup.
-Her
:"Yougetthi
swomanofyour
shor i
zont
alri
ght
now,shewon'tbeabl
etogetv
ert
ical
againforat
l
easttwent
y-f
ourhour
s."
-
Him:"
That
'snotaprobl
em.Ther
e'snot
hingIwant
y
outodobutsleepandrest
."
-
Her
:"Ican'
t.Noty
et.Ihav
etoshower
.Ihav
eto—"
Shedi dn'tneedt ofi
nisht hesentencef orhimt o
understand.Shehadr efusedt oshoweratt hehot el
thismor ning.She'drefusedtospendami nut el
onger
thanshehadt ointhere.She'djustri
nsedof fali
ttle
from thesi nk,changedhercl othesthengr abbedher
stuffandwal kedoutoft hesuite,l
eavingLonwabot o
takehisshower .SomeofLonwabo' sbl oodandt hat
ofthemanshe' dkil
ledlastnightwasl ikel
yst i
ll
on
her.
-
Him:
"Iunder
stand,
"hesai
dgent
ly.St
eppi
ngupt
o
her
,heheldouthi
shand."
Atl
eastt
akemyhandso
youdon'
tfal
l.
"
Butshejustgav
ehim asmil
ethenshookherhead
bef
oreleavi
nghim st
andi
ngther
e.
.
.
.
Sunday
,01Mar
ch,
14:
35
Naledi knewshewasnowi mp,butthemomentshe
steppedupt heunevencementst air
s, shewished
she'dt akenLonwabo'sof f
erandhel doutherarms
forhimt ocarr
yherupt othehouse.Butt heman
wasi njured.Andhe'dtoldherthattheonl yti
mehe'd
gottensomesl eepatthehospitalwaswhenhewas
sedat ed.Sohehadt obej ustastir
edasshewas.
Thel astthingshewant edwast oli
terall
ybea
burdenonhi sshoul
ders,nomat terhowst rongshe
knewhewas.
Wit
hsheerdeter
minati
on,shemadei
thal
fwayup
t
hestai
rsthenshestoppedtol
ookupatt
heir
dest i
nation.Thebeaut i
fulchal
etwaser ectedupt he
hi
ll andlookednewl ybuil
tcomparedtomost
proper t
iesshehadal r
eadyseeninthev il
lage.Itwas
standingal one,init
sownseper at
ey ardfrom the
mai naccomodat ionfaci
li
tyonthefarm—wher eshe
supposedLonwabohadcheckedi njustaf ew
mi nutesago.Shecoul dseethemainf acil
it
yfrom up
her e.I
twaspr ett
ydopewhenshe' dcheckedi tout
online,butshehadn' tseenitwhentheywer ethere
becauseshehadbeenasl eepi
nthecar .And
Lonwabohadn' twokenherup.Howcome?
Butapparentlytheplacehadagy m,anatur
al
swimmi ngpool,aconv eniencestor
e,andallt
he
othercoolfacil
i
tiesandser vi
ces.However,
shewas
prett
ysureitdidn'tbeatthetranqul
i
tyofthi
schalet
.
Theywoul dhav etheentirespacetothemselv
esup
here.
Lonwabocaughtuptoheranddr
apedhi
sar
m
aroundhershoul
der
s.
-Hi
m:"
You'
ret
ir
ed,
youdon'
thav
etor
ushup.Wecan
goassl
owasyoul
ike.
"
Sheknewhewasj ustbeingacar ryingboy f
ri
end,but
beingt r
eat edli
keaninv ali
ddi dn'tsitwell withher
.
May beitwasbecausei thadbeenawhi l
esi ncea
mant ookcar eofher.Takingcar eofher selfwas
somet hingshewasusedt o.Shest raightenedher
ti
redshoul ders,tookabr eath, andwal kedupt he
stair
sagai n.Thesoonershegott here,thesooner
shecoul dgetashowerandt hencol lapse.Butt he
stair
swer eprett
ysteepandshehadt ost opagain
aftertakingaf ewoft hem.
-
Him:
"Icancar
ryy
out
her
estoft
heway
."
-Her
:"Nope.Icanmakei t
."Shet
hrewhim ateasi
ng
l
ook."Justdon'
tletgo,
becauseIhaveafeel
ingifI
l
ostmyf ooti
ng,I'
dtumblebackt
ot hebot
tom.Ifthat
happens,I
'l
lneverwakeup."
Hi
sar
mti
ght
enedar
oundhershoul
der
s.
-
Him:
"I'
m notl
ett
ingy
ougo.
"
Herexhaustedbrainref
usedt
or eadany
thi
nginto
t
hosewor ds.Butherheart
,whichwasn'tnear
lyas
t
ir
edast herestofherbody,l
eapedont hewordslike
astar
vingli
onpur sui
ngagazelle.
Fi
nallyatthetop,shest eppedupont othefrontdeck
ofthehousewi t
hagi ant,heart
fel
tsi
gh.The
baggagecar ri
ershadal readyopenedthehouse.And
asLonwabopul l
edouthi swall
ettot
ipthem, Naledi
steppedinside.Shewasi nst
antl
ywashedina
welcome, beauti
fulcoolnessand,forthefi
rstti
mei n
days,fel
tatpeace.
Shequi cklycheckedoutt heplace,anditwasper fect
.
Cosyandneat .Wi thanopenpl anlayout,i
twasf ully
equippedwi then- suitebathr
oom, lounge,dining
spaceandaf ully
-f uncti
onalki
tchenette.Shewas
defi
nitelygoingt ol ovei
there.Andt hefactt hatshe
washer ewi tht hemanshewas—asi nsaneasi t
was—qui ckl
yf all
ingf or,madeal lt
hedi f
ference.
Shewasstandi
ngbytheseri
esofFrenchdoors
l
eadingt
othesidedeck,
taki
ngintheviews,
when
Lonwabogentl
yhuggedherfr
om behi
nd.
-Hi
m: "Thebat
hroom i
scal
li
ngyourname."He
whisperedcl
osetoherear
."Whi
leyoushower,
I'
ll
fix
ussomet hi
ngtoeat.
"
Hehadobv
iousl
yboughtt
hegr
ocer
iesf
rom t
he
conveni
encestoreonsi t
e.Butshewishedshecould
tel
lhi
mt hatshewast ootir
edtoeat.Whil
ethat
mightbetechnical
l
yt r
ue,shealsoknewifshedidn'
t
getsomethingsubstanti
ali
nherstomach,she'd
wakeinaf ewhourswi t
hami grai
ne.Noteati
ngfor
l
onghour salwaysdidthattoher.
-
Her
:"Soundswonder
ful
."
-Hi
m:"I
'v
echecked,there'
splentyoft
owel
s,soap
andshampoointhere.Butifyouneedany
thi
ngelse,
l
etmeknowandI '
llgetitf
ory ou.
"
Shenoddedandheadedintheri
ghtdi
rect
ion.
Stoppi
ngatt
hedoor,shecall
edouthi
sname.
-
Him:
"Yeah?
"
-Her:"Thanky
oufort
akinggoodcar
eofme.
"Hewas
reall
ytryi
ngandsheneededtost
opmaki
ngthi
ngs
diff
icultf
orhi
m.
-
Him:
"I'
l
lal
way
sbet
her
eify
ouneedme.
"
Ashewalkedtowar
dsthekit
chen,shecoul
dn'
thel
p
butwi
shhe'dsai
djustoneword:Al
ways.
.
.
.
Sunday
,01Mar
ch,
14:
45
Lonwabocalcul
atedhehadmaybefor
ty-f
iveminut
es
toanhourofupri
ghtti
melef
tinhi
m beforehi
sbody
ref
usedtoobeyhiscommands.Hehadal ott
odo
duri
ngthi
sti
mef rame.
Hecouldheartheshowerrunni
ngfull f
orceonthe
othersi
deofthebathr
oom door.AtlastNalediwas
getti
ngtheshowershesodesperatelywanted.Now
hehadtomakehersomet hingtoeat.
I
nt hekitchen,heopenedt hegrocer
ybagst heguy s
hadputont hecount er.Theycontai
nedthef oodhe'd
boughtdownatt heon- siteshop.Fi
gur
ingthey
wouldn'
thav et i
mel ater,he'
dboughteveryt
hi nghe
thoughttheywoul dbot hneed.Andf or
tunat
el y,he
hadstalkedNal edi'
slifeforquit
eawhiletohav ean
i
deaofherf avori
tefoods.
Heopenedt hef
reezerandputinthreecar
tonsof
thei
cecream heknewwoul dthri
ll
anddeli
ghther.
Thethoughtoft
hril
l
inganddelight
inghersounded
damngoodt
ohi
m.
Hav i
ngliv
edwi t
hhisauntwhor anacateri
ng
companyf orhalfhi
slif
e,hewasateasei nthe
kit
chen.Hewasn' tagourmandbyanyst r
etchofthe
i
magi nati
on,buthecouldputtoget
heradecentmeal .
Ast i
redashewasr i
ghtnowthough,andwithone
full
y-
functi
oningarm,acheeseomeletteandtoast
wast hebesthecoulddo.Itwouldgivebothofthem
theprotei
ntheyneededandwoul dbeeasyont he
stomach.
Heputeverythi
ngawaybutl ef
tal
ltheingr
edi
entshe
wouldneedont hecounter
.Assoonashehear dthe
showercutoff,
he'dstar
ttheomelett
e.Fornow,he
hadsomef i
lestocheckout.
Hegott
hem andhislaptopoutofhi
sbag,putthem
ont
hesmalldi
ningtableandpull
edoutachair
.
Hestartedonhislaptop,
tostudythephotostaken
fr
om Moss'slatestcr
imescene.Detectiv
eOl i
phant
hadgivenhim anSDcar dwit
ht hephotos.Howshe
goti
t,hehadnoi dea.Andthatdidn'
treal
lyint
erest
hi
m.
Ithadt akenThobekaJant j
ies,Moss' slat
estv i
ctim, a
l
ongt i
met odie.Lonwabost aredatt hephot osof
thedeadwomanonhi sscr
een, not i
ngtheser i
esof
shallowcut st
hatl i
nedherar ms.Theywer et he
samenumberandpl acedthesamewayast heones
onOwam andonLer ato,henot iced.Thenhemov ed
tothephot oshowi ngt hewoman' schest.Herhear t
wasn' tremoved.Butshe' dbeenst abbedright
throughi t
,anditlookedasi ftheki ll
erhadt wisted
thekni f
eoncehe' dpl ungeditintoherchest .Andher
genitali
a?Therewassomeser iousmut il
ationt here.
Hell
.Thiswasi ndeedMoss' swor k.Guyjustdidn'
t
havetimeort heequipmentt oremov ethepoor
woman' sheart.Buthe'dsuretort
uredher .Herwri
sts
showedt hatshehadbeenboundwi thrope,her
anklesti
edwi ththesamet hickhemp.Ductt ape
coveredhermout h—nodoubtt omuf f
leherscreams
whil
et hebastardwor kedonher .
Ithadn'
tbeenaneasydeath,thatwasforsur
e.Not
withall
ofthosesl
icesonherar ms.Someweredeep
enoughtoseverveinsandtendons.Butt
hose
woundshadn'tki
ll
edher,Lonwaboknew.Mosshad
j
ustbeenpl
ayi
ngwithherunt
ilt
hemomenthedr
ove
hi
sknif
eint
oherheart
.
Thesickeni
ngbluecol
ourbegantodanceinfr
ontof
Lonwabo'seyesandhisheadthr
obbed.No,he
shoul
dn'tbelooki
ngatthesenow.
Hemov edontootherphotos.Thent
hefi
les.When
hefi
nall
yrai
sedhisheadandcheckedthetime,
30
minut
eshadalreadypassed.
Butwhywast
heshowerst
il
lrunni
ng?
Hegotr idofthesli
ngaroundhi sar m andgrabbed
hi
sbagt ochangeintosomet hingmor e
comf ort
able—sweatpantsandaT- shir
t.Whenhegot
donewi ththeshowerstil
lrunning, hi
sbrainst
arted
pl
ay i
ngt r
icksonhim.Thinkingt hewor st
.Withhis
heartdrummi nginhischest,her ushedtothe
bathroom.Hewasaboutt oknockont hedoorwhen
hehear dadisti
nct,
heart-
wr enchingsound.Naledi
wascr yi
ng.
Pushingthedooropen,hi
sheartalmostcrackedi
n
two.Throughthefr
ostedglassdoor,hecouldsee
thatshewassitt
ingonthef l
ooroftheshower,
sobbi
ngi
ntoherhands.
-Hi
m: "
Nal
edi
?"Hesai
dasheopenedt
heshower
door.
Sher
aisedt
ear
-swol
l
eney
est
ohi
s.
-Her
:"Isti
l
lhadyourdri
edbloodundermynails,
Lonwabo.Andhistoo.I
twasi nmyhair.Andbit
s
andpiecesof…of
..
."Sheshudder
ed."HowcouldInot
knowt hat
?"
-Hi
m:"I
t'
sgonenow,sweethear
t.I
t'
sgone."Heheld
outhi
shand."
Comeon.Let '
sgetyoudri
edoffand
somefoodint
oyou.
"Thisti
meshet ookhishand
andal
lowedhimtopul
lhertoherfeet
.
Ignori
ngabeaut i
ful,nakedwomanshoul dn'
tbet hat
bigofachal lenge.Hewassot i
redthathissexdr i
ve
shouldbewaybel owzero.Butthef actt
hatthi
s
beautiful
,nakedwomanwasNal edimadeal lt
he
diff
erence.Gr i
ndinghi st
eethtil
lhisjawached, he
pull
edherf rom theshowerandgr abbedabat ht owel
from thenear byshelf.Eventhoughev er
yinchofhi s
bodyachedt ocar ryhertobedandmakel ovetoher ,
hedr i
edherf rom headt ofootwi t
hquickeffi
ciency.
Besides,Nal
edidi
dn'
tneedhim maul
ingher
.She
neededcomf or
t,warmt
h,andsecur
it
y.Heint
ended
forhertogetal
lthr
ee.
Sati
sf i
edshewasdr yenough, hetookanot hertowel
andwr appeditaroundherbody ,hi
dingher
i
nterestingl
ytat
tooedbodyandal l
owinghisbr eath
toreturntoalmostnor mal.He'
dnot i
cedthatshe
hadt att
oostheothernightatthehotel,butthelight
i
nhi sroom hadbeent urnedoff,hecouldn'
tclearly
seethem.Andnowt hathecould,hewonder edwhy
shehadsomanyt at
soft hesamet hing.
Herbigeyescaughthis.Thet
rusti
nthei
rdept
hs
gavehimt hest
rengt
hheneededt osay,
"Hangon.
Berightback.
"
.
.
.
Sunday
,01Mar
ch,
15:
20
Nal
edif
eltembar
rassedbywhathadj
usthappened.
Hav
ingamanseehernakedinbroaddayl
ightwas
unusual onitsown.Hav ingthatmanpul l
herof fthe
showerf loor
, dr
yherbodyasi fshewer eachi l
d,and
thenjustcov erherbackupmadeherf eel.
..
lessofa
woman.She' dtri
edtof i
xherbody,butitwasst il
l
i
mper fect.Wast hatthereasonwhyhef oundher
unsexy?She' dseenhi sbodytheotherdaybackat
thehotel andshe'dlookedwaypasthi sscars
becausesheunder stood.Couldn'
thedot hesame?
Lookpastwhathesawonher ?
Heappear edagain,thi
stimewithoneofhi sT-shi
rts
i
nhishand.Hewant edhert oputiton.Sheshould
beself-
conscious,butwithaboldnessthatsurpri
sed
her,
shedr oppedthet owelandrai
sedherar ms.Asif
he'
ddonet hi
sahundr edti
mesf orherbefore,
heput
theT-shi
rtoverherheadandhel pedherslipher
armsintothesleeves.
Whenhest eppedback,shedaredaqui
ckl
ookathi
s
face,andherent i
rebodyfl
ushedwit
hheat
.He
might'vebeent r
eati
ngherli
keshewasachil
doran
i
nv al
i
d, buttheburni
ngheatinhisey
essai
d
somet hingelse.
Thatwasbet
ter
.
Showingoffhi
ssel
f-
cont
rol
onceagai
n,hewentt
o
thedoor.
-Hi
m:"Comeeatwheny
ou'
rer
eady
."Thenhewas
gone.
Losi
ngallbr
eath,
Naledil
eanedback,gr
atef
ulthe
showerdoorwasbehindher.I
twasfunnyhowt hi
s
mancouldmakeherbot hweakinthekneesandfeel
asthoughshecouldsoarovert
reet
ops.
Shet urnedt ot hemi r
rorandwasr emindedonce
againofal l t
hathadhappened.Shehadt houghtshe
washandl ingthingsr atherwel l
.Bypushi ngasi de
theimagesandf ocusi ngont hepr esent,shehad
beenabl et odr ivelastni ght'
shor r
ort othebackof
hermi nd.Butwhenshe' dst oodundert hehotgush
ofthewat erandhadl ookeddownatherf eet,blood
hadswi r
ledar oundher ,
splatter
ingont heshower
fl
oor .Thatcop' sbl ood.Thenwhenshel if
tedher
handsshe' dseenmor ebloodunderhernai ls.
Definitel
yLonwabo' s.Memor ieshadsl ammedi nto
her,andshehadl ostit.Thatcophadbeenbadand
hehadbeent ry i
ngt oki l
lher.Howev er,
kill
inghim
thewayshedi dwashor r
if
ic.Theimageofhi shand
separati
ngfr
om hi
sarm andthef eel
ofhisbl
ood
andbonef r
agmentsspl
ashingonherskinwasn'
t
somet hi
ngshewouldeverf
orget.Andthenshe'
dlet
him bl
eedhiswaytotheaft
erli
fe.
Hehadbeenay oungcop,foll
owingsomeoneel
se'
s
orders.Shedidn'tknowift
hatmadehim evi
lorj
ust
anothervict
im ofcircumst
ances.
Pull
ingher selfawayfrom t
heimages,
shemadeuse
ofbodyl otionthenlef
tthebat
hroom.Asshepassed
thebed,sher esi
stedtheur
getofal
lontoi
tandl et
slumbert akeov er
.Fir
st,ameal,
shepromised
hersel
f,andt henatleastsi
xsoli
dhoursofsleep.
Shemadeherwayt ot hekit
chenareaandalmost
swoonedtoseeabar efootLonwaboatthestov
e.
Thisi
magehadnev erbeeni noneofherfant
asi
es
aboutt
hisman,butitwasdef i
nit
elysomethi
ngshe
wouldrememberforever.
-
Her
:"Any
thi
ngIcandot
ohel
p?"
-Hi
m: "
There'
sjui
ceandmi l
kinthefr
idge.Glasses
areint
hecabinetbesidet
hefri
dge.I
fyou'l
lpourme
aglassoforangejui
ceandgetwhateveryouwant ,
we'
llbeset
."Hesai
d, sl
i
dinganomelet
teontoa
pl
atewit
htheexper
tiseofashort
-or
dercook.Hi
s
onearm wasdef
ini
telynotsl
owi
nghim down.
Shef oll
owedhi si
nst
ructi
onsandami nutelaterwas
sitt
ingatthesmalldini
ngt abl
ebiti
ngintoa
mout hwateri
ngomelette.Shetoldherselft
oeat
slowlyandsav our
,butshewast oohungr y.Besides,
herey el
idswerealmostathalf-
mast .I
fshedidn'teat
fast,shefear
edshe'dendupwi t
hherf aceinher
plate.
-Hi
m: "
Isawsomethi
nginterest
ingint
hecri
me
scenephotosOl
i
phantgaveme. "Thedet
ecti
vehad
giv
enhim anSDcardwit
ht hephotos.
-
Her
:"I
nter
est
inghow?
"
-
Him:
"Lemmeshowy
ou.
"
Wasi tnor malforhimtolookatcr i
mescenephot os
whil
eeat i
ng?Hegotupandgr abbedhi slaptopfr
om
thekitchencount er
.Aft
ermaki ngaf ewcl i
cks,he
putitinf r
ontofher.Therewasaphot oshowi ngon
thescr eenandshei mmediatel
yr ecognisedwhereit
hadbeent aken.
-
Him:"It
akei
tthat
'st
heroom y
outol
dmeabout
.
Theonebehi
ndtheonewefoundLer
atoi
n."
-Her:"
WhereSi
yaandhi
sassi
stanthadbeen
sleepi
ng,
yes.
"
-
Him:
"Lookatt
hebot
tom r
ightcor
neroft
hephot
o."
-Her
:"Whatam Ilooki
ngat?"Shewasn'
tsureasshe
zoomedi n."
Theonlythi
ngI'
m seei
nghere
are.
..
bri
ghtsneakersnextt
oabed?"
-Him:"Notjustanysneakers.Thosear eSagerSt
rong
AirForce1s.Veryrare.Onl
y100pai rswer emade,in
2016.Theonl ywayIknowaboutt hem isbecause
mydaught erwasabonaf i
desneaker head.We
playedsneakertri
vi
aev er
ynowandagai n."
-Her:
"Okay
.Buthowarethesneaker
simpor
tantt
o
us?"Shedi
dn'
tunder
stand.
-Hi
m: "BecauseIsawsomeonewear i
ngthem bef
ore.
Thenighty ourt
yresgotsl
ashedint
hehospi
tal
parki
ngl ot
.Theguywhodi ditwasweari
ngthose
sneakers,Isawthem asheranaway."
-
Her
:"Ar
eyousur
e?"
-Him:"Theyar eeye-cat
chers.IknowwhatIsaw,
Naledi,andIdon' tforgetanythi
ngIseewi t
hthese
eyesofmi ne."Yeah,hi seyesalwaysseemedt o
takeinev erythinginaf r
acti
onoft i
me."Andthose
areoriginals.Trustme, Iknowacount er
fei
twhenI
seeone. "
-Her:"
Sowhatdoest hismean?ThatSi ya'stheone
whosl ashedmyt yres?Butwhy ?"Thenshe
remember edwhatt heguyi nahoodi esaidi nthat
darkpar kinglot."Het houghtIwast her easonwhy
Skydidn' twanthi m aftershe'dsleptwi thhim.He
wasbl ami ngmef orit.SayingIwasf i
lli
nghi s
woman' sheadwi thnonsense. "Butatt het i
meshe'd
thoughtt hewomant hemanwast alkingaboutwas
oneofhercl i
ent s."Her eal
l
yt houghtSkywashi s,
thathe'dgot tenherback.Butwhenshemadei t
cleart
hatshedi dn'twanthi m, hegotmadandcame
afterme. ..
andher ."Heputherf orkdown." Doesthi
s
meanheseesmeashi senemy ?ThatI ,too,couldbe
i
nhi ssight s?
"Thatwasascar ythought .
Lonwaboshr
ugged.
-
Him:
"It
'sapossi
bil
i
ty.Youcan'
treal
l
yknowwhata
si
ckmi
ndi
sthi
nki
ng.
"
-Her
:"Butear
li
eryoupredi
ctedwhathemightdo
next
.Youknewt hathewouldki
ll
again.Andhedi
d."
-Him: "
Itwasaneducat edguessbecause,
unfortunatel
y,Ihaveexper iencewi t
hkill
ersl i
kehi m.
Imaynothav easmanydegr eesasmybr otherdoes
butIknowki ll
ers.I'
vebeendeal i
ngwi ththem f or
years."Hepushedhi spl ateasi de."Anyway ,what
thistell
smei sthatMosswasi ndeedi nJo'burgt hat
night.Hecamet oyout ogi vey ouamessageand
thenhewentaf terSky.Thisf urthertell
smet hat
Mel i
ndadi di
ndeedl iei
nt heaut opsyrepor t
.Unl ess
Mosski l
l
edOwam i nJo'bur g,whi chIdoubt, t
her e'
s
nowayhecoul dhav eki l
ledhert hatni
ght."
Betr
ay al
.Yeah,
Nalediknewthatkindofbet
rayal
.
Theremaynothav ebeenanyf eel
ingsi
nvol
ved,as
Lonwabohadcl ai
med, butst
il
l,t
hewomanhewas
sl
eepingwithhadbet r
ayedhim.Shecouldi
magi ne
howt hatmadehimf eel.
-
Her
:"Soyout
hinkSi
yakil
ledt
hegi
rlher
e,onhis
f
ami
lyfar
m.Yeah,I
'm wi
thyouont
hatone.Butwhy
dumpherbodyal
lthewayi
nJo'
bur
g?"
-Hi
m: "
Aswe'vealr
eadyestabl
ished,
theor
gansare
defi
nit
elypar
tofit
,buti
t'
snotonlyaboutt
hem.
Mosswant edever
ybodytoknowwhathe'sdoi
ng.
Hewant edhi
smessaget obeheard.Hewasti
redof
kil
l
ingandhidi
ngthebodies.
"
-
Her:
"He'
saf
tert
henot
ori
ety
.Hewant
shi
sown
moni
ker
."
-Hi
m:"Hiscareeri
sover,
he'sgotnothi
ngtolose.
"
Heshift
edinhischai
r."
Naledi
,hedidn'
tdumpt he
bodyinarandom l
ocati
on.Hedumpedheri nmy
backy
ard.Theparkismybackyard.
"
Nal
edi
remember
edsomet
hing.
-Her
: "
IGoogledyouear l
ier,
whenIwaswai ti
ngfor
youinthecarbackatt hepolicest
ati
on."Wasthat
weir
d?" Youhavear eputati
on,Det
ecti
veWar r
ant
Offi
cerGama.InCapeTowny ouhunteddownand
captur
edt hr
eeseri
al ki
ll
ers.DoyouthinkSiy
a
wantedy ou,
specif
icall
y,tobetheonet of
indhim?"
-
Him:
"Yahwel
l
,hi
swi
shi
saboutt
obegr
ant
ed.
"
-Her:"
WhatIstil
ldon'
tgett
houghiswhyther
ed-
headedmanhe' sworki
ngwithfr
eedSky.Whyhe
helpedherescape.
"
-
Him:
"Redhead?
"
-Her
:"Yeah.Skysaidshe'
dnev erseenhi
m bef
ore,
buthehadhi sheadti
ntedred.Thatmeansomething
toyou?"
-
Him:"Act
ual
ly
,itdoes.Whydi
dn'
tyout
ell
met
his
y
ester
day?"
-
Her
:"ThoughtIdi
d.I
tmusthav
esl
i
ppedmymi
nd.
"
-
Him:
"Neo.
"
-
Her
:"Who?
"Shef
oughtt
okeepherey
esopen.
-Hi
m: "
Thebr ot
hertoLerato'
sdeceasedex.Sawhis
photonexttotheboxTVi nhishome.Hi smother
keptgest
uringtowardsitwhenshetalkedabouthi
m.
Shesaiditwasar ecentphotowhenIasked.Andthe
guyhadhishairti
ntedred."
Nal
edi want
edtomakesenseoft hi
sbutherbrai
n
hadreachedit
sli
mit
.Sheblinkedatherempt
yplate,
not
ingthati
twasdecidedl
yblurr
y.
-Hi
m: "
Timetogetsomeshut-
eye.
"Hemusthav
e
not
icedthathewaslosi
ngher
.
-
Her
:"Soundsheav
enl
y.
"
Surpr
isi
ngher,hestoodandhel
douthishand.When
sheplacedherhandinhi
s,hepul
ledhert
oherfeet.
-
Him:
"You'
reaboutami
nut
efr
om passi
ngout
."
Hewal kedhert
ot hebed.Hesetheronit
,went
aroundtotheothersi
de,andpul
ledthebedcov
ers
back.
-
Him:
"Hopi
n."
Itt
ookamazingef
f ortforhertoswi ngherl
egsonto
thebed.Thei
nst
antshedi d,shealmostcri
edatthe
comfort
.Shewassot i
red,shef i
guredshecoul
dbe
l
y i
ngonabedofnai lsandnotr eall
ynoti
ce.Butt
his
wasnobedofnails.Shesanki nt
ot hematt
resswit
h
agratef
ulsi
ghandl ookedupatLonwabo.
-Her
:"Whenareyougoingtogetsomerest?"He'
d
beenpul
ledfr
om thecase,anumberofothercops
wereworki
ngit,
alit
tl
eresttorechar
gewouldn'
thurt
.
-
Him:
"Now.
"
Hepulledthecoversbackonhi ssideofthebed,l
ay
down,andpulledhert ohim.Thiswasamanand
shehadn'tsharedabedwi thoneinav eryl
ongti
me,
butshewasn'tafraid.Feel
ingmor esafeandsecure
thanshecouldev erremember ,shesnuggledagai
nst
hischestandonesecondl aterwasasleep.
Chapt
er42[ SNL]
Sunday
,01Mar
ch,
19:
30
.
Alway sali
ghtsleeper,Lonwaboheardalowmoan
besidehim andwasawakei naninst
ant.Het urned
toseeNal edigri
ppedi nsomesortofni
ght mare.
Lightswereoffinthehousebutenoughl ightpoured
i
nt hroughthebigwi ndowsandFrenchdoor s.He
couldseeherst i
llpaleski
n.Andtheshadowsunder
herey eswereonlylessprominent
.They'donlybeen
sleepingf
oraf ewhour s.
Hesaidhernamesoft
ly,hopi
ngtowakeherwit
hout
st
art
li
ngher.Shemoanedagainandbeganthr
ashi
ng
ar
ound,herent
ir
ebodyjerki
ng.
-Hi
m:"Naledi,"hesaidi
naf ir
mv oice,"
wakeup."
Whenthatdi dn'twakeher,heshookhergentl
yand
sai
dagain,thist i
meinthehard,commandingv oi
ce
he'
dperf
ect edi nthei
nter
rogati
onr oom,"
Naledi
Masil
o.Wake.Up. "
Shewokescreaminghi
sname.Herey
eswer
ewi
l
d
andunf
ocused,t
heterr
ori
nthem r
eal
.
-Hi
m: "
Youhadanightmare,
sweet
hear
t.
"He
sof
tenedhi
svoi
ce."You'
refi
ne.
"
Breathshudderedt hroughher,andwit
hasof tgasp,
shethrewher sel
fintohisarms.Hiswoundbur ned,
buthedidn'tgiveaf uck.Cl
osinghiseyes,
heheld
her,wanti
nghert obesur ethatshewassaf e.
-Her
:"Iwassoscared.
"Shespokei
namuf
fl
edv
oice
agai
nsthischest
.
-Hi
m: "
Wantt
otal
kabouti
t?"I
fshedi
dn'
t,
hewoul
d
notpush.
-
Her
:"Idi
dn'
tthi
nkIwoul
dhav
eani
ght
mar
eli
ke
t
hat
."
-Hi
m:"It'
sdel
ayedreacti
on.Aft
erwhaty
ou
exper
iencedonthatfar
m, i
t'
snowonder.
"
-
Her:"
Itwasn'
tjustaboutthat
.Iwasbackatt hat
f
iel
d.Theyweretorturi
ngmeagain.Ikeptbegging
t
hem, pl
eadi
ngwi t
ht hem t
oletmego."
Whatwasshet
alkingabout
?Thepastshest
il
l
seemedt
obestruggli
ngtoshar
ewit
hhim?
-
Him:
"Idon'
tunder
stand.
"
-Her:"
Theywer ether
e."Shecontinuedasi fshe
didn'
thearhi m."Icoul
dseet hei
rf aces.Thenallofa
sudden, Leratowastheretoo.Siyawashol di
nga
sharpkni f
et oherthr
oatandt el
l
ingmeshewoul d
dieunlessIdi dwhathewant edmet odo.Bef or
eI
couldanswer ...
"Shestoppedandshudder edagain.
-
Him:
"Hesl
i
cedhert
hroat
?"
-Her
:"Yes.No."Sheburrowedi ntohischestasifto
getascloseaspossible."Suddenly,i
twasy ouhe
washoldingaknifeon.Iscreamedy es,t
hatIwoul d
dowhat everhesai
d.Buthedi dn'tl
isten.
"Hervoice
thi
ckwithemot i
on,sheadded, "Heslicedyourt
hr oat
open,Nwabo.Rightinfrontofme. "
Cradl
ingheri
nhi
sar
ms,
heshushedandsoot
hed
her.
-Hi
m: "I
twasj ustadream, sthandwasam.I'm her
e.
Alli
swell,
wear ebothsafe."Butfuck,
itr
eall
ykill
ed
himtoknowt hatsomeonehadoncehur ther,
tor
turedher.Andofcour sehewant edtoknowmor e
butheknewbet t
erthantopush.
-
Her
:"Idon'
twannal
osey
ou.Wheny
ougotshot
,
wheny ouf el
landIsawy oubl eedi
ngont he
ground..
.Ihavenever,everbeensoscar edinmylif
e.
Notev enwhenIt houghtt hosebast ar
dswer egoi
ng
tokil
lmeal lthoseyearsago. "There.Shewassay i
ng
i
tagain.Whatr eall
yhappened?" I'
l
lnevergetthat
i
mageofy ouof fmymi nd, Nwabo. "
-Hi
m: "
Iam fine,baby.Nothing'
sgonnahappento
meagain,okay ?"Hisarmt i
ghtenedar
oundher."You
savedmel astnight.Youkeptmeal i
ve.Iwi
l
l al
ways
rememberseei ngy ouwalki
ngi nt
omyhospitalr
oom,
yourcl
othescov eredinbl
oodbecausey oufoughtto
saveme."
Atearl
eakeddownhercheekassheeasedbackt
o
l
ookathim.
-Her:
"Youtookthatbul
letforme,
didn'
tyou?Yougot
shotwheny ouwereprotecti
ngmeonthatporch,
didn'
tyou?
"
Hecoul
donl ynod.Hehadn'ttoldherthatbecause
hedi
dn'twanthertoblameher sel
fforsomet hi
ng
shewasn'tr
esponsi
blefor.Butnowt hatshe'
d
fi
gur
editout,hecoul
dn'tdenyit.
-
Her
:"Noone'
sev
erdonesomet
hingl
i
ket
hatf
or
me.
"
-Hi
m: "Baby,I'
dputmysel
fbetweeny ouandat hr
eat
anydayoft heweek."Hemeantthat.Whenhewas
withNaledi,nothr
eatwoul
dtouchher .He'
dmake
sureofit.Andbecauseofherpast
—t heoneshewas
yettoshare—hehadt osay,
"Youwoul dneverneed
tofearme. "
-Her:"
Evenwounded, y
oukeptf i
ghti
ngbecausey ou
wantedtokeepme. .
.andLer atosafe.Wheny our
bodycouldnol ongert akeit,wheny ou
coll
apsed.
..seeingy ouli
ket hatmademer eal
isejust
howmuchy oumeant ome.Mademer eali
sehow
hardIam falli
ngf oryou.I.
..
Idon'twannaseey ou
hurtagai
n.Idon' twannal osey ou."Moretears
tri
ckl
eddownhercheeks.Br eaki
nghi sheart.
-Hi
m: "I'
m notgoinganywher
e,st
handwasam.I'
m
here,
y ouhav eme.Andiyi
ndawo."Heki
ssedher
for
ehead." Il
ovey ou.
"Hehopedshecoul
dseeand
understandjusthowmuch.
Af
inal
shudderwentt
hroughherbody
,andt
henshe
rel
axedinhi sarms.Aftershewi pedhertears, hefel
t
herwarml ipskisshisneck,andi twasallhecoul d
donottor ollheront
oherbackandmakel ov et oher
.
Nowwasnott heri
ghttime.Hedi dn'
twantar epeat
ofwhathappenedatt hehoteltheothernight.But
damn,forcinghimselftodot her i
ghtt
hinghadnev er
beensodi ffi
cult
.
-Hi
m:"
Youthi
nkyoucansleepsomemor
e?Youonl
y
gotaf
ewhoursofsl
eep.
"
-
Her
:"Yes.ButIneedt
ovi
sitt
her
est
room f
ir
st.
"
-Hi
m: "Whi
ley
oudothat
,I'
l
ljustdoaqui
ckper
imet
er
check.Makesur
eal
liswell
."
Shegavehim asunnysmil
easi
fnotearshadever
l
eftherey
es.Hecouldbecomeaddi
ctedtothat
smil
e.
-
Him:
"Meety
oubackher
eint
en?
"
-
Her
:"Deal
."
Sheboundedof
fthebedasifshehadener
gyto
spar
e.Hewasgladtoseethat
.Andhecouldl
ove
heri
ncr
edibl
eabi
li
tyt
orebound.
Heputonhi
ssl
idesthengr
abbedhi
scarkey
sand
wal
kedoutt
hedoor.
.
.
.
Sunday
,01Mar
ch,
19:
40
Naledil
ayinthebed,t
hecoverssof
tagainstherski
n.
Shestaredattheunf
amil
iarcei
li
ngbutshesawt he
past.
Lonwabo
Her
.
I
nbed.
Acoupl
eofni
ght
sago.
He'
dwantedher.She'
dwantedhim.Butthenthe
demonsofherpasthadr
uinedtheperf
ectmoment.
Andthewhol
ethinghadendedonasournot e.
Atearsli
ppeddownhercheekasshest ar
edupat
theceil
i
ng.She'
dfoughtforei
ghtyear
stogetherl
i
fe
back.Totakecont
roloncemore.Andnowshehada
mani
nherli
fe.Amanwhowant
edt
olov
eher
.A
manshel
oved.
Shecouldn'tbeavi
cti
m agai
n.Shewoul
dn'
tl
etf
ear
cont
rolher.Notev
eragain.
Shewasgoingtogiv
eherselftoLonwabot oni
ght
andshewouldnotholdback.Shejusthopedhe
woul
dn'thol
dbackeit
her.
.
.
.
Sunday
,01Mar
ch,
19:
45
Sati
sfiedt hatever
ythi
ngwasst i
l
l okayoutside,that
theyhadnounexpect edv i
sit
ors,Lonwabowal kedto
hiscartogett hesmal lcasewitht hegunandammo
Gorgiohadgi v
entohim.Sl eepi
ngwi t
houtagunon
hisnightstandundertheseci r
cumst anceswoul dbe
l
ikewal kinginaf i
eldful
loflandmi nes,del
i
ber atel
y.
Sui
cide.
Casei
nhand,
hemadeitupthelongf
li
ghtofstai
rs.
Andwhenhewal
kedbacki
ntothehouse,
allt
he
l
ightswer
eon,dr
apesweredrawn,andNal
edi
was
sit
ti
ngupinbed,
phoneagai
nstherear.
Whenshesawhi
m,sheconcl
udedt
hecal
lthenhung
up.
-
Her
:"ThatwasJessi
ca.Shesay
sNwabi
sai
soutof
t
hecoma."
She'
dtol dhi m aboutherhousekeeperwho'
dhada
neardeat hexper ienceaf
ewday sagoandwasnow
i
nhospi talinacoma.Butshehadn' tgi
venhi
m al
l
thedetails.Thatwasokay .Thewomanwasget ti
ng
bett
er,that'sallthatmatt
ered.
-Hi
m: "
That'
sgood.I'
m gladshe'sget
ti
ngbet
ter
."He
putthecaseonthenight
standandsatonthebed.
Hisbacktoher."
I'
m sorr
yy ouhavetobeher
e
i
nsteadofbeingther
eforher."
-Her:"Noneedt obesorry.
"Shehuggedhi mfrom
behind."It
oldyou,ther
e'snowhereI'
dratherbe.I
'm
exactlywhereIshouldbe.Rightbesi
deyou."Herhot
breathagainsthisski
ndidthingstohi
m.Butt hen
shepul l
edbackandset tl
ednexttohim."Wear e
partners.
"Shelookedathim andslowlycaughther
l
owerl
i
pbet
weenhert
eet
h.
Thatsingleacthadhi scontrolspl
inter i
ng.Fuck
doingt heri
ghtt hing.Shewant edhim.Andhe
wantedher ..
.sobad.I naninstanthismout hwason
hers.Acar ef
ul kiss,atfi
rst
.Butitwasnotl ong
beforehecaughtherl owerlipbetweenhi steeth.He
ni
bbled, hesuckedandhegav eint ot heneedhe' d
beenf eeli
ng.Hepul l
edherev enclosert ohim,
holdi
nghert ightly.Thekissdeepened, hardened,
andwhenshegav ethatfai
ntmoani nt hebackof
herthroat,heknewt herewasnot ur ningback.That
huskysoundj ustampeduphi sdesi re.
Damn,he'
dwantedthi
s,her
, f
ortoolong.Hewasn'
t
goi
ngtostop.Het
astedher.Expl
oredhermouth.
Gotdr
unkonher.
Shemov edtostr
addlehi
slegs.Herbodycame
cl
osertohis,
brushi
ngagainsthi
schest.I
fonl
yshe
knewthathe'
dhadthisfantasyt
oomanyt i
mes.But
i
nsteadhe'
dwokenupwi t
houther,
morenight
sthan
hecouldcount.
Herkneessl
i
dtowar
dhi
shi
psasherhandsgent
ly
curledaroundhisshoulder
s.Herbr
east
s—her
nipplest
ight—pushedagainsthi
schest
.Hewanted
thosenipplesi
nhismout h.Buthehadtost
art
somewher eelsefi
rst.
Her ol
ledheront oherbackandgotont opofher.
Hismout htrail
eddownherneck.Thatl i
tt
lemoan
cameagai nandheknewt hathe'dfoundhersweet
spot.Hel ickedandki ssed,enjoyi
ngt hewayher
bodyar chedupagai nsthim.Hi sarousalshoved
againstthef rontofhissweat pants.Hisneedwas
quickandf i
erce,buthewasdet erminedtotakehis
ti
me.Toexpl oreev eryinchofher.Somet hi
ngs
shouldn'tber ushed.Somepeopl eshouldbe
savoured.
Nal
edi
shoul
dbesav
our
ed.
Ineedherwet
.Ineedherr
eady
.
Hewoul
dn'
trepeatwhathappenedt
heot
herni
ght
.
Noway.
-
Him: "
Iwantto.
..
touchyou,
"heraspedout.He
wantedhert
osayi twasokay.Neededthosewords.
Becauseofwhathadhappenedtheothernight
.
-
Her
:"Touchme,
"shewhi
sper
ed."
Ever
ywher
e."
Exactl
ywhatheneededtohear.Taki
ngherT-
shi
rt
offwasnohassle,
shehelpedhim.Thenshewas
naked.Nobra.Nopant
ies.
Damn!
Hisfi
nger ssli
dov erher,touchi
ng,str
oking,dr
ivi
ng
hertoaf everpitch.Thenhismout hfoll
owedhi s
fi
ngers.Heki ssedherbr easts,
lovi
nghert i
ght
ni
pples.Lov i
nghert aste.Damn, hewassur ehe'
d
al
way scravehert astenow.
Hishandr eachedbetweenherlegs,f
elthersexy
core.Hernailssankint
ohisT-shi
rt—hewasst i
ll
dressed.He'ddit
chedhissli
des,buthestil
lworehi
s
sweatpantsandT- shi
rt
.
-
Her
:"Getr
idofy
ourcl
othes.Iwantt
ofeel
you,
all
of
y
ou.
"
He'dgiveherexactlywhatshewantedbutifshe
thoughthewouldr ushthi
s,shewaswr ong.Wit
ha
suppressedwince,heshruggedoutofhisT-shi
rt
andtosseditacrosstheroom.Hest oodattheedge
ofthebed,mov i
ngawayf rom herj
ustsohecould
str
ip.Shewatchedhim,hergazedr
if
ti
ngoverhis
bodyandhewonder edwhatshesaw.She'dseenher
barechestbefor
e.Butdidshepayatt
ent
iontohis
scars?
Hisowney esmov edtothebandagecov eri
nghis
recentbulletwound.Butthatwasnot hing.Hehad
seri
ousoldscar s.Scarsfr
om bulletwoundshe' d
takeninthel i
neofduty.Scarsfr
om t woat t
ackshe'
d
survi
vedwhi l
eservi
ngandpr ot
ecting.Hisbodywas
rough,hard,andhers..
.her
swasawor kofart,
with
beauti
fulinkon.Shewasat hl
eti
candsensual ,hi
s
everyfantasy.Shewas—
-
Her
:"You'
resexy
."Herhandr
eachedoutt
ohi
m.
Thenshewasr isi
ng,mov i
ngtoherkneesand
reachi
ngforhi
m.Herf i
ngerssli
doverthesi
ngl
e
tatt
oohehad.Theonewr appingar
oundhisupper
ri
ghtarm—wher eitcouldbeconcealedundert
he
poli
ceuni
form heusedt owear .
-
Her:"Yourt
attoo.Whatdoesitmean?"Herfi
nger
s
t
racedthetwisti
ngli
nesofthetat
tooedsnake.
-
Him:
"Goti
t15y
ear
sago.I
t'
stor
emi
ndmet
hat
danger'
soutther
e.Andyouneedtobereadyfori
tto
str
ikeatanyt
ime."Hewantedtoaskherabouther
i
nkt oo,
butnowwasnott het
ime.
Herfinger
ssl i
doverhischestandhi smuscl es
l
ockeddown.Hi scockwasr ockhardbeneathhis
sweats,soeagertosinki ntoherthethi
ngwasabout
tostartt
witchi
ng.Butshe. .
.no,herbody,hadtowant
him.Hadt obedesper ateforhim.Becausehewasn't
goingtohav ethesameendi ngastheothernight
thi
stime.Theywoul dn'tendt hatway.
Herhandsconti
nueddownhi schest
,hert
ouchsof
t.
Shereachedthetopofhispant
sandshestart
edto
pushdownt hecott
onfabri
c—
-
Him:"No.
"Shef
roze."
Notyet
,baby
."I
fshedi
d,
t
herewoul
dbenoslowingdown.
Het umbl
edherbackonthebed.Thenhemovedon
topofher
,st
il
lsl
owly,wai
ti
ngtohearhert
ell
himto
stop—
Butshedidn'
ttel
lhi
mt ostop.Hisli
psgentl
yand
passi
onatel
ytrai
l
edkissesdownherbody .Tasti
ng
andsavouri
ngeveryi
nchofher .Howmanyni ghts
hadhel
ainawakeandf
ant
asi
zedaboutt
his?
Shepantedbeneathhim.Andaqui ckgaspf oll
owed,
onethatjustmadehim hungryformore,andhe
suckedherdeeper.Hishear
tbeatthunderedinhis
ears,hi
smusclesachedbecauset heywer e
cl
enchedsot i
ghtl
y,buthemov edcareful
lywithher.
..
Don'
tfuckt
hisupagai
n.Can'
tfuckt
hisupagai
n.
Whenhiski
ssesr
eachedt
hej
unct
ureofherl
egs,
he
hesi
tat
ed.
-
Her
:"Iwantyou.
"Herv
oicewascer
tai
n,ahusky
t
emptat
ion.
Hisf
ingerssli
dbetweenherthi
ghs.Shewassof
t
andhot,sl
icktot
hetouch,but.
..
Ineedmor
e.
Hi
shandsset
tl
edbet
weenherl
egs.
-
Him:
"Ify
ougetscar
ed,
stopme.
"
-Her
:"Iwon’
tst
opy
ou.
"Herpr
omi
seev
enhuski
er
now.
.
.
.
Mov i
ngdown, heputhi
smout honhersex.Herhips
j
erkedandhehel dhert
here,usi
ngali
ghtbutsteady
gri
pwi t
hhisonehand.Hekissedher,hel
ickedher,
hethrusthi
stongueoverhercli
t,mov
ingfast,
str
okingli
ghtl
y,t
henharder,
wantingt
opushhert o
theedge—
Andov
eri
t.
Hefel
therf
ir
stor
gasm agai
nsthi
smouth.Heardt
he
pl
easur
einhermoan,
anditmadehim desper
atef
or
more.
-
Her
:"Lonwabo,
please.Ineedy
oui
nsi
demenow.
"
-
Him:
"That
'swher
eIneedt
obe,
too.
"
Shewaswetandhotandj ustashe'dwant
edher.He,
too,coul
dnolongerwait
.Di t
chinghi
spant
s,he
reachedupandhoveredov erher.
-
Him:
"Hol
dmei
nyourhandandputmei
nsi
dey
ou.
"
Withnohesi
tati
on,herhandclosedaroundhi
shar
d
cockandposit
ionedhim atherent
rance.
-
Her
:"Takeme.
"
Andhedid.Het hr
ustintoher,
sinki
ngdeepand
near
lyl
osinghismi ndbecauseshewassowar m
andti
ghtaroundhim, hefi
ll
edhercompletel
y.He
hel
dhimselfsti
lli
nsideher,
all
owinghertoadjust,
to
easeandsoftenaroundhim.
-
Him:
"Youokay
?"Hehadt
oask.
-
Her
:"Per
fect
."
Hebegant othrust,sl
owandst eady.Herlonglegs
roseandl ockedar oundhishi
ps.Shear chedtowar d
him,demandi ng, meeti
nghim eagerl
y.Therewasno
hesitat
ionnow, nor oom f
orfear.Therewasonl ythe
dri
vingheatf orthem bothastheyracedt owardthe
cli
max.
Thebedshookbeneathhi
m.Hishandwentbeneat
h
herandli
ft
edherevenhi
gher
.Sheeasi
lyf
oll
owed
hi
slead.Hewasroughnow,t
oofargonetohold
back.
I
t'
sNal
edi
.MyNal
edi
.
Hersexsqueezedar
oundhi
m andheknewher
secondorgasm wascoming.Hewantedtofeelthat
orgasm al
lal
onghiscock.Hedrov
eintoher
, ev
enas
hishandsli
dbetweenthem andpr
essedtoherclit.
Shegaveal i
tt
lescr
eam, onethathest
oppedwith
hi
skiss.Hersexsqueezedaroundhim,contr
act
ions
ofr
eleasethathadhim near
inghisownorgasm.
Nonotyet,notyet.Hedi
dn'
twantt
oletgo.He
coul
dn'
t.Thisfel
ttoogood.
Giv
inghernot i
met orecoverfrom heror
gasm, he
pul
ledout,
threwherlegsopenandcov eredhersex
i
nahot ,
openmout hedkiss.Shearchedherbody ,
off
eri
ngherselftohi
mf reel
y,total
l
y .
Didsheknowhowdel ici
ousshet asted?Delicateand
salt
y,muskyandsweet ,
shet hr
obbedar oundhi s
tongueashel ashedather,l
ickinginsi
deandout ,
andthennibblingli
ghtl
yontheknotofner v
esatt he
topofhersex.Sheputherhandsonhi shead, and
feari
ngsheplannedt opushhi m away,hegrabbed
herhandsandpl acedthem onherknees, spreading
herevenmor e.
-
Him:
"St
ayj
ustl
i
ket
hat
."
Hepressedaki
sst
othei
nsi
deofeacht
high."
Don'
t
move."
-Her
:"Baby,
whatareyoudoi
ng?
"Herwi
deey
eswer
e
dazedwithheatandar
ousal
.
-
Him:
"Pl
easur
ingbot
hofusoncemor
e."
Shewasopent ohi
m.Swoll
en,wet.Hel
oweredhis
headandopenmouthedki
ssedhercent
eragai
n.She
archedandscr
eamedhisname.
-
Him:
"Noty
et,
"hegr
owl
ed.
Herentir
ebodywasshaki ngwi t
hneed.Heknewshe
wantedtoletgo, buthewant edtobringherbackup
sl
owly.Hetonguedherdel icatel
y,l
icking,enjoyi
ng
hi
msel f
.Whenhef eltherbodyl oosen, surr
enderi
ng
oncemor e,hetookherhi ps, hel
dthem st il
l
,andthen
beganahar dthrustandr etreatofhist ongue.The
softt
issueofherf ol
dsgav e,moisteninghisway .
Whenhef eltt
hetensioninherincr
ease,heroseover
herandbur iedhimselfi
ntoherasdeepashecoul d
go.Shescr eamedhi snameasshecame.Thepul lof
herorgasm squeezinghiml i
keaf i
st,
hepounded
hard,
relentl
esslyint
ohert i
ghtsoft
ness.Hereyes
l
ockedwi thhis,andhefelttheconnect ionhenev er
thoughttohav eagainwhenhi swifedepar t
ed.Nev er
l
osingey econtact,hepl
unged, ret
reated,plunged
again.Hisimpendingreleasezippedlikeanel ect
rical
chargeuphi sspine.Wit
hashoutf orhisown
surrender
,heletgo, emptyi
nghi mselfintoher.
Breathshudderedfr
om her
.Helaybesideher,
his
ownbr eathl
abouredanddeep.Theyweresti
lland
quietforsev
erall
ongminutes,
simplyhol
dingeach
other.
-Him: "
Thatwasamazi ng.I'
m sorr
y..
.f
ornotusing
protecti
on."Hesai daft
erawhi l
e."ButIcanassure
yout hatI
'm clean.
"Thissoundedst upi
dtohisown
ears,hecouldi maginehowi tsoundedtohers.But
hewasn' tl
y i
ng,heknewt hathewascl ean.Thelast
ti
mehewentwi thoutprotect
ionwaswi t
hhislate
wife.Andhe'dt estedacoupleofmont hsago.
-
Her:
"I'
m cl
eantoo.Ihav
en'
tbeenwit
hany
onei
na
l
ongti
me.Eightyear
stobeexact
."
I
nastoni
shment
,her
aisedhi
msel
fonhi
sel
bowt
o
l
ookather.
-
Him:
"Real
l
y?Why
?"
-Her:"
Shortversi
on?Idon'tt
rustmeneasi l
y.
"She
obviousl
ydidn'
twanttot al
kaboutit."
ButItrusty
ou.
Ifeelsaf
ewi t
hy ou.
"Shekissedhischest."
Anddon't
worryaboutpregnancy.Thatwon'thappen."
Whatdi dshemean?Hewant edt oknowbuthe
didn'task,notwanti
ngt orui
nt hi
smomentwi t
ha
potential
lyheavytopic.Hekissedher ,thenpul
led
awayf rom herandwenti ntot hebathroom.He
turnedont hewat er
,makingsur eitwaswarm ashe
preparedat owelforher.He'dcl eanheroff,
take
careofher ,andthen..
.
Thenthey'
dtalk.Aboutanythi
ngandeveryt
hingshe
wantedtotal
kabout .Andifshedeci
dedtolethi
min
onhersecret
s, hewouldverymuchappreci
atethat
.
Hewouldlist
en.
Heopenedt
hebat
hroom door
.Hi
sey
esmov
edt
o
t
hebed.
Nal
edi
wasgone.
Chapt
er43
Sunday
,01Mar
ch,
20:
15
.
Thenightbreezebr ushedagainstNal
edi
'sskin.I
t
wassurprisi
nglywar m anditcameinf
usedwi ththe
scentofthewi l
dflower sshe'
dseencoveri
ngt he
souther
npar toftheDr akensber
gmountainthat
surr
oundedt hei
rlocation.
Shest oodont hesi dedeckandt ookadeepbr eath,
fi
lli
ngherl ungswi tht hesweet lyscentedair.She'd
neededt hef reshairaf terwhathappenedi nsi
de.Not
thelovemaki ng, no.Thathadbeengr eat.Amazi ng.
Af t
erwhathappenedt ohershe' dneverthought
she'dev ertrulyenjoysexagai n.ButLonwabohad
beenamazi ng.Passi onat e.Shehadn'tfeltscared.Or
freakedout .She'dseennot hi
ngbuthi m.Inthat
moment ,nothingel sehadmat t
ered.She'dfel
t
cherished,desi r
ed, and...
loved.
Butt
hencamet
hemomentaf
ter
.
Li
fet
odeal
.
AndtheminuteLonwabol
eftthebed,
she'
dquickl
y
putt
heT-shi
rtbackonandzippedtot
heglassdoors.
Di
dthatmakeheracowar
d?
Pr
obabl
y.
Butwhythehel
ldi
dn'
tshet
hinklongandhardbef
ore
shegoti
ntoodeepwit
hLonwabo?She'dall
owed
her
selft
oli
veinaworl
doffant
asy.
Andnow?Now—
Welcometotherealworl
d,Nal
edi
.Whereli
ferar
ely
cutsyouanysl
ack.Butcoul
dn'
tit
,pl
ease?Justt
his
once?
"Nal
edi
,
"Lonwabo'
sdeepv
oicecamef
rom behi
nd
her.
Herbodytensed.Herfi
nger
sti
ghtenedar
oundthe
rai
l
ingofthedeckandshedidn'
tturnt
olookathi
m.
Shekeptstar
ingoutint
othedar
knessbelow.
-
Him:
"Ar
eyouokay
?"
-
Her
:"Yes.
"Shewasnothandl
i
ngt
hiswel
l
.
Si
l
ence.Thenshehear
dhi
sfeetshuf
fl
ingagai
nst
thewoodoft
hedeck.Sheanti
cipat
edhistouchas
hecametostandbesi
deherbutitdi
dn'
tcome.
-
Him:
"Di
dIhur
tyou?
"Hi
svoi
cewasgent
le.
-
Her
:"No.
"Shereal
i
sedshe'
dspokent
oosof
tl
y.
"
No.
"Shesaidagai
n.
Str
aight
eny
ourshoul
der
s,Nal
edi
.Lookathi
m.Tal
k
tohim.
Li
fti
ngherchi n,shet urnedherheadt olookathim.
Unli
ket hedarknessbel ow, thedeckwasbr i
ghtl
yli
t.
Shecoul dseet hathe'dputhi sclot
hesbackon.And
hewasnowst ari
ngather .Hisunusual
lycol
oured
eyesreadingherf ace.She' dalwaysfel
tli
kehecould
seestraighti
ntohersoul .Pastthepret
ensesthat
shegav etoother s.Righttohercore.
Shef
roze.Coul
dn'
tspeak.
-Hi
m: "
Youlef
tthebedbeforeIcoul
dcomeback.
"
Hewast heonetospeakf
irst."
Doyouknowhow
scar
edIgotwhenIdidn'
tfindyou?"
-
Her:"
I'
m sor
ry.Idi
dn'tmeantoscar
eyou.Ij
ust
..
."
Sheswall
owed."Ij
ustneededsomeair
."
-Hi
m: "
You'
renotokay
.DidIdosomethingwrong?
"
Hishandsweresti
l
lnowherenearher
,conceal
ed
behi
ndhisback.
-Her
:"No,ofcoursenot
."Sheputherhandonhi
s
shoul
der."I
t'
snotsomethingyoudi
d."Thepr
obl
em
i
sme, shefini
shedinherhead.
-Hi
m: "
Butsomethi
ngISwrong.Icanseei
tiny
our
eyes.Whati
sit
?Tellme.Pl
ease."
Now, Nal
edi
.Doitnow.Don'tbeacoward.She
removedherhandfrom hi
sshoul
derandmov edt
o
sitononeofthet
wosunl ounger
sonthedeck.
-
Her
:"Pl
ease,comesit
.Ineedt
otalkt
oyou.Ineed
y
outoli
sten,
becausei
t'
shardtosay.
"
Hedi dn'
thesit
ate,hefoll
owedherandt ookaseat
ontheot herl
ounger.What ,
wast hatagunhewas
putt
ingont heground?God, shemusthav ereal
ly
scaredhim whenshej ustdisappearedfrom thebed.
Shehadn' tt
houghtofthat.Hel l
,shehadn'tbeen
thi
nkingaboutal otofthi
ngsl atel
y,i
tseemed.
-
Him:
"Okay
.I'
mli
steni
ng.
"
OhGod, wheredoIstart?HowdoIbegi n?Afew
moment spassedwithhertryi
ngtofi
ndt her
ight
words.Hemustt hi
nkI'm st
upid,
shethoughtlooki
ng
upathim.Thensher eali
sedhewasn'tevenlooki
ng
atherface.Hewaslookingdownat..
.
Shenot i
cedthatshe'dunconsci
ouslybeentracing
thescaronherl eftf
orear
m withherfi
ngers,and
that'
swhathisey eswerefixedon.Embarrassed,she
quickl
ystopped.Buthisfi
ngersimmediatelymov ed
toreplacehers.
-Hi
m:"Somethi
nghappenedt oyouei ghty
earsago.
Somethi
ngbrut
al.I
twasn'tjustoneman, wasit
?"
Thewordsfl
owedoutofhi smout h.Butshecoul
d
sti
l
lheart
hesensit
ivi
tyi
nthem.
She'
ddr
oppedsomehi
ntsandhe'
dfi
gur
edi
tout
.
Butdammit,t
hiswasnothowshe'
dwant
edt
his
conver
sat
iontogo.
-Her:
"No,itwasn'tj
ustoneman. "Shemightaswel l
gowi t
hthepathhe'dalreadychosenforhertotake.
"Theygrabbedmewhi leIwaswai ti
ngformycab.
Shovedmei ntothebackoft hei
rcar.Nextt
hingI
knewIwasi
nsomef
iel
dint
hemi
ddl
eofnowher
e."
Thememor iesofthatnightcamerushingbackand
tearst
hreat
enedt ospil
loutofhereyes,butshe
will
edthem back.No,shecouldnotbreakdownnow.
Shehadt ostaycomposed.Incontrol
.
.
.
Lonwabol
ookedup,
hisey
esunr
eadabl
e.
-
Him:
"Howmanywer
ethey
?"
Shepul
l
edherhandfr
om hisandhuggedhersel
f,
hopi
ngtocont
rol
theshaki
ngshecouldfeel
coming.
-
Her
:"Thr
ee.
"
Nowshecoul
dseeangerbur
ningi
nhi
sey
es.
-Hi
m:"Wherearetheynow?"Hi
svoicewasquiet
,
obvi
ousl
ysuppressi
ngtheangert
hatwasapparent
i
nhiseyes.I
twasn'tdi
rect
edather
,thatshewas
sur
eof,butatt
hebastardswho'
dhurther.
-
Her:"
Behindbars."Butthemanwhosentthem i
sn'
t.
He'
sactuall
ythefatherofmyson.Agai
n,she
fi
nishedinherhead."They.
..Theyr uinedme,
Lonwabo.Theyr apedme, t
or t
uredme, wreckedme.
They.Took.Apar tofme."Herey esmoi stenedand
shelookedawayf rom hi
m." Theyleftmef ordead.I
spenttwomont hsinhospit
al aft
ert hat,t
womor ein
physio.
"
-
Him:
"Baby
,I'
m sor
ryt
hathappenedt
oyou.
"
Shewoul dn'
tlookint
ohi seyes,afr
aidthatshewoul d
seepity
.Andt hat,hi
spity,wasthelastthi
ngshe
wanted.Butafteraquietmomentshebr aveditand
l
ooked.Andt hat'
swhensher eali
sedhewasn' t
star
ingatherwi t
hpity.Justakindofunder st
anding.
She'dnev
err eall
ythoughtaboutafuturewit
h
anyoneafterwhathappenedt oher,butwhenshe
l
ookedatLonwabo, shefoundherselfimagi
ningal
l
ki
ndsofthingst hatsheshouldn'
tbet hi
nki
ng.An
amazingfuture.Butther
ecoul dbenof ut
ure
betweenthem.No.Nomat t
erhowmuchshewant ed
i
t.
-Hi
m: "NowIunderst
and.AndI'
m gl
adand
appreciat
iveoft
hefactt
hatyou'
vef
inal
l
ytr
ust
edme
enoughtoshar
ethi
swit
hme.Whatdi
dyout
hinkI
'
d
say,babe?
"Shebi
therl
i
p.
-
Her
:"Idon'
tknow.
"
-
Him:
"Di
dyout
hinkIwoul
dbl
amey
ou?Beputof
f?"
Hunchi
nghershoul
der
s,shedr
oppedhergaze.
-
Her
:"Idi
dn'
tknow.Ij
ust
—"Hedi
dn'
tl
etherf
ini
sh.
-Hi
m: "
Naledi,l
ikeItoldy out heot herday,I
'vealways
knownthaty ouwer ecar ryi
ngdeeppai ninsi
dey our
chest
.Icouldseei tiny ourey es.Andwheny our an
outofmyr oom theot herni ght,Ikindofgotani dea
ofwhatitwas.ButIst illneededt oheari tfr
om y ou.
Andnowt hatIhav e,I.
..Iunder stand.Iunderstanda
l
otofthings.And, ofcour se,thi
sdoesn' tchanget he
wayIfeelabouty ou.Ify outhoughti twould,you
weredeadwr ong."
Thewarmthinhi
sv oicemadeherlookup.He
openedhi
sarms.Shemov edtotheedgeofherseat
andint
othem.Carefulnottohur
thiswound.
-Hi
m: "
Iloveyou,
Naledi
.Al
lofy
ou.Emot
ional
scar
s,
physi
calscar
s,al
lofyou.
"
Undonebyhiswords,
thetear
sstreamedoutofher
eyes.Shecoul
dn'
thol
dthem back.Hepul
ledher
ontohisl
apandheldhercl
ose.
-
Her:"
Oh,
Lonwabo,
I.
..
I—"Agai
n,hedi
dn'
tl
ether
f
ini
sh.
-Him:"There'
snot hi
ngwr ongwithbeingav i
cti
m.
Nobodyasksf ori
t."Hi
shol donhertight
ened."But
I
'venev ermetany onestr
ongert hanasurvi
vor.
You'renotav i
ctim any
mor e,you'r
easurviv
or."He
heldher ,
hishandgentlystroki
ngherback,untilher
tearsslowedandhi sT-shir
twassoaked.
Thenhesli
ghtl
ypushedherbackandcl ai
medher
l
ipsi
nthesweet est
,gent
lestkiss.Herhear
tswell
ed
i
nherchestandwhenhedr ewbackshecoul donly
l
ookathim asthewordsr acedthroughherhead.
That
'snotal
lIneedt
otel
lyou,
Lonwabo.Ther
e's
somethi
ngwrongwit
hme.
Pl
easedon'
tmi
nd.Pl
easedon'
tl
eti
tmat
ter
.
Il
ovey
ou.Iwantaf
utur
ewi
thy
ou.
Hi
sey
esf
lashed,
thatbr
il
li
antunusual
col
our
.She'
d
al
waysthoughtitwasl
i
ghtbr
own.Butwast
her
e
suchaneyecolour?
-
Him:"Sayitagai
n.Iwantt
oheary
ousayy
ouwanta
f
utur
ewi t
hmeagai n.
"
Herl
astli
neoft houghtsmusthavemadeitoutof
hermouth.Probablybecauseshe'
dreal
l
yneeded
hi
mt ohearit
.
-
Her
:"Iwantaf
utur
ewi
thy
ou,
"shewhi
sper
ed.
Inaquickmov eofpur ephysicalstr
engthher ose
wit
hherandr olledherontoherbackont helounger
she'
dbeensit t
ingon.Thecushi onwelcomedher
back.Hefoll
owedherdown, hismout htaking
unquesti
onablepossessionofher s,hi
shand
cuppingherface,hi
sbodyi nsist
entlyt
hrusting.
Throbbingapr i
malrhyt
hm inr esponsetohis
passion,herbodyli
ft
edagai nsthim.Herhands
cl
umsi l
ypul l
edathi
stear-soakedT- shi
rtunt
ilshe'
d
pull
editov erhi
shead,touchinghischest,
shudderingwhenhegr oaned.
Hestr
ippedawayherownT-shir
tandqui
ckl
ygotr
id
ofhi
spants.Thi
swasn'
ttheslow,sav
our
ing
Lonwabohe' dbeenearl
ier.Hewasf r
anti
c,shaking,
hangingont ohi
scontrolbyat hread.Shesevered
thatt
hreadwhenshegr abbedhisshouldersand
pull
edhim downonher .Theirkisseswerewi l
dand
open-mouthed,li
psandcheeksandanypi eceofskin
theycoul
dr eachunt
ilshewasv i
brati
ngunderhi m.
-
Him:
"Nwabo,
doi
t.Now.
"
Andhedi d,ent
eri
ngherhar danddeep, groaninginto
hermout hwhenshecr iedout.Hepl ungedwi ldl
y,
takingthem higherwi t
hev erythrustintoherbody .
Shef eltthenowf amili
art i
ghteningofheri nner
muscl es,ami r
acleaf t
ersomanyy earsalone,then
shef el
l i
ntotheheav enshe'df oundonl ywiththis
man, hercl i
maxst unninginitsstrength.Butwhat
wast het ruegi
ftwast heexpr essiononhi sface, t
he
starkbeaut yofhi
sf eaturesasher eachedhi sown
peak, t
heshudderofhi sbodyashespi l
ledhimself
i
nt oher .
Hecoll
apsedont opofher,hischestheavi
ngashe
st
ruggledf orbr
eath.Shestrokedhisbroadbackand
wait
ed, knowingtheinst
anthecamebackt ohimsel
f.
Hestil
l
ed, drewadeepbr eath.Andsaidthewords
she'
ddesper
atel
ywant
edt
ohear
.
-
Him:
"Iwantaf
utur
ewi
thy
ou,
too.
"
Thenherol
l
edthem t
otheirsi
des,
cuppingherbut
t
andpul
li
nghercl
osesotheyremainedasone.
Alongti
mel at
er,shef
eltt
her
umbl
eofhi
svoi
ce
agai
nsthercheek.
-Hi
m:"Whenyousai
dnott
oworryaboutpr
egnancy
ear
li
er.It
akei
tthet
imi
ng'
snotr
ight
?"
Sheswal
l
owedconv
ulsi
vel
y.
-
Her
:"No,
it’
snotr
ight
."
Andi
tnev
erwoul
dbe.
I
'
llnev
erhav
ethechi
l
drenIknowy
ouwant
,Lonwabo.
.
.
.
Monday
,02Mar
ch,
00:
10
Asoundtorehi
mr i
ghtoutofhi
snight
mare.
Lonwabo'
seyel
idsfl
ewopen.Hishear
twasraci
ng,
andf
earhel
dhi
minat
ightgr
ip.
Lightsur
r oundedhim, f
loodi
ngfr
om t henearbylamp
andspill
ingont othebed.HecouldseeNal edifast
asleepri
ghtbesi dehim.Hecouldfeel herwarm,
nakedbodyagai nsthi
s.Shewasalive.Unli
keinhis
nightmare—ani ghtmaresimil
art
otheonehe' dhad
theothernight.
Hishandmov edt ogent lytouchherneckj ustto
makesur et hatshewasi ndeedst i
ll
breathing.The
feelofthest eadyt hrobbi ngofherpul sehadhi m
l
et t
ingoutabr eathhedi dn'tevenknowhe' dbeen
holding.Shewasokay .Justasshe' dbeenear l
ier
whenhedi dn'tfi
ndheri nt hebed.Hi sheartr at
ehad
doubl edinani nstantt hen, t
hinkingthewor st.The
ti
mehe' dtakent oputonhi sclothesandr eachf or
thegunhe' dputont heni ghtstandhadf el
tlike
foreverev ent houghi tprobablyhadj ustbeena
singlemi nute.Butt hent hemomenthe' dst epped
outt hedoorhe' dseenherst andingont hedeck.
He'dbeensor elievedt hen.Andhewasnow.But ..
.
Whathadwokenhi
m?
Thenheheardthesoundagai
n—av i
brat
iont
hat
pul
sed.Qui
etl
y.From t
hefl
oor
?Hesl i
ppedfr
om t
he
bed,t
ryi
nghardnottowakeNaledi
.Thenhesawa
gl
owont hefl
oor.
Hisphone?Yes,i
twashisphone.Howitendedup
onthef l
oor
,hehadnoidea.Thenagai
n,heandand
Naledihadbeentoobusyonthebedtonoti
ce
anythi
ng.
Thephonewasnowv
ibr
ati
ng.Ri
ngi
ng.
Hi
seyeswenttot
hedigi
tal
clockontheni
ghtst
and.
I
twasaftermi
dni
ght
.Whot hehel
lwascal
li
nghim at
t
hishour
?
Solowandquiet
—hepickeditupandhi
sf i
ngersl
id
acrosst
hescr
eeneventhoughhedidn'
trecogni
se
thenumber
.
-
Him:
"Hel
l
o?"Hi
svoi
cewashushed.
"Detect
iveGama?"Amal evoi
cesai
dont heot
her
sideofthephoneandLonwabowasst i
l
lnotful
ly
awaket orecogni
sei
t."
Isthi
sabadtime?"
Wast
hisguyser
ious?
-
Lonwabo:
"It
'saft
ermidni
ght
.Ofcour
se,
it'
sabad
t
ime.Who'
sthisanyway?"
-
Cal
l
er:
"Sor
ryt
ohav
ewokeny
ou.I
t'
sNeo.
"
Neo?Hishear tj
erked.Heedgedtowardthe
bathr
oom, keepi
nghi sfoot
stepsqui
etsohe
wouldn'
twakeNal edi.Heopenedthedoor,eased
i
nsidethenshutthedoorf i
rmlybehi
ndhim.He
hadn'
twokenNal edi,oratl
easthedidn'
tthi
nkhe
had.
-
Him:
"Neo,
what
'st
hisabout
?"
-Neo:"Iknowt hatyouareinRhodesandIr eal
lyneed
totalktoy ou.Ihavesomeinformati
onIt hi
nkyou'd
wantt ohear .I
t'
saboutthecaseyou'r
ewor ki
ng.The
casey oucal l
edmeaboutt heotherday.Andthis
can'twait.Please,
comemeetmenow.Andcome
alone."Thewor dstumbledfastoutofhismouth.
Isthi
ssomepl oybyMosst olur
emeoutsohecoul d
eli
minateme?Lonwabowonder ed.Butno,ifhehad
hisfact
sinorder,hewasmor eusef
ultoMossal i
ve
thandead.Atleastfornow.Theguywasor ganised,
aplanner.Ev
erythi
nghedi d,hedidonpurpose.He'd
dumpedOwam' sbodyatTheWi l
ds,specifi
call
y,for
areason.Hewasaf t
ert henotor
iety
.Hewant edt o
behunted.Anditlookedl i
kehewant edLonwabot o
betheonet odot hehunt i
ng.Aft
erall,
asNal edi sai
d,
Lonwabohadar eputati
on.Thiswasagamet o
Moss.Andhewoul dn'tenditsoquickly,notbefore
hegotthemedi aattenti
onheseemedt ocrave.The
wholethi
nghadn' tmadei ttothemedi ay et
,the
pol
icehadbeenkeepi ngitunderwraps.Thatmust
havebeenkill
i
ngMoss.Andmay bethiswasnowhi s
waytoupt heante.
-Lonwabo:"Youwantmetocomemeety ouwher
e,
Neo?"Hewasgoi ngtogotothemeetandseewhat
gamet hesetwowereplay
ing.
-Neo:
"Thestonelodgeupthemountai
ns.It
'shar
dto
missbecauseit
'sthehi
ghestmount
ainlodgeint
he
count
ry.
"
-
Lonwabo:
"I'
l
lbeabl
etof
indi
t.
"Hehungup.
He'dseenthel
odgeonlinewhent heywerelooking
foraccommodati
on.Problem was, i
twasaboutan
hour'
sdri
veaway.Surr
oundedbyt heDrakensberg,
Witt
ebergandMalutiMountai
ns,itst
ood2500
metresabovesealev
elandhei maginedtheroad
l
eadingtoitwoul
dbeani ghtmare.Butthatwoul
d
notstophi
m.
Hewasn'tgoi
ngtotakeNalediwit
hthough,
he
wasn'
tevengoingt
owakeher .Shewouldnott
ake
t
hatwell
,heknew,butitwasforherowngood.
Hewalkedoutofthebathroom.Buttheminut
ehis
eyesl
andedont hebed,hecouldseeNal
edisi
tti
ng
up,l
eani
ngagainsttheheadboard.
-Her
:"Ever
ythi
ngal
ri
ght
?Hear
dyouspeaki
ngont
he
phone."
Hecoul
dn'
tl
ie,
het
oldherwhatwasgoi
ngon.
-
Her
:"Okayt
hen,
I'
m comi
ngwi
thy
ou.
"
-
Him:
"Act
ual
l
y,Iwanty
out
ost
ayher
e."
Herj
awdr
opped.Yeah,t
hiswasn'
tgoi
ngoverwell
.
Heknewt
hatevenbefor
eangershowedonherface.
-
Her:"
Lonwabo,
Ithoughtwewerepastt
hat
.I
t
houghtwewereworkingt
oget
heronthi
s.I
t
hought—"
-Hi
m: "Nal
edi,y
ou'renotcomi ngwit
hme.Iwantyou
tostayhereandst aysaf
ef ortheni
ght
."Heknew
shewasst ubborn.Hisvoi
cehadt obester
nsoshe
coul
dseet hathewasser ious.
Shejumpedofft
hebedandpacedt
owar
dhi
m wi
th
anangryst
ri
de.
-
Her:
"Wesleept
ogetherandnowy
ou'
rebar
king
or
der
s?Icanhandl
emy self
."
-
Him:
"Idon'
tdoubtt
hat
."
-
Her
:"Thenwhy
—"
-
Him: "
Becausekeepingy
ousaf
eismyj
ob.For
t
onight,
you'
restayi
nghere.
"
-Her
:"Hasitoccurr
edt oyouthatI'
m alsoconcerned
aboutyoursafet
y?Lonwabo, youcan'tdothi
s."Yes,
havi
nghertagalongt heotherdayhadhelpedhim,
buti
thadundesirableeff
ectsonher .
-
Hi m:"Wheni tcomestoyoursafet
y,I
'l
ldoany t
hing.
Youneedt or ememberthat
."Hemov edclosertoher.
"Satur
day,Itookyoutothefiel
dandshithappened.
Wewer etrackingMossandt hoseguyswere
tracki
nghi mt oo.Theypi ggybackedonouri nt
el t
o
fi
ndhi m,andwegotcaughti ncrossfi
re.Guesswhat ?
Messedupshi tli
ket hatcanhappenagai n.Neo
couldbewi thMossr ightnow.Andy esterdaywe
establi
shedt hatt heguyi sn'tyourbiggestfan.The
l
astt hi
ngIwanti sf oryout oshowupandgeti nt he
kill
er'
ssights.Hedoesn' tknowwher ey ouareright
now.Pr obablyi sn'tevent hi
nkingabouty ou.I'
m
keepingitthatway .
"Heputhi shandonhershoul der
.
"Andme?Youdon' thav etowor ryaboutme.Not
tonight.I
'l
lbef ine."
Herey
esshowedherf
ury
.
-Her
: "
I'
m notgoi
ngtobeaprisonerher
e,Lonwabo.
"
Fortonight
,shewas.Shedi
dn'tgeti
t—hejust
wantedhersafe."
Ihopeyouwon'tdothi
st ome
agai
n."Sheadded.
Hecoul dn'
tmakethatpromise.Thepossibil
i
tyofher
beinginMoss'star
getli
stscaredhim andhewoul d
nottakechances.Hesteppedawayf r
om herand
wenttoputonappr opr
iatecl
othes.Afterhol
ster
ing
hisweapon, hegr
abbedhiscarkeysandheadedf or
thedoor .
-Hi
m: "Lockthedoorsandfinishyoursleep.But
makesur ethegunIgavey oui swit
hinreach."Hi
s
personalGlockwassti
lli
nherpossessi on."I
'l
lbe
backassoonasIcan. "Hedi dn'tl
ookback, most
ly
becausehedi dn'
twanttofaceherf ur
y.
Whenhegott ohiscar,
hepul l
edouthisphoneand
cal
ledOli
phant.Thedetect
ivehadsaidtocall
wheneverheneededhelp.Dayornight.Andnowshe
answeredonthesecondr i
ng.Shehadn'tbeen
sl
eeping,obv
iousl
y.
-Hi
m:"We'
vegotapotent
ial
leadonMoss'slocat
ion,
"
hesai
dashesett
ledbehi
ndt hewheel
."Canyou
meetme?"
Therewasnowayhewoul
dgooutt
her
ewi
thno
backup.
.
.
.
Monday
,02Mar
ch,
01:
15
I
twasni
cei
nther
oom.Thel
odgewas5-
star
.The
bedwassupercomf ort
able.AndNeohadlovedthe
feeloft
hepr emium beddi
ngagainsthi
sski
n.Well,
beforehe'dhadtojumpoutoft hebed.He'
dloved
thedesignertoi
l
etri
esinthebathroom,t
oo,andhe
couldsti
llsmellt
hem onhim.
Helovedev ery
thi
ngaboutt hi
spl ace.Howcoul dhe
notaft
ersleepinginasinglebedi nabasementf or
sever
al ni
ghts?Nowher e?Her ehet r
ul ywasgett
ing
hismoney '
swor t
h.Well,Doc'
smoney .He'
dstol
enit
thi
safternoon—yester
dayaf t
ernoon, actual
l
y—when
Docwentoutt ooneofhi shunt i
ngt r
ips.
Hunti
ngt
rips?Heshookhi
shead,f
eel
i
ngdi sgust
ed
att
heter
m Docchosetoref
ertohi
sdisgusti
ngtr
ips.
Themanhadki ll
edagainSaturdayni ght
.Thiswas
gettingoutofhandanditwasn'twhatNeohad
signedupf or
.Hecouldn'tt
akei tanymor e.Sowhen
Docwentouthe' dtakenthemoneyandf ounda
tempor ar
yplacetostay
.Apl acef arenoughfrom
wher eDocwasst ayi
ngbutcloseenought othe
actionsohewoul dknowwhatt hemanwasupt o
andhel pabatethedamagewher ehecoul d.
Butnow, rightatt
hismoment,
heregret
tednot
takingthatmoneyandt akeaf
li
ghtoutofMthat
hat
o
Jo'burg.Justleav
ethi
swholemadnessbehind.
He'dwokenupcov eredinsweatjustafewminut es
aftermidni
ght.Wakingupf rom anight
mare.I
nt he
dream Dochadf oundhi m andthemanhadsl i
ced
histhroat
,cal
li
nghi m atrai
tor
.Whatat er
ri
fyi
ng
dream.Butwhatscar edhimthemostwasknowi ng
thatthedream couldbear eal
it
y .
Docwasunst
abl
e.Ki
ll
i
ngNeowoul
dbel
i
ke
squashi
ngaf
lyt
ohim.
Scar ed, Neohaddeci dedt ocal lDet
ectiveGama.He
hadnoai rti
mei nhi stur nedof fphone.Butasa
requirementhe' dleftthedet ail
sofhisal most
deplet edcr editcar datt hef r
ontdesk, hecoul
dmake
acal lfrom t hephonei nt heroom.Andhest il
lhad
thedet ective'
snumberf rom whent hemanhad
call
edhi m aski ngabouthi swher eaboutsthenight
Lerat odi sappear ed.He' dliedtohimt henbuthewas
will
ingt otellhimt het ruthnow.Not hingbutthe
enti
r et ruth.Leav i
ngnot hingunsaid.Itwastheonly
wayt osav ehimsel ffrom Doc.Andhecoul dn'twai
t
unt
ilt
hemor
ning.Hehadt
odot
hisnow.
Butwher
et hehel
lwast
hedet
ect
ive?Shoul
dn'
the
beher
ealready?
Hereachedforthephonetocal
lhi
m agai
n.Butt
hen
thephonerang.And,asi
foncue,t
herewasaknock
athi
sdoor.
Hisheartjer
kedi nhischestattheknock.Itwasso
l
ate.Noonewoul dcomet oseehi m unl
essi twas
thedetecti
ve.Buthehadn'ttoldGamaany t
hing
abouthisroom.Andt hefr
ontdeskwoul dn'thave
eit
her,notwithoutcall
ingNeofirst
.Thephonewas
onlyr
ingingnow.
"
TV'
stooloud,
"av
oicecal
l
edt
hrought
hewoodof
t
hedoor
.
-Neo:"Ohsorr
y,I'
l
lturni
toff
."Hehadn'teven
real
isedthati
twast ool
oud.He'dtur
neditonaft
er
he'dwokenupscar edfr
om thatni
ghtmare.Want
ing
somedi str
act
ion.
"
Thi
sismanagement
.Openupnow,
Sir
."
Shi
t.Wast
hishow5-
starest
abl
i
shment
soper
ated?
Hehadnev
erspentani
ghti
nonebef
ore.Ev
er.
Hescr
ambl
edt
owar
dthedoor
,unl
ocki
ngi
t.
-Him:"Sorr
y,Ididn'
treal
ise—"Somethi
ngshov
edi
nto
hischest.Atfi
rst,i
tfel
thot,shar
p,t
hen.
..
I
ce-
col
d.
Heopenedhismout htoscr
eam buthecouldonly
manageachokedgur gl
e.Hislegsweregivi
ngway
beneat
hhim andtheguyinfrontofhi
m...
hewas
twi
sti
ngtheknif
ehe'dshovedintoNeo'schest
.
Wai
t.Heknewt
hisguy
.Hef
ucki
ngknewhi
m.
"Youwon'
ttal
ktoanyone."Theguysmi
ledathi
m.
"Youwon'
ttal
k,notev
eragain.
..
"Andheshovedthe
knif
etowar
dNeo'sthroat
.
Neof
ell
back.
Thepainhadbeensoi nt
ense,soconsumi
ng,
but
..
.butitwasalr
eadyfadi
ng.Aheavyfogwas
sweepingaroundhim.
.
.
.
Monday
,02Mar
ch,
01:
20
Ther oadtothelodgehadbeenexactlywhat
Lonwabohadexpect ed.Thedr i
veuptheNaude'
s
Nekpasswasachal lenge.Oneneededa4x4to
accessthelodge.Lonwabo' sf
ront
-wheel
dri
ve
crossoverSUVhadst ruggledt
ogoup.Buthe'd
fi
nall
ymadei t.
Ahandfulofvehi
cleswereint
helot
,andhehadn'
t
r
ecognisedanyofthem.Itwasappar
entthat
Ol
iphanthadn'
tarr
ivedyet.
He'dwentst r
aighttothe24hourf rontdesk,f
ormall
y
i
denti
fiedhimself,andclearl
ystatedthereasonfor
hi
sv i
sit.Thefrontdeskclerk—Prett
y,hertag
sai
d—hadi mmediatel
ycalledtheroom Neowasi n
butwhennooneanswer ed,she'
dof f
eredtotake
Lonwabot oit.
Andnowher
etheywer
e,maki
ngt
hei
rwayt
othe
room.
Oli
phantshouldbehereanymoment.Hel
l,Lonwabo
hadactual
lythoughtt
hedetect
ivemi
ghtbeathimto
t
hescene.Shewasalocal
andhercarwassui
tabl
e
f
ort
heseroads.But
..
.
Lonwabosuddenlysti
ll
ed.Hewasabouttenf eet
awayfrom Neo'
sroom whenhenoticedthatthe
doorwashalfwayopen.Theli
ghtwasoni nsi
de.And
hethoughthecouldhearthemurmurof.
..
v oi
ces.But
accor
dingtoPret
ty,Neowasaloneintheroom.Or
wasthataTV?
Hisheartrateki
ckedup.Couldbenothing.Coul
dbe
thatNeowal kedouttohaveasmokeandhe' d
forgot
tentoclosetheroom doorbehi
ndhim.Could
benothing..
.
ButLonwabofoundhimsel
fpul
li
nghi
sgunand
tel
l
ingPret
tyt
ot akeast
epback.
-
Him:"Hel
l
o?"hecall
edoutasheadvancedt
owar
d
t
heroom."I
sever
ythi
ngokayinther
e?"
Hi
snostri
l
stwi
tchedbecause.
..
athi
ck,
cloyi
ngscent
washi
tt
inghi
m.Ascentheknewt oowell
.
Ev
ery
thi
ngwasnotokay
.
Hehur
ri
edf
orwar
d.Hepushedt
hedoorf
art
heropen
andt
hen—
Bl
ood.
Bloodpouredfrom t
hegapingwoundinthey
oung
man'sthr
oat.Bloodsoakedhisshi
rt
.Bl
oodcoat
ed
thethi
ckcarpetbeneat
hhim.
And—
Theguy
'shandt
wit
ched.
He'
sst
il
lal
i
ve.
Lonwabosur gedforwardanddroppedtohisknees
besi
det hebadlyi
njuredman.Heknewhewas
star
ingatNeo.Theguyl ookedjustashelookedin
thephotoLonwabosawi nhishome.Onlyinthat
phototheguywasn' tcar
vedupandbl eedi
ngout!
-Lonwabo:"I
'm Det
ecti
veGama,"Hesai
dashishand
pressedtothegapingwoundatNeo'
sthroat
.
I
mmedi at
ely
,hisfi
nger
sweresoakedwit
hblood.
"Staycalm.I
'l
lgetyousomehelp.
"
Hecall
edouttoPret
ty,
askinghertocal
lforhelp.
Andheimmediatel
yheardherfootst
epshurr
ying
away.Togett
oaphone, hethought.
Neo'
seyesfl
utt
eredopen.Di
dheev enseeLonwabo?
Thefel
l
ow'sgazewasbleary
,pai
n-f
ill
ed.Hi
sli
ps
movedasifhe'
dspeak.
Youcan'
tspeak,
buddy
.Somebast
ardcuty
our
thr
oatopen.
-
Lonwabo:
"Hol
don.Hel
piscomi
ng—"
Footst
epsrushedbehi
ndhim.Itcoul
dn'
tbePrett
y
al
ready.Lonwabol
ookedup.He'dputhisgundown
whenher antoNeo'
sside,
andifthekil
l
erwas
comingbacktoatt
ackagain.
..
But,no,
Det
ect
iveSi
kostoodi
nthedoor
way
.Hi
s
eyeswerewi
de,hi
sweapondrawn.
-Siko:"
Foundthefr
ontdeskempty .Decidedtol
ook
around.ThenIheardyourvoi
ce,
"hesai d,st
eppi
ng
closerashisf
rant
icgazetookinthescene."Fuck!
"
-
Lonwabo:
"Comehel
pme!
"Hebar
ked.
Butbef
oreSikocoul
dmov e,
Neo'
sbodyjer
ked.Hi
s
eyel
i
dstwit
chedthenbegantosi
nkcl
osed.
-
Lonwabo:
"Neo?
"Nor
esponse."
Neo!
"
Chapt
er44
Monday
,02Mar
ch,
03:
30
.
"Anot
herdeadbodyi
nmycommuni
ty,
"Si
kogav
ea
sadshakeofhi
shead.
Lonwabot ookadeepbr eat
h.He'
dwashedtheblood
from hi
shands.Andhe'dseenNeo'sbodybeing
takenaway .Thebuzzofacti
vi
tyar
oundhim was
nowgoi ngdown.Buthismindwasstil
li
nchaos.
Policeli
ghtssti
ll
swi r
ledatthescene,butt heother
fol
ksatt helodgehadf i
nall
ygonebacki ntot hei
r
rooms.Noonehadseenany t
hing.Noonehadhear d
anything.Peopl
ecameouther etogetawayf rom l
i
fe
andi t
spr obl
ems.Theycameouther etor estand
mindt heirownbusiness.Thattheydidn'
thear
anythingdidn'
tsurpri
seLonwabo.Besi des, i
twasin
theear l
yhoursofthemor ning.Peopl
ehadbeenf ast
asleep.
Andt
hatmeantamandi
ed.
I
tsur
edi
dn'
thel
pthatt
hel
odgehadnocamer
asor
thatthetwosecur
it
yguar
dsondut
yhadbeen
sleepingont
hejob.
-Si
ko:"
Howdidt hekil
lerev
enknowthatthi
sNeoguy
wasinthatr
oom?It alkedtot
hedeskcler
k.Shesai
d
youwerethefi
rstpersontocomeinl
ookingfort
he
guy.
"
Lonwabosawnor easont oreplytot
hat.Hej ust
pushedawayf r
om thestonewal l
he'dbeenl eani ng
againstandroll
edhisshoulders,t
ryi
ngtogetr idof
theheavytensionthathadgatheredthere.Hehadn' t
saidmuchsi nceNeodi edinhishands.Hisbr ainhad
beenpingponging,unabletofocus.Hehat edt his.
Hatednotbei ngabletothi
nk.Butitcamewi t hbei ng
whohewas.
Damnit!I
fonlyhe'dgott
enher
esooner
.Noneofthi
s
wouldbehappening.Neowoul
dsti
ll
beali
veand
tal
ki
ng.
-Si
ko:"
Youknowt hi
scouldbeunr el
ated.
"Heputhi
s
handsonhiships."
Wef ounddrugsintheguy'
s
room.Maybethat'
swhatt hi
swasabout .May
beit
wasn'
tthekil
l
erwear eafter
."
-Lonwabo:"Thekil
lerweareaf
terhasaname.And
hedidthi
s."Hecoul dheart
heheavinessi
nhi
svoi
ce
whenhef i
nallyspoke.
-Si
ko:"Butt hisdoesn'
tfi
tMoss' sMO.Imean, Iget
thatI
'mj ustsomesmal lt
owndet ect
ivetoyou,but
I'
m notcl ueless.I
'
vebeendoi ngthi
sforlongerthan
youhav e.Mossdoesn' tatt
ackt hi
sway .Hedoesn't
kil
lhi
sv ictimsi mmediat
ely.Andhedoesn'tkil
lmen.
He—"
-Lonwabo: "
Siko,
"hecuthim offwithacal
m and
easyv oi
ce."MOscanchange.Especi al
l
ywhen
cir
cumst ancesdemandt hatchange.Neowas
workingwi t
hMoss, t
hatI'
m sureof.Hewasa
mat er
ialwit
nesswhowant edtocomef or
ward.And
nowhe' sdead.I'
m notbuyingthatasacoinci
dence.
"
-Si
ko:"I
'v
ealreadyheardthatyouthi
nkhewas
workingwit
hMoss.Buthowdoy ouknowthatfor
sure?Hell
,howdidy ouevenknowt hathewashere?
Andwhyt hefuckarey ousti
ll
acti
veinmycase? "Hi
s
voi
cewasnowshar panddomi neeri
ng.Whatthehel
l?
-
Lonwabo:
"Iknewbecausehecal
l
edmedi
rect
lyj
ust
aftermidnight.
"Hewasn'tgoingtoanswertheot
her
questi
ons." Anhourl
aterhe'
sdead.Andy ou'
re
standi
ngt heretel
l
ingmeaboutdr ugs?"The
harshnessi nhi
sownv oicecouldnotbemissed.
-
Siko:
"Hecal
l
edy
ouandsai
dwhatexact
ly?
"
Lonwabosur
efel
tli
kehewasbei
ngint
errogated.He
wasn'
tsur
ewhy,buthedeci
dedt
olett
hisplayout.
-Lonwabo: "Sai
dheneededt otalktome.Sai dhe
knewt hatIwasi nRhodesandt hathehad
i
nf or
mat i
onaboutt hecaseIwaswor ki
ng.Askedme
tocomeseehi m hereimmediatel
y..
."Hest opped,
remember ingsomet hi
ng.Thi
swasnotal lNeohad
saidont hephone.
Comeal
one.He'
dsai
d.
Nowwhywoul dhesayt hati
fhewasn'
tset
ti
ngupa
tr
apf orLonwabo?Unlesshedidn'
twantot
hercops
present.Unl
esshedidn'
ttrustt
hem.
-Lonwabo:"
Howar eyouher e,Si
ko?"Nowi twashim
doingthei
nter
rogati
on."Icall
edOli
phant,notyou.I
askedher,
notthestati
on,tobemyback- up."With
hisbrai
nstr
uggli
ngtofocus, hehadn'
texactly
t
houghtoft
hat
.
-Si
ko:"Youcall
edherandshecal l
edme. "Allofa
suddenhe'ddiall
eddownont hebossinessand
Lonwabowonder edwhy ."
Shetoldmewher eyou
wereandt hatyouneededback-up.Shecouldn't
comebecausehersoni steethi
ngandherhusband
wouldn'tl
ethergoandleavehim alonewithacranky
baby."
Lonwabodidn'
tsayanyt
hing, j
uststari
ngatt heot her
man,studyi
nghisf
ace.Yes,Oliphanthadn'tbeen
sl
eepi
ngwhenhecal l
ed.Itcouldbet ruethatshe' d
beenupbecauseofherbaby .Butwhydi dn'tshecal l
Lonwabobackandtell
himt hatshecoul dnol onger
makeittothel
odgethemi nutesher eal
isedt hatshe
coul
dnot ?
Somet
hingdi
dn'
tfeel
righther
e.
Lonwabothoughtaboutt hedirt
ycopshe'dal
ready
di
scoveredwhileworkingthiscase.Washenow
l
etti
ngparanoiagetthebetterofhim?Itdi
dn'
tmat t
er.
He'dchoosepar anoi
aoverblindtr
ustanydayofthe
week.Besides,he'dvowedtonotonlywatchhis
backbuthi
sfr
ontt
oo.
Oncey
ouknewthatmonstersli
vedi
npl
ainsi
ght
,it
waspr
ett
yhar
dtotrustanyone.
-
Siko:
"Di
dNeosayany
thi
ngt
oyou?Imeanwhen
y
ougothere.
"
Lonwabogav
eabi
tt
erl
augh.
-Lonwabo:"Har
dtot al
kwheny ourv
oiceboxis
gone."Suchafucki
ngwast e."
Hedidn'
tgetthe
chancetosayanything.
"AndnowI '
m wonderi
ngi
f
youdidthattohi
m, hefini
shedinhi
shead.
Sikowentqui
et,
butaf
teraf
ewdeepbr
eat
hs,
he
spoke.
-Si
ko:"Forensicswil
lprobabl
yfi
ndsomething.Neo
waski l
ledwithgreathaste.May
betheki
ll
ermadea
mistakeandl eftsomethi
ngbehind,
somethingwe
canuset otrackhim down."
-
Lonwabo:
"Yeah,
Iwon'thol
dmybr eat
h."Hest
art
ed
movi
ng.Hewasgett
ingoutofher
e.
-
Siko:
"Andwher
edoy
out
hinky
ou'
regoi
ng?
"
-
Lonwabo:
"Backt
omybed.
"Hedi
dn'
tst
oport
urn.
"
Tof
ini
shmysl
eep.
"Thatwasal
i
e.
-Si
ko:"
Don'teventhi
nkaboutpul
l
ingt
hest
unty
ou
pul
ledtheotherday.
"
NowLonwabost
oppedandt
urnedt
olookatt
he
ot
herman.
-
Lonwabo:
"Andwhatst
unti
sthat
?"
-
Siko:
"Youwentbackt
othecr
imescenewi
thoutus.
Andamandied.Acop.Twomorear
einhospi
tal
."
-
Lonwabo:"Di
rt
ycopswho'venowlawy
eredup.And
wemanagedtosaveaninnocentwoman.What'
s
yourpoi
nt?
"
-Si
ko:"You'
veoffi
cial
l
ybeenpul ledf r
om thiscase.
"
Thatcockytoneagain."
Thet eam from Jo'burgwill
beherebeforemiddayandt hey'l
lhittheground
runni
ng.Wewon' tneedanyi nt
erferencefrom you.
Theonlythi
ngwe' l
lneedisforyout ost epbackand
l
etusdoourj obs."Hevisi
blysti
fleday awnf orthe
umpteenthti
mesi ncehegother e.Asi gnof
exhausti
on.Hadhebeenupal lnight?Doingwhat ?
Lonwabowonder edashest aredathi m.
-Lonwabo:"Iwon'
ti
nter
fer
ewithyourgoodpol
ice
work."ButIsur
ewill
int
erf
erewit
hwhat ev
erel
seyou
doont heside.
-
Siko:"I
'
m gonnaneedy
ouatthestati
onbeforenoon
t
ogi v
eaf or
malstat
ementaboutwhathappened
t
onight.
"
-
Lonwabo: "
You'l
lgety
ourstat
ement."Buti
fSiko,
Motaung,oranyoneel
sethoughthewouldstop
wor
kingthiscase,t
heywerealldr
eaming.
Hest
art
eddownt
hest
onewal
kwayagai
n.
-
Siko:"
Thewoman."Hecall
edfr
om behi
nd."
Nal
edi
Masil
o."Lonwabof
rozeatt
hename.
-
Lonwabo:
"Whatabouther
?"
-
Siko:"
Iknowthaty
ouar
efucki
ngher
.Andi
t'
sonl
y
t
het woofyouwho—"
Lonwabohadbackt
rackedandwasupi
nhi
sface
befor
ehecoul
dfini
sh.
-Lonwabo:"
You'
dbetterwatchyourl
anguagewhen
speaki
ngabouther,
"hisvoi
cewasquietandcol
d.
Lethal
lyso,
eventohisownears."Ort
hingswi
ll
get
veryper
sonal
bet
weenmeandy ou.
"Therewere
eyesonthem.Ot
hercops.Sot
hewarni
ngcarr
ied
onlytot
hemanbeforehi
m.
-Si
ko: "
AsIwassay i
ng,"het ookast epbackbuthel d
Lonwabo' sst are."Onlythet woofy ouknowwhat
happenedont hatfarmt hatday .WhenIquest ioned
her,Icouldt ellt
hatshe' ssmar t
.Butifshe'
ssmar t
enoughshe' dputsomedi st
ancebet weenher self
andt heli
kesofy ou.Imean, howmanypeopl ehav e
alr
eadydi edsi ncey ougother e?Thisisasmal l
vil
lage.Shitlikethatdoesn' thappenher e.Butnow
i
t'shappeni ng.Tr oubl
eseemst obef oll
owingy ou,
Gama.You' reradioactive.Andwhent hiswholet hi
ng
goessout h—andi twill
—Nal edi doesn'twannabei n
thesamepost alcodeasy ou."
Thisguyhadseemedni cewhenLonwabofi
rstmet
hi
m, buthewasnowbecomi ngmoreofajerkwit
h
eachdaythatpassed.
-Lonwabo: "
Listenher
e,youdon'
tknowmeandy ou
certai
nlydon'tknowNaledi
.Sohowabouty oust
op
acti
ngasi fyoudoandf ocusonwhat'
s
i
mpor tant—catchingMossbefor
ehekil
lssomeone
el
se?"Hedi
dn'
tsti
ckar
oundtohearwhathe'
dsay
next
.Hetur
nedandwalkedaway
.
.
.
.
Monday
,02Mar
ch,
07:
30
Herphonewasv i
brat
ing.Naledicrackedopenone
eyeli
dandglar
edatthenightstand.She'dfi
nally
managedtosleepaft
erLonwabol eftherbehi
nd.
Andherdreamshadbeenni ghtmar es.Horri
ble,
twist
edscenesofLonwabobei nghur t.
God,
itwassomessedup.
Herhandmov edtotheot hersideofthebedt ofeel
forthemanwho' dstarr
edi nthosenightmares.
Whenshedi dn'tf
indhim, shequickl
yt ur
nedher
headtolook.Lonwabowasnott her
e.Shewasst i
ll
aloneint
hebed.I fnotforthedelici
ousache
betweenherlegs,shemi ghthav ebel
ievedithadall
beenadr eam.Onlyithadn'tbeenadr eam.Lonwabo
hadbeent her
e.Sheandhi m hadmadel ove.Not
oncebutt
hreet
imes.
Andthenhe'
dlef
ther
.Si
del
i
nedher
.Gonebackon
thedeal
they
'dmade.
Al
laf
terhe'
dbeeni
nsi
deher
.
Whati nthehel
l?Washet ry
ingtomakeherf eell
i
ke
shi
torwhat ?Makinglovewithhim hadbeenabig
dealforher.Li
fe-
changi
ngbig.Becauseshedidn'
tlet
anyfearstopher.She'
dfoughtforwhatshewant ed
andpushedbackev eryt
hingelse.
Andt
hen.
..
he'
dwal
kedaway
.
Thathurt
.She'dthoughttheywereateam.He' d
al
readyagreedtowor kwithheronthesidelines
eventhoughhewasacopandshe, acivil
ian.Did
sl
eepingwithhermakehi m changehismi nd?Or
wasitwhatshe'dtoldhim abouther
selflastnight
?
Yeah,peopl
ewhohear dherstor
yusuallyhandled
herwithki
dglovesasi fshewassomegl assthat
wouldbreakeasil
y.
Shehatedt
hat.Andshecer
tai
nlyhadn'
texpect
edi
t
fr
om Lonwabo.
Themomenthewal kedoutshe'dkeptstar
ingatthe
damnshutdoor .She'dkeptt
hinki
ngmay beitwould
magicall
yreopen.ThatLonwabowoul dbethere.
He'dapologi
sefortreat
ingherli
keachil
d,aninvali
d
whocouldnothandl ehersel
foutther
e.Andthenhe
wouldtakeherhandandwal koutwi t
hher.Butthat
hadn'
thappened.
Hishear
tisi
ntherightpl
acet
hough.Sai
dthatl
i
ttl
e
voi
ceinherhead.
Thel astti
mehet ookhert othef i
eldshealmostgot
kil
ledandshewasf orcedt otakealif
e.Something
thatstil
lhauntedher .May beshehadt ostart
consideri
ngt hatLonwabodi dn'tj
ustwanttokeep
hersaf ephysical
ly,buthewant edtomakesur eshe
didn'
thav etoseeanot herdeadbodyagai n.
Thepr
otect
or.Theguyhadt
hatcompl
exst
rai
ghtt
o
hi
ssoul
.Toobadshewasbuiltt
hesameway.
Herhandnowshotoutandshegr abbedthephone.
Atexthadcomethrough.Andshehopedi twasfrom
Lonwabo.Butt
hensher eal
i
sedt hatitact
uall
ycame
fr
om Sky'
smother'
snumber .Rubbinghereyes,she
openedi
t.
Chomi
,cany
out
alk?—Sky
Sky.Nal
edisatup,cr
adli
ngthephone.Real
i
ty
sl
ammedi ntoher.Herf
ri
endwasnowi nanEast
Londonhospital
.Andshehadn'
tcheckedonher
si
ncethetransfer
.
Feel
i
nggui l
tyshei
mmediat
elydi
all
edt
henumber
.
Skypickeduponthef
ir
stri
ng.
-
Sky
:"Ledi
."
-Nal
edi:"
Chomi,howarey oufeel
ingtoday?Set
tl
ing
okayoverther
e?"Shenoticedhowf astshewas
speaki
ng,butshedidn'
tsl
owdown." Sorr
y,I
'
vebeen
meaningtocallandcheckony oubutIgottoobusy
yest
erday.
"
Busydoi nghori
zontalt
angowi t
hamanshest il
lhad
nottoldherfri
endabout .Nott
hatshewashidi
ngher
rel
ationshi
pwi t
hLonwabo.No, hewasnotherli
ttl
e
secret.She'
dwant edt
ot ell
Skyabouthi
mt heother
day.Butgoingonandonabouthernewr omance
whil
eSkywasgoi ngthrougharoughpatchwit
h
Luxolohadn'tseemedright.
Luxolo.Nal
edist
il
lhadn'
tfigur
edoutwhatt heguy
's
rel
ati
onshipwaswithMelinda.Whenshe'dasked
SkyifsheknewMel i
ndatheot herday
,theanswer
hadbeenno.
-Sky
: "
I'
mfine,
chomi."Shesaidnow."
Justt
hatI
couldn'
tsl
eeplastni
ght.Thi
nking.
"
-
Nal
edi
:"Yeah?Thi
nki
ngaboutwhat
?"
-Sky:"Si
ya.Knowingthathe'
souttherereadytoki
l
l
anotherinnocentwomanbecauseofmehadme
tossingandturni
ngthewholenight.Andofcourse
I'
dbeendy ingtoknow—di dt
hecopsf i
ndt he
cottage?"
-Nal
edi
:"Thecot
tage?
"Shewasl
ost
."What
cott
age?
"
-
Sky :
"TheoneItoldDetecti
veSi
koabouty
ester
day
.
Aren'
tyoucommuni cat
ingwitht
hecops?Aren'
t
you..
.ki
ndaworkingwit
ht hem?"
Onl
yonecop,act
uall
y.Butev
ent
hatonei
snow
si
del
ini
ngme.Naledit
hought
.
-
Nal
edi
:"Lonwa—ImeanDet
ect
iveGamadoesn'
t
knowany t
hingaboutthat
.Neit
herdoI.Detecti
ve
Sikohasn'
tsharedthati
nfor
mationwit
hus. "
BecauseLonwabohasbeenpul ledf
rom thecase,
shefini
shedinherhead.
-Sky:"Well,mytransf
ergotdelayedyest er
day.The
ambul ancecrewwasal r
eadythere,
butsome
technicali
ti
esandunf ini
shedpaperworkcausedt he
delay.That'swhenDet ecti
veSi
koar r
ivedtoquestion
me.Sai dheshoul dandwoul dhavecomewayear l
ier
buthe'dbeent iedup.Andsower ethef ewot her
detectivesatthestati
on.WhatI'
m gettingatis,when
Iwasanswer i
nghi squesti
onsIremember ed
somet hing.AboutSiya."
-
Nal
edi
:"Thathehasacot
tage?Wher
e?"
-Sky:"That'
sthethi
ng.Idon'
tknow.Whenwewer e
sti
lldatinghetol
dmeabouthi sgrandf
ather'
sfarm.
Buthesai ditwasinBarkl
yEast,notRhodes.I
'd
neverhear dofRhodesunti
laft
erI'
descapedfrom
hisclutches.
"
-
Naledi
:"Wel
l
,Igetwhyhecoul
dhav
esaidthat.
Rhodesi
sasmallvi
ll
age.I
'
m sur
emostpeopledon'
t
evenknowi texi
sts.Andtheclosestt
ownisBar
kly
East,
soIguessj ustsayi
ngBar kl
yEastmakesi
t
easyforpeopletounderstand.
"
-Sky:"Iguess.Any way ,Si
y aalsotoldmeaboutt his
secluded, oldcottagehisgr andpaal soowned.He
saiditwasupt hemount ain.Offacer tainhikingtrai
l.
Somedi stancef r
om thef arm.Sai ditwasbeaut i
ful,
peacef ulandqui etoutthere.ButIr ememberhow
worr i
edhegotwhenhi smot hertookof fthisone
ti
meandwentt heretogetawayf rom hi sfatherand
centreher self
.Hispar ents—nowdi vorced—f oughta
l
ott hen.Sowhenhi smot herwentt her ehewas
worr i
edt hathisfatherwoul dfindher ,andthatifhe
tri
edt ohur therupt herenoonewoul dhearany t
hing
orev encomet oherr escue."
-
Nal
edi
:"Becauseoft
her
emot
eness.
"
-Sky :"
Yes.AndIthinkt hat'
swher eSiyarelocatedto
aftery'al
lrai
dedthef arm.Probl em i
s,Idon'tknow
theexactl ocat
ionoft hecottage.Butar esidentl
ike
Det ecti
veSikowouldhav eani dea.That'
sthehopeI
hadwhenIt oldhim aboutit.Buthehasn' tgotten
backt omey et
.Andhe' snott akingmycal l
s."
-Naledi
:"WhatI'
velearnedaboutt hisplaceisthati
t
hassev er
alsecl
udedf armsandcot tages.Butthe
poli
cecouldcheckt hem alloutiftheycan'tnarr
owit
downt oasinglecottage.May bethat '
swhattheyare
sti
lldoi
ng.I'
m sureDet ect
iveSikowi ll
contactyou
withanupdatesoon.Buti fhedoesn' t,Iwil
l.
"
-Sky:
"Idon'
twantanot
herinnocentwomantodi
e
becauseofme,Naledi
.Ij
ustwannahelpcat
chthi
s
sickfr
eakbefor
ehehurtsmor epeopl
e."
-Naledi
:"Siyawil
lbef ound,
chomi .Beli
evethat
."She
didn'tt
ellherabouttheNeol ead.Doingsobefore
shehear dfrom Lonwabowoul dbeabi tpremature.
-Sky
:"Callmeifyouhearany t
hing,
okay?"Shehung
up,l
eavingNaledifeel
ingbadthatthey'
dhadtotal
k
aboutakill
erandnotev er
ythi
ngelsetheyusual
l
y
tal
kedaboutasf r
iends.
Nowwher ethehell
wasLonwabo?Shedi dn'
tjust
needtotalkwi t
hhim aboutt
hiscot
tage,
shewas
worri
edabouthi m.Andshecouldn'
tsetherheartat
restunt
ilshe'dhear
df r
om hi
m.
Hert
humbhov
eri
ngov
ert
hescr
eenoft
hephone,
shewasaboutt
odialhi
snumberbutt
henat
ext
fr
om hi
m camethr
ough.
Morni
ngbabe.Sor
ry,
gothel
dup.ButI
'
llbet
her
e
soon.
Atleasthewasokay.Withaheavysigh,Naledigot
offthebedandwenttobrushherteeth.Thenshe
madeher sel
fsomecoffeeandwentt oenjoyit
outsideonthefr
ontdeck.
.
.
.
Monday
,02Mar
ch,
08:
00
ThemomentLonwabor eachedthefrontdeckof
thei
rchalethenoti
cedthatthefr
ontdoorwas
sli
ghtl
yajar.Wasevery
thingokay?Hisheartr
aced
asher ushedtothedoor.Andthemomenthe
steppedinsidehi
seyesmov edtothebed.Naledi
wasn'tther
e.Was—?
Thereshewas.St
andingint
hedoorwayt ot
he
bathr
oom,atowelwrappedaroundherbody
.Anda
guncr
adl
edi
nherhands.
-Her:"
Youshoul dreallyletmeknowbef or ey
ou
decidetowal t
zrightin."Sheloweredthegun."You
know, knockpoli
telyatt hedoor.Somethingtosi
gnal
thatyou'recominginsideandnotj ustsneaki
ngin
l
ikeacr iminal
."
Lonwabost i
ll
ed.Andasmi l
ecr
eepedtohislips,
i
mpr essedandlovingherr
eadi
nesstodefend.But
heknewt hathissoulwastoot
roubl
edforthesmi l
e
toreachhiseyes.
-
Him:
"Youshoul
dhav
ekeptt
hedoor
slocked,
babe.
"
Nal
edi
studi
edhi
m amoment
.
-Her:
"Judgi
ngbyy ourf
ace,I
'
m guessi
ngt
hings
didn'
tgowellatt
helodge.
"
Notheydi
dn'
t.Shi
thadhappened.Mor
eshi
tthat
woul
dhaunthisni
ghtmar
es.
-
Him:
"Neo'
sdead.
"
-Her
: "
What?
"Theshocki
nherv
oiceal
soshowedon
herface.
Lonwabomov
edt
osi
tont
hecouch,
exhaust
ion
runningthr
oughhi sv
eins.Hisarm hur
tli
kehell
too.
Afterbri
ngi
ngNal ediuptospeedhe'dsureneed
somebr eakfastandpainki
l
lers.
-Him:"Itwasn' tatrap.Whent heguysai dhewant ed
totalkher eall
ydid.Andhegotki l
ledforit.WhenI
foundhi m, hehadbeenst abbedi nthechestandi n
thethroat.Hewasst ill
ali
ve,butheonl ylastedf or
mer eseconds.Hedi edinmyhands. "Heexhal ed" I
knewhewasdy i
ng,andIknewt herewasn' treall
y
anythingIcoul ddotosav ehim.ButIst il
l t
ried."His
handmov edt orubhisbur ni
ngey es."Dammi t,
ifI'
d
arri
vedj ustt enminut essooner."
-Her
:"MyGod.
"Shecametositbesi
dehi
m."But
,
baby,y
oushoul
dn'
tbl
amey our
self
.Youcoul
dn'
t
haveknownwhatwasgonnahappen.
"
-Him: "
Iknow.Youknowwhatel seIknow?Iknow
thatyou'r
estil
lmadatmef orleavi
ngyoubehind.
Buty ouknowwhat ?Iain'
tsorry.I
twasonehel lofa
bloodysceneupt here.I
'm gl
ady ouweren'
tthereto
seeit.Especi
all
yafterwhathappenedont hatfarm.
Seeingonedeadbodyi senought ohauntone'
s
nightmaresforaverylongt i
me."
-Her
:"Iunder
stand.Ido.AndI '
m notmad.Not
anymore.ButI'
m hopingyouwon' tsidel
inemeagai n,
becausewehav esomet hingstofigureout.Like,
howt hehel
ldidSiyaknowt hatNeocal l
edy ou?How
didheknowt ogoupt her
eandsi lencehi m befor
e
youarri
ved?"
-Hi
m:"That
'sj
ustthet
hing.Idon'
tthinkMossknew.I
don'
tthi
nkhekil
l
edNeo.Act ual
ly
,Ithinkacopdi
d."
-
Her
:"What
?Ar
eyousur
e?"
-Him: "
Checkt hisout.WhenIlefthereIcal l
ed
Oliphanttobemyback- up.Natural
l
y, shewant edto
knowdet ails.AndIgav ethem t
oher .Sheagr eedto
meetmeatt helodge,butthenshereal i
sedthatshe
couldnol ongermakei t
.Sosheimmedi atel
ycall
ed
Siko,gavehi mt hedetai
lsandaskedhi mt otakeher
placeorcal lanotheravail
abl
ecop."He' dcall
ed
Oliphantassoonasdawncame.Thef emale
detecti
vet oldhim whathadhappened, andhe
actuall
ybel i
evedher .
-
Nal
edi
:"And?
"
-
Him:
"Itt
ookmeawhi
l
etogett
othel
odgewi
thmy
car,andI'dtakenar oadlesstr
avelled.ButSikoi sa
l
ocal.Heknowst heser oadsandhi scardoesn' t
mindt hem.I'mthinkinghegotther ebeforeIdid, hi
d
hi
scarnear byandmadehi swayt othelodgeonf oot.
Thet i
medel ayIexper i
encedwoul dhavebeen
enoughf orhimt otakeNeoout ,runbackt ot hecar,
dri
vear oundtothef rontandactasi fhe'djust
arri
ved.Andt hat
...
.t
hatwoul dexplainwhywedi dn't
fi
ndanyt respasserwhenwesear chedt heent i
re
area."
-
Her:"
Det
ect
iveSi
koadir
tycop?No.Whatdot
he
l
odgecamer
asshow?"
-Hi
m:"Theydon'
thav
ecamer
asandSi
kowoul
dhav
e
knownthat
."
-Her
:"Soyoudon'
tonl
ythi
nkhe'
sdi
rt
y,y
out
hinkhe'
s
beenworki
ngwithSi
yaall
thi
sti
me?"
-Hi
m: "AndNeowasaboutt
oexposehimtoo.He
couldn'
thavet
hat
,sohemadesuretheguydidn'
t
tal
k."
-
Her:
"Butbabe,y
ousti
l
lhaven'
tgivenmeany
thi
ng
t
angi
ble.Yousur
eyouain'
tj
ustreachi
ng?
"
-Him: "Sat ur
daywhenDet ecti
v eBl i
ecalledandgav e
yout hemessage, IdrovetomeetSi ko,right?He
i
mmedi atelytol
dmet hathispar tner—andt hat's
Oliphant —wasgonnacomewi t
hasear chwar rantfor
theHot ef ar
m.It houghtwai t
ingf oritwoul dwast e
thet imewedi dn'thave,soIsai dweshoul ddr i
v eup
tot hef arm.Thathi spartnerandmor eofhi smen
woul dcat chupwi thus.Buthei nsistedt hatwewai t.
Say ingev enthoughwehadr easonabl esuspi cion
thatMosswast ortur
ingandmur der i
ngwomeni n
hispr emi sesweshoul dholdof fandwai tfort he
war rantbecausehe, apparently,didn'
twantany thi
ng
thatmi ghtenduphel pingMosst owal kfreeona
techni cality.
"
-Her:"
Andnowyout
hink.
..
what
?Thathewas
bull
shit
ingy
ou?
"
-Him: "
Nal edi,t
hel awsaysapol i
ceof f
ici
al may
searchy ouory ourpropert
ywithoutasear chwarr
ant
i
ft hepoliceof fi
cialonreasonablegroundsbeli
eves
thatasear chwar rantwouldbeissuedifitwas
appliedfor ,butthatthedelayi
nobt ai
ningthesearch
war r
antwoul ddef eatt
hepurposeoft hesearch.I
knowthi
sandacopl ikeSikoal
soknowsi t
.Buthe
sti
l
lsai
dwhathesai deventhoughawoman' sli
fe
wasinimminentdanger.AndIdidn'
twannaargue
wit
hhim onhistur
f.
"
-Her
:"Butnowy outhinkhesaidthatt
ogiveSi
ya
ampletimet oescape."Hecoul
dhearthe
underst
andinginherv oi
ce.
-
Him:"Asamat teroffact
,Ido.Whenwegott othe
f
arm Mosswasl onggone.AndSi kosawnoneedt o
t
urntheplaceupsi dedown.Helit
erall
ystoppedme
f
rom doingthoroughsearch.Exactl
ywhyIdeci ded
t
ogobackwi thoutanyofthem.Andguesswhat ,we
f
oundLer at
o."Her ubbedathissti
ngingeyesagain.
"
Andt hetwocopshesai dhesenttokeepaney eon
t
hefarm? "
-
Her:"
Theoneshesai
dmisunderst
oodhi
m and
wentt
otheJansensf
armi
nstead?"
-Him:"Yeah.IgotOl
i
phanttogetoneofthem tocal
l
me.Knowwhathesai d?Thattheydi
dn'
tmishear
anythi
ng.Sikosentt
hem totheJansensfar
m.Babe,
there'
snowayt wopairsofear
scouldhaveheard
onewr
ongt
hing.
"
-Her:"Hesentt
hem tothewronglocati
onbecause
hedi dn'
twantanyonetobeatthatfar
m and
discoversomethi
ng."
-
Him: "
I'
dsay.Andheonlysentthem outbecause
Ol
iphanthadasked.I
fsomethinghappenedheknew
t
hathe'dgiv
eoutthatbul
lshi
tstoryaboutthem
misheari
nghim.
"
-Her:
"NowI '
m wonder
ing.IfSi
yahadenoughti
met o
escapebeforey'
al
lgottothefarm,whydi
dn'
thekil
l
Lerat
obeforemakingar unfori
t?Weneedtotal
k
withLer
ato.Surewe'
llf
indherawakeandreadyto
tal
ktoday.
"
-Him:"Alr
eadyt al
kedwi thher.Afterl
eavi
ngt he
l
odgeIdr ov etoBarklyEastandst rai
ghtt
ot he
hospit
al.Ineededsomef aceti
mewi thherbefore
shegott r
ansf er
redthismor ni
ngandbef oreany
othercopshowedup.Iwant edtoaskheraboutSi ko.
Ifshe'
dev erseenhi m atthefarm.AndaboutNeo.I
wantedt oknowi ftheguywasi ndeedworkingwith
Moss.I fyes,Iwantedt oknowwhatt heduo's
r
elat
ionshi
pwasli
ke.Ori
fshehadanyi
deawher
e
Mosscouldber
ightnow.
"
-
Her
:"Yeah?Andwhatdi
dshesay
?"
-Hi
m: "Saidshe'dneverseenSi kobeforehecamet o
i
nterviewheryesterdayaf t
ernoon.Butshesur etol
d
him aboutNeo.Nowher e'sthekicker
.Upatt he
l
odge, Sikoactedasifhedi dn'
tknowt hatNeowas
workingwi t
hMoss.Hel l
, heactedasi fhe'
dnev er
evenhear doftheguybef ore.Whatdoest hattell
you?"
-
Her
:"Thatheknewal
lal
ong.
"
-Hi
m: "
Isay .Igottothehospi t
alaround4: 45.Andof
courset heywoul dn'
tletmeseeLer ato.ButIdidn't
l
eav e.Lesst hantwohour slater,
Gor giomanagedt o
getmei ntoherroom, gotmesomeal onet i
mewi th
her.Igott olearnalotfrom thattalk.Butnot hi
ng
aboutwher eMosscoul dbe.Wi lltelly
oual labouti
t..
.
aft
erbr eakfast.
"
Hewassodamnhungr
y.Hegotupandmadehi
s
wayt
otheki
tchen.
-
Her
:"Lonwabo,
Ithi
nkImayhav
eal
eadonSi
ya'
s
cur
rentl
ocat
ion.
"