The Repenter

The Repenter- Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE

The three hours that they spent with Kamo seemed like a whole year to Glen. Not only was he feeling stupid, but he was also angry that he was embarrassed, humiliated, and belittled. How was all this possible? How didn’t he know about it? Kamo was a forensic expert. Someone owed him an explanation at the station. Someone knew something and kept it away from him. Are they back on it again- trying to sabotage him? Something they had been doing for the past four years. Well, this time they came so close. He undid the first two of his uniform buttons; the car air corn wasn’t doing enough to calm his sweating body.

He pressed the accelerator a bit hard; the speedometer took a quick tour from 60km/h to 120km/h. He remained focused on the road, though the traffic was a bit thick, he didn’t care that much.

Zikwiche collapsed a bit further into his seat, and fastened the seat belt. High speeds always made him nervous, but it was high time he got used to his boss overspending. He tried to let go of his mind- tried to think of something else. He succeeded in doing such. His memories we taken aback- back to Kamo’s yard. Kamo’s cubicle. He had enjoyed every single minute that passed, every single breath that he took. He was so enticed by the level of Kamo’s professionalism. He got a tickle of motivation to do the forensics- any kind of forensics he won’t care.

For a few more moments he had his eyes on the young Pa. No doubt he has seen a lot of beauty as he grew up. Beauties of different kinds and shapes- but the forensic personal assistant was a kind of beautybeauty. He tried hard to recall her name- it slipped his mind. He was beating himself up for forgetting her name.

The boss hit the brakes. Zikwiche got startled. They pulled behind a string of cars- the traffic lights that give to Block 8, City Center, Airport Junction Mall, and Airport were in a jam. The interchanging of cars was very thick and fast-flowing. Glen kept on tapping on the steering wheel. He was getting impatient with the tiny movement they were making. He was tense. He was in a hurry. He wanted to get out of the city- he was somehow very angry. Zi wondered what is that, is bothering the boss. Why is he so jumpy? Was it about the turn of events at Block 7? Zi remembered well how excited Glen was very excited about the case. How easy of fishing it will be for him- he knew Kamo, and it wouldn’t take long before he had him nailed.

“Scores will be settled. It will all be even” he echoed when they left for the car. A wonder was starting to settle in with Zi, now. What scores were to be settled? Do they get settled, after all? Is the boss, jumping because the scores are yet far from being even? It however seemed like Kamo had his scores settled, he had somehow emerged top of Glen. Maybe Glen was feeling beaten and hence was in such a fury.

When thoughts eluded him, they were making their way through Phakalane, like a heavy flowing river the A1 road opened its vast to them, the traffic was almost extinct only a few trickles of coming came. He dash to the speedometer, 156km/h. He felt all his muscles tense- the boss is going to have them killed he thought. He closed his eyes and engaged in a mini-prayer. Asked God to bless the road, and asked him to protect them from the cursed A1 road.

Gijko's photo lay on the table; alongside it was that of Millie. The two photos were not bothered; ugly as they were they seemed to bother Kamo less. He stared straight ahead of them, through the walls. For an instant, it seemed like his stare would penetrate through the wall, to the other side. The other side that no one knew what it might be holding. Maybe that other side had the answers to his troubled mind. Yes! He was troubled, haunted by the fact that his old homie was dead. He blamed himself for introducing him to the ills of the world. Gijko was a humbled kid, obedient he was. He was scared of doing wrong, but he held a close bond with the Lord. Kamo persuaded him, in fact, he blindfolded him, and dragged him into crimes- once tasted, it gets sweeter. Gijko failed to stop- he got the addiction of being on the wrong side of the law… He remembers… a tear rolled the length of his chic; he drifted his mind away from the thought. He blames himself for making Gijko what he was. His death…? Kamo’s body got a chill when he had to give it a thought. Who would have wanted to kill him? For a few correspondences he made with Gijko- Gijko was living a clean normal life. A puzzle- he let a tiny sigh escape his almost closed lips.

Glen- he has recently been transferred to the Boteti. Where? Rakops or Orapa station…? He got there and within a few months of his arrival, Gijko was murdered. Does he have a play on this? There is a possibility- a more likely possibility. They met, a few times during his policing days in Gaborone, years ago.

He let the thought slide him. For now, he will oppress that history- he will rebuke it later.

He took the two pictures and placed them closer to him. Pulled the magnifying glass from underneath the table. He carefully understudied each picture, dotting down the irregularities we saw… something was striking. A kind of a pattern, a motive.

His examination was disturbed by the knock. He ignored it for a moment. The knock persisted- he acknowledged it. Gail popped her head in.

“The car is K” There was a kind of worker chemistry between him and his employees. There was nothing like professional addressing, your “Sirs, Misters” they just called him by his name- the shortened one for that matter. He has told them so many times, that he doesn’t want to be worshipped, so any of his names will do.

“Okay, I will be there in a moment Gail. Just a second I am still piecing up something here” He returned his attention to the photos. Gail went on to prepare other peripherals for him. He has earlier on told her she won’t be part of the trip.

“This one is too personal Gail- I’ll carry it alone. Get my stuff ready, I wanna leave in an hour's time.” With a little disappointment, Gail didn’t object, as she would usually do. She obeyed.

The Benz-S500 was ready and delicate; it was ready to kiss the A1.

1900hrs- Glen pulled by the Palapye Old Mall. It took only two hours to reach Palapye. He circled the old-looking parking lot; in search of a parking spot- he found one in front of KFC. He pulled in.

“Reckon you hungry” He deep voiced the words as he made his way out of the car. Zi nodded to that and climbed out too.

He followed his boss, broad shoulders as they retreated towards KFC. There was no clue. The townspeople had made their way back to their homes, and a few travelers we seated on the sofas, either eating or waiting for their orders. Glen made his order- a half-fried chicken, large fried chips- and a Coke drink. He waited impatiently for Zi to order. Being unfamiliar with this fast food thing, Zi found it hard to make the order. His boss made a grunting noise- making him even tenser.

“Got a problem with meals boy. Just point to whatever is on the menu” He looked to the other side, surveying the tiny room. His eyes moved slowly from one person to another- as if he was hoping to spot who murdered Gijko before Kamo did. Zi who by now has managed to order- a meal from the menu called StreetWise II- whatever that it is he will deal with it. He wondered how possible it was, that maybe the murderer was sitting with them inside this incredible food outlet.

He took the script. They moved to two vacant seats at the rear of the room- a perfect place to say a word or two to the boss.