The naked lady

Part 3: Alanda - seven

Another knock on the door.

They panic to clear Penn Sabitov's body.

He is heavier than Alanda thought he would be.

She trembles at Penn's body.

What they just did is very serious.

There is another knock, this time even more loudly.

The person has not left.

Who could it be at this hour?

Alanda smells something burning. It is her Italian gravy.

Oh no! It is ruined!

She forgot to put off the stove.

Penn Sabitov has ruined her whole evening. He has.

But it is over now.

Someone starts to kick their front door.

Makar motions Alanda to open it, face the person.

It is another strange man.

He is certainly not from New York.

The man does not smile or show any emotion.

He enters without being asked.

'I am Detective Nakia Kuzanetsov,' he states.

'I'm here because of the murder of Karina Sabitov.'

Alanda gives Makar a look.

They certainly cannot kill the detective too.

'I got a message from Penn to your address.'

Alanda doesn't move or speak.

She does not want to look guilty.

But killing Penn is still fresh in her mind.

Govonna has started to cry.

The detective does not notice at first.

'He said he will meet me at your flat.'

Detective Nakia looks around him.

As if Penn will pop up somewhere.

Makar shakes his head, 'There's no one else here...'

Nakia notices how Alanda trembles.

She quickly goes to comfort her daughter.

'My daughter does not like strangers, detective,' she says.

'She's afraid of the police.

Makar and I have often comforted her.

But my Govonna gets frightened quickly. She is afraid.'

Nakia doesn't smile or smirk.

He is still closely looking at Makar.

The man was supposed to be dead, Nakia concludes.

'What is going on here?

You both look so flushed and upset.'

Detective Nakia stands on the spot where Penn died.

Alanda has never been tenser.

Her guilt is written over her face.

'Well, we haven't heard of Karina for many years.'

The detective nods to this.

He's still waiting for Penn to arrive.

Alanda knows the less she speaks, all the better.

Talking might give her away.

Govonna, too, must not utter a word.

There is no guarantee that Govonna will keep silent.

But Alanda hopes and resists.

Alanda prays for Detective Nakia to leave.

She wishes and longs for it all to end.

To let this nightmare finish.

To get back to her normal life.

To live a carefree life with Makar and Govonna.

The detective starts his investigation.

'Have you been to South Africa recently?'

Naturally, Alanda and Makar deny ever being there before.

'Please tell me the truth.

When last did you speak to Karina?'

Detective Nakia's tone is deadly; it makes Alanda shiver.

'It truly has been years.'

Very silently, Alanda nods to Makar's words.

'How did she die?' Makar is the brave one.

Alanda is grateful for him.

'She was murdered, thrown into a pool.

But is suspect you already know this, don't you?

I know when liars speak.

I cannot prove it yet,' Nakia continues.

'We will just wait for Penn to get here...'

'Get out of my house!

You come here accusing us of murder?

You say we are liars! You must leave now!'

Makar's shouting goes on forever.

The detective does not show any emotion.

'Alright, but if you see Penn... don't kill... him.'

Makar slams the door close.

Alanda can finally fall apart and cry.

Panicking, she grabs hold of Govonna around the shoulders.

'We will be alright now.'

Govonna too cries, 'He will arrest us.'

'No!' Makar locks the door, 'He cannot prove anything.'

The gravy is too salty.

Govonna goes to bed hungry and stressed.

For the first time ever, she heard Alanda panic.