Night Before the Swing

True colours Come to Light

CHAPTER 26

_________________________

Forced to write a statement about the Mason fiasco, the management and board of the university of Ref-town summoned Mrs. Forest first, hoping she would shed some light about her daughter-in-law's family troubles.

The institution needed to do damage control in light of the chaos that had descended at their door step. Students were demanding that the university expel Nala and nullify every module she had done with the institution. 'She paid for it all with blood money' one placard read. The protests were peaceful but still disruptive because classes came to a grinding halt. Learners also wanted Warren fired since he was in a love relationship with her. Many believed he financially benefitted from the millions too. Mrs. Forest forged ahead and showed face the day after the news broke. Instead of attacking her, the students simply stared at her as she got out of her vehicle and walked to the staff room. The whispers made her fear for her life but she refused to be a prisoner at her house for something she wasn't guilty of. She walked into the meeting with one mission only which was to tell the truth and she almost succeed.

Her closing statement: I'm a very good judge of character and I knew from the first day I met her that she was trouble. Warren saw her true colours soon after Narrel was born and dumped her. We have no relation with the Masons, trust me.

Warren applied for leave of absence as soon as the news about his baby mama's family troubles made television news. He moved back to his parents' house a day later and stopped taking calls from colleagues and friends. Nala's stubborn refusal to call him back or send a text was making him more frustrated with the situation. Not too many people knew that he and Nala weren't together anymore and that made him part of the scandal. Initially, all he wanted was his daughter to return to safety - him. But as soon as Iggy and Nandi dropped her off at his parent's house, he wanted answers no one could provide him with. Iggy wasn't forth coming when he dropped off Narrel but that didn't stop the Forests from trying to squeeze information out from him. All he said to the questions asked to him was 'I don't know'. After he gave the same answer for the third time, Mr. Forest became confrontational.

Mr. Forest: You don't know how the bodies got there, you don't know who's responsible, you don't know if the news reporters are telling the truth. What exactly do you know?

Iggy: I don't know anything. My wife and I would like to leave now, thanks.

Warren: Listen here Iggy. I have a right to know about this disgusting ...

Iggy: Shut up Warren! You have a right to nothing. You weren't even on speaking terms with any of us two minutes ago. (turning to look at the head of the house) Mr. Forest, I apologise for sounding rude but I really have nothing to say about this for now. Please look after our child.

*****

Long brushed his teeth at one of the bathrooms at a nearby mall and splashed his face with tap water before drying himself with two paper towels. It was six in the morning and even the cleaning staff had not arrived. Only the gas stations were open all hours so he drove to the nearest one and bought a packet of chips, a chocolate bar, water and more biltong. The mountain is not fenced but there is no parking space so he left his car at a nearby hospital parking lot then walked the twelve minutes to the hill. He spent another twenty minutes getting to the spot that showed everything he needed to see. It was almost 8pm when he sat down with his snacks and ate while looking at the little activities happening at the Danver entrance. Most people looked like residents leaving for work. A few people walked in but nothing suspicious happened for what seemed like forever. Christian knows he's wanted and will not show up looking like himself. The parking area of Danver was open enough to detect any funny business.