Battles in the shadows

RUN...DON'T HIDE

Gorata Polelo sat down in front of his television set, ready to watch his favourite night program on Botswana Television; The eye. He had gained weight after fifteen years to hide his true identity from the police. He was wanted for murder; that of his wife and lover. He had withdrawn all the money in his account the previous day; a total of P15 000. He had created a new life for himself and owns a supermarket. He had never re- married since the murder although he has strings of girls coming to his house. As a matter of fact he was expecting his latest catch in few minutes. The doorbell rang and he stood up in excitement. The St Louis beer was chilling in the fridge and it was a Friday. He smiled brightly. He opened the door. A tall slim beauty with an Afro wig on her head. She looked at him fearfully and came in. Another lady came in wearing big, dark sunglasses. She wore a black gown that covered her entire body. She closed the door and locked it. She dropped a black gym bag she was carrying on the floor and smiled. 

"Hello Patrick"

The woman opened her gym bag and brought out a big butcher's knife and pointed it at them. "Mister! Tie your whore to the chair!" she screamed. She threw a thick rope at Gorata and he quickly obeyed. When the girl was well secured, she pushed him to the floor. 

"Sit on that wooden chair over there!" she pointed at his brown sofa. Quickly he stood up and sat down. The woman tied him up tightly and then brought out of the bag a bottle of powdered pepper, vinegar and a thick white cable wire. She removed her black dress and stared at them. 

"Who are you? What do you want?" Gorata yelled angrily, struggling to break loose. She picked up the cable wire and started beating him. 

"Make any noise and you will not see the light of another day! That includes you doll face!" she yelled in anger. Tears ran down her face as she beat him. Blood came running down his face arms and legs. 

 "Oh you poor dear. Remember me? Come on Patrick!" he did not reply. She poured the pepper on his head and poured the vinegar on top. She packed up her things.

 "Ciao" The woman dialed a number on her cell phone.

"Hello Preston Kgalae"

"Who is this?"

"I have here Patrick Moloi, Block 9. Plot 56112. Ciao!"

Patrick  Moloi? THE PATRICK MOLOI WANTED FOR MURDER! Preston's eyes bulged as the fact sank in like a rock in water. 

"Guys! There is a lead to Patrick Moloi."

"Yeah right? Do you have any idea how long the police have been trying to find this guy?" One of his male colleagues said with a snort.

"Laura, are you coming?" There was urgency in his voice.   

Laura and her colleagues were puzzled. Who was the woman that called and found Patrick Moloi? The police have been trying to find him for years. How the lady traced him was a mystery even to the police. The guy had changed his life trying to hide his true identity. 

By the time Laura and Preston got to the address the mystery woman gave, Patrick Moloi was already caught by the police. Laura watched as the fat version of her former adoptive father was handcuffed to the stretcher that took him out of the house.

"I wondered why the ambulance was there." Laura said with surprise written all over her face.

"Now you know. He got served darling. He won't be awaiting court dates in good shape...that's for sure." Preston said tightly. He looked at the shocked Laura and hugged her.

"It's almost over darling. You can cry." And just as he said that, Laura busted into tears and began to wail for the pain of loss she has been carrying for ten years.  She cried aloud for her poor mother that died unjustly. But she was also happy and joyful. At last her mother will get justice. That she will make sure. 

Later that day, she called her parents who comforted her and assured her of their full support in prosecuting Moloi. The nightmare was almost over and she will make sure it does. No matter what it would cost. 

"The lady really straightened him out. He is in the hospital and will be there for perhaps two weeks and after that his trial will begin." Preston said ruefully. 

"But the question that I need answer to is why he killed his wife?" Laura said sadly. 

"She might have cheated on him." Preston replied. Adultery is a very common thing in most marriages and any man could kill for that. After all he paid a lot of money for the Lobola and settled the woman's family.

 "I doubt it. He killed his lover too. Don't forget that Preston." 

"Yeah that is true. Killing his lover makes this case a more complicated one." Preston said and sighed deeply. Marriage today was not like what it was. Passion killing will definitely be the topic of discussion for the case and the blame might pass to the dead woman. After all, she could never defend herself now. Lorato Moloi was a ghost from the past and dead people can't talk.

Hello wonderful readers!!! What do you think of the story so far? Get ready for more mysteries.