Battles in the shadows

...HANGING IN THE BALANCE

Mr. Rampape came forward and looked back at the angry stares from the crowd.

" Mr. Moloi, why did you change your name?"

"I changed my name few days after my wife was murdered because I was wanted for a crime I

didn't commit!"

"A normal thing for someone in his situation."

Mrs. Rakwela sadly shook her head at the pure lies the two men were delivering to the court.

"When did you leave your house Mr. Moloi?"

"I left very early in the morning before the sun came up. Around 4 in the morning."

"A friend helped you to leave the country but you came back in despite the fact that you were wanted for murder"

"Yes."

"A guilty man will continue to run. My client knew a day like this would come when he would get caught but until then he will continue to live undercover."

"I am done with my client your honour."

The case seems to be going nowhere but Laura passionately prayed that her former foster father gets what he deserves.   The court was adjourned until a week's time.

****

Laura sauntered towards her ex- father.

"Hello Daddy. Miss me?"

"What is this Karabelo?" Rampape asked in annoyance.

"Mr. Rampape. This is a lost battle; that I will make sure. I will get justice for her Patrick! Watch out! I will fight you to the end."

"Is that a threat?" Moloi asked.

"One more thing Mr. Moloi. You are a very bad liar."

With that, Laura left the courtroom with her family.

****

"You don't have to do this Laura." Mrs. Rakwela said calmly when they got back home.

"Mama. I owe it to her. I will not have my peace until that scum bag gets exactly what he

deserves."

"Laura. I told you not to use those words!" Mr. Rakwela rebuked her.

"Sorry Papa." She apologised.

"I cannot believe that any body could stand up for that bad liar." Brandon said in disbelief.

"People like that lawyer will always exist, my son." Mrs. Rakwela replied gently.

They were all tired and worn out. The case was going nowhere. There were no witnesses except Laura and this was making the case on Moloi very difficult.

"Do you think you want to see a Doctor?" Mrs. Rakwela asked

Laura was pained. What do they think she was? That she was sick inside?

"I'm not sick! I'm not sick! See a Doctor for what? Did I complain I was unwell?" she yelled and ran out of the house.

"You shouldn't have said that mum." Phillip said gently.

Latoya busted into tears at how the case was making everything tense in the family. Phillip hugged his mother and assured her everything would be okay.

Laura's mobile phone has been switched off for two days. She was not at work as she already applied for leave. Nobody could account for where she was. She had just vanished into thin air. Mrs. Rakwela was devastated. She blamed herself for the disappearance of her daughter.  The police were notified about it; the only witness on the Moloi's murder was missing.