A Death in the Family Read Online Free Page B

got.”
    Mabaku took a long drink of water from the glass in front of him.
    â€œThe press is going to be all over this story. I’ll hold a conference this afternoon after I’ve seen Kubu. No one else should talk to them. Refer all questions to me. Understood?” He looked around the room of nodding heads. “Okay. Enough of that. What else is going on?”
    Each person at the table updated the group on the cases they were working. For the most part, they were relatively minor incidents: bar brawls, a few tourists pickpocketed, three stolen vehicles, some shoplifting, and two burglaries with minor losses. When it was Edison’s turn, he said that he’d heard from a friend at the Shoshong police station that there was the potential for trouble there as the nearby mine was planning to expand into an area of small holdings where a lot of people lived.
    Samantha reported five incidents of domestic violence. “We need to start locking up men who beat up their wives or girlfriends,” she said angrily. “You should see the state some women are in when they arrive at the women’s shelter. It’s disgusting that it happens in this day and age, and even worse that nothing happens to the men. If women retaliated and hit the men with a heavy stick, the police would arrest them and charge them with assault.”
    She glared at one of the detectives across the table. There were rumors that his wife had been trying to hide bruises on her face. He looked away.
    The exchange wasn’t lost on Mabaku, but he let it go.
    â€œAll right,” he said. “We’ve got work to do. Let’s catch that murderer.”

 
    CHAPTER 6
    Samantha and Zanele drove to Mochudi in separate cars, which was a good thing as Zanele was still fuming over Samantha’s oversight the previous night. They met at the home of Mma Pooe, Samantha to question her further, and Zanele to ask the woman to point out exactly where she’d seen the shadowy figure the night before.
    â€œI was just minding my own business, walking Phiri before going to bed, when this man came running down the road. I think Phiri thought I was being attacked. He jumped at the man and nearly pulled me off my feet. I thought my arm was going to come off. Lucky for the man, I was able to hold on; otherwise, he would have been mincemeat. Phiri has jaws like a hyena.”
    â€œIt’s too bad you didn’t let go,” Samantha said. “We may have solved the case already.”
    They walked the short distance to Litabi Street, which Zanele was pleased to see had been cordoned off. A constable checked their credentials before letting them through.
    â€œI was over there,” Mma Pooe said, pointing to a spot about fifty yards away. “I saw him at the end of the block. It was dark, you know. Most of the lights aren’t working around here. He was running straight at me. Then he saw me and swerved to get past. That’s when Phiri went after him. By the time I’d controlled Phiri, he’d gone. He must’ve run around the corner down there, but which way I don’t know.”
    â€œMma Letita, if he had a hood, how do you know it was a man?”
    â€œBy the way he ran. Women don’t run like that.”
    â€œMma Letita, please show me exactly where he ran.” Zanele was eager to search for footprints.
    The three walked up the road.
    â€œHe ran close to that hedge.” Mma Letita pointed to the other side of the road. “I’m sure you’ll see Phiri’s prints as well. He was very quiet next to me until he went after the man.”
    Zanele opened her forensics bag and took out a camera. She walked over to the other side of the sandy street, carefully picking her way. Just after the middle, she pointed to the ground.
    â€œI see dog prints here, going toward the hedge.”
    She continued slowly, scanning the ground carefully. Suddenly, she stopped and pointed to the ground.