Deadly Harvest Read Online Free

straightforward to cut your teeth on—­a grocery-­store robbery or a holdup at a gas station.”
    â€œI asked for it.”
    Kubu stared at her for a few moments. “A cold case is the hardest to tackle, even for experienced investigators. You could be setting yourself up for failure.”
    â€œI know it’s a risk. But I’ve sacrificed a lot to become a detective, and I want to make a difference.”
    â€œAnd I admire that, Samantha. But sometimes it’s better to take things a little slowly. Take time to learn the ins and outs of the business. I was lucky. I hung around detectives while I was getting my degree. I learned more from that than I did at university. Experience really does make a difference.”
    â€œAssistant Superintendent, you’re a man. I don’t think you understand what it’s like to be a woman in a man’s world. All we ever hear is to take it slowly, not to rock the boat. You know what that means? It means men don’t want to change, and anyone who pushes, threatens their cozy lifestyle.”
    â€œNot all men are like that . . .”
    â€œWomen who complain are branded as nuisances. I hear what the other detectives are already saying about me. ‘A troublemaker,’ they say. They resent an intrusion into their male club. How do you think it feels? I want to make a difference for women. To give crimes against them the same attention as the police give crimes against men. Is that unreasonable?”
    Kubu sat quietly, pondering the truth of what Samantha had said.
    â€œKubu,” she said in a quieter voice. “I’m told you have a daughter. Do you want her to be a second-­class citizen? What if she wants to be a detective, and then is treated like me? Could you sit back and do nothing?”
    â€œSamantha, I appreciate what you want to do. But I think you’ll have more chance of success if you get to know the other detectives first and earn their respect. Then they’ll listen to you. Change is always a slow process. Nobody who joins the force and immediately rocks the boat accomplishes what they want. They get ­people’s backs up.”
    Kubu felt the atmosphere chill. “And I was told you would be sympathetic, that you weren’t like the others! But you’re the same, aren’t you? In favor of women’s rights in words, but not in action.”
    Kubu felt a flush of anger. Nobody talked to him like that, let alone someone new. She didn’t know him; didn’t know what he believed. Look at his relationship with Joy. They were equals. He took a deep breath. “I do want to help. I’m going to get a cup of tea for myself. And then we can talk. Can I get one for you?”
    â€œNo, thanks.”
    A few minutes later Kubu returned. He opened the bottom drawer of his desk and pulled out a tin of mixed cookies. “I’m on a diet, actually. So I only eat these on special occasions. Welcoming a new detective is one of those.” He picked out his two favorites and offered the tin to Samantha, who refused. “In fact, it’s two special occasions, as you’re our first lady detective.” He extracted two more cookies. He carefully replaced the top and slid the tin back into the drawer.
    â€œI do want to help, so let’s get to work. I remember reading about the case you’re talking about. My mother was very upset. She thought it was another Mogomotsi case. You know about that one? Segametsi Mogomotsi was fourteen when she disappeared while trying to sell oranges to raise some money for a church excursion. Her dismembered body was found months later.”
    Samantha sat perfectly still for several moments, eyes unfocused. “I know about it. It was also in Mochudi.” She looked into Kubu’s eyes. “The government was forced to call in Scotland Yard to take over, but never made their report public. Why do you think that was? Because high up