by Ony Bond
Her mother looked bewildered. “You like Godfree?”
“I’m starting to. It had to take stepping back and starting to see someone as human.”
“I should have caught it from the way you stood for him against your dad.”
“Don’t expect me to stop and cry rape too.”
Her mother smiled. “What’s it with my girls and refugees? Is he handsome?”
“Thought you’d scream at me.”
“You haven’t replied. I’m waiting.”
“Wait until I bring him home.”
“Let me know when you’re ready so I make sure your dad’s rifle isn’t loaded and hide the bullets.”
“He’s a fine guy and I started to really like him. Are you going to tell Dad?”
“Tell me more about this guy.”
***
Loyce was in her room watching a movie on her tablet. She glanced up and smiled.
“What’re you watching, sis?”
“A romantic film. It’s this spoilt and rich heiress who’s lost in the wild and meets this rugged handsome cowboy.”
“I can guess what happens next. You’ll finish it later. Why don’t you and me go for a drive? I’ll get you some Nandos treat.”
Her face glowed. “You mean that?”
“We haven’t had sister time together for a while. Come on.”
That drew her older sister from her room. Loyce was shorter with brown hair and had her mother’s features unlike her green eyed and blonde sibling. They bought the food, drove to a quiet spot and had the meal.
“Rose, what’s on your mind? I can tell something’s troubling you.”
“You trapped Charlie, lied, got him imprisoned and deported. Are you proud of yourself?”
Her sister gasped, turned white. “Who told you? Mom?”
“Yes. Why did you lie?”
Rose narrated what had occurred at the boot-fare. “Dad’s afraid I might like Free.”
“I never meant to hurt Charlie. Loved him.”
She burst into explanations about how she had made a terrible mistake. Rose’s face was stony as she watched her cry.
“Hard to think you did.”
“I was just so ashamed, Rose, and didn’t want you to know. Betsy blew the whistle.”
“Where’s Charlie now? Are you in touch with him?”
Loyce had found out where he was. He had made his way to Botswana where he worked at a service station. She had asked for forgiveness. Her letters were returned unopened. Charlie had not even bothered to open them.
“Do you expect him to forgive you after what you did? You didn’t love him enough to face your family and stand with him.”
Loyce cried again. “I don’t know what to do. It’s tearing me apart. I want his forgiveness. I got his number and called him. He told me he never wants me to call him again, said I was a prostitute. What shall I do? I cheated. You don’t know how much I’ve wanted to tell you. Never wanted my sister to turn against me.”
“What you did was callous, Loyce.”
“Don’t walk away from me, Rose.” She held her sister's arm. “You like Godfree?”
“Yes, we’re going to the seaside together tomorrow.”
“He asked you out?”
“Yeah. Don’t go telling Mom and Dad now.”
“Ok, will leave that to you. Hey sis.”
“Yes.”
“Don’t make the mistake I did. I liked a guy, betrayed him, didn’t realize what I had until it was too late.”
“I don’t intend to.”
CHAPTER 12
Time to leave for the allotment. As he headed for the door the bell rang. A pregnant black woman stood in the yard. He recognized her.
“Good morning. May I help you?”
“May I see you? I’m looking for someone. May I come inside?”
He let her enter, offered her a seat. She thanked him.
“I’m Mrs Mago. I believe you knew my husband as Moto, and he visited you on Thursday night.”
“Yes. Did he send you?”
No, she understood her spouse wanted forgiveness for his past, wasn’t happy about things he did. Yesterday he left for the night shift but hadn’t returned home. Her calls to his mobile went unanswered. She wondered whether Godfree knew where he was.
He shook his head, a frown on his face. “No. He hasn’t been back here since Thursday. Does he drink, stay away sometimes?”
She said he was faithful, always came straight home from work. His absence didn’t make sense.
“Mrs Mago, did he tell you what happened here?”
“All he said was you were angry and told him to leave. That was understandable as he had treated you badly. What did my husband do?”
“He never told you?”
“Not in depth. Only that he was employed by the government to deal with opposition political party members.”
He told her husband was the best to explain but since she had asked he would enlighten her. She urged him on. Briefly he narrated the rally, his torture and Aaron’s murder. Moto wasn’t popular, did horrible things. Enough for Godfree to consider knifing or making him sit on a red-hot stove when he came here. Couldn’t, because of her and that unborn child she carried. In addition, facing his demons and coming to apologize played a role. Forgiving Moto wasn’t easy. It would take time. Her husband never returned to this place after Thursday.
Mrs Moto wept, shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry for how he hurt you.”
“Let me show you my house. That way you’ll be sure before you leave he isn’t locked in my basement.”
“It’s alright. I don’t believe he is here. You didn’t hurt him when he was here alone with you. Where is he? That’s why the disappearance doesn’t make sense.”
“I’m sure you will see him soon.”
“But why isn’t he answering his phone then? Something’s wrong.”
“Would you mind a drink or tea?”
“If it’s not a bother.”
“Not at all.”
“Tea will be fine, thank you.”
He realized he bore no animosity towards this woman. She seemed at ease with him, believed as she sipped tea after talking to him he couldn’t have hurt her husband. Godfree asked if this was her first pregnancy. No, she already had a ten-year-old daughter whom her husband adopted from an earlier relationship.
“Go to the police. They should help.”
She said one thing stopped her. Her husband withdrew cash from the ATM machine last evening.”
Godfree’s frown deepened. “He needed cash for something then. Doesn’t that look like he planned to leave?”
“He never mentioned that. Maybe he drove somewhere to hide from people that knew him in his past. I don’t want to endanger him in case they’re looking for him.”
“Has anybody called, or been to your house searching for him?”
“No.”
“If he was in danger wouldn’t he at least let you know since he knows you would worry at his silence?”
“It might be a good idea to go to the police if he does not get in touch soon enough.”
“You think something bad happened to him?”
He shook his head. “Let’s hope for the best.”
“I shall wait for a bit. If he doesn’t call, I’ll take your advice and visit the police.” She rose to her feet and held out her hand. “Thanks for the tea. You’ve been a great help.”
“I wish you better luck, ma’am. Hope he gets in touch soon.”
She smiled and departed, left him with a frown and unanswered questions. Where was Moto? Had something bad happened to him? Was he in hiding from people he tortured? If so why didn’t he alert his wife? That woman didn’t see him as a monster, but a good man who had given her a home. Had Moto met that person abducting girls - that blonde abductor? No, the latter only kidnapped girls. Had someone with revenge on his mind finally got to him and kidnapped him? Suppose he was having an affair? That’s why he needed cash. To driv
e far. Soon he would be in touch with the wife, lie he had to hide for a while from his enemies. She would believe him. But if he didn’t turn up and the wife reported to the police, then Godfree would be a suspect.
Moto had been here in this house. No, Godfree couldn’t be suspected. He had an alibi. His wife knew her husband had come home on Thursday and James had seen him leave.
Godfree drove to the allotment. When he arrived he texted Rose, asked if she was okay. Minutes later his phone buzzed. The call said Green-eyed Rose. That brought a smile to his lips.
“Hello, Free. Was thinking of you. You at your garden yet?”
“Yes, just started on the shed.”
“Hope I’m not disturbing?”
“You’re more important than a shed.”
They talked for a while. She sounded down, mentioned she had thought her dad would appreciate him after what had happened at the boot-fare. Godfree comforted her - it was not easy for Frank with what had happened to his older daughter at the hands of a refugee. Accepting Godfree would be a huge step.
“I miss you. Come over now.”
He gave her directions. In fifteen minutes she was at the gate. He unlocked it. They worked together as she handed him tools. When they rested he produced drinks from his cooler box.
“I needed you around, girl. See what we’ve achieved so far. You came up with some brilliant ideas on this shed.”
“That elderly couple, David and Lucy who came over to greet me like you. They seemed curious like everyone else.”
He revealed the mystery. They had introduced him to their single grand-daughter months ago. Matchmaking. But although she was not bad-looking she liked partying and smoked. They had just not clicked.
“What about that red-head at allotment forty, who isn’t happy to see me? The one in jeans slacks?”
“That’s Anna. She’s a single mother, and divorced with a five-year-old daughter, and looking for a dad for her child. She’s shown she’s available, but I haven’t encouraged any relationship.”
“I won’t allow you here alone after today. Everyone must know you’re now taken.”
“Moto’s wife came to see me today.”
“The spouse of that torturer?”
“Yes.”
“What did she want?”
“He has been missing since yesterday. Hasn’t been home from work. She is worried.”
“It’s possible he ran out on the wife. Or he’s hiding from some guys seeking revenge.”
“The wife was worried.”
“That man hurt people. He isn’t your problem, Free.”
“He might be having an affair and run from the wife. Or somebody who was looking finally up with him. A man like that had enemies.”
“Are you afraid you’ll be a suspect if he’s found with a slit throat? You aren’t a murderer, or you’d have killed him that night he visited. Who’s calling?” She checked her phone, frowned. “James? Did you give him my number?”
“No. He hasn’t called me. What does he want?”
“Don’t know. Strange. Let me find out.” She pressed reply and increased the volume. “Hello, James. Didn’t know you had my number.”
“I do. Enjoying the day?”
“Yeah. You?”
“Took a drive. The weather’s great. Rose, are you free for a film tonight? How about the cinema?”
“I’m not much into films.”
“How about a meal then? I know some good restaurants. It’s a date.”
“A date? You serious, James?”
“I like you a lot, thought you knew. Why don’t we take our friendship to the next level?”
“Like boyfriend and girlfriend?”
“Exactly. I’m sure you know I like you.”
“It wouldn’t work, James.”
“Let’s give it a try. We’ll be friends for now. I’m not in a hurry.”
“I’m not looking for a boyfriend. You know that. Got to go now.”
James’ tone was cheerful. “Give me a chance, Rose. I understand what you went through with the last guy. We’ll take this slow. Don’t be in haste. I won’t hurt you like he did.”
“It won’t happen, James. Got to go now.” She ended the call, glanced at Godfree. “Did you hear that? What made him think I’d be interested? And bubbling with confidence too. I talk to him at work only because he works with my dad and isn’t the only person I talk to. Looks like he mistook it for interest. How do I make a person know I’m not interested? Scratch his face or stamp on his foot?”
He looked perplexed. “What he up to? He has a strong dislike of blondes, even warned me to stay away from you yesterday.”
“Had you indicated you liked me?”
“No.” Godfree went through his conversation with James. “I felt a blonde girl hurt him in the past. He doesn’t trust you but yet he’s asking for a date. What he up to?”
“Outside the fact I don’t love him, I’m puzzled too. If he feels that way about me why doesn’t he pick a brunette? Can’t put my finger on it. He’s your friend, so why didn’t you take his advice about me? He won’t like you when he knows about us.”
“Your dad doesn’t like me. You didn’t listen to him either. Someone gave James your number and told him to call to stop us being friends.”
“Who?”
“Your dad.”
“It makes sense now. He thinks his girl might start liking the guy he doesn’t, so calls his friend James to move on me and make sure he takes me to make sure I don’t get close to you.”
“Right. You acted protective over me, got him worried.”
She nodded. “It’s understandable as we used to be both against you. Now you’ve suddenly become a hero. We have a battle on our hands.”
“What happens when he knows you’re my girlfriend?”
“That’s his problem because I’m not walking away. And we’re still going to the sea tomorrow.”
“And if he asks where you’re going?”
“Then I’ll tell him I’m having a day out with my boyfriend.”
“It’ll be too early, Rose.”
“Agree, but one of these days he’ll have to be told.”
“Never thought I’ll have to fight over a girl with James.”
CHAPTER 13
The killer stopped his car by the lake. As much as he had tried it was hard to stay away. He needed to know if the police or anyone else had been here. The water looked serene under the trees. There was nobody here. He walked to the edge, looked at the calm water. From where he stood he would not even see the bottom. Four bodies in bags lay in that lake. Nobody but him knew a thing. He smiled as he listened to the chirping of birds in the trees. If anyone arrived, he would just act normally. Like someone out here for a walk on a sunny day. He wanted to shout at the police.
“Come and get me! I’m right here at the place I buried the victims. They’re being kidnapped and killed right under your nose, Chief Detective Martin. And they say you’re clever. I’m much smarter than you.”
He picked a couple of stones and flung them at the water as he thought of Rose, the girl he disliked the moment he saw her. She was too smart, confident and attractive. He might have liked her had she different hair colour. But those green eyes and ash-blonde hair reminded him of a mother he hated. Whom he still dreamt about. He hadn’t managed to lure Rose yet. Patience paid. He would pretend to her friend. Men noticed her beauty like they did his mother.
Memories suffused him.
***
He was seven. His mother was on her knees with her short skirt hiked to her waist. She was with another boyfriend again. The boy watched with anger and disgust. His dad was not home working another graveyard shift as usual. Leaving his mother to party. Everyone called her the street prostitute. Different men visited this place. The boy hated and feared her. Sometimes she sent him to get her cold beer from the fridge for her boyfriends, slapped him and cursed if he didn’t move fast enough. How many times had he wanted to be a large s
trong boy, kick, chase her from the house onto the streets and lock the door? That spineless man she called a husband couldn’t act. He had heard her mother scream and threaten him.
“Don’t you ever tell me not to go drinking or bringing men home. I’ll do what I want. Shut up, or one of my boyfriends will break your arms. If you ever tell me to stay home, I’ll leave you and your brat. He’s not even yours. Someone else made me pregnant. Fetch me a cold beer, silly man.”
The boy felt chilled. Those horrible words rang in his ears.
“I’ll leave you and your brat. He’s not even yours.”
How could his mother say that? Who was his real father? Someone she had met in a pub, or alley when drunk?
The man he called dad said nothing, shuffled to the fridge and fetched her a beer. The boy cried himself to sleep, hated them both. His dad always worked nights to escape her boyfriends. What a coward! He would rather hide from the world under guise of night shifts. After that night the man he had thought was his father changed. Shrunk further into himself. Became a shell that said nothing to the boy and woman. He still brought his pay home in an envelope and handed it all to his wife.
Then it happened.
One night his mother packed her bags for good.
“I’m leaving you and that spineless man. Got me a rich geezer in London, who’ll buy me things. Tell that man you call dad I’m not ever coming back to this dump. He mustn’t look for me. If he tries I shall send someone to beat him.”
The boy asked, “Who is my real dad?”
“So you heard me speak to that stupid man? I don’t remember the toad that got me pregnant. Can’t even remember him. Just some faceless guy. If I recalled him I’d have slit his throat. I never wanted a child. That’s why I hate you.”
“I hate you too!” the boy yelled. “One day I shall look for you and kill you. You’re nothing but an evil woman! I hate you! Hate you!”
“What did you just call me?” she shrieked, leapt at him in those red high heels, slipped and fell on her back. She staggered to her feet. “Where are you?”
He streaked to his room, closed the door and turned the key in the lock.