by Bob Bidecant
*****
It was raining when they located the jail in Durban and tied their horses to the rail outside. Mikael waited for the dog to drink from a nearby trough and then pulled his muzzle on, it was something he always did in the town. He then tied the dog outside to a bench next to the door, it lay down immediately, exhausted from the trip.
Morris looked up as the three men entered his office.
‘Can I help you?’ he asked as he glanced at their faces. His gaze stopped at Mikael. Abraham spoke.‘Good evening, my name is Abraham Buitekant. We are here regarding the murder of my daughter. This is my son Mikael and his friend Jon. We would particularly like to speak with the officer that arrested the man accused of killing her.
‘At the moment he is out on a patrol. He should be back in a couple of days. Maybe I can assist you?’He invited them to sit and told them what he knew.
‘The same night the suspect escaped from here a man named George Tyler was murdered in the tented area. Witnesses told us Tyler had been trying to sell second hand mining equipment cheaply, told everyone he was going home the next day, he had even shown a barmaid his ticket. We went through his belongings but we couldn’t find a ticket, his wallet or any money. A man fitting the suspect’s description was seen in that location at the time so we think that he used Tyler’s ticket and boarded the ship.’
‘You think? You can’t you be sure?’ Mikael asked.‘No not for sure, all we know is according to the harbour master that somebody boarded using that ticket, he has the other half. But we can’t be one hundred per cent sure who boarded. Leave your accommodation details and I will send someone to fetch you when the Captain who arrested him returns.’ Abraham thanked him and agreed to return in the morning with an address. Tonight they had to find a place to stay for the night. They stepped outside into the pouring rain.
‘Damn what a storm.’ Yelled Jon above the thundering of the rain cascading from the metal roof. Mikael turned the large collar of his raincoat up around his face and buttoned it. He pulled his hat down to protect his eyes from the stinging rain. As he turned to step off the wooden boardwalk and mount his horse he bumped into a soldier running towards the office. The soldier stopped laughing and apologised to Mikael. For a split second he stared at Mikael’s face and then ran into the office, slamming the door behind himself. He shook the rain from his hat and coat and hung them on the wooden peg on the wall.
‘Who just came out of here? I could have sworn I have seen that tall guys face before.’ He asked Morris.‘It’s a small town Sergeant, you probably have somewhere. That was the family of the murdered Boer girl, they will be back in the morning you can get a better look at him then.’ Morris answered vaguely, more interested in the contents of the sandwiches.
Jon knew a cheap hotel and they booked in for the night. Entering the dining room, they found a quiet table in the corner, ate some food and shared a bottle of whiskey. Abraham left the company to find a toilet. Mikael spoke to Jon.
‘He boarded the ship, I know it.’ Said Mikael unexpectedly. ‘I will go to the docks in the morning and ask around, somebody may have seen him.’
‘You want me to come with you?’ asked Jon.
‘No, stay with Abraham please, Jon can you do me a big favour and keep an eye on him, I am a bit worried to leave him on his own.’
‘Of course, there are a lot of rough buggers in town.’‘It’s not only that Jon, he acts tough but he is broken up inside over Emma.’ Abraham returned and sat down. After most of the whiskey had disappeared Jon excused himself and went to bed.
‘I won’t be long for bed myself,’ said Mikael ‘How do you manage to keep going?’ He laughed at Abraham, the whiskey had relaxed him.
Abraham decided now was the time.
‘Mikael, I want you to listen carefully to me. I have something very important to tell you about Jaak.’
3.9
Mikael stood holding the ships rail looking back at the port of Durban sprawling along the coast. His thoughts of his family and home. It would be several months before he saw it again. As he waited for the last of the passengers to board and the ship to leave, his thoughts were interrupted by an annoyed female voice.
‘Be more careful with my luggage please.’ He turned to look. Before him stood the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He stood transfixed. Five feet one inch tall, she stood holding a small parasol, her back and shoulders perfectly straight. Thick black hair tied up above her head, her face was oval and she had a Persian look about her. Mikael was hypnotised by her brown eyes, her eyelashes and arched eyebrows thick and black standing out against her unblemished skin. Hidden from the burning African sun, she was as white as an English nun. Her large nose and thick lips were perfectly in proportion. The porter stopped as he reached Mikael and looked at the huge dog standing with him.
‘Sorry Sir, but the dog will have to go downstairs in the steerage, we will be leaving shortly.’ He said.
‘Yes I will bring him down in a few minutes.’ Mikael replied.
Mikael realised the Boerboel was blocking the way and pulled it back to allow the porter room to get passed with her massive luggage trunk, she followed. Mikael smiled as she passed, he touched his forehead with his fingers.
‘Good morning madam, Mikael Buitekant at your service.’ He said smiling.
‘Good morning Sir,’ She replied glancing in his direction. ‘Julia Jacobson.’ She looked into his green eyes, ‘Miss.’ then continued towards her cabin followed by her maid. Mikael watched her walk all the way to the living quarters. He then turned back to the rail and looked out at the blue skies ahead.
‘Perhaps this won’t be such a boring trip as I thought.’ he said to himself.