A Death in the Family Read Free Page A

behaving strangely?”
    â€œWell, you know he has been struggling recently. But tonight he seemed excited. He did not even finish his supper. And he kept looking at his watch. He said he was going to meet a friend. I told him he should not go out alone at night. That he would get lost. But he just said he would not be long. And about eight he left.”
    She started to cry.
    â€œI told him he was being an old fool. I should never have said that.”
    Her body shook in Kubu’s arms.
    â€œI never saw him again!”
    â€œIt’s not your fault, Mother. He knew you always loved him. And he loved you too. More than he could show, I think.”
    Kubu patted his mother on her back.
    â€œI think you should try to get some sleep now. I’m sure the police will want to talk to you again tomorrow. I’ll pull the other bed out of your bedroom and sleep here.”
    He turned to everyone in the room. “Thank you all for being here. I really appreciate it.”
    Kubu let go of Amantle and stood up. He took her by the hand. “Come on, Mother. Try to get some sleep.”
    *   *   *
    EVEN THOUGH IT was two in the morning, Kubu knew he wouldn’t be able to sleep, so he went out to the veranda and sat in the cool air.
    I owe everything I have to my parents, he thought.
    It was his father who had insisted that Kubu have the best education available; it had been his father who had approached their priest to arrange a scholarship for Kubu to Maru-a-Pula school—a school no poor family like Kubu’s would ever be able to afford.
    He took a deep breath.
    And it was his father who had served the community for years as a wise man and excellent traditional healer. Everyone trusted him.
    He brought his fist down on the arm of the chair.
    â€œDamn you! Damn you, you bastard.”
    He stood up and gazed across the sleeping houses. Somewhere out there is a murderer, my father’s murderer, he thought.
    He kicked at the veranda wall.
    â€œDamn you, whoever you are. Damn you!”
    â€œThere’s nowhere for you to hide!” Kubu said, anger boiling inside him. “You’re not going to get away with this!”
    Suddenly, he wanted to see his father’s body. To see what the murderer had done. And to say good-bye.
    He hurried down the steps and walked briskly toward where the body had been found. He hoped it was still there and hadn’t been taken to the mortuary at Princess Marina Hospital.
    As he rounded the corner on Litabi Street, he stopped. Halfway down the block was the familiar sight of police cars with flashing lights, people milling about, constables keeping a few gawking spectators in pajamas and dressing gowns from encroaching on the crime scene, and a solitary ambulance, rear doors open.
    He took a deep breath and walked toward where his father must be lying.
    As he approached the yellow police tape, a constable he didn’t recognize stopped him. “Sorry, rra. You can’t go any further. This is a crime scene.”
    â€œI know it’s a crime scene,” Kubu snapped. “I’m with the CID.”
    â€œI’m sorry, rra. I’ve orders not to let anyone in.”
    â€œIt’s my father who’s been murdered!” Kubu shouted. He pushed the constable aside, ducked under the tape, and strode toward the center of the action.
    â€œStop him!” the constable shouted. “Stop him.”
    Everyone turned to see what the shouting was about.
    A second constable joined the first, and they grabbed Kubu’s arms and pushed him back.
    Kubu tried in vain to break free, but the men were young and strong.
    â€œGo back, rra,” the one said. “You’re not allowed in here.”
    Suddenly, Kubu saw Mabaku striding toward him.
    â€œLet him go,” Mabaku told the constables.
    They dropped Kubu’s arms but stayed close.
    â€œKubu, you can’t come in here. I know you want to see your father, but