Day broke. The Bishop, the police and some of the locals arrived at Thekeza’s home to bring comfort and condolences. The Bishop was with Thekeza’s son. The little boy ran to his father when he saw him.

He told him of all the toys he was allowed to play with and that he was allowed an extra helping of biscuits with his milk before he slept last night by the nuns. Thekeza just nodded and held his son tight against his body.

“Thank you Bishop,” Thekeza mimed the words over his son’s head and the Bishop winked one eye at him.

The police began with their work of questioning him over what happened last night. Thekeza was slow with his speech naturally, he stuttered. He could not get the words out of his mouth.

“I thought…feet… robbers…spade…” as he recollected his thoughts over last night, tears began to roll down his cheeks.

The Bishop could see that the son was affected by seeing his father weeping. He took him from his lap and passed him on to one of the women from the church present in another room. Thekeza cleaned his face with a handkerchief that he pulled out of his trouser pocket.

“Where is she?” he did not look at anyone as he asked his question.

“Her body is kept safely in storage at the police station. She is fine where she is. I went past there this morning. I assure you my son, relax.” The Bishop answered.

Thekeza sat up straight in his chair and tried again. As the words parted from his lips the people were shocked. He began to cry again as he told the story to the police.

“Thekeza,” the policeman began, “because you are admitting guilt that you are the one that hit her with the spade that consequently killed her, we have to take you into custody until Tuesday when your case can be heard.” The policeman explained.

The sergeant was a good friend of Thekeza’s. The words he heard from his good friend today about accidentally killing his wife were the last words he had expected to hear. Thekeza nodded to show that he understood.

“Bishop my little boy…” said Thekeza.

“Yes of course. You need not ask. Of course I will,” the Bishop replied.

“Just until Tuesday please. I will take him back on Tuesday when all of this is over.” Thekeza said.

“Yes, just until Tuesday.” agreed the Bishop.

“In the meantime, check on my wife daily.” Thekeza said to the Bishop.

“I will do so, every day.” The Bishop agreed.

The Bishop left the room to go and call the little boy. Thekeza cleaned his face again and tried to look cheerful for his son.

“My boy,” he began his sentence. “You get to go and visit the Bishop again. I am going away for a little while but I will be back.”

“No daddy I want to go with you.” The little boy whispered back.

“Think biscuits and toys.” He said to him. “I will be back very soon.” He held the little boy tight against his body and kissed him on the forehead.

“It was not murder. It was not intentional. I love Sonele.” said Thekeza to anyone who cared to listen as the police took him away.

The sergeant was shaking as he placed handcuffs over his dear friend’s wrists. I guess he had already anticipated what his fate might be. He knew the place where he might end up.

Tuesday finally came. Thekeza’s case was called up. When he took the stand, he looked ill and frail and weak. Hardly the man anyone knew. Sonele’s death had grown on him and was killing him too. It was the first time ever; a murder case had been put on the court roll in Kasilami.

The people began to whisper amongst themselves about how he killed her in cold blood. Others said the son persuaded him to kill her. Other said she wanted to kill the son so he killed her. The unthinkable had happened in Kasilami. His hearing was brief. The jury voted him guilty. The Bishop read out his charge as Murder and not premeditated murder, which lessened the sentence.

***

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