Kate hadn’t seen Margaret since the poetry evening. The next day Margaret left for a conference. She was back now and after knocking off they’d agreed to go for a drink at a pub at Riverwalk Mall. When Kate arrived Margaret was not yet there so since the evening was not that cold, she decided to get a table on the outdoor veranda and wait. The veranda looked out over the nearby river where reeds and cat tails grew high. It was a lovely evening with a hint of spring in the air and despite being troubled by the case, Kate began to relax.

It was obvious that Margaret and her husband were having problems, but Kate believed that in marriage most things could be worked out and she hoped that her new friend’s problems were manageable. Kate and her husband had had a wonderful marriage, but it was not problem-free, no one’s marriage is. Despite the fact that she seemed to be dodging marrying John, it wasn’t because she didn’t believe in marriage, she did. She believed it was the best way to get as close as two people can. The security allowed for trust to grow and love, to get deeper and deeper. But Kate also knew marriage could be like a prison, where horrible abuse, both physical and mental, occurred under the cover of love and family. She’d seen enough of the consequences of those types of marriages to know that she’d been blessed and not everyone was. She looked up and Margaret was just coming in the door and she waved to get her attention.

“God the traffic getting over here was terrible. What is happening in Gaborone, suddenly there are so many cars everywhere?” she said to Kate as she leaned over to give her a kiss. She turned to the waiter, “White wine, please.”

“So how was your day?” Kate asked.

“Well, I spent a lot of it with your daughter-in-law.”

“Rachel? Why?”

“Don’t you know? She applied for the job at the clinic and they’ve hired her. They’re so desperate. They managed to get her out of her contract at Princess Marina and she is starting at the clinic tomorrow. We’re going to be workmates. I’m really looking forward to it.”

“Oh Margaret, that’s so wonderful! Gomolemo must be over the moon. Rachel was so unhappy at the hospital. That job is a real godsend. She wasn’t enjoying her position at the hospital.”

“I sensed as much. Already she seems happier. She’s really a lovely woman, you are so lucky to have them both.”

“I know, but thanks for saying it anyway. So how are you? I’ve been worrying about you since the other evening.”

Margaret took a drink of her wine as if it was water after a long hot trek through the desert and looked out over the parking lot to the marshy area in the distance. “I don’t know, Kate. You know when you get married everything is so perfect. Maybe I was unrealistic to think it would stay that way.”

“What is it, Margaret, what’s the problem?’

“I don’t know really. Honestly, I can’t really tell you. Goitsemang has changed recently. He’s distant, secretive. I think he’s having an affair.” Tears filled her eyes.

“Did you ask him?”

“I know it sounds silly, but I somehow feel I don’t have the right. You know I’m six years older than him. When we got married, I was already 40. I told him that I didn’t want to have children; I thought I was too old, something might go wrong. He was happy with that. He said he didn’t mind, that he loved me. But I think he’s realised what that means now, having no children. It bothers him. I feel responsible.”

“That doesn’t give him the right to cheat on you. He’s an adult. He knew what he was getting into.”

“I’m not even sure if he is, it might be just my imagination. But I do know that lately the children thing is an issue between us. I don’t feel able to bring it up and in the meanwhile he’s just drifting away.”

“You need to talk to him. You’re a counsellor, you know that better than anyone. Sometimes our minds imagine a lot of things that are not really what is happening. Maybe he’s just busy with work, there could be so many things causing his distraction.”

Margaret smiled. “Yeah, Kate, I know. I know that you’re right. I guess I just feel a lot of guilt about the whole thing. He’s 39, he could still find another wife and make a family. I guess I’m frightened of losing him.”

Kate reached over and hugged Margaret. “You need to talk. There are other options. You could adopt a child if he really wants children.”

“I know. I know I’m being useless. We need to talk. I’m sure once we sit down and talk it will be fine. I feel so much better after talking to you Kate. Speaking all of my fears out loud sort of dissipates their power.” She laughed. “I guess a counsellor should know that.”

“Well, I’m glad I could help. I was really worried.”

“You have enough to worry about without filling your head with my problems. How’s the case going?”

“I think we’ve made some progress. That Ontiretse is a piece of work.”

“Yeah, I thought so too. Do you think he’s the murderer?”

“I’m not sure. You know what, can we talk about something else. This spring air and the wine were finally making me forget what’s hanging over my head.”

“Okay then. Enough about that. How’s that handsome John of yours?”

“He’s fine.” Kate couldn’t help smiling when she thought about him.

“He told me that you two are getting married. It’s funny you never mentioned it.”

“Didn’t I?”

“Oh Kate, you know you didn’t. What’s up?”

Kate hesitated, did she even know the answer. Yes, she wanted to get married to John, but how could she get over feeling like she was somehow cheating on her late husband? She felt crazy even saying it and decided to keep it to herself. “I’m just busy. As soon as this whole mess is over with this case, we’ll definitely set a date. We’ll invite you guys, don’t worry.”

Although she’d said it, she wasn’t sure she believed it. There was always another case to pull out as the reason to postpone the date. She knew her problem was deeper and until she sorted it out there would be no wedding for her and John Mogami, no matter how much he might want it.

“We need to get more on this guy. That lawyer won’t even let us touch him with what we’ve got. Maybe we should try and see Olebile’s sister and visit that restaurant, the employer seemed willing to help. Maybe she knows something,” Ntoko said the next morning.

“That sounds good. Let me go to the restaurant, you see if you can find the sister. We’ll meet up here later.”

Kate climbed the stairs up to the top floor restaurant, stopping at the top to catch her breath. She hadn’t realised how unfit she was, she should really make more effort to exercise she decided. Just then the restaurant door opened.

“Oh, hi, it’s Detective Gomolemo right?” It was the polite waiter that was at the restaurant the first time Kate and Ntoko had been there. “Are you okay? You don’t look so good.”

Kate smiled and tried to steady her breath so she could speak. “I’m fine, a bit winded climbing all of those stairs is all. Is Ms Miller around?”

“No, she just left for the bank. Maybe I can help you?”

“You looked like you were off somewhere. I don’t really want to keep you.”

He opened the door behind him. “No problem. I’ve knocked off but I can help you.”

They got inside the restaurant. A few of the tables had people sitting at them but they were stragglers from the lunch crowd. The waiter took Kate to a corner booth. “Can I get you something? Tea?”

“Tea would be great.” Kate waited for him to return. She thought about the case. If Ntoko was right, today was their last day. The killer would strike tonight. His fourteen days were up. They desperately needed a break. Kate tried not to think about it.

The young man came back with their tea and sat down. “I’m Geoffrey by the way. Geoffrey Laone.”

“Nice to meet you Geoffrey. It was good of you to take a bit of time to speak with me.” Kate paged through her notebook she’d taken out of her big leather bag. “Did you know Olebile well?”

“Yes, I did. We started working here at the same time. I went to the funeral. It was terrible.” He looked away but Kate could see he was trying to compose himself. It wasn’t proper for a well raised Motswana man to cry, especially in public with a stranger. She took a photo from her bag. “Do you know this guy?”

Geoffrey took it in his hand but then threw it on the table. Kate was surprised by Geoffrey’s sudden change in behaviour. “Yeah, I know him. He comes in here all of the time. He’s a jerk. Likes to act as if he’s better than everyone because he’s rich. A real jerk.”

“Do you know if he harassed Olebile at all?”

“I know she hated him just like everyone else here. She told me once that she had lodged a complaint against him when she was at the University. He harassed her. He was like that. He wants what he wants and no one will stop him. Like I said he’s a jerk.”

“Was he here the night Olebile was murdered?”

“I can’t really remember. We were pretty busy that night. He might have been. He comes here a lot. This place is for the rich guys if you haven’t noticed.”

Kate smiled. She could hear the resentment in his voice and she had to agree, as a working class girl herself, she often felt the same resentment for the wealthy. “Did Olebile ever mentioning him threatening her?”

“He probably did but since Olebile started dating that Clicks fellow she liked to play the role of tough girl. She wouldn’t have told me if he was troubling her even if he was. She kept the fact that Clicks was beating her a secret. Do you think Setle’s the one who murdered her?”

“We don’t know yet, Geoffrey. Let’s keep it to ourselves for now okay? If you remember anything more about the night Olebile was murdered, could you give me a call?” Kate handed the young man a simple white business card. “Thanks for your help.”

He can feel that edge of irritation building, a slight itch that will not be ignored. He doesn’t want it this time. He wants to be through with this, to live his normal life. But without his permission, he can feel it build. He locks the door behind him. He can’t let anyone see. He lies on the bed and curls onto his side. He rocks back and forth hoping to push it away, but it is coming and he needs to be ready. He has no choice but to give in. It needs to eat; the killing is its nourishment.

Mechanically, he rises from the bed. He reaches to the top of the wardrobe and pulls down what he needs. He slides into the black clothes and drops the three silver claws into his pocket. It is time to find his prey.