The next day, Kate decided that her first stop would be to see Kgosi Seabelo. From what she got from Monnonyana and the description of the type of person Rre Modise said that she should be looking for, the chief fit the bill. Greedy for money, weak morals. Kate wanted to interview him to see what she could find out. Stopping by the police station she collected Constable Lecheng in a much better mood than the previous day. They took Kate’s car to the kgotla.

“It looks like Kgosi Seabelo’s got company.” Lecheng said pointing to the cars in the parking lot. “That’s Kgano’s Hilux and that old Merc is for Senatla.” He scowled and Kate thought that he wasn’t happy about seeing Senatla again.

“If we’re lucky, maybe we’ll hit a few birds with one stone today, Lecheng,” Kate said slamming the car door behind her, thinking that she might even find out what was up between the constable and Senatla.

The kgotla offices were new with a large thatched area where court cases were held. Cement benches were scattered under the shade from tall morula trees located around the compound. It was a cold day, though winter was almost over, and Kate could see Kgano and Senatla sitting in a patch of sunlight at the end of the thatched roof.

“Dumelang Rre Kgano, Rre Senatla,” Lecheng greeted them. “This is Detective Kate Gomolemo from Gaborone. She’s here working with me on those murders. Where’s Kgosi Seabelo?”

Kgotletsa Senatla glared at Lecheng and kept silent, obviously still bitter about their argument the day before, Kate thought. “He went into the office to attend to a phone call. He’ll be back just now. Sit down with us and wait,” Kwenaetsile Kgano said in a deep, resonating voice, the whole while looking steadily at Kate. “Matebele told us he knew your late husband, Mrs. Gomolemo.”

“Yes, so he says. I only found out recently.” Kate was unsettled by Kgano’s direct, persistent stare. What was it about this man that so rattled her?

They sat in an awkward silence until finally the chief returned. “Oh Detective, I was wondering when I’d be meeting you,” Kgosi Seabelo said holding out his hand and smiling. “You come highly recommended according to Matebele. I hope you find those murderers, it’s a terrible business, just terrible.”

He sat down with them moving his wooden chair more into the sun. “Yes, actually that’s why we’re here,” Kate began. “I wanted to know what you could tell me about that night it happened.”

“Well, there was a celebration here at the kgotla. We’d been planning it for months and everybody was excited about it. It was the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the village. Of course, many people were at masimo still as it was harvest time but most came in for the celebrations. I understand the old woman was ill and the children remained behind to help her.”

Kate had her head down and she was writing in her small notebook. Finished, she looked up and asked, “And did you note anything suspicious that night? People acting odd? People noticeably absent?”

“I was quite busy as you can imagine. We had people here from Gaborone. The MP and a few ministers.” He turned to the other men. “You both were here. Did you notice anything?”

Senatla spoke for the first time. “I didn’t see anything. Most everybody was here. It was a big event. There was a big meal prepared and traditional beer. By nightfall the party was in full swing. No one would have stayed away.”

“What about since then? Anyone acting funny?” Lecheng asked.

The chief spoke impatiently, “I told you yesterday, Lecheng, to go out and speak to Monnonyana. That’s who I suspect. Someone like that, wealthy so quick. Rumours are all over. Children even run away from his car screaming when they see it pass in the bush.”

Kate gave Lecheng a look to silence him, she would take this one. “Actually, Kgosi, we were there yesterday. I understand that you’re having some money problems yourself.”

The chief’s smile disappeared from his face. “What exactly are you insinuating, Mrs. Gomolemo?”

Kate ignored the question and paged back through her notebook. “I checked a few things this morning and I found that you’ve brought Monnanyana to the kgotla three times for stock theft and all three times he was found not guilty. The last time he even made a counter charge against you for harassment. Is that true?” She looked up, her gaze unwavering, waiting for the answer.

“If it’s in the records it must be true. Why do you even ask?” he spat back, turning away, annoyed at the impertinence of this woman. Didn’t she know that he was the chief of this village?

The quiet Kgano spoke up. “So what does this have to do with the murder case?”

“Money problems might motivate someone to do things that they normally wouldn’t, don’t you agree Rre Kgano?” Kate would not be bullied by these men’s positions in this village. She had a job to do and would do it no matter what.

“Of course,” Kgano replied, a slight smile on his lips.

Kate turned back to Kgosi Seabelo. “I understand you’re having some marital problems as well. Is that so?”

The chief shot to his feet. “Really this is too much! Who do you think you are?”

Kate remained sitting looking up at the angered old man. “I think I am a police officer doing her job. Allegations have been made that you are having money problems associated with your marital problems. Because of this you are not above bringing people in for trumped up charges and then asking them for money to drop the case. This is flagrant abuse of power and could land you in jail if I find the allegations are true.”

The chief tried to defend himself but Senatla interrupted. “So now you want to believe a child killer making allegations to save himself?” He snapped at Kate. “We know the people in this village and what they’re capable of – not you- or this useless drunk tagging along with you!”

Lecheng rushed towards Senatla, only stopped by Kate’s outstretched arm. “No Lecheng, sit down. We didn’t come here to start a fight, nor did we come to be intimidated by any of you. We will do our jobs, I can assure all of you of that.” Kate turned to look point blank into the dark, dangerous eyes of Kwenaetsile Kgano, and despite the shiver of fear that pulsed through her she said, “And I am promising you, I will not leave this village until the murderers of those innocent children and their grandmother are put behind bars.” She let her eyes move from one of the men to the next, hesitating on each of them for a moment. “Go siame Bo-Rra. Re tla le bona.”

As Kate opened the car door, she was disconcerted to see her hands were shaking. What was she afraid of? These were simple human beings just like herself, nothing more. But Kgano’s deep eyes seemed to lead to the very depth of darkness – but the darkness of what she wondered? Was it the ancestors that had called him to his vocation? For it was a calling, being a traditional doctor. Or was the darkness something more sinister, more evil?

“Wow, that was great!” Lecheng said from the passenger seat. “You didn’t let them bully you at all. They all think they’re big shots, can’t be touched. Matebele even complains about them. And Kgano – he’s one scary guy. The way you stood up to him. You’ve really got some balls, Detective! You better watch your back, though.”

Kate started the car and thought how that was the second time in a week someone told her to be careful. This case was getting worse by the day.