Kgotletsa grinned and turned to Matebele. “The Powerful Matebele. Tell her Matebele. Why don’t you tell her what you thought this would do for you?” Kgotletsa taunted.

The anger that Matebele had turned on his innocent wife now made its appearance. He turned on the shorter man and with one swipe of his long arm sent him sprawling to the floor. “Shut Up, Kgotletsa! You and your smart mouth are going to find themselves dead as well if you don’t watch it. My personal business is my business not yours or this woman’s!!”

Suddenly it all fell into place. Mary had said that Matebele had talked about “all that he had done” to make sure that they had a baby. So this was what he had done? This is what he thought would bring him his cherished son? Kate thought with revulsion.

“We’re wasting time. Let’s get them in the car and get done with this,” Kgano ordered.

With the gun dug deep in her back, Kate climbed into the back of the 4 x 4 with Thela. Matebele and his gun joined them so that they didn’t get any ideas of jumping out.

“So what now, you’re going to shoot us?” Kate asked Matebele, making a last effort to try and make him see reason. She knew she had no chance of overpowering such a big man.

“What can we do now? We’re in too deep. Why didn’t you just leave it alone, go back to Gaborone?” Matebele asked a shade of regret in his voice.

“I couldn’t do that just like you couldn’t do that if you had been thinking properly.”

Matebele looked away. “Just shut up, okay?” he snapped.

The car bumped along as they sat in silence. They passed through the village unnoticed as most compounds were dark, their occupants asleep. They were heading out of the village, though the bush leading out to the lands. Ironically, Kate thought how lovely the star filled sky looked. Her mind drifted to Gomolemo and Rachel. She thought about never meeting her daughter-in-law or seeing her dear son again and tears filled her eyes. And then her thoughts drifted to John. Had she been too stingy with him? Could she have allowed him deeper into her heart? Was fear of losing someone really a valid reason to refuse to be loved? To refuse to let someone in to love you? Maybe she wouldn’t have a chance to answer these questions, but she hadn’t given up hope yet. She believed somewhere deep in her heart that tonight would not be her night to die. She would fight until the last moment, she vowed to herself.

The truck came to a stop and Matebele shouted to Kate and Thela, “Get out!”

Thela jumped down, then Kate. Thela turned towards Matebele, “You don’t need to pay me, just let me go. I’ll run. I won’t tell anyone. Please! Please, just let me go!” he pleaded through tear streaming eyes.

Matebele turned a face toward them that sent shivers down Kate’s spine. He held the gun up and shot once. Thela fell to the ground dead, a dark red hole in the centre of his forehead. Kate unconsciously screamed and felt her hope of surviving begin to slip away.

“Bring her over here,” Kgano said. Matebele pushed her towards where the others stood. Two shallow graves had been dug in preparation for Kate and Thela and when she saw them she knew her time was running out. Kgotleletsa dragged Thela’s body by the feet towards the two graves. When he came near enough, Matebele bent down to help him and they easily threw the body into one of the holes. Matebele grabbed Kate’s arm and pulled her next to the other grave. Kate begged herself not to show any fear, not to let them win. Matebele moved a few steps back from her and raised his gun.

Suddenly there was a rustling from the small grove of trees behind them. They turned to look and out of the bushes appeared four police officers pointing guns in their direction. “Put the gun down, Matebele. It’s over!” Lecheng shouted.