Down & Out by Rick Ollerman

Author:Rick Ollerman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Down & Out Books

After a few moments, Kubu turned to William and asked, “You suspected, didn’t you?”

William took a few moments to reply. “I didn’t know Maun was involved with Tlou’s wife, but I noticed how Tlou had come to dislike him more and more. I’d taken over all contact with Maun. That’s why I was so surprised when you said that Tlou had spoken to him. I know I should have told you my concerns, but Tlou has such status here that I was sure I must be wrong.” He paused. “Will you charge him with murder?”

Kubu shrugged. “That will be up to the local police in Kasane and the prosecutor there. It’s a strange case because we know Tlou killed Maun in cold blood after the shoot out, but he’ll say he was just following his orders and doing his job.

“But we have a lot of circumstantial evidence. The autopsy will show powder burns on the forehead. That will mean Maun was shot at close range with his face clearly visible. Maybe Tlou’s wife will admit her affair with Maun and that Tlou knew about it, but maybe not. And we know that Tlou was talking to Maun behind your back. Of course, in reality we have no way of knowing what he said. But somehow he lured Maun on that fatal mission.”

For a few moments neither of them spoke. Then Kubu said, “Mooka will check all the bank accounts of your people—even yours—but I’m sure no one will have any unexpected payments. And by the way, Phumu really doesn’t have any close relatives in Namibia. Your anti-poaching operation is safe. Except that you’ve lost Maun and Tlou.”

“I’m fine,” William said bitterly, “except that I’ve lost the heart of my operation—Maun dead, and Tlou going to be executed.”

“I doubt that. We have circumstantial evidence of premeditation, and obviously we know he was the killer. But in the end, whether this was a murder or just a zealous game ranger doing his job, or something in between, comes down to what was in his head. It will be hard to convince a judge.”

William nodded and rose to his feet. “Kubu, thank you. You’ve done exactly what I asked for, even if it wasn’t what I’d hoped for. I’m very grateful. By the way, I meant that offer of a bush trip up here for you and the family. Just let me know, and we’ll set it up.”

“Thanks, William. I’ll take you up on that.” Kubu checked his watch. There was still time to make the afternoon flight home to his wife and her delicious cooking and his comfortable king-size bed.

“I’ll get ready to go. Can you get me back to the airport? I can catch—”

Phumu burst into the tent. His arms were scratched, and his face was wet with tears.

“Rra Mafoe, it’s Rra Tlou. He’s…” He started to sob and it was several minutes before they could get the story out of him.

“Rra Tlou said he was going into the bush, that he wanted to be with his elephants.

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