“Thank goodness! She is mad, I tell you! All those innocent people! She’s killing them all!”
“Who is? Where? The wards?”
“Yes! Main building, to your left!”
Onani was already on the move, Masina not far behind. They dashed past the paediatric ward, which was empty. They were about to pass the male ward when a bloodcurdling scream tore through the hospital silence and was cut short.
Onani signalled to Masina, keep your eyes open, I’ll go in first. He burst through the doors and into the main ward, gun drawn. Masina came in immediately after, and, like his partner, he also suddenly became immobile, shocked.
The patients had been murdered in their beds. The ones who had not offered resistance were quickly, almost mercifully, killed. Those who had, however, were a different story. Throats had been slit, eyes had been gouged out, stomachs eviscerated and their contents wrenched out. One man had his head severed. The hospital floor was a red, horrifying mess.
“Jesus Christ,” Onani said aloud, “who would do something like this?”
Masina was going to say something back but did not get the chance. What came out instead was a squeal of surprise as he was suddenly hit in the chest with huge force and flung back through the doors and out of the ward.
Chileka, Blantyre district
Leaving the distraught Father Fletcher with his children, Sir Gregory hurried to the only church in the village. The wails that could be heard both inside and outside the church only confirmed what Father Fletcher had told Sir Gregory. Death had struck, and it had struck mightily. Sir Gregory walked straight into the church, ignoring the strange looks from almost everyone, including the village chief. The villagers had only seen him inside the church once, at his wife’s funeral mass.
Six bodies lay right in front of the altar. Five had their throats ripped open; the sixth had a gaping hole in his chest. But if Sir Gregory was shocked he did not show it.
The chief, on the other hand, could not stop blabbering. “What has befallen our great village? Who would do such a thing? This is a house of worship! It’s an abomination! Whoever has done this deserves to be hanged!”
This brought murmurs of agreement from several of his subjects, some of whom were carrying spears and machetes.
Sir Gregory said nothing, but walked out of the church and started to go into the vast orchard behind it.
One of the villagers bellowed out to him, “The police say they are on their way, Sir Gregory! And we have already been in the orchard! You will not find anything!”
Ignoring him, the respected teacher walked a few metres into the orchard. It was cool and quiet in the dense forest of orange, pear, and grapefruit trees. Only a few birds threatened to disturb the tranquillity with their little shrills of delight as they feasted on the succulent oranges now in season. But Sir Gregory knew that someone else was there.
“Show yourself!”
Even before the man’s feet touched the ground, Sir Gregory spun around and crouched, quite swiftly for a man his age. His adversary only smiled, his teeth pearl-white, blood drying on his hands and on the white shirt he was wearing. He was barefoot and his shorts revealed well-built calves.
He was still smiling as he spoke. “Hello, muhiri.”
6
Kamuzu Central Hospital, Lilongwe city
Instinctively, Onani ducked at the same time raising his weapon in the direction of where Masina had been standing. It was not what he expected at all. Standing in front of him was a strikingly beautiful woman in a grey suit. The high heels on her feet complemented the long, slender legs that disappeared beneath a knee-length skirt. The buttons on her jacket were open, as were the two top buttons on her blue blouse, revealing the cleavage of well-rounded breasts restrained in a lace brassiere.
“Do not move! Keep your hands where I can see them!” Onani barked. She said nothing, but moved towards him. He tried to tell her again but she kept coming. Onani fired. He caught her in the shoulder and she staggered backwards but did not fall. He fired again and, despite the awkward angle, hit her in the chest. This time, she fell and lay still.
Onani rushed out of the room to his partner. Masina’s limp body was propped against a large pillar a few metres from the door, unconscious but alive.
Going to get help, he ran to the outer buildings hoping to find medical personnel, but almost ran straight into a troop of soldiers, guns aimed at him, ready to fire. Immediately, he dropped his gun and raised his hands.
“Identify yourself!” came a voice from behind the firing line, in front of a large, dark-green Tata truck.
“My name is Detective Onani Limani! Police Headquarters! I have a police officer who needs medical assistance!” Onani slowly reached into his front trouser pocket and produced his identification.
The man who had spoken came towards him, dressed in a military uniform and looked at Onani’s identification. “Alright,” he finally said. He pointed towards his men. “You three, with me! The rest of you, secure the perimeter!” Turning back to Onani, he said, “Let’s go see to your partner.”
Taking a doctor and two nurses with them, Onani and the soldiers went back to where Masina was. The detective narrated the events to the army men on the way.
“I’m Lieutenant John Phiri,” said the man who seemed to be in charge. “And, from what you’ve told me, my superiors are going to want to talk to you.” He turned to his men, “Secure the prisoner!”
Detective Masina was admitted to the same hospital he was injured in. As for his attacker, she was found by the soldiers, alive, thrown into a military vehicle and taken away. Onani and the lieutenant followed.
“Careful. This is the military you are dealing with. Those guys are always hiding something,” Masina had warned his partner.
“I’ll be fine. You just concentrate on getting better. She really banged you up.”
“Yeah, well, at least you got the bitch, right?”
“Yeah, at least there is that.” Except to Onani, it was baffling. He had indeed got her. She was in the hands of the military now. But he had put a bullet in her heart, he was sure of it, and yet she was still alive.
Chileka, Blantyre district
“You have amazing agility for someone your age, muhiri. One would think you were as young as I.”
“Do not call me that,” Sir Gregory spat back. “I am not your brother.”
“Ah, but you are, muhiri. We are all brothers and sisters. Muhiris and Chemwas, no? It has been a long time since we last met. But I still remember everything you taught me.” Then, for the first time, the man’s smile vanished. “They told me I would find you here. Although, I am not exactly sure why they made me travel in that blasted spaceship with those Americans. But that does not matter. I am supposed to bring you back, muhiri. Preferably, alive.”
Sir Gregory tilted his head slightly to one side. “My number one obligation has always been to protect the family. Therefore, I am not going anywhere.”
“I had a feeling you would say that.”
The lithe mzungu moved so quickly that Sir Gregory barely had time to move. He was struck on the left side of his chest and crashed back into an orange tree, scattering a few birds nesting in it. Sir Gregory looked up and just had enough time to avoid a blow to the head by inches that hit the tree trunk behind him. He bunched his fists and hit his adversary in the chest. The man skidded back a few feet then stopped, still on his bare feet.
“Are you sure you want things to be this way, muhiri? Because, if you do not mind my saying so, your strength is clearly not what it used to be.”
In response, Sir Gregory launched himself at the stranger, who only shuffled his feet to get out of the way. His cockiness cost him. Sir Gregory’s arm connected with his neck, sending him down on one knee. Weakened, he tried to get up but Sir Gregory kicked him in the midriff. The man doubled over but instinctively lashed out. The old man simply moved to one side and that was when he saw it. Someone outside the orchard had thrown a spear, intended for t
he man on the ground, but now coming straight towards him. In one movement, Sir Gregory caught the spear in mid-air and redirected it into the other man’s abdomen.
The man’s voice was faint, but his face was glowing, masking the tremendous amount of pain he was feeling. “You cannot stop this, muhiri. You are quite aware of that. You cannot protect your children from what’s coming. Not even right now.”
When the other villagers, including the man who had thrown the spear, had reached Sir Gregory, the mzungu was dead. Sir Gregory walked past them, hurrying to his family. But not before telling the chief to contact the police again.
Chilinde Barracks, Lilongwe City
“Well, Detective, I think that is all we need from you for now. If there is anything else, we will let you know,” said Lieutenant Phiri.
“That is all well and good, Lieutenant, but you still haven’t told me what is going on. Why is the military interested in the massacre at a local hospital? That is our job.”
Lieutenant Phiri took a long look at the detective before replying. “I am not at liberty to say, Detective Limani. But we really do appreciate your help. As I said before, if there is anything else, we will let you know.”
“Fine,” said Onani, annoyed, and walked over to the military Land Cruiser that was to escort him off the barracks. Somehow, this was bigger than the lieutenant and his friends in the briefing room had let on. He could feel it. But Onani knew that pressing them for information was futile.
“Excuse me, Detective!” Onani turned around only to see Lieutenant Phiri walking briskly towards him. “I’m afraid you cannot leave just yet.”
“What, am I under military arrest now?”
“No, of course not.” The uniformed man flicked some imaginary dirt off his shoulder. “There has been a new development. The prisoner. She wants to speak to you.”
Chileka, Blantyre district
Mavuto bombarded Sir Gregory with questions even before he sat down. “What is happening? The priest says someone killed people in church. Is that true? Who is it?”
Sir Gregory put up his hand and Mavuto went quiet. He then spoke directly to Father Fletcher. “The police are going to want to talk to you. The Chief is already at the church and sent someone to get the police since the phones no longer seem to be working around here. I will go with you. And, since you live alone, I think you should stay with us for a few days.”
“Alright,” replied the priest, pleasantly surprised by the offer. “We might as well get going then, carpe diem and all that.”
“Yes, I suppose we should. In the meantime, you three,” Sir Gregory’s voice was firmer, “under no circumstances are you to leave the house until I get back. And do not let strangers into the house.”
“Dad,” this time it was Nina, “what is really going on?”
“I will explain when I come back. In the meantime, do as you’re told. Look after your brothers.”
Father Fletcher spoke again. “Shall I get the hovercycle?”
“You can use it if you want to, Father. I am not getting on that confounded contraption.”
Nina watched the two men walk away, wondering what they were discussing. She tried calling her boyfriend again, unsuccessfully. No signal.
“Actually,” Sir Gregory was saying, “I asked you to stay with us for selfish reasons, partially. Someone might have to look after the children when I’m gone.”
Father Fletcher was confused. “When you are gone? Gone where?”
“The police may want to keep me for a while. I killed a man today.”
7
State House, Lilongwe city
“I am still in control of this country, Mr. Vice President, and I can assure you that I do not require your assistance.”
“With all due respect, Mr. President, right now you need all the help you can get,” hit back Vice President Chona.
“Might I remind you that you are under house arrest, Mr. Vice President? How do you even know exactly what is going on?” President Moto was beginning to get irritated.
“You may have placed me under house arrest, Herbert, but I still have my ways of keeping in the know. I could be very useful to you right now,” replied the vice president, ostentatiously.
“Well, you are still under house arrest. I did not put you under house arrest, the courts did. Let’s be clear on that. And, I do not trust you. I am the president. I am the one running this country. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have more pressing matters to attend to.”
President Moto slammed down the receiver before the vice president could get another word in. “I have never really liked that pretentious little man,” he said, under his breath. Then he turned to his attention back to present company. “Well, gentlemen, have there been any new developments?”
Secretary Maloto and General Manda looked at each other before the former spoke. “You could say that, sir. Fresh incidents. There was a massacre at Kamuzu Central Hospital. Eighteen patients were killed. Also, six people were killed in a church in Chileka. Same fashion.”
“But, there is a bit of good news, sir,” chipped in General Manda. “We captured the assassin from the hospital, with a little help from the police. She is being interrogated as we speak.”
“She? Are you trying to tell me that a woman killed eighteen people?”
“Yes, sir.”
The president cursed under his breath. “Alright. Keep me informed. I want to know everything she tells you.”
The president dismissed the two men and called in his spokesperson. “Draft a statement on recent events. Assure the nation, tell them not to panic. Also, remind them that the commemoration tomorrow will go ahead and I shall be in attendance, as previously announced.”
“Alright, sir. Is there anything else, sir?”
“Yes. Get President Barry on the phone.”
Chilinde Barracks, Lilongwe city
“Nice to see you again, Detective. It is detective, right? I heard them call you that,” said the woman in restraints.
“You wanted to talk to me. I am here. You can start by telling me why you killed all those people at the hospital,” Onani snarled.
“Straight to the point. I like.” Even though her back was against the wall and her arms and legs were in chains, she smiled seductively at the police officer. Her jacket had been taken off; only the blouse and skirt remained. “I will not tell you why, specifically. You know I did it. And, you know my handiwork now, so I do not have to tell you that it was I who got rid of that scumbag that called himself a lawyer. And believe me, Detective, there will be more to come.”
“Alright,” Onani said. “Let’s say I believe you. I’ve just got a confession. You will be behind bars for life, most likely. Why risk life imprisonment by killing bad men who were already jail-bound and patients who were going to die anyway?”
Onani thought he heard a gasp behind him. He chose to ignore it. The woman looked at him thoughtfully, before she spoke again. “Call it survival of the fittest, Detective. We need only the strong on this planet. Give any theory you like to try and explain what I have done. But, as I said, it will all be explained in due course. And, if you really cannot wait, ask him.” Her eyes darted towards the lieutenant then back to the detective. “I just wanted to speak to the man who captured me.”
“Well, now you have. The next time you see me is when I testify against you in court.” Onani turned and started for the door.
“Detective.” The dark, seductive voice came from behind him. Onani froze. The next few words were said in a low tiger-like growl. “It is going to be fun hunting you.”
Chileka, Blantyre district
“So Father, you are saying you do not know who killed these people?”
“For the last time, officers,” replied Father Fletcher, his tone rather exasperated, “they were already dead when I got here. I got out of the church and raised the alarm, then went to Sir Gregory’s. Most of those people were here for the mass I was going to hold for the sick.”
> But the police officers were persistent. “Father, of all the homes that you could’ve gone to in the village, why Sir Gregory’s?”
Sir Gregory could clearly see that Father Fletcher was not taking the grilling well. The man had turned unhealthily pale and appeared under great strain.
“Excuse me, officers, but could you please leave the man alone? He just came into his church only to find six of his flock murdered. Clearly he is still shaken. Besides, you have already found the culprit in the orchard behind the church. And, what I would like to know is why it took you so long to get here. We reported this in the morning. It is now six o’clock in the evening and you just got here.”
The police officer who seemed to be in command glared at Sir Gregory. “You know we have been having persistent fuel shortages in this country for the past few years. Also we are still understaffed at the moment. Anyway, we are here now. And you, sir, will have to come with us to the station. We want to know exactly how this white man was killed.”
This time the chief spoke up. “Wait a minute. If Sir Gregory had not acted in the manner he did, the murderer would still be alive! We would all have been slaughtered while you waited for your precious fuel!”
“It’s okay, Chief,” said Sir Gregory before any of the police officers had a chance to retort. “I have nothing to hide and nothing to be afraid of. I shall go with the officers.” Then, almost as an afterthought, “Please tell the people to go home and stay inside, Chief. Immediately.” Turning to Father Fletcher, Sir Gregory spoke with urgency in his voice. “Go look after my children. Run. Now.” Scared by the dark tone in Sir Gregory’s voice, Father Fletcher did not ask questions. He turned and left.
Sir Gregory was not done giving orders. This time it was to the police officer. “If you and your men want to live, get in the car and leave within the next five minutes.”
The police officer’s facial expression changed from surprise to annoyance and finally defiance. “Is that a threat, Sir Gregory?”
He never got an answer. All of a sudden, the villagers and police officers were shouting in unison. The police officer who was talking to Sir Gregory, and had his back to his fellow officers, quickly spun around. But, Sir Gregory already knew what was happening. He had miscalculated. They were already here.
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