Blood Legacy – Episode 22

Blood Legacy – Episode 22

© Brian Ngoma

Ben knelt before Walutanga and whispered, “This is not personal chap,” he started untying him.

The three men got where they were and stood looking at Ben untying Walu. He finished and turned to face them.

“Where is Mapulanga?” he asked looking around.

“He told us that you should take the boy to the palace in the evening,” one of the men answered.

“What!” Ben yelled. “Who does he think he is? The agreement was that we meet here. He signs the papers and i hand the boy over to him. I have to get back to the city.”

The three men looked at each other indifferent to what Ben was blabbering about. They had passed on the message and that was it. They told him that they had to go back. Ben was even more upset that he had to deal with Walutanga for at least another six hours. He calmed himself that it was only six hours and after he was done, he would be on his way back home k3 million richer.

******

Six hours was like five days to Ben. He had tied Walu’s legs and put him in the backseat of his car. When the three gentlemen left, He occupied himself on the phone and listened to some music. Walu tried to talk to him but he was in no mood. He only wanted to get done with the deal and leave.

Around 6pm, after taking a piss, Ben decided it was time to go to the palace. He figured this was the time Mapulanga would want the boy to be taken. He got into the car and checked on Walu who was awfully quiet in the backseat with a bottle of water on his laps. He started the engine and saw two men coming towards the car. Looking at the men clearly, it was Mapulanga and one of the gentlemen who had come earlier with a machete on his hand. Ben was relieved knowing that he wouldn’t have to drive to the palace.

“Great,” he grabbed his brief case and got out of the car.

Walutanga looked at him leave the car. He knew his time had come. He watched Ben reach where the gentlemen were; Just in front of the car with lights shining on them. He looked at the other man who smiled at Ben. Walu knew that was his uncle, he looked like his father only slightly taller. He was old but looked healthy. So this is the man trying to get rid of me? He got scared.

As he watched the men talk, he noticed something odd. The man with the machete was moving backwards slowly and moving behind Ben who didn’t seem to notice what was going on.

Meanwhile, Walu could hear the voices getting louder by each second. The two men were arguing and pointing back at Walu in the car. The argument escalated and obviously got verbally abusive. Walu then saw the man behind Ben lift the machete in the air and buried it deep into Ben’s back. His eyes couldn’t believe what he was seeing and so didn’t Ben who fell on the hood of the car and slid off on the ground.

Walu couldn’t do anything, his legs were tied. The old man walked round the car and came to the door and opened it.

“Hi Nephew!” Mapulanga said with a crooked smile.

*****

Caesar parked outside Ludo’s house and waited patiently for her. Thirty minutes later, she showed up looking tensed and tired. Whilst she walked to him, he could see she was bothered by something. She went round the car and he opened the door from the inside. She got in and threw herself on the seat and took a long breath out.

“Hi,” she said forcing a smile.

Without hesitation, he asked, “Is everything fine babe?”

Was that obvious? She asked herself. True, she was stressed but she didn’t think anyone could have noticed so fast. It was Caesar, she told herself. The man she’d been spending a lot of time with for the past month and he paid attention, one thing she liked about him. What was bothering her, she couldn’t tell him even if she wanted to.

“So what was the shooting all about last night? I got worried,” Caesar asked looking directly into her eyes.

“It’s nothing baby,” she held his hand.

He could see she was holding back. He didn’t want to press her. In due time, she would tell him. He hoped she would because he really cared about her.

“It’s just been a tiring last two days,” she complained. “With the preliminary trial tomorrow, i just wish i could be swallowed by the ground. This case brings back so many memories. Terrible memories.”

“You can sit it out. You don’t have to be there.”

“I know but i cannot. Lance insist i should be there.”

“Talking about Lance,” Caesar grabbed his phone and dialled.

Ludo watched him put the phone on his ear waiting for Lance to answer but there was no response.

“Is everything fine?” she asked concerned.

“I have been trying to get hold of him since morning but he hasn’t been picking up my calls.”

“I talked to him in the morning,” Ludo looked at her phone.

“That’s odd.”

“I am sure he’s just busy preparing for the case.”

“At least he should pick up. That’s so unlike of him.”

“Don’t worry about him. He’s fine.”

“After the death of our clients father, he should pick up my calls. I wanted to find out if there were any changes to the case.”

“He assured me the case continues. No changes.”

“I thought Erica would want to postpone.”

“Erica is all sorts of things.”

“Enough about that. Let’s talk about us,” he held her hand tightly.

She knew sooner, the L word was coming but was she ready? No one can ever be ready for love, she told herself and decided to enjoy the moment. Despite everything happening, she felt like she could forget but her mind still wondered where Hunter and Walu were and how they were.

*****

Monday came. It was like any other Monday. Everyone was busy going to work and hating the day. For some, it came too soon. For some, it should never have come but what are people to time? Ludo looked at her watch as she got off the bus. It was 07:24 am. She tried Hunter’s number but there was no response again. Last evening after Caesar left, she also tried to call Lance but he didn’t pick up her call. She thought of it as nothing as she entered the firm’s premises. She found Caesar’s car but Lance’s was not there. She found it odd as he was the first one to reach the workplace. She found Lauren the receptionist at her desk. Lauren was on the phone and just exchanged glances with Ludo.

Reaching her office, Ludo was startled by Caesar who knocked on the door. She looked back at him with a smile and he smiled back at her. He entered and looked around.

“Is our boss in?” she asked while arranging some files.

“Not yet. He’s still not answering my calls.”

Ludo stopped what she was doing and looked at Caesar. “I tried calling him too but he’s not picking up. Do you think something could have happened to him?”

Caesar didn’t answer but wondered.

“Call him again.”

He called and this time, the call was answered but not by Lance. It was Stone.

“Can i speak to Lance?” Caesar asked after greeting Stone.

“Oh he left. He was in a hurry. He said something about you guys meeting at court. I don’t know but something like that.”

“Did he?”

“Of course. He left in a hurry saying he had to meet the client before the proceedings.”

Caesar was reluctant to believe that but what option did he have? He thanked Stone and hang up the call. He told Ludo about what Stone had said and she too was reluctant to process that. They just had to go to the magistrate court.

*****

An hour later, Ludo, Caesar and other associates reached the magistrate court to reporters who had swamped the place. News had gotten out about the case. These were two powerful families and with one having mysteriously gotten the other’s companies and properties, the media thought they could finally have some answers to this mystery since it was now a public case.

Ludo stepped out of Caesar’s car hoping to see Lance anywhere but she couldn’t. From a distance, she saw Erica and Evan standing with reporters surrounding them. As soon as Erica saw her, she broke out of the reporter’s circle and headed towards her. Evan followed her.

“Not this again,” Ludo said under her breath.

Caesar joined her while the other Associates had gone inside the court to see what was going on. As Erica approached Caesar and Ludo, she seemed worried and had puffy eyes. Evan on the other hand was neatly dressed and well shaven.

“Where is Lance?” Erica asked looking at Ludo with a face that told a worried story.

Ludo didn’t expect her to address her so respectfully.

“Hi Ludo,” Evan waved at her and looked down on Caesar.

“He must be here somewhere. Probably inside,” Ludo answered.

“I have been calling him since yesterday and he hasn’t been picking up my calls,”Erica sounded worried.” What kind of lawyer does that?”

Ludo was now more concerned and she could tell from Caesar’s expressionless face that he too was worried. They could only hope what Stone had told them was true. Lance had to be here somewhere.

“Let’s get going then,” Caesar broke the silence.

Erica and Evan started off. Caesar and Ludo were behind them. Ludo noticed that Evan was looking back at her. She didn’t pay attention but walked minding her business. As they reached the entrance, they came face to face with the Patels who had also just arrived. Evan and Erica stopped while Naveen and his father walked to them.

“My condolences,” old man Farhan Patel said looking at the two siblings.

Naveen’s eyes were on Ludo. He had recognized her. He met her six years ago and wondered what the hell she was doing here. He then shifted his attention to Erica who looked like she could eat him all up.

“Thanks,” Erica said looking at the old man.

“I expected a call saying that the case would be postponed given the circumstances surrounding it,” Naveen looked at Evan.

“This is just the preliminary trial Naveen. It’s just for today, we can handle the funeral later.”

“What’s with those soldiers?” Erica asked pointing at some soldiers at a distance.

“Oh those three,” Old man Patel turned back. “Those are just my personal bodyguards for today. They are fresh from training and whose more angrier than a fresh soldier. You can’t be too careful these days.”

Ludo turned and saw them too. There were two men and one woman. She turned around again.

“Let’s all get going, we are busy people. Let’s get this over with,” Farhan Patel said turning to face his son Naveen.

They all concentrated on getting inside the court when a gun shot blasted through everyone’s ears they all dropped to the ground. With their ears covered, they tried to check if anyone was hurt.

Caesar was on top of Ludo covering her. Erica and Evan were holding each other’s hands with Erica’s head buried in her other hand. There was a loud scream that pierced through everyone’s ears. It was more louder than the gunshot. When Ludo raised her head to check, she saw Naveen on the ground with his father in his hands all covered in blood. There were two bullet wounds on the man’s chest and his eyes were peacefully closed. Ludo saw the terror in Naveens eyes. Old man Patel had been shot dead.

To be continued

ALL EPISODES


5 Comments

  1. I was thinking it's the female soldier who I thought was eh, what's that her name again?, that was going to take a shot at the Hamumbu 's. I'm sure it must be Stone's hand work then.
    So Hunter did not have a second at taking his pound of flesh from this guy? What a cheap way to die.
    I wish you all the best, Walu. Thanks man.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button
error: Content is protected !!
Close

Turn Off Data Saver

To enjoy the full functions of our website, kindly turn off your data saver or switch to mobile browsers like Chrome or Firefox. Reload this page after turning off data saver