Blood Legacy – Episode 24

Blood Legacy – Episode 24

© Brian Ngoma

Hunter sprinted after Stone. He saw him cross the busy road without fear. The cars hooted causing traffic on the road. Hunter ran past the cars sliding on top of the hood of one car. He could see Stone looking back as he ran and everytime he did, he increased his pace but Hunter was on him like a lion. Getting closer to him, Hunter grabbed stones shirt bringing him to a stop they both fell in the middle of the road.

Stone’s bag was laying on the road. Hunter slowly got up panting heavily. Stone looked at Hunter as if he knew him but didn’t say a word. He dived for his bag while Hunter jumped on but he rolled over and reached for the. 44 Magnum Handgun and pointed it at Hunter.

Hunter raised his hands in the air. Stone stepped back whilst looking around. In a flash, a soldier dived at Stone sending them both to the ground. Hunter stepped back and wanted to turn around when he was hit in the back with a plank he almost fell.

“Don’t move!” a female voice shouted at him.

Hunter didn’t get the voice clearly because of the cars honking and drivers shouting angrily for them to get off the road. He looked at Stone and he was pinned down by the soldier. He then turned around and missed a punch from the female soldier behind him. Making his stance, he recognized the soldier and so did she.

“Hunter!” she shouted.

“Kate,” he looked at her from the boots to the head. “What’s with this?”

“What are you doing here? Are you involved? Are you the one who fired the shot?”

Before Hunter could answer, a van skidded before them and some gun shots were fired both Hunter and Kate fell down. When they looked up, the other soldier had been shot and Stone got into the Van and it drove off. Kate quickly ran to the soldier who was bleeding heavily. Hunter followed and heard some police sirens.

“Kate,” he called her. “I didn’t do it. I’m looking for someone and i think i might know whose behind this.”

“Hunter i don’t have time for this, i have to take you in.”

“You know that’s not possible,” Hunter stepped back. “Ludo is at the court. Check on her if she’s not hurt.”

“Ludo is here!” Kate was confused. She continued to tend to her shot friend. “What’s happening Hunter?”

“Talk to Ludo. Contact me.” He jogged his way out of the scene and disappeared amidst the cars.

An ambulance arrived at the scene. Kate shouted at them. They got the wounded soldier into the car while she ran back to the court. As soon as she got there, she found everyone shaken to their core. The Patels had been drove off to the hospital. Paramedics were busy checking everyone for injuries and some police officers were getting information from the people who had seen something. Kate looked around for Ludo and saw her sitting together with Erica. She was surprised. She walked over to her.

Ludo saw Kate and got up. She was surprised to see her in a uniform. They tiredly smiled at each other before embracing one another. They both couldn’t believe what they were doing here. This was the least place they expected to see each other.

“What!” Ludo let go. “Uniform?”

Kate laughed. “What are you doing here?”

“I am paralegal now. I’m working for Lance & Associates.”

“Wow that’s great. What happened to writing?” Kate looked back at Erica who didn’t look her away.

“You of all people know better,” Ludo smiled.

“Good to see you Again,” Kate paused looking around. “Can i talk to you in private?”

Ludo’s eyes widened. She looked back at Erica who was facing down. She nodded towards Kate and they moved away from Erica.

“What is it? Is it about the shooting?” Ludo was nervous.

“Yes.”

“Eh!”

“I saw Hunter.”

“You did?” Ludo looked around. “I haven’t seen him since Saturday, is he alright?”

Kate looked at Ludo suspiciously. “Ludo answer me honestly, did Hunter have anything to do with this?”

“No, what! He would never sh00t anyone for no reason.”

“So he had a reason.”

“No, no way Kate. You and i know Hunter.”

“He’s a murderer Ludo. He’s killed a lot of people.”

Ludo went mute.

“The moment the shot was fired, i saw him running away together with another man who was carrying a bag. I believe he is working with that man. They shot Mr. Patel.”

“Do you honestly believe that Hunter would do that Kate?”

“I believe what i see and i saw Hunter.”

“Did you talk to him?”

“Yes.”

“What did he tell you?”

“That he didn’t do it.”

“So?”

Kate didn’t answer.

“Kate, there is a lot going on. I thought Hunter was dead. Him being here must have a good reason. There are some people who wanted to ki*ll me and Walu.”

“What? Whose Walu?”

“There’s so much that you don’t know Kate. Don’t say anything about Hunter, please let me catch you up to speed. How about tonight at your place?”

Kate hesitated. She gave Ludo her address and as soon they were done, Caesar and Evan came back with worried faces. Evan looked at Kate and greeted her. Caesar walked to Ludo.

“I think something must have happened to Lance. He’s not here. The judge and Anderson said he didn’t show up. Anderson has been calling him too but he hasn’t been picking up the calls.” Caesar said.

“What do you mean?” Erica jumped to her feet. “Whay kind of lawyer is he? So negligent.”

“Something is not right.” Caesar responded.

“Where could he be?” Ludo probed.

Everyone was quiet for a moment until Caesar said, “Let’s go and check for him at his place.” He looked at Ludo.

Ludo turned to Kate and bid her farewell and reminded her of their meeting that night. She turned her attention to Caesar, Erica and Evan. She didn’t say anything to them but walked to Caesar’s car leaving them. When she got there, she turned around and looked at Caesar who knew that she was ready to go. He told Erica and Evan that he would get back at them later in the day.

Driving to Lance’s place, Ludo and Caesar didn’t talk to each other. They were both thinking about Lance. Where was he? Why wasn’t he answering his phone? What could have happened to him? Caesar was even afraid of calling his wife till he knew where his friend was. They got to Lance’s house and found there was no one at the gate. It was widely open. They got out of the car and entered the yard. Looking around, they noticed no one had been in the compound for some time. They looked at each other and headed for the entrance.

“Lance!” Caesar shouted.

Ludo followed him behind while he entered. He shouted again till they heard Lance’s voice shouting in the other room. They both ran searching the rooms. They found Lance on the floor tied on a chair.

“Oh my god,” Ludo shouted.

Caesar quickly walked to Lance and lifted him up. He untied him. Lance asked for a cup of water and Ludo sprinted to the kitchen. She went back to the room and gave him the water.

“What happened!” Caesar asked.

Lance drank the water Ludo had given him and asked for more. Ludo brought him a bottle which he drank rapidly. He sat on the bed and nodded his head while breathing heavily.

“What is it?” he asked looking at Ludo.

She checked her watch. “11:03am.”

“Damn it. How did the trial go?”

“Lance what happened here?” Caesar inquired.

“How did the trial go?” Lance insisted they answer.

“There was no trial Lance,” Ludo answered. “There was a shootout. Mr. Patel has been shot.”

Lance jerked up to his feet. “What do you mean?”

“Someone shot Mr. Patel!” Caesar answered.

Lance sat down lost in thoughts. He buried his face in his hands.

“Who tied you up? Do we need to call the police?” Ludo asked.

“It was stone.” Lance answered. “He beat me up and tied me.”

Caesar and Ludo looked at each other in disbelief. Lance told them the whole story that by the time he was finished, they had all come with theories connecting what had happened earlier to Stone.

“I don’t know where Stone had been all this time. The guns he had especially the Sniper rifle points everything to him but why? Does he know the Patels?” Lance stood up again this time his hands in the waist.

*****Later That Day*****

Getting his phone out of his pocket and looking tense, he dialled one more time but there was no answer. He almost banged the phone against the wall but he knew he needed it. He could hear some people wailing at a distance. He relaxed and dialled again. This time, there was an answer on the other side.

“Hello.”

“Damn Ben where have you been?” Devi asked furiously. “I have been trying to get hold of you. Did you complete the deal?”

There was no answer.

“Ben!” he shouted.

“It’s over Devi. I am at the police station. Just give up. Mapulanga is dead. Hunter showed up.”

Devi was furious at Ben. “What do you mean? This cannot be happening Ben.”

“They need me off the phone Devi. Bye and by the way, run. Hunter is out to get you.”

The line was cut. Devi screamed and punched the air in frustration. He looked at his bag and got out the camera out of it. He then opened the door before him. The room was dark and a man sat on the only chair in the room. Devi hesitated but took a step further.

“Why are you here Devi?” a husky voice asked.

Devi stammered, “I think i know who killed your father, Naveen.”

“Don’t play with me Devi,” Naveen warned him.

“It’s Hunter. He’s the one whose being an obstacle in the acquisition of that land. He also burnt down the village and killed the other people in the next village. When he discovered it was you who wanted the land, he thought you were sent by your father and decided to take him down.”

Naveen huffed.

Devi continued, “We have evidence against him. It ties him to the murders in Chisoti village and i can testify against him. He told me himself that he would get rid of Your family.”

Naveen stood up and walked to Devi.

Devi stepped back,” Should we notify the police? ”

“Give me the camera.”

Quickly removingthe camera from the bag, Devi turned it on and slid the photos till he got to the picture of Hunter holding a machete over a woman’s body. Naveen looked at it.

“No police. I know this man. I’ll take him down on my own. Call everyone and have them look for him. I want him brought to me alive.”

Devi sighed as he left the room. He knew he was one step ahead of Hunter. He wasn’t going to let him get to him first. He had to use all resources available to him and what better way than to use an emotional man who was grieving? He had a smug on his face as he opened his car door.

To be continued

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