Blood Legacy – Episode 25

Blood Legacy – Episode 25

© Brian Ngoma

She stood before the gate, looked at her watch: 18:41. She knocked again for the third time. The neighborhood was quiet. No one was in sight and that gave her chills but it was probably because of what she’d been through lately. Get ahold of yourself Ludo, she told herself.

The gate squealed and Kate peeped. She saw Ludo and smiled. She widely opened it and before she could let her in, she looked around and motioned her to enter.

“I thought you were not going to show up,” Kate said as they walked to the door.

“I keep my word Kate,” Ludo said.

They entered the house and Kate offered Ludo a drink but she refused. There was some tension between the two women. Obviously, a lot had changed since they last met and they really needed to address the elephant in the room. Kate broke the awkward silence and asked Ludo about how she had been and how her parents were and if they were still together. They also talked about Kates change of professions. She didn’t change but she just became a teacher soldier, so she said and Ludo found it funny. When they got to the main reason of Ludo’s visit, the tension returned.

“So tell me about Hunter, what was he doing at the scene?” Kate relaxed in her chair.

Ludo told her everything. How she met Hunter after six years and the condition he was in. The trouble he had caught himself in. Kate wasn’t surprised at all but she was skeptical about his involvement with the shooting of Mr. Patel.

“I assure you Hunter didn’t do it,” Ludo intently looked at Kate and went on. “If there’s someone involved, it’s probably that Devi or someone else that my bosses and i are suspecting.”

“Whose that?”

“Stone but we don’t have a probable cause of why he would do that.”

“And who is Devi?”

“Some murderer. It’s who Hunter is looking for.”

Kate seemed thoughtful. “I want to talk to Hunter. I want to hear his side of the story because the detectives questioned me today and i could tell they suspected something amiss with my statement. I can be protecting a murderer.”

Ludo grabbed her phone and dialled Hunter’s number. “I don’t think it will ring. It hasn’t been ringing since Saturday night.”

“Try it.”

The line rang and Ludo was up on her feet. Hunter answered, “I guess you have talked to Kate.”

“Hey Hunter, how have you been? I thought something had happened to you. Were you shot? Are you hurt?”

“Too many questions kiddo. I am alright. I didn’t get shot. The bullets missed me though one almost got my ear.”

Kate stood up too and extended her hand motioning Ludo to give her the phone.

“Kate wants to talk to you,” before Hunter could say anything, she gave Kate the phone.

“I want to meet you. You have things to clear up before i tell the detectives i saw you at the crime scene.”

Hunter agreed. Kate gave him her address and he was there after an hour. He found the women patiently waiting for him. He remembered the old days when he saw them. He surveyed the small living room before he sat down putting his backpack on the floor.

“Is Walu safe?” Ludo couldn’t wait to ask.

“Safe and sound,” Hunter responded.

He looked at Kate who was scrutinizing him. He could tell she wanted answers and was getting impatient.

“Before we talk about anything, i want to find out something from Ludo,” he looked at Ludo.

Ludo shivered. She didn’t like the way he looked at her. “What is it?”

“There’s a man you told me about,” he paused. “You told me that you didn’t like him. You said he was your boss’s cousin.”

“Stone,” she interrupted him.

“I am sure that’s him.”

Ludo didn’t tell Hunter about Lance’s situation yet. She wondered where this was all going. “What’s he done?”

“He’s the one who shot Mr. Patel!” he turned to Kate, “The man you found me fighting. The one who shot your fellow soldier.”

The room was quiet each trying to absorb what Hunter had said. Kate didn’t know who this Stone was but she saw him and he had gotten away. Ludo on the other had connected the dots with Lance’s story. Without saying a word, she got her phone and called Lance.

“It’s Stone,” she said.

Lance didn’t say a word. His heavy breath could be heard by Hunter and Kate. “I suspected so and i prayed it wouldn’t turn out this way,” he finally spoke. “How did you find out Ludo?”

“A friend saw him. I’m with him now. But would you know the reason he’d want Mr. Patel dead?”

“I don’t know. Let me find out where he’s been all this while. I will get back to you and the trial has been postponed till further notice. The Patel’s and Hamuumbu’s have to both heal.”

Ludo cut the line. She turned to Hunter who was looking at her and had heard the whole conversation.

“The Hamuumbu’s sent Stone,” Hunter said below his breath.

“What did you just say?” Ludo inquired.

“It’s the Hamuumbu’s.”

“You mean Erica and Evan?” Kate asked.

“No, they couldn’t have done it. Only man who would do that is the old man.” Hunter sighed. “The war between those families is still on.”

“That’s impossible,” Ludo objected. “Mr. Hamuumbu is dead.”

Hunter laughed. “How i wish i could believe that. I really wished i believed that. He faked his death to get rid of his most hated foe.”

“This doesn’t make sense,” Kate added.

“Nothing makes sense,” Ludo said.

“The Patel’s wanted to get the land in Chisoti village. The reason i don’t know. Only Devi knows and i have to find him.” Hunter stood up.

“Where would you find him?” Ludo asked.

“He must be at Naveens.”

“Two guys, one tall and the other average height. One likes wearing suits and the other casual and kind of rude?” Kate inquired.

“Yes. Have you met them?” Hunter asked.

“They used to be found at the Patels. In the other house where God knows what happens there.”

“I have to go there. Need to find a way.”

“It’s dangerous,” Ludo said.

“This is stupid,” Kate stood too. “I shouldn’t be doing this, I worked for the Patels and i might be able to get you in but i don’t know how this will help me find the old man’s killer.”

“That’s your job. We’ve told you who he is and it’s up to you to find him. I only want one man. The other things going on are none of my concerns. Will you help me take down Devi Kate?”

Kate didn’t like the sound of this. “I might get in trouble.”

“We will find Stone and you will have him. Help Hunter get rid of Devi once and for all. He’s a threat to a lot of people,” Ludo added.

“That boss of yours,” she said. “How quickly can he find Stone?”

“I am sure Tomorrow he’ll have something,” Ludo answered unsure.

“Okay then we go to the Patels Tommorow at 8pm. Just you Hunter. I don’t want casualties,” she looked at Ludo.

“I’m coming too,” Ludo said.

“Not a chance and this is not a discussion,” Hunter walked to the door. “Communicate,” with that he left.

Ludo left Kate’s house 30 minutes after Hunter had left. She got a cab to her house. Getting into the house, she found Joe and Zamiwe waiting for her. She was very tired and didn’t want to talk to them but they were worried about her. They had seen what had happened on the TV. Despite calling her and checking if she was alright, they were still shaken by the whole ordeal. Ludo sat with them and narrated the whole thing to them. They were glad their daughter was safe and sound and decided to tell her something.

Zamiwe held Joe’s hands whilst looking at Ludo. “Baby we want to tell you something.”

“Don’t tell me I’ll be a big sister to someone now,” Ludo said.

“No,” Joe cut in. “Listen to your mother.”

“Okay,” She looked at Zamiwe.

“Me and your father have decided to give us another chance.”

“Aren’t you guys divorced?”

They went mute.

“Don’t mind me,” Ludo laughed. “I am happy for you and I’m glad you’ve told me the truth, finally.”

“Sorry to have kept you in the dark,” Joe said.

“It’s fine dad,” she said standing up and walked to them. She kissed them both goodnight. “See you tomorrow you two and for your information mom, i am never accepting to be a maid of honor at your second wedding.”

Joe and Zamiwe laughed. They were relieved she was happy for them. They only prayed and wished she would find someone too.

******

The confirmation of Stone being the one behind the shooting of Mr. Patel kept Lance awake. After talking to his wife and lying about why he hadn’t been picking his calls, he now had one thing on his mind, Stone. He took his phone and called his old friend a detective.

“Sorry for calling you this late Duncan but i need a favor,” Lance said after much deliberation.

“You will owe me,” Duncan said. “sh00t!”

“Need to find out something. Run a name for me. He’s my cousin.”

“Okay, name?”

“Stone Mwiinga.”

“You’re lucky I’m still at the office. Give me a moment.”

Lance stayed on the line waiting for the inevitable. He remembered Stone’s words about family not letting others suffer. It wasn’t his fault, he assured himself.

“You there?” Duncan asked.

“Yes I’m here.”

“Stone Mwiinga was convicted of attempted murder but got out two years ago. Last known location is along Kafue river. He had a small house built there. He’s been on good behavior since he was released from prison.”

“Thank you so much Duncan,” Lance was grateful.

“What is this all about?”

“Just family members looking for him and me being a Lawyer, they think i could pull the strings you know.”

Duncan laughed. “Okay bye.”

Lance didn’t know what to do. A part of him thought he could save his cousin. He knew Stone had something to do with the shootout. Perhaps if he could talk to him and convince him to turn himself in. He would probably get a lesser sentence. He was a Lawyer, he knew how the system worked. He finally decided to pay him a visit the next day.

*****

Caesar and Ludo met for their usual breakfast date the following day. They were both tensed up. The previous night, Ludo told Caesar everything; What happened six years ago and she was caught up in what was happening now. Like any other man who was into a girl, he advised her not to get involved anymore but She was arrogant.

“The only problem we have is that Devi,” she had told him.

“Why can’t you leave everything to the police?” he had advised. “Because this is dangerous.”

“I know but i can never get hurt trust me.”

“If they can hurt Mr. Patel, they can hurt anyone.”

“Whatever happened to Mr. Patel doesn’t concern us. That has to do with the war between them and the Hamuumbu’s.”

“But you’re in the crossfire Ludo.”

The conversation went no where. Ludo was fixated on seeing everything through. This morning, Caesar didn’t want to talk about it. As a matter of fact, he didn’t even feel like going to work. He had talked to Lance in the morning and was told that Lance wouldn’t be at work till noon.

“How about we go to my place?” he said without much thought.

Ludo was caught unaware. “Caesar? It’s work day.”

“Yes i know but our big trial has just been blown away. The other Associates can handle the other cases,” he raised his arms. “Moreover, you’ve been denying to visit my place. Isn’t this a perfect time?”

She looked at him suspiciously.

“Don’t get me wrong,” he saw how suspicious she’d become. “I just want to sit, relax, watch a movie, eat pizza, have some wine and i want to do it with you.”

She didn’t say anything.

“Or At least get to know where i live.”

“How about Lance?”

“Don’t mind him,” Caesar said standing up.

“Okay,” she stood too.

*****

Right address, Lance thought. He had come with a taxi. He left his car home. After paying the driver, he walked into the yard straight to the main door. He knocked a couple of times but there was no answer. He knocked again with much force and the door opened.

“Stone!” he shouted.

There was no response. Looking around, he pushed the door and entered.

To be continued

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