There was jubilation among the cops at Central police station that Thursday night. Each cop that heard the news of the capture of Kabongo took upon themselves to deliver at least a slap to him.
Phil arrived at the station at about two hours after midnight. He took Nawa and Mercy with him to interrogate Kabongo. He found him on the floor in handcuffs and still writhing in pain.
"Release the cuffs," he ordered Nawa as he stood by the door. Nawa went to Kabongo and knelt next to him. He unlocked the handcuffs and then stood up.
"I need a doctor. My car overturned last and I have internal pains," Kabongo complained to Phil. Phil looked at him and then said, "I need to ask you a few questions first. Afterwards I will decide whether you can see a doctor or you can die here."
"I know my rights. My lawyer will make sure I go to the hospital."
"That won't be possible because I am charging you for murder right away."
"Murder? Who did I kill?" Kabongo asked with a sneer.
"I am charging you with the murder of Molly, Jane and those two guys that you knocked over two hours ago in Garden as you were running away. And also for burglary at Claire's house in Northmead. Not forgetting the motor vehicle thefts that have rocked Lusaka of late. You stand no chance of leaving this place my friend."
Kabongo smiled and shook his head.
"So tell me, why did you kill Molly Tembo of Women Empowerment?"
"Where is my lawyer?"
"You have no lawyer."
"In that case I need legal aid. It is free and is constitutional."
"If you answer my questions, I shall arrange that for you."
"I didn't kill anybody."
"Yes you did. What were you doing in Northmead last night past midnight?"
"Me?"
"Yes you Kasongo the criminal. You broke her lock and then fled after being told to surrender. Why did you run away?"
"I am not Kasongo. You got a wrong guy."
"Kasongo or Kabongo or whatever- they are all criminal names."
"Maybe you should record this interview."
"Why were you running away my friend?"
"Because I didn't want to surrender."
"Because you were running away from your murder charges right?"
"No. Which murder charge? I haven't been charged with anything. Check your facts."
"So why were you in Northmead?"
"Now you are fishing for answers. I see your strategy. Catch a suspect and then get facts from him."
"Kabongo I am losing my patience. Don't try me."
"I was feeling like having sex."
"So if you want sex you break a woman's lock? Can't you talk to her nicely?"
"No."
"So why were you firing bullets at us if it was all about sex?"
"Because you were firing bullets at me, that's why. A man has a right to self-defense."
"We identified ourselves as police."
"I didn't see any police I'd. Even a thief can shout 'Police! We are police!'"
Phil walked closer to Kabongo who looked at him in alarm. He raised his heavy boot and then rested it on Kabongo's right shoulder.
"Oouch, it hurts there," cried Kabongo.
"Why did you kill Jane?"
"You have no idea who killed Jane."
"But we saw you there earlier in that same vehicle of yours."
"So?"
"You alone knew what was going on."
"Again, sex."
"You killed her because you knew that she was going to implicate you."
"Implicate me in what?"
"In the murder of Molly."
"You should write novels. Your imagination is good. But I don't know what you are talking about."
"What were you doing at Jane's place?"
"Having sex. I have told you."
"That is the only truthful answer you have given us today."
"Thank you."
"After sex then what?"
"Some more sex, this time doggy style."
Phil released a mighty kick into Kabongo's face. Kabongo fell backwards onto the floor. He took his hand and covered his nose and lips. When he checked his palm, it had blood.
"Let's start all over," said Phil walking away from him. Kabongo sat leaning against the wall to his back.
"Tell us why you killed Molly and who you are working with."
Kabongo smiled and then said, "You are talking to a wrong guy. And you have assaulted a wrong guy."
"Who should I be talking to?"
"Your father."
Phil took two heavy steps towards Kabongo who covered his head with his hands. He reached him, but decided not to kick him this time around after a stern look from Mercy. Mercy cleared her throat and then said, "Where did the drugs come from Kabongo?"
Kabongo looked at her and then said, "Nice chicks you have these days in police."
Mercy persisted and said, "The drugs. The ones you injected into Molly, who supplied?"
Kabongo smiled and shook his head.
Phil coughed and then said, "Kabongo, are you ready to talk to me or are you going to maintain your stupid statement?"
"I will maintain my stupid statement."
"Suit yourself then," said Phil as he walked away from the room, followed by Nawa.
"What next?" Nawa asked.
"Take him to the hospital but ensure that he is guarded twenty four seven."
"Charge?"
"Murder. Four counts."
Phil walked out of the station into the cool air outside. The front area was unusually dark as the security light had stopped functioning. He reached the car and opened the door. As he sat down to start the engine, he heard a knock on the passenger window. He brought the window down.
"Are you going home?" Mercy asked.
"Yes. I need to sleep for at least two hours. I shall be back by seven in the morning. What's your plan?"
"Well I am free also."
"Jump in," offered Phil. Mercy entered the car and sat down. They drove out of the station into Church road, then turned left into Dedan Kimathi road and sped up towards Kamwala. It was dark and there were no vehicles on the road. He turned the car lights at full beam.
"How did you know that Kabongo would turn up in Northmead?" Mercy asked.
"Well after our encounter with Jane, I felt strongly that whoever would speak with us would be in trouble with the criminals. And so after the visit earlier by Claire, I knew that she would be targeted."
"How long were you going to wait in her house?"
"Until morning."
They turned into Independence avenue and then turned right into the Kamwala shopping area.
"I see," replied Mercy. Phil stole a glance at her from the corner of his eye.
"Why?"
"Nothing."
They reached Kabwata and Phil turned to enter the second block of flats. He parked near the gate.
They exited the car and walked to the flats. They went up the stairs to the first floor. Phil put the key into the door lock and opened it. He stood aside and with an open palm, motioned Mercy inside.
"Please feel free," Phil told her. Mercy sat on the sofa and then switched on the TV using the remote control unit. Phil walked to the kitchen and fetched two soft drinks from the fridge. He found two glasses into which he poured the drinks. He took the two full glasses with him to the sitting room where Mercy was. He handed one to Mercy before sitting down close to her.
"Nice home," she remarked. Her eyes stared at the red curtains which matched the red carpet on the floor.
"Thanks, I am contented here."
“Who selected the curtains for you?”
“Myself.”
“It looks like a woman did.”
They sipped their drinks in silence. Then Mercy said, "Has Claire been here also?"
Phil smiled. He put down his glass and then held Mercy's chin. Looking into her eyes, he said, "Claire is my state witness. My only desire is you. Right now that's wh
at really matters."
"Hmm liar."
She looked at the clean white walls and finally noticed a wall picture of a soccer player in a green jersey holding a golden trophy.
“Can I guess who that one is?” she asked, pointing at the picture.
“Please go ahead.”
“Christopher Katongo.”
“That is right. He is the first and so far only Zambian skipper to have lifted the Africa Cup trophy.”
“That was a great moment indeed,” she said.
“This is a great moment for me,” he replied looking into her eyes.
Their lips touched. Phil held her face in both hands and kissed her tenderly. He sucked her lower lip and then thrust his tongue into her mouth. She responded hungrily. Her breathing became deeper and quicker. He released her from the kiss and looked deep into her eyes. He then licked her earlobes for a while before placing wet kisses down her throat. She sighed and closed her eyes.
"I love you," she whispered in his left ear.
"I love you very much," he whispered back.
They kissed again deeply, keeping their lips locked as they played with each other's tongue.
After a while, Phil led his hands to her thighs. He slowly ran his hands all over her thighs, feeling her soft skin from the knee to her pelvis. Then he reached for her knickers and pulled them down.
"Right here?" Mercy whispered in his ear. Phil then placed one hand under her upper back and the other underneath her buttocks. He then stood up, lifting her in the process with some effort. He stumbled with her in his arms through the sitting room into the bedroom. He slowly laid her on the bed and then started unbuttoning her dress. He unbuttoned his shirt. She ran her fingers on his hairy chest as they kissed again.
"Is it better here my love?" Phil whispered her, almost out of breath. She responded by raising her eyebrows up and then bringing them down. Yes.