Chapter 17
Phil woke up at six in the morning. He was feeling tired but relaxed. With a smile of satisfaction, he looked at Mercy who was sleeping soundly beside him. He ran his fingers lovingly through her hair. Then he kissed her on the lips.
The phone on the drawer rang. Phil picked it and said hello sleepily.
"Sir, Kabongo has escaped," reported Nawa on the other end.
"What do you mean?" Phil asked in a raised voice. Mercy opened her eyes. She then shifted her position and laid her head on Phil's chest.
"Our unit escorted him to the hospital as planned. We placed one armed guy by his bedside. But shortly afterwards, three armed guys entered the ward. They ordered our guy to unlock Kabongo's handcuffs. Then they left the hospital with Kabongo and our guy."
"When did all this happen?"
"About one and half hours ago."
"And you are just telling me now? Why wasn't I told immediately?"
"We have been calling throughout but receiving no answer. I was thinking of sending someone to look for you at your house."
"No don't send anyone. We...I mean...I am on my way."
Phil slammed the phone on its cradle and then jumped out of bed. He put on his underwear and then his trousers. Then he knelt beside Mercy and kissed her.
"We must go my love. Kabongo has escaped."
"What?" she asked.
She then got off the bed and put on her knickers. Then she put on her bra. She caught Phil staring at her round buttocks. After putting on her dress, she left the bedroom. Phil completed putting on his clothes and also left the bedroom in an untidy state.
They rushed outside and got into the car. Then they sped off back to the police station.
They were at the station in twenty minutes. Phil went straight to Nawa's desk for a fuller briefing while Mercy disappeared to the Narcotics section.
Once back in his office, Phil looked at Kabongo's photo and shook his head. Then he got a plain sheet of paper and a pen.
"Dear sir," he wrote but then he paused. He put his pen between his lips for about a minute and then continued writing.
"I hereby would like to submit my resignation from my position with effect immediately. This has been necessitated by the escape..."
The phone rang on his desk. He ignored it.
"...of a high risk criminal from our custody. I am aware that as police we have become a laughing stock after allowing a cuffed criminal to escape from our custody, killing an officer in the process. I was leader of this case and I take responsibility for its failure."
The phone rang again. He looked at it. Then slowly he picked it.
"Hello," he said weakly.
"Hello sir, Mr. Chileshe would like to see you."
"Mr.Chileshe?" asked Phil with an air of astonishment.
"Yes sir, he is with another gentleman. They say you summoned them to appear before you today."
"Oh yes, that is right. Let him in."
Phil then sat staring at his letter for a minute. Finally there was a knock on the door. He hid his letter underneath a black folder. Then he said come in. Two middle aged men walked in. One was tall and was in a blue shirt and black trousers. He had wavy hair and was of mixed race.
"Please sit down gentlemen," said Phil as his eyes then turned to the other man, who was dark and quite short. He was in a blue suit. The two visitors took their seats opposite Phil.
"I am glad to you responded to our call out. We need to talk to you. Mr. Chileshe," said Phil.
“What do you need from me?” asked the tall man in a blue shirt.
“I sent a call out to Mr. Chileshe but I can see two men in front of me. Forgive me please but I do not know who is who here.”
"I am John Chileshe. And this is my lawyer.”
“Great. I am Detective Phil Chisha and I need clarification on an urgent matter of utmost importance.”
“That is a funny coincidence because I was actually going to come here myself to lodge a complaint against you.”
“Against me?”
"I will get straight to the point. I want to find out why my premises were stormed by your men."
"Which premises?"
“I am talking about plot 5563 Lagos road in Rhodes Park."
"What happened?"
"What happened? Well your men came in at night and damaged my lock, then searched and turned the place upside down. That is what happened officer."
"When did this happen?"
"Last Saturday night. You know that already."
Phil nodded and then said, "Why have you decided to come to us after being summoned? Why didn't you come the following day?"
The other man cut in and said, "Does that matter, officer? My client is reporting a crime all the same."
“And you are…?”
“My name is James Ng’andu. I am his lawyer just as he told you earlier.”
Phil nodded and then turned back to Chileshe.
"And how exactly can you tell that the break in was done by police?"
"I just know," answered Chileshe.
"No, no sir, you just cannot walk into a police station and accuse the police of committing a crime. What is your proof?"
"People talk. We know these things."
"You will force me to take counter measures against you sir because of that accusation."
"What measures? What have I done?"
Phil cleared his throat and then said, "Can I ask you a few questions in relation to the same issue? I am sure you won't object since your lawyer is here with you."
The lawyer nodded his head.
"Good. Who is Kasongo?" Phil asked.
Chileshe jerked in his seat. He quickly composed himself and then responded, "I do not know any Kabongo."
"I deliberately said Kasongo but oh yes it’s actually Kabongo," replied Phil triumphantly. "By the way, how did you know his correct name?"
"I...I...just guessed it. I am not even sure..."
Phil raised his hand and Chileshe stopped talking.
Then Phil said, "Since clearly both of us know Kabongo, perhaps you would like to tell us what he has been doing at your premises."
"Who mentioned this to you?"
"Look Chileshe, we are police and we carry out investigations. I am aware that men come to that house for meetings at night."
Chileshe remained silent.
"Well?" pushed Phil.
"Sorry what is your question again?"
"What do you discuss at those meetings at night?"
"Me? I never attend those meetings, ask Kabo...sorry I am lost again. Which meeting is attended by whom?"
"Chileshe you have the most disorganized strategy I have ever come across. You cannot even stick to your fabricated story."
"Where have I diverted from my fabricated story?" Chileshe asked his lawyer. The lawyer remained silent.
"I think you are not a criminal," stated Phil.
"Thanks officer," said Chileshe with a sigh of relief.
"However you are clearly protecting criminals and that will lead you into big problems."
"Can we go now?" Chileshe asked impatiently.
"Tell me about Molly."
"What about her? I need to go now. I am busy."
"Who killed her?"
"Who is Molly?" Chileshe tried. Phil smiled and then said, "The woman you murdered and dumped at the university of Zambia campus. You know that already."
"You mean that woman who committed suicide?"
"She didn't commit suicide. She was murdered. Let's be straight with each other."
"I thought you announced that..."
"Forget about what you thought. I want to hear about Molly."
Chileshe raised his hand and said, "OK, OK. Molly was my tenant. I leased that property to her. End of story."
"Really? And how much was Molly paying for renting the house?"
“Rent?” Chileshe asked slowly.
“Yes rent.”
“You mean the rent
she was paying me?”
“Yes.”
“The amount she was paying?” asked Chileshe, wiping sweat from his forehead.
“You didn’t think of this question, did you?”
"Six hundred dollars per month."
“Hmm, you finally remembered,” remarked Phil mockingly.
“It is age. And these days it is getting worse.”
"Can I see some receipts as well as the lease agreement between you and her?"
"Verbal."
"Pardon?"
"It was a verbal agreement."
"And rentals?"
"She paid cash, no receipts."
"I find that strange to believe, Chileshe."
"That is how she preferred it. She said the house would be used for discreet activities and she opted for cash and privacy."
Phil smiled. Then he took his pen and put it in between the thumb and forefinger.
"Did she say what sort of business she was conducting?"
"No, I didn't ask."
"And yet you paid an armed guard to watch the house at night?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"It’s my property, that's why."
"Protecting an unoccupied property?"
"Look officer, I didn't come here to exchange words with you. I came to file in a complaint about the action of your men on my premises."
The lawyer then said, "And we believe my client has done that. We are now leaving."
The two men stood up to leave. Then Phil said, "If we happen to have the need to question your client further, do you expect us to make a formal appointment with you?"
"What questions do you have for my client? I thought you have asked him what you wanted and he has answered you," protested the lawyer.
Phil remained in his seat. He said, "It’s good that you are together. I am serving you a search warrant for Red Pepper lodge right away."
Chileshe opened his mouth but no words came out.
"Red Pepper Lodge? Why?" asked the lawyer.
"We have reason to believe that illegal activities are taking place there."
"Such as?" pressed the lawyer.
"You shall see for yourself. Let us go."
Phil rose and took the car keys from the side drawer of his desk. He then picked his resignation letter and tore it to pieces.
“Do you think it is really necessary for us to go to Red Pepper lodge?” asked the lawyer.
“Yes I do. Do you have any objections?”
“No. Of course not. My client has nothing to hide.”
Phil led the two gentlemen out of the station through the main reception. He found Nawa chatting with a female cop at the reception. He beckoned for him to follow.
Chileshe and his lawyer entered a black Mercedes Benz and led the way. Phil and Nawa followed behind in their white Toyota Corolla.
They took Church road all the way up the flyover bridge into Cairo road. Then they drove along Cairo road with difficulty, often stopping to give way to other motorists. It took almost ten minutes to reach the Kafue roundabout at the south end of Cairo road. From there they got into Kafue road and increased speed.
"I am feeling terrible about Kabongo’s escape. We had him in custody and now he is gone," complained Phil.
"I know how you feel sir but it’s not your fault," replied Nawa.
"Perhaps I should not have allowed him to go to the hospital for treatment."
"You did the right thing to allow him treatment sir."
Phil focused his eyes on the black Benz ahead.
"What a number of cops are impressed with is how you managed to corner him in the first place. How did you know that he would be heading to Northmead on that night?" Nawa inquired. Phil smiled and said, "Well there was bait. Remember that he shot Jane just after she had been seen talking to the police? It follows that these murderers are eliminating anyone who talks to us. And so when Claire and Rute came to us, I knew that they would be targeted that night."
They reached Mundawanga and turned left into another road. They turned right twice before stopping in front of a high wall fenced building. There was a police van parked outside already. Chileshe and his lawyer got out of their vehicle and waited for Phil to park.
"What is all this now?" the lawyer shouted at Phil while pointing at the armed cops in the parked van.
Phil disembarked and beckoned to the armed cops to follow. They entered the gate and found no one at the reception.
"We want to search the rooms," announced Phil.
"Why? There is nothing illegal here." Chileshe protested. A young woman in a white shirt and blue skirt appeared from the direction of the dining hall and joined them.
"Are you the receptionist?" Phil asked her.
"Yes sir."
"Please join us. And bring the keys with you."
“Don’t you think we should first hold a meeting and discuss whatever this is?” asked the lawyer.
Phil and Nawa followed the nicely decorated corridor to the interior rooms. Chileshe and his lawyer followed behind. Phil asked the receptionist to unlock the first room. She picked a key from the bunch and opened the door. They went inside and found no one. They looked carefully around and then walked out.
The next two rooms were also empty. The copes left only after thoroughly checking.
"You won't find anything here. This is harassment," complained Chileshe. Phil ignored him.
The cops knocked on the fourth door. This time there was a sound from inside. They waited until an old Indian man opened the door and then stared at them.
"How are you sir," said Phil.
"Is there anything wrong?" the Indian man asked with alarm as his eyes darted from one cop to the other.
"No sir," replied Phil. "But if there is, you can tell us."
"My wife and I are not aware of any trouble."
“in that case, enjoy your day sir,” said Phil.
They closed the door and the cops went further along the corridor.
"You are clearly scaring my clients," complained Chileshe. "What exactly are you looking for?"
They reached a fifth door and Phil tried to open. It was locked too. He knocked. There was no reply.
"I shall be serving you with court sermons after this," announced the lawyer.
"Can you open this door please?" demanded Phil.
"How many doors must you open?" yelled Chileshe.
The receptionist went to the door and then tried all the keys on her bunch but still could not open the door.
"Chileshe where is the key?" Phil asked.
"Go and find the key in the reception. These cops want to see what we are hiding inside," Chileshe told the receptionist in a mocking tone.
"These are all the keys I have," she replied raising her shoulders a little.
There was silence for a while. Phil looked at the receptionist and she walked away back towards the reception.
"What is in this room?" Phil asked.
"Unoccupied too. Look if it really is..." began Chileshe but Phil pulled out his pistol. Chileshe grasped at the sight of the weapon.
"What do you think you are doing? You are now way out of line officer. I must speak with your superiors," the lawyer shouted with alarm.
"I am breaking this lock," he said, aiming his pistol at the door lock.
"You cannot fire a gun here when your life is not in danger and no one is resisting arrest. That is unlawful and a crime on its own," the lawyer pointed out.
"Yes I can."
"I dare you to fire that gun. I can guarantee that by the time you walk out of this place, you shall have no job at police."
"Then open this damn door so that we quickly move to the next one."
"There are no keys. The room is unoccupied. Surely we can leave it for now and come back later when the receptionist brings the key?"
Phil pulled at his moustache. He had just taken a step away from the room when the receptionist came back.
"Sir I cannot find it," sh
e told Chileshe.
"Then we have no choice but to break the door," said Phil daringly.
"Put that weapon away otherwise you shall be in deep trouble," said the lawyer.
"You are right," said Phil putting his pistol back inside his coat. He moved back three steps and then ran at the door. With his shoulder he crashed into the door and it swung open.
Inside the room were seven girls dressed in bras and knickers only. They were all staring at the door with widened eyes full of fear.