Must Read : The Corpse on the Couch - a murder mystery_ Part 1

Written By touchmeder




It's raining, it's pouring
I sat on the veranda and watched as the rain poured from the sky and washed the earth clean of her sins. I heard the pestle hit the mortar and the former cry out in response. I saw the palm trees sway from side to side; they were in complete awe of Mother Nature.
I heard my mother call out my name but I ignored her. I dug my feet in the sand and watched the rain tap it with such ferocity.
I wanted to dance under the rain like we used to do as children but I was no longer a child. I am 15 years and old enough to know such stupidity can lead to pneumonia.
My mother said it was the same sickness that led to the death of Uncle Emma, her elder brother who lived in the States.
But now I think of it, I am sure my mother lied about the cause of his death because Uncle Nathan said so. Uncle Nathan told me Uncle Emma's death was caused by ugiagbe (AIDS) and somehow I think it's true because mummy is always ashamed to speak of him.
I was lost in time as I watched the earth bow in majesty to the power of Mother Nature. Then the gate began to rattle and I was upset.
It was certainly not my father; my younger ones were in bed and Uncle Nathan would not be so silly to enter this rain so who could be knocking? Of course I was the scapegoat that had to open the gate so I hated this individual already.


''Pamela, did you hear that sound?'' my mother cried out.
I picked the only umbrella we owned and tried to open it in vain but it was completely useless. The good for nothing visitor banged on the gate again; loud enough to be heard above the mortar and pestle sound.
My mother poked her head from the door and pointed the pestle at me. I could see she had lost it at this point ''c'mon go and see who is at that gate. The umbrella is not good and so what? Are you salt that can't enter rain?''
She threw a big bowl at me and I put it above my head and ran under the rain. I unlocked the padlock and came face to face with a stranger.
He was drenched from head to toe. He was tall and dark - so tall he reminded me of an American basket baller. He wore a striped suit and carried a brown leather briefcase.
He completed the look with a bowler hat. He reminded me of those old black and white pictures my mother kept at the bottom of her box.
''Can I come in please?'' he asked.
I nearly fell backwards at the sound of his voice - he had such a high pitched tone for a man.
''Who are you looking for please?''
''Your daddy''
''I have no daddy''
''Your mummy then''
''My daddy or mummy?'' I asked in wonder. Was he confused or something?


He opened his mouth to say something but my mother interrupted him ''Pam who is that?'' she cried out. I could see her standing at the veranda with her arms akimbo.
''I don’t know him'' I cried out.
''Let him in then and get yourself out of the rain. You want to catch your death this child?''
I allowed the stranger in and mumbled under my breath. She was the one always complaining about security issues in our area but she wanted a stranger to come in. What if he suddenly pulled out a gun at us?
About three weeks ago, there was another break-in 3 houses away. The occupants were sleeping in their bedroom but they claimed they heard nothing. The neighbour opposite our house said they blew juju powder through the window and that’s why the thief was able to steal their phones and laptop.
I could see my mother squinting to get a good look at the stranger as we approached.
''Wrap the remaining pounded yam inside cellophane and put it in the cooler'' she whispered as I walked pass her.
The stranger trailed behind me but he was no longer my cross.
''Good evening who are you looking for?'' I heard my mother ask.
I stood by the door and listened in on their conversation. The stranger spoke in that weird falsetto voice ''I'm sorry to disturb you madam … yes all the way from … I don’t know what to do now… I just need to… if I could wait a bit until the rain subsides…''
I groaned in frustration. So I got wet for nothing but a stranger seeking shelter? He was not even a cousins, brothers, uncle's friend?
''Pam please bring that rubber chair and make Bournvita for our guest'' my mother cried out.
I said nothing but got busy.


WATCHOUT FOR PART 2

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