Chapter 45 - Chapter 44

# Chapter 44
AYANDA

"I'm sorry, what?" I'm sure I'm turning green.

As soon as I entered the front doors at the office, Mxolisi was there, shooing me back out and waving Justice over, with the news of another murder and strict instructions to gather as much information as we could. I don't understand why he insists on Justice coming along for the ride. Why not Babalwa?

The chatty police officer with the moustache and a toothpick lowers his aviator glasses. "Gruesome, nè?"

I make furious notes on my too-small notepad, then turn the page. "What about his shoes?"

"Ja, different ones to throw off the detectives."

My pen flies over the paper. "He's always one step ahead."

"The victim wore a scarf like you."

"What colour?"

"A scarf just like yours."

The strange note in his voice has me looking up with a frown. "Sorry?" I peer down at my mustard scarf.

"It looks exactly like it. She had long dark hair too. Come to think about it, she looks a lot like you."

Cawing, a Cape crow circles overhead before flying off into the thicket of trees, disturbing the dusting of snow on their branches. A reporter by the edge of the river, as close to the tent as the police will allow anyone to venture, combs her fingers through her hair as her partner holds up the video camera.

"Are you okay, Miss Mabandla?"

Shaking off the sudden chill winding its way down each curvature of my spine, I attempt a smile. "Yes, thank you. It's just a lot to take in."

The toothpick flicks left to right between his teeth. He takes it out and says, "They found DNA evidence this time."

My eyes widen. "They did? That's huge."