CHAPTER 5—SPIRITUAL MURDER

Today is Kellina’s twenty-eighth birthday. On my way to work, I realize I have no gift. I have to get her something special, especially after last night’s encounter with Mom and Dad’s spirits. I hope Mom and Dad will appear during the celebration: it would blow Kellina away. In any case, I can’t wait to tell Kellina and Saige—my best friend since grade one—about the reunion. They’ll be over the moon!

After work, I make a quick stop at the flower shop and the jewelry store, but I can’t stop thinking about the reunion with my parents last night. After all these years—I can’t believe I was speaking to Mom and Dad! After getting home, I put Kellina’s flowers in water and wrap her gift. While I do this, I find myself hoping Ruben isn’t working late again. We’ve been dating for almost a year, and I’m excited to bring him to the party. But it’s just as well I couldn’t see him last night, because it allowed me to see my parents. And I’m not sure whether I should tell him about my reunion with them. That decision is taken out of my hands, however, when a text message comes through on my phone while I’m gathering decorations to bring to the party.

Hi Love. I’m still in a meeting. Have to work late again. Won’t be making Kellina’s party tonight. SORRY! Chat later. XXX

“I can’t believe he’s dropping me, again!” I say out loud to my dogs. To myself, I think, He said he would at least make a plan this week. I’m disappointed but know his project is at risk of not making any money. I guess that’s the life of a project engineer! Frustrated, I text back:

OK Honey. Thx. I am sorry too. Love and miss you. Phone me when you are home safe. XX

Driving to Kellina’s house, I get emotional about seeing my parents again. I try to compose myself before arriving to tell Kellina about last night. Just then my phone rings. It is 17:25 already.

“Hi, Saige!” I say.

“Hi, Rhee.” Saige’s voice is loud and clear. “Are you almost at Kellina’s house?”

“I’m running a bit late,” I say, “but yes—almost there.”

“Okay—I’m here already. You know me—the early birdy, ha-ha!”

“Ha-ha!” I return. “Yes, thought you’d be there. Okay, see you now.”

I’m about to hang up when I realize I’ve forgotten to tell her the most important part. “Saige, wait. I need to tell you something when I see you.”

“Oh, okay, sounds intriguing. See you now….”

After all these years, I can’t believe Saige and I are still best friends. When my parents passed away, Saige and I became even closer: Kellina and I had to move in with her, her brother, Johan, and their parents. To contribute financially to our room and board, my grandmother leased our parents’ house. Saige’s parents, Hendrik and Karen Kruger, were Mom and Dad’s best friends and are our godparents.

Saige always used to crack jokes around us. She still makes fun of Johan, who we believe has a small crush on me—as I secretly do on him. He was my first kiss—but since then, it’s gotten awkward between us. I’m not sure why—maybe because we stayed in their house growing up. Now we’re just friends. Saige is always in a good and chirpy mood. If it wasn’t for her and her good sense of humor, I don’t know where I would be today.

Kellina was born on 20 September 1988 on a lovely spring afternoon in Hermanus. After she had spent three days in hospital, Mom and Dad—Ceri and Ray Goode—took their beautiful firstborn baby girl home. Mom told me once they could not stop looking at her without endearing love—filled with excitement—as they did with me, when I was born on 16 March 1992—three and a half years later. My parents named my sister “Kellina,” meaning caring, strong-willed, loving, and having good charm—which is just like Kellina is today. She reminds me of Mom, but unfortunately my parents’ joy of being with their children only lasted sixteen years….

Arriving at Kellina’s house, I struggle to ring the doorbell because I’m carrying the parcels and flowers. But suddenly I realize—something is missing. “Oh shoot!” I say. I left the jewelry I had bought as a gift for Kellina at home!

Kellina opens the door. I surprise her with twenty-eight beautiful red roses—something I have done every year—in memory of Dad, trying to keep his family tradition alive. Kellina immediately tears up.

“Happy birthday, Kell!”

Kellina smiles behind her tears. “You remember every year. Just like dad.” She smells the scent then gives me a kiss hello and a warm hug. I always love her hugs. I remember when Dad would give Mom, Kellina, and myself beautiful red roses each year on our birthday. The number of roses was always the same as our age.

Saige appears behind Kellina just as I’m about to tell Kellina what happened last night. With a big smile, Saige says, “Hi, Rhee. Finally arrived, hey? Ha-ha! Oh, these roses are stunning! Wow—so many!”

Kellina chirps in, “Hey, Saige, watch it! Are you implying I’m getting old?”

We all have a good chuckle as Saige gives me a hug hello. I realize that if I want to give Kellina her jewelry I will first need to rush back home to fetch it. In the background, I hear a car door close behind me.

“Oh,” Kellina says, “the cake delivery is here!”

I hide my disappointment while entering the house. The delivery of the cake will leave me no time to tell them about last night’s encounter. But then, in the corner of my eye, through the doorway behind Kellina, I’m surprised to see the same two doves I saw last night. Looking in at us, they settle on the kitchen windowsill. I almost shout, “They’re here! Mom and Dad are here!” But I bite my tongue as the delivery guy passes through the door—carrying a beautiful pink and white birthday cake. I realize now might not be the right time to discuss Mom and Dad.

Kellina again wipes her tears. “Wow, the cake came out just the way I wanted. Thank you!”

The delivery guy nods silently. Sniffing, Kellina turns back to me. “Sorry, I’m a bit emotional today, Rhee. I miss Mom and Dad, especially on days like these, you know….”

“I know, Kell, me too,” I say, thinking to myself, I have to leave. I’d rather speak to Kellina and Saige alone tonight. For Kellina to meet our parents in their hallowed form now, emotionally…it might be too much for her. Anyway, her birthday party is about to start.

I look out the window, at the doves on the windowsill. “I also miss Mom and Dad, Kell. Every day. But I know they are here with us in spirit. Just believe me.” I wink at the doves, thinking to myself, we need to hurry before the party starts….

Kellina nods. “Thank you, Sis.”

Saige strokes her shoulder. Looking at the delivery guy again, she says, “You can put the cake on the table over there….That’s perfect. Thank you.” She wipes her teary eyes a final time and says, “I want to put these beautiful roses in a vase.”

As I put down the party decorations, I take a glance at the two doves. They bob their heads at me—as if signaling they are waiting for me to tell Kellina.

Saige says, “Rhee, did you remember the balloons?”

“Oh, yes,” I reply, “they’re inside this bag. I also brought other decorations, if needed.”

As the cake delivery guy leaves, Kellina asks, “I was wondering, Rhee…have you found any leads yet regarding Mrs. Ismail’s murder case?”

I shake my head. “No, Kell,” I say with disappointment.

Kellina frowns. “Did you know she served on the board of our body corporate? The residents in the complex are shocked. They’re scared to death! In fact, we’re all afraid the murderer might be living among us. Do you have a possible motive yet?”

“We think it was a robbery.” Unpacking the decorations, I add, “Thanks for the info though. I didn’t know about her role on the body corporate.” I don’t tell her about the missing nipple, as I don’t want to stress her any further. “Her family confirmed her handbag and jewelry are missing. We’ve found no other fingerprints at the scene, so the offender must have used gloves. You might not believe me, but I saw that black crow the day before she was raped and murdered.”

Saige exclaims, “What? Really!”

I nod solemnly.

Saige continues to press the issue: “Don’t you think it’s freaky that every time that crow pitches someone dies within twenty-four hours?” She shakes her head. “I just cannot figure it out. What is up with this crow warning you all the time?” She pauses a moment, considering; then she looks at me. “Don’t you think it’s maybe your guardian angel?”

Kellina starts. “Yes! So strange. It could be your guardian angel….”

“No,” I say, shaking my head, “I don’t think so. It doesn’t feel like it.” But this time it’s my turn to reconsider. “Well, I’m not sure. I don’t know why that darn crow has chosen me. Trust me, I have wished many times to know the truth.” I frown, then turn to my sister. “Kell, we don’t have any leads yet, but I promise you, my team and I are working twenty-four–seven. I know you must be scared—and I am too. We’re also still searching for leads to those fourteen women who were murdered. We suspect the killer is robbing and killing for drug money. I told you before, a drug cartel has been in town for many years.” I shake my head at the prospect of what could lie...