Murder At Midnight

had no doubt that Mrs.Marshall was aware of who had just walked in. John's eyes wereglued to the television.
Maria Marshall was not intoconservative clothing. She was wearing a white, body-huggingtop with tight, black jeans that showed off her figure. Her long,dark hair was pinned up, so that the nape of her neck showed. Sheswung her hips provocatively and smiled like a temptress, as shewalked over to the bar and asked for a Coca Cola. She sat on one ofthe high stools, as Ayuba served her. She was pouring some into atumbler, when I observed that Philip had closed his magazine. Then,he walked over to join her. He sat on a stool to her right andbegan speaking in a low voice; I could not hear their conversation.From time to time, Maria would smile at what Philip was saying. Sheeven laughed out loud at one point.
Suddenly, her countenance changed and she threw her drink inPhilip’s face. Then, she stormed out of the lounge into the garden.Philip Newman sat there, looking humiliated and dejected. Ayubafetched him a handkerchief to clean his face. Mrs. Marshall lookedup before returning to her knitting, as though nothing unusual hadhappened. The statue called John Brad remained as it was. Nagothand Tonye were smiling.
“Did you see what happened?”asked Tonye, looking excited. Before I could respond, he began tonarrate the entire story of what had just transpired, as if none ofus had been present when it happened.
Nagoth got up and went in thesame direction that Maria had gone. I was curious to know whatwould happen when he caught up with her. So, I excused myself,leaving Mr. Briggs to continue telling his story, andI headedfor my room. Iwould be able to see the garden in the grounds of the Lodge throughmy window.
But justas I got to the corridor, I saw Willie coming out of Nagoth’s room.I was surprised. He looked up and saw me.
“Oh, Mr. Simpson, how is theday?” he asked with a guilty start.
“Quite fine,” I replied. “Isthat not Nagoth’s room that you just came out from?”
“Oh yes, Mr.Simpson,” he replied. “You’re quite right.” Then, he walked rightpast me. I was curious about what I had just seen, but I put thataside for the moment and hurried into my room. I opened the windowsquietly and parted the curtains. Maria was seated on one of thewooden chairs and Nagoth stood behind her. It was easy for meto see theirfaces and catch their words, as they were just below mywindow.
“I love you somuch,” said Nagoth, and Maria smiled. He walked around to stand in front of herchair, then pulled her up. He looked like her kid brother becauseof his small stature, as they held onto each other. Then, he raisedhimself on his toes and kissed her on the lips, while she wrappedher arms around his neck.
“I loveyou,too,” shesaid.
“Why did you pour the drink inhis face?”
“He said something I didn’tlike,” she replied, still locked in his embrace.
“I hearfootsteps,” said Nagoth, and they quickly put some distance betweenthemselves.
“One second,you pour a drink in one man’s face. The next second, you are embracing and kissing another,” said Mrs. Marshall,as she limped up to them. She sighed, shook her head and hobbledpast them, turning the corner of the Lodge, her crutches leaving atrail on the sand behind her.
“How did she know that wekissed?” asked Nagoth, looking surprised.
“You looked guilty enough!”replied Mrs. Marshall, her voice coming from a long way off. Even Iwas surprised.
“Your motheris telepathic,” whispered Nagoth, smiling.
“I know. Some people actuallycall her a witch. And she can probably still hear us,” repliedMaria.
Nagoth pulled her into his armsagain and resumed kissing her. She responded passionately to his kisses andcaresses.
For some reason, I did notapprove of their relationship. And it was not just about the absurd height differencebetween them. I sat down to analyse my feelings and realised with ajolt that I was actually jealous of Nagoth, because I wanted Mariafor myself!
The next morning, I feltinclined to write a business proposal that I had been too lazy to tackle for a while. So, still in mypyjamas, Iwent downtown to get some writing materials from Ayuba. I was feelingquite merry, which was surprising to me after yesterday's realisation.
To my surprise, Tonye almostfell into the room when I opened the door. He however quickly regained his balance.He had been leaning on my door and listening in!
“Who were you talking to, Mr.Simpson?” he asked me with a lift of his bushy eyebrows. “I heardyou talking inside.”
“You were eavesdropping?” Iasked him, getting annoyed and irritated. He looked over myshoulder into the room, by raising himself on his toes.
“Were you talking to yourself,Mr. Simpson?” he asked, drawing his brows together.
“Tonye, I wasnot talking with anybody or to myself. I was singing. I hope youknow that there is such a thing as singing?” I asked him. But Icould see that he did not believe me. He had made up his mind thatI had gone off my rocker and had been talking to myself. Nothing Icould say would change his mind. He slowly shook his big head fromside to side and made his way to his own room.
“Just take things easy, Mr.Simpson,” he advised, smiling mischievously, as he went in. Theimbecile! I hoped he wouldn't start rumours that I had gonemad!
When Igot downstairs, Ayuba was sitting behind the bar and polishing somedrinking glasses. Maria was standing in the lounge. She was wearinga beautiful, yellow flowery dress that matched her handbag. Sheseemed to be waiting for someone. When she saw me, she flashed me asmile that sent my heart racing. She was beautiful!
“Good morning, Mr. Simpson,” shesaid cheerfully.
“Good morning, Maria,” Ireplied. “How are you doing?”
“Fine, thank you,” she said. Iwalked over to Ayuba.
“Please, can I get some writingmaterials, Ayuba? I have some letters to write.”
“No problem,” replied Ayuba andhe made his way over to a chest of drawers behind him.
At that moment, Nagoth cameinto the lounge from upstairs. He looked dapper in denim jeans anda white shirt. His round face beamed as