that.?
Bothma made the slight nod of her head again, but still no eye contact.
Griessel stood and Keyter moved towards the door. He was taken aback when he saw Griessel sitting down on the sofa next to the woman. He didn?t turn back but stood there in the doorway looking impatient.
?How long were you together?? Griessel asked her, gently and sympathetically.
?Seven years,? said Bothma, and pressed the tissue against her cheeks.
?What?? said Keyter from the door. Griessel looked at him meaningfully and held a finger to his lips. Keyter came back and sat down.
?She had a temper.? A statement. Bothma nodded.
?Did she sometimes hurt you??
Nod.
?And sometimes hurt your child??
The head said ?yes? and tears ran.
?Why did you stay??
?Because I have nothing.?
Griessel waited.
?What could I do? Where could I go? I don?t have a job. I worked for her. Did the books. She looked after us. Food and clothing. She taught Cheryl to ride. She was good with her most of the time. What could I do??
?Were you angry with her over what she did to Cheryl??
The thin shoulders shook.
?But you stayed with her??
She put her small hands over her face and wept. Griessel put a hand in his pocket and took out a handkerchief. He held it out to her. It was a while before she saw it.
?Thank you.?
?I know it?s hard,? he said.
She nodded.
?You were very angry with her.?
?Yes.?
?You thought of doing something to her.?
Bothma paused before she said anything. On the carpet a sheepdog scratched itself. ?Yes.?
?Like stabbing her with a knife??
Bothma shook her head at that.
?The revolver??
Nod.
?Why didn?t you??
?She hid it.?
He waited.
?I didn?t kill her,? said Elise Bothma and looked up at him. He saw she had green eyes. ?I didn?t.?
?I know,? said Griessel. ?She was too strong for you.?
He waited until Keyter was in his car and then he stood at the window and he talked quietly, because there were still other policemen in the yard. ?I want you to understand a few things fucking well,? he said, and Keyter looked up at him in surprise.
?Number one. You will not open your mouth again during questioning, unless I give you permission. Do you understand??
?Jissis. What did I do??
?Do you understand??
?Okay, okay.?
?Number two. I did not ask for you. You were given to me. With the instruction that I must teach you to be a detective. Number three. To learn, you will have to listen. Do you understand??
?I
a fucking detective.?
?You are a fucking detective? Tell me, mister fucking detective, where do you start a murder investigation? Where is the first place you look??
?Okay,? said Keyter reluctantly.
