Talking to the Sewrba family
Celesta was the one who opened the door, when Horatio rang the bell. "Nala is in the living room with her husband and a sister." Celesta allowed Horatio to come in and pointed him to the living room.
"Thank you. Could you stay, I want to talk to you."
"Sure, I'm in the garden with the children." Horatio walked into the living room and saw three adults. Nala was being consoled by her husband and her sister. "My sincere condolences for the loss of your son." Horatio started.
"Thank you. My name is Kofu Sewrba." The man said, shaking Horatio's offered hand. Horatio also shook hands with Nala's sister.
"Did your son have any enemies?
"Not that I know of. He was a good son, worked hard at school, never had any trouble with the police. He wasn't part of a gang." Mister Sewrba answered, Horatio nodded: "Was your son -his name was Kofu, right- often around the gym hall?"
"Yes, Kofu jr. used to hang around the gym hall when his sisters had gymnastic lessons. He often helped Celesta to set up the hall."
"Did he have a girlfriend?"
"No, not that I know off. Nala did he tell you anything?" Kofu turned to Nala, who lifted her tear stained face: "No, he was such a good boy, why did they kill him, mister Caine?"
"We don't know, we will try to find out, mrs. Sewrba." Horatio tried to console Nala.
"Thank you."
"One more question, could I search Kofu's room? There might be some clues."
"Yes, sure. I'll show you." Kofu rose and walked to the stairs, Horatio followed him."
Kofu opened the door to his son's room. The room was that of a typical young man. It was messy, clothes thrown everywhere, an overflowing desk, an unmade bed and two basketballs lying on the floor. There was a computer on the desk and a television set on a small table. Horatio saw several books and magazines on the floor. Nothing out of the ordinary for a boys room. Horatio turned the computer on and swiftly looked through the documents and emails on it. Some emails were not friendly, even bordering on threatening. The documents were mostly assignments for school. Horatio couldn't find anything that indicated illegal activities. Horatio turned to mister Sewrba: "Do you own any guns?"
"No, my wife doesn't want any guns lying around the house with the children. My shooting licence has expired five years ago. I am tempted to get it renewed, there is a lot of violence in this part of the city."
"Okay, thank you, we will be in touch. Where is the garden, I need to talk to Celesta."
"I'll call her." Mister Sewrba walked to the hallway. Horatio waited there, he could hear Celesta saying goodbye to the family and the two young girls.
"You wanted to talk to me?"
"Yes, shall we go outside?"
"Sure." Celesta let Horatio go first. Horatio walked to the Hummer and opened the booth, he took out the sports bag and handed it to her.
"Here, you left this at the gym hall."
"Oh, thank you. I have to go get my bike, but that's locked."
"Hop in, I'll drive you." Horatio opened the door to the passenger seat. Celesta thankfully sat down.
"Did you know Kofu well?"
"He helped me set up the gym hall, I already told you. We talked, usually about school or basketball. He was always cheerful…no that is not true, the last couple of weeks he hadn't been cheerful. He was afraid." Celesta corrected herself.
"Afraid for what?"
'I think that the gangs were pressuring him to join a gang. He was no gang member, in this neighbourhood it is almost not done, not being in a gang."
"Did he eventually join a gang?"
"Not as far as I know."
"Did he have a girlfriend?'
"No." Celesta shook her head. Horatio turned and drove unto the parking lot of the gym hall. Before Celesta stepped out of the car, Horatio started to talk again: "Are you the only one who uses this hall? It seems like it wasn't in use much."
"I don't really know. I use the hall on Monday and Thursday. I've got a lot of younger children and teenagers. It keeps them off the streets, parents like that."
"You are the only one who teaches gymnastics?"
"In this neighbourhood, yes. There are two clubs down town, but they are more focussed on prepping the children for matches. I teach so the children can have fun and for recreational benefits. Children who are really good get sent through to the other clubs."
"Okay, thank you, if you think of anything else, here is my card. Someone will be in touch with you concerning the reuse of the hall."
"Thank you for the ride. You can reach me on this number or in one of these halls." Celesta produced a piece of paper and a pen and scribbled down some addresses. Then she stepped out of the car and walked to a mountain bike. Horatio watched her as she unchained it and drove off.