Shaka_NN1 II_MC His_APPGE name_NN1 was_VBDZ Robert_NP1 ole_JJ Buthelezi_NP1 ,_, and_CC there_EX did_VDD n't_XX seem_VVI to_TO be_VBI anything_PN1 special_JJ about_II him_PPHO1 as_II a_AT1 small_JJ child_NN1 ._. 
Quite_RR the_AT contrary_NN1 ,_, in_II fact_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 took_VVD him_PPHO1 four_MC years_NNT2 to_TO speak_VVI ,_, eight_MC to_TO read_VVI ._. 
A_AT1 lonely_JJ child_NN1 whose_DDQGE father_NN1 ignored_VVD him_PPHO1 and_CC whose_DDQGE mother_NN1 worked_VVD long_JJ hours_NNT2 and_CC turned_VVD her_APPGE children_NN2 over_RP to_II the_AT care_NN1 of_IO various_JJ relatives_NN2 ,_, he_PPHS1 became_VVD totally_RR self-sufficient_JJ at_II an_AT1 early_JJ age_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 clumsy_JJ youngster_NN1 ,_, and_CC sometimes_RT when_CS he_PPHS1 ran_VVD his_APPGE knees_NN2 would_VM give_VVI out_RP and_CC he_PPHS1 'd_VM go_VVI sprawling_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 had_VHD no_AT interest_NN1 in_II school_NN1 ,_, and_CC his_APPGE grades_NN2 reflected_VVD that_DD1 ._. 
On_II the_AT whole_NN1 he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ an_AT1 unimpressive_JJ child_NN1 ,_, with_IW nothing_PN1 much_DA1 to_TO recommend_VVI him_PPHO1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 say_VV0 'nothing_VVG much'_NN1 ,_, because_CS there_EX were_VBDR a_AT1 few_DA2 things_NN2 that_CST stand_VV0 out_RP in_II my_APPGE memory_NN1 ._. 
When_CS he_PPHS1 would_VM fall_VVI ,_, or_CC otherwise_RR hurt_VVD himself_PPX1 ,_, he_PPHS1 never_RR cried_VVD or_CC asked_VVD for_IF help_NN1 ._. 
Not_XX once_RR ._. 
When_CS he_PPHS1 fell_VVD sick-and_CC he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ sicker_JJR than_CSN most_DAT children-he_PPHS1 never_RR complained_VVD about_II the_AT treatment_NN1 ,_, and_CC some_DD of_IO those_DD2 treatments_NN2 would_VM have_VHI had_VHN other_JJ children_NN2 screaming_VVG in_II fear_NN1 or_CC pain_NN1 or_CC both_DB2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 made_VVD terrible_JJ blunders_NN2 in_II his_APPGE classrooms_NN2 ._. 
But_CCB he_PPHS1 never_RR made_VVD the_AT same_DA one_PN1 twice_RR ._. 
He_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX act_VVI like_II an_AT1 earnest_JJ young_JJ man_NN1 who_PNQS was_VBDZ compelled_VVN to_TO learn_VVI ,_, but_CCB he_PPHS1 retained_VVD everything_PN1 he_PPHS1 saw_VVD and_CC heard_VVD ._. 
Everything_PN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ without_IW compassion_NN1 ._. 
The_AT suffering_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 neighbor_NN1 's_GE pet_NN1 ,_, or_CC a_AT1 relative_NN1 in_II a_AT1 hospital_NN1 ,_, left_VVD him_PPHO1 cold_JJ ._. 
But_CCB if_CS he_PPHS1 had_VHD no_AT compassion_NN1 for_IF others_NN2 ,_, he_PPHS1 had_VHD none_PN for_IF himself_PPX1 ,_, either_RR ;_; self-pity_NN1 was_VBDZ simply_RR not_XX in_II his_APPGE lexicon_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ n't_XX that_CST he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ stoic_JJ ,_, but_CCB rather_RR that_CST he_PPHS1 simply_RR ignored_VVN discomfort_NN1 and_CC even_RR pain_NN1 ._. 
One_PN1 got_VVD the_AT distinct_JJ impression_NN1 that_CST pain_NN1 ,_, even_RR his_APPGE own_DA ,_, simply_RR did_VDD n't_XX interest_VVI him_PPHO1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 remember_VV0 the_AT day-he_PPHS1 had_VHD just_RR entered_VVN his_APPGE teens-that_RG three_MC older_JJR boys_NN2 who_PNQS did_VDD n't_XX like_VVI his_APPGE arrogant_JJ attitude_NN1 lay_VVD in_II wait_NN1 and_CC pounced_VVD on_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 fought_VVD back_RP as_RG best_RRT he_PPHS1 could_VM ,_, but_CCB they_PPHS2 left_VVD him_PPHO1 lying_VVG in_II the_AT street_NN1 ,_, barely_RR conscious_JJ ,_, blood_NN1 pouring_VVG from_II a_AT1 dozen_NNO wounds_NN2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 finally_RR got_VVD shakily_RR to_II his_APPGE feet_NN2 ,_, refused_VVD all_DB medical_JJ aid_NN1 ,_, and_CC decided_VVD that_CST he_PPHS1 had_VHD to_TO become_VVI stronger_JJR ._. 
Beginning_VVG the_AT next_MD morning_NNT1 ,_, long_RR before_CS he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ healed_VVN ,_, he_PPHS1 began_VVD running_VVG five_MC miles_NNU2 before_II breakfast_NN1 ._. 
His_APPGE feet_NN2 bled_VVD ,_, and_CC he_PPHS1 passed_VVD out_RP from_II exhaustion_NN1 ,_, but_CCB when_RRQ he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ revived_VVN he_PPHS1 continued_VVD on_II his_APPGE journey_NN1 until_CS the_AT five_MC miles_NNU2 were_VBDR completed_VVN ._. 
He_PPHS1 repeated_VVD the_AT procedure_NN1 every_AT1 morning_NNT1 ,_, and_CC one_MC1 day_NNT1 we_PPIS2 began_VVD to_TO notice_VVI that_CST he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ covering_VVG the_AT ground_NN1 at_II a_AT1 rapid_JJ pace_NN1 without_IW ever_RR taking_VVG a_AT1 deep_JJ breath_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 began_VVD swimming_VVG in_II the_AT ocean_NN1 ,_, unmindful_JJ of_IO sharks_NN2 ,_, and_CC built_VVD his_APPGE strength_NN1 and_CC stamina_NN1 through_II force_NN1 of_IO will_NN1 ,_, much_DA1 as_CSA he_PPHS1 had_VHD with_IW his_APPGE running_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 never_RR asked_VVD for_IF company_NN1 ,_, but_CCB if_CS anyone_PN1 wanted_VVD to_TO run_VVI or_CC swim_VVI with_IW him_PPHO1 he_PPHS1 never_RR objected_VVN ,_, though_CS he_PPHS1 would_VM soon_RR leave_VVI them_PPHO2 far_RR behind_RL ._. 
After_CS he_PPHS1 had_VHD spent_VVN half_DB a_AT1 year_NNT1 building_VVG up_RP his_APPGE body_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 called_VVD out_RP the_AT three_MC older_JJR boys_NN2 who_PNQS had_VHD beaten_VVN him_PPHO1 up_RP ._. 
I_PPIS1 did_VDD n't_XX see_VVI the_AT fight_NN1 ,_, but_CCB I_PPIS1 know_VV0 that_CST all_DB three_MC boys_NN2 were_VBDR rushed_VVN to_II the_AT intensive_JJ care_NN1 unit_NN1 after_CS it_PPH1 was_VBDZ over_RP ._. 
He_PPHS1 vanished_VVD before_II the_AT authorities_NN2 could_VM find_VVI him_PPHO1 ,_, and_CC since_CS we_PPIS2 did_VDD n't_XX hear_VVI from_II him_PPHO1 for_IF the_AT next_MD ten_MC years_NNT2 most_DAT people_NN assumed_VVD he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ dead_JJ ._. 
I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ one_MC1 of_IO the_AT ones_NN2 who_PNQS did_VDD n't_XX ._. 
There_EX was_VBDZ something_PN1 about_II him_PPHO1 ,_, even_RR as_II a_AT1 boy_NN1 ,_, some_DD aura_NN1 that_CST said_VVD whatever_DDQV else_RR he_PPHS1 might_VM become_VVI ,_, he_PPHS1 would_VM never_RR be_VBI a_AT1 victim_NN1 ._. 
Soon_RR people_NN forgot_VVD all_DB about_II him_PPHO1 ,_, and_CC the_AT cycles_NN2 of_IO life_NN1 continued_VVD ._. 
Day_NP1 followed_VVD night_NNT1 ,_, summer_NNT1 followed_VVD spring_NN1 ,_, the_AT long_JJ rains_NN2 followed_VVD the_AT parched_JJ dry_JJ weather_NN1 ,_, and_CC all_DB was_VBDZ as_CSA it_PPH1 should_VM be_VBI ._. 
I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX know_VVI how_RRQ he_PPHS1 knew_VVD it-there_EX was_VBDZ no_AT reflection_NN1 in_II the_AT galactic_JJ map_NN1 ,_, and_CC Mbatha_NP1 was_VBDZ absolutely_RR silent-but_CCB Tchaka_NP1 turned_VVD just_RR as_CSA the_AT colonel_NN1 's_GE hand_NN1 was_VBDZ coming_VVG down_RP ._. 
His_APPGE own_DA hand_NN1 shot_VVD out_RP ,_, grabbed_VVD Mbatha_NP1 by_II the_AT wrist_NN1 ,_, and_CC the_AT two_MC of_IO them_PPHO2 stood_VVD ,_, motionless_JJ ,_, for_IF a_AT1 few_DA2 seconds_NNT2 ._. 
Then_RT there_EX was_VBDZ a_AT1 loud_JJ cracking_JJ sound_NN1 ,_, Mbatha_NP1 screamed_VVD ,_, and_CC the_AT knife_NN1 fell_VVD to_II the_AT floor_NN1 ._. 
Tchaka_NP1 placed_VVD his_APPGE hands_NN2 around_II Mbatha_NP1 's_GE throat_NN1 ,_, and_CC Mbatha_NP1 tried_VVD to_TO pull_VVI his_APPGE hands_NN2 apart_RL ._. 
Again_RT ,_, the_AT two_MC were_VBDR motionless_JJ ,_, this_DD1 time_NNT1 for_IF almost_RR a_AT1 full_JJ minute_NNT1 ._. 
Mbatha_NP1 's_GE eyes_NN2 began_VVD bulging_VVG ,_, and_CC his_APPGE attempts_NN2 to_TO free_VVI himself_PPX1 grew_VVD first_MD more_RGR frantic_JJ ,_, then_RT progressively_RR weaker_JJR ._. 
Tchaka_NP1 stood_VVD still_JJ as_II a_AT1 statue_NN1 ,_, no_AT expression_NN1 at_II all_DB on_II his_APPGE face_NN1 ,_, his_APPGE fingers_NN2 turning_VVG pale_JJ from_II the_AT pressure_NN1 he_PPHS1 put_VVD on_II them_PPHO2 ._. 
Then_RT Mbatha_NP1 went_VVD limp_NN1 ,_, and_CC Tchaka_NP1 let_VVD him_PPHO1 fall_VVI to_II the_AT floor_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 turned_VVD to_II another_DD1 officer_NN1 ._. 
"_" Shoot_VV0 him_PPHO1 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD ._. 
The_AT man_NN1 stared_VVD at_II him_PPHO1 ,_, startled_VVD ,_, but_CCB did_VDD n't_XX pull_VVI his_APPGE laser_NN1 pistol_NN1 ._. 
"_" He_PPHS1 may_VM not_XX be_VBI dead_RG yet_RR ,_, "_" said_VVD Tchaka_NP1 ._. 
"_" Am_VB0 I_PPIS1 expected_VVN to_TO show_VVI him_PPHO1 mercy_NN1 so_CS21 that_CS22 he_PPHS1 can_VM try_VVI to_TO kill_VVI me_PPIO1 again_RT ?_? "_" 
The_AT officer_NN1 withdrew_VVD his_APPGE pistol_NN1 ,_, pointed_VVD it_PPH1 at_II Mbatha_NP1 ,_, but_CCB did_VDD not_XX fire_VVI ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 think_VV0 he_PPHS1 's_VBZ dead_JJ ,_, sir_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 see_VV0 no_AT sign_NN1 of_IO breathing_NN1 ._. "_" 
Tchaka_NP1 walked_VVD over_RP ,_, took_VVD the_AT pistol_NN1 from_II him_PPHO1 ,_, and_CC fired_VVD a_AT1 blast_NN1 of_IO solid_JJ light_NN1 into_II the_AT back_NN1 of_IO Mbatha_NP1 's_GE head_NN1 ._. 
"_" Now_RT he_PPHS1 is_VBZ dead_JJ ,_, "_" announced_VVD Tchaka_NP1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 turned_VVD the_AT pistol_NN1 onto_II its_APPGE owner_NN1 ,_, aimed_VVD it_PPH1 between_II his_APPGE eyes_NN2 ,_, and_CC fired_VVD again_RT ._. 
There_EX was_VBDZ a_AT1 stunned_JJ silence_NN1 among_II the_AT other_JJ officers_NN2 ._. 
"_" He_PPHS1 would_VM not_XX obey_VVI me_PPIO1 with_IW an_AT1 incapacitated_JJ enemy_NN1 ,_, "_" said_VVD Tchaka_NP1 coldly_RR ._. 
"_" How_RRQ could_VM I-or_CC you-trust_JJ him_PPHO1 to_TO do_VDI his_APPGE duty_NN1 against_II any_DD enemy_NN1 that_CST was_VBDZ preparing_VVG to_TO engage_VVI him_PPHO1 in_II battle_NN1 ?_? "_" 
Another_DD1 pause_NN1 ._. 
"_" We_PPIS2 will_VM continue_VVI our_APPGE briefing_NN1 tomorrow_RT ._. "_" 
They_PPHS2 filed_VVD out_RP ,_, and_CC he_PPHS1 signaled_VVD me_PPIO1 to_TO remain_VVI behind_RL ._. 
"_" That_DD1 was_VBDZ the_AT second_NNT1 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD when_RRQ we_PPIS2 were_VBDR alone_JJ in_II the_AT room_NN1 ._. 
"_" There_EX was_VBDZ another_DD1 ?_? "_" 
I_PPIS1 said_VVD ,_, surprised_JJ ._. 
"_" Two_MC days_NNT2 ago_RA ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 seemed_VVD unconcerned_JJ ._. 
"_" There_EX will_VM be_VBI more_RRR ._. "_" 
"_" We_PPIS2 must_VM double-no_JJ ,_, triple-the_AT guard_NN1 around_II you_PPY ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 said_VVD ._. 
He_PPHS1 shook_VVD his_APPGE head_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 am_VBM more_RGR capable_JJ of_IO protecting_VVG myself_PPX1 than_CSN any_DD half-dozen_NNO men_NN2 I_PPIS1 could_VM assign_VVI to_II the_AT task_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 just_RR want_VV0 you_PPY to_TO know_VVI that_CST it_PPH1 has_VHZ happened_VVN ,_, and_CC it_PPH1 will_VM happen_VVI again_RT ._. "_" 
I_PPIS1 stared_VVD at_II him_PPHO1 curiously_RR ,_, unable_JK to_TO see_VVI where_RRQ this_DD1 was_VBDZ leading_VVG ._. 
"_" How_RGQ many_DA2 of_IO our_APPGE siblings_NN2 are_VBR currently_RR in_II Pretoria_NP1 ?_? "_" he_PPHS1 asked_VVD ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ not_XX the_AT question_NN1 I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ expecting_VVG ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX know_VVI ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" Maybe_RR one_MC1 ,_, maybe_RR two_MC ._. "_" 
"_" Can_VM you_PPY find_VVI the_AT others_NN2 ?_? "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX know_VVI ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 replied_VVD honestly_RR ._. 
"_" Some_DD of_IO them_PPHO2 may_VM not_XX wish_VVI to_TO be_VBI found_VVN ._. 
What_DDQ do_VD0 you_PPY want_VVI of_IO them_PPHO2 ?_? "_" 
"_" Mbatha_NN1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 Shona_NP1 ._. 
The_AT man_NN1 who_PNQS tried_VVD to_TO kill_VVI me_PPIO1 two_MC days_NNT2 ago_RA was_VBDZ a_AT1 Swazi_JJ ._. 
I_PPIS1 must_VM surround_VVI myself_PPX1 with_IW officers_NN2 and_CC advisors_NN2 whose_DDQGE loyalty_NN1 is_VBZ unquestioned_JJ ._. 
From_II this_DD1 day_NNT1 forth_RR ,_, every_AT1 advisor_NN1 ,_, every_AT1 aide_NN1 ,_, every_AT1 senior_JJ officer_NN1 ,_, must_VM be_VBI Zulus_NN2 ._. 
And_CC my_APPGE siblings_NN2 will_VM be_VBI favored_VVN above_II all_DB others_NN2 ._. "_" 
"_" But_CCB you_PPY do_VD0 n't_XX even_RR know_VVI them_PPHO2 !_! "_" 
I_PPIS1 exclaimed_VVD ,_, surprised_JJ ._. 
"_" You_PPY have_VH0 n't_XX seen_VVN most_DAT of_IO them_PPHO2 since_CS we_PPIS2 were_VBDR children_NN2 ._. "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 know_VV0 that_CST ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD calmly_RR ._. 
"_" They_PPHS2 may_VM not_XX agree_VVI with_IW your_APPGE policies_NN2 ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 continued_VVD ._. 
"_" They_PPHS2 may_VM dislike_VVI you_PPY personally_RR ._. "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 know_VV0 that_CST too_RR ._. "_" 
"_" Then_RT why-_JJ "_" "_" I_PPIS1 expected_VVD more_DAR of_IO you_PPY ,_, my_APPGE brother_NN1 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" It_PPH1 matters_VVZ nothing_PN1 to_II me_PPIO1 that_CST they_PPHS2 may_VM hate_VVI or_CC fear_VVI me_PPIO1 ._. 
Before_CS I_PPIS1 am_VBM done_VDN ,_, most_DAT people_NN will_VM either_RR hate_VVI me_PPIO1 or_CC fear_VV0 me_PPIO1 ,_, or_CC both_DB2 ._. 
But_CCB more_RRR to_II the_AT point_NN1 ,_, my_APPGE enemies_NN2 will_VM hate_VVI and_CC fear_VVI those_DD2 who_PNQS serve_VV0 me_PPIO1 ,_, and_CC especially_RR those_DD2 who_PNQS carry_VV0 my_APPGE blood_NN1 in_II their_APPGE veins_NN2 ._. 
My_APPGE siblings_NN2 may_VM not_XX like_VVI me_PPIO1 ,_, but_CCB they_PPHS2 will_VM like_VVI my_APPGE protection_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 do_VD0 not_XX need_VVI it_PPH1 where_CS they_PPHS2 are_VBR ,_, but_CCB once_CS they_PPHS2 are_VBR by_II my_APPGE side_NN1 ,_, serving_VVG me_PPIO1 ,_, they_PPHS2 will_VM be_VBI targets_NN2 ,_, just_RR as_CSA I_ZZ1 am-and_CC I_PPIS1 will_VM be_VBI the_AT only_JJ thing_NN1 keeping_VVG them_PPHO2 alive_JJ ._. 
Therefore_RR ,_, they_PPHS2 will_VM serve_VVI me_PPIO1 loyally_RR ,_, and_CC do_VD0 everything_PN1 they_PPHS2 can_VV0 to_TO keep_VVI me_PPIO1 safe_JJ and_CC in_II power_NN1 ._. "_" 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ selfish_JJ ,_, it_PPH1 was_VBDZ savage_JJ ,_, it_PPH1 was_VBDZ cruel_JJ &hellip;_... but_CCB it_PPH1 made_VVD sense_NN1 ,_, and_CC I_PPIS1 knew_VVD I_PPIS1 would_VM not_XX be_VBI able_JK to_TO talk_VVI him_PPHO1 out_II21 of_II22 it_PPH1 ._. 
"_" And_CC if_CS some_DD of_IO them_PPHO2 do_VD0 not_XX want_VVI to_TO come_VVI ?_? "_" 
I_PPIS1 asked_VVD at_RR21 last_RR22 ._. 
"_" You_PPY will_VM explain_VVI their_APPGE options_NN2 ,_, and_CC they_PPHS2 will_VM come_VVI ._. "_" 
"_" Their_APPGE options_NN2 ?_? "_" 
"_" If_CS they_PPHS2 will_VM not_XX serve_VVI me_PPIO1 ,_, I_PPIS1 have_VH0 no_AT reason_NN1 to_TO keep_VVI them_PPHO2 alive_JJ ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 replied_VVD ._. 
And_CC it_PPH1 was_VBDZ just_RR as_CSA he_PPHS1 said_VVD ._. 
Within_II two_MC weeks_NNT2 ,_, his_APPGE entire_JJ staff_NN were_VBDR Zulus_NN2 ,_, and_CC his_APPGE closest_JJT advisors_NN2 -_- always_RR excepting_VVG his_APPGE astrologer_NN1 Hlatshwayo_NN1 -_- were_VBDR his_APPGE half-brothers_NN2 and_CC half-sisters_NN2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 saw_VVD Peter_NP1 Zondo_NP1 's_GE corpse_NN1 the_AT next_MD morning_NNT1 ._. 
It_PPH1 still_RR clutched_VVD a_AT1 laser_NN1 pistol_NN1 in_II its_APPGE hand_NN1 ,_, but_CCB the_AT hand_NN1 had_VHD been_VBN literally_RR squeezed_VVN to_II a_AT1 pulp_NN1 by_II a_AT1 larger_JJR ,_, far_RG stronger_JJR hand_NN1 ._. 
You_PPY would_VM have_VHI had_VHN to_TO cut_VVI the_AT formless_JJ flesh_NN1 away_RL with_IW a_AT1 knife_NN1 to_TO free_VVI the_AT pistol_NN1 ._. 
There_EX were_VBDR very_RG few_DA2 marks_NN2 of_IO violence_NN1 on_II the_AT body_NN1 ._. 
My_APPGE guess_NN1 was_VBDZ that_CST he_PPHS1 'd_VHD been_VBN killed_VVN by_II a_AT1 blade_NN1 or_CC a_AT1 bullet_NN1 through_II the_AT back_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE shirt_NN1 ._. 
Clearly_RR he_PPHS1 'd_VHD never_RR gotten_VVN a_AT1 shot_NN1 off_RP ._. 
As_CSA I_PPIS1 reconstruct_VV0 it_PPH1 ,_, Tchaka_NP1 must_VM have_VHI known_VVN he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ coming_VVG ,_, must_VM have_VHI followed_VVN his_APPGE approach_NN1 through_II the_AT various_JJ security_NN1 devices_NN2 ._. 
Probably_RR he_PPHS1 inserted_VVD infra-red_JJ lenses_NN2 in_II his_APPGE eyes_NN2 ,_, turned_VVD off_II the_AT lights_NN2 ,_, kept_VVD the_AT approach_NN1 to_II his_APPGE room_NN1 very_RG bright_JJ ,_, and_CC simply_RR waited_VVD for_IF Peter_NP1 to_TO open_VVI the_AT door_NN1 and_CC enter_VVI ._. 
He_PPHS1 'd_VM have_VHI grabbed_VVN Peter_NP1 's_GE hand_NN1 ,_, ground_VVD it_PPH1 to_II a_AT1 shapeless_JJ blob_NN1 with_IW his_APPGE own_DA massive_JJ hand_NN1 ,_, then_RT killed_VVD him_PPHO1 at_II his_APPGE leisure_NN1 ._. 
Of_RR21 course_RR22 ,_, I_PPIS1 could_VM be_VBI totally_RR wrong_JJ ._. 
It_PPH1 is_VBZ possible_JJ that_CST Peter_NP1 had_VHD never_RR gotten_VVN near_II Tchaka_NP1 's_GE private_JJ quarters_NN2 and_CC the_AT security_NN1 force_NN1 had_VHD killed_VVN him_PPHO1 &hellip;_... but_CCB I_PPIS1 would_VM n't_XX bet_VVI on_II it_PPH1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ summoned_VVN to_II Tchaka_NP1 's_GE office_NN1 that_DD1 afternoon_NNT1 ._. 
"_" Did_VDD you_PPY see_VVI our_APPGE half-brother_NN1 ?_? "_" he_PPHS1 asked_VVD ._. 
"_" It_PPH1 's_VBZ hard_JJ to_TO miss_VVI him_PPHO1 ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 said_VVD disgustedly_RR ._. 
"_" He_PPHS1 's_VBZ very_RG prominently_RR displayed_VVN ._. "_" 
"_" He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 fool_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" Probably_RR ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 agreed_VVD ._. 
He_PPHS1 stared_VVD at_II me_PPIO1 ._. 
"_" You_PPY have_VH0 been_VBN with_IW me_PPIO1 the_AT longest_JJT ,_, John_NP1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 know_VV0 you_PPY bear_VV0 me_PPIO1 no_AT love_NN1 ,_, but_CCB you_PPY have_VH0 always_RR known_VVN where_CS your_APPGE best_JJT interest_NN1 lies_NN2 ._. "_" 
I_PPIS1 made_VVD no_AT answer_NN1 ,_, because_CS I_PPIS1 could_VM n't_XX see_VVI what_DDQ he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ leading_VVG up_II21 to_II22 ._. 
"_" And_CC because_CS you_PPY know_VV0 where_RRQ your_APPGE best_JJT interest_NN1 lies_NN2 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 continued_VVD ,_, "_" and_CC because_CS our_APPGE fates_NN2 are_VBR interlinked_VVN ,_, you_PPY are_VBR the_AT one_MC1 man_NN1 I_PPIS1 can_VM trust_VVI ._. "_" 
I_PPIS1 simply_RR looked_VVD at_II him_PPHO1 ,_, waiting_VVG for_IF whatever_DDQV came_VVD next_MD ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 have_VH0 a_AT1 confession_NN1 to_TO make_VVI ,_, John_NP1 ._. "_" 
"_" Oh_UH ?_? "_" 
I_PPIS1 said_VVD ._. 
Most_DAT people_NN seem_VV0 uncomfortable_JJ when_CS they_PPHS2 make_VV0 a_AT1 confession_NN1 ._. 
Tchaka_NN1 was_VBDZ not_XX most_DAT people_NN ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 indulged_VVD in_II a_AT1 momentary_JJ weakness_NN1 some_DD months_NNT2 ago_RA ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 began_VVD ._. 
"_" A_AT1 momentary_JJ weakness_NN1 ?_? "_" 
I_PPIS1 repeated_VVD ,_, frowning_VVG ._. 
He_PPHS1 nodded_VVD his_APPGE head_NN1 ._. 
"_" And_CC as_II a_AT1 result_NN1 ,_, there_EX is_VBZ a_AT1 girl_NN1 in_II a_AT1 room_NN1 down_II the_AT corridor_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 girl_NN1 no_PN121 one_PN122 but_CCB myself_PPX1 has_VHZ seen_VVN for_IF ten_MC weeks_NNT2 now_RT ,_, who_PNQS is_VBZ visibly_RR pregnant_JJ ._. "_" 
I_PPIS1 stared_VVD at_II him_PPHO1 ,_, but_CCB said_VVD nothing_PN1 ._. 
"_" Clearly_RR I_PPIS1 can_VM not_XX execute_VVI myself_PPX1 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 continued_VVD ._. 
"_" The_AT Empire_NN1 must_VM have_VHI an_AT1 emperor_NN1 ,_, and_CC no_PN121 one_PN122 else_RR is_VBZ remotely_RR fit_JJ for_IF the_AT position_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB given_CS21 that_CS22 I_PPIS1 have_VH0 ordered_VVN the_AT death_NN1 of_IO every_AT1 other_JJ pregnant_JJ woman_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 can_VM not_XX have_VHI her_PPHO1 seen_VVN in_II her_APPGE condition_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" You_PPY 've_VH0 hidden_VVN her_PPHO1 pretty_RG well_RR so_RG far_RR ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" She_PPHS1 will_VM have_VHI the_AT baby_NN1 two_MC months_NNT2 before_II the_AT year_NNT1 is_VBZ up-and_CC that_CST I_PPIS1 can_VM not_XX keep_VVI a_AT1 secret_NN1 ,_, or_CC at_RR21 least_RR22 I_PPIS1 can_VM not_XX be_VBI sure_JJ of_IO keeping_VVG it_PPH1 a_AT1 secret_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" You_PPY 're_VBR going_VVGK to_TO kill_VVI her_PPHO1 ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 said_VVD dully_RR ._. 
"_" No_UH ,_, John_NP1 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 replied_VVD ._. 
"_" You_PPY 're_VBR going_VVGK to_TO kill_VVI her_PPHO1 ._. "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 've_VH0 never_RR killed_VVN anybody_PN1 ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 protested_VVD ._. 
"_" Then_RT it_PPH1 's_VBZ time_NNT1 you_PPY learned_VVD ,_, "_" said_VVD Tchaka_NP1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 have_VH0 no_AT compunction_NN1 about_II killing_VVG her_PPHO1 ._. 
But_CCB I_PPIS1 have_VH0 never_RR sired_VVN a_AT1 child_NN1 ,_, and_CC probably_RR will_VM never_RR sire_VVI another_DD1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 would_VM prefer_VVI that_CST you_PPY kill_VV0 it_PPH1 ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 shot_VVD me_PPIO1 a_AT1 self-deprecating_JJ smile_NN1 ._. 
"_" You_PPY see_VV0 ,_, John_NP1 ?_? 
I_PPIS1 am_VBM capable_JJ of_IO human_JJ emotions_NN2 after_II all_DB ._. "_" 
"_" Let_VV0 her_APPGE live_JJ ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" This_DD1 is_VBZ n't_XX her_APPGE fault_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" She_PPHS1 dies_VVZ ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD firmly_RR ,_, opening_VVG a_AT1 drawer_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE desk_NN1 and_CC withdrawing_VVG a_AT1 small_JJ pistol_NN1 ._. 
"_" Has_VHZ she_PPHS1 any_DD family_NN1 ?_? "_" 
I_PPIS1 asked_VVD as_CSA he_PPHS1 handed_VVD me_PPIO1 the_AT gun_NN1 ._. 
