‘We believe you were at a party on Friday night on Tagg’s Island.’

‘Yes, absolutely cricked.’

‘What time did you arrive?’ Cottesloe asked.

‘At 11:50 p.m. I left at 1:30 a.m.’

‘Did you see a white BMW parked on the bridge?’

‘Yes. I had to ask the two gentlemen to move it so I could pass.’ The word came out as ‘jintlemin’ and it didn’t sound like he meant it.

‘Did they co-operate?’

‘Eventually, yes. I also mentioned to them that their music was excessively loud.’

‘And how did that go down?’

He laughed. ‘Badly. There was a bit of a staring contest between me and the big black fella who seemed to be in charge. But I’ve had decades of dealing with that kind of thing back in Rhodesia. Eventually he turned the music down very slightly and reversed the car enough to let me past.’

‘Was there anyone else in the car apart from the two men?’ Cottesloe asked.

‘I think there was a woman, also coloured.’

‘Did you hear a big splash at any time, either when you were approaching the white BMW or afterwards?’ Wickens asked.

‘No. As soon as I passed them, I drove off home. Parties like that are okay if you’re young, but I need my sleep.’

‘What did you think they were doing, the black guys on the bridge?’ Cottesloe asked.

For the first time van Steenis seemed to hesitate. ‘I have no idea.’

‘Were they at the party?’

Van Steenis looked into the air as if this was a difficult question. ‘I didn’t see them.’

‘So how do you know Brent Kletz?’ Cottesloe asked. ‘Unreconstructed hippies don’t seem like your kind of people.’

‘True, I suppose. But Juliette is my granddaughter, and works with me here. That’s why I was invited. They all seem nice enough people to me.’

‘Were there any drugs at the party that you are aware of?’ Wickens asked.

‘Ach, no. Look, man, I’m really not sure. I didn’t see any. But then an old stick like me, well I’m not sure I would recognise any.’

‘Did you use the bathroom?’ Wickens continued.

‘I’m sure I must have.’

‘Did you not see the cannabis plant on the cistern?’

‘I don’t recall it.’

‘So you don’t take drugs, Mr van Steenis,’ Wickens persisted. ‘But you drink alcohol?’

‘On occasion, yes. But I didn’t drink that night, because I was driving.’

The Zimbabwean had successfully headed off their next question. The two policemen thanked him for his time. Wickens, who had been making notes, read them back and asked if he wanted to add anything.

‘No, that’s fine. Look, I was just going to give Dinnis his dinner, would you like to come?’

‘Dennis?’ Cottesloe asked.

‘Our rather sick rhinoceros.’

‘Yeah!’ Wickens said, earning himself a cool glance from Cottesloe, who added, ‘I suppose we do have a little time left.’