Lindi was just too late. The caller had hung up. She checked the number of the incoming call. It was Sanjit Patel’s. She was waiting to see if he’d call back when the phone bleeped to signal a voice message.

‘Stay where you are. I’m coming over.’ That was all he’d said.

She called Kagiso’s number.

‘It’s me,’ she said. ‘I missed his call but he left a message. Just told me to stay where I am because he’s coming to see me.’

‘How long will he be?’

‘I don’t know. If he’s coming from town, from his shop, about fifteen, twenty minutes, give or take.’

‘You’ve got to get out of there.’

‘Why? What are you talking about?’

‘If you’re suspicions about Father Petro are right, these people are going to want to talk you next.’

‘What people? I haven’t done anything.’

‘Yes, you have!’ Kagiso was practically screaming. He was silent for a few seconds. ‘Lindi, you knew Father Petro and you know me. In some people’s eyes that is enough to make you a suspect.’

‘They’ve had their eyes on me since I got here. What’s changed?’

‘There isn’t time for this. You must do as I tell you or we must end this call and not meet again.’

‘Jesus! I need to know what’s going on.’

‘No time, I’ve got to go.’

‘Wait, wait. I’m not happy about this – but, okay, how long would it take for me to get to Malelane?’

‘I’m not in Malelane.’

‘I thought you were going there after the funeral. Are you still in Jo’burg?’

‘No, I’m in Nelspruit. I got in on the overnight train.’

‘In Nelspruit! But so am I. I’m in a little B&B just outside—’

‘Don’t tell me,’ he cut her short. ‘Have you got a car?’

‘No. I was relying on Father Petro.’

‘Is there anyone who can give you a lift?’

‘I don’t know if the landlady’s around. There’s a farm shop next door, I chatted to the guys in there a bit yesterday and they seem to be around already. I could ask them for a lift.’

‘Do it. Tell them it’s urgent, that you’ve been called back to Johannesburg. Ask to be dropped off in town. Then go to the railway station. Walk down Voortrekker in front of the station till you see Mama K’s. When you get there ask the woman whether there’s a bathroom you can use. I’ll tell her to expect you. Got it?’

‘I don’t like this one little bit. What’s the businessman going to think when he gets here? If he isn’t suspicious now, he certainly will be when I do a disappearing act.’