‘And then what?’ said Lindi. ‘What you’ve got to do, what we’ve got to do, is prove that you had nothing to do with Lesedi’s murder, and that he was ready to expose the land deals. You’re not going to do that sitting in Mozambique, on the other side of the border.’
‘She’s right.’ Khethiwe was beginning to warm to Lindi. ‘But you have to get out of here now-now.’
‘Okay.’ Kagiso stood up with the look of a man who intended to take charge. ‘Here’s what we’ll do. Let’s head to Komatipoort – it’s a small place, a border town, perfect to get out if we have to.’
He looked at Lindi. ‘I know it a bit, I’ve passed through it many times for my work. It’ll be pretty chaotic with all these Mozambicans and that should work for us. We’ve got to assume they, the police, think I’m still in Johannesburg. Let’s stay the night in Komatipoort and work out what to do.’
‘How do we get there?’
‘There are taxis going there always,’ said Khethiwe. ‘I know one of the drivers very well. I can ask him to take you.’
‘No, no. We’ve got to be more random. But there is one thing you can do for us, Ma. We need a new SIM.’
‘A what?’
‘A new phone number. There’s a Stax back up towards the station. Just say you need a new phone. Get the cheapest, most basic one they have. They’ll ask you what sort of deal you want. Say pay-as-you-go. You can tell them it’s a gift for a relative or something. Don’t use a Stax bag. Buy some bread and oranges and stuff and put the phone in with them. Go to the taxi rank and I’ll look out for you. Lindi, you and I’ll go there separately. You need to change your clothes, and if you’ve got a hat, put it on. At the taxi rank just say you want to go to Mozambique. Komatipoort is the last stop on the SA side. Aim to get a taxi leaving in about forty-five minutes. I’ll be watching, I’ll try to get on the same taxi but don’t look at me or talk to me. If we get separated, just head for a café or bar in Komatipoort and I will find you.’
Lindi was transfixed, no longer really listening to what Kagiso was saying but how he was saying it. In an instant, she had seen why others might follow him.