‘Okay, so we’ve taken care of that. What we’ve got to do now is get this off our hands and concentrate on what we’re there for. You know, how we use all this to get a debate going on a proper land-reform policy. You could be there for some time, months probably. Lucky you.’

‘Maybe not so lucky, Anton. I could be staying here for a while anyway.’

‘How so?’

‘I think the police here are going to want to interview me.’

‘What the hell you talking about, girl?’

‘Remember when we spoke on the phone after I had been to Lesedi’s funeral? You said Kagiso had to know more about the Land Collective than he was letting on. You were right. He’s one of them.’

‘Bingo!’ Anton crowed.

‘Don’t sound so smug. There’s more to come.’ She thought about how to say it. There was no way to sugar-coat this particular pill. ‘The Land Collective was involved in Lesedi’s murder.’

‘Christ! How long have you known about this?’

‘An hour or so.’

‘Your man Kagiso, was it him?’

‘No. He only found out himself a few hours ago. Apparently, it was organised by another member of the Collective. They just meant to teach Lesedi a lesson but it obviously got out of hand.’

‘And then some! We’ve got to act fast. We’ve got to distance ourselves from this.’

‘What if I don’t want to?’

‘What are you talking about? If you don’t want to … what?’

‘Distance myself.’

‘Lindi, if it ever came out we sat on this for a minute longer than we had to we’d be fucked. You, me, the Trust, all of us. We can just pack up and say goodbye. We don’t have a choice.’

‘I do have a choice. I want a choice.’

‘I’m not giving you a choice.’

‘I can’t believe I’m hearing this from you of all people. It was your idea to try to reach the Land Collective!’

‘Don’t give me that bullshit. I didn’t know they were murderers.’

Anton the firebrand no more. It was as if they had changed places, swapped roles.

‘All the time I’ve known you you’ve banged on about being with the little people, taking on the vested interests. I could give you the speech word for word. And now when we have a chance—’

Anton interrupted: ‘Is this personal?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Is this about your family’s relationship with the guy? White guilt and all that kak.’

‘How dare you? I’m not going to forget you just said that but, for the record, no, this is not personal. This is about following my instincts, doing what I think is right. The Land Collective are not murderers.’

‘What’s happened to being neutral? Gone, just like that.’ Anton’s frustration at being unable to get through to her was building.