Intercepting the glance, Mma Ramotswe laughed. “It would be wasted on me, Mma. I am always washing up and doing things like that. Fancy nails would not suit me, I’m afraid.”

“Nor me,” said Clovis Andersen. “I don’t think much about my nails.”

Mma Soleti (Nails) looked disapproving. “But that’s a great pity, Rra. These days it is quite all right for men to look after their nails. We are living in an equal society, you see, and that means that nails are equal too.” She paused. “So I think we could do something with your nails, Rra. In fact, I am sure we can.”

WE NOW HAVE all the information we need,” said Mma Ramotswe.

They were standing about the tiny white van, ready to embark on the next stage of the investigation, which was to confront Mr. Ditso Ditso with the truth.

“This is always the best stage of a case,” said Clovis Andersen. “I call it the denouement. It’s when you reveal who is responsible for whatever it is you’re investigating.”

“But we know that already,” said Mma Makutsi.

Clovis Andersen raised a finger. “But Mr. Ditso doesn’t know that we know. Now we tell him. This is the good part.”

Mma Ramotswe looked doubtful. “You have to be careful not to count on anything,” she said.

Clovis Andersen agreed. “Of course. A case is not closed until it’s closed.”

They considered the force of this. It was most impressive to both Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi how Clovis Andersen spoke in short, pithy aphorisms—just like his book. It was, they thought, a great gift.

“I look forward to seeing his face,” said Mma Makutsi. “Big Mr. Ditso shown to be a corrupt bully. Should we invite Mma Potokwane to come with us?”

Mma Ramotswe did not think this a good idea. “You should not rub a person’s nose in it, Mma. Let him think about what he has done. Let him reach his own conclusion—it is always better that way.”

“As long as he reinstates Mma Potokwane,” cautioned Clovis Andersen.

“Of course,” said Mma Ramotswe. “That is the most important thing of all.”

They had not notified Mr. Ditso Ditso of their arrival, but encountered no obstruction at the offices of DD Industries. Yes, Mr. Ditso would see them if they did not mind waiting for ten minutes or so. Would they like tea?

Eventually an assistant showed them into the office of the man himself. He stood up politely as they entered and gestured for them to sit down. “Last time there were two of you,” he said. “Now there are three. Am I becoming more important all of a sudden?”

They laughed at the pleasantry. Then Ditso Ditso looked at his watch. “I’m afraid I only have five minutes, Mma Ramotswe. So what is it, Mma?”

“I’ve come about Mma Potokwane—”