‘None for me,’ the Chief Inspector said. ‘I will not be staying long.’ He said this looking directly at Saskia. ‘This is purely a social visit,’ he added, again for her benefit.

Saskia wanted more than anything to believe him, but she felt all the anxiety and apprehension that her mother clearly did not feel.

‘What do you think of the portraits, Chief Inspector?’ her mother asked, handing a cloth to Saskia while pointing at the mantelpiece.

‘Emil Coetzee?’ the Chief Inspector asked.

‘Yes. Done years ago, of course,’ her mother said. ‘I’m very proud of them. My best work, I think. Couldn’t display them for years. My husband would not have it. Too jealous of a beauty he never possessed. But he is not here any more, and I can do as I please.’

‘Can I speak with you outside?’ Saskia quickly said to the Chief Inspector, and before he could respond she got up, leaving the cloth on the unblotted stain.

‘You’ll have to excuse my daughter’s manners, Chief Inspector,’ her mother said.

The Chief Inspector stood up obligingly and carefully placed his tea on the coffee table.

‘It won’t take long, I promise,’ Saskia said as she led the Chief Inspector out the front door. She walked onto the almost wild lawn of the garden and wished she had had the foresight to bring Norman’s packet of Everests with her. The Chief Inspector preferred to stand on the crooked path. They stood there in separate silences for what seemed like the longest time until Saskia eventually asked, ‘What do you know?’

‘I know that Golide Gumede is reported to have killed Emil Coetzee,’ the Chief Inspector said.

Saskia looked at the Chief Inspector, confused. ‘Then why are you here?’

‘I know that it was Tom Fortenoy who was found dead in Emil Coetzee’s home,’ the Chief Inspector said.

This did not tell Saskia how much the Chief Inspector actually knew.

‘I am not sure I see the connection,’ Saskia said, taking a chance.

‘I am sure not many people do,’ the Chief Inspector said.

Saskia was at a loss. How to proceed? ‘How did you know for sure?’ she asked, giving up but not giving in.

‘Your mother wears a very memorable scent,’ the Chief Inspector said. ‘So as soon as she opened the door, I knew for certain.’

Saskia was even more at a loss. What did that have to do with anything?

‘What are you going to do?’ she whispered.

‘Nothing to be done. Officially, Golide Gumede killed Emil Coetzee. I just came here to make sure of things, and I have. Soon I will be on my way.’

‘It can’t be that easy,’ Saskia said, not able to stop herself.

‘It never is,’ the Chief Inspector said, before turning back towards the cottage.