Well, at least Silas Mthimkhulu had not hidden the fact that he was a political animal, Spokes thought. At least in that sense, he was an honest politician.

‘I take it that is all,’ Silas Mthimkhulu said, looking at his watch.

‘We will let you know if we need to speak with you at a later date,’ the detective said, rising.

‘I will be happy to help in whatever way I can,’ Silas Mthimkhulu said, standing up only after preparing his trousers for the sudden movement. He offered both men his hand for a hearty handshake, and then he hesitated.

Spokes knew that whatever Silas Mthimkhulu was about to say was something that he had intended to say from the moment he apprehended who they were and why they were there.

‘Naturally, one does not want to speak ill of the dead,’ Silas Mthimkhulu began. ‘But, yesterday, now that I think about it, something did occur that was out of the ordinary. I am sorry I forgot to mention it before. In the morning, Sitshengisiwe put on her work overalls and left, only to return a few hours later, once Philemon had left. She changed into a very pretty dress and then headed out again. Now, this is probably neither here nor there, but I get the distinct impression that Philemon Dlodlo is one of those men who married a village girl and brought her to the city with the intention of making her forever in awe of him. Some men like that sort of imbalance in their relationships. I do not think she was dressed like that to go to meet with him.’

‘I see,’ Spokes said with a nod. ‘Sitshengisiwe Dlodlo was not a village girl,’ he continued. It was now his turn to stand up. ‘She was the daughter of Cosmos Nyathi; you know, the famous businessman.’

‘Cosmos Nyathi!’ Silas Mthimkhulu exclaimed, his composure leaving him for the moment. ‘I had no idea that she was his daughter. Then why did she carry herself as though she was … a nobody?’

‘Perhaps that was just her way of being humble,’ Spokes said, not quite able to stop himself from looking at the gold chain around Silas Mthimkhulu’s neck. Was that a scratch mark under his left ear?

Silas Mthimkhulu laughed. ‘As I said, my observation was neither here nor there. I would make a terrible detective.’

Spokes smiled before saying, ‘And that was the last time you saw her?’

Silas Mthimkhulu’s laughter died abruptly. ‘Saw her?’

‘Sitshengisiwe Dlodlo – the last time you saw her, she was in her pretty dress?’

It took Silas Mthimkhulu too long a moment to say the simple ‘Yes’ that was required. ‘The last time I saw her she was in her pretty dress,’ he added.

‘Did you and your friend hear her sing before or after she put on the pretty dress?’

‘Silas, is everything all right?’ a woman’s voice enquired.