‘The man I told you about who came to see me recently—’ Spokes said.

‘Chief Inspector Moloi,’ Silas Mthimkhulu interrupted. ‘Since this does not seem to be a pressing matter, perhaps we can discuss it after the elections. When things have quietened down. You can come by our house. We would be happy to have you. But right now, I am sure you can appreciate that we are very busy. This is a rather stressful time,’ Silas Mthimkhulu said with a very tight smile.

Bodecia looked from her husband to Spokes. It was her turn to make her face illegible as she said, ‘Why put off till tomorrow what you can do today? In what way can we possibly help you about the limbs and torsos?’

‘I just wanted to know if you had heard any stories. You lived in Zambia for quite some time, and now I discover that you were involved in helping the freedom fighters cross over—’

‘How very convenient,’ Silas Mthimkhulu interrupted yet again. ‘Now that the war is over, you too call them freedom fighters. Not so long ago they were terrorists who should be hanged for treason. You BSAP boys, you definitely know how to dance to the piper’s tune.’

Spokes saw the diversionary tactic for what it was and carried on with his question. ‘As I was saying, perhaps you heard of limbs and torsos floating in the Zambezi. Perhaps there were people you helped cross over who never made it to you. That sort of thing. Anything might prove useful.’

‘I heard of bodies and limbs,’ Bodecia said tentatively. ‘Some could not make it across, and drowned. Some were shot as they crossed. Others were attacked by crocodiles and hippopotami. So I heard of bodies and limbs … we all did. Very painful ways to die. Never heard of torsos with Y-dissections though.’

‘You see, Chief Inspector, the answer was rather simple all along. If only you had come out and asked a direct question to begin with,’ Silas Mthimkhulu said.

‘I take it then that you never heard of these torsos floating in the Zambezi either?’

‘Of course not. My wife and I share everything,’ Silas Mthimkhulu said, reaching a hand towards Bodecia which she did not immediately take. ‘If I knew about the torsos, then she would too, and vice versa. I am sorry that this man saw what he saw or thinks he saw.’

‘I just thought this was the kind of detail that you would remember, Mr Mthimkhulu.’

‘Me? Why?’

‘Well … because of Daisy.’

‘Daisy? Who in God’s name is Daisy?’ Silas Mthimkhulu asked, his gesticulations making beer slosh out of his bottle and splosh onto the floor again. He refused to look at his wife, and Spokes knew then that there had been many other women besides Bodecia.