“They have already ruled out that possibility. The dogs would dig at the ground if that was the case. We are all scratching our heads here. It’s like Philasande just vanished into thin air right there. On this spot.”

For a moment Zandile seriously considers the improbable theory that an angel picked Philasande up and took her to heaven.

In the van, Zandile is alarmed by the rage she sees on her face, reflected in the mirror. She sobs. Her tears drain a bit of the anger away.

The forensic team arrives, followed by Station Commander Ncube. He stops at Zandile’s van, motions her to roll down the window.

“Is everything OK?” asks Commander Ncube.

“Yes, Commander,” says Zandile.

“You don’t look it. I have a good mind to not get you involved this time. I know what this kind of case does to you. I can see it in your face already.”

“No, Commander, I can handle it. Please keep me on this case. We have to find this girl”

“OK, Detective. I will see you at the police station.”

At the police station, officers gather in the conference room for a briefing. It is not long before Station Commander Ncube enters with a thick docket and slams it on the table.

Zandile feels a splitting headache coming on because she knows how the next few days will go. It is the same sequence every time a girl goes missing. Parents call for updates on the case but she has no update to give.

Commander Ncube says, “Gloria, tell us what we found today.”

“The girl’s name is Philasande Edith Zulu, nine years old. She went missing yesterday night. The whole section went out looking for her, but did not find her. It’s as if she disappeared into thin air. At the moment we have no suspect, not even a person of interest. Same as last time.”

A constable says, “I don’t know if we are fishing but I heard a rumour from some in the area that the spaza shop owner has a bad past. Some say he was a hit man in the taxi industry up in Stanger.”

Zandile sits up and looks at Commander Ncube.

“We must tread carefully. Remember what happened last time with a spaza shop owner?” he says and looks at Zandile. “Someone else will do a background check on the spaza owner. You two,” Commander Ncube points to two constables, “contact our colleagues in Stanger to see if there is anything to that rumour.”

“I think we must look at the school staff in greater detail. All the missing children went to Gugulabantu Primary School,” says Zandile.

“I agree. I am putting you two on that part.” He points to Gloria and Zandile: “Everyone in this room works this case. By morning we will have a toll-free line and pictures of the girl in the paper and on TV. The next shift will carry on where we left off. Go home, get some rest. Prepare for New Year’s Eve. It’s been a long day.”

*****

Zandile buys fireworks with the money she took from Primo and heads to her sister’s house in Ballito. Her children are there for the holidays. She has sent them there because she herself is working for the whole of the festive season.

She lights fireworks and that’s it as far as celebrating New Year’s Eve is concerned. She does not drink a drop of alcohol because she is due back at work by six in the morning. She watches her children sleeping and sheds tears for the families of the twenty missing girls who cannot watch their children sleeping.

It is hours before she finally falls asleep. But she dreams a pleasant dream when she does nod off. In it, her legendary ancestor, the great Zulu warrior Mmeli, assures her that she will find all of the missing girls. Next to Mmeli stands a girl. Zandile cannot see the girl’s face. She tries to focus but both Mmeli and the girl disappear. Zandile can sense that the girl is now next to her.

“Please come get us,” the girl whispers.

Zandile jolts awake.

***

Tell us what you think: Are the ancestors are communicating with Zandile, or is this just a dream?