The congregation has gone home. Natasha, Stella and Pastor Banda have remained behind in the church. Wednesday. 7 pm.
STELLA: (Pacing up and down) What do we do now? We cannot let Bandile die in prison?
NATASHA: (Pulling Stella into a hug) Calm down babe, we just need to put our heads together and come up with a way to get Bandile out. At least we know the police are on the wrong trail.
PASTOR BANDA: Ow! Spare me all of this! (Grabbing his phone) What did the detective mean there was evidence on social media? Where am I supposed to find this evidence he spoke of?
STELLA: Do social media statuses even count as evidence? Is that lawful?
NATASHA: (Brushing Stella’s hair) They do if they get enough interaction, and pictures. Pictures are solid evidence and that’s solid proof. The Facebook post had close to 50 000 shares and other people came chiming in with what they knew about Bandile and Mlungisi-
STELLA: (Breaking out of the hug) The detective did not mention Facebook, how did you know that? And how do you even know the post’s interaction, unless…
PASTOR BANDA: (Raising his eyes from his phone) You did this?
NATASHA: Did what? I don’t know what you’re talking about. I just came across it on Facebook, and I didn’t think it looked suspicious or anything.
PASTOR BANDA: You understand that an innocent boy is going to jail because of you’re and-
NATASHA: I did not do it! I have spent the past few days listening to you grill us for what we did! When would I have gotten the time to set Bandile up? You overestimate my abilities!
PASTOR BANDA: (Agitated) You killed someone; I don’t think there’s anything you wouldn’t do.
STELLA: (Pacing around) Who would want Bandile to go to prison? And for what reason? Who would benefit from him going to prison?
NATASHA: His stepmom, for one.
STELLA: (Confused) What?
PASTOR BANDA: No. I don’t think so.
NATASHA: Think about it, when did she stop coming to church?
STELLA: She hasn’t been to church for months now.
PASTOR BANDA: Yes, but that’s because she has been unwell.
NATASHA: That’s a ruse! She stopped coming to church when she found out her stepson is gay, and the deacon forced Bandile to be an usher.
PASTOR BANDA: Bandile was the one who wanted to be an usher and he is not gay! Mr Nxumalo would not allow that! Bandile has a girlfriend.
NATASHA: A lot happens in your deacon’s life that you’re unaware of. Has he ever told you that he has a girlfriend? Or do you mean the girlfriend the deacon always speaks about? And have you ever seen her? His stepmom did it! I can bet on it!
STELLA: (Surprised) How do you know so much about this?
NATASHA: The Nxumalo boy has a loose lip. Ask anyone who attends choir practice. The deacon’s relationship hasn’t been the same since they found out he’s gay. He hates her for trying to replace her mom and she’s just homophobic. I say she saw a chance and took it.
STELLA: (Confused) So you’re suggesting his stepmom saw an opportunity to send him away?
NATASHA: Exactly!
PASTOR BANDA: Even I can tell you that’s far-fetched.
NATASHA: Your wife had an entire relationship with me under your nose, how would you know
STELLA: (Annoyed) Natasha, please! I have to agree though, it’s a bit far-fetched!
PASTOR BANDA: We need to put our heads together, if we figure this out, we can prove that Bandile is innocent.
NATASHA: How exactly do you plan to do that without implicating us?
(Phone ringing)
PASTOR BANDA: (Nervous) It’s the detective.
NATASHA: (Pointing at the phone) Answer! And put it on loudspeaker.
STELLA: (Biting her nails)
PASTOR BANDA: Hello?
DETECTIVE: (Over the phone) Yes, pastor. Would you be able to make your way to the station?
PASTOR BANDA: Right now? What is happening detective?
DETECTIVE: Yes, please, and urgently. Please come with your wife as well. Mr Nxumalo has brought new information to light, and we have a couple of questions to run past you. See you shortly. (Hangs up)
PASTOR BANDA: (Looking at Stella) They want to see us at the station.
STELLA: (Biting her nails) No, I cannot! They will see right through me.
NATASHA: What for?
PASTOR BANDA: He didn’t say. He just said Mr Nxumalo said something.
NATASHA: Which Mr Nxumalo? The deacon or Bandile?
PASTOR BANDA: (Agitated) I have no idea Natasha! I didn’t ask.
STELLA: You must go without me, say I’m sick.
PASTOR BANDA: That would be suspicious.
STELLA: I agree, you must act like you have nothing to hide.
PASTOR BANDA: (Grabbing his keys) Let’s not keep the detective waiting. Shall we?
STELLA: (Nervously) Lead the way.
