b“I don’t think you should even think about agreeing to give them money or groceries regularly, bra John. I’m pretty sure we can find another way to solve this thing,” said Jabu.

They sat – Zakes, MaLulu, Jabu, John and MaChipa – in the sitting room, the large standard lamp giving the room a warm glow. Their coffee was cold, but they had long forgotten about it. Their plans warmed them up instead.

“You know, I’ve been thinking about this for a while, bra John,” said Jabu. “From what people have been saying, Chipa and Zuki are in the area. Your car may be in a garage not far from here. I suggest we go and look. When those men come tonight, tell them you need another day to get the money and groceries together for the first payment. In the meantime, we can find the boys and when the men come for their money, we can get the police to do some work and arrest them.”

“No, no! I don’t want police involved, Jabu. Those men swore that they would kill the boys if we called the police. I just can’t let that happen. Bra Zakes, you understand mos?”

“Don’t worry, bra John,” Zakes told John. “Jabu here is a good man, almost a policeman himself. You know he’s applied to the Scorpions, that new superpolice team? It’s only a short time before they appoint him. So don’t think you’re dealing with a small boy – this khanda is full of very good ideas. Don’t you think we should go and peep in this garage? If we find the car at least we can ask the garage owner where he got it.”

Suddenly MaLulu asked, “Why have you got Zuki’s jersey, Jabu?”

“Zuki’s jersey?” said Jabu, confused.

“Yes, that jersey you have over your shoulder. I only just noticed it. It’s Zuki’s. He always wears it,” replied MaLulu. She turned to John. “Was he wearing this jersey when you picked them up from school?”

John was frowning, trying to remember. “Yes … yes! I think he was. I remember the colour – that bright green. I remember saying to him that people would think he was a traffic light. Where did you get it, Jabu?”

“Miriam and Rose from the supermarket were coming home from work and they picked it up outside MaLulu’s place just this afternoon,” Jabu replied, remembering.

“I didn’t even guess it could be such an important clue. Maybe it means the boys passed nearby the house on the way to wherever they are now! Maybe Zuki dropped it on purpose, so we would find it and know they were around!” Jabu was getting excited.

“This is all the more reason to go and see if it is your car in that garage,” said Zakes. “Where did you say it was, Jabu?”

“In TomTom’s garage. But maybe you’d better talk to these tsotsis first, bra John. It’s nearly seven o’ clock. It will be dangerous for the boys if you are late,” said Jabu.

“You’re right, Jabu,” agreed John, getting up and clearing away the coffee cups quickly. “I’ll come and call for you at MaLulu’s place in an hour or so.”