The next morning Jade parcelled out the pills the nurse gave her and swallowed them with coffee, followed by a doughnut and then a cigarette. She reminded herself that if she decided to keep this baby, she’d need to eat better and stop smoking. She locked her flat and headed to work, her head heavy with everything.

Debra looked up when she arrived. “I thought you’d take today off at least.”

“Why? Jade asked. “I’m fine. And let’s keep the secret a secret, neh?”

“Ya, my lips are sealed.” Debra pushed some papers toward Jade. “I’ve been looking up Mrs Pilane’s first husband, the guy Miller threw out as a suspect. He’s called Tshego Zambane. There might be something there. He’s got a few battery charges, a disorderly. He’s got a temper for sure. I thought I’d go over and see Mrs Pilane and see what she has to say.”

“Let’s go,” Jade said grabbing her handbag.

*****

At the Pilane house, cars filled the driveway and most of the parking on the road. Debra had to park about a block down from the house.

“You okay to walk?” she asked.

“I’m fine!” Jade snapped. “Sorry … this thing’s got me on edge.”

“No problem.”

A gangly pre-teen girl answered the door. Jade thought it must be their eldest daughter, Precious.

“Hi we’re police. Is your mum in?” Debra asked.

Precious took them into the house, crowded with people, to her mother sitting at the end of a sofa in the sitting room. She wore all black, even a black veil over her head. When she saw them, she stood up.

“Have you found something?” she asked.

“Not yet. Can we talk in private?” Jade said.

She walked them down the passage of the modest house to a bedroom at the end. They entered the room and closed the door behind them, blocking out the noise from the other side.

“We wanted to ask you about your ex-husband,” Debra asked.

“Tshego? Is he involved?”

“No, we don’t know that. Do you suspect him?” Jade asked.

“Tshego and Roger never got along. Tshego always thought we would get back together one day. And there were the problems with Precious.”

“What sort of problems? Is Precious your first husband’s child then?” Debra asked.

“Yes, but we left just after she was born. As far as Precious is concerned, Roger was her real father. Of course she knew about Tshego, but they had no attachment. Lately though, he’s been around and wanting to see her. Roger was not happy about that and let him know. It was very upsetting for Precious too.”

“Were there fights? Roger’s boss mentioned a few problems at work,” Debra said.

“Miller? What does Miller know about anything? He’s hardly ever at work.” Mrs Pilane was suddenly very angry. “Fine, yes, there was an argument at the Council and the police were called. Tshego has a problem with his anger.”

“Do you think he could have hurt Roger? Killed him?” Jade asked.

“Sure, he nearly killed me. That’s why I left.” She stood and went to the window. She opened it and let some fresh air in. “It’s a nice day out there. Funny how it seems wrong to have a nice day now that Roger’s dead.”

She gave Jade her ex-husband’s address. “I want to find Roger’s murderer, but really, I hope it’s not Tshego. I wouldn’t want to think I’m the one who brought all of this to my husband, that I’m the one who caused his murder.”

***

Tell us: The police have to deal with grief-stricken relatives often, as they do their work. Would you find this difficult to do?