The white Toyota 4×4 bakkie races along Joubert Street. Alone inside the car, Mr Seema is at the wheel but his mind is far away in an unknown place. The moment he opened the parcel dropped at the door of his house, he could think of only one thing: saving his daughter before it was too late.

It’s a cloudy day. It is a long drive and he started early. They wanted him nowhere near his home town.

Once he gets to the R522 Vivo road, he will have to limit his speed. The road is riddled with potholes and stray animals – mostly cattle and goats.

He has not told anybody about his impending meeting with the kidnappers. Not even his beloved wife. He cannot tell the police either. Yet his phone is on in case the police call him with more news.

There is the bridge up ahead. He stops the car, gets out and strides towards it. He slips on the rocks on the path that winds down and underneath the bridge.

“Eish,” he curses under his breath. He rises and looks at his palms. There are slight bruises from the rough stones. One step ahead, a rabbit scurries out of the bush and scuttles away.

He looks around him. There is no-one here. He is early. He listens for any sound. The only thing he can hear is the noises of the veld. Then his phone rings.

“Hello!” he answers, expecting the kidnappers.

“Papa, where are you?” It’s Mrs Seema, his concerned wife.

“Don’t worry–”

“You can’t just drive out without letting me know! You know our daughter is– ”

He interrupts her: “I am safe. Please take my word for it. I will be home soon.”

“OK, Papa.” She hangs up.

Before he can slip his phone back into his pocket, it rings again.

“Ndaa, greetings, Mr Seema,” says the speaker.

“Ndaa,” he answers abruptly. “Who is it?”

“It’s Sergeant Maluleke here. We have got good news. One of the suspects has been sighted at Tshikwarani village. The suspect in question is female. We have sent police out there.”

“Thank you, sir.” They hang up.

Mr Seema looks around him. He is not sure what to do now. Will the police get to the kidnappers before they get to him? Are they on their way already? The only thing he can do is wait.

The phone rings again. He checks for the caller’s identity but it just says ‘private number’. He accepts the call, and keeps quiet, listening, waiting for the caller to speak first.

“Ri khou swika hanefho zwino (We are getting to you soon),” comes the voice which has become so familiar to his ears. “Are you there already?”

“Yes. I have been waiting.” His heart is pounding.

“Give us twenty minutes. We hope there are no police around.”

Lebo’s father looks up the road and sees a police van in the distance. He watches as it comes closer. This must be the vehicle that the Sergeant deployed.

*****

At the farmhouse Pinky screeches to a halt on the dirt, nearly knocking over Davida and John who are out waiting for her, ready to drive off to the Tshikwarani Bridge.

Pinky flings the door open and jumps out.

She is speaking fast, “Davida, you’ll drive! Let’s all get inside the car.”

“What’s up, Pinky?” Davida asks.

“They know exactly who we are!” she is shouting. “Fetch the girl.”

John goes to fetch Lebo who is led out blind-folded.

“I saw our faces – photos. They are everywhere! In the shop, on the trees,” Pinky is shouting.

“Did anyone see you at the shop?”

She shakes her head. “I don’t think so. I…”

“We still have time,” Davida says. “I told the father we are meeting him at Tshikwarani bridge in twenty minutes. He agreed. Apparently he is already there.”

John pushes Lebo inside the car. He sits next to her. She can feel the cold steel of his gun pushing into her thigh.

“I have told him if I see a police car I will kill his daughter,” he says, lifting the gun and pressing it against Lebo’s cheek. He makes a shooting sound: “Phaa!”

Lebo flinches. “Please God!” She prays there won’t be police.

Davida reverses the car and drives out of the farm. The car swings onto the tarred road.

Lebo’s thoughts race: Has Papa got the money? Has he told the police? What will happen then? Will they take the money and kill me and Papa anyway?

While she is still thinking and thinking, John makes a call.

“We are getting closer now. We will be there in a few minutes. Have the money ready.”

And then the sound of police sirens fills the air. Lebo can’t tell which direction it is coming from.

“Your father is a fool!” says John turning to Lebo.

***

Tell us what you think: Is there any way that the kidnappers can get away now?