Zandile jolts awake from the dream and instantly calls Gloria.
“Hey, Zandile. Why are you calling so early? What’s wrong?” Gloria yawns; the call yanked her from deep sleep.
“Nothing’s wrong,” Zandile says and looks at the time. It’s just before 4 a.m. “So sorry to wake you but I think we need to visit Philasande’s principal, Mrs Kweyama. Do you remember her address?”
“Yes, she lives in Mfume Mission, down the South Coast. Her family left her a large homestead there. One of the other teachers told me when we interviewed them after the first abduction.”
“That’s very far from Umlazi, a whole two hour’s drive. Does she stay there even during school term?”
“Yes, she travels daily. She affords it. She’s from a wealthy family to begin with. Then the life insurance paid a large sum after her husband and kids perished in that fire three years ago.”
“Oh yes, I forgot about that,” says Zandile. “I will pick you up in an hour. We are going to see her.”
It is half past six in the morning when Zandile and Gloria get to the principal’s house. It is evident when they park at the gate that the principal is going to the beach. The back door of her minivan is open and two girls dressed for the beach, with towels, are packing a braai stand into the back. When Mrs Kweyama sees Gloria and Zandile joy drains from her face. She sends the girls back into the house, locks the door, and runs to the detectives at the gate.
“Mrs Kweyama,” says Gloria, getting out of the police car.
“Detectives. I fear it is bad news whenever I see you,” says Principal Kweyama.
“It is, Mrs Kweyama. Another girl from your school has gone missing,” says Zandile. “Is there somewhere where we can talk?”
Principal Kweyama leads the detectives to chairs on the veranda. Toys are strewn all over the yard. It is a hot day, perfect for the beach.
“Excuse the mess. My grandkids got dumped on me for the holidays.”
“I see you’re going to the beach,” says Gloria.
“Yes. It’s a beautiful day, but it’s tiring you know. They are full time work.” Principal Kweyama turns to the detectives, exhales exasperation and says: “Who is the girl that went missing this time?”
“Her name is Philasande Edith Zulu,” says Zandile.
“Lord God! All the girls that have disappeared are the bright ones. In all my years of teaching I’ve never seen anything like Philasande. Her memory is photographic. A genius if you ever saw one.”
“I saw her many awards at her home in Mosko,” says Zandile.
“She is very good in athletics as well. You know her mother makes such a difference. She rewards her for doing well. Encourages her. Do you know at the end of term, in the holiday, she let her do her braids in the brightest colours: pink and blue. Can you believe it?”
Zandile and Gloria look at each other.
“Have you noticed anything different about her at school lately?” asks Gloria. “Anything that could help us?”
“No.” Mrs Kweyama taps a forefinger on her temple, considering. “Her teachers have never complained about her. We’ve never seen her in a bad mood to suggest there was anything wrong at home. Her lunchbox always has a fruit in it. She seemed to be well looked after.”
There is a wrinkle on Principal Kweyama’s brow as she tries to recall more about Philasande.
“The only thing that is common to all the missing girls is that they are from shack sections, academically bright, and raised by single mothers.”
Zandile nods as she writes in her notepad. “Do you have any recent additions to the school staff?”
“We have a new security guard. She is female, as are all the staff members. I have her contact details in my diary.”
Zandile takes down the security guard’s details. “Thank you so much, Mrs Kweyama. Sorry for keeping you. Enjoy your day at the beach. And of course, if you think of anything else, give us a call.”
“Of course, Detective,” says Mrs Kweyama with a smile.
She opens the gate and waves the detectives goodbye as they leave. She stands at the same spot until the police van disappears over the horizon.
***
Tell us: What will Mrs Kweyama do now the police have come snooping?