“We need to go to McDonald’s,” Dean said, turning the car up Durban Road.

“McDonald’s!” Thandi exclaimed. “How can you even think about eating at a time like this?”

“Trust me,” Dean said, as he turned down Main Road towards the McDonald’s drive-thru. He stopped at the window. “Three Chicken McNuggets super-sized,” he ordered.

“Jirre,” Cheryl exclaimed. “Are you going to eat that all yourself?”

“Trust me,” Dean said again. “I’ve got a p-plan.”

Dean handed over the money to the cashier at the next window. “W-w-well, when I developed my tracker – you know the tracker that you put in Ntobi’s pocket?”

“Yes, yes,” said Thandi impatiently.

“W-w-when I developed my tracker, I-I also developed these.” He pulled out a matchbox and slid it open. Inside were five small discs of plastic, the size of peas.

“What are they?” asked Cheryl.

“T-t-the same thing. Trackers. Mini trackers,” stammered Dean.

“Well, how does that help us?” snapped Thandi. “We already know where Ntobi is. We can follow him because of the tracker in his pocket.”

“Shh, Thandi,” soothed Cheryl. “Don’t bite his head off. He’s just trying to help.”

“I’m sorry,” said Thandi biting her lip, “I’m just so on edge. I hate to think of Ntobi in there with Smilie. You weren’t there when he fired at his house. It was flipping terrifying man. If Smilie finds out about the tracker he’ll kill Ntobi straight away.”

“Well,” Dean said, “we know where Ntobi is, but he never goes to the dog fights – the venues are secret, hey? Even Ntobi doesn’t know where they take place. We have to get the police to the dog fight venue. That way Ntobi is safe at home, and Smilie won’t suspect him.”

“How you going to do that?” Cheryl asked.

“I’m thinking if we hide the trackers inside the McNuggets and feed them to the dogs, then we’ll be able to track them when Smilie takes them to the next fight venue.”

“If we could somehow get the police to be there, then Smilie would be caught red-handed,” Thandi said. Hope was starting to grow inside her. She patted Dean’s shoulder. “You’re brilliant Dean. Thanks so much.”

“I’ve got an uncle who is a constable at the police station in Woodstock,” Cheryl said. “I could call him. He would help.”

“But we’ve got to get the McNuggets to Ntobi first,” Thandi said. “That means going back to the house. And he’s got to give them to the dogs.” She swallowed hard. “Can you drive us back there, Dean?”

“It’s flipping dangerous,” Cheryl said. “Are you sure you want to go near that dog again? We could just phone my uncle and leave it to him.”

Thandi didn’t want to think about that huge pit bull snarling at her. She shook her head. “It’s the only way. If the police suddenly arrive at the house Smilie will know I called them. He’ll kill Ntobi for sure. And us too.”

“Whaaaaaat?” squeaked Dean. “You didn’t tell me that.”

“Has he got his cell?” asked Cheryl. “Have you tried to WhatsApp him?”

“I could try,” said Thandi. “But if Smilie intercepts it then our idea is blown.”

“You have to t-try,” said Dean, “Y-you can’t risk trying t-to speak to him at the house. It’s too dangerous.”

Thandi got out her phone, and sent a WhatsApp to Ntobi:

U alone?

The three of them waited nervously to see if Ntobi would reply. Thandi chewed her nail. She jumped when a WhatsApp came back to her.

“It’s from Ntobi! It says ‘4 now’.”

“What are you typing now?” Cheryl asked as Thandi tapped away on the touchscreen.

“Going to bring food. Pls feed to fighting dogs. Tracker inside McNuggets.”

“No man!” Cheryl exclaimed. “You can’t send that. If Smilie reads it he’ll know our plan.”

“So what should I write?”

“You need some sort of code,” Dean said. “Something that Smilie won’t understand.”

Thandi typed:

I’m soz bout earlier. Shud hv been more understanding. Bringing u something…

Then, “This is useless,” she exclaimed, putting down her phone. “I can’t find a way to say it. I’m just going to have to take the McNuggets to Ntobi myself. If I can’t get them to him I’ll have to feed them to the dogs myself.”

“You can’t!” Cheryl exclaimed. “That dog will eat you for breakfast.”

“I have to,” Thandi said. “It’s the only way to save Ntobi.”

“OK,” Cheryl said firmly. “I’m coming with you. I’ll tell you what. I’ll ring the doorbell and sweet talk whoever opens it. I’ll try and get them to invite me inside. They’ll shut away that vicious dog while they’re talking to me. Then you can creep around the back and see if you can find Ntobi.”

“But … what if the dog gets out?” Thandi said. Her voice was shaking.

“That’s why I bought thirty McNuggets,” Dean said with a grin. “Five for the trackers, and twenty-five to chuck to the dog. I heard that the guys who own fighting dogs keep them hungry before big fights to make them more aggressive. If you feed it, the dog will think you’re its friend.”

“Good idea,” Cheryl said, putting on fresh lipstick. “Do I look OK?” she asked nervously. “What the hell am I going to talk about when he opens the door?”

“Maybe tell Smilie you’ve got a message from someone for him,” Thandi said, thinking fast. “I know – there was a girl in their class at school called Shameema. She was really sexy. All the guys fancied her. Make up some story about her.”

“I reckon we should bring him something from her,” Dean said. “Then he’ll de-definitely open the gate and shut away the dog. Let’s go to the bottle store and get a bottle of Chivas Regal.”

***

Tell us what you think: Should Thandi let her friend risk her life by going into Smilie’s house?