Nadine Kaunda came into the police station alone. “Kenosi gets a bit protective.”

“Yes, I think that was clear,” Tefo said, setting a cold cola on the table for her. “Mira will be here just now.”

“Thanks,” Nadine said taking the drink. “Are you any further in finding out who killed Dick?”

“A bit.” Tefo wondered where Mira was, but hadn’t she said he should follow his own leads? “Did you work at MasterChem when Olivia Dithebe did?”

Nadine rolled her eyes. “Yes. Gosh, now there is a useless woman. She had one of those certificates from these colleges saying she knows how to do accounts. She didn’t even know basic maths!”

“But Mr Solomon seemed to … like her,” Tefo said.

Nadine hesitated and then seemed to make a decision in her mind. “I suppose you know already. Everyone knew they were having an affair. Still were as far as I know. Olivia was never one to hide her conquests.”

“So did Mrs Solomon know?”

“I don’t know how she wouldn’t. Roland knew and you know what a hothead he is.”

Tefo nodded his head. “So was Mr Solomon keen on bringing Roland into the business?”

Nadine thought a moment. “I can’t really say. For a while, I think. Even Molefi liked the idea. But something happened, I don’t know what. Suddenly about eight months ago, Roland was out. He’d been coming in most days but then – gone. I heard rumours but I don’t know anything for sure.”

Tefo laughed. “You know what they say, rumours are often the truth people are afraid to say out loud.”

“Do they say that? I’ve never heard that before,” Nadine said.

“They do,” Tefo wondered if he was lying.

“Some people say Roland is into some serious drugs. There was apparently a problem. I don’t know what, but Mrs Solomon was the one who wanted Roland out of the business. I don’t really understand it all. Maybe ask Molefi. He was sort of in the middle of it all.”

“I will. Thanks for confiding in me.” Tefo smiled at Nadine and she smiled back.

“Honestly, just between you and me, do you think Olivia might have killed Mr Solomon?”

Nadine laughed. “Olivia is lazy. And though she thinks she’s clever she’s as dull as a brick. No. Olivia couldn’t have organised such a thing. I’m not saying she might not have been the cause of it. I know when she was seeing Molefi, Dick and Molefi had some shouting matches that got quite heated.”

Tefo tried to hide his surprise. “Olivia was seeing Molefi and Mr Solomon … at the same time?”

“Sure. Olivia is not prone to following anyone’s rules. She couldn’t even follow the rules of division; do you think she’d stick to any relationship rules? Not if Olivia could benefit from not sticking to them.”

Tefo smiled and nodded. My, Nadine was indeed a source of a lot of new information. If she was the murderer, which was quite unlikely, her boyfriend had been very right in advising her to keep quiet. Nadine was a person who could not keep a secret if her life depended on it. The perfect person for the police.

 ***

Tell us: Do you have a new suspect? Who? Why?