The Wall

16

A gold ring, a silver pen, a watch that looked expensive but was probably a Chinese knockoff, a handful of Mozambique bills.

“That’s it?” Thembinkosi asked. He was inspecting their haul. The gold ring wasn’t made of gold after all.

“I went through everything twice,” Nozipho confirmed. “At least we have the money.”

Thembinkosi pocketed the pen. He left the watch where it was. The Mozambique currency also disappeared into his jacket.

“Uh-oh!” Nozipho said.

“What?”

“They found us.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“Security’s out there.”

“Where?”

“Come here!”

Nozipho dragged Thembinkosi to the window by the door. Through the curtains, they could see a massive man sitting on the hood of a small Central Alert car. He was talking on the phone. The silver from the silver-and-blue paint job almost blinded them as it reflected the sun. A logo on the car’s door showed a stylized figure in profile. The pistol it was holding in its two outstretched arms was almost as large as its body. Thembinkosi choked back a laugh.

“What is it?” Nozipho asked.

“Look at that idiot. Any township boxer could take him down. Even a flyweight. He can hardly move for all his muscles.”

“He doesn’t look all that bad.” Nozipho glanced up at Thembinkosi. “But what’s he doing here?”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t think he’s here because of us?”

“He wouldn’t just be sitting there, talking on the phone right in front of us, if he were. Must be something else. A boy ran by a few minutes ago, somebody was chasing him. It must be about him. That guy will be gone in three minutes, tops. Then it’s high time we get out of here.”

“Are we going in somewhere else?”

“Absolutely not! I don’t like the feel around here. Let’s go home. Hopefully, the whites haven’t stolen our car.” He had to grin as he said that.

Nozipho shook her head. She thought Thembinkosi’s humor was out of line considering the situation.