Chapter 23 Summary

The second day of his terror is as awful as the first. Vorster is still unhappy, and the captain remains in his silent, contemplative mood. Pieter goes to the Garage and Service Station to warn Labuschagne, the owner, to curb his habit of leaving cars parked in the street day and night. En route back to the police station he sees Herman Geyer standing at his gate and greets him cheerfully. Geyer spits on the ground before turning around and going inside. This only serves to escalate Pieter's fears.

Feeling pale and weak, Pieter rests for a moment in the town's small park and calls on God for mercy before then returning to the police station. At lunchtime, he walks home, careful to avoid Herman Geyer's home. Again, he refuses to eat outside, drinks coffee and smokes. Again, he questions Johannes about the...