Despite the distraction of the Moretsi case, Mma Ramotswe cannot forget the bag of muti found by J.L.B. Matekoni in Charlie Gotso’s car. She drives to a local hospital to visit her neighbor Dr. Gulubane, a pathologist, and ask him about the bone. He immediately identifies it as the third metacarpal—or lower part of the middle finger—of an eight- or nine-year-old child. Mma Ramotswe asks when the child died, and Gulubane determines that that blood circulation stopped only a few months prior. He reminds Mma Ramotswe that losing a finger would not automatically kill a person, and that the child may still be alive.

Mma Ramotswe invites Rra Matekoni to her house for dinner and shares her discoveries. Rra Matekoni is dismayed, and wishes he had never found the bag. He tells Mma Ramotswe that if they call the police, Charlie Gotso will learn of it and Rra Matekoni will be punished. Mma Ramotswe agrees that the crime will not be punished, but says that something must be done. She tells Rra Matekoni to break the windshield of Gotso’s car, tell him, and see if he reports any missing items. When he does, Rra Matekoni can refer him to Mma Ramotswe, who will try to find the witchdoctor responsible.