Sandile couldn't help but feel odd lately. He had built a software that could help him keep track of everyone in their family. He could easily hack into their family's security system without a problem and he was expanding to the other families. He didn't dare to hack the Langa security system mainly because as much as he held the Langa king in reverence he was also afraid of him. The Khumalos weren't wary whatsoever thus with the listening devices he had someone plant in their territory he could hear all the information he wanted. He didn't bother with the Moyos. What could a brothel run by prostitutes be of any help to him? The odd feeling came from the thought that someone was looking through his software.
He didn't know who would be so daring but with Sanele's recent blunder their family could be easily targeted. It wasn't until he listened to the audio file of the sanitarium that he had been putting off because of assignments that his expression changed. All this time his brother had never been visited by anyone other than him, not even their parents knew where he was hidden. Suddenly a strange man visited and he clearly heard the conversation between the two of them. With his brother pretending to be crazy to fool him, he obviously knew that his room had been bugged. So why was he saying all of this now?
Alarmed, he had to delete all the information he had accumulated in his drives. They were a ticking time bomb after all. Some hackers could easily break through encryptions and security measures. After clearing up everything, he suddenly received a text from an unknown number with the message, "Thanks."
Sandile broke out in cold sweat. The bastard had probably copied all that he wanted. He had to leave a way out for himself quickly.
"We are getting a new intern!" Farai exclaimed rushing inside the office. As a team captain, Captain Lunga was supposed to have her own office but because she was usually laid back with her team, she squeezed in a desk with them. She also wanted to hear the gossip her team usually shared. Men were surprisingly bigger gossips than women sometimes. Everyone looked up except for the Captain who had already been informed of the news.
"Please let it be a woman this time!" Brian clasped his hands as if in prayer. He even closed his eyes for the effect too. Walter only shrugged and focused on his reports. The Vice Captain Melusi Nkomo who had been away, assisting another unit for a case spoke, "The last female intern went to the Traffic Police. It's only us and the Violent Crimes Unit who are not so lucky." He was Lieutenant Malcolm Nkomo's elder brother. They were twins actually.
Captain Lunga stared at them, "What about me?" She pointed a ballpoint pen at herself. Farai sat on his chair without a care of how his ironed shirt would be creased, "Captain your heavenly aura is too powerful for us."
Brian and Melusi nodded in agreement.
"Well I'll have to disappoint you then. The intern is a guy." Captain Lunga ruthlessly burst their bubble. Farai wailed dramatically clutching his chest. Even Brian murmured, "Will I ever get married in this life?"
Vice Captain Nkomo who already had two kids and a wife laughed at his coworkers. It wasn't easy for officers in departments like theirs to settle down because they were often in danger, worked several nights of overtime and weren't even paid much. Unfortunately they didn't have much luck in the dating scene. So whenever departments were recruiting interns these ravenous wolves would immediately prepare to strike.
Thuba frowned at the package in front of him. Thandiwe often felt the need to send him gifts. Be it the latest gadget or the newest shoe. It wasn't her gift that made him frown, it was the package inside the box of shoes Thandiwe had bought. Thuba knew that his father's people stopped checking his packages when Thandiwe discovered her little brother would receive them already opened. This also meant someone else took the liberty to stuff something inside. At first Thuba had been afraid to open thinking maybe it would be a bomb but it had actually turned out to be a sketchbook that his father had discovered, threw into the fireplace then proceeded to beat him up for thinking of useless distractions. After that incident Thuba carefully hid his sketchbooks and he made sure that he drew when no one could see him. He opened the package to find another sketchbook with pencils and markers.
He didn't think it was a coincidence, because his current sketchbook was almost full when this new one arrived. It was strange, he also didn't have any idea who it could be. The only one who knew he loved art had already passed away so who was this sender? He instantly frowned in realization. Someone else apart from his father was watching him!
.
.
.
Fadzi stared at Sanele in stunned silence. With his mouth gagged and limbs tied, he could only show his grievances through his eyes. After struggling for a day, he had made up his mind to actually go to the police and confess what he knew. Who knew Sanele would act faster and kidnap him just as he left his house?
Fadzi's heart grew cold as he remembered what the female police officer had said. They would probably get rid of him or make him take the fall for the crime.
With the loud noises from all these warehouses in Thorngroove, no one would hear him scream or call for help. Fadzi's heart sunk and he started to regret a lot of things. His grandma wouldn't be able to stand the shock. Fadzi worried about her the most.
Sanele looked at him coldly, holding the knife he had used to kill Ellie Noels in his hand. He had ordered Fadzi to get rid of it but it seemed his friend had kept it instead. Probably as a way to threaten him if the need arose. Luckily his suspicions of his friend were correct. Who knew where he was taking that knife? Killing Fadzi wouldn't do good for him right now. The police were already eyeing them after Ellie's death. His old man would also be enraged beyond measure if he found out. Whilst thinking of what to do next, he received a call from Sandile.
"Whatever you are doing stop!" Sandile sounded frantic over the phone. "Brother, why?" Sanele confusedly asked. This cheap brother of his never paid him attention before.
Sandile couldn't just say, 'I know you kidnapped someone because I placed a tracker on your phone but someone else can see this information as well.' now could he?
"Don't be stupid Sanele..." Just as he was speaking, there was a loud bang from outside.
"It's the police! Drop your weapons!" Came the shout. The two Sibanda brothers were surprised by the shout, Sandile was quick and immediately hung up. He worked fast and erased the call from the call log. How were the police so fast?
"Well well well, what do we have here?" Captain Lunga's smile was feral, her gun pointed at Sanele. A small fish had been caught! It was small but it was a fish nonetheless.
Luveve Police Station, 7pm.
Farai laughed like a madman while watching Walter interrogating Sanele Sibanda. Hah! They had finally caught one. Although they ran the risk of him slipping through their fingers and losing their jobs but it was still worth it. Who would have thought they'd catch Ellie Noels' murderer, holding the murder weapon full of his fingerprints and her blood? The Criminal Investigation Unit had never been so lucky before!
Captain Lunga didn't bother with Sanele and went to talk to Fadzi, "You did good kid. I wouldn't have let them do anything to you. Don't worry, they won't trouble you from now on. Focus on studying, your future is bright."
Fadzi and his grandmother kept thanking the police. He had confessed everything he knew to the Captain, that's why he got off with a warning. He thought he would have died in that warehouse today. Fadzi firmly decided to stick with his grandmother and accompany her in her old age. He wouldn't mix with these useless rich heirs and would just work honestly.
Captain Lunga watched them leave the police station with a serious face. She honestly didn't expect David Khumalo to be involved as well. Still they had caught one Spade, they would catch the rest sooner or later anyways. Her phone vibrated, signalling an incoming call.
"Captain!"
"Hello, thank you for your assistance once again."
"No need for such formalities between us, the deal was to never let me get arrested for the information I give you. You've worked hard Captain. I won't let your hard work be in vain."
Captain Lunga frowned, "What do you mean?"
"You'll know once I take care of it. Also the mole in your team that I wouldn't tell you about will soon reveal himself."
"Everyone's been acting normally. No one stands out right now."
"Don't worry, with them trying to intercept your missions and failing. They are bound to mess up. Oh I almost forgot! You are going to be quite busy for the next few weeks so you have my apologies for that." The phone was hung up.
Captain Lunga who stared at her phone in confusion, "?" She turned around to face Brian who had showed up silently behind her. "The director is livid." He reported with a sheepish grin.
"Well let's go calm his BP." Captain Lunga said with a smile.
The old director who had been facing calls for hours now wanted nothing more than to whack that disobedient female Captain. How could she arrest a Sibanda like this? The Sibanda family lawyers were breathing down heavily on their necks. Director Ndau's face puffed up when Captain Lunga entered his office with an undisguised smile.
"Happy? You can't even conceal it!" The old man was so angry he wanted to throw something at the wall. He stared at her gleeful face and felt his heart awfully ache. "The higher-ups want you to let him go!"
"And what? Go apologize to the Sibandas for inconveniencing their son?" Captain Lunga sneered, "Is this their playground that they can do whatever their want?"
Director Ndau sat down with a sigh, "You better be ready for the incoming storm." The female officer saluted with a pleased smile, this was their boss acquiescing. "Yes sir!"
Meanwhile the Minister of Public Security had just arrived home from playing golf. After parking his car, just as he was about to get out an arm suddenly held him back. Stunned, he tried to fight back but was choked against his seat. A man wearing a cap hiding his features sat at the back seat. The Minister hadn't noticed him this entire time. He tried to think if he had offended anyone recently. The entrance to his house didn't have bodyguards stationed there because he always felt it was too overbearing, in hindsight it was a mistake on his part. The men he had had already remained at the gate and the distance from there to the house was quite long. The middle aged man tried to gasp for breath but the strong forearm pressed heavily on his windpipe.
"Your wife is in the kitchen, touching up on tonight's dishes, your daughter is playing with her tablet in her room and your son is watching TV." The man spoke and then sighed. The Minister froze, his heart pounding loudly in his chest. "I'm really not fond of doing this but you understand right?"
The forearm eased a bit and the Minister coughed, "What do you want?"
"Get rid of everyone under Thokozani Langa's payroll."
The man paled at that, "You! Do you know who Langa is!? I can't afford to offend him." He coughed weakly, stunned by such an outrageous demand.
"I don't care. Choice is yours, your job or your family." With that the man opened the backseat door and left.
The Minister scared out of his mind looked around frantically but didn't see anyone suspicious. His wife opened the door of the house and asked him why he was standing around and not going in.
"Nothing nothing, let's head inside." The Minister, thinking it was still dangerous ushered his wife inside.
The man in the cap who had just evaded all the bodyguards got inside the inconspicuous gray minivan. Sam was waiting for him while smoking a cheap cigarette. "Done?" He asked. The car radio was playing an old South African jazz song.
"Yeah. So time consuming!" The man complained removing his cap and wearing a brown beanie afterwards. The weather was still a bit cold.
Sam laughed starting the car, "It sucks working alone huh?"
"Can't really trust anyone. People think I'm trolling them when I send threats via texts. Who would take me seriously if I used emails? So I have no choice but to show up in person. It's more effective." He drummed his fingertips on the window.
"I'm still baffled as to why you haven't been caught when you strut around like this."
The man grabbed his laptop from the dashboard, "I look the most like that woman and no one remembers how she used to look like. Besides I've got my hands on every camera, I can mess around with them all I like."
Sam rolled down his window to disperse the smoke, "Where to, brother?"
"Drop me off at Nkulumane, your mom's back. Go give her a nice surprise."
"More like a heart attack." Sam snorted. The man shook his head exasperatedly. "Try not to get caught by your brother again. I really don't have the manpower for other things."
"I think you spooked him off just fine. He won't dare touch me when he doesn't know who I'm working with." Sam responded. The man hummed and focused on typing away on his computer.
All the chest pieces were moving slowly towards the King.