Chapter 17

SIPHO DLAMINI

I've been keeping tabs on Nqaba. I went to the house that he drove to with his friend Mabutho and God knows I understand how he feels. I understand why he hasn't said anything about finding the man he allegedly killed. We still don't want Malusi to know that we on to him. This investigation has gotten a whole lot more complicated. It's no longer about Nqaba and what his framed him for. I hear a hoot and walk out. I get in the car, both lawyers are here with Mandla in the driver's seat. "Gentlemen." I greet. They both mumble a greeting as Mandla drives off. I have been digging deep into Malusi Nkabinde and the man is not who we think he is on the surface. This case has gotten bigger. I watch as we pull up the driveways and I see Nqaba busy in the garden. I know that he has someone watching Mnqobi what is he planning on doing? Today we are here to lay everything in the open for him. He stops what he is doing and walks up to the car as we step out.

"Mandla what are you doing here?" I look at Mandla, who smiles at him and gives him a hug. He looks around the yards and introduces us to him, after which he invites us in and lucky for us his parents are out for the day. He disappears down the hall for a few minutes, comes back looking clean and has t-shirt on. We are sitted at the dining table and he brings and jug of juice and glasses.

"It's almost lunch time and I've ordered some food for us." He says joining us at the table. He looks at all us as if trying to analyze why we are here. "What is this all about gentlemen?" I take a deep breath and a sip of my juice. "I have been keeping tabs on you and we know what you found." He doesn't look surprised considering that he out on bail and probably he expected to be watched. "Through you we found out Mnqobi is alive but he is not the guy we need. We need Malusi and his wife Emihle and your wife Milani." He looks shocked at the mention of Emihle. "Emihle is Malusi's wife?" He asks looking at Mandla, who nods in confirmation. "Malusi is a drug dealer and his wife is a Pharmaceutical Scientist. She has created a new drug for the black market. They already have buyers lined for it. This drug will make them millions if not billions in a few years time. They need to clean the money that they are going to make that before it is moved to the offshore account. They want your company to be one of the companies to do that by keeping the books clean since it's an accounting firm. We have discovered that Malusi is not just your regular drug dealer, he is one the biggest drug lords in this country that has dealing with a few other countries like Mexico, Cuba, Italy just to mention a few and now he wants to break into Africa. He wants to own the drug world in Africa. Malusi is Milani's brother?" His eyes go wide at the mention of that, I guess he didn't know that. "Say what now, they are siblings? So you mean to tell me that Malusi helped Milani orchestrate everything she put me through?"

"We believe so yes." Luyanda responds and adds, "I know that this is a shock to you, we'll come back to that. The main reason we are here is Mnqobi." He says looking at Mandla. "What about Mnqobi, the man is alive. I was arrested and convicted for his murder. What is his role in all this? I know you haven' t told me everything about this whole situation….." He pauses for a second taking in a deep breath. "I didn't say anything about Mnqobi being alive because I wanted to know what he is up and where he would lead me. The few days since I saw him, he does nothing except stay in the house or go to the mall. The house he is staying in is where Malusi grew up, that is my old neighbourhood. We live down the street from them." Luyanda leans forward on the table. "Nqaba do you anything about double jeorpardy?" Before he could respond Luyanda gone to explain. "Double Jeopardy means you can prosecuted again for the same offense after being convicted. You can kill Mnqobi in front of a police station and no one will do anything to you. You can beat up your wife and rape her and no one will do anything to you because you have been convicted of the crimes already." He looks at us trying to process what Luyanda has just told him.

"I understand what you are saying. I still want to know why they went through so much struggle to frame me for crimes that I didn't, it can't be the fact that they want my company, that can't be the only factor at play." he finally says, his voice steady but laced with tension. "But I can't act recklessly; I need to think this through. If Malusi is indeed a drug lord, he is the one you want and Emihle is complicit, then their reach is wider than we anticipated." He pauses, considering the implications of this newfound connection. "If they are planning something big, we need to be part of their inner circle."

Mandla nods in agreement, "We need you to lay low and observe for now. Maybe we can find out who else is involved and how deep this goes. We need to gather evidence that will not only bust Malusi but also protect you from any backlashes." Nqaba leans back in his chair, his eyes narrowing slightly as he contemplates their strategy. "There won't be any back lash on me, remember I was convicted for killing this Mnqobi. When it comes out that he is alive, it's going to put the whole case in question. Everything about it will be scrutinized. As for Malusi's case, what if you create a fake deal with Malusi? Something big enough to draw him out, to see how he operates? With everything that you about the man, you still don't know how he operates. You need someone on the inside."
"That's risky," I say, sensing the potential for things to spiral out of control. "If we go in using that route, we could expose ourselves—and this whole operation. At the same time I agree with Nqaba, we need someone on the inside."
Luyanda interjects, "We also need to uncover just how involved Milani is in all of this. She could be our pathway in, or she could be a distraction leading us astray. Either way, we need to tread carefully."

Just then, Nqaba's phone buzzes on the table, interrupting the heavy atmosphere. He glances at the screen and his demeanor shifts; it's a message from Mabutho. "It seems Milani is back in town and she went see her lover." He says with a look of disgust. "Look Nqaba I know that you are baying for blood here. I know you want them to know that you know that Mnqobi is alive. It's time yet. You have the element of surprise here."
With a deep breath, he nods again, determination settling in his features. "I'll play it by ear. But I need to know one thing: when we finally confront Malusi, what's the plan? This isn't just about getting him; you need to take down his operation in one fell swoop. I remember when Malusi met his friends that got him into this world, he tried to recruit me but I turned him down telling him I had no interest in becoming a criminal. I never told Milani about finances but I somehow new that she would find out. I think I know what Milani was hoping to get with me out of the way, she still needed me to be alive an she still needed to be wife hence she never signed the divorce papers." He pauses a little bit and looks at Mandla.

Mandla looks at all of us, the gravity of the situation sinking in and looks back at him and nods. Nqaba continues "What I am about to tell you, cannot leave this room for now. I don't like the fact that Milani managed to find out about it. The new bank that was recently launched and open, there's three partners and I am a major shareholder. I have a controlling 52% and my two partners have an equal share of the 48%. My two partners are not from South Africa. They won't want to kill them, if anything happens to them the 48% comes to me and the bank becomes entirely mine." He pauses again taking a sip from his juice but Mandla interjcect. "If anything happens to Nqaba, his 52% is split, half goes to Lwandle's trust and the half goes to unknown. We can't tell you who it goes to. Nqaba was never in the public eye when the bank opened. He didn't want it to be known that he is one of the shareholders. During this entire investigation you guys never thought of looking into Nqaba because he is the victim, that's why you don't know about this. Had you investigated him, with your skills and team that you guys have, you would found out about it just like Milani did." Luyanda jumps in before I could. What you are saying is that with Nqaba in prison, 26% of his shares in Lwandle's trust, if Milani could win the custody case, she would have access to that 26%, it s that what you saying?"

"Yes, that is exactly what we are saying. It's not enough for controlling power but it's a foot in the door." Nqaba. I am looking at this man with a new found respect. This man has money and he lives a simple normal life. He is not flashy with his money. He would get along with Mthimkhulu's. "Ok fine I hear you. Now that you understand what your options regarding your wife and Mnqobi, we need a confession from Mnqobi about you never hurting your wife before you do anything to him. If anything happens to him and we don't have anything to clear you of the other judges, then you will hang for the assault and rape." Luyanda firmly tells him so that he understands what is at risk. "Don't worry Mr Langa, he will tell us what we want to know before he dies." Nqaba says with devious smirk on his face. I see Mandla smile too. There is more to Nqaba than meets an eye or maybe Milani's action woke a sleeping beast.

MILANI CELE

I have always been a strict, controlling person from a very young age. My father was disciplinarian and very controlling. He was also an abuser. Whenever he would hit my mother, he would always he disciplining her. I grew up knowing that's how things should be. I grew up know Malusi is my big brother, my only brother. It broke something in me when we found out we had another sibling, who was treated differently from us an got everything that my father owned. I was not about to sit and watch and let someone we didn't even know take over our father's company. We needed the company, Malusi needed the company especially since he is expanding his business thanks to Emihle's talents. It's funny how we managed to keep it hidden that she is actually my sister in law.
When I was fourteen, my mom started dating again but her relationships would never last long. Eventually she met a guy that stayed longer than the other. He did everything my mother told him. She kept him on a short leash saying that the days of her being controlled by a man are over. No man will ever have control over her. My parents taught me everything I know. I learned how to manipulative, I learned how to control every situation without saying too much or giving away too much. People always say that I am Narcissist but I am not. I never was. I learned everything as I grew. I was trained by own parents to be a weapon that knows when to speak, when to cry, when to submit, when to kill. People always assume that I a have mental problems. I don't have any, I was raised and trained to be like this. It is who I am.

"What is going with the custody case?" Mnqobi snaps me out of my thoughts. He was never meant to be part of the plan but his dislike for Nqaba and Mabutho came in handy with framing Nqaba. "We have problems. I can't get my child because I willingly signed away to his grandparents until he turns sixteen. I hate what Nqaba did with those documents. On top of that I don't have excess to anything that is his because it all under a trust in Lwandle's name and the trust is managed by his grandfather and his uncle Sizwe." He looks at like I've grown two heads. "Milani I cannot stay hidden forever. We need to work on plan of miraculous resurrection." I can only imagine how frustrating it is for him to have his movements so limited. Frankly, I don't care. He is for a purpose and once that is done, I'll have no further use for him. I killed my own brother to get my father's company, he is nothing t me.

With that logistic company in our pocket, we won't have any problems transport Emihle's new product.
I need to find a way to visit Nqaba in prison. I need him to undo what he did with Lwandle. I need that child in my custody and manage that trust. We need that bank. Having a bank in our pockets will ensure that our is always clean. We might have to recruit Nqaba because he is good with number. He is very good with number but knowing him, he'll never agree and that is why he is prison now. "Mnqobi your whining about being in hiding is the least of my worries. When all is done, only then can you go and leave your life the way you want and stop going to the mall. What if someone sees you, what then. Mnqobi know this, I'll k-ill you before you even the chance ruin my plans. What you don't seem to understand is that if Nqaba finds out that you are alive, it's gave over for you. He will kill you and they won't do anything to him. He can hurt me and they won't do anything to him. It's called Double Jeopardy and it that happens, the plans are ruined. It's all over. So, stay put and do as you are told."

"What do you even plan to say to Nqaba?" Mnqobi asks, skepticism dripping from his voice. "You think he'll just open his mouth for you after everything? You might as well try convincing a brick wall." I can sense the tension rising in him. He's at the edge, teetering between loyalty and desperation, and I'm not about to let that sway me. "I'll find a way, just like I always do. You underestimate the power of persuasion, Mnqobi. I've honed those skills. Every encounter is a game, and I always win, how do you think you got here. I have wraped around my little finger." I reply, the confidence in my voice unwavering.

I need to find his weaknesses, his fears. Nqaba in prison is a wounded animal, vulnerable and ready to bargain—if only I can find the right offer. I can use his love for Lwandle against him. "If I frame my approach as a chance to make things right, to protect his child, he might bite. This isn't just business; it's a personal vendetta now." I feel the rush of adrenaline at the thought of bringing him to his knees. He could be useful, a pawn in my twisted gambit.
But then there's Malusi. He's breathing down my neck, his growing ambition a threat to my plans. He wants control, and I can't allow that to happen. There's too much at stake, too many secrets that could unravel if I loosen my grip. "I need to move quickly," I tell Mnqobi, glancing toward the window where shadows dance. "If Malusi gets wind of what I'm doing on the side, it'll spell disaster for me."

He frowns. "What if I told you he might already know? The walls have ears, Milani. Your brother might not be as oblivious as you think. I mean, he is the drug lord he is today because he never missed a detail, he was never oblivious to anything. Malusi loves you, you are his little sister but if you think of betraying him, he will kill you, blood or not." It sends a chill down my spine. I've been playing this other game alone for too long. "Malusi has his own vulnerabilities; I'll exploit those if I must." The thrill of the challenge fuels my determination.

This is no longer about mere survival. It's about power, control, and rewriting the narrative. I refuse to be just another piece on the board. The world I've crafted is ruthless, but it's my world. As shadows of the past linger, I smile at the thought of how far I've come and how much more I intend to take. Failure is not an option; it's an invitation to the dark, a vulnerability I cannot afford.