Chapter 18

NQABA CELE

I watch my brother down his beer in one go after I told about the visit I had from my lawyer and the other two guys. "You are telling me that you have a murder charge hanging over your head and Mnqobi is alive?"

"Yes, that's what I am telling you. They don't know that I am out. They think I still in inside. Let's take a drive I need to see Kgomotso. The man pronounced dead on scene. They must have used something to that would slow down his pulse to almost non existence." We both get up. He hands me his keys so that I can drive, since he is drinking. I'll have some when we come back. I couldn't get my around how Mnqobi is still alive.

He had a stab wound, was that staged as well. God why didn't I see this coming. With Emihle on their side who is a pharmacist they probably knew what would work perfectly to fool everyone. But then the doctor that performed the autopsy disappeared. Well, when it comes to this case, I bet he is hiding out somewhere and just like Mnqobi he is probably right under our noses. He had to have followed procedure while performing the autopsy that means blood was drawn and tested for toxins. The has to be a vile of blood somewhere in the evidence that we can use. I look at my brother in passenger seat, he is lost in his thoughts and I understand him. I am no longer worried too much about this, now that I know Mnqobi is alive and I can deal with him however I want and I'll still be a free man. "I know you can kill Mnqobi but what are you going to do with Milani? I mean you won't be to do what she said you did to her, so what are you going to do, she needs to pay. She can't get away with it." He brings me out of my thoughts and he is looking at like I have an idea. All I know right now is that we need that confession from Mnqobi of what exactly happened that night.

I pull up at the prison and we do the check in process and wait for Kgomotso in the visitors area. I pull my cap down so that no one recognizes me. "I know she needs to pay, in fact she needs to suffer for all of it." Just then Kgomotso walks in and brought to where we are sitting. We opted for a corner table away from prying eyes. I see a flicker of recognition when he sees my brother. He sits and greets us not making his excitement obvious to see me for obvious reasons. "How are you doing man?" I ask keeping my voice low. "I'm good man. I wasn't expecting to see you so soon. I'm happy to see you." he smiles. "This is case related. The man I am supposed to have killed is alive." His eyes go wide not believing what I am saying. He wants to say something but his mouth hangs speechless. "I was there when they pronounced him dead. The paramedics and the officers that were there. The officer might have been paid but the paramedic and this was before the coroner arrived to confirm time of death. He obviously ingested something." I ask not taking my eyes off him.

"You are right about that." He breathes a little. I know he is good at this, the man has his own pharmacy. At least when he get out of here, he won't have to start from scratch. There is a tranquilizer called Xylazine. Now this is used for veterinary use for large animals and wild animals. That it's legal use in this country. It's not approved for human for use. This is also used as a cutting agent mostly mixed with fentanyl and heroin to prolong the effects or increase street value and that's mostly in the US. Whoever uses this on a human has know what they are doing and how much they should give. Xylazine can cause a death-like state in humans. It suppresses brain activity which can lead to unresponsiveness. This could last for hours or even day depending on how much of the drug was given. The person would have to be under extreme care to make sure they survive the effects." I think he is done and giving a chance a to respond. "You were right, he is good." Sizwe says sounding very impressed. "If your friend is alive, then that's what they used to make it look like he is dead. You need someone to who knows to administer the drug especially since it is meant for animals." He adds. "Nqaba you mentioned he had a stab wound right? That stab wound was not fatal. It was just a cover. To divert focus on what really happened. Talk to the detective working your case to get sheets from your bed to a forensic lab. I know someone who works at a forensic lab in Cape Town. I'll contact info. Just tell him I sent you. He'll help." That was a mouth full. "The blood would be about four months old now. Will they be able to detect the drugs?" I'm sure he can see the confusion in my face. "As long as he bled while he still had the drug in his system, then they'll definitely find something."

We left the prison promising Kgomotso that I'll visit again soon. I must talk to Mandla and see if he can't do something about his parole, maybe add to the board that he has been helping with my case. "He is really knows his staff, Kgomotso?" Sizwe is very impressed with him. "Yeah man, he is good. Now I need to talk to both Mandla and Detective Mbhele."

"Does Milani really think she is going to win this? I mean she went through all this trouble to destroy you for what you worked hard. I will never understand your wife. I'm your brother and I love you and I am telling you now, stay away from the female species. After this, I am definitely not getting married." Sizwe can be dramatic when he wants to be.

"It's frustrating, really," I say, trying to suppress the anger bubbling within me. "Milani thinks she can pull the strings without any consequences. But she underestimates how far I'm willing to go to clear my name." Sizwe nods, his eyes scanning the room as if he expects Milani to appear at any moment, ready to strike.

"Just remember, you have to stay calm," he advises, shifting in his seat. "She'll exploit any sign of weakness. You need to strategize—bring your A-game. Pretty soon she will find out that you are not in prison." I appreciate his concern but know that I can't let her get to me.

"I am already dismantling her plans from behind the scene and she doesn't know it. I have to keep it like that. Kgomotso's information is crucial. I can't believe I didn't think of it sooner," I reply, raking a hand through my hair, frustration renewing itself in waves. "What if we find traces of that drug in the evidence? Then we can finally piece together who's behind this."

"Exactly. And if nothing else, knowing that Milani was involved in tampering with the evidence could be our leverage," Sizwe remarks, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. "But we also need to keep this close to our chest. No slip-ups. As far as they are concerned we know nothing about what they are trying to do."

I lean back, contemplating the road ahead. Every move we take has to be calculated. "I need to get in touch with Mandla to set up a meeting with Detective Mbhele. The sooner we have a clear plan, the better."

"Let me know when you do. I'll be right by your side," Sizwe assures me, his expression serious. "Just one last thing: while we're focused on Milani, don't let your guard down around anyone else. People can change sides unexpectedly."

"I know. Trust is a luxury I can't afford right now," I respond, determination hardening my resolve. As we leave the prison, a chill runs down my spine. I can feel the storm brewing—this was only the beginning.

"Alright, let's not waste any more time," I say, trying to shake off the anxiety that looms over me. "We need to think about our next steps carefully." Sizwe pulls out his phone, scrolling through his contacts for Mandla's number. "While we're at it, maybe we should consider other angles too. What about those associates of Milani's? Anyone from her circle could potentially know something."

"True, but I doubt anyone who knows anything will want to tell us anything." I respond, realizing the interconnected web of deceit we might be dealing with. "If we play our cards right, we could catch her off guard, expose her or it could make her more dangerous." I feel a flicker of hope as the realization sinks in. There's always someone willing to talk, especially when the stakes are high.

Sizwe nods, his brows furrowing in thought. "We should compile a list of her known associates, see who is easier to approach. Maybe someone feels cornered too and would want to flip. That's what we need, just one person to flip on her."

I appreciate his strategic mind. "Let's not forget to keep our conversations discreet. If she gets wind of this, it will complicate things further." A call from Mandla comes through, interrupting our conversation. I answer quickly, eager to set the plan in motion.

"Mandla, I need a discreet meeting with Detective Mbhele. Time is of the essence here," I say as I listen intently, nodding at Sizwe's encouraging gestures. Mandla agrees to make the arrangements, and I hang up feeling a bit more in control.

"Got it! He'll get back to us shortly," I tell Sizwe. "We still need to keep up appearances with Milani. She must think she holds all the cards."

MALUSI NKABINDE

Someone has been looking into my business and I must they are really good. We can't even trace them. I can't even trace the email I received with an offer. What this person is offering is nothing like anything I've ever been offered before. This could double the earnings we predicted we would get with the new product. "Are you sure you can't trace where this email came from?" My IT guy is supposed to be the best but I guess there is someone out there better than him. "I can't. Every time I think I got it, a new firewall comes up blocking me." You can't miss the frustration in his voice. I understand but now I don't know if I should respond to this. It is lost of money. This will set us for live, we'll never need to work. "Respond to the email, let's see what happens." He says sounding very tired. I know this has been draining him. I take my laptop from him and respond the email, asking them to tell me more about this deal. Few minutes pass, no response. Ok, let me be patient. My wife walks in interrupting us. I must say, I was blessed with this woman. The crazy woman the world sees, does not exist behind our closed doors. She is the sweetest, most loving woman I've ever known. Something is bothering her though, I can see it on her face

"What's wrong love? You look worried." She looks really worried and I know that despite everything, she loves my sister. "It's your sister, she worries me." she walks around my desk and sits on my lap. I know my sister can be a handful and she is a lot to deal especial with the way that she is. "What did she do now?" "She didn't do anything Malusi. She's been very quiet lately. The kind of quiet she get to be when she is planning something hectic. You know how she gets. You know you are the only one that can keep her under control." If she only knew that these days I can't even keep her under control. "You are right, I think she is planning something and it has to do with the Lwandle Nqaba situation." I can only hope that whatever she is planning it won't hurt her son. I know how she gets when she goes off the rails. I must say her parents really did a number on her. I doubt there's any type of therapy that will get her right again. "Baby I hope she is not planning on taking Lwandle by force. We can always find another way to clean the money if we can't our hands on Nqaba's bank shares. I wouldn't want the child to be involved in this. He already lost his father, I don't want anything to happen to him." I guess we can talk to her, though there is no reasoning with her when her mind is made. "We can try and talk to Milani and see where head is. Though I know she won't give anything away." "Ok baby." She gives me a kiss and walks out, just as my laptop notifies me of a new email.

**I'll be in the country in the next two day. I have business to handle in Durban. Let's meet when I am there so that we can talk properly. I am more interested on the new product you have.I'll send you all the details.** I read the email twice. This is far too tempting to miss out on. I reply with **Looking forward to it.***

I am not going to tell Emihle and Milani about this until I know what exactly it is about. Now I have other business to handle. This thing about Milani is worrying me. I need to know what's on her mind. I grab my keys, walking to my car. I know Emihle is working from home today. "Tell my wife I've gone out, I won't be long." I say to one of the guards. I quickly drive out to my old house. The drive is quicker than I anticipated. When I get there I find Mnqobi alone.

"Where is Milani?" I ask throwing myself on the couch. "She is not here. She didn't want to tell me where she was going. What's going on with her? She is not talking." I thought he might have an idea but then again how can he have an idea when he is just a puppet himself. "I need you to keep an eye on her. She is planning something. I know yo can't keep her on a leash, just watch her, listen in on her phone conversation. I need to know everything she is talking about and with who."

"You know that's not going to be an easy task especially if it's something she doesn't want anyone to know. Milani is smart and very cautious. She doesn't trust anyone, not even you." He is telling me something that I know but I need him to try. I can't even have her bugged. Milani is really going to be a problem. In as much as I like what she does for me, I might have to let her go sooner than planned. She is obsessed now with Nqaba suffering. My pings indicating a message. **Your sister is here wanting to see her husband. She insists on seeing him and she can't. He is not allowed visitors while in solitary confinement.** Dammit!!! What is Milani doing there, what is this girl up to. She is really starting to get on my nerves.