Face off
"Are you sure no one saw you?" Captain Dube asks as he looks at the pictures from a laptop. "Yes sir I'm sure..." Thoko says with a low voice as she sits in the passenger seat in Dube's care which is parked under a dark bridge somewhere. It is a very secluded area where people don't usually pass by so it's highly unlikely that anyone can see them here. It's been about three days since Thoko was on a stakeout where she witness Police Commisioner Naidoo meeting with Zikode at night in a coffee shop. This is not a conversation she wanted to have over the phone or at the police station since she doesn't know who to trust."Okay good..." Dube says as he continues to go through the pictures of Zikode and Naidoo having a conversation outside a certain coffee shop. He looks a little thrown off by all that as he bites his thumb nail in anxiousness. Thoko looks like she has something on her mind but doesn't k now how to ask it as she looks at her boss.
"Sir, uhmm...On that night I risked my life there where I could have been made so I think I deserve a little explanation" she says nervously dreading the captain's response. "What am I involved into here?" she asks as she continues to fix her eyes on Dube who is looking at the laptop. "What do you mean what are you involved in?" Dube asks with a calm voice as he turns to look at the nervous detective. "Come on sir, you know what I mean" Thoko says as she raises her voice a little bit. "I mean...I went in there blind without knowing much of anything. The next thing I see the commisioner with a taxi boss"
This makes Dube to think for a second as he shuts the laptop. "Look, just like you I don't have much information okay so..." he says but Thoko quickly jumps in, "What do you know?" she asks firmly as she looks through the window to see if anyone is watching them but there's no one there.
Dube thinks for a second before saying, "Look, the information I have is that the commisioner is Fana Zikode's inside man within the department" as he sighs deep. "But why? What are they up to?" Thoko asks curiously as her eyes open wide. "Uhmm...Zikode, along with a few other taxi owners are drug mules for a certain foreign drug dealer" Dube says as he looks outside the window on his side of the door. "Oh my God, what?" Thoko says as she raises her voice a little bit. "So the police commisioner is a drug mule? This is crazy" she shouts in a whisper again.
"No, I don't think Naidoo is part of that but I think he is just there to kill any investigation linking Zikode and his friends to drugs or something like that" Dube says as he tries to the anxious detective who seems so shocked at these revelations. This is not something she'd have loved to be involved in but it's a little late to back out now.
"So, the recent killings in the area? Are they linked to drugs? I mean, there were no drugs found in any of the crime scenes..." she says with curiosity as she tries to recall. "Well, like I said earlier...I don't have all the information detective okay? But we cannot rule out that possibility" Dube says with a low voice. "But yes, my guess is that drugs could be linked with these killings if you consider that some of the drivers killed actually worked for Zikode's friends. Also, in some incidents there were foreign nationals who were also victims there. They could have been the buyers or something" as he opens his the laptop again.
This makes Thoko think for a second but then suddenly her eyes pop as she says, "Oh my God...so, my partner Mxolisi? Is he also involved with this?" Her face is now filled with worry as she thinks about this. She has known her partner for a very long time, this seems just so unbelievable that he'd be involved in something like this.
Dube can see the worry in her face so he takes a deep sigh before saying, "Okay look...I know that detective Zwane is your partner and you two have known each other for a while but I really don't know how much he is involved in this. He could be neck-deep in this or maybe Commisioner Naidoo just coerced him into this and told him there was a mole in the department. At this moment it hard to tell of his involvement so that will be your job to quietly try to find out"
Thoko doesn't seem to like that as her face changes to being sad but Dube cuts in, "Look, this is why it's important to ensure that detective Zwane never sees us together...ever" he says sharply. "Because you can bet on your life that he will go tell the commisioner and that could compromise us. Do you understand that detective?" he asks authoritatively. "Yes sir I understand" Thoko says with a low voice as she looks down in sadness. "How am I going to look at him in the eyes now that I know all that I know?" she says as she looks through the window trying to hide the mix emotion she has over this.
"Well detective, it comes with the job okay?" Dube says calmly, "You just have to try and make sure she doesn't know you are on to him...it may turn out that he is really oblivious about all that's going on. He could be deceived by the commisioner to spy on you or me or any other fellow officer at the station. But You must also understand detective that, if indeed detective Zwane is neck deep in this...there's no way to save him okay? If he is involved in drug operations or helping the police commisioner to spy on police officers then we can't help him. They will both go down"
These words are terrifying to Thoko who just can't believe this is happening. "I understand you sir" she says with a low voice. "Good...okay now go enjoy your weekend. I will see you at work on Monday, alright?" Dube says to which Thoko nods as she gets out of the car and goes to hers which isn't parked far off.
***
Somewhere else, Mthoko is meeting up with his handler Phakathi in their usual dark spot for an update. He is a little nervous because a lot has happened since the last time he's met his boss face to face, so he is not quiet sure what to expect. Phakathi is a very hard man to read, he hardly ever shows any emotion when he and Mthoko speak. Also the issue of Phuthuma didn't please him very much so Mthoko doesn't know exactly know where he stands with it. Tonight the Phakathi is the one who summoned Mthoko here to be debriefed about the case.
They are sitting at the back of the car that drives Phakathi while Mthoko's car is not parked far off. "You look tired Sibisi, you are not getting enough sleep?" Phakathi says as he looks forward, not making eye contact. "Uhmm...I'm okay sir" Mthoko responds rather nervously as he also looks forward.
Phakathi then pulls a file from the side of the door and gives it to Mthoko who opens and starts reading. "These five gentlemen have landed in the country...South Coast to be specific" Phakathi says with a low voice. "They are Faroukh's people and they have come to buy arms from the mystery dealer we unfortunately haven't been able to identify. We haven't been able to determine the date of the deal just yet but we can assume it's going to happen soon" he says as he looks outside the window to see if anyone is near by. Mthoko goes through the photos he sees in the file and the names.
"Do we know where they are staying?" he asks as he continues to flip the pages. "Yes we do know" Phakathi says as he continues to look forward. "Oh great, then when are we raiding the place? I mean we don't have to wait for the sale right? We can just stop these scumbags right now and f*ck up the deal in the process" Mthoko anxiously as his heart race a bit.
"Well, it doesn't work like that Sibisi..." Phakathi says as he looks at Mthoko. "We can't just go raid the place they stay in and arrest them. I mean, on what charge? We have people monitoring their movements but we need to catch them during the deal transaction. If we go on and arrest these men without any proof, they'll get away and the people selling them these arms will disappear. We want them all together with their hands in the cookie jar, you get that?" as he raises his voice a little bit. "Yes sir..." Mthoko responds with a low voice while continuing to read the file.
"Uhmm...sir I have a question" he says as his voice becomes nerveous a little bit. "During the raid of the sale will I have resources to assist?" He isn't sure if this question was appropriate but he had to know. "Yes ofcourse you will get help. The team has already been briefed that you are deep cover"
These words come as a relief to him because so far he's been doing this operation on his own, with the help of Bhekani but Phakathi continues, "I have someone in the police department who is my eyes and ears as well" he says. "He doesn't know about your involvement in all this but he is now aware about the drugs and some Taxi owners that are aligned to Faroukh. When the time is right I will give him a little more information. I just don't want to take chances" he says to which Mthoko nods with a face of relief.
"So tell me, how much do your men know about what is really going on?" Phakathi asks as he turns to look at Mthoko. This question catches him off guard a little bit even though he knew it would come up at some point. He knows the risk of blowing your cover with anyone but at that time he had no choice.
"Uhmm...Bhekani who is my right hand man and my brother Siyanda...they know enough. Sir I just..." he says but Phakathi quickly cuts in, "Nah it's okay you did what you had to do" he says with a low voice which comes as a relief to Mthoko. "But can you absolutely trust them to not blow your cover?" Phakathi asks with a straight face as he looks forward. This question makes Mthoko think for a second before saying, "Yes sir, I can vouch for them. Sir it became difficult to not let them in on something because they were starting to ask questions that I couldn't answer. So I thought it was best to recruit them instead "
Phakathi looks at him as though he is trying to read him which leads to a moment of silence as Phakathi looks outside his window. "What about the girl? The journalist...does she know anything?" he asks softly, still looking away. This is another question Mthoko dreaded but knew he won't be able to avoid.
"Uhmm...yes sir she knows some stuff" he says nervously but Phakathi quickly cuts in, "stuff like what?" he asks sharply. "Uhmm..." Mthoko says as though he is trying to find words. "She knows about drugs that some Taxi owners are transporting for certain people. That's all sir...I had to give her something because she was no longer buying the info was giving her. And me kidnapping her made things a little worse so I needed to give her a reason to stay calm and be patient" he says as he looks at his boss to see his reaction to this.
"Arg, but Sibisi...I told you about this girl. I told you that she is a liability, she is a loose end that you should have tied" Phakathi says as he looks a little upset over this but Mthoko quickly jumps in, "I know sir that it was poor judgement on part but I just couldn't...I mean, I'm the one who got her involved in this Sir" he says nervously.
This makes Phakathi to look at him and think for a minute. He really doesn't look happy at all. "What if they find her and make her talk? What then?" he asks as he looks at Mthoko in the eyes. "You understand that this can risk this whole operation if they find her and force her to tell them what she knows?" he asks as he looks outside his window one more time. This also makes Mthoko to think for a second as it seems words are failing him. "Yes sir I know..." he says with a low voice. "She is in a secure location sir, I've seen to that" he says as he looks at his boss who is looking away.
This leads to another awkward silence in the car. Phakathi suddenly reaches out to the front seat and pulls a big black bag and gives it to Mthoko. "I really hope this journalist you care so much for doesn't compromise this whole mission Sibisi because that will be your head" he says as he looks at Mthoko and then looks away again.
At that, Mthoko takes the bag and the file and gets out of the car. The driver comes in and drive away. He gets into his car and put the bag in the passenger seat without looking what's inside before driving away.
***
Meanwhile, at the Sibisi mansion Lindiwe looks like a worried woman as she sits in the lounge waiting for her husband. She was starting to get used to Mthoko being home early for dinner once again. She thought the days of him disappearing for hours on end are over but when he didn't show up for supper tonight she became worried all over again. She is sitting in the lounge with her two daughters Londiwe and Mbali and then Thula, her son. They too look a little worried because they know the sadness on their mother's face has got to do with their father.
"Mom, where is dad tonight?" Mbali asks as she fiddles something on her phone. "Uhmm...daddy has something to take care of tonight sweetheart, why do you ask?" Lindiwe says as she shows interest to her daughter's inquiry. "No I mean, there was a time we were no longer seeing him at all and then things got better recently" Mbali says as she shrugs her shoulders.
Lindiwe isn't quiet sure how to respond to this as she looks at her other children. "But seriously mom, we can see that this is worrying you. What's going on with dad?" Thula asks a he puts his laptop down. This comes as a surprise to Lindiwe because her son hardly ever express his feelings on anything. She knows she may have to say something to the curious kids. "Uhmm...you guys don't need to worry yourselves about dad okay?" she says with a calm voice and a smile. "He is just busy trying to acquire a few business that's all" as she looks at all of them to see their reaction.
"Well, if you guys can excuse me...I have few things need to attend to" Thula says as he takes his laptop and walks out. "Uhmm...yeah I have to study up a little before bed so goodnight guys" Mbali says as she also stands up and follow her brother, leaving Lindiwe with her eldest daughter Londiwe.
"A business deal mom...really?" Londiwe says as she looks at her mother. "Arg not you too sweetheart, okay?" an agitated Lindiwe says as she picks up her coffee but Londiwe jumps back in, "Mom, your son and your daughter are just worried okay?" she says as she looks a little annoyed. "Well, aren't you?" Lindiwe asks as she puts the cup down. "Well, ofcourse I'm worried mom...but not so much about dad but about you" Londiwe says to which her mother realises an eyebrow but she continues, "Yes mom...you are acting like everything is cool but we can see you okay? You are just as worried about this as we are"
Now this gets Lindiwe's attention as she tries to read her daughter's and realises she is being sincere. "Ofcourse sweetheart I'm not okay with any of this okay?" she says as she raises her voice a little bit. "You know, I spoke to your father the other day about how he's spending less time here with his family. He assured me that it was just business and that he'll try and do better, which he actually did baby. Recently he's been present and if he has work he'd just go to the study and work there. But I don't know what happened with him tonight but I just don't like to keep questioning his decisions you know"
This seems to make Londiwe a little annoyed as she says, "But mom, we know this family's business okay? What other businesses that dad is talking about? If he is at the association offices he has never kept that from you, so why now?" as she shrugs her shoulders which makes her mother to think about it for a second.
"Look mntanami(my child), I don't know what's going on with your dad lately okay but let's give him a benefit of the doubt okay?" Lindiwe says as she sighs deep. "Since this whole thing with the killings started he has been a little preoccupied, I think he is just worried about our safety" as she throws her hands in the air as if to say I rest my case. "Well, you could be right on that mom" Londiwe says as she interjects, "I just don't want to see this family divided on anything hey" as she picks up her glass of wine and sips. "You and me both sweetheart...you and me both" Lindiwe says with a face of worry.
***
Meanwhile, Bhekani is at the safe house to check on Phuthuma and he doesn't look happy because he doesn't like this detail but what can he do? He and Phuthuma had just been watching news where her disappearance is still being discussed by analysts who try to make sense of what may have happened to the renowned journalist. It's safe to say that this seems to be depressing Phuthuma even more as she worries about her mother.
"So, how long have you known Mthoko?" Phuthuma asks Bhekani who sits in the couch opposite hers. She is just trying to make conversation since Bhekani isn't much of a talker and it actually helps to have someone to talk to here. The last thing she wants is to lose her mind with worry.
"Uhmm...I don't know, I...I've known him a long time" Bhekani says reluctantly as he fixes his eyes on the TV. "So that means you also know what's going on right? I'm tired of this place Bhekani, I want to go home...please!" Phuthuma says with a sad voice and teary eyes which makes Bhekani feel some kind of way. "Come on...but you know that Mthoko is just trying to protect you, alright?" he says as he turns the TV off and looks at the sad journalist. "There are people out there who are looking for you...who want to harm you. What do you think they'll do if they find you? If you are with your family, do you think they'll spare them?"
This makes Phuthuma to think for second as her facial expression changes to being a little upset. "But whose fault is that Bhekani?" she shouts in anger. "Did I ask to be involved in all this? Your friend lied about what was going on...he used me for his personal agenda. Look now, my life is threatened over something I have nothing to do with" she says as she stands up and walks around the room in frustration.
"Look I know that, alright?" Bhekani says calmly but Phuthuma cuts in, "We were watching news just now Bhekani and you heard yourself that everyone is worried sick and wondering what happened to me" she says as she comes back to sit down. "I don't deserve this you know. My family...my mother...she doesn't deserve it. She is worried sick about me"
This makes Bhekani feel a little embarrassed as she doesn't know how to respond to this. He can see the genuine panic in Phuthuma's eyes and realises that she actually isn't wrong about her concerns. "I know, alright?" he says calmly as he looks down which suddenly disarms the furious Phuthuma who was gearing up for a heated exchange. "And I'm really sorry that you got involved in all this but the intention wasn't to put your life in harm's way. This thing is bigger than all of us and all Mthoko was trying to do is stop bad people from doing bad things. His heart is in the right place" Bhekani says as he establishes eye contact again.
Well, this speech seems to be doing the as Phuthuma pulls herself together calmly, leading to an awkward moment of silence in the room. Bhekani stands up and goes by the window to look outside for a moment to which Phuthuma follows him. "So, does Mrs. Sibisi know what's going on?" she asks calmly but that seems to make Bhekani uncomfortable as he looks at her.
"Ofcourse she doesn't know, Phuthuma...and I really don't want to talk about that okay? My job is to watch over you, not to discuss Mthoko's family business" he says as he comes back to sit down. "Uhmm...yes ofcourse...Uhmm...I'm sorry" Phuthuma says with a low voice as she follows Bhekani again to the couch and this time she sits next to him, much to his discomfort. "So when will this be over, Bhekani? I just want to go back to my normal life, okay?" she asks with a sad and worried voice. "Uhmm...look, it won't be long now okay? I know that you are agitated and worried but it will be over soon" Bhekani says as he forces a smile.
"Uhmm...do you guys think maybe...I mean...would it be too much to ask you to send someone to check on my family? I mean, people who are looking for e could harm them in hope that they'd reveal where I am...please Bhekani, I beg you" Phuthuma says with a panicking and begging voice which makes Bhekani think for a second.
"Uhmm...look, I don't know Phuthuma. I mean, I could ask Mthoko okay? But it's his call not mine, alright?" he says with a low voice as he looks away to avoid eye contact. This makes Phuthuma to nod but with a little disappointment in her face as she was looking for a more assuring answer than that. "Okay, I suppose that's all I can ask for at the moment hey" she says with a low voice as she shrugs her shoulders but Bhekani doesn't respond to that as he looks away.
"So I can't even go to the shopping centre across the street? I mean your guys can go with me if need be, Bhekani. I'm losing my mind sitting here in this apartment every single day okay?" Phuthuma says as she raises her voice but Bhekani quickly cuts in, "No Phuthuma you can't" he says with a straight face this time. "I mean, the whole idea is to keep a low profile okay? We can't just take chances and hope that no one is following me or any of the men guarding you okay? Just...if you need anything let me or the guys know okay. We are almost at the end of this all"
Well, Phuthuma can't say she didn't expect this responds but she thinks it was worth a try as she shrugs her shoulders once again. Bhekani goes by the window one more time and looks outside before saying, "Okay, look...I got to rush out okay?" but Phuthuma quickly cuts in, "Whoa, whoa, whoa...you are living me here, alone?" she says with a voice of panic.
"But you are not alone Phuthuma, okay? There's a guy down the passage watching you; there's one at the entrance and two other guys by the gate. They are all watching you, okay?" Bhekani says but it doesn't seem to convince Phuthuma who has panic all over her face. "Please don't leave I beg you" Phuthuma says with a trembling voice. "Let the men watch it's okay but I trust you more okay? Just sleep in the couch. There are warm blankets in this place...please I beg you" she says as her eyes become teary, which makes Bhekani to feel bad a little as he thinks.
"Okay look, let me head out to take care of something and then I will come back here okay?" he says with an assuring smile which Phuthuma returns as she is relieved. Bhekani takes his keys and walks out of the door.
***
As Bhekani drives out the gate of the building, it seems that he's not aware of the suspicious car parked across the street and it doesn't look like the men watching Phuthuma had seen it as well. But this car has been there for a little while now and from the dim windows it is hard to make out who or how many people inside. The driver the car is on the phone:
Man: "Uhmm...Zikode, we have found Sibisi's right hand man"
Zikode: "Oh really? Where?"
Man: "In Morningside. It's some apartment building"
Zikode: "Who is he with?"
Man: "Uhmm... we don't know, we were just following him here to this building and we parked outside the gate. He was inside the building for atleast close to two hours?"
Zikode: "What floor was he is in?"
Man: "We don't know the floor..."
Zikode: "Christ...you don't know the floor or the room number? So what's the point of telling me you have found him when you don't even know where he was going?"
Man: "Calm down okay? WE couldn't follow him all the way to the building because you need a tag to enter the building. We didn't want to draw attention to ourselves.
*A little silence*
Zikode: "Okay, I suppose you are right"
*another silence*
Zikode: "But maybe it's his apartment, you know..."
Man: "Maybe...so what do you want us to do?"
*Yet another silence*
Zikode: "Where is he now?"
Man: "He went out just now. I was thinking maybe if we went in and..."
Zikode: "No, no, no...Just, wait for him to come back and see what happens. Sibisi's man is not my concern but we were hoping that he would know where the journalist is. Now this place could be Bhekani's apartment or it could be where he is hiding the girl but we need to make sure before we make any move"
Man: "Understood..."
Zikode: "Just wait until he comes back and see what develops. But if he doesn't come back in the next 2 hours find a way to get in there and see if you can't find out which floor and room he is staying."
Man: "Understood"
Zikode: "But remember, be discreet about it okay? I don't want to raise alarms or tip Sibisi off about this."
Man: "If we get in there and find the girl, what must we do?"
*silence*
Zikode: "You take her with you. I need answers from that girl. Even though finding her there would certainly confirm my suspicion but I want to know what she knows or what Sibisi knows.
Man: "Loud and clear boss..."
Zikode: "How many men do you have there?"
Man: "I have three men, I make four"
Zikode: "Alright good so this shouldn’t be hard. Have you seen anyone around the building that look suspicious?"
Man: "No, not really. There are people walking in and out of the building it's hard to tell who is a visitor or who is a tenant"
Zikode: "Okay, stay frosty. Report to me once there's new development, okay?"
Man: "Yes sir"
*Call dropped*
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