Curtains down
*Mthoko is on the phone call with Captain Dube*Dube: "I got your message, it sounded urgent"
Mthoko: "Yeah...Tomorrow the deal happens and I may need your help"
Dube: "I'm listening..."
Mthoko: "Uhmm...I need you to make sure that there are no police patrols within 2 kilometer radius of the Klimpton Steel factory"
Dube: "Why?"
Mthoko: "Because I don't want to spook these people alright? I'm sure they may have made arrangements of their own but just to be sure..."
Dube: "Oh, okay...But I'm thinking of the way to ensure that..."
Mthoko: "Set up heavy roadblocks that will divert traffic away from the area. We all know people always run away from such. Close a few roads that leads to the area"
Dube: "Yeah I don't see that being a problem"
Mthoko: "Okay good and I need you and your detectives to be close by, you know incase things get hot in there..."
Dube: "Will they get that far? I mean hey, my officers are good but they aren't trained for such, Sibisi. They are not special ops, they are not black ops or anything like that"
Mthoko: "Look, they will be fine okay? I just need them as back up. Besides, the arrests will be credited to you guys so..."
*small silence*
Dube: "Alright then, I shall brief them"
Mthoko: "Good...and anything new from the commissioner?"
Dube: "Uhmm...it appears, the commisioner has taken special leave of absence. He is panicking, I doubt he is even still in this country"
Mthoko: "Well, that won't surprise me at all but as long as he hasn't had access to Zikode and his friends, we are good"
Dube: "Agreed...anything from the association or anyone who may get in the way of this operation?"
Mthoko: "Uhmm...according to our intel no one else in the association is connected to this. So it shouldn't disturb things tomorrow.
Dube: "Okay good anything else you need me to do?"
Mthoko: "Uhmm...no. That would be all. I just need you guys to on standby tomorrow and be ready because these people are likely to have heavy security."
Dube: "We will be ready..."
Mthoko: "I'll be in touch..."
*Call dropped*
Later on, Captain Dube is meeting with his two detectives, Mxolisi and Thoko- at their usual meeting spot but the river. Both officers have jumped into Dube's car and they are sitting at the back. They are wondering why their captain is looking all nervous tonight, what could be that bad? But they decide to wait for him to be the one telling them what's going on.
"So uhmm...I called you hear because I wanted to inform you that tomorrow, it's all going down" Dube says with a low voice as he looks forward towards the dark river. "Sir?" a confused Thoko says as she looks at her partner but Dube quickly come back in, "Tomorrow is the day of the deal and I need you guys to be ready" he says as he firms his voice a little bit. "Ready for what, sir?" Mxolisi asks as he interjects. "I just need you to be ready for any eventuality Zwane, okay?" Dube says as he sounds a little bit frustrated at his team. "You will be back to Sibisi an his team" he says as he looks at the detectives from the rearview mirror.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa...cap, are you saying we are also drawn in to this whole thing now? This is intelligence matter isn't it?" Mxolisi asks in panic as he looks at his partner who is just as shocked. "Hey Zwane, I need you to focus okay?" an irritated Dube says. "I said you will be back up to the operation, so that when you are needed you will be there"
This is not what the detectives were hoping to hear as they seem to have run out of words. Clearly there's panic all over their eyes. They were okay with assisting with the investigation but now it looks like they are into deep on this. Dube can also see that they are uncomfortable so he thinks for a minute before saying, "Look, I will be there with you okay? Besides, we are just only a back up okay and also to do arrests once all this goes down. The department will take credit and this could be big for your careers, right? Who knows where to from there? So I need you guys to get your heads straight, okay?"
Well it looks like pep talk worked as the detectives look at each and nod to it. "So what do you need us to do cap?" Thoko asks with keen interest. Dube thinks for a second before saying, "You need to secure a 2 kilometer radius perimeter to the meeting place, Klempton Steel Factory. Set up roadblocks to roads in and out of that area because we don't have manpower. We need to minimize traffic going into that area"
This seems a little confusing for Thoko as she looks at her partner but she ignores and says, "Alright, we will do that first thing in the morning" but Dube quickly jumps in, "No, no, no...You will have to do it after the meeting has commenced. We don't want to spook these people and end up blowing this operation up" he says as he turns back to look at his officers. "The meeting will start at 09:00 so you can set up road blocks, say around 09:35? But Sibisi will also advise on the direction. Our job is to back him up" he says as he once again looks forward.
"The three of us will be close by, waiting for the word" he continues. "If anyone escapes from the factory, they will be caught at those roadblocks. You guys have the files of the people who will be at the meeting, right?" he asks. "Yes sir..." Mxolisi says as he looks at Thoko who nods in agreement. "Alright...look, go home and get some rest, tomorrow is going to be a very long day okay?" Dube says with a smile as he turns and look at his officers who smile back at him without saying a word before they get out of the car, each to their own.
***
The following day is a Friday, the deal day...and Mthoko is a nervous wreck. As much as he couldn't wait for all of this over, he really wasn't looking forward to what might happen on the day. He and his brother are ready for the firefight and are heavily armed for any eventuality. Even though Siyanda has beefed up security at the Sibisi house, Mthoko can't help but worry about his family, especially now that they know what's going down this morning. He'd rather lose his life than have anything happen to his wife and kids.
On the other side, Faroukh is just as nervous as he and his people are right on time to meet the arms dealers in this secluded Steel factory that is probably owned by one of the people participating in this transition. They are standing outside since it is still closed. Clearly the key to open is with the people who are coming. Habib is a little irritated though that he's had to come show his face here this morning, but the arms dealers wanted him and his people to be present and do the deal themselves. I suppose what irritates him is that the mastermind behind this deal is not here but instead is being represented by his people. But in this case, Habib is a customer so he can't really complain much about the arrangement.
About a mile out are captain Dube and his detectives Mxolisi and Thoko. They themselves just don't really look psychologically ready for this morning as they all seem tense while sitting in Dube's car waiting for the word. This could be a major bust for them and their careers but they are wondering if it's worth the risk.
"Well Faroukh, we are here...so where are these people?" a nervously looking Habib asks as he looks around the place they are in. "Don't worry sir, any minute now?" Faroukh says as he looks at the other guys. "Are you sure this security is enough?" Habib asks as he looks around the number of security they brought. There's about 10 bodyguards wearing suits...all with machine guns. "Oh yes sir it's enough..." Faroukh says as he looks at his men. "But remember sir, we are nit here to fight but to do business. This should be a happy occasion not a hostile one" he says with a smile.
"Don't you think I know that?" the annoyed Habib says as he looks unimpressed. "Deals don't always go smoothly Faroukh and on this one I'd like to go home in one piece, you here me?" he says as his tone becomes firm. "Ofcourse sir...don't worry everything is going to be okay" Faroukh says with a smile of assurance that Habib doesn't seem to buy.
But that interaction is disturbed by engine sound of 3 BMW SUVs coming from about a 100 yards out. This suddenly brings anxiety on everyone who is watching the cars getting ever so closer. Faroukh's security men look a little anxious as their fingers are on the trigger. This is the moment everyone has been waiting for. "Finally..." Omar says as he takes a deep sigh of nervousness. "Alright everybody, calm down okay? I will handle this" Habib says as he looks at his people who nod in agreement with him. They wait in anticipation until the cars arrive and park not so far from theirs.
Out of the first and second cars comes out what looks like a security team of 6 men with guns and out of the third car comes out Thulani Mpungose, Frank Terrence and Jackson Notoane the dealers. These are the people who have been engaging in the negotiations of this transaction with Faroukh over the past few months and they look very serious. They are also advisors in the Department of Defense. They are very good at wearing poker faces as it's hard to tell what they are thinking, which in turn makes Faroukh's people very uneasy.
"Mr. Habib, it's good to finally meet you" Mpungose says as he bows in gratitude, which Habib returns with a smile. "Okay please gentlemen, let us all go inside so that we can begin this important meeting" Mpungose says as he points to one of his security men to come and open the facility, which he duly does. At that point, security teams from both sides are keeping a sharp eye on each other, which threatens tensions in this place.
As Mpungose's team lead in entering the factory, Habib and his men are greeted by huge armored crates on the far end of the hall as they enter. There many of these big crates that spread across the front part of the hall. It looks like this is really happening for them as Habib smiles a little bit while looking at his associates.
"Well, here we are gentlemen..." Mpungose says with a smile as he points at the armored crates. "This is what you ordered and I'm happy to say that I have delivered gentlemen" he says, much to Habib and his people's delight as they look around the room. "Now, I'm really hoping that this transaction will go on without any glitches...I trust that you have what I need?" Mpungose asks as his face suddenly changes to being a little serious. "Oh yes ofcourse..." Habib says as he points to Faroukh who comes forward with a huge briefcase and place it on the centre table that separates the two parties.
"Yeah, we too are also hoping that this will be the beginning of a new friendship and partnership between us" Habib says with a smile as he looks at Mpungose who opens the case and sees loads of money inside. He smiles and looks at Habib and his people before saying "Yes indeed, this shall be the beginning of a very good business partnership"
This is really helping in calming the tensions between the two security teams that has been very anxious. "Well gentlemen, as a curtesy to our new business partnership...I'm sure as Mr Faroukh here has informed you, we have provided transport for your goods and a safe passage for your people to go through the harbor. There shouldn't be any problems whatsoever" Mpungose says with a smile, which once again comes as a relief to Habib and his people as they all nod in gratitude. "Oh yes, we appreciate you very much Mr. Mpungose" Habib says as he bows once again.
***
While all of that is going on inside the factory, Mthoko and his team are on the other side of the facility entrance and they are ready to breach. They are all dressed in tactical gear and carrying heavy weapons...clearly they are ready for war. Even though he is being cautious, Mthoko would like to avoid a heavy firefight exchange with these people, seeing that he doesn't have a bigger team and he doesn't want to lose anyone on his side. What are the chances though because government people are involved in this thing.
"Bro I need you to take four guys and cover the other side where they came through okay? Me and the three guys will breach from this side. Wait for my call okay?" Mthoko says to his brother Siyanda who immediately indicates to four of his men to follow him to the other side. "Bhekani, how are we looking man?" Mthoko asks as he touches his ear.
"Oh yeah it looks like the deal is happening right now...if ever was a time, now it is" Bhekani says as he whispers to the com mic. He is actually in the building inside the ceiling, with a sniper gun pointed at the people doing the deal. It's hard to tell how he got inside the building since it was locked but he is a very experienced hitman. This is a perfect position for him because he still can't move comfortably getting shot by Zikode's men.
***
Half a mile away from this place are three anxious police officers who have been waiting on the word from Mthoko. Dube must now show leadership to his officers who look out of depth with this one. He can tell that they are nervous but there is no other way, they have to assist Mthoko and his people. All Dube wants is to ensure his team comes home alive and unharmed.
As they sit there waiting, a call comes through from Mthoko.
Dube: "Yes..."
Mthoko: Captain Dube, you are a go...you will come through the north east entrance and wait on my mark okay? "
Dube: "Copy..."
*Call dropped*
"Alright guys, let's go..." Dube says with a firm tone but Thoko quickly jumps in, "Whoa, whoa, whoa cap...I'm not sure about all this okay?" she says as her heart begins to race a little bit. "Detective Ximba, I don't have time for this okay? Let's go..." Dube says as he raises his voice before driving off to the venue.
***
Back inside the factory, as Habib's people go through the armored crates to satisfy themselves about what they are buying a few stun grenades explode from all directions around the hall. Without a moment's notice everyone in the room go down for cover except the security teams from both Mpungose and Habib. While everyone is still wondering what is happening, Mthoko and Siyanda's teams breach the area from either ends. From that moment a firefight ensures as the sound of gunfire threatens to block ears. It goes on for a good few minutes as men from Habib and Mpungose's security details begin to fall one by one.
When Faroukh realises that his security is down he draws the gun and starts shooting back while Habib and his associate have taken cover behind some of the pillars in the hall. But before he is shot down by Bhekani who is in the ceiling, Faroukh manages to shoot Mthoko three times. "Damnit, bro..." Siyanda shouts in panic as he sees his brother Mthoko going down to the floor. As him and his team advance towards the pillars where Habib and his associate have taken cover, captain Dube and his team breach from the north east entrance gun blazing. Their timing couldn’t have been perfect as Habib and his associates had started to also shoot back.
Dube manages to gun down Omar and Imkram while Thoko shoots Mutir in the head and Mxolisi guns down Rehman and one of Mpungose's associates, Jackson Notoane who had exposed his body way too much from behind the pillar. "No body moves..." captain Dube shouts as he and his team point guns at the only three remaining people in this, Habib, Mpungose and Terrence.
Mpungose and Terrence had not drawn their weapons so they quickly lift their hands up, but when Habib sees that all of his men are down he has no choice but to surrender as well. He can't shoot his way out of this place as Mthoko's team also advances towards him while Siyanda's team and that of captain Dube flank all of them.
When Siyanda sees that the area is secured, he rushes to his brother Mthoko who is lying on the floor. He quickly puts his hand on his wrist to feel the pulse. "Oh thank God..." he says in a whisper. "Somebody please call an ambulance, right now" he shouts on top of his voice as he begins to panic. "Hurry up, call the Goddamn ambulance right now..."
Chapter 21
Aftermath
"Doctor, please tell us...how is he?" a sobering Lindiwe says with a shaking voice as she stands in the Hospital waiting with her sad looking children listening to the doctor he has brought news about Mthoko. It's early hours of Saturday morning, a day after Mthoko was involved in the shootout with the arms dealers where Faroukh shot him three times above the bullet proof vest. You'd think if you wore one of those you are safe from fatal injuries but that's not the case. Had Faroukh shot Mthoko in the head, Lindiwe would be at the morgue identifying the body of her husband right now.
After all that shootout ambulance was called in to rush the critically wounded Mthoko to the Hospital. The three remaining suspects Mpungose, Jackson and Habib were taken to custody by police captain Dube and his two detectives Mxolisi and Thoko while Siyanda got into the ambulance with his brother. He called Lindiwe when he reach the hospital and she and her kids were there within an hour, albeit in a panic.
"Uhmm...Mrs. Sibisi, I won't lie to you...It doesn't look good" the doctor says nervously as she carries a file o her hand. "What do you mean?" Londiwe who stands next to her mother asks anxiously. "Uhmm…Mr. Sibisi is in bad shape. He is in theater now, surgery...the doctors are still trying to remove three bullets...one in the trachea, the other underneath the collar bone...and the third in the shoulder. It's a very tricky procedure this one, that's why it's been hours working on your husband. So it's really going to be a very long, anxious wait I'm afraid" the doctor says as she struggles to look at any family members in the eyes. She can see how everyone is just so terrified about this.
"Will he make it. doctor?" Mthoko's son Thula asks with a low and sad voice. He doesn't even look at the person he's asking as he dreads the answer. "Uhmm...look, it's like I said...It doesn't look good" the doctor says as she takes a huge sigh. "The best thing we can do now is pray for a miracle. Excuse me..."
Those last words just seem to sink everyone in the waiting area as the young Mbali's eyes lets open the floods of tears while Lindiwe and Londiwe sink back to their chairs in panic. Thula is trying to be brave but his heart is racing so fast he is beginning to be hot under collar. They all can't imagine this happening to their beloved Mthoko, worst of all, not even knowing exactly what happened to him in detail.
Lindiwe decides to go see Siyanda who all along has been sitting on the far bench, isolating himself from the rest of the family. He has been here since Mthoko was brought in yesterday non and hasn't left the Hospital. He feels responsible for what has happened to his brother and he can't bare the thought of losing him this way. He feels it was his personal responsibility to protect Mthoko and his family even though he is the youngest of the two.
"Hey, uhmm...Siyanda can you tell me what happened over there?" Lindiwe asks with a low voice as she sits next to her husband's brother. This doesn’t really come as an unexpected question for Siyanda, he was going to have to explain eventually. He sits straight and wipes his face before saying, "Uhmm...I'm not sure if this is the right time to..." but Lindiwe quickly cuts in, "Look, it's my husband in there Siyanda, okay? It's my husband..." she says with a trembling voice as her eyes become teary once again. "I know that you can't go into details with anything at the moment but please I beg you...okay? I just need to understand what happened"
It doesn't look Siyanda has much of a choice as he looks at Lindiwe and feels bad about all this. "Uhmm...it was a firefight and we were all engaged" he says in a whisper. "And then Mthoko was hit by the guy he was after" he says as he looks down. "Did you kill him?" Lindiwe asks as her face suddenly changes to look raged.
"Yes that guy is dead now. He was killed during the firefight..." Siyanda says as he looks around to see if anyone is listening. "Most of those people fell during the shootout ad only three were taken to custody" he says as he looks at Lindiwe in the eyes to try and read if this will be of any consolation to her. "Okay good..." Lindiwe says, much to Siyanda's relief. "And the people Mthoko works for...what are they saying?" she asks in a whisper as she also looks around the waiting area. "I don't know..." Siyanda says as he shrugs his shoulders. "Look, they haven't even contacted me but I'm sure they will"
Well, this isn't really comforting for Lindiwe as she was hoping for something a little more than that. "Okay look, I'll talk to you later...let me go back to my kids" she says with a sad voice as she stands up. "Oh yeah, I think I will also go and see Bhekani. I need to update him, please excuse me" Siyanda says as he also stands up and hugs his sister-in law.
***
Later on in the day Phuthuma is relaxing at home enjoying much needed rest after enduring a very difficult time. It's been just over a week since she was rescued by Mthoko from the hands of Zikode and she is still struggling to let people in her home. Her mother has tried in vain to convince her to see a psychiatrist because she says she is fine. But in Phuthuma's defense, there's nothing much psychiatrists can do when you can't completely open up about your ordeal to them...and she is under strict orders to not reveal anything about what really happened during her disappearance, not even to her family.
Her boss, Rethabile had given her as much time as she needed to heal and come back to work only when she is physically and emotionally ready. She obviously hasn't heard about what happened to Mthoko...not like anyone was ever meant to hear about it. But she probably would have taken the news hard, considering she and Mthoko have a secret past.
Her phone rings...she looks at it and there's no caller ID. I wonder who could that be, she thinks to herself as she presses answer button.
Phuthuma: "Hello, this is Phuthuma..."
Phakathi: "Hello Miss Cele, how are you?"
Phuthuma: "Who am I speaking to?"
Phakathi: "You can call me Phakathi..."
Phuthuma: "Phakathi? Phakathi who? What can I do for you?"
Phakathi: "Uhmm...I know that you are connected to Mr. Mthokozisi Sibisi and I need you to..."
Phuthuma: "To who? I don't know what you are talking about, I think you got the wrong number"
*Small silence*
Phakathi: "I know Miss Cele that you can't trust anyone, which is really good. But Sibisi worked for us...he rescued you from your kidnappers last week, didn't her?"
Phuthuma: "Who exactly is us?"
Phakathi: "The people that prevent bad things from happening in this country. Look I don't have a lot of time to explain myself but there's something I need you do..."
Phuthuma: "What is that?"
Phakathi: "I need you to go back to work and continue to cover the taxi violence story"
Phuthuma: "But there is no taxi violence story, is there? If you really are who you claim to be then you'd know that the story was a diversion"
Phakathi: "Yes ofcourse there was no taxi turf wars but in the eyes of the public there is...so I need you to make sure it remains so"
Phuthuma: "Why?"
Phakathi: "Because we prefer to protect this country quietly without any noise or attention drawn to us. Sibisi understands that and as such he was willing to sacrifice his life to protect everyone quietly"
Phuthuma: "Oh God, what happened to Mthoko?"
*small silence*
Phakathi: "I'm not at liberty to give all the details but I know that he briefed you about the assignment he was on. Yesterday morning he managed to stop a syndicate from selling dangerous arms to really bad people but he was shot"
Phuthuma: "Oh God, is he..."
Phakathi: "That's why we need to get ahead of this before people start to make all sorts of assumptions, you hear me?"
Phuthuma: "Is he dead?"
*small silence*
Phakathi: "No, but it's not promising..."
Phuthuma: "Oh God...Uhmm...What...what do you want me to do?"
Phakathi: "I need you to reclaim the story once again. To the public, Mthoko was shot by hitmen in another apparent taxi turf war, you understand?"
*Small silence*
Phakathi: "Do you understand Miss Cele?"
Phuthuma: "Uhmm...yes, but my boss will never buy that"
Phakathi: "You gonna have to make her to. Look, this is a matter of national security okay? There's still a lot of people who didn't go down with ship on this. If we make one wrong move we will never uncover some of them and all of Sibisi's sacrifices would have been for nothing"
Phuthuma: "Understood"
Phakathi: "Look, I will let you know when you have to write the story...timing is everything. Very few people know about this and I would like to keep it that way. Police captain Dube will be your source."
Phuthuma: "Oh, ofcourse...it makes sense now"
Phakathi: "Oh and don't worry about Zikode and his friends...they will never ever bother you again"
Phuthuma: "Thank you..."
Phakathi: "I will be in touch"
*Call dropped*`
At the Sibisi house, as advised by the doctor Lindiwe and her kids have come back home to rest and freshen up since they have been at the hospital since yesterday afternoon. There's really nothing they can do for Mthoko at the moment after he went through a fragile but successful surgery. He is still in a critical condition though as there's no telling if he will respond positively to the operation. The doctor had promised to call Lindiwe as soon as anything happens, which really hasn't helped to uplift the mood in this house. Everyone looks so distraught and anxious after seeing Mthoko in that condition.
This is the man they all know to be strong and determined, so to see him like that is discouraging for the whole family. Lindiwe can't inform anyone about this at the moment since she now understands what is at stake. She won't be able to make it make sense to anyone without telling the truth of what is really going on...which she can't.
Even though Siyanda has deployed security to watch his brother in hospital he himself can't take a break and go home as he fears for Mthoko's life. Who can blame him? He can't trust any of the police to do this, knowing what he knows now. He really doesn't know much about captain Dube and his officers so he can't put his brother's life in their hands. In fact, at this point he just doesn't trust anyone to be close to Mthoko accept the family and Bhekani, who has been his brother's right-hand man for a very long time. Siyanda doesn't know much, if anything about Mthoko's handlers either so he can't depend on them for help.
"Mom, how do we even know that we are safe here, now that dad is lying helpless in that hospital?" an anxious Londiwe asks her mother as they all sit discouraged in the lounge. It doesn't look like anyone is in the mood to get up and go make breakfast. Everyone just has this terrified look on their faces as though something big is coming.
"No sweetheart, don't worry about that okay?" Lindiwe responds with a low voice, "Bhekani is here and your uncle Siyanda has beefed up security so nothing will happen to us. And when we leave the house there will be security for us so I suggest that we do whatever Siyanda tells us to do okay? Atleast until we know what really is going on" she says as she forces a smile from her worried face. Well, it is unclear if those words managed to convince Londiwe as she shrugs her shoulders as if to say, whatever!
"Shouldn't we go back to the hospital right now mom?" Mbali asks as she looks a little impatient. "Yes we will go sweetheart but I really need you guys to have something to eat, alright?" Lindiwe says with a begging voice but Londiwe quickly cuts in, "Uhmm no thank you, I don't really have appetite...not when my dad is lying in the hospital fighting for his life" she says defiantly. "Yeah me too...I'm not hungry" Mbali says as she jumps in.
Well, it's not like Lindiwe can say anything to change her children's minds. She shrugs her shoulders as she gives up. She probably can understand since she is also not in the mood for food at this time. Her mind is on her husband. She just can't imagine what she'd do if anything happened to Mthoko right now.
"Alright guys, I know that it doesn't seem like the right time now but there is a business to run. Are you guys going to get on top of things since there invoices to be submitted?" Thula says with a low voice as he avoids eye contact with his mother and older sister. This doesn't seem to go down well with Londiwe as she stands up and says, "You are just unbelievable, do you know that? Our father is lying in the hospital and all you can think about is the bloody business?" she shouts in anger. This threatens to raise tensions in the room as the siblings give each other sharp eyes but that moment is disturbed by Lindiwe's phone that rings. "Oh you shut up, both of you..." she says as she picks up the phone.
Lindiwe: "Hello..."
Caller: "Hello, Mrs Sibisi..."
Lindiwe: "Yes this is Lindiwe Sibisi, who am I talking to?"
Caller: "This is doctor Shelembe, I'm calling from the Hibiscus Hospital"
Lindiwe: "Oh yes, yes, yes doctor...how is my husband?"
Doctor: "I need you to come to the hospital, right away"
Lindiwe: "Oh God, is everything okay?"
Doctor: "I need you to come in as soon as possible"
*Call dropped*
The End
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