Chapter 10 - Sign Away Everything
"YOUR MOTHER HAS FILED A STATEMENT CLAIMING YOU'RE UNDER THE CONTROL OF A DANGEROUS CRIMINAL."
I stared at the documents on Detective Dube's desk.
Nomusa's signature appeared at the bottom of the page.
The statement alleged that Nango had become emotionally unstable, that she was being manipulated by me, and that her financial decisions were putting the housing trust at risk.
It requested that Nango's authority be suspended while the matter was investigated.
Beside it was a proposal to install Nomusa as the sole decision-maker for pending transactions.
I understood the strategy immediately.
If Radebe couldn't force Nango to sign, he would try to strip her of the power to refuse.
And my past had given him the perfect accusation.
"She used me against you," I whispered.
Nango stared at the papers.
"She used everything."
Detective Dube placed another folder on the desk.
"We've referred these documents to an attorney who specializes in trust and property matters."
A woman entered moments later.
She introduced herself as Nandi Mkhize.
She was direct, professional, and clearly unimpressed by the attempt to undermine Nango.
"I've reviewed the application," she said. "There are serious problems with the claims and the supporting documentation."
Nango looked up.
"Can you stop it?"
"I can challenge it. We need to move quickly and preserve the evidence."
She explained that the disputed signatures, financial records, and criminal investigation would all be important.
There was no guarantee the fight would be easy.
Radebe had money.
He had influential associates.
And he appeared willing to use every legal and illegal method available.
But Nango was no longer fighting alone.
Zanele arrived carrying additional records from Nomusa's home.
She placed them on the table.
"These were in a folder she asked me to keep for her."
Nandi examined the documents.
Among them were notes discussing the proposed transfer of Sobethu properties.
One page contained instructions to secure Nango's approval by any means necessary.
Another referred to a payment labeled consulting and risk management.
I recognized the intermediary's company.
It was the same organization that had arranged my original assignment.
Nandi looked at me.
"Are you prepared to testify about that connection?"
"Yes."
"Even if it exposes your own criminal conduct?"
"Yes."
Nango turned toward me.
Our eyes met.
She didn't smile.
But I saw something return to her expression.
A small measure of trust.
Then Dube's phone rang.
She listened briefly.
"Understood."
When she ended the call, her face was grim.
"What is it?" I asked.
"We received an update on Sizwe's disappearance."
Nango gripped the edge of the desk.
"Is he alive?"
"We don't know yet. But we have evidence that he was taken from near the renovation site."
Nandi closed the folder.
"We should continue preparing the application."
Before she could say more, Nango's phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
A photograph appeared.
It showed Vukani and Sizwe sitting beside each other in a dim room.
Both looked exhausted.
A message followed.
TELL YOUR LAWYER TO STOP. SIGN THE AGREEMENT. GIVE US THE ORIGINAL RECORDS.
Nango stared at the screen.
Another message arrived.
YOU HAVE UNTIL MIDNIGHT.
I felt the old anger rising.
That dangerous part of me wanted to find Radebe and end the problem the way I'd once ended problems.
But Nango was watching.
And I remembered what she'd told me.
Don't make me regret believing in you.
I turned toward Dube.
"We need to find that room."
She nodded.
"We're working on it."
Nango enlarged the photograph.
Then she suddenly leaned closer.
"Wait."
Everyone looked at her.
She pointed toward a partially visible object behind Sizwe.
A rolled construction drawing sat beside a metal storage cabinet.
The drawing had a bright yellow approval stamp.
Nango's expression changed.
"I recognize that."
"What is it?" Dube asked.
"It's the original lighting plan from the Umhlanga project."
"Could it have been moved somewhere else?"
"Possibly. But I know where those drawings were stored."
She pulled out her laptop and opened the renovation schedule.
She selected a small structure behind the main property.
"The construction team used this building as a temporary site office."
Dube examined the layout.
"Was it included in the earlier search?"
"Not as part of the rear annex," Nango replied. "It's a separate building."
She zoomed in.
A side entrance appeared on the plan.
Beneath it was a room labeled Document Storage.
Nango looked at Dube.
"If they're still on the property, that's where I would look."
The detective was already reaching for her phone.
Then another image arrived.
This one showed the same room from a different angle.
On the wall behind the captives was a framed photograph.
Nango recognized it immediately.
It was a photograph of her late father standing at the opening of the first Sobethu housing project.
She went completely still.
"Why would they have that?"
I looked at her.
Then I understood.
Radebe wasn't simply trying to frighten Nango into surrendering the trust.
He wanted her to understand exactly what he intended to destroy.
May you like
And as the clock moved closer to midnight, Nango looked at me and whispered:
"He's going to take everything my father left me."
