Chapter 8 - The Trap Inside the Mansion
The moment Nango identified the location, I wanted to leave.
Immediately.
I wanted to get in my car, drive to Umhlanga, and bring Vukani home.
But Detective Dube stopped me.
"If you rush in without a plan, you could get him killed."
I looked at her.
"He's already in danger."
"And we are going to do everything legally possible to get him out."
I hated waiting.
But I knew she was right.
Dube contacted officers who were already investigating the property and arranged for an urgent response.
The contractor, Sizwe, agreed to cooperate.
He confirmed that the rear service annex was accessible through a separate entrance and that Radebe had recently restricted several workers from entering it.
"I thought they were storing expensive materials," he said over the phone.
"Did you see Vukani there?" Dube asked.
"No."
"Anyone else acting suspiciously?"
Sizwe hesitated.
"Two men came yesterday. They weren't part of the construction team."
"Can you identify them?"
"I might be able to."
"Stay where you are and don't approach them."
The call ended.
Nango sat beside me in the police station.
She was gripping her phone so tightly that her knuckles had turned pale.
I took her hand.
"We'll find him."
She looked up.
"Don't promise what you can't control."
I swallowed.
"You're right."
She leaned her head against my shoulder.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize."
"I'm just scared."
"I know."
A few minutes later, Dube approached us.
"The officers are at the property."
I stood immediately.
"What did they find?"
"They're checking the accessible buildings. The supervisor is assisting them."
Nango looked hopeful.
Then Dube's phone rang.
Her expression tightened as she listened.
Finally, she ended the call.
"They haven't located Vukani."
Nango stared at her.
"What?"
"The service annex was empty."
"That's impossible. I recognized the fixtures."
"We're not saying he was never there. We're saying he's not there now."
I felt anger rising inside me.
They'd moved him.
Maybe they'd known we were coming.
Maybe the video had been intended to lead us to an empty building.
"Did they find anything?" I asked.
Dube nodded.
"Signs that the annex was recently occupied. They're preserving what they can."
Nango stood.
"Then where is he?"
Nobody answered.
We waited through the evening while investigators continued working.
Sizwe provided details about the altered renovation plans.
According to him, Radebe's representatives had insisted that Nango attend the original inspection alone.
They had also ordered workers away from the rear wing during her scheduled visit.
Sizwe hadn't known why.
But he'd become suspicious when the owner began asking whether Nango had any close relatives or security arrangements.
That was when he realized something was wrong.
Later, a police officer contacted Dube.
The black SUV had been located abandoned near an industrial area.
Its registration information appeared to be connected to a company controlled by Radebe.
But the driver was gone.
Another dead end.
At nearly midnight, Goba returned with coffee for everyone.
He handed me a cup.
"You look terrible."
"Thanks."
He sat beside me.
"For what it's worth, I'm sorry I ran away this morning."
I looked at him.
"You're still not my best man."
He blinked.
"Wait. What?"
"Mdu got promoted."
Goba stared at me.
Then, despite everything, he gave a small laugh.
"That's cold, brother."
But his expression quickly grew serious.
"I should've stayed."
"You're here now."
He nodded.
"Yeah."
Then my phone rang.
An unfamiliar number.
I answered.
"Hello?"
For a moment, there was only breathing.
Then a familiar voice whispered.
"Sbu?"
It was Sizwe.
"Where are you?"
"I can't talk long."
"What's happening?"
"They know I spoke to the police."
My stomach tightened.
"Who?"
"Radebe's people."
I stood.
"Listen to me. Call Detective Dube immediately."
"I already tried."
A noise interrupted him.
Something heavy moved in the background.
"Sizwe?"
He lowered his voice.
"I saved a recording. I can prove they were planning to kill Nango at that inspection."
"Where is it?"
"I sent it to the detective."
"Sizwe, where are you?"
He began breathing faster.
Then he whispered:
"They've found me."
A second voice spoke in the background.
"Put the phone down."
"Sizwe!"
The call disconnected.
I immediately told Dube.
She attempted to contact him.
No answer.
His phone had gone silent.
Within minutes, investigators were trying to locate him.
But I already knew what had happened.
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The people behind this operation had taken another witness.
And this time, they knew exactly how much evidence he possessed.
