Thabo didn�t even blink. �Obvious.�
But there was a problem�they weren�t regular cops anymore, and even if they were, this wasn�t their jurisdiction. Yet the old instincts wouldn�t let them just sit and watch a criminal transaction unfold.
Themba pulled out his phone and hit a number. Luhwani picked up almost immediately.
�Good morning, Captain,� Themba began. �You at the station..?�
�No, Chief�on Lillian Ngoyi, just passing Rissik Street, Heading to Johannesburg Court�
�Perfect. Proceed to Lillian Ngoyi and Quartz Street. Suspicious activity at the shop we left the laptop yesterday. I think some boys are supplying their loot.�
�Right in that shop�?� Kgole confirmed.
�Yes, Inside�
�Alright, on my way�
In the white Nissan Hardbody twin cab, Captain Kgole flicked on the blue light and began weaving through the gridlocked morning traffic. He left the siren off�the shop was too close, and he didn�t want to spook anyone inside.
The three men riding with him had no idea what was really going on.
�Tip-off about illegal activity at Lillian Ngoyi and Quartz Street,� he told them evenly. They didn�t know about the Mambas, and Kgole intended to keep it that way.
A moment later, Themba called again, his voice crackled over the line.
�When you get there, don�t talk to us. Just take the laptop we used as the decoy yesterday�it�s on the same table as the suspected stolen goods.�
The Nissan Hardbody rolled to a stop at the curb.
Outside the computer shop, the two boys stiffened. The sight of the vehicle alone was enough to set off alarms�these bakkies were a favorite of government departments and plainclothes cops. The four men inside were probably police.
The boys exchanged a glance. Their first instinct was to melt away, drift casually down the street before anyone noticed. But leaving now might look worse.