On the other end, Brigadier Mabena listened in silence, eyes narrowing as he tried to read between the words. At that moment, he wasn�t alone; General Kunene sat across from him, watching with the stillness of a man who missed nothing.
�So,� Mabena said at last, his voice measured, testing the ground. �What you�re asking� is for us to pull what�s on the laptop?�
�Yes, Sir,� Kgole replied without hesitation. �Exactly that,� His tone carried a thread of hope, thin but taut.
�Hold on,� Mabena murmured. He shifted the phone aside, covering the mouthpiece with his palm before leaning toward Kunene.
�This is our liaison at John Vorster,� he said quietly, keeping his voice just above a whisper. �He�s sitting on a laptop and a phone�claims they could hold something� explosive.�
Kunene�s gaze sharpened. �Does it fall within our mandate?�
Mabena hesitated, feeling the weight of the question. �We don�t know yet, Sir,� he admitted. �Feels more like a favor than a formal brief, He�s asking for a lifeline, not a handover.�
He paused, watching Kunene�s expression for the slightest tilt. �But if we back him now,� Mabena added carefully, �it could buy us leverage when we need him on Adedeji.�
�Do we have the capability in-house?� Kunene asked, voice low, a faint curve of interest shaping the question.
�Yes, Sir,� Mabena replied without hesitation. �The Shadow�s still here in Joburg.�
The General leaned back, eyes distant, thoughts moving like deep water. Silence stretched, long enough to press on the air. When he finally spoke, his tone was calm but edged with warning.
�Don�t let this spiral, Mabena,� Kunene said. �The last thing we need is a headline about us meddling in SAPS business. Get him what he needs�quietly. Then cut the cord.�
�Understood, Sir,� Mabena said, the words crisp.
He slid the phone back to his ear. �Apologies for the wait, Captain,� his voice smooth now, controlled. �I�ll have Themba pick you up at Carlton Centre. One hour.�