by David Vander
Gerald was back in just over two hours, with a broad grin on his face, “Gavin, please give me a hand to connect up my laptop to this TV.” They fiddled for a few minutes, and then numerous angles from CCTV cameras appeared on the screen.
Gavin replied, “I recognise this house.”
Gerald replied, “So, do I, but let’s not mention it for now.”
Stacey and Gerald then set out about making several calls from an untraceable satellite phone, which also had a voice distortion unit attached to it. They called several of the criminals known to be associated with Daniella, inspector Jonas and her potential drug kingpins. Their messages continued to sow seeds of distrust and doubt.
Gerald then took Stacey along as they drove to the Cape Flats, close to where the drone used to drop off the drugs. Stacey waited in the car while Gerald went into firstly a shebeen and then a small trading store. Within minutes, he was back in the car, “Done, I have advised the gang leaders who distribute the drugs that Daniella has called for a meeting at the Rondebosch house this evening. I have told them she wants answers as to who stole the drugs, and they had better pitch up to clear their names.”
Gerald and Stacey then planned a few strategic drops of a simple message, “Urgent meeting tonight in Rondebosch.”
Gerald then used one of his associates to go up to the henchmen located at his old offices and advise them that Gerald and all his cronies had been captured on the Cape Flats. They could call off their vigil. He soon got back a message, that the henchmen had vacated the area. He breathed deeply, “Nearly there Stacey, only a few more steps, but the most crucial.”
They then used the satellite phone to call Inspector Jonas, “We have Gerald and the girl, and we have them tied up in their offices. What must we do with them?”
Inspector Jonas wasted no time in his response, and played right into their hands, “I’m on my way. I’ll deal with them myself.”
Gerald, Slade and two of his trusted team were waiting in the offices when Inspector Jonas arrived some twenty minutes later. As they heard him storming up the staircase, they pulled down their balaclavas, and moments later he flung open the door to the offices. They overpowered him and pinned him down, while Slade pulled a black sack over his face. Gerald rummaged in his pockets and took out his mobile phone. He retreated to another room, while Slade and the two guys held down Inspector Jonas, who was shouting obscenities. Fortuitously, his phone was unlocked, and Gerald quickly typed a text message to Daniella, “Hi. I think I have found out who stole your drug shipment. I am calling for a meeting tonight at six in Rondebosch. I have a plan to get the culprit to confess. I will ensure we have armed back-up. Meet me there.” Gerald then ensured that the outgoing text message was deleted.
It took less than ten seconds for a reply to come through from Daniella, “I’ll meet you at Rondebosch at six.” He made sure that he did not open it. He went back to where Jonas was still pinned down and then replaced the phone in his pocket. They had loosely tied him, so that he could escape without too much trouble.
Gerald and Slade left first to get away, and they had arranged that the two guys would leave within five minutes. By the time they got back to Elon’s home, Gerald had received confirmation that Inspector Jonas had indeed set himself free, and had stormed out of the offices, fuming with anger.
Gerald then made two final calls from the satellite phone, to two different lieutenants of Daniella’s. After he confirmed that Slade had sent out a press statement offering a two million Rand reward for the safe return of Stacey, he called the first henchman, “Just to let you know that Inspector Jonas is contemplating handing over Stacey for the reward.”
Stacey made the next call to another henchman, “Please advise Daniella that Inspector Jonas is marshalling the troops to take over from her. He is boasting that he can run it better, especially now that he has control of the latest shipment of drugs.”
Gerald gave a huge sigh of relief, “All done, now it’s outside of our control.”
Stacey shook her head, “It still surprises me that nobody challenges our calls or messages. It is blatantly clear that when it comes to greed, they become blind to reality or potential mis-information.” They all nodded in agreement.
Chapter Sixty
Having poured himself a large whisky, Gerald set himself up in front of the television, staring at the screen, showing the four camera angles that were installed in the morning. The four cameras were supported by an audio only device which had been planted in the main living room of the large Rondebosch house. He nervously looked at everyone, “Let the show begin.”
Magriet was pacing nervously, “I hope this doesn’t backfire, because otherwise we can never ever be seen in this city again.”
Stacey said, “I’ll have to go and hide in the Kruger Park somewhere.”
Gavin interrupted them as he jumped off the couch, “We have action. The first vehicle has arrived.”
They were all drawn magically to the television screen, like moths to a flame. As Stacey sat glued to the screen, her whole body tensed up and she felt a shudder run down her back. She knew that what she was about to witness, was not going to end well, and she was even tempted to leave the room, but something kept her still, riveted to the screen.
As they watched, a couple more cars arrived, each offloading heavily-armed gangsters and henchmen. Next inspector Jonas arrived, flanked by two armed bodyguards. Slowly they entered the house, and the audio picked up idle conversation amongst all of them. It was only when Inspector Jonas entered did a hush descend on the room. His booming voice could be heard clearly over the audio, “What is this all about, where is Daniella?” The audio then picked up a chorus of raised voices. The combined clattering of voices distorted the audio sound, so that those intently listening couldn’t make out anything that was being said.
Slade pointed excitedly, as one of the external cameras picked up two black SUVs rolling down the driveway, “I’m sure this must be Daniella.” Seconds later his hunch was confirmed, as she exited the second SUV, also flanked by heavily-armed henchmen. She barked some orders, which sent two of the henchmen inside. She could be seen pacing outside, until one of them returned. He could be seen in deep discussion with Daniella, before she summoned her team of henchmen inside.
The crackle of voices on the audio quickly subsided as Daniella entered the room. The audio went silent for several seconds, before Daniella’s voice could be heard, “Jonas, would you mind telling me what this is all about? Who do you think you are that you can call this meeting without my authorisation? What makes you think you are the boss?”
The audio then went into a deathly silence, before Inspector Jonas nervously replied, “What do you mean Daniella?”
Nothing could prepare Stacey and the rest of them for what they then heard over the audio. A single gunshot went off, which was followed by less than a second of silence, and then it sounded like a major battle had erupted inside of the lounge, as gunshots crashed and echoed loudly over the audio. The flashes from the gunfight were also clearly visible from the one camera that had been aimed at the lounge window.
Stacey was pale with shock, and as she glanced around the room, she could see that she was certainly not the only one in a state of shock. Gerald gulped his whisky and held his head in his hands.
After almost a full minute, the gunfire slowly ceased. The cameras picked out only two gangsters coming out of the house. It became apparent that someone inside had become trigger happy, and that the criminals had obliterated each other!
Gerald was standing close to the screen, and quietly said, “Not quite what I expected, but I suppose justice has been served.” They sat in silence for several minutes, staring at the motionless images, until they saw the first police car arriving on the scene.
Stacey felt her stomach rise in her throat, and she felt instantly nauseous, guilt crawling all over her body. Slade saw her body convulsing, and came to her immediately, “It’s OK Stacey. It’s not your
fault. They got what they deserved. The world is going to be a better place for it.”
Magriet also comforted her, “Cape Town will be a better place because of you Stacey. I believe that your commitment will ensure that there will be fewer children and families torn apart by drugs, and not so many of those community halls filled with innocent victims.”
Stacey knew that it would take a long time for the pain and guilt to go away, she dropped her head, closed her eyes, and whispered, “God, please forgive me.”
After watching from their CCTV images for an hour, Gavin switched the television onto a local news channel, which showed police vehicles, ambulances and reporters swarming all over the Rondebosch property.
The television caption on the screen was hauntingly final, Criminal mastermind Daniella Arundel and at least fifteen high-profile criminals killed in a dramatic gang-style shootout. They all stayed glued to the television for a long time.
The silence was broken when a text message came through from Jackie to Slade. He read it aloud, “Hi Slade. I have decided to resign with immediate effect. I will not be at work tomorrow. Thanks, Jackie.” He looked around, but nobody seemed to take any notice.
Stacey leaned into Slade, “It all feels surreal, and hollow. The only consolation is that good has trumped evil.”
Hugging her, Slade replied, “I agree. At least it’s all over, and our lives can return to normality. I think we should take a week and go far away from here.”
She replied, “Make that at least a month, and make it very far.”
Gerald replied, “Stacey, before you return to normality, you need to reverse your prior disappearance.” Stacey managed an edgy smile.
Gerald smiled back, “Let me guess, you already have it figured out.”
Magriet laughed. “Of course she has.”
Acknowledgments
Thank you to;
My wife Esmé, and sons, Calvin and Bradley, for believing in me and encouraging me to keep writing.
Readers of my first novel, for your honest, constructive and positive feedback, which has energised me, as I wrote the sequel.
My beta readers, Lizel du Preez, Genevieve de Carcenac, Nicci Elphinstone and Nishani Singh for their time, patience and rich inputs. You have helped this to become a better novel.
My editor, Colleen Figg, for her guidance and insightful amendments.
Gregg Davies for the typesetting and awesome cover design.
Family, friends and colleagues who unwaveringly showed interest throughout my journey.
God for my talents.
About the Author
David J van der Merwe (writing as David Vander)
Dave was born in the Karoo, South Africa and was raised in Nelspruit.
Dave is married to Esmé and they have two sons, Calvin and Bradley. Their family home is in Cornwall Hill, Pretoria.
Dave has broad and varied interests including, travel, bird watching, photography, camping, spending time in the Kruger National Park, cooking, fly-fishing, reading and playing golf. Dave has been privileged to travel widely around the world which was what first sparked his interest in writing a book. Dave and Esmé also lead a Life Group in his local church and they run a small annual charity event to support underprivileged orphans.
A life-changing moment happened when Dave broke his neck playing rugby in his mid-twenties and narrowly escaped paralysis. This has encouraged him to live life passionately and to always have a positive outlook on life. It has also guided him to his passion to make a difference in the lives of others.
Dave is qualified as a Chartered Accountant, currently working in management consulting. He helps clients solve their business challenges and has a passion for developing the next generation of leaders.
Background to writing The Shudder Lingers:
The Shudder Lingers is the much anticipated sequel to Shudder in the Wall.
The storyline for his first novel, Shudder in the Wall came to Dave in a vivid dream. The dream included the plot, title, location and main characters. A short while after that, Dave saw a video with a key message of “Never regret the things you did not do”.
What has kept Dave writing is seeing how following his passion has encouraged and inspired others to follow their dreams.
His motto for this novel is: “Never underestimate how living your dreams and passion could unlock the potential of others.”
Also by David Vander
Shudder in the Wall
ISBN -13: 978-0-620-78867-0