Chapter 6: Naledi's File
Rain started falling in light drops, but it didn't stop Kgosi from walking straight to the abandoned storeroom behind the old school hall. That's where Naledi said to meet. Not the library. Not the lab. Here. Away from cameras, teachers, and ears.
He pushed open the rusty door.
Inside, Naledi stood waiting — hoodie on, arms folded, schoolbag at her feet. No jokes. No small talk.
"I found something in my mom's archives," she said. "From the year your father died."
Kgosi nodded. "What is it?"
Naledi knelt and unzipped her bag, pulling out a thick brown folder, wrapped in plastic. It had a police case number scribbled across the front: Case 237/REDWIRE/2022.
She handed it to Kgosi. "Read."
He sat down on an old chair as she stood watch. Lightning flashed in the distance.
Inside the file were surveillance photos, printed emails, and handwritten notes. One headline stood out:
"Top Mamelodi Taxi Boss Dies in Suspicious Crash — Police Say Brakes Were Cut."
Kgosi's heart sank. So it wasn't an accident. The rumours had been true.
There were other notes, too.
> "Molefe Sr. suspected of hiding ledger." "Red Wire informant confirmed: Principal Mokoena accepted payout after Bra T-Man's death." "Radebe protected by Molefe during 2020 clean-up." "Security guard Ngwenya: missing Red Wire enforcer, formerly known as 'Sniper.'"
Kgosi's eyes widened.
"Wait... Principal Mokoena took a bribe?" he asked.
Naledi's face tightened. "I didn't want to believe it. But... I think that's why my mom left the force. She was onto something. Something big."
---
Flashback – Naledi's House, Two Years Ago
Naledi's mom stood in the hallway, voice low, trembling.
"This school is more than just books and kids. There are killers hiding in uniforms. If anything ever happens to me... go to Kgosi. The truth lives in his bloodline."
Back then, Naledi didn't understand. Now she did.
---
Back to Present
Kgosi flipped to the last page of the file.
It was a map. A layout of the school grounds — but marked with red Xs: storerooms, gutters, supply closets.
"What's this?" he asked.
Naledi pointed. "Possible stash spots. The SAPS thought Red Wire might've hidden money or weapons in the school itself."
Kgosi stood up, thinking fast. "If that ledger is still here, it could expose everyone. The principal. Ngwenya. Maybe even Tebza."
Naledi looked him dead in the eye. "Which means if they think you're close... you're next."
Lightning flashed again, and this time it felt like a warning.
---
That Night – Kgosi's Room
He lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, the folder hidden under his pillow. His burner phone buzzed again.
Unknown Number:
You're reading things that'll get you buried like your dad. Stop digging.
Then another message.
Unknown Number:
Tell Naledi her mom was a traitor. And she's next.
Kgosi sat up straight, sweat cold on his back.
He reached for the burner and replied:
You want war? Come to school tomorrow. I'll be waiting.
Because loyalty may be expensive in the kasi...
But betrayal?
That's paid for in blood.