Trackers by Deon Meyer Read Free Book Online Page B

turnover
is generally over sixty per cent down, he is battling at the moment. Three: he
is a militant Muslim from Oman, currently the new and greatest growth point for
al-Qaeda. And four: Macki has a soft spot for al-Qaeda. His success, his wealth
und his support have given him prominence in those circles. Prominence that he
badly wants to regain.'
    Quinn gave Mentz
a chance to take it all in.
    'The main intrigue of our drama is Chitepo's desire to sell
diamonds, and Macki's view that the little stones belong to him, or that he has
at least a fifty per cent share in them, according to the original agreement.
Somehow or other, Macki heard of Chitepo's plans, and he is determined to
intercept the booty. The so-called "shipment". His problem is that he
no longer has friends in Zimbabwe, and he is sitting in Oman. So, what can he
do? His only recourse is to talk to his contacts closest to the action, his
Muslim brothers.'
    'The Supreme Committee,' said Janina Mentz.
    'Here in the fairest Cape,' said Advocate Tau Masilo.
    'Exactly,' said Quinn. 'That is why Macki called the first
supporting actor on the stage. Suleiman Dolly, Chairman of the Supreme
Committee.'
    'The call that our mole, Ismail Mohammed overheard.'
    'That's right. Macki knew Dolly and the Supreme Committee
needed funds urgently for the project they are working on.'
    'The local project, which according to Ismail Mohammed is the
smuggling in of weapons.'
    'And now, the entrance of our second supporting actor, Julius
"Inkunzi" Shabangu. My gut feeling is that Macki recommended
Shabangu. Remember, Macki is a money launderer. Through the Mozambican car
syndicates he would be at least aware of Shabangu, but more likely he has done
business with him directly already ...'
    'We also know,' said Tau Masilo, 'that Inkunzi Shabangu has a
lot of Zimbabweans working for him in Gauteng. Car hijackers.'
    'Exactly,' Quinn agreed. 'And according to the Scorpions'
dossiers he is also suspected of supplying false passports to Zimbabweans and
Nigerians. So he will have good contacts in Harare ... In any case, when Macki
talked to Suleiman Dolly, ten to one he recommended Inkunzi as a possible
partner in the whole scheme. And Dolly sent one of his Supreme Committee
members to consult with Inkunzi. Osman, in the guest house in Johannesburg.
Inkunzi will be keen to keep Macki happy, but above all he is a businessman. He
will take a percentage of every transaction. Osman's suggestion of a
cooperation was entirely acceptable to him.'
    'Mmm,' said Janina Mentz.
    'Inkunzi and his strange new associate, the Supreme
Committee, want to intercept Chitepo's new parcel of diamonds,' Tau Masilo
said.
    'The shipment,' said Quinn.
    'And Inkunzi has to find out which route it will take. Which South
Africans are involved.'
    Both men looked at the Director. She pushed up her spectacles
and stood up.
    'I think this will make a very interesting report,' said Tau
Masilo. 'For the President.'
    Mentz took her time. The men waited in suspense. 'You are making
one cardinal error,' said Mentz. 'Allocating roles. The report will be a
failure if you present Chitepo and Macki as lead actors.'
    Advocate
Tau Masilo was quick to understand. 'For our purposes the main role will be
played by the Supreme Committee and their weapons deal.'

10
    7
September 2009. Monday.
    Milla was dressed in her black dress and boots, with the
short blue denim jacket. She felt comfortable, as though she were developing a style,
the working woman adapted to the informality of the Report Squad. She sat
behind her computer at a quarter to nine, reading her first News This Week, the titbits from Limpopo and
Mpumalanga. There was an air of expectation in the office. Theunie, one of the
two bald men who were both very comfortable with the respectful Afrikaans
address form of 'Oom', had said there was Something Big brewing, because
Bigfoot had summoned Mother, a definite omen.
    Oom Theunie and his nicknames. 'Mother' was Mrs Killian,
'Bigfoot'