Carl opens the briefcase and starts to count the money. A lot of two hundred notes are in the briefcase. Gary and Lesley help him while Max stares on. Gary smells the money and winks at Max.

Money always smells like trouble, Max thought.

After they are done counting the money, they see that there are 2 million rands in the case. Max is amazed. He is already starting to make plans for his share. He wants to make sure he will get a big cut.

Carl hands him 50 thousand rands. Max looks at it unpleasantly. He doesn’t want to demand but he will make sure they do the right thing by giving him his rightful amount.

“Add some more,” he says, annoyed.

“You are crazy,” Lesley says, aggressively.

“I am worth more,” Max insists.

Because he doesn’t want any bad blood, Carl grabs another 50 thousand and adds it to Max’s money. Max smiles and puts it in his pocket. Max grins as he walks back home. On his way home, his phone beeps.

Don’t flash your money or u will put us in danger! -Carl

I won’t. -Max

He went inside his room and hid his money between the base and mattress. Joburg has tsotsis, and he knows if he takes it to the bank, the police will suspect him. He has to be careful. He sleeps on his bed dreaming of what he is going to buy.

He wakes up to a vibration on his pillow. It’s a message from Dambuza; he needs to go to the police station. He sighs and writes a text message to Carl.

The police called me in, hope it’s not bad. -Max

Watch what u say and let us know how it goes. -Carl

I will. -Max

He checks the time and it’s already past seven. He starts to feel goosebumps. He doesn’t like the feeling he has.

Maybe it’s his nerves, he thought.

He wears his casual clothes and walks to the station. Upon arrival, he meets his workmates, Thato, Itumeleng, and Lesiba. They sit down on a bench.

“Do you know what it’s about?” Itumeleng asks, curiously.

“No, I don’t. I am clueless, like you,” Max answers, looking at the room.

“I am sure they suspect us, too,” Thato says, touching his chin.

“But Max, I don’t understand why you sent the three of us to the underground floor,” Lesiba sighs.

The three men look at Max as if they are seeking answers. Max looks at them and then gets up. He paces his feet slowly and touches his head. Max is frightened, what if they tell the police and they will interrogate him?

“I can’t believe this you think I set you up!” he hisses.

“Maybe or maybe not,” Lesiba answers gently. “Why didn’t you stay with Thato or Itu?” Lesiba continues.

Lesiba knows he was supposed to go under-ground because he knows a lot about electricity. Commotion begin among them, and Dambuza arrives.

“Yooo, this is not a playground,” he shouts.

They all keep quiet. Max’s body is trembling and he is sure they are going to say he is involved in the stealing of the gem.

“Let’s us go to the investigation room,” Dambuza says.

They follow him into a room with two officers inside. On the table were are plastics with substances inside. Four chairs are opposite the two officers.

“Sit down!” Dambuza says, loudly.

They sit down while Dambuza shows them evidence in plastic. The glove and cigarettes, Max stares in despair because he knows it’s Gary’s; he remembers he smoked the day of the stealing.

“I want to ask if you guys smoke,” he says, showing them ashes and the cigarettes in the plastics.

“Yes,” they all answer.

“Great, then we need you finger prints,” he says, clapping his hands quietly.

“And this glove?” he shows them.

“Not ours,” the three answer, but Max keeps quiet. He stares at the glove again. He gets a feeling that it’s Gary’s glove. Max feel alarmed but quickly looks down.

“And you?” Dambuza asks, looking at Max.

“I never seen that glove before,” he answers, petrified.

Tell us: Do you think the police are starting to suspect Max? Why or why not?