Pouring on the flames

Anita strolled through the opulent halls of the Lavington Heights estate, her heels clicking softly against polished marble. She moved with purpose, her tailored suit and confident demeanor commanding respect. Her reputation as a perfectionist preceded her, and every guard under her command felt the weight of her scrutiny.

This auction was her brainchild—a showcase of rare artifacts, fine jewelry, and cutting-edge collectibles. The clientele was elite, and the stakes were high. Nothing could go wrong, not with her reputation—and a hefty payout—on the line. “Double-check entry protocols,” Anita ordered, her tone sharp as a blade. She turned to the head of security, who stood at attention. “No one gets in without clearance. And the vault—”

“Triple-locked,” the head of security assured her. “Biometric, code, and keycard. No one’s getting near it.”

“Good,” Anita replied, her lips curling into a satisfied smile.

Anita’s eyes narrowed as she surveyed the final security drills. Her mind raced through every potential threat, every angle an infiltrator might exploit. If anyone dared to cross her, they’d find her waiting—ten steps ahead.

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At the safe house, the group gathered around a map sprawled across the table. Zuri’s fingers traced a route to a high-end electronics store in Kilimani. “This is the test,” she said firmly. “A controlled job to see if they’re ready. In and out, easy.”

“We’ll handle recon at Lavington Heights,” Musa said. “Shiko, you’re in charge here. Make sure they follow the plan. We need more comms and equipments for the job, so prioritize those.”

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Later on, Shiko spoke to the groups “Listen up. The goal is clean and quiet, no alarms, no attention. Ali, you handle the security. Juma, recon. Kendi, keep tabs on the guards and intervene if necessary. Contact through phones and earbuds. Let’s move.”

At midnight, the team approached the target. Ali crouched by the store’s back entrance, his laptop glowing softly in the dark. His fingers flew across the keyboard. 

“I’m in,” he whispered through the phone. “Security cameras are looping.”

Juma, perched on a nearby rooftop, scanning the area with his keen eyes. “No patrols,” he murmured, then paused. “Wait, there’s a street vendor loitering near the front. Kendi, you’re up.”

Kendi adjusted her scarf and strolled toward the vendor, her movements casual. She launched into a lively conversation. She laughed loudly, gesturing animatedly as she bought a handful of roasted maize.

Inside, Brayo and Sifa moved swiftly through the aisles, loading backpacks with high-end gadgets. “Five minutes,” Ali warned. “Security’s system does a self-check every ten.”

As they moved toward the exit, Sifa spotted a faint gleam of a motion sensor that Ali had missed. She signaled for Brayo to stop and gestured to Juma, who relayed the issue to Ali.

“Give me a second,” Ali muttered, his fingers racing across the keyboard. The sensor blinked and went inactive.

“We’re clear,” Juma confirmed. The team slipped out, their backpacks full and regrouped at the safe house.

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Elsewhere, the trio prowled the streets around Lavington Heights, their sharp eyes taking in every detail of the estate’s exterior. Uniformed guards patrolled in tight formations, their movements precise. Cameras panned methodically, covering every blind spot.

“This place is a fortress,” JC muttered.

Zuri’s phone buzzed. “He’s in the back,” she said. “Let’s go.”

They slipped into the shadows, weaving through alleyways until they reached a secluded corner. Waiting for them was Kali, a lean figure with a watchful gaze.

“Zuri, Musa and JC,” Kali greeted, nodding.

“What’s the situation?” Zuri asked.

Kali hesitated, his jaw tightening. “The event’s in two days. Security’s tighter than ever. And…Anita’s in charge.

The air grew tense.

“Anita?” Zuri’s voice was sharp. “I thought Lango Security handled this event.”

“They did, until they let a shipment of electronics get stolen,” Kali explained. “Anita replaced them as head of security.”

“Guess we shot ourselves on that one, huh” JC laughed.

“I had a feeling you were involved,” Kali said laughing.

“Since when did Anita start running security?” Musa asked, his voice calm but firm.

“I don’t know, maybe recently. It’s a new company.” Kali said. “I think you should let this one go, find another target.”

Zuri’s lips curled into a smile, but her eyes burned with determination “Nah, this is perfect. We know her weaknesses, and we’ll adjust the plan.”

Kali frowned. “She taught you everything, Zuri. She’ll see you coming. She’s playing a different game now—one you might not win.”

Zuri stepped closer, her gaze steady. “And I taught her a few things too. Don’t count us out, Kali.”

Kali sighed. “Just be careful. She’s not the same Anita you knew.”

As they turned to leave, JC chuckled. “Going after the queen herself. This’ll be fun.”

Zuri glanced back. “It was good to see you, Kali. Don’t worry—we’ve got this.”

The lights of Lavington Heights glimmered in the distance—a challenge, a prize, and a battlefield waiting for the bold.