The cold steel of betrayal cut deeper than any weapon.
Victor sat in his office, staring at the reports on his desk. The arrest of Joseph's men had been a turning point, but it wasn't the victory he had hoped for. Kamau, his former right-hand man, the person he had trusted was among them.
Anita paced the room, arms crossed. "We need to talk to Kamau."
Victor exhaled sharply. "He already made his choice."
"Maybe. But why did he turn? That's what we need to know."
Julius stepped in. "We've arranged an interrogation. But there's something else, Governor." He hesitated. "We intercepted a message from Joseph's camp. There's a traitor in your inner circle."
Victor's stomach tightened. "Who?"
Julius shook his head. "We don't know yet. But someone close to you is working with Joseph."
Anita's face darkened. "We need to find out before they strike."
Victor nodded. But deep inside, a cold dread settled over him. Someone had already betrayed him.
The knife was already in the dark, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
---
Victor walked into the dimly lit interrogation room, his pulse steady. Across the table sat Kamau, his wrists bound to the chair. He looked thinner, his once-confident gaze clouded with regret.
Victor pulled out a chair and sat across from him.
Silence stretched between them.
Finally, Kamau spoke, his voice hoarse. "I didn't have a choice."
Victor leaned forward. "You always have a choice."
Kamau swallowed. "Not when they have your family."
Victor froze. "What do you mean?"
Kamau exhaled shakily. "Joseph didn't just threaten me. He threatened my wife. My kids. If I didn't do what he wanted, they were dead."
Victor clenched his fists. He had misjudged Kamau and thought him weak, thought him corrupt. But Joseph had played a much darker game.
"Why didn't you come to me?" Victor asked.
Kamau let out a bitter laugh. "You don't understand, do you? Joseph doesn't make threats. He makes examples. If I had run to you, I'd be dead, and my family would have disappeared."
Victor sat back, mind racing.
Joseph's grip on the county was more sinister than he had realized. He wasn't just buying people's loyalty, he was forcing it.
But there was something else. Something Kamau wasn't saying.
Victor narrowed his eyes. "Who else is working for Joseph?"
Kamau hesitated. Then, slowly, he whispered, "Someone close to you."
Victor's breath hitched. "Who?"
Kamau opened his mouth...
And then, the lights went out.
A gunshot rang through the room.
Chaos erupted.
Victor hit the ground as Julius's voice shouted orders. The emergency lights flickered on, casting a dull red glow over the scene.
Kamau slumped forward, blood pooling beneath him.
Victor's heart pounded. The traitor had just silenced Kamau.
And they were still out there.
The police swarmed the room, securing the area as Victor stood over Kamau's lifeless body.
Julius knelt beside the fallen man, checking for any signs of life. He looked up, shaking his head. "He's gone."
Anita swore under her breath. "Damn it! He was our only link."
Victor clenched his jaw. "No. He gave us something before he died."
Julius frowned. "What?"
Victor turned to him. "The traitor is someone close to me. Someone in this very office."
Silence fell over the room.
Anita's expression was unreadable. Julius's jaw tightened. The officers around them shifted uncomfortably.
No one could be trusted.
Victor exhaled. "We do this smart. No accusations. No sudden moves. We watch, we wait, and when the traitor slips up, we take them down."
Julius nodded. "Agreed."
Anita, however, remained quiet. Her arms were crossed, her gaze distant.
Victor watched her for a moment before looking away. He couldn't afford paranoia. Not yet.
But Kamau's death had changed everything.
Joseph was winning.
And if Victor didn't uncover the traitor soon, he would be next.
---