Chapter 386: Wednesday. Johannesburg, South Africa.

LUKE NODORF STALKED around his desk. The office was too small. He was too far up to pace out to the street and take a walk. Times like these, he missed the little home he'd grown up in. He'd been something of an anomaly in those days, a white boy in the ghetto, but it was the best his family could afford. Even now he'd buy his parents a real home if they'd let him, but they just turned their nose up whenever he offered to help.

The simple fact was that Luke didn't need them anymore. He'd offered out of respect. If his parents wanted to ride their high horse into the grave, so be it. That was their dying wish.

Luke had bigger problems to worry about. Like the National Council of Provinces.

Two more of his loyal men were out. This was after nearly a dozen representatives Luke had counted on lost their elections. At this point there were less than twenty-four sitting representatives for him to ply with cash and promises to sway votes his way.

And what a time to be on the outs with so