Capital crime episode 15

CAPITAL CRIME EPISODE 15
IFE
“ Ife” he said “ Do you wish to be on the run with this young man? It’s obvious you love him. No doubt, and you must tell him everything. Don’t you?
Why the multiple questions ? I just replied hesitantly “ Yes!”
“ Yes to which of my questions? He said Calmly “ Well. Would you want to spend the rest of your life in denial and self pity?
“ Why? I said “ Certainly , I don’t want such a thing”
Matt was satisfied. He shook his head
“ Then talk to him. Talk sense into this young man” He said “ You both are adults. You know the rules of the land and that of mother nature. He needs advice, else he puts himself into alot of trouble.”
“ Surely. He listens to you. Talk to him at your own convenience. Lest I do something I will regret”
Matthew telling me to talk Jerry made me remember how Jerry reacted at the Chapel on Sunday. I told him the bitter truth about my entire family.
When my dad called , he said horrible things about mother’s detoriating condition.
“ I thought you said she was a trader and barely at home” He had ch¡pped in. He was confused. “ So you have been lying to me ?
Jerry had been so mad at me after saying those words.
“ I’m sorry. ” I said “ I tried. Many times to tell you. But I couldn’t. And then Ray had found out somehow. He knew I had lied to you about my background. He threatened to make you go to jail if I ever opened up to you about…about.. It…and …and everything… and an…it at all or didnt keep my distance”
He stared at me that day with a glare in his eyes. That kind of stare that sent shivers down your spine
“Explains why you were avoiding me for some time”
“ You see! ” I continued in a whimpering tone “ He said I was a distraction to you. That you needed to focus on your training and the gang. To become a better version of what you were made for..some…some.. A kind of…leader.. Or something… I cant remember…Is just–”
“ But we are supposed to be a team” Jerry said “ We shouldn’t hide things from each other ”
“ I wanted to tell you ” I finally gave in to tears “ But when I eventually got the chance to….”
“ You waited all these while to tell me ? I cant believe this!
Right there in the chapel after Itoro had left, I went on my knees and pleaded “…I was so ashamed. Which child is ever proud of a mother who is a full time alcoholic and a part time mom?
“ That is not – It’s not fair. There are lots of children out there who would give anything in return for two seconds, just to be with their mothers again. Just two seconds to see her smile and hug her. You dont-”
“Go on. Tell me. Tell me what I don’t know” I began“ I’m sorry you lost yours. But tell me : What more can be worse than one who is alive and quietly killing herself with toxic liquids. A drunkard and good for nothing money squandler. A paranoid individual who thinks everyone and everything is out of the woods to get and harm her.” Tears escaped my eyes now while I said“ Year after year, My dad and I struggled to get her into rehab and to quit, but she would slide back easily into the attitude”
“ The behavior ate deep into her marrows”
He had held my palms “ I never said you were-” he paused. “Get up..Why you kneeling down. Get up my love”
He had paused “ It’s okay. Stop crying. What-” he wiped my tears “ What exactly drove her into the habit?
“She blames father for cheating on her”
Jerry had met my pops, once, when I introduced him to Dad. But he hadn’t met mom.
Daddy said she had gone on a trip to Onitsha international Market “ To buy goods ” he had said. Only to cover up for me.
“ Do you believe he did? Jerry asked.
“ No-oooo ! I…I…He…he… He’d never do such to her.” I said, wiping a tear “ Dad says she hears voices, sees things and over the years I noticed these traits too. Before my younger siblings followed, she would always tell me that my father has another daughter somewhere…” I paused “ She looks exactly like you” Mom would say “And he even collected money from the woman he cheated with. She would add”
“ Hmmm ..Are you sure that– nevermind”
“Jay! Talk to me” I’m I sure that what?
He said “ Are you sure that this Kelly of a girl is not your sister? I’m just saying. But I could be wrong”
I wiped my tears off and said “ I dont know. All I just told you is what I experienced from childhood”
“ Trust me. I’m not judging you” he said to make me feel comfortable.
“ I know. Then , except we are twins , there is no way- …I cant… No… May…maybe…Infact just forget it. No. It’s not possible. My mom has a medical condition called schizophrenia. We noticed it late.”
He chuckled a laughter.
I hit his chest playfully. And snivled. “ Whats funny? Why are laughing at me?
“ Nothing… Just noticed you stammer when you talk fast…”
“ Seriously? ” I squeezed my l-ips“ Im just nervous. Stop making me feel bad. Quit it” I hit his chest again.
“ Alright. Cry cry baby”
“ Stop! ” I hit his chest again.
He drew me into his bossom.
“ Come here. It will be fine soon. I promise”
I told him that momma was on a sick bed. I opted we go see her if that would make him forgive and believe me.
He had said “ We can’t… Not now… I promise this wh0le mess will be over in a day or two and we’ll go wherever you want to.”
I believe him. I love him even more. We are both victims of circ-mstances and we understood each other perfectly. Only sometimes I get afraid of him and what he might do when he is angry.
Matthew brought me back to the present day “ And now you Mr Osas” He said “ You are a mad man. A foolish man”.
Thank God he focused on Jerry. I couldnt bear to start telling him what to do and what not to do.
MATT
I paced up and down, took quick glances at the boy. My fist was clenched, made motions to throw punches. I held myself after the third attempt.
“ You are very stupid” I said “ Osas, you are a deranged individual”
“ This was not the initial modus operandi” The boy said.
His arm gestured in,side the cuffs. “ Nobody said anything about a drone pilot. Who is a f-cking Android!”
I cursed him and told him that it was not enough reason to decide when to back out.
“ I get to decide. I invited you into all these. This case is mine. Not yours”
The boy had a thought in head as if I knew he was going to spill it anytime soon, he eventually did. He let it out impatiently :“ Then go solve it yourself and let me out of this damn place”
My fist banged the table. “ Don’t even think for a second that you can cower out and run”
“What else are you good at? Asides being a fugitive? Huh?”
I continued and endlessly went on to give the young chap , one thousand and one reasons why he should be a man and gidi up to responsibility. For the greater good.
“ You just wanted to bolt for it! Put Ife’s life in complexity” I said and pointed at her “ This young girl has been loyal to you. And you decide to put a tag on her head. A criminal tag like yours.” I nailed my point “ You are the biggest fool ever”
“I may not be your father” I paused “ Neither am I your brother. But believe me as a friend, if you truly love and care for her, then there are times when you should reconsider and play your cards smartly”
“ I’m not done”
The boy opened his mouth to utter a word or two.
“ And tomorrow maybe, when I’m gone or no more, my spirit will be at peace that I fought so hærd to prevent a talent as great as yours to go down the drain.
A wasted effort, it would have been that you spend the rest of your life watching over your back. Running from your past. Or worse, behind huge metal bars.Take my advise and plan your life”
The boy replied and told me that there are times too when you have to run and live to fight another day. “ You heard the white haired man, in a blink , ASO Villa could be laid into a wasteland”
“ And you wanted to leave me here?I asked “ in this den of tigers . To return burnt by a fire I didn’t start? ”
“ Neither did Ife” Jerry said “ I would never forgive myself if she _ “ He paused and sniveled. “ I brought her here_”
“ Quiet! ”
“Sometimes I look at you and I wonder how you are even twenty-one years old. ”
“ She has no part in all this” He shook his head afterwards and returned his gaze at me “ I had to take her out of here. Her family. Her mom-”
“ Jay!! Don’t .” Ife cut in “ It’s okay. Thats enough baby. It’s okay”
He kept mute.
At that instance, I understood what was happening. I know how much he cared for her. I knew, I had cared for someone like that too. In the past and that was a very long time ago.
“ Get those chains off him, Itoro” I said.
“ And you Jerry, give him your necklace”
“ Why ?
“ Don’t worry. You will get it back. Soon. And know this fact: ” I said “ No one is dying in the capital, not under my watch. No even off it! We can do this. Together. Just believe.”
“ Come on Ife! ” I said “ We are done here. Itoro will take you back to the Emerge-room 001. You will be safer there. Then Itoro ”I continued “ Meet us at the holding room 004. ”
The boy asked what was up“ What/ who is in holding room 004?
“ Aremu Johnson . I need to talk to him. ” I began “ After which we are going to Benin City. To White house corrections center. On a new mission. Come”
** ** ** ** **
I had convinced the president to reconsider her decision earlier, about Raymond.
I had begged her to understand. I had seen her before lashing out on Jerry.
She had however agreed after much persuasion.
Yet there was a big problem somewhere. The task was not an easy one.
“ I cannot just have him released like that.” She said “ I’m under alot of criticism right now. More people will ask questions and the tally will increase. Don’t forget my party members, the Senate president, my party leaders, the press, the masses, and even my poke nosy vice president. The list is endless”
She was worried.
“ I perfectly understand”I said to her in the lobby “ It’s not even easy, considering the attempt he made on your life”
“ Exactly! My point” She was grateful I took her side on this one.
Bukky Alakara had crossed her palms. She said “ Then what do you suggest?
“I have a plan.”
I thanked her for the privilege and told her my intentions. It was a risky and deadly plan. I hoped it would succeed and the president reluctantly granted me a go- ahead.
I would soon do it, but I needed to see Aremu. I wanted the truth from him like my life depended on it.
 
Tbc