Capital crime episode 11

CAPITAL CRIME EPISODE 11
JERRY
Eyes were prying. Some seemed to be fascinated as to why I was in their Rapid Response Mission (R²Mix). It was strictly for the cops and in this super extreme and co-vert case- the department of State security. Not me. (For Pete’s white ass sake, not him: a criminal?! Or once a criminal according to Matthew.)
I wore my gear. Made sure my bullet proof vest fitted nicely, absolutely sure too that my magazines were loaded, that they weren’t blank . Oh yes! Bundugles!! Bleep!!!
“ First time on a raid? A voice asked me.
It was the same man I encountered the other day at the entrance to the Villa. He was seated at the far right of the rowed bench.
“ Not exactly”
“I know you’re good at this.pishhh– vooom__ pah pah. War start . Boom bara boom” the man played around“ only that you probably were on the wrong side of the teams: the nuisances- and we the good guys always burst your condemned asses”
Everyone in the room gave into a loud burst of laughter.
“No bad vibes bro” The man continued“ I’m Rumeh – Rumeh Kadiri by the way. Welcome to the crew, bro.”
I kept my cool, sighed, c*cked and turned off the auto fire, gas powered switch of the .21 calibre rifle which I held.
I told him that he had a loud mouth . That he talked too much . I said it was clear that his mum had a very wide vag-na that when she stretched and shit Rumeh into this stupid world, the effect of the wide space affected his brains and mouth. In my mind I’m like *Oga las las I no dae fear you o!*
“ … It obviously made you have a loud mouth and brain filled with nothing but air. Keep up with the rubbish talk and maybe next Christmas, you might get free brains from Jumia Black Friday. Heard of it? Huh? It’s a price slash day ‘
“ Wuuuuuohh! Echoed the room.
Rumeh fumed and abruptly stood up to the charge. I jolted to my feet and my finger located the rifle’s trigger. Gun in position and eyes red with anger. Rumeh had failed to get his weapon while charging.
“ One more step or even a stroke of muscle twitching. I’ll send you back to that embassy post you held or that slimy h0le you crawled out from ‘
The tip of the gun anchored below Rumeh’s balls. Down there. Fuvck shit!
Rumeh became enraged. Right arm clenched tightly into a fist. Everyone was silent and groped in anticipation of a brawl until Matthew entered the armory. He was flanked on the left by Itoro. Matt sliced through our middle.
“ Enough!!! He ordered” I need a united house”
“ Now everyone get back to tying your puny boot laces and tie them the proper way your grandmas taught you…one more trouble making and you will answer direct questions from me. And I know how to ask them. Alot of them.“ Mr Man” he continued“ drop your weapon or I bet you, this will be the last you ever wield any”
I retreated.
Mathew Panshark turned to Rumeh“ And you are so dumb to even notice your opponent has an empty clip”
“ Lesson learned,” Rumeh uttered“ sir!”
Matt produced a loaded magazine from his pockets. “ I had a feeling that something funny would happen. And it did. All those muscles and yet no brains. That’s how you all die in combat. All of you” . Everyone laughing immediately kept mute at the last word “ all of you ” he repeated.
Mr Matt turned towards my direction and dragged me to a corner of the Armory.
“ If you are going to kill someone. I’d prefer you start with the kidnappers. And here, take this” he gave me the clip “I trust you, but you have to earn that of my men. Start by not killing any of them. Understood?
I nodded
“And I mean it.”
“ But the fool started the quarrel”
“ I know . Do all you can to avoid him. I told you he is A.J’s new friend. The two are strangely close and Aremu’s never too close with anybody. I wonder.”
Matt stopped to ponder on his own words. Why did I feel something was amiss too?
*****
“ Okay” I brought him back to the conversation.
“ Okay. Itoro says Ife is at the residential apartments. Guarded. She will be fine. Okay!
“okay ” I replied.
“ Quit the stupid ‘ okays’ already” Matt said irritatingly.
He returned to the others.
“ Everybody listen up.”
***********
He told them that this would be a lightweight tact-team ops.At this, I gave a sour grin. The last time someone mentioned “ light operation” I ended up in the nets of the police as a criminal. Who knows what will happen this time around. Maybe a bowl of meat in the hands of terrorists. Who knows?
Matt continued. He said the guest house is on Maitama area- local police patrol had s₱0tted her vehicle somewhere around town- a secluded environment and their objective is to infiltrate, recover and exit without the most casualities.
“ Remember, this lady, Stella Chaltone of The U.S embassy and her supposed partners- how many they are – are prime suspects and presumed armed and dangerous. Proceed with caution”.
“ We will go in teams: Cradle , Scorpion, Lion, Fox and Eagle.”
“ I’ll lead the Eagle team. Rumeh leads the scorpion team and Garba, Ahmed, Kelechi, Yetunde, Tahiru?
The men stood attentively.
“ The five of you will join the team fox led by Jerry Osas. The rest of you, group in formations according to rank and skills. Understood? He bellowed while talking fast as he always did when he is serious.
“ Yes sir!
“ Anybody with an issue? ” He continued “ I’ll be more than glad to discuss it over your letter of dismissal. In plain English: your sack letter”
Itoro chuckled from behind.
“ And that includes you” Matt turned toward him “ Everyone of you”
He kept quiet, then said “ if I may sir?”.
“ Not now. Quiet! ” Matt interrupted“ I’m trying to talk here”
“ We have one hour! The clock starts…now. Get your lazy asses up and into those vans. Its time for hunting. Quickly! Go! Go!!
I looked at his watch: it said eight twenty_eight am.It was a Monday morning. I was dragged behind from the pack as I made a move.
“ Becareful! Don’t try anything funny. I seriously mean it. Just play it cool”
I shook my head in approval to Matthew’s advice.
“ Permit me to speak up sir” Itoro asked Matthew“ there is something I’d like-”
“ Save it. I can’t have you liking anything now” Matt cut in, c*cked his rifle“ This is time for work, not the time for what you like or dislike. Do me a favor and check in with the Watchtower- the coms Dept and make sure everything is fine back there. Then get back to the workstation and wrap your hands around that tape. Find the mystery identity behind that footage.
“ Okay sir. But there is something you-”
“ Wait till am back”
I overheard both men and I wondered why Mathew Panshark wouldn’t give the young man an audience. He left the Amory. At a right turn, I held Itoro Abasi’s forearm.
“ Tell me. What up? Are we walking into some kind of trap?
“ No! Why? Itoro said, puzzled.
“ Why what?
“ Why would you think so?
“ I don’t know. I guess I’m not yet comfortable with all these”
“ Don’t worry. You will be fine. It’s something else”.
“ Tell me” I asked.
“ You will find out soon”
Itoro added “ Good luck Mr Osas. I’ll see you when you return. Will I?
“ Sure- ofcourse” I scoffed“ why wouldn’t you. That’s a funny way of telling me R.I.P”
Itoro shuddered and smiled before turning to leave. I stood there, until Itoro’s voice called out.
‘ Are you coming. Or not?
“ Sure. Lets go.” I said grabbing my armour.
MATTHEW
The armoured Vans labeled “ Black Marshalls’ left the ASO Villa. Loaded with personnel- the two vehicles_ left through the far north gate, drove through Shehu Shagari way and then into Maitama area of Abuja. All through the ride no one spoke a word. After ten minutes of a silent drive, our Vans came to screeching halts. The impact threw us into a jolt. An Honda evil spirit( 2019 model) car had rode right in between the van and another vehicle up front. It came from the right side of the road and at an angle of 90° T junction.
A blockade.
“ We have company!” I said through the intercoms. “Heads up!”
Every one got ready for engagement and I could hear guns c*cking from the speaker. An armed personnel alighted the Honda. His almost tanned pale-brown face revealed how many summers he must have spent in the West Africa. That and two flight sessions in the heart of Afghanistan; then one in South Sudan. He was really a veteran in the art of combat and I recognized him because he told me all these himself.
The shades he wore did little or less at preventing the visible effects of the sun on him. He was a rough diamond. Two more men alighted after him. Both fully armed to the teeth.
“ Stand down, Everyone. Friendlies. They are Americans . Stay in position”
The street swarmed with civilians and on-lookers who were initially perturbed at the sudden hold up. Cars honked left and right. Nigerians are really impatient. Im one of them and I wantd to get out of this traffic as son as possbile, I walked to the vehicle and asked the U.S soldier why he had caused the hold-up
“Nice to meet you again Matthew” The man replied instead.
“ Same here. Gerrard!. I almost ran into your vehicle. You are obstructing an Operation. Get away from this place, Now! ”
“ Too bad I am. Too good I am. Anyway , Im under orders to protect the interests of UN citizens. And that includes suspected criminals until they are so tried and proven guilty on home soil. Americans precisely, by American laws and nothing else.”
“ So you will stop my mission?
“ Would love to” Gerrard said“ yet today. I’m just here to make sure another American citizen does not go missing on your government’s watch”
“ That’s a foul and strong allegation. She is a suspect. You know”
“ Aren’t we all, eh?
“ Who is calling the shots?
“ I am. Working under orders from the Ambassador”
“ Fine. Welcome aboard. Besides, three senators of my country are missing too. Help me find them“
“ Shall we? Gerrard said.
The U.S soldiers joined the party and increased the number of men to two dozens and four armed personnel.
Seven minutes later, we arrived the Motel and surrounded the perimeters of the compound. Two teams went right, one team left and the ad-hoc team of Gerard Finder joined mine and Jerry’ s team as we made formations at the entrance.
The time was : eight fifty-seven am.
With signals, I ordered my team to breach. There was no need. The gates were left ajar. The compound was dead with silence. A car was parked outside. Stella’s car. She was here, no doubt.
“ Team Fox take the left wing. Gerrard, on me”. I said waving two fingers in the air.