Capital Crime

Capital crime episode 2

Capital Crime
EPISODE TWO
JERRY
Abuja always comes alive when one enters the capital and drives for almost ten minutes from the Nnamdi Azikiwe airport.
As one drives towards the Central area of the city’s major councils, the awakened city , coated by a large cloak of the 400meter high Aso Rock, welcomes any first timer with open arms. Incredibly one feels the open embrace in the air as the city , literally , always comes alive.
The expression on Ife’s face was a living proof. But I was born here. A long time ago. I can barely recall my way around the city , except for the little town of Old Karimo where I grew up. Maybe I’d visit someday, later in the future.
And everything seemed to have changed rapidly. So fast indeed.
As we arrived the three arms-zone from the back of the the Secretariat complex, overlooking the gigantic Eagles square , the environment became serene. Too serene Infact that everyone realized it had been quite a long ride.
A road block was mounted ahead. Able-bodied agents, D.S.S , the Police and a handful of Army staff. I looked at my girlfriend. She was anxious this time around. It occured to me, like like it did her that the ASO Villa was a den of tigers.
A police officer str-de towards the entourage of four Lexus Jeep. Each bullet proofed and tinted. The first Jeep’s glass wound down and the driver shook hands with the officer. He walked to the car carrying us. The electric zipping sound of the windows caught Ife’s fancy as they came down. She smiled.
I glanced away from her direction and towards the window.
“ Chun sir!!! The officer bellowed his lungs out. He saluted and some officers around immediately stood at attention.
“ At ease” Matthew replied.
I took note of an officer who stared at me after the display. At first I ignored him, but had to return the stare as his eyes fixed on me like he had seen a ghost or something.
The smile on my face disappeared instantly.
(Wtf! Who looks at strangers in that manner. Oga your eye no dae fear me. I dae fear you? Yes you, I dae fear you?) Take your time, no dae x-ray me light that.
This dialogue went on in my head and I had to keep quiet. I did not know who he was but hopefully, I’d find out soon. To avoid stories that touch.
Anyways, he wore a DSS bullet proofed vest.
“ Open all the gates” came a loud order.
“ Your countenance” Matt began“ it changed when you stared at that man”
He turned back to get a reply from me. The entourage was moving again like a fast millipede.
“ Who is that?
“ Aremu’s new subordinate and friend. He was stationed at the American embassy. The story I told you about”
I remained silent and thought deeply about this.
Ife commented on the quick stop and search at the gates.
“ For a capital, that was easy”
“ Come here alone in a tacky, unkempt dress, an old Burke car, probably on a hot -sunfried afternoon. Then tell them you have an appointment with the POTFRON while , and of course , yeah, sipping a bottle of Scotch whiskey.” Matt paused to laugh “ I swear, your mother will not recognize you when one of those soldiers handle you without pity”
“ What does POTFRON mean? Ife said after a moment of silence. Sadness was written all over her face.
She had not really said much about her mother most times, whenever we discussed and I wondered at this every opportunity I got to do so- like just now.
“ POTFRON means: President of The Federal Republic of Nigeria”. Itoro interluded “ And you still get through only if you lie to them that you are headed to the officers mess- That should gain you entry for sure! Or maybe you were headed to the Senate. No problem.”
“Ooohhh”
In minutes, we arrived the officers mess: A large parking space. There was abundance of food at selected locations and drinks ofcourse.
The cars gained entry past the last gate after our identies were thoroughly scrutinized.
Soldiers littered everywhere. This is so incredible, I must say.
We ventured further towards ASO rock Villa.
“ Are you okay? I asked Ife.
Her mood said it all.
“ I’m fine- just a bit- ” she sighed ” Don’t worry”
I had every reason to. When we alighted from the vehicles at the old ASO council Chambers near the General Staff wing, Infact I began to regret ever wanting to revisit Abuja. After fifteen years and more. What next?
Again, since this journey began, I was clueless like many times before now, and wanted to see how all these plays out.
********
Matt led me to the squared office. The military guard at the door terrified me to say the least. His muscular and gigantic physique made him look like the real replica of the Olumo rock. His head alone look like rocket luncher. Imagine getting a head but from that kind of skull.
Straight OYO. I tried to hold back the laughter. Matt noticed and he asked “ What?
“ Nothing. I’m fine”
I was indeed afraid but there was nothing I hadn’t seen, even worse than hell. Ray had been hell and highwater all in one to me.
Who would have thought that me, Jerry, a criminal would stand before the POTFRON, officially, well not officially dressed, but conditionally a dignified guest.
“ Is this the criminal?” The President asked from her seat.
Matt noded.
Well, my earlier thoughts should be used for a soap opera. Who am I? A Guest? No be only guest , invitee join. I hissed.
soliloqusying, I bit my l-ips and bitterly disappointed at the first statement of the president. Screw her! For thinking so little of me. Screw her back and front. Nonsense!
I nearly said those words out.
★★
BUKOLA
I rose to my feet and walked to the other side where the men stood across my desk. I shook hands with the boy. His grip seemed firm as he was eager to let go off my palm even as fast as he had held them initially.
“ It’s nice meeting you. Personally”
“The pleasure is mine, Madame” He uttered.
I told him to feel free. “ You’re our guest here”
“ Only if you cooperate”
“ I guess so- certainly … indeed your excellency” confusion slapped his tongue.
I then went straight to employ him to help me solve a mystery case that seemed too difficult for us.
Further making him feel important, I told him that I would be recruiting him as a contract agent and hoped he would be very helpful.
Matthew cut in “Absolutely Ma. I have debriefed him on the latest Intel and every vital info he needed to have knowledge about.”
The boy burst into laughter.
“ Why? I asked after a moment of silence and confusion.
“ Pardon me” He continued to laugh then said “ Me? Help you? I’m sor- ” he gasped for air “ I’m sorry …I’m .. I’m sorry. I can’t help you.”
“Help? That’s so funny”
“ What do you mean?- Matt I don’t understand. Did you bring this insolence into my office to mock me? I bypassed my chief of staff, my cabinet and all the executive council members to confide in you. Because I trust you. My security adviser says the D.S.S has been compromised and my vice president is not the best of advisers at this moment… Even your own boss_ Alhassan is unreliable right now.”
“Then what?” I continued in anger, “ You bring this – this non-entity. This fool into my office, only to laugh to my face and conclude he can’t help us ” I paused and then said“ He can’t help me? Did you hear that? Such impertinence in his tone”
“I’m sorry. Your excellency. I didn’t forsee these at all”
I glanced at the boy. I found something interesting about his character. Curious though, but I asked. “ Young man. Do you know that the life of that young lady and those senators are worth more than your pride? Do you?
This time around he payed attention and listened carefully “Are you not afraid of uncertainty. Put it this way” I added “ what if you were in their shoes? And someone who could do something about it, decides not to lift a finger. Probably, you’d be dead by now-‘ And- ”
“ Death! Well , I’m not afraid of death” He cut in “ By facts, I’ve rom-nced her twice and I think her husband the devil- he definitely hates me! ” He was serious with every word“ Worse still , Hell may reject me now, if I ever went back. And I mean that, literally”
Matthew looked sternly at him. And I was marveled too. Awestruck is a fancy word in this context.
“ Jerry, you better learn how to speak in place, you are referring to -”
“ No leave him be” I cut in“ I like his guts. Yet I’m curious. He reminds me of someone I knew a long time ago. A staff under my demolition crew.”
In a bid to make him feel comfortable, I offered them Scotch whiskey. They were not in the mood for parties. I understood. Neither was I, I was just being nice. All politicians do, when they want something from you. And I hoped to get them tipsy too.
“ What’s your father’s name? I probed’ I’m sorry if it’s personal but I’d like to know” I came back after returning the glasses to a desk nearby.
He told me his dad’s name then said “ Is he in trouble too? Sorry you might find it difficult locating him”
Surprise gripped my neck.
I immediately gestured both men to take a seat. They did. Then I followed and probed further.
The boy replied.
“ He is late. He died in a fire”
I felt the young man getting emotional. It was empathy and I knew. Immaturity on my part would be me loosing grip over my emotions. But why this boy? Why him. I knew his dad. And we where close.
“May his soul rest in peace” I replied nevertheless.
Then I said to my own surprise“ I’m sorry for your loss. Yet Mr Osas” my tone increased“ with a single call, I can throw you in jail for life on account of murder and manslaughter. Yes the murder of your uncle’s entire family. It was you right?
“ I was set up” Jerry protested. How’d he had done such? He claimed innocence.
“ Calm down” Mathew admonished, now sitting on the fence in the argument..
“ And trust me, you’ll never see the break of dawn nor the smile of your fiancee nor your family again. Never again_”
“ It’s all lies. Believe me”
“ I read your files. You told the judge that you arrived later at the scene. Someone else had beat you to the task.”
“ Yes”
“ And what about the attempt on my life? Where you not caught at the scene too? Deny that also. Mister man, you’re a potential murderer”
He said“ I-”
He was in the web now. I’d have to enter action with boldness and give him a way out of the dilemma. I went on “ Or I could grant you asylum, immunity and temporally drop all charges against you directly or indirectly. And more.
“ More? How much more?
“ Freedom”
The coin is rolling, choose a side: your pride or your country.
Matt bulged him to comply. “ C’mon. Decide now bro. Let’s do this together. Like old times”
His necklace was captivating.
After a brief silence.
I asked him why he failed to pull the trigger on me when he had the chance. I was told that he hesitated until Ray snatched the sniper away from him.
“ Tell me ” I leaned forward ” why didn’t you do it?
After silence, came the answer “ As a child, I lost my mom to most cruel manner of death. Death by fire. I could not imagine another poor child going through the same fate”
There. I retreated and realised every man has a soft s₱0t. Just find it and you have them in your palms. Yet there was something special about this young man that everyone else in the room if there were more, hopefully , the walls too, they would have seen it also : A golden heart.
I rose to my feet and wished them luck. I walked towards the door and . knocked, my guard came in with two other army staff.
One of them stayed in the office while the rest led my exit.
“ What exactly am I supposed to do?
“ Brainstorm” I replied mindlessly“ we are dealing with criminals here. To beat one. You need two. And I can’t be more happier that I got you and Matthew.”
“ Mmm” Matthew uttered” that’s -”
“ Very Savage. I know ” I said with a smile.“ But it still rhymes. Now back to business”
“ I think you have the wrong man for the job.”
“ No. Matthew trusts you. I don’t want to regret doing same.”
“Use the Military, you will save time and energy” the boy suggested.
“ And who says I can’t use them? I’m the commander in chief of the armed forces. ” I paused then stressed the word “ Armed forces . Which includes you”
“ How is that possible?
“ You were an armed individual , in an org-nization that fought my government. Last year, remember?
I concluded with a sinister smile. This boy must take me for an old fool. Nigga I’ve been in this game since you were a toddler.
“Now get to work and stop asking questions”
★★★
JERRY
After she had left. Matthew Panshark pulled out a file from his bag and dropped Kelly’s picture on the table. I realized, the second time, the first being on the airplane_ that the main victim really looked like my girlfriend. The first time I had been shocked now I was convinced.
“ She is just a good carbon copy ”
“ Yeah! But there are differences. The eyes and a few things..”
I decided I was going to do it after all. Whatever it was that I was here for. Oh fuxck , how the hell did I arrive here? Now I’d have to tell Ife about her doppelganger. Now that’s double fucxks! Oh why do I even have to give a fuxck? People look alike! One in a thousand- there is always a possibility. Damn, I am already giving a hell too many of fucxks.!!!
Tbc

Back to top button
Close

Adblock Detected

We plead you off your AdBlock on this site, as it kills the only source of it income.