Capital crime episode 9

Capital CRIME Episode 9
KELLY GREEN
My feet tried their best to keep up with my laziness. I dragged along but they continued. I felt the breeze touch my skin and sweat pores on my neck became ventilated. A leaf glazed my neckline when it fell nearby and with it went a droplet of sweat. It was obvious the previous night’s weather had really fuvked the tree branches- so fuvked them that they started to shed. I felt strong arms grabbing me on both hands. They pulled me along, both palms tied together. The pain in my head tinged and I was blindfolded. I heard loud talks, moving trucks or cars. The voices again: male, razzed and drunken. A few, arrogantly loud; lullabies from tree tops, sparrows maybe, then a consistent pecking sound: definitely a wood pecker. This is a forest, no doubt. The birds came again, disturbed melodies trying to warn me of the dangers ahead. With my eyes covered, my other senses became useful.
“ Sit her down” A familiar voice ordered when we arrived our destination. My captors brought me into a shaded, wind blocked room.
The pain in my skull riveted. I shivered all through the night. This morning, before I could regain consciousness and recall where I was , two hefty men came, whisking me out of the dark room.
An arm tapped my shoulders. It pushed me down. The cold metal chair k-ssed my jeans and the latter carresed my bum in effect, transferring cold shivers up my neuropathic sensors. They travelled all the way up my spine.
“ Take off the fold”
It came off. I blinked and immediately shut them close. My eyes gradually accommodated the rays of light as I twinkled. I was brought into a tent. A well equipped one for that fact.
Seth offered me a glass of milk and seven loaves of bread. “ You should eat! You need the strength” his deep voice came again.“ Go on. Eat!”
Denial. Deep thoughts. I refused. My muscles ached.
“I’m sorry about last night” Seth apologized and returned the tray to a table nearby. He took pain killers and some antibiotics. He provided a glass of water too.
With hesitatation, I replied“ I don’t need your hospitality”
“ Kelly, take the meds. Your aches and pains will sublime. Vincent’s blow messed you up pretty bad. The pistol gave you a concoction but thank Heavens you are not damaged. ” He paused hoping I’d reconsider ‘ I need your brains. Intact, I mean”
“ Whatever happened to the official miss Kelly?
I said with shock and terror, all induced with a feeling of uncertainty.
A sour grin grew on his cheek. ” Special occasions call for special utterances. Now take the meds and stop being a sissy” His voice became deeper.
I obeyed.
He offered bread which I declined. He took a bite as if to assure me it’s not poisoned. I took it from him. Not out of trust but because my intestines were burning with wild hunger.
“ I’m not interested in killing you. At least not yet. ” He said again.
“ You are of no use to me dead , now!
He had changed his dress into a combatant ready apparel. He seemed ready for a war. I shrugged the idea off my mind. Another man brought in the briefcase. My eyes rested on the silver piece of box on top the table. I turned backwards when someone entered the tent. He had parked one of the cars outside. Probably one of the cars they used last night. Concentration became vital. This was getting serious.
My eyes trailed Vincent when he walked in. I didn’t take note of Seth who had pulled up a chair opposite. My hatred for everyone in the room grew intense. Then my mind travelled back to the incident on the airplane just before my capture.
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“ What do you want? Out of fear , my voice had began to fade.
I’d almost spilled my heart out. My blood vessels pumped up and turned virtually greenish-red with fear. These were terrorists, I needn’t a soothsayer to confirm it.
“Nothing we can’t have if we want to ” Seth had replied “ Get up ! I said up!
This order, I obeyed. Seth grabbed the case from the table. He took out a serum and syringe from the bag his subordinates had. He drained the serum and the vial shattered as it k-ssed the cabin floor. In seconds he stabbed the syringe deep into his veins. He had taken off his suit, so swiftly that one hærdly noticed untill now.Like loyal sheep blindly led to Utopia, the four agents followed his footsteps and did exactly the same. Only God knows what the content of that vial was. Nevertheless, his eyes were entirely monstrous in color. At that moment, just then, a wicked smile grew on his face.
He walked up to a means of communication strapped to a wall. He pressed a button clip while focusing on his preys- me and the senators ofcourse.
“ Move to that side” he gestured toward me“ I said move. Join them. The four of you. Up !! I mean stand up. Don’t you just sit there– get up-! Now!!
He focused on the phone (intercom) “ Vincent ! Open the shaft! It’s time and get your ass down here”
“ Yes boss” a voice replied from the other end.
Seth sat down and opened the briefcase. The AIO came alive.
He forced my thumb on the screen. I resisted. He got what he wanted. Then he typed in the codes. They were wrong. How grateful i felt that i had changed them just before we left the hotel. Next time, when I get a feeling in my gut, no excuses, just gonna do it right away. Geez thank goodness. I thought.
“ The password, please’ He asked with confusion “ You changed them. Fuvck! ” He yelled.
This made me jerk but I kept mute literally.
He prolly understood my fears. He banged it close. He grabbed a parachute. Tossed them to me and I caught them in mid air, to avoid their impact on my face.
“ What are these for? I asked.
“ You are coming with me” He replied “ Smart girl , you just bought yourself more time.”
“ Please spare my life’ Senator Preye began. He was the third of them” How much do you want? 10 million , 80? 500 million? Name your price. Just name it. I can have it wired to any offshore account of your choice. Any- any where , even in heaven. I have a wife and children, please. I do- I don’t , I don’t want to die. They – they will suffer. They will suffer o. My kids will suffer o.”
Seth smiled.
“ I can’t believe he said even in heaven” Seth cajoled him “ You think it’s all about the money? You think this is about half the money you loot and spend anyhow’
“Please. What do you want? A contract? What is this all about? You want girls or even a jet like this one?
Seth eyes popped. The man was on his knees already pleading and sweating. “ You can give me those too?
The man nodded.
“ How kind . ” Seth said “ well I do not need your money or girls or even a jet. Not even in hell, sir ”
“What? Why ? Please nah” The senator became desperate. I guesed it from his tone.
Seth said “ really” he chuckled and added“ are you begging?
He turned to his men, one understood. “Not this time. Can you imagine? Corruption at it’s peak” He continued with a smile still looking at his man who had been laughing too.The man collected the briefcase and along with two others, he made way to the rear of the plane. The shaft was already opened. Seth turned and in a blink, a gunshot followed. At the end of the action was a dead senator Preye.
“All I want is your f-cking miserable life! Seth retorted in anger. At the second bang, the remaining among us nearly gave up our ghosts. Particularly, myself.
“ You both are coming with me too” He pointed at Danladi and Tamuno“ Or do you have a better offer than him?
He waved at the dead body “On Earth maybe?”
They nodded sideways in unison.
“ Let me have that ring of yours. I like it” Seth told Tamuno. The man quickly pulled and gave it to him. “ Oh this is nice. Really nice. Thank you sir”
“ No problem at, I’m glad you like it …sir” Tamuno said with a forced smile .
“ Oh sure I do…Sir”
When Vincent arrived , he was given a serum . He was the co- pilot of the plane.
“ Did you take care of him? Seth asked.
“ Sure boss I did. The bird’s on autopilot for three minutes. The captain is knocked out for like- well- I was kind to an extent, he will be out forever.”
Vincent continued“ I triangulated the camp on the map. We are safe to descend into the sky”
“ Good. Grab those two” Seth cut in“ I’ll take the lady. She is mine”
The men esc-rted us towards the end of the plane after passing through two cabins. “ Move– move– keep moving” came Vincent’s voice.
Height phobia and all the shock I had absorbed , left me half awake , half dead. Everything seemed surreal. But hell, Bleep me, I just got kidnapped on a jet. What can be more real than this? Nothing. Damn. Seth strapped the parachute unto my back. He forced the mask on my face and decompressed the air in it.
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“ And these too” Seth said as he cut the ropes that tied my palms together.
“I’m sorry” His words brought me back to the present day and time. Indeed these were all real and I’m not dreaming. I just got kidnapped. Hell no. This is impossible.
He drew a small stool closer and divided the space between us. A sense of comfort returned to my arms. Only if I could, I wanted to forfeit my fist on Seth’s face.
He turned the briefcase , grasped my thumb and for the second time in forty eight hours he pressed it on the screen. The machine came alive.
“ The password. Please. Miss Gretel” Seth begged.
Words and sentence became strange to me. They were far away from my l-ips. Was it fright? The punch to the head? Or internal tussle? I followed my instincts. Keeping a promise I had made to myself the previous day.
“ The pass code please. Miss Gretel” Seth said again “ I’m asking nicely”
I hated being called Gretel. One person did the act of evil- which I considered a good one then- without restraint : Mom. I kept mute.
“ No , don’t touch her” Seth stopped a rogue agent trynna lay a finger on me
“ Please. The codes”
Why so emotional? Why does he fuvcking crave the password with so much passion? Why does he want to arm Caiden- a very lethal weapon? My best friend in the wh0le world , but dangerous in the wrong hands. He had evil ways of getting to people. This won’t work me bro. Nah. No brute nor force, just the silent treatment. Yet I said without blinking his way.
“ My father will make you pay for this _ this redolent act of evil. On the day of Reckoning, you will surely pay”
“ Uuuuuuuuu!!!!? I’m scared. Hahahaha. ” He mocked me. Motherfuvker. He mocked me. Great! I’m done with this nigga.
“ I’d love to see him try” Seth was simply unbelievable.
My eyes grew dimmer with shock. A tear rolled down my cheek. It was so hot that it burned the surface where it dried. Literally.
“ Quit the drama” Seth stood up,“ I know alot about you. So much than you can imagine. Spoilt brat from YALE University. Rich and stubborn. Had a passion for athleticism. Mom passed on. Switched careers and excelled in the new one. Wow ! Dad’s never at home. Does he even care? Hmm I wonder.” He leaned forward “ Yet, I’m begging. Just give me the password. And I promise I’ll send you back to Daddy in complete piece.”
My heart bled. I really missed mom. God are you up there? Someone come save me. I need an angel right now. Bitter tears chocked me in,side and out.
Where are you? Come on! Please Superman. Somebody, save me. Can’t take this pain no more.
Implying “ No” to his earlier request , I shook my head. The consequences of giving out such sensitive codes to him was grave and terrible. A million lives were worth more than mine. Although, I wasn’t ready to die just yet. It was fear. At the moment, Dad’s words came to mind.
“- the result will be bitter and trust me you won’t like it” had I known?
“ Boss let me handle her. She will say the words” Vincent’s voice came from behind.
“ No . Don’t” plainly , he said “ No one touches her. Except I say otherwise”
“ Seriously? Time is ticking ”
“ And we don’t have any. Yes, I know but I still stand my ground . No!” Bellowed Seth without looking at Vin.
I became really afraid. Really.
“She tried to escape last night at the drive. She bit my arm! She fucvking bit my arm. !! What else will she do for you to realise she isnt worth our time” he continued“ I suggest we puncture both her eyes, then beat the hell out of the tityy motherf-ck-”
A loud bang cut him shut. The bullet reported diligently within milliseconds as it drove itself sweetly and painfully into Vincent’s forehead.
I jerked. In twenty four hours, I have seen quite alot of dead bodies. The corpse of Vin lay lifeless on the floor. My eyes went to his shoes. Similar to AJ’s . They were high class and probably foreign . Maybe Italian . Vanity . I thought.
“ I get to decide who is worth my time . Me ” He yelled “ Me. Not any one of you. Nobody. Clean this mess” Seth said to his men.
He tucked away his Makarov nine- mm. Just like those you see in the movies used by special forces agents and military of the United States.
He stared into my eyes and squatted in front ‘f me. I retreated from his attempt to grasp my palms. d-ckhead, keep your filthy hands way from me. Bitcch.
“ I’m sorry about that. No one will touch you again. Just give me the words ”
I nodded sideways. I’d rather die . I wasnt afraid anymore. My heart and mind were made up.
“ Fine!” Seth yelled. He rose to his feet.
“ Ken. Get me the senators. Bring those old fools. And get the shock absorbers. Connect them to the car battery. ” He continued “ You think we are playing here? Insult on injury. Do that quickly”
Within minutes, everything was done just as he ordered the boys. Agent Ken was his new right hand man.
“ Tie them up. Both hands outstretched and hang each to those wooden poles. Let them go barefooted. Pull those masqurade-like agbadas.
I watched as things began to unfold right before my eyes. Very fast indeed.
“ Pour them water. Two buckets each” He continued.
Both men shuddered as the cold water enveloped their skins- bare chests and half soaked their trousers. Kendrick kick-started the Jeep and the engine revved. He alighted almost immediately from the driver’s seat. The absorbers were attached to the binding chains. One thing remained: to connect the absorbers to the car battery.
“I wont ask politely again” Seth warned for the last time. “ The damn password”
For a second, I was confused.
“ Okay ! Fine.”He said “Let’s behold how long you can endure before yielding. Ken!”
He plugged the other terminal. The zap of electricity travelled in nano-seconds up the slings of chains and more sparks as the invincible energy transported in form of lightning into the bodies of the senators. It came like epilepsy. He had murdered one of them on the jet, now he was tryna kill these two ? What’s happening?
They yelled and gave out painful garnishment of their teeth. They vibrated and wriitted crazy spasms like people under a demonic anointing. Have you seen epileptic patients under a seizure attack? Yeah. There were two here. Live action.
“ Stop. Please stop.” I said with pity on them. Now realizing the scenario.
“ The password. You can stop this yourself”
Devin yelled back.
“ Noooo! Please stop it ” I cried“ Stop it . I beg you”
“ The codes.”
I put my head down and stared at mah feet. Tears fell upon those dusty bare toes.
“ Please stop it. Make it stop ” I cried .
No one listened.
Caught in the midst of crossroads, a knew very well that I’d still die if I gave him the codes. The senators would still be killed. They would all die. I knew this fact. There can only be one way out to all these except a miracle occurs. Only a miracle can save us now.
★★
MATTHEW
The time was two twenty six pm, Sunday, GMT+1. The location was a lounge in the guest wing of the ASO Rock Villa. We had converted it into a work station. For the meanwhile. I stood near the window and had just been on a call to my family living in the Plateau, Jos . Up north of the country. It was a long way up there and I missed them even more. It’s quite different from the city of Benin in Edo state. I felt closer to home from there than the national capital. Strange isn’t it? Maybe I had become so used to the locals in the south-west region. And a part of me felt at home there, than this capital. Maybe.
Itoro stood from a seattee.
He said “ Boss. So far, these are all I’ve gathered”
I turned away from the window , I had lit myself a cigarette minutes ago and blew the rings of smoke towards the room, making a cloud of white crystal fog. They disappeared within seconds of being created.
“ Shoot, I’m all ears”
Itoro informed me of his latest findings and how he had also discovered the blogger’s site- the same from the Lagos airport. “ I’m keeping tabs on him”
“ More. This one will really spark your curiosity”
“ What’s that ? Let me see” I collected the tab from him.
The young lad came round and bent upon the shoulders of the leather sofa, peering from behind to show me, with much enthusiasm, all he had discovered.