Chapter 32

CHAPTER 32

Immediately Timo saw Bolu was involved in an accident, he waited behind to know what will happen, seeing Bolu had collapsed. He wanted to go after him but he was afraid of what may come out of that so he stayed behind. After they took Bolu away, he turned back angrily.

Meanwhile, Bola was still panting and gasping for breath as Egoh angrily dragged her on the dusty road. The dust mites are now affecting her more than before as she chokes, coughing out loud...)

EGOH : good for you! Who asked you and that your brother to try escaping?...you made me run all the way with the pain on my arm....(Still dragging her)...look, you better keep walking because I won't carry you...

(A car passed by seeing the way he handled the girl, the passengers only pitied her, some looking at her and the man who is dragging her and abusing him. Seeing how disgusting they looked at him and hearing the abusive words people are saying to him, Egoh lifts Bola up with his right hand and puts her across his right shoulder. He could not get a bike, so he walked all the way back to the house.

After sometime, he noticed that Bola kept quiet. Thinking she's asleep, he gets back to the house and lays her on the floor in the same room where they had kept them before, and goes outside to wait for Timo to come back.




(Meanwhile, Lekan has being thinking of what to do. He looks at the details given to him. As he was thinking of what to do, his phone rings and he picks it...)

LEKAN : hello?
CALLER : hello, how's it going now?
LEKAN : I'm in a deep shit I tell you.
CALLER : The kidnappers, have they gotten in touch with you...?
LEKAN : yes.
CALLER : what do they want?
LEKAN : it’s not something I can discuss on the phone.
CALLER : okay. I actually called to tell you that the case has being adjourned till the next two weeks.
LEKAN : oh, better! Till I sort this out...
CALLER : send me your address, I'll come over to your place immediately I get to Lagos.
LEKAN : okay...thanks man. I really need someone here.




(Timo got back to the house looking for Egoh everywhere till he found him smoking at the back yard....)

TIMO : hey...(Sitting down angrily)
EGOH : (looking behind Egoh)...where's the brat?
TIMO : please give me cigar...(Collects the one Egoh is smoking and hisses)...did you find the girl?
EGOH : yes…(looking behind him, checking if Bolu was behind him)…where’s the boy?
TIMO : if only you know...(Smoking)
EGOH : know what?...(standing up)…don’t tell me you didn’t find him?
TIMO : I saw him from far o....(He explains what happened to him)
EGOH : what!....the boy don die?!!!
TIMO : I don't know o, all I know is, they took him to the hospital...I heard the woman saying they should rush him to the hospital.
EGOH : yeee!....Sarku go vex for us o...
TIMO : him go soon come now...(Looking at his wristwatch)
EGOH : shit!...how we wan do am now?
TIMO : omo, I no know o....(Smokes his cigarette again)...where you put the girl?
EGOH : she dey sleep for inside.

(About an hour later, Sarku who had switched off his phone immediately after talking to Henz, came back with Janu only to hear the shocking news...)

SARKU : what!....(Looking at Egoh)...Damn you this guy! You're such a bad record!...(Turns to Timo)....and you, why the hell did you go and eat?...
JANU : couldn't you have waited for us to come back?
TIMO : how would I have known that something like this will happen?
SARKU : couldn’t you have walked up to them and take the boy from them?
TIMO : how could I have done that?
SARKU : why not? You will just act like you’re his brother or father or something.
TIMO : how can i? Do I know who those people are? What if they are his relatives? Wouldn’t they have known that he is missing? You want them to now see me and take me? No o.
SARKU : I can’t believe I’m working with such fools!
JANU : what do we do now? And we were just told to allow the man talk to his children.
EGOH : the girl is here nau....he can talk to the girl....

(Sarku hisses at Egoh and Timo, then goes inside the house with Janu, heading for the room where Bola had being kept. He opens the door and sees Bola lying on the floor. The others had followed him.

Sarku goes towards her, trying to wake her up but she did not respond. He looks at the others and then examines Bola...)

SARKU : oh my God!..(Carries her up and examines her well)...my God!
JANU : what happened?
SARKU : (looks at them)... she's dead!
EGOR : what? No she's not dead...(Walking towards Bola's body)...I was the one that brought her inside, she couldn't have died...(Checking her pulse and breath)
SARKU : (still checking her pulse)....she's dead, Fool!...(looking at Egoh)….i can’t believe this…(Drops the body and stands up, looking at Janu)...why the hell did I put this fools here for God's sakes!....they have messed everything up for me!...first it was you Egoh and Janu,....(Turns to Timo)...and you, when I thought you were better left behind, you also messed up! I just can't believe this!....(Storms out of the room to smoke)
JANU : (looks at Timo and Egoh)...how did we get to this for God's sake!...the Boss called us that the man wants to speak to his family before he pays our money...now how do we do it?
EGOH : shit!
TIMO : damn it!
JANU : with the way things are, everything has been messed up!
TIMO : isn't there something we can do?
JANU : the only hope we have now is that boy. And you said you don't know where he was taken?
TIMO : I had to hide away nau..
JANU : hell no, you should have acted like you're his brother.
TIMO : what if the boy dies? Moreover, I didn't think the girl will die, so how should I have known that I'm supposed to go with them?
JANU : I think we have lost...
EGOH : hell no, we can't just loose that way...after the cut I got on my hand? After all the trouble I went through? No, they have to give us something.
JANU : hmm.....(Stands up)...I need to talk to Sarku, let's know the next thing to do....(Leaves the room)
TIMO : now what do we do about the body?
EGOH : are you asking me? Does it bring me money?....(Hisses and leaves the room)





Ep 33b


(Lekan was still thinking of what to do when his phone rang. He picks it up immediately without checking who the caller is....)

LEKAN : hello?...(thinking it’s the kidnapper)…
CALLER : ...what the hell happened to my sister? Don't tell me she's really the one I'm looking at on this screen!
LEKAN : (shocked and confused)...what! Where?...I don't understand...
CALLER : the person I'm looking at...okay, where is she can I talk to her?
LEKAN : I don't understand because I've been searching for my wife now for almost two days...
CALLER : (cuts in)...what! You mean she's been missing?
LEKAN : yes she and the kids. That's why I don't understand what you're talking about. I'm going crazy here looking for them...
CALLER : (cuts in)...oh my God!
LEKAN : please tell me what is going on, I don't understand you?....(Pacing)
CALLER : I logged into facebook now and I saw this picture a friend commented on. The person looks so much like my sister…
LEKAN : (cuts in)...what! What happened to the person? Where is she?
CALLER : it was a picture of a lady found on the roadside...maybe you should check it yourself...
LEKAN : (cuts in)...but you know I'm not on facebook...you know I don't believe in all this your social network thing...
CALLER : you just have to check it somehow. Its right here before me...I just hope this is not my sister...
LEKAN : please just send it to my email box, I will check it there.
CALLER : let me know what's going on as soon as possible.
LEKAN : I will....(Getting really uneasy, he hangs up and starts pacing).....God....I'd suspected the person I talked to wasn't my wife....God please don't let anything happen to my family please....what do I do now, where do I go...(He goes to get his laptop)




(Meanwhile, Henz and Andy who have been waiting for Sarku to call back are impatient. After waiting for so long they called Sarku back but his phone is switched off...)

HENZ : what the hell is going on with this fool...
ANDY : why not try him again, it may be the network.
HENZ : I've been trying it, but its switched off.
ANDY : what do you think happened?
HENZ : I really don't know...(Re-dials the phone and listens)....it’s still off.
ANDY : let's just wait for some time...




(Lekan was trying to check his box for the message his brother in-law was sending to him when his door bell rang, he goes to open the door...)

LEKAN : Oh Barrister Unigbe, thanks for coming. (Extending a handshake)...Please come inside...
BARR : please let's remove the Formalities, we're friends now. Call me Charles....(Entering into the sitting room)
LEKAN : alright... then you call me Lekan.
CHARLES : so tell me...I was really interested in this your family issue...
LEKAN : if only you know...(Going back to his Laptop)
CHARLES : what's the latest?
LEKAN : my brother in-law just called me...he said he saw a picture on facebook about a woman who is by the roadside or something and he said she looks exactly like my wife.
CHARLES : on the roadside?...I thought you said she was kidnapped?
LEKAN : so I thought...but the whole thing is still confusing...(Still checking his mail)...I'll tell you everything let me justcheck what he is talking about...(He sees the picture)...Jesus! Jesus! Oh my God!....(trying to zoom the picture)....Jesus! It’s Sola!.....that's one of the clothes she wears whenever she's at home....(Looking at the picture well as tears roll down his eyes)....it’s my wife...its Sola and I think she's dead...
CHARLES : (looking at the picture)....oh my God...I'm so sorry....but who could have done this?....are you sure...
LEKAN : (cuts in)....damn it!!! Those bastards killed my wife!.....(He pushes the laptop away in such a way that it hits the ground)....Sola...I'm so sorry...it’s all my fault....
CHARLES : hey it’s okay....you don't have to blame yourself....
LEKAN : I know what I'm saying it’s my fault! It’s my fault! Damn it!...I shouldn't have removed that money. I should have let them remove their money instead of touching it...(Weeping)....I...
CHARLES : (cuts in)…what money are you talking about?...(Confused)....
LEKAN : they've ruined me!
CHARLES : it’s okay Man, pull yourself together. I mean we've not found your kids....come on...
LEKAN : my kids....they probably killed them too.....(Still weeping)...yes that's why they had to get another person to act my wife!....oh God, why have I done this to myself....I brought this upon my own family...
CHARLES : why not calm down and tell me what really happened?...your kids may still be alive.
LEKAN : then why haven't they allowed me talk to them?....(Looks at the time)...look, it’s been over two hours since I told them to let me talk to my kids, yet nothing!....oh God....Sola will not forgive me....(Stands up)...I have to know where they took her body...
CHARLES : calm down...(Trying to calm Lekan)...let's try and locate your kids first before anything happens to them too.
LEKAN : (on hearing that he calms down)....okay...(Tears, still flowing from his eyes...
CHARLES : now tell me what happened.
LEKAN : it all started one fateful day, I went to the bank to reactivate my account...(He explains everything to Charles)
CHARLES : hmm....now, I'll say you shouldn't blame yourself...
LEKAN : but it’s all my fault, if I hadn't kept the money, my family wouldn't have been in this situation!
CHARLES : I understand you...but dwelling on the past won't help us now. Let's figure out what to do.
LEKAN : fine...(Cleaning the tears in his eyes)
CHARLES : I believe it’s one of those politicians that hid the money away in your account. He must have embezzled the money.
LEKAN : that's the same thing my assistant said, but I don't care anymore...
CHARLES : it’s okay...(thinks for a while) ....erm...where's the details you were given?....I still find it very funny that they were so dumb to have given you an account number to send the money to, knowing it can be traced...(Seeing Lekan is still quiet, crying)...come on, let's figure out how to save your kids....
LEKAN : haa! Sola is dead!.....the only woman I can spend the rest of my life with....all because of money...this is not what I bargained for...
CHARLES : (goes to calm him down)...it’s okay. Let's try and get your kids back before it’s too late...
LEKAN : (cleaning the tears in his eyes)...okay....
CHARLES : let me just see the account details they sent to you...(Lekan gives him the piece of paper where he had written the details)....I'll give a cousin of mine working in that bank to check for the person's full details for me....(Bringing out his phone and starts dialing)....though, I have a feeling there will be a diversion somewhere.
LEKAN : okay....(Still weeping)
CHARLES : (listening to the ear piece)...hello Louisa ...
RECEIVER : hey cousin, how are you doing...
CHARLES : very well thanks...please Louisa I need a favor from you.
RECEIVER : okay.
CHARLES : there's this details I'll send to you. Please I need to know everything about the person...
RECEIVER : oh Charles, you've come again...you know it’s against my work ethics, I shouldn't be giving...
CHARLES : (cuts in)...I know...but this one is very important please...it has to do with the kidnap of a whole family and that's the only information the abductors gave us. Please I beg of you to help....please...
RECEIVER : okay, fine, I'll help you...just because of the people in danger though...
CHARLES : thanks dear....so when should I expect it?
RECEIVER : I'll send it to your email now.
CHARLES : okay...thanks dear!...(Hangs up)...let's just wait for the details...(Brings out his laptop)
LEKAN : maybe I should just send the money back to them, that way, my kids may be saved.
CHARLES : I don't advise you do that yet....after all, you've not even spoken to them yet....let's hear from them first.
LEKAN : (starts pacing).....God please save my kids...(Crying like a baby)

(Some minutes later, Charles got the details in his box and they both examine it...)

CHARLES : wait a minute...this surname rings a bell...(Thinks for a while and looks at the address)....the address
LEKAN : it’s just a young girl...I'm sure it’s a diversion.
CHARLES : if it’s a diversion, then the kidnappers must have an insider in the bank who will help them....if not, how do they get their money?....(Thinks for a while and looks at the address again)....yes! It’s the same place!
LEKAN : what's that?
CHARLES : let me be sure...(He brings out his phone and re-dials his cousin's number)....hello Louisa.
RECEIVER : what is it again Charles?
CHARLES : please dear, I need you to just tell me who the next of kin is.
RECEIVER : what do you want to do with that again?
CHARLES : please dear just check...
RECEIVER : erm....(Checking)...hold on I don't have it on my screen here, I have to recall it....
CHARLES : okay I'm waiting.
RECEIVER : (after a while)... its Andrew Silva.
CHARLES : hmmm...(Nodding)...Andrew Silva....alright thanks...(Hangs up and looks at Lekan)...I suspected as much, it’s the same person!
LEKAN : who? I don't understand...
CHARLES : it’s the former Minister of petroleum.
LEKAN : I don't understand.
CHARLES : the girl, the owner of the account...that's her father...so that explains it!
LEKAN : (surprised)....but are you sure?
CHARLES : I'm very sure.
LEKAN : does it mean he is the one behind all this?
CHARLES : it’s logical....he must have embezzled the money and kept it away...
LEKAN : let's be sure please...
CHARLES : okay, I'll beg my cousin to check his account history.
LEKAN : but, I don't think they'll have that. Bank statements only carry the last three to six months nowadays and he has been out of office now for over six months. Moreover, it’s been way over four months since I transferred the money.
CHARLES : it doesn't matter. I'm sure it will be in the bank's archive somewhere....(Re-dialing Louisa's number)..hello?
RECEIVER : what is it again Charles?
CHARLES : please dear, I know I'm bothering you but please just do me this last favor.
RECEIVER : Charles...do you know how many last favors I've done you?
CHARLES : please dear I beg you.
RECEIVER : what is it this time?
CHARLES : you know the former minister for petroleum and gas, Andy Silva, right?
RECEIVER : yes.
CHARLES : please dear, I need you to run a check on his accou.....
RECEIVER : (cuts in)what!...why? What do you want that for?
CHARLES : calm down, here's the thing...I just want you to check if a huge amount of money was transferred from his account into another account some months ago...look, its confidential and it will remain confidential.
RECEIVER : but what do you need all that for? I don't understand...
CHARLES : (cuts in)...it’s just a speculation...please dear, you don't have to send me any details just check and tell me. You don't even have to tell me how much it is. Just tell me if the transfer was made that's all.
RECEIVER : (takes a deep breath)....okay...should I call you back?
CHARLES : oh no, I'll hold on...you can do it now if you don't mind...please.
RECEIVER : (reluctantly)...okay......(After some minutes)...Charles?
CHARLES : yes I'm here.
RECEIVER : yes. A transfer was made from that account to one Lekan Davies....wow...a huge amount, really big... it’s been over eight months, though.
CHARLES : ...thanks a lot.
RECEIVER : hope that's all?
CHARLES : yes dear...for now....(He hangs up)
LEKAN : is he the one?
CHARLES : yes.
LEKAN : oh my God! That bastard!....(He picks up a piece of paper and starts writing down the address on Charles' laptop)
CHARLES : (wondering what Lekan is doing)...what are you doing?
LEKAN : (looks at Charles)...I'm writing down the address of course! I'm going straight to his house!
CHARLES : what! No you can't!
LEKAN : of course I can! I have to get my kids before he kills them like he killed my wife!...(picking up his car keys)
CHARLES : (trying to stop him)...you can't do that!
LEKAN : why?
CHARLES : because you can't just go to his house...I mean, you are a lawyer, you know how things are done...
LEKAN : I don't care!
CHARLES : come on Lekan, you have no evidence that he's the one that kidnapped your kids!
LEKAN : but I can't just wait here and do nothing!
CHARLES : yes, I know...
LEKAN : (cuts in)...so I'm going. He has to give me my kids if he wants his money, damn it!
CHARLES : come on Lekan you can't go there. What if he calls the police to arrest you for false accusation and intrusion! He can accuse of you anything. Look, I know that guy very well, I've had an encounter with his residence and his workers and I can tell you that he's cunning.
LEKAN : (calms down)...so what do you want me to do. My wife is dead and my kids are out there in danger. I can't just sit here and do nothing.
CHARLES : look, if you go there, that man can get you locked up and if he does, how do you get your kids back? And if he gets you locked up, you really think he will let you go scott free afterwards? He'll sure get you killed so you don't tell the press what he did to you and your family. And remember, your wife is dead who will take care of your kids?
LEKAN : (totally confused, he sits on the ground)...so then what do you want me to do now?
CHARLES : let's sit and think of what to do instead of taking a hasty decision.
LEKAN : okay...(Sitting up)
CHARLES : first, let's know how to get your wife's body. That way we can be sure she's the one...call your Brother in-law back and let's know how to get in touch with those that posted the picture online. That way we can get to know where the body is, if she's the one.... and then give her a befitting burial. That way we may even get to know if the kids are around there or something.
LEKAN : okay...(Bringing out his phone)
CHARLES : and hey don't confirm to him who she really is. Just tell him you want to get to see the body first before knowing anything.
LEKAN : okay...


To be continued....