Chapter 34

CHAPTER 34

(Kanmi sits up facing Lekan, while Charles sits down beside Lekan facing Kanmi...)

LEKAN : (looking at their faces)....is there something I need to know?
CHARLES : you know I told you I've being to that man's house...that's the minister for Pet n Gas...?
LEKAN : yes.
CHARLES : it’s was over a particular case and your… (pointing at Kanmi)...brother in-law was also involved in that case...oh that was before he disappeared..
LEKAN : (looks at Kanmi)...is that true?
KANMI : (takes a deep breath)....yes.
CHARLES : all of a sudden, I just noticed he disappeared, I looked for him everywhere but didn't find him...(Turns to Kanmi)...so what happened? Why did you just leave like that knowing that boy's freedom depended on you?
LEKAN : (totally confused)...which boy?...Kanmi, will you tell me what's going on?
KANMI : (tears in his eyes)....he...bribed...us. He bribed Tade and I....he bribed us to leave the case, because we know that it was his son that killed the girl.
CHARLES : what!....(Stands up)...you mean you collected bribe and made that poor boy pay for a crime he didn't commit?
LEKAN : wait you people are getting me really confused here....(Seeing Sukanmi is not talking he turns to Charles)...will you tell me exactly why you're making such an accusation?
CHARLES : well, your in-law just said it himself, maybe you should ask him...
LEKAN : (Turns to Sukanmi)...Sukanmi, is that true? You mean you could do such a thing, after all the values your sister and I inculcated into you?....I'm so disappointed in you.
CHARLES : I can't believe this....(Stands up and walks towards the window angrily)...how much did he give you to buy that poor boy's freedom?
KANMI : twenty million...
LEKAN : what!
CHARLES : oh my God...
LEKAN : you mean you collected twenty million naira just to destroy another person's life!
KANMI : I'm sure that's what I'm paying for right now...my sister and I...(With tears in his eyes)
LEKAN : What do you mean by “you and your sister”? How dare you bring my wife into this?
KANMI : yes....Sister knew about...
LEKAN : (cuts in)...That is a bloody lie! Sola would never support you in such a thing, never!
KANMI : it’s the truth.
LEKAN : what the hell are you talking about? (Moving closer to him)...Sola will never support you or anyone at that in doing such a brutal thing!
KANMI : yes....she did...I'd called her after the man offered to give us money if we bring back the girl's shoe...

(He explains what happened...Kanmi and Sola's conversation...

SK : (on the phone)...sister I need your advice...
RECEIVER : tell me...
SK : there's this case before me...(He explains all he knows about Jide and Carol's death)...and now the other boy's father is offering to give us twenty million...
RECEIVER : (cuts in)...twenty million naira!
SK : yes sis, he wants us to drop the case and give him the only evidence that we have.
RECEIVER : my dear, I advise you leave that case o.
SK : (surprised)...really sis?
RECEIVER : but of course! I don't want to lose you. You're my only brother!
SK : hmm....sis, that's totally against your husband's principles..
RECEIVER : so?...please dear, people in high places can be very dangerous. What if he decides to kill you if you refuse to leave the case?
SK : hmm....or maybe I should introduce Bro Leks to...
RECEIVER : what! Don't even think about it! You know how Lekan is, he won't back out of the case till he proves that boy's innocence...do you want me to become a widow all of a sudden?
SK : (laughs)....sis!
RECEIVER : that's the truth...Please o. Collect the money if you have to, just leave their case for them.
SK : okay sis. Now that I have your backing I will.
RECEIVER : better....just leave the country for a while after collecting the money because we can't trust that man. He may come after you...
SK : (thinks about it),That's true....okay, I'll get my visa and take a little money along....then I'll put the rest in your account so you can keep it for me.
RECEIVER : no problem, when you get back, you'll collect your money.
SK : alright sis! Thanks.
RECEIVER : you're welcome. Just don't let my husband know about it. You know how he can be.
SK : of course sis, I won't. Bro Lekan will throw tantrums...

(Back to Lekan, Charles and Kanmi's conversation)

SK : so we gave him the shoe and he gave us the money.
LEKAN : so Sola really kept the money for you?
SK : yes. About seventeen million.
LEKAN : what! You mean that kind of money was with Sola?
SK : is not was o,....it should still be in her account...
LEKAN : oh well you better forget it!
SK : huh!...(With his mouth open wide)....but Bro...
LEKAN : (cuts in)...don't even Bro me! Forget about getting that money back!
SK : bu...but...what will you do with it?
LEKAN : watch and see...
SK : damn it!
CHARLES : but wait a minute...(Stands up)...I don't understand something....you said you gave him the shoe...how come? I mean, the shoe was with me...
LEKAN : (confused, he looks at Kanmi)...you people are getting me confused here.
SK : yes its true. I had given you the shoe. But Tade wanted us to collect the money at all cost so...we...we bought a shoe and stained it with chicken blood...
CHARLES : (busts into laughter)...wait are you serious?
LEKAN : (turns to Charles)...this is not a laughing matter Charles! This is serious!
CHARLES : oh Lekan, this is funny I tell you. I mean these guys actually fooled the minister. He thought he has the evidence...but the evidence is actually with me...(Laughing)...he paid for chicken blood?...(Laughing)....you guys are crooks mehn!
LEKAN : I can't believe this, I tell you!
SK : I'm really sorry.
LEKAN : you mean Sola supported you in such a dastardly act!
SK : she was only concerned about me, she was...
LEKAN : (cuts in)...she was concerned about you, not caring about who's life was being ruined?...now look, the same man that bribed you then was the one that caused her death now. Just look at how things ended up?...they didn't just kill my wife, they've also killed my daughter and who knows may be they've killed my son too...
CHARLES : I can't believe this...(Shaking his head)
LEKAN : if not for the fact that you are telling me this, I wouldn't have believed that my own wife, the woman I spent over twelve years of my life with, could give anyone such an advice....
SK : I'm sorry Bro…
LEKAN : you're sorry? After destroying an innocent person's life?
CHARLES : Lekan...you've not even heard half of that boy's story.
SK : (turns to Charles)...I was thinking you'd help him out.
CHARLES : me? But you were his lawyer...I tried all I could, but my client didn't want me on the case anymore. I'd planned to get the semen on the girl. That was the main evidence I was looking for, but I was removed untimely.
SK : I'm so sorry...
LEKAN : (turns to Charles)...so how's the boy now?
CHARLES : oh well, I've not heard anything about him since then.
LEKAN : once all this is over you'll tell me all about him and the case before him, I'll do all I can to help him.
CHARLES : no problem, I will too.
SK : so how are we getting Bolu back?

(Lekan looks at SK disgustingly, while Charles still feels like laughing more but held himself, knowing both men should be mourning)




(Ken is at his office as he puts a call through to Bukola...)

RECEIVER : hi Ken?
KEN : Babe...how are you?
RECEIVER : I'm good. You?
KEN : not good at all...
RECEIVER : why? Hope no problem?
KEN : I've not being myself since I saw you at the reunion.
RECEIVER : (chuckles)...yeah right...
KEN : Bukola...
RECEIVER : yes?
KEN : I don't just want to have a fling with you, I've told you I want us to have a serious relationship...
RECEIVER : (laughs)...Ken, you, a serious relationship...don't make me laugh please...
KEN : but I'm serious....I've had this thing for you ever since we were in secondary school...come on, give me a chance...
RECEIVER : Ken, you and Andrew can never be serious about any girl...
KEN : (cuts in)...of course I can, but the only girl I've ever wanted is you...
RECEIVER : yeah right!
KEN : I'm serious...look, I'm in love with you.
RECEIVER : (laughing out loud)...oh Ken...
KEN : Bukola, I'm telling you the truth from the depth of my heart...
RECEIVER : hmm I see...okay
KEN : are you in any relationship?
RECEIVER : right now, not yet..
KEN : then why not give me a chance to prove how much I love you..
RECEIVER : ...here's the thing....right now, I have so many guys I have to consider, so I'll just keep you as my friend to see if you really deserve that chance...

(As he was talking on the phone, Andrew walks in...)

KEN : so can I ask you out for dinner?
RECEIVER : hmm....let me think about it..
KEN : hmm...when will I get my answer?
RECEIVER : I'll let you know...
KEN : that will take forever…why don't I call you like tomorrow...
RECEIVER : tomorrow!...oh no...
KEN : okay, I'll give you some time...I love you...
RECEIVER : hmm mm, thanks for loving me...bye..
KEN : yeah bye....(He hangs up after her)
ANDREW : (seeing Ken is through with his call)....hmm...who is that one? Sure it’s one of those girls you're trying to get into your bed...
KEN : hell no...That’s Bukola.
ANDREW : Bukola?...Its Bukola you're saying "I love you" to?
KEN : of course...
ANDREW : come on, stop fooling her. Which love?
KEN : I'm serious. I want her for a serious relationship. Bukola has always been the girl my heart goes for, you know that, don't you?
ANDREW : hmm...that was then Ken. This is now. Her taste must have changed.
KEN : what do you mean?
ANDREW : what am I even saying? It wasn't like she dated you then, did she? She never dated anybody in school then, so if she didn't like you then, how will she like you now?
KEN : like you said, that was then, this is now. I'm going after her now.
ANDREW : come on Ken, leave her.
KEN : why?
ANDREW : because I'm interested in that girl.
KEN : what do you mean you're interested in her. You've always known how I feel about her, so how can you be interested in her?
ANDREW : well, I am, so back off...
KEN : (stands up)...what is wrong with you man, who the hell do you think you are, telling me to back off. Look, I've left so many girls for you, just because I was never in love with anyone of them, but definitely not Bukola...
ANDREW : Ken, let's not drag it....(Sits up)...okay, this will be the last girl you'll leave for me, I promise..
KEN : nope! Not Bukola...
ANDREW : okay....fine! Let's see who gets the girl then....remember, I gat the money to throw around...
KEN : and who doesn't?
ANDREW : oh come on Ken....you depend solely on the meagre salary your Mum pays you here...
KEN : you know what Drew, let's drop it....we'll just see who gets the girl....okay....?
ANDREW : fine, let’s leave it on a bet...
KEN : whatever!
ANDREW : good....I'll be at the club tonight, are you coming?
KEN : no I'm not. I have to be at work early tomorrow.
ANDREW : imagine that...




(At exactly 12pm on Saturday, Susan and Bukola arrive at Stan's house to discuss as they have agreed. After serving them some drinks they get down to business...)

BUKOLA : Stan, Suz told me you talked to your Dad...
STAN : yes I did. And he told me the case has not being taken to court yet...
BUKOLA : what!....it’s almost five years!
STAN : yes.
BUKOLA : but why?
STAN : oh well....let's forget about the reason and bring out the positive part of it....or isn't that to our advantage?
BUKOLA : it depends...if the case had been done on time, the facts would have been brought to light and Jide may not have gone to prison at all...but now how do we prove that he didn't rape or kill her? Carol has been buried isn't it?
STAN : yes....but there's another way out.
SUSAN : which is?
STAN : to get the real culprit's confession.
BUKOLA : (laughs)...wait Stan, tell me how you want to do that. Are you going to point a gun at their heads to confess?
STAN : there are so many ways to do it... But first, how do we get in touch with the guy?...what's his name again?(Looks at both of them)
BUKOLA : Olajide Akande.
STAN : good. We need to see him and hear his part of the story.
SUSAN : how do we do that? I mean, no one has heard from him since we left school...
BUKOLA : that's true..
STAN : don't you all have a forwarding address or something?
BUKOLA : erm....I could check our year book.
SUSAN : that's true.
STAN : alright. Let's know where he's being transferred. I need to meet him, talk to him.
SUSAN : that's true, so you can compare the stories.
STAN : yeah...so back to how we can get the culprits confession...
BUKOLA : hmm....tell me....(Seeming more interested)
STAN : we use the divide and conquer technique.
(Susan and Bukola takes a glance at each other)
SUSAN : expatiate please...
STAN : okay...(Sitting up)...Suz, you said these two guys have been friends for long, right?
SUSAN : yes.
STAN : and just last week, you still saw them both at the club, with some girls, isn't it?
SUSAN : yes.
STAN : good. Obviously, this guys are the types we can set a woman trap for.
BUKOLA : woman trap?
STAN : yes.
SUSAN : and what is that?
STAN : but first you need to answer this question...(Turns to Bukola)...do they know I'm Carol's brother?
BUKOLA : (trying to recall)....oh well...Susan was the one that told us you are, so the question should go to her.
SUSAN : actually Bukola, I can't really remember if they were there on that day...
BUKOLA : erm...no they weren't. I can remember I left them behind and came to you. They didn't follow me.
STAN : and are you sure no one told them?
BUKOLA : we can find out....(Bringing out her phone)...
SUSAN : what do you want to do?
BUKOLA : trust me...(She starts dialing)...hello?
RECEIVER : Babe...
BUKOLA : Andrew hi...
RECEIVER : (cuts in)...you don't know how good I feel seeing your call...
BUKOLA : hmm...please do you have Carol's Brother's number?
RECEIVER : huh! Carol's brother....how can I? I don't know any of her family member so how will I know his number?
BUKOLA : oh…
RECEIVER : why did you ask?
BUKOLA : em…I have her year book with me so I want to give it to them, you know I don't know where she lived...
RECEIVER : oh...I don't.....so that apart you've not made up your mind about the date...let me take you out girl...
BUKOLA : (laughs)....Andrew, you're so funny, anyway, I'll get back to you, mum is calling out for me...
RECEIVER : okay, I'll be waiting...
BUKOLA : yeah bye...(Hangs up and turns to Stan)...good, he doesn't know you. I guess no one told him just yet.
STAN : good, then I'll come in...
SUSAN : (surprised)...how?.... Why?
STAN : I'll become their friend and lead them on...
SUSAN : thought you were talking about a woman trap?
STAN : yes, the package comes with me being a friend. I'll make them trust me.
BUKOLA : hmm....you wanna act the secret agent, right?
STAN : oh well....I need to know all about them, which club do they go, where they hang out and all that.
BUKOLA : I should be able to get all that for you.
STAN : good.
BUKOLA : (turns Susan) ...do you know Andrew's been hitting on me?
SUSAN : really....(Seeming really interested)...tell me...
BUKOLA : he's been asking me out for some time now. In fact, since our reunion party.
STAN : that could be good for us you know....
BUKOLA : hope I won't end up being the trap?
STAN : (smiles)....won't you like it?
BUKOLA : nah...(Shaking her head)
STAN : oh come on, all you need to do is to play along. Just don't act like you know me if you see us together.
BUKOLA : definitely...
STAN : I'll keep you posted.
SUSAN : (turns to Stan)...be careful Baby, I don't trust those guys. They can be dangerous.
STAN : trust me, I will.....so Bukola, let's start this night...
BUKOLA : so soon...
STAN : why not? Let's get it over with.
BUKOLA : what should I do?
STAN : call him back and go on that date with him...but!...(Getting Bukola's attention)... you've got to be careful. Remember, we're dealing with a professional rapist and a murderer here...
BUKOLA : hmm...
STAN : don't ever agree to have a closed-door thing with him and be careful of taking drinks from him. It could be drugged.
BUKOLA : okay. Thanks for the tip.
STAN : better still, inform me of whichever venue he’s taking you for a date, I'll be around to keep an eye on you...
BUKOLA : there's something we're leaving behind...
STAN : what's that?
BUKOLA : Ken is also doing same...
STAN : (sitting up)....wow! That's a good one!....we can make you the bait then...
BUKOLA : I'll prefer we have a plan B in case plan A fails.
STAN : hmm....you're right!




Even with Bukola's tight law school schedule, she's still trying all her best to find out where Jide was transferred so that they can pay him a visit.



Bolu had hit his head on the side mirror of Pastor Allen's car and has been unconscious for almost two weeks in a hospital in Ibadan. He later regained consciousness but could not remember anything, not even his name.

Pastor Allen and his wife, Tonia, did not leave Bolu alone. They kept coming to check and take care of him at the hospital. As his condition improves.




(Some weeks later, Bukola was just on her way home when she received Ken's phone call....)

BUKOLA : hello?
CALLER : Babe, how are you?
BUKOLA : I'm good, you?
CALLER : I've not been alright since you've decided not to consider my dinner proposal....Bukola let me take you out for dinner, please...
BUKOLA : hmm....
CALLER : let me pick you up tomorrow by seven...
BUKOLA : no, tomorrow is not good, Andrew already invited me for dinner
CALLER : what? Andrew? Which Andrew?
BUKOLA : your friend of course...
CALLER : you mean, Andrew dare asks you out?
BUKOLA : of course..
CALLER : that bastard....
BUKOLA : so I'm sorry Ken....
CALLER : but Bukola...
BUKOLA : Ken, I'll get back to you, okay...I have to go now...
CALLER : okay...we'll talk later...
BUKOLA : yeah...(Hangs up)...Andrew is a better catch than you Ken. It’s his confession I need...you are just by the way....




(Meanwhile Ken didn't like what he just heard....)

KEN : so after all I did for this Andrew, he still wants to take Bukola from me...now she doesn't want to go on a date with me, but she has agreed to have dinner with him...(Thinks for a while)...I won't allow him...I have to do something....I won't allow him have Bukola....not Bukola...


To be continued....