CHAPTER 40
Lekan and Charles brought Jide to Lekan's house, telling him to feel at home. Jide was grateful to them.
The following day, Charles, SK and Tade all met up at Lekan's place to see and congratulate Jide.
They decided to order for a delicious lunch...)
CHARLES : Jide, I'm happy you're out finally...but one thing still remains....we were unable to prove your innocence. We were just lucky that Carol's father helped you out. He was the one that spoke to the governor to include your name on the list.
LEKAN : yes. If not, we would have had to do the case before you'll be set free and that way, the real culprits won't be apprehended.
JIDE : (takes a deep breath)...thank you sirs. (Turns to Charles)...I'm very grateful to you for not leaving me, for believing in me and coming back for me even after so many years. For worrying about me, even without compensation.
CHARLES : I was only doing the right thing.
JIDE : (turns to Lekan)...sir, I don't know how to thank you. You took an interest in my case without knowing me...you even brought me to your house...I can't thank you enough....
LEKAN : (cuts in)...you don't have to thank me Jide...(Moving close to pat him, he noticed he's not so happy)....
JIDE : I only wish my parents were alive...
LEKAN : I know you're not so happy, because your parents are no more, but you see, during the time you were suffering in jail, a lot to things happened, not just to your parents, but also to some of us too, which was also caused by those same people that put you in jail.
JIDE : (surprised)...sir? You mean Andrew committed some other atrocities again?
CHARLES : yes. For example, he got Tade's daughter pregnant after raping her.
JIDE : what! He raped someone else again?
TADE : yes. And he denied even knowing her talk-less of accepting the pregnancy.
LEKAN : not only him. His father too...for example, he got my family kidnapped and killed my wife and kids.
JIDE : Jesus!....Andrew's father?
LEKAN : yes...
JIDE : but why? What for?
LEKAN : (ignores the question)...not just that, he bribed Tade and SK in order to destroy the evidence against his son.
CHARLES : that is, the evidence that proves that you're innocent....and then he told Carol's parents to lock you up and not do the case till you're an adult, so that it will even be difficult to prove that you're innocent.
LEKAN : he practically wanted you to pay for his son's crimes.
JIDE : this people have committed so many atrocities...they don't deserve to live...
LEKAN : but that's not up to you to say...(Sits up)....look Jide, you have a better chance now. You can now live the life ahead of you....okay?
JIDE : okay sir. Thank you so much for everything.
LEKAN : you're welcome...
(Amode was also released from prison, but he had nowhere to go as some things have changed. He was surprised to have seen his son when he got outside the prison gate.
Januri was so excited his father had been released. Though he had asked Amode if he will come and stay at his place, but had refused bluntly, he knew he could not take his father to the place he is living, knowing his friends could come home at anytime, so he got Amode a room in the suburbs and took him there....)
JANU : papa, you can stay here, since you won't want to stay with me.
AMODE : I cannot stand this your wayward life, Januri. You have to stop all this things you are doing.
JANU : Papa, I couldn't get a job nau, so how do I feed myself?
AMODE : Janu, you promised me you will stop doing all this if I get out of prison...
JANU : yes Papa. If I had gotten that money from that stupid minister, I would have stopped o.
AMODE : so you won't stop?
JANU : papa, I will, I promise. Let me just collect my money from that man first. That's the only thing I'm up to now...(Bringing out some money).....please have this for your upkeep
AMODE : God forbid I collect such a money from you!
JANU : but Papa, how will you eat?
AMODE : I will go and look for a job of course.
JANU : a job?...Papa, this is Nigeria, nobody will give an ex-convict a job.
AMODE : I will still search for one. I may get something at the end of the day.
JANU : okay. Suit yourself...(Leaves)
AMODE : I will never spend such a money with you.
(Few months later, the kidnappers are feeling very uneasy about not hearing from their former employer...)
JANURI : come, Sarku are we sure that man has not gotten some other people to do the job?...look, he has not called us since then, neither has he given us our money.
EGOH : that's true. We can't just sit down and do nothing nau...
SARKU : Mr. Henz told me that we should allow sometime before we strike again so that, the man can relax. He said we're going for him this time. By the time we threaten his life, he will pay us.
TIMO : me, I still don't know why we had to wait for that long o. Why didn't we do the work immediately?
JANU : haba nau...you don't do things like that...it will be like destroying a whole family, it will arouse suspicions nau...it’s better we wait for some time...they are right.
TIMO : okay o...
EGOH : I just hope we're not being sidelined...
JANURI : they dare not. Don't forget that we have evidences against them...
EGOH : what are you saying? Do they know? And the question is, for how long do we wait?
SARKU : let's give them a little more time. Then I'll call Mr. Henz.
EGOH : okay o...
(Andy was at his house late at night when Henz puts a call through to him...)
CALLER : good evening sir...
ANDY : who is this?
CALLER : (surprised he doesn't have his number again)... this is Henz sir...
ANDY : oh Henz, how are you?
CALLER : very well sir...em...sir we need to see...
ANDY : why? What’s going on?
CALLER : those boys are at my neck. They want to know how far...
ANDY : how far about what?
CALLER : sir, remember you didn't pay them the other time..
ANDY : what nonsense are you saying? Do I owe them? What service did they do for me to pay them?
CALLER : but sir...
ANDY : (cuts in)...don't but me! Look, I don't owe them a kobo! They decided to mess up with the little homework I gave them, now they're asking for what money? They must be out of their minds.
CALLER : (takes a deep breath)...sir, so what do I tell them?
ANDY : I don't care. Tell them whatever you like, it’s not my business!.. and hey don't call this number again!...(Hangs up)...what nonsense! How can I pay them for doing nothing...or pay them for messing up? Now that I need my money badly, I can't seem to get it back.
(Meanwhile after calling Andy, Henz becomes furious, he calls Sarku.....)
HENZ : the bastard has refused to hear anything from us.
RECEIVER : what do you mean from "us"?
HENZ : don't you know he owes me too?
RECEIVER : he does?
HENZ : of course he does. He didn't pay me anything too....I wish there's something we can do to get our money back.
RECEIVER : but I thought he said we will go back for the man.
HENZ : from the way he sounded, I don't think he's interested in doing that again.
RECEIVER : so what do we do?
HENZ : I sincerely don't know.
RECEIVER : hmm.....I hope he's not trying to play a smart one on us...we know exactly what to do to him o.
HENZ : hmm...(Wondering what that is all about)....but you have to be careful.
RECEIVER : alright.
HENZ : (hangs up)...that bastard...I should have known he'll give me nothing for all my stress.
(Bolu is almost through with his second year in the secondary school. One beautiful Saturday afternoon the whole family sat in the sitting room watching a movie with a kidnap story-line and all of a sudden, Bolu started having some flash backs.
The pastor and his wife took him to the doctor who referred him to a Children-psychologist. Gradually, the incident that happened with his sister came to him and he remembers everything.
It was not an easy experience for the Allens having never been across such a thing. Bolu became withdrawn from those he had once seen has siblings. He would seclude himself from them, asking for his parents and sister.
At a stage, he thought the Allens were responsible for his abduction and would shout at them telling them he wants to go home. They kept explaining things to him just to keep him calm until they could not handle him anymore.
Since Bolu remembered his primary school clearly, Pastor and Mrs. Allen decided to take him there. His head-mistress was shocked to have seen him with them.
She called the police, but for the fact that the Pastor and his wife had made a police report when they found Bolu, she was informed that the incident had been reported. After all the formalities, she invited them over to her office to apologise...)
HM : I'm sorry, but I was pushed to call the police, all because of the incident that happened to the boy's family.
PASTOR : please tell us....the boy refuses to talk to us after he regained his memory.
HM : his mother was kidnapped along with him and his sister. His father later came to tell us after we had called for days not seeing his sister in school. (Looks at Bolu)...Bolu finished from here and was supposed to resume in his secondary school so we didn't know he was missing until his father told us what happened.
TONIA : oh my God...that's so disheartening....but please can you connect us to his father somehow, because we have gone to the address he gave us but we were told his father had moved out over a year ago.
HM : oh...(Shaking her head)...I don't know where he could be. I've not heard anything from him or about him since then.
PASTOR : oh God, and he's badly requesting for his parents...what do we do now...
HM : (thinks of what to do)....em...let me call his favorite teacher when he was here. I'm sure he will understand her better....
(The head-mistress calls for Bolu's former class teacher, Miss Victoria, someone he feels more comfortable with, to come over and talk to him.
Miss Victoria is good with kids, she has always been very sweet with all the children in the school, including those who are not in her class. They would come to her for solution to some of their domestic problems.
When Bolu saw her, he runs to her, holding her, while the Allens explain to her how they saw Bolu and she was very grateful to them....)
VIC : Bolu, how are you?
BOLU : Miss Victoria, where's my daddy...
VIC : (looks at those on seat)...em, ma, please can I talk to him privately?
HM : yes, sure…
(Victoria takes Bolu to a place where they can talk more comfortably...)
BOLU : miss Victoria, we have to look for Bola, I left her in the bush...
VIC : (wondering what Bolu is saying)....Bolu what happened?
BOLU : that night, those people came to take us from our house. They took us to one house in the bush and lock us up in a room.
VIC : oh my God...(Shocked at what he is saying)...so what happened next?
BOLU : later I heard that they have killed my Mummy so Bola and I escaped. We ran away because Bola was having her attacks. So I told her that we have to go home so that we can get her inhaler. But when we were going she almost fainted so I laid her down to look for help that was when I saw the two men coming, so I ran away. Then I can't remember what happened after that.
VIC : (takes a deep breath)...Bolu, those people that brought you here...
BOLU : yes.
VIC : they must have found you and rescued you from those bad men that were chasing after you, okay?
BOLU : okay...but I want to go back to my Daddy.
VIC : em...(Thinking of what to say)...yes, I know but right now, we have to look for your Daddy.
BOLU : and Bola.
VIC : (knowing Bola is dead, she nods)...hmm.
BOLU : Miss Vic, before those people took us, Dad went to Abuja. Call his number so he can come and get me.
VIC : em....Bolu, your Dad is not using that number again...
BOLU : but why?
VIC : ....Bolu, you know what we'll do?...(Bolu nods)... I'll help look for your Dad okay?
BOLU : okay...can we go now?
VIC : em...no not now...this is what we will do. You'll go with those people now while I look for your Dad...
BOLU : but why can't we go together?
VIC : em....you know I have class now? And the Pastor and his wife said they've checked your house but your Dad is not there, so just give me some time, I'll get back to you.
BOLU : but I don't want to go back with them.
VIC : but why? Did they do anything bad to you?
BOLU : no...(Shaking his head)
VIC : then why not stay with them till I find your Daddy....hmm....please Bolu, stay with them, okay?
BOLU : (nods)...but will you come and check on me?
VIC : I will...but promise me you'll be a good boy...?
BOLU : (nods)...I promise.
VIC : that's my boy!
(Victoria takes Bolu back to the Allens and promises to come check on him.)
(Months later, Januri was with some of his friends when he heard the list of the candidates for the upcoming election down in one of the Niger Delta states. He was so furious he could not hold on. He picks up his phone and calls Egoh...)
JANU : hey man! I think we've got our long lost target.
RECEIVER : who's that?
JANU : the minister.
RECEIVER : really? Where is he?
JANU : he's in his home town contesting for the next election!
RECEIVER : which of the states? I think two states are having their election soon.
JANU : Cross-River.
RECEIVER : hmm....let's call the others and discuss what to do...
JANU : okay. I'll get back to you.
RECEIVER : good!
The Silva's residence has been almost in a state of desolation, save a few security men who have been keeping the place alive.
They were seated outside one day when two men came, demanding to see the former minister.
Zubar and Aloma were the ones on duty...)
ZUBAR : you want to see Oga...
1st MAN : yes.
ZUBAR : who are you?
1st MAN : I can't tell you who we are. Just tell him we're some people he's owing a lot of money.
ZUBAR : what kind of nonsense is that? ...What do you mean by people he's owing? How dare you...(He could not continue as he saw the second man bringing out a gun from his backside)
2nd MAN : (pointing the gun at Zubar's side without making it obvious)...look here man, if you love yourself and your Job, you better tell him...
ZUBAR : I will...I'll tell him.
1st MAN : good. We have an understanding. We'll be back...(Looks at his colleague)...let's go...
(After the two men left, Zubar calls Andy immediately...)
ZUBAR : sir, two men just left here now. They demanded to see you and they came with a gun sir.
RECEIVER : who are they?
ZUBAR : they didn't give me their names sir. They said you owe them a lot of money.
RECEIVER : and they were with guns?
ZUBAR : yes sir. They said they will come back.
RECEIVER : okay, if they come back, tell them to come next weekend. I'll be home.
ZUBAR : but sir, are you sure we should not call the police?
RECEIVER : no. Let me see them. And if they don't come before next weekend, call me whenever they come, I'll tell them when to come and see me.
ZUBAR : okay sir.
(The men did not come back till the following month. When they came, Zubar did as he was told. Andy spoke to them, still without knowing who they are. He decided to fix a date to see them.
On the said day, the duo got to the gate and met Zubar who immediately took them into the house to see Andy....)
ANDY : yes, who are you and how may I help you?
1st MAN : I am Janu. And he is Egoh...(Pointing)....you owe us sir.
ANDY : how come? I don't know you so how can I be owing you?
JANU : we were the ones that helped you with the kidnap the other time...
ANDY : (shocked but hid his expression)...what do you mean by that? What kind of allegation is that? Who told you I kidnapped anybody...
EGOH : honorable Minister...don't play naïve with us. We know you... We have proof.....
ANDY : what stupid proof are you talking about? Where did I give you instructions....look leave my house right now!
JANU : hmm....don't play with us...we know you're running for election, so don't be smart with us....(Brings out his phone and plays a video for him)....we have other copies.
(Andy could not believe his eyes as he sees himself in the video with Henz)
ANDY : (thinking of the best way out).....so what exactly do you want from me?
JANU : you owe us twenty million each and we want our money.
ANDY : (takes a deep breath)...hmm....give me some minutes....
(He leaves them there and goes into his study, while Janu and Egoh jubilate on their partial victory...)
EGOH : I knew we’ll get him.
JANU : of course. With this evidence, he doesn’t have any other choice than to settle us immediately. Twenty million naira is nothing to him…in fact we should have doubled it.
EGOH : that’s true…
JANU : never mind. We can still keep blackmailing him after this.
EGOH : of course, he will become our money bag….
(Meanwhile, Andy had gone inside to make a call…)
ANDY : I will not condone this a second time, never! Not another blackmailer again...(dialing his phone)….hello?
RECEIVER : hello sir?
ANDY : do you have your boys at the check point?
RECEIVER : yes sir.
ANDY : good. There are this boys in my house. They've got guns on them. They actually threatened my security personnel with guns....
RECEIVER : should we come over to the house sir?
ANDY : no. I want you to apprehend them after they must have left my house. You know how these kidnappers can be. I'm sure they have their colleagues elsewhere. I don't want them to come for my family.
RECEIVER : what do you want us to do sir?
ANDY : they have guns on them, so just arrest them based on that. And tell your boys to move to my street. Just few houses away from mine, remember it’s a close so they have no alternatives. I want it to look as if you only apprehended them after searching them.
RECEIVER : done sir.
ANDY : how long will it take you?
RECEIVER : we’re set just a few streets away from yours. I'll tell my boys to start coming over now, so they should be there in the next five minutes.
ANDY : good. I'll get back to you.
RECEIVER : yes sir.
ANDY : (hangs up)....good...(He dials Zubar's phone too)...hello?
RECEIVER : yes sir...
ANDY : those boys, did they bring a car or what?
RECEIVER : em..I'll check sir.....(after a while).....sir, I can't see any car from here.
ANDY : okay. The police will soon be on our street, when they get here, go and describe what those boys are wearing to them, and then call me to let me know you've done that.
RECEIVER : alright sir.
ANDY : (he hangs up)…good. They are just small boys, they can’t be as smart as me.
(He picks up his check book and goes back to his guests...)
ANDY : sorry I took longer than I proposed...(Taking his seat)...should I write you a check, or you want cash?...(Wondering if they will fall for his bait)
(Janu and Egoh look at each other. They were not expecting it to be this easy)
JANU : em....you can transfer it, we don't want cash.
EGOH : yes, that's better...
ANDY : hmm mm....but what of the other copies? How do I get them?
JANU : we'll bring it back for you.
ANDY : I see...alright then, I'll do the transfer when you bring them all.
JANU : (looks at Egoh)...okay, that's fine. We'll bring it tomorrow.....
ANDY : okay...
JANU : (turns to Egoh)...let's go....(Standing up to leave)
ANDY : (since Zubar has not called, he thinks of a way to delay the men)...oh wait....em....I thought you were four?
JANU : each man for himself...
ANDY : I see...and Henz, does he know about this?
JANU : even I don't know whoever this Henz is.
ANDY : I see...so how did you get to know this place?
JANU : I have my ways. Just get our money ready by tomorrow....(Walking towards the door)
ANDY : wait a minute...(Stands up and walks towards them)...how will I know if you'll give me all the evidences? What if you keep blackmailing me with it?
JANU : you just have to trust us.
ANDY : trust you? That easy?
JANU : well, you are the one that wants to become governor. You have no choice...
(Then Andy's phone rings and he picks it...)
ANDY : hello....(Listening) okay. Good...(Hangs up and turns to the men)...alright young men, you can go now. I'll be expecting you tomorrow.
(Janu and Egoh leaves Andy's house happily, rejoicing over the twenty million naira that is about to enter into their accounts.)
To be continued...
Lekan and Charles brought Jide to Lekan's house, telling him to feel at home. Jide was grateful to them.
The following day, Charles, SK and Tade all met up at Lekan's place to see and congratulate Jide.
They decided to order for a delicious lunch...)
CHARLES : Jide, I'm happy you're out finally...but one thing still remains....we were unable to prove your innocence. We were just lucky that Carol's father helped you out. He was the one that spoke to the governor to include your name on the list.
LEKAN : yes. If not, we would have had to do the case before you'll be set free and that way, the real culprits won't be apprehended.
JIDE : (takes a deep breath)...thank you sirs. (Turns to Charles)...I'm very grateful to you for not leaving me, for believing in me and coming back for me even after so many years. For worrying about me, even without compensation.
CHARLES : I was only doing the right thing.
JIDE : (turns to Lekan)...sir, I don't know how to thank you. You took an interest in my case without knowing me...you even brought me to your house...I can't thank you enough....
LEKAN : (cuts in)...you don't have to thank me Jide...(Moving close to pat him, he noticed he's not so happy)....
JIDE : I only wish my parents were alive...
LEKAN : I know you're not so happy, because your parents are no more, but you see, during the time you were suffering in jail, a lot to things happened, not just to your parents, but also to some of us too, which was also caused by those same people that put you in jail.
JIDE : (surprised)...sir? You mean Andrew committed some other atrocities again?
CHARLES : yes. For example, he got Tade's daughter pregnant after raping her.
JIDE : what! He raped someone else again?
TADE : yes. And he denied even knowing her talk-less of accepting the pregnancy.
LEKAN : not only him. His father too...for example, he got my family kidnapped and killed my wife and kids.
JIDE : Jesus!....Andrew's father?
LEKAN : yes...
JIDE : but why? What for?
LEKAN : (ignores the question)...not just that, he bribed Tade and SK in order to destroy the evidence against his son.
CHARLES : that is, the evidence that proves that you're innocent....and then he told Carol's parents to lock you up and not do the case till you're an adult, so that it will even be difficult to prove that you're innocent.
LEKAN : he practically wanted you to pay for his son's crimes.
JIDE : this people have committed so many atrocities...they don't deserve to live...
LEKAN : but that's not up to you to say...(Sits up)....look Jide, you have a better chance now. You can now live the life ahead of you....okay?
JIDE : okay sir. Thank you so much for everything.
LEKAN : you're welcome...
(Amode was also released from prison, but he had nowhere to go as some things have changed. He was surprised to have seen his son when he got outside the prison gate.
Januri was so excited his father had been released. Though he had asked Amode if he will come and stay at his place, but had refused bluntly, he knew he could not take his father to the place he is living, knowing his friends could come home at anytime, so he got Amode a room in the suburbs and took him there....)
JANU : papa, you can stay here, since you won't want to stay with me.
AMODE : I cannot stand this your wayward life, Januri. You have to stop all this things you are doing.
JANU : Papa, I couldn't get a job nau, so how do I feed myself?
AMODE : Janu, you promised me you will stop doing all this if I get out of prison...
JANU : yes Papa. If I had gotten that money from that stupid minister, I would have stopped o.
AMODE : so you won't stop?
JANU : papa, I will, I promise. Let me just collect my money from that man first. That's the only thing I'm up to now...(Bringing out some money).....please have this for your upkeep
AMODE : God forbid I collect such a money from you!
JANU : but Papa, how will you eat?
AMODE : I will go and look for a job of course.
JANU : a job?...Papa, this is Nigeria, nobody will give an ex-convict a job.
AMODE : I will still search for one. I may get something at the end of the day.
JANU : okay. Suit yourself...(Leaves)
AMODE : I will never spend such a money with you.
(Few months later, the kidnappers are feeling very uneasy about not hearing from their former employer...)
JANURI : come, Sarku are we sure that man has not gotten some other people to do the job?...look, he has not called us since then, neither has he given us our money.
EGOH : that's true. We can't just sit down and do nothing nau...
SARKU : Mr. Henz told me that we should allow sometime before we strike again so that, the man can relax. He said we're going for him this time. By the time we threaten his life, he will pay us.
TIMO : me, I still don't know why we had to wait for that long o. Why didn't we do the work immediately?
JANU : haba nau...you don't do things like that...it will be like destroying a whole family, it will arouse suspicions nau...it’s better we wait for some time...they are right.
TIMO : okay o...
EGOH : I just hope we're not being sidelined...
JANURI : they dare not. Don't forget that we have evidences against them...
EGOH : what are you saying? Do they know? And the question is, for how long do we wait?
SARKU : let's give them a little more time. Then I'll call Mr. Henz.
EGOH : okay o...
(Andy was at his house late at night when Henz puts a call through to him...)
CALLER : good evening sir...
ANDY : who is this?
CALLER : (surprised he doesn't have his number again)... this is Henz sir...
ANDY : oh Henz, how are you?
CALLER : very well sir...em...sir we need to see...
ANDY : why? What’s going on?
CALLER : those boys are at my neck. They want to know how far...
ANDY : how far about what?
CALLER : sir, remember you didn't pay them the other time..
ANDY : what nonsense are you saying? Do I owe them? What service did they do for me to pay them?
CALLER : but sir...
ANDY : (cuts in)...don't but me! Look, I don't owe them a kobo! They decided to mess up with the little homework I gave them, now they're asking for what money? They must be out of their minds.
CALLER : (takes a deep breath)...sir, so what do I tell them?
ANDY : I don't care. Tell them whatever you like, it’s not my business!.. and hey don't call this number again!...(Hangs up)...what nonsense! How can I pay them for doing nothing...or pay them for messing up? Now that I need my money badly, I can't seem to get it back.
(Meanwhile after calling Andy, Henz becomes furious, he calls Sarku.....)
HENZ : the bastard has refused to hear anything from us.
RECEIVER : what do you mean from "us"?
HENZ : don't you know he owes me too?
RECEIVER : he does?
HENZ : of course he does. He didn't pay me anything too....I wish there's something we can do to get our money back.
RECEIVER : but I thought he said we will go back for the man.
HENZ : from the way he sounded, I don't think he's interested in doing that again.
RECEIVER : so what do we do?
HENZ : I sincerely don't know.
RECEIVER : hmm.....I hope he's not trying to play a smart one on us...we know exactly what to do to him o.
HENZ : hmm...(Wondering what that is all about)....but you have to be careful.
RECEIVER : alright.
HENZ : (hangs up)...that bastard...I should have known he'll give me nothing for all my stress.
(Bolu is almost through with his second year in the secondary school. One beautiful Saturday afternoon the whole family sat in the sitting room watching a movie with a kidnap story-line and all of a sudden, Bolu started having some flash backs.
The pastor and his wife took him to the doctor who referred him to a Children-psychologist. Gradually, the incident that happened with his sister came to him and he remembers everything.
It was not an easy experience for the Allens having never been across such a thing. Bolu became withdrawn from those he had once seen has siblings. He would seclude himself from them, asking for his parents and sister.
At a stage, he thought the Allens were responsible for his abduction and would shout at them telling them he wants to go home. They kept explaining things to him just to keep him calm until they could not handle him anymore.
Since Bolu remembered his primary school clearly, Pastor and Mrs. Allen decided to take him there. His head-mistress was shocked to have seen him with them.
She called the police, but for the fact that the Pastor and his wife had made a police report when they found Bolu, she was informed that the incident had been reported. After all the formalities, she invited them over to her office to apologise...)
HM : I'm sorry, but I was pushed to call the police, all because of the incident that happened to the boy's family.
PASTOR : please tell us....the boy refuses to talk to us after he regained his memory.
HM : his mother was kidnapped along with him and his sister. His father later came to tell us after we had called for days not seeing his sister in school. (Looks at Bolu)...Bolu finished from here and was supposed to resume in his secondary school so we didn't know he was missing until his father told us what happened.
TONIA : oh my God...that's so disheartening....but please can you connect us to his father somehow, because we have gone to the address he gave us but we were told his father had moved out over a year ago.
HM : oh...(Shaking her head)...I don't know where he could be. I've not heard anything from him or about him since then.
PASTOR : oh God, and he's badly requesting for his parents...what do we do now...
HM : (thinks of what to do)....em...let me call his favorite teacher when he was here. I'm sure he will understand her better....
(The head-mistress calls for Bolu's former class teacher, Miss Victoria, someone he feels more comfortable with, to come over and talk to him.
Miss Victoria is good with kids, she has always been very sweet with all the children in the school, including those who are not in her class. They would come to her for solution to some of their domestic problems.
When Bolu saw her, he runs to her, holding her, while the Allens explain to her how they saw Bolu and she was very grateful to them....)
VIC : Bolu, how are you?
BOLU : Miss Victoria, where's my daddy...
VIC : (looks at those on seat)...em, ma, please can I talk to him privately?
HM : yes, sure…
(Victoria takes Bolu to a place where they can talk more comfortably...)
BOLU : miss Victoria, we have to look for Bola, I left her in the bush...
VIC : (wondering what Bolu is saying)....Bolu what happened?
BOLU : that night, those people came to take us from our house. They took us to one house in the bush and lock us up in a room.
VIC : oh my God...(Shocked at what he is saying)...so what happened next?
BOLU : later I heard that they have killed my Mummy so Bola and I escaped. We ran away because Bola was having her attacks. So I told her that we have to go home so that we can get her inhaler. But when we were going she almost fainted so I laid her down to look for help that was when I saw the two men coming, so I ran away. Then I can't remember what happened after that.
VIC : (takes a deep breath)...Bolu, those people that brought you here...
BOLU : yes.
VIC : they must have found you and rescued you from those bad men that were chasing after you, okay?
BOLU : okay...but I want to go back to my Daddy.
VIC : em...(Thinking of what to say)...yes, I know but right now, we have to look for your Daddy.
BOLU : and Bola.
VIC : (knowing Bola is dead, she nods)...hmm.
BOLU : Miss Vic, before those people took us, Dad went to Abuja. Call his number so he can come and get me.
VIC : em....Bolu, your Dad is not using that number again...
BOLU : but why?
VIC : ....Bolu, you know what we'll do?...(Bolu nods)... I'll help look for your Dad okay?
BOLU : okay...can we go now?
VIC : em...no not now...this is what we will do. You'll go with those people now while I look for your Dad...
BOLU : but why can't we go together?
VIC : em....you know I have class now? And the Pastor and his wife said they've checked your house but your Dad is not there, so just give me some time, I'll get back to you.
BOLU : but I don't want to go back with them.
VIC : but why? Did they do anything bad to you?
BOLU : no...(Shaking his head)
VIC : then why not stay with them till I find your Daddy....hmm....please Bolu, stay with them, okay?
BOLU : (nods)...but will you come and check on me?
VIC : I will...but promise me you'll be a good boy...?
BOLU : (nods)...I promise.
VIC : that's my boy!
(Victoria takes Bolu back to the Allens and promises to come check on him.)
(Months later, Januri was with some of his friends when he heard the list of the candidates for the upcoming election down in one of the Niger Delta states. He was so furious he could not hold on. He picks up his phone and calls Egoh...)
JANU : hey man! I think we've got our long lost target.
RECEIVER : who's that?
JANU : the minister.
RECEIVER : really? Where is he?
JANU : he's in his home town contesting for the next election!
RECEIVER : which of the states? I think two states are having their election soon.
JANU : Cross-River.
RECEIVER : hmm....let's call the others and discuss what to do...
JANU : okay. I'll get back to you.
RECEIVER : good!
The Silva's residence has been almost in a state of desolation, save a few security men who have been keeping the place alive.
They were seated outside one day when two men came, demanding to see the former minister.
Zubar and Aloma were the ones on duty...)
ZUBAR : you want to see Oga...
1st MAN : yes.
ZUBAR : who are you?
1st MAN : I can't tell you who we are. Just tell him we're some people he's owing a lot of money.
ZUBAR : what kind of nonsense is that? ...What do you mean by people he's owing? How dare you...(He could not continue as he saw the second man bringing out a gun from his backside)
2nd MAN : (pointing the gun at Zubar's side without making it obvious)...look here man, if you love yourself and your Job, you better tell him...
ZUBAR : I will...I'll tell him.
1st MAN : good. We have an understanding. We'll be back...(Looks at his colleague)...let's go...
(After the two men left, Zubar calls Andy immediately...)
ZUBAR : sir, two men just left here now. They demanded to see you and they came with a gun sir.
RECEIVER : who are they?
ZUBAR : they didn't give me their names sir. They said you owe them a lot of money.
RECEIVER : and they were with guns?
ZUBAR : yes sir. They said they will come back.
RECEIVER : okay, if they come back, tell them to come next weekend. I'll be home.
ZUBAR : but sir, are you sure we should not call the police?
RECEIVER : no. Let me see them. And if they don't come before next weekend, call me whenever they come, I'll tell them when to come and see me.
ZUBAR : okay sir.
(The men did not come back till the following month. When they came, Zubar did as he was told. Andy spoke to them, still without knowing who they are. He decided to fix a date to see them.
On the said day, the duo got to the gate and met Zubar who immediately took them into the house to see Andy....)
ANDY : yes, who are you and how may I help you?
1st MAN : I am Janu. And he is Egoh...(Pointing)....you owe us sir.
ANDY : how come? I don't know you so how can I be owing you?
JANU : we were the ones that helped you with the kidnap the other time...
ANDY : (shocked but hid his expression)...what do you mean by that? What kind of allegation is that? Who told you I kidnapped anybody...
EGOH : honorable Minister...don't play naïve with us. We know you... We have proof.....
ANDY : what stupid proof are you talking about? Where did I give you instructions....look leave my house right now!
JANU : hmm....don't play with us...we know you're running for election, so don't be smart with us....(Brings out his phone and plays a video for him)....we have other copies.
(Andy could not believe his eyes as he sees himself in the video with Henz)
ANDY : (thinking of the best way out).....so what exactly do you want from me?
JANU : you owe us twenty million each and we want our money.
ANDY : (takes a deep breath)...hmm....give me some minutes....
(He leaves them there and goes into his study, while Janu and Egoh jubilate on their partial victory...)
EGOH : I knew we’ll get him.
JANU : of course. With this evidence, he doesn’t have any other choice than to settle us immediately. Twenty million naira is nothing to him…in fact we should have doubled it.
EGOH : that’s true…
JANU : never mind. We can still keep blackmailing him after this.
EGOH : of course, he will become our money bag….
(Meanwhile, Andy had gone inside to make a call…)
ANDY : I will not condone this a second time, never! Not another blackmailer again...(dialing his phone)….hello?
RECEIVER : hello sir?
ANDY : do you have your boys at the check point?
RECEIVER : yes sir.
ANDY : good. There are this boys in my house. They've got guns on them. They actually threatened my security personnel with guns....
RECEIVER : should we come over to the house sir?
ANDY : no. I want you to apprehend them after they must have left my house. You know how these kidnappers can be. I'm sure they have their colleagues elsewhere. I don't want them to come for my family.
RECEIVER : what do you want us to do sir?
ANDY : they have guns on them, so just arrest them based on that. And tell your boys to move to my street. Just few houses away from mine, remember it’s a close so they have no alternatives. I want it to look as if you only apprehended them after searching them.
RECEIVER : done sir.
ANDY : how long will it take you?
RECEIVER : we’re set just a few streets away from yours. I'll tell my boys to start coming over now, so they should be there in the next five minutes.
ANDY : good. I'll get back to you.
RECEIVER : yes sir.
ANDY : (hangs up)....good...(He dials Zubar's phone too)...hello?
RECEIVER : yes sir...
ANDY : those boys, did they bring a car or what?
RECEIVER : em..I'll check sir.....(after a while).....sir, I can't see any car from here.
ANDY : okay. The police will soon be on our street, when they get here, go and describe what those boys are wearing to them, and then call me to let me know you've done that.
RECEIVER : alright sir.
ANDY : (he hangs up)…good. They are just small boys, they can’t be as smart as me.
(He picks up his check book and goes back to his guests...)
ANDY : sorry I took longer than I proposed...(Taking his seat)...should I write you a check, or you want cash?...(Wondering if they will fall for his bait)
(Janu and Egoh look at each other. They were not expecting it to be this easy)
JANU : em....you can transfer it, we don't want cash.
EGOH : yes, that's better...
ANDY : hmm mm....but what of the other copies? How do I get them?
JANU : we'll bring it back for you.
ANDY : I see...alright then, I'll do the transfer when you bring them all.
JANU : (looks at Egoh)...okay, that's fine. We'll bring it tomorrow.....
ANDY : okay...
JANU : (turns to Egoh)...let's go....(Standing up to leave)
ANDY : (since Zubar has not called, he thinks of a way to delay the men)...oh wait....em....I thought you were four?
JANU : each man for himself...
ANDY : I see...and Henz, does he know about this?
JANU : even I don't know whoever this Henz is.
ANDY : I see...so how did you get to know this place?
JANU : I have my ways. Just get our money ready by tomorrow....(Walking towards the door)
ANDY : wait a minute...(Stands up and walks towards them)...how will I know if you'll give me all the evidences? What if you keep blackmailing me with it?
JANU : you just have to trust us.
ANDY : trust you? That easy?
JANU : well, you are the one that wants to become governor. You have no choice...
(Then Andy's phone rings and he picks it...)
ANDY : hello....(Listening) okay. Good...(Hangs up and turns to the men)...alright young men, you can go now. I'll be expecting you tomorrow.
(Janu and Egoh leaves Andy's house happily, rejoicing over the twenty million naira that is about to enter into their accounts.)
To be continued...
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