Chapter 65

CHAPTER 65

Kurt happened to walk into the Alesh's house when Ladi was crying his eyes out asking for his mother. The moment the little boy saw Kurt, he runs towards him...)

LADI : Daddy! Daddy, please take me with you...I don't like that old lady, Daddy...
KURT : no Son she's your Granma...
LADI : no! She's not my Granma, Granmas don't beat up their grandsons.
KURT : (looks at Nike and puts Ladi down)...Aunty, you don't have to beat him up. He's not used to that.
NIKE : what do you mean he's not used to that? You think you people are still in the US where they don't beat children? I will bring him up the way I brought his mother up.
KURT : Aunty that will make matters worse...

(Meanwhile, Tade heard Kurt and Nike's voice and comes out to meet them...)

TADE : what's going on here?
KURT : good morning Uncle.
TADE : good morning Kurt...what's going on, I heard you people's voice..
KURT : I was just telling Aunty that beating Ladi won't help matters...
TADE : (turns to Nike)...so you've started beating that boy again?
NIKE : when he won't stop asking for Toyin and crying, what do you want me to do?
TADE : (he looks at Ladi whose eyes are full of tears)...Ladi come...(Trying to carry him)...
LADI : no. I want to go with my Daddy...(Holding Kurt tightly)
TADE : (takes a deep breath)...look, Kurt I really don't know what to do about him. This is what we have been going through since Monday.
KURT : should I take him to spend some time with me?
NIKE : take him where? You're not taking him anywhere.
KURT : Aunty, I'll just spend some time with him so he can lighten up.
TADE : Kurt, please take him.
KURT : alright Uncle, I'll bring him back later in the day.
TADE : okay...(Turns to Nike) dress him up and let him go with Kurt.
KURT : (carries Ladi again)...guess what? We're going out together.
LADI : yes Daddy, I don't want to come back here.
KURT : we'll talk about that later okay.
LADI : I want to go with you...(starts crying again)
KURT : of course we're going now...just go and meet Granma to dress you up.
LADI : no..(Shaking his head)
KURT : (turns to Nike)...Aunty just bring his clothes I'll dress him up.

(They managed to dress Ladi up and Kurt takes him along.)




Later in the afternoon, Kurt brought Ladi to his hotel room after spending the morning out with him.

They were both eating pizza when Stan and Kola later shows up at Kurt’s place to talk...)

KOLA : (seeing Ladi running around the house)...I can see you brought Ladi here.
KURT : yes he's having issues with his grandma, you know he's not used to her...
STAN : hmm...what will you do? Remember Lara has some months to spend in jail...
KURT : we'll work something out.
STAN : so about Andy...
KURT : yeah, it’s time to go for him. Ken is down already.
STAN : yes. Once Andy is down Andrew comes next.
KOLA : but you sound like everything and everyone is ready and complete?
KURT : yes.
KOLA : everyone?
KURT : by this night everyone will be complete.
KOLA : hmmm...is there something you're not telling us?
KURT : Kola, we're going to the airport by 4pm today.
KOLA : yes! That's more like it! I can't wait...is the narrator ready too?
KURT : I'll just give him a briefing again. He already knows everyone's story. All we have to do now is to set everything in place before we lose him.
STAN : I'll call up those guys now to let me know his position...(Bringing out his phone)
KURT : meanwhile, I've not given you the good news...
STAN : about?
KURT : well, I'll be getting married soon...
KOLA : (surprised)...huh?
KURT : yes...sooner than you can imagine.
STAN : so you proposed to her already?
KURT : yeah...and she gladly said yes.
STAN : wow...congrats man...
KOLA : congrats Dude....you're lucky...
KURT : nah...I'm fortunate.
KOLA : yeah....but what really happened with the other guy, Jordan or what's he called? Don't tell me you used one of your tricks to get him out of the way...
KURT : come on Kola, how can I do that? I never and will never play such games with Bukola's life. I only allowed things to take its cause because I've always known she loves me. You should see how happy she is.
KOLA : hmm mm....
STAN : (turns to Kola) so it’s your turn Kola, get yourself someone.
KOLA : I will...

(Stan made the call and came back to Kurt and Kola...)

STAN : what do we do? We can't just burst into Andy's guest house. From what I heard, he has tightened the security around there. Not allowing anyone in anyhow, and remember, we're not the police to force our way in. And once the police takes him, our plan is ruined.
KOLA : that's true...(Turns to Kurt)...so what do we do?
KURT : (thinking of what to do)...his driver....he was the one that took him there. I'm sure he will be the one his wife sends to him. We can use him...
STAN : how?
KURT : which of the guys saw the driver?
STAN : Tom. He was the one that gave the fake dollars to Andy.
KURT : good...let's get him here.
STAN : but he's one of those watching him at the guest house...
KURT : hmm...all the same, let's call him...
STAN : okay...
(They put a call through to him Tom...)
RECEIVER : hello Boss
KURT : Tom, what do you know about Andy's driver, the one that brought him to the guest house? I mean, can you recognize him?
RECEIVER : yes sir. In fact, he's being coming around the guest house...
KURT : hmm....how often?
RECEIVER : it depends. Most times he comes late at night. But he doesn't come with the car whenever he wants to come.
KURT : hmm...I see. Alright. I'll call you if I need you....(Hangs up)
KOLA : so what are we gonna do?
KURT : he's the one we'll use.
KOLA : how do we do it? He just said the guy comes in at night.
KURT : yeah...it’s a diversion.
STAN : how?
KuRT : Andy has to eat isn't it? He's at a place where he can't allow or trust too many people, so his wife will have to get him food and may be money somehow. So she needs to send someone to her husband constantly. Now, I'm sure the police will be watching Andy's house, so if the driver goes with the car, they will suspect him, but if he leaves without the car, at night, they'll simply think he's going home, who will follow him?
STAN : hmm...
KURT : So we use him to get to Andy.
STAN : and you think he'll cooperate with you?
KURT : oh come on Stan, with a good sum of money that guy will. He knows his job is astake. He knows Andy is definitely going down, he must have heard the news, so why will he keep helping him? Moreover, trust me, that's where psychology comes in, you make him wanna do the right thing for a good thing...
STAN : hmm...Kurt...(Shaking his head)
KOLA : Bad guy! You want to make the guy betray his almighty Boss...
KURT : (laughing)...no, his killer Boss, who could turn around and kill him too if he doesn't run for his life...
STAN : (laughing)...so how much are we offering this guy just to 'see' Andy Silva...
KURT : come on Stan, no amount is too small....it’s just like the American police putting up a notice...(Describing with his hands)...'Wanted' whoever knows the whereabouts of Andy Silva and can give us useful information regarding his position, gets a hundred thousand dollars...
KOLA : huh! You want to give the Driver a hundred K?
KURT : this is Nigeria, he'll just give him a little retirement. About twenty thousand dollars should do the trick...a payment for doing what is right.
KOLA : hmm...that's over 4 million naira.
STAN : it’s not bad.




Imoru is a young man in his early thirties. He got married some few years back and has two kids to show for his marriage. He has being trusted by his Boss to keep secrets both from his wife and from the public.

His Boss' wife had parked her husband's food and had given it to Imoru to take to him.

While retiring to his house for the day, he had just walked about two streets away from where his Boss is when a man walked up to him...)

MAN : good evening.
IMORU : (looking at the strange man standing before him)...good evening.
MAN : my Boss wants to see you.
IMORU : your Boss....(Looking at his face, he thought the man looks familiar)...you, I know you somewhere...
MAN : yes, you know me.
IMORU : (trying to recall)...who is your Boss?
MAN : why not come and meet him?
IMORU : this night? Who is he? Why can't he come and meet me here?...(Wondering who the person is and thinking he may have been disrespectful with his words)...what if you people hijack me?
MAN : he's harmless, he only wants to make you a proposal.
IMORU : a proposal...ehn let him come here.
MAN : okay...I'll tell him...(Dialing his Boss' number)....hello sir...
RECEIVER : Yes Tom...
TOM : he refused to come with me sir...he said he expects you to come and meet him here sir...
RECEIVER : no problem. I'll come over.
TOM : (surprised)...sir? You’ll come?
RECEIVER : tell him I'll come over there.
TOM : okay sir...(Hangs up)
IMORU : (still trying to recall Tom's face)...now I remember you! You were the one that Oga was talking to on that day. You entered into the car and sat beside me...
TOM : I can see you have a good memory....my Boss will be here soon....(Looking at the direction his Boss will be coming from...)
IMORU : (he looks around to see if anyone is approaching)...okay...

(Few seconds later…)
TOM : here he comes...
BOSS : (walking up to them) good evening...
IMORU : (surprised to see he actually came to meet him)...good evening.
BOSS : can we go somewhere better to talk?
IMORU : why not here?
BOSS : okay. If you feel comfortable here, no problem....em...I have a proposal for you...(Turns to Tom)...Tom
TOM : yes Boss
BOSS : go and bring it.
TOM : yes sir.
IMORU : proposal...
BOSS : but first I'll introduce myself...I'm Kurt James CEO JTV.
IMORU : ehn? You are the owner of that TV station?(Wondering how young he is)...
KURT : yes...and I know what you're thinking....
IMORU : why should I believe you?
KURT : (he smiles at him)...you don't have to believe me, really. I just need you to do the right thing.
IMORU : the right thing...?
KURT : yes...
IMORU : agree to do which right thing?
KURT : to help the police know the whereabouts of Andy Silva.
IMORU : why will I do that?
KURT : because it’s the right thing to do. Andy Silva killed a man and blamed someone else for it many years ago, so why should you keep such a person away from the police?
IMORU : well, he's my Boss.
KURT : for how long? (Seeing he's getting to Imoru gradually)...you're married, right? (Looking at his finger)...You've got kids? They're in school or still breast feeding? Are you sure you can keep paying their fees with the situation of things surrounding your Boss? Sooner or later, Andy will be caught…and assuming he's not caught, his political career is dead, he can't even show his face in public. So what's the probability that your job is secured?....
IMORU :  but he's a politician, they usually find their ways out. How many politicians do you see in jail?
KURT : oh...you think so?
IMORU : yes.
KURT : alright then if that's the case, why is he hiding here? Why hasn't any of his friends come to his aid?....who do you think will help a man who was shown on TV killing another man? If the government wants to spare him, do you think the people will keep quiet?...look, Andy Silva's case is beyond redemption now. So you better think of yourself ...tell me, how much is your salary?
IMORU : what is that to you?
KURT : it’s okay if you don't want to tell me...but I'll make you an offer just to do what is right...I'll give you twenty thousand US dollars if you'll cooperate with us.
IMORU : (with his mouth wide open) ehn?! (Quickly he started calculating the amount in Naira)...em...
KURT : (signals to Tom to come over)...I'll pay you half now and the rest later...what do you say? And I need your answer now. It’s now or never. If you won't do it, someone else will....

(Tom walks over with a bundle of dollars in a paper bag, showing it to Imoru...)
IMORU : how am I sure the money is not fake?
KURT : you have till tomorrow to confirm its authenticity but you have to give me your answer now.
IMORU : (still looking at the money)...what do you want me to do?
KURT : hmm....(Smiling)...that's more like it.....(Turns to Tom)...Tom give him the money.
TOM : yes Boss....




It’s been almost a week now and nothing has been heard about Andy Silva. The two policemen outside his house kept watching out for him.

The newspapers have been carrying the news of his crimes around the whole state, making everyone watch out for him.

Andy's guest house is one that looks more like a family resident. Though it’s not so big, but it has got almost all the necessities an exquisite guest house needs. Its located in a serene area where most of the residents would not know the building is actually a guest house.

Andy is staying quietly at his guest house, though, making arrangements to move somewhere else. He had thought of going back to his home town, but he knows that the news of the crime he committed must have reached them, especially his opponents.

Mr. Gaja has been managing Andy's guest house for some time now, he has been a loyal servant, keeping his Boss' secrets including his escapades in the guest house. Though, the guest house has not being occupied for some time now, since most of Andy's friends seem to have neglected him, so Gaja has been staying home, leaving Andy alone in the guest house since there are no activities anyway.

According to Andy's command, Gaja had tightened the security around the guest house. Allowing only Andy's Driver and the two staffs necessary for the only occupant.

It’s around 6am Friday morning, Andy's driver got to the guest house agitated. He knocks at the gate the way he usually does and the gate keeper wonders why he's here so early in the day....)

GK : what happened?...(Talking through the door hole)
IMORU : I have to see oga now, something is happening at the house.
GK : what's going on?
IMORU : better don't ask me, so we won't waste more time. Quickly, open the gate.
GK : okay...(wondering why the urgency, he opens the gate and was surprised to see about ten other men behind Imoru...)...hey what...(He was pushed in by one of the men before he could try and close the gate...)
TOM : (cuts in)...shut up!...(He reveals a revolver stashed away in his holster)...you better keep quiet...
IMORU : (talking to the men behind him)... let's go, it’s this way...

(He leads the way as the men followed behind him. They walk up the stairs going straight to Andy's room. Andy was busy sleeping in his room when they got there, Imoru knocks at the door...)

ANDY : (standing up reluctantly, wondering who that could be)...who is that?
IMORU : It's me sir,
ANDY : who?
IMORU : Imoru sir.
ANDY : Imoru this early?...what's the problem?
IMORU : sir, I had to tell you what I saw yesterday after I left from here.
ANDY : (wondering what that may be)....okay...(Coming to the door, he opens it and was amazed to see who was standing right in front of him)...you again?


To be continued....