*Chapter 16: The End..or the beginning *
516 Words
The cup shattered on the floor.
David couldn’t breathe.
A photo of him sleeping. Taken last night. In his own room.
_We’re still watching. Job’s not done._
His hands shook as he picked up the phone.
_"Ada,"_ he called. No answer. 5am.
_"Tunde."_ Nothing.
The house was too quiet.
David walked to the window and pulled the curtain. The street was empty. Just one car parked across the road. Black. Tinted windows.
Same car.
He grabbed his keys and phone. He wasn’t staying here.
He ran out the door, locking it behind him.
The black car’s engine started.
David broke into a run down the street.
_"David!"_
Tunde’s voice. From behind him.
David turned. Tunde was in a cab, waving frantically. Ada was next to him. Chika too.
David jumped in. The cab driver pulled off before he even closed the door.
_"What’s happening?"_ Tunde asked.
David showed him the photo. Tunde’s face went hard.
_"They followed you home,"_ Tunde said. _"We have to go to the station. Now."_
_"No,"_ Chika said quietly. Everyone looked at her.
_"If we go to the station, they’ll run. And they’ll come back later. We end this now."_
She looked at David. _"You’re the bait."_
David swallowed. _"What do you mean?"_
_"Reply to the email,"_ Chika said. _"Tell them you’ll do the job. But only if we meet. Alone. At the pier. 6am."_
_"That’s insane,"_ Ada said. _"It’s a trap."_
_"Yes,"_ Chika said. _"But this time we set the trap."_
Tunde thought for a second. Then he nodded. _"I know a guy. He can get us 2 undercover officers. They’ll be there before them."_
David looked at all of them. His friends. The people these criminals tried to destroy.
He took a deep breath and typed the reply:
_Fine. I’ll do it. Pier. 6am. Alone._
Send.
6am came fast.
The pier was foggy. Water was calm.
David stood alone, hands in his pockets. His heart was pounding.
A car pulled up. The black SUV.
The man in the black cap got out. Two other men with him.
_"You’re stupid to come alone,"_ the man said.
David forced himself to stay calm. _"Where’s my money?"_
The man smiled. _"Right here."_
And then everything happened at once.
Lights. Sirens. Officers came from everywhere. The undercover guys Tunde called.
The men tried to run. They didn’t make it.
The man in the cap looked at David as they put cuffs on him.
_"You think this is over?"_ he spat.
David just looked at him. _"Yes. It is."_
Two weeks later.
David sat in a small café with Ada. Sunlight came through the window. No more calls. No more texts.
The case was closed. The gang was in jail. Chika was safe and in counseling.
David’s phone buzzed.
Ada tensed.
David checked it.
Bank alert: _5,000,000 NGN credited._
From the police. Reward money.
David laughed. He showed Ada.
She laughed too. Then she reached across the table and took his hand.
Outside, the city was loud and busy and alive.
And for the first time in a long time, David felt safe.
*THE END.*
- Writer
