Near Miss

FOURTEEN

“Yes I am quite certain it is him.”

“But you were not able to give a concrete description, how are you sure that it is him.”

“I cannot explain it but when I saw him I knew it’s him. It is not just about the way he looked. It is the manner about him. I just know.’

“Meet me at the office. We have to report this to the police.”

“Ok.”

Seyi questioned his own motives because he was sure that he should feel more guilt than he feels. He may well have swung in motion activities that will affect Morenike negatively. The worse part of the whole saga is that he may be wrong. The more he thinks about it, the more he hopes that he is wrong. If Poju turns out to be the elusive killer, it may hurt Morenike but at least she will not marry a killer.

“Where did you see him?”

“It is a long story, but his name is Poju Cole.”

“Cole, Cole?”

“One and the same; the son of the big man Cole.”

“Suddenly I don’t feel like going to the station anymore.”Seyi laughed but the Manager was quite serious.

“You are that sure uh. Ok Let’s go!”

The meeting at the policed station was brief because the officer in charge of this investigation has no interest in early retirement. He immediately saw the danger in accusing a high profiled personality such as Poju Cole. It was agreed that they will tread slowly and quietly about this new intel. They advised Seyi and the agency to be absolutely mute about the information until the police is able to tie Poju to the scene.

Seyi contemplated telling Morenike, but he does not think he can bring himself to admit sabotaging her future happiness even if it means her own protection. He had no time to brood. He is due for his next job at Obudu Ranch. He flies out of Lagos to Cross River that night.

“The Resort is cold. There is no lead there.”

“Stay on It.”

“I cannot.”

“What!”

“The Police got a tip that leads to That Cole boy. If they get to him, he will lead them to your door step.”

“Do not touch Cole. You have to make sure they do not lead to him.”

“Your call, but that is the sure way he will not lead to you.”

“Don’t touch him, but clean up otherwise!”

This is frustrating to Doc. That is the problem with people who want things done but are not willing to do what it takes to get it done. Death is the price for foolishness in his books. A price he will deliver to his own son if he is found to be foolish, assuming he had any children. The senator does not understand that killing the Cole boy is the only effective way to handle this mess.

“I told you I will call back. Listen senator! I will send you an address to deliver fifty million Naira cash. Just drop the money and drive away and your secret will be safe.”

“How do I know that you will not use this information after I pay?” The blackmailer laughed hysterically.

“You do not know.” He laughed again and severed the connection.”

This is turning into a circus. There is a treat from some quarters that have not yet identified Kayode as the culprit. There is another group that know exactly what happened. Who exactly has the most to lose if this information goes public? The senator picked up his phone and called the Doc again.

“Forget those clowns that went to the police station for now. There is a more pressing threat. They have made their demand and I want you to be there to deliver the value for their money. When that is done take care of Poju Cole.”

“Yes sir.” Now you are taking. Doc felt the rush as he got into his black BMW and headed for the point of exchange.

Saake and Shina were ready with their meager belongings in the bushes waiting. This point is convenient for them because it is close to the border. Their plan is simple; get the money haul it across the border into Cotonou. From Cotonou they will determine the next direction to run. Saake dreamed of possibilities; they could get a car and never stop driving. His dream was interrupted by Shina who noticed a vehicle approaching the agreed drop point. A man carrying a Ghana-must-go-bag disembarked the vehicle and walked to the point and dropped the bag. He walked back to the car, got in and the car sped away. It was perfect. The night was still and undisturbed again when Shina got up and walked to fetch the bag. Before he could touch the bag there was a shot and Shina hit the ground hard. It turned into a waiting game. Saake was not sure the direction the shot came from. The best he could do was to stay put and hope that the shooter will assume that Shina came alone. Hours turned to more hours; the shooter must be convinced that there is no one else out there. He moved to collect the bag full of money. He looked around the darkness and suddenly started shooting in the direction of the bush for good measure. Saake bit into his lips as bullets hit him in the shoulder and side. The man simply walked away until the darkness swallowed him no vehicle, he just walked. Saake laid there until he lost consciousness.

When he regained consciousness, he was in the hospital and was really glad he is not dead. There were police men around him when he finally came-to. They immediately asked him to recount his experience; and recount he did. The division that was in charge of the resort investigation was immediately notified. The investigators in turn notified the management of the modeling agency. A meeting was convened quickly to go over the information available. The testimony that Seyi gave is beginning to look as if there is some truth to it. Kayode Agbaja and Poju Cole are known associates, but without concrete evidence all they have proves nothing. They need a possible confession from Poju. Activities were set in motion to get a warrant for Poju’s arrest. The plan is to offer him a deal to testify against kayode in exchange for leniency.

It is a girl! A beautiful afro-Caucasian baby girl broke through her gloom and brought the greatest joy she had ever known to her heart. This is the single most beautiful and precious moments of Datare’s life so far. The moment the adorable little baby was placed in her arms everything became clear; her priority became greatly simplified. Work hard and take care of this precious gift. To do this effectively a job is expedient to have a good life while working up a decent savings for a return to Nigeria. She thought of Ken and of where he could be; maybe off looking for fresh muse. She wondered for a moment if there had been other muses before her and what happened to them after they had outlived their usefulness. These thoughts brought back the gloom, but a quick glance at her baby kept the sadness at bay.

In just a month after her baby was born Datare was out looking for work. Her fear for her baby drove her to find means of earning money. She got nothing. Places with the really slim chance of a job for her told her to wait. She could not wait; she was a desperate mother. As usual she went by the crèche to pick her baby and back home. Frustrated and tired she tried to put her baby to sleep after a quick meal. The baby was asleep when Datare heard a knock at the door.

It must be the nurse sent by the hospital once a week to make sure everything is alright. By alright, they access the environment and Datare’s ability to cater effectively for the baby. Datare did a quick scan of the apartment; satisfied that everything is in place she went to open the door. To her absolute shock it was not the nurse she saw at the door, it was Ken. Her first impulse was to slam the door in his face but something about his appearance stopped her. He looked really skinny and pale with dark circles around his eyes.

“What do you want?” Datare asked coldly.

His dark and dry lips quivered as he struggled for the right words.

When he still said nothing, Datare motioned to shut the door. He placed a hand against the door.

“Can I see her?” He said almost inaudibly.

“No”. Again she attempted to shut the door.

“Datare, I am sorry but she is my daughter too.”

“You will never see her!” She fumed.

“Please…” She forced the door shut and locked it before he could complete his statement. With her back against the door she cried. She cried because despite her anger she felt such pity for him; he looked awful. She is glad she did not let him in but a part of her wanted to let him in, feed him and show their daughter to him. She cried more. He ruined their beautiful life for cheap addiction.

The warrant came through and a party left the station to pick up Poju based on the intelligence that he arrived home the night before. The investigators are hopeful for a confession from Poju that will effectively tie Kayode Agbaja to the scene and the murder. The element of surprise was taken away because they had to stop at the entrance of the estate for a brief explanation to the security personnel. By the time they got to the home of the Coles they had the attention of a number of neighbors. Nevertheless, the arrest was made amidst threats and outbursts from the old man Cole. He was read his rights and cuffed. As the officers led him to the Police van however, they heard a shot fired. People scampered in all directions, policemen hit the ground, but Poju hit the ground lifeless. By the time the offices got to him he was in the pool of his own blood.

It was beyond any doubt now that Poju is indispensible in the race to bring kayode to justice. They have just displayed an extreme desperation to keep Poju Quiet.

The police officers that arrested Poju waited anxiously in the lobby of the hospital where Poju fought for his life.

After about an hour the doctor came out and pronounced him dead. The lead investigator summoned courage to deliver the terrible news to the family members and as expected their agony and pain was vented against him.

By nightfall all the police officers involved in the investigation gathered in a secret safe house to discuss the way forward for the case. Also, in the safe house was Saake, who was being kept for his safety. The real purpose of the gathering was only known to two of the policemen, but it will soon be revealed to the men that have gathered. When the meeting was well on the way Poju was wheeled into the midst of the police men alive and well. The policemen quickly recovered from their surprise and looked to lead investigator for an explanation.

“The moment he was shot we realized that if he made it through attempts will still be made on his life; so when the doctor pronounced the wound through and through we saw our chance to make his assailants think they have succeded.” The officer was satisfied by the awe of his colleagues at his ingenuity. Relishing the moment, he continued.

“He is weak from loss of blood but he is fine and understands the necessity for a timely testimony.” As he spoke some young corporals set up a camera and lights. From that moment to the wee hours of the next day the men questioned poju and Saake until they had satisfied the case. By the time the meeting ended they knew that they have enough for a judge to grant a warrant for the arrest of Kayode Agbaja.

Throughout Seyi’s stay in Calabar he threw himself into his work and as testimony the photos were spectacular but, on the way, back to Lagos his guilt rushed at him. He needed to talk to Morenike. For some reason she had not been receiving his calls. After arrival in Lagos he reported to the agency where he heard the awful news about the death of Poju Cole. Seyi immediately excused himself and walked into the night where he could give expression to his self-reproach. It is his fault. If he had not gone running to the police, no one would know of Poju’s involvement and he will still be alive.

This has gone far enough; he needs to come clean to Morenike about all that had been going on before she hears of the role he played from someone else. If that happens, his intentions will be misconstrued. He went home to drop his luggage and was off to see Morenike. On the way he worried about the timing of his confession. He turned many scenarios over in his mind and decided that he would rather have her angry at him for not sharing what he knew, than think he sabotaged her wedding and life with Poju. Morenike’s home was quiet, but Seyi braved on to knock. The moment the door opened, he saw Morenike in the living room in the midst of people gathered around her. His heart ached for her so much so that he was unaffected by the cold reception by her father.

“Good day sir.” There was no response.

“May I see Morenike Please?”

“This is not a good time…” He began to say when Morenike suddenly showed up from behind him and hugged Seyi.

Maybe shock or just relief a seeing Morenike comforted by someone, her father backed down and went back to the living room.

As usual for a few moments there were no words, He could feel her grief and other complex emotions that only he could understand. They found a comfortable spot on the grounds of the house to talk. Every word Morenike spoke about how the news of Poju’s death affects her made it much more difficult for Seyi to stick to his resolve about coming clean.

“Morenike, I have something to tell you.” This got her attention. She has great senses, because there was real dread in her eyes as she anticipated what Seyi was going to say. The worst had already happened so whatever requires this solemn atmosphere must be worse.

Seyi saw that Morenike was ready but he turned out to be a wimp. He could not do it. Morenike was still looking at him and expecting him to say something grave.

“Morenike, I think I have fallen in love with you.” He held his breath. Of all the ways he could have declared his feelings; he chose to use how he felt as a cover up.

Morenike withdrew from him and it felt like his flesh was being torn from him. He could not read her because her eyes were down. She got on her feet and started walking away.

“Morenike!” He followed her. When he tried to grab a hold on her arms she spun around and slapped him across the face.

“Now you love me? Now? I have waited for months to hear you say that, you choose now.” Seyi did not know what to say, then-

“You were engaged from the moment I met you.”

“So you wait until a few days after the death of my fiancé to declare your love.”

This was turning into a nightmare. They had attracted the attention of family member who were already gathered on the patio to come to Morenike’s rescue.

“You are right. It is stupid of me to add to your burden at this time. I am sorry.” She still had fire in her eyes but she said nothing as Seyi left the compound.

He could not do it. There was no win in this situation for him. One way or another he has lost her. As if that is not enough he would have to carry the guilt of his involvement in Poju’s assassination on his conscience.