The Mile 3 Murder Mystery

The Prince

Despite Abel's success as a lawyer , his personal life was disturbing with his brother George who took to crime. He had long distanced himself from George, unable to reconcile his role as a lawyer with a brother who was the leader of a criminal underworld group. Though a criminal but George's murder placed him in shock because he was still his brother. His death was officially labeled as a gang-related crime. The police seem uninterested in pursuing the case. He knows that George's death was not accidental, it must have been caused by a powerful, untouchable figure he might have crossed.

Abel got himself thinking of the idea of pursuing justice for George despite his criminal activities or leave it alone to avoid further harm to his family and career. He initially did not feel like getting involved, reminding himself that he’s a lawyer and not an investigator. But guilt over his estranged relationship with George and the realization that justice may never come has made him decide to investigate the the issue , using his legal expertise and connections.To him the car explosion wasn’t random; it was orchestrated by someone powerful. Was it the Prince's method to silence George before he could betray the gang ? He has to find out. But how will he secretly use his legal and investigative skills to find a way to get information about the Prince's crime world without putting his family in further danger? He has to call Tom.

The Prince is a big name in Port Harcourt city’s underworld. His true name has been a mystery and he has so much power and influence. His name is always whispered in clubs, joints, hotels and bars.To his followers, he is a patron, a lecturer, a leader and a criminal mastermind. He is also seen by his followers as a man who understands the game very well .

He created the Demboys gang, a criminal group encompassing everything from smuggling, illegal arms, extortion to cybercrimes. His gang is made up of desperate souls, thieves, hackers, and jobless youths looking for purpose or protection. His group has a gang leader who manage the operations.The gang leader reports directly to him. George was the gang leader but with his death, Isdore took over. The Prince's influence is beyond the criminal world. Many Port Harcourt City officials are in his pocket, bought with bribe money and blackmail. Judges, policemen, soldiers and even politicians owe him favours. His reach is so great that nothing happens in Port Harcourt without his knowledge. People see him as a wealthy philanthropist. He does give aways regularly, donating to charities, schools, and hosts lavish parties attended by Port Harcourt city’s big boys. Many see him as a good man without knowing that the money for his generosity is from his illegal businesses.But he has a weakness. He has so much love for sexy looking ladies and flirts with them. He is charming in public, especially around women.Unmarried and unattached, he is infamous for his flirtatious nature. To him, relationships were distractions, but the game of seduction was one he played very well. Women were drawn to his aura, his wealth and his smiles. He never promised love; he offered pleasure.Vera Tor was one of his secret lovers.

The Prince met Vera one of the evenings at a lavish gala he hosted in his house. The guests were the city’s elite. He was moving through the crowd with the confidence of a king, a glass of whiskey in one hand and a disarming grin on his face when he saw her. The night wore on, and he found himself captivated by her beauty.

The Demboys gang were in their secret hide out when the governor of Rivers state announced the curfew. They had returned from the street, some with gun wounds, their bodies marked with scars of the night’s skirmish. Isdore the gang leader's hands were bruised, but he picked up his phone and called the Prince.

"We took care of them, we attacked them" Isdore said, his voice dull. There was a pause, the line silent briefly. The Prince’s voice, calm. " Tell me everything. I want to hear every details including number of casualties ."

Isdore: No news of the number of casualties for now. No death from our end only minor bullet wounds. We don't know of their's at the moment.

The Prince: I dont entertain failures. Make sure your crew knows what’s at stake. No body must mess with my group . If you fail me there will be consequences.

The call ended abruptly, leaving a tense silence in the room. Isdore placed his phone on the table feeling sad. He glanced at his crew, battered but unbroken. "We will strike again. Obobo's death won’t be in vain. This is just the beginning." As the first rays of dawn broke through the grimy windows, the gang steeled themselves for the battles yet to come, bound by loyalty and the unyielding drive to survive.

Governor Okutu Brown of Rivers State had just settled into his study. The city of Port Harcourt was under a strict curfew after a gang gun clash. The streets were silent, save for the occasional hum of police patrol cars enforcing the mandate. Just as he was about to retire to his bedroom, his phone buzzed. The number calling was that of Lebari Tor.

Okutu straightened in his chair. Lebari Tor the billionaire was not just one of the wealthiest men in Rivers State; he was also one of the most influential.

“Governor Okutu on the line Chief,” he said, his voice steady but weary.

“Good evening, Governor. I'm Chief Lebari ” came the smooth, authoritative voice.

" Chief! Good evening. Okutu replied carefully. “What can I do for you Chief ?”

“I will go straight to the point My Governor,” Lebari said, his tone cold. “ I want the curfew to end tonight.”

“ Chief Lebari ” Okutu began, choosing his words carefully, “I understand your concerns, but the curfew is necessary to maintain order. The gang war can escalate "

“ The curfew is bad for my business,” Lebari interrupted. “ Do you have any idea how much I will lose if this curfew is allowed to go on ? Supply chains will be disrupted, my employees will be unable to go to work, investors will get nervous.”

Okutu's heart skipped. “I sympathize with you Chief , but my priority is the safety of this city. The curfew is a temporary measure to prevent violence and property damage. This isn’t about politics or business. It’s about keeping Port Harcourt from tearing itself apart.”

"If you don’t call off this curfew by morning then Port Harcourt City will tear you apart ” Lebari 's voice dropped, almost to a whisper. “Your political career is hanging by a thread and i will make this state ungovernable for you"

The line went dead. Governor Okutu stared at the phone, the weight of Lebari’s words pressing down on him