The Colonel was asleep when he heard the
sound of the doorbell. He woke up startled.
Who was at his door at this time of the night?
He let the ringing continue for a while. When it
did not stop, he grudgingly got up and went
to the door.
“Who is it?” The Colonel asked pressing a
button which enabled the microphone.
“Maintenance.” A voice replied from the other
end.
The Colonel peered through the tiny glass
visualizer on the door. He saw a man holding
a tool box and looking round the corridor. He
was wearing a dark blue janitor’s apparel
which had the hotel logo on the b—m
pocket. He also wore a blue cap which
covered part of his face.
“Sorry, I did not call for any maintenance.
Wrong room.” The Colonel said and left the
door.
As the Colonel was going back to sit, Ahmed
came out of the bedroom.
“Hi Uncle. Who was that?” he asked.
“One maintenance guy, He probably got the
wrong room. How do you feel now?” The
Colonel asked.
“I feel better than I was before. I am ready to
go in the morning.” Ahmed replied.
Just then the doorbell rang again.
“Ahmed, please see what that guy wants. I am
so angry right now; I fear I may blow his head
off.” The Colonel said closing his eyes.
Ahmed approached the door and looked into
the glass hole. He saw no one. He shrugged.
He left the door and was half way across the
room, when he heard the doorbell again. He
was furious. He stormed to the door and keyed
in the 4-digit pin to open the door.
All the while the Colonel was in deep thought.
Why was the so called maintenance person
not at the door? Why did the reception not
call to inform him before hand? Why was he
being persistent after he had clearly been told
to go away? As he pondered this things,
Ahmed was already at the door inserting the
pin code to open the door.
“Noooo!!! Don’t!!! Stop boy!!!” The Colonel
screamed at Ahmed, getting up from the
couch.
It was too late.
In his enraged state, Ahmed flung the door
open and made to scream at the intruder from
maintenance when a heavy punch hit him by
the side of his face. Before he could
understand what was happening, a kick hit
him on his chest, sending him sprawling on
the floor back inside the house. The Colonel
took just one quick look at Ahmed who was
clutching his ribs. Ahmed grimaced, turning in
pain.
The Colonel’s sharp eyes darted immediately
back to the door. He almost knew who it was.
He became alert. Very alert. He did not rush
to the door like Ahmed did. He waited for
almost a minute to see what it was that
knocked Ahmed off his feet.
The General walked majestically into the room
through the open door with a grim look on his
face. He walked past the Colonel, sitting on
the chair that he occupied a few minutes ago.
Tawo came in after the General. However, he
did not follow his father to the chair. He
slammed the door shut and folded his arms
across his chest, relaxing his heavy frame on
the metal door.
The Colonel did not take his eyes of Tawo. His
subconscious sensed the General behind him,
watching him, trying to predict his move.
Ahmed who was groaning on the floor earlier
sat on the ground, surprised at the effrontery
of the intrusion of these two men. Ahmed
looked at his Uncle and what he saw scared
him. There was a particular look he saw on
the Colonel’s face. He knew that look. It was
a look of rage and bl0*d. His Uncle was now
angry beyond reason yet calculating and
careful. Ahmed shifted away from his Uncle,
resting his back on the wall leading to the
bedroom. He did not want to be caught in the
cross fire. The Colonel’s eyes did not move.
He continued to glare at Tawo.
Tawo had killed his only son albeit indirectly.
Tawo and the Colonel’s son Abbey attended
the same Spy Academy. Tawo was two years
ahead and had achieved the status of
Chameleon Prime. He was now responsible for
recruiting younger members of the academy
and training them into Chameleon Spies. The
Chameleon Spies were members of the Spy
Academy who had performed excellently over
their first three years. The Colonel’s son had a
fantastic record. He was always topping every
category. By his third year in the Spy
Academy, he had rubbished every record that
Tawo had set. Twice Abbey was heavily
recommended to partner Tawo in his missions.
Tawo had declined. He had not met the boy
but he already hated him.
So when Tawo met Abbey for the first time
during the Chameleon Recruits Orientation, he
made up his to do everything in his power to
wreck Abbey’s career.
He engaged Abbey in all kinds of mini-
missions too high for his level of clearance,
but Abbey scaled them all excellently. All the
while The Colonel continued to encourage his
son, telling him that Tawo meant him more of
good than harm.
However, Tawo had had enough. Abbey’s
success appalled him. He was no longer
comfortable because he saw Abbey as a threat
to his supremacy. In the second year of
Abbey’s training, Tawo sent Abbey on a
deadly infiltration mission, deliberately
including fake extraction details. Abbey
finished the subtle infiltration superbly and
was ready for evacuation. The radio link he
was given to call came back as static. No
response on the other end. Abbey had no
choice but to find his own escape route. He
had not been trained to that degree. He fell
into enemy hands and was killed.
During the debriefing, it was discovered that
Tawo had provided incorrect extraction
details. The penalty was dismissal and death
if found guilty by the Spy Court. The General
had intervened and shielded his son from
justice. He made Tawo disappear and swept
the case under the rug.
The Colonel however was undaunted. He dug
relentlessly into the family of the General in
his attempt to unravel the location of Tawo.
He was not ready to let his son’s death go by
without justice being served. The General
found out the Colonel was digging too deep
into his privacy and had the West African
Intelligence force send him undercover to
infiltrate and bring down the Marine Cartel.
The General hoped he would not come out
alive.
All these thoughts flashed through the
Colonel’s mind in seconds. He squeezed his
fingers into a fist. He had been looking for
this opportunity for a long time. Tawo had to
pay for taking the life of his son. He had to
die.
“Giwa, I know what you feel. I know how you
feel. No one has to die tonight.” The General
said in his cold, baritone voice.
The Colonel did not look back.
“Marcus, I am not sure you know how I feel.
My son was murdered. Yours is still alive. You
know what I think? I think you would
understand how I feel when your son is dead.”
The Colonel replied.
His eyes were still on Tawo. His eyeballs were
fiery red. Tawo felt uneasy. His fingers
caressed the .43 automatic that was inside
the janitor overall he wore. He felt the need to
use it but his father’s warning replayed in his
mind.
The Colonel saw the tiny movement of Tawo’s
fingers inside the overall. His instincts took
over. He ran towards Tawo in a zigzag
motion. The Colonel’s action took him by
surprise. As Tawo saw the Colonel
approaching him, he quickly brought out the
pistol, aiming at the Colonel. He was not
quick enough as the Colonel was in front of
him in a flash. He landed a huge right to
Tawo’s cheek while simultaneously giving a
powerful left punch to his lower bicep. The
pistol went off Tawo’s hand falling on the
ground.
With his rage and anger, the Colonel rained
punch after punch at every part of Tawo’s
body. Tawo tried to ward off some of the
Colonel’s punches but the Colonel was too
fast for him. Tawo held up his arms to block
the Colonel’s punches. The Colonel threw a
strong swinging right punch to the side of
Tawo’s face. Tawo fell on the ground
disoriented.
Just then, the General got up. He took out a
gun from his hips and aimed at the Colonel.
The Colonel turned, facing the General. He was
panting strongly, his countenance still filled
with rage and anger.
“I did not intend for this to end this way.
Obviously you are not ready to be sensible.
Bye Giwa.” The General said, turning off the
safety of the gun.
A gunshot was fired.
The General fell on the couch holding his
chest.
The Colonel turned.
Ahmed was holding the gun that fell from
Tawo’s hand. Ahmed looked scared. The
Colonel went to his nephew, helping him up
from the ground.
Instinctively, the Colonel had this strong
feeling to look back. As he did, he saw Tawo
pulling out a gun from his hips. The Colonel
immediately grabbed the gun from Ahmed and
pushed him away from the line of fire. Ahmed
stumbled to the side of the room, almost
hitting his head on the wall.
The Colonel bent on one knee and fired two
shots at Tawo. The bullets hit him on the
chest. Tawo fell, surrounded in the pool of his
own bl0*d.
“Let’s get out of here” The Colonel said,
helping Ahmed up.
They took their belongings and hurriedly left
the hotel room.
*****************
Thirty minutes later, the General stirred. He
came to slowly, touching his chest. There was
a little bl0*d stain on his shirt. He took off
his shirt and took off the bullet proof vest he
wore. He threw it aside and assessed his
chest. The bullet had pierced the vest but did
not really get into his body. It grazed his skin
and had caused him to bleed. He got up naijacard. com
slowly, looking around the room.
Just then, he saw his son lifeless in a pool of
his own bl0*d.
episode 37
Shina got out of his beautiful silver colored
convertible Hyundai Envy. He was parked
outside a small bungalow in the exquisite
Northern Foreshore Estate. Leaning against
the driver’s door, he pressed the horn twice.
He was waiting for Eva. He checked his wrist
watch impatiently. It was three minutes past
noon.
Eva opened the glass window of her sitting
room and called out to Shina,
“Just a minute please.” She said waving at
him.
She blew a kiss at him as she closed the
window. Shina shrugged.
Eight minutes later, Eva came out of her house
carrying just a sling bag across her chest. Her
beautifully conditioned hair tumbled in waves
at her shoulders as she walked towards him.
She wore a pink silk semi-transparent blouse
which had white polka dots. A short black
mini skirt and white flat ballerina shoes
completed her outfit. Her black lacy half bra
was slightly visible under her blouse, her huge
br3asts struggling against the tight fabric.
Shina felt his heart skip a few beats. He really
was crazy about this girl. He fought the urge
to walk up to her and sweep her off her feet.
He was afraid. Afraid of how she would react.
Afraid of what she might say. Afraid of losing
her forever. Like they say, half a loaf is better
than none at all. He was content with just
being in her life in the current capacity that he
was, rather than lose her forever because of
his feelings.
“What took you so long? We are far behind
time. See the time na.” Shina said as Eva
opened the passenger door and got in.
“Ahn Ahn na. Shebi it was just five minutes
now. You know I have to look good. You never
can tell if it’s another job I have to do, you
know.” She said putting her arms around
Shina as he started the ignition.
He glanced at her and she winked. He had
butterflies in his tummy. He could not help
feeling all mushy mushy around Eva.
“It was not five minutes my dear. It was
eight.” Shina countered and eased the car
slowly into the road.
“Ehn five minutes oh, eight minutes oh, it is
still the same. Could you please close the
roof? I’m a bit cold.” Eva said.
“Why won’t you feel cold? When you are
dressed so provocatively” Shina said pressing
a button.
The roof unfolded from the back of the car and
stretched itself over their heads.
“Happy?” Shina asked nudging Eva gently.
“Yes daddy.”
“Seat belt please.” He said to Eva.
She obliged, strapping herself on the leather
chair.
They drove in silence for a while till they got
to an intersection on the road. The traffic light
turned yellow, and then red as Shina slowly
brought the car to a stop. The road before
them spread out into two different paths.
“Destination please?” Shina asked.
“Hotel Paradise.” Eva replied.
Shina knew the place. It would take them
about three hours to get there. He shifted the
car into gear and turned left as the traffic
light went green.
“As your Royal Highness commands” Shina
said with a gentle bow.
They sped away on the freeway.
*******************************************
Sean drove into a petrol station at Ore.
“How much sir?” The attendant asked.
“Six thousand five hundred.” Sean replied,
turning his window down halfway.
The attendant finished selling the required
amount of fuel and hanged the nozzle back in
its cradle. Sean handed the attendant seven
thousand naira, telling him to keep the 500
change as tip. He made to drive off, then
suddenly remembered something.
“Excuse me. Yes you.” Sean called at the man
who just sold him fuel
“Yes sir?” The attendant answered eager to
help.
“How do I get to Hotel Paradise? I seem to
have lost my way” Sean asked.
“Oga mi, you never lost your way o. You never
lost your way at all at all. In fact na the
correct way na him you face so. If to say you
don go chook your head for road like say you
wan enter Akure, na that time your way go
lost o. He go lost finish. You no go even fit
find the way again. To come outside ehn, e go
hard you like person wey wan swallow big
stone o. And when person lost way for this
kain area, e dey hard to see road come out o.
E go just dey do like canoe wey no see road
comot for water. Oga mi, I remember the day
when I lost my way, I just dey…” The attendant
rambled on.
Sean did not have time for his spectacle. He
had a job to get to.
“Excuse me, I am really in a hurry. Do you
know how I can get there or not?” Sean asked
impatiently.
“Oga mi no vex I just wan explain as the thing
be for you. Na inside Ore GRA the hotel dey.
Just dey go straight. You go see one big
signboard wey them say slow down. Make
sure say you slow down o. Because I
remember my sister husband. Na speed kill
am for that same place. He see say them say
make e slow down e no gree. Na so him motor
enter gallop. The car tumble tumble tumble
tumble so tey…” He was saying, demonstrating
the tumbling motion with his hands.
”Can you just tell me how the heck I can get
to the place?” Sean said infuriated.
“Oga mi, you sabi vex o. Na wetin I do now
wey you don dey vex for me? Anyway, Na the
next turning after the signboard be the street
of the hotel. U no fit miss am at all. When you
enter the turning, na the last building for the
road. The hotel big well well.” The attendant
stated.
Sean mumbled an inaudible appreciatrion,
wound uo his window and sped off the petrol
station.
“Oga no speed for there o!” The attendant
called after Sean.
Sean did not hear him.
Sean was directed to the parking lot as he
drove into the huge five-star hotel. He found a
free space in the already filled parking lot and
parked his ash colored Infinity Audacity jeep.
He checked his gold Hublock wristwatch. It
was exactly 11:56am. He was required to be
at the hotel by noon. He was four minutes
early. He decided to wait in his car till noon
to see if Shina would be on time. At exactly
noon Sean received another message:
“Target is en route. ETA is 3 hours. Stay
Alert.”
The message deleted itself as usual after Sean
finished reading it.
There was nothing to do for three hours. He
decided to explore the hotel; possibly he may
extinguish the target in the premises.
He went to the reception. A man wearing
horn-rimmed glasses looked up at him.
“Good afternoon sir. How may I help you?” He
said with a welcoming smile on his face.
“Yes please. Is there any reservation for
Alexander Bashorun? It should have been
made by now.” Sean said with an air of
arrogance.
“Just a moment please.” The receptionist
said.
He checked the computer in front of him,
searching for a reservation in the name that
was provided. He found none. He checked
again just to be sure.
“I am sorry sir, no reservation has been made
in that name. I wish there was a way I could
help.” The receptionist said.
“It is okay. I will talk to my agency. Thank
you.” Sean said and left.
He had wanted to play a smart one. The
instruction was to go into the hotel after he
had smoked Shina. He wanted to know what
was in the west wing of the hotel. He left the
reception and went to the Cinema section of
the hotel.
At two-thirty, Sean was in his car watching for
Shina. At exactly 2:53pm, Shina drove past
him to a parking space six cars away from
him. He watched as Shina walked with Eva
into the reception of the hotel. Sean quickly
got out from his car and walked towards the
convertible. He was turning his car keys in his
forefinger as he approached Shina’s car. When
he got to Shina’s car, he spun his car keys so
fast such that they fell beside the
convertible’s rear left tyre.
As he bent to pick the keys, he planted a tiny
tracking device under the car. He got up and
quickly retraced his steps. He got into his car
and waited patiently.
Shina came out the hotel twenty minutes
later. Alone. He got into his car and drove out
of the hotel. Sean started the car and the
tracker came on. A tiny red dot blinked on a
navigation screen on his dashboard.
He traced Shina carefully for hours. Shina
stopped by a petrol station to buy fuel. Sean
zoomed past and parked 100meters ahead of
the petrol station. He waited till Shina zoomed
past then got into his car and followed the
tracking beacon in his car.
Shina was overwhelmed by what he felt for
Eva. He needed to clear his head and only a
drink could do that. After driving for two
hours, he parked his car at a bar at Ogudu
and went in. He watched the champions
league final between his favorite team
InterMilan and Arsenal. It helped him take his
mind of Eva.
Three hours later, He was on his fourth bottle
on beer when Sean walked in with two pretty
girls in tow.
“Rambo my man!!! What are you doing here?”
Sean said, hugging Shina.
“It’s a dull Saturday. I just wanted to have a
few drinks.” Shina said waving at the bottles
on his table.
“Well, I am here and no more dulling!!!” Sean
said.
He introduced the two girls and had one keep
Shina company.
They talked, chatted and had a lot of fun.
Sean continually slipped poison pills in
Shina’s drinks while the girl danced with him,
making sure he was engaged and arous3d.
At 9pm, Shina got into his car and headed
home. He had not moved for more than
twenty minutes when he began to vomit, He
parked his car and began to throw up, spilling
a lot of bl0*d through his mouth from his
intestines. He opened the door to get fresh
air. He fell on the floor and into the gutter.
Blood came out from his eyes, ears and
nostrils.
Three minutes later, his heart stopped. Shina
was dead.
Episode 38
Eva was bored. She had been in the hotel for
six hours now, yet there was no word from
Corporation. She knew she would be
contacted. One of Eva’s strengths was her
patience. She was never in a hurry. She had
kept herself company with a bottle of red wine
from the well-stocked fridge. She opened her
email for the umpteenth time to check her
messages. Still nothing. It was a few minutes
past 9pm. She couldn’t take another second
of the boring hotel. She went on the internet
and searched out the nearest club. The wine
was beginning to have effect on her and she
needed to unwind. There was a strip club
about 30 minutes south of the hotel. It was
the perfect way to unwind and let loose.
Wearing a provocatively short mini skirt and a
chiffon see through blouse, she stepped out of
the hotel. Eva routed all her emails to her
mobile phone just in case Corporation decided
to send her a message. She had not had fun
in quite a while. She had every intention to let
loose and go wild.
*************************************************
Sean passed by the Redeemed Camp at
exactly six minutes past ten. He put off his air
conditioning and wound down the windows.
He needed the gentle wind that blew him as
he sped through the Lagos-Ibadan
expressway. About an hour earlier Sean had
driven by Shina’s convertible. A small crowd
had gathered around the car. He knew what
had happened but he had to be sure. Parking
his car away from the growing crowd, he had
walked over to the scene. He managed to
make his way through the barrage of bodies
and got to the front. Shina’s lifeless body lay
face up in a shallow gutter, both hands on his
stomach. Sean looked round at the faces of
the different people that gathered. Gloom,
sadness and fright could be seen on every one
of them.
As he walked back to his car, he heard tiny
whispers of how it was possible that the man
in the gutter was a ritual killer and had met
his waterloo. Still others whispered in low
tones that he must have done something
terribly evil to have met that kind of fate. If
only they knew.
As Sean got into his car and sped away, he
had a slight feeling of guilt and remorse.
Shina did not do anything against him to
deserve to die. He had pondered for hours,
how he would take Shina out. He had settled
for the poisoning, feeling that poisoning him
would give him a quick, painless and private
death. It was not his intention for Shina to be
humiliated this way. Shina was a very good
man. A man of honor. Class. Taste. Finesse.
Sean was even in awe of him sometimes.
There were times that he wondered how a man
could be so meticulous. Shina was good at
noticing every single detail. Pity he did not
see his death coming. Orders were just what
they were; orders.
As Sean connected Ikorodu road to the Lagos
Ibadan Expressway, he called Sophia.
“Voice recognition. Make me one blabber
blubber bulging bunch of balderdash.” Sean
spoke to his high device phone now connected
to the sound system of his car.
“Voice recognition initiated. Welcome Agent
Bravo.” A mechanical feminine voice replied
from the speakers of his car.
“Thank you Iris. Call S.” Sean said, not taking
his eyes off the road.
He wound up the windows and put on the air
conditioning.
“Calling S… Do you want to block all incoming
transmissions?” The Voice replied.
“Yes Iris. This is a Code Call.” Sean replied.
“Call Connected. Call Secure.” The voice
replied.
The next voice that came on was Sophia’s.
“Hey baby. You miss me?” Sophia said
smiling.
“I wish I did. Sadly, I do not.” Sean replied
and continued
“Target is deactivated. What next?” Sean
finished.
“Good. Can you come over? I really miss you
inside me.” Sophia said sounding er0tic.
“I am currently en route Hotel Paradise as the
instructed in the Mission Command. I guess
I’m next on the hit list, aren’t i?” Sean said
with deep seriousness in his voice.
“Sean, I recruited you myself. No one touches
you. Besides, if you are going to die I will have
to do it myself. And I don’t see that
happening anyway. You, my love are in the
master plan of the Corporation.” Sophia
assured him.
“Why did Shina have to die?” Sean asked.
He had been dying to ask that question ever
since he read the Mission command. However,
bringing up such questions at the time would
mean he was questioning authority. It had
happened before. Mission commands were
switched and the initial target had
automatically become the executioner. He
knew better. Now that he had achieved ninety
percent of his mission objective and was now
heading to the hotel, he felt it was safe
enough to ask.
Besides, he and Sophia had developed a bond.
“Shina was compromised. He made contact
with the other side. Four years ago we noticed
his unusual distaste for Execution Missions.
He rejected three execution missions,
preferring Extraction Missions. He was the
best Extractor the Corporation ever had and
one of our best agents, so we really did not
think anything of it. However, when he rejected
the last mission to take out the Governor, the
General had me look into him. So I planted
Eva in his care. I knew he had a soft spot for
her right from the first day he extracted her.
He dotted on her and took her in his wings.
So when I made him take up Eva as his
protégé, he was more than happy to. What he
did not know was that Eva had her
instructions too. She was to spy on him and
make him fall madly in love with her. However,
she had to be subtle about it and make sure
he was scared enough to tell her his true
feelings. She passed in flying colors and
delivered Shina to our hands. Are you still
there Bravo?” Sophia said.
“Go on S.” Sean said.
He slowed down to 80km/hr. and kept to the
right lane of the road.
“The Governor Mission was a very important
one and we needed it to be very clean. Only a
Super-Agent could perfectly execute it. Shina’s
refusal to take it up only shined more doubt
on his loyalty. The rest of the Super Agents
were busy with other assignments, so no one
else was available”
“Then you guys decided to hang the mission
on my neck. What if I had flopped? What if I
could not pull it off? The Super-Agents have
56 years’ experience combined. I had a
meager two. You surely were betting on the
wrong horse, weren’t you?” Sean interrupted.
“We took a huge risk. We had no choice. But
deep inside, we had this confidence you could
pull it off. You are the fastest risen agent ever
in the Corporation’s hundred year history.
That was the little hope we held on to.”
Sophia replied.
“So after I had taken out the target, who the
hell came up with the idea of torturing me?”
Sean asked
“Actually, that was my idea. I needed you to
be strong. Besides, I can’t have a weakling as
my right hand man. I fell for you the first day I
saw you, when I picked you up on that lonely
path. Ever since then, all I wanted you to be is
what you are now. Besides, is this not
supposed to be about Shina?” Sophia asked.
Sean was passing through Ogere now. The
once very busy road had now become
isolated. During the day, scores of young lads
would flock around the window, advertising
different kinds of edibles. There was usually
light traffic and cars moved at an agonizingly
slow pace, coupled with the policemen who
were conducting searches and checking
vehicles.
Now, Sean just cruised through. No hindrance.
“What did he do exactly?” Sean asked.
“Shina became born again. He wanted out. He
did not want a part of crime anymore. How
that happened, I cannot tell. Eva intercepted
one of his phone calls. He was watching
football with friends and had left his phone in
her room after one of his visits. A certain
number had been calling him continuously.
She picked his call, acting like she was his
wife. It was the Superintendent of Police and
he wanted them to meet at the usual place.
Eva began to keep track on him and
eventually had him bugged. We have six tapes
of different meetings. He wanted to confess
everything in exchange for protection and
100million USD. He even squealed out that
something big was going to go down. He did
not know what it was yet and was waiting for
the information before he finally spilled his
guts. That is why you had to take him out.”
Sophia explained.
“Serves him right anyway. I have to go now.
I’m already behind schedule. See you soon
sweetheart.” Sean said.
“I’ll be waiting dear. Be safe.” Sophia said.
Sean waited a few seconds then said more
audibly,
“Thank you Iris. Terminate Call.”
“Call terminated Agent Bravo. Anything else I
can do?” The computer asked
Sean thought for a while.
“Iris, how long is it from my current location
to Hotel Paradise at current speed and
altitude?” Sean asked
“Processing Data… please wait.” Iris replied.
After thirty seconds, Iris replied
“Approximately forty five minutes, Agent
Bravo.” Iris said.
“Thank you Iris. That would be all” Sean said.
“Have a safe trip sir.” Iris replied.
Sean shifted gear and increased his speed to
120km/hr. He wound down the window again
and put off the air conditioning.
He just wanted to get everything over with.
***************************************************
***
The General stood at the back of his house,
rain pouring on him. He wore a long black
mafia suit and gazed on the ground before
him. His hands were behind him as he stood
motionless, his dark shades protecting his
eyes from the drops of water that fell from the
heavens. He did not shed a tear as he stood
alone as he had done for three days now. He
bent on one knee and dropped a single
hibiscus flower on the tombstone.
On the tombstone the epitaph read:
“Here Lies The Remains of Tawo Marcus
Kushim. Brother, Friend, Son.”
The General got up and took off his glasses.
Not a single tear dropped from his eyes. His
eyes were red. Fiery Red.
He walked to the head of the tombstone and
kissed it gently. He smiled.
“You had it coming, didn’t you T?” He said to
himself.
“But guess what? Our code still remains. An
eye for an eye. An arm for an arm. A tear for a
tear.”
The General walked away from the tombstone
and moved towards the huge brick house.
As he opened the door, he turned and took
one last look at where his son lay buried.
“A life for a life.” He said.
He entered the house, shutting the door
behind him.
**********************
Ambrose got to the Capital where he was
ushered into a dimly lit office. He waited for a
while before he was joined by a grim looking
man with three tribal marks on each cheek. He
got up to greet the man but the man waved
him off, asking him to sit. He presented his
special letter to the Head of the Presidential
Security.
“I see that you come highly trained and
recommended. Your statistics are really
impressive. Why do you think we should bring
you in?” The HOPS asked.
“It has always been my dream to serve my
country in a special capacity. I only want to
help my country in the way my talents can be
fully utilized. What better opportunity than to
be in the Special Presidential Protection
Squad? None sir.” Ambrose replied.
“Have you been interviewed?” The HOPS asked
“Yes I have sir. I have been interviewed in
archery, sniper shots, hand to hand combat,
gun slinging and infiltration.” Ambrose replied
“How long did that take?” the HOPS asked
“Four hours sir.” Ambrose replied.
“Are you sure you went through all the
prerequisite interview drills?” the HOPS asked
amazed.
“I did everything that was presented to me
sir.” Ambrose replied.
Just then his computer beeped informing him
he had an email.
“Your interview results just came in. You were
in the 99th percentile in all drills. Really
Impressive. How soon can you resume?” The
HOPS asked.
“In a week’s time sir. I would want to clear
with my family back in Lagos sir.” Ambrose
replied.
“Alright then. When you are in the Capitol, call
me directly. Congratulations Peter.” The HOPS
said and gave his mobile number.
“Thank you very much sir.” Ambrose replied.
They shook ends and Ambrose left the office.
As he prepared to board a plane to Lagos, he
sent an email to Sophia.
“I’m done.”
episode 39
Sean got to the hotel at midnight. He met a
different person at the reception this time
around. In his most exquisite manner he
asked.
“Good Morning. Is there a reservation in the
name of Alexander Bashorun please?”
“Just a minute sir.”
She checked her computer, looking up at Sean
a few times. Sean kept smiling pleasantly.
“Sir, there is a reservation in the name of
Alexander Bashorun. It is on the west wing of
the hotel sir. The password for entry into the
room is your year of birth sir. The password
allows only two attempts sir.” The receptionist
said.
“Okay. How do I get there? You know this
hotel is massive.” Sean said getting his wallet
from the hip pocket of the jeans he was
wearing.
She printed out a hotel guide and gave it to
him.
He got to the west wing of the hotel and
located the suite that was prepared for him.
He typed his year of birth if the keypad that
was beside the door. The door clicked open
and he walked in. He had been through a long
day. He fell on the couch and slept off.
***************************************
Eva had a wonderful time at the club she went
to. She danced, and flirted with a few girls.
She met new guys and was amazed at the
beauty of the strippers. She was conscious of
time and did not want to be too familiar with
any of the people in the club. So at about two
thirty, she left. There was a certain handsome
hunk that would not let her leave without
some form of contact detail. She liked him. He
was bold, straight to the point and wanted
just s3x. She wanted it too but she knew that
once he had tasted her, he would not be able
to let go. She knew how crazy she was in bed,
most especially when she had not gotten laid
in a while. She got his number and promised
to call him. She intended to, maybe after
everything was all over.
She got to the hotel, and went straight to her
suite. Immediately the door opened, she knew
something was not right. Eva was very careful
with her belongings and knew exactly how she
left the room. But now the room was in
disarray. The throw pillows were scattered on
the floor. The magazines on the coffee table
where not stacked. And there was a glass of
wine on the table. Who was in her room? As
she shut the door gently behind her, she heard
the sound of the shower in the bathroom.
“So the intruder is still here?” She thought to
herself.
She went to the couch and lifted it up gently.
She took out a .23 caliber automatic pistol
beneath the couch, laying the couch down
noiselessly. With gun in hand beside her face,
she tiptoed to the bathroom, listening carefully
for any change in sounds. The shower was still
running and the smoke from the hot bath
clouded the bathroom.
She got to the entrance of the en suite bath
and yanked open the door in one swift move,
pointing her gun threateningly.
The bathroom was empty.
Before she could turn and decipher what was
happening, the gun was slapped from her
hand, pushing it near the sink. A strong hand
grabbed her neck from behind, while another
held her firmly on the stomach. He pushed her
to the bathroom wall and pinned her steady,
the side of her face grazing the tiled wall.
“Shhhhhhhh….It is me. Don’t do anything rash
Eva.” Sean said quietly and smoothly into her
ears.
His grip on her was so strong. She tried to
fight herself off his grip but he was just too
strong and she was hurting herself in the
process. She could see his bulging biceps
from the corner of her eyes.
“Who the hell is this guy?” she wondered
“There is no use fighting my lady. I would not
want a repeat of our last meeting dear. I am
going to let you go now. Be a good girl.” Sean
pleaded
He felt her tense and stiffened body loosen up.
He released her gradually and took three
steps, backing up away from her
He did not see the slap coming till it was too
late. Her right palm landed on his left cheek.
He grimaced as the pain seared through his
body. He felt a little bl0*d on the tip of his
tongue.
“That was for leaving me in a Male Toilet for
hours. Couldn’t you think of somewhere else
to put me?” She said her hands on her hips.
Eva’s anger turned him on. And when she put
her arms on her hips, her br3asts popped out
making them larger than they seem. He was
not angry. He was arous3d. She saw the look
in his eyes and the bulge in his jeans that now
appeared from nowhere.
She now realized that he was actually
shirtless, his fine body glistening in the
radiance of the fluorescent bulbs. She noticed
his abs, his muscles and his huge, broad
chest. The hair on his chest was smooth and
fine, and ran through his torso, disappearing
inside his jeans.
“You should not have done that.” Sean said
smiling and taking two steps towards Eva.
She kept quiet and kept her eyes on him. Her
mind was running wild. Her heart was beating
faster than normal. She saw the look in his
eyes. She knew that look. She prayed silently
that her legs do not give way and that he
would really take her.
As he approached her he had only one thing in
mind. It was that same thing he had in mind
since the evening he met her at the Brigadier’s
party. He held her neck with his right hand
almost choking her. She did not resist him. He
kissed her with his bl0*d stained lips, taking
her tongue in his mouth and sucking on them.
He took her two hands, impaling them above
her head with his, while they kissed and
s—-d each other’s lips. Their eyes were
closed.
Eva rescued her hands from his and grabbed
his head as they kissed. He lifted her with
brute strength, his hands in her armpits,
pinning her on the bathroom wall above him.
She looked down and circled his waist with
her legs as she pinned her body to his.
Without warning he tore her blouse to reveal a
pretty pink bra. She smelled sweaty and in the
mood.
Carrying her in that position, her legs circling
his waist, her arms around his neck and her
lips in his, he took her to the bedroom and did
what he been wanting to do for a long while.
Scratching, nibbling and gasping for air they
pleasured themselves with no inhibitions
whatsoever.
***********************************************
The General picked his phone and dialed Ope’s
number.
“What is the status of The Colonel?” He asked
“I have been watching him for three days as
you instructed sir. Bee Hive traced his
location to the suburbs of Festac town. They
were lodged in a hotel around Old Ojo road
and I am currently outside the place. All exits
have been covered and I am positive that he is
still within the premises.” Ope replied.
“Good. What else do you have for me?” The
General asked.
“I have placed some hookers on red alert and
have them working for us. I have concrete
information that Ahmed fancies a particular
chubby girl. She can be bought. I have three
agents inside. They have taken up positions
as bartender, housekeeper and gateman
respectively. The Colonel and Ahmed are in
room 407. Tomorrow night is going to be a
really wild one because there is going to be a
strip party in the lounge of the hotel. We know
Ahmed will be attending. That is where we are
sir.” Ope finished.
“Good. Stay alert. Nobody makes a move. If
this slips by, I will have all your heads. It is a
promise. Ease out soldier.” The General
finished and hung up.
He turned and looked at Sophia. They were in
Sophia’s room in the big Mansion.
“You are getting desperate sir.” Sophia said.
The General was on the bed, his legs crossed.
He looked at Sophia who was standing before
his, her hands behind her.
“You underestimate me girl. I don’t do
desperation. Never. I made a mistake with
Giwa once. I never make the same mistake
twice.” The General retorted.
“I am sorry sir. What is the plan?” Sophia said
“What is the status of the operation?” The
General asked
“Ambrose has effortlessly blended into the
SPPS and did great at the interview. He
resumes in a few days. Shina has been
smoked. Eva and Sean should be getting
acquainted right about now. All we need to do
is wait sir.” Sophia replied.
The General got up and paced the room.
Sophia did not move from where she was. He
came back to his former position.
“I am pained by the death of my son, really
pained. Even though he had it coming, I was
not expecting it to happen so soon. However, I
am looking at the grander picture. This final
mission is more important than revenge. I
need a cool head to prosecute this. Do you
think I do not feel the urge to tear down this
town just to prove a point? Sometimes,
revenge is best served cold. Don’t forget that,
Sophia. You have done tremendously well and
I am happy at your progress.” The General
said.
“Thank you sir” She replied.
“How did you smoke Shina?” The General
asked.
“I didn’t. Sean did.” Sophia answered.
“Are you scared to get your hands dirty,
Lieutenant?” The General asked.
“Negative sir. I just felt that Sean needed to
prove himself and kill all emotional pull backs
he may have.” Sophia replied.
“I also know that you have been sleeping with
him. Remember, he is going to have to die.
And you are going to do it. So do not get too
attached.” The General said and moved to the
door.
“Sophia. It’s going to be you and I left
standing when all this is over. Don’t
disappoint me.” The General said and left the
room.
Deep inside, Sophia doubted if she was going
to make it out alive. She was worried. Very
worried.
Episode 40
The Hotel bubbled as music blasted from
highly powered surround speakers. Half Unclad
girls paraded the dimly lit bar, looking for
clients to patronize their willing bodies. It was
the perfect way to spend a Friday night, away
from all the hiding and looking behind his
shoulders. Ahmed smiled as he blended with
the already teeming crowd in the bar. He
walked to the barman and requested for his
favorite beer. While he waited, he turned and
watched as the girls on the iron poles did
their thing, grinding their bodies against the
cold metal and pulling acrobatic stunts to the
sheer amazement of lewd customers. So this
was what his Uncle wanted him to miss? He
hissed and shook his head mockingly.
Collecting his beer after generously tipping the
bar man, he walked to an empty seat in the
far corner of the bar. It was going to be an
evening to remember
Sadly for him, it was going to be his last
evening alive.
“Target green. Visible from this point.
Awaiting orders.” The barman texted Ope, who
was now inside the hotel, begging the
receptionist for a room to spend the night.
“Copy that. Keep target in focus. Wait for my
orders.” Ope texted back.
The barman got the text and immediately
deleted it off his phone.
“Na wa for una o. Just ordinary room una no
fit give person. Shey I tell you say I no go pay
ni?” Ope queried the receptionist.
“No sir, we are fully booked. I am so sorry but
there is nothing I can do.” She replied.
“Shey I sha fit go the bar go take one or two
bottles?” Ope asked.
“Of course sir. Right that way.” The
receptionist said, pointing to the direction of
the bar.
Ope winked at her and she blushed. He made
a mental note to check on her when he was
done with the current mission.
“I am moving in sir. I would like to confirm the
code of this operation sir. Take out or delivery
sir?” Ope said, pressing his left hand into his
left ear.
“I have changed my mind. Deliver him to me
at the Mansion. It has to be a clean job. I will
do the rest.” The General replied.
“Copied.” Ope replied and took out the tiny
white transmitter in his left ear. He crushed
the device witb his boots and entered the bar.
***********************************************
Sophia looked at the General as a smile
beamed across his face. He had never seen
him smile since she was 15. Even when he
promoted her to a lieutenant in his
Corporation, he had a grim look on his face.
“That’s a look one doesn’t get to see every
day sir. What is the secret?” Sophia asked
dropping a glass of cold water on the table by
which he sat.
“Let’s just say, I am going to have my pound
of flesh.” The General replied.
“I thought you said you do not do
desperation. If you kill the boy, is that not
exactly what it is? A desperate act at
revenge?” Sophia questioned.
“I lied.” The General replied and continued.
“Cheers sweetheart.” He finished pushing his
cup of water at her.
She just smiled and blew him a kiss.
She was beginning to get worried about this
man.
*************************************************
Eva yawned and stretched as the rays of the
early morning sun peeped through the slightly
opened curtains. She was completely nak3d as
the duvet fell off her body as she sat up. She
remembered what happened the night before.
She felt good. Just then a shirtless Sean
walked in with a tray which had a warm cup of
coffee and sandwiches.
“Rise and Shine sweetheart.” He said dropping
the tray beside her and kissing her softly on
the forehead.
“Did we?” Eva asked surprised, a look of lust
in her eyes.
“What do you think?” Sean replied and then
continued
“Come on, gobble up. You need your strength.
I will be back. I need to use the gym.” Sean
finished.
Eva watched as Sean went of the bedroom.
She could not stop staring at his perfectly
curved body and his suave. She felt herself
tingle below and she chuckled.
******************************************
“Hey bro, is this seat taken?” Ope said to
Ahmed who was on his third bottle of beer.
“No it’s not. You can have it.” Ahmed replied.
They shook hands. As they pumped and
snapped, Ope lodged a tiny tracker in Ahmed’s
hand. They talked about the country, the
improvement, and the failures. They got round
to the subject of women and how filled the bar
was.
“So what if your wife call you now, wetin you
go do?” Ope asked Ahmed, opening his second
bottle of beer.
“I no get wife o. That is why I come here. All
these girls just dey enter my eyes and I no
know which one I go fit choose sef.” Ahmed
replied.
His eyes darted to and fro the large room,
falling on different pretty girls. He did not
have enough cash to spend.
“You like that yellow one there? Wey get big
yansh and bosoms?” Ope asked
“Ah, na dat one dey my mind since! Brother, u
get eye o.” Ahmed replied smacking his lips.
Ope signaled to the girl and she came over to
their table. She was among one of the hookers
already bought by Ope. She sat on Ahmed’s
laps and began to touch him in places that
drove him crazy. He was on his sixth bottle of
beer and was already drunk. His eyes were
blurred and his utterances were slurred. With
the girl on his left and Ope on his right, he
was guided out of the bar.
The Colonel was worried. Ahmed had not
called or texted. He was supposed to check in
every half hour. But three hours had gone by
and he hadn’t heard from him. He decided to
go see for himself. As the Colonel got off the
stairs, he looked left and saw Ahmed been
taken out of the premises. He was shocked.
His gun was not on him. He ran and
screamed. By the time he got to the gate, they
had zoomed off in a waiting car. The Colonel
was furious. He held the gateman by the collar
and threatened to kill him. He wanted to know
where they were taking his nephew to. He was
choking the gateman now, stifling him to
death. Four heavily built bouncers in black
fitting tops and tight pants suddenly appeared
from nowhere. The Colonel eyed them one
after the other. He could take all of them out
conveniently without breaking a sweat.
However, he decided the drama would not be
necessary. He apologized, left the gateman
and went back to his room. He had only one
thing on his mind. Getting Ahmed back.
***************************************
He woke as a bucket of water was splashed on
his face. He tried to adapt his eyes to the
darkness of the dimly lit room. He could see
figures of two men but his vision was blurred.
Gradually he could see the two men. He
recognized one as his friend from the bar the
night before. He didn’t know who the other
man was. He tried to get up from the bed he
was in but discovered that his legs and hands
were tied to the small bed in the middle of the
room. He still had a little hangover but the
current fear he felt had sent a cold shiver
down his spine.
“What…wha.. what.. am…i..doing…here. Wh…
who…who…are…you…people?” Ahmed
stammered as the other man approached him.
“Shhhhhhh. Quiet. The General hates noise.”
The man said.
He gave Ahmed a hard slap to the right side
of his face. Ahmed yelped in pain.
“Did that hurt?” The man asked.
Ahmed kept quiet, his head turned away from
the man. He was sobbing quietly. He was
afraid. He didn’t plan to die like this.
The man bent low and turned Ahmed’s face
back towards him. He squeezed Ahmed’s
cheeks with his thumb and forefinger.
“I said, did that hurt?” He said to Ahmed
menacingly.
Ahmed nodded slowly.
“Good boy. Because what you just experienced
is nothing compared to what is going to
happen to you pretty soon.” He finished and
backed away from Ahmed, heading for the
door and going out.
Ope came to Ahmed and patted his hair
gently.
“I am sorry bro, but I don’t call the shots. See
you in hell.” Ope said and left him.
Ope knocked twice on another door within the
same room and stepped out, locking the door
behind him.
After what seemed like an eternity, the door
that Ope knocked opened and Ahmed almost
poo his pants.
The General strode out of the room gallantly.
He smiled as he approached Ahmed.
“How are you boy?” The General asked looking
down at the scared man tied on the bed.
“Pppp…le…aa…seeee. Ppppleeeaaasssee.”
Ahmed begged.
“I am sorry but that word does not exist in my
dictionary. I need to send your Uncle a
souvenir.” The General said and continued,
“Then I am going to take off every toe, every
finger, pluck out your eyes, your tongue and
dismember you gradually till you die. Now
which toe do I send to your Uncle?” The
General threatened, bringing out a huge sharp
plier.
“I think I will just take the two big toes. Don’t
worry boy, I am quite skilled at this.” The
General finished.
Ahmed wet his pants. The General did not let
that affect him. He cut off Ahmed’s big toes in
swift snaps of the plier. Blood poured from the
wounds. Ahmed shrieked in pain. The
General’s black shirt was stained with bl0*d.
He kept the cut toes on the floor.
“Now, to the main course.” The General said,
snapping the plier in the air.
Ahmed’s cries and shrieks pierced the air and
went through the hallways. No one would hear
him. No
one would help him. The General left him
barely alive and exited the room with his
exhibits. He planned to send them to The
Colonel later. Ahmed was breathing very
slowly. His heart gradually gave way. He died
a slow and painful death.
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