Delayed Diagnosis Episode 16 – 17

Delayed Diagnosis Episode 16
Written by Kingsley Olanrewaju Efughi

I studied the reproduction posters on the wall graphically detailed with diagrams and I read all the labelling and reread it again but still Dr. Rasheed hadn’t shown. I brought out the paper from my pocket and was dismayed to see it rumpled and very squeezed. I tried my best to smooth it out but didn’t see much effect.
The door opened finally and the doctor rushed in. His short legs moving quickly he sat down across me just like before and I knew for a fact his legs didn’t reach the ground.
“Do you have the paper?”
“Yes”
“Lemme have it”
“If I give it to you..whats the guarantee that my family and I would be safe”
He removed his glasses “Rex..the only guarantee is my word…believe me that the only thing that is needed from you is the paper. Mossad is not interested in taking your life. The only person who is going to be assassinated is the Chief and that is because he maintained ties with enemies of Israel.”
I wasn’t really satisfied with his reply..his word didn’t mean poo to me but I knew I had no other choice..in less than 48 hours my parents would be coming to see me. I couldn’t allow this kind of danger hang over my head when they came.
“I’d give it to you..but this black September group”
“Yes what about it”
He seemed to have all the time in the world and answered my questions calmly and slowly.
“My life and also my family would be in danger once I hand it to you..So its like I’m turning in one kind of danger for another.”
He nodded “I must sympathise with you Rex Obasi..but there’s nothing I can do for you..you started things in motion when you stole papers taking it for millions of naira in bonds but also took something as lethal as this also. I really feel for you believe me”
“So that’s it? You feel for me!”
I shook my head. There was no need stressing myself. Andy and I would track this short smiggle looking doctor very soon and then hopefully I could find some form of leverage.
He kept on watching me as if he expected me to say something but I couldn’t think of anything or to be precise I could think of only one thing. How I could get to see Olivia again tomorrow.
“Are you satisfied with everything?..I have tests I need to run”
“If you can’t guarantee my safety from black September..I am not satisfied”
He remained silent. Watching me through his goggles and I stood up in frustration but then something occurred to me.
“What is this delayed diagnosis about..? What does it mean?”
“It is nothing specific..its just a code word I thought of..as a means to identify yourself”
I wasn’t buying it.
“But why the delayed diagnosis?..what is the diagnosis that I’m delaying?…my possible death?”
He laughed and I thought he sounded nervous. “That’s ridiculous..I’m the doctor in charge of this diagnostic center..my job is to run tests and find out problems..I just thought of a little word play..that’s all”
I sensed there was something he wasn’t telling me “the man who approached me at the hospital and instructed me to come here…who’s he?”
He sighed impatiently then got up and I almost couldn’t see his head above the desk.
“You’re forgetting your place mister..now you’ve done your part and I can assure you the tip of the spear won’t be visiting you or your family..” He moved towards the door and just like before unlocked it. It seems this was meant for exit only and I had a feeling the exit wasn’t for everybody.
“Now you really must get going..I’m a very busy man and dozens of patients are waiting for me to know their diagnosis” he said it with a twinkle in his eyes and
I could tell he was messing with me. My legs felt heavy..probably from all the pulling. I said nothing but left the office..feeling less than satisfied.
Andy was waiting for me outside.
“How did it go?”
“I do not like that man”
“Neither do I..and I’ve never even met the man”
“You were right about one thing…we need to track the mad man”
“let’s wait in the car..”
“It could be a long wait..I need to check on someone first”
“The lady in the wheelchair? What is your problem with her? Let her be now”
Trust me not to pay attention. I was already walking away “I’d meet you in the car in ten minutes”
“Oba!” He shouted my name and I turned
“At least give me the car keys!”
I threw it and he caught it perfectly. Andy used to be veru good in basketball. A very promising talent and he had really loved the sport. But he had given it up to follow a career path that was ‘guaranteed’ to put food on the table.
But now look at him. In fact look at us..we had about 200 missed calls combined from Ariyo, our branch manager and it was certain our office days were behind us.
I traced the way we had come and true enough I was outside the very same ward I had met the grief stricken Olivia. Although I knew I had lightened her burdens a bit. I just couldn’t wait till tomorrow. I needed to see her again.. The part of me that was still thinking straight scolded me about adjusting my priorities. Dr. Rasheed could take off any minute and before Andy would be able to reach me he could be gone

Still I opened the door and I was disappointed to see the place was empty..maybe behind the curtain?
I felt like a stalker..why not wait till tomorrow?..she said she would be expecting me hadn’t she?
I shouldn’t have bothered thinking..because my legs still moved on their own accord towards the curtain.
“She’s gone don’t bother yourself”
I almost jumped out of my skin. I turned to see Tosin the cleaner mopping the floor and looking at me with a smile.
I didn’t bother to hide it “where did she go to?”
“To her room..the doctor only brings her here at night because of some scan she has to do” he shrugged and continued with his cleaning.
I thanked him and left. Suddenly with no hope of seeing her again, hunger returned with a vengeance and I didn’t even have any cash on me. I headed for the stairs…..Andy should have something’ I thought to myself. The hunger was very much real and reminded me of some bloody days in school when there wasn’t even cassava flakes (you know garrison na ) to keep body and soul together. I remembered such horrid times fondly now as I descended the steps and at first my mind was so far away that I didn’t pay attention. I glanced at him, but it didn’t register. Just another face in the crowd..but that tribal mark…soo familiar….ear to chin…wait that was Sule!…my mechanic…he had warned me when he had taken my car that another attack against my life was coming which had turned out to be Jumbo and his partner (who was in a neck brace and dead respectively) and I hasn’t seen him since.. And to be honest I hadn’t paid him much thought since then.
What was he doing in the hospital? He was standing to one side and his eyes were roaming as if he were searching for someone. I shouted his name as I headed in his direction.
“Sule!”
Hr turned and saw me and by his reaction I knew I was the one he had been searching for.
“Oga Rex!” He hurried towards me.
He seemed frantic as if he were dying to tell me something and he squeezed between the bodies because the hospital was crowded as usual. It was a general hospital in every sense and even at 9:30pm the movement and rushing of bodies had not slowed.
I had a feeling he had something very important to pass to me..a feeling came over me..something like déjà vu, although I had never experienced anything like this before but somehow I knew what I was going to learn would change everything totally.
He was just a few steps away from me when the power went out.
“Bleep NEPA..what kind of bad timing is this ehn biko!”
Everywhere was pitch black and I couldn’t see my hands which I put in front of me to prevent someone from barging into my face.
The light was off for few seconds then the gen came on or so I thought until someone shouted
“Who in God’s name switched off the light ehn?”
I turned towards the voice to see a nurse man wearing a big frown standing beside the light switch that he just switched on.
Suddenly I was afraid..very much afraid! I looked back at Sule..but he must have disappeared! What was the meaning of this?..what exactly just happ-
The shrill scream bursted my thoughts out of my head and I could swear I heard glass crack.
It was deafening and very high pitched! The kind of frequency that Lois lane uses to reach superman in no time. Immediately there was a commotion as people started hurrying about in a stampede like manner.
I hurried towards the cause of the outburst where a young lady kept pointing at the floor and screaming.
Sule lay on the floor. His eyes opened wide and lifeless his lips blue and his body rigid as though rigamortis had set in. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I hurriedly knelt down at his side which wasn’t hard..concerning people were running away from him. I felt his pulse but nothing..I knew he was dead..but how could this be possible? I had seen him just few seconds ago..hurrying towards me and he had even called my name.
I saw the mark on his neck. Just a small mark like a dot and almost invisible to the Unclad eye that I wondered how I had seen it. I knew what had caused it..this was a needle mark..someone had injected him with some potent stuff while the light had been off.
But who?..I stared blankly around, at the people rushing about..almost like they were running in circles… I heard the lady still screaming and screaming. She just stood at a spot and let rip continuously.
It occurred to me yet again that in just 72 hours..I had knelt down beside the corpse of people I considered my friends..was I cursed? First was Fumi..then Mona and now Sule!
I stood up as a group of doctors rushed towards us. They knelt down and began trying to revive him..shouting “clear’ then pumping him with controlled electricity..trying to jump start his heart to beat again.
I faded to the background slowly…I was at a loss and scared..I looked at the faces around me…one of them could just brush against me and prick me with a needle? They seemed to be looking at me accusingly or maybe it was my paranoia but I was turning around as I moved back..trying to look at everyone at once.
I remembered something the chief had said suddenly..”this people are capable of blowing up every member of your family simultaneously if they were scattered around the world..not to talk of here in Nigeria!”
“My God..what have I gotten into!”
I hurried outside and dialled my mother.
“Hello mom”
“Rex..I was just about to call you”
“Mama please you and dad don’t come on Sunday again…I would be travelling!”
“That means its even good”
Oh..thank God..I breathed a sigh of relief. But then…wait…what was even good?
“How do you mean..what’s even good?”
“Your father and I are in a night bus to Lagos as we speak..we wanted to surprise you”
Somehow I fainted but remained conscious and remained standing…
The silence must have stretched for too long because my mother said worriedly
“Rex..are you okay..are you there?”
I nodded but didn’t speak.
I heard my father’s voice.
‘What is it?’
My mother: ‘I don’t know he just stopped talking’
Father: ‘you treat that boy like a child..give me the phone’
His voice boomed in my ear few seconds later “Rex..can you hear me!?”
“Y-yessir!”
“Good your mother and I are coming to see you..my ram fight was postponed for a week..thanks to these stupid police..instead of them to be protecting us..they are raiding our sport”
My father was something else really but I didn’t even hear a word he said..all I could think was..on their way!..coming to see me!…I didn’t have a house..or rather I couldn’t go near my house…I was on the run from known unknown forces and to top it up..three people had died because of me or at least as a result of my actions( I didn’t count the old crooner…that was a bonus actually)
My father must have rambled on because when I tuned back to the call, all I caught was..”-teach me how to check it…okay see you in the morning”
The line went dead.
I leaned against the pillar and shut my eyes.
“Oba are you okay?..I’ve been horning for you to get in the car..Dr. Rasheed is leaving!..he matches the description you gave me perfectly and he seems to be in a hurry!”
He half pulled me towards the car and I got in mechanically.
“This mad man drives a rotten car that probably never even saw better days..there’s no way he can lose us..by the way what was all that noise inside about?”
I didn’t answer…I was busy trying to think..which wasn’t working out presently.
Andy continued unfazed by my lack of enthusiasm, “this is some spy stuff bro..but we really need to talk about the widow and how to use her to take down the initiative…that is the real priority here”
My only priority is how to keep my parents safe when they arrived and every member of my family If not all it would take is just a minute of darkness and… I shivered at the thought.
Andy was on the highway now. He kept a good distance from Dr. Rasheed who was a very slow driver and didn’t venture to overtake anything.
I thought of Olivia..the widow who I had seen crying and who had rented two plots of land in my head since then..the best thing for her would be for me to fade away if not I could see myself kneeling before her lifeless body also.
The image made me grit my teeth and suddenly I didn’t really feel as helpless and downcast as before.. I wasn’t going out without a fight..and I was ready to die protecting my parents.
I looked to Andy who was driving carefully also..not wanting to draw attention to Dr. Rasheed’s rearview mirror.
Sule had been killed in the hospital..the very same hospital I had gone to meet the Dr….the same hospital the Dr had left minutes after…
After all I had faced I would be a fool to believe in coincidence..something was fishy and it sure as hell wasn’t sea food!
I looked at Andy..”you ever watch hunter hunted? On a documentary Chanel?” (If I call the channel now..them fit ban me..I tire for this bot sef)
He looked at me smiled and nodded
“That’s what is going to happen now..step on it”
He smiled “welcome back bro”

We followed the rusty pickup truck for miles. Street lights were working perfectly in this part of Lagos and Andy killed the headlights. When tailing someone at night the headlights is a standard giveaway. My mind was drifting to my parents. Were would I receive them? I couldn’t allow them to go to my house the way they did in the past. That would be a very big mistake. Mama Nkechi would tarnish my image completely before calling the police to pick them up. And I didn’t trust the Nigerian police. I could foresee the scenario perfectly..a trade by barter something and I would have to turn myself in for their release. I didn’t even want to imagine their reaction. My mother was a very emotional person and that kind of news could affect her health. No way- I needed to find a solution because at least by 6am they would have arrived in Lagos. That meant no night sleep for me again. My eyes were beginning to look horrible.
“What is eating you? What happened? Since the hospital you have been acting strange” Andy asked me. He stared straight ahead and maintained his position about 3-4 cars behind the Dr.
“Bro..” where do I start from? “Let’s just focus on tracking this guy first we need all our attention for this”
He agreed with a slight nod and we were silent as we continued to track the doctor who seemed to take his time. He made a turn into a less busy road and we followed but parked at the curb not entering the road fully.
He parked in front of a building but didn’t venture to come down from his car.
“Maybe the person he’s meeting would just enter his car..they do that a lot in the movies”
Andy killed the engine as we waited but I wasn’t convinced infact my paranoia was making me look around nervously again. “What if its a trap..what if he lured us to this place to be killed by whoever? What if-“
“Oba calm the Bleep down…haba! I was super careful. Trust me he didn’t notice us”
“You don’t understand. These people are professionals!”
“I thought he was just a doctor?”
I shrugged “I don’t even know” I put my head in my hands “this pressure is too much o..”
The doctor answered our question by getting down. He looked left and right then moved his short legs towards the building which was scattered with neon lights. It looked like a night club. He didn’t have his lab coat on but I still felt he looked out of place. Our line of vision didn’t enable us see him and the bouncers interact and if he would get ‘bounced’ but after waiting for some minutes with no sign of him we concluded he must have gotten in. He might even be a regular here…this was a good spot to meet his handler. Where every other person was interested in having a good time and no one paid attention to them.
We got down from the car and Andy locked it.
“Aren’t you worried he could see you and recognise you?” He asked me
I hadn’t even thought of that. “I’d just need to keep away from his line of vision”
We headed towards the club and as we got closer I could see the neon lights clearly. They decorated the building and splashed the street with blue and pink lights. Outside was a bit crowded as people hung out to smoke here and mingle in the fresh air
“Hello daddy..come to mama” A girl who looked not more than 16 in a tight tank top gestured to Andy and rubbed his arms. He jerked away from her touch as if she had scalded him. I didn’t even have strength to laugh at him. I filed it in my brain to jest him with when this was all over. That was a sign of hope!
“Hello handsome lemme give you a good time”
Another one, a fat Lady in a skin tight dress that showcased all her goodies like a show glass.
I paid no attention to her but when I glanced at her I saw she had on a face mask. Just to cover the eyes (the type always worn in anonymous parties)
I held Andy’s arm, stopping him. “Do you have any cash on you?”
“I have like two thousand left with some change”
“Give me” he didn’t complain but handed it over. I hoped he had 500 denomination but a thousand would have to do. I looked at the woman who hurried over thinking she had scored a ‘john’ for the night.
“Hello darling..let’s go to my lodge”
“I need your face mask please”
She purred “ooooh..you’re into games that’s all right” she looked at Andy “how about your friend?The more the merrier”
The phrase ‘the more the merrier’ made me recall how I had foolishly thought that before calling strange eyes and look what had happened…Mona ended up shot dead and Fome blown up.
“Please I just need your face mask that’s all”
She seemed disappointed and she shook her head “sorry honey but if you don’t want a slice of this cake” (she used her hands to run down her body when she said ‘this cake’ and Andy’s eyes followed her. The konji bastard!) She continued ” if you don’t want a slice then you can’t have thee icing”
“What icing? I just need your face mask..I’d give you 1,000”
She looked at me but still shook her head “look at me well…me na big babe..big fish..(she turned around to afford us a look of her behind) you see this..me na mama whale I no be all this Titus una dey carry around..I repeat..” (Her voice changed to a purr again and she switched to perfect English “without the slice..no icing” she turned and I swore..
“Okay wait wait”
“Yes” she looked at me expectantly
“His brother in law has been bleeping around here(I pointed at Andy who raised his eye brow..but he went with it nodding in agreement)…I want to set trap for him..na one short man..I don’t want him to recognise him..that’s why I need your mask..I go love-vendor you for him inside so we can burst him” I don’t know where that came from but it sounded lame..but luck was on my side..it seemed when she said she was a big fish..she also had a fish brain.
“Hmmm…married men ehn..I tell you na dem be my customer pass..however you know say na my business you wan spoil like this…so na 30k I go charge you”
I managed to keep a straight face (see highway robbery! Just be waiting for 30k you hear)
“No wahala..make I still tear you the 1k for the face mask?”
” no problem take am…make I dey wait you for here or should we go in”
“Him go come meet you by himself no worry”
She seemed satisfied and pleased she handed me the mask then brought out a cigarette to light.
I hesitated with the mask.different fragrance was oozing out of it..Jasmine, strawberry and co. But a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do.
I held it in my hand however till we had been searched and allowed into the club by the bouncers.(After discreetly passing 1000 to their big fists).
The music was loud as usual and I put on the mask as me and Andy squeezed in between bodies crammed from the doorway gyrating to the music blasting from the overhead speakers. The light was dim and we moved around as if we were drunk..staggering from point A to B but our eyes were roaming and searching.
“I don’t think he’s on the dance floor although the man is very short that we may not see him..but I don’t think he would be here!”
He didn’t hear me because of the loud music. I shook my head then gestured for him to follow me.
I headed towards what had to be the VIP section with the mask still on. I knew it altered my appearance and the poor lightening of the place should make it difficult for the doctor to recognise my clothes from our meeting..or so I hoped.
A velvet rope blocked the entrance and a very burly man guarded it. He looked down at us probably appraising our pockets from our appearance. He decided we didn’t meet up to the standard and pointed to the position we just cane from. “Regular” he sneered
I almost turned back, but I had a feeling that Dr Rasheed was in the room beyond.
I squared my shoulders then looked up at the bouncer.
“I want to make it rain in here with my hard earned money” I brought out my ATM card for visual effects. “I want to cancel your ace of spades and most expensive bottles.. If that is not good enough for VIP then you can tell the manager that the club just lost half a million naira and its all your fault”
He looked me up and Down again..glanced at Andy then must have decided that looks indeed were deceiving because he put on an ass kissing smile then unhooked the rope gesturing for us to enter as if we were his pals.
Inside here was a far cry from downstairs. The air conditioner was on full blast and it was half full with just few people dancing.
I noticed a separate TV was showing a late night football match and few people where in that section. I saw the doctor on the first table. He was talking to someone facing my direction and I could only see the back of the person.
“Oba I see him..I see the short fool”
Andy whispered in my ear. The music wasn’t soo loud in here and I heard him clearly.
“Yes I can see him too”
We moved round the dancing bodies a particular guy and girl were acting the sequel to dirty dancing and most people were watching them.
We went round them and from across I could see a briefcase on the table and also see doctor Rasheed talking. He looked nervous and his hands made nervous twitching movements every now and then.
I shouldnt have bothered with the mask because his eyes never left the face of his handler.
Finally Andy and I had gotten a table about two spaces back. We watched the back of the Dr’s head and I could see the face of his handler.
That was a face I hadn’t seen before which was a relief. Because with all the twists and turns and surprises I had gone through I half expected to see my father as the handler or something as strange as that!
I wished I could read lips but I couldn’t and the low lighting wasn’t helping matters either. The man said something to Dr Rasheed and he bowed his head and seemed downcast.
“They must have made the exchange by now” Andy said as the man got up with the briefcase in his hands.
Dr. Rasheed remained sitting for some seconds but then he too stood up and he followed the man.
The bar tender who had brought a list containing the drinks with their exuberant prices opened his mouth in dismay as we got up.
“We’d be right back” I assured him “put your don perignon in a bucket with ice. Forget the fireworks my life na low key” I winked at him and he hurriedly skipped away happily. (I pirry you..I thought to myself as I watched his retreating back)
Dr. Rasheed and his handler had left the VIP heading downstairs and we walked hurriedly after them.
The bouncer still half blocked the road and he frowned “you’re leaving?”
Andy must have been sick of the guy already “come, is your job also to bounce people in and not out..ogbeni comot for road jare!”
We brushed past him and I could hear him grinding his teeth in annoyance. That was his palava. I hurried down the spiral stairs with Andy close behind.
“Oba what do we do? Why are we following them now? What’s the next step?”
“Andy I don’t know..I’m just trusting impulse and instinct right now” I didn’t even want to remember what had happened the last time I had trusted my ‘instinct’ I blocked the thought before I pictured Mona being shot down or the roof being blown into the sky.
We got downstairs and squeezed through the gyrating bodies. Someone squeezed my ass as we hurried by and I turned expecting to see the girl that had done that. When I saw a dude my mind went blank..wtf!! He winked at me suggestively and for a moment I forgot the people we were following..I forgot everything else..all my troubles. I lunched my fist into his face with enough centripetal and centrifugal…in fact every kind of force there is. He launched backwards with a howl and fell off the barstool. I turned and hurried behind Andy (who had passed me when I turned) and we hurried out of the club as commotion and shouting ensued.
I spotted Dr. Rasheed and the man still walking briskly. Either the Dr was seeing him off or he was leaving his pickup truck behind. Because they headed towards a pathfinder jeep.
The call girl whose mask I had collected and who was expecting 30 large ones hurried to my side.
“Oya..baby I’m ready..where’s the cheating brother in law?”
I turned to Andy “start the car and drive out..be quick”
“What are you up to Oba?..I don’t like the look in your eyes” but he was already running to the end of the street where we had left the car.
I held her hand “see him there…he’s walking with that man…he has the money on him but he was saying he needs someone bigger” I rolled my eyes “its a fetish thing he likes big meat”
Her eyes widened and I could tell she had already spent the money in her mind “but na me be mama whale na”
“Exactly…now go and swallow him…that money belongs to you”
I gave her a gentle shove and she picked up steam from there..”no other bitch must get my money…me ke!”
I followed her at a distance while checking the road for Andy..what I had in mind was stupid and dangerous but I couldn’t stop myself..it seems I was being propelled by some unknown force.
I saw the headlights from the BMW come closer. Perfect timing…Mama whale had reached Dr. Rasheed and she held him back and began to rub him suggestively and coo at him and I believed I even saw her lick his ear (yuck!)
I crept closer. I could see the handler sigh impatiently and look at his watch as Mama whale began to rub Dr. Rasheeds bald head with her manicured nails. She purred at the Dr. then winked at his handler. “The more the merrier” I heard her say and I would have chuckled had my heart not been beating madly.
“What is the meaning of this madam…let me be immediately!”
The Dr. Sounded like a whining child..it seems his Achilles heel was anything in a skirt after all..or in this case anything in an excuse of a skirt.
His handler was mad I could tell and his voice boomed “Carmichael what is the meaning of this rubbish? Have you lost your mind!”
“I don’t know her I swear!” Dr pleaded
“You need to taste this cake” mama whale continued purring and rubbing.
“Look here you LovePeddler!” His handler turned to her..”you better hope-“
He never got to finish his sentence because I snatched the briefcase from his hand and sped down the road into the car that was just pulling up outside the driveway.
Andy like a F1 driver sped off before I could even shut the door.
“Oba you are crazy!…that was sick!!!” He shouted as he zoomed unto the highway.
I was busy looking at the side mirror waiting for the headlights of the pathfinder to appear. I felt a metal on my wrist then looked down and I saw the car keys was attached to the briefcase
I laughed like a mad man and relaxed for the first time.
“I tell you Andy..I no know wetting enter me..something just they push me”
“Men you done get liver finish o…I swear my respect for you just went up”
“When this is over I must track that Mama Whale and give her the 30k…hell! I’d give her 50!”
Andy smiled. “But why did you do it…why snatch the very same paper that you returned hours ago?”
I shrugged “I don’t really know..but in the club when I saw this briefcase I knew it contained not just that paper…something else as well…and my parents would soon arrive Andy..that was what drove me I’m sure..and remeber my mechanic?..he was killed in the hospital tonight begore my eyes..I just need some kind of insight…I can’t afford it if anything should happen to them” I shook my head “no way..I haven’t yet even done half of the things I want to do for my mother…and my father..despite his gambling and ram fights he was a good dad in his way while growing up…I can’t afford it Andy”
He nodded in understanding.
He slowed down to enter a minor road to reduce the possibility of running into the cops I guessed.
“So what are you waiting for?” He asked me.
I looked at him as if I didn’t know what he meant.
He had my time. He nodded at the bag.
“Open it”
I looked down at the briefcase. It suddenly felt like a time bomb.
“I think it uses a combination code”
“Don’t worry it must open…let’s find an ATM then lodge somewhere for the night..we would open it there then we pick your parents in the morning”
“To take them where?” The headache was coming again.
“Easy Rex..little by little…poka a’ poka”
I smiled “you’re right we’d get through this”
“The earlier we tackle this the earlier we can take down the widows initiative.”
Immediately he said that I remembered Olivia. I had managed to put her away from my thoughts but now I could see her face perfectly in my mind.
“You dog..I know where your mind is now” Andy chided.
I just smiled “fool see ATM in front o..don’t pass it”

Delayed Diagnosis by Kingsley Olanrewaju
Episode 17

We got to the hotel and alAndy stood looking at the briefcase on the bed.
I knew I had to sleep but I couldn’t. My parents would arrive in a few hours and was I going to keep them in the hotel over the weekend? How do I protect them from this whoever..be it the black September or even kidon?
I watched as Andy worked the magic with the dagger. The very same dagger he had used to kill someone less than 48 hours ago. I also held the gun. A .50 magnum desert eagle in my hand which would explain why it had left a fist sized hole in the throat of the cleaner I had shot.
“There you go!” Andy had it open. He stepped back with a sarcastic bow and urged me with his hands to proceed. I dropped the gun on the bed and opened it fully.
“This is exactly what I needed!” I exclaimed and my interest in the case boomed. It was filled with dollars. Just like the one the Chief had tempted me with before. I dug my hands in.
“Ten rows of crisp dollars…Andy..money started this my problem and it seems money would end it!”
Andy’s eyes were wide also. But he pulled me back to the ground. “Check under ..is it money all through or there is something else?”
I spooned the stacks away and true enough I saw stacks of papers underneath it. Not the green kind..the black and white kind..the kind I dreaded!
The paper I had given Dr. Rasheed was on top the rest and I noticed some numbers had been circled, either by the Dr. Or his handler I leafed through the remaining pages while Andy went to the mini fridge and brought out a bottle of ammunition (the drink was everywhere!) He poured himself a shot and downed it then poured another.
“So? What’s in it?” He asked me.
I was silent…I read through and reread through the pages because I couldn’t believe my eyes.
“Andy…this was never about Mossad or kidon or even the black September! I’m very sure the Israeli secret service have no business with that paper at all. I was played for a fool!”
“So what does it contain?” He came closer but didn’t bother to look at the papers. I think he was just very tired.
“The coordinates does not contain the location of sleeper cells around the country! No..its all about the widows initiative…its been all about the human trafficking all along”
“I don’t understand”
“From what I can see here..the chief have this coordinates of the location where widows are drugged and kept..the thing is…” I brought out my phone…thanks to Google maps “….the thing is all this coordinates is around some kind of body of water or the other…see this one..” I used my fingers to trace a number “this is close to the Apapa Mariner..this other one is close to the beach…” I checked the other numbers “this would mean they are trafficked through waterways”
“When we have a nonexistent coast guard what do you expect?” Andy refilled the shot again then passed it to me. I shook my head but then..why not? I downed it then waited for my eyes to settle as it burned down my throat.
“So who is the Dr. And this his handler that is meant to be a Mossad agent?”
I shook my head “that guy is a full blown Nigerian.. I heard his voice back at the club..he called Dr Rasheed Carmichael or something like that.”
Andy sat on the bed.
“This is not making sense…so is the Dr. working for the chief?”
“No I don’t think so…he wanted me to steal it from the chief remember? He probably used the secret agency ruse to make me double up and get me scared”
“Is that all the paper says..what of the rest?”
“Most of it contains location details about each coordinate but this…”
I held a small paper..”this caught my eye.”
re: Betran get Carmichael to call off the hit on the boy. He is not I repeat is NOT in league with the chief. I received confirmation that he was engaged to my daughter (God rest her soul) and the young man he is with was married to my second. They are my sons in law and I wish no harm to come to them.
However Howard brought to my notice that the mechanic escaped and learnt some things he shouldn’t have. Be on the lookout..shadow has been notified to neutralize the threat.
Amunike has no idea of the storm I am bringing..I don’t care about the widows or children after all my wife was widowed for years on the streets with nobody to care for them and my daughters where fatherless for years.
I owe Amunike only one thing for their education. But the fact that they met their deaths in his compound..
Very soon he would see my disfigured face and know that the flames he pushed me into didnt kill me but only burnt my soul and charred my heart.
The money in the case is to call off the hit. Once shadow is hired he must kill but this tripple amount would change his mind. I have discussed with him already. Just make sure he gets the money. I do not want the boy or his family killed.
Also tell Carmichael to get ready to dump the hospital. His cover is surely blown.
-X-
I read it out and Andy lay on the bed..defeated..”you mean Mona and Fumi’s father has been around all these years? He sounds evil!”
“Is that all you got from it?? I just stole the money that was meant to stop my assassination! A killer named shadow… He was at the hospital tonight and he killed sule!”
We remained in silence and I reread the letter over and over again..
One thing was for sure: sleep was out of the question.
Andy spoke up..”speaking of strange eyes..he wanted the paper..did he know the coordinates was about the widows initiative or he thought it was a terrorist location”
“I have no idea..but even if my life depended on it..I couldn’t trust strange eyes..no way..are doing this on our own”
“How do we do it? Track each location one by one or what?”
I sighed “bro..the only thing I know is this shadow must be stopped. In less than 8 hours my parents would be arriving and this guy is a ruthless professional”
More silence.
“I hate my insticts” I said
“No its good..we now have a clearer picture…its just very unfortunate that’s all”
“Well its time to change my fortune o..because this time I no go gree”
I looked at it longingly…I knew I shouldn’t..I needed to think. I needed to strategize on how I would handle my parents. And a safe place to take them to.
I still reached for the bottle.

I must have dozed off because the vibration of my phone in my breast pocket woke me up. I jerked awake and the half empty (or half full…I no be drunkard na ) bottle of ammunition fell to the ground spilling its contents. The floor was decorated with a thick rug so it didn’t break.
It was my mother.
“Hello Rex..we’d be in Lagos in the next one hour…we would take a taxi as usual to your place. How about Fome would she be around?”
My eyes were killing me. My brain was still scrambled. Less than four hours sleep in two days and I was paying for the alcohol now. (And upon checking out I’d still be expected to pay for it)
Hearing my mothers voice and what she said. I struggled to my feet.
“No no mama! I would come and pick you up…I can’t let my parents to be jumping from one vehicle to another”
She seemed surprised “is today the first time? Besides don’t you have work this Friday?”
What was work again? I had forgotten the definition.
“No I’m on leave..please tell me the bus park you’d be arriving and I’d be there”
She hesitated “you don’t need to stress yourself”
“How can it be stress eh mama? Just tell me..I have a surprise that’s why”
I could hear the hope in her gasp and I knew what she wished for. Provably to see a very pregnant Fome and for me to inform her that we were tying the knot.
(Nothing like sex before marriage would occur to her trust me..the baby and the daughter in law was all she needed and she’d take it anyway)
“Okay..no problem…we’d be at jibowo bus park at oshodi..we should be there by 6 or 6;30”
“Okay no problem I’d be there”
She lowered her voice “I can’t wait for this journey to end..your father has been snoring like an enraged bear all through the night..its very embarrassing” she chuckled and I could tell she was very happy.
I felt very bad. I felt like I had failed her despite her sacrifices for me. Remaining in a loveless and mechanical marriage all for her kids and now all I had done was endanger her. I felt a pang in my heart and I shut my eyes as the headache returned with a vengeance.
“Are you there Rex?”
“Yes..I’d be waiting for you at the park”
The fatigue of the past dew days must have eaten his bones because Andy was still sleeping. I kicked his long feet which couldn’t fit the length of the bed and dangled outside.
“Get up Andy..we need to strategize and move.. We have about an hour left”
He groaned and sat up.
“My head is killing me”
“That ammunition was a bad idea.. Hurry up and bathe.. I need to think”
“Good luck with that” he said as he strode into the bathroom.
I read the note once more..
The money was for shadow. If there was a way I could get the money across to him then I should be safe. But I didn’t even know him..I didn’t know how he looked. I tried to recall the hospital before the lights had gone off. When I had been moving towards Sule..I couldn’t recall any face that stood out. Besides I had been focused solely on Sule.
Thinking was hard..not with the kind of splitting headache I was experiencing and we needed to leave the hotel very soon to be able to cover the distance to Oshodi and glbe there in record time.
20 minutes later I had bathed and Andy and I checked out.
“Can I get a cup of coffee from your kitchen?”
“They are not yet up .if you could wait for some few minutes let me ring them” the clerk replied as he collected the keys.
“Andy let’s go..forget the coffee”
Andy handled the wheel. I wasn’t ready to drive and deep down I knew he was a better driver.
“So whats the plan? If we pick your parents up where do we take them to?”
I was blank..I couldn’t come up with anything.
“Last last I may have to send them back. No matter how bad it makes them feel..its for their own safety”
“I think I have an idea” Andy spoke up “the thing is we won’t be able to meet the 6’o’clock target again”
“Why didn’t you tell me about this idea since?”
“Believe me few hours of sleep is very important. It just occurred to me just now.”
He entered the Festac route turning instead of going straight to Oshodi.
“In Festac? Where is it?”
He smiled thinly “you know Gwen? Also in customer service?”
“Gwen..Gwen..Gwen…okay Gwen! Hot legs”
“Bingo!”
The Gwen in question worked customer care with Andy and she had features of a model. Her legs especially and she always wore short splitted skirts to work.
Andy continued “it seems Ariyo has been a very bad boy..imaging that 50 something year old man wants to be eating what younger men like us should.” (Ariyo was our branch manager and his pockets were quite deep)
“Ariyo and Gwen?”
“I tell you..he gave her the keys to this massive duplex in festac for their weekend romp..she usually goes there on Fridays”
“How do you know this?”
“I gave her a lift once and asked her some coded questions when she stopped there instead of 7th avenue that she lives”
“That’s true..she lives with her fiance na..abi”
“Don’t you know women..even marriage can’t stop them when they decide to cheat”
He was silent and I knew he was thinking about Mona…her sexcapades with Emenike hadn’t been lost on him after all I was sure.
No time for him to lick his wounds..time was running out.
“But you said its on Friday evenings so no one would be at home..how do we do it..break in?”
He laughed and I was pleased he had stopped thinking about Mona.
“Oba you and your criminal mind…you just drop me at the place..I would call her and think of something to tell her..she should be able to give me the keys..I’ve done a lot for her in that Bank”
I was beginning to see a little light at the end of the tunnel. I hoped it wasn’t an illusion.
“What of this evening when Ariyo wants to come over for another marathon. Seriously I’m surprised that man can still get it up”
“Leave it to me..she owes me a lot..I’ve taken the blame for her over one mistake and I had my salary halved because of that..seriously she owes me a lot..if I tell her to shun Ariyo for this weekend..she’d find an excuse”
(Did I mention Andy was a super nice guy…this time the past tense is deliberate)
“Men if we can pull this off I would be the happiest man on the planet”
I looked down at the briefcase which was still on my lap and my mind wondered…Fome’s father had been alive all this while…why hadn’t he come forward but he had remained in the shadows..planning…planning what? And what did Sule find out that he had to be ‘neutralized’. And how did Sule get mixed up with them..the last time I saw him was with strange eyes and strange eyes had assured me he would be alright.
I reflected on the letter. I had read it so many times that I could see the words in my mind.
His face was disfigured. From a fire. He said the Chief had pushed him into flames…I recalled Fome telling me something about a fire accident when she was little. But her dad hadn’t died.. Only his soul had been burnt and his heart had been ‘charred’ or how did he put it…
“We’re here” Andy stopped the car. The house was really massive and so was the padlock that held the gate in place.
“Oba go and get your parents..leave the rest to me..I would call Gwen now and she would bring the key..or worse come to worse I’ll locate her house and collect it.
I got down and headed to the driver side. He also got down with his phone out, scrolling through his contacts.
“Thanks Andy…I can’t ever repay you”
“Oba..what do you mean..they’re my parents too na”
I reversed and zoomed away with the briefcase on the passenger seat. The dagger and desert eagle hand gun under my seat. The car was indeed loaded.
I exited Festac and through mile-2 sped towards Oshodi. I hoped Andy would be able to get the house open before I got back.
I wasn’t even worried about what I would tell them probably something like: ‘mum…dad…your son just bought a mansion…surprise!!!’ I didn’t care as long as they spent the weekend in anonymity and on Sunday or early Monday morning they were safely heading back.
I looked at the time..because of our delay..the time was 20 minutes past 6 but I didn’t care. I headed towards the jobowo bus park with a little renewed hope in me. Whoever this shadow was..I just had to shine the light and make sure there was no room for shadows at all…then once my parents were safely on their way back I was going into avenger mode and taking down the widows initiative. If I had to do it location by location…as for Mr. X my father in law…or should I say Andy’s father in law since Fome and I never tied the knot…we’ll see what we’ll see…
My parents were sitting on the concrete bench, waiting for me.
I felt love swell in me and a fierce feeling of protection at the sight of them.
My mother had decked out nicely in a flower patterned gown and her hair was covered in a scarf.
My dad looked powerful as usual with his intimidating height (which I annoyingly didn’t inherit) he wore a scowl on his face but when he saw me his eyes brightened and he smiled grudgingly.
I hugged my mother first and held her tightly. Emotions were threatening to spill over and I shut my eyes “welcome Mama..I’ve missed you..how is your health”
“My friend let go of my wife!..come here you rascal!” My dad barked and enveloped me in a bear hug.
“My God..you smell like a brewery!…Martha you see your boy..just like his old man!”
Damn that ammunition!
I looked at my mother and shrugged sheepishly. But she was in a good mood so happy to see me that she didn’t seem to mind. “Why did you have to stress yourself..we would have gone straight to your place..I still remember your address”
“Its not stress mama” I picked up her bag but left the other one for my dad. At 68 he was still very fit and his bear hands hefted the bag with ease.
“Wow..nice car..boy..so you finally got rid of that your matchbox!”
I had better start playing the role now.
“You’d he surprised at the changes I’ve made in my life now.. just wait till you see my new house..that’s why I didnt want you to go there straight…I no longer live there”
They were both surprised but I could tell they were pleased. Judging by the sweet and gleaming BMW, my life had obviously gotten better.
My dad made to open the passenger door.
But I blocked him and opened the back door.
“Papa .you are my guests..I’m your driver right now..just sit back and stretch your long legs biko” he wanted to argue I could tell. He loved having his way every time. But he smiled and climbed in.
I gestured for my mother to follow suite but she stopped and looked at me with a slight frown.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yes mama..I’m splendid”
“What of Fome?”
“We’d talk about her once we get home”
She nodded in an ‘I can wait’ manner.
She made to enter but stopped.
“Ehen before I forget someone dropped this note for you just as we were waiting..a very nice man he was” she handed me an envelope then entered the car.
My breathe caught as I stared at the note. I could tell it was bad news.
Hello target…ever heard of pentothal and potassium chloride? Its a lethal interjection and you are on death row (don’t mind my sense of humor) I don’t normally do this. When I have a target I take them out and they reflect in heaven or hell where the shadow had come from. In your case however..I can tell you’re special and I want to take my time. I first wanted to take out your parents…but then I thought to myself..why the hurry. You have been my most difficult contract so far so I plan to catch a lot of fun with you. Now I have my toy a syringe full of pentothal and potassium chloride that stops the heart on seconds and I could have easily pierced your sweet ‘mama’ while I gave her this note but I didn’t. You know why…
That’s rhetorical.
I would hint you tho: our mutual friend in the wheelchair. Her late husband’s soul is begging for a reunion and tonight I plan to administer the special injection.
You can call me Dr. Shadow
P.s: for special effects and just so you know..I am laughing crazily and wickedly right now.
Yours killingly
What kind of sick sense of humour was this? My knees almost gave out and I leaned against the door for support.
I could hear my mother ask “Rex..are you okay” and my father bark that I should let him drive of I couldn’t.
I looked around the bus park. No one was paying any attention to me. The shadow must have gone before I arrived. Not that I would recognise him if I saw him.
I hurried into the car.
“Mama..who gave you this? What did he say?”
“Just a young man..he said he couldn’t wait for you..that he had to go to work that I should help him pass the note to you”
“That’s all?”
She squinted..thinking
“I asked him how he knew I was your mother and he said you were roommates in school. That you finished all the space on the wall with our pictures.” She smiled “I thought that was very sweet” she frowned noticing my expression “what’s wrong”
“No..nothing…I remember him now” I forced a smile.
“Rex..I’ve been in a bus since…move this car I need to use the toilet..or I’d mess up your leather seats o!”
My father warned and I hurriedly started up the car.
As usual I had put someone else in danger..but this time it wasn’t possible. Olivia wasn’t going to die! If I was going to stay by her side in the hospital..to ensure it..then so be it!
A voice warned me to be careful..it would be a major error to leave my parents vulnerable..this could all be a ruse for me to rush to the hospital and leave them unguarded. I gritted my teeth. Nothing was going to happen! Not to my parents and not to Olivia..I was going to make sure!
But you know they say talk is cheap…

My mother was in a talking mode.
“So when did you move..you should have told us..did you dedicate the house?”
“Yes I did..I dedicated it..my pastor came and prayed for it”
“But how come you didn’t tell us..you can’t pick your phone and call your parents abi?” My dad boomed from the back.
This was the last thing I needed. My mind was still in shock and all I could think about was how to get to Olivia and protect her from this assassin who was 100% effective. Judging by the way he had killed Sule at the hospital.
“I wanted to surprise you..I didn’t know your ram fight would get postponed..I was preparing for Sunday”
“Don’t remind me of the fight please” his voice became tight “useless police. But you really must see this Rambo..in fact I will make an exception with this one..no roasting! I will let him die a natural death and bury him like a real champion!”
I saw my mother roll her eyes through the rearview mirror and I hurriedly switched on the radio happy for the diversion.
I couldn’t bear to think of anything happening to Olivia..I could remember the way she had looked staring into space with the tears rolling down her cheeks and words couldn’t describe the happiness I had felt knowing I had made her feel better and lightened her emotional burdens in a way. To think of her getting killed was not an option…no way I couldn’t take it.. Four people had kissed the dust because of me..3 of them females and the list had to stop there. I don’t know how I would do it but I had to stop this assassin.
Andy! Two heads were better than one..we needed to rub minds together, to-
“Rex! Are you even listening?” My mother’s voice dragged me back from the back seat. I blinked and was surprised I had missed a turning. I was fortunate I had entered Festac and there were lots of alternate roads to link to where we were heading.
“See the person I’ve been talking to! So you have not stopped this your habit of spacing out ehn? I used to beat you when you were little because of that” my father laughed at the memory but I didn’t. My present was to messed up for me to even try to recall the past.
The car was silent the rest of the way and that was fine by me. I hoped and hoped Andy had successfully gotten the key from Gwen. I turned into the street and i could tell my parents were surprised because all the houses were massive.
“Rex when did you move? Did you rent one of these houses?”
Rent or buy rent or buy? Rent or buy?
“I bought it”
They were speechless.
I pulled in front of the house and to my relief the padlock was gone and it was open.
“Rex how did you afford such a big house..and this car too?” My mother asked worriedly.
“Martha leave the boy..is it when he’s living in a kiosk or still driving that his matchbox that you would be happy?”
My dad opened the side of his door and that signalled the end of the conversation. For once I was glad.
I snatched the briefcase then got down. I hurried to my mother’s side but she had opened her door and gotten down also.
I tried to act normal and feel at home but it was quite hard when the house held me in some kind of awe.
“This is really impressive” my dad whistled as we walked through the gate.
Ariyo must have spent a large amount to keep the flowers well trimmed. It ran along the wall round the house.
I carried the briefcase in one hand and my mothers box in the other and I led the way with the both of them behind me.
I led the way and I used my instincts to try locate the door. I must have been headed in the wrong direction because Andy popped out from the backyard.
“Oba..over here!”
I gratefully headed towards him.
“Isn’t that your tall friend Andy?” My mothers voice warmed. She really liked Andy in fact both my parents did.
“Yes..we were working on some presentation for the bank for Monday and he slept over.”
“It better be” my dad strained the weight of the bag must have been getting to him. “We want to see you settled with a pretty woman not a long man” he winked at Andy when he greeted him and collected the bag from his hands which my dad gratefully relinquished.
“Oboy the house massive..I’ve been cleaning up since..they hadn’t had a weekend romp for the past three weeks ” Andy whispered as we entered the kitchen.
The kitchen was well furnished and my mother ‘ooohd’ and ‘aaaahd’ as she stayed behind admiring the appliances.
My dad wasn’t interested in the kitchen. “Rex what I need now is directions to your toilet then I plan to have my bath then sleep properly.”
“The toilet…ehm” I looked around. There should be a guest toilet downstairs. That was the structure of most houses wasn’t it?
Andy came to my rescue yet again. “Lemme show you to it sir” he led the way and my dad followed but he couldn’t help himself. “Oba I’m very proud of you..you’ve made me very happy”
If you really knew my father hearing this from him was more precious than gold believe me.
Almost an hour later. My dad was in a room somewhere asleep. My mom was very happy I could tell. There was a spring in her step as she moved about the kitchen. Andy and I sat with her in the kitchen and we talked or she talked rather about my sisters. Utebo was pregnant again (and I feigned annoyance..’so she didn’t tell me abi’)
“She hasn’t even told anybody..she just told me last week..her husband and your sisters don’t even know” (that was baby 3 by the way..she had twins aged 5 a boy and girl)
Nyesom my second sister was very proud of Anthony her first boy. He had been made the senior prefect of his school.
For a moment it seemed everything was back to normal as she gisted Andy and I about things happening in the family. The smell of the eggs she was frying was doing snack down with our noses and you remember I hadn’t eaten anything for the past 48 hours. In fact I had been so hungry that I no longer felt hungry anymore. But trust mothers to always come to the rescue. She had brought a crate of eggs and a very large loaf of bread and while she fried the eggs I made tea. (Thank God the fridge was stocked. Ariyo really spoilt Gwen..I knew most of this was from our Christmas bonuses over the years and I had a good mind to rape the refrigerator)
My mother was surprised the way we attacked the food. She had fried half a dozen eggs for the both of us and we rushed it with a vengeance.
“I knew it..you looked so hungry! You need a wife Rex..all this married bachelor lifestyle is not helping”
I nodded. My mouth too full to speak.
She turned to Andy “Andy what of Fome where is she?”
I could feel him tense before me.
I swallowed hurriedly
“Mama you just arrived and you have already cooked for us..please go and rest and catch some sleep. We would talk today I promise you but you need to rest. Andy and I have a project to finish for work”
“Okay oo I hear you” she got up and Andy followed her to show her to a room so she could have her bath and rest.
The house had like 5 rooms but he had been able to dust only two so he had to make sure she didn’t enter the wrong one.
°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•
“What! You mean this man could have killed your mother so easily”
We were in the guest room downstairs. My parents were both asleep upstairs and I showed Andy the letter.
“Bro..the thing is almost driving me mad”
He read the letter again.
“So what do you do about the widow?”
“I have no choice.. I can’t afford to let anything happen to her..but the thing just tire me..it would be foolishness to leave my parents alone..this guy sounds like a psycho”
“I don’t think he wants to kill them yet..if not he would have done it already..he wants to start from the person you care about, that would hurt you deep..then he’d break you down by coming for your parents so when he comes for you you’d beg him to end your life”
I had goosebumps all over!
“That way he would have killed your spirit first before killing your body…he’s sociopath..and q psychopath”
“Abeg e done do..ah ah”
Ye looked at me and smiled “we wouldn’t give him the chance don’t worry”
“No way..it can’t happen!” But I didn’t sound so sure anymore.
“Oba look at me..we’re together in this..this mad man can’t touch the widow and he sure as hell can’t touch your parents”
“How do we do it” (the roles were reversed now and I needed every support I could get from Andy)
“We’re going to be well prepared. This gate would be locked and I would patrol the compound till dawn believe me anything that enters which is impossible..did you see the height of the barbed wire? And that gate is very sturdy..but anything that enters I would be waiting with the dagger!”
“You’d better have the gun…Andy my mind won’t still be at rest”
“You need the gun…this woman can’t just be killed as if her life means nothing just so a crazy killer can prove a point..its not possible”
His ginger and anger was getting transferred to me and I was nodding. “You’re right…just remembering how she looked so happy while I pushed her about… I can’t let anything happen to her”
“That’s the spirit”
“But how did he know about the widow? How did he know it would affect me so much”
“Oba you need to have seen your face when you were with her..your eyeballs were shaped like love”
I thought of punching him playfully but the after effects of the meal still had me lazing around.
“One thing this gun to the hospital…the noise is something else..it is a giveaway and even me myself I’m almost deafened by it every time I shoot it”
Andy smiled “No knowledge is truly lost my bro..remember one class I had back in school..in our advanced technology?”
I tried to remember..but I came up blank.
“When you were busy chasing Fome up and down in school how would you remember
He signaled me to follow him to the toilet in the guest room.
The pipe that transferred water to the water closet from the GP tank. He ripped it out with such force. And water started pouring.
“poo! I forgot to close the knob! Please shut that valve!”
I closed it and the water stopped. But I didn’t get what he was trying to do.
I looked at him questioningly
“Oba..go to the store in the kitchen..you’d see a small hand saw bring it for me”
I did as he told me and I was back in seconds with the saw he requested for.
From the other end that he had ripped from the wall he began sawing off the other side still attached to the wall until he held the length of pipe in his hand.
“What is this for?”
“Oba..you ever here of a gun silencer?”
“Yes na..anybody that played hitman or even watched movies would know it”
“Well that’s what we are going to make now and the first thing we need is this PVC pipe”
“Are you serious? We can do that..and it would silence the shot?”
He grimaced “well I wouldn’t call it a gun silencer…more like a suppressor.. But it won’t sound like a gunshot..maybe like a very big dictionary getting slammed on the ground”
I was nodding “that’s good enough”
“Alright let’s get to work”
The process would have been fun if situation had been different but the purpose of making the gun suppressor kept on ringing in my head. It was to defend Olivia..the widow who had somehow gotten under my skin.
Andy went outside and he came with a bigger pipe. Wider in diameter and his dagger which he retrieved from the car. He handed me the knife.
“Go to any room and rip as much foam as you can from the bed..”
I chose one at random. “Hope this isn’t where Ariyo and Gwen use for their weekends” I over did it and its safe to say I turned a king size to a bunk size. I carried the foam downstairs.
Andy had made some liitle holes which he spaced apart with a screw driver in the smaller PVC pipe, he kept on measuring it against the nuzzle of the gun then sawing and filing..chipping away excess until it could fit perfectly.
I watched him in silence as he tested tested the pipe against the wider one.
He always found something wrong with it and continued resizing until he was satisfied.
The space between the small PVC and the big one was stuffed with the foam I had cut out. He measured a piece from an indomie carton from the kitchen and glued it to the mouth to seal the foam in place.
“This is not perfect at all but it would gave to do..its just from the resources available to us”
I was impressed. “You’re a genius. Andy..but how do we fix it to the gun”
“We need a clamp…I’d get the one from the generator outside.”
A silenced gun wouldn’t be bad. But this one wasn’t standard and I feared it could make my aim which wasn’t even good much worse but still half bread was better than chin chin as my people used to say.
Andy returned with the clamp and we were about to fasten it when we head noise from up the stairs. My dad was up! We hurriedly cleared the mess we had made and I kept the gun and the suppressor in a drawer by the bed.
Come night I planned to shoot on sight. No way Dr. Shadow was going to administer the lethal dose to Olivia.

Andy really outdid himself. It was up to me to shoot straight now.
Tonight I was going to prevent that injection from getting close to Olivia and I was ready to die trying.

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