Delayed Diagnosis Episode 32 by Kingsley Olanrewaju

Delayed Diagnosis Episode 32
Written by Kingsley Olanrewaju Efughi

“Rex…you’re tired..you’re hurt, you need to rest. You can’t keep doing this to yourself” Olivia said worriedly.
“Don’t worry..I just need to have a chat with this man, hopefully there’d be no fighting for me any more”
She didn’t look convinced but she let it go.
“I don’t feel he should go alone…” Betran said
“What do you mean?” Dr Rasheed asked with his mouth full.
“X has been acting strange..you and I both know he’s lost it..” He threw up both hands “Heck!..this wasn’t the initial plan!”
“Okay so you go with him..as for me..someone needs to stay with all these women”

We agreed that Olivia should request for the journalists and reporters to come to the hotel. They had a big hall they used for weddings and occasions.
I assured her I would see the management before I left.
“I’d be back before you know it…this is something I just need to do”
I left her speaking on the phone with doctor Rasheed also dialling numbers on his phone.
On my way out the dining, a woman hurried after me. It was Martha..my mother’s namesake.
“Mr Rex you are going out again? You need to rest sir..”
I spoke in my old man wise voice again “my dear..I’d be back in a few hours..just something I need to look into”

I hurried out as fast as I could in my bandaged legs. I was glad Betran had offered to go with me and I waited patiently for him to bring the car.
I checked my phone for the time.
12:11am
Less than 12 hours to the deadly gas discharge….

•°•°•°•°•
“So..how’d you meet Mr X?” I asked Betran trying to stifle a yawn.
He must have been feeling sleepy also because he kept on blinking rapidly.
He seemed grateful for the opportunity to talk and keep himself awake.
“Actually I met Carmichael in the General hospital…my little niece was going through some difficult times health wise..she would just fall and faint..sometimes she’d wake up immediately, sometimes she’d be out for long..some scary times its like her heart would stop beating for some seconds and her pulse would be so faint…almost non existent”
He had his eyes focused on the road and I sat up. “What was wrong with her?”
“No one knew..it got so bad I had to drive her mother-my sister with her to the hospital one day…they referred us to the diagnostic center…”
“Where you met doctor Rasheed”
I filled in.
“Yes..after hours of running series of tests..this short man comes outside with a solemn look on his face and says…and I quote: “I’m sorry…I tried my best but I just can not get to the root…to avoid a misdiagnosis…I have to tell you your daughter..your daughter has delayed diagnosis!”
I put my hands on my head “Not that again…!…what did you do?”
“What do you expect…I was livid..my sister was crying and I asked him what he meant by that and he repeated it..my niece was suffering from delayed diagnosis”
“That Carmichael is something else” I said.
“Well I was about to break his nose..and I roughed him up pretty good..I had paid a lot of money for tests and here he was telling me he couldn’t get to the root cause…”
“So what happened?” I had lost all traces of sleep now, and I was wide awake.
He smiled sheepishly “I must have lost control..” He looked at me “you’ve been in the diagnostic center haven’t you?”
I snickered, remembering “yes I have..you people put me through hell!”
He smiled “well..let’s just say the first room…diagnostic1 wasn’t always as scanty as you saw it when you went there..”
“You threw a tantrum?”
He nodded “I threw a very big tantrum…I threw 10 tantrums!..smashed things..and even smashed Carmichael’s face when he tried to stop me”
He accelerated the car, We were on the highway now “Anyway..I got booked and charged by the hospital..to cut the story short..I spent just few days locked up and then my bail was paid by this mysterious man with the scarred face..
We sat in his car and he told me he had observed what happened at the hospital, even though no one had been there…anyway my sister had registered to the widows initiative at the time..seeking financial help to further treatment for her daughter.. But Mr X told me she had to miss the interview…I was adamant until he told me things…opened my eyes, and then I was shocked..I was indebted to him when he sent my niece to India for advanced check up and treatment…my sister too..from there I became his unofficial driver and should I say something like a friend…he told me about his past and I grew to hate the Chief as well”
“Hmmm…” That was all I could say.
I stared outside for some seconds before I asked.
“How about the doctor…Mr X brought the both of you together?”

He shook his head..”nope..not at first..the diagnosis incident happened two years ago and I didn’t see Carmichael’s brake light…but apparently Mr X maintained contact with him as well..not until about two months ago..he arraigned to meet with the both of us for a very important discussion”
“What discussion”
“We were discussing you”
“Me?”
“Yes..at the time..you had stolen the papers…and Mr X was interested in the coordinates…he didn’t know you were his son in law Or almost son in law at the time and he came up with idea of getting the papers back from you with the threat of Kidon and the black September terrorist group”
“Hmm…I guess Carmichael came up with the delayed diagnosis code word?”
He nodded in agreement “yes..and at the time..Mr X contacted a shadow and put the contract on your head so you’ll be killed immediately you return the papers…but then he found out you were the one his daughter had been seeing so he dropped money and instructions with me to call of the hit…I was transferring this to Carmichael the night at the club before you snatched the brief case…you know the rest”
I nodded…remembering it all. “Snatching that case was the best thing I could have done..I was running blindly all along before then..”
He was silent and I felt the car slow down…
I didn’t even know when we got off the highway.

°••°•°•
The house was dark. It looked like no one was in.
He had a neighbour on the right and the light from the balcony reflected into his compound lighting it up partially.
It gave the house an eery and scary look.

“Is he in?” I didn’t know why I was whispering.
“Yes..the dark is his friend…he hates the light…during the day all the curtains are drawn..24/7”
“Hmm…do we knock or what?” I suddenly wished I had brought my gun with me.
I shook the thought out of my head..that was crazy..
“The gate is never locked…good luck with Mr X”
“What..you’re not coming?”
“Hell no…no way..I’m okay here..I’d wait for you and drive you back”
I was quiet..I knew I couldn’t convince him..something in his tone told me I couldn’t.
I got down from the car slowly and walked the short distance to the gate.
I pushed it open and entered the compound.

I looked up at the duplex in wonder.
The walls were covered with wall plant or was it wall grass..there where trees taking up every space in the compound and grass on the floor..it looked like he had built the house in the middle of the forest…make that the evil forest.

Funny that I was already scared…I tried to draw comfort from the fact that he didn’t want me dead…but that wasn’t so reassuring anymore.

I located the door and climbed up the stairs.
As I climbed I thought it wise to announce my presence “Mr X..Mr X…its me…Rex..Rex Obasi..your son in law!” (don’t mind the fact that Fome and I never married…anything to reassure me at
this point)
No response. I climbed up the stairs fully and looked around..everywhere was pitch black.
I couldn’t see anything, I brought out my phone and switched on the flashlight.
I almost jumped out of my skin and shouted in an incredibly high falsetto.
The beam of the light had fallen on the scarred face of Mr X.
Believe me…that is one of the scariest sights in the world.
I tried to calm my beating heart while he smiled.
“Rex..my son..its so nice of you to visit…come come..let’s have a sit”
He led the way..moving in the darkness perfectly and swiftly.
I remained still for some minutes..trying to calm my beating heart.

I followed him..to what had to be the living room, pointing my touch ever corner and seeing scary gargoyle looking statures every where the beam fell.

“So what do I owe this unexpected visit?” He asked me sweetly. He seemed to be in a good mood.
He sat down on a 3 sitter and opened his plastic bottle again, to sip more cough syrup I was sure.
I sat opposite him on the edge of a chair.
“Mr X…I found out about your plan for tomorrow…please don’t do this..this won’t make you any different from the Chief!”
He remained silent, sipping away.
“Please..” I was desperate “innocent people are going to die…I beg of you..your daughter Fome was a sweet person..she abhorred violence and she spoke about you often that she didn’t know you but she was sure you were the best and most loving dad ever…please don’t prove her wrong…don’t go through with it..”
He remained silent but he was gulping the contents now, not sipping.
I rambled on.. “Same with Mona..tomorrow that hall would be decorated and designed beautifully…that was her career path..she was a very good interior designer and in a sick way..you would be pissing on her handwork if you defile that hall tomorrow..please Mr X..forget the chief…after tomorrow it would all be over for him..the widows are getting ready for a press conference as we speak…the initiative is going down and so is the chief..killing him now would spare him the embarrassment of seeing his empire crumble…don’t give him the easy way out!”
He was still silent and I went on: “as for the fools granting him the award..when the papers hit the stands and the news gets aired…they would be exposed for their crooked selection process…in awarding such a personality the personality of the year!”

He was quiet for some seconds as I struggled to regain my breath but then he smiled: “Rex…you are a man of the people..you truly are a unique man..you’ve somehow managed to shine a little light in my darkness and chase away the shadows…for the time being at least…”
I was silent and he continued. “You have to find the controller yourself..I have no idea where it is…but its somewhere in the premises..you find it and you put in the code:386…that should stop the countdown and stop the discharge”
I couldn’t believe my ears..I hadn’t expected him to tell me just like that.
“Woah..you won’t regret this sir..you won’t I promise you..”
“Yeah yeah yeah..now get out of here before I change my mind”

He didn’t need to say it twice. I sprang up and hurried out. And as I jumped down the stairs two at a time, I thought that it had been too easy..perhaps too easy to be true?
I repeated the number in my head and prayed that the code was correct.

I hurried into the car and Betran. Started the engine. He zoomed off immediately. “Well?” He asked me after some time.
“He gave me a code..according to him it would stop the countdown and prevent the gas from discharging”
Betran gave a low whistle “what if the code doesn’t work?” He asked worriedly.
I honestly didn’t want to speak about that now so I just shrugged. But the seed was planted and I chewed on it. If the code was wrong then I was also good as dead..because I would be exposed to the poisonous air. No doubt I would be the first to touch the ground…I shivered at the thought….y
Betran was speaking “so how exactly do we locate the machine..the canister what ever it is?”
I shrugged “believe me I
I have no idea….but I would find it” I sounded sure of myself.
“Don’t forget the Governor would be in attendance…the security would be extra tight”
I fell silent after that, I couldn’t think of any possibility or any scenario.
I must have been very tired and the truth is no matter what you can’t cheat your body.
Betran tapped my shoulder, bringing me out of the deep sleep that had claimed me when the car was in motion. We were parked in the hotel ycar park now and I blinked at the digital time on the dashboard ’02:38am’
I got down and stretched he also did the same thing.
I called Olivia, I couldn’t remember the room number I had selected. I had entered in a rush and just left the gun on the dresser without really paying attention to it. I had given the key to Olivia before I left and I called her to remind me.
The phone rang without her picking and I thought she must be asleep. I walked down the hallway of the hospital and was about to call doctor Rasheed when my phone rang. She was calling me back.
“Hello…Rex…you’re back!”
“Yes..I just got in..what room are you in? I can’t remember it!”
“462” she replied excitedly. She must have been really glad I was back.
“Did you talk to the hotel about using their Hall tomorrow?”
I had totally forgotten!

“No I didn’t…its too late now…don’t worry tomorrow morning”
“Okay..the reporters should be here as early as 8 in the morning”
“Okay…” My mind was on how I was going to locate the counter and disable it..I repeated the code in my mind again..3,8,6..how would I get past the security for the Governor..the place would be on tight lockdown I was sure..maybe the best I could do was just alert them all…alert them shouting like a mad man that they needed to leave the hall and pray to God they’ll listen to me.
“…..very tired” Olivia’s voice brought me back to the present.
I shook my head..”what?..you’re very tired?”
“No..I said you look very tired…come here”
She opened her arms in invitation and I fell on the bed gratefully.
I buried my face in her soft bosom and she cradled my head and stroked my neck softly and lovingly, humming a tune as she did so.
Believe me if I were to be suffering from chronic insomnia…that would be the antidote. Within seconds I was asleep.

°•°•°•°•°•°•
I woke up to the spill of sunlight in the room. The curtain was drawn back and I shielded my eyes from the sun struggling to come fully awake. But then I thought: the sun was out already…what was the time?!
I was alone in the room. I looked around for Olivia but she wasn’t in.
I checked my phone and was shocked to see the time was 8:53am.
I had over slept. I must have been really tired the night before.
I splashed water on my face in the bathroom and looked at the mirror.
I had travelling bags under my eyes. I was still owing my body sleep.
But I felt better now.

I left the room feeling a bit refreshed and energized.

On my way down the steps, I met doctor Rasheed aka Carmichael.
“Good thing I was just coming to wake you” he sounded grumpy.
“Good morning” I said to him.
“Morning…your girlfriend said you shouldn’t be disturbed so I let you sleep but the whole place is a mad house!”
I frowned “what do you mean?”
“Come and see for yourself” he tugged my hand and led me down the stairs.
“I thought you said you would see the hotel management about the hall yesterday?”
I winced “I totally forgot about it..I was planning to rent it for some hours today”
“Well too late..they said the hall has already been booked since last week for a wedding”
“On a Thursday?”
He shrugged “I think its traditional”
“So where are the women?”
“See for yourself” we had reached downstairs and ye pointed to the entrance door.
I could already see the crowd of people and I must have blinked about a hundred times.

When Olivia had said she had some contacts of her late husband, I had pictured a handful of men and women wielding tape recorders and microphones and maybe a video camera.
Instead what I saw left my mouth open in surprise. I was utterly shocked.
There had to be about a hundred news men in the car park. I could see various news station vans with the station/channel inscription on them.
Countless state of the art video cameras handled by veteran and seasoned videographers.
I stepped outside, taking it all in. they were all at work and they were divided in different smaller groups scattered here and there.
The widows were talking, some of them into the camera, some of them into the voice recorders while the journalists all looked astonished at the atrocities they were hearing and scribbled furiously in notepads.

I strolled over to the nearest group of women. The young widow was currently talking looking into the camera while an elderly looking journalist held the video microphone to her mouth.
“…….. The lawyer and socials. The excos are all part of it and organise the selection process…”
Another widow: “…..name is Chief Amunike, a well known billionaire but the source of his riches is not his businesses…he makes money from human trafficking..when we were captured I overheard one of the kidnappers say he gets as much as a million dollars for each shipment!….”

The car park was full. There was no space that wasn’t occupied. In between cars there was always a journalist with a group of widows.
I looked around for Olivia..pride and love swelling within me..she was just too much, I couldn’t believe she had turned up something like this.
Someone tapped my shoulder impatiently and I turned expectantly, hoping to see Olivia, but I saw an elderly looking man instead.
I first took him for a reporter but then I noticed his tailored 3 piece suit and I changed my mind.
“Morning…can I help you?”
“Are you the pastor in charge of this women’s convention?” He asked me impatiently.
Pastor? But then I remembered that was our cover so I nodded in agreement. “Yes I am…may the good Lord bless you for your hospitality”
That threw him off a bit but I knew where he was going.
“Amen…look sir, we don’t allow this..its unheard of, you can’t take over any part of the hotel without the right permission and some kind of payment”
I nodded “actually I enquired about the hall hut I was told it had been booked for a wedding ceremony”
He frowned “be that as it may…I’m sorry but I would have to ask you to stop and vacate our parking lot.”
“Look you don’t understand..take this as a means of publicity..you see these reporters..they are filming and getting content for the newspapers…I promise to praise your hotel for its kindness and hospitality to be shown to the whole country…you can see the amount of news channels here? Basically every station would broadcast this interview”
He frowned, deep in thought “you don’t get me..there is no space for our guests to park their vehicles anymore..you people have-“
“Look look…these women have gone through hell..they were kidnapped and the good Lord ensured their safety..the least you can do is squeeze in an hour so the world can learn from their story and countless women can be saved from experiencing the same fate!”

I could see I had perked his curiosity. He looked around studying the widows with renewed interest.

“What exactly do-“
“There he is!” He was interrupted by a loud shout.
“That’s him..Mr Rex..he came to our rescue!”
“That’s our fearless hero..!”
A group of widows had spotted me and started clapping as they identified me.
Before long, the whole parking lot was resonating with loud applause.
Even the journalists joined them while some of them took a knee and positioned themselves to get the best angle to take my picture.

The clapping went on for minutes and the elderly man, who I took to be the manager of the hotel said in my ear loudly so I could hear over the clapping. “Make sure you put in a good word for this hotel!” He stalked off grumbling and I smiled.

I noticed Olivia in a corner also clapping and my smile grew wider. From ear to ear.
I waved in acknowledgement at the round(s) of applause which was dying down gradually now and made to go to Olivia.
I took the first step towards her and microphones were thrust in my face, materialising from thin air.
“Sir how did you find out about the initiative?”
“How did you discover the dirty business of the Chief?”
“How many shadows have you killed?”
I held up my hands. “I promise to answer all your questions as best as I can..but I need you to promise me something on return”
“What is it sir?”
“Anything sir!”
I scratched my grey beard before speaking “I want you all to promise me you’ll air this interview by noon today.12 on the dot!”

“No problem”
“That won’t be an issue”
“We’re not in charge of selecting programs!”

I scanned the faces for the last speaker.
“I don’t think you understand..that is not a request..its my condition”
This time they all agreed.

I answered all their questions. Narrating how I had come across a piece of paper from the Chief’s house (I left out the money part) and how it had quirked my interest and curiosity. I wove the story excellently destroying the Chief and his wife and the excos ripping his ‘reputation’, the security staff of the sunrise steel, otherwise known as the sunset shadows..with the motto and tatoo idebtification: ‘the shadow is tallest’ and finally to the very last action of the previous night

°•°•°•°•
11:05am
Betran was behind the wheel. I sat in front, with the images and memories from the press conference still playing in my head.
I had left them all at the location when I got conscious of the time.
Olivia had asked to go with me but I had to be firm. Just in case I wasn’t able to reach the timer and stop it and died a Marty death, I couldn’t afford to let her risk her life.
But hopefully things would turn out well, I would be able to stop the timer and the interview would be aired by noon on live television on various stations and so the ultimate exposure of the Chief wyould take place at the best venue, in front of the most powerful individuals in the state.
I looked out the window as Betran zapped between vehicles, overtaking every car in sight.
I wish I could glimpse into the nearest future and see what it holds..
I hoped I would still be in it.

“We’re about 20 minutes away” Betran interrupted my thoughts and my heart began beating madly.
I had browsed on the sarin gas and found out one inhalation was all it needed. It was as deadly as anthrax, maybe even deadlier.
I polished the gas mask Carmichael had given me one more time.
He wasn’t sure it would be effective but there was no harm in trying.
On the other hand, I hoped there would be no reason to use it.

“10 minutes away” Betran announced.
I glanced at the dashboard :11:26am

°•°•°

The hotel was a five star hotel. It was found in one of the classiest part of Lagos and was a location suitable for the presence of the kind of guests billed to attend the award ceremony.
As we drew closer, I found myself wishing that the time would be African time and that the hall would still be empty when the timer would count down.
That was just in case I couldn’t reach it in time.

The amount of cars and the heavy security presence at the gate would convince me that was wishful thinking. Wishful thinking of the highest order. A strong mixture of both police and military presence was evident at the gate and they were doing a stop and search before letting cars into the hotel premises.
“Shiit…I don’t know how on Earth we’re going to get into the hotel at this rate” Betran sighed
“Relax we’ll get in” I assured him. Though I wasn’t so sure.
“And when we get in? How on earth do we get into the hall?”
“Look Betran..we didn’t come this far to turn back without trying…stop worrying and start praying…..pray for me..I don’t want to lose my life today”
He fell silent after that and we waited impatiently for our turn.

“Pop your trunk” A fierce looking soldier instructed and Betran complied immediately. A police officer inspected the booth of the car and not finding anything suspicious, shut it with a loud bang that caused a jittery Betran to jump.
“What is your business here today?” The soldier asked
I spoke up before Betran could “we have a business meeting over the weekend and Our colleagues would be joining us later today”
He scrutinized me closely then turned his attention to Betran. After some few seconds(felt more like hours really) he decided we fitted the business type. He waved us in after adding: “endeavour to stay away from the west wing of the hotel today” he gestured with his hands to show us where he meant.
I could see the hall was in that section. Countless cars were already lined up and I could see a small crowd outside the entrance and some camera crews as well. Whatever journalist was not at the other hotel location conducting the interview would be here it seems.

We nodded our agreement and Betran drove into the premises gratefully.
“What now?” He asked me immediately.
“I don’t know” I replied. He was circling the parking lot, looking for a suitable parking space.
I scratched my head deep in thought “do you think I can pass for Wole Soyinka?”
He shook his head “uhm uhm….his elder brother probably…but definitely not the real deal..your face is too withered”
“Poof!” I checked the time “we have just thirteen minutes to 12..what time did you say the gas is going to go off?”
“The latest should be few minutes past noon”
“Shït! Stop this car…park anywhere!”
He parked immediately and I yanked the door. “What are you going to do?” He called out
“What I do best” I tossed over my shoulder as I hurried away “improvise!”

The a/c in the hotel reception hit me with full force and I felt like it was going to freeze my grey beard.
I hurried to the marble desk in the center of the room.

“Please where is the kitchen crew?”
“I beg your pardon?” The Lady behind the counter was gorgeous but she seemed rude. She responded me harshly and looked me over with a sneer. (Apparently I looked nothing like the great writer…maybe a poorer, rougher version)
I broke my words letter by letter if possible ” I said..where is the kitchen! I don’t have time to waste!”
The urgency in my voice broke through somewhat and she sat up “I’m sorry who…who are you?”
I sighed impatiently “woman…where are the Samosa we ordered for…where are the spring rolls? The grilled fish? How do you expect us to serve his excellency bottled water alone as appetizers?”
Her eyes widened “oh…you’re with the-“
I interrupted her rudely “my friend point me to the kitchen where I can get this mess sorted out if not someone is going to take the blame and it might as well be you!”
That got her. She gave me directions immediately and even added “we’re so sorry for the inconvenience” as I hurried off.

I had no idea what I was doing, a part of me wondered drily how I hadn’t grown feathers judging by how many times I had ‘winged it’ on different occasions.

I took the elevator to the third floor where she had told me the kitchen was located
On the floor, on my way to the kitchen I could see young men rushing out, looking sharp in suits and waist coats, all with a tray balanced expertly on one hand. They all seemed to be in a hurry and I was guessing the receptionist must have called to alert them that one of the organisers from the ceremony was headed up and breathing fire.
What now…what now…what now…? I thought frantically to myself. The time was 11:51 and I was in a race against time.

I saw the answer to my dilemma the moment he rushed our of the double swinging doors pushing some kind of Cart ahead of him that housed champagne and wine bottles judging by the soft clang I heard as he passed me.
He hit the buttons on the elevator impatiently and I hurried after him.
I looked back and saw another waiter holding a tray come out and also rush after us the minute I stepped into the elevator.
“Hold it…hold it…please hold the door!” He shouted but to no avail. I didn’t respond and when his colleague said baffled “why don’t you hold it?” And stretched his hands to halt the closing doors for his mate who was rushing madly, I stopped his hands in mid air. Grabbing his wrists with force and halting his movement.
His partner shouted “what the-” as the door closed.
He himself shouted “what do you think you’re doing? Let go of my hand!”
I did just that.

•°•°•°•
Two people got into the elevator but only one stepped out. You guessed right: yours truly…I stepped out dressed in the sharp white shirt and waist coat and was fixing the bow tie properly when the doors opened.
Somehow my luck held and there was nobody waiting for the elevator to go up. There were two functioning elevators so I’m guessing the second must have been used recently.
I pushed the cart and stepped out, donning the nose mask and pulling it down to cover my grey beards.
I kicked the legs of the unconscious waiter further inside the elevator so the doors won’t close on them.
“You got knocked out for a worthy cause…I’m sorry!” I said as the door closed.
I checked the time: 11:54 am.
I ran like a mad man out of the hotel and into the sun, towards the west wing.

Official Government cars where parked here and there, classy and flashy cars were littered about and security agents armed to the teeth. They all didn’t pay me any notice and I hurried by like a waiter hurrying to his duty and indeed I was hurrying to my duty, albeit a different kind.
I could see people were allowed in on their self recognition or else they produced some kind of invitation or press pass.
I thought I saw Emenike the Chief’s first son outside making a call from the corner of my eye but I wasn’t sure.

I was in!

A popular comedian who was the MC for the day was on the podium and telling a joke which had people cracking up.
I could see the Governor and his wife seated in the front along with the Chief and his wife also, they were on some kind of high table with other distinguished and important people.

I scanned the walls and the roof for air vents and I saw many…not to talk of the split units producing cool breeze from the wall.
I noticed a particular tube from the nearest a/c. It looked like the type used to take out the hot water and air from the unit and deposit outside. But it didn’t go through the wall like it should have instead it ran round the wall and connected to another a/c. I tried to trace it to the source but the hall was too big. Nevertheless, I was convinced it went back stage.
“What the Bleep are you looking at? Get to work!” A fellow usher hissed in my ear on his way out.
I hurriedly chose the closest line that would bring me to the back stage and began dropping bottles of wine and juice randomly and hurriedly on tables.
I glanced at the watch and saw I had just 3 minutes till noon. I abandoned all formality and began hurrying towards the backstage stopping here and there to drop a bottle when the calls from disgruntled guests became too much.

The technical crew was to the right of the backstage. A complicated looking amplifier board with intimidating wires was being manned by two men with headphones. They had all concentration on the board and didn’t notice me.
I abandoned the cart and ducked into the backstage with lightening speed.
The size was staggering. It was spacious and there was a small group of women in cultural wears getting prepared to come on for their performance.

They looked at me questioningly
“Get ready..you have five minutes to come on” I told them and they began talking within themselves discussing last minute routines, not minding me.

Backstage was a bit choked up with miscellaneous loads here and there, I hurried left and right checking but not seeing anything that remotely resembled what I sought.
Suddenly I looked up and true enough I saw the same kind of tube I had seen attached to the air conditioner.
I traced it, breaking into a semi run and it led me to the very rear of the backstage.
I traced it to a small cage attached to the wall, like a circuit box. I yanked it open and I was staring at the timer.

00:03:46
I had about 3 minutes remaining.. I fumbled with the canister then I noticed the number code. The code I had been given had been in my head since the day before and I repeated it: 386…386…
I was about to type it in but then I stopped.
“Mr X you bastard!”
The space for the code was like this:
_ _ _ _ I needed four digits…he had given me three….I needed one more..
The timer read: 00:02:55

I stared at the timer for what seemed like eternity, looking dumbstruck.
Where would I get the last digit from? What do I do? What…..
Was this the end? Was this how I was going to die? No…there had to be a way..I had to figure something out….
Beep beep!
Two short beeps brought my eyes to the timer. It read: 00:00:58
Christ! Less than a minute left…I didn’t want to die! Not like this..there was my parents…I couldn’t believe I wouldn’t see them again, my sisters,my nephews and nieces..I was their favourite uncle and the thought of not seeing them again, fake boxing with the older ones and throwing the younger ones in the air was a painful thought…too painful…the worst was not seeing Olivia again..being robbed off the possible future we could have together….
Get a grip of yourself! A voice scolded me and I shook the thoughts out of my head and blinked rapidly.
00:00:33
I needed to think back….
The night I had seen Mr X, he had been swift in giving me the phony code…too swift and I had wondered if he had given me a fake one.
He had acted a bit creepy and I had been in a haste to leave his house but now I thought back to his attitude…..the line about his daughter being an interior designer had seemed to get under his skin and he told me the code after that…but something in the way he said it…
I looked at the timer….00:00:19
What if he had given me the code and the same time withheld it from me?
“My God what am saying?” I thought aloud..but the hasty countdown couldn’t let me consider my mental state..
Instead I forced myself to think back…
What if he wanted to free his conscience considering his daughters memories but at the same time his bitterness wouldn’t let him let go easily..
I thought hard, shutting my eyes..
He had said 386…what if he meant..3-8-6..
Three eight six…
Three eight….three eight….eight in three places…then six?
Beep beep!
I opened my eyes in horror: 00:00:08
The countdown was at its final stage..I raised my finger slowly..
There was no other choice…if I was wrong, I was dead anyway…if I didn’t risk it I was also dead..
I keyed the first two letters:
8 8 _ _
00:00:05
8 8 8 _
00:00:03
8 8 8 6
I squeezed my eyes shut expecting to hear the beep or any sound..when there was silence, I opened one eye first then the other.
The timer read; 00:00:02
Two breathless seconds after it still read: 00:00:02
It had worked!
My knees were suddenly weak and I melted to the floor.
I breathed in and out deeply, trying to calm my racing pulse.
Then slowly I got to my feet..I had just saved everybody in the hall…including the chief…but it was time to take him down.
I brought out my phone and dialled the last called number.
He picked up on the first ring.
“Hello…Obasi!”
“Short Sam…do it now”
“Yes boss…your number one hacker is on the job!”

The hall had about two gigantic screens that displayed every event in the hall that was caught by the videographers and my hacker pal was about to scramble their signal and work some magic.
The interview from the morning was going to be displayed on the two 90 inch projector screens any minute from now

Now that the immediate danger was passed, I took a deep breathe and straightened my bow tie.
I tried desperately to calm down and slow my heart rate…the worst was over, I needed to get to the main hall…I couldn’t miss the show.
I shut the cage and headed out. There was a resounding round of applause as the group of women who were no doubt aboutto perform a dance routine all filed and hurried out.
I followed them a little way behind and retrieved my cart from where I had abandoned it earlier.
None of the technical committee paid any attention to me, I guess the fact that the Governor was in attendance required all their attention. They couldn’t afford the tiniest mistake.
One of them glanced up briefly and I wheeled my cart backwards like that had been my intention all along. I dropped two bottles of wine and a carton of juice on a nearby table.
They didn’t acknowledge either but kept frowning into space, holding the headphones to their ears like the fate of the whole world depended on whatever it was they were listening to.
I didn’t care. I was feeling elated!
I whistled and went about my modest job of supplying refreshments to the important guests in the hall.

The cultural drums were beaten with expertise, the flutes were blown swiftly and the women were putting up a show stopping performance.
I kept on glancing at the screen every now and then, waiting to see scenes from the interview and to see my old face as I spoke about the secrets of the initiative and the chief.

Nothing yet!
What the hell is wrong with short Sam? I thought to myself….what’s taking him so long?
“Heeees….can you do your fucking job and give me a bottle?” A young girl(couldn’t have been more than 20) asked me rudely.
I compiled, thinking to myself about all these spoilt rich kids who were mannerless.
As I placed the bottle on the table, I lookedher over. It was Ada
Somehow she ddidn’t notice me this time, or to be more precise, her attention was on the young man by her side. She had stars in her eyes, and was clinging on to his arm and apparently onto every word he said.
I did my job and moved on, still glancing worriedly at the screen…the time was about ten minutes past noon.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°
I have only seen the Governor on the TV, on the posters or on the TV. And to be frank, I have never thought twice about meeting him or held any special importance to seeing his face physically and in the flesh. However, I found myself almost nose to nose with the Governor himself as I served his table with the best champagne I had in my cart.
He didn’t notice me, I was invincible. His wife the first lady of Lagos state was beside him, whispering something in his ear about the performance and he was smiling and looking eagerly, trying to see whatever it was she was showing him.
I hurried out of the way. Before I get locked up for blocking his Excellency’s view.
I ran straight into the Chief’s stare.
Once upon a time, his daughter had seen through my old man disguise and recognised me, and now few weeks later, it seemed the Chief had acquired the gift all of a sudden. He was looking at me in disbelief, with his mouth wide open. He looked liked he had seen a ghost.
His wife, the honourable Mrs Benita, noticed the way he was looking, glanced at me then at him.
“What’s the matter?” I read her lips perfectly.
He didn’t reply.
I didn’t know what was wrong, I was just an overage waiter, in a crisp white shirt and a waste coat doing my humble job.
I dropped bottles on the table but I couldn’t resist, I leaned into the Chief as I passed by,
“Enjoy the show….Amumike”
It was just like I planned it with short Sam. As I turned away, there was a short gasp from the crowd…the cultural drummers lost their rhythm and I heard the Chief’s wide gasp “oh my God!”
I smiled and continued my job.

The mc took over…the dancers were still dancing away, but nobody was paying attention to them. They were all focused on the hundreds of women on the screen.
“please…we seem to be experiencing some kind of technical problem” the Mc spoke into the mike.
He must have switched it on and activated the loud speakers and that must have been what Short Sam just have been waiting for.
The audio was activated immediately…with a loud screech that everyone held his/her war instinctively.

“….were kidnapped and held in a container like sardines…the Chief…Chief Amunike…he has been trafficking widows like us for over ten years through the widows initiative sham owned and run by his wife…”
I looked around the hall, trying to gauge the reaction from the crowd…at first it seemed they were annoyed at the invasion, the dance routine was quite interesting after all, but with time, as the words began to sink in….there was a captivated air around the hall and every where was dead silent. Even the ushers and waiters all seemed to stop all movement.

When the narrator took over…speaking as the video captured all the women in their little groups and large numbers, there was another gasp from the crowd as they all began to grasp exactly what was happening.
I had my gazed fixed on the ‘high’ table all along and I saw the Governor and another person I tool to be the commissioner of education glance at the chief for one worrying second before glueing their eyes back to the gigantic screen.
For the first time I released a deep breath I hadn’t even been holding…or maybe I had been holding it for so long…probably from the moment I had snatched the papers from the Chief’s house of operations…the breath seemed to say…it is over…or at least almost over.
I stood fixated like everyone else, watching and listening while the chief and his wife squirmed in their seat.

When the widows all broke into a round of applause and the camera zoomed into my haggard and old face, with the narrator announcing me as the hero who had hunted and taken down the initiative and saved the women from the uncertain but gruesome fate ahead, I turned slowly and headed for the entrance.
My job here was done..I wasn’t interested in any recognition…so long as the Chief was exposed, I was fine with that.
Right now, I had two of my friends in the hospital, a shadow and and executive strapped up in a particular flat somewhere in the mainland, and most important of all…I had Olivia waiting for me.
I was going home.

Thanks for listening to the news at 4, now for a recap of the major headlines.
In financial news: Naira climbs to equal 50 dollars per naira (lemme dream biko)
In sports news, the super eagles move to top ten in the latest FIFA rankings(

) and in our main news, about five hundred women rescued from human trafficking plot last night.
Please stay with us for more developments on the story”

I switched off the mobile radio and leaned back on the 3 sitter.
I was in the hospital, had been there for the past few hours, finding respite and hiding out in Andy’s room.
My phone was off. The incessant ringing ever since the interview got aired had threatened to drive me mad.
I was a wanted man. Wanted by the masses who were desperately in need of a hero figure. My background had been dissected thoroughly and my parents and sisters had called me more than once to report the calls from journalists all interested in digging into my life.
I had no problem with that, they were free to dig! As long as they didn’t disturb the peace of my loved ones.
Speaking of which I knew I owed them an explanation.

Cynthia had said “so you’re THE Rex Obasi..how come…you looked so different in the clip I watched on TV…? What exactly happened…where you hurt?…wait…is it Jossy’s school that altered your appearance?!”
I knew the questions were just warming up… my eldest sister was preparing to fire me with questions, my phone had alerted me to another incoming call and after that I had rushed through the call, promising to call her back right away.
I switched off my phone immediately.

The Chief and his wife had attended the event as one of the center of attraction..in the most honourable way possible but they left or rather were taken away from the hall dishonourably.
According to the other news I had heard on the radio, the Governor and his team had headed to the other hotel to meet With the women.
“Finally…we did it…we did it bro..” Andy kept on saying, his voice dripping with emotion.
“Yes we did bro..we did….” The unspoken words hung in the air…finally we had tavenged or should I say justified the deaths of Mona and Fome, And the sufferings of their mother so many years ago.

Olivia was in a corner of the room, still on the phone. Her journalist buddies had been calling and calling all along begging for an exclusive interview. This was the story of the century and they all wanted the first sweep.
“Brian I told you…you have to make do with what you learned from him this morning, at least for now….”

Her voice faded off into the background as I stared into space. The door opened and Tonye came in, she assisted strange eyes who had his right leg in a cast raised off the ground.
He had his right hand in a walking clutch and his left hand around Tonye’s neck.
He had a wide sheepish grin. “Oba….it is done..the whole stations haven’t shown anything different since..the whole Nation is talking about the Chief and the initiative..there’s no kind of string he can pull to get out of this one now!”
He settled onto the bed, sitting down beside Andy and happily shaking him fiercely and energetically.
I turned to Tonye, “what of the shadow…and the exco?”
She smiled “About 1 hour ago..operatives of the secret service swooped into the house following an anonymous tip and nabbed both men”
“so its now they’re doing their job” I shook my head
“They have to…the president released an official statement few hours back, promising the full wrath of the law”
Andy got up, feeling energized and restless “how about the excos…and the remaining shadows”
“its just a matter of time..only the social exco is remaining, as for the other shadows, their identity is known already their pictures is in the system..they can’t leave the Country..they can’t remain hiding”
“We need to do something…to take them down” I couldn’t help but still feel a little worried.
“Rex…you’ve done your part…you’re the man of the hour, now enjoy your glory and let the agents do the rest” strange eyes said.
yHe picked up the remote from the bedside table and switched on the TV.
“But what if they disappear again…they’re very good in doing that” I added
“Rex,” Tonye assured me “The president himself has vowed that every one involved with the initiative would be persecuted. Any body who supplies information that aids and leads to the capture of a shadow would receive the sum of 5 million naira.”
I wanted to ask her and strange eyes about their Crooked superiors, the senior agents that had turned deaf ears and cut off so many queries into the Chief’s activities. However, the TV had come on fully and a documentary about the widows initiative was on.
We all fell silent as we focused intently on the television.
Olivia had finished her call and was was watching from across the room. I strolled over to her side.
the video showed the massive industry building of sunrise steel. It was a big company and the outlook spelt success.
The next frame showed all the security staff and their names, starting from the CSO, one Mr. Kehinde. The voice recording of the women played as they explained how they had been abducted.
I saw Tosin(the first shadow I had come across, mr ‘yours killingly’) on the screen. His security job was to man the CCTV cameras.
We watched the documentary for like an hour and I stood through out, behind Olivia, with my hands on her shoulder subconsciously kneading and massaging softly.
My phone vibrated- an unknown number was calling me.
“Hello”
“Rex…good job” the line went dead.
I smiled thinly Mr X didn’t sound so bitter anymore…or was it just me?

The governor had vowed to take care and sponsor the widows and their family, according to the presenter, I was also needed as the Governor had also vowed to give me a reward. On top of that, the personality of the year award had a new recipient.
An emergency poll had been conducted few hours ago and I had swept it flawless.
“Ariyo has been calling me since..he wants us back.. Increased salary and promotion”
I frowned “what did you tell him?”
“I told him to kiss my black ass” Andy replied with a smile and strange eyes and I burst out laughing.
“You remember my offer Rex?….I have another one…I’m leaving the agency..I want to start a private investigative firm…Tonye and I, I’d like you and Andy to join our team”
I felt Olivia tense under my fingers, Strange eyes must have noticed it too because he hurriedly added “its nothing dangerous.. The work would mostly be catching cheating husbands…tracing and finding missing persons…stuff like that!”
I bit my lower lip(a recent habit of mine-thanks to Olivia)
The offer was tempting, over the last few weeks, I had come to love and enjoy intelligence gathering, although I could do without the danger. I’ve seen enough to last me two lifetimes.
“you know what?…lemme sleep on it”
He nodded satisfied and looked at Tonye, they both shared a knowing look.
“What…what is it?” I asked them eagerly but somehow I knew.
“We’re getting married!!” Tonye burst out happily.
“Wow!”
“Congratulation!”
“Congrats” we smiled, clapped and congratulated them. Hugging each other.

Before long,Olivia and Tonye, like women are always bound to do were talking about the ‘perfect romantic wedding’ picking a gown, hall venue and all the normal stress that comes with wedding planning..

Their voices danced in the background as the three men focused on the TV on the wall.

The door barged open. It was Carmichael. He looked like he had run 400 meters.
I studied him closely as he tried to regain his breath.
“What is it?”
He slumped on the nearest chair and put his face in his hands.
I asked him again..panic seeping through my voice this time “Mr X….Its Mr X…he’s…he’s d..dead!”
“Christ! What happened?!” I exclaimed. This was the last thing I had expected to hear
“He overdosed on cough syrup… This afternoon…Betrand and I went to the house and there he was..just staring at the news with glassy eyes and a smile on his face..he had mixed some deadly pills with the syrup…” His voice trailed off.
“Damn!…why would he go out like this?” But then I remembered he had once told me he had nothing to live for. Revenge had driven him this far when he otherwise would have given up the ghost.
Carmichael was still speaking: “he left behind a will…he managed to amass quite a large amount of wealth…he left half of it to you..and the other half to as many orphanages around the Country.”
I shook my head “give my half away too..”
“It doesn’t just work like that..” The doctor was saying but I interrupted him “doctor, what about his body..where is it?”
“He covered it in his will also, he bought a plot of land sometime last month, and I know for a fact his daughters are buried there….”
He trailed off, or rather I drifted off, hearing his voice as a light buzz in the background.
I looked at Andy, and he looked at me. We where both thinking the same thing.
It was time for closure.

°•°•°•°•°•
The plot of land was in a secluded area, surrounded by farms, empty lands and abandoned building projects. It was at the very end of the acre of land and was the only land that was fenced round with a sturdy gate.
As the car drew to a stop, I noticed the massive padlock holding the gate together.
“I have the key don’t worry” Carmichael replied my thoughts.
Andy had already gotten down. The first time he was out of the hospital, and I marveled at the extra weight he had lost. He was very thin.
Olivia spoke up from the back “Are you sure you’re okay?”
I smiled “I’ll be fine don’t worry…this is something I have to do”
She nodded in understanding and I followed Andy and Carmichael into the plot of land.
I didn’t expect the inside to be this neat and taken care off..flowers lined the walls, around each grave and added colourful splashes. Gravel provided the walkway.
the grave of the two sisters were beside each other and there was another one, to the left. When I got closer, I saw it was Fome’s mother. ‘Here lies Juliana Tinkan, beloved mother, wife and friend’
the epitaph read.
Andy went straight to Mona’s tombstone and was immediately lost, emotions dancing on his face. I watched him for some seconds before moving to the next. I placed a hand on the cold marble of the tombstone. And let the memories wash over me, from our school days, when I first met her, over the years till the previous month when I saw her for the last time.
For a minute I could see her clearly, I asked her forgiveness for not trusting her when it mattered most, I asked her forgiveness for opening the cylinder valve and indirectly killing her. I assured her I would never forget her, a part of me would always love her and I asked her permission to move on.
All these words came out slowly, a very painful monologue or soliloquy.
When I finished baring my soul out, I felt lighter suddenly. Like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulder.
I blinked my eyes and two drops of tears landed on the marble slab. The silence was so profound that it sounded like a splash.

I turned to leave. Andy was sitting down just staring into space with tears flowing freely.
i placed a supporting hand on his shoulder as i passed him.

Dr Rasheed was outside standing like a guard outside the gate. He didn’t say anything but he tapped me gently on the shoulder as I passed him.
I climbed into the car beside Olivia.
“Are you okay?” She asked me worriedly
I looked at her and I felt like I was seeing her for the first time…the future was ripe with possibilities and suddenly I felt excited.
“Yes…I’m fine… for the for the first time I’m fine…What do you say we forget everything for the main time and go to Benue State..surprise my patents?”
She glowed in response and I was glad to see the worry disappear from her face. “I’d love that very much!”
I smiled as we waited for Andy, thinking of the best way to propose to her.

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