Victor parked the vehicle in front of the cottage. Pago, and whoever was with him, must have heard the sound of his car, he thought. He killed the engine but did not take the key off the ignition. He would not be there for long. He would only be there long enough to talk some sense into his son and get his granddaughter. He stepped out of the Jeep and hurried towards the building's entrance. The door gave way as he held the handle. The living room was empty, or so he thought because at that moment he heard a sound behind him and turned. Then he saw it. It moved like a flash and it was too late for him to duck. The flying rod connected with his temple and knocked him out.
☆☆☆
"Fatima, can you please speed up a little bit." Ese said again.
"Ese, I am going at 140, that's too fast considering the condition of the road." Fatima said calmly as though she was talking to an obstinate teenager."
The vehicle was going too slow for Ese, even at that speed, they were yet to get to Lagos and she feared to think of the heavy traffic they might have to face in Lagos. Good thing she was not the one handling the wheels, she was sure she would have at best wrecked the car. She looked at her new friend and gave a short prayer of thanksgiving that they had met when they did. Despite herself, her lips curled in a smile as she thought of how they met.
"Why are you smiling?" Fatima asked.
"I was just thinking of how I offered to help you beat up your husband's bosses. Little did we know that I'd be the one asking for your help with my husband."
Fatima laughed. "And to think that the man I thought was your husband, isn't really your husband."
"I'm sorry I made you believe that. I should have corrected you, but it was just so convenient then."
"Hmmm, I hate to pry but my training and instincts tell me there is more to what your are letting on. This is just more than a male friend offering to help you get your child from your estranged hubby."
"Yea, the three of us got history. A long and not too nice one. I will tell you everything in time, right now I just pray history doesn't repeat itself."
"Don't worry dear. All will be well. Your hubby is a public figure, I don't think he'd try something stupid. Have faith"
"I have faith but I have learnt not to underestimate Pago. It'd help a great deal if you don't either. It also worries me that I'm yet to hear from Siji. He was supposed to inform me when he gets there, but he hasn't yet."
"Maybe he hasn't gotten there."
"I try to tell myself that but I don't believe it. He left Ife a long time ago. Before I called you."
"Have you tried reaching him?"
"His phone is switched off."
"When was the last time you heard from him?"
"When he sent the last batch of the description to me, just before I joined you."
"Don't worry Ese, it'll be well." Fatima said as she parted her hand to reassure her.
"Thank you so much Fatima, thanks for helping.
"It's nothing my dear, it's nothing. "
☆☆☆
Siji missed his way a few times in the palm tree plantation before he found the path. Though he had the direction on his phone, the plantation was like a maze that one could easily get lost in. Finally he got to the cottage. As he stepped out of his car he noticed the vehicle parked in the makeshift garrage. He had only seen the Jeep as he drove in. The other vehicle meant Pago was not alone, and that was bad news. He had been hoping he had no accomplice. Taking on Pago alone on his turf was bad enough.
But for the sound made by the sea breeze, everywhere was quiet. He stood by his car for what seemed like an eternity, looking at the entrance of the cottage. The instruction was for him to enter the cottage, but he tarried for he did not know what awaited him inside, neither was he keen on finding out. He soon made his mind up and approached the building courteously. The door gave way immediately he placed his hand on its handle. He was ushered into what seemed like a dimly lit large living room. The only source of light was the fire burning in the fireplace. He walked further into the room as his eyes adjusted to the dimness. He could see no one, just a back pack on the sofa and surmised that someone had been there recently. Then he heard it. He would have easily missed it if he had not been listening, for it was muffled. He followed the sound to what must be the dinning room. It was in a corner and out of view from the living room. What Siji saw stopped him in his tracks. The dinning table and chairs were cleared to one side of the dinning, but that was not the surprise. Seated in the middle of the room and tied to one of the chairs was Chief Adebantu. Siji had never met him in person, but thanks to the media, he could easily tell he was the one. The Chief was not only tied to the chair, his mouth was taped. The chief was trying to talk, but all that came out were muffled sounds. Siji's first instinct was to loose the middle-aged man, but as he approached him, the man shook his head apparently telling him not to free him. Siji was a bit confused. The Chief looked straight at him with wide eyes, then shifted his gaze to somewhere behind him and raised his head slightly. Siji got the message and looked back just in time to see Pago, with eyes blazing with malice, swung a metal rod at him. The speed with which the rod was coming at him was so great that it barely missed him when he quickly moved away. Before Siji could react, Pago swung the rod again and this time Siji was not as lucky. The excruciating pain in the arm where the rod had hit him was almost unbearable but he dared not dwell on the pain, for he could see the rod coming again. This time, he was ready for it, he streched out his hand and caught it. The impact the rod had on his palm made him winced but he did not let go. He held one end of the rod with both hands and tried to wrest it from Pago who was holding the other end, but Pago also had a firm grip on it and he seemed to match him strength for strength. He pulled to draw Pago a bit closer to him. Then with all the strength he could muster, he kicked, aiming for the crotch. He knew he had hit his target well and hard when Pago cried out and let go of the rod, holding on to his crotch with both hands instead. Not giving him time to recover, Siji hit his lower jaw real hard with his fist and sent him flying and landing on his back. He watched the groaning Pago sprawled on the floor. He could see blood streaming down his nostrils. Siji himself was breathing hard. He took awhile to steady his breath before saying. "If you want to fight, you fight like a man, it's only sissies that lay ambush. But knowing you for who you are, I'm not surprised."
He walked up to where Pago was lying on his right hand, in pain. "Let me help you up." He said, stretching out his hand.
"Give me your hand." He added when Pago did not move. Pago slowly pulled his hand from behind and Siji's eyes widened in fear as his saw what he had in his hand.
Pago raised the gun and pulled the trigger.
About the Author
Soji Adeola Ayanleke was born about 3 decades ago in Kano.
He studied Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, he speaks Yoruba and Hausa fluently and he is trying to learn Igbo and Spanish. His hobbies are reading, writing and playing some indoor games.
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