My trust is for sale

Clash of the barons

It took over two hours to shake off Boro. Devon  had picked Rabi and Jibril, and Boro had followed them. It was not easy for Rabi to convince Jibril to come with her. He was so scared of Mua’zu. But Jibril had a plan: he was going to involve the police once he got out this car but the girl had their plans too.

When Devon dropped them and left, Zina and Layla joined them. Rabi introduced them as her  friends. Jibril had a weakness for pretty girls. He welcomed their company and that made it easy for them to drug him.

Now they had him tied up in their hide out. His mouth was covered and he could not speak. He was also blindfolded then chained.

Zina looked at the ticket they just collected from him, and thought of the money in their account which was the money Jibril thought he had paid to NNPC. Layla did not know how Zina manipulated the computer and the system confirmed the p*****t. There was now a 70% success. All she needed now was to sell it to Alhaji Babawo.

After that, she would clean the last mess: Devon. He knew too much.

Killing him was not going to be difficult. She was going to use poison. It was a special poison that when ingested would cause the heart to malfunction, and gradually stop working. Autopsy would not detect it. It would be seen as a heart failure.

Zina picked her phone and called  Devon.

“Where are you?”

“Down the street.”

“Shall we?”

“Sure.”

Zina ended the call and smiled.

“I and Devon need to go out. I hope you understand.”

Layla nodded. She could feel the joy in Devon’s voice.

Layla nodded.

Zina went out while Layla went to the window to watch. She saw Devon stop his car in front of the house, she got in and before he drove off, she said something and he smiled. Layla broke into tears.

“What is wrong?” Rabi asked.

“Nothing.” Layla said amid tears.

Rabi touched placed her hand on Layla’s shoulder.

“Do not get emotional. She is right. It’s not like I want him dead but it just imperative. He has to die.”

**********

Devon  and Zina sat on  a pew . She sat so close to him he could feel her warmth and fragrance. She was doing things to his nervous system.

“I like your company.” She said. “You are vivacious.”

“I built the company three years ago. I started with just three billion dollars. I am glad you like it….”

“You are crazy.” She chuckled.

“I am just trying to impress you. Want you to enjoy hanging with a billionaire.”

“Can’t you be serious for once?”

“I am serious when I say you magnetic. You have what it takes to hold me spellbound.”

“Awwwnn….I think we need a drink.”

“Oops! I should have thought of that.”

“It’s okay. Let me get something.”

“No. That is my responsibility. I will do that.”

“I insist. Just sit down while I serve you.”

“Serve me? You are tempting me.”

“We will get there.” She curved her lips into a sweet smile. Her eyes blinked and he felt a warm cozy sensation. “Your Highness.”

She stood up and he fought the urge to grab her. Her curvy body was irresistible. He quickly took off his eyes. As she walked to the shop, he stole a glance at her and bit his lips.

She got two packs of yoghurt, walked back and sat closer to him.

“Thank you dear. You are a darling.”

She smiled. She had secretly used a syringe to inject the poison into one of the packs.

She opened it and sent it to his mouth. He opened his mouth, moved it so close before he drew back his head.

“What is wrong?” She asked. “You don’t want me to feed you?”

“I don’t want that.”

“Is there a problem with that? I don’t always do that. I did it because I love you or….don’t you love me?”

“Yes, I don’t love you.” He said bluntly.

Zina became confused.

“Why? What happened? We were good…”

“You don’t love me, neighbor.”  He said ,placed his hand on hers and pushed the yoghurt away. I felt a thing for you but you don’t feel the same. You are only playing games with me. At first I thought it was just appreciation, then I thought of cajoling but it seems to be more than that. You don’t feel safe with me alive. You see me as a witness and it is best I die. Many people see me as a carefree spoilt brat. A fool who takes nothing serious. Academically, I graduated with 2-2. I am not that super brilliant guy but I am not a fool either. People think I don’t reflect, or take things serious. I know two and two gives four…..” he smiled. “ This yoghurt is poisoned. I risked my life for you. I went out of my way to do things for you. Whatever you are doing is a crime and I am now an accomplice. Do you think I believe in all the lies you told? I did not but I never knew it was a serious crime until I found out that you are kidnapping that guy. I still don’t know what you are up to, but I put my neck at stake for you.  That was very foolish of me. I know that. That was crazy but I know I did it for you. I don’t have any truck with you.

I told you that my father owns the houses. That is not true. I won the houses. I left my father’s house after my mother died and the wife made life a living hell for me. My father had three wives but now has two since my mother passed away.

I was my mother’s only child and my father had profound love for me. This made them so angery. My mum left this world and took away my joy.

My father takes care of me but that can’t replace my mother. My half-siblings have their mothers to stick to. They go into their rooms and lie on their beds, pick what they want, discuss with them and I am left alone, making me miss my mother more.” His eyes were now sulky. “Their psychological torture led me to what I am today….”

“What are you?”

“Don’t bother about that. I left the house and my relationship with my dad became sour. I inherited the house from my mother. I live in one and rented out two. Now, I know you want me dead. If I wish, I can attack you too. I have learnt to live a hard life but that is not what I plan to do now. Please stay out of my way. I will not interfere with you. I will not report you if that is what you are scared of. Has it not crossed your mind that I am now involved even though I don’t know what exactly you girls are doing?” He shrugged. “ I know you have a gun on you. Shoot me if you wish. Good bye neighbor.”

He turned and began to walk away.

“Devon.”

He turned.

“Why did you not ask of my name?”

“Because you did not want me to know.”

“Zina.”

He nodded, turned and walked to his car. She watched him as he drove off. That was the last time she saw him in that house. He disappeared.

***********

Boro bore his vicious eyes into the sugar-cane seller.

“Thank you for the information.” He said coldly, turned and went back to his car. He got under the wheel, turned the ignition and set the engine roaring. His large hand reset the side mirror before he reversed. He turned the car in such an incredible manner, and sent the car moving before lighting a cigarette.

According to the sugarcane seller, the jeep had passed with a high speed and pulled up at the end of the street. He might have lost them, but he knew he would find them. He stopped the car at the end of the street. His left hand rested on the gear stick while the cigarette was between his lips. It seemed Jibril was  not intelligent enough to understand that he was messing with the wrong people. He should have found out more about Mu’azu. And you could not talk about Mu’azu’s virulence without mentioning him.

Twelve years ago, Mu’azu was just ba rich fool who hired thugs to stop opposition or deal with foes. The police had always come in to question him. It took a lot of money to save him. He had been locked up on some occasions.

Then  Boro appeared on the scene and changed the modus operandi. Boro had been a professional. He became the head of thugs and his personal bodyguard. The syndicate became more organized and disciplined. From the use of blades, Boro introduced the use of guns. This time, Mu’azu’s foes died silently, after a well-planned sinister. The cases were always open and shut. So Mu’azu became the most feared mob boss in the house.

The NUPENG officials had to be friendly with him and awarded him special allocations. He had to be consulted for the success of any candidate. Candidate who had been obstinate in the past got missing mysteriously only to be found dead, allegedly killed by unknown gunmen or armed robbers. They knew who did it but it could only be whispered.

Boro wondered why Jibril did not bother to find out more about them. Now, he had escaped with the ticket and ditched them.  He was a fool? How was he going to load the goods? He had no place to hide.

He opened the car door, wound up the glasses and locked the car doors. He touched the butt of his pistol, rubbed the butt slightly and matched towards the building. He was sure this was the hideout. He did not knock at the door. The door was not locked. He simply turned the door knob and pushed it backwards. He found himself in an empty room.

He closed the door gently, aware of the creaking sound. He placed a hand on the butt of the gun, his sharp brain alert, while his eyes travelled round restlessly. The house was dusty, cobwebs formed all around. He was quick to notice fresh sole impression. He now removed his pistol. There may be some people inside. Was he too late? Had they left this place?

He saw two doors. He moved slowly, making his steps as silent as possible. He moved to the first door. He pictured Devon, Jibril and Rabi. None of them could face him. Devon may have looked sturdy but it seemed he was just a milk-boy. He could not march his experience in a rough house. He turned the knob, pushed the door with his gun set, ready to pull the trigger. The door led to an empty room. He did not see any footprint there.

The next door led to a bathroom.

The house was silent and that disturbed him. It meant either there was no one there or they were hiding and waiting for him.

He was ready to face whatever it was. He moved down a corridor and pushed another open. It was at that moment he saw it. Boro saw the chains used to tie Jibril. Jibril was lying motionless, savagely chained and he could not move. He was also blindfolded and his mouth was covered.

Boro had to admit that he was dealing with another virulent set of gang. It seemed Jibril was dead. Boro bent down, turned him and heard him breathing faintly.  He was alive. Boro untied the the cloth used to blindfold him and that used to cover his mouth.

“Surprise, surprise..” Boro said. I guess I am the last person you had expected to see. I am also surprised to see you like this. It seems your friends turned out to be very deadly. Perks of dealing with the wrong people. We took you as a partner and friend.”

Jibril could not utter a word. He was very lassitude. Boro noticed that he was whispering but he could not hear him.

Boro read his lips and heard , “water.”

Boro walked out and bought four sachets of chilled water, a bottle of yoghurt, and two scotch eggs. By the time he came back, Jibril was almost unconscious. It took a few minutes to release him from the chain. He raised him up until he leaned on the wall. Boro gave him water and he finished it at once.

“More.” He whispered.

Boro gave him another sachet.

“More.”

“No. You will burst your empty stomach. Eat…here.”

Jibril rushed the snacks, sipping yoghurt and munching hungrily. Ten minutes after the life saving meal, he felt himself gaining some energy.

“How long have you been like this?”

“Smoke.”

Boro produced a pack, removed a stick of cigarette, lit it and passed it to him. He then lit one for himself.

“Now talk to me. I am not a member of Redcross. I did not nurse and revivify you for nothing. I needed your life and I have it now. How long have you been here?”

“Two days.”

“Whoa! Who did this?”

“The girls. They are bitches.”

“Which girls? I only saw one.”

“She has friends. How could I have known that she belonged to a racket.”

“Why did they do this?”

“They want my goods. They have it.”

Boro puffed out smoke angrily.

“How much did you get for this?”

“Get? I got nothing but this.” He spread his hand, pointing at himself. “I had not even ban**d her. Nothing!”

“You were just a few minutes to death. You are a dope. We gave you a fair deal but you foolishly fell for a big butt. Tell me more about her.”

“I know nothing much about her. I found out she had just been lying to me.”

“Who was the guy who drove the car?”

“I never met him until then. He just came up with a car and planned the escape. I was a fool.”

“You are still a fool.” Boro scratched his jaw. “ Whata do you mean by they have the goods. They have not loaded. Does that mean they have the ticket?”

“Yes. They have the ticket. Let’s hurry up and leave here before they load.”

“When are you supposed to load?”

“Today.”

“Jeez!” Boro glanced at his wristwatch. “It’s noon already. What do you plan to do now?”

“I don’t know. If they succeed, my country will not  believe me. I am in trouble.”

“How big is the trouble?”

“I could get life. That will be the end of me. I should have reported to the police. Now the trouble begins.”

“Whose trouble?”

“Mine of course.”

“I can help you bring a stop to the trouble.”

Jibril gave him a sharp glance.

“Please do. I regret not listening to you guys. They told me you would double-cross me. I was confused. Just help me, please.”

Boro looked at him and produced an evil grin. He made the move; too fast for Jibril to comprehened. All Jibril heard and felt was a single crack of bone and everything became blank. He dropped on his side in a blank stare at Boro.

Boro picked the half-smoked cigarette Jibril was smoking and inhaled smoke. His eyes glittered with murderous delight as he started at the dead body.

“I think you are saved now. “ He said half-aloud. “No questions, no jail, no fear.”

He left the house and crossed over to his waiting car. It was fifteen minutes past noon.

He started the car engine and drove out of the street. He had to get to the refinery before the goods were loaded. Finding the Niger goods was not going to be a big deal. It was a special allocation.

He raised his phone.

“I found him. He was double-crossed and a gang were faster thatn us. He was useless so I silenced him. On my way to the refinery. We need a quick check to find out whop is incharge of the goods. We have impersonators there. They are loading today. If by any luck they have not loaded already, then we have to resort to blackmail. We know what happened. Once again, I am on my way, Sir.”

***********