Man In Black

CHAPTER V

CHAPTER V

"Honey, calm down, I will soon be home...just a few things I need to round up, that's all...yes, yes, and that too...Please tell the maid to get the food ready before I get home...Perfect, so don't worry then...

His table phone started ringing. He had been calling his wife with his mobile.

"Hold on please, dear, I have to pick a quick call...No problem, I will...Love you more, bye.

He picked the reciever.

"Hello, who's this?" His face brightened up. "...Chief Rikau! I haven't heard your voice in ages...yes, the family and children are fine...Well, we are managing. I guess you people have it hot with that murder recently." He laughed. "Concerns me, how?...just tell me anyhow, I'll understand...Out with it, man! You're scaring me with this your voice...What?! Me, on the 23rd, why...I see, I get the whole thing now. No problem. I'll just tighten security in readiness for whatever happens, and with your escort, I should be fine."

"Ah, don't worry much for me, I'm not much worried myself. Just do your part, I'll do mine, and we should be fine... I'll even love to see you take this guy down...Okay then, take care...yeah, bye."

He pondered. Was this guy mad? Intending to kill someone just for fun. He scoffed. He would love to see him try. And when they were finally done catching him, he would show him that he was not a man to be toyed with.

Mr Wlliams, Minister of Defence, was a well built man of fifty-three, though his age had given him a slight stoop. He was bald-headed, and he had graying beards with a slightly protruding stomach. He was no saint, as he had done some dirty work for politicians in the past. Maybe it was just an old rival coming back after him, he thought.

He pushed down a button on his office table and spoke to his secretary through the intercom.

"Bring in Clent for me," he said without waiting for a response.

In a few minutes, Clent came in. He was heavily built, and was clad in a black tight-fitting suit, tie, black sunglasses and an earpiece in this one ear. He was one of Mr Williams' two special bodyguards.

"Sir, you sent for me."

"Yes, I did. Some nit-wit called the police and said he's coming for me on the 23rd. We do not know what he intends doing, so I will take no chances. I want everyone coming in here and at my house duly checked and scanned, as well as everything that will be brought in. You have your firearms, fully loaded?"

"Yes sir, everything is, sir."

"Are you short of ammo? Do you need more?"

"No sir, we are full."

"Good. Tell Dave everything. And if the situation demands, I hereby give you authorisation to shoot at once."

"Yes sir, you need not fear. You can count on us."

"I know I can. Keep an eye out for anything. There are many ways to kill a man, you know." He chuckled.

"No problem, sir." He went out.

Mr Williams smiled to himself. If this guy showed up, he would personally teach him a lesson, one he would never forget.

********

EVERYONE WHO WAS ANYONE at the LIPD were at attention in the main hall. They were having the privilege of hearing the Chief's pep talk.

"Today is the 23rd, and I don't need to remind you why we have so big a showdown on our hands. None of us have forgotten the Eel, murderer of Mrs Felicia Durojaiye. This same man has also threatened to take the life of a very distinguished person in our country, the Minister of Defense.

"Today, we all—including myself—are stepping out to show this guy that he can't hold a whole nation ransom. That he cannot pick and dispose of people as if he is God, and he cannot get away with commiting these heinous crimes.

"You all must have talked about your strategy and game plan. Some of you will go to the Minister's house and escort him outside. At least everyone knows that he will be on the road today, since a moving target is harder to get than a stationary one. And also keep an eye out for sniper activity.

"Do not also forget that this affair has its fair share of media publicity. To this job successfully, and you shall be doing the Minister, his family, yourselves, and your whole family a big favour. Once again, thank you all."

All the policemen had been divided into groups already. The vehicles were already prepared. All were well serviced and had full tanks. The detective had finalized plans to bring the Eel down.

"Team Storm, step over please. Where's your Alpha?" He came forward. "You all get down to the Minister's house and escort him out. You take charge of securing the front and rear of the vehicle. We'll send reinforcents shortly. And hey," he stepped forward and grasped the other's palm firmly. "Good luck."

The Alpha nodded. He signalled to his team and they stepped outside. In a few minutes they had stepped into their cars and zoomed off.

"Team Storm, over here please. You are to take care of traffic on the roads. If you see anyone suspicious tailing the Minister, pull them over and march them over here at once. That guy gets here dead or alive or dead, understood? I mean, it's the death sentence for hm either way. You may go, and good luck." He shook hands with the Alpha, and they went also.

After he was through with the others, he called his own team together. They were to be behind the Minister's convoy. Only Cole and his assistant were to remain, along with some junior officers on the main floor.

Tobi was currently making final preparations with Cole, giving him instructions on his duties when the others were in the field.

"Cole, all you have to do is to search for sniper activity within a 1.5 mile radius of the convoy—mind you, that radius moves with the convoy—and we'll act at once."

Cole looked up. A naughty smile was playing on his face.

"But, detective, you know that no sniper or rifle can shoot from 1.5 miles, right?"

"Hey smartass, why don't you do me a favour, shut up, and do your job? At least..."

"Mr Tobi, sir!"

He turned to see his assistant running toward him. He arched an eyebrow.

"Yes, Efe, any problem?"

Efe's face would have convinced anyone that the detective was heading inevitably to his death. She jumped into his arms, shocking he and everyone around. She pulled him to a corner.

"I'm sorry, but I just tend to get emotional at times. You know you're like a big brother to me and if anything happens, I...I..." She trailed off as tears began to seep into her eyes. The detective laughed and held her shoulders.

"Efe! No one is dying, okay? All right maybe one or two, but not me, so cheer up, let's not get cheesy."

She nodded half-heartedly.

"Okay, guys," he called to his team. "Let's roll."

They all moved into the parking lot. Efe waved from the window, even as he couldn't see her.

"Efe! So that's how you cry like a baby all the time," Cole teased.

She turned to see him smiling with a mischeivious glint in his eyes.

"Look, Cole, I just have a bad feeling about..."

Cole, who had been trying too hard to contain a himself, started laughing uncontrollably. Efe was embarrassed.

"So it's me you are laughing at like that, abi?"

He struggled to contain himself, choking with the effort.

"Okay, madam, I am sorry. Anyways, I have a comedy video that can cheer you up. Come and see it."

"And I've been trying to tell detective Akano about how you normally waste the department's data."

"Look, forget that one, just come and see it. It'll cheer you up, and maybe make you forget that..." He chortled. "... Detective Tobi will die today." He pulled her toward the homicide unit.

As he skimmed directories, looking for a particular video, he heard gentle noises and turned to see Efe mumbling Psalm 23 under her breath. Another chortle forced itself out of him, and only a warning glare from Efe prevented him from laughing out loud.