Then, Oliver, who also heard the driver honk, got off the gatehouse and opened the gate. To his dismay, he saw the next set of security guards on duty, Boniface and Thomas, walking away briskly. Meanwhile, two police vans were behind Barry's car. The driver drove in and Oliver locked the gate, leaving the two police vehicles outside.
“Welcome Sir,” he greeted. “Thank you, Oliver,” Barry responded. Then, Oliver watched the driver parked and Barry got off followed by a Police Officer, who was neatly dressed in his police uniform, and in his late thirties. Barry led him to Evans' apartment for an introduction. Nevertheless, the District Police Officer, DPO, was over the moon when he got an instruction from the IGP to deploy his men to Evans' house. He saw the task as a ticket to his promotion, and he must do it well.
“It is nice to have you, DPO.” Evans and his co-in-laws greeted one after the other.
“Thank you Sirs. I'm honored to be of assistance.”
Afterward, they took him to Uncle Emma's compound for introduction.
“Welcome to my humble abode, DPO,” he greeted cheerfully,
“It is my pleasure, elder,” the DPO responded. Then, he turned to Evans and the rest and said, “I will be on my way.”
“I can see that you are in a haste, DPO,” Emma remarked.
“Yes, my elder. As you can see, the day is still young.”
“I understand. Next time, we will have time to have a drink.”
“I will be delighted, my elder.”
They walked him to the gate, and afterward, he left with one of the police vehicles.
“Barry, did you succeed with my request?” Sarah inquired.
“Yes, madam. It is still in the car.”
“That's good. Let me have a look.”
After Sarah discovered that Oliver's house was far from hers and concluded that he needed a bike, she resolved to get one for him. When she learned that Barry would go to the Police Station, which was in the city, to pick the police men, she asked him to get one for him.
“Okay, madam,” Barry said. They walked to the car and the driver brought out the commuter bike from the trunk.
“Wow! This is beautiful.” Sarah expressed.
“Thank you, madam. I had some loose change after the purchase and I used it to get some wears for him,” Barry declared and showed Sarah the clothes.
“That is thoughtful of you. I hope he would like them.”
“Certainly. Oliver,” Barry looked at the gate, and called out. Then, Oliver, who was waiting for Evans and the rest to walk back after sending the DPO on his way, looked at Barry, and answered, “Sir.” “Come over,” Barry ordered. Then, he left the pedestrian gate ajar and walked briskly to Barry.
“Good morning, aunty,” he greeted Sarah, who he saw for the first time that morning.
“Good morning, Oliver. How are you?”
“I'm fine, aunty.”
“That is good. This is yours. It will help you to go home whenever you get off work.”
Now, the uneasy Oliver was unable to speak. He looked at Barry and the driver, who looked at him with happy faces. They noticed the moist in his eyes and felt for him. He tried to kneel on his knees and appreciate, but Sarah stopped him.
“Stop that. You don't need to do that. These are for you too. Barry bought them for you,” She said, and handed over the wears to him.
“Thank you, aunty, for being thoughtful. Thank you Sirs,” he appreciated happily and fought back the tears in his eyes.
At that point, Uncle Emma and others walked into the compound and were attracted to the small group, especially Evans. He wondered why his wife was in the group, and walked to them.
“What's up, Barry,” he stood beside his wife, and asked while the rest stood by.
“Madam bought a commuter bike for Oliver,” Barry pointed out, and Oliver, who was holding the bike, appreciated them by bending his head, “Thank you, our in-laws. Thank you, Uncle Emma.”
For whatever reason, Callum was more excited than everyone, and he spoke.
“That is thoughtful of you, Sarah. He deserves it,” he appreciated. Now, Uncle Emma was overjoyed and proud of the youth. He looked at Oliver with satisfaction and inquired, “Whose son are you?”
“I'm the son of Bertram the tapper,” he responded shyly. Emma gave him a searching look and wondered if Bertram, who was not better than Beck, could have such a well recommended son.
“I'm proud of you, Oliver,” Uncle Emma remarked, and Oliver knew what he had in mind.
“Thank you, Uncle Emma, for being proud of me.” He expressed.
Now, the over joyous Callum brought out his bill folder and counted ten thousand Naira notes.
“Thank you, Oliver, for being a good boy. I support my sister-in-law with this,” he handed the money to him, and he appreciated with glee. Now, Uncle Emma turned to Callum and appreciated him too on behalf of Oliver, before he looked at Oliver and said.
“Enjoy your bike, Oliver,”
“Thank you, Uncle Emma.” Afterward, Evans and his wife returned to their apartment, while Callum walked with Emma to his hut.
“Come with me, Barry,” Fredrick, who waited silently, instructed. They walked to the gate and mapped out how to work with the police men.
“I don't want them beyond the gate,” Fredrick directed.
“I got it, boss.”
“Good. They should limit themselves to the gatehouse. Did you get me?”
“I got you, boss.”
Now, Oliver had joined them with his bike and new wears. Fredrick turned to him and instructed, “Oliver, you will be responsible for their meals. Barry will educate you more on that.”
“Okay, Sir,” Oliver agreed. Then Fredrick continued, “Don't bother about the additional task, I will pay you for that.”
Oliver merely smiled at the generosity of the people he worked for. Then, Fredrick looked at the convenience and saw Oliver's sweater hanging on the wall and mandated, “Let him move to the main house and allow the police men to have here for themselves.”
“It is all right, boss,” Barry responded and looked at Oliver's face. Afterward, Fredrick walked out of the convenience and left for the house, while Barry lectured Oliver on how to relate with the policemen.
At Uncle Emma's Hut
He walked into his compound and met four youths with gloomy faces hanging around.
“Good morning, Uncle Emma. Good morning, our in-law,” they greeted simultaneously. After Emma scanned them and discovered that they were troubled, he spoke, “Good morning. What brings you to my house?”
They waited for him to take his seat before they moved closer to the hut and stood at the entrance. Then, Boniface and Thomas, the fourth set of guards who Barry ordered to 'leave the gate at once', lodged their complaints and concluded with, “Uncle Emma, we did not offend anyone. We only reported to work as we agreed with Frank.”