Chief pushed a photograph across the table to Danny. “Here, take a look at this. Who’s that? Do you know her?”
Danny picked up the photograph and examined it, his countenance changing and his pulse racing. “Yes, yes, Chief. She’s…she’s your daughter.”
“Good. I want her dead or alive within the next 48 hours. Is that understood?”
His heart beat skipped a beat and the picture nearly fell off his hand. “Y-yes, sir,” he stuttered.
“Don’t come back without her and keep running to eternity if you fail.”
“Y-yes, sir,” he stuttered again, his guts leaving him momentarily. He knows the consequences of failing without being told. Once a man was blackmailing Chief because he found out he was sleeping with the vice president’s wife. Chief set Kalio after him but the man outsmarted Kalio and of course, Kalio paid with his life although Chief later nailed the blackmailer. He shuddered as he remembered how Chief had tortured Kalio before shooting him in cold blood while they looked on.
“We have no second chances in life. Once is enough,” he said as he pulled the trigger. “So be warned.”
Danny had no misgiving that Chief will waste him too if he messes with the job.
“You can use your mob,” Chief was saying. “I will pay in N5m into your account now. So money, at least, wouldn’t be a problem. Spend all you can, but let me know how it is spent. Any question?”
“None, sir.”
“Good. You can now go. 48 hours I said. Remember dead or alive, I don’t mind.”
Danny turned to go but he stopped him.
“Just one more thing, no fuck ups, no slip ups, no mistakes and no second chances, do you understand?”
“Quite clearly, sir.”
“Good. You can now go. Good luck.”
“Danny’s mind was in a whirlwind as he drove over to T-Junction bar in his sleek, red sports car. He knew the whole mob will be waiting for him there. He had put a call to Ette Uche before leaving; telling him something was in the offing and to meet him at the bar immediately. He also told him to inform the rest of the mob. He had also put a call to Kenny G and informed him of the latest development and asking him to meet him at the bar for further briefing immediately. O’Brian’s phone did not go and Stan couldn’t be reached too.
As he drove over to T-Junction, his mind was in total disarray. Where was he going to start from, he asked himself time and time again? Biting his lips, he tried O’Brian’s number again, but the operator said it was unavailable at the moment. Then he tried Stan’s number again and his girl picked up the call. “Give the phone to Stan, baby,” Danny ordered.
“He’s not at home.”
“Where’s he?”
“I guess he’s down at the bar. A friend called and said something was up.”
“How long has he been gone?”
“A few minutes.”
“Well, thanks, do you know the name of the bar?”
“Nope. Well, yes, I remember, I think it’s T-Junction.”
By the time Danny got to the bar, the whole mob was waiting for him. “How would you guys like to make half a million naira in less than 48 hours, do you fancy the idea?”
There was a momentary silence.
Stan was the first to break the silence. “Half a million naira, boss? You must be joking. What do I do to earn it, just say it and it’s done.” For over three months since he left the prison, he has not pulled any big deal. It has always been pittance here and there. He had to depend on his girlfriend, Leticia for his upkeep and half a million was just much more than he could imagine. He believes every day is good if you are alive and adores his cell phone, beautiful women and booze.
“Boss, I hope you don’t mean N50, 000?” Ette Uche, a diehard rogue who believes the road to hell is paved with good intentions, asked as he scratched his hair. In all his 40 years of rough living and despite being born and raised in the ghetto, Ette Uche has never been to prison. He is a sleek and slippery gangster who uses his brain a lot.
“No, I mean half a million naira.”
“Half a million naira in 48 hours, what do we do to earn it? Say it and it’s done?” Kenny, a gum chewing, die hard womanizer who has the habit of combing his permed hair always and running his tongue across his lip whenever he sees any girl that interests him, said. He believes; don’t ever be satisfied, satisfaction sets limits.
“Abeg, leave talk. When are we starting?” O’Brian, a handsome 25 year old man who has the habit of walking like a woman asked.
Danny put his hand into his inner pocket and brought out Jessica’s photograph. “Take a look at this.”
“Jesus!” Kenny cried. “She’s quite a beauty, who is she?”
“She’s a piece, isn’t she?” Danny asked after they’ve all seen the photograph. “Right now, this girl has N5m price tag attached to her. Whoever finds her and brings her to her old man without fuss, dead or alive, is an instant millionaire.”
“How?” Ette Uche asked.
Before Danny could explain further, O’Brian asked. “Who is she? Did she break a bank or something?”
“She’s Senator Nnamani’s only daughter. You all know him, don’t you?”
“Who doesn’t know him? What did she do? Did she skip with the old man’s money?” Stan asked puzzled.
“She’s only 15. She got pregnant and skipped school. Right now, she is making life difficult for the old man. She’s going from one media house to the other painting the old man black. She wants the old man to step down. It is believed she is being used and manipulated by the old man’s political opponents. We have just 48 hours to find her and send her back to the old man, is that clear?”
“Yes,” they chorused.
“Good, do you think we can find her?” he asked, looking at them one by one.
“Yes,” they chorused again.
“Good, now you-Ette Uche and Kenny, I want the two of you to make a list of all the radio and TV stations in this town. Stan and O’Brian, the two of you are to take care of the newspaper houses, is that okay?”
“Sure, boss.”
Danny made duplicates of the photograph and shared it among them.
“Make sure you keep your phones on. I may have to contact you in a hurry.”
“Did you say she was last seen at Mirror newspapers?” Stan, who was detailed to cover the print houses, asked.
“Yes, her last appearance was at Mirror Newspaper in Atta Beach and at A 2 Z FM station, there are the chances she is still within the neighborhood.”
“Does she have any money with her?”
“Not to my knowledge. She left home with nothing, not even with her cell phone.”
“Then she must be hungry and looking for a job instead of looking for revenge,” Ette Uche said.
“She is looking for bed too,” Stan added, “and the water front is crowded and that should be her best bet.”
“Well, whatever, but I must remind you guys that this is state affair,” Danny warned them, “and top notch secret. No slip ups. It mustn’t look like kidnap or murder. It must be purely accidental, once again, no slip ups. Any question?” He asked standing up and looking from one person to another.
Kenny scratched his head. “When do we get our money?”
“Now,” Danny said. “I will give you half now and the balance when you deliver, is that okay?”
“Yes,” they chorused happily.
Danny picked up his phone and transferred two hundred and fifty thousand naira to all of them.
“Any more question?”
“No question, boss.”
“Good, now to your duty posts. If you see her, don’t make a hasty decision, if possible call me first or follow her to her hole, is that understood?”
They nodded.
“Good, now you can go. Good luck.”
***
O’Brian was feeling euphoric as he fantasized on how he was going to spend his money as he combed the streets. First of all, he will buy a fairly used power bike and then nice up with the rest of the money.. He was feeling really elated. In a little less than 48hours, he’ll be half a million naira richer, he thought with glee. He was optimistic they would beat the dead line.
Meanwhile, Stan was fantasizing on what he will do with his own money when the job was over. He will throw a big bash and invite all the big babes and niggas in town to prove to that he has finally arrived, change his wardrobe and …”
“How on earth do you think we can find her in this crowded place?” O’Brian complained, shivering as the cold, sea breeze caressed his face and body.
“By starting somewhere, that’s how,” snapped Stan, annoyed because he interrupted his day dream.
“And where the hell is somewhere in this gaddam beach?”
“I wonder why you didn’t complain when money hit your account,” Stan growled again and jumped out of the car. A bar nearby caught his eyes and he started walking towards the joint. O’Brian followed him.
“Hi pretty!” Stan called out to the pretty faced bartender in skimpy skirts and sleeveless belly bottom.
“Hi Prince, what will it be?”
“Cold beer, please,” he ordered as O’Brian joined him.
“Cold stout and fried chicken,” O’Brian said to the waiter.
They sat for a moment in silence, sipping their beer and their eyes scanning the background.
“Hi Stan, long time no see,” Katie, one of the call girls who hangs around the bar, spotted Stan. “You promised to buy me beer next time we meet.”
“Hi Katie, you look good to eat,” he said, looking her over admiringly.
“Thanks. It’s all yours for the asking, you know?”
“So how are you doing?”
“I’m doing good. Can I have a bottle of beer, please?”
“Yes, you can. Go ahead, take anything you want.”
“Thanks Stan, you know you are a darling.”
“Don’t mention,” he said and took a sip from his beer. “Seen any new face around here just lately, Katie?”
“Nope, how about me? I’m still good, you know? I will give it to you however you want it.”
“No, I don’t mean that.”
“Is anybody in trouble then? I know you Stan; you don’t look for anyone except when there is trouble.”
“Nope, there is no trouble.”
“What did she do then? Broke a bank?” he could see the greed in her eyes.
“No. She ran away from home, that’s all. The old man is worried. Nothing really serious as you can see.”
“How is she like?”
Stan brought out Jessica’s photograph and showed her.
“Oh my God!” she cried. “She’s some piece.”
“Seen her around?”
“Nope, her type doesn’t come around here. You are only wasting your time looking for her here.”
“Well, if you see anyone who looks like that, you’ll give me a call, won’t you?”
“Sure, I will.”
“Good, do that.” he said and finishing his beer, he settled the bills and they left.
They went from one bar to another in the crowded beach asking questions. Stan was popular there, especially with the girls, having worked as a bar man in one of the joints before.
Meanwhile, Jessica was still roaming the streets. She was tired, hungry and terribly exhausted. For three days, she has not had a bath, a decent meal or a good night’s rest. The previous night was the most traumatic. Twice, she was woken up by the blistering cold. There were times when she couldn’t take it again, so in other to keep warm, she had to walk around. She felt so desperately lonely and downcast and longed for someone to talk to.
So as soon as it was day break, she found a pay phone and called Ijeoma. “Hi Ijeoma, this is Jessica, please call me back now.” As soon as Jessica dropped the phone, Ijeoma called her back immediately.
“Hi Jessica, what’s up? It’s good to hear from you again. What’s been happening to you and where are you?” she bombarded her with questions. Jessica told her all that has been happening to her and how stranded she was.
“That reminds me,” Ijeoma said. “Pastor Okechukwu has been asking after you. He said he wants to see you. Where are you?”
“Ojodu,” she lied, she didn’t want to blow up her cover.
“Good, pastor Okechukwu will be coming to the national library at Shomolu this afternoon. Can you meet him there? I’ll let him know immediately you will be coming around.”
Jessica considered what she had said, felt it was okay and gave her consent. “Okay.”
“Good bye, I’ll keep in touch with you. Don’t worry, Pastor Okechukwu will take care of everything, okay, believe me,” she said and hung up.