Nearest Love- the Only Crime Is Love...

by Eu Aristos

  "I do not want to believe that you are a bad cop detective." Kola began.

  "I'm not." Joe blurted out.

  “Good. The man you have decided to help is about to be taken down and you sure do not want to be with him when he's falling." Kola said.

  "What's it you want?!" Joe blasted him.

  "Come stand with us. Give him up." Kola persuaded. Joe looked up at him untrustingly with his gun still pointed at him. "Tell us what he plans doing and how best we can get him."

  "Hey man... Let's get this straight. I am not working for him. I do not know his mind or plans. I'm not even close." Joe complained.

  "Where does he have Nk?" Joe was silent."Let's begin from there." Kola looked into his face and saw fear and uncertainty of path.

  "What's in it for me?" Joe wanted to know.

  "You walk clean. Keep your badge. This is between me and you. It’s a sacrifice we have to make just so we get the big fish." Kola sounded assuring.

  Joe breathed out heavily.

  "I'll send you location on where the lady is. It’s inside the building. So I do not think you can get to her without me being part of it."

  "Your call man; we just want her back safe." Kola waved it.

  "I'll suggest we strike tomorrow when they'll be off for the Nelson's burial."

  "That's good.” Kola nodded. I’ll be in touch to arrange logistics." Joe said as he handed him his gun and was off before kola could say another world. Kola picked up his phone and called Kunle.

  "We are game..."

  ∞∞∞

  6:19 pm

  "The information I have says she's still in coma and any communication with her will not be possible. Bianca said to her father." She said in the car back home after a little walk.

  "Gash!" That disrupts my plans now. He relaxed into his seat. Bianca smiled in appreciation that her dad would not be going out that night. As he thought of what to do, his cell phone rang and looking at it, he noticed it was Bosse.

  "Hello...” Bastion said in a deep voice.

  "Yea, I'm here now.” He responded supposedly to the question are you in town?" He paused as the speaker spoke.

  "We shall be having a change of plan. Since mama is not responsive yet, fulfill your side of the arrangement and I'll sort things out with you later." He paused again for the speaker to speak.

  "Calm down. You know my capacity. I need him in an appropriate location! Just be rest assured, your reward will be great."

  The call dropped. He looked up to see Bianca staring at him inquisitively.

  "You need to go home now before it's too late." He tried to push her away.

  "I am not complaining am I?"

  "You don't need to. You look stressed out." He said.

  "I am. Please let me have your phone I need to make a call." He handed it to her and turned to the television screen. As soon as she got hold of the phone, she copied the number that called. When she returned the phone to him, and he questioned why she didn’t call again. She didn't listen to him. She picked up her phone and decided to call the office for updates.

  ∞∞∞

  Bosse was mad at the response of Bastion. In fact he felt like both Bastion and Bawa didn't take him serious. They both have made superfluous promises which he didn't trust. So he decided to play the dice game. Whosoever wins pays him. Since they've decided to play him, he's gonna play them against each other. The next few days are gonna be interesting. He imagined.

  ∞∞∞

  The next day was Nelson's burial day.

  7:00am

  Bosse was all set for the burial and the reunion it would bring. He had plans to forward in the new day. He woke up in good spirit dancing as he moved up and down. When asked by one of his boys why he was smiling, he claimed... "Today is a big day".

  7:02am

  Bawa was weeping the death of his son. Everything around him irritated him. He was like a hungry tiger looking for someone to bounce on. In fact since the day began, he had already slapped 3 of his aides.

  8:00am

  Bastion was getting ready for revenge. He did all in his power to keep Bianca at arm’s length. He was trying to protect her from the possibility of failure.

  8:15am

  Bianca on the other hand, disguised herself as a traffic warden and hacking into the database she posted herself to the major road leading to the cemetery for the burial.

  8:30am

  Joe, Kunle, Kola and Harry geared up to raid Bawa's house. The night before, Joe had asked to see the captive and there he gave her some information on what to do the next day.

  9:00am

  Vicky was transferred to a special hospital ward for pregnant women and children. Frankie who had decided to stop using his clutches was with her.

  9:15am

  Mama woke up later in the night, but since she had fractured her spinal cord, she could not move. Her speech was impaired too.

  At 10:00am

  The burial procession was set and there was a lying in state at the Bawa residence. Friends and family came to pay their last respect. Bawa wanted an exorbitant burial for his favorite son. The casket he ordered was worth the price of a 2 tier supermarket. His colleagues from the time of his presence in the legislative chambers, pastors and the elites of the society were in attendance. Gently they came shaking the hands of the bereaved.

  Also in attendance were Kola, Joe, Kunle and Harry who were dressed as special attendants. They monitored the area and when it was time, they took their leave awaiting the movement to the cemetery. Few minutes to that movement, Bastion showed up. He seemed unknown and unnoticed by all except the host. Bawa quickly found his way to where he was.

  “So you had the guts to step foot here?!” Bawa fumed with his face turning red.

  "I had to come pay my dues Bawa." Bastion laughed.

  "I'll kill you." Bawa whispered to him.

  “I know. But I have just one question brother.” Bastion broke in. "How does it feel to be momentarily incapacitated."

  "I never regretted what I did to you before. And I'll not when I do it again." Bawa said as he gnashed his teeth in pain.

  "You didn't answer my question..."

  "Fuck! Your question..!" Bawa whispered to him with a wrath-filled voice, turning faces to where he was. They all soon looked away because they suspected he was just under pressure from the death. Meanwhile, Bastion stayed calm, smiling and sipping his drink.

  "Ooh... How amazing it feels to be taking a drink in the funeral of he who you killed." Bastion joked.

  "You will hear from me Bastion!” Bawa pointed at him. “When next we see, it’s not gonna over a drink. I'll drink to your blood!" Bawa gnashed as he walked away.

  ∞∞∞

  Chapter 30

  Bawa went with his men to the hospital and there and then, began shooting sporadically. They killed all in their way and because they had their masks on, they didn't worry about the camera.

  ∞∞∞

  At past 12pm the entire house was empty asides some household staffs. This was because all had gone to the cemetery for the burial proper. Kola and his team of Harry, Joe and Kunle swung into action. Kola figured this was the best team because he wouldn't want to be held accountable for this kind of raid if anything goes wrong. Especially while knowing that this was an unauthorized break in.

  They quickly changed their cloths in the workers dressing room and picking up their rifle, they made for the corridors. But then they were accosted by two armed guards. The exchange of gun fire caught the attention of other security details that also joined in the exchange. That lasted for 3hrs with the shooting of Harry on the left arm as their only complaints. Soon they neutralized all foes and made way for the room where Nk was kept.

  They found here drugged and unable to move. It was more like they expected such kind of attack to come and so made sure she couldn't leave on her own. By virtue of their training Kola and Joe were able to neutralize the bomb placed as trap.

  ∞∞∞ />
  Bianca, from her position could hear the sounds of the gun shots from the Bawa residence. She wanted to make moves but then she remembered her mission and stayed put. She had seen her dad and his men drive past earlier. That was her priority. Now she had to watch out for his next move. She soon followed them. Through their whole movement, she saw a deliberate action to keep her away.

  ∞∞∞

  Bastion had informed Bosse of his intention to meet mama that night after the burial. So Bosse encouraged him to go armed. That advice was well taken by Bastion who told his men to be on the lookout for assailants. Getting to the hospital, his men hung around while he wheeled himself into Mama's room. Their reunion was beautiful as mama wept a bit.

  ∞∞∞

  6:45pm

  "Where's that bastard Bastion?" Bawa's message to Bosse read.

  From that message, Bosse knew he had to either drop some information or risk his own head. He thus forwarded the info on Bastions meeting with mama to Bawa.

  "One more thing, take his men away." Bawa replied.

  Bosse, on gun point, made Bastions personal driver move away. Since it was late and the car had tinted windows, no one could see him. And so his men thought Bastion was leaving and followed the car. But it wasn't just they who were deceived. Bianca who had been tracking her father's movement was deceived too.

  Bawa went with his men to the hospital and there and then, began shooting sporadically. They killed all in their way and because they had their masks on, they didn't worry about the camera. Bawa and his men shot their way through the corridors and to Mama's room. There on opening the door, Bawa saw Bastion and mama. He opened fire. In total, about 48 persons lost their live that day in the hands of a man who found pleasure in killing.

  ∞∞∞

  Harry, Kunle, Joe and Kola had just come in from the raid on the Bawa residence when he received the call.

  "There's been an attack; the hospital ASAP." The voice said.

  ∞∞∞

  From her walkie-talkie, Bianca heard the broadcast instructing all units to head to the general hospital. Her guts told her immediately that this concerned her. She immediately swerved right, making a U turn to the hospital. On getting there, there was commotion everywhere. She was denied access at first but showing her badge, she was let in. She ran directly to Mama's room and there her fears were confirmed. Her father was dead. While Bianca wept, Kola, Joe and Kunle stepped in. It was then that her identity became clear to Kunle.

  "What's happening here" asked Kola.

  "Bianca what's wrong? " he asked Bianca.

  She was silent.

  "Oooh..." Kola held his mouth.

  Bianca stormed out.

  ∞∞∞

  Bawa was feeling on top of his world due to what he achieved from his day, when he received the news of the attack at his home. He went mad when he was told that Nk was missing. He wanted to close his day with her. He once again set out to go search for Joe and Kola. He needed to tie up all lose ends.

  Bianca picked up her father's phone before she left. In the car, she tried to scroll through it for the last dialed contacts. She then associated it with the one from the day before which she had stolen from his phone. They corresponded and so she dialed it. Bosse picked.

  “I'm sorry Bastion it wasn't my fault that Bawa found out. He was going to kill me if I didn't send him your location.” Bosse lied thinking it was Bastion that called.

  She tried to track the number in her system, and found that he wasn't too far away from where she was so she followed the tracker, only for her to end up following her father's rented car. She was mad. So this same person deceived me into thinking that he was the one in the car. She imagined.

  “Oh...” She cried as felt heartbroken. Her phone rang. It was Kola.

  "Please listen to me. You cannot fight them alone. Please. Come back and let's handle this the right way." Kola pleaded. She didn’t listen. She just dropped the call not uttering a word.

  ∞∞∞

  9:45pm

  As soon as she dropped the call from Kola she followed the car to where it dropped the passenger. The passenger, Bosse looked around to make sure no one was following him. Then he moved into his own car and sped off. But she followed him until he got to his own house. She watched him drive in and the gate closed behind him. She marked the house and went back home to pick up her gear. While Aa home Kola called again.

  "Bianca please where are you..?" He sounded concerned.

  Her response was silence.

  "I hate that you are giving me the silent treatment. Please speak up. I need you to know" He pleaded.

  She was silent as she packed her guns and all she needed into the bag.

  "I hope you aren't trying to attack Bawa. He'll overpower you. And I can't imagine losing you!" Kola continued.

  "Please talk to me! I love you Bianca."

  She paused. Tears dropped from her eyes. For a moment she thought of what could have been; what could have happened between her and Kola. How she wished some nights that he was around holding her.

  "Hello..." His voice came again.

  She picked up the phone and placed it on her ears.

  "What do you want?" She asked gently.

  "I want to see you. Come let's talk this thing about. I know how you feel. But I do not want you to let this incident and the revenge lead you to ruin." He tried to persuade her.

  "It’s my path now. I have to right this wrong." She said.

  "No! Calm down. It’s not in your place to do so!" Kola said heavily in a bid to convince her.

  "The system had its chance to bring that bastard in and the system didn't! So do not..... Do not tell me to calm down!" Kola was speechless. She sniffed. That indicated to Kola that she's been crying.

  "Where are you right now?" He tried to know. She was silent. It was better she did all she wanted to do alone. "I need to know Bianca."

  "Take care Kola." She said as she wanted to drop the call.

  "Wait wait wait!" Kola pleaded. "Ok... Let me join you in that fight."

  "Nice try Kola.” She scuffed. "But I prefer to work alone. Good night." She dropped the call and picking up her bag she made for the door. One quick look at the house which she may never return to, she turned off the light and left.

  ∞∞∞

  9:50pm

  "We've found them sir." Bawa's men told him on phone

  "Where are they?" He sat up on the car seat.

  "At the hospital sir..." The voice said.

  "Are they with girl?" Bawa asked again.

  “No sir. No sign of her”

  "That means they took her somewhere."

  "Should we attack them at the hospital?"

  "Are you nuts?! That's place is rigged with police officers now. It’s the last place you wanna be! Fool!" Bawa shouted into his phone. He dropped the call and dialed Joe's number.

  "So you decided to double-cross me?"

  Joe was silent.

  "I'm speaking to you! You backstabbing son of a bitch!"

  "I had to do what was right. I couldn't watch you take more lives" Joe said calmly.

  "Right..?!You say right..?! They fucking killed my son!"

  "But you've murdered almost 50 persons today." Joe retorted calmly.

  "That can't be proved boy… Hahahahahaha" Bawa bragged.

  Joe was silent.

  "I'm coming for you; all of you. I'm gonna find that girl and I'll make sure my boys have a fill of her before I finally chop her fucking head off!!!" Bawa threatened.

  The call was on loud speaker so Kunle, Kola and Harry could hear all he said.

  "I'm coming for you all preeks!" He shouted and dropped the call.

  "I think he's mentally deranged. That guy is psycho." Harry said. They were in a doctor’s office which would now serve as their situation room.

  Officers and health officials were working to clean up the hospital. Every staff of the hospital that was off duty or on leave was called up to assist.
The state government declared a state of emergency till the morning; and so all were to leave the roads and get home. This was to avoid any further loss of life and properties.

  "Guys we have to find a way to get a hold of him before he gets a hold of us. So start thinking."

  Kunle was silent. He was angry and with Mama murdered, he was ready to do anything just to get Bawa down.

  Noticing his silence, "Kunle I am sincerely sorry for your loss. But we have to protect ourselves and those we love now. We will mourn them if and only when we are alive.” Kola said.

  There was silence. "Why don't we promise him the document? He could fall for it." Kunle who has been silent since they got in there suggested.

  There was another round of silence.

  "That's... a good one." Kola said.

  "So... What's it gonna be? How do we do it?" Harry asked.

  "I and Kunle will both get home and move NK. We hope she's awake now. Joe and Harry will get in touch with Bawa. Hopeful he will still want the document." Kola said.

  "He will... He's obsessed with taking it all" Joe said.

  "Alright guys let's do this. It’s late already."

  Time check... 10:15pm

  ∞∞∞

  Chapter 31

  She shot him on his left feet. As she tried to catch her breath, the guard from the gate was awake and had come into the house wielding a gun.

  ∞∞∞

  11: 07pm

  Bosse felt uncomfortable after what he did. He felt he didn't give Bastion a perfect playing ground. Was he that afraid of Bawa? He paced up and down the room in anger. What was he even afraid of? He wondered. It wasn't like Bawa was stronger than him by strength. Following his instruction, he felt he had authority of him that's bullshit? He kicked the table in front of him. Being a glass, the glass broke and injured him.

  He went to his bathroom and tried to wash it off. Stepping out he was faced with a young beautiful lady wielding a gun and pointing it to his face.

  "Who are you?! What are you doing here?!