by Bill O. A
“So who is Ewan Mcgregor?” asked Ralph. He wanted to break the silence.
“Good morning Mr Gates” replied Kenny. “Do I really need to be here?”
“Mcgregor played a Jedi master in the Star Wars second trilogy. His character is Obiwan Kenobi, the legendary Jedi who trained Analkin Skywalker, whom later became Darth Vader,” replied Bode.
Everyone looked stunned. A man who was furious about a minute ago, was entirely relaxed and showing signs that he was interested in the discussions.
“Kenny, I am sure Sandra is somewhere within the hotel.” Bode was in charge now, a puzzle had emerged and he needed to solve it; that was who he was.
“I suggest these other gentlemen can lead you to her, while her father, our questioning professor here and I can engage in some interesting dialogue.”
“Ah. Chief of Police, I didn’t know our safe house wasn’t really safe.”
Jack was walking into the waiting room where the San Francisco top police man was sitting.
“We have had dealings with your men in the past,” replied the chief, “so this place isn’t necessarily new to us.”
“I guess we need to change location then,” said Jack. “So how can I help you?” The FBI man inquired.
“Some concerned citizens are worried about the increased security presence in the city. They want to know what is going on so that information can trickle down and ease tension. If a serial killer is on our turf we need to be involved; you know it is our primary responsibility to maintain the peace. I can’t afford to have any protest at this time.”
“As you are well aware, sting operations are best when they are kept a secret. The level of our internal security is one of the finest qualities and putting holes in them by divulging information to State Security would not be to our advantage.”
“Be rest assured that henceforth we would collaborate on field activities with you, but the strategy would only be divulged at the very moment of operation. I am sure a man of your experience can work around that and achieve the objectives of this meeting.”
“To be honest,” said the chief, “this would actually suffice based on the present situation. We will wait for your move and align accordingly.”
“Thank you for having me.”
“What are you doing here?” asked Kenny. He was so glad to see Sandra, but she had a look that suggested something was wrong.
“Do you mind coming with me for a minute or so?” replied the young Gates. “I want to tell you something really crucial. I hope you would be able to forgive me.”
“Forgive you?” Kenny’s mind went to work straight away; his father had always maintained something was suspicious about the father and daughter, and here she was trying to make some sort of confession. He would wait her out and hear all she had to say. “Okay, I am listening.”
Meanwhile, the trio in Bode’s room had just finished their short meeting. The businessman was surprised to hear that all the surreptitious activities he had sensed from the very beginning were just about voodoo stuff, in which his son was suspected to be the ghost man; a phenomenon in which the birthday girl would be relieved of a three-thousand-year-old curse by a simple touch. Interestingly, that touch might be sexual if things don’t go as they planned.
“Gentlemen, in Africa we see a lot of this magic, or should I say mystic or spiritual stuff, but not at the scale you have described. I would like to reiterate that I was married before I left for my MBA in the UK, and I visited home three times within that period. I never had any child outside wedlock. When my studies were drawing to an end, my wife got pregnant. A Nigerian engineering company visited my UK campus and employed some of us who were high flyers. I got the job and returned home with my new degree. Two months into the job, we won a government contract to construct a thousand water wells in various sites spread across the northern part of my country, so the next two years had me locked in that region as a logistics manager. My wife was still in the southern part of the country and pregnant, but she visited me every first week of the month. During the end of her last trimester, she planned one more visit before she would finally settle down in the south of my country to have our babies.”
Ralph and George reacted to that statement with body movement. Bode didn’t notice.
“She was thirty-seven weeks into the pregnancy and our doctors said she still had three more weeks, so technically she was fine to visit me in the north of my country. She stayed a while longer this time before planning to go back home. Two nights later into her last visit, her water broke and my neighbours took her to the government hospital, then called me. I just made it into town as they were taking her in. I did a quick clean up according to hospital standards and went with her into the delivery room to encourage her. On my way to the hospital, I told my assistant to send messages to the south that my wife was due any moment from now.
“The entire event took about an hour and a half. My twins Taiye and Kehinde were born.”
“Any luck with the search?” inquired the Chief of Police. He was doing his rounds with the boys as it had become paramount that this serial killer be found. All security forces had synced up to one radio network for this singular operation.
“Not yet boss,” replied an officer leading a team at a barricade.
“We must not relent; he is still in this neighbourhood. The FBI suggests we engage the citizens by showing the collection of pictures they have on this lunatic, but it is a Sunday and most families are heading to church.”
“I think we might adopt that approach when families are back, let’s say from two p.m.? Do spread the word around, you never know who could get a promotion or transfer to the Feds with this thing. You guys should keep your game up.”
Brian waited for the right moment to act. He made sure all the customers had left the store before he hijacked it with everyone in it; he had been bidding for time. A simple American family ran the business; their daughter was a pharmacist who managed the drugs and medication section. Now they were held hostage by this man whom they had thought was a travelling journalist; how easy they fell for his antics.
The numbers killer secured the young lady and her mother in a room inside the building and made their father stay out front to attend to customers. Brian stayed in the pharmacy, his Ruger aimed intermittently at the elderly man. He would wait out the cops till they pulled out, that was the only logical way; he wore a white laboratory coat perfecting his ‘new job’.
“Mum, I have been reading online, and I can see that we don’t have a precedent,” said Amy.
“You know the laws are criminal in nature, and only the civil courts have favoured similar cases as recent as last year. Josh and Mark will make a solid team, leave the thinking to them,” replied Jessica.
“Come on Mum, you don’t expect me to fold my hands and let destiny take me for a ride, do you? I have to act any way I see fit, that’s the only way I can keep myself sane. “
“I understand you my dear, but we are ready to go the whole nine yards. If it means us appealing from any unfavourable state court judgement we would, but let’s keep our fingers crossed. One can never tell where the wind will blow.”
“All right Mum, I think I will have some breakfast now.”
“Wonderful,” replied Jessica.
“I made your favourite. Bacon and eggs,” said Amy. “Now that should do some magic.”
“I think we should leave that to the Nigerians, that looks to be their deliverable in this whole thing.”
Mother and daughter laughed; now there was some calm.
Chapter 31
All Areas, California
5th July 2015, 8:12 a.m.
“Are you saying Kenny is a twin?” asked Ralph with a rather high-pitched voice mixed with anxiety and hope.
“Let him finish his story,” interjected George. The older professor had not moved a muscle; his training with the Marines was still in him. “I believe all the details are needed at this time.”
&nb
sp; “Well, he was,” replied Bode. “His brother was lost in a fire ten days after they were born. Nasty business with the electrical wiring and poor-maintenance culture of Government facilities. So you see, after the incident, of which you can imagine the amount of time, money and energy spent, we accepted our fate and moved on. Kenny has been a miracle to us, he is a survivor and we always give him the best we can.”
“When you say ‘lost him’ was his body found?” asked George.
“The entire building was in flames, nothing was recognisable after the incident. It was total damage, seventeen bodies were unaccounted for, and fifty-six were burnt beyond recognition. We didn’t have dental identification gadgets back then, even though consultants managed that level of technology.”
“So his corpse wasn’t found?” George was curious. Ralph remained quiet and listened on.
“Yes, I have to agree his body wasn’t found but believe me, no one could have survived that fire, especially a new born. It was all consuming.”
“Mr Williams, I have some good and disturbing news for you,” said George.
“And what might that be?” asked Bode.
“Kenny’s twin brother is still alive,” replied George.
“Boss there is something you should hear.”
“Not now Brad,” replied Jack. “There has been no trace of this killer in the Joneses’ neighbourhood, all the teams are becoming frustrated, my mind can’t be anywhere else.”
“Trust me sir, you would need to get this update from Ridgeland.”
“It can wait. We are changing methodology by approaching houses individually. I need to get the state troopers ready for this approach while the local police and our men maintain the barricades. There is no losing steam on this, we just have to smoke him out.”
“Sir, our men found a secret room in Nathan’s house. It seems he is neck-deep in these killings.”
Jack froze for a moment. He was thinking. What exactly did the men find?
“In summary sir, all the details of the nine targets, maps of their locations, itineraries, the works. We can safely assume he is fully involved, but at what capacity we don’t know yet.”
“Perhaps he is the brain and financier while his stooge does the dirty work,” said Jack. “I will send his picture to be included in the house to house search. This is definitely a new twist. Do send the report when the team is through.”
“Sure sir,” replied Brad.
Josh Sullivan got home and sat in his study, his mind deep in thought. There has never been a matter like this. How would he build the case on unnatural circumstances? It was a solid legal phenomenon that magic, spirits, ghosts and what have you are not recognised in the court. This was going to be a wild goose chase, but what the heck, he had to earn his professional fees. He will definitely put on a good show and get a reasonable judgement; after all, the teens can wait till they are eighteen before engaging.
He went through his library and brought out the law book that had penal code 261.5.
“You must have guts to say something like that,” said Bode. “Do you know what you are trying to insinuate? I said my son died fifteen years ago and here you are claiming he is somehow alive. I believe you are assuming he is the actual ghost man.”
“Exactly my point,” replied George. “The terms of the curse are clear, the ghost man shall appear to the lady and create her experiences, thus it shall be lifted by a touch of physical body contact.”
“There is no way Taye is dead,” said George.
“You mean Taiye,” replied Bode. “I cannot just take your word for it, you weren’t there back then. The boy is gone.”
“Welcome to my world Mr Williams. You can be rest assured we did everything within our power to make sure that Kenny had body contact with Amy. And when we realised the curse wasn’t lifted, we knew there was more to it than met the eye, hence your twins explanation.”
Bode’s mood changed immediately as he understood the explanation. He became a sucker with anything that had to do with his family. “I must call my wife, she needs to know this.”
“I suggest you hold on till we get to Nigeria,” said George.
“We? What do you mean by ‘we’? Are you coming with me to Nigeria?”
“I guess there is no other choice. Half my life I have waited for this moment and I will not let it pass by,” replied George. “Ralph, please inform the rest of the team of this development. I am sure Donald will be relieved. In the meantime, I will call Jack and let him know of my travel plans.”
The younger professor nodded and began to leave the room.
“Please accept my offer to absorb any potential cost regarding finding my son,” said Bode.
“I will instruct my personal assistant to get you a seat in first class, right beside me. We leave tomorrow at ten p.m.”
“That seems fine,” replied George.
“Thank you, ma’am. If you see anything unusual, please call the number on that flyer, and please lock your doors. Make sure you know who is calling or knocking before you open the door.”
The state troopers in vehicle 107 had parked in front of a stores/pharmacy and were doing their rounds on the street. They started from the beginning of the street, each man handling a side of the street.
“Thank you so much,” replied a resident. “We will be careful, and let us know when you get this notorious man so that things can return to normal.”
“We certainly will,” replied Trooper Amos. His next check was the stores where their vehicle was parked. He opened the entrance door and stepped in. An elderly man stood at the cashier point and he moved forward to communicate with the man. By the time he got to the edge of the reception table, he was approached from behind.
“It is best you don’t make a scene,” said Brian. “You will be saving your life and that of this family.”
The trooper was shocked; he didn’t expect the killer to be this bold.
“Please remove your side arm and put it on the floor.” The trooper obeyed. “And do kick it away please,” ordered Brian.
The trooper obeyed further.
“You can remove your clothes now,” said the intruder.
Amos and the elderly man were confused.
Chapter 32
All Areas, California
5th July 2015, 9:45 a.m.
“This is wonderful news, and I welcome your intended travels. I will have your passport and some clothing sent to you right away. It would surely be a vacation of sorts for you and relaxation for us,” said Jack. He was on the phone with George.
“From the look of things, the FBI will meet its quarterly budget spend by shutting down the safe house and reducing your direct security expenses to the barest minimum. I suggest you stay in Africa for about three months.”
“Relax Jack,” replied George. The search for the real ghost man still continues. I have only been to Africa once, and that was a trip to Egypt for some excavation activities with a then recently discovered pyramid buried in sand. But when it comes to Nigeria, I have no idea what to expect.”
“I think I will call in one last favour for you,” replied Jack. “The former CIA station chief in Nigeria is a personal friend and I am sure he can give us some insider’s info that would help your search. I will call him and have him meet you at the Four Seasons. I can assume you will be spending your night there with the Nigerians?”
“Yeah, the businessman is never ending with his questions. I guess he is excited about the discovery of his lost son.”
“I completely understand,” replied Jack. “Meanwhile Alfred and his team will remain with you till you board tomorrow. I will leave instructions with them.”
“Thank you for everything Jack, you have been instrumental on this journey.”
“The pleasure is all mine.”
“Donald? Donald, please come here,” said Ralph. He was eager to inform his friend of the latest development.
Mr Jones left his Sandra and Kenny, and walked towards the
professor.
“Sandra dear, I think you and Kenny have to hear this.” Ralph invited the teens to his talk with Donald.
Alfred and his team felt something interesting was going on; they left their seats in the lobby to join the conversation.
Brian was now fully dressed as a trooper but there just one problem, the keys of the vehicle were with the other trooper on the other side of the street. He would need to radio in and invite him over. He assured himself that no lives would be lost unnecessarily; everyone had cooperated so far and he was just minutes away from an official ride through the barricades.
“Mum, we still need to go to church you know, we can’t just lock ourselves up in the hope that Dad’s team or our legal team will do something. Everything rests till tomorrow.”
“My daughter, the neighbourhood is locked up. The cops are looking for the intruder who almost killed George.”
“I know Mum, but they will just search our car then off we go. Do you suggest I just go to my room till they have a permanent solution? We are still okay, you know.”
“Sure, my dear, let me go get ready, I will get set for the eleven a.m. Mass.”
“Great Mum, I will contact Sandra for any update on the Kenny’s consent angle while you prepare.”
“Hello Phil, it’s Amos. Can you please come to the store where we parked the vehicle? This family has some vital information for us.”
“I will be right there,” replied Phil.
Eight minutes later, Phil opened the door to the store and looked inside. He walked casually inside and saw the store owner, an elderly man.
“Sorry, but my partner told me you have some information for us.”
As he waited for the man to respond he sensed movement from behind. He turned swiftly to confront his attacker. He was prepared; Amos had used a code in his statement to indicate there was a problem. Brian was surprised the trooper was ready for him. Phil kicked the Ruger pistol out of Brian’s hand and dived at him. The two men began to fight for the gun.