3 CHAPTER THREE: MIDNIGHT CALL

Kebbi Creek Divisional Police Headquarters

July 10, 2002, Thursday, 09:43

"You wanted to see me, Sir?"

"Yes, sit down, Musa."

Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click www.webnovel.com for visiting.

Inspector Musa settled into the chair facing the DPO. The DPO was half gorilla, half man and considering he was in a foul mood looked even more ferocious than normal.

"So, Musa, what have you come up with?" he growled.

"Nothing, Sir."

The DPO's bloodshot eyes narrowed into tiny red slits.

"Excuse me?" he hissed nastily, "Could you repeat that again."

"Nothing… Sir."

"Nothing. Nothing, eh? Listen very carefully, Musa because I'm not sure you understand the implications of what you're saying. If this killer is not caught soon all hell will break loose. Those bastard youth organizations are already screaming for blood and the oil workers are nagging me for protection, so don't sit there and tell me you have nothing!"

"I'm sorry, Sir but I can't lie about this. We have no clues to lead us on, the killer didn't leave any. We don't even know whether it's just one person or a group that is responsible. I'm afraid we are at a dead end."

"We? Correction, Musa, you are at a dead end. You, Tony and any other clown on this case. You have till Tuesday next week to get me some results otherwise I will have all your heads on my desk by noon that day. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Now get out of my office."

Musa got out. He met Tony lounging in the corridor.

"Did he eat you up?" the young man asked, grinning from ear to ear.

"Almost literally."

"What did he say?"

"We have till Tuesday to find the killer or dot, dot, dot."

"Oh dear. I bet all those oil workers paying him to look after their interests must have started a fire under his gross fanny."

"Ssh, for goodness sake. The walls have ears and tongues as well."

"Well I hope they have a sense of humour as well. This so called killer has made a laughing stock of us."

News Day Newspapers, Ikoyi, Lagos

July 10, 2002, Thursday, 10:12

"What the hell is this?" Maryam Williams demanded waving some papers in the air like she was directing incoming aircraft.

Caesar Clark standing at attention with his hands behind back raised an eyebrow.

"My report," he said laconically.

"I know it's your report "The heavy woman continued seething like an over worked steam engine, "who else would write this crap? How do you expect me to believe all this nonsense?".

"What's so far fetched about an honourable senator involved in female trafficking? I have all my facts on the ground, and my sources are reliable. There's even evidence to prove it."

"Do you have an idea, what senator kuti will do if your report goes to press? He will sue us to the earth!"

"Let him try it. Once this report is made public that senate will have no choice but to have him removed. We don't need female traffickers in such honourable positions of power."

"Caesar, I know how much you hate the Nigerian political scene so don't give me that moral duty crap. I don't know if you remember which country you are working in right now but you must know that this is Nigeria and this kind of trash doesn't work here. Get another report on something else before I do something drastic about you".

"Such as?" Caesar asked quietly. Dangerously.

"Hey." Maryam said hastily, softening her tone "Your mother wanted you to work here, remember? You are a good reporter, your adventure in England last year practically made you a celebrity but I can't have you dragging her name in the mud."

"Because she's an honourable minister of transport and part and parcel of the people I hate so much? Because she and senator Kuti sleep together?".

"Caesar, that is enough! Another word from you and are out on the street."

" Sorry, Madam but I get the last word. "

He put his hand into his shirt pocket and pulled out an envelope. He tossed it on the table. Maryam glared at it like it was a spider that just fell from the ceiling.

"In case you are wondering what that is it happens to be my registration letter. I've been carrying it all year waiting for this very moment. Thanks for the opportunity."

He turned and walked out of the office leaving the woman startled and confused. He found every one in the staff room staring at him with mouths agape. Ignoring them completely he picked up his case and left the office.

Caesar's Apartment, Lekki, Lagos

July 10, 2002, Thursday, 22:46

Caesar went straight back to his Lekki apartment to cool off after a marathon drinking` spree with his fellows. His place was well furnished with exquisite furniture and state of the art electronic equipment most of which Mummy Dearest had paid for. She normally ranted and raved that she would cut off his financial supply and leave him to hustle on his own but he knew and she knew she was only kidding herself. Cutting off the Niger from the Bight of Bonny would be much easier, for her to do

Caesar brought out a bottle of Remy Martin from his well-stocked bar and proceeded to drink himself to stupor. Later he drifted off into a dreamless sleep which was suddenly interrupted by the telephone on his bedside table that jangled rudely into his ear. Half asleep he picked up the receiver and absent-mindedly glanced at the clock on the wall. A quarter to one in the morning! He was suddenly wide-awake.

"Hello? He asked suspiciously," Who is this? Do you have any idea what time it is?

Mr. Clark?" asked a voice at the other end He didn't recognize it.

"Yes, that's me now who are you?"

"Don 't worry about who I am. My name is of no importance to you. It is what I have that I think you will find interesting." The voice sounded strange. Like it was detached and without gender. Caesar felt a chill crawl up his spine.

"What do you mean". He asked carefully.

"Have you heard of the Kebby Creek killings."

"I've been getting sketchy reports but it all seems very hush hush. It hasn't even appeared on the Network News yet."

"It is very hush hush. Very big names in the oil industry and the federal Government involved. The victims are all prostitutes."

The caller was right. He was interested.

"You don't say."

"I even have evidence. Photographs, tape recordings and all. If you want them you must come to Kebby Creek yourself to collect them, N80, 000 cash is your fee. Bring it along."

"Do you thank I' m mad?.

"Once you arrive town tomorrow meet me at Sandy's Bar by eight. Alone. Everyone in town knows the place so you can 't miss it.

"You must think I'm very stupid, don't you and anyway why pick me?"

"I've read your work and I'm impressed. You are very anti-government and this case is tailor made for you. You can be rest assured it will be the story of a life time."

"But…"

"Goodbye, Mr. Clark. Nice talking to you."

I've just…" The line went dead. "… resigned."