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Nice update

....

In the name of whatever is good, the killings should stop.

An idea came to his mind. 'Sorry, when did you see him last?'

'This morning,' came the prompt answer.

Now, Guba was dismayed. If indeed what this lady was saying was true, then Sam was alive! He had known that his life was threatened and had bolted.

There was no need Guba wasted further time there. He had confirmed what he came to confirm. He turned to go.

'Thank you, sister for your time. I'll keep on trying to reach him. Good night.'

'Good night.'

She watched as he left the compound. The sudden interest in Sam and the fact Sam himself had to leave hurriedly meant there was trouble somewhere.

She too tried to reach his lines again but could not reach any of them. That had been the situation since morning. Apart from when Sam called her to let her know that he had travelled out of Lagos, she could not reach him. Definitely, there was something sinister about the whole episode. She could only watch, wait and see.

* * *

The following morning, as early as six in the morning, Bisi received a call from Chief Kashi.

'Good morning, Bisi. How are you?'

It was quite odd that he was calling her so early, but she tried to sound normally. 'Good morning, uncle. I'm hale and hearty.'

'Thank God for that. Sorry I'm calling you so early.'

'It's okay, sir.'

'There's something I need to let you know.'

'What is that, uncle?'

'Sam has committed some fraud in the office, that's why he's on the run.'

'What?!'

'Yes, that's the fact. He has stolen money from the office running into millions of naira.'

She was stupefied and short of words.

'There's something you must do for me,' he continued. 'If you get to know when he's back in the house or in Lagos, alert me. Don’t confront him or let him know that I’ve revealed this secret to you. Just pick your phone and let me know he’s around. Do you understand?'

'Yes ... yes, sir.'

'Alright, have a nice day.'

'Yes, sir. Have a nice day too.'

She dropped the phone, feeling giddy. Was that true that the reason Sam bolted away was because he committed fraud? What was all this about? But what was the relevance of that to the fact that Sam was poisoned the day before yesterday?

If Sam had indeed committed fraud, how come Chief Kashi did not mention anything like that the previous evening when he had come around?

Certainly, something sinister was going.



Fear No More: https://okadabooks.com/book/about/fear-no-more-18/34302

Guba was pensive. But then, he thought, if the poison was not potent enough to kill Sam, then, it was not he, Guba, that should be blamed for that. Was it not chief that brought the stuff? How could that stuff fail to do what it was expected to do? Guba, however, knew he was only thinking this way to console himself. He could never confront the boss on this. He knew that as far as the chief was concerned, he - Guba - had failed to deliver.

This news about Sam surviving greatly upset him. What would he do now? It was already few minutes past seven. Should he go to Sam's house to verify that he was alive, or what? He paused by the roadside to deliberate on what to do. All of a sudden, the joint he wanted to go and drink became the least appealing place to him. He would have to suspend going there.

His mind went over the option the chief had given him: that if he could not carry out the task within five days, he must be prepared to return the two hundred thousand naira he had been paid. The unfortunate thing was that just between yesterday morning and this evening, Guba had spent almost half of the money! He had basically spent the money on women, wine and playing lotto, called ‘Baba Ijebu’.

Where would he get the replacement of money for chief in the next five days? Yet, he must look for Sam and get rid of him. If poison failed, as it had done obviously, then the alternative ways to get rid of him would by stabbing, clubbing or shooting. None of these would be easy, knowing fully well that Sam was a smart guy. What would he do now? He decided that he had to confirm that indeed Sam was alive. He brought out his phone and called his number. Again, the network service provider indicated that his phone was switched off.

Guba sighed. Somehow, he had to go to Sam's apartment. But, what if he came face to face with him? How would he react to Sam’s probable belligerence?

Well, he would tell Sam that he became worried about him after he had tried severally and unsuccessfully to call him on the phone to come for another celebration. What if Sam accused him of trying to kill him by poison? Simple: he would deny ever trying to do that. He would remind

Sam of their friendship and that he could never do that to a friend. Besides, he would claim that he too ate from the suya meats!

That was it! He went to Ojota bus stop to take a bus going to Ikorodu. About fifty minutes later, he was at the front of the door to Sam's apartment, pressing the bell. Bisi came out of her own apartment to attend to him.

'Hello, good evening. Who do you want to see?' she asked.

He smiled wryly at her. 'Good evening. I came to see Sam.'

She shook her head. 'He's not around.'

Guba scratched his head. 'When did he go out? Where did he go and when will he be back?'

Bisi was bemused. Why was everybody suddenly asking about Sam? Why was this man asking so many questions? Although he looked harmless,
one could never tell.

'I don't know where he went to and I don't know when he will be back,' she answered cautiously. 'Why don't you call his number and ask? And
who are you to him?'

Guba did not like being questioned, much less by a woman. He must however maintain a cool and friendly mien. 'I'm Guba, his very good friend.
I've been trying his number since morning. I became worried since I could not reach out to him. That's why I came around to his house to see if
all what well with him.'

She decided that he appeared a bit sincere and she would open up a bit to him. 'Frankly speaking, I think Sam has travelled,' she said.

Guba's heart sank. He had to strive to conceal his anxiety. 'Travel? To where?'

Again, she decided to be cautious. 'I don't really know, but I think he has travelled.'

An idea came to his mind. 'Sorry, when did you see him last?'

'This morning,' came the prompt answer.

Now, Guba was dismayed. If indeed what this lady was saying was true, then Sam was alive! He had known that his life was threatened and had
bolted.

There was no need Guba wasted further time there. He had confirmed what he came to confirm. He turned to go.


Fear No More: https://okadabooks.com/book/about/fear-no-more-18/34302

God be praised.

Saturn101:
Cool story

Thanks.

He had nodded emphatically. 'Yes, it's true. Do you want me to swear? I'm ready to do so.'

'No need to swear. I'll take your words for it.'

So, Clara decided to believe him. If he could keep to his words, she had no doubt that he would be a good husband.

Mama was waiting for them at home. 'Oh, our wife and my daughter,' she gushed as she embraced Clara. The latter knelt down in greeting.

To save the hassles of cooking, Manu bought some food that mama would take in the evening at the eatery close to the house. Mama would have preferred that Clara should cook, but she could not make any dissension.

'I don't want you two to waste time any more. Let the wedding be done as soon as possible,' mama said. He nodded in agreement. 'Yes, mama. We will work at it to make it be realizable soonest.'

He turned to Clara. 'Is that not so, darling?'

Clara nodded. 'Yes, it is.'

* * *

After Anfani and Fatty left the club, they went to meet their respective boyfriends. Anfani went to meet Frederick in Festac Town while Fatty left for Yaba. It was the following day, Saturday, that Anfani met Agatha in the hostel at the university.

'You didn't even care to tell us when you were leaving,' Anfani accused Agatha.

'No, I made effort to let you and Fatty know. I came to the dressing-room to inform you that I would be leaving, but by then you were already in the bar.'

Anfani smiled mischievously. 'So, tell me. Who was the guy that showed so much interest in you? Where did he take you too? How much did he give you?'

'Hey, all these questions? One at a time, please. Well, he is Nelson Ovie, and according to his complimentary card, an importer of merchandise. He likes me and has told me to stop dancing naked.'

Anfani stared at her friend. 'Just like that? The man likes you and wants you to stop dancing; and you stopped just like that?'

Agatha chuckled. 'No, it's not just like that. He actually compensated me for stopping the act.'

'He paid you not to dance in the club again? How much did he pay?'

Agatha grinned. 'He gave me 100 k with a promise to do more.'

Anfani's eyes popped out. 'What! One hundred thousand naira? Are you serious?'

'Yes, I am. Not only that, he also gave me 200 dollars.'

Anfani's eyes grew wider. 'You don't mean it, Agatha!' She came to hug her. 'You've struck gold, friend!'

Agatha smiled wanly. 'He asked me to call him as soon as possible, but I've not done so.'

'Why?' Anfani decided. 'Why haven't you called someone like that?'

Agatha pursed her lips. 'Let's just say I have some reservations.'

Anfani looked like she was hearing the strangest thing in her life.

'What reservations? What are you talking about?'

Agatha shrugged. 'The money he spent was too much. How am I sure he's not into money rituals? Imagine how much he has spent on a girl he hardly knows!'

Anfani scoffed at this. 'Listen, Agatha, this is an opportunity in a life time. Many ladies like me are struggling to have an opportunity such as this. What rituals are you talking about? Even if he's into rituals, what is your business with that? He's giving you doles of money and that's the important thing.'

Agatha nodded, trying to agree with her friend.

'In any case, can you please hand over all the money he gave you? Let's tell him you're not interested. Me, I'm interested. Can we swap roles?'



Lust City:
https://okadabooks.com/book/about/lust-city-18/27928

He was suddenly curious. She seemed to know a lot about him. Although they were neighbors, the way she answered glibly showed that it was very likely the relationship between her and Sam was more than just neighbors.

'I see,' he said. 'Alright, Bisi. When next you speak with him, tell him I've been trying to reach him. Tell him to call me. I may also call you to ask about him, or you call me about him. You have my number, right?'

'Yes, sir.'

'Good. I want you to inform me about him. Sam is such a good guy that one must not abandon him in his trying period.'

Innocently, she nodded in agreement. ‘I’ll do just that, uncle.’





Sam drove straight to the expansive premises of Tulux Pharmaceutical Company at Ota. At the entrance gate of the company, the security men asked him his mission.

'I want to see a friend, Mike Duro.'

'Okay, drive in and park at the parking space.'

Sam nodded and parked the Hyundai jeep on the parking lot under the glittering morning sun. He locked the car and went into the building. He
could perceive the pervasive smell of syrup and other patent medicines. At the reception hall, he told the lady behind the desk that he wanted
to see Mr. Duro of the Engineering Department. He was asked to sit down and wait. After several minutes, he was given the visitor's tag and
directed to go to the first floor, last room by the left.

'Thanks,' he told the lady.

In brisk steps, he climbed the stair case and moved to the directed room. He knocked at the door once and entered the office.

'Samuel, the great!' Michael hailed him as soon as he entered.

'Bobo Michael, this is your face. Long time no see.'

The two friends shook hands.

'It's good to see you, after such a long time,' Sam said. 'How's work?'

'Work dey o. How're about you? How's Lagos?'

'Lagos is fine, but I cannot say the same thing for myself.'

Michael looked at him curiously. 'Hope no problem?'

Sam sighed. 'There's one. It's not a very big one, but it's such that I needed to leave Lagos for a while and cool off far away. That's why I'm here. I need to put up with you for some days.'

Michael stared at him. 'That must be a serious thing. I hope you've not committed serious a crime there.'

Sam laughed shortly. 'Oh no. Let your mind be at rest that your old buddy, Sam, has committed no crime. Rather, my coming is to avoid some ugliness and miscarriage of justice. Let me say I'm the victim here, not the culprit.'

Michael stared at him. He and Sam were buddies, right from their polytechnic days at Ibadan. They had belonged to the same cult group. He knew that though Sam looked nice and innocent, he was capable of many terrible deeds. Sam must be on the run for something grave. He knew the old boy.

'I hope you did not sleep with your boss' wife,' Michael said.

Sam was struck by how accurate Michael could be. But he would not admit anything like that, at least for now.

He smiled it off easily. 'No such thing happened. I only had a conflict of interest with my boss and it degenerated to his having big suspicion for me. In the circumstance, my leaving that area for now is the best option. As soon as the dusts settle down, I will go back and things will be reconciled and back to normal.'

Michael nodded and patted him on the left shoulder. 'You're welcome, Sam. My home is your home and yours is mine. There's no problem. You
can stay for as long as you want.' He brought out his house keys. 'Do you still remember the place?'

'Sure, I do.'

'Those are the keys. See you later in the day.'

Sam shook hands with him again. 'I do appreciate this, Mick. Thanks a lot.’

* * *

Guba was on his way to the relaxation joint he frequented at Ojota when Chief Kashi's call came through.

'Hello, good evening, sir.'

'Bad evening, Guba. You must find whatever way you can devise to complete your assignment.'

'Assignment?' Guba was confused. 'I've completed the assignment you gave to me, sir.'

'No, you've not. As I speak to you right now, I can say authoritatively that Sam is alive.'

Guba could feel his heartbeat. The thumping was distressing, to say the least. 'Sam? Unbelievable.'

'You better believe it. I've been to his house and I heard it from good authority that he's alive.'

'Wonderful!' Guba exclaimed, for lack of any other expression.

'You must complete your assignment,’ Kashi said vehemently. ‘By whatever means, you must complete your assignment. I give you five days,
starting from this moment. If you can't accomplish the task within the stipulated days, then you must return my money.'

'I ... I ...' Guba stuttered, but the line was already dead. The chief had disconnected it.

Guba was aghast. How could Sam be alive? He had mixed the suya generously with the powder the chief himself provided, so how could he be
alive? How could Sam possibly survive the poison?

Guba was pensive. But then, he thought, if the poison was not potent enough to kill Sam, then, it was not he, Guba, that should be blamed for
that. Was it not chief that brought the stuff? How could that stuff fail to do what it was expected to do? Guba, however, knew he was only thinking this way to console himself. He could never confront the boss on this. He knew that as far as the chief was concerned, he - Guba - had
failed to deliver.



Fear No More: https://okadabooks.com/book/about/fear-no-more-18/34302

The havoc is a is terrible.

It is later that we will feel the impact.