Stray Consequences: Don't Stray, #2

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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Text copyright © 2019 by J.Michael

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TO IRENE SIDONIE, MY DARLING FRIEND, SWEETHEART AND BELOVED PARTNER FOR LIFE:

NO STRAYING BECAUSE THERE’S NO NEED TO

CHAPTER 1

CALM BEFORE THE STORM

Sunday 1st February

It was the kind of Sunday morning Joe Tolono felt made one happy to be alive and energetically healthy, touch wood. The air was cool and crisp, the weather slightly misty with not the slightest sign of rain.

Joe stood for a while by the large window of his tenth floor office, his lean tall frame pressed against the wall and his elbows resting on the windows support block.

The window’s venetian blind was drawn apart allowing him to gaze with contentment at the vast pool of water, which stretched far into the horizon, until it vanished into the ocean.

Not a single canoe, boat, ship or any other type of vessel or human activity was there to disturb the beauty of the blue water’s stillness.

Joe loved the Sunday morning graveyard quietness of his office and the scenery before him.

He loved the fact that he could come over in casual wear; a light blue T-shirt on dark loose fitting blue jeans, under which he had not bothered to put on underwear, left him feeling very comfortable.

In addition to enjoying his beatific surroundings, he also loved the emplacement of his office along the river’s edge of the non-residential area of Banana Island in Ikoyi.

The office always reminded him of how far he had come since four years back when he had teamed up with his bosom childhood friend Frank Makede to drive their security company, Constant Watch Limited (CWL) from its small inconspicuous standing and location in Lekki to its current prestigious site in Banana and its high-profile stature in the society.

Joe looked back at those four years with a tinge of nostalgia. They were active, exciting and best of all financially very rewarding.

He had, after so many years of doing fairly well as a banker, managed to build a house in the upscale section of Lekki.

However, just four years after switching to co-managing a security services company he had along with his partner succeeded in moving the company offices to Banana Island; the most coveted part of Lagos city.

He had gone further by buying two thousand square meters of land in the residential portion of the island and had built a lavishly furnished six bedroom house with a swimming pool and a well-equipped gym; which he had unfortunately not had as much time as he would have liked to use in further developing his already well-muscled body.

Since landing in Banana, Joe had been going to the office every Sunday morning for a few hours to laze around and leafing through major client files had become an addiction for him.

It had also become an excuse to avoid going to church every Sunday morning with his overly religious wife Clara and lovely five-year-old daughter Angel.

What next? Joe wondered, his mind going back once again to his days as a banker, a successful one until he had the misfortune of running into the evil couple that brought his career to an abrupt end.

Given the huge success he had since achieved as a co-owner of the security company, the thought occurred to Joe that fate must have arranged matters such that he would transit to his true calling of security management, rather than banking at the time and in the manner he did.

Four years down the road he considered himself to be a successful security expert with the requisite credentials to lead a big security outfit such as CWL, which was thriving mainly due to his success in garnering and executing important contracts from high net worth individuals and corporations, as well as government agencies.

As with the period when he was in banking, his father in law’s influence and long reach continued to facilitate the award of very lucrative security contracts to CWL. 

This particular Sunday morning like other Sunday mornings when Joe happily spent some time in his office, he was suffused with a deep-seated contentment at how far he had come since the unfortunate affair of what seemed like ages ago but was only four years back.

Reluctantly returning to his desk, Joe leaned back on his high backed chair, with eyes closed and fingers interlocked behind his head. He stayed that way for about a minute before leaning forward to open the file in front of him.

CHAPTER 2

WHEN THE PAST COMES CALLING

Sunday 1st February

Of all the many major assignments that CWL was engaged in, Project AZ, as Joe and Frank had come to label it, was the most urgent, complex and time consuming.

One of the biggest multinational manufacturing companies in the country was being stolen blind. A significant portion of its imports of raw materials were disappearing as fast as they were arriving in the country and the thefts were clearly taking place within the company, which had without success done everything it could to get to the bottom of the nightmare.

Joe had right from inception, placed the financially rewarding AZ project under his direct supervision. He had put in more time and resources on the problem and although the rate and scope of the thefts had reduced dramatically, the problem was yet to be fully solved.

Much as he was reluctant to disturb his relaxed brief stay in the office on what had turned out to be one of the most beautiful Sunday mornings of the month, Joe decided to take a quick look at the findings of a team he had sent three days back to monitor the stock taking process of the manufacturing company.

He was just about to start reading the report of the team when his desk phone started ringing. Surprised he stared at the phone for a few seconds wondering who could be calling him at the office on a Sunday morning.

It surely could not be Clara or Frank as they both had his mobile phone number. All the major clients including the top management executives of the manufacturing company could also reach him on his mobile.

He looked closely at the phone; saw that the call was coming from the UK and picked the handset just as the phone was about to stop ringing.

Good morning, CWL. How may I help you please? He tried to make his voice as friendly as possible.

The voice that came back in reply sent chills up his spine. Hi Joe, I’ll tell you in a minute how you must help me but first have you missed me?

Joe’s heart pounded against his chest and his head suddenly felt very light. This could not be true. The voice on the line was no other than that of Nadine. A thousand years could pass and he would still remember the velvety texture of that voice.

But Nadine was dead or was supposed to be. The newspapers all carried the story of how she was gunned down at the Cotonou border and yet...

Joe, are you still there...Joe?

Yes, yes I am. But.....but, Joe’s heart continued to race and pound mercilessly.

But I’m supposed to be dead right? Nadine’s follow-up chuckle compounded his confusion and fright.

Yes. The press said you were killed.

As usual, the press was wrong. I’m still very much alive, out here in London, but that’s a story for another day.

What can I do for you? Joe asked warily, still in a state of confusion and shock.

Congratulations Joe. Your company has done very well under your capable leadership. You owe me at least a big thank you for forcing you to leave drab banking for more exciting security work.

Joe remained silent and Nadine continued. There’s a very important job that I would like CWL to handle for me under your direct supervision. It’s urgent and must be done within the next few days.

What job? Joe asked still wondering how to handle the totally unexpected re-emergence of Nadine in his life.

Nadine had killed someone and somehow escaped. It would be impossible for him to take on any assignment from her. Rather he should be contacting the police.

Not that fast and certainly not over the telephone. Do you have a British visa?

No, why?

I see you still don’t know how to lie, Joe. I knew you have one because you were in London about two weeks ago.

Joe remained silent and Nadine continued. You have to catch the British airways flight to London tonight and call me tomorrow morning at 11am after you have checked into the Hilton at Paddington.

Momentarily forgetting the odd situation on his hands Joe laughed. Flight tonight, Hilton hotel... you’re joking right?

Absolutely not, Nadine replied coldly. You must carry out my instruction exactly as I’ve told you or else.....

Or else, what? Joe cut in, suddenly angry at her hectoring tone. You should be in jail and not in London trying to dictate your bizarre request to me.

Or else, my dear lover boy Joe, you never ever again get to see your darling wife and lovely daughter.

For what seemed like eternity to Joe, time seemed to hang still and then he heard himself shouting crazily into the phone in his shaking hand as he leapt off his chair. What did you just say... you’re threatening my family? My family... I am asking you? I...

Yes I am, Nadine replied calmly. As we speak Joe, you don’t really have a family because your wife and daughter are not where you think they are. They’re being quarantined somewhere and will only be returned back to you after you execute the job I have for you.

The impact of what Nadine was saying took a few seconds to sink in and then Joe was up and rushing to the door, the handset of the phone left dangling as he dashed out of the office and rushed towards the lift.

Joe was frantically trying to reach Clara by the time he raced up to his car and opened it with a shaking hand.

The phone rang for a while and then a voice informed him that the intended recipient was not responding. In desperation, he dialed Angel’s line and got the same message after a while.

Joe had always wondered why some people drove in a manner that not only endangered their lives but those of others. Other than child delivery and life threatening medical reasons, what could, he had always wondered, be so urgent as to get a driver weaving his car at breakneck speed in and out of an equally fast-paced traffic?

As Joe raced in his car with his mind in turmoil, he was thankful to God that this emergency had arisen on a Sunday morning and that there was consequently very few cars on the road. 

The Catholic Church of the Assumption where Clara preferred to attend mass was at one corner of the ever-busy Falomo junction. Joe drove fast towards the church after first rushing to his new home in Banana and finding that Clara and Angel were not yet back. His fear mounting by the minute he continued to try their lines as he sped to the church.

Frank Makede was already in front of the church by the time he got there. Tall and muscular, Frank’s dark and rugged face was creased with worry. What the hell is this all about Joe, he asked as Joe was getting out of the car.

I’m scared Frank. I am terribly scarred. Clara is not at home and her phone is now switched off. That of Angel also. I can’t believe what’s happening to me.

Are you sure it was Nadine on the line?

Joe stared numbly at him, fear written all over his face. Definitely sure. It was her alright. She’s not dead Frank and I don’t know what she’s up to.

Calm down Joe. I know how tough this is on you but we need to think fast on what to do. I already talked to the priest and the gateman and they both confirmed that Clara left with Angel immediately after service.  Clara was driving the Prado.

I already checked at home and found it’s not there. I wish I had asked the driver to come in today. My God!

Listen Joe, we won’t be helping them by standing here worrying and doing nothing. Let’s hurry back to the office and work out what we should do. What we certainly shouldn’t do at this point is get the police officially involved. Let’s go Joe.

Just as they were about to get into their cars Joe heard his name being called and they both turned to see Janet walking towards them with a broad smile on her face.

Janet had an ordinary looking face but a stunningly shapely figure which, even, her big shapeless gown could not hide. Janet was single and sometimes flirty with Joe when Clara was not around but Joe had determinedly resisted the urge to attempt any illicit affair.

You must be looking for your wife, she said teasingly.

Yes, she must have been at the earlier service with my daughter. Did you see her?

Yes. She was with Angel and they left about an hour ago. She must be home by now. You couldn’t reach her on the phone?

I didn’t think of calling, Joe lied. I’m on my way home anyway. I’ll see her. Was she with anyone else?

Janet hesitated briefly. I saw a young man talking to her, maybe her relative, but I’m not sure whether they left together or not. Is there any problem.

No, not at all, Joe replied quickly to the relief of Janet who had started worrying about whether she had goofed in mentioning the young man. I just wanted to know whether her cousin succeeded in meeting her here or went straight home. He must have joined her here then. Well see you soon, Janet.

Janet watched pensively as both men got into their cars and drove off. She had an uneasy feeling that something was not right. Joe seemed very nervous and Frank looked worried.

Somehow she couldn’t shake off the idea that the young man with Clara could be more than Joe had tried to make her believe he was.

Was he really Clara’s cousin? Although she was not very close to them, she had noticed that the man looked quite handsome and had made a mental note to find out from Clara if he was one she could go after.

As she walked back towards the entrance of the church Janet suddenly remembered that Joe always went to his office in Banana on Sunday mornings. If that was the case on this particular Sunday morning, why would he drive all the way from Banana to Falomo instead of making the short trip to his home in Banana to wait for her?

And how come Frank was also with him at the church?

So many unanswered questions Janet told herself. She looked forward to discreetly getting answers to them when Clara would visit her later in the day.

Back in the office, Frank hung up the dangling handset and got Joe to take a seat. He sat on the table facing him. Do you have Nadine’s number?

I didn’t write it down but we can get it from the phone. She was calling from the UK.

Frank checked the phone and wrote down the number. Or she could be simply roaming with a UK number or call card, he said dialing the number. It’s imperative we get back in touch with her.

Both men watched anxiously as the phone rang until it got into voice mail. Joe rushed to it. Nadine. This is Joe. Please call me right back. I am still in the office. Please.

He was about to hang up and then added. In case you can’t reach this number here is my new mobile number please. He gave the number twice and then hung up.

From what Janet saw it seems they were kidnapped by only one man. He must have made things look like he was a friend of hers, Joe said still visibly very agitated.

Definitely, Frank said. He must have. Otherwise there would have been a commotion and the involvement of the police by now.

With not much else to say, they sat tensely, each preoccupied with his own thoughts for what seemed like an eternity to them but was in reality about two minutes and then just as Frank was about to speak, Joe jumped up at the sound of a message coming into his phone.

It was a text message from Nadine’s London number and the message was crisp. ‘Be unfailingly in London tomorrow morning and call me at exactly 11am from the Paddington Hilton or else....’

Frank stood up. You have to leave tonight and see what Nadine is up to. I shall stay back for now to see if I can come up with anything on the whereabouts of Clara and Angel.

I hope they’re safe? Joe asked hopefully, looking fearfully at Frank as if he knew where they were.

He dialed Nadine’s number as he spoke and they both waited until it rang off without being picked before Frank responded.

They should be and you must insist on talking to them before acceding to any request of Nadine. They are her only leverage and I don’t see her doing anything foolish in that regard. Don’t worry brother, this nightmare will soon be over.

Unknown to both men, the nightmare was only just beginning.

CHAPTER 3

Sunday 1 st February

For Clara the nightmare had started exactly five minutes after Church was over.

As with most Sundays and especially just after church service, she was in a heavenly state.

Angel was intensely preoccupied with a game she was playing on her mobile phone and hardly noticed when Clara belted her down in the back seat and started doing the same to herself preparatory to starting the car.

Looking back she could not help but wonder whether matters may not have taken a different turn if she had acceded to the request of her friend Janet who had also gone through the church service and who on getting out of the church had walked up to her just as she was about to start the car.

Where are you off to? Janet had asked leaning against the car.

Rushing home to get something ready for my man. He couldn’t make it to church today and should be back home in about an hour or two.

Well ok I came with a cab and if you were not in a rush I would have gone with you so we can stop and spend some time at my place, Janet had said looking at her expectantly.

I can stop by later in the afternoon, Clara had replied knowing that she was not going to do so and thinking that the last thing she wanted to do was to start driving all the way to Janet’s house in Festac.

Ok let’s talk around 3pm. I think I’ll spend another one hour or so here to help Father Kobe with some of his Sunday chores. I have no one to rush home and cook for. 

Clara had watched her walk over to a group of women that were chatting by the side of the church building.

She had heard a slight tap on the window and