The Hyena Code — Continuation 12

Special Intelligence Force (SIF) Headquarters. Lagos, Nigeria. 10am

Fatima stopped in front of a door with a sign that read “OFFICE OF THE REGIONAL HEAD, SIF.” She took a deep breath, then knocked on the door, opened it, and entered the room.

Her boss, Emeka, looked up as she entered the room. He was seated on a blue-black ergonomic chair behind a black L-shaped office desk. There was an open laptop and some files on the table. There was a glass cabinet behind him that contained official documents and a flip chart whiteboard on his right, which partly covered the large window that overlooked the Lagos Lagoon. Emeka was in an all-black combat uniform. There were two men seated opposite her boss on black leather chairs. They all turned to look at her.

“Good morning Boss, good morning Sirs,” she said as she saluted.

The men nodded their greeting and turned back to face Emeka. Fatima moved to stand on the left side of where her boss was seated. The man on the right side of Emeka was dressed in a simple, white agbada, while the other man was wearing a police uniform.

“Thank you for joining us,” Emeka said to her and then to the men, “Patricia is one of our best agents in the Special Intelligence Force. She is the one handling the case.”

“Let’s get on with it,” snapped Shola Salami, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, “it’s been two days since the bank incident, what’s the update?”

“Our preliminary investigations have revealed it was a well-coordinated attack,” stated Patricia, “the three dead robbers at the scene were members of an illegal and deadly campus gang called the Green Wolves. They operate mainly in Tertiary Institutions. One of our informants told us that the dead guys had been recruited by a certain individual called Werey Wolf. And the description of this Werey Wolf matches that of the robber that eyewitnesses said started the shooting in the banking hall.”

“Okay, it seemed this Werey Wolf double-crossed them,” said Wale Dawodu (Assistant Commissioner of Police), “but how were they able to attack and kill my police officers?”

“There was a sniper about half a mile away,” stated Patricia, “eyewitnesses confirm that a man and a woman had come to work on a cell tower in that area. They were dressed in the company’s overall clothes, so the villagers suspected nothing.”

Wale Dawodu sat up and cleared his throat. “Against the State’s Police Commissioner’s better judgement, the Governor has insisted you guys take the lead on this investigation, especially as your guys were killed at the scene of the robbery.” He paused and fixed his eyes on Patricia. “But what were your men doing in the bank?”

Patricia and Emeka exchanged a quick look. They were both of the opinion that the police force had a reputation for snatching failure from the jaws of success.

“They had gone to rescue a kidnapped victim and were lodging the ransom money into the SIF’s account instead of carrying cash with them.”

“The Governor’s close friend lost a loved one, so the Governor is interested in this case and wants the culprits brought to book as soon as possible,” stated Shola Salami.

Emeka nodded thoughtfully, “As you already know, we’ve got the sketch of the main suspect. We should have him in custody very soon.”

Shola Salami got up, “Okay, keep me informed of developments as they unfold.”

Wale Dawodu also got up and the two men walked out of the room.

Emeka turned to Patricia, “Our colleagues’ death must not be in vain.”

“It won’t sir.”

“Okay, get back to work.”

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Ikoyi, Lagos. 9pm.

Chief Ayodeji Olusi was wearing casual attire and working behind a desk on some documents. The major source of illumination in the room was the desk lamp. On the table were his laptop, mobile phone, books, and some other documents. His phone rang and he picked it up.

“Hello.”

“Two months from now, one of the senatorial seats of your state will be vacant.”

“Vacant? How?”

“Death by natural causes.”

“Two months from now?”

“Yes, two months or less.”

“So who is the replacement? Is my name there?”

“Yes, you are number three on the list.”

“How can I make number one?”

“Pray to God.”

“I don’t have that patience. What else can I do?”

“Play god.”

The call ended.

Chief Olusi hurried out of his study and up the stairs to the bedroom. His wife Stella, was sitting in front of the mirror cleaning off her makeup. The all-white bedroom was spotless, the blue-covered bed was laid, and there was nothing that was not properly arranged. His wife’s love language was the act of service, so she paid particular attention to the bedroom.

She was dressed in red nightwear and looked up as he entered the room. He leaned against the door to catch his breath.

Stella said, “Se ko si? Did you run up the stairs ni?”

He nodded. She stood up and walked to him.

“Kilo sele?” She asked.

“My senatorial ambition might be possible after all.”

She got up and started to dance in front of him. “For real? So I will celebrate my 50th birthday next year as a senator’s wife. Oya, tell me what is to be done?”

“We are two people away from it. Just need the right person to help with the dirty work.”

Hands behind her back, Stella slowly walked away from him, like someone in deep thought. She stopped in the middle of the room and walked back to him.

“Talk to your former school son, Kolade Kosoko. Shebi he is a retired army colonel and in the same fraternity as you. His wife once mentioned he knows how to solve “people” problems. So I’m sure he will know people who do dirty work.”

Ten minutes later, Chief Olusi was back behind his desk. He fiddled with his mobile phone, looked up at the ceiling, and tapped his head with the phone like a person deep in thought. After a few moments, he shrugged his shoulders and made a call.

“Aburo, bawo ni.”

“Mo wa dada sir (I’m fine sir),” replied Kola.

“Abeg, quick one. Let me pick your brain a little. At least, once a military man, always a military man.”

“Yesso, Egbon, na so.”

“Talking figuratively, how do you kill a Lion?”

“Well, there are three options.”

“Which are?”

“One, send a Tiger. Two, send another Lion, or three send Hyenas.”

What are the implications for these options?”

“Tigers are not natives of our land, it will stick out like a sore thumb.”

“That’s true. Then we can kuku send in another Lion.”

“That can work, but getting a Lion to hunt down another Lion is a pride thing, not a food thing.”

“Okay, which leaves us with option three.”

“Exactly. Hyenas are natural enemies of Lions. Though the Lion is more powerful, Hyenas are more cunning. And it has been known that wits, or better still, strategy beats power any day. So we send Hyenas.”

“Hmm, you have spoken wisely.”

“So which of the Lions are you hunting down?”

“I think a better question, would be, where do I get the Hyenas?”

“That’s easy egbon. Omo ina la ma ran si ina (we send the child of fire to deal with fire).”

“I’m all ears.”

“Ask the juju priest who made the target a Lion, to show you the Hyenas he also made.”

“Okay, o se aburo. Once I have the information I need. I will get back to you.”

“Okay egbon. Odabo.”

Signed

Olumide Holloway (King Olulu)