Chapter Eight
In attendance was inspector Latman, Superintendent Rolfman and some other clever officers. ‘Mysterious Fire Outbreak was the front page news that morning in almost all the news papers. The evening news carried it too. Dr. Palmer was a very popular man both with the police and the public, not quite a year ago he miraculously saved the life of the state police chief. He was known for as a very hardworking and clever doctor among his colleagues. The papers gave different opinions on the incidence, but all of them centered on the point that the fire outbreak was a thing of surprise to everyone.
That the cause of the outbreak was not yet known, but it was suspected that some one was behind the disaster. One neighbor told the reporters that he heard the sound of a car that drove off hastily immediately after the outrageous fire outbreak. After the fire had been quenched, the reporters asked inspector Latman for some comments, but he refused. According to the news, Dr. Palmer and his family had been taken to the hospital, it was reported that his second son obtained a fatal injury on the left side of his head.
Meanwhile they are all in the emergency ward in the hospital. Addressing his men the deputy commissioner said the police believed that there was some one behind the outbreak. He said they suspected that the house was doused with kerosene before the fire was thrown in. ‘As you all know’, he said, the press are shouting for action, from us they described the incidence as a heinous crime’.
He further said that the unknown person brought a gallon of petrol with him, which he used for generating the fire, this gallon was found across the road. The mans foot marks were traced from the house to somewhere under a large tree, where fresh tire marks were found. ‘I suspect that this vacant personality is a professional, but what he would want to do with or get from Dr. Palmer remains hidden’. Inspector Latman had said the only reason ‘ I guess’ was that the doctor might have handled a case in recent time, and some of that persons close relative who thought he did the job carelessly had come to revenge.
Superintendent Rolfman said it might be someone whom Dr. Palmer was in a way blocking his progress. ‘Progress? How? Latman asked ‘He works for both government and works for the private hospitals. Some one at the hospitals might have been walking in his shadows for a very long time and might have decided to get rid of him’. Just then a call came from the hospital; the doctor said he regrets to say that the second son of Dr. Palmer gave up five minutes ago. ‘the others are making notable progress’.
The deputy commissioner said he would send over some of his men, to see Dr. Palmer, ‘eight thirty’, the doctor replied. The time was seven forty five. He appointed superintendent Rolfman to take charge and be assisted by Inspector Latman. He said one of the other officers should see to it that a public advertisement is given on the papers in the morning; he said someone might have been watching secretly, anyone with relevant information would receive one hundred and twenty Pounds. Rolfman followed by Latman went out of the massively furnished room.
Dr. Palmer was looking very much like the picture taken by an amateur photographer of an over-powdered face. He was thin from head to toe, every hair on his head stood out one after the other. Superintendent Rolfman felt very sorry for him. ‘Good evening Dr, Palmer’ Rolfman greeted, Palmer gave no answer. ‘Please accept my sympathy for the loss’. ‘the chief sends you his heartfelt sympathy’. ‘Thank you, now is that all? Palmer retorted. ‘No Doctor, there are something’s I’ll like to discuss with you, pertaining to the incident of last night’. ‘We found a gallon of petrol at about 5 poles from your house and we traced footmarks to under a large tree where we found fresh tire marks, our suspicion is that someone is at the back of this.
Is there any of your patient, who has died because of your, forgive me for using the word ‘carelessness? Dr. Palmer raised his head and casted an eye brow at Rolfman slowly. ‘Clear that from your mind, there’s nothing like that, the only patient in my care was at a private hospital, five years ago, I had been attending to some patients at the general hospital’. ‘Err, thank you doctor’. ‘Doctor, is there anything you know that might incriminate someone? Latman asked. Rolfman looked at Latman in surprise. ‘What did you say? Palmer asked.
‘Oh skip it doctor’, Latman replied. Rolfman interrupted, ‘Can we see Mrs. Palmer?’
‘You can see her as you go, she’s in the 5th room, and there’s nothing like what you’ve just said’. ‘Oh forget it doctor, it’s just a passive statement’. ‘By the chief’s order, you have two guards here’, Rolfman said. ‘When did I become a prisoner, I need no guard’, he pointed out. ‘I won’t disturb you anymore, doctor we are doing our best’. Rolfman said and left the room together with Latman. Jaspa, Borrowly, and Shaki sat down, digesting the news of the front page, it was about fifteen minutes past nine, and they were ready to take on Olumide. Jaspa complained of a running stomach, so he wouldn’t be able to do the job, so he would not appear lousy.
They agreed, borrowly and Shaki went together. Inspector Clive came back to the spot, his colleague waited patiently and a particular house on Akande Street with the information that he should keep total surveillance on the house, until inspector Latman was ready to attend to the case, he was at the moment faced with finding the person behind the fire outbreak. The head light of a car opposite their own car called their attention. Clive saw a fat lumpy figure get out of the car, another person came out, he was shorter than the first one, he was slimmer, and Clive recognized Mr. Shaki. The two men entered the house, nobody seemed to notice them. He called the headquarters and asked for inspector Latman, he is not available they told him. He dropped the receiver.
The minutes crawled by, he continued his watch. Clive was beginning to get impatient; he hoped the men inside with Olumide weren’t doing anything funny. What could they want from him? He asked himself, over the years Shaki was known as a big time trouble maker and a notorious character. Could there be any trouble on the way? It that the reason Olumide left his father without telling him, what kind of deal was there between the two men? He wished he knew the answer to these questions. The two Inspectors agreed that Clive should keep the men under his sight, while the other Inspector keeps on watching the house, as the two men came out of the house together with Olumide Ogunbeshin.
Shaki had U-turned the Mazda saloon and was heading for the right turn end of the street. Clive was steadily at it’s tail, his head ached badly. He was one of those Inspectors who were deprived of further promotions as they call it, he was not much educated, he could speak English and could write it.
He was a very brainy man, for a long time he knew the team Shaki led, he knew that any time Shaki starts something, it turns out to be a big deal and he always beat the police to the age long game. This like all others could be another of those big deals. He determined that if anything was possible to use in blocking shaki’s way, he would do so. As they turned to overland park lane, Clive wanted to read a meaning to this whole affair. Four days ago the information came from a top government official that a boy was missing; investigations were to be made secretly, why? The day they found the boy, one of the most notorious characters, picks him up, was Shaki the one that sent for him/ or was he going to use him as an instrument? Shaki had many boys; he could use them any time he wanted.
So what type of instrument would Olumide be to him? The Mazda was now stopping in front of Miguel hotel and slowed. Hen he noticed something else, at the edge of shaki’s belt under his jacket was a .32 shot gun, it centered on Olumide’s back. Shaki’s hand was in the pocket of the Jacket; he could release shots without removing his hand form the pocket and being noticed. It was then clear to him that Olumide was kidnapped.
Just at that moment his walkie talkie came alive. ‘Alpha two calling four five, come in’, this is four five’, Clive replied. ‘Any news, four five? Latman asked. ‘Yes sir, I followed them to Miguel hotel, it was Shaki and borrowly who kidnapped Olumide, they went into the hotel about two minutes ago’. ‘So Shaki is at kidnapping again’, he’s sunk’. ‘Yes sir, but I don’t believe this an ordinary kidnap. How did Shaki get to know that Olumide was in town? If there had been a deal between them, he would have been kidnapped’. ‘Yes that’s the point Clive, but you keep on it, I’ll send you some more plain clothes. I am working on Palmer’s case right now so I can’t join you, out’. Clive waited patiently for some minutes, and then he picked up his walk-talkie. ‘This is four five calling on team HD2’.
‘This is team HD2, we read you clearly’. You are on your way to Miguel hotel, park a few yards to the hotel and keep your eyes open, out’. Clive got out of the car, the traffic was busy, young boys and girls walked arm in arm, men chatting about one thing or the other, everybody is always busy in Lagos. Clive’s mind was busy; he walked along the long line of parked cars, being very alert.
His aim was to see his friend who was then the barman for Miguel Hotel. He did not think his friend, peter would know much, but maybe he could give him a lead. He got the hotel was filled with people by the number of cars parked in front of the hotel. Even as he climbed the stairs people in front of the hotel brushed past him, both men and pretty well dressed ladies. As he entered the bar, the odor of wine, beer and cigarette flames greeted him, no one seemed to care about who came in. He walked over to the bar man, he was attending to a pretty lady, the way he smiled when the lady left showed he admired her. Clive sat on one of the stools. What! Clive? He exclaimed in disbelief. ‘Is this you Clive?’ ‘It’s me alright Peter, it’s been a long time, how’s life with you? ‘Not bad at all. Won’t you have a drink? I’ve got a good stock in here?
‘No thanks Peter, I’m on duty you know, there is one thing I’ll like you to help me out of’, ‘why not Clive, if there is anything I can do’. ‘There is something going on in this building’. The smile on Peter’s face faded. Mr. Shaki and a Man called borrowly have kidnapped someone; do you know anything concerning this? ‘No’, another customer interrupted. ‘Two bottles please’, ‘yes, here you are’, Thanks, he left.
‘You see I am an ordinary bar man here. I do my job and I get my pay’ neither of them said a thing for about three seconds, then peter spoke. ‘One of shaki’s boys is a room mate of mine, he told me casually yesterday, that there was going to be a robbery, he didn’t say anymore. ‘A Robbery? When?’ ‘He didn’t say anymore, I wasn’t interested in what they did, so I didn’t bother to ask’. ‘Okay thanks a lot Peter’. Is there any one you know who can give me any more information? ‘No’, he said shaking head, ‘I’m really sorry Clive, I wish I could help better’. ‘That’s all right Peter, Seeing you’.
‘Bye and Good luck’.
Clive smiled to himself as he went hastily down the stairs; maybe he needed a bit of luck to crack this nut. He reviewed the information he just got. There was going to be a robbery. Shaki Kidnaps Olumide, who disappeared from home four days ago? Why the kidnapping, if it was going to be a robbery. Then it dawned on him slowly and clearly. Olumide’s father was a rich man, Olumide would be forced to tell them about his father’s secrets, then it would be easy to rob his father.
But then Olumide would become a danger to them. They wouldn’t leave him alive. ‘Was it by coincidence that Olumide disappeared from home and got into the hands of Shaki or did someone trick him into coming to Lagos for that purpose? He thought something should fill that gap, and he was determined to find it. As he took his last step down, he noticed a door, leading to a garage. He decided to check it and he went in. There were a number of cars parked in there. A young boy came to him. ‘Can I help you sir’, he asked ‘ I want to see the person in charge of this garage, to meet an old man, in a little kiosk, reading the evening news, under a dim light, he seemed to be straining his eye to see through the double lenses of a brown framed spectacles. The old man raised his head.
‘Oh! Hello there my son, do you want to hire a car, you didn’t have to come down yourself, you could have used the phone. Anyway here you are, which brand do you like I’ m not here on that business. Clive said gently, leaning on the window. My name is Clive Johnson; I am a detective Inspector, from the homicide department. I would like to have a short discussion with you; he said those words with exaggerated patience, the he quickly said ‘Could I come in please’. ‘What is it we have to discuss?
‘Clive swiftly turned to the door and opened the door, as he stepped inside closing the door behind him, he said; ‘My name as I said is Clive Johnson, Sir. Can I know your name? The Old man did not answer the question, Clive noticed he was thinking about something and at the moment was carried away by his thoughts. After a few seconds he said abruptly; ‘yes I got it now, I remember your father was a police inspector before he retired. Mr. Johnson the hard-working Police. I suppose you are following his footsteps’. ‘Yes, you are right sir’, Clive interrupted. But I need your help sir. There has been a robbery plan by Mr. Shaki and Mr. Borrowly, is there anything you have tell me concerning that?
I don’t know a thing about that, but I suspected there was something going on. Yesterday, it was very late, when Mr. Borrowly borrowed a car from here, Mr. Shaki left five minutes before him. Then after about five or ten minutes one of shaki’s boys came down, he said Mr. Shaki sent him somewhere. He took a car’. Clive asked more questions but reckoned he wouldn’t bet more. ‘
Thanks much sir, it’s been my pleasure meeting you. Is there any other person I could get more information from? Clive made it sound as second thoughts. Except Dr. U. J. palmer’ no other person I know of. ‘Dr. Palmer? Clive could not hide his surprise. ‘Yes, he is shaki’s private doctor’. Much thanks sir, I’ll be off now’. Clive sprang to his feet and rushed out. Clive, once outside contacted the other men and told them that nothing was to leave the building without their notice. Again he called inspector Latman and told him to wait at the hospital, he ‘would be surprised to hear’, what he heard.
On his way to the hospital, Clive got a great shock when he heard that the second son of Dr. Palmer was dead. It was on the news bulletin. He knocked on door number seven at exactly 11.20. ‘Come in’, he heard Rolfman say.
