The Angel And The Fugitive – Chapter Fifteen Part A
THE ANGEL AND THE FUGITIVE – CHAPTER FIFTEEN PART A
© Reginald Obetta
Tafa’s relationship with Evelyn deepened so much that Bin-Ahmed would sit down, close to her and talk all day, became inseparable, disregarding the presence of his men. Only on some occasions, he asked the welfare of his members for a brief moment and then, returns to Evelyn. Rogers noted this change of attitude as irrational and Bin-Ahmed had gone soft. It was no good to him and the rest of the team to have a leader who acted this way, developing a close relationship with his captive. At one point, he ordered his men to untie her, get some new clothes for her and bring a chair for her to sit. The clothes she had been wearing was dirty, so much that it had a change of colour. This particularly irritated Rogers and Binani, so much that they left the building for the woods to have a rethink about the change of attitude of their boss;
“Something he gone wrong with him, her presence has totally overwhelmed him”
“Ever since he escaped, he has acted kindly. Whatever happened to him is related to his breakout “
“That is it. He’s acted differently “
“Who could have helped him escape by the way? “
“How should I know that? You ask him”
“He’s refused to tell me anything “
“Thrrrthrrrr “, Rogers phone rang. It was Alhaji who had called him to find out if he has gotten any information concerning Bin-Ahmed’s escape from military prison, Rogers replied in the negative and this got Alhaji infuriated and yelled at Rogers. He challenged him to be a worthy leader and for him to become one, he needs to start acting like one. Time was a factor and they were losing it and he concluded by telling him to get the information as quickly as possible and hung up. Binani was very curious to know why Alhaji called Rogers instead of Bin-Ahmed that was present. He suspected something was going on and demanded to know. Rogers never discloses his discussions with Alhaji to him.
“Okay, I will tell you but it’s between us. This information is sacred”
“What is it? “
“Alhaji asked me to find out some information concerning Bin-Ahmed’s escape from prison. He suspects something and is having issues trusting Bin-Ahmed “
“And that’s the reason for calling you? “
“Exactly “
“How are you supposed to do that? Putting tabs on a man that knows virtually everything about us and dangerous “
“He isn’t dangerous anymore. He has lost his fierceness and gallantry. You can help me achieve this, that’s why I told you after all. “
“How should we go about it? “
“Checking through his contact, possibly trailing him clandestinely wherever he goes”
“That is where we would have problems, he leaves like a ghost and returns like a spirit as he likes. Nobody knows his ins and outs. How we can trail such a man”
“Then we stay awake all the time till we know the time he gets out. Let’s just be at alert till we get what Alhaji is looking for. We can’t leave the monitoring to others “
“And what if it isn’t successful “
“It will. I have a plan that would finally get him to react. Trust me Binani, I just need a partner”
“Okay, we can do that”, he put forward his hand for a handshake with Rogers as a sign of agreement and smoked.
Bin-Ahmed’s discussion with Evelyn usually encroaches into the night, sometimes, in the morning, that is if he doesn’t plan on going anywhere. She no longer felt as a hostage, rather, she felt she was in another home faraway and different from her apartment or her parents. They discussed many topics, ranging from their background, faith, likes and dislikes and everything in between. Sometimes, it is repeated but they never found it boring or saw it as a dull moment. It pleased Evelyn to learn many things about Bin-Ahmed and why he chose a path he claimed was worthy of but was destruction, expounding certain things why somethings are permitted to happen to some while it doesn’t to some. Everybody gas his own cross to carry, just that some are seen as more gross than the other.
Bin-Ahmed would then go to his room and become insomniac, he would start to reflect everything he had discussed with Evelyn, particularly the one question she asked him why she couldn’t be released to go back home, Bin-Ahmed replied it wasn’t in his power to release her and she would feel bad. Bin-Ahmed felt guilty of at still keeping her. No matter how free she was there , that would never be her home, a place where she had known and where she resided and it almost feels like she was still his captive. Sometimes, he felt Evelyn was a reincarnation or a prototype of Rita. She bore similar resemblance in her faith in God, her knowledge of the world and attitude with her. He neither knew if she was dead or not and had his conscience judging his actions towards her. What he ordered his men to do to her was evil and thought of committing suicide, substituting his life for hers. It wouldn’t change the fact that what was done had already been done and irreversible.
There was a leaked statement from an anonymous source to the public and press, questioning the veracity of the military reports about Bin-Ahmed’s escape, stating the reports as false and fabricated and the non-involvement of Al-hida group in his escape. The statement along stated that the military was responsible for the breakout and should be questioned why they used the terrorist group as a believable excuse. The press immediately picked it up broadcasted and caused a wide public criticism, conducting interviews across the capital city, the people voicing their displeasure and distrust in the Government and their disloyalty towards them.
“What kind of government would delude his own people with false reports, letting a terrorist who is a danger to human lives parade on the streets. It’s obvious the military has been compromised and are working with the terrorists and should be all court marshall”, one of the interviewed stated and it continued that way. President Ajuwa was displeased at the leaked report and questioned himself where such could have sprouted from when they all agreed to comply with the reports released. Could it be he has a traitor in his government working against him? What if what the report stated was true, the military could have been causing a rebellion to get him out of office and that is why, Bin-Ahmed was released to continue to do what he knows how to do best. He quickly made up his mind to conduct an investigation Into every member of the army unit council. The mole could be right in front of him when he is looking far ahead.
Bin-Ahmed grew berserk over the reports and summoned all his men to inquire who must have done it. He was particularly afraid of his uncle, being discovered and his brother too whose job might be hanging in the balance. He knew one thing, who ever did it did it from within his men.
“Do you know what this statement could cause? It could jeopardize my escape from prison and everything in between. One of you is the traitor and if you don’t tell me who did it. You all will pay for the sins of the traitor”, he threatened and dismissed them. His rage and fierceness was back, some of the members stated. He talked like the person they knew him of. He ordered Rogers to find out the location of the report, Rogers concluded it was from Uwai state. Who could it have been that threatened his existence from there, he kept pondering.
“ I think we should carry out more investigation about the anonymous person that released this “It’s obvious one of my men did this and I will order their execution if they don’t provide me the culprit”
“What if it wasn’t them? What if it was some of the soldiers that knew of your escape but was afraid to tell “, Rogers suggested. His suggestion triggered something in Bin-Ahmed, the leak may come from his uncle or hid brother buy why would they? They were the ones that truly knew of his escape and now, they were jeopardizing it. The only way to find out was paying him a visit. He ordered Rogers to oversee the members in his absence. Rogers asked him where he was going but Bin-Ahmed didn’t disclose. That was Rogers plans, he had called someone in a newspaper agency, claiming to be a witness in Bin-Ahmed’s escape and delivered the statement. He claimed also to be anonymous and stated he wants the statement written in all the papers with the help of some money which he paid them. Rogers knew the only thing that could make Bin-Ahmed be thrown off balance was if it concerned a family. The passion he used to threaten them had never been seen in him by Rogers and he concluded, whoever that must have helped him escape was family and that accounted for his softness. Bin-Ahmed loved his family more than anything.
