Forgive the Godfather

14: Luke Dew meets with Labo

About twenty minutes later, with the time approaching the the hour of five, Luke eased his car into the sprawling housing estate and stopped in front of the Labo Yowa residence.

"My name is Luke, Mr Labo is expecting me," Luke explained to the short gate man who nodded, gapping at the Mercedes coupe as he pushed the gate to one side.

Luke parked beside a black gleaming Land Cruiser truck under a canopy. He cut the engine and stepped out, gazing at the huge mansion.

Then he walked up the short steps of the verandah and, before he could knock on the door, the door was opened by a short, dark, stocky man with a ball-shaped head and a well-groomed moustache, dressed in an open neck T-shirt and blue jeans.

"My name is Dew, Luke Dew. I'm here to see Mr. Labo."

Globy, blood shot eyes out of a ball of a head appraised Luke, and then the man moved to one side. "Please come inside," Labo said. "We've been expecting you."

Luke followed the man into the spacious sitting room. "You are Mr Labo, I suppose?"

"That's right," Labo said. "Please pardon me for not properly introducing myself. I have a lot on my mind." He stopped before the big leather settee and offered his hand.

Luke grabbed the fat soft hand. "I can understand that," he said.

"Please sit down," Labo offered, and lowered himself beside Luke. "What can I offer you, a drink perhaps?"

"I was referred by Mr Kris Kopp from the SSS," Luke said. "He said the matter was urgent. So, here I am."

"That's right," Labo said. "I suppose that Kris also told you my predicament?"

"So he did. Still, better to hear straight from the horse's mouth," Luke said.

Before he could speak further Debra, wearing a long gown, came down the stairs. Luke immediately noticed her distressed mood. Her eyes looked puffy, an indication that she had been crying.

"Mr Luke, meet my wife, Debra," Labo said and turned to his wife, "Debra, meet Mr Luke. He was recommended by Kris."

"Mr Luke, good evening," she said, coming to sit beside her husband. "Kris said that you can help us."

"Depends what is required of me," Luke said.

"Well, Mr Luke -" Labo began.

"Luke will be fine," Luke cut in quickly. "The less formal the better the discussion."

"Alright Luke," Labo went on. "Our daughter was kidnapped this morning. I was having my lunch when a man called and threatened that if I don't pay five hundred million naira, I will not see my daughter again. The man warned me not to go to the police if I want my daughter in one piece. I didn't know what to do so I consulted with Kris who recommended you."

"That's it?" Luke asked when it appeared as though it was all Labo was going to say.

"The voice on the phone," Luke probed further, "who spoke to you on the phone, was it a male or female voice?"

Labo cleared his throat, then said, "It was a male voice all right. I cannot be mistaken about that."

"Did you recognize the voice?" Luke asked further.

"No, I didn't recognize the voice," Labo answered.

Luke realized with exasperation that he wasn't making any progress at all. He went on, "Okay, when is he expecting you pay the money?"

"He gave me today up to the day after tomorrow," Labo said.

Luke sat back and gave the impression of brooding over the scanty piece of information that he'd obtained so far. But from the expectant look in their eyes, Luke thought maybe they expected to see him pull a rabbit out of a hat, like some goddamn magician.

Luke Dew wondered what was expected of him. He decided to throw the ball back them.

"Alright, let's get to the point," Luke said. "What exactly do you expect me to do?"

Labo exchanged looks with his wife. Then he turned to Luke. "I - we don't know," Labo stammered. "Kris told us that you could help us."

"Mr Labo, let me put it this way," Luke said. "When kidnappers demand a ransom, there is always room for negotiation. Hey, look I don't have the amount that you are asking, this is what I can offer you. Have you tried to negotiate with the man who called you?"

Labo sat upright. "I didn't know that. Well, anyway the man didn't give me a chance to speak. He cut the call before I could think of what to say."

"Mr Luke, can you help us find our daughter, please?" Debra spoke for the first time. "We don't have five hundred million naira to give this man."

Luke considered this. "I could try to find your daughter," he said cautiously. "However, time is short. Besides, I will need a lot more background information, then I will decide if I can attempt to find your daughter."

"You said that we could negotiate," Labo put in.

"How much do you think that the man will accept?"

Luke considered this. "Depends how pressed he is for money, and perhaps how greedy he is. Also, his source of information. There's no fixed amount in these situations."

Labo scratched his ball head. He consulted with his wife. Then turned to Luke.

"Listen, Mr Luke, sorry, Luke - "

"Never mind," Luke said carelessly.

"We want to hire you to be our consultant on all matters pertaining to this issue, as you seem to have a lot of experience."

Luke took his time. Then he said, "Let's put it this way. Between now and the day after tomorrow, I will dig up as much information as I can find that may lead me to where they are holding your daughter.

"Also, I will suggest that you bargain with this man when he calls you again, and try to buy more time. Tell him you are trying to put the money together. This will give me more time to try and catch up with them, but I can assure you that it is not going to be easy. Does this sound all right by you?"

Both husband and wife nodded their head vigorously.

"Yes, that sounds okay by me." He turned to Debra.

"Yes," Debra chipped in, "Mr Luke, we will go along with you."

Luke got to his feet, took off his jacket and, walking over to the dining table, hung it on the back rest of one of the chairs. Then he pulled out a chair and sat down.

"I will have that drink now, Mr Labo. Also, I will need a pen and paper. And then we can sit down and really start talking ,"