Forgive the Godfather

20: Labo sources for ransom money

Labo Yowa was tensed up to his neck, and nearly choking as the arms of the clock ticked by the second.

Today was the day after tomorrow that a male voice on the phone had said he would be giving instructions on where to deliver the ransom money.

The fact that Labo did not have the amount of money being demanded, coupled with the fact that Luke, apparently had not been able to trace the location where his daughter Linda was being held hostage, further raised his blood pressure. Then his nagging wife with her constant weeping and restlessness made Labo feel like crawling up on the wall.

With hands that were far from steady, Labo dialed up Luke's number. It was a few minutes past eight o'clock in the morning.

"Luke here," Luke's calm voice filtered through Labo's eardrums.

"Luke, good morning. Today is the day the man said that he will be calling. How much do you think that I should offer?"

There was a pause, then Luke's voice came through. "It really depends on how much you can readily lay your hands on. It is a bargain, I cannot possibly dictate to you how much you should offer. I am saying this because, if push comes to shove, in the event that we have not been able to find out where they are holding your daughter, you must be seen to be delivering the amount of money that you have bargained."

Sweat broke out on Labo's forehead, which he wiped away impatiently. "Are you saying there is no hope of locating this place that they are keeping Linda? You

promised to find her and bring her back home!" Luke's voice remained calm when he spoke again. "Right. I promised to find your daughter and bring her home. I still stand by my promise. I never make a promise that I cannot keep. A lot depends also on luck. I can assure you that I've made a lot of progress. Apart from recovering Linda's car, I have also identified and tracked down the van that was used for the operation.

"I also have the identity of the man who hired the van. I also know that there is a girl involved. So, I have made tremendous progress and covered a lot of ground. Your daughter is within an arm's reach."

Hearing Luke's calm and confident voice, Labo felt reassured, and he began to calm down. "Okay, Luke if you say so."

Labo stared at his cell phone for a long time after Luke had cut the connection.

"What did he say?"

Labo jerked round. Debra stood before him. He hadn't heard her walk up to where he was standing in the living room by the window. He swallowed hard. "He is making good progress," Labo said lamely. "That doesn't sound good," Debra wasn't satisfied with Labo's response.

Labo took a few steps and dropped into the leather settee holding his head in his hands. Finally he made up his mind. He could not sacrifice his daugher's safety for his political ambition.

He knew that of the five hundred million put together by his party, his own personal contribution was two hundred million naira. He would call the financial secretary and demand his contribution to be returned to him. Period. As soon as he'd made this decision he felt as though a huge burden had been lifted off his shoulders.

Labo stood up and walked to the glass liquor cabinet and poured himsel a high ball. He walked bak to the settee and sat down. After taking a sip from the tall glass, he placed a call to his party's financial secretary, a man called Bitru Milka.

"Ah, Labo how are you? What's up?" Bitru's voice floated over.

"I am fine," Labo said. "Listen, something has come up. I wish to withdraw my contribution to the party's coffers."

Silence.

"Bitru, are you there? Did you hear what I said?" Bitru Milka was an astute man. Medium height, with greying hair, and a little flabby around the middle, immediately sensed trouble.

"Labo, what is the matter with you? Are you no longer interested in becoming governor of the State?

This thing has been well worked out, and the seat is there for you just for the taking. Are you getting cold feet or what?"

Fresh sweat broke out on Labo's forehead and his armpits. He knew it wasn't going to be easy pulling out the money.

"Look, I didn't say that I was no longer interested, okay? All I am saying is that something very urgent and pressing has come up requiring an amount of money equal to my contribution into the party's coffers and I want it back, right away! When I'm done

I will replace it. That is all I'm asking."

"Labo, this is serious," Bitru said. "Where are you? Are you at home? I'm coming over. We can't be discussing this on the phone. I am coming over to your house right away."

"No!" Labo found himself shouting. "You keep away from my house. There is nothing to discuss. It is my money, and as such I am demanding to have it back right now. What I expect of you is to call the treasurer - whoever and arrange to have two hundred million delivered at my house within the hour. Have I made myself clear?"

Debra couldn't bear to listen to her husband yelling on the phone. She got up and hurried upstairs where she fell on the bed wailing uncontrollably.

"I hear you alright," Bitru said. "I promise you that you will regret your actions, sooner than later."

"I will regret nothing!" Labo threw back. "It is my money, and I demand to have back!"

"Alright," Bitru said slowly, "If that is the way you feel about it. So be it." Angrily, he cut the connection.

He was still in a fiery temper when he called the treasurer.

"Hello, good morning, Bitru, what is happening?" Lesu Dogi, Treasurer answered.

"My friend there is nothing good about this morning, and worse is happening," Bitru said, his voice strained.

"Tell me about it," Lesu said mildly. "I know it has to do with money. I know that the economy is biting very hard."

"My friend stop being funny. Labo just called me. He wants the money that he contributed to the party's purse to be returned to him immediately."

"What?" Lesu exploded. "Is this a joke or what?

What do you mean, what are you talking about?"

"Lesu, I hope that you are not deaf. I said Labo just called me -"

"I heard what you said," Lesu interrupted. "What has come over Labo? Is he no longer interested in to become governor? You and I know the serious arrangements that we have made. Labo's position is already secured in the coming election. What is he talking about? Maybe I should talk to him myself."

"He is not interested in talking to anybody," Bitru said at length. He was beginning to calm down. "I suggested that I will go to his house so that we can discuss the matter but he refused. He warned me not to come to his house."

"Did he tell you what he wants the money for?" Lesu asked.

"He did not. He simply said that it was an emergency.

He wants the money within one hour."

"What? We are talking about two hundred millon," Lesu exclaimed.

"Anyway," Bitru said. "Labo said that he was still interested in the governorship position. That he will return the money afterwards."

A little silence ensued.

Then Lesu said thoughtfully. "That being the case, I think we should oblige him. Afterall he is the largest singular contributor to the funds."

"Do you think that we should inform the Chairman?" Bitru wanted to know.

After a while, Lesu said, "No, I don't think so. I don't think it is necessary. I will raise the check immediately and send it to you for your signature. Your signature and mine is enough for the bank to clear the check and release the money."

"I will be waiting," Bitru said and hung up.