Ex Gratia (#1 EX TRILOGY)

Chapter 22

Akoma spent the rest of the day eating outside and thinking about what the assignment could possibly be about. If it meant killing, she was not prepared for that. She could settle with doing something to feel even, but not something that meant dodging the police or regretting for the rest of her life. Rich had still not bothered to reach her, and she had decided not to call him either. She still had the divorce papers not signed. When she decided to finally return to Aba's at 6:45pm, she took out her phone and attempted to call her, but she was interrupted by an SMS notification. She opened it and saw twice the amount that was cleared from her account now received as a cash deposit. She ogled at the screen and covered her mouth.

Just then, Ender called. "That's a motivation for your first assignment," she said. "You are going to find a hotel and stay there. Nobody should know where you live, not even your friends. Neither should Rich find the location. Get to the traffic lights at Kpogas Furniture, Top High and wait there. Go there right now." The call ended.

Akoma headed for the location by taxi and went to stand near the traffic lights, looking around and tapping her phone on her chest impatiently. Cars were just whizzing past and few people were heading towards the street to Bomso and the highway towards Tech Junction minding their own business. Which of these was going to drop the package?

A car pulled over right in front of Akoma and she turned to look at it. The window at the driver's end rolled down to reveal Jake, Rich's lawyer. He frowned. "Akoma, what are you doing here? How are you?"

"I am OK. I am expecting someone," she replied.

Jake nodded. "OK."

Akoma felt like asking about Rich, but hesitated and averted her eyes. Jake stared at her for a moment and asked, "Has Rich contacted - ?"

"No."

Jake nodded out of dissatisfaction and shrugged. "This guy is crazy. I haven't seen or heard from him myself. Hmmm. But how are you holding up?" Akoma shrugged. Jake sighed. "It is well. Get yourself a vacation, or maybe get paid doing something you'll love."

Akoma turned slowly to look at him. "You knew I had a job already, right?"

Jake blinked. "Rich told me you are wedding planner. I don't know about now, so - I just thought maybe you had stopped or something." When he realized how Akoma was staring at him with suspicion, he raised his hands and chuckled. "Hey! Don't add anything up. I just met you, all right? I really hate what my friend is doing and I wished I could do something about it, but - hmmm."

"He paid you to help end our marriage," Akoma said silently.

Jake blinked. "Well - I guess I will see you later, then." He took out his call card and handed it to Akoma, who took it hesitantly. "Call me if you need anything."

"I will call you when I want to find you and kill you."

Jake winced, and he drove off instantly. Akoma sighed and looked around, wondering if she had missed the person supposed to drop to package. She took a step to the left and her foot hit something, and she looked down to see a small box covered in brown paper with her name and number printed onto it. She first looked around to be sure she could catch a glimpse of who did it but saw everyone moving about normally. There was also no sign of anyone dressed like Ender. She picked up the package quickly, carried her luggage and picked a taxi to drop her at a hotel near Baba Yara Stadium. As soon as she paid the bills in advance with her credit card, got herself a nice room and slumped onto her bed, Ender called.

"Open the package and tell me what you see," she instructed. Akoma sat up and took the package out of her handbag and started to tear it open. It contained a black box, and she looked closely at it to see 'Ex Gratia' faintly printed on it, but it was only visible when the lights were not shining on the cover. She opened the box and saw a white card with the inscriptions:
"'Welcome, Ex Agent Akoma Yamoah. This is your first assignment for Ex Gratia. Please read the question below and report to your immediate employee.'" Akoma peered down at the last message and snorted.