Jamaica

Chapter 7

The Lagos sun was already heating up close to 30 degrees when Jamaica left the hotel where Alfred lodged. She boarded a taxi shortly after meeting with Abisola and headed straight for the Sheraton. When she got there, through her uncle's arrangement she entered the meeting hall posing as a journalist. She went in and sat down among the many journalists that had come from different parts of the country.

After Alfred had given her the file at the hotel, she wondered what he was going to tell the journalists. She knew from the briefing she had with her uncle that he was protesting the government's decision to stop an oil  company from continuing its operations. This was a company in which he owned large shares. 

"It is necessary that these conniving criminals be exposed for turning a favorable government decision, into a decision which now has the power to shut down a legitimate business concern." He blasted over the microphone as he spoke.

Jamaica listened attentively as he challenged the government's decision. He believed, the decision was influenced by those he considered his enemies. Jamaica knew that this was a cover protest against any mention of Sambo Constructions. She listened carefully trying to understand Alfred's reasons for protesting the closure of the oil company. But the voice of the man that had sat down next to her distracted her.

"Alfred Bayo, I love this guy."  He said.

Jamaica  turned and faced a man in his early thirties, clean shaven and dressed in a navy blue suit. She stared at him and  couldn't take her eyes off him. She stared so much that she wasn't paying attention to what Alfred was saying anymore. But In that instant she remembered her uncle's words.

'In any situation, avoid distractions." She quickly composed herself and asked,

"And who are you?" She stared deeply into his eyes.
" A businessman."
"And what are you doing here? I mean, in a room full of protesters?"  He leaned towards her and in a whisper told her,
"I'm not Alfred whose business the government shut down."
"You are right, but if you are looking for new clients, you won't find them among  protestors." The man let out a smile.

"Clients are everywhere, you just have to spot them." He replied. Alfred's voice interrupted the conversation and Jamaica turned her attention towards Alfred.

"Let a legitimate government take legitimate decisions that are not influenced by external forces or criminals in high seats." 

Alfred was strong and outspoken in his condemnation of the government. He was greeted with a strong applause from the crowd who clapped, shouted and hailed him. The meeting ended in a unanimous support for Alfred and handshakes immediately followed. 

Jamaica got up and turned to face the man that had sat down beside her. But he had gone. She looked into the crowd to see if he was among those who went to shake hands with the politician. But she was surprised that he had disappeared.

She became a little suspicious and began to analyze their conversation. The man had told her that clients were everywhere; and that they just had to be spotted. She found this strange and quickly called her uncle. Her instinct told her that the man had come to take down Alfred. 

"How did the meeting go, Agnes?"

"We might lose him." She replied.

"Who?"

"The man in the picture. Someone is here to do business." Jamaica didn't hear from her uncle again. He had put her on hold.  She knew that he was making some kind of arrangements to secure the life of Alfred as he needed the List.

" Frank? Duke speaking. We have a problem." 

"Says who?" Frank asked, noting the urgency in Duke's voice.
"Agnes, she suspects Alfred might be taken out. Get cover for him immediately. I don't want to lose him."