chapter 4

"Well, the interior of your home is certainly exquisite."

"Thank you, father," Deekae replies, almost robotical.

"Where are my grandchildren?" André whirls around to ask. The portrait he was previously observing seemed to sigh at him.

"At school, father. And they'll be going to stay with my mother for the time being."

"And I trust all is well between you and my daughter?"

The chief stiffens, imperceptibly, only for a second. "Yes, father, all is well."

"Good, good," he waves off the response. Deekae gets the feeling the man had never really cared for his answer.

Or perhaps he knew that was the only thing he could say if he liked the way his head was attached to his neck and shoulders.

"Well, down to business." The Don takes his seat in front of Deekae's desk. "Do you know why I'm here?"

"Asides the goons, Elena didn't give me much else," the chief says slowly. "Why Port Harcourt anyway, father?"

"For starters, I'm looking to expand my drug and human trafficking business. For that, I'll need the goons."

Deekae nods, swallowing.

"And why Port Harcourt? Abuja happens to be sparsely populated. Anything we do is sure to arouse suspicion immediately. On the other hand, Lagos is far too congested. Besides, can you imagine a clean getaway in Lagos traffic?" André chuckles to himself.

"Ah... I see. Port Harcourt has a population of 11 million, and the traffic situation is quite mild. It's quite like the best of both worlds..." Deekae's brows furrow. "But there's also the Imo - Kaduna region."

"Close to the Atlantic?" André questions. "I know this is your home, but there can be no sentiments in this business."

"I... understand, father."

"Good. Besides, Port Harcourt has a good number of schools so our goal should be very simple to achieve."

"You want to kidnap children from their schools?" Asks Deekae, almost bewildered.

"Unnecessary. Why on earth would I do that when I could make them come to us?"

Seeing his son-in-law's clear confusion, he continues. "There's a reason you're the minister of transport and not the nation's treasurer like you originally wanted."

The chief's eyebrows twitch. So this old dart was the one, eh?

"As such, you can afford to close any road for construction, thereby forcing people to reroute. However, you'd need to do this in remote areas, making sure there isn't any security personnel for miles."

"I'll see what I can do."

"Do not fail me, Decay." André relishes in the almost pained look on the chief's face. "Ah, yes. Any word on the Martells?"

"I thought they were in Italy?"

"So naïve, Decay. The Martells are now based in Nigeria. According to my sources, their operation routes happen to be between Imo and Port Harcourt."

"That's the real reason you came here then."

"But of course. To finish what Antonio started in Italy."

"...no, I haven't heard any word from them. What do you want me to do?"

"Nothing. I already know how they operate. I just need to snatch their clients."

"Should we then hand them over to the authorities?"

"For a corrupt politician, you are incredibly stupid. Considering how rotten your government is, you don't think Sylvester Martell has people in it who can help him out?"

_There's no pleasing this man_ ,Deekae almost sighs.

"Of course, father. I shall have their operations closely monitored."

"Now, back to our business. I'll need a list of schools planning field trips, preferably all girls' schools."

"I'll prepare one."

André smirks. "It's time to take Port Harcourt by storm then. I'll be staying for 6 months to supervise the operations so you do not fuck this up."

_Wretched Italian isn't even giving me a chance. I'll soon show you just how competent I really am_.

"Of course, father. Now how about lunch?"

"Oh yes," the man seems to brighten considerably. "I've heard a whole lot about the Nigerian jollof rice."

_Just you wait, old man. I'll be the one in charge soon. Very soon._