The Filters 7

The doctor walked in at that moment and Jude faded into the darkness like a picture in a flame.

 When he came to again, he was queried and suspended from the force. Promises were made of appeals and reinstatement, the promises were broken, and as he acclimated to civilian life, his parents became irritated with constantly having him  around, He tried to explain that he was built for The Force, that he wasn't capable of anything else, the gun was the sole  extension of himself but they would not listen. So it was on a sunny day, in the bowels of Ikeja, that Mr. Stanley found him, with a thin cv between his bulky arms, and an instantly identifiable gleam in his eyes.

"Good afternoon sir."

"Good day Mr. Ibru, please sit down, coffee?"

"No thank you sir."

"Okay, I hope you like the place we got for you, and the car is to your taste?"

"Yes sir, it's all very nice, but..I still stand by my words that I am not capable of running a club."

Mr.Stanley took off his glasses and turned his cup of coffee on the saucer. Then he looked at Jesse matter of fact-ly, like the look a crowd gives a comedian who has overplayed a joke.

"Mr. Jesse...Jesse, do you mind if I call you Jesse?"

He shook his head and Mr Stanley continued.

"Jude...we both know that your not here to talk about Club management."

Jesse looked to the floor nervously and looked back at his benefactor, there were few things and even fewer people who intimidated him, and this man had swiftly become one of them.

"I...I don't understand sir."

"Its been two weeks Jesse, and in those two weeks I've learned quite a lot about you."

"Ok?"

" I know that you've trained all your life to be a fighter, and now they've ripped you of your uniform, but not of that spirit."

"And what spirit is that?."

"The spirit of a fighter Jesse.Now I am going to ask you two questions Jude, and I need unequivocal answers."

"Ok sir, I will try my best."

"Do you understand that what I do here behind this desk goes beyond the confines of the law?."

Jesse gulped and peeled his eyes away from Mr Stanley's adhesive stare.Then he returned to it, with an adhesive stare of his own.

"Yes."

"Good. The Second question is, and I need you to think hardly about this one. You're a fighter. Does it matter on whose side?"

Jesse did not hesitate.

"No."

NOW.

"I'm going to write the check, but I need to know how many people are on the pay roll." Jude said to Jesse over a cup of Martini.

"Well, under normal circumstances I would've taken just two operatives, but such insubordination is unprecedented. Hakim must have protection, but nothing we can't handle, so I'll take four."

"Ok, you gonna choose?"

"Yes, I'd like to."

"Alright then."

A comfortable silence ensued and Jesse imbibed his Martini Till nothing but a lemon sat in his glass. Jude's remained untouched, and like a woman without makeup, this was a tell tale sign of a troubled mind.

"What's up?"

"Just thinking..."

"About?"

"The guy with the ring...."

Jude sighed and signaled the Bartender for another cup.

"We have people on it man, you know that."

"Yes, but they've come up with squat."

The glass of Martini was placed before Jude and he took a generous gulp.

"Look man, if you want to take another 3 months and look for this guy, then be my guest, but I've said it before, and I'll say it again. You have a life with us, sure it may not be legitimate, but it's still something, and I really just don't see how that guy is of any importance to you."

"It could be a girl." Jude stated.

"What?"

"It could be a girl who killed six men whom I knew well enough to call brother, a girl who drove a wedge between my parents and I. A girl who let me live and yet still killed me. Man or woman, boy or girl, I will have my revenge, in blood. "

"Ok." Jesse said with an inkling of sarcasm. He was going to make a crude remark about another way he could bring his wrath upon a female arch enemy, but thought better of it.

"For now though, Hakim's corpse will have to do." Jude said and knocked down the contents of his glass in one gulp.

The Filters 6

  Jesse Ibru used to be a straight arrow, before the lawlessness and deadly silence, he wanted to be a Police officer, to serve and protect. So at the age of 14 he was enrolled at Command. The school toughened him, gave his mother a few scars to sulk about, and his father a son to be proud of.After his secondary school education, he applied and immediately began training to join the police force, but his need for adroitness pushed him beyond this, so he learnt mixed martial arts, overcame agliophobia, and spent his spare time reading every book on crime he could find. This put him on the fast track to detective, the youngest the country had ever seen. Yes things were all going smoothly for Jesse, that was until he took on his first case. He and his team had the suspects on surveillance for months. The influx of drugs into Lagos state was at an all time high, and word on the street was, the underground ring was run by a group of sophisticated dealers, known as the Party Train. So Jesse followed all leads, and it led him to the 7 friends sharing a duplex.They finally had some hard evidence on the peeps, so he lead the charge for their arrest, knowing full well this was the way to start, with a bang!, but as fate would have it, things didn't work out so well.

   Pieces of shrapnel sat snug in his vest, sweat ran furiously down his face and leaped unto his hands which held on to his gun with the efficiency of a caterpillar clinging to a leaf. He switched his weight from one foot to the other, blending further into the ominous shadow the door cast.His breathing was almost inaudible, his bearing calm and graceful like a swan before capturing it's prey. His partners were littered around the house, lifeless with their guns mourning not to far from their corpses. By his count he concluded there were about three or four assailants left in the building.One was fatally wounded by a gunshot to his lower abdomen, two were competent but impulsive shooters, and the last, the one that kept him keen and calculating was a professional, no doubt he'd had some formal training, casually he'd taken about a dozen of Jesse's team out, and all shots fired in hopes of his demise had been as futile as trying to kill a fly with a tennis racket.But he wasn't immortal, and Jesse intended on using one of the 6 bullets he had left to prove it.So he waited, and seconds tirelessly turned to minutes, and minutes crawled laboriously into an hour, but he was patient.

 A squeak. Converse against plywood. Someone was moving, slowly but surely.He propped his head, ready for anything.The target in the converse became less cautious, he kicked what sounded like a can out of his way and his steps came down against the wood with louder thuds.Jesse now knew his targets position, he would have to spin out at an angle of 45 degrees to hit the target, and that would leave him vulnerable for about four seconds before returning to the safety of the door. It seemed worth it, growing in confidence, his target began to taunt.

"Mr.man, you know say e don finish, we still plenty full ground, all your men don die, you're the lone survivor here, I respect that, I like survivors,but they don't pay you enough for this shit, so  come out, drop your weapon, let's work together here."

Detective Jesse Ibru smiled, his target had made numerous mistakes, first was his voice had given away his height and thus a shot to the head could now be effectively made, second was his target considered him to be the everyday police man, fickle and needy as indicated by his use of pidgin.Third and most critical was he'd made a gross under estimation. Jude didn't need men, he needed three or four bullets, meaning he had two bullets to spare. He deftly spun into position, pulled the trigger, then spun back behind the door.The only proof he had that his target was hit was the plopping down of a body.The kill was like throwing a stone into a calm lake, so the place burst with activity. He could now hear two or three men moving about in the living room, this was his chance. He spun out of the door again and dived onto the wooden floor, the rays of sun that managed to permeate the thick curtains offered him enough light to see silhouettes, so as he did before, he pulled the trigger. One dropped.He had Two to go.

He rolled on the floor like a dog trying to get rid of flees, and bullets followed in his wake.  He kept rolling till he was in the kitchen,once  there he stood up, and shot the assailant brazen enough to dart through the door after him. He was left with one.It was no doubt the skilled assailant. Picking up his latest kills gun, Jesse made his way slowly out of the kitchen. Then fast as lightening in the dark sky a hand came out of nowhere and knocked the gun out of Jesse's grip!, same hand elbowed his jaw and sent him sprawling to the floor. Then came the rapid kicks to the side of his ribs and Jude could now feel the warm iron taste of blood on his tongue. At first he was was propped up on his hands, as if about to do press ups, but then the first few kicks weakened him, and he was lowered to his fore arms, the kicking continued and he was flat on his belly, beaten, he arched his neck to look upon the man who had beaten him, but the weight of unconsciousness was already creeping into his eyelids, so that all he could see before he was completely knocked out, was the ring on his assailants fist as it came down upon his head like a hammer on the final nail of a coffin.

 Jesse didn't think he'd ever wake up, but he did.

 There's something about lapses in consciousness. Its somewhat akin to drowning; those grueling minutes under the sheets of death when you look up at the blurry sun, and your certain and believe with all your heart, that what's above the surface is beautiful and perfect. That is what Jesse felt as colour and light streamed into his eyes. To his right was sited his Father and his Mother holding hands and on the brink of tears, to his left standing were his Superintendent and colleague.

"How are you feeling Jesee?" His superintendent asked on behalf of his whimpering parents.

"I'm fine sir." He said with a dry tongue.

"That's good. We have a lot to talk about, but first speak to your parents, we'll be outside."

The superintendent pressed a caring hand against Jesse's knee, and his colleague offered a nod, then he was alone with his parents.

"Son, are you alright?." His father asked leaving behind his wives trembling hands and moving to Jesse's side.

"Yes papa, I'm alright."

"You don't look alright." his mother said, plucking a tear from her eye with a handkerchief.

"Really, I'm fine..."

"We were worried sick son, your mother's been at the church everyday praying for you, so forgive us if we're gonna need the doctors evaluation before we believe your fine."

"Where's the doctor..?"

"His on his way....son?..." His mother inched her chair closer to his bed and grabbed his hand. "I think, you're in trouble..."

"Quiet woman!" his father snapped." the boy just woke up and your already nagging him.."

"What?....who...trouble?."

"Its some nonsense about ineffectiveness son, I've already spoken to Aswani, he'll take care of it, now rest."

"I can't t.....my squad...they'r...d..dead....he can't help...."

"Quiet son, we'll take care of it, I....I.... I won't let them do anything."

The Filters 5

 Mr Charles stroked his goatee tenderly, pondering thoughts and waiting for his undercover agent to pick up. He was just about to set the phone down when she did.

  "Good afternoon sir, sorry I answered late, I was......uh uhm."

" Yes, I can tell you were "uh uhm" I can hear it in your ragged breathing.I hope your partner is our Mark."

"Yes he is sir, I um...I'm still working the case, getting him to loosen up."

Mr. Charles paused and guilt strangled his neck making his tongue bitter and his throat dry."Listen Stella, your like a daughter to me, I promised your Mum and your Dad i'll protect you, Not pawn you off like some prostitue...."

"Its what the Job requires." Stella said with a sigh dragging the Covers further over her chest.

"I know that, whatever it takes, I wrote the contract remember?. All I'm saying is, if you ever want to back out, if that animals makes you do anything that's crossing the line, feel free..."

"I can handle myself Uncle C. and I've already gathered substantial Intel, I know there's something big brewing, I just don't know what , once I find that out I promise....I promise I'll stop taking field jobs ok. I'm not enjoying this....."

"I never said you were."

"But you implied it, that's what you do isn't it. Imply things?"

"Stella what are you talking about.."

"A few seconds ago you called me your daughter. Its funny because right now I can't tell if you're concerned or jealous."

"Stella thats..."

She hung up.

Setting the phone down Mr Charles looked at his wall of Villains, and for once in his whole career fighting crime,he identified with them.

"Who was that babe?"

"No one." Naomi, known to most as Stella replied curtly. Then she crawled on all fours towards Seun who was standing by the bed and batted her eyelashes. "What,no breakfast in bed?, and to think I was beginning to see you as something of a romantic."

"What?Me?Why?." he asked sitting down by her, feeling the heat of her flesh fend off the cool morning.

"Well you know, how you opened up to me about, your childhood, your fears, and....work?"

"Oh yeah, that, well let's just say lately I've felt like a mediator, like the vest between a bullet and a chest.."

"And you needed someone to save you for once..." she said softly.

He chuckled nervously, and she gave him a peck.

"I'd be able to help if I knew what the situation was."

"I already told you, a friend got in trouble at work, now the boss is thinking of firing him."

"Yes, you told me all that last night, but people get fired everyday, I don't see why your acting like it's the end of the world, I mean..."

"Its nothing Naomi, I already told you too much anyway. I think it's time you leave..."

"Hey now, don't be mean!" she said melodramatically and threw a pillow at him.

"Was that supposed to hurt?" he teased.

"No, but this will." She walked naked around the room picking up items of her clothing then stepped into the bathroom and locked the door behind her.

 The Story of The Lawansons was the stuff of legends. They had moved to Lagos From Ijebu in  1961 and survived solely off of the Garri they sold on their front lawn. Ajayi Lawanson, Bodes grandfather was a visionary. Admonishing his two daughters and his three sons not to let themselves be put inside a box due to the reality that surrounded them. And it was with this sort of motivation that the family went from selling Garri to trading in live stock, and from live stock they went to selling the White Man's clothes to the eager Black men and women. They thrived and excelled for five years, but then Major Ezeogwu led a charge that would change their lives forever. In the long aftermath of the Coup, Ajayi Lawanson lost both his daughters and some would argue, all three of his sons to the Military incursion. His eldest son died by the sting of a stray bullet, his second son  who was always the most hot headed of the bunch died in the forefront of the opposition. His last son, the one who'd managed to survive and seen almost all his siblings die beneath the heel of The Military opted to join in their ranks against his father's wishes, and he rose like a dead fish from the bottom of the ocean, ruthless as he was soul-less, and he'd survived the ascent and descent of The Military without a scar. Major Akin Lawanson, Bode Lawanson were the soul survivors of the Lawansons, Aderemi, Akins sister and Bodes aunt had disappeared 7years ago, and thought to be dead. Bode had only his Uncle, and his maternal grandmother. The former was as glacial as the latter was warm.

"You've always been foolish boy.Cant blame you, must have got it from your Father."

"I told you, they threatened mama."

"Yes yes, your care for that woman still perplexes me. She was hardly around when we were growing up, now she's feeding off you like a damn tick."

"She raised me Uncle."

"She put food in your mouth and a roof over your head, dogs get just about the same treatment."

"Uncle..."

"Yes yes, don't wear me down with your nonsense. Who are these people, these Filters you speak of?"

"It doesn't matter, I only told you because you gave me the money and I don't want it to look like I already squandered over a quarter of it. They laundered it, they got their share, all's fair."

" They threatened someone you care about, I'd hardly call that fair."

"It was... my fault, listen Uncle don't make this an issue, please."

"Ok, ok, my hands are up, you want to be a mat and let them walk all over you, fine by me, but I won't let my name be disgraced."

Sighing Bode looked to the roof for comfort, his collar was feeling tighter by the minute.

"So what do you want to do?"

"I'm not sure yet, tell me more about this Jesse person, if retaliation becomes necessary, he seems important enough to prove a point, and expendable enough to not inspire an all out war."

"Hmmmm, Jesse......"

The Filters 4

Somewhere in Cameroon, Emeka Amezi was sitting on a veranda, blowing grey smoke into the blue sky, his brethren as he liked to call them sat silently by his side, and together, they took in the moment. To them it was just another kill, one exempt from the usual ravishing, but still, a life had exited the world and they had seen it to the door,it gave them a meta physical rush that  no drug, past or to come could ever match.They all banded together, rebels, survivors of abuse, poverty and insanity, under the roof of their eccentric benefactor Emeka, who wasn't quite cut from the same cloth, but still, he was a necessary evil so to speak. They needed him, he had money, money that to their knowledge was dwindling fast akin to the prodigal sons fortune, and just like the prodigal son he assured them he had a father somewhere, dead but willing to take him back with open arms in the form of a will, Emeka just had to get past some obstacles, and with their help, he had. Now they were waiting for the dust to settle. Emeka was no child, he knew as soon as he got his hands on his father's estate his docile band of criminals would turn on him faster than referees in a fixed game. He already had a contingency plan for that, heck he had a contingency plan for his contingency plan.There was nothing to worry about.

 "People will die!!" Hakim screamed, as he slammed his palm against the desk. Seun had already phoned ahead to give The Filters a heads up, so neither Mr Stanley nor his son were around to face this madness, the poor attendant that was, tugged at his collar nervously and tried to reason with Hakim.

"Sir, Mr. Stanley has asked me to assure you that He had nothing to do with your girlfriends demise, in fact the news troubled him so much he had to leave the office, he asks me to extend his condolences and promises to help in whatever way possible."

 The attendants words were really touching, Seun almost wanted to give him a pat on the back for a job well done, no doubt his excuse for Mr Stanley's absence was extemporaneous, and the nonsense about promising to help, the only help the The Filters could possibly offer Hakim was eternal rest and peace. It was pretty, obvious the Filters didn't want the nascent conflict to come to a head, which was good, all Seun hoped for now, was that the Attendants kind words would pacify Hakim. To Hakim however, the attendants words were like trying to douse fire with a bouquet of flowers.

"Shut Up!, you think I'm a fool? Sure Mr Stanley may not have had anything to do with it, but that son of his?that belligerent bastard!? I will have his head on a stake!mark my words, he is a dead man!".

 Seun and The Attendant spent the next hour and a half attempting to dissuade Hakim from vengeance. Poems were read, scriptures were quoted, Seun got on his knees and begged, he even broke out the "This isn't what she would've wanted" speech, but like mother nature, on a cold, stormy and windy day,  Hakim would not be turned from wrath. So they did the next logical thing.

They let him die.

" I am not happy about this."

"What other option do we have?"

Father, son and bodyguard stood behind closed door. Decisions had to be made, details had to be explained, and most of all, fall outs had to be avoided.

"What about that friend of his, the one you like, what's his name, Shegun?" Mr Stanley inquired as he got up from behind his desk and slowly paced the 12 feet length of his office.

"Seun? Seun's the one who called, he said his tried everything in his power to convince him it wasn't us, the guy is far beyond convincing. If you ask me the whole things a set up, someone somewhere is paying him, they wanna make it look like it's  a crime of passion, so that no one would suspect foul play, I bet it's one of our competitors even!"

Mr stanley was sure something was amiss, he hadn't ordered the hit on the boys girlfriend, and his son denies being involved, so what was the missing piece?

"But, Seun's an insider, he knows enough to hurt us, wouldn't that have been easier than all this?". He asked, knowing he wouldn't get a satisfactory answer.

"Da..Mr. Stanley, I'm telling you its a set up! He knows we'd kill him before anyone has us in hand cuffs, this is the smartest way, cut off the heads of the double headed snake." Jesse said, and put his  hands into the comfort of his pocket.

With an eyebrow raised and lips bemused Mr Stanley asked ."Double headed?"

It seemed that all the oxygen in the room had eloped with the ventilation and sworn never to return because suddenly, both Jude and Jesses hearts began to beat faster and their foreheads broke out in beads of sweat. Jude hadn't meant to be so brazen, he knew his father recognized his essence to the business, but equal standing was a claim he could not yet assert, so just like all boys when asked if they are ready to leave the shadows of their fathers, Jude bowed his head and left the question rhetoric.

  As he walked down the street to the club by Judes side, Seun was perturbed, he didn't like the fact that he'd been called upon to do to his friend what he'd done countless times before for The Filters enemies, Spy.He found himself on his knees a lot the past few days, he felt like the  vest between a chest and a bullet and he didn't like it, but a friend in need, he still relentlessly begged for absolution for Hakim.

"Seriously man, do me a solid here."

"Can't, your boys been given enough rope ,now it's time to pay the piper."

"Yeah look, just give him a Second Chance ok?"

"The Filters give no second chance."

"Then why is Bode Lawanson still alive?"

Jude halted and placed his palm around Seuns neck, he held him as one would hold a bottle of beer, tight enough to be meaningful, and loose enough to show care.

"You've been with us for many years Seun, I'd hate to see all that History go to waist. Your friend Hakim has always been a loose canon, I told you as much when you first brought him to me. I know you two are childhood friends, I know you feel loyal to him, but you must understand he seeks not only to destroy us, but you as well, and I've asked you to be the one to case his joint because, I trust you'll do a fine job at it, is my trust misplaced?"

"No..no it isn't. But do you really have to kill him."

"That depends on what you find."

"I really do like your place here Hakim, it's quite sophisticated, not that spacious but that's ok, my friends don't mind sleeping on the couch."

"Listen...sir...I still don't know what it is you want from me, if it's money..."

"Oh hush now, you sound so clueless, but then again I was counting on it,my poor sister always had a thing for half wits. "

"Whuh...Sarah?what do you know about..?" a fist ran past his lips and once again his nose began to throb as if in protest of the brutality. He could tell death was coming , he just didn't understand why it was taking its sweet time.

 Emeka bent his head to level with Hakims, his eyebrows furrowed in concern and he placed a friendly hand upon Hakims weary shoulder.

"You must know this isn't about you, it pains me so, when I think of the many lives I've had to take because of a Woman's scorn, but I'm a survivor , and in that I have no remorse."

"But..but..why me..."

"Ssssh now, save your energy I need you alive for a day or two.Francis!"

"Yes boss?"

"I'm going out, do ensure that our host doesn't die, ok?."

"Sure."

"And remember, no one, not a single one of you leaves this house till I get back, understood?."

His henchmen agreed with  grunts and grumbles, and he waved them all goodbye.

Outside, the afternoon sun was at its hottest, immediately making Emeka wish he'd brought a hat with him. He improvised using his hands for shade, and waited at the curb for a Taxi.As he did so,sweat welled up beneath his three piece suit, and he loosened his tie. It seemed an eternity to him that he waited, and as the mind often does in those slow paced moments of idleness, Emeka became conscious of a lot of things, the first being that he really ought not to be standing out on the curb, alone and exposed, the second being that Taxis were not allowed into the estate. Infact the Taxis that brought him and his brethren had to stop at the gate and they strolled the rest of the way to Hakims house. Lastly and by all means the most important was that he was being watched.He had to still his face from bearing a smile, and continued to look about as if oblivious. The spy was in a red car across the street, behind Tinted windows no less, but Emeka knew he was there, he could sense him clearer than the heat biting his skin.Despite knowing he would see no taxi, Emeka kept up appearances and stood there for an extra 15 minutes , then he slapped his head as if he'd hand an A-ha moment, and began his way to the Estate gate.

Seun sat in his car , four hours longer, watching keenly, waiting for his opportunity. It came in the form of a pizza delivery.The car pulled up in front of the house and a stoutly young man clad in all white came out of it. Seun rushed over just as the boy was pulling out the Pizzas from the back seat.

"Hey let me help you with that."

The boy looked at him puzzled, and as is inherently Nigerian, with great suspicion. Why was help being offered, un-requested help for that matter. With reluctance the boy handed the marginally older man the four boxes of pizza. Then stepped out and locked the vehicle.

"Can I help you?" He asked, not masking his abating suspicions.

"Yes, I'd like to have your number, see I leave just down the street, and I'm mostly too lazy to leave the house, and I love your pizza, so I'll need your number."

"Its written on the side of the car."

"Oh, oh my bad."

Seun took the number and parted ways with the pizza delivery boy. He had to pick someone up, after which he would report to Mr Stanley and Jude, a job well done.

 Naomi Davidson stood with legs crossed on the passenger sit of Seun's car, she was waiting, and tapping furiously the keypad of her phone, looking as archetypal as possible. The car was parked by the gate of Club Desire, and every 8 minutes she would take a quick glance to see if Seun was making his way back to her. She'd seen him thrice, and from what she knew, that was quite a record, it had been an herculean task to get him to see her after the first night, what with his Lothario ways and aversion for commitment. It hadn't been easy at all, but somehow she pulled it off, because Naomi Davidson was a persuasive girl that almost always got what she wanted, and eventually.Standing at a long legged 5"9 , with fair flawless skin and Bambi like eyes, Naomi Davidson was a Fox, but Naomi Davidson was not her real name.

The Filters 3

   Sirens wailed and he popped his head up, the steering wheel was moist with tears and snot. A crowd had gathered round the gate and the Medical Personnel asked them to clear a path. Hakim watched listlessly through his car window with watery eyes. He'd been in her apartment 3 minutes ago, he knew what the paramedics would soon find out, she was already dead and no amount of haste was going to change that. He'd been first to arrive at the scene heeding a cryptic and ominous call. She was breathing heavily, and he couldn't see her but he knew she was crying, he'd already thrown on a coat and grabbed his keys by the time she asked him to come to her rescue. Call the police, on second thought, call an ambulance, she uttered a faint ok, and that was the last word she said to him, he left the line open, trying to get her to tell him she's fine, trying to get any response at all as he made the Ten minute drive to her apartment.Upon his arrival her living room was in disarray, she'd obviously put up a fight but the intruder or intruders overpowered her. It didn't seem liked she'd endured any sexual abuse, but she'd been stabbed, and her weave-on was matted with blood, the sight brought him to his knees and he bawled into her neck. He eventually composed himself and called the medics, he could barely tell them anything, grief overwhelmed him and he was like an engine running on fumes, he'd talk then break down, then repeat, finally he gave them her name and address, they asked him to remain calm and stay by her side. And he did, for 11minutes he watched her lifeless body as her blood crept further into the parlor. For a moment he tried to pretend that maybe she was just asleep, and it was one of those restless nights where he stayed up and watched her dream, but his imagination was hard-pressed. Her eyes didn't twitch like they did those nights, nor did she mutter incoherent words, her chest didn't rise and fall like calm waves. She was dead, through and through. So he quit, he left the apartment, he knew he wasn't leaving her behind, the woman he loved was no longer there, so he went to his car and mourned. Now the tardy Medics where wheeling her into a van, to them it was just another body, to him, it was a breaking point.

  "They killed her man, they..they.."

Seun ran his hands through his low cut hair, as he listened to his best friend whom he had known for the past 12 years lament.He didn't know what to do, or what to say, so he continued to scrape his hear, trying to conjure as much emotion as he could facially.It wasn't that he didn't feel any grief, Sarah was after all a friend, but he wasn't  able to display emotion, not since his parents died.

"Listen man, I'm so sorry, I really am." he said, he wasn't very adept at consoling either, and as his hands dropped into his pocket, it yearned for the comforting feel of a Cigarette pack, there was none.

"I just can't...I didn't think they'd...."

Seun knew who the "they" was, he also knew that they'd warned them several times not to draw someone in too close, so close that you tell them what it is you do in the dark.

"Yeah well man, you know how it is, young female, living alone, easy target, you know they're lazy."

"Yes! But, I didn't think...oh my god you should have seen her....my Sarahhhh!"

Seun thought Hakim was being a tad over dramatic. What had happened was to be expected, which is why he'd settled for one night stands and quickies in  restrooms. He knew the risks of caring for someone, even something. Hakim on the other hand was reckless, he had a knack for not believing something could happen  until it did. Now here he was sulking with a mouth full of saliva, and a face as contorted as an acrobats body.Worst of all Seun was now charged with the responsibility of putting humpty dumpty back together.

"Listen man, it's not the end of the world, you've gotta get yourself together, you don't want them to get agitated, don't make them think you're going to do something stupid..."

 Kehinde sniffed in snot, as though he could smell the truth in what Seun was saying.

"You're right, they have to pay for this...", He said, wiping his eyes with his sleeves, making room for the fire. "They will pay!!..."

"Oh come on man, I know it's grief that's talking, but don't be stupid, you can't go up against The Filters, heck you don't even know if they're the ones who did it, I even called Jude and told him what happened, he was callous about it as expected, but he didn't take credit, so it probably wasn't them"

"But Who else Seun?Who else, would break into Sarah's house, kill her and not steal anything?ehn? Tell me!."

"I don't know man, but the more I think about it, the more I doubt it, it's not their M.O, The old man detests dropping bodies, we both know that."

"Yes, but not Jude, that bastards had it in for me ever since the day we met, this has his name written all over it, him and that two legged pitbull he drags around with him."

"Ok, well, maybe you're right, but let's not jump to conclusions." Seun was certain Hakim wasn't  right, the more he thought about it, the less likely it seemed, but he also knew Misery not only loves company, but commands it, so he played along.

"I know how to get them back, I know, I just need.."

Seun swung an arm around his shoulder and pulled him in close, like he often did after a lost match when they were kids.

"You know I've gotta be straight with you and say you're acting like a little bitch. Sarah dies and suddenly you think that gives you the right to act like Romeo? nigga please, I was there all those nights you found comfort between other girls legs, so let's not pretend you felt deeply for the girl."

"You're wrong man, I swear you're wrong, I did love her, but I admit I  treated her bad, and that's why it's much worse, she gave the last year of her life to me, when I wasn't even worth it, and now she's dead because of me..." a new wave of tears came streaming down his face and Seun uncomfortably pulled him closer.He would have to see for himself if Hakims suspicions were warranted.

The Filters 2

 The sun hid behind a cloud, but Jesse could feel a tingling heat run up his forearm, and his tongue sat dry like dessert sand. Jude was to his right calm as a plant in a garden, calm because he knew the sun would shine, and because he knew he would get the water he needed to thrive.

"Please come with us." Jesse said, with about as much ambiguity as a dying man's last words.

Bode followed, unperturbed, he followed them to their car which was a mournful black that gleamed as the sun poked out its head for a peek.

"Ok, we're here, what now?." Bode asked daringly.

"Jesse, please open the boot."

Never taking his eyes off Bode Jesse did what he was told.The boot opened with a pop, and Jude lifted it all the way up. Bode walked to meet him, petulance in his steps, then looking into the boot his jaw dropped with terror.

"You bastards! what have you done?." he barked, with tears already welling up in his eyes.

"There are always consequences Bode, even for people with a god complex such as  yourself." Jude offered casting Jesse a cursory glance.

"You...You bastards..you killed her!" Bode reached down to touch the lifeless body of his grandmother, his breathing growing heavier with each inch.

He pulled up the pillow stuffed garments.

"What...what is this?"Bode asked, ambivalent but settled. Jesse's face broke out with a smile and Jude gave him an appreciative nod.

"As you can see Bode, we know you, we know what makes you tick, your grandmother for example, raised and sheltered you from an alcoholic father and a promiscuous mother. Your beloved grandmother, the only one in your life whose had a share of your recent fortune. We know that she lives in a nice flat on Adeyemi Cross Street, we know all this and more, so that if you fail to comply with our demands....well, something a little more bony would be in our boot."

Bode smells the wrapper in his hands, and indeed it wears his grandmothers scent of groundnuts and fresh pepper.

"I could just take her and run."

Putting a friendly hand on his shoulder Jude smiles and says.

"The woman owns a restaurant in Ikeja, her church is on her street, two bus/stops away is the only childhood friend she's got left. We did our homework Bode, your nana ain't going nowhere!"

Twelve minutes later an alert came in on Jude's phone. He was now two million Naira richer, he gave the defeated Bode an encouraging pat on the back and sped off with Jesse by his side.

"Pillows in her clothes, nice touch, I fell for it too."

"I am a man of nice touches."

"Yes oo, the guy sef too stubborn, I mean what's 2 mill to a multi millionaire huh?"

"2mill less?" Jesse said shrugging, Money never carried much weight in his heart, but it always seemed to fill up his pockets.

"Yeah well, to be fair 5 mill out of 15 was a little steep, but the dudes got absolutely no street cred. Just because his Benefactor is high up in the military doesn't mean he can do whatever he likes."

"Speaking of Benefactors, is your father going to be shoving a foot up my ass for this?"

"For what? Someone refused to pay us our due, we took care of it, and as a bonus, no one got killed."

"Right, ok so cool, we're in the clear then."

"Yes, if Bode takes this all in good faith and doesn't try to retaliate."

"Why do we always make more enemies than friends?"

"My good looks and your intimidating presence."

On a wall, inside a tightly guarded room, in a tightly guarded building, in Abuja is a large Screen. On this screen there are pictures of several men and a handful of women, mug shots, taking without their knowledge. They all coincidentally seem to be squinting pensively at nothing, as if somehow aware that they are being watched, but they are not, because The Eagle covers it's tracks. Mr Charles Chukwudi sat on his desk, staring at the screen on the wall.It was somewhat a pictorial list, but it was no names of noise makers. Everyone on the list was guilty of crimes that affected the nation as a whole, everyone one the list was ostensibly untouchable, none were above the law, but many stood it's equal. They swam in the tides of legitimacy, stealing ashore once in a while for a quick but profitable heist, then diving right back in, undetected by everyone,everyone except of course The Eagle. That wall, that screen, bares at least a dozen pictures, and one of them is the gracefully aged face of Mr Stanley.

"Think I need to buy fuel." Jude said as he pulled into Ikeja Under-bridge, the filling station before him wasn't selling and that magnified his want.

"Might have to be black market."

"Yes perhaps, hey any news on that Silas Package?"

"None, A.Ks been tailing the guy all month, so far his clean, but he seems content with using the cash dirty."

"Hmm, tell A.k to keep on it, dudes bound to rouse suspicion soon enough, then he'll come running to us."

Jesse pondered the directive momentarily then procured a cigarette from his back pocket. He lit it, and blew into the air a kiss of smoke.

"You ever think about bowing out? Retiring?, your Dad especially seems like his been doing this for like forever."

"Why'd you ask? If you're tired we can arrange for..."

"No no no, all I'm saying is, the wealth you guys have amassed alone would take decades of layering to turn clean, and believe it or not someone somewhere is aware of what we're doing and doesn't like it one bit."

"Yeah well.." His phone rang and what he was about to say was lost to the world forever like a plant that barely takes root and withers beneath the soil. He turned down the radio, and picked up the call.

"Hey, Seun, what's up?"

"I dey, but um, we've got a bit of a situation."

The Filters

Jesse and Jude stood facing the Cathedral,it was a large roman inspired building, painted with saintly White but that would not deter them.Bode had gone too far this time,far enough to drive them to vengeance and they weren't about to call it quits for a place of prayer.So they stood watching the building,glancing at their watches,staring at the sky,in that order for 25 minutes and then finally,the large wooden doors flung open and groups of families, friends and acquaintances began to stroll out.The boys peered at the departing congregation,eager to spot a dark skinned boy with a mole on the left side of his chin,they paid no mind to the people brushing past them and eyeing them suspiciously for they were men of purpose and they are willed to succeed. After what seemed like hours Jude spotted Bode and tapped Jesse who immediately spotted him as well as if that single touch gave him the coordinates,his eyes immediately crinkled and his mouth pouted aggressively. They danced through the crowd never once letting their eyes off of Bode,finally they were face to face. Bode saw two faces leering at him and at first did not recognise them,he had been thinking about the sermon and hadn't even bothered to greet or excuse the invasion,he simply moved between them like the Israelites between the red sea,but this sea would not part so easily.

"Where do you think you're going?" asked Jude grabbing his arms roughly and pulling him back.

"Good afternoon friends, how are you doing today?." Bode inquired casually, greeting their hard faces with a genial smile.

"Please don't even start with your politicking, you know why we are here, let's not act like were a bunch of kids meaning to go get some ice cream together, your either going to tell us what we want to hear, or you're going to die, or we're going to die.Option a is preferable, Jesse will greatly enjoy option b, and option c is, well...." He spread his arms apart giving Bode a good view of his 150 pounds worth of toned muscle and bones, then concluded "impossible."

Bode wasn't intrepid, but he was far from cowardly, however he was for sure quite cunning. "Ahh you make fine suggestions my friends, but we are forgetting option d, most standards tests and exams come with an option d."

 Jude folded his hands, as if to say "I'll humour you" whilst Jesse felt by the skin clothing his waist for the cool steel of his gun. He was a man of actions.

Bode went on. "How about we all walk away forget this never happened,you keep the three million i already gave you, and not bother me anymore, because frankly, you have more to lose if you keep accosting me like this."

In the inner most office of a Club somewhere in Ikeja, Stanley Akinyola was sipping black coffee and attempting to read the days newspaper, he had a nascent headache and knew it would only get worse with time, but he needed to read the paper, it was his daily routine. He sat down at his desk everyday around 12 o clock and read the news of the day past, hoping the headlines had nothing scandalous to say about any of his clients, and if they did, hoping it wasn't of the monetary persuasion. So by effect he read the news solely for bad news, although according to his wife all news was bad in this country, it was either politicians were stealing, masses were dying or the new generation of entertainers were being notorious. But to Stanley only one of those things really mattered. The obituary was the only place he hoped to see his clients in the news, for their deaths meant a termination of contract, one less responsibility to shoulder. He'd been in the business for years, in the beginning it was quite simple, but then against his wife's wishes he'd brought in his son, because the boy was clever and had a way with people, plus all empires need an heir.So he taught him the family trade, and the boy became something of a zealot, expanding the groups clientele to more than your ambitious but careful Politician, they now had clients from all works of life, some of whom were downright volatile, kind of like the one his son was dealing with at that very moment.Stanley Akinyola took a large gulp of the hot coffee, it stung but to him that was half the point , then he flipped to the next page of the paper praying to God that things were going smoothly for his only son. Jesse could already see himself putting off the safety and putting a bullet through Bodes head, but his imagination was running faster than his legs, Jude needed to give the order first. Jude his superior was always more pen than sword, they'd been in these situations a million times before, Jude would talk, attempt to reason with the defaulter, give them some tough love, and then when they'd refuse, he'd ask Jesse to put them down like a rabid dog. The only variable here was that Bode had protection, but that could also work against him, because it meant that they had a point to prove, The Filters feared no man.

"Listen Bode, I like you, and that's why I've been so patient with you, when you came to us for help, we didn't turn you down, even without the street credit we let you in, because hey, money is all the credit a man needs, and you had 15 million worth of it, so we thought cool, you give us 3mill up front we launder 12mill for you, you give us our final 2mill and were done, every bodies happy, but you just had to get greedy,now..."

Jude walked forward, invading Bodes personal space like a lover leaning in for a kiss, but instead of pledges of love, Jude whispered threats of death.

"...I'm a christian, but I'm also a human being, and though I'd hate to frighten the flock of do gooders that worship here, I'd hate to see my two mill go even more, so this is your last chance, give us the money, or I will leave your bloody corpse laying on this floor and trust me, I'll leave so many bullets laying in your flesh it would take the original 12 disciples to resurrect you, now what do you say?"

 Jude was hoping he'd be compelled to give them their money, Jesse was hoping he'd be forced to kill him.Bode stood, contemplating what they'd said, and as he did so, a grin began to steal into his lips.He cleared his throat and said with conviction.

"Do it."