Mirage - Episode 19

 

Sylvia:

   I feel giddy as I race back to my room to lay low for the night. It's too early to carry out my plans of getting the marriage certificate from the law firm. It was dark earlier so the guys probably don't know I helped Noah. I should be safe for the night and first thing tomorrow morning, I am out of this place. It won't be long before chief's nemesis catch up with him.

   6:30am the next morning, I am already up and ready for what I know would be an event filled day . I grab the gun I always keep under my pillow. I have always carried the tranquilizer gun whenever I am inside this mansion to be safe without causing attention but now I would need the real deal. The fact that I have Noah to count on now makes me really relieved. At least I can get justice for both our parents in the few remaining weeks of my life. I shut down that depressing thought and slip my small pistol into the back of my trousers.

  My ears have been on the ground to the past months I have been here and nothing happens without my notice.  I clearly heard the name of the judge and the law firm chief is having the marriage certificate made. I better get there before any of chief's goons.

  I sneak out of the mansion without anyone's notice and board a cab just outside the gate. I tell the driver my destination and sit back to plan everything out

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/mirage

. I should be able to get the certificate from the judge or whatever if I tell him chief sent me right? The only problem is he could call chief and I would get caught.

  I have to take the risk though. Even if I die taking it. I am still going to die soon so there's no need fearing death if I could bring down a man like chief badmus.

"We don reach o fine sisi" the driver brings to my notice and I look out the window to see the law firm. Its a three storey building. I get out of the car and pay the taxi driver the fare. He smiles at me before zooming off. 

 I watch the taxi go out of sight before I walk into the building. I walk straight to the receptionist.
"Excuse me"I say to get her attention.
"How may I help you miss" she say with a friendly smile on her face.
"I have an appointment with your boss. Attorney Princewell." I say confidently. The receptionist's smile falls and scrutinizing eyes look me up and down. She open a big book on her desk and study for a second.
"And when did you set this appointment with him?" She ask and I bite my lips. Here goes nothing.
"Chief badmus actually set the appointment. He asked the attorney to get his daughter's marriage certificate processed at the court. I am here to get it" I say
"Funny. Mr princewell just left with a guy who also claimed to be sent by chief badmus." she says
"What? When?"
"They just left before you came in. They are probably still  be in the parking lot" I don't let her finish this statement before I race out of the building. Parking lot.
 I get there in about a minute and look around for any sign of people down here. There are numerous cars and the lot is pretty big and kind of dark. I keep walking to the end of the lot but freeze when I hear voices.
"Your grand son is already with us. We picked him up from school this afternoon so you better cooperate and get in the car." I hear someone saying. I crouch down then tip toe to the direction of the voice. I recognize one of chief's goons standing by one SUV while another has a suited man in a tight hold. He's showing him something on a tablet.
"This is your grandson, isn't it?" He's asking the suited man who nods jerkingly.
"Why have you got my grandson? Where is he?"
"He's safe. For now. Chief is giving you two more days to get the certificate."
"But I can't. Its illegal. Marriage is supposed to be between two consenting adults. The girl was never here. She's needed in the process. This is insane" the man cry out.
"I am but a messenger. We'll keep your grandson until we get the papers" both goons storm into the SUV and it reverses to get out of the parking lot. I hide my face as the car passes me and remain still till I am sure they are gone then I hurry to help the suited man up.
"Are you okay sir?" I ask as I help him up.
"Umm yea. Thanks young lady." He whispers weakly before he starts walking away.
"I can help you get your grandson back." I call out from behind him and he stops.
"You just have to help me stop chief" I continue.
"Go home little girl. This isn't a game for kids" he says but doesn't continue walking.
"I am working with the NDLEA. We just need to stop the wedding. We can't let it happen." I say and he finally turn to me.
"You think I don't know that? My grand child is with that monster! My daughter tried for seven years before she conceived and bore this child. He's just four years old. Just imagine how scared he is right now? My daughter won't be able to bear the loss of this child. I have no choice. I have to give in. It normally takes longer but I have to get them those certificates in two days."
"No. You can't. Think about the supposed bride. She doesn't want this." I try to convince him against his decision.
"I am sorry but that wedding must hold. I have no choice" he says defeated and turn away from me.
"What if the wedding does hold?" I say and he looks back at me like I have lost my mind. Maybe I have, with what I am planning right now.
"What do you mean?" He ask
"Well, your grandson is probably where chief Is right now. If we catch chief, we get your grandson and apprehend chief. My associate knows how we can find him." I say
"How do you catch him? Even though you know where he is right now, you would get killed before you get close. If you call the police, he'll just bribe his way out then kill us both." he reasons and I nod.
"He's holding a wedding right? We just have to invite ourselves in. You will go as the judge as planned but I want you to make the marriage certificate bear this name. I grab a biro from his suit pocket and write down Noah's full name. You can call the ndlea agency in Lagos and confirm. He is one of their best agents. Chief wants a wedding, we are going to give him one"
"Wait.

Read " To Hate Emmanuel Johnsons " by the same author ( Ameh juliet )

. You lost me at another marriage certificate. I don't understand this" he says.
"Listen. Get the certificate ready but with that name I gave you. When they come to get you two days from now, you take it with you but don't make it known to them that it's not their groom's name on it. My agent will act as this Michael guy and be at the wedding instead of him. Then we will have the perfect opportunity to grab chief and save your son" I explain
"That would be a genius plan if this agent of yours looks like the Michael guy" he says and i smile for the first time.
"How advanced do you know science has gotten? I can make anybody look like anyone I want. Leave that to me. Just fix this name of the certificate." I say
"You should Carry a fake document with that Michael's name on it because I am sure chief will inspect the documents before he lets you in" I tell him and he nods meditatively.
"This might actually work" he muses
"It has got to work." I say under my breathe. Noah going as the groom would get him close enough to kidnap chief and then we can extract information from him on the boy's whereabouts and hard evidence against him. We could even get a signed confession on our parents murder. Oh lord let this work.