Chapter 2

 

2.1 Source, Symbol, Suspicions.

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It was a unanimous decision. Every lead was worth following and after finding out more from Dave, it was decided they’d give this a shot.

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“We’ll go to them though. Can’t risk exposing our home.” Kay suggested and everyone agreed.

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It wasn’t much of a shock to learn that the individual they were supposed to meet specifically asked for Kay and Jasmine.

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“Why us though?” Jasmine wanted to know.

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Kay shrugged. “Well, according to Dave, the person’s a deserter, one of Crimson Widow’s most trusted officials. Claims to have receipts that’d bring an end to their tyranny.”

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Documents were processed, flights were booked, and soon it was time to say goodbye. 

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“Please be careful,” Nike pleaded as she hugged Jasmine. 

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“I will. You stay safe too. Remember we’ll only call you on the secure line….”

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Kay interrupted Jasmine to add: “And no unnecessary outings. Immediately you sense something amiss, go to the…”

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“Safehouse at Wendy’s.” Tayo cut in as well. He patted Kay’s shoulder affectionately. “Brother, we have been through this a thousand times.Don’t worry we’ll be good. You are the ones walking into danger. Be alert at all times. We all want you back safe and sound, especially S.J.”

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At that Jasmine nodded and picked up her son, trying to blink back the tears in her eyes. It was because of S.J she wanted to end this. So he could have a normal childhood.

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“Mummy and Daddy will be back soon alright? Be a good boy and take care of your Aunt and Uncle.”

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S.J nodded through his tears. “I’ll share my toys with Wole, too. I won’t look for his trouble too much.”

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 Soji’s innocent words made everyone chuckle. After the final goodbyes, Jasmine and Kay went on their way to face the unknown. 

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****

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The couple didn’t fly commercial, to avoid detection by any of The Cabal’s informants. Because their usual pilot was unavailable they had to charter an aeroplane from another pilot Dave’s friend swore could be trusted.

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Several hours later they arrived. Dave was on the ground to pick them up. After the pleasantries were exchanged, Dave got straight to business.

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“The car’s over there.” He told them pointing to a black car with tinted with no plates and tinted windows. He flashed the couple an apologetic smile. “Sorry, but we’ll be heading to the meeting venue. Shedrack, the journalist who facilitated this says his source insists we are on a clock.”

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“Ok, take us there,” Kay replied.

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Jasmine was a little irked. She would have loved to take a rest before going into any kind of meeting. She wondered why this elusive source thought it was a good idea to request to meet so soon after they arrived.

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Within five minutes, Dave had fixed new plates to the car and in thirty, they had arrived at the warehouse chosen for the meeting.

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“We’re here,” Dave announced, stepping out of the car.

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Jasmine gently tapped Kay awake. Kay could fall asleep anywhere and Jasmine envied him a little for that. She had been unable to take a nap due to the worries plaguing her mind. Twice already she had checked in with The Coles.

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The exterior of the warehouse was a mosaic of cracked windows and rusted steel. Jasmine guessed it must have been a food storage once. Broken glass crunched beneath their feet as they approached, echoing through the cavernous silence that surrounded them. Dave pushed open the creaking door to the entrance and they were immediately blasted with air that carried a musty aroma, and a metallic tang. The vastness of the space was both awe-inspiring and haunting and despite the sunlight trickling through the gaps, shadows lurked. The whole building seemed to harbour more secrets than Jasmine felt comfortable with.

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Jasmine shivered. She couldn’t help the feeling of being watched.

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“Dave, who chose this place?”

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“The  Source,” Dave shrugged an apologetic look on his face.

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A flash of irritation crossed Jasmine’s face. “Why is it that we are allowing someone we don’t know, let alone trust, to call all the shots? Remember you said she was once part of The Cabal. What if she’s brought us here to k1ll us, or worse turn us over to Amanda?”

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“She’s right, Dave.  Why?” Kay added. He was looking around too, probably taking note of all the exits available in case they would need to run for it.

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“Listen guys, I share your concern as well. I haven’t met this person too. But I  trust my friend and I’ve heard of Shedrack. He was a journalist with The Mirror once upon a time. It’ll be fine, trust me.”

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Jasmine was about to reply when echoes of distant footsteps reverberated through the space. Kay and Jasmine shared a look, with Kay placing his hands in his back pocket where Jasmine knew he kept his pistol.

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“They’re here,” Dave pronounced.

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From the opposite end of the warehouse, two figures approached. As they drew closer, Jasmine could see them better.  The woman was small, petite even, and seemed to be in her late twenties. She had a toned and athletic build, and her eyes reflected a mix of determination and pain, hinting at the scars left by her past. She wore dark, clothing, obviously to allow her to blend into the shadows. Her presence radiated command as if she was used to giving orders and people obeying them.

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Her companion on the other hand was tall and lanky, and his eyes shone with keen intelligence and curiosity. He looked considerably younger than the woman, or maybe he was just one of those people who didn’t look their age. He was dressed in all black too.

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There was no mistaking who was the former member of The Cabal and who was the journalist.

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Besides the woman’s no-nonsense demeanour, they didn’t seem threatening. It seemed Kay had come to the same conclusion because he released his hold on the pistol and stood straight.

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The woman stopped a few metres from them, casting what seemed like a cursory glance over the three of them, although her gaze lingered on Jasmine for a few seconds more. She nodded curtly at them. “Thank you for coming. My name is Lilian and this is…”

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“Shedrack. Akinbode. Shedrack Akinbode. You must be Jasmine and Kay and Dave of course. It is an honour to meet you all.” He was grinning from ear to ear. His words came out faster than anyone could stop them. “Jasmine your speech on the day of the reveal was top-notch. It inspired me as well as a lot of youth in the nation. In fact you were a symbol of hope for the youth…”

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Lilian cleared her throat pointedly and Shedrack’s voice trailed off. Jasmine took the opportunity to speak. “Hello, my name is Jasmine and this is my husband Kay and our friend Dave, through whom you have been corresponding with us.”

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.Lilain’s only reply was a small incline of her head.  “Perhaps we should get to the business of why we’re here. Every second wasted further empowers Crimson Widow…”

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“Look Lilian, I think we should clear a few things. First of all, you don’t call the shots here so don’t think you can order us about. Secondly, know this,” Jasmine stepped closer to her, grateful for their significant height difference which caused Lilian to tilt her head backwards. She made sure to inject as much menace into her voice as she could muster. “If I find out that you are somehow here to trick us, or endanger our lives, I WILL kill you.” 

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Lilian maintained eye contact with Jasmine for a few seconds before replying, “I would expect nothing less.” With a small smile gracing her lips, Lilian stepped back and stretched her hand out for Jasmine to shake. “Now, shall we begin?”

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2.2 The Monster Stirs

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Crimson Widow sighed for probably the hundredth time during her conversation with her daughter. “Debbie, I promise I’ll come to visit. You know that’s how it works baby. I come to you not the other way around,”

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“But mummy, I’m lonely! None of my friends are here!”

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A knock on the door and Mark pocked his head in through the door. “May I?”

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Grateful for the distraction, Amanda interrupted her daughter’s tirade. “Sweetie I have to go. Speak to you soon!” She ended the call.

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“We have news on Jasmine.”

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Amanda’s eyes widened. This was news that had come years too late. “Tell me.”

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“An engineer who has been wanting to join us sent this photo. He claims he works for a pilot who ferried Jasmine and Kay back to the country. While doing some checks he took the photo.”

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Amanda looked at the photo, it was blurry but after magnifying it on her computer there was no mistake about who it was. 

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Jasmine was back. What a stroke of luck this was!

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“Good work Mark. I want you to get all the information you can from this engineer about who the pilot is and where we can find him. Then get rid of him.”

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Mark looked shocked. “But why? We already paid him and also promised to accept him into The Cabal if his information proved useful.”

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Amanda shook her head. Mark just didn’t understand these things. “If he can betray his boss for a few bucks, then he can betray us. I won’t have someone like that in our ranks.”  

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“As you wish, boss.”

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“Get the pilot, and squeeze out every bit of information you can about who they are meeting, why they are here, you know, the usual. We must know why she had decided to show her face now of all times.”

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“I’ll have our best guys on it.”

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“Good. You may go.”

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Crimson Widow was left alone in her office, brimming with excitement. Things were about to get more interesting.

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“It’s time we had a conversation, dear Jasmine.”

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And right after that, she’d plunge a dagger into her heart.