Byron

Faculty Of Criminology, University Of Benin, Ugbowo, Benin City.

Sitting on a pavement, legs improvised as a table for his laptop, Byron typed away. On his laptop's screen showed the gory pictures of the Ayodele's bodies after autopsy. What Byron had discovered was breathtaking. Literally. It had taken his breath away.

Byron was sending an e-mail to someone who he thinks he can help. The one who's in-charge of the investigation, being a master of psychology himself, Byron loved a good mystery. And from the expression on his face, this appeared to give him mysterigasm. A term he made up.

Clad in a white long sleeve that was damp with sweat, fitted jean trousers and an Adidas palm to match his Student look, Byron was a first-class undergraduate who was sadly a social outcast. The funny thing was that he didn't care. Friends were distracting, they'd make you lose sight of your goals, he always said.

"Done." Byron said to himself. Cracking his knuckles, fire in his eyes, the hot afternoon sun enveloping his damped back. He didn't take notice.

His laptop came to life almost immediately.

So fast? Byron was obviously impressed. He thought of how the detective's face would be in utter disbelief by his discoveries he had sent.

I am pure genius.

He opened the reply, it read:

how did you know this? this

is state information. how

were you able to get this?!

Byron smiled. And the image of Big Brother Lexington came to mind.. How he inspired this young man's dreams. Big Bro Lex's in the case. I want to do whatever I can to help.

He typed a reply. It read:

how I know what I know

Is not important. You need

help understanding the truth.

I think I can help.

SEND.

Byron smiled. Agent Bob's contact had been easy to find. He started to daydream about going to Lagos.. The sun illuminated the dark passage way. Is this what heaven looks like?

* * *

Y walked briskly towards the bare wall. Behind him lay a vast plantation. Hidden. He tapped a segment on the wall and a keypad appeared. Alphanumeric keypad. Y typed the passcode and the wall kissed, outlining a door the opened for the massive agent. He crouched at entry.

The wall went back to it's former state.

What lay beyond the wall was incredible.  It looked like a temple, a catholic chapel perhaps? Y smiled as he walked straight to the front pew, slid into a seat and knelt down in form of prayer.

"Forgive me father, for I have sinned." He said.

"Your sins are forgiven my child." Sitting cross-legged on the alter before him was the form of a man. Where he had materialized from, Ye did not know. This has always been the manner at which they met face-to-face. In a church. Y knew not its location, for the chapel windows were always shut. They were tinted black. 

"My mission is done, master" Y continued. I have painted the house with the final inscription." 

"You have done well, my child, but it seems your work here is not quite complete." The masked man said. The man who claimed god. Y was beginning to have doubts about this man. God doesn't kill for the greater good. Y believed, with a snap of a finger, God can change the world. Why does this man need me? He immediately pinched himself for the thoughts he had just thought.

He had doubted the divine father. A father who had shown him signs that he was indeed, divine.

Forgive me, master, he said inwardly.

He wait was further orders.

"As we speak," The man held a bright rose between his thumb and index finger, twisting and twirling it like a propeller. He continued. "I sent someone to the house at Ikoyi. It appears our little friend has seen the link. Very impressive. I knew he was good but not this good. And I take it he saw you?"

He truly is divine. "Yes, my Lord." Y answered.

Silence.

Then the masked man shrugged and said. "A minor setback that can be fixed. He knows too much." he paused for what looked like a minute, probably deep in thought, and continued. "I want him on our side. He would be a valuable card to our goal."

"Is that my next mission, my lord?"

"No. It isn't," He chuckled. "That is currently being taken care of by Gbenga."

Gbenga. I should have known!

"You, my friend," The masked man jumped down from the alter, threw the rose to the floor and stepped on it as he walked towards the path separating the two rows of pews. The middle illuminated by a light whose source was unknown, he stepped on into the light, and turned his masked face, looking directly at Y.

"Are going to pick up a package for me from the airport."

* * *

Above them, a plane swayed towards Mortalla Muhammad Airport. Inside, Funke was sound asleep. 

A pound of disgust settled in Lex's stomach over realisation. Gbenga was gay. And he seems to find Lex attractive. Sooner or later, I'd have to burst his rainbow bubble. I don't do men. 

Gbenga stared at Lex for what seemed like forever. Obviously checking him out. His loins emanated heat and his heart drummed a melodious beat. Could he be the one?

A cloud of self-disappointment floated over him. How can I be thinking of my personal yearning at a critical time like this? Gbenga got himself together, and began to speak. Soon, you will be mine.

"Godwin was killed because of his inability to keep up with his initial agreement. He made a deal, and this was the result when you fail to keep your part of the deal. He knew what was coming." 

"What exactly was the deal, that you'd kill a human in such a gruesome way?!" Lex ignored Gbenga's eyes moved two steps back. His damp back against the smaller gate. The street lights came on, illuminating the world around them. Gbenga's features were highlighted. Almost god-like.

"The secrets, I know not of, only the elite members know what you ask. I am just a mere errand-boy."

He moved two steps forward. His face inches away from Lex's. Lex could feel the man's breath on his hair. The weight of disgust increased immensely.

Yeah, right. An errand-boy who rides the latest Range Rover.

Lex tried as much as he could to avoid Gbenga's eye contact. Is this what sexual harassment feels like? This was Lex's first sexual harassment.

His eyes swayed to the Range Rover parked three blocks away opposite the crime scene. Gbenga followed his gaze.

"Wait," Gbenga began. "you don't believe me? That's just my little baby. The Sons pay me well." 

TMI. Too much information.

Lex wanted to take control of the situation. He didn't care what this huge man before him was thinking, he was going to set things straight.

"Look, Mr. Gbenga," Lex began. Gbenga arched his head. Lex continued. "I don't like the kind of vibes emanating from you. I know you have a thing for male ass, but I'm straight. I don't feel comfortable with the way you're checking me out. No offense, but you need to get your act together and tell me the fuck is going on here."

There. 

What happened next was unexpected. Lex never anticipated such from the huge man.

Gbenga moved closer to him, invading Lex's personal space, his features became dark and grim.

"You think I am checking you out?" Gbenga asked.

Obviously. Lex said to himself.

Gbenga's eyes pierced Lex's. Lex didn't flinch. A trickle of sweat travelled on Lex's temple to his beard. A car drove by, but it slowed down. The glasses came down, the man behind the wheels asked if there was any problem. Gbenga moved a few steps back and gave the man a friendly smile. Everything was alright, he told the man. The man didn't look satisfied. But he shrugged and drove on.

Gbenga turned back to Lex, whose eyes showed no emotion whatsoever.

"The Sons want you on our side." He said with a professional tone. Adjusting his tie.

"I'm afraid, I am not interested. And you haven't told me anything relating to the murder yet. You said you will help me solve the riddle, you have told me zilch." Lex said.  As calm as he could. His insides was burning with anger. He wanted to punch this man so bad, but he thought better of it. The man's stomach looked like rocks, even through his suit. Lex could see the bulge.

"The inscription is for you to decipher.  I am afraid even I do not know what they mean. Like I said before, I am an errand boy."

Lex grumbled. Hopeless! I should have known he wouldn't help!

He started for the main house. This man was obviously helpless. He couldn't possibly help me. Four more days before the next murder, and I have not one clue why or what the atrocity is that these men committed.

Gbenga followed Lex into the compound as Lex was climbing the front porche, he saw the inscription above the garage door. My word! He ignored it, and said.

"Lex," Lex stopped on his track. His hands trembling with anger, like a volcano about to erupt. The compound was dim. The only illumination came from the streetlight above, the compound's trees blocking the light. 

"What is it? You're distracting me!" Lex screamed. Glaring at the huge man before him.

Gbenga sighed. His features a little calmer. He radiated power.

"When I said the Sons wanted you on their side, I wasn't asking you."

There was a silence. The only thing that broke it was the sound of nocturnal insects.

"The Sons," Gbenga continued. "know your capabilities. They want you on their side. It is not a request. It is a command."

"And if I decline the request?" Lex asked.

"You will lose the one you hold dear."

Lex stiffened. 

"As we speak, our man is as the airport."

A chill crawled up Lex's spine.

Funke!!!