This Would Have Been Another ISIS Story But...(cont'd)

Flowers and butterfly - source: michiganradio.org

Tocknet Hill Club was tucked away in a quiet space in Asokoro. It wasn't for everybody and even the rich knew to pay their dues with choice membership offers. For Leniana, it was a delight to be on the premises of the Club. She enjoyed the karaoke bar and often sat with the DJ to choose the night's music she liked every Friday night that she hung out in the bush bar. This evening wasn't for frolicking with the aspiring musicians who wanted to have their songs played in the club. She enjoyed the attention they gave her. Many of them knew she was a talented journalist and wanted her to feature their songs on her website. This particular night that Daniel and Festus had arrived to wait for her, she appeared to be in a good mood.

"I don't like to bring people to this place," said Leniana. "But I believed that you wouldn't mind since you could still meet important people here."

She was swirling the cocktail she had in her hand and staring into the glass as if it was some sort of a seer stone. What could make a woman so charming yet so selfish? Festus looked at her with disbelief. She wanted him to believe that she was doing him a big favour and make him part with N5000 for just one single entry to this...er...what? For what, kwanu? That amount would definitely stock his refrigerator with grocery for the next two weeks. Anyway, one wouldn't always count one's losses on every event. Let her continue her ramble.

 "And this business tycoon, what's his name?" He asked Leniana. Daniel seemed more interested in the menu than in their conversation. "I need to know what he does and why we should help you with his portfolio."

The DJ started a new song. Leniana stood up to dance but changed her mind. "I'm sorry, dear. What was your question again?"

"Who is your client and why do you need us to help you with him?"

Leniana told them his name and Daniel became interested. She wanted to know how to put him under the radar whenever there was a controversy with his construction company. He was a known man, an Igbo man from across the Niger River. He was interested in motor spare parts too and owned a motor tyres manufacturing company. He was rich but why would he be interested in his affairs covered up if he was a clean businessman? Festus mulled over this and sat back to have supper. Some N12, 000 later he and Daniel left Tocknet Hill Club in anger. Leniana had refused to return the documents handed over to her so they could convince, Mr Wisa, the Editor-in-Chief that they didn't keep back the money from Leniana. She had asked them to put him through to her to verify their narration. What a bitch! Daniel knew that that would portend trouble for them. Daniel didn't want to lose his job and would bet his next free burrito on the assertion that Festus still valued his own job. It was as simple as pay up or return the documents. Leniana was a tough brat.

Two weeks later, Daniel was invited to the E-in-C's office. It was a Monday and such days were used for briefing for the next week's story leads.

"I have good reason to believe that you're playing hanky-panky with me. Did you not read the Chekus' story of two days ago? How did Crossvibes Media get the story that we were cutting deals with him to keep the scandal over his substandard goods under wraps? The story on the two buildings that collapsed in Onitsha and injured three workmen didn't reach my table. Why's that?"

"I didn't hear about it, sir," replied Daniel. "Besides, it wasn't my bit at all. I'm still rewriting the piece on the Sahara Venture."

"That story left my office over a month ago, even before you took the foiled attack's story to Leniana. That reminds me, Daniel. I have no need to keep you on the job if you would lose original documents of a story as interesting as that and allow that woman deceive you."

At the end of the meeting, Daniel was given a query. He left knowing that his job was at stake. What would become of his pregnant wife who would need a Caesarean Section to be delivered of her baby? He would need to prepare for the birth that would be just in two months' time. Daniel returned to his office and Festus sought him out. He too had received a query, only his was a verbal warning because he had assured his news editor that he would use every possible contact to retrieve the document from Leniana. (Story to be continued soon...)