Daniel turned once more to the report determined to let work clear his mind. Fuel smuggling was definitely on the wane since the government’s removal of the subsidy but not, however, off the radar screen. He sat for a moment, recalling his last conversation with Uchendu, and then suddenly thumped the desk. Uchendu’s strange formality – her tone – were all indications that something was wrong. “Fool!” He’d been too busy with fantasies of Melanie, the way heat left its pink kiss on her face when she blushed. The smile she seemed to reserve for him. And all the time Uchendu…..
Uchendu’s phone went straight to mailbox. Daniel texted an urgent message for her to call him and fought the chill of fear making his stomach clench. Fought also, the memory of what happened to women branded spies and traitors. Not one to depend entirely on his GPS, he pulled out the map, marked a route to Abuja’s university and then headed out to the Navara.
Daniel turned out of the driveway and on to the main road. He couldn’t help glancing over to where he’d last seen Melanie hard at work but her pickup and Dave’s truck were gone. He sighed, sorry to have missed another chance of seeing her, perhaps sharing a quick conversation.
Despite the urgency behind this trip to Abuja City, Daniel’s thoughts turned to his first meeting with Melanie. For some reason he’d never quite understood, women often threw themselves at him and he’d learned from bitter experience these sudden and often intense relationships ended just as quickly. Melanie seemed different. Feisty, yet strangely vulnerable with that clear, delicate skin, the child-like swing of her blonde ponytail and her genuine smile. Of course, he was aware of the way her gaze lingered a little too long, but that only made him more curious and, if he were honest, warmed him in other ways as well.
Daniel shook his head in an attempt to clear his mind for the task ahead. He increased his speed and then had to slow to avoid a small flock of pygmy goats herded along the shoulder by two young boys. Cattle egrets lifted in a blur of grey and as Daniel looked, he noticed the truck parked on Billy Gessup’s closed road. He realized the whole incident with the truck filled with Nigerian men, the way they helped Melanie, seemed odd.
Uchendu’s safety, stopping the smugglers – these were his first priorities but later, there’d be time to follow up. It occurred to him that he’d also be able to find out more about Melanie. Daniel recalled the scowl on Dave’s face when they’d all met for the first time and wondered what exactly the setup was between those two. One thing he knew for sure, Dave exhibited all the signs of a rival. A rival who would take great care of Melanie until he returned from Abuja.
He gunned the Navara leaving huge dust trails spiraling in its wake.
Vivienne Joseph (NZ)
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