Insects flew in circles round fluorescent tubes hanging in rows from the ceiling. Below, the congregation wailed and sang and clapped and jerked in holy frenzy. In front, on a raised stage covered in red carpet, the pastor, in a white suit, white shirt, white shoes and a red tie, was sweating from the hairline of his jerry-curled head as he ran from corner to corner screaming into his microphone and spraying spittle onto the faces of the most ardent followers who were kneeling at the foot of the altar.
In the first row, swaying to the choir’s song, Area stood with his hands up, his eyes closed, and his face to the heavens as he repeated the proclamations the man of God commanded: ‘All my enemies, somersault and die.’ All around, the chorus, ‘Die, die, die,’ reverberated through the church.
Area felt a tingle against his leg. He fetched his phone and checked the caller display, then pushed his way past the kneeling, standing, jumping worshippers in his row, and jogged down the aisle for the exit, a hundred metres away.
Catching his breath outside the main auditorium of Faith and Fire Miracles Ministries, stars above, warm breeze blowing, he looked at the screen and saw the seconds counting.
‘Baba,’ he said.
‘Her name is Amaka.’
‘Yes. Amaka Mbadiwe. Ambassador Mbadiwe’s daughter. Do it tonight. She lives in her father’s official residence in Ikoyi. The ambassador is not around, but there will be police officers guarding the place. Take as many boys as you need. Kill everybody. Take jewellery, TVs, things like that. I’m at an important meeting. I will wait until you call me to say it has been done. OK?’
‘OK.’
Otunba returned to the landing from a door by the sofa. He winced and rubbed his stomach as he closed the door behind him.
Ambrose watched him settle back onto the sofa.
‘Are you alright?’ he asked.
‘Something is disturbing my system,’ Otunba said. ‘I think I’ve flushed it out.’
‘Have you?’
‘We shall see.’ He rubbed his stomach again. ‘We shall see.’
Ambrose exchanged his remaining chips for cash. He’d not done well. He stood from the table and walked around shaking hands. Otunba was the last person he bade goodbye.
‘You’re leaving so soon?’ Otunba asked.
‘If we are to have a riot by tomorrow, I have to start working tonight,’ Ambrose said.
Yellowman held the car door open for Ambrose before he walked around the car and got in next to his boss.
‘From now on, Amaka is your number one priority,’ Ambrose said. The car pulled out onto the road.
‘Didn’t you tell him she’s on the safe list?’ Yellowman asked.
‘I did. He said he doesn’t know who she is. He will make it look like an accident.’
‘You want me to bring her in?’
‘No. I want her to see what he’s capable of. But you must be there so that we don’t lose her. You, personally. Not anyone else. Round the clock. From this night on, her safety is your responsibility.’
‘What if he doesn’t make a move?’
‘Then we will do it for him. Just like he did with his own son-in-law.’