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Shehu stood next to Amaka on the dual carriageway. He looked at Malik. ‘I thought we agreed she was mine,’ he said.

‘Did you follow me?’ Malik asked him.

‘Yes. From 1004.’

‘What were you doing there?’

‘Following her.’ Shehu said. ‘What were you doing there?’

‘Looking up a friend who lives there.’

‘Florentine?’

‘No. She’s dead. She’s buried not very far from The Harem.’ Malik looked out the rear window, past Amaka’s car at the parked Prius. ‘We really don’t have time for chit-chat,’ he said. ‘We’ve got to get off the road.’ He reached back to open the rear door and waved his gun at Amaka. ‘Get in.’

Amaka stood still. Shehu grabbed her arm and shoved her towards the open door. He followed her into the car and closed the door.

‘What about your car?’ Malik asked.

‘Move, before we attract attention.’

Malik closed his door and placed the gun in his lap.

‘You better give me that,’ Shehu said.

Malik looked at him in the mirror. ‘You don’t need it,’ he said. ‘We’re not going far.’

They were soon on the Lekki-Ajah Expressway, speeding away from Victoria Island.

From the back seat, Amaka watched Malik’s side profile. ‘What did you do to her?’ she asked.

He did not answer.

‘Who is she talking about?’ Shehu said.

‘Oh, just the snitch who told her how to find my club. They burnt it down.’

‘The Harem?’

‘Yes. Burnt to the ground. I sent a boy to check on a situation there. He sent me pictures of my lovely building on fire. Then my associate lied to me that it had to do with the Ukrainian girls, but I know it’s our friend here. She likes to play detective all over Lagos. And now I also know she was working with the girl at 1004. Her name is Naomi. She was there last night while you were there. You would have liked her. Pretty girl. And intelligent. I was going to ask her some questions, but I don’t have to anymore. I’ll get everything I need out of this one.’