Chapter 2: The Search for Truth

Meeting Jonas

The sun rose over Ekulu, bathing the village in a warm golden light, but the village was not peaceful. Emmanuel sat on the roof terrace of his sprawling village home, his mind spinning with images of his father, Damian Cole, and the man who had murdered him—Leo Udeh. The weight of his mission to bring Leo to justice crushed him, but Emmanuel knew he was not strong enough to do it by himself. He needed assistance, and he needed information.

It was during this period that Jonas arrived from Lagos.

Jonas Akande, Damian's aged friend and businessman, entered the compound with a stern expression. He was big, with large shoulders and the weathered countenance of long years of travail and treachery. There was an aura of respectability about him, but there existed something in his eyes that bordered on loss and regret.

"Emmanuel," Jonas answered in a low, even tone. "I heard you were in town. Sorry to hear about your father. Damian was a fine man."

Emmanuel rose to his feet and shook hands with Jonas, a tide of gratitude sweeping over him. "Thank you, Uncle Jonas. I require your help. I need to find Leo Udeh and make him pay for what he has done to my father."

Jonas nodded curtly. "I've waited for this moment. Leo has a wide network, and he's protected by powerful people. But I do know where to start."

The two sat, and Jonas began to unravel the tangled web of Leo's criminal empire. He spoke of secret accounts, bribed officials, and an enforcer network who did Leo's dirty work. Emmanuel listened seething anger bubbling within him.

"Leo's men are everywhere," Jonas warned. "If we're going to take him down, we have to be cautious. One mistake, and we'll all be like your father."

Emmanuel's jaw hardened. "I'm not scared of Leo. I gave my word to my father's grave, and I'm going to keep it."

Gathering Allies

The early morning sun shone a golden, warm light over Ekulu, but the village was not at peace. Emmanuel sat on the roof of his house, his phone pressed to his ear. On the other end was Mr. Adebayo, a private investigator who had worked in close collaboration with Emmanuel's father, Damian Cole, before his sudden death. Adebayo had been a friend Emmanuel could trust, and he knew he would need his assistance more than ever now.

Adebayo," began Emmanuel, his voice steady but firm. "I require your help. Leo Udeh is still out there, and I'm not going to let him get away with what he did to my father. But I cannot carry on alone."

There was a pause on the other line before Adebayo spoke, his voice calm and level. "Emmanuel, I've been waiting for this call. Your dad was a great man, and what happened to him… it was a tragedy. I'll do all that I can to help you get Leo to book. I'll take the next flight to Enugu. From there, I'll go on to Ekulu."

Emmanuel felt a surge of relief. "Thank you, Adebayo. I'll be waiting for you.

Two days later, a dusty SUV pulled into the village, swung onto the neatly tarred Emmanuel Cole Avenue, slid through the huge gate into Emmanuel's sprawling village home. Out stepped Mr. Adebayo, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings with the precision of a man who had spent years piecing together puzzles. He had a clean white shirt and black trousers, a stark contrast to the village austerity. A brown leather satchel was slung across his back, doubtless full of papers and equipment of his trade. Emmanuel greeted him with a firm handshake. "Adebayo, thanks for coming. I know it's a long way." Adebayo smiled faintly, although his eyes were solemn. "For Damian's son, I'd travel to the ends of the earth. Now, let's get to work."

The two men made their way inside, where a makeshift command center had been set up. Maps of the region were spread across a wooden table, marked with notes and potential locations of Leo's operations. Multiple colored electric lamps hung from the ceiling, casting amber lights over the room.

Adebayo set down his satchel and pulled out a fat folder of documents. "I've had Leo under surveillance for years," he began, his voice low and controlled. "He's a smart man, Emmanuel. He's built his empire on fear, bribes, and clandestine associations. But even the strongest of men have weaknesses."

Emmanuel leaned forward, his gaze fixed on Adebayo. "What do you suggest?"

Adebayo spread out a map of the region, pointing a few places indicated on it. "Leo's operation is extensive, but it's not invincible. He employs a couple of reliable lieutenants to run his business. If we can kill them, we can close down his business."

He rapped on a specific spot on the map. "This is the compound of Chief Ezemmuo. He's one of Leo's most trusted men. If anyone knows where Leo is hiding, it's him. But we need to be careful. Ezemmuo is dangerous and on Leo's payroll, and he has a small army of devoted followers around him." Emmanuel ground his teeth. "Then we'll hit him hard and fast. We don't let him give the alarm to Leo."

Adebayo nodded, his expression solemn. "That's true. But we'll require more than brute force. We'll require strategy. Ezemmuo is a master manipulator. He'll try to play tricks on your mind, Emmanuel. He's a master of witchcraft. You'll need to stay sharp."

Emmanuel met Adebayo's gaze, his resolve unshaken. "I'm ready. For my father, for my family, I'll do whatever it takes."

Adebayo studied him for a moment, then gave a small, approving nod. "You've got your father's fire, Emmanuel. Damian would be proud."

The two men spent the next few hours poring over the maps and documents, strategizing their next move. Adebayo shared everything he knew about Leo's operations, from his hidden accounts to his connections with corrupt officials. Emmanuel listened intently, absorbing every detail.

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the room, Adebayo leaned back in his chair. "We'll need to move quickly. Leo's men are already on edge, and if they catch wind of what we're planning, they'll strike back hard."

Emmanuel nodded, his mind racing. "We'll leave at first light. Ezemmuo won't know what hit him."

Adebayo placed a hand on Emmanuel's shoulder, his expression softening. "You're not alone in this, Emmanuel. We'll see this through together."

Emmanuel felt a surge of gratitude. For the first time in a long while, he didn't feel like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. With Adebayo by his side, he knew they had a fighting chance.

A New Lead

The next morning, Emmanuel and his squad went to the compound of Chief Ezemmuo, a straggling mansion on the outskirts of the village. They moved cautiously in the air filled with tension as they approached, knowing that the slightest misstep would alert Leo's network.

When they arrived at the compound, Jonas approached Emmanuel in low tones. "Be careful, Emmanuel. Ezemmuo is a scourge. He is not just a thug—he is a manipulator. He will try to play mental games with you."

Emmanuel nodded, his hand resting on the hilt of his knife. "I'm ready."

The confrontation was swift and brutal. Emmanuel and his men stormed the compound, overpowering Ezemmuo's guards before they could raise the alarm. Ezemmuo himself was found in his study, surrounded by relics of dark magic and ancient artifacts.

"You're making a mistake," Ezemmuo sneered as Emmanuel approached. "Leo will destroy you." Emmanuel's eyes burned with anger. "Where is he?"Ezemmuo stuttered, but with the ferocious grappling of one of the soldiers who was with them, he finally lost his guard. "He's in Lagos," Ezemmuo admitted, trembling. "But you'll never get to him. He's too powerful." Emmanuel stepped closer, his voice low and menacing. "We'll see. And as for you, this isn't over yet."

A Mother's Pain

As Emmanuel and his group left Ezemmuo's compound, the tension of the meeting lingered. The sun was dipping, and long shadows fell across Ekulu village. Emmanuel's thoughts, however, were elsewhere—in Victoria Island, Lagos, where his mother, Elsie, was now living with her husband. Despite the physical distance, Emmanuel also felt deeply connected to her, and he knew that her pain and suffering were also tied to the same man he had come to pursue: Leo Udeh.

In the village, Emmanuel sat by himself on the porch of his home, staring at the old family photo that he enlarged and kept there. It was a picture of his parents, Damian and Elsie, from years ago when life had been simpler. Damian's smile had been wide and reassuring, and Elsie's eyes had sparkled with optimism. Now, Damian was dead, and Elsie was far away from the village, trying to rebuild what Leo had destroyed.

Emmanuel pulled out his phone and dialed his mother. She picked up on the third ring, her tone soft but tinged with exhaustion.

"Emmanuel," she replied, trembling a bit. "How are you, my son?"

"I'm fine, Mama," Emmanuel replied, trying to sound stable. "I just wanted to hear your voice. How are you managing?"

There was a silence on the other line, and Emmanuel could feel the weight of her silence. "I'm… managing," Elsie said at last. "But it's hard, Emmanuel. Every day, I think of your father and what Leo took from us. I just wish I could turn back the time."

Emmanuel's grip on the phone grew tight. "I know, Mama. But I'm going to get this right. I'm going to bring Leo to justice. For Papa. For you. For all of us."

Elsie's voice broke. "Please, Emmanuel, be careful. Leo is dangerous. He's not a man—he's a monster. I don't want to lose you too."

Emmanuel closed his eyes, his heart shattering at the pain in her voice. "You won't lose me, Mama. I promise. I'll be safe. But I can't let Leo off for what he's done. Not after everything."

There was a pause, and then Elsie breathed, "I'm so proud of you, Emmanuel. Your father would be too. Just… come back to me. That's all I ask."

"I will, Mama," Emmanuel said firmly. "I'll come back, and I'll make sure Leo pays for what he's done."

As he ended the call, Emmanuel felt a renewed sense of purpose. His mother's pain was a constant reminder of why he had to see this through. She was married, and yet still remembered Damian as if he died yesterday. Leo had taken too much from their family, and Emmanuel was determined to make him answer for it.