Chapter Fourteen – Abuja Heat, Secret Meetings & Tayo's Web
Tammy couldn't stop staring out the window. Private jet or not, her nerves were doing a full Etighi on her insides. Lagos to Abuja was barely an hour, but with Rita gisting beside her like they were on their way to a wedding, and Jeremy quietly sipping champagne like the most unbothered person in lagos, she felt like everything was moving too fast.
"First of all," Rita said mid-rant, her nails glittering in the sunlight, "if one more person says 'I didn't know you were married oh,' I'll fling prosecco at them. I swear."
Tammy gave her a look. "Didn't you literally say the same thing when you arrived?"
"I said it as a joke. There's a difference. I also said your man looks like fine shyt. See how I put respect in it."
Jeremy looked up from his drink. "Still sitting right here."
"And you're still looking edible," Rita winked and shot back without missing a beat. "Cheers."
Tammy laughed in spite of herself and rested her head back. "I'm just hoping Zion actually found something solid. I want answers."
"You'll get them," Jeremy said, serious now. "Whatever Tayo and Tony thought they were doing, it ends here."
---
Abuja greeted them with heat. Dry, stubborn, "I will fry your wig off" type of heat.
They stepped into the air-conditioned black SUV waiting at the private hangar and drove straight to Zion's apartment in Maitama—secured complex, gated, and tech'd out like a CIA hideout.
Zion opened the door already dressed like a villain in a tech thriller: black shirt, laptop in hand, eyes sharp.
"I hope y'all brought popcorn," he said.
They filed into the living room. The projector screen lit up.
"This," Zion began, "is everything I've found in the last 72 hours. Tammy, your sister is messier than Eba without soup."
He clicked a button. Images, call logs, and security footage flashed across the screen. Tayo entering a hotel room. Tony waiting inside. More calls. Money transfers. Fake bookings. Multiple texts with aliases like "ClientX" and "Golden Guest."
Tammy's lips parted. "She planned everything with your tony too?"
Zion nodded slowly. "Yes. But not with Tony directly. They worked separately. Same night. Same goal."
Jeremy frowned. "Destroy both of us."
Tammy's voice trembled. "Still don't wanna believe it…"
"She used your schedule," Zion said. "Booked the room using your ID, waited until you were alone, had someone spike your drink at that press dinner."
Tammy sank onto the couch, staring blankly. "But why?"
"She's jealous love," Rita said gently, perching beside her. "Always has been. The quiet ones shine without noise, and it burns the loud ones."
Zion added, "She's been meeting with someone else. Not Tony. A third player."
Tammy looked up. "Who?"
"I don't know yet. But they've been using a burner phone routed through multiple locations. I'm tracking it."
Jeremy crossed his arms. "You think it's someone in my company?"
Zion shrugged. "Wouldn't be surprised. But whatever this is... it goes deeper. I think Tayo's working under someone."
Rita folded her arms. "What a personality I mean your own sister. Sorry love but damn I'm kinda excited like how many times do you see this sort of thing in real life. Nevertheless we've been too quiet."
Tammy stood. "I want to see her. In person."
Jeremy blinked. "You sure?"
"I need to hear it from her mouth."
Zion nodded. "We'll arrange it. Carefully."
---
Later that evening, they drove through Abuja's Gwarinpa estate, Tammy and Rita pressed against the window as they passed suya stalls, roasted corn sellers, and kids dancing to Asake's "Lonely At The Top."
"I love it here," Rita said dreamily. "Even the air feels richer."
Tammy chuckled. "Wait till you see the food."
They stopped at a local food joint Zion recommended—Amala Heaven. Tammy wore a cap and shades, Jeremy stayed in the SUV, and the girls marched inside like queens of vibes.
They ate amala with ewedu, gbegiri, and correct orisirisi. Rita tried to complain about the pepper level—until she tasted it.
"OH MY GOD," she shouted. "I see why you Lagos people shout over food now!"
Tammy licked her fingers. "Na why we no dey play. Pepper is personality."
They returned to the apartment full and sleepy, only to find Jeremy and Zion on a video call with Wale and Tobi.
"About time y'all showed up," Wale grinned. "We've got more updates."
Tobi waved. "Guess who found Tony's last hotel check-in?"
Jeremy leaned forward. "Where?"
Tobi smirked. "Ibadan."
Everyone blinked.
"Of all places?" Tammy asked.
"He's hiding where no one thinks to look," Zion said. "Smart."
Jeremy nodded. "Then we look harder."
Zion turned off the screen. "You ready to face your sister?"
Tammy looked at her reflection in the window, then back at all of them.
" Of course."