Victor stepped out of the office building, the warm Malaki sun hitting his face. He scanned the crowd, his eyes adjusting to the bright light. The usual place was a café on the outskirts of the business district, a hole-in-the-wall joint that served the best jollof rice in town. Victor had used it as a meeting spot before, a place where he could blend in. He hailed a taxi, his eyes checking the surroundings. The driver nodded, a familiar route. Victor settled in, his mind racing. Who was his mysterious contact? And what did they know?
The taxi dropped him off, and Victor paid, his eyes scanning the street. The café was a block away, a small sign reading "Mama's Kitchen". He walked in, his eyes adjusting to the dim light. The place was empty, except for one person. A woman, her back to him. Victor's eyes narrowed. She turned, a hint of a smile on her face. "Victor." He approached, cautious. "Aisha." They'd worked together, a long time ago. Aisha had been a rising star, but she'd left NovaTech suddenly. No one knew why. She stood up, her eyes serious.
"Thanks for coming." Victor nodded, his eyes on hers. "What do you know?" Aisha's expression was somber. "I know about the shell company. I know about Alex." Victor's gut twisted. "Tell me." Aisha's eyes seemed to bore into his soul. "I was the one who set it up, Victor. I was the one who moved the money." The room seemed to spin.
Victor's mind reeled. Aisha? The silence wasoppressive, a weight pressing down. Aisha's voice was barely above a whisper. "I had no choice, Victor. They threatened me." Victor's eyes narrowed. "Who?" Aisha's eyes seemed to cloud.
"The board, Victor. They're not what they seem." The game was getting deeper. Victor's grip on reality tightened. "What do you want, Aisha?" Aisha's eyes met his, a hint of desperation. "I want to make it right, Victor. I want to stop it." The words hung in the air, a challenge. Victor's mind racing, connecting the dots. Could he trust her?
The café seemed to hold its breath. Aisha's eyes were on him, waiting. Victor took a deep breath.
"What do you need?"
Aisha's expression was a mix of relief and fear. "I need you to get me the files, Victor. I need you to trust me." Victor's eyes narrowed. "What files?" Aisha's voice was barely above a whisper. "The ones that prove Alex's innocence. The ones that show who's really behind it." The room seemed to spin. Victor's mind racing. Could it be true? Was Alex being set up? Aisha's eyes were on him, pleading. "Please, Victor. We have to hurry." The clock was ticking. Victor's grip on reality tightened. He nodded, a decision made. "I'll get the files." Aisha's face lit up, a hint of hope.
"Thank you, Victor." The game was on, and Victor was all in. He stood up, his eyes scanning the café. The shadows waited, watching. He nodded to Aisha, a silent understanding. They were in this together.
The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the street. Victor walked back to his car, his mind racing. The files were in his office, a floor below. He entered the building, his eyes scanning the lobby. The security guard nodded, a familiar face. Victor smiled, a brief flash. He entered the elevator, his heart pounding. The doors opened, and he stepped out. His office was a few doors down. He entered, his eyes scanning the room.
The files were on his desk, a stack of papers. He grabbed them, his heart racing. Aisha was counting on him. He turned to leave, and that's when he saw it. A note, on his desk. "Looking for this?" Victor's eyes narrowed. Who was it? And how did they know? The game was getting dirty.
He picked up the note, his eyes scanning the words. "Meet me at the old warehouse. Come alone." The message was unsigned, but Victor knew who it was from. The board. They were onto him. He folded the note, his eyes scanning the room. He was running out of time. He pulled out his phone, typing a quick message. "It's done.
Meet me at the warehouse." The response came back, a single word: "Good." Victor's eyes narrowed. The game was on, and he'd play to win.
He left the office, the files burning in his hand.
The shadows waited, but Victor was ready.