“That‘s correct. Remember that I paid for it too. I‘m also the only one who has the power to allow you to touch that money.”
Gladys narrowed her eyes at him. After the argument with Edward, she‘d wondered about that. However, when she called the bank, they said she could access the funds after a few days.
“You‘re wrong,” she replied. “It may take some days but I‘ll withdraw the money and give it back to Bestman Group.”
Chief Okrika laughed. “Do you think I‘ll give you money to help fight me? It‘s obvious you don‘t know how the banks work. The three days required before you can access that money is for it to be cleared by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Who knows how much longer that will take if I whisper into the right ears?”
“What do you mean?”
“If the Commission‘s operatives think you‘ve committed fraud to get that money, you could even be cooling your feet in jail…”
“I did nothing dubious! The money came from you.”
“Do you think you‘re wiser than I am?” He shook his head. “I was in business long before you were born. That payment is from an account that can only lead to money laundering sources if enquires are made. There‘s only one way to forestall such enquiries.”
Gladys felt very frustrated. She was getting the information she wanted, but it seemed that Chief Okrika had thought of everything. “What have we done to you? What has Edward done to you?”
“Forget about Edward. I can tell you that he‘s on a sinking ship. I just heard he‘s planning to call an emergency meeting, but that won‘t help him. He won‘t be of any further help to you. For you, I have the perfect solution. I know you‘re from a poor background with three brothers to take care of. And one of them is diabetic...”
“How do you know all that?” Gladys was lost for words.
“It‘s easy to find out things with the right people.”
“What kind of right people?” Gladys asked. This man went about hurting people and there were people to aid him?
“My dear, you‘re still so young. For instance, once I gave my agent your name and a picture, it took a week to get all the details I needed. I knew about your office, your broker and your family. Become mine, dear girl, and know what it means to have power. I also had detectives monitoring you and Edward everywhere.”