Edward leaned back on his seat and released a deep breath. “So it is Chief Okrika…”
“You do know him…” Benibo asked sitting forward.
“You can say that,” Edward replied. “Before this February, the last time I saw him was almost twenty years ago. He and his wife raised me for about two years as foster parents.”
The other two looked at each other and Mrs. Olayomi spoke their minds, “Your foster parents? You were raised by foster parents?”
“Yes. I am an orphan.” Edward stood up and waved both hands as he took the opportunity to stretch his legs. “Yeah, yeah, you‘re not the only ones that don‘t know. I ran away from their house when I was seventeen and no one since then has heard my full story.” Well, except for one person, he added to himself. He still didn‘t know what to do about Gladys and he had to do a lot of travelling in the next few days.
“He‘s been looking for you since then?
But why is he after you and your business?” Their questions were fired in quick succession.
“I don‘t know if he was looking for me. We did run into each other earlier this year and he made some threats that let me know he and his wife have not forgotten about some matters.”
“Can I ask what those are?” Mrs. Olayomi sat forward.
“I want to say I don‘t think they make much a difference now but it may perhaps come out before all this is done. He put me in jail for attempted rape and theft but I was innocent and the police agreed. Whether that‘s all he wants satisfaction for, I don‘t know.”
Mrs. Olayomi and Benibo looked at each other and back.
“There were no formal charges; there‘s nothing he can use to support anything he might say, so we‘ll deny everything. I‘m just telling you so that you‘re not surprised if it comes out while I‘m out of the country. You know what to do to avert any damage.”
“That‘s fair enough. Did I tell you Mr. Odusote‘s Top Assets Limited manages some of our shares? He is one of their front men…”
Edward smiled and sat down. “Is he? I‘m not surprised.”