The tiger that prowls quietly doesn’t mean it’s intimidated.
– AFRICAN PROVERB –
Sam felt as if someone had gut-punched him. Unable to breathe as he processed the words, he let his foot off the gas.
“Sam,” Renee whispered. “What’s wrong?”
He shook his head at her, checked the mirror and pulled over, hoping, praying, he’d misunderstood. He put a finger to his lips, signaling for Renee to remain quiet. “Who is this?” he demanded.
“Makao.”
“Put my wife on the phone.”
The man gave a cynical laugh. “In case there’s any confusion, I’m the one who gives the orders. I’ll decide when and if you get to talk to her.”
“What is it you want?”
“Aren’t you the least bit interested in who else I have?”
Sam forced himself to take deliberate, even breaths, quelling the fear and anger coursing through him. “Who else?”
“Some very scared girls. How much would that be worth to a man of your means?”
“That depends on the proof that my wife and the others aren’t hurt.”
“She mentioned that might be an issue.” Sam heard Makao’s voice, muffled, then saying, “Your husband wants to talk to you.”
“Sam?”
“Remi. Are you okay?”
“I’m … we’re fine. There’s si—”
The sound of the phone being moved quickly, air hitting the mic, then Makao saying, “Satisfied?”
“Let’s cut right to it,” Sam said. “What is it you want?”
“One million.”
“Naira?” he asked.
“Dollars. U.S.”
“If I find out you’ve harmed my wife or anyone else at that school, not only won’t you see the money, I’ll kill you and everyone involved.”
“You have twenty-four hours. If you involve the police, we’ll kill them all.”
The line went dead. Sam immediately called Selma, listening to the line ring.
“Sam?” Renee said, watching him. “What’s going on?”
“Someone’s kidnapped Remi and the girls.”
“Amal?”
“I’m assuming so since it was her phone.”
Renee’s hand went to her mouth, shocked. “Now I know why Remi never answered my texts.”