LIFE IMPRISONMENT 26
WRITTEN BY: GRACE OLAYEMI
“Thank you very much, Mr Abraham, for the years we have worked together but I’m no longer comfortable entrusting my life to you as my lawyer. Every document related to me in your possession should be given to my P.A. Have a good life.”
Abraham folded the letter after reading through it and carefully placed it back into the envelope. He looked through a pile of files until he stopped at one, pulled it out and handed it over to the man standing before him.
“Give it to your boss and extend my regards to him.”
He sank into his chair after the man left his office and his mind systematically went back to the thought that had plagued him all through that afternoon.
Ever since he took up Danger’s case, things had been going from bad to worse and he was yet to understand what exactly God wanted him to do with Danger.
It was bad enough that his wife and child were being stigmatized and bullied in the society and on social media until he had to send them abroad for their sanity’s sake.
He had been receiving threat calls from various people claiming that they would wipe out his entire family if Danger was acquitted. His other clients have been withdrawing themselves from him with the mind that they could no longer trust someone that was willing to defend a national terror. His friends were also making excuses to distance themselves from him with claims that they were busy while others came out clean and told him that they were no longer convenient relating with him.
Danger, who was the cause of everything he was going through was also making life difficult for him. He had gone to the cell twice to gather enough information from Danger but each trip had ended in a disaster.
The last one was so bad to the extent that Danger spat into his eyes and wiping the phlegm off his eyes was the most disgusting thing he had had to do. He then made up his mind not to visit Danger again and though the day of his court appearance was fast approaching he didn’t bother. His phone rang and that disengaged him from his thought.
“Hello, Dear,” Comfort greeted immediately he answered the call and the sound of her voice soothed his soul to the point that he began to smile. He had missed his family terribly and wished the case would wrap up in time so he could have them back with him.
“What’s up? How are you doing? How is Seunfunmi and Rantimi?”
“We are all fine.”
“Hope you have fully adjusted to the weather. Hope Rantimi is no more down with fever. Cover them properly and don’t let them go out unless it is extremely necessary. You know the weather over there is adversely different from the one they have been used to.”
“Yes, sir. We will take extra care of ourselves. Thanks for the lecture.”
They laughed.
“How are you too? Hope you are feeding well and not just eating junks.”
“I’m trying. You know there is no food that can taste as delicious as the one you prepare.”
“Hmmm, Well done. I see what you did there. You have been eating junks, right?”
“Hmhmhm, not all the time.”
“No, you can’t be diplomatic with me. Answer with yes or no.”
“Yes!”
“You know that is not good for your health. Try to cook something home-made and eat it. It’s far better than fast food or eating out.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“So, how is the case coming along?”
The question he had no delight in answering finally came up. He had been sparing Comfort all the details of his encounter with Danger, the threat calls and even the loss of most of his major clients. He didn’t want her to bother.
“Everything is fine.”
“You are still not going to tell me what is going on? I’ve been having a strange feeling since we got here and each time I ask you what is happening, you keep saying all is fine. When we both know nothing is fine.”
There goes his overly sensitive wife. He knew hiding something successfully from Comfort was an impossible mission.
“Danger is not co-operating,” he finally spilled the beans and momentarily felt the ease of sharing the burden he had been carrying with someone.
“What do you mean by that?”
“He does not trust me as his attorney and had refused to confess to his crimes which in turn has made it difficult for me to strategize on how I’ll present the defence in court.”
She was silent for a while then she spoke again.
“You said it was God that told you to take up the case. Why then do you need Danger’s co-operation? He is not your client. He was not the one that gave the case to you. You should go back to the one that gave the case to you to ask for directions on how to handle the case.”
Goosebumps invaded Abraham’s body as Comfort spoke. It was her voice but he knew without any iota of doubt that the words did not come from her.
“Let me lead you. I gave the case to you but let me handle it. Follow my lead so it would go the way I want it to go.”
“I will, Lord. I will trust in you. I’m done trying to do it in my own way. You gave the case to me; I ought to let you handle it. It’s your lead I will follow and not my intellect.” He kept saying until he heard Comfort’s voice again and knew she was back.
“You will do what?” She asked.
“I’ll let the Lord lead me through the case so the result can be His result.”
“Yes, that is what you should do. God will help you and see you through in Jesus name. I’ll be praying along.”
“Thank you.”
To be continued…
