Page 43 of Key Of Dreams

“Calvin’s father is a powerful man,” she says cautiously. “Maybe it’s best to leave things be…for now.”

I nod. “For now.” I sigh.

* * *

Bull

Wire and I have been waiting for Oman and Oyeiku to leave the library on the university grounds for the last couple of hours. In part, it works in our favor that the sun is setting, and it’ll be easier to go undetected. I’ve noticed Oyeiku has two bodyguards. They’re keeping their distance, but not far enough that I won’t need to take them out before getting to the man himself.

Oman’s guards won’t be an issue since they know we’re on our way. We’ve established a code word that Wire will relay. When it all goes down, Wire will pull the guards and Oman into the van, then come back to assist me with Oyeiku if need be.

The whole thing needs to happen with as little bloodshed as possible, or the entire city will be on alert, and we don’t need any complications. We connected with Phoenix, and he got down there without a problem and is giving the guys a much-needed break. With Phoenix there, Falcon will be able to review the festival parade route and create a detour escape route for the car President Obi will be riding in.

“We give it another half hour, then I’ll take out Oyeiku’s bodyguards. Then I go after Oyeiku,” I tell Wire. He looks at his watch, then back at me and nods. On his computer screen, he gets a view of the library by tapping into their security cameras.

“Got it,” he responds and locks his eyes back on the screen. “They’re on the second floor, back right corner, third last table,” he says and indicates the spot on the screen.

“They haven’t moved from that spot since they got in there,” I comment.

“It’s exam time. Oman is a hardworking guy. Part of the reason Oyeiku got close is because Oman doesn’t have many friends. He doesn’t party, he studies, and that doesn’t give him a chance to meet up with other students. He was an easy mark,” Wire replies.

It sucks that Oman is working so hard at making something of himself, and he became a target. While Wire was keeping watch on the library earlier, I decided to check out Oyeiku’s apartment. I found that this guy has been taught well by his father how to hide his shit, but not good enough. Taped under the mattress is an envelope with information on Oman and his family. On a bookshelf is a thumb drive that I bring back with me as well as his iPad that was stored in a closet under a false floorboard. The laptop he carries around is just for show, I’m sure of it.

We don’t even have time to crack the passwords on any of the electronic files. Our top priority is doing the snatch and disappear. As soon as we have Oman and Oyeiku on the plane over to Carinol, we’ll send a notification that there’s been a family emergency and Oman had to fly home.

The minutes tick away.

I put in my earpiece. Wire and I test it before I leave the van. I stay behind the bushes and quickly find the two men who are watching Oyeiku. One is outside the library; the other is wandering the aisles with his eyes glued to his charge. I’m grateful for the darkness as I wait for the passersby to turn the corner before making my move.

“Going in. Target one,” I whisper for Wire to hear. This is where he sends a notification to Oman’s guard to be waiting for me. I come up behind my man, slap a cloth over his mouth, and drag him back behind the building. I knock him out with one swift blow and grab his phone and communication device. “Target one immobilized.”

“Target two is on the move,” Wire says. “Heading toward Oyeiku.”

I race up the back stairwell and look at the second guard. He’s looking around, probably for his partner, wondering why he didn’t check in. With no time to lose, I launch myself forward, wrapping my arm around his neck, cutting off his air supply, making it impossible for him to scream as I pull him back into the closet. Thank God, Wire’s very thorough with his research and found the diagrams of the building so we could study them on the plane. The guard reaches for his ankle holster and pulls a knife, grazing my thigh. I land a blow that takes him out, and I dump him in the corner.

“Target two out,” I state.

I can hear Wire giving instructions to Oman’s guard. Oman sees his bodyguards and gets to his feet, gathering his books. The four men walk out together, but as soon as Oyeiku realizes that his guards aren’t anywhere to be seen, he grows suspicious.

Oyeiku makes a run for it and races down the path adjacent to the library. Oman is being directed to the van where Wire is waiting for them while I chase after Oyeiku. We’ve reconnoitered the area, and the shortcut across campus is over the hedge and through the park, so I know that’s where he’s heading.

He’s fast, but I’m faster and catching up quick. I hear Wire in my ear. “Got Oman and his guys. Driving around the building and to the other side of the park.” I don’t bother responding. My focus is on Oyeiku. Without him, we’re right back where we started.

Oyeiku looks over his shoulder while running and stumbles, while I gain ground. I’m finally close enough to tackle him to the ground, and we both roll on the grass several times. He lands a blow, but when he moves to try again, I block and bend his arm, twisting it until he cries out in agony. It would be better to have him walk out of the park with me. I don’t think he’s going to be cooperative. I grab the needle I had prepared and stick him with it.

A few seconds later, he’s out cold. Oyeiku’s not a small man, but I heft him up over my shoulder and alert Wire to let him know where I am.

“Wait for me,” Wire insists. “There’s a road not far from where you are.” Wire’s there in no time at all and flashes the lights twice to let me know it’s him. I come out of the shadows and haul ass to the van, dumping Oyeiku into the back and slapping on a pair of handcuffs to keep him immobilized.

Mission accomplished! Next, getting on the plane and leaving London before his people start looking for us.

* * *

An hour later…

We drive directly to the small airport where we originally landed, with four more passengers boarding with us. Wire called and let the pilot know we were on our way, and he’s already on the plane and waiting for us.

I notice a black SUV barreling toward the gates.

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