Elvis

Episode 5

He stood before the building housing the CIO, braced himself for the first day at work and walked into it. The CIO occupies two floors the 19th and 20th of a 20-storeyed building situated along marina Lagos state. He walked towards the lift’s end, pressed the button and waited patiently for the elevator to descend. A lady joined him but attracted his attention when she almost knock a basket flowers over him in her haste.
“I’m sorry sir, I’m late for work, meeting my new boss today, first impression eh” she managed to say while arranging her stuffs back in the basket, shaking all through.
“It’s okay” Elvis replied arranging his disheveled clothing.

“I’m Emily” she said with an outstretched hand after arranging her basket.
“I’m Elvis” he replied taking the hand.
The lift came down just then and they filed into it having been joined by two older ladies and a man likely to be in his mid-thirties. They clicked their floor of destination. Elvis clicked the 19th.
“Oops, we are going to the same floor” Emily interjected again.

Elvis kept silent, he doesn’t speak to strangers especially those who talk a lot especially ladies. He hummed to himself accordance to the hum of the lift as the elevator travels up. The other passengers had gotten off before the 15th floor, now left with Emily in the elevator.
“Are you here to meet someone or work” she asked turning to face him with a funny inquisitive lady’s look on her face.
He continued his humming, realizing he’s in no mood to talk, she left him be, the elevator dings and she rushed off to her post of duty. He walked in surveying the floor as he did; the entrance stretches for a few meters before opening to a large circular room surrounded with a make-shift wall made of plywood to about a meter and raised to eye level with a transparent glass like material.

The large room contained cubicles which ran along the circumference and a four of the cubicles situated in the middle perpendicularly to each other. Behind large room has for directions leading out of it, one the elevator, one straight ahead to the office of the Inspector General, the one to the right leads to the gents and ladies and the one to the left leads to the offices of the team leaders.
“Welcome, you must be Mr. Elvis, the new intake” a stout man with a pot belly said with hands wide stretched like he’s expecting a hug.
“Yea, I am” he replied trying to adjust to the tense atmosphere created by increasing stares from some technicians.

“I’m Esiogu, the chief lieutenant, let’s talk in my office” he said leading the way, Elvis followed like a lamb been led to slaughter.

Elvis would have been made a chief inspector due to his grade but wasn’t due to lack of experience. He’s cloud above others so he’ll rise speedily to the post; however he’s made the team leader of a group of four.

After several minutes of discussion, the two men came out of the office with Esiogu leading the way and showing him around. He was later shown his team members.

The first member was a skinny young man with a pair of round grotesque glasses worn over his pair of effervescent eyes. He’s the computer geek. Esiogu was particularly ecstatic when introducing him, “if possible that life can be hacked, we will all be doing his wishes” he had said. The second member is a Yoruba guy, he would have been accepted for a bouncer without a look at his credentials at any club he applies, “I’m Timileyin, you can call me Timi” Timi said taking his hands. The last member is an experienced man, maybe in his 50s, he ought to have been promoted but it has always been delayed for God knows why.

He’s name is Dauda.

He greeted them all and hoped for a long working period with them. He’s not too young to notice the quizzical look and trust-bereft look on their face.

A young guy been their leader because of academic knowledge not field experience. He has to win this lot over to make his work easier.
He excused them to talk to the Inspector General
“Sir, there’s something I want to ask you sir” he said
“Go ahead my friend” Esiogu replied with a friendly candor.

Are pot-bellied people this friendly and humble?
“It’s about the incident that occurred in Hallmark University, about 8 years ago, I want to know if the case has been solved and the bomber found?”
Hope I’m not deranged to this man.

Esiogu’s face twitched a bit but he recovered on time.
“I heard of the case over the television and it has been solved, the Belinger Construction Company has been punished for the poor infrastructure they built”
“But that’s not what happened sir” seeing the anger seeping into Esiogu’s face quickly added
“no offense sir”
“No offence taken, the last IG solved it before he stepped down” losing his anger tensed face.
“Sir…”
“Can you please let’s celebrate today” he said standing up and grabbing a cup of coffee, leaving the office.

Elvis followed abruptly, he felt someone bumping into him, his clothes wet with coffee.

He looked up with anger brewing in him to discover that it’s Ellie again. The bump made Esiogu turn back.

“I’m sorry, very sorry” Ellie said trying to dry up his wet clothes with a napkin.
“Elvis, meet Ellie your secretary” Esiogu said sipping from his cup
“What? My secretary?” he replied stunned.