The Desert Lion's True Colours

by Ikechi Hayden

  Clive never took orders from anyone other than the two men who hired him – Goliath and Molech, Goliath being the gentleman Leon had spoken to on the Satellite phone. However, despite knowing Goliath’s secret admiration for Leon he knew his boss was not going to take this information smiling.

  Knowing the type of conversation that was about to ensue, Clive took his time to dial the number and slowly raised the phone to his ear. To his surprise before he could even say hello Mervin, Delroy and Jay rushed in on him. Mervin held Clive’s left arm behind his back, Jay clamped the phone down on Clive’s right ear and then from out of his front pocket, Mervin pulled out a role of silver duct tape and quickly wrapped it around Clive’s head – binding his hand and phone to the side of his face. Clive tried his best to break free but it was no use. Jay was using both hands to hold Clive’s head in place and Delroy’s hold on him was tight - so any awkward movement sent shocks of pain through his arm and down his back. After Mervin had unravelled enough tape to keep Clive’s hand stuck to his ear, Delroy cuffed Clive’s free wrist to the back of his belt and then stepped away.

  Jay started to chuckle. He looked ridiculous with his hand tied behind his back and the tape wrapped around his head like a silver hat. Every time he tried to pull his hand away from his face his whole head would jerk to the side.

  ‘Is this supposed to be a joke… ?’ Clive shouted.

  ‘What you think?’ replied Jay.

  Clive did not respond to him because his attentions were diverted to the person on the other end of his phone.

  ‘. . . Hello, sir. They have me tied up.’

  Unsure if the person on the other end of the phone was still on the line Leon called out ‘If they’re listening. Tell them the next time they contact me I want the location of my mother and only then will we talk about a deal. Oh, and if anything should happen to any of us, procedures have already been put in place for information to be passed onto the right people. Those who Camistock know they can’t touch without setting off a shit storm.’

  ‘You are crazy!’ Clive Cedar shouted - still trying to pull his hand away from the side of his face.

  To Leon’s left a black Range Rover Sport pulled up and stopped a little behind the spot the Maybach was stationed. Pyro was at the steering wheel and smiling. Leon slowly limped over to the front passenger door without saying another word to Clive and Jay followed behind giving Mervin and Delroy a pound on the way.

  ‘Where are you going? You can’t leave me like this?’ yelled Clive.

  Closing the back passenger door beside him Jay could not help but smile at how Clive Cedars demeanour changed rather quickly.

  ‘Hey, you two…’ Clive called to Mervin and Delroy. ‘. . . You know who I am. I can make you rich.’

  ‘We already hood rich, niggah.’ Mervin replied.

  With that the both of them gave the universal head nod in the direction of the black Range Rover, turned around and jogged away.

  Clive watched the Range Rover pull away and called out for them to stop but it was too late. The luxury SUV had increased its speed and was already a good distance ahead. Inside its black leather interior, Leon raised his hand out over his shoulder, to which was immediately filled with a matchbox size detonator, which had a single red button and one flashing red light.

  ‘Thanks sis.’ Leon said smiling.

  ‘No problem.’ Na’talia replied.

  Leon turned in his seat and looked over to the far right of the Range Rovers back seat and smiled.

  ‘You cool Shorty?’ he said.

  Kerry looked back at Leon with a smile and gently nodded her head in reply. Finally sitting comfortably in his seat, Leon waited for them to exit the cemetery gates before pressing the single button on the small plastic antenna in his hand. Immediately Clive - who had started running towards the entrance himself, heard a beeping coming from the phone taped securely to his head. He stopped dead in his tracks. Resolute in his defeat he fell to his knees and under his breath simply said ‘Shit!’

  A second later the micro compound bomb that was attached to the back of the phone exploded, tearing off his arm - mid way between the wrist and the elbow, and his head clean off of his shoulders.

  Due to the Chiefs funeral that day the cemetery had been closed to the public which meant Clive Cedars decapitated body would not to be noticed until 6 o’clock that evening when the night security started their shift.

  Driving back East, Pyro looked over at Leon in the passenger seat beside him and said, ‘You know there is no going back now?’

  ‘I know.’ Leon replied assuredly. He was in a reflective mood, not down or disheartened but happy and thankful he was going up against Camistock on his own but with family and friends. It was not going to be easy but he understood that if he planned for everything they would be free.

  CHAPTER 26

  Four hours later Leon received a text message on the same Satellite phone he had taken from Superior Upson’s home. It read: 32 College Road, Dulwich, SE21, London - England.

  ‘What they saying?’ Jay enquired.

  ‘It’s my mother’s address.’ Leon replied softly.

  Nobody said or did anything except for Kerry. Walking across the room - from the chair her and Na’talia was sharing, Kerry approached Leon and hugged him.

  ‘I love you. Whatever you decide to do I am behind you.’ She said.

  ‘I love you too… And thank you.’ Leon replied.

  Pyro, Na’talia and Jay looked on while the both of them stood there in silence with their arms wrapped around each other. For the first time in a long while Leon felt a level of calm wash over his body. Unfortunately, it was not long lasting. He allowed his mind to snowball and remembered it was just over two weeks ago he was wishing he was done with the Agency and was living a normal life with Kerry. Granted, he was no longer living a lie for the FBI and had Kerry at his side but he was no freer than he was when he got home 4:00 am, Friday morning two weeks before. He realised all he did was release himself from one dictating authority, to have to pretend to work for the most powerful organisation known to man. He was playing a dangerous game and at any time Camistock would be on his back. So in the words of that rapper this was his time to man up like Eli . . . Play the quarterback role and lead his team to victory. He just did not want to crumble under the pressure.

  ‘What have I started?’ he thought.

  A few seconds past before Leon gently pulled away from Kerry, turned to face Pyro and said ‘Are you coming?’

  Pyro knew exactly what Leon was asking however he allowed a few seconds to pass before replying ‘You know I can’t young cub. Besides, I think its best I stay here with Kerry. Once you and Jay have located your mum and verified she’s ok… then we can implement your plan…’

  ‘My plan?’ Replied Leon slightly surprised.

  ‘Yes, your plan. We would not be here if it wasn’t for you. So go… go to England and get your mum. In the meantime I’ll get together as much information as I can and recruit some people I think will be an asset to us.’

  Looking over at his sister Leon enquired ‘and what about you?’

  Without hesitation she replied, ‘I’m following you. Anyway, I think my friend Brookes will be able to help us.’

  Leon nodded in response and then finally focusing his attention on Jay he said ‘And what you saying… ?’

  ‘Dawg… I’m down for whatever. You know that.’

  Pyro started to laugh which caused Leon to enquire what was so funny.

  ‘Nothing really… Pyro replied with a sigh. ‘. . . I was just wondering why Anthony, Edwards and myself were not more like you guys. You three are the real Desert Lion’s.’

  Leon chuckled at the statement and then said, ‘Yeah… Well let’s hope we’re that thorn in Camistock’s side.’

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  Ikechi Hayden, The Desert Lion's True Colours