The Substitute

By uduak Edet

A dedicated narcotic officer, Paul Harrison is determined to bring down the country's most notorious drug cartel led by James Ovie, Popularly known as Tiger.

After several failed attempts, coupled with his workplace struggles, Paul realizes that the opportunity to nail Tiger is closer than he ever imagined.

This book takes us through the intricacies of drug crime and addiction but nothing is certain, especially where love and loyalty are tested

• Language: English
• Publisher: Prowriters
• Release date: Jun 28, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393627555

Book preview

Acknowledgements

To God, for this beautiful gift of storytelling

To my darling husband, Ita Edet. I respect and appreciate you for never trying to hold me back from achieving my dreams. Thank you for your support, reading through my drafts and encouraging me when I thought I could not go on. I love you and you mean the world to me.

To Kufre-Abasi and Aniekan-Abasi, you are the best children any mother could wish for and I love you so much. Thank you for your understanding especially when mummy had to focus on writing

To my Mum, Thank you for all the love and sacrifices you have made. Your guidance has been invaluable to me in life and I’m blessed to be your child.

To my siblings, Idongesit, Iboro, Eno, Utoma, Uwem and Mercy. Thank you for believing in me, I may not be able to tell you this every day but I want you to know that I really love and appreciate you all

To Olufemi Okunnu. Thank you for taking time out during your vacation to proofread my book

To the rest of my family and friends, Words cannot convey the gratitude I have towards you.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3                                                                           

Chapter 4                                                                         

Chapter 5                                                                           

Chapter 6                                                                         

Chapter 7                                                                         

Chapter 8                                                                           

Chapter 9                                                                           

Chapter 10                                                                         

Chapter 11                                                                           

Chapter 12                                                                           

Chapter 13                                                                           

Chapter 14                                                                           

Chapter 15                                                                           

Chapter 16                                                                       

Chapter 17                                                                           

Chapter 18                                                                           

Chapter 19                                                                         

Chapter 20                                                                         

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

About the author

Chapter 1

Agent Paul Harrison ended his lecture at 11.15am and the class erupted in applause. Paul was in his element that morning as he towered over the class, adorned in a glowing smile and an elegant Khaki uniform. He loved the enthusiasm of recruits, so he relished the opportunity to train them.

The National Drug Enforcement Academy was located less than ninety miles from the volcanic mountains of Kerang along the elevated terrain on the northern plateau of Nigeria. The institution sat on seventy-five acres of tree-studded grasslands with an academic compound, shooting range, parade ground and other structures.

Recruits were subjected to sixteen weeks of training in drug identification, law, report writing and ethics, and the 2015 trainees were not different. Besides the core training, they went through rigorous physical drills on defense tactics and the use of the firearm. At the end of the course, they would face written exams, firearm qualification and physical task tests in other to graduate as well rounded officers of the agency.

As they settled down, Yusuf the deputy administrator of the academy rubbed his bulky nose. He was the class moderator, and his crave for excellence challenged their limits.

Two questions, please.

Four hands flew up.

I see you all enjoyed the class, huh? he said. Let’s take one from this side and another from over there. He gestured towards one trainee. Can we have your question?

Good morning sir, the first trainee sounded like he had won a lottery.

Morning, Paul responded.

My name is Anslem Okoro. Thank you very much for your lecture. I am happy that I joined this reputable organisation in the bid to serve my country. I also-

Go straight to your question, Yusuf interrupted. A few trainees giggled but the young chap continued.

Agent Harrison, I would like to know the most exciting part of working for the agency.

Do you mean what I enjoy most about my job? Paul asked for clarity and the young man nodded. Well, there’s nothing I love more than my undercover duties. It’s challenging at first because you spend a better part of the time being someone else but at the end it’s worthwhile.

Yusuf urged the next trainee to go ahead with his question. The second trainee was calm; he introduced himself and dived into his question. What do you do when you carry out a raid and discover lots of money?

Everyone had something to say, whispering and swapping opinions, so Paul waited for the murmuring to subside.

I think it’s a practical question, I have worked in this agency for 15 years and throughout the course of my career, I have come across drugs, guns, money and I mean loads of money, The murmuring started again, most of them giggling at the humor in his response.

As a narcotic officer, professionalism and ethics should always be your watchword, it doesn’t matter whether it is I or a member of the team, every item recovered makes its way into the exhibit room. It’s not worth my career or your career to cuff some dirty money. Paul’s succinct response gave room for a broader discussion, but they had to move on.

One more question. This time, Yusuf selected a young lady at the front row.

What is the worst part of the job? She was a charming lady with a soft tone.

I enjoy the brotherhood of what we do, male or female. It gives me joy when I see everybody work towards a common goal. However, the ugly part is to watch a colleague get injured and some never make it back home to their families, Paul pressed his lips together and recalled his experience with a familiar chill I lost my best friend two years ago. He was shot during a raid.

The atmosphere in the classroom turned solemn at Paul’s disclosure, but he couldn’t leave the class without sounding a final note of advice. The recruits needed to know they were recruited to fight a war, and they had to uphold the values of the agency and country.

As he stepped out of the classroom, through a narrow hallway into the courtyard, a light wind whispered across the rocky hills, it grew stronger and caressed his face as though ruffling through his thoughts.

He recalled his early days at the academy. It was the beginning of the new millennium, a new government had assumed power and citizens were hopeful about the reforms and promises but nothing much changed.

***

Walking into the room was like stepping into an abandoned warehouse and the stale air placed a heavyweight on his chest. The half full dormitory had twenty sets of narrow double beds each separated by a wooden cupboard, three lazy fans dangled, the walls begged for a fresh coat of paint and the concrete floor had lost most of its topping.

Welcome to paradise.

Paul spotted him lying on a top bed to the far left of the hall. As Paul advanced, he hopped down and held out his hand.

I had the same look when I first got here but we don’t have a choice, do we? Paul did not return his smile. My name is Edem Archibong. I am from Cross River, Edem’s comical face could put anyone at ease.

Paul, Paul Harrison, Delta state. Paul shook his hand.

You can take the lower bunk. I think you’ll make a cool bunk-mate his youthful swagger was difficult to ignore as he gestured towards the vacant space.

Paul flung his lightweight bag on the bare mattress and settled on the edge of the bed. He scanned the room once more and exhaled. Congratulations on coming this far.

You too Edem settled into the opposite bed and they sat facing each other I heard we are unto some rigorous training in this place,

I’m looking forward to handling a gun, Paul said.

Just like in the movies… right? Edem giggled as they shook hands again. Each thrilled at the mere thought. I hope the food is good because we’ll be here for four good months.

Na true oh, Paul was loosening up Wia we go chop, sef? he responded in Pidgin English

There’s a cafeteria close to the main gate.

Paul could not wait to unravel the rest of the program with his new friend. Edem was the first of four children and lived his entire life in Northern Nigeria, so he spoke the Hausa language. On the other hand, Paul was an only child and son, schooled in Port-Harcourt after which he traveled to England to obtain a master’s degree in criminology. Though from slightly different backgrounds, the two shared common values and dedication to work.

They stuck together through the program and when they were eventually posted out to separate locations; they maintained their friendship, supported each other’s cases and made out time to meet especially when they were in the same city. Edem married his long-time girlfriend, Mabel while Paul was still single.

Sir A protocol officer with a husky voice dragged Paul back to reality Your driver is here

Paul had been standing under a mango tree close to the parade ground. It was a spot where he hung out with Edem during their days at the academy.

Thank you he tagged along until they arrived beside a dark colored 406 Peugeot saloon. He reached for a loose one thousand naira note in his breast pocket and stretched it out to the protocol officer as his way of showing gratitude For lunch

"Haba! Thank you, sir The officer dashed to the driver Abeg, drive my Oga well oh He turned to Paul again and took a bow Safe journey, sir".

Paul took in the scenery once again as the driver circled the parade ground, past the dining hall and classrooms out of the premises. The facilities needed a facelift with most structures faded and classrooms lacking adequate tools to educate the trainees.

Leaving the premises, they drove by a busy fruit market through a road construction site before veering off into Ahmadu Bello way.

Passers-by flashed sidelong glances as their faces clung to hope. Tension lingered in the atmosphere yet pursuing the goals of peace was inevitable at the aftermath of the recent catastrophe. Many criticized the absence of a long-term strategy aimed at addressing inherent issues and challenged the government to encourage a system that fostered understanding.

Those were not the only unmet expectations. Within the agency, there were also speculations that the supplementary budget may favor some renovation work in the academy but nothing was certain.

Paul pushed his glasses further up his nose bridge We are making two stops before the airport he said

No problem sir The driver replied.

***

Uncle Paul! screamed Ivana.

Paul squatted as Edem’s adorable six-year-old daughter jumped into his embrace How are you my baby? he swung her in the air until she burst into a series of giggles. When he put her down, he said Mummy told me you did well in your exams

Ivana nodded

Would you like to see what I got for you? Paul said as he led her back to his car to make the big reveal.

Wow! Ivana’s face lit up at the sight of the enormous teddy bear and as she spotted her mother approaching, she hopped towards her Mummy!!!

Mabel embraced Paul as her daughter continued to chatter Mummy, mummy look what uncle bought for me. It’s so big. I’m going to name her Eva,

It’s beautiful. Did you thank him? Mabel asked

Thank you, Uncle Paul,

Thank you, too my sweet angel,

May God bless you, Ivana added

And you too my love,

Paul turned to observe Mabel. She seemed recovered from the last time he saw her although the circles surrounding her eyes were darker, he was also of the opinion that she appeared somewhat thin. How have you been? he asked

In God’s hands, she said. 

There was a bunch of fresh flowers by Edem’s grave when he stopped by the cemetery that afternoon and he suspected she had been there. It was exactly two years since Edem died and it never stopped hurting for one day.

I know you are on your way to the airport but please come in and have a drink, Mabel said

Paul peeked at his watch Sure.

As soon as he settled down in the living room, Ivana ran off to play while the maid served cold drinks.

So how was Jos? Mabel asked

Always a joy to speak to recruits. Being at the training school where Paul started his career brought back wonderful memories, but with his best friend gone, a vacuum existed and this drove Paul’s concern for Mabel. He knew her to be cheerful and free spirited but in the last two years Mabel had turned a recluse following the sudden and gruesome death of her husband which left her a widow at thirty.

I saw the funds you sent into my account. Thank you so much, Paul, you are like an angel, Mabel forced a smile.

It’s the least I can do. How are you holding up? Paul asked again and this time, Mabel shrugged to respond, she looked so torn and his heart bled for her.

Edem’s pictures still graced the walls of their living room. The wedding pictures, one of his pictures from a training course in the USA and a family portrait were stack reminders of the man who once led this family. It felt as though Edem would stroll through the doors, wearing his signature smile and give him the usual handshake then probably go on to tease a little. Anything but this nightmarish reality, Paul thought.

Edem loved March,

Mabel started to say and Paul nodded. His friend loved the month of March a lot and he always acknowledged it.

His mother was born in March, he was born in March and there’s this special allowance you receive at work in the month March, isn’t it?

Paul loved the accuracy. He and Edem looked forward to getting paid that allowance every single year. They planned around it and chatted about what they hoped to accomplish with the bulk money so much that it became a part of them.

We even got married in March Mabel swallowed hard It’s sad that I also have to remember him in March. The tears she had been struggling to hold back now began to flow and Paul moved closer, placing his hand over her shoulders.

Mabel, please I need you to be strong for Ivana, he said.

I can’t help myself, Mabel sniffed Is there any recent development with the case? she asked and Paul rubbed his temple, he hated to admit it but nothing spectacular had happened with the prosecution of her