The Akroma File

Chapter Thirty-Four

187 The Akroma File Chapter Thirty-Four (Saturday, March 23rd, 1986) O n Saturday morning, the day after Dangobert received the news of Reverend Akwa’s death, Akroma paid an early visit to the Commissaire for Pubic Security, Mr. Mouralais Essomba. He found Essomba in uniform, drinking Schnapps and smoking a pipe, his eyes as red as palm oil. He may have slept with his uniform on because his shoes stank as if he had stepped into a pool of mud and had not bothered to take them off, clean and dry them. The visit was prompted by two reasons. He wanted by some devious means, to know the extent of the investigations of the murder, to know the extent of the investigations of the murder. The second reason for coming through Commissaire Essomba who usually treats the most delicate problems with levity, into total distress. “I have come this early to see you, Monsieur Le Commissaire,” Akroma began, “because my school has also run into a problem.” “What problem. Monsieur Le Directeur? You know that your problems are mine.” “My driver was killed last night,” he announced. “How?” 188 Linus T. Asong 2 A kroma was the only person who knew how J-P had died. If an autopsy were ever done on the corpse of Reverend Dieudonne. Akwa as well as that of J-P, it would be discovered that they were killed in the same manner. The assailant had sprayed a good quantity of Gas Lacrimogene into the face of the victim, causing the latter to collapse into unconsciousness. The victim had then probably been strangled in that state of unconsciousness. In the case f J-P, the murderer and himself had taken a late stroll down the deserted street. During that stroll they had discussed the possible consequences of Akwa’s death on their future in Nijombari. The murderer had then smuggled the gas from his pocket and had sprayed it into J-P’s face. The murderer had strangled J-P, dragged his lifeless body to the middle of the road and had escaped just in time before a vehicle showed up and discovered the body. Even though he was the only witness to this crime, Akroma gave only the official version which he was doing well to propagate. “Run over by a passing vehicle,” he told Commissaire Essomba. “Where?” “In town in the branch leading to the church off the Commercial Avenue.” Commissaire Essomba had not recovered from the horrifying news when his phone rang. He walked to the corner of the house where the phone stood, picked up the receiver and said: 189 The Akroma File “Commissaire Essomba here, who is speaking?” “Kum Dangobert,” the voice said loudly. “Commissaire Kum Dangobert?” Essomba inquired. “In Charge of 19ème Arrondisement here in Douala,” he said. Akroma shuddered and looked round the house like a trapped rat. Had he walked into his own death? Would he have to kill Essomba too? Could he not jump out and escape from Nijombari and out of Cameroon? “I am listening, Monsieur Le Commissaire,” Essomba announced. “This is an emergency and I would like you to treat it as such. It is also extremely important.” “Okay.” “Do you know the principal of College Classique Polyvalent No.1 de Nijombari?” Essomba looked across at Akroma, cleared his throat nervously and answered. “I know him,” Essomba replied. “What is his name?” “That should be Directeur Njonjo Fabian Mula,” he told him. “Now, get this straight,” Dangobert began very gravely. “That gentleman is a wanted man, for arson and manslaughter. He set a hotel on fire here in which a lady died. He is an illegal immigrant, a Ghanaian who should long have been deported. His true names are Patrickston Essuman Akroma..” “Just a minute,” Essomba said and looked across at Directeur Fabian again. The latter was listening and had therefore certainly caught that first bit of information. He was the subject of the call. The Commissaire suddenly decided to receive the rest of the information in his bedroom office. Taking his drink with him he walked through the corridor into his bedroom where he picked the receiver and then continued. 190 Linus T. Asong “I am sorry”, he said. “I wanted to continue this call in the room. I am listening.” “As I was saying,” Dangobert resumed. “Right now, that gentleman is a prime suspect in the death of...