The Liberian Agenda Read online

  Tyrone patted her on the shoulder. “I know it won’t do any good to say this because you already know it, but I’m going to say it anyway. It’s not your fault. He was good and he was ready. In hindsight, I don’t see what other options he had. He just ran into some bad luck. You and I both know that happens all the time on operations. Sometimes experience and preparation can help you work through a run of bad luck and sometimes you’re just fucked.”

  “I know that. You’re right. It doesn’t make it any easier.” She sighed. “I guess I’d better fix my face too, before we videoconference with Ben.”

  Chapter VI

  Sonia looked out of the windows of the limousine as it slowly drove through downtown Monrovia. The streets were filled with traffic and pedestrians. Taxicabs crammed with up to six passengers -- two in the front and four in the back -- lined up for miles. People pushing wheelbarrows and carrying bundles on their heads headed down the street. Vendors manning tables and carts hawked their wares and haggled with potential customers.

  Old, decrepit buildings stood next to brand new ones. Cranes towered over half-built structures. As they approached the outer skirts of the city, the traffic became lighter.

  “What was Liberia like before all those years of civil war?” she asked.

  “It was much nicer back then. There were many more restaurants, nightclubs and other entertainment venues. Downtown Monrovia was a hot spot. There was an active tourist industry back then as well and many luxury hotels. It was a very different place,” he said.

  “Do you think Liberia will ever be like that again?” Sonia asked.

  “I think so. With the help of the Americans and China, and strong leadership, Liberia will rise again. As you can see, we have already started to rebuild,” he said.

  The limousine pulled up to a large wrought iron gate set in a stone wall. The driver rolled down his window and pressed an electronic call button. The gates opened and the limousine pulled up a long driveway to a mansion.

  The door to the mansion opened and Tyrone stepped out. Sonia and Joseph climbed out of the limousine. While Joseph and Tyrone gave each other man hugs and pounded each other on the back, Sonia looked around. The Nkrumahs’ property was almost as impressive as the Saytumah family compound. It was a sprawling estate with meticulously landscaped grounds. The mansion itself was large and built in a Spanish Tudor style. Armed guards patrolled the property.

  Tyrone turned to Sonia, embraced her and kissed her on both cheeks. “Sonia, I’m so glad you were able to make it to our place before returning to America. Come in. Tara is dying to see you and engage in girl talk.”

  Sonia smiled. “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. What a beautiful property.”

  “Thank you. Our family has lived on this land for more than a hundred years. We had to abandon it for a time during the civil wars, but were able to return and rebuild. Let’s get you inside so Tara can give you a tour of the place.”

  Tyrone led them through the foyer and into a drawing room where Tara waited for them. She rushed forward to dispense hugs and kisses. “Sonia! It’s so good to see you. Joseph, you must tell the Minister that his birthday party was the best one ever! I could not believe the decorations. And Regina Belle? What could he possibly do to top that? I cannot wait until his eightieth birthday party.”

  Joseph laughed. “His eightieth birthday party? God bless him that he should live so long.”

  “Ha! As ornery as he is, he should live well past ninety,” Tyrone said.

  “Let us hope and pray,” Joseph said.

  Tara turned to Sonia. “Come with me. I'll take you on a tour of the mansion.”

  “That would be great,” Sonia said.

  “Joseph, I am going to take your girl away for a bit. You can live without her for a little while, right?” Tara smiled at him.

  “Well, maybe for a little while,” he said. He grabbed Sonia by the shoulders and drew her in to plant a quick kiss on her lips.

  Out of the corner of her eye, Sonia saw Tara smirk. She could feel the blush warming her cheeks.

  Tara took Sonia by the hand and led her out of the drawing room. “So, how long have you known Joseph?”

  “Oh, we met during my senior year in college. We dated briefly back then, but it didn’t work out. We lost touch for a while. Then he just showed up at my law firm out of the blue and hired me to represent his company in a business transaction.”

  “How interesting that he just showed up at your firm after all those years. What sort of transaction was it?” Tara asked.

  “The Saytumahs' company acquired a small shipping enterprise,” Sonia said.

  “I see.” Tara slid open a pair of heavy ornate wooden doors and gestured. “This is the living room.”

  Sonia stepped into the room and took a good look. It could have been a page right out of Better Homes and Gardens. “Oh! What a lovely room. Just look at those beautiful antiques. Do you spend much time in here?”

  “Not really. We use it more for formal entertaining. I spend most of my time in the family room or the entertainment room.”

  “You have an entertainment room?” Sonia asked.

  “Yes. We have a private movie theater, a surround sound stereo system, a large selection of DVD's and CD's, video games, board games, computers with internet access and books. Without those things, Tyrone and I would probably lose our minds. Since the civil war, there are not a lot of entertainment options here in Liberia,” Tara said.

  “Joseph told me that this is your family home. Do your parents live here as well?” Sonia asked.

  “No. This was our grandparents’ home. When they died, my mother inherited it. She left it to me and Tyrone,” Tara said. She waved a hand. “But enough about me, I want to know all about you – the woman who appears to have captured our good friend’s heart. So, it looks like you and Joseph have rekindled your relationship.”

  Sonia couldn’t stop the smile that spread across her lips. “Is it that obvious?”

  “I see the way you two look at each other -- especially the way he looks at you,” Tara said.

  “Really? How does he look at me?”

  “As if you were the last woman on Earth. I've never seen him look at another woman like that. So, is it serious?”

  “I don't know. It's much too early to tell,” Sonia said.

  The grandfather clock in the corner of the living room began to chime. Tara glanced at it.

  “Oh, look at the time. We'd better get back. It's time for dinner.”

  ***

  Later that evening, Tara and Tyrone sat alone in the drawing room. Sonia and Joseph had left.

  “Did you find out anything new from Joseph?” Tara asked.

  “Not really. When we talked about politics, he just talked about how Liberia needs strong leadership. What about you? What kind of girl talk did you have with the lovely and oh-so-built Sonia?” Tyrone asked.

  “Careful. Joseph may have your eyes cut out with a machete for even looking at his woman. Have you seen the way he looks at her?” Tara asked.

  “Yes, but when I asked him about her, he just said they were old friends from college,” Tyrone said.

  “They were more than old friends. They dated in college. She said they lost touch with each other for a while and that he recently just showed up out of the blue at her law firm. He hired her to represent the Saytumahs in their acquisition of a small shipping company,” Tara said.

  “Oh ho. Owning a fleet of ships should come in handy for purposes of smuggling guns into Liberia. We need to get the details of that transaction. It appears that Joseph has an agenda as far as Sonia is concerned. I don't think it's a coincidence he just showed up at her firm after all these years. How much do you think she knows about their operation?” Tyrone asked.

  “Not much, if anything at all. Naimah found nothing out of the ordinary when she searched Sonia’s apartment. I think their relationship is still in the early stages. She doesn't seem sure of where they’re head
ed and we found no indication she had a serious boyfriend at her place. There were no pictures, no second toothbrush, no men’s clothing in her closet. Also, there was a drawer full of single girl provisions in her nightstand,” Tara said.

  Tyrone grinned. “Thank you for that. I’ll have sweet dreams tonight.”

  Tara rolled her eyes. Men were so predictable, her brother no exception.

  “We need to figure out exactly what the Saytumahs are up to. Keep your head in the game, bro. Keep your head in the game.”

  ***

  Joseph walked into his father’s study and found him sitting behind his desk. He had always liked this room. It was a man’s room, decorated in leather and dark wood. It was also the room of a scholar. Wooden bookshelves filled with hardcover books lined the walls. Most of the books were first and second editions of the classics. No trashy paperback novels for his father. He would have a room like this one day.

  He looked at his father. More gray appeared in his hair than before, deep lines had etched themselves into his face on the sides of his mouth, and his pallor was a little off. His father did not look well. He wanted to ask him about it, but held his tongue. His father clearly did not want to discuss the issue of his health. He made a note to speak to the family doctor before he headed back to the States. “Hello father. Saye told me you wanted to see me.”

  Dwe put down his pen and smiled at Joseph. “Yes, my son. I see that you and Sonia are getting along very well this time.”

  Joseph smiled. “Yes. We are.”

  “Good. She will be a great asset to the family. Don't let her get away this time.”

  “I know, father. I don’t intend to. I am going to ask her to marry me when we get back.”

  Dwe nodded. “Excellent. But don’t move too quickly. Give it a little time. American women like to be courted first.” He rose from his seat and approached the portrait of Joseph’s mother which hung on the wall behind the desk. He examined the portrait for a moment before reaching behind the left bottom corner of the picture frame and pushing a hidden button. A portion of the wall slid aside to reveal a safe. He opened it and took out a jewelry box.

  Curious, Joseph joined his father behind the desk. Dwe turned to face him and opened the box to reveal two platinum rings. One of the rings had a large diamond in its center. The other ring was a wedding band. Smaller diamonds dotted it at regular intervals. The brilliant stones gleamed in the light of the study.

  “I want you to have this,” Dwe said. “It was your mother's wedding ring set. I was going to pass them on to Saye, but I fear he will never get married and produce an heir to carry on the family name.”

  Joseph took the jewelry box from his father and stared down at the rings, transfixed. He remembered how they used to gleam on his mother’s hand. She had been a smart, strong woman, and a strict, but loving, mother. Sonia reminded him of her in some ways. He would be proud to present her with these rings. Unshed tears tried to clog his throat. He cleared it. “Thank you, father. I am honored.”

  “I have always considered you my successor. Your brother's shortcomings were apparent to me early on. You were always the focused one -- the smart one,” Dwe said.

  “I promise to make you proud, Father.”

  “You already have, my son,” Dwe said. He gave Joseph a hug.

  Joseph never felt closer to his father than he did at that moment.

  Chapter VII

  A few months later, Sonia and Joseph sat at a table in a formal French restaurant. They had just finished a lovely, romantic meal. The waiter cleared away their plates and brought in two small covered trays.

  Sonia looked at Joseph and smiled. What was this? She hadn’t ordered dessert. It was just like him to take the reins and surprise her this way. She eyed the tray covers wondering what delectable treats lay underneath them.

  The waiter set one covered tray in front of Sonia and the other in front of Joseph. He left briefly, then returned with a cart containing two champagne flutes and a bottle of champagne nestled inside an ice bucket. He placed the flutes onto the table. With much flourish, he popped the cork on the champagne and poured the golden elixir into the flutes. “Enjoy your dessert.”

  “Thank you,” Joseph said.

  Sonia raised her eyebrows. Joseph was certainly going all out tonight. What was the occasion? Was it their half-year anniversary or something? She’d never put much stock in such things. She’d always been more practical than romantic. Had she missed it? No. They’d just started dating five months ago.

  In the time since they’d returned from the trip to Liberia, she’d discovered things about Joseph she’d never known before. Either that or he had changed a lot since they dated back in college. Sure, he was still the most sexually dominant man she’d ever been with, and the most exciting. She felt the warmth of a blush rise in her cheeks as she thought about the things he liked to do to her -- in and out of bed -- and how much they turned her on. Who knew that she’d enjoy being ordered to strip, flipped like a pancake, spanked? And the way he looked at her, – with such hunger. She bit her lip.

  But there was more to the man. He also had a tender side – a romantic one. The same man who demanded that she give him anything and everything in the bedroom often surprised her with flowers for no reason, held open doors for her, called her “my lady” and loved to cuddle and hold hands. The combination made her feel both wanted and cherished.

  She looked up to find him watching her, a half smile on his handsome face. He did that a lot. She would wake up sometimes and find him looking at her just like that. She smiled back at him. “I didn’t know you had ordered dessert. You ordered champagne, too. So, what are we celebrating?”

  Joseph reached across the table, uncovered Sonia's tray and revealed the jewelry box sitting underneath. He picked it up, rose from his chair, got down on one knee next to her, and opened it.

  Sonia’s mind went blank for a moment. Then it hit her. He was going to propose. She couldn’t believe it. She stared down at the ring and then at him in open-mouthed astonishment.

  “Sonia, I love you more than life. I have ever since I first saw you in that campus nightclub so many years ago, and I’ll never stop loving you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, to grow old with you, to have children with you. Will you marry me?” he asked.

  She didn’t need to think about it. She’d never been happier than she’d been the past few months. The thought of spending the rest of her life with this man brought her nothing but joy. Tears of happiness pricked at her eyes and clogged her throat. She cleared it and nodded. “Yes. Yes Joseph, I’ll marry you.”

  Joseph beamed. He drew the engagement ring from the box, took Sonia’s left hand and slipped it onto her finger. It was a perfect fit.

  Sonia leaned forward and kissed Joseph.

  Nearby restaurant patrons who had witnessed the scene applauded. Sonia barely heard them.

  ***

  Ten months later, Sonia lay in bed, drifting between being awake and being asleep. Joseph entered their bedroom. “Wake up, my lady. I made you breakfast.”

  “Hmmm?” Sonia sat up and rubbed her eyes.

  “Where do you want the tray?” he asked.

  “Tray?” She stopped rubbing her eyes and looked up. Joseph was standing there holding a tray of food. “You made me breakfast? How sweet! Set it down right here next to me.” She patted the mattress.

  “Yes, my lady.” Joseph set the tray down. “I made you toast, scrambled eggs, and a little fruit salad. Here, taste.” He filled the fork with scrambled egg and brought it toward her mouth.

  As the eggs drew closer to her nostrils, Sonia got a whiff and felt nausea swiftly overtake her. She clapped her hand to her mouth, jumped out of the bed and ran into the bathroom. She came out a few minutes later feeling weak. She climbed back onto the bed. The tray was still there. She looked down at the food and felt her empty stomach heave. She willed herself not to throw up again.

  “Oh honey,” she said, “I
don't know what’s wrong with me. I feel so nauseous. I'm sorry. I can't eat the beautiful breakfast you fixed me.”

  “Don't be silly,” Joseph said. “Are you all right? Do you have a fever?” He placed a hand on her brow. “You should go see your doctor right away.”

  Sonia shook her head. “I don’t need a doctor. It's probably just a migraine coming on or something. I get those sometimes.”

  “Get back under the covers.” Joseph’s tone brooked no argument. “I'll take the tray away and bring you some ginger tea instead.”

  “No, really. I'll be all right. I have to get ready for work.”

  “Nonsense. Work can wait. Call your assistant and have her cancel your appointments for today. If you feel better later, then maybe you can go in this afternoon,” he said.

  “Come on Joseph. Aren't you overreacting just a little bit?” she asked.

  “Didn't you just get sick in the bathroom?” He pointed a finger at her. “And don't lie to me -- I heard you.”

  Sonia winced. He had her there. “Okay, okay. I'll call my assistant.”

  Joseph handed her the telephone, picked up the breakfast tray and left the bedroom.

  Sonia dialed her office. Suzette picked up on the first ring. “Sonia Johnson's office.”

  “Hi Suzette. It's me. I woke up completely nauseous. I don't know what's wrong with me. It’s probably a migraine, but my head isn’t killing me and I don't see any of those little flashing lights I usually see when I get a migraine. I’m just so nauseous. Anyway, my husband ordered me to stay in bed this morning and see how I feel later,” Sonia said.

  Suzette laughed. “Your husband ordered you to stay in bed and you really are? Wow. I never thought I'd see the day. You must really feel awful. Nauseous, huh? Are you sure it's not morning sickness?”

  “Morning sickness? Why would I have morning sickness? Don't pregnant women get that? I'm not pregnant,” Sonia said.

  “Are you sure?” Suzette asked.