The City Heroes by Omoruyi Uwuigiaren Read Free Book Online Page A

footprints of the thief to the almond tree. He surmised that the thief must have climbed the tree and gone the other way. He hissed as he returned to the building, and slammed the door behind him.
    After he had dropped the torch and cutlass on the table, Ajayi sat on the bed with hand to chin, gazing at the ceiling. Weariness weighed upon him, and he knew he must get some rest in order to face the morning. He climbed into bed and settled himself under the soothing weight of the cover.

CHAPTER 2
A New Day



It was early but buyers were already at the farm to buy eggs. But the eggs were not enough, and some people had to go elsewhere. The farmer was sad. So he went under a shade tree to milk a cow. As he worked silently, an old friend walked in. Smiling faintly, the visitor, Mr. Bode, posed a question: “Great farmer, how are you?” He sat on the chair beside his friend and crossed his legs.
    â€œFine, my brother,” Ajayi replied. He masked his anger with a smile and got back to work.
    â€œYou are always busy, Ajayi. How is your family?”
    There was no answer.
    Sensing that his friend was unhappy, Bode sat up and asked, “What is wrong, Ajayi?”
    Ajayi rose to his feet. “Last night my eggs were stolen!” he hissed and turned away.
    â€œYou mean a thief visited your farm last night?” Mr. Bode shook his head. “What a wicked world! Did you catch the thief?”
    â€œNo, he escaped before I could catch him,” Mr. Ajayi told his friend.
    Bode crossed his arms over his body. “You have been complaining about this thief for a long time,” he said and coughed. “It is now a bone in your neck.”
    â€œYes, but I will have my way—someday!” Ajayi spoke confidently as their eyes met.
    Bode nodded. “Oh, you will. Everyday is for the thief, but one day is for the owner of the house. If I may ask, how do you intend to stop the thief?”
    Ajayi sighed deeply. He glanced at his guest, who was anxiously awaiting a response. But since he was not ready to reveal his plans, he replied, “I don’t have any plan in my head yet.”
    â€œThis is not your best of times,” the visitor confided. “But perhaps…”
    â€œPlease tell me,” Ajayi insisted.
    â€œPerhaps your workers have a hand in this!” Bode speculated. He raised an eyebrow.
    Mr. Ajayi pondered his words. Not convinced, he turned to his friend and replied, “I trust my workers. They don’t steal!”
    The visitor chuckled and commented, “You sound like a man under a spell.”
    â€œReally?”
    â€œYou are a businessman, Ajayi. Don’t get me wrong: I did not mean to say that it is a crime to trust people. But a friend by day could be an enemy by night.”
    Ajayi remained skeptical but conceded, “I will watch closely to see if I have a thief among them.”
    Then there was silence.
    A moment later, Tolu, one of Mr. Ajayi’s workers, walked in. “Sir, tomorrow will be a great day!” he announced with a warm smile.
    Ajayi and his guest exchanged a glance. The farmer sat up and asked, “What do you mean, Tolu?”
    â€œThe laying hens are doing well. We have over seven crates of eggs now!” Tolu disclosed.
    Mr. Ajayi smiled faintly. “Good! I will tell you what to do as soon as we are through with work today.”
    â€œOkay sir,” Tolu replied with a bow and moved away.
    As soon as the worker had left, Mr. Bode tapped his friend on the shoulder and asked, “What do you want to tell the lad?”
    â€œTolu is a good worker. I want to give him some money. A good worker deserves a bonus,” he explained.
    Mr. Bode nodded quietly and said, “That’s a good idea. That will make him work even harder.” Then he rose to his feet. “My friend, I must leave now. You know my wife is pregnant. We expect our baby any moment now.”
    Mr. Ajayi nodded. “You must remain close