Novels by Ayo Atanda

The animosity Salim had borne for the inspector of Vegas county took a full expression as the cunning mogul launched into emotional rhetorics, condemning the police's effort and coming up with a conspiracy theory about the security activities of Miriam and her force in the Vegas county.''I will make sure none of you is spared if that monster out there comes for me. None of you will be spared. None of you!''Miriam paused for a bit and took a keen listen to Salim's grievances. Salim might not particularly be one of her favorites but the political big shot had the right to air his pains and grievances. And, of course, she quite understood his position in this matter.''Rest assured you're in safe hands, Prince Abdullahi,'' replied Miriam, making effort to calm the tension. ''The security forces of the Vegas county shall be consolidated henceforth as we join forces with the national police force.''Salim seemed pacified by Miriam's calm words, although not completely convinced by the pe

The panel commenced shortly with the senior officers having all hands on deck. They were all seated across the round-table, poised to have a showdown. Miriam braced up for the moment looking to make a case for herself against Salim and to defend her jurisdiction as much as she could. It was her city; she presided over it. For her, the serial killer's identity was unknown and an investigatory process was in the works to unravel the mystery. But, for Salim, he was cocksure about the killer's identity as much as the identity of the one who sent a death threat to him. Much to Miriam's discontent, he was quite confident that Jack Banning was behind the bloodfest in the city.Exchange of pleasantries and side talk was still ongoing amongst the seating officers before Williams waded in with his baritone voice to address the congregation in a bid to open the floor.''Comrades and colleagues, we have converged here on this platform in the sole interest of the state and for the dignity of our p

Miriam was driven down in the early hours of the morning to the famous Glass House in the city centre. The Glass House was known as the Criminal Investigation Department's complex for official meets and forums. The CID-owned complex was renowned for playing host to numerous executive conferences, national police chief's council on investigatory matters and PACT meetings with the public and surrounding environments. The Glass House was the quite the towering complex which couldn't be missed for anything amidst the busy city.Miriam alighted from a glossy black armoured police cruiser to the salute of officers who had expected her arrival. Unlike the previous day, she looked smarter in her silky, lustrous khaki jacket well tucked into a fitted pair of matching khaki trousers. The right and left sides of her jacket had colourful ribbons while the epaulettes on both shoulders carried three stars, each on either side indicating her rank in the force. The conspicuous chevrons on either side

The duo huddled together for warmth in the cosy sofa. Miriam was quite tipsy from the shots of whisky and cigarettes as she curled up in Ben's arms. She felt a rage of emotional turbulence brewing within her while she struggled to free herself from the impact of the day's mix of events. Slowly, she removed herself from Ben's arms and staggered to her feet--still feeling the impact of alcohol. Ben followed suit hoping to steady her as she made to move away from the sofa. He grabbed her hips from behind and pressed his body against hers.''You sure need some rest now,'' Ben whispered in her ear as he felt the heat of the warmth between them.Miriam turned round. She couldn't help herself as she buried a deep kiss on Ben's lips. She felt her emotional turbulence gradually calm down as she sustained the kiss much longer. A new lease of breath seemed to have come upon her; she seemed to have found the therapy she had craved. She wrapped her arms around Ben's neck and committed her body to

Miriam drove back to her apartment located in the outlying district of the city centre. She arrived home late in the night on the wrong side of 10. In this moment, she was propelled to the comfort of her home in a bid to brood over the events of the day; to brace up for the panel and a possible controversial showdown with Salim and the chief of police in few hours. Taking on Salim's questions and his claim of a death threat from Jack was no bone to contend with. She knew quite well how to outwit the dubious mogul and beat his rhetorics hands down in a bid to convince the chief of police. But first, she must catch some rest--or more like a respite--but the news of Jack Banning hitting the town wouldn't let her have a breather. She was destabilised and Ill at ease.Jack was a good man and easily the best father Miriam had come to know since she was a child. However, his long service on his job as a secret service agent and his numerous adventures in the course of unravelling political e

Miriam strode out of the ward in a hurry with Donovan striding alongside to catch up with her while the two cops who had come with Miriam tailed the duo as they headed down the corridor which now buzzed with a handful of medical personnel bustling back and forth amidst the latest murder.''This is getting out of hand, detective. We must put a stop to this,'' Miriam said impatiently as she wouldn't halt a bit in her track. ''Natasha's murder does not make it look any better.''''I swear I did every bit to protect the Natasha--with my life,'' Donovan cut in, in defence. ''She was our best chance to have a hint about the killer. Don't you think this is some sort of psychopath running wild out there?''''Now, listen up, Donny,'' Miriam stopped dead in track, forcing Donovan and the two cops to halt in their steps. She turned sharply to face Donovan squarely. ''Right now, we have a problem.''''Problem? What problem?'' Donny asked concerned.''Salim has filed in a claim of death threat wit

The infant was sold to the noble senator from Thrace for 500 Denarius. Rhesus wouldn't baulk at staking prized asset on little investments in a bid to eventually make fortunes off such investment. It was his principle of accumulating wealth and, of course, he had been a success at it, amassing a pool of wealth, riches, bounties, and a large coffle of slaves and gladiators. The house of Rhesus Decimus was renowned for its glamour and explicit grandeur amidst the city of Burgas in Thrace. The fame identified with the Decimus Family was even sustained by its gang of gladiators who had proven themselves masters of the art in the arena. From Magna to Pompeii, down to Pula and to the magnificent Colosseum and Olympia in Rome, gladiators from the house of Decimus had hit the best of arenas, taken the beasts of the arena games to the cleaners and brought glories upon glories to Rhesus and his family. The Arena games were one of Rhesus Decimus's ways of relaxing and the aristocrat could boast

King Dragan made a public decision to put the infant to sword. His decision was borne out of sheer but suppressed desires to launch a fight back against the superior kingdom of Athena and the fear of having King Gaius and his lethal army invade Balkans Peninsula. The announcement to decision the infant caused a mixed feelings amongst the natives as the reactions that came forth off the back of Dragan's cold decision were not as loudly jubilant. There were murmurs of dissatisfaction as much as hushed glee and concealed grins amongst the natives.However, the cold decision didn't quite go down well with Bojan who knelt still before the king all shackled up and subjected to doom. In spite of the fate that was soon to befall him, he sought mercy for the child, pleading innocence. Bojan launched deem an emotional rhetoric of pleas, prostrating before the king on his chest while he begged for the child to be spared.''The child is innocent,'' Bojan said, begging frantically. ''I beseech you

Bojan proceeded to lay Limah down on her back and he loosed the cashmere fabric from his body, upon which he laid the baby. ''You must be thirst now, M'lady,'' Bojan said, looking at Limah's reddened eyeballs and tired face as he made to head to the ocean to fetch some water. ''I should get you some water.''In the nick of the moment, Limah feebly grabbed Bojan by the arm before he set forth for the ocean. She looked at the Balkan with her eyelids almost dropping close. ''Thank you, Macho-man,'' Limah muttered, managing a smile and looking bereft of energy. ''You lost it all for me. Long may your fortunes be.''Bojan only crumpled his face and nodded in response. Limah requested that he sustain her on his knee and the baby should be brought into her arms. Limah cradled the baby in her arms and managed a smile at her child. She, then, passed the baby to Bojan and said, ''Maximus. His name is Maximus.''''Maximus.'' Bojan repeated arching his eyebrows in awe of the name.''Yes, Maxim

Chapter 6Limah, lying still on the ground, shook her head in pain, not giving consent to Bojan's idea of removing the arrow. At least, not yet. ''You have to trust me on this, M'lady,'' repeated Bojan, looking at Limah's depressed and tired-looking face. ''We have no time on our side, M'lady. You have to trust me.''Bojan made to touch arrow but Limah's feebly grabbed his arm to prevent him. Tears trickled down her cheeks consistently as she fixed her gaze on Bojan's.''Thank you macho-man,'' Limah said feebly in a low appreciative tone. ''A good Balkan. May fortunes from the gods smile upon you.''The moment was emotional as Bojan, crouching still beside Limah, watched the steam of tears run across the priestess's cheeks and hit the rocky ground constantly.Bojan shook his head and shut his sweaty eyelids close. Suddenly, he pulled out the arrow and a sharp, high-pitched cry of pain followed in the wake. Limah felt the pain as she jerked up to be seated on her buttocks before going

Chapter 5The moment was palpably tensed as Bastian commanded his soldiers to ransack the travellers; this time, in a rigorous and aggressive way. But as fate would have it for Limah who clung her infant between her breasts to maintain quiet amidst the commotion and tensed moment, she soon lost control of the situation by a little lapse in concentration as she accidentally let her baby let out uneasy shriek and whimpers in a moment of discomfort. Limah's infant screeched letting out a high-pitched cry which brought the soldiers to a halt to switch focus on Bojan's chariots. The pitch of the baby's cry was high and had been borne out of sheer discomfort. At hearing the shriek, Bojan snatched the infant from Limah who struggled to shush the noise. Of course, the soldiers were drawn towards Bojan's chariots as Bastian and his troop readied to siege the chariots to sate their curiosity. As they advanced towards Bojan's chariots, the clever Balkan merchant instantly made a little fire til

The little one in Limah's arms cried in fits and starts at the trumpet high-pitched sound which cut through the travellers in their numbers. The travellers were suddenly brought to a halt seeing as the trumpet sound from the city's gate commanded attention. A wave of murmurs spread across the crowd in reaction while everyone of the travellers looked back at the city's gate of Athena only to discover a small troop approaching on their horses. The troop, however, had the inclusion of an arrogant-looking horse--typical of royalty--spearheading them. Of course, it was none but General Bastian.Bastian was supposedly not content with Ganicus and his squad's search exercise. He had received news of futile attempts to apprehend Limah from the West Gate and different homes within the city. However, the general was hell bent on retrieving Limah and her infant in a bid to deliver the duo to king Gaius. The Army's General rode slowly on his black stallion--an elegant horse of Friesian breed wit