Peter Abel searches for Alice in London

15 Aug Peter Abel searches for Alice in London

The Marriott on Westminster Bridge Road was a hotel Abel fancied ever since he saw it in Eddy Murphy’s film, “Coming to America”.

It wasn’t just the impression it had made on screen. Abel felt safe there because it was not a place for every Tom, Dick and Harry. It was expensive! And after his experience in the Canaries, Abel above all wanted to feel safe.

Abel arrived in London and took a taxi straight to the hotel and collapsed in his room. He slept for the next 24 hours.

When he finally awoke, he ordered some food, opened the curtains and sat at the window, which overlooked the Thames. The views of the river and of Big Ben were particularly thrilling to him. He began to feel himself relax.

After eating, Abel phoned Chief Benson to give him an update and assure him he was all right. He had expected the Chief to remark on the expense of the hotel he had chosen, but instead, Benson had merely ordered him to “get a good rest.”

After recounting his adventures in the Canaries, he told Benson his plans to head out for Mali as soon as he checked with Lola to learn if she had remembered anything more about the circumstances that led up to Tunde’s murder. He didn’t tell his boss, but he also was looking forward to assuring Lola that he was still on the story that cost her husband his life. He felt responsible somehow, since Tunde always thought of him as a mentor. But Benson told him Lola was already in London for a vacation courtesy of The Zodiac. Abel took her number.

He reached Lola that evening, and he apologised for losing track of her movements. They arranged to meet at a local pub for a traditional bangers and mash dinner.

Lola entered the pub looking much younger and more relaxed. She wore a dashing black leather jacket over a yellow T-shirt and black jeans. Abel stood to greet her, throwing his arms around the slender woman.

“Lola. You look …”

“Thanks, Abel”, she said quickly to stop his compliments. She sat down gracefully at the table before Abel remembered he should have taken her jacket.

“I am impressed, you staying at the Marriott on Westminster”, she said. “Very luxurious.”

“Courtesy of The Zodiac.”

“I know a little about The Zodiac my Tunde loved so much, but there must be some additional reward for those of you who live dangerously.”

Abel hoped to veer the discussion off her bitter past, so he ignored the remark.

“You look beautiful, Lola”, he said. “And this ordinary t-shirt you have on …”

“Don’t start the debate of the hood and the monk, Abel.” She crossed her legs. “I’d like a Guinness before listening to your story.”

“Story?”

“I hear you’ve been all over the place looking for …”

“Alice, but please, please don’t spoil the evening. This is not your problem, at least not for now.”

“Peter, we share this pain. Don’t shut me out. You look so worried and tired. You’ve had a hard time. And I want to hear about it.”

Abel could see Lola wasn’t about to budge. “Okay, you win”, Abel waved a waiter over and ordered the drinks.

“It’s a long story, but I’ll do my best”, he said. “I write stories better than I can tell them.”

“Start at the beginning. Leave nothing out”, she said.

Abel waited until their beers arrived, then began.

By the time he finished, they had ordered and finished dinner. He sat back, drinking a third beer and regarding his empty plate. He loved English food. He didn’t care what anybody said. Overcooked peas were tasty. Lola watched him, admiration in her eyes. She shook her head.

“Well, thank God for your life.”

“Somehow, I enjoy the challenges, the rush of adrenaline. But as you said, I must thank God for still being alive.”

“So, what do you do next?”

“Oh”, Abel yawned. “I’m headed for Mali on Monday. That is the other popular route for the traffickers.”

“I will go with you.” She looked him straight in the eye.

“No, Lola. It’s too dangerous.”

“I don’t care”, she insisted. “This is my fight, too.”

“No, Lola”, Abel sat back and folded his arms. His father used to do the same thing when he wanted to signal the discussion had come to an end.

“You’re not being fair. I have every reason for wanting to follow this story to the end.”

“I know we share a common pain, but you’re still mourning. Still dealing with grief. No matter what you think, you haven’t recovered. I say this because I care. Believe me. Revenge is not a good reason to go on a dangerous assignment like this.”

Abel knew he was echoing his boss’s own wise words to him before he left.

She sat back, sulking. Abel reached over and put a hand on her arm.

“Lola, I’ve taken an oath to care for you. Part of that involves finishing Tunde’s story. And part of that involves making sure you stay safe.”

Lola suddenly looked at Abel, eyes hardening in a hatred he hadn’t seen before or even suspected was there.

“Maybe it’s better I don’t go”, she said. “If I went with you and we found these people who are smuggling children, turning them into whores, I would kill them. They would be dead by my hand. They are the reason Tunde is dead.”

As shocked as he was, Abel admired her anger and her strength. And it only drove him harder than ever to follow the story. And to make sure it was told.