Henry: How a Honey Badger Became a Hero to a Nation by Themistocles Jacks

Author:Themistocles Jacks
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2019-08-13T16:01:59+00:00

Chapter 36

Solomon drove the Land Cruiser around the block, and satisfied that nothing looked amiss, pulled into the carport. As he got out, a voice commanded him to freeze. Surprised, he complied, and looked toward the voice out of the corner of his eye. He saw a pistol, half a head and a sliver of torso. The rest of the man was hidden behind the cover of a tree. Then, he registered the epaulet on the shoulder of the tan short-sleeve shirt of a police uniform and let out a sigh of relief.

The inspector emerged from the kitchen and closed the door behind him. “Ah, welcome home, Solomon.” Then, turning to the young policeman, “You may secure your weapon, officer. I want you to meet someone.”

Solomon noted approvingly that the young policeman holstered his pistol smoothly, expertly, and without diverting his eyes. He held out his hand and said, “Always good to see you Cecil, but we’ve got to stop meeting like this.”

Cecil laughed and shook Solomon’s hand. Then he turned and said, “Officer, come meet the homeowner, Sergeant Solomon Olabumba.”

The young man stared at the hero of the nation and trembled, “Sir, I am sorry. I had no idea it was you. I apologize, sir, I…”

Solomon smiled and held out his hand. “Don’t apologize. You did everything right. Masterful use of concealment. I was looking, yet didn’t see you. And excellent weapon discipline, too. Well done, officer, well done!”

Cecil nodded. “Yes, he has conducted himself quite well this evening. He shows promise. But I shall give him more responsibility, and I am quite sure that eventually, he will screw up.”

Solomon laughed, “We all do, don’t we?” And he clapped the young man on the back. “Officer…” He squinted to read his name tag. “…Officer Soto, you have obviously had some training. May I ask where?”

The young man stood taller. “From my uncle, sir. He fought in the war and was awarded the Order of the Lion.”

Solomon Olabumba clapped his hands. “Is your uncle Matebe Soto, hero of the Battle of the River?”

The young man beamed. “Yes, sir! And he will be very pleased that you remember him.”

“Remember him? How could I ever forget a man so brave and selfless? Is your uncle well, I hope?”

“Yes, sir. He never complains about his infirmities and is grateful for every day.”

‘Good,” said Solomon. “I can see that you respect him, and that is proper. He deserves respect from all our people. Without him, we surely would have lost the Battle of the River, and quite likely the war. He is a great man.”

Officer Soto was raised to be tough, but he felt tears welling in his eyes from the pride he felt in his heart. “Thank you, sir.”

Solomon turned to the inspector. “Cecil, there’s an old friend you haven’t seen in a while, and one I think Officer Soto should meet.”

With that, David, opened the passenger door and stepped out.

“Good evening, inspector.”

“Great Caesar’s ghost!” exclaimed Cecil, “It’s the late, lamented general, back from the dead!”

They shook hands, then embraced.

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