The billionaire is a Vigilante

1

The sound of the screeching tires of the Police Issue Dodge Catcher filled the atmosphere. It was followed by a loud bang and a high pitched giggle. Deborah Stone just couldn’t wait to get home. She had finally done it, she was promoted and was appointed the new Sheriff of Blueville County.

27 years ago, she was a stranded Nigerian who has somehow made it to the United States of America with a goal -to become a Cop- how she was going to achieve that she had no idea but she had made up her mind. How confused she was when she got down from the plane. So many people alighted the plane with her, but the difference between her and them, they knew where to go she had not the slightest what she was doing.

She closed her eyes as she went down the memory lane.

*******

Welcome to Crystal City, Have a great time here, Stone Aero!!!

The lady on the radio seemed like she enjoyed her job. Deborah alighted from the plane, the sign up ahead of her read- STONE AERO.

Weird name.

Deborah had a million thoughts running through her mind all at once. She wanted to leave Nigeria at all cost, she just couldn’t bear the struggle in her home country. Finally, she had made it to the United States of America.

Wow, this airport is huge!!! But not nearly as huge as my problems now, where to next?

Now in the United States of America she followed the kind stewardess who showed her to a lobby in the airports after she had carried her bags. If only she understood that her problems were bigger than finding her way to the lobby.

Where do I go to next? Will anybody know I don’t have anywhere to go? Will I get deported? How do I feed? Just 500$. Will that be enough to get me through the month? Or this week? Oh God, what have I done?

As her thoughts took charge she bumped into someone, luggage scattered on the ground. She rushed to pick them up.

“I’m so sorry…”

Oh Lord!. She was never as scared as she was as she looked at the stranger she had bumped into.Standing right in front of her was 2ndLt. Garfield Stone Jnr. At least that was what the name tag said.

A soldier! God I’m dead, but he’s so hot.

She was so confused, was she in trouble?

“Hey!”

The coarse voice jolted her, she was back to reality.

“I’m so sorry. Uhm, you’re a soldier? Am I in trouble? It was an accident. I was lost and confused, I didn’t know when I hit you. Please don’t kill me!”

She was almost on her knees.

Garfield couldn’t help laughing. What a girl! So funny.

“Hey, listen my name is Garfield. I’m a Marine, don’t worry I won’t hurt you or anything like that ok?”

“Oh… ok” Deborah stuttered, she wasn’t convinced. Her experience with soldiers back home sure did give her shivers.

“What’s your name?”

“Deb… Deborah Ike”

“African, er, Nigeria?”

“Yes, how did you know that?” She felt relieved, at least he was friendly.

“Well, I saw you when we boarded in Nigeria. I went there on official duty”

“Oh! Right where did you stay in Nigeria?”

She had helped him in packing the luggage back on the carrier. They were headed for the giant glass door that seemed like the front door to the airport.

“I stayed in Lah-gos”

Garfield tried his best to pronounce it correctly. Deborah couldn’t hold back her laughter.“It’s Lagos, not Lah-gos”

“Thank you. So you said you were lost, first time in America?”

Garfield held the door open as they exited the airport. It was the most beautiful city Deborah had seen.

“Thank you. Yeah, first time in America. I actually don’t know where I’m headed right now.”

“Really? Okay, uhm, I don’t live here in Crystal city.”Garfield ran his hand through his hair.

“Crystal City, wow…. It’s beautiful.” Deborah gazed like a kid in a candy store through the open city. Really Crystal City was a real crystal.

“Yes it is. How ‘bout you come with me to Blueville, that’s my home.”

“What? No, no, I’ll find my way.”

“Listen you seem lost, I’m just trying to help. At least until you can stand on your feet here in America.”

“But, I am standing on my feet” Deborah stomped on the pavement to emphasize.

Garfield smiled watching Deborah demonstrate.

“I understand your legs are working perfectly, but I insist on helping till you can fend for yourself.”

Deborah stood, thinking for a few minutes. He was a soldier or marine, whichever, so he was definitely a good guy.“Sure, thanks a lot.”

“You’re welcome.”

“So which way to Blueview?”

“Blueville, well it’s another hour journey”Garfield signaled a taxi.

Great!

When they finally got home, they settled for dinner. The roast turkey was just so good; Deborah just help tearing down the turkey leg. Momentarily, she forgot she was sitting next to Garfield and did justice to the leg. By the time she remembered where she was, she realized Garfield had been looking at her all along, smiling.

“I’m sorry, the turkey was just too good and I’ve been starving.”She reached for her napkin and dabbed gently on her lips.

“No, it’s fine eat up. The turkey would eventually end up somewhere right? And I haven’t had company in a while.”

Deborah resumed eating but this time a little more calmly.

“So you’re in America now, what’s your plan? Why did you come all the way here?”

“I want to be a cop.”She closed her eyes expecting the worst reaction from Garfield.

“Really, I could help you out with that. You know there’s a new Police Academy recently opened here in Blueville County. I’ll make a call and get you admitted.”

Deborah couldn’t utter a word. Garfield excused himself and took his phone from his jacket on the couch. Soon Deborah could hear him talking to someone.

Yeah… A girl, African.

She just made it into town.

She’s staying with me, for now.

Yeah I want to apply for her at the academy, thanks so much man.

Garfield returned the phone to his jacket on the couch and returned to the dining table. Deborah was sobbing.

“Hey, hey, what’s the problem? Why you crying?”He squatted beside her trying to console her.

“Thank you”

That was all she managed to say amidst the tears. She couldn’t believe a random stranger could help her out just like that. He barely knew her.

“Deb, listen. Stop crying okay, it’s all good. Finish up your turkey. I’ll go get you something to drink.”

Deborah wiped her tears with the edge of her sleeve.C’mon, Debbie! Stop crying, he’s gonna help you out. I can do this.

Deborah seemed calm as she sniffled a bit.

“So what want to drink, beer?”

“No, definitely not. Soda will do.”

She hated drinking. It reminded her of her father, not a memory she liked.

“Here you go. So tomorrow I’ll take on a drive round town and introduce you to a few people, then you start at the Academy on Monday. I’ll take care of all the bills whatsoever, okay?”

“Thank you”

Deborah didn’t know when she rushed at him taking him up in a tight embrace. He was definitely her guardian angel.

“You’re welcome. Finish up, I’ll take you to your room in a bit.”