Landed at Muritala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, Nigeria after he was deported from the United States, Danny Adeyinka, a privileged military brat, had been an undocumented immigrant living a riotous life in the underworld. Arrested by the FBI and the U.S. Secret Service, Danny is caught between the political ambition of John Rosenberg, the U.S. Attorney for the southern district of Maryland, and the notorious Baltimore-based "B-more Boys" gang. In a race to save his life, Danny must rely on his faith and go on the offensive to eliminate the threats leading to the governor’s mansion in Annapolis. He must find the designated assassin before it’s too late.
Victor Fakunle enjoys writing Christian crime fiction. He continues to entertain his readers with page turning thrillers, fusing western and African influence. He is the founder and president of Human Rights Foundation (HRF) Nigeria. He has over sixteen years experience working within the Nigerian criminal justice system. Victor previously worked at the International Criminal Court, The Hague, Netherlands. The alumnus of Webster University, St Louis, Missouri.
Watching the news these days, one can’t help to feel for the men and women who protect the U.S borders as they suffer from cognitive dissonance. Enforcing the law and having empathy for the undocumented immigrant seeking asylum. Danny, the main character in my book falsely applied for asylum status. Thank God for Special Agent Walker’s gut feeling.
July 4th weekend is around the bend again this year. Take the time to celebrate the officers who are constantly protecting the borders with a sense of humanity.
Happy Independence Day
#TheProdigalRenegade
Book Excerpt
The Prodigal Renegade
“Good morning. I’m Special Agent Scott Walker. Please close the door and have a seat.”
“Thank you”, said Danny.
As he tried to close the door, he saw the handle was missing. He remembered the people he had seen being escorted out in handcuffs earlier. The interview room was a trap. Without a doubt, Agent Walker must have had the pleasure of making lots of arrest.
“I see you’ve applied for asylum and your birth certificate states you were born in Monrovia. I’ve been doing this job for a long time Mr. Adeyinka.”
“Please just call me Danny.”
“Okay Danny, I’m going to be straight with you. I think you are Nigerian. Though all your paperwork is complete and looks authentic, my gut feeling tells me you are Nigerian.”
“I’m not Nigerian,” said Danny.
“Tell me, how did you get to the shores of the U.S.?”
Danny was glad when he heard the question. It had been one of the questions he figured they would ask.
“During the war, I escaped to Yamoussoukro in Côte D’ivoire. That was where I boarded a plane to Canada and a few days later, crossed the border into Buffalo, New York.”
“Really? So, what’s the color of the uniform for the Canadian immigration officers?”
“White and navy blue,” said Danny swiftly.
Agent Walker was quiet for a minute. “This is exactly why I believe you are Nigerian. You are too smart and cunning.”
Danny wasn’t sure whether that was an insult or compliment. The door opened and two more agents walked in.
“Can you stand up and place your hands on the wall, sir?” asked one of them.
Danny did as they asked. They patted him down from his collar to his shoes and checked his wallet. He felt relief when he remembered he’d removed everything except a five-dollar bill before leaving the apartment in the morning.
“Nothing here, sir,” the agents said to Walker.
“Thank you gentlemen,” he replied looking very disappointed.
When had Agent Walker called for back-up? He had been right in front of him the entire time. Maybe Walker had a secret button under his table. After the agents left the interview room, Walker apologized.
“I was just doing my job, he said. I’m still going to go with my gut feeling and deny your asylum application. Do you have anything else to tell me? Can you show me further evidence to corroborate your story?
“I can check when I get back home.”
“Alright, your file will be on my desk. You are free to go. Here is my card, just in case you need to call me.”
Danny said, “thank you” and quickly walked out of the building.
“That was close”, he muttered.
Before he got back on the train, he threw Agent Walker’s card in the bin. He hoped never to see that building again.
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