It was still drizzling as the trio made their way towards the Airport Hills Estate. Acting President Gertrude Mensah wondered what Lt. Clottey’s plan was in deciding that President Marfo was the best person to salvage the situation. But she decided not to question him any further. So far she had trusted him and he hadn’t let her down.
Finally, Lt. Badoo pulled up in front of the main gate of the Airport Hills Estate. It was still drizzling. One of the private security men manning the gate came to the car and enquired where they were going. He was in a yellow rain coat and carried an umbrella. They told him who they had come to see.
“I am sorry the President is not in”, the security man said. All three in the car knew he was lying. Immediately after the emergency meeting at the hospital at which he announced his resignation, President Marfo was taken home; a room at his residence had been fitted with all the necessary gadgets that would be needed to treat him and take care of him at home. A nurse had been employed to take care of him with the assistance of his wife. So all three knew he was at home. It was clear the instruction had been given to the security at the gate not to allow anyone in to see him for obvious reasons.
The President got out of the car, stepping into the rain. The security man recognized her immediately and dashed to her side to hold the umbrella above her. Who would not recognize Gertrude Mensah even in pitch darkness? She was undoubtedly the most liked politician in the country.
“Sorry, Madam. He is there but we are under orders not to allow anybody in but I guess you are an exception” he said as he signalled to his colleague to open the gate. Seconds later, the gate opened. Gertrude Mensah got back into the car.
“Bloody civilian!” Lt. Badoo said as he drove through the gates. In spite of himself, Lt. Clottey laughed.
“Why are you insulting the man?” the Acting President asked.
“Madam, because he should not have opened the gate even if you were the one who has come calling because he has been given orders not to allow anybody in. Anybody is anybody. Civilians never follow orders. And they have all sorts of excuses to give for not obeying simple orders”, Lt. Badoo said. A few minutes later, they pulled up in front of a barrier that was close to the President’s residence, about fifty metres from it. It was being manned by three soldiers. Two of them, on seeing the car approach, left their shelter to stand in front of the barrier. Lt. Badoo stopped the car in front of them. Gertrude Mensah got out of the car once again. The soldiers recognized her immediately.
“Her Excellency, welcome. Is the President expecting you?” one of them asked.
“He is not expecting me,” the Vice-President replied.
“Then I am sorry we cannot let you in then”, the soldier said.
Gertrude Mensah smiled. The two soldiers in the car had been right about the difference between soldiers and civilians. She returned to the car, sat down and took out his phone, called the President. It was his wife who answered.
“Madam, please I am in front of the barrier to your house. I have come to see my boss” she said.
“Okay” the First Lady responded cheerlessly. Moments later, one of the soldiers in front of the barrier received a call from inside the house. He was told to let Gertrude Mensah in. He and his colleague opened the barrier and stood aside. They saluted as the car passed by them. Then they closed the barrier once more.
Lt. Badoo drove to the President’s gate. A soldier in rain coat came to the car, looked inside, saw the Vice-President and then pressed a remote control which opened the gate. Lt. Badoo drove in and parked. The trio got out and walked to the porch of the residence where the butler in the house was standing. He welcomed them and gave them towels to clean themselves. Then he led them indoors. They went through the living room to another room. President Marfo was there, seated in a cosy chair, listening to music. Behind him stood his wife. She looked angry.