“When I was still married to Melissa, in one of those days, she had revealed to me one of the iniquities of Fanny Luis,” I sounded sonorously to the Minister for Internal Revenue who happened to be my pal.
A man in his thirties with humility dominating his character, I had met Dr. Scholar Nick, the minister for Internal Revenue in the ministers’ conference held in Paris. I would never forget how he eulogized me and counted himself worthy to meet with the world richest man. We had shared a few pleasantries and he had told me to call on his attention should they be any need for it.
Everyone wanted my attention now because I was the world richest man!
Scholar gave repeated nod as he listened to me. He was superbly grateful for revealing the information to him. And not just that alone , he had a brown file in his hands which had Fanny Group stamped on it.
“The world richest man,” he called me and returned a striking gaze on the file, “Indeed you are not just a Croesus but a patriotic citizen of Rio Hondo.” He raised the brown file and slammed it back on the table, “This is the file for the Fanny Group. It is disheartening to hear that a mogul like Fanny Luis could invade tax. Our auditors have revealed and traced a twenty-year tax invasion by the Fanny Group.”
I clicked my fingers in confirmation, “I said it. Melissa had mentioned it to me and I deemed it righteous to reveal it to the ministry. How much are we talking about here, minster?” I queried anxiously.
The minister tossed his head in loss and replied, “Three million dollars! He grabbed the file again.
“What the hell!” I exclaimed. “That is damn much. Why would Fanny Luis do this to the government of Rio Hondo? This is a huge crime, considering the inflation and economy downturn the government is faced with now.”
Although I expected his next question but I was shocked when he requested, “What do you suggest we do, Mike Don? Any advice from you right now would be accepted by the ministry because you are not just the world richest man but a highly respected figure in the world now. We will do whatsoever you say that shall we do.”
I chuckled briefly, contemplated and replied. “Fanny Luis should be brought to book. He should spend the rest of his life in jail. Tax invasion is a serious crime in Rio Hondo. I advised you get him arrested right away, get him probed and ensure he pays to the latter all the tax he invaded.”
Scholar kept nodding inconformity while I spoke on, “I would advise you arrest him right away, minister because he just sold his skyscraper so he has money to pay off his tax.”
He clicked his fingers at me, “I think you have a point here, Mike Don.” He reached to the phone and dialed the tax enforcement agency, “Hello, yeah please proceed with the necessary requirement for arrest and gather the boys. We must arrest Fanny Luis.” He hung up and cast a stare at me, before stretching out his hand for a warm handshake, “Thank you very much, the world richest man for your advice and the information. I wonder what this government could do without a mogul like you.”
I gave a cheeky smile, “You can always count on me, minister. I stand for justice and honesty. Should you need any further information please do let me know,” I intoned and our hands clenched in a warm handshake.
I was about leaving, just at the door, I paused, swirled around and groaned emphatically, “Minster should Fanny Luis demand for the person that snitched on him, please tell him it his underrated son-in-law, the world richest man.”
The minister gave a firm nod and the door slammed; I had gone.
***
Fanny Luis and Melissa were all ready to drive down to the hospital after cashing out the cheque I gave them for the sky scraper.
“I am excited we are going to save granny after all. The money will save us the stress of burial ceremony. I don’t want to lose my mother now.” Fanny said to Melissa as he opened the trunk of the car.
Melissa grinned in wrath, “Although I am not excited over the under sale we made for the skyscraper yet I will be fascinated to see granny come back strong and healthy after battling cancer. As soon as we give the doctor the money, I would buy her flowers and cards to give her a warm welcome.” She let a brief smile.
“Yes, daughter, I am yet to believe we are about to make payments for granny’s medical bills. I thought the cheque was going to be a bounce cheque. For the first time that foolish, dope Brian Patrick is acting sensibly. We are going to bounce back and when we do, we will make him pay forever bringing vengeance upon us…”
Melissa interposed him, after staring at her watch, “Let’s go father, we are running late already,” she sounded.
Fanny was about putting the bag of money into the trunk when a vintage car screeched into the compound and double-crossed them. Hefty hostile-looking armed police men and officials of tax enforcement agency alighted at once and flashed their ID cards.
“You are under arrest, Fanny Luis for tax invasion over a period of twenty years. You have the right to remain silent else whatever you say will be used against you in the court of law. Move it,” they ordered him.
“No, no, you are mistaking. I have never invaded tax. Who told you these white lies?” he protested as they got him handcuffed at once.
A police man caught sight of the bag of money, unzipped it and said, “You could start your tax payment with this,” he took the bag of money and bundled into their vintage car.
“No! No! Please don’t touch that money. It is for my mother’s medical bills. Please …” he wailed. “Oh what is happening?”
Melissa kept wailing at the tops of her voice, “Please don’t take away the money! Please! Oh! No…”