MYSTERY

Mr. Ben, the Geography teacher entered the class with his long brown companion. His looks was as frightening as the threatening object he held in his masculine hand. The S.S.2 students knew for sure they were in dire trouble. Mr. Ben and his cane were not strangers to the students of Brighter Tomorrow College. He was a strict disciplinarian and a no nonsense teacher. As he entered the class majestically brandishing his weapon, the students began to shiver. His questioning and hostile countenance meant something they all understood. Their heart tickled with fright and many were unable to suppress their fear.

Who stole the wrist watch? Mr. Ben roared, breaking the domineering silence eventually. The question did not help matter; it only infused more apprehension into the students’ spines. The tiny girl that sat close to the class entrance began to cry. Like infectious ailment, her tears spread to others sitting close to her.

The school principal had earlier detected that his wrist watch was missing while addressing the students of S.S.S class.

Where is the principals wrist watch? Mr. Ben demanded again. Like before, his inquest was greeted with tears and fears from the students. Having realized that the use of force will yield no outwards, Mr. Ben resolved to do a thorough search of the students bags and lockers. When he got to the third roll, he was already tired. He was about to give up the search when he saw the wrist watch inside the bag of the new boy in the class, Tony Williams. what! Every mouth in the class exclaimed. Every member of the class could not believe their eyes. Even Mr. Ben could not hide his surprise and disappointment. Tony Williams had hardly spent two weeks in Brighter Tomorrow College, yet his name was about to be dragged into mould.

What is this wrist watch doing in your bag, you toad! Mr. Ben said to Tony in annoyance.
I I dont Tony stammered. He was already crying.

Mr. Ben was about to flog Tony when Fletcher from the last line, interrupted.
Please Mr. Ben, dont beat Tony Fletcher said on top of his voice, moving towards Mr. Ben.
“What did you say young man?” Mr. Ben questioned irritatingly.
I said you shouldnt beat him
And who the hell are you to issue me command?
But Tony is not the thief
What do you mean?
Yes, I saw Cardew slipping the wrist watch into Tonys bag just before you came checking”

The argument ended there. Cardew was already shaking with fright. Apart from the fact that he didnt deny Fletchers claim, many items belonging to different people were found in his bag.
This was how Fletcher saved Tony from the fury of Mr. Ben and helped protect his name and identity. Since then, Fletcher and Tony had been friends. They became brothers of separate mothers. They both studied in the same university though different courses. Ever since they had been friends, nothing had come in-between them. Human, being what they are bound to have some misunderstandings. Tony and Fletcher had theirs; but their differences were their strength and the cord of their brotherhood.

Tony grew into a hugely built man of average height. His physical appearance commanded respect and caught attention of all eyes. He was extremely sociable, a pleasure lover and a humanist to the core. His friend, Fletcher was a slim figure of overbearing nature, whose strength lied in his ability to rule words. With his oratory valor, he was good at making sense out of insanity. In spite of this clear cut differences, both had the likeness of understanding each others plight.

But this was many years ago. Now, they were arch enemies. How could such enviable friendship turn sour as bile? It started many years after both had graduated from the university. Tony became a successful business tycoon while Fletcher was a reputable lawyer. Because of Tonys unflinching passion for politics, he became a stakeholder in the ruling political party of his country, Peoples Ruling Party (PRP). In no time, he was recognized and became a reckoning force within the party. He invited his friend. Fletcher to his party and both became members of the same political party.

The closing line to their long established friendship began with the race to choose the governorship candidate for the party. The contest was between the two and neither of them was prepared to step aside for the other. Both feasted their lustful glee on the topmost position in the state. All efforts made by the party leaders resolve the issue yielded nothing; and so the battle line was drawn between the two. Tony believed Fletcher had come to rob him of his right even though he introduced him to the party. But Fletcher did not see himself as an impostor. Everyone has the right to participate in politics He used to tell people.

Tony could have gained the sympathy of a large members of the party due to his wealth and the position he held in the state but Fletcher, though not as wealthy as him, had all it required to stop him. Fletcher was a born orator; whenever he talked his listeners became part of his world. With this, he defeated Tony and was in the end chosen as the party candidate. Tony felt cheated and believed he had been ill-treated. So, amidst threat and recurrent violent within the party, he left the ruling party for the opposition party, All Peoples movement (APM). APM welcomed him with open hands. Despite the separation between the two friends, the rain of accusation and counter accusation did not cease. As Tony complained of Fletcher being after his life, Fletcher also raised alarm of Tonys plot to liquidate him.

And then it happened at last. It was on a raining day, when the cloud was shedding it tears to quench the earth thirst. The noisy crack of thunder seemed to be announcing the lurking disaster. Amidst the misty cloud, around 8pm, Fletcher drove into his compound. He was just returning from a meeting. The gateman was about to close the gate when a Peugeot swerved in dangerously. Within seconds, the deed was done. Fletcher was laying on the floor, swimming in his own blood. He had been shot.

The following day, Fletchers house was filled with inquisitive reporters and sternly looking security personnel. The police must find the murderer and his accomplices. They must get to the bottom of the case and made the murderer dance to the ruinous tune of his drum. But who was the chief suspect; the only suspect? Tony Williams, his best friend.

The security personnel wasted no time in going about their business. They set for Tony Williams house. It was raining then too. They met no one in the house. They combed everywhere but no trace of him could be found. Perhaps, he had run away. They searched more carefully and saw him in his bathtub, swimming in his blood. Could it be that Tony out of fright killed himself? But, it was obvious that Tony like Fletcher was shot dead. The fact that he shot himself was not genuine. Apparently, two friends had been shot in less than 24hours. Who could the murderer be? Answer to this question remained a riddle that could not be loosened, a mystery that defied human comprehension.