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@mainland thanks fr d mention

Wow. Finally! I missed a lot while away sha. I would be waiting for the published copy nw.... M really rating dis d best book I read in 2015

drippingink3:
should not have started reading this lovely piece. am going to have a really really slow day.

Thanks dor reading bro.

ikeola6:
Following...

Welcome...

Soft10:
Fiyah...thumb up 4 u...gr8 work

Thanks for reading and you welcome

gal10:
This is good!!why do i keep seeing lanre as colin firth keep up the good work ma'am

Thanks sis. You welcome and thanks for reading. This kinda comments kips me moving

ifyjohnson:
Interesting especially for someone like me who have always luv these private investigator thing

Welcome and thanks for reading

cutiepie25:
Wow, nice piece. Kip it up. Following already.

Thanks

Missmossy:
Such a juicy update keep it coming fiyah, you are doing a wonderful job kudos.

Thanks Ma. M honored.

DandyPearl:
Thanks for the update fiyah...more grease to ur elbow. You're one heck of a writer . Don't forget to keep all other updates as lengthy as this#ThumbsUp#

I would try to ma'am

Chapter Four

‘Deinde.’ Sir Makinde said slowly, his wrinkled Adam’s apple juggled up and down his throat like a Ping-Pong ball. Sir Makinde was wearing a white cotton robe and the bulging vein on his hand owing to his age and years of hard work seemed to bulge out the more from the grasp he had on the glass tumbler he held. He was standing before his T.V and the rectangular speakers standing erect on the ground under the plasma were blaring waves of Oyenka Owenu's ‘One Love’ at a very truncated volume. The tumbler he was holding which was half filled with red wine hadn’t been touched. Sir Makinde was fond of acting all dramatic sometimes and what he was doing didn’t really get me astonished. I put the wine he had poured for me in a similar tumbler on my lips and sipped gently. It was Sunday evening and I had left for his house after giving Kath and the kids a ride to Isioma’s place. I was sitting on one of the white couches in Sir Makinde’s exquisite sitting room. He was a widow whose only child, a female of Isioma's age had died along with her mum in a car accident. He lives with Akin, his houseboy who is speciously 14 years old.

‘Deinde used to be Bede's minion.’ He finally said sitting down on another white couch beside me placing his tumbler on the glass stool between the two couches. ‘He was not my type of person. To be sincere with you, his shady character made me despise him. He was an ambitious chap in his youth. Too ambitious that I began having wild thoughts about the unthinkable things he could do for money. He could lick Bode's sole and he was everywhere Bode was even though the latter was just 5 years older than he was owing to what Bode had done for him. But then, Deinde after a few years running errands here and there for Bode, suddenly became a big businessman. He became the Deinde I never knew. Whatever he was doing for money wasn’t as crystal clear as it should be. I heard from a reliable source that he solely owned a casino and an exclusive brothel. It was rumoured recently that Deinde wants to go into partnership with some rich lads to establish ‘a-one-of -a- kind five-star hotel’’
He stopped and rubbed his palm together.

‘Are you of the idea that Deinde killed Bode?’ He asked and I couldn’t read anything on his face.

Sir Makinde is that kind of person that has this blank expression that only psychics could read whatever he has in his mind. He rarely displays a compassionate expression and I had never seen fear on his face before. He smiles were the once in a blue moon type. That cold, still, forced smile that occasions demand he must have. There were times I wonder how he managed to enchant the gentle, always smiling and cheerful Ma’am Makinde, may her soul R.I.P but one can’t really tell with the oldies romance.

‘Seun personally mentioned him. He was Seun’s number one suspect and that was why I decided to ask if you knew him. One can’t be sure he did but with what you just told me about Deinde, his acts which depicts that of an old gangster lord could probe someone to start having some wild ideas.’ I replied sipping my wine.

‘Son,’ He started once again like he was going to reveal a long hidden secret. ‘There is something you need to know about Bode. He got to know Helen through Deinde.’

He paused for a second then continued. ‘But I did my research on her and I discovered she used to work in one of Deinde’s brothels.’

That was some news.

‘Did Bode Edun knew his wife was a slut?’

‘He didn’t and I didn’t tell him.’ Sir Makinde said unremorsefully.

I gave him the look that seemed to ask why.

‘Of what help would that do him?’ He got the message I was passing or so I thought. 'Bode lost his confidence in Seun when Seun had that accident and Sarah also became aphasic. He was scared of what would become of Edun Foods when he is gone that he finds it hard to hide his fear. Deinde saw this and decided to take advantage of it. Whatever Deinde was up to, I have no idea but the next thing I knew was that Bode started seeing Helen immediately Seun was sent abroad.’ He said and I could feel disappointment in his speech. ‘Bode had been dating Helen even while his wife was alive.’ Sir Makinde looked at me with much intense like what he said was hidden behind my retina.

‘Seun made mention of some Aphasia. What's that about?’ I asked inquisitively.

‘Sarah’s case was the first I would ever witness. You know, the aphasia is a situation whereby the affected person, would be mute and lose his/her sense of communication due to brain damage. Sarah wasn’t exactly medically fit even before she became aphasic so when she was informed about Seun’s accident and the death of the passengers and the driver, she had collapsed before listening to the concluding part of the story. She was unconscious for a month and some weeks.’ He seemed angry. ‘When Sarah finally woke up, she couldn’t speak but she understood what is being said because she nods and shook her head in reply to questions and she could also write her reply to questions down. That was why the doctor told us her type of aphasia was mild.’

That was explicable enough.

‘When Bode told me about Helen. I scolded him like any sane elder brother would. I asked him why he had to take advantage of Sarah’s pitiful condition to be infidel. He told me Sarah was already menopausal and even if she weren’t, it took her years to bear Seun, there wasn't any assurance that she would have another child. He clearly made it known to me that he only wants Helen to bore him a child. I gave up when there was no hope he would listen to me. His mind was made up and Deinde was encouraging him. When that girl came into his life, Bode became too secretive and slowly drifted away from me. Probably because I never stopped reprimanding him.’

The Mp3 had switched to another song. It was Phil Collins’ ‘all of my life’. Sir Makinde may be a workaholic, but he loves music. Old school music.

What he told me about Bode, Sarah, Helen and Seun Edun made complete sense. Bode Edun cheated on his wife because she was mute and couldn’t bear another child and also because his only son had an accident. He wanted a substitute in case something bad happens to Seun. Why can’t I help thinking Deinde and Helen had aces up their sleeves? Why had he called Helen just right before she died anyway?

‘The police found an unknown finger print on the door knob of the Edun’s’ I said

‘You think it belonged to Deinde?’

‘That would be improbable and so silly of Deinde to have done the killing himself which I’m sure he didn’t. Maybe Deinde hired someone to do the killing. It would be very hard to find the killer if that is the case because I have a hunch whoever it is would have left the country when he had the chance.’

‘But there is no harm in paying Deinde a friendly visit. Is there? You might be lucky to pick something from his countenance or you might be fluky he might give himself away when you ask questions.’


I reasoned with him. The gut feeling that the killer gained entrance into the house easily gave me the idea the killer must have mentioned Deinde’s name to the gatekeeper or it might even be Deinde himself for the gate keeper to let him in.

I think I would be paying Deinde a visit. His fingerprint would do.

I never knew I had missed this much. Thanks so much for the last update. Sadiq turns mustafa? I will just keep watching what you are up to sir Mattkent.

3
Kath and the kids were in the living room watching T.V. Henry and Henrietta were sitting on the brown rug before the Television a bowl of popcorn before them. Kath had a cushion pillow on her laps and the TV’s remote in one hand. They didn’t notice I had entered as they were engrossed with what they were watching. I looked at my wristwatch and it read 6:48. I was early today and I knew they weren’t expecting me home anytime soon. Even I know it was so unlike me.

‘Oh my. Do I have to knock in my own house before my own family knows I’m here?’ I suddenly said aloud and I smiled showing my teeth, my hands in my trousers ‘pocket. The trio looked at me at once but Kath glanced back at the T.V almost immediately

.‘Daddy!’ Henrietta and Henry screamed excitedly and they both scampered towards me. Before I knew it, they both have their arms wrapped around each of my legs. I lifted them one after the other each of them in one arm.

‘You are so early today. What happened? Are you sick?’ Henrietta asked in her tiny lovely voice placing her tiny finger on my nose as I walked with them in my arms to the Sofa where Kath sat.’

‘Dad is not sick. He just has to see his sweet babies today before they sleep. You know, you guys might have left for school before he wakes up tomorrow.’ I replied sitting on the sofa and placing Henry on the sofa between Kath and me and also placing Henrietta on my lap.

‘There is no school tomorrow. It is Saturday’ Henry replied. Henry was the older of the two. He was two years older than his sister who clocked five last month.

‘Really? That’s great’ I replied, smiling at them both.
‘Will you be playing with us tomorrow? Like all of us, including mummy?’

‘Daddy has work to do tomorrow’ I could see their disappointed face at what I said, so I quickly added this ‘but I would be doing it at home, you can do all you won’t to do with me when I’m on break.’

‘That will be sooo cooool!’ Henry exclaimed excitedly
‘We would watch SpongeBob together, won’t we?’Henrietta asked holding my palm and looking into my eyes intently

‘And Barbie that is after you guys have done your assignments. Work comes before play you know.’ I said and kissed her lightly on her forehead.

‘Barbie?’ Henry said disgustedly. ‘Barbie is for girls! I won’t watch it because I’m grown up now. We would be watching Power Rangers and not Barbie.’ Henry said into Etta’s face. She looks offended and I know I was in for some hard night since Kath isn’t helping.

‘Daddy, you are not going to listen to Henry, are you? We’d be watching Barbie right?’ Etta asked assuredly.

'That Power Ranger is about violence and I could still remember clearly. Miss Ejiro asked us to stay away from anything that has to do with violence.' I could see Henry preparing to lay down his part of the argument. Obviously going against Etta's view.

‘What did you guys have for dinner? Cos Daddy is really hungry.’ I asked them both changing the topic in order to avoid further arguments.

‘We had fried rice and beef. I also helped mum in the kitchen. Henry only played football while the women were in the kitchen’ Etta said smiling broadly at me with pride.

‘She didn’t really help Mummy in the kitchen. I really don't know if sitting and asking silly questions has become helping.’ Henry replied. I glanced at Kath for any form of help but she I knew none was coming forth. Her gaze was fixed towards the television.

I knew if this continues, the kids won’t allow me have my dinner nor rest. I needed to get rid of them before they bring up another topic.

‘Why don’t you go back to what you are watching? Dad needs to shower and eat before coming back to watch T.V with you’

‘Why don’t you stay with us for five minutes?’ Etta asked holding my chin.

I shook my head in negation and dropped her on the wrong.

‘3 more minutes?’

I shook my head again.

‘A minute?’

I knew she wasn’t going to give up so I tickled both of them playfully. They chuckled excitedly but forcefully.
‘I will do more of that if you don’t leave’ I said still tickling them.

Before I knew it, they scurried back to where they were before I came in giggling as they go. I smiled at them and moved inches closer to Kath. She didn’t look at me. She ignored every movement I made. I moved very close to her and she looked at me this time only to glance back at the T.V like I wasn’t there. I looked up at what she was watching and I discovered it was a cartoon. I know she wasn’t as captivated as she made it seem. This was one of her way of showing me that I’ve not been forgiven. I planted a quick kiss on her forehead and looked back at the TV hurriedly like nothing happened. Kath didn’t flinch. I gave her another kiss on her cheek and looked back at the T.V like I had done the first time. I could see she was trying to suppress a smile now and I knew at that very moment I was doing a nice job so I gave her another on her lips. She couldn’t hold it any longer, she laughed out loud and rapped series of playful punches on my arm.

‘Ouch! That isn’t very nice of you.’ I said holding the arm she had hit with my other hand like it really hurts then I lay on the sofa placing my head carefully on her laps.

‘Is that how you say sorry when you do something wrong? Those kisses can’t make up for your crimes.’ She said looking down at me a smile she didn’t know was there hung on her lips seductively.

‘I bet they already did.’ I said licking my lips and winking at the same time.

‘And why do you think so?’ She asked.

‘I know so. In fact, I would prove it by doing this’ While saying ‘this’ I brought my lips to hers and she responded readily this time. I was so lost in the passion that when she pushed me away, I was alarmed as I wasn’t expecting it. ‘The kids!’ She whispered.

I changed position by sitting and winked at her. She winked back knowingly.

‘Should I be glad you came home early or I should be worried this would only repeat itself in the next five months?’ She asked worriedly this time. She was looking down at her laps.

‘Are you going to start this again?’ I said not impressed by her change in mood. ‘You look more beautiful when you are smiling honey.’ I said and gave her one last peck on her cheek.

It was 9 am and Kath was getting ready to sleep. The kids were already asleep in their room. I carried them both there and I personally read them bed-time stories. When I was done, I opened the door into my matrimonial bedroom, tiptoed to the bedside and picked up my suitcase. Kath was asleep. I watched her for a while before tiptoeing down the passage into my study room, brief case in hand. When I got to the door of my study room, I plugged the key inside the keyhole and gently pulled the handle which gave way with ease and I was inside in no time. I locked the door behind me leaving the keys in the keyhole. My study room was a little room which comprises of a chair, a table, a desktop computer and a white board fixed into the wall beside the chair and the table. There was a simple cabinet in the room which held blank papers, newspapers, documents and many other things that is related to my work. It was my little office at home. There was a safe which harbored very important documents and guns.

The white board has pictures pasted on it with the help of cellophane haphazardly and the places that has no pictures on the board have stuffs written on it with markers of different colours. I always use my study room whenever I have a very important case to handle. I tapped the switch of the lamp on the table and a yellow bright light reflected in the room. I sat down bringing my suitcase to the table and opened it bringing out things I needed from it. I closed it when I was sure there was nothing more to add then dropped the suitcase on the ground beside the table.

On the table now are, Chief Edun and his wife’s before and after death photographs, the autopsy results, a pen, the jottings Isioma made while with Seun Edun and my phone with the earpiece plugged in. I picked up my phone, plugged the earpiece into my left ear while tapping my phone with my left hand forefinger. I have new whatsapp notifications, I looked up at my chats on whatsapp and tapped Isioma’s. She sent an audio which I downloaded.

‘Do you happen to see my brother?’ It was Isioma’s voice I heard first when I played the audio.

‘You mean the man you came in with? He went to get cigarette.’ A man’s voice replied ‘I’m sure he would be back soon’ He said again after sometime. It was Carl.
‘Are you the owner of this bar?’ It was Isioma again.

‘No…’ Carl said ‘I work for the owner’

‘I’m sorry if I’m probing into affairs that you find private but I’m the curious type and I can’t fathom why you are the only one here. You have got no colleagues?’

‘Nah. Others quitted when there was no hope of the take home pay increasing and nobody is willing to work here. I had to put out the vacancy sign this morning after it had stayed out there for months and nobody came to be employed or else you would have seen it at the door when you were coming in. I knew putting out that sign out was a crazy idea in the first place but who am I to argue with Mr. Fred. The business is failing already but my boss fails to see this‘

‘I can you see you are passionate about your work. You stayed despite the odds.’

‘Passionate? I’m completely the opposite of that about what I’m doing. I just had to stay because I couldn’t get another job with higher pay and a boy has to hustle. I think I would be quitting anytime soon.’

‘Are you still schooling?’

‘No. I graduated already. That was two years ago at University of Lagos.’

“Wow! Same here! What did you study back then in school?’
‘Accounting. What about you?’

‘Computer Science. I graduated three years ago. ‘

‘That’s nice.’

Then the two began talking about trivia issues, I got bored. Carl cracked jokes and Isioma gave throaty laughs to the funny and unfunny jokes. I wondered why Carl had to reject Mrs. Richards offer even though things were hard for him. I thought guys like him have got no pride. Why is he preserving his by claiming he doesn’t need any help from her knowing it is her husband helping him indirectly? What kind of a gigolo is Carl? I jot that down on a jotter as I thought about it. One can’t just judge some people.

I started to look into the Eduns’ issue. Helen Edun looked beautiful even in death. She had a towel wrapped around her body and a bathing cap on her head. It was like she just had her bath when she was shot. No one would have believed she was carrying a baby with the prettiness of her face. I realized Chief Edun need not be blamed for grabbing the amazing offer while it lasts. There were a few loopholes in the case though. On the crime scene, according to Edward, there were fingerprints. Unidentifiable fingerprints on the door knob on the wall beside the door which they guessed belonged to the killer. Just as Seun Edun said, Helen Edun was obviously dragged from the ground up the stairs. Why would the killer drag her up after she was dead? and I added an asterisk to that. I opened the dictionary app on my phone and typed in aphasia in the search space and tapped the search button. I had been wondering what that meant for a while now.

APHASIA, Lack of language abilities: a partial or total inability to produce and understand speech as a result of brain damage. Muteness.

I don’t know what triggered the sudden interest in Sarah Edun.

Chief Edun's phone held not much details. The last person he called was the day before he died was Helen. Helen's call log shows that the people she called that day were one Isadora and John Deinde. Her last call was to Deinde. There was a message she sent to Deinde also. It reads: Come to my place now!

‘That morning at about 10 am, Chief sent me and Gideon to go to Ogun State and bring his cousin, Madam Amanda. He said Madam Amanda would be taking care of Madam Helen and Madam Helen would have somebody to talk to. When we came back, we found police everywhere and Mr. Seun too and I was told Chief Edun and Madam Helen are both dead.’

Oyinye, the Edun’s housemaid had said in her statement when I was interrogating her. Oyinye wasn’t anything like the uneducated maids that we see ubiquitously. She spoke good but Igbo-accented English. I learnt that Helen was an orphan. She had no relation anyone knew about.
The Edun employed the service of 4 people, two drivers, Gideon the driver and Ahmed (Seun’s driver). Oyinye was the only maid employed and also among the employees was the late gate keeper who was murdered along with Chief Edun and his wife, a 56 year old man, Remi. I learnt Helen had no relation that I could ask about her love life before and after marriage with Bode. Who knows? She might have been murdered by a deranged boyfriend who couldn’t have her marrying another man. This happens a lot these days and that is another possibility. .
There was nothing much about who called Helen and who she called but there were 3 missed calls from John Deinde after her death and I don’t know why that bothers me. I also added asterisk to that too. I would look into this John Deinde. Maybe a little chitchat with Sam Makinde might reveal some hidden truth. I might be lucky as he may know this John Deinde.

I was still thinking about the case when I heard knocks on the door.

‘Honey, I know you are in there. It’s late already. Open the door.’ It was Kath. I looked at my wristwatch and the time read 12:13 a.m. I rose gently, tapped the lamp switch and it went dead then opened the door and Kath led me to our room.

***
‘Daddy wake up! It’s 9 already!’ It was Henry and Etta they were hitting me with pillows. I slowly sat up and it was then I saw Kath at the door way holding a tray with both hands. It’s breakfast in bed. Was I excited?
‘You should leave him to eat now. He slept late last night, that’s why he woke up late’ Kath said coming closer. She placed the tray on the bed and collected the pillow from the kids which she put in the right position.
‘Kung Fu Panda has started already.’ Kath announced. ‘Dad will join you when he’s done eating.’ Kath said and carried Etta while Henry trotted behind her as they left the room. I glanced at the Tray and I saw fried Irish potatoes, fried egg and yam in a small bowl. On the tray was a cut of watermelon and pineapple and there was fruit juice in a glass cup also in the tray.
‘You sneaked into your study room because you thought I won’t let you?’ Kath said coming into the room alone, holding a newspaper. She was wearing a white loose gown which is a little above her knee. She had her long dark natural hair loose and it fell loosely behind her neck. It made me remember the day I met Kath. It was back then in college. She was the youngest in the class as I was two years older than she was and she was also this kind of diva guys couldn’t stop talking about. Kath was nothing like an introvert. She was the class talkative, outspoken, and daring. She is friendly to a fault as she talked to almost everybody in the class including timid me. I was the tepid, shy and extremely reserved one and while she was the exact opposite. She was the first person to approach me then and she had asked what my name was. Ever since, I had developed a secret likeness for her but I dare not ask her out as I wasn’t up to the task and I also think she hardly notices me besides she has many admirers who were a thousand times better than I was in looks and in all ratification. She was my college crush and she never knew until we were married. I knew my classmates back then won’t believe we had ended up together.
After college, everybody went their different way and I soon forgot about her. Then, we met again where I went for my service in Ile-ife. She was still a student of OAU studying Mathematics and she was in her final year. She didn’t get admission when I did because that was when she lost her father and financial problems set in. Her Uncle, Kevin who was staying abroad volunteered to sponsor her education after she had wasted a year. When we met again, it was really amazing as she has turned the shy one while I was the opposite. We met in a shopping mall and the feelings that died down began to grow again. It grew tenfold and that was how our love story started and we ended up together.
I scratched my head at what she said. She came closer to my side draw the blanket off me, placed the tray on her laps and began to feed me with the pineapple first.
‘You are the Private Investigator Seun Edun hired right?’ Kath asked putting a slice of pineapple in my mouth.
I nodded while chewing. There was no other Investigator that I know and lying at this point was no use as the newspaper which she would use to prove I was lying was just right in her reach. I wonder why women ask questions which they already have answers to.
Kath gave a soft sigh. I knew she wasn’t okay with it and she was going to discourage me one way or the other.
‘You know it would be risky. Haven’t you thought about it? The kids and I and even you might get hurt. This is homicide Lanre. The first time you handled a homicidal case, I had to leave the city with Henry and Etta’s fetus to stay with Mum in Osun. Now that Mum is here in Lagos, where do you want us to run to when your case spells trouble?’ Kath said it like she were pounding the words into me. If I were like many soft minded guy, I would have abandoned the case that very moment with the way she lay down the facts softly with the anger clearly buried inside her.
‘He would be paying me ten million naira.’ I laid emphasis on the last three words like that would do some magic and Kath would just smile sheepishly and pat my head gently. I knew I was dumb to think that way. Kath gave me the ‘you are so unbelievable look’ so I quickly added. ‘He already paid half of that.’
‘This is absolutely preposterous! Lanre, you are going to jeopardize the safety of your family for Ten Million Naira? I can’t believe this!’ She said and put the tray off her laps then made to stand up from the bed. The look she gave me hadn’t disappear. I held her back by the wrist.
‘Kath, please.’ I said resignedly. ‘I promise you no danger would come to you or the kids. It’s a promise I’m making. Just give me this one chance.’ I pleaded.
Kath sat back her shoulder dropping in a stoic manner and she sighed softly.
While she went bank to feeding me, I stole glances at the bolded lettering at the top of the page she opened and it read. ‘Seun Edun hired Private Investigator for a Mouthwatering Pay’.
Then I concluded the press probably do business with the earth’s sound wave.

Following....

Mattkent sha like give people bp. I know sadiq isn't dead now. Not now. Not just yet if he ever has to.

princesssusan:
I'm here
though late hope I'm forgiven. this story promise to b nice as usual but pls don't let it stale
eeshfar harjibolar kingzpen u guys should kom o

Ma'am. Been missing you like kilode. Feels good having you here

drippingink3:
[color=#770077][/color]hooked!

Thanks for commenting

waali:
Wow...!!! Being a learner, when I see write ups like this I ask myself if I could write like this someday. Nyc piece!

If you believe it, you can achieve it. Welcome on board

barackodam:
Following rather impatiently. Thanks for summoning though, donno you still remember me

Why won't I boss? Thanks for honoring the summon

The Edun Villa was a colossal and attractive sight to behold. It must had been the work of a highly experienced architect as it stood magnificently amidst beautiful and different flowers. The nearest house to it was kilometres away due to the length of the fence which encompass the building. The fence was high up that it would be difficult to see the roof of the building itself. I guessed it would be easy for whoever had murdered Chief Edun and his wife to escape unnoticed due to the distances between the Edun’s mansion and its neighbour. I parked my car distances in front of the Edun’s neighbour’s house. There was a car parked metres before mine and two men were screwing and unscrewing the wheel of the car. Half the body of one of them was completely hidden under the car as he dealt with the car’s wheel. The doors of the car were flung open and the other man had his legs out of the car placing his bare feet on the tarred road. I don’t know whether they thought that was some form disguise because I think it is a lame disguise if it ever was one 'cos it didn’t take me a while to know they were policemen. I smiled at their obvious disguise when Isioma and I stepped out of my car and walked past them towards the Edun’s gate. The men didn’t let their eyes off us.

Approaching the gate, I saw two Black Marias and a Mercedes Benz parked haphazardly in front of the car. Three policemen in uniform were before the gate while some were in the Black Marias. The men before the gate looked tired and worn out and I could see sweat glistening on the forehead of the standing two.

Two were standing at the edge of the gate while one was sitting on a purple plastic chair between the standing duos biting an apple hungrily. When we were in front of the gate. The sitting policeman stood up while others didn't change their position but they all averted their gaze towards us. He was a dark, tall, gaunt, hungry looking man. His scull could be traced behind the little flesh on his face.

‘What are you looking for here?’ He asked in an unmistakable Hausa accent his molars working tirelessly on the bitten apple. His tribe was evident in his spoken English.

I produced my I.D card in no time and so did Isioma. He snatched my I.D from me and read out my name slowly to himself squinting his gaze. It took him a while to complete his reading that I began to doubt his reading abilities. He stared at me and then back at the I.D to confirm if it was really me in the photograph. He repeated that again before handing my card back to me which I took gracefully, glad he hadn’t torn it with his intense stare.

‘So you are that Lanre George?’ He asked me giving me an unfriendly frown and a disgusted look like he just discovered that my body was emanating with a disturbing odor of faces which I accepted with a smile lighting up on my face. My name has become a song policemen chant despicably these days. I have had worst treatment from policemen and his reaction towards me didn’t freak me. Knowing that I wasn’t going to reply his stupid question, he went back to business.

‘Idowu!’ He called. The policeman on his right marched up to us and gave the Hausa man a ceremonial salute which every police give almost anywhere even where it's not needed. It was then I knew the man before me was the boss around here. He sitting while other stood already portrays that.

‘Take him to Mr. Edun.’ The Hausa man ordered the so called Idowu who replied with a guttural
‘Yes Sir!’ after that salutation then walked us into the building.

The exterior of Edun’s mansion was a tip of the ice berg of what awaits us in the interior itself. The mansion was distinct from houses I had ever seen and that is no exaggeration. The Villa which comprises of two big separate mansions which look exactly alike except for a few differences were slightly separated over a few a metres. They were both painted lemon and white. The roof was painted green as well and the buildings were surrounded by Pride of Barbados. On the far left hand side of the gate was an open garage which harbored cars of different sizes and models. And just before reaching the first building was a medium sized swimming pool. The water was so clean and steady that it seems like I was standing on a mirror when I looked right into it.

Idowu walked us to the second mansion and I concluded in my mind the first building must be the crime scene. The glass door gave way when we approached and when we entered, it shut. We walked into a large circular room which was well furnished and looked like a huge exquisite sitting room. There was a huge plasma TV which covered almost ¾ of the wall in which it was placed. There was a ceramic centre table as well in the centre of the room and the couches in the room wore tiger-furred coats and there was a big chandelier directly over the centre table. The rug in the room was green and it gives the room a pitch-like floor. The rug was circular and its circuitousness decreases in size until it was completely invisible at the centre of the room We took the elevator in the room instead of the stairs and we ended up in another large sitting room similar to the one on the lower floor. We kept opening doors after doors then after the third door, we stopped before a wooden door and Idowu knocked gently on what I guessed must be the last door.

‘Who is it?’ A heavy familiar baritone voice boomed from inside. I tried to figure out where
I had heard that voice from but my head wasn’t just booting. But one thing I knew was this particular voice was nothing similar to the voice I heard on phone a few hours ago.

‘It’s Sergeant Idowu, sir.’ our escort replied banging his leg on the well tiled floor raising his palm to his ear and putting out his chest in that infamous salute to someone who hadn’t see him.
‘Come in’ the voice ordered.

Idowu pulled the door handle one last time and he gave way for Isioma and me to go in then closed it when were inside. We could hear his fading footsteps after then.

The room we entered was a large room with bravura shelves. The shelves were nothing like the ubiquitous wooden shelves I had seen. Whatever the shelves had been made of were simply attractive. The shelves held books of different sizes and colours. The room had only two sofas and a desk with a plastic chair.

The room was well lighted and very bright as sunlight finds its way easily into the room through the large windows on adjacent sides in the room. There were two men inside when we entered. One of the men was sitting on a grey coloured sofa. He was a stocky, plump and very dark man that I knew his teeth were the only bright thing in his body as his eye was a mixture of red and black. Edward Compton, Chief of Police was in his mid-fifties. He had a bald head that had been shaven till it shone and I could see myself through it without any deflection. He was wearing a turquoise blue T-shirt which brought out the outline of his big belly over a black trouser. If I hadn’t known him to be in the force, he could easily pass for a politician. Beside him on a wheel chair sat a young man whom I guessed must be in his late 20’s. He was a bit fair with very dark hair full hair which had been trimmed to a considerable extent. He has a pointed nose which gives him a face similar to a mixed-race’s. Even while sitting on the chair, his height was a few inches higher than that of Compton who I considered tall. In conclusion, Seun Edun fits the description of a handsome young man in all respect if his paralyzed legs weren’t considered. Seun had this hard, angry face and I could guess he gets irritated at any slight mistake. Whatever this young man had gone through were hidden behind his pretty angry visage.

‘I had been waiting for you Mr. George.’ Seun said in that rich foreign accent I heard hours ago. He moved slowly with his wheel chair towards me by merely pressing a button on the left armrest on the wheel chair and also paused before me after pressing another button. I would have screamed’ AWESOME’ in Po’s voice if I were with Henry and Henrietta, my kids. This we do when we see something cool. And Seun Edun’s wheel chair was just too cool.

‘A pleasure meeting you.’ He said stretching out his hand which I shook warmly after murmuring a ‘You are welcome’ His palm was cold even though the weather wasn’t chilly. His pink thin lips parted ways slightly and it took me some time to understand that it was his own idea of a smile.

‘You must have met Mr. Compton if I’m not mistaken.’ He asked his face was as expressionless as a blank sheet of paper. I slightly nodded my reply glancing over at Edward who gave me a fixed frown which makes his huge cheek scrunch. Seun absolutely did not see Edward’s reaction.

Seun Edun wheeled himself towards the empty couch in the room and asked us to sit which Isioma and I did.

‘This young Lady is your partner I guess?’ He asked
‘Yes’

‘That’s nice.’ Seun replied thoughtfully.

Edward eased himself off the couch, the frown not leaving his old face.
‘Mr. Edun, I would be outside if you need me.’ He said reducing the pitch of his voice in a manner of respect. This is Edward Compton, the indestructible Chief of police acting all chilly towards someone who could pass for his first son. One can’t really underestimate the power of money.

‘No problem Mr. Compton. Of course.’ Seun said and we all watched Edward close the door behind him.

‘You must have heard about what happened to my Dad and my step mum. You know, I would just go straight to the point.’ Seun licked his lips and I almost thought he was lost of words. ‘I was heading home from the office yesterday at about a quarter past six with my driver. I knew something was amiss when despite the incessant honking, the gatekeeper didn’t show up. It was simply unlike Remi to leave his post. We parked the car outside and we walked in, I mean my driver and me and what welcomed us at the entrance of Dad’s living room was the body of the gate keeper. He had been shot on the forehead and the blood that escaped from the hole made sticky cud on the rug half dried. He was simply a dreadful sight. I was taken aback by what I saw and I knew something bad must have happened to Dad. You know he has retired and he stays home all day due to his failing health. My guess was right as he was the next body we saw. Then up the stairs in his room was the body of his wife’ Seun story wasn’t that different from the press’s except the part where the gatekeeper comes in. The press didn’t bother to add him to the headline as he might be considered insignificant.

‘You and his wife get along real well?’ I asked out of curiosity.

‘She is my father’s wife. What choice do I have if she seems a gold-digger and Dad fails to see that? The thing is, I wasn’t told about their wedding. I came home for my vacation and I discovered another woman had taken my mother’s place when my mother's body is still warm in her grave. You sure won’t understand how it feels when it seems your mother means nothing to your dad that she was quickly replaced with another woman in his heart even though she had suffered aphasia to her death.’ He smiled bitterly this time even though he was trying so hard to bottle his emotion. What does he mean by aphasia? I wondered.

'It wasn't really his fault anyway. He had been unfortunate enough to be encompassed in that woman's web of witchcraft. He was a victim of her evil and I wished I could save my Dad.' Seun said and I stared.

‘Dad was happy with Helen. But I never trusted that woman. She has thousands of skeletons in her cupboard. She wasn't the straight-forward type and my instinct led me to think she was planning something evil against Dad and her accomplice was John Deinde. Whatever the plan was, I had no idea but it later turned out that they both killed my Dad successfully but then, I was thinking Helen would have been alive but I was wrong. Deinde was faster and smarter. He had ended her life too in order to pose no threat to his well being.' I watched Seun Edun spoke like he came for Mars. Who is John Deinde?

' The thing is, John Deinde is one my dad's friend. His best friend. But all that seemed to change when Helen joined the family. Deinde would come here when Dad isn't home and when he is told about Dad's location, he would say he didn't want to see Dad but Helen. I often thought whatever they had was casual until I was proved otherwise.’ I could see his grip tighten on the armrest. He clearly hates this John Deinde.

‘His visit to Helen had been rather too frequent the past few weeks. I even caught him whispering to her a couple of times and I suspected an ace up their sleeves. They had both pretended like nothing was wrong when they saw me but it was obvious both of them were hiding something. Why this bothers me is because John Deinde is Dad’s friends. Why he suddenly switched to come here asking for Helen really bothers me. I was looking into what the two were hiding but John Deinde pulled a fast one on all of us. Dad, Helen and me.

‘I want you to look into this case. I am no longer safe and the police’s pace is nothing near impressive. I need somebody that would get me that criminal as soon as possible not some bunch of animals beating around the bush with low auspiciousness.’ He paused for a while then continued thoughtfully.

I understood every damn thing he said. It was time I spoke.

'Let's talk about the money.' I started with immense seriousness.

'I would deposit five million naira into your account today. You would have the same amount of money when you are through with the case.'

One thing about Mattkent and his way of bending and twisting things is it's all unpredictable

heemah:
Kwara..Proudly Ilorite

Never knew u from kwara ma'am... Same here though

chimdee, hassan, Adesylvia, Trovic, barackodam, miss universe, balispecial,opiosko, empressgifted, yemlizy, chemical mallam, jaymomma, princesssusan, repteam,bibie estellar12, gracee, banjousman, preetyjay

TiffanyJ:
Thanks for the invite heemah.

Thanks for coming ma'am tiffany. I've heard and read so much about you

TiffanyJ:
Thanks for the invite heemah.

Thanks for coming ma'am tiffany. I've heard and read so much about you

Aipete2:
i wasnt referring to you, twas to my boss shelwa. Shey i knw you ni

So now u get it....

OluwabuqqyYOLO:
Loooooooool!!! Please, we've got witch hunters where I stay. I did some malpractice. Lol!

But really, ma'am, you're beautiful.

LOL... Thanks.