₦airaland Forum

rapmike: ok

Sent.

Flakeey: hmmmm
this Jamal has wronged many pple including his son
who knows how many people he hurt (mistery unravelling...)

anyways fingersX

Who do you think is more callous between he and Cain?

kelsmic: Ok, I'm up to date now. Blinks eyes properly. Finally have a clearer Understanding of what the razzmataz is all abt. Don't normally take sides with the Xters in plots...but so far so good, its been an intriguing ride. The suspense, twist, action, tongue-lashing(don't particular like that part), revelations, ingenuity, and...and well, I'm still following until I witness the end. Nice Job again Mr Larry. Awaitng the final draft of the CollAbo!

I don't like the tongue-lashing too.

Will write the final draft of the collaboration as soon as I'm done here.

Thank you, sir.

sanandreas: well done larrysun.

Thanks, Sanandreas.

Divepen: For the secret event...
I will go one wit my planz...
I only thought I would be rushing if I ope a thread for it now..
@ Larrysun, Dygeasy

You should definitely open a thread. It'd boost the publicity.

Divepen: Larrysun
Sammyhoe
Audreytimms
Princesa
Prettyspicey
Davep
kayemjay
Texanomaly
jigsawkillah
Queenxstar
Noble4d
flakkydagirl
TiffanyJ
Missyhorlah
Timpaker
Dorisbest
Repogirl
Kingzpen
Therock5555
Royver
OMA4U
Dammygoody
Rapmike
Dygeasy
LadyWriter
I think It is time to start the publicity or what do you think?

What's your plan?

Adinije: Na wa o! A lot o mysteries are yet to be unravel, more are cropping up. Well done Larry. U have way of making thing unpredictable in ur write up and that's the beauty of it. Fire on sir.

Thanks a lot, Adinije. We're getting closer to the denouement.

rapmike: The man called Lot.......


Larry, I did not get the chapter you said that you sent oh! Besides I will like to ask some questions about the book when am done with it.

I'm sorry, I slept off last night. Will send it tonight.

Flakeey: hmmmmm

we'll get there, that's one thing i know
whoever the caller might be

ermmm...so Ogbeni Lot dey patronise allen junction, olosho things...lol

nice job Mr. LarrySun

Lol @ bolded. He's a man too

pricelesslove: Oga Larry i hail ooo

Thanks a lot, ma'am. Bless you

seunviju: The person behind this whole thing sabi play games wella o but ojo gbogbo niti ole,ojo kan niti oni nkan.Keep up the good work Larry

A cunning and greedy game-player. Remember what happened when Cain challenged Richard to a game of survival?

elpiroski: Ahh, and the plot thickens
Still I follow

Thanks a lot, Elpiroski.

TWENTY-TWO

David Malik and his wife came into the interrogation room where Okafor, Lot and Daniel were waiting. David’s expression was of impatience as he sat himself down. Okafor stood and came forward to greet the couple.

“How do you do, Mr. and Mrs, Malik? We've never really met, but as you probably know already, I'm Barrister Okafor. I can't tell you how distressed I am by your father's demise."

“We’re good, Barrister. Thank you.” Anuli replied.

“Your first name is David, right?” Lot asked the husband.

David nodded.

“A good name it is,” the detective elucidated, “It suggests great strength.”

“Thank you, detective. This is my wife.”

Anuli was skinny but full-bre*sted; her bosoms were of the size that cameras linger on in movies, and she possessed the face of a child. Her eyes were narrow and slightly slanted under thin brows which looked as if they had been plucked out. They gave an exotic distraction to a face which might have been thought interesting if not pretty, were it not for the sullen downturn of the overlong mouth. She was wearing a long sleeveless cotton dress, patterned in blue and black. Her only jewellery was a ring—a red stone surrounded by pearls—on her middle finger.

Anuli said in her quiet voice:

“It has been a frightful shock to David—to all of us actually; but particularly to him.” Her hand was on her husband’s shoulder.

When everyone had seated, Lot said to David: “Mr. Malik, would you mind telling us your middle name?”

“Hussein. I’m David Hussein Malik. My father named me Hussein, but David is the name my mother gave, which I happen to like better.”

“Thank you,” Lot turned to the wife, “And you too. Mrs. Malik? Yell us your full name, including your maiden.”

“I am Anuli Gloria.”

“Her maiden name,” her husband added, “is Veer.”

Daniel opened his eyes wide, “You’re joking, aren’t you?”

David glared at him and asked, “Do I look like a mascot to you?” He added, “There is one born every minute. Believe me when I tell you that you’re not the brightest star in the constellation, because I’m an expert in celestial navigation.”

“It’s Hindi,” Anuli explained, “My great-grandfather was an Indian investor who came to Nigeria in the early Twentieth Century to set up an industry. Not long after settling in this country with his investment, he married a young Nigerian lady, added to his retinue of wives he left behind in New Delhi. The young woman’s name was Ajoke; but my father told me he used to call her A-Joke; and because she didn’t understand the English, she didn’t mind being called that. My great-grandmother was the new wife, and my great-grandfather’s name was Ramesh Veer.”

Lot sighed and said, “I was afraid you were going to say that you were somehow related to Amitab Bacchan or Dharmendra.”

“I was likewise afraid that it was your wife who turned to a pillar of salt,” Anuli replied immediately. The reply was fired back so quickly that Lot suspected it had been framed in advance, ready for the proper occasion. She added, “I only have an Indian origin, nothing else.”

“Are you an Hindu?”

“My great-grandfather was, but I’m not. I’m a Christian.”

“I’m glad you are,” Lot replied, “The only thing I like about the culture of these Indians is there method of handling the deceased—they cremate them. After that, nothing else—all their beliefs about jinxes, suttees, talisman, portents, elixirs and sorcery are plainly ridiculous. Most especially their view about reincarnation. Quite revolting, I must confess. You can never convince them that when a man dies his soul vanishes. It doesn’t travel into another body to be reborn.”

“It’s not all Indians who believes in reincarnation,” Anuli argued, “I’m a Christian though, but I strongly believe in reincarnation. I believe that a man does not die and face judgment immediately. There is always a moment of respite where he’ll go back to the world in another body and consciousness to change his ways and atone for his sins.”

David stared at his wife as if he was seeing her for the first time.

“Reincarnation is a mere word for individualism,” Anuli continued, evidently enjoying the temporary spotlight. “Reincarnation is also for the human experience. You see, Detective Lot, we mortals are so pompous that we have deluded ourselves in believing that in all of eternity, and all of the vast universe, that we are the only ones who have undergone the human experience. I’ve always believed that it’s happened before, on the very earth.”

Daniel Famous wondered what the woman was talking about.

“In the Almighty God’s scheme, what is a few billion years is only here and there. Perhaps there have come and gone a dozen human civilization in the past billion years that we know nothing about. And after this civilization we are living in destroys itself, it will all start up again in a few hundred million years when the planet has all its messes cleaned up. Then finally, one of these civilizations, say a five billion years from now, will last for eternity because people will treat each other the way they ought to do. That’s what I call reincarnation, basically.”

The detective allowed her to ramble for a decent interval. When she stopped, there was silence. Eyes were looking at her curiously. Only one pair of eyes was of admiration—the lawyer’s. the first person to speak thereafter was her husband.

“What book have you been reading, Ann?” David asked, not without a tone of astonishment.

When Lot spoke, he said, “Thanks for the lecture, Mrs. Malik. We’re going to ask you and your husband a few questions about the cases we’re investigating.” He paused and added, “And I would appreciate it if you didn’t open another chapter in your volume of Reincarnation Brittanica and lecture us one more time.”

“Don’t worry about that, she won’t.” David replied sharply, his eyes were cold.

‘Thanks for the assurance, Mr. Malik. So, how long have you been married to each other?”

“Going to two years now.”

“I suppose your parents and siblings were there at the ceremony.”

Davis shook his head. “None of them attended, I married her in the East, a far away place from home. In fact, this was the first time my father met my wife.”

“That means you’ve been away from home for a long time, right?”

“Right.”

“For how long?”

“Long enough for my father not to know me enough.”

“Why is that?”

“I’d rather not talk about it.”

“His father used to date his girlfriend.” Anuli said suddenly.

Ishilove: Thank you sir.

I might be hairy, but I aint a man

Keep it up sir, ayam following you 'bumba to bumba' (as they say on NL )

@ bloded, really?

I love your sense of description. Where have you been all these while? Please come and update, please.

Unbuttoning.

When Chike Okafor was ushered in by Daniel, the detective raised eyebrows at seeing him, for the lawyer was the thinnest man Lot had ever laid his eyes upon. Okafor was a tall, slender man with bushy grey hair; he could have been someone’s conception of a biblical prophet if not for the size of his upper body, which was not in agreement with the lower. He could have been a professional runner if he had put those tentacles he called legs to good use. Like his legs, the lawyer’s neck was long and very slender, giving the head the hieratic appearance of a bird of prey his spectacles with diamanté rims showed that he was well to do in his profession.

In the years that had passed, Chike Okafor had risen in stature to one of the most reliable lawyers in the country because of his continued work with defending the political thugs, his profession had attained him connection with citizens of higher echelons.

He stepped into the room with a smile which seemed particularly inappropriate to the shape of his rather smallish head, with ears that stuck out almost at right angles. He saw Lot, gave a broader smile and extended his hand for a shake. Lot immediately grabbed his paw in an iron grip, shook it up and down, and by the time he would release it the lawyer was already close to tears in anguish.

"You’re welcome, Barrister Okafor.”

“It’s a privilege to meet you, Detective Lot,” Okafor replied with renewed smile, “I’ve heard a lot about you, sir.”

“You’re the deceased’s lawyer, right?”

‘Which one of the deceased are you referring to? I heard that two people have been killed.”

“Mr. Jamal Malik.”

“Of course, of course. I manage all his legal issues. He was my client.” His eyes wondered around the room with curiosity and they rested on the picture of the deep-cleavaged golden Goldie.

“For how long had he been your client?”

“For about five years now.”

“Did the deceased write a will before his death?”

“Oh yes, he certainly did—a couple of times.”

“A couple of times?”

“Mr. Malik had written and rewritten his will four times since the last five years.”

“What brought you here today?”

“I received a call last night from someone anonymous telling me about the demise of my client. I came to confirm the veracity of the information. I had been calling Mr. Malik’s number since last night without much success. I’d have called Mrs. Malik if I’d had her phone number.”

“Do you know the name of the caller?”

“No, I don’t.”

“What about the voice? Do you know whose voice it was?”

Okafor shook his head no.

“Was the caller a male or female?”

“It’s very hard to tell. I think the caller made it a task to hide his or her voice. The voice could easily have been either a man’s or a woman’s. besides, I was paying more attention to the words than the voice. It was a very short call actually, less than a minute’s.”

“Barrister, how close are you to the Maliks?”

“Not very close. I don’t come here much. As a matter of fact, this is my second time of stepping my feet into this compound. The family members don’t even know me. Mr. Malik kept his will a secret—not even the wife knew about it. He strictly instructed me to make the content of the will known only after his demise.”
"When did he create his first will?”

“That was in 2007.”

“What was the content of that first will?”

"Fifty percent of every of his property should be shared among his four offspring—Ruth, David, Gabriel and Esther. He had it altered in 2009 where he excluded all his family members and bequeathed the whole of his properties to charity.”

“Charity? Why would he do that?”

“That was the same question I asked him. All he was able to tell me was that he did it as atonement for his sins; whatever that might have meant. But again, he had it changed in 2011.”

“To what?”

“he left everything to his wife—Mrs. Hannah Malik.”

“That’s quite interesting. He must have loved the woman so much.”

“The kind of love he had for that woman was unshakable.”

“His doctor wouldn’t agree with you.”

“What?”

“Never mind. When did he have the will changed for the fourth time?”

“That was last year November.”

‘What is its content?”

Okafor stared at Lot, “It’s confidential.”

“Then un-confidentialize it; we’re investigating a murder case for crying out loud.”

“Okay. The fourth change is remarkably different from all the others because a new name was added among the beneficiaries.”

“By the new name, I suppose you meant ‘Abel’.”

The lawyer was astounded, “How—how did you know that?”

“Again, never mind. What is the full content of the will?”

"Twenty percent of his whole property is to be equally shared between Ruth Brown and Esther Malik. Forty Percent should also be equally shared between his two sons—David and Gabriel. The remaining forty percent goes to Abel. I was surprised that he bequeathed the lion’s share to this Abel. When I asked him he told me Abel was his first son whom he thought was long dead but he was not sure. He decided to include him in the will now because he had reasons to believe that the so called Abel was alive. However, he later added that if any of the offspring was confirmed dead at the time of the reading of this will, the deceased’s share should be passed directly to his or her child. Otherwise, the portion should be distributed equally among the remaining surviving offspring. This is the news I’m here to share with Jamal’s family members.”

“So, Abel was the codicil. What about Mrs. Malik? Why did he cut his wife off the will?”

“He smiled strangely at my question when I asked him, then he made a rather queer comment, ‘She won’t be needing it’—that was the statement he made.”

Lot had received the photographs of the corpses. He selected the pictures of the second corpse and scattered the photographs on the table for the lawyer’s view.

"Do you recognize the man in this picture?”

Okafor picked up a photograph and held it close to his face. He studied the image therein for some time and shook his head as he dropped it. ‘No, I don’t know him. Who is he?”

“That is the supposed Abel Malik whose name had been included in the new will.”

The lawyer picked up the picture again and whistled, “Oh my God! Abel is dead!”

“I’m still having some reservations about the identity of the man until a potential witness step forward to declare that the man is really the estranged son of late Jamal Malik.”

“Are you saying that none of Mr. Malik’s children recognize him?”

“None whatsoever. Abel had been away from home for about twenty years. And the dead man isn’t in any position to explain his own true identity.”

“And nobody has stepped forward?”

“No one. That is why you’ll have to put a hold on the reading of the will for now. Do I have your co-operation?”

“Of course, you do. I understand what’s at stake.”

“Thanks a lot, Barrister Okafor. Before you go, I’ll like to ask you one last question.”

“Shoot.”

“I was told that Mr. Malik placed a call to you on the night of December twenty-fourth, asking you to come the next day. The call was about his intention to change his will. I’m wondering why you refused to appear the next day as scheduled.”

The lawyer listened attentively to the detective. When Lot had finished, he leaned forward, stared straight at his interrogator’s eyes and said, “Detective, I swear with everything I hold dear in my life, Mr. Malik did not call me that night you mentioned. He didn’t call me at all.”

AudreyTimms: Hmmm.....LarrySun again!


#Just passing though

Busted again!

kelsmic: Great Job Mr Larry. From the Collabo...then Cain's Brand..and now this...well Nice job, can't actually pass out much comment cos I think I began reading from Page 9, tot I'd read this write-up before, but wud go to the first and when thru wud appreciate your works in a grander style. Nice JOB once Again. I plead for the completion of the Collabo!!!

Thank you, my brother. I'm only trying my best in the craft. Soon, I'll write the final chapter of the collaboration stuff and get it done with.

Dyoungstar: After "HOUSEHOLD" comes "THE PARADOX OF ABEL" LARRYSUN u are just wonderful.

I don't comment, prefer hide and read. But in cases like this I must comment.

Kudos

Thanks, bro. I'm glad to have you following.

Adinije: Waiting for Update Larry

I'm so sorry; my laptop was mucking up. I should replace it soon. Please forgive me, ma'am.

seunviju: This one na unveil the truth o.Welldone Larry

Thanks a lot, Seun. God bless you.

rapmike: Hmn, complications! I am beginning to wonder. What else Lot will uncover.

I think he'll uncover a lot. I'll send one more chapter of your work I edited tonight.

Flakeey: Jeezzzz!!! Cain molested Hannah?...i didn't read that part


ooooooooooohhhh, dis LarrySun sef

The evil that men do lives with them. The fathers have eaten sour grapes and the children's teeth are set at edge.

Talk2david1: ^^
Payback is really a b*tch. Cain really had a fulfilled revenge night with the family.
Larrysun,the sun will not set on this story. Good one Bro.

Amen. Thank you, sir.

Repteam: Hey swtty Larry We imagine that there are going to be an avalanche of stories sent and going thru all will take time especially if it were long, but making it short will make it easier.

But who knows, d rules might get bent.

Okay. I'll be waiting for you.

TWENTY-ONE

Even after Ruth Brown had departed from the room, Daniel Famous’ eyelids were still as wide as they could possibly go. What recent information had been imparted on his being was not among those he was chanced to hear every day from the morning news. This terrible confession sent the blood tingling through his veins from terror, that he felt as if he was in a burning building. And Famous’ heart, being large enough for that of any six ordinary gentlemen of humane dispositions, forced a supply of tears into his eyes, by some hydraulic processes which were not sufficiently philosophical to be in a condition of justifiable explanation. Put out one fire, two more ignite.

The detective, on the other hand, was neither of lugubrious nor of mirthful temperament. His countenance gave off not a slightest inclination to weep or laugh out loud. But his brows were furrowed, his eyes set, his lips puckered and his nose slightly twitched. After a brief moment, his face, which was presently cast downward, was now directed to his sidekick. He appeared momentarily caught off-guard at seeing the pool of tears that flowed down the young man’s cheeks. He appeared to be studying his subordinate as if he were a new discovery in his collection of mathematical propaganda.

“Why would such evil embodiment as Cain Martins be created?” Daniel’s lamentation was touching.

“For everything, there’s a reason,” Lot, having realized that his reply was about to be disapproved by the wailing young man, hastily added, “Besides, Adolph Hitler’s mother contemplated about aborting her pregnancy, it was her doctor who advised her against it. Maybe the same happened in the case of Cain.”

“That is not an excuse, detective. Why is it that I’m always the one person who encounters the evil Cain Martins everywhere I turn?”

“It shows that the journey is not yet over. Have you ever thought that your presence here—your involvement in this case—might actually be the salvation of another? Remember, you played a great role in the former case of three years ago.”

‘What good thing may come from the fact that two beautiful ladies—Remi and Esther—were born under disastrous fates?”

“We don’t know that for sure. It is not every victim of sexual abuse that gets pregnant.”

Daniel stared at Lot, “You yourself are not sure of that. And the fact that I’m in love with one of the two ladies is not helping situation at all.”

"Famous, I want you to think deeply before giving answer to this question I’m about to ask you. I will really appreciate it if you can give me an honest reply. I wouldn’t be asking you if it wasn’t bearing a great importance in this case we’re investigating.”

“Okay.”

Lot sighed, “Daniel, with whom are you truly in love between Remi Johnson and Esther Malik?”

For the first time, Lot actually found Daniel thinking deeply. It took the footballer a couple of minutes to reply the question.

“As a matter of fact,” Daniel explained, “I’m currently sitting on the fence concerning my love affair. This recent revelation behind the probable existence of both ladies has confused me immensely. Honestly, I can say that both ladies catch my fancy; but that isn’t new, pretty ladies have always caught my attention. Is it possible for someone to love two ladies at a time?”

“Of course, it’s quite possible, but the love of one should be greater than the other. It’s impossible to love them equally. I remember that my mother used to love my younger brother more.”

“In that case, I think I love Remi more,” he paused, “But I don’t think I’d love to be a part of her family, as her mother would give me hell; her family members detest me.”

“Does Remi love you?”

Daniel frowned at the question, “I don’t really know. I used to think she did when I met her for the first time in PH; she was so very interesting and cheerful then, she even promised to marry me if we met again, I thought she meant her words. I even risked having my limbs amputated over that promise. But seeing her again for the second time was another story. This Remi is entirely different from the pleasant girl I encountered in the bus in Port Harcourt. Of course, she’s still as beautiful as ever, it’s just that she’s withdrawn and is of short temper. I’m just finding it hard to believe that I fell for the wrong woman—I like the other Remi better.”

‘What about Miss Malik? Do you think she’s in love with you?”

Imagining that someone might be falling secretly in love with him elicited out of him a funny feeling. The feeling was not funny ha-ha, but funny strange. He managed to hide the feeling well.

“Why would she fall in love with me?” he asked the detective suspiciously.

“You’re not really an ugly sight to behold. An average woman would fall in love with you if you’ve got brains. But unfortunately, knowing you to be a big girl’s blouse, your intellectual capability isn’t something I can entirely vouch for.”

“Oh, thanks so much for the vote of confidence,” said Daniel, not without a note of irritation. ‘You’re not doing great in the love department yourself. If I am not mistaken, doesn’t that constitute the pot calling the kettle’s complexion into question?”

Lot smiled, “I beg to differ. I’m done with that kind of stuff. The kind of hurt I have suffered over numerous unrequited love relationships has implanted in me such a deep distrust of females that my only association with them now is with high-class, high-priced call girls.”

Daniel was rendered agape, “Call girls? As in ‘ladies of the night’?”

Lot nodded and justified his claim, “Of all the female species, call girls are the most honest. All they want is money and they tell you how much up front. You pay for what you get, and you get what you pay for. No complications, no tears, no deceit.”

“You never fail to amaze me, Detective Lot.”

Lot lifted an admonishing finger, “But I’m not advising you to be like me. You’re young, you may fall in love many times and get heartbroken as much times. But you may eventually find the right woman who will love you without reservations, no matter how dumb you are.”

Famous refused to take offence at that latest monstrous calumny. “I’m already twenty-seven, I think I’m old enough to be in a relationship already.”

“Of course, you are. Just take this from me—that girl, Remi Johnson, is not the girl for you.”

Daniel stared in astonishment. For a moment, he thought the detective meant what he said. When he saw the serious expression in the older man’s face, he was more than astonished to realize that his thought was true—the detective actually meant his words. He could not believe his ears. He had risked a lot coming here because of Remi. That young woman had invaded his thoughts and dreams for days—and to surrender all just because the impossible detective did not approve? Impossible!

Daniel shook his head so vigorously that the detective thought he was going to break his neck soon if he did not stop now. But this swing of the cervical vertebrae endured further without the benefit of a snap or crack.

“No, no, no, no, no,” Daniel brayed, “I won’t let you do this to me again.”

Lot feigned temporary ignorance, “Do what?”

“Don’t pretend, sir! This is what you do; anytime you see someone I love you advise me against that person. This was the same thing you did the last time.”

“And I was right the last time, wasn’t I?”

“No, you weren’t—if not for the obvious factor. But you can’t be right this time around.”

“Will you still want to marry her even if she is a bastard?”

Daniel would have interpreted this remark as a callous one hadn’t he known a little bit of the detective’s mind. He knew that one part of Lot’s brain deem it necessary to care for the women, that they might have been born from ill-fates; but the other part of his brain automatically classed people as mere units in a problem, and at moment, his references—before those who might be unfamiliar with his faculty—must always seem surprising.

Nonetheless, his words stung Daniel like thorns but the young man managed to keep his dignity and said, “I might. I’d rather marry her than spend the rest of my life with Esther, the daughter of Cain.”

“Bastard or no bastard, Remi is not the right woman for you.”

“I’m beginning to think that calling you here to investigate this case is a mistake.”

“You may keep your belief to yourself. Aren’t you seeing it already?”

“Seeing what?”

“Remi was the figure that ran past your window; that should tell you everything.”

“You can’t crucify a man for sucking at his thumb. The fact that she’s the runner doesn’t mean she’s the murderer.”

“Perhaps not—we shall find out about that soon enough. But it certainly means that she doesn’t belong to you.”

“You’re not making the slightest bit of sense. I think you need a smoke now. One thing I know which is capable of oiling your rationality is the consistent puffs of cigarette smoke.”

“I’m cutting down on smoking; besides, cigarettes have nothing to do with what I’m telling you—if only you can open your eyes.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. We should continue with the investigation now. Who should I call in next?”

“Mr. David Malik.”

Daniel went out to summon David. He returned shortly without his subject, but his face was beaming with excitement.

“What is it that is making you grin like a mask?”

“There’s someone here who wants to talk to you.” Daniel replied, still grinning.

“I told you to call David Malik, I’m not speaking with anyone else.”

“You’re definitely going to want to speak with this one. Didn’t you hear the barks of the dog?”

“I heard, I thought it was barking at your fatuity.”

“It was barking at that person who wants to speak with you.”

Lot was getting impatient, “Cut the crap, will you? Who might that person be? President Goodluck Jonathan?”

Daniel shook his head, ‘No, the person is Mr. Chike Okafor.”

“Mr. Chike Okafor? Who the hell is that?”

“That—that is the late Mr. Malik’s lawyer.”

Orikinla: My friend a Spanish poet translated all the poems into Spanish for me.

Gracias, amigos!

I hope she sees this...beautiful lines.

Did you write the Spanish?

echobee: I want to look movie

That's an incorrect grammatical construction.