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When she got there, she opened it and a wry smile appeared at the corner of her mouth. She never thought about it but that could be the reason. Dennis’s room was directly overlooking the spot where Maureen lay that night. It gave an excellent view of the gate, road and even Chief Okao’s compound.

Was it possible Dennis might have seen something that night? She stared on for a long time until tears clouded her eyes. Then she wiped them with the back of her hands and moved away from the window.

She walked towards her son and sat by the edge of his bed. As she watched him, he continued to cry then she held his arm and whispered ‘’did you see her that night?’’

‘’Yes’’ he replied in a muffled tone.

‘’Did you see it when it happened?’’

‘’Yes’’

‘’Is there something you saw that I should know?’’

‘’Yes’’

‘’Don’t you think it’s time to talk son?’’

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‘’Insomnia is a terrible thing and if it’s a real concern, we need to address it. You can't be swallowing medicine on your own. I don’t know who sold that drug to you the other time. You dad told me about it and…’’

‘’It’s okay. It’s in the past and I’m not doing it again. Can we stop talking about it pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeee!’’

‘’Okay so would you like me to make Bournvita? That may help’’

Then Dennis smiled weakly and mouthed the word no. She looked at him for some seconds and decided it was time to leave the young man alone. As Mrs Buwa closed the door she heard him calling her again. She walked back into the room and sat by the side of his bed ‘’what is it son? I know you and I can tell something is eating you. Talk to me’’

Dennis sighed heavily and let out air from his mouth ‘’I think you need to see Dr Ebosele" he said. "She came again today and she was crying. I felt so sorry for her’’

‘’She could have spoken to me earlier. I met her once or twice after that incident. She came to this home to commiserate with me but she said nothing now it’s convenient for her to cry because her husband is in prison. At least she gets to see the man. What about me? What about us?’’

''Mummy what has happened has happened. It is only God that knows. It’s a pity she said nothing then. I’m sure it was fear. I just felt sorry for her. At the end of the day, no one can bring Maureen back. Locking her husband up is not the solution’’

‘’Again?’’ Nogie asked in disbelief.

‘’Are you sure you spoke to her on my behalf?’’

‘’My sister, would I lie to you in this kind of condition? I spoke to Mrs Buwa and she assured me she would meet with you. She was reluctant at first but she finally caved in. I don’t know why she has done a 360 again’’

‘’Perhaps it's because prof was at home. I heard his voice from the gate’’

‘’Now you are talking; that could have been the reason. He usually goes to his club meeting by this time. I’m sure Mrs Buwa’s hands were tied. Please be patient, I will give her another call later this evening. I will fix another time for you and by God’s grace it will work out fine’’

''Please call her today not tomorrow and book another visit for me. Nogie, you are my only hope of reaching Mrs Buwa. I swear, I am clutching at straws here. My lawyer is speaking big grammar and running around but I'm not seeing the desired result. My in-laws call me virtually every day and I have nothing new to tell them. My husband has been away for over a month and the madness has refused to stop…''

''Hush now! Don’t give yourself HBP'' Nogie hissed. She held Pearl's hand and the woman continued to cry. In that moment, Pearl realized Nogie was her last hope. She never thought a day would come when she would need Nogie’s help like this. It was a good thing she remained casual with her regardless of how she felt about the nosey woman.

Nogie hugged her and kept whispering comforting words to her neighbour ‘’its okay mummy Ose'' she said. ''I have a good feeling it would end soon. That last time we prayed, I was convinced in my spirit it would end well’’

‘’Thank you so much Nogie. You have been a rock within these last few weeks. You may not know what you are doing but it’s a big deal to me. Only God can bless you for all you’ve done for my family’’

Then Nogie smiled at her and whispered ‘’its okay. What are neighbours for?’’

?

***
Later that weekend, Pearl found herself in front of a familiar house. She knocked at the gate until a young boy with pimple riddled face opened the gate ‘’how can I help you?’’ Dennis asked.

‘’I would like to speak with your mother’’ Pearl replied. She opened her mouth to say something else but she began to cry instead.

Dennis looked at her in pity but he was under strict instruction (from his father) and could not disobey so he started to lie ‘’I’m sorry but my mother is not around’’ he claimed.

‘’Please don’t say that because you know she is in. I’ve been coming around since she arrived. Please just tell her I am at the gate’’

Dennis opened his mouth to say something but a voice yelled from inside the house ‘’Dennis who is it?’’ Professor Buwa asked.

‘’It’s the woman selling akamu’’ Dennis lied.

‘’Don’t waste time diddling around; you know your mother bought some yesterday''

''Really? I didn’t know oh''

''Please come in, your mum has been calling your name’’

Then pearl reached out and touched Dennis fingers through the open gap ‘’help me pleaseeeeeeeeeeee’’ she begged.

Immediately he flinched and stepped back ''I'm sorry ma but I must go'' Dennis replied. It looked like he wanted to help her but he had not say in the matter.

Thanks for your patience everyone. It's good to be back.

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‘’Is she back at it?’’ Bimpe asked.

‘’Hah na question you ask me? She is cozying up with the baale now. That man with how many wives? Every Tom, D!ck and Harry knows that’’

‘’I had no idea’’ Bimple whispered. ‘’I am busy keeping my husband on a leash – Àshàké is back in town!’’

‘’My sister fear not; Àshàké has lost herself. She is dancing around the baale not knowing he is just baale for mouth – kobo e nor get! You know once a woman is jumping on a man and his wives are not doing anything then you should know such a man is spoilt meat. Àshàké is beyond redemption! I find it hard to even feel sorry for her. A woman who has lost her only child yet you don’t see it on her body. Has she stayed in this town for up to a month?’’

‘’For whereeeeeeeeeeeeee? She only returned about 3 weeks ago or so. By the way why are you acting like a stranger in this town? Would you say you didn’t know Àshàké adopted Bukola and gave the child her maiden name?’’

‘’Jesus Christ! Are you sure of what you are saying?’’

Haba! Is Badore her husband’s name? Badore is her father’s name nah abi have you forgotten so soon?’’

‘’No I don’t mean that. It’s the child that is surprising me. Is it not that same child she used to carry all around town in those days?’’

Then Bimpe laughed out loud and continued ‘’my dear, please keep it to yourself but I know things courtesy of my cousin Titi. Àshàké tie cloth for waist enter motor go Kano go meet her late sister. She spent close to 5 years there and by the time she came back, she brought that Bukola child that she called her own. Of course by that time her husband had ran away and married another woman. She spent another year or two here before hitching a ride to Bendel abi na Benin’’

‘’You don’t mean it’’

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‘’Tani Ajani?’’ Mama Bukky asked. She squeezed her face like someone had just given her vinegar to drink.

‘’Ajaniiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Owolabi, the son of the mortuary attendant at the government hospital along…’’

‘’I beg hold it thereeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!’’Mama Bukky cried out. ‘’Who is Ajani on his own? Who is he when he stands on his own feet? Don’t sing the praises of his linage for me. We all know his father and what he does. Even then, it's not as if his father is doing something of honour!’’

‘’Oremi, mortuary attendant na work oh! If those people nor dey this life, na suffer we dey oh! Na sickness and disease go dey follow person oh. Anyway Ajani is not a small boy again oh. His father was able to help him secure a job at the local government council’’

‘’As a what nah?’’

‘’As a handyman’’ Titi replied.

Then Mama Bukky began to laugh ‘’handyman?'' she announced. ''You mean a Jack of all trades and master of none? You mean messenger or cleaner abi na the person when dey change bulb. Oremi, I beg nor use laugh finish me oh! Let me tell you, if there is hope for Lazarus after 3 days then there is hope for Fehintola Ojo. She is a pretty woman and if she is serious enough, she can leave those children for her mother and go to town. I was far older than her when I went to Benin and I know the sort of life I lived. Anyway what is my own inside? I don’t want her daughter sha''

''I also saw a boy of 15 but you said you don’t want boy''

''And that still stands. I can't deal with boys. I am not ready to die yet; teenage boys can be terrible at that age. Titi, I want a girl but I don’t want an 8 year old child. I don’t want to take care of anyone and be teaching them how to line their panties with sanitary pad. Those days are over. Titi, find me a young maiden’’

?

There was nothing fanciful about the ceremony. In actual fact, she was not present when it was done. For Mama Bukky children buried their parents and not the other way round. In addition, everyone agreed it was best the girl was buried in Benin. The circumstances surrounding her death was too painful and shameful.

It was not like she had children or properties back at home. It was best to deal with the issue in her adopted land. A land she had grown up and grown to love. A land she had called her home and even played iyawo for 10 solid years.

Since that day, Mama Bukky had wondered whether she was not too hard on the girl. Perhaps she should have left her with Osazuwa even if she didn’t want a child. Immediately, she began to give reasons why she was in the right. Number one, would that be fair for Osazuwa? The poor man had been living a lie and just getting on with life like a robot.

Was it fair that a man should live the rest of his life like that? What if his sense suddenly shifted back into place? His children especially the son was strongly of the opinion that his dad was not in his right frame of mind. The young lawyer had never given up on his dad. What if he decided to go spiritual at some point? What if he discovered what was really wrong with that dad? That would have had devastating consequences for Bukky.

Would it not have been the same torture for Bukky at that point? What if Bukky was 55 years old at that point? Of course it would have even been worse for her. Anyhow mama Bukky examined the case; she still believed she had done the right thing for her child.

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@Sulbell, thanks for your comment.

@OsoDupe thanks for your comment. Please note that Unique was not referring to the first meeting with the Eboseles. He was referring to the meeting after Imonitie turned himself in to the police. That is the meeting where Ejemen was present with Pearl at the station (chapter 42).
In that interview Unique stated and I quote ''I just wanted to run through some questions with your client. Now that certain facts have come to light, we just want to make sure someone else was not involved. For example, it will be great to determine what Dr Ebosele knew or didn’t know’’

I didn't state the questions Unique asked or the answers Pearl gave. I did this on purpose. It was in this meeting Pearl mentioned the polythene bag while narrating what her husband told her about the case. I hope this helps. Thanks again.

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***
On the day set for Imonitie’s bail hearing, Pearl was in court with members of her husband’s family. Ejemen had assured her it would be a walk in the park. She said it was all for formality sake and Imontie would be going home to await his trial. He was low risk to the society, it the first time he would be charged with anything. Besides it was not intentional killing and there was no reason for him to remain in jail.

However all that was to change once the state prosecutor began to talk. It went on for some minutes and Pearl though she would faint. He made out her husband to be a monster! Pearl didn’t understand all they said but once the judge announced bail had been denied, it sure made sense!

She stood up and stared in shock as her husband was led away then she began to howl. Immediately, Ejemen led her outside the court and cautioned her. It was like a dream and even Ejemen didn’t understand why bail was denied. She didn’t have the answers Pearl sought and at a point, she put her hand over her wig (to prevent it from falling) and hurried away once she saw the state prosecutor smiling out of court.

Pearl stared at Ejemen as she began to talk with her colleague. Ejemen seemed upset with the prosecutor but the man just continued to smile and wring his hands around like he was clueless.

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‘’Yeah I remember we went through that session with your lawyer present. We wanted to ascertain how much you knew and probably hid from the police. We also wanted to find out if you were in the car when the unfortunate incident occurred. And if you were not present, we wanted to find out if your husband told you about what he did’’

‘’Okay and I explained everything to you people on that day. I was not in the car and my husband didn’t inform me about anything until after my arrest. In addition, I didn’t know about his dealing with Jesuorobo’’

Then Unique began to laugh. After a while, he cleared his throat and asked ‘’how could you lie with such a straight face doc?’’

Subsequently Pearl stood up and announced ‘’I think it’s time I called my lawyer. If I’m under arrest I’d like to know what for and if I’m not under arrest, then I don’t wish to have this conversation with you’’

‘’You know what, you are not under arrest and you don’t really have to talk to me. I can never get any meaningful thing from you anyway. From the word go, you and your husband have lied to me. You folks have told unnecessary lies that have shone the giant spotlight on you. And now you act like you don’t know – I’m not that dumb doc. I’ve just come to tell you that I know what truly happened. How you can allow him take the blame for your crime boggles me’’

‘’I got no idea what you are talking about’’ Pearl whispered.

‘’I’m just saying I got no real proof but I know you did it doctor. You drove that car and ran over that child on that night. You drove it YOURSELF and locked the gate YOURSELF. Jesuorobo saw you and I can bet my last penny your husband was sitting pretty when you walked through your front door. I got no CCTV to prove me right, I got no one to confirm nothing but I got my instinct plus one little thing you said’’

Then Pearl held her tummy with her hand and sat back on her chair ‘’humour me’’ she whispered.

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‘’No this will turn to trouble oh. Mummy Osaro, please listen to me and hear me well - I don’t want anything that will affect our friendship. I need my money complete unless…’’

‘’Unless wetin you go doooooo? I don’t know about your money. You didn’t tell me you wanted to keep such an amount in my house. I travelled to the east and only came back this morning. From there, I enter market begin sell. I don’t know anything about your money. If you want to call police oremi callllllllllllllllllllllll!’’

‘’Excuse me?’’ Mama Bukky asked. She was beyond shocked at this stage.

Mummy Osaro ignored her and continued to yell ‘’you heard me right this woman. I said if you want to call police call them. Me I nor get anything hide. I dey here gidigba, I nor run enter anywhere. Na you know where you see that kain money put for inside travelling bag. Oremi, if you get their hotline call them now now. In short where Osaro? Osaro, I beg run go police station make dem help us solve this matter. Yes nah, and while he's away, I will hold you’’

At that stage, Mummy Osaro tried to hold Mama Bukky’s wrapper but the woman slapped her hands and moved away.

‘’Where you dey run go?’’ Mummy Osaro screamed. ‘’I go hold you make police come help us judge the matter. You are a suspect! You are a thief! Oji! You thief person money come drop for my house. Where Osaro? You still dey inside this house? Enter keke go call police for me!’’

‘’You stole my money and that money will kill you!’’ Mama Bukky continued. She picked her travelling bag and began to walk away.

But someone was ready for a fight. Mummy Osaro ran after her and continued to scream ‘’where you dey go? Come back come collect your money nah! Thief, ole, barawo banza! Your pikin die which day and same day you carry money come drop for my house. I sure say na you kill Bukola sef. Bad woman! Ogun go kill you! Shameless pig! Come now make I disgrace you finish. I sabi all your secret; all of them dey inside my hand’’ as she made the last statement, she slapped her palm one against the other.

''Which money?'' Mummy Osaro replied.