Nearest Love- the Only Crime Is Love...

by Eu Aristos

  "Oh... Maybe I know who did... But it’s definitely not me..." The Boss smirked. "I'll leave you with the boys for now." He turned to them. “Release him and let him go. We shall be waiting for your response... A Positive one though..." He said to Kunle as he walked up. Kunle wrenched in pain. Just one punch and he passed out.

  ∞∞∞

  "Hello Basil..." Nk who was awoken by her ringtone said.

  "Hello sweetheart..."

  "How was your night?"

  "It was cool. Why are you calling this early..."

  "Oooh... I didn't know I couldn't call my woman this early..." Basil kicked.

  "I'm not your woman..." She said.

  "But you will be..." Basil insisted.

  "I'm tired.... I just wish I could sleep a little bit more..."

  "You've gat to work sweet."

  "Yea... "

  "Can I come pick you up for lunch later today...?"

  "Don't you think it’s a bit too early..?"

  "Early for what?" Basil asked.

  "You need to rest... Get to know the city, and all that."

  "Ooh... Don't worry about me. It’s you I'm worried about, how you manage the stress from work and all that. You should rest too."

  "I would be... If you aren't calling me this early…" Nk drummed.

  "Hahahahah funny girl" Basil laughed. There was a brief silence after. "So lunch it is..?"

  "If you like.... I hope I'm not busy though." Nk said nonchalantly.

  "There's always a lunch break isn't there???"

  "Let's hope…"

  Call dropped, she decided to catch an extra hour of sleep but then remembered Frankie and so stood up to go check on him.

  ∞∞∞

  Contrary to NK's wish, Frankie wanted to go stay with Mama at the hospital. On the ground that he was traumatized, Vicky supported him. So after they were ready for work, Vicky took him there, went home and changed into her office attire and was off to work. At the office, she was not relaxed. She was very busy but with her mind divided between Kunle, Mama, Tailor, Basil, Nelson, Frankie and the journey back home. She wondered just what she was going to do that she refused to pick up Nelson's call.

  “Hello Ma. There's a man here to see you.” Her PA said.

  "Who is he..?"

  "He says his name is Mr. Nelson."

  "Oooh no..." She placed her two hands on her head and gave it a shake.

  "Please let him in." She tried to arrange herself. Better than she did her desk. A gentle knock and Nelson was ushered in. He looked cute in his cozy-tight suit.

  "Hello damsel." He said

  "Hello handsome..." She stood up to welcome him hands stretched. But he opted for a hug instead. She didn't deny him that either.

  "What are you doing here? I don't remember giving you my office address..." She directed him to the couch.

  "Oooh... It’s the digital ages dear..." They both sat down as she smiled.

  "I took a quicker lunch break just so I could come whisk you away for lunch."

  "Oh… no... This isn't happening..." She thought.

  Earlier she had sent the office address to Basil who had wanted to come pick her up for lunch. Now how could she handle this? She looked at her wall clock... Time check 12:50.

  "Is there a problem? Cause I just figured we could start all over since yesterday didn't end so well."

  "Ooh... There's no need for that... I'm fine."

  "You are fine... like not hungry..? or... you are fine... like not to worry... We aren't having any issues?" Nelson queried meanly. It was the second time he looked mean. She didn't like it. Her phone beeped. It was a message from Basil.

  "Hello Princess, I am down at the lobby. Should I come up or are you coming down?" it read.

  Chapter 11

  Looking at him, all the emotions he ignited in her was fresh. She had fallen for him in the university but he was in a relationship and wasn't available. Now she could do whatever she wants to do with him.

  ∞∞∞

  Moments after the message came in, her phone began to ring.

  "Hello Detective." Nk picked her call as her phone rang this time ignoring the visitor befor her.

  "Yes Ms. Nk. Please get to the hospital ASAP"

  "What's wrong? What's the problem??? How's Frankie...?"

  "He's fine. Just be here ASAP."

  "OK I'm on my way." She jerked up and went to clear her table.

  "Who's Frankie..?" Nel asked

  "Just a little boy I'm taking care of." She said while not looking at him.

  "You have a child?" Nelson looked unexpressive. She paused a while and turned to him. "No I don't." She said with a cold look.

  "Why are you tensed?"Nel asked

  "See... There's an emergency and you of all people should know that this isn't the right time for such lousy questions." Nk said while looking meanly at him.

  "Oh, my bad" He stood up. "So lunch is..."

  "Cancelled" Nk helped him complete the statement.

  "You could have just told me you weren't interested instead of trying to fake out on me..."

  Nk paused again. She was angry but couldn't find the push to lash out at him. What he said pained her. Obviously the call was a way out of the tunnel but she didn't fake it. She stared at him from her desk shuddered her head and continued what she was doing. She called her PA through the intercom and met her at the door as they walked out.

  "It was nice having you around Mr. Nelson.” She feigned a smile. “My PA will show you out now." She walked out on them. Using the elevator she met Basil downstairs. It’s been long so she wouldn't recognize him, at least not easily. She had to ask the central receptionist who discretely pointed to where he sat, fondling with his phone. She walked up to him and stood right before him. Basil looked up from his phone, stood up and with a big smile, hugged her passionately.

  "Hello Basil." She smiled.

  "Hello My love." They hugged.

  They held hands for a while, long enough for Nelson to see them. From where he stood just after he stepped out of the elevator, he grinded his teeth in jealousy. They seemed to be having a good time talking before they started walking outwards. He was pained.

  "Can we go have lunch now?" Basil asked.

  "No no... There's been an emergency. We will have to schedule this for another day." She pleaded.

  "What about dinner?" He pleaded.

  "No no no... I can't do that now. Sides I need to prepare for my return home. I haven't even packed a bag." She didn't want dinner cause she could be naughty thereafter. He was just so irresistible. Looking at him, all the emotions he ignited in her was fresh. She had fallen for him in the university but he was in a relationship and wasn't available. Now she could do whatever she wants to do with him. But she has to take it slow.

  "What are you thinking about..?" Basil interrupted her.

  "Oh... Just trying to find a way to fix you in..."

  "Uhm, that feels good." He touched her shoulders with his two hands and she shivered a bit.

  "So what have you thought out?"

  “Nothing for now, I’ll inform you when I do. I just need to get to the hospital."

  "Hospital... What's wrong? Let me drop you off then?"

  "No... The driver will..."

  "Who's hurt? Mind if I come." Basil offered.

  "Please don't. Its police related.” Hearing police, Basil frowned. "It’s Ok. Do your thing. Please keep me posted Ok?" he said.

  "I'll try..." She smiled.

  "Mm... mm..." Nelson cleared his throat. NK turned and beheld a smiling Nelson.

  "Oh you are still here..." Nelson said as he stared from Nk to Basil.

  "Yea... I was just about leaving." She stated.

  "Mm mm..." Basil cleared his voice.

  "Oh... Basil... Meet Nelson. Nelson this is Basil." They looked at each other.

  "I'll leave you both to get to know each other while I get to answer the emergency call. “Chao..!” She said finally as she dashed
out to the bewilderment of the two men.

  ∞∞∞

  At the hospital Frankie was filled with excitement as he hugged Nk.

  "Frankie, how are you?

  "I'm fine... I'm fine... I spoke to mama."

  "What..!" Nk said in amazement.

  "Yes she was asking me about Uncle Kunle and you."

  "I told her you'll be here soon."

  "Wait... Mama is awake?" She asked the security detail with a tone of excitement.

  "Yes…" He said.

  "Oh sweet Jesus... Can I go in to see her?"

  He was skeptical "I think she's asleep now. But you can go in..." He said.

  "No she's awake." Frankie countered him. NK was reluctant at first but was dragged in by the zealous and happy Frankie.

  "Mama... Aunty NK don come."

  "Frankie I told you... Clean English." NK corrected.

  "Mama Aunty NK is here." He said. By now Mama had turned her face to the side where they stood. She smiled and raised her hands. NK grabbed and held on to it. She tried hard to hold back her tears.

  "How... are... you my daughter..." Mama forced herself to speak. It was obvious that she had difficulty speaking.

  "Mama… I'm fine." Nk said amidst her tears of joy and sadness. "How are you?"

  "I feel heavy." Mama said.

  "You have been sleeping for so long. It’s normal." NK sounded friendly.

  "Where's Kunle?" NK remembered her conversation with Kola on phone about keeping the information about his kidnap from Mama.

  "Kunle will be with us shortly." She tried to lie.

  "Is it true...?"

  "What...?" Nk was caught off guard.

  "Is it true some people kidnapped him..?"

  "How did you hear that? Who is telling..?"

  "Don't worry... Frankie tell me." Nk frowned at Frankie who was now lying beside mama. It took some time to articulate her words.

  "The police are doing all in their power to locate him." Nk defended.

  "Uhmmm..." Mama breathed out heavily. "Uhmmm..." She breathed out again. "Na my fault. I could have just given them all the wanted and let us all live in peace!" Mama cried.

  "What are you talking about? Who are they?" The dazed looking Nk asked.

  "You must not tell anyone what I am about to tell you.” NK held on to her hands the more. “Some men came to my shop demanding for the document of my land at 15 Grand Avenue. That land was acquired with a hug sum of money and worth a lot in value now." She swallowed hard. "It was acquired jointly with my ex and lost husband. But I had willed it to Frankie and Kunle as my parting gift to them. As you can see, Frankie has a long way to go with school and all that. So I declined and then they attacked me..."

  Nk was attentive. She was partly surprised that mama spoke good English and also for the story she just narrated.

  "Promise you’ll not let that document fall into their hands.” Nk nodded. “Frankie... Go outside I wan tell NK something."

  "Ok" Frankie got down from the bed and out the door.

  "Come closer..." Mama drew Nk close and whispered to her the location of the document.

  "Kpo kpo..." The knock on the door distracted them. Looking up, it was Kola and the doctor and an assisting nurse.

  "Hello Nk.”

  "Hello detective."

  "Mama... How are you doing today?" The Doctor asked.

  "I feel better my son."

  "OK..."

  "We will just conduct some random checks, just so we can know the state of your body." The doctor said.

  "OK..."

  "So if you wouldn't mind... I need just the nurse with me." The doc turned to Kola and NK as he spoke. They both stood up and left. Once they were outside, Kola called Nk out to a side.

  "Did mama give you any information as to who attacked her and why?" he inquired

  "Yea... She said she was... Nk remembered what Mama told her secretly.... She said she was attacked by some hoodlums."

  "She didn't mention any other thing that could aid our investigation???"

  "No... Nothing..." Nk lied.

  "You understand that withholding any information from the force is tantamount to some years in prison." He drummed.

  "I know na... What is it called sef...obstruction of justice abi the law" Nk said with a smile as Kola stared at her.

  "Good." In case you remember any other information you missed now, do not fail to pass it on.

  "OK sir."

  "Frankie come let me get you some food." Nk said.

  "I've eaten Na... Shey you gave me something to eat..?" He asked innocently.

  "Oh... Yea..." She remembered she sent Vicky to bring him some food.

  "But come let's go still..." Her phone rang... It was her mother.

  "Hello mummy..."

  "My daughter, how are you?"

  "I'm fine ma. This one you are sounding this down."

  "We have decided to postpone the celebration."

  "What?! Why?!"

  "Your grandfather fell ill last night and was rushed to the city for treatment. There the doctors suggested he be kept for a while for some tests and checks."

  "Ooohhh... Hope he's OK?" Nk asked concerned

  "So that will affect the event proper. We will now have it in December." Her mom spoke ignoring her words.

  "Uhmmm..." Her eyes abruptly went to the clock. It was past 3 already.

  "So we aren't coming back again?" Nk asked.

  "Who says? Please come back. I need to see all of you."

  "No na... You know how things are... I can't come and they'll think I faked my absence just to go rest." She complained.

  "OK." Come weekend Na.

  "I'll consider it...ma."

  "Bye bye..."

  "Bye mummy."

  Once the call ended, Nk wanted to shout out in joy. But she remembered her grandfather was sick and she felt bad. She just murmured a little prayer to God for his quick recovery. Even though she wasn't with him now, her grandfather was instrumental to her growth today, considering he was her back bone during her worst times 8 years ago. Her phone rang. Interrupting her thought.

  "Hello Caleb..."

  "Sweethaaa..."

  She smiled...

  "I was just about calling you sef... Is the cloth ready???"

  "Ready for where..? Just wanted to ask if you'll like the flowers big big or small small..."

  "I don't know what you mean oo. I've chosen a design... Just do what you know how to do abeg. You know what is good for your sweethaaaa na..." NK joked.

  "Hehehehehe its ok, I'll do what's best."

  "Meanwhile... I..." Nk wanted to tell him about the postponement but decided to keep her mouth shut. "Don't worry. Just do your thing."

  "Ok... Bye." The call ended.

  ∞∞∞

  They were at the canteen section when she saw kola run out... She hurried up to meet him just before he entered his car.

  "There was a gun battle somewhere south of town. Report says it’s between the police and some kidnapers." Kola said hurriedly as he entered his car. "Stay here or go home but just make sure you and Frankie stay out of sight. I've instructed my men to be more alert. From all we can assume, this could be a diversion for the police." He added from his whined down window. She opened her dialer and dialed Vicky's number as he drove out.

  "Hello Vicky... It seems we will be staying longer at your place."

  ∞∞∞

  It was 7:00pm when Nk decided to take Frankie home.

  "Hello Kola..." Nk said looking around. "I think someone is following me."

  "Shit... Where are you at now..?"

  "We are at the B and T supermarket. I had to drive in there."

  "Can you see the car?"

  "Yes... It’s packed as I did too. I can't see into it. I can't see the driver."

  "Are you driving???"

  "Yes. I dismissed the driver earlier because I felt I would be keeping him past his official time."

  "Hey... Stay there! D
on't leave! I'm on my way."

  She dropped the call and called Vicky. "Hey babe... I think someone is trailing me. "

  "Where are you at now..?" She asked leaving the presence of her visitors.

  "At B and T, the detective is on his way and he has instructed me to stay her."

  "It is a black Camry with tinted glasses."

  "What can I do???!" Vicky asked looking edgy.

  "I don't want to pull you into this... Please... Just be ready to open up for us when we come in."

  "Ok I will. Nelson and Harry are here. I think they can be of great help."

  "Nelson..? Mtcheew..."

  "What's up? Don't worry... Will gist you when I come back." Nk said.

  "Owk... Be safe baby."

  ∞∞∞

  "Hello dear…" Basil picked up after Nk called him

  "Hello... What kind of car do you drive?" She asked.

  "I drive a Mercedes Benz." Basil said confidently

  "Owk..."

  "Why do you ask?"

  "No... Nothing..." Nk lied

  "No there's something..." He insisted

  "No... Don't worry please..." Said Nk While Basil was silent. "Meanwhile... I want to apologize for today. It wasn't supposed to be that way."

  "What's up? Who was that guy? Your boyfriend or something..?"

  "No... He's just a friend who coincidentally was there for personal reason. Don't worry."

  "Owk... I wouldn't want to share you with anyone..." Basil said.

  From all the mirrors in her car Nk stared at the trailing car. Not even paying attention to what Basil was saying. At that point, the least on her mind was Basil's romantic-ness. But she wasn't going to drop the call because that was what was keeping her from going overboard with fright.

  "So you decided to keep me with a dude today."

  "Oh no... Not like that. I just felt..." She paused. After she noticed another car drive in. It looked like Detective's car. But when the driver came down, she was disappointed.

  "So what did you come back to town Basil?" she asked him unexpectedly.

  "You were saying something about what you felt...” Basil tried to reconnect her.

  "Scrap that. It's past now." She insisted with her eyes on the side mirror.

  "So tell me... What are you here for?"