by Eu Aristos
"So what do you intend doing?"
"I will finish him off at the hospital..." Bianca spoke
"Get it done with dexterity ASAP. We can't afford any waste of time. Bawa has to suffer for what he did to me." The receiver dropped the call and sipped his drink.
∞∞∞
"Good day sir." Detective Joe greeted as soon as he stepped into Bawa's office.
"Good day detective... I've been expecting you. Welcome. Please sit." Bawa motioned to the seat in front of his desk.
"I saw your press release. Please accept my heartfelt condolence."
Bawa nodded.
"I also have cause to believe that your son was targeted."
"Good good-good." Bawa was happy that someone at least believed him.
"I have demanded for the case and the file to be transferred to me. I would like to treat it personally." Detective Joe said confidently.
"That's good." Bawa was nodding.
"Your son was my childhood classmate and close friend. And that memory we had is what I'd like to preserve." Joe continued
"I'll give you all the support you need. Funds and logistics will be channeled to you by my PA." Bawa promised.
"Thank you sir, I'll not disappoint you." Joe promised with a smile.
"Oh, Good… Better don’t. you may not like what happens next.” Bawa joked.
"Just so you know, your son sent me a message the night of the accident reminding me of the meeting I should have with him early today."
"Uhmmm... Did he mention what the agenda for the meeting was?"
"No no no... He was quiet closed about it."
"OK. Do find out. Do your job and I'll surely reward you. Find me the person who attacked my son!" Bawa raked.
∞∞∞
Once they were done with their discussions, Kunle and Harry planned on how to make every move together. While Kunle went back in to meet Vicky, Nk and mama, Harry decided to take a walk. Once outside in his car, Harry breathed out heavily. Kunle's plan was a breath saver for him because his intention was a lot more unsubtle. Now he had to think of a way into the house that does not require a "break in" per say. The old keys to Nelson's apartment were still in his possession he just had to dig it out. He just hoped the locks weren't replaced.
Inside, Kunle was thinking of a way to make all the nightmares go away. He thought of confronting Bawa himself, but considering Nelson's accident, that would be a very bad time. His thought went to Bosse. It was simply unbelievable that he was still alive and able to get in touch to the family he wronged. That means he must have been watching from a distance, Kunle pondered.
Mama was already sleeping and Vicky went out for some personal reasons.
"What are you thinking about?" Nk asked sitting close to him and touching his shoulders. Kunle looked at her from her hands on his shoulder to her face. He smiled briefly.
"I'd like to talk to Bosse. Maybe I'll be in a better position to talk him out of this whole mess." Kunle said.
"Do you think that will be a good idea..?" She asked him while staring into his eyes.
"I don't see any other way to go about all this. It is his greed that got us all in this in the first place. I can't say I'm in anyway proud that I ever knew him." Kunle said regrettably.
"Yea, I get the whole picture. But first we need to go have that test. At least that one is a lot more important now." Nk said.
"Yeaa.. We'll have that before I go."
"...'I'...? Wait wait wait... you weren't thinking of meeting the so-called Bosse alone. Were you?" She looked serious.
Kunle turned fully to her. "See... We are targets and I want to believe you know what that means. For our safety and the safety of our interest, its better we start maintaining a healthy distance. Just so we aren't both gotten at the same time."
"Wait... Are you breaking up with me already..?" She looked serious.
Kunle looked dumbfounded and lost at the same time. "I don't know what you mean." He mumbled.
She busted into a laugh. "I got you there. Was kidding... I do get your point. I think it’s a good idea." Kunle heaved a sigh of relief.
"Let's go to the lab." Nk tapped him, leading the way.
The test was done and both came out soundly; capable of donations. The problem was that Kunle was still recovering from his own injuries and was meant to be ruled out. That left Nk. But Kunle was stubborn.
"You can't do this. I can't let you do it."
"It’s not your decision to make. Nk dabbed in. He's my son and I'm his mother."
Kunle was silent. "We will talk about this after the specialist finishes his assessment."
∞∞∞
"Hey baby. Why are you here alone?" Vicky interrupted Harry.
"Oh... Nothing... You know how I hate hospitals." He lied.
"Oh... You better get used to it. Cause you'll be coming to this place more often in the next couple of months." She held onto the car door which was already ajar.
Harry was silent. Then suddenly he jerked up. “What did you just mean to say?” His eyes were wide open.
Vicky smiled. "I'm pregnant Harry."
Harry's face was a mixture of expressions... But then he laughed out really loud and stepping out of the car, he hugged her dearly.
"I didn't want to tell anyone because I was scared of how you'd feel. I just didn't..... But then you proposed and I thought it was time I told you."
"Wow! Wait." Did Nk know all this too..?
"No no... Please don't tell her I beg you. I'll do that myself." Vicky pleaded.
"OK OK... Wow... We'll have to celebrate this." Harry said as Vicky grinned.
"Where would you want to go to now???"
"Uhmmm I don't know. I have to see the doc later and then there's NK I need to know how they are holding up and..."
"It’s OK. We'll reschedule..."Harry said while looking disappointed.
"No no no... I'll be back in a jiffy."
"Owk…" He feigned a smile.
As soon as she was off, the whole news dawned on him. This makes it increasingly difficult to open up to Vicky about the past. So he just hoped that Kunle's plan worked.
∞∞∞
"Hey... How are you both??" Vicky said as she walked in on Kunle and Nk.
"We are fine. Where's Harry?" Nk asked.
"He's in the car." Vicky said pointing towards the road she came by.
“OK. See you ladies soon.” Kunle wanted to leave.
"Are you going out?" Vicky enquired.
"Yea.... I need to see someone." Kunle said.
"Can it wait..? Just join us for lunch" Vicky pleaded to Kunle's surprise.
"Uhmmm..." Nk turned, looked at Kunle and said “yes”.
"I'll be waiting for you both at the car." Kunle said. He was rushing out to meet Harry before the ladies came. As soon as he got there Harry spoke up.
"Have been meaning to see you..." Harry spoke up on seeing Kunle.
"OK... So, have you thought about the moves?" Kunle said.
"Yes... I can find a way in." Harry said confidently.
"Awesome. When can we do it?"
"We don't know how long he's gonna be in coma. So I suggest we do it tonight.
"Good."
Just then, Vicky and Nk walked up.
"So... What are we cerebrating???" Nk asked as they entered the car.
"It’s a surprise." Harry responded.
∞∞∞
3:40
Detective Joe was in his office going through the file and reports from the hospital and saw the report that Nelson may probably have been drinking and driving. This was due to the high concentration of alcohol in his blood. He drove with his blue Jeep to the towing company's garage, in search of any sign of alcoholics in the car. But he could find none. If there was, it would crash any argument about any misdeed. But there wasn't. What if he had been drinking at the office before he decided to go home? He thus called his men at the station asking if Nelson's office was sealed up as part of
the investigation too. The answer was an affirmative. He demanded that the security man on duty be called to the office for a little questioning.
He then drove directly to Nelson's office. He gained access immediately and started scanning through. He saw the bottle of hot wine and the glass he used that night still on the table. That confirmed the doctor's report that there was alcohol in his blood. But how heavy was the content in his blood. Considering the message he received, an over drunk person wouldn't have been able to send him that. So he needed to see the security in charge that night.
"Is he here already?" He asked the chief security officer of the company.
"No sir. He's on his way."
"While he's on his way can I see the security footage of the office? At least before the moments he left the office."
"Yes sure sir."
He took him to the security room where he scanned through the video... Obviously there was no video inside Nelson's office but there surely was one outside it. And that one showed that there was no visitors to him with that period and most importantly, Nelson was walking just fine when he was going to the car. That hinted to him that he wasn't so drunk. Just when he was done, the security man came in. After the initial introductions, Joe faced the business that brought him there.
"Was he staggering when he was leaving..?"
"No sir. He was fine. He even greeted me when he got here. He whined down and said a good night. Didn't know it was really a..."
"... Did you see him pick up anyone or did you notice anything unusual?"
"Yes... His music was really loud. Like very loud. That was unlike I’ve seen it before”
"Oh... Owk..." Joe nodded and noted it down.
"Thanks for your time..." He dismissed the man.
Joe was about taking his leave when he remembered that Nelson's car was a new one. It was just delivered days before the accident. He dashed back and demanded to see the security footage from the car parking area. Scanning through he saw the image of someone who seemed to be working on the car.
"Who's this? And what's she doing..?"
"She was from the company that sold the car to them. Say they conduct customer care routine guarantee checks on cars sold. She asked to be allowed to carry out her duty and it was granted by the boss himself."
"OK... Can I get a hold of her?" Joe requested.
"We'll just have to call the company and I have to be honest, I know nothing about them. It’s a personal deal by the boss. Maybe details concerning them could be in the car documents." CSO said. They checked at the office for purchase documents but didn't find any.
"It could be at his home." The CSO of the company said. Joe decided to go to Nelson's house that night.
∞∞∞
Once they were done eating, Kunle excused himself.
"Where are you going?" Vicky asked.
"Nk knows. Let her tell you." Kunle responded jokingly as he motioned to Harry who stood up and joined him for a while.
Nk and Vicky stared at the men as the discussed quietly at the corner.
"What do you think they are talking about?" Nk asked.
"I don't know... But who can imagine that our guys could be having close up discussion without us." Vicky laughed.
"What do you mean our guys..?" Nk queried Vicky.
"Ooh please... Don't begin... I see the way you look at Kunle. Don't tell me you wanna play the ignorance game here."
Nk looked defeated. "I don't wanna think about all those now. A lot is going on in my head now." She defended herself.
"Uhm… better don't let him slip. Cause I know he cares about you too."
"Maybe..." Nk looked away and as if she was pricked she remembered Basil
"Can we go see Basil today? Now..?"
"Oh... Basil. What do they even have on him?" Vicky asked.
"They say he's into cyber crime and financial offences."
"Ooh that bad?"
"Yea... I just don't know how to help him."
"Maybe you should talk to Kola."
"Uhmmm. Owk. That will be a good start. Go with me please... It’s just tonight." Vicky was adamant and Nk could see it.
"What is it??? Why this cold...?"
Vicky looked from her to Harry. “I have an appointment with a doctor there at the hospital.”
"Ok..? What does that have to do with anything..?”
"...I think I'm pregnant." Vicky blurted out.
Nk was speechless... Her expression was a mixture of surprise and delight and shock. But then all that combined to form a heavy smile and then laughter and then a shout.
"Shssss... You are disturbing people" Vicky cautioned her.
"Shut up! You are pregnant! Congratulations babe..." Nk said joyfully.
"Thanks... So do you still want to go see Basil?" Vicky tried to get her to not speak anymore about the pregnancy.
"Yea... I just have to, at least for my peace of mind." Nk said
"Ok, we'll go after I finish seeing the doctor then?" Vicky asked with a tone of verification.
"Ok. That will work. Aaahhh.... I'm so happy! You are preggy!!!" Nk teased her.
At their end, Kunle and Harry still continued to plan.
"I'll just go home and search for the keys" Harry responded.
"OK… 10pm tonight. OK?" Kunle asked.
"Sure. Where do we meet?"Harry said.
"At Nelson's House because I want to go see someone tonight before coming." Kunle explained.
"OK." Harry said.
"You have a gun?" Kunle asked.
"No man."
"OK. Make sure you keep the one in the car safe. I'll come with another."
Aiit, Harry said just as they exchanged a handshake. They were returning to the table when Nk broke the news of Vicky's pregnancy to Kunle.
Chapter 21
As he tried to close the door she called him back. "Please how do I locate patient 5734..?" She acted like she was opening a file.
∞∞∞
4:50pm "Hello Bianca my favorite." He dad said to her.
"Hello Sir."
"What's the update?"
"I've been to the hospital and I've surveyed the area."
"So..?"
"We strike tonight to finish up the job."
“Good one my daughter; remember why we are doing all this – for the love of our family!” The man spoke with so much pain. Bianca was pained too. She didn't want to remember the awful memories of that faithful day. Bawa took their lives away from them and so it was time to take away something and someone he loves. Just so he could feel a version of the pain he brought up her family.
"I'll get it done dad. Don't worry." She forced herself to say after she remembered that her father was placed permanently on the wheelchair by Bawa.
"Good. Keep me updated. And come back to me alive!"
"Yes dad. I will." She dropped the call and resumed her planning. All her life, she had been trained by her dad for this moment; the moment when she could make things right in memory of her family. So there was no going back. It was just luck that made him survive the crash. She watched from a distance as those men helped Nelson that night. She couldn't attack because they were armed. So now, nothing was stopping her. With her attire and med-set ready, she was up for the task ahead.
∞∞∞
"I would like access to Nelson's house. I was informed that you collected his things from the police..?" Joe asked Bawa when he got to his office.
"Yea, why do you need to be in his apartment..?" Bawa asked with folded eyebrows
"Just standard procedure; I could have just asked him but he's not awake yet." Joe said leaning backwards. He hated to go see big men. There were too much protocols with them.
"Meet my PA. He has the keys and his phone. I don't think opening the phone would be easy considering the make though." Bawa said to his surprise.
"Don't worry. Leave all that to me." Joe said as he stood up to leave.
∞∞∞
5:55pm at the d
etention home, Nk and Vicky were made to wait an extra hour just to see Basil.
"Please fill this form ma." The warden requested while handing them forms to fill.
"Why's this necessary?" Vicky queried.
"Just to keep a track record of those he's talking to.” Nk and Vicky looked at each other while taking the form. "Don't worry. You both don't look harmful." The woman assured them.
After they filled the form, she took the form inside and within minutes Basil was led out. Aside the handcuffs, he looked fine. He smiled shyly when he saw the both of them but soon frowned.
"Hey..." Nk greeted.
"Hey...” Basil responded.
"I'm so sorry... I was lost in a lot of things." Nk said.
"I know." Was all he could say.
"So... What's up..? What do they have on you..?"
"They claim they are still building their case. But don't trust that I'll be available to stand trial, hence I'll have to remain detained." He looked sad as he spoke.
"Got a lawyer yet? Nk asked.
"Yea... They appointed one for me. Since..." He was silent briefly...
"Since what...?" Vicky asked
"I can't afford a lawyer, a good lawyer!"
"But…" Nk was lost of words
"I looked good right?" Basil helped her.
Nk shrugged her shoulders. Basil looked around his shoulders and sat forward.
"I accept I did some bad things before and I paid for it with some time and deportation. But I was trying to rebuild my life. I guess there isn't a second chance for some in this life then."
"Oh don't say that." Vicky tried to encourage him.
"Was I going to be one of your preys..?" Nk asked unexpectedly.
"No…" He said looking at her eyes. But it seems Nk did not look convinced. "I know you do not believe me. So why are you here?"
"Cause we just wanted to offer any little assistance we could." Vicky said.
"I don't need it anymore. I'm fine."
Nk's phone rang. She stepped out to receive the call and returned moments later.
"It’s the doctor. He wishes to see me. Seems the specialist came and is done with assessment of Frankie."