Nearest Love- the Only Crime Is Love...

by Eu Aristos

  ∞∞∞

  Chapter 23

  He sounded mean and determined now. "I would like us to finish what we started – a tooth for a tooth. I took away the one he loves most just as he took away the ones we love. But he has to suffer more!"

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  That night, after the drama at Nelson's place, Harry and Kunle returned home to the warm hugs of Vicky and Nk. Their tears were still flowing but the presence of the men was enough consolation.

  "Can't believe Nelson is dead, like why..?" Vicky asked

  "We had our differences but... We never wished him dead." NK pondered in tears.

  "I think there's more to his death than we know." Harry broke in.

  "Yea, I think so too…" Kunle supported him.

  "Who could want him dead?" Vicky asked amidst tears. "I suspected there was danger that night at my place when he kept on going out and coming in." She added.

  "I do not believe Nelson has made such enemies that could want him dead. Let’s just say Nelson's father accumulated a lot of such enemies." Kunle said.

  "So he could be facing the effect of his father’s actions?" Harry asked as Kunle dropped the CD plate on the table.

  "Who was that guy we met today? Should we be worried about him?" Kunle asked Harry.

  "He's a detective. We should be worried about all of them. But since have all the evidence that could..."

  "Wait... What are you both talking about?" Nk interjected with her question.

  They men where both silent as they chose not to answer the question.

  "Wait... You both were at Nelson's place?" Vicky asked overwhelmed.

  "We needed to right the wrong he began." Said Harry

  "And you couldn't even tell us?" Nk asked

  Another round of silence engulfed them.

  "Kai... Men will always be men." Vicky said feeling disappointed.

  "What if something went wrong? What if you were caught and accused of something else?" Nk spoke politely.

  "Like the death of Nelson! You were there the same night Nelson was murdered. That has a whole lot of implications!" Vicky shouted at them.

  "There are no implications..." Harry tried to defend their action.

  "Oh really..? Who was that detective?!" Vicky asked; her voice showed that she mad at them.

  "He was Nelson's former classmate. He was there maybe to conduct some checks." Harry burst in.

  "And he saw you both?" Nk asked.

  "No... He didn't." Kunle said with his hands akimbo.

  "So...?" Vicky asked with her eyes demanding more explanation.

  "I knocked him out before he could identify anyone."Harry said.

  The two ladies sat back in their seat. The room was tensed. All that could be heard was the sound of the wall clock. Tic tok.... Kunle picked up the CD on his hands while Harry sat down with hands akimbo.

  "Let's just hope this whole thing ends tonight." Vicky said as she stood up to leave.

  "It has..." Vicky eyed Harry as he tried to speak. "You forgot you were going to be a father?! Next time when you embark on suicide missions, keep that in mind!" She scolded him before she left. Harry followed her into the room.

  With Nk and Kunle alone, there was some kind of serenity. Kunle looked up at her, catching her gaze.

  "I'm sorry..." He said quietly. But she was silent.

  "Frankie will not need the transplant anymore. The specialist says he's still young and that his system has been responding perfectly to treatment." She said finally.

  "Oh thank God!" Kunle sounded grateful. "We'll go see him tomorrow then?!"

  "Yea.... But I need to get to the office. My leave is over and I need to register my presence." Nk said.

  "Just in time. It’s OK. I'll drop you off after we go see mama and Frankie."

  "OK. I'm tired. I need to sleep." She stood up as she tried to walk. But she felt dizzy and almost fell. Kunle caught her. Their eyes locked together, it wasn't long before their lips were too.

  ∞∞∞

  e next day, after Nelson's death, Bianca arrived home early in the morning. Her knock woke up her father who came forward, opened the door himself, and hugged her as she walked in.

  "How's my sweet daughter..?" He asked as he held on to her.

  "I'm OK. Was a long way back, but I'm fine." She smiled while shaking her body. They were silent a while... Then she went straight and hugged her father again.

  "Welcome dear. I prayed you never got hurt." He said dearly.

  "Your prayer was instrumental sir." He praised him.

  "You did a good job my dear. We have started the journey to our peace of mind. To...to...” She released him, smiled and began to go to her room not wanting to listen to what he had to say at the moment.

  "I know you are tired. I'll make breakfast. Will let you know when I'm done."He turned his wheelchair and made his way to his exotic kitchen to make breakfast for his hardworking daughter. He has been doing that for the past 20years. Wow... It’s been 20years already. He wondered. Putting on the gas and trying to fry some eggs, he could not help but imagine how she was able to survive the attack by Bawa and his men.

  That night, he hid her in the wardrobe as he picked up his gun. "Stay here. Don't open until I come back." But she didn't listen. And he was grateful she didn’t.

  "What are you thinking about?" Bianca broke his thought.

  "Oh, nothing… I’m just lost in memory."

  "Uhmmm, memory of what..?” She asked as she sat on the kitchen seat. He looked up at her as he served her egg and bread. She stretched her hands on the table for the milk and chocolate tin; helping herself to a spoon full of both as she waited for him to speak.

  "That night after they attacked us, from where I lay paralyzed I could not help but wonder how you all were doing inside. With the house on fire I wished I could stand. I tried to but could not. But then I saw you look into my face just before I passed out and for a moment I was grateful you disobeyed me.” She was smiling and tears dropped from her eyes as he spoke.

  "After I awoke, I was bitter that I couldn't save your mom and your siblings. But in your face I saw a hope of revival." He sounded mean and determined now. "I would like us to finish what we started – a tooth for a tooth. I took away the one he loves most just as he took away the ones we love. But he has to suffer more!" He banged his hand on the table.

  "What do you intend doing?" She looked straight at him.

  "I want to speak to him."

  "Who..? Bawa..?" She asked surprised.

  "Yes. I want him to know who struck him. To feel the pain he made us feel." Bastion folded his fist.

  "No no no... Don't. You'll only be drawing undue heat to yourself –to us!" She said, standing up and pacing down the kitchen.

  "But I want him to..."

  "No... That's too dangerous! He could just tip the police off and we'll be the suspects. That will be like throwing all our discreteness to the wind. I could just have pulled the trigger at him if we wanted that!"

  Bastion was silent a while... "I'll still call him."

  "Sure you will. But not now..!"

  "Ok… you win." Bastion smiled at his daughter. She sat back down and tried to eat.

  ∞∞∞

  11:30am

  It’s been 3 months since Nelson died. Bawa his father became extremely bitter since that event. The nights were cold and unbearable for him. He spent half of it weeping. The days weren't any restful too. He never imagined he'd be burying his own son. Of course, Nelson wasn't his only son but he was the son of his old age and he loved him so much. It seemed the face of Nelson was on all that he saw. The company he ran has been on steady decline since he was the brain behind it. Worse still, he wasn't married! Bawa bit the tip of his lower lip. He was indeed pained.

  But who would do this to him? The face on the hospital cameras could not be traced to anyone in particular. The assassin knew so much what she was doing. Who could she be? He punched at the glass of his son's picture which hung on t
he wall and shattered it.

  "...I'll avenge you son. I'll avenge you with the last drop of my blood. The police aren't encouraging but I have the tools in my power and I'll use them..!" Bawa soliloquized.

  Among those he suspected were Mama and her son. He knew nothing of Nk and Vicky. He only met Harry once but never thought of him as that threat. Of course there was Bosse. He never trusted him. Not a dime even now. Now they must release the documents of that land because he wants to build something magnificent there now in honor of his son. Something the world will look up to and remembering the story behind it. He shall set an example with anyone who stood in his way!

  Just as he was about sitting down, his cell phone rang.

  "Hello... Who's this?" He asked brashly.

  "Oooh... My voice is different now I see... Or is it that your ears are now bad... Old man."

  "Baaaasstioon!" Bawa called out gently and in disbelief. Bastion on the other end was silent as he let his voice sink into Bawa's subconscious.

  "I hope the death of your beloved son sank in well for you?"

  Bawa was lost in thought. He could not believe it. "You are not real." He was able to mumble.

  "I'm very real. And I'm ready to repay the pain you invested in my life. Nelson's death is the first of its kind. More pain to come."

  "F**k you..!" Bawa shouted.

  "Hahahahahaha Sure, you f**ked up my life 20 years ago so it’s time to repay the favor." Bastion sounded foolhardy.

  "I'll find you..!And I'll kill you." Bawa threatened.

  "Oh. Good luck with that. I'll reserve your death for the last. Because I'd like to see you try to survive me this time!" Bastion threatened.

  "Uhmmm... Uhmmm...Uhmmm..." Bawa breathed out heavily.

  "See you soon King Bawa. Hahahahahaha" Bastion mocked and ended the call to Bawa's dismay. He has never felt this insulted in his life.

  ∞∞∞

  Three months on, Mama and Frankie were both home to Kunle's house. Frankie was still on wheelchair since he wasn't strong enough to carry his own body. But generally he was fine. Considering that she was carrying his baby, Harry spent more time in Vicky's apartment. To some extent, he was particularly grateful that Nelson was dead. His death closed a chapter of his life he never wanted to open again, not until he received a call from detective Joe at 10m that faithful Tuesday.

  "Hello..." He answered absentmindedly.

  "Hello Harry." Joe giggled evilly.

  "Who's this?" Harry asked seriously. There's always this feeling that comes with having to meet or speak with someone who will give you a rough time. That was exactly the way Harry felt.

  "I'm detective Joe." Harry was silent. "I know you didn't expect a call from me. But I need to see you now or I'll come pick you up in the worst possible way ever." He threatened.

  "What do you want?" Harry asked while trying not to raise suspicion before his wife-to-be.

  "I know about your dirty secret with Nelson. He told me everything. Now I'm thinking...who else has a motif for killing Nelson and you come to mind. Considering that I was attacked in Nelson's house the same night that Nelson was murdered.... I think you have a question to answer..."

  Harry was silent. He stood up from where he was and went outside.

  "Should I continue or would you want me to pay a visit to you at your fiancée's place?"

  Harry looked back at where Vicky was sitting and eating... Noticing she was not attentive. "Where do you want us to meet?" He asked.

  "Tomorrow 7pm, Kings Lounge." Joe said.

  Chapter 24

  From her position, Bianca knew she had an effect on Kola. He was a cute and calm guy. But she wasn't interested in furthering whatever it was he was acting.

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  It was Tuesday morning and Nk had resumed at work. The last few weeks had been crazy and she wanted to concentrate. But the ringing of her phone distracted her.

  "Hello Nk…"

  "Hello Detective. How are you doing?"

  "I'm OK. I'd like to see mama. Where's she..?"

  "She's with Kunle now or so I think. I'll forward the address to you. Hope all is well..?"

  "Yeaa... Just simply questions related to the case. I also just wanna know how she’s doing." Kola said.

  "OK." Nk sounded relaxed; a far cry from her bossy apprehensive self.

  "I hope I meet with you guys later. I'm at the office. "

  "Alright, see you soon then." She said.

  Kola dropped the call and tried to clear his table. He felt he had procrastinated the closing of this case for long. So it was time to see mama and to confirm from her some of the things Kola told him. His phone beeped and it was a message. Opening it, it was the address from Nk. He was ready to leave when someone entered his office. It was Constable Bianca – the new queen in town. She was transferred to his division a little over two weeks ago to assist in solving the case of Nelson's death. She was smart and reserved. That was a good sign for the job.

  "Hello Constable." in his mind he called her beautiful because dressed in a black jean, matching boots, a unique shirt and her suit, she was nothing short of adorable.

  "Good morning sir." She saluted.

  "At ease, how are you?"

  "I'm OK sir. You sent for me."

  "Yes. I would like you to join me to follow up a case." He said looking her in the eyes, looking down only after she looked away shyly.

  "Uhmmm... OK sir. When are we leaving?" she asked diligently.

  He stared at the table clock. "Now…" He said, looking up briefly. This girl was always making him think somehow. "That will be all for now." He said meanly.

  From her position, Bianca knew she had an effect on Kola. He was a cute and calm guy. But she wasn't interested in furthering whatever it was he was acting. She had a purpose in this town. So she decided to stay on her own. Going out with him means for her that the day was going to be a very long one.

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  Sitting under the tree in his apartment specially furnished by Bawa, many thoughts ran through Bosse's mind. Sensing that Bawa was devastated, Bosse began to plan his overthrow in the pack. He figured that if he could get a hold of the documents, then he'd be in a better position to bargain for more rights.

  He understood vividly, the handwriting on the wall. Bawa didn't trust him. And he didn't trust Bawa too. Taking into consideration Kunle's words, he figured he'll have to have some bargaining advantage when things began to go south. Speaking of going south, he has always known that Bastion was alive. He had run into him years back someplace south of town; that was before he connected with Bawa. From their brief conversation, he knew that Bastion still wished revenge on Bawa. In fact, he had all cause to believe that he could have a hand in the death of Nelson.

  "Oh poor Nelson was just a puppet in the game." He thought.

  Now he had to find a way to connect with Bastion. With his assistance, he was sure that Bawa would be subdued. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. But this time Bastion was not an enemy per say. Because if he was, he Bosse, would have given him up to Bawa long ago; even when Bawa bragged about killing him. That was not to happen though, because he hated Bawa's guts. But because he wanted to get back on his feat, knowing full well that Bawa would jump at any opportunity to punish mama, he had to bring the land to Bawa’s attention. But as usual, Bawa tried to outsmart him by getting him to agree to a 60/30 deal. Because he claimed that 10% will he dedicated to God as tithe, while he Bosse got 30% of the deal. "Preek!" Bosse cursed. He picked up his phone and dialed a number.

  "Yes... It’s me. "

  "Please I need you to help me find someone. I'll forward the name to you via SMS. You shall be getting me his address, phone number and work status."

  "Good. OK... Bye." He dropped the call and smiled wickedly.

  He figured he was done been a puppet for someone who he knew he could be better than. He stood up and went in to confirm the full name of Bastion Paul from his journal.

  ∞∞∞
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br />   "Hey Mama..." Detective Kola hailed Mama as soon as he was granted access into the compound by the security man.

  "Uhmmm who am I seeing... So you remembered us today eh?"

  "Hahahaha, I never forgot you. It’s just that work has been tedious." Kola smiled. He became friends with the family since they met through the case.

  "I understand. How has it been?" Mama said.

  “Fine ma, how's Frankie?"

  “He's becoming stronger.” She said with a smile.

  "Good evening ma." Bianca greeted, registering her presence.

  "Evening my beautiful daughter." She admired the girl. "Please sit down." She offered them a sit just beside her, under the tree in her compound where she sat. Among other things, this position was one reason she left Kunle's house for hers.

  "Kola, have you finally found a wife to marry?!" She asked whilst looking at Bianca.

  "No oo". Kola denied. "She's just a colleague." Kola said shyly.

  "Uhmmm... OK oo. But you both fit each other." She said, looking at Bianca. Who whined her mouth and looked away with a brief smile.

  "Oh, mama stop it joor. She's Constable Bianca, a new addition to our team. We hope to mould her into what the force needs."

  "Oh... I see... Welcome my daughter. You are with one of the best in the force. Pay attention and learn well. Because you will not know where you'll need all you learn; maybe after your wedding to him." Mama teased them.

  "Hahahahahaha..." Kola laughed out loud as Bianca smiled.

  Mama looked at her one last time. That smile looked familiar but she couldn't pinpoint who and where it was connected to.

  "So... Mama we just want to conduct a follow up on the case as well as the case of the death of Mr. Nelson. I hope you heard of his death?"