To read the previous
episode, click here
***
***
“Raped!!” Genevieve
uttered in shock. Her facial expression
seen on her face exposed how taken aback the news got to her.
“Yes.”
“Could it mean he
took her virginity through that process?” Tiwa asked.
“I am a professional
in this line of work. I know what I am saying.” Omoni sounded offended. “The
victim was not a virgin.”
“I apologize for my
unnecessary remark.”
“Apology accepted.”
Genevieve suddenly
showed sign of anger on her face. She faced Omoni. “I might be exaggerating but
I found it strange when the father said he had all the numbers of his
daughter’s female friends. Sade could have been a victim of sexual abuse.”
Tiwa eyes expanded
as she looked at her. She dropped her hand. “Do you think that man sexually
abused his daughter?”
“Anything is
possible.”
“They are
Christians. I don’t see him as a suspect but we should have asked him where he
was when his daughter left the house.”
“We have to talk to
Abraham too.”
“I know. He could
also be a student in the same school.” Tiwa said.
“He should be a
senior because the housekeeper mentioned he was older than Sade.”
“Who could she have
been sleeping with?”
“The mother is so
sure her daughter died a virgin.”
“And the father
didn’t say anything about it. He will be coming to the bureau to see Adebiyi.
We will talk to him during that period.”
“Why didn’t you tell
him you were a co-owner,” Genevieve said. “Whatever he wants to tell Mr. Gold,
he would have told you.”
“I didn’t want to
explain myself. It’s better he see him instead.”
“Okay.” She pointed
at Omoni. “Before we forget, Mr. Akanju says you can keep his daughter’s body
until we find the killer.”
“But if he said
that, he doesn’t sound like a suspect to me. It means he wants the killer of
his daughter caught.”
“What if that is a
plot for us not to question and suspect him?”
“Maybe,” Omoni said.
“What’s the way forward now?”
Tiwa glanced at her
wristwatch. “It’s not yet their lunch time at the school. Maybe we should wait.”
“If the
choirmaster’s number was on the file,” Genevieve said. “I would have called him
to come here for questioning.”
“Leroy said he was
sick.”
“But he wasn’t
questioned about his relationship with the victim. I think we should talk to
him after all Sade wanted to join the choir. They must have talked before he
gave her the form. We could go to the church and check if he is around or
collect his phone number from one of the members of the choir.”
“She was a shy girl.
Why now? Why join the choir now? What made her bold enough to join the choir?
She was definitely prepared to face the congregation.”
“Detectives,” Omoni
said. “My two cents, she trusted the person that killed her.”
“Why do you say so?”
Genevieve asked.
“She didn’t go
directly to the church, instead she went somewhere else. She knew her parents
were strict, and if they ever find out she didn’t go straight to the church,
she would be in trouble.”
“The form was still
with her when she died.” Tiwa said. “She wasn’t planning to run away, she still
had plans to go to the church. It was just to submit the form so there was
enough time for her to go see who she was probably sleeping with or maybe a new
lover she visited for the first time.”
“And that person raped
and killed her.”
“Dr. Omoni, when
your assistant talked about the tiles, I don’t think it’s possible for her head
to break the tiles.”
“Yes, we talked
about that after both of you left. It is likely something hard fell on it and
in that process he hit her head on it.”
“For something to
fall on the tiles,” Genevieve joined the conversation. “It could mean a
struggle occurred between them.”
“And that could be
why something hard must have fallen to break the tiles!” Tiwa uttered.
“Kevin said that
kind of tiles is expensive. Do you think the person would be able to repair the
floor immediately? I don’t think so.”
“But the person
won’t risk it and leave it opened."
Genevieve sighed. “He
would fix it up or get something like a carpet or rug to cover the place.”
“Her sandals could
still be with her killer or he threw them away.” Omoni said. A male detective
knocked. “Come in.”
He notified Tiwa
that the parents of Sade had seen Mr. Gold.
“His wife came with
him?” She enquired.
“Yes ma.”
“Better. Send them
into my office. I will be with them shortly.”
“Okay ma.” He shut
the door.
“Are you going to
accuse him of sexual abuse on his daughter?” Omoni asked Genevieve.
“It depends on how
he responds to our questions. We will see you later, thanks doc.”
“Thank you too for
listening.”
As they reached the
door, Tiwa turned back. “Is it possible for you to examine the body to check if
she ever got pregnant or did an abortion?”
“It’s possible. I
will do that and give a feedback.”
“I appreciate.”
They left and
entered into the office and greeted the parents. Tiwa settled on her chair while
Genevieve stood beside her. Mrs. Akanju had swollen eyes and there was no
makeup on her face. Her husband wore a straight face that made him look like an
authoritarian.
“Any news?” Mrs.
Akanju asked. She had lost her voice.
“Not yet ma,” Tiwa
said. “We would like to know if your daughter was very happy with both of you.”
“What do you mean?”
Mr. Akanju asked in a stern tone.
“How did you treat
your late daughter?”
“My wife and I
treated our daughter with love and respect! What are you trying to say to us
that we maltreated her?”
“Did you?” Genevieve
asked.
He looked up at her
face angrily and rose on his feet. “How dare you! Is that why you asked to see
us? Instead of you to go out and search for my daughter’s killer, you are
asking me nonsense! You are both incompetent and incapable to catch a murderer!”
“Did you sexually
abuse your daughter?”
“What!”
Mrs. Akanju speedily
stood. “What an insult! We are born again Christians and my husband can never
do such an ungodly act to Sade. My daughter was a virgin!”
“Then tell us how
you truly treated your daughter before she was killed!” Tiwa quickly said. She
didn’t want Genevieve to let the cat out of the bag that she was no virgin.
“We didn’t maltreat
her!”
“Then how did she
get those scars on her body? You are her parents and I believe you know about
them. Our ‘competent’ examiner told us she was a victim of child abuse! Yes or
no?”
The couple's face
fell. Mrs. Akanju gently pulled her husband on the seat as she sat. She faced
him.
“We have to tell
them. There is nothing to be ashamed of anymore.”
He viewed her sad
face and glanced at the detectives. He hurled a loud sigh. “My wife and I used
to be very poor. We couldn’t even afford a meal. Things were extremely bad. Some
years ago, I contacted an aunt of mine who told us to send Sade to her. She
promised she would send her to school and take good care of her. We did and we
trusted her.” This time tears puffed out from his eyeballs. “We didn’t know. We
didn’t know she did the opposite. My daughter was treated as a slave. She
wasn’t sent to school but hawked oranges and whenever she did not sell
everything, my aunt would strip her naked and flog her mercilessly. That was
how she got the scars. When we knew, we took her away. I didn’t care if we
couldn’t give her the best but we cared for her with the little we had. My wife
persuaded me to change our church but it didn’t get better. When things became
extremely rough,” he swallowed. “I nearly committed suicide. It was a miracle
that day because when I wanted to hang myself, my pastor came in and stopped
it. That day, he changed my life and that of my family. He gave me a car and a
job, opened a lucrative business for my wife and offered to pay the fees of
Sade’s education. Ever since that day, we never suffered.”
Mrs. Akanju burst
into tears and held him tight. He wiped his face and put his wife’s head on his
shoulder as she wept. Tiwa and Genevieve were speechless and emotions surged
into them. They felt weak in their bones.
“How could I
sexually abuse my daughter when I wanted the best for her?” Mr. Akanju
questioned as he patted his wife’s back.
“Why do you keep the
numbers of your daughter’s friends?” Genevieve asked.
“Their parents are
my friends too. Most of them attend the same church with me. I always call them
whenever my daughter goes to their houses. Is that a problem? You can ask any
of Sade friends.”
“Who was with Sade
when she left the house?” Tiwa questioned them.
“Me.” Mrs. Akanju
replied after she released herself from her husband hold. She cleaned her
watery face. “Why did you ask?”
“Where was your
husband?”
He shrugged.
“He went out.” She
answered.
Tiwa stared into his
eyes. “Where did you go to sir?”
“Why such a
question?” He inquired.
“Were you not at the
office?” His wife asked him.
“No.”
“Then where were
you?”
“I went out for an
official assignment.”
“Oh, okay.” She rose
and asked to use the bathroom.
Genevieve gave her
directions and as she left the office, she looked at Mr. Akanju. “We will the
need names of people you were with.”
He removed his eyes
from their direction. “I lied. I didn’t go on an official assignment. I was in
a hotel to meet a woman.”
They looked at him with
disgust.
“We will need the
contact of the woman now to confirm your alibi.” Tiwa said.
He gazed at her.
“She didn’t show up. I have no alibi.”
“What about the
receptionist at the hotel?”
“I don’t think she
saw me or would be able to recognize me when I left. I booked the room online.
All you have to do is go to the room number, the key is there waiting for you.”
“When did you return
home?”
“By 8pm. I thought
my guest would come but she never did.”
“How did you find
out Sade was missing?"
“My wife started to
call me by 6pm but I didn’t pick up. I thought she wanted to ask where I was.
When my guest didn’t show up, I called my wife around after seven and that was
when she told me Sade did not return home.”
Mrs. Akanju entered
but didn’t sit. “Are you through with the questions?”
“Yes but one more
question before both of you leave here, who is Abraham?”
The couple exchanged
glances before Mr. Akanju rose up and spoke. “If Abraham knew anything about
it, he would have said something. Please, leave the poor boy out of this murder
investigation. Thank you. Can we go now?”
“Yes.” Tiwa replied.
“We will keep in touch.” They left.
“He is cheating on
his wife.” Genevieve said. “I thought he was born again?”
“You can imagine. He
does not even have an alibi. Even if the receptionist can identify him, he
still looks like a suspect to me because he was alone in the room and he could
have left and return to the hotel anytime without anyone noticing.”
“We should keep an
eye on him. It seemed you didn’t want them to know their daughter was not a virgin.”
“Don’t you think she
will be disappointed if we told her? Instead of her to mourn, she would be
asking herself what she did wrong to train Sade. She trusted her daughter but
Sade broke that trust.”
“I feel for that
woman. She should be in her late forties. I hope she would be able to get
pregnant again.”
“I hope so.”
Genevieve glanced at
the wall clock. “It’s eleven forty two pm. We have to go to the school now. The
time for their lunch period is close.”
“By twelve, right?”
“Yes.”
“Okay but one more
thing, the killer definitely dumbed Sade’s body in that place at night. That
corn woman must have seen something. She said I should leave her alone with her
children. Could it be the killer saw her and threatened to harm her family if
she said anything?”
“We really don’t
know until we talk to her again.”
“And if we do, I
will do anything to make her talk even if I have to break her legs.”
Genevieve laughed
and said, “Remember she has children to take care of.”
The partners arrived
at the secondary school at eleven fifty eight pm. Genevieve called the teacher on
the phone and she met them standing close to the security spot. She came along
with her daughter.
“Is it true my
friend is dead?” The young girl asked.
“It’s true.” Tiwa
replied.
“My name is Joy and
my mother said you wanted to ask me personal questions about Sade.”
“Yes.”
“I do visit her at
home once in a while. We mostly talk about school, books and our favorite
movies. Sade never told me if she was going through anything.”
“What about her
parents, did she ever complain about them?”
“No but she always
talked about her mom. She loved that woman so much. She said she if she ever
make it in life, she would take her mother to any country she wants.”
“What about her
dad?” Genevieve asked.
“She does not talk
about him but she complained he was strict.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Can
I collect your number from my mom in case I want to ask if you have caught her
killer?”
“Of course you can,
you can call me anytime.”
“Thank you ma.”
As mother and
daughter stepped away, Genevieve caught a glimpse of Abraham as he approached a
kiosk. She called out his name and he turned to her. He halted and surveyed his
surrounding before he moved towards them with an unhappy face.
“How are you
Abraham?” She asked.
He frowned. “My best
friend is dead, I am not fine.”
“We are sorry for
your loss.”
“What do you want?”
“First of all, where
were you the day Sade died?”
He looked at them
with a surprised expression. “With due respect, don’t ever look at me as a
suspect, I loved Sade, she was like a sister…” He paused and said, “Shouldn’t
you be asking me questions with my parents present? I know my right, and if you
don’t leave, I will go straight to my principal’s office to report I am being
harassed by you detectives. Leave me alone and do your job, find Sade crazy
killer!” he turned away from them and began to stroll.
“If you truly loved
her like you said, you would tell us what you know about her murder!” Tiwa
uttered.
He stopped walking
but did not look back.
Tiwa and Genevieve
waited for a response but they were disappointed when he started to walk far
away from them. They left the school, went for lunch and later drove back to GT
Bureau.
***
Mrs. Akanju entered
into her daughter's room after her visitors had left. She had closed her shop
and given her sales girl two weeks off. She inhaled as she looked at Sade’s
photograph on the wall. She sauntered closed to it and pointed at it.
“Sade you promised
me. You promised you would do a lot for me when you become an adult. Is this
the promise? I told you several times how difficult it was for me to have
another child. I can’t forget what you told me the last time I talked about it
again. You said what five children would do for me you would do them for me.”
She erupted into tears, took the photograph and held it close to her chest. She
sat on the bed as tears dripped from her eyes. “Sade, Sade, ah! You have broken
my heart.”
***
A student and her
mother came into the bureau. Tiwa and Genevieve questioned her in the
interrogation room but the girl didn’t have the kind of answers they were
looking for. On their way out, the second and third friends of Sade came with
their parents. After they questioned them together, they got nothing.
A classmate of Sade
arrived. She was a pretty girl with a nice smile. She and her dad gestured
towards the detectives and they led them inside. She sat. The stern looking man
chose to stay on his feet and stand at the left side of his daughter. He
introduced himself.
“If I find your
questions odd, I will walk out with her.” He said, looking at Tiwa. “Agreed?”
She responded with a
nod. Genevieve and Tiwa sat down.
“My daughter is the
brightest in her class and the third best in the school. Don’t beat around the
bush; kindly go straight with your questions."
“Dad,” she said with
her tiny voice. “It is okay.”
He didn’t say a word.
Tiwa smiled at her
and she smiled back. “What’s your name?”
“Mercy.”
“Mercy, were you
very close to Sade?”
“Yes. My dad told me
about her death last night. Is it really true?"
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
“Oh God. Sade was
quiet but also free whenever we were together. She sang for us anytime I and
our other friends visit her at home."
“Did she ever tell you if she was going through something that made her sad or scared?”
“Did she ever tell you if she was going through something that made her sad or scared?”
Mercy turned her
face to her left side. “Dad, can I talk to them privately?”
“Why?”
Genevieve quickly said
to him. “Please, Mr. Mezie, I think she is more comfortable talking only to my
partner and I. Can you give us few minutes alone with her?”
He didn’t answer but
jagged a finger at Mercy’s face. She
bowed down her head. “I hope you don’t say what will put you in trouble! I will
be waiting outside.” He stormed out of the room.
Tiwa put her hand on
Mercy’s left hand. “You will not be in trouble no matter what you say.”
She raised her head.
“A month ago, Sade asked me if I knew what postinor was used for.”
“Postinor2?”
She nodded. “I told
her I didn’t know but I did. When I asked why she asked such a question, she
said I shouldn’t worry.”
The partner
exchanged glances. Genevieve asked Mercy. “Could she have been pregnant and
tried to get rid of it?”
“I asked her if she
was pregnant but she only smiled and said she would be fine. Last week Monday
at school, I was at the cafeteria, I saw her talking to herself while eating. When
I got close to her, I heard her say ‘my dad is the cause of everything’. I pretended
as if I didn’t hear and immediately I asked her what she said, she said
nothing.”
“My dad is the cause
of everything?”
“Yes.”
“You are sure you
heard her say that.”
“I know what I heard
and that is exactly what she said.”
“Do you know
Abraham?” Genevieve asked her.
She smiled. “Yes, he
was Sade’s best friend before she died. He is my senior in school.”
“Do you know if they
quarreled recently?”
“No but I saw her
snub him at the assembly day before yesterday. She was very upset when she saw
him approach her with a handshake. On a normal day, it would be a hug.”
“Did you ask her
why?”
“No. I know she
wouldn’t tell me.”
“Were they dating
secretly?”
“I don’t think so.
Girls have a crush on Abraham and few of them are my friends. They told me to
ask Sade if she was his girlfriend but she said no. She told me he was like an
elder brother to her. She didn’t hide her feelings that she liked him a lot but
as a sibling. Abraham is a cool and friendly boy. I think everybody likes him.”
“No girl has claimed
to be his girlfriend in school?”
Mercy shook her head
and stopped instantly. “There is a particular girl in his class that claimed to
be his girlfriend. Well, the truth came out later that she was lying. She is
not even a bright student, always forming a big girl. We attend the same church
too. She never liked Sade. Maybe you should talk to her.”
Tiwa asked, “What’s
her name?”
“Justine. I remember
she once threatened Sade after church service few weeks ago but Sade didn’t
take it seriously.”
“Over what?”
“Over Abraham! After
we closed from church, Sade, two other girls and I went to buy ice cream. She
came to warn Sade to give Abraham breathing space otherwise, she would break
her head.”
“She said that
because of a boy?”
“Yes.” She sighed.
“Please whenever you talk to her, don’t tell her I was the one that told you
about the threat. I don’t want her trouble.”
“We will not reveal
our source when we question her about it.” Tiwa said.
“Thank you.” Mercy
said and leaned forward to the desk. She whispered to Genevieve and Tiwa. “I do
not know if it is true, I heard a rumor in my school that Justine’s elder
brother is a cultist.”
The partner seemed surprised.
“Can you tell us who
you heard the rumor from?”
“A senior that
wanted me to be his girlfriend but I refused. I think he is close to Justine, I
do see them together after school. His name is Zach.”
“Really?”
“Yes. A church
member once accused her brother of attempted rape but the police dismissed the
case. There was no evidence to prove she was saying the truth. She had to
apologize to him and the church for fabricating the story but she told her
younger brother that he really tried to rape her. Her brother is my senior at
school."
“Do you know how she
was able to escape from him?” Genevieve asked.
“She said his sister
came home and heard her screaming. When our pastor asked Justine about it, she
said it was a big lie. I know Justine is lying. She is always lying about one
thing or the other at school.”
“We definitely have
to talk to Justine and her brother.” She said to Tiwa.
Tiwa spoke. “We will
need permission from the parents of Justine to question her. The brother should
be an adult.”
“Yes, he is. He is
studying at the university.” Mercy’s eyes fell on Tiwa’s gold Wristwatch.
“Please, what’s the time?”
She checked it and
replied. “It’s 3:35pm.
“You can question
him if you get there on time. He should be at the church now, he must be there
practicing.”
“Practicing what?”
“Music,” Mercy
answered. “Justine’s brother is our church choirmaster.”
The last statement she made left Tiwa and Genevieve speechless.
****
To be continued.....
****
To be continued.....
Quite intriguing. Thanks Ck.
ReplyDeleteThank you too.
DeleteThank you too.
DeleteGreat addition to the series and nicely done indeed. The characters simply leap out at you and are very memorable. Warm greetings and thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you Blogoratti.
DeleteWow! What an intriguing episode. Keep it up.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteCan't wait for the next episode, well done Carina.
ReplyDeleteThanks
DeleteBut why do I suspect Sade:s father with this twist of rape? Perhaps she was raped by her dad and she confided in Abraham.......With Carina anything is possible. Abeg let me suspect him joor until proven wrong.
ReplyDeleteLol
DeleteAnd yet again the Pastor and Choirmaster. I trust neither of them.
ReplyDeleteWhaaat????
ReplyDeleteOkay the suspects are on the increase now. Madame suspense is at it again o! I love this episode, can't wait for the next.
Thumbs up dear!!!
Thanks love
DeleteHello Carina,
ReplyDeleteI noticed you haven't posted in over a week, which is so unlike you... Hope all is well?
Please don't leave us hanging. We appreciate your work.
Cheers ♥
Sorry
Delete💕💞💕
Hello Carina,
ReplyDeleteI noticed you haven't posted in over a week, which is so unlike you... Hope all is well?
Please don't leave us hanging. We appreciate your work.
Cheers ♥
Queen of suspense, I hail ooh. Choir master, Abraham..and the father..
ReplyDelete