The link to
the previous episode is here
*****
Tiwa
received a massive applause as she entered into the BIA. Most of the investigators
working on their desks stood and clapped their hands. They praised her for what
she did and her father watched and beamed in happiness. He was a bit worried
about Tiwa’s comeback and the same time proud to have her as his beloved
daughter, his only child.
She thanked them,
departed to her desk and checked the files she saw on it. A male agent was
glaring at her scornfully. She took notice of it but that did not bother her.
She was used to it and even appreciated his glare; at least she gave him a
scratch to remember.
Mr. Bankole
buzzed the intercom and requested to see his daughter. Tiwa went to meet him in
his large and gracefully organized office and sat down.
“It seems
nothing makes you apprehensive anymore.” He said to her. “Are you not bothered?”
She raised
an eyebrow and placed her right hand on his table. “I have to understand your
question before I can give you an answer.”
“I saw the
way agent Chigozie was looking at you. I am no more comfortable, I am thinking
of dismissing him.”
“What!”
"He might
hurt you.”
“And you
think he wouldn’t do that when you sack him?”
“I might
refer him to another agency.”
“I think he
loves it here. If he wanted to get back at me for his foolishness,” Tiwa said.
“He would have done that a long time ago. Yes, he still bears grudges against
me but it is not my fault.”
“You almost
blinded him!” Mr. Bankole uttered and rested his back on the chair.
Tiwa stood
up. “I did not! It was just a little scar beside his left eye. It didn’t even
bring out blood.”
He shook his
head. “Look at what you are saying. If that didn’t happen five months ago, you
would not have bought your car. You kept telling me, you prefer to walk, that
driving makes you lazy and walking will help you sweat and shed off some fat.
If that was what you really wanted, why did you always agree to enter agent
Chigozie’s car.”
“He wanted
to help and if I had refused, I would’ve appeared disrespectful. It was a lift
and nothing else.”
“It was not
once it happened.”
“If I had
known he wanted to use that opportunity to get close to me and ask me out I
would have avoided him like an incurable disease.”
“And because
of that you slapped him in front of your colleagues at the cafeteria!”
Her eyes
turned angry. She rose rapidly on her feet. “He hit me on my buttocks! How could
I have overlooked such a childish and ridiculous gesture from a grown man old
enough to be my uncle and father?!”
Mr. Bankole
chuckled and shook his head. “Don’t be ridiculous Tiwa! He’s only forty years
old. He is divorced with a kid.”
“I am not
interested.”
“I never
said you were. You have to be careful around him.”
“This is
what I don’t like.” She said with a frown on her face and sat again. “Why
should I be the only one to be careful around him? Is it because I am a woman?
He should also be careful around me. We are equal. Have you not heard about
equality?”
He pointed
at her and lowered his voice. “Don’t make this about me. I treat your mother
with love and care.”
Tiwa knew her father had so much love for
three things, which were his family, agency and money. She sighed. “You love
her but you treat her…”
“I will not
have this conversation here in my office or at home.” He cut her short. “If you
believe no harm will come to you then agent Chigozie stays.”
“Better.”
she said, stood and walked to the door.
*****
“Hahahahaha!”
Adebiyi laughed aloud and drank from his whiskey. A light skinned and
attractive woman with thick purple lipstick sat beside him. She was laughing too
and eating peppered fried meat with a glass of Andre. Mr. Popoola sat opposite
them drinking orange juice. They were chatting about the twitter war about
Nigerian vs. Kenyans. “I love my country. No matter the situation and economy
crisis we always try to make ourselves happy.”
“I agree
with you dear.” Bianca said to him.
She was his current
girlfriend. Their relationship was two months and two weeks old. He planned to
end it the day it reached the third month. He was already getting tired of her.
When he informed Mr. Popoola about it, he was in support. He gave his reasons
for agreeing to the first time Adebiyi was eager to call off an affair. Bianca was very lazy and rude.
In the past
affairs, Mr. Popoola would beg his boss to stay in a long-term relationship
but Adebiyi always refused. No woman was worth his heart, money and body forever.
“Are you
still going to help Madam Cecelia?” He asked.
“Did she
call you again?” Adebiyi asked surprised.
“She sent a
text message to me this morning.”
“That woman
can never give up. I won’t give her a dime! I gave her some amount of money
because of her business only for me to find out she has a husband.”
“Maybe her
husband is not capable to taking care of his home.”
“You won’t
understand babe. I helped her because she said she was a widow.”
She burst
out laughing. “The mind of a poverty stricken Chicken! She must be very dull
for doing that.”
He made eye
contact with his manager and spoke to her. “Have you decided the country we are
going to next week?” He changed the subject.
Bianca face
brightened and she stroked his lap. “I want us to go to New York. I have never
visited there.”
Adebiyi
leaned close to her. “Well, you will be visiting there soon.”
She moved
closer and kissed him on his lips. “Thank you so much honey. I know we are
going to have a lot of fun!” She took the last meat on her plate and ate. “This
is really tasty. Mr. Popoola, I think you should inform the chef to get me
more.”
Adebiyi
quickly winked at him to do as she says. If not, Mr. Popoola would have left to
his room, shut the door and slept.
*****
Tiwatope was
in the kitchen cooking when her mother walked inside and stood
beside her, she said. “I don’t want you to ever try to lecture your father
about how to treat me. Am I complaining?”
“You are not
a dice someone can toss around. You are his partner, wife and mother of his
children.”
“You think
he does not know that?”
“Then why
did he force you to quit your job, become a housewife and his errand woman?”
“Watch your
mouth. I am your mother….”
“You think I don’t know that.” Tiwa said, left what she was
doing and faced her mom. “You are my dearest mother and I respect and love you.
I saw the sadness in your eyes when father commanded you to resign and take
care of the family. You did, and I will give you a hundred percent for a job well done. You took
care of my brother and me, guiding us to be who we are today. It hurts that Temidayo
is not here but I am certain he misses you every day and proud to come out from
your womb. Do you know he released a new love song?”
“No. Is it
interesting?”
“Of course.”
She said and smiled. “I listened to it online today. I will download it this
night and play you the song.”
Mrs. Bankole
grinned. A blind man could see she was very happy.
“You should
ask me the name of the song.” Tiwa said to her.
“Please tell
me my wonderful daughter.”
“Sade.”
Her eyes
were surprised and excited. “He used my name!”
“Yes mom,”
She said. “I know you are not happy that he is far away from you but always
remember, your son remembers and loves you.”
“Thank you
Tiwa!” She said and hugged her. “On my next birthday both of us are going to
visit Egypt together. I have always dreamt of seeing that country.”
“Egypt?”
“Yes.” Mrs.
Bankole answered.
“Won’t you
go with your one and only sweetie pie?” She asked in a joked tone.
She tapped
her on the arm and giggled. “I want to go with my best friend.”
****
Mr. Popoola
knocked heavily on his boss’s room door at 12 midnight. Adebiyi and Bianca woke
up instantly. They needed enough rest after a rough sex night. She was scared and
told him not to go. He assured her everything was fine, and left the bed. He was
stark naked, walked to the door and opened it.
“What is it?”
Adebiyi asked. The look on his manager’s face revealed it. “Don’t tell me
another woman is dead.”
“I’m sorry
to say this, another woman has been murdered.”
“Damn it!”
“Honey,”
Bianca said. “What’s going on?”
He didn’t answer
her, rushed inside to get his robe to wear, told her to go back and sleep. He
left with Mr. Popoola to his main living room to watch the breaking news on
television. The male newscaster informed the viewers that a woman was brutally killed
exactly like the first and second murder. He advised women never to walk alone
in a deserted place or empty road during the night until the culprit was caught. The body was transported to
a medical examiner for further details.
Adebiyi took
the remote from the center glass table, and switched off the television. He
moved to his bar and filled the tumbler he collected with whiskey. He took a swallow
and paced around.
“What you
are doing won’t solve anything.” Mr. Popoola said. “And I hope you are not
blaming yourself for this.”
“Leave me
alone and let me think!”
He shut up
his mouth.
He added. “I
can’t believe the police are not doing anything to catch the sick person
killing these women. It must be the same person doing this total nonsense! He
is murdering these women the same way. I have told myself that if this happens
again, I will have to do something about it. I have to stop it!”
“You are no
longer a detective. You don’t have the power to investigate this case.”
“I know.”
“You have
contacts. You can inform a reliable bureau or agency to look into the case.”
Adebiyi
halted and faced Popoola. “You think I don’t know?” He sighed tiredly. “I want
this to end. Nobody has the right to take a human soul.”
“Why don’t you
tell your friend that is a director at the NIB?” He asked. “I heard his wife is
a fantastic detective.”
“Genevieve
Cole. She’s very good but I cannot risk the life of Quincy Harvey’s wife into
the hands of a deadly killer. Genevieve is even unavailable to investigate the
case. She’s expecting her first child.”
“So what do
you want to do?”
He sipped
his drink and gave an answer. “I know the medical examiner in charge of this
case. I will see him personally about the victims. After that, the case will be
investigated in secrecy.”
“By who?”
Popoola asked.
He smiled. “I
don’t need to tell you now but I know the rightful person for this deadly case.
Goodnight!”
****
Four days
later, On a Saturday afternoon, Tiwa and her parents were in the dinning eating lunch.
It was a quiet one until Mr. Bankole’s phone rang. He checked the caller
identity, abandoned his food and walked away to speak in privacy.
“This is the
third call dad is receiving behind closed doors today.” Tiwa said to her mum. “I
wonder who he is speaking with. Do you have any idea?”
“No. It should
be related to work.”
“And I am
not involved? Are you trying to cover up for him?”
“What do you
mean by that?” Mrs. Bankole asked in a angered tone. “I don’t like where this
is leading to. I think you should mind your business.”
She chuckled
and continued to eat. Her father joined them without saying anything. The
moment he finished his meal, and stood to leave for his room, he spoke to Tiwa.
“See me in my bedroom. We need to talk.”
“Okay dad.”
After Tiwa
helped her mum wash the dishes, she went to meet her father. He sauntered to
his wardrobe to get a file and gave it to her. “Read it. I received the
file yesterday.”
She didn’t
read up to the middle when she widened her eyes, opened her mouth and gazed at
him. “I can’t believe this. I heard about the murder that happened few days ago
in Abuja. I can’t believe no one has been able to solve it and catch the
murderer. Three women murdered the same way… oh my God! They were raped and
their hearts ripped out from them.”
“It’s unbelievable."
"This is not just the strange handwork of a killer. This is a serial murderer.”
"This is not just the strange handwork of a killer. This is a serial murderer.”
“That is
exactly what the person that sent this file believes. He has been calling me
concerning the case. He wants an investigator that can solve this case.”
“Who will be
in charge of it?” She asked and went back to read the report.
Mr. Bankole
did not say anything. He simply showed her his bank alert on his phone, the amount
of money sent into his account.
Her jaw
dropped. “2.5 million naira?! Who does that? That person is really eager to get
the sick animal doing this insane act!”
“Five
million naira is the actual amount. This is the first payment.”
“Five million
naira?” Tiwa asked puzzled.
“It is also
to convince you to take the case. I will give you your share of the money after
everything is over.”
“No one
needs to offer me a huge amount of money to investigate a murder case. I am
ready to take the case. A dangerous lunatic is walking in the streets of Abuja, violating the
bodies of innocent women. I will do everything I can to solve the case and
catch the serial bastard dead or alive. All I need is a place to stay, speak
with the examiner of the case and discuss with the families of the victims to
get informations that can help. I don’t want another woman murdered.”
“Are you
sure you want the case?”
She rose. “Yes!
By the way, who is this kind hearted person that wants me on the case?”
He sighed
and looked another way. “Adebiyi Gold.”
Tiwa gazed
at him stunned. “Son of a bloody nincompoop! Is Adebiyi Goat mad?”
“Tiwa!! Stop
the insults and listen to me!!”
“I will not!
Who does he think he is? The last seminar I attended, he sent one of his
messengers to gift all the speakers iPhones with their names engraved on them. The nitwit purposely omitted me! Someone said I might be his bitter ex-girlfriend.
Can you imagine?! He humiliated me without showing his dirty looking face!!”
“Please,
this happened two months ago. Forgive and forget.”
“No way! I
will advise you to return his blood money. How could a detective resign and
leave the country for some years, only to come back a multi-millionaire. No one
knows where he got the money from but I know it is not clean. He is either into
dubious deals or a drug dealer!”
“You don’t have
proof about that and Adebiyi Gold helps people.”
“That is to
cover up his suspicious acts.”
“Please take
the case.” Mr. Bankole begged.
She looked
at her father and was disappointed. She began to have a rethink that money
could be her father’s first love. “Never!” Tiwa stormed out of his room with resentment
filled inside her.
He knew it
was going to be very difficult to convince his daughter.
****
“I don’t want
to believe what you are telling me is true?” Mr. Popoola asked Adebiyi Gold in
his office at home.
“It’s true.”
“Why do you
want to risk the life of Tiwa Banks?”
“All I want
is to solve the case.”
“And teach
her a lesson!” Popoola said in a concerned tone. “Don’t do this. Don’t bring
her into this case. I know she might be willing to take the risk but don’t.”
“I am sure
her father is already discussing it with her. I am sure the money will make her
say yes.”
“This is not
right. Don’t risk the life of this woman because of your selfish desire to hurt
her. I thought you would get a male investigator on it. Can I change your mind?”
“No! I don’t
wish her death but a little pain.”
“In the
future, you will remember what I am about to tell you,” Popoola said and got
up. “You will regret it!” He walked to the door.
“You won’t
join me and celebrate?” Adebiyi asked and smiled widely. “Bianca is out of my
life!!”
“But you
still gave her a huge amount for her travelling.”
“Of course.
It’s a breakup gift. I can’t believe she cried when I broke up with her
yesterday. She told me she loved me. That’s gross!” He started to laugh again
and it infuriated his longtime friend.
****
“I can’t
believe father sent you to persuade me to accept the case.” Tiwa said to her
mother. They were in the living room.
“I know you don’t
like Adebiyi Gold but…”
“I hate him!”
“You can’t hate
him. It’s a sin to hate your fellow human being. You are not going to take this
case because of him but to help those women that were murdered. Do you know how
many people will be grateful when you catch the madman that killed those women?”
“You really
think I can do it.”
She carried
her hands and patted them. “Yes. I believe in you. I want you to do this and
make me a proud mother. You never can tell, Mr. Gold might think you won’t be
able to crack the case. I want you to prove him wrong that you are capable. Challenge him.”
Tiwa stood
up.
“Where are
you going to?” Mrs. Bankole asked.
“To meet father
and tell him I have accepted.”
She gave a
broad smile, rose and embraced her. Tiwa went to inform her dad.
“That’s good
news.” He said.
“But I don’t
want the money and Adebiyi Goat must not know about it.”
“Consider it
done.”
“You will
give me all the necessary details and the contacts of those I will speak with.
I also want you to make arrangements in the hotel I will live in Abuja.”
“Your accommodation
is arranged. You will live in Adebiyi Gold’s residence.”
“Blood of holy Moses! You mean I will
live with him?” She asked shocked.
“Yes.”
“This man
believes he can get away with anything.” Tiwa said. “I will live with him and
use that opportunity to investigate how he became rich overnight.”
“I want you
to be careful.” He said.
“You didn’t think
about that when you collected his money. When do I leave?”
“Tonight.”
“Tonight?”
She asked and shook her head. “I.. I … I really don’t know what to say. It
seems you have booked my flight.”
“You don’t need
that,” He said. “He sent his private jet. He’s pilot is waiting for you at the
airport.”
She didn’t act
surprised. “Bigheaded punk!”
*****
Adebiyi
called Mr. Popoola into his office and stated Mr. Bankole had called to inform
his daughter agreed.
“She’s
really coming?” He asked to be sure of what he heard.
“Yes my
friend. I can’t wait to receive her into my home. It’s going to be a cat and
mouse game.”
“Don’t get too
deep into this game. It might cost you a lot.”
Mr. Gold
hissed. “If it is my gold accessories that would cost me, I will
buy more!”
Popoola
simply walked away. He wanted to avoid the words that would come out from his mouth. If he
had spoken, he was sure Adebiyi Gold would put a blow on his face. He went
outside to survey the surrounding. A woman was coming to live with them and it
might take weeks or even months. He had never seen Tiwa Banks except on
newspapers but he knew she was someone he would like, an interesting personality.
*****
To be
continued….
There will be fire on the mountain. Tiwa and Adebiyi to live under the same roof will be a house of commotion. I can't wait for the next episode and see what happens next. I hope nothing bad will happen with this sick serial killer killing women.
ReplyDeleteThank God your blog is back on. i was worried o!
ReplyDeleteWow!They will have to live together to solve the case. It will not be easy. Adebiyi will want to control Tiwa and she won;t allow it.
Why do i think Adebiyi himself or his thug is the serial killer? I hope he is not a bloody ritualist? Waiting to see how it goes. Good job already Carina.
ReplyDeleteI think Mr popoola is the serial killer
ReplyDeleteOh wow! I can just imagine what the episodes ahead will be like.
ReplyDeleteTwo sworn enemies under one roof
Hahahaha!
Chill back and watch how it unfolds.
Awesome
ReplyDelete