Inseparable – Chapter Twenty Seven

 

“Good morning Inspector Helen” Bode curtsied as he walked into her office.

 

“Good morning Uche, you’re looking refreshed this morning” she smiled replied and complimented. “I can see that the weekend has done a lot of good to you”

 

“Yes, thank you” he replied, smiling back as he sat down.

 

“Good, so what’s up this morning?”

 

“Nothing much, I just had to come around after hoping for sometime that you’ll send for me and you didn’t”

 

“Oh! Send for you?” She chuckled as she opened up her laptop. “Yea, I was going to do that, it wasn’t just time yet”

 

“Uhm” he smiled briefly, “I was just thinking that we need to do everything quick. I was expecting that you’ll call me to organize and take Kelvin and Amarachi for the fingerprints test”

 

“Oh! That?” She paused and rested her head on her hand like someone who had just remembered something. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, I’ll already sent Tom to take them there on Friday”

 

“You what?” He asked, unhappy with the news. “How can you do that?”

 

“What? How can I do what?” She took her gaze away from the laptop to him.

 

“I mean Tom doesn’t know anything about the case, I could have handled it better”

 

“I explained to him all he needed to know already” she replied him, putting her focus back on the laptop.

 

“But you should have told me?”

 

“Sorry, it skipped my mind. I only wanted to make things easy for you, I noticed you were stressed out last week”

 

“I could have still done it if you asked me to”

 

“Yea, I know you would have but I wanted you to go home and rest because we’ll have to do more work this week”

 

“Oh! I see” He replied smiling, trying to cover up the disappointment with the smile.

 

“Yep, so as you already know, it’s takes about forty eight to seventy hours for us to get the result, so we should be expecting it anytime soon”

 

“Oh yea, good. I’ll want us to get the report quickly so we can know the right thing to do”

 

“Yes, that’s why I didn’t wait till today to take them for the test”

 

“Okay, but I think we should not just wait and do nothing while we wait for the result, we need to interrogate Ini too”

 

“Yes, we’ll do that but I think we need to be patient a little till the test result comes out, I don’t want us to embarrass any innocent one”

 

“Okay, lets wait then” he saluted and took his leave.

 

Helen focused on her laptop work as he left, she was trying to connect her modem to the system when her WhatsApp chat message popped up on her phone’s screen.

 

The phone was just beside the laptop so she could see clearly who the message sender was. She wasn’t used to replying messages when she was in the office, but the message was from Bode so she couldn’t ignore it.

 

All through the weekend, they had chatted several times. Helen who wasn’t used to chatting on online forums hesitated at first when Bode sent the first chat message to her that Friday night. His first message was about the case which she thought was annoying as he was asking her questions when she was supposed to be resting. But after struggling for sometime to reply his messages, she became more relaxed when he made a compliment about her display picture and started a less formal discussion.

 

“Wow , I never knew a female police officer can look so hot like you are in your dp” he had sent.

 

She viewed the message and read it without replying, but he sent another.

 

“I thought I would see a dp where you would be in your normal top and Jean or your uniform with guns on your hand”

 

“Kk” she replied, thinking it would end the conversation but he continued.

 

“You know I’m just thinking about the popular saying- dress the way you want to be addressed- and I see a lot of sense in it now”

 

“Hmm, could you explain further?” She replied starting to enjoy the chat.

 

“You know, I didn’t really use to see you as a Lady because you always dress like a man”

 

“Oh really?”

 

“Yea, but your Dp shows a different side of you, you’re not with your usual boring shirt, trouser, sneakers or flat shoes but you’re on a mini gown and you even applied make ups”

 

“Yea, I dress like that sometimes when I’m going for occasions but I never dress like that when I’m on duty or at work or do you think that kind of outfit would allow me to pursue after a criminal?”

 

“Oh no, it won’t. I understand now :) ” he replied and added an emoticon.

 

“Yea, the only time I dress like that is when I’m working as an undercover”

 

“Okay, well you look really beautiful”

 

They chatted more for a long time that day, talking more on personal issues as she related with him like a friend and not a police officer. They also talked about the deceased Frank and his friendship with Kelvin and Bode. The next day, Helen was the first to send him a message.

 

She finally picked up the phone and opened the pop up message fully.

 

“Good morning, how was your night?”

 

“Fine, yours?” She replied

 

“It was okay. So how are you doing this morning and how far have you gone with the fingerprints test”

 

“Good, we are on it”

 

“Okay, please tell me the result as soon as it is out”

 

“No, I won’t”

 

“Why?”

 

“I think I’m beginning to tell you too much. I don’t know how you even got the info about the fingerprint from me”

 

“C’mon”

 

“Don’t bother, we’ll do our job and make sure the right person is punished”

 

“Okay, but I’m sure that the result would prove that neither Kelvin nor Amarachi used the knife” he replied hopefully.

 

“Let’s wait and see but even if it does. It doesn’t still prove their innocence, they are still the major suspects”

 

“Hmmm”

 

“Yea, just pray that we get better proof of their innocence. I have to get back to work now. We’ll talk later”

 

“Okay, but please don’t forget about the number, Nike Adejumo’s number”

 

She read the message and dropped the phone without replying. She continued with her connection of the modem. After successfully connecting, she opened her email.

 

She opened the message from the IT department and read.

 

• Forwarded Reply from ZTN Customer Care service

 

0-7-0-3-8-8-9-2-8-9-9

Customer’s Name: Sandra Benjamin

Date of birth: 29/09/1889

 

Occupation: Secretary

Home Address: 4/6 Dosa Street, Etyle

Place of work: Devi International

 

— Photograph attached —                             “

 

 

 

 

She copied the details on her jotter carefully before reading other mails. She closed the laptop when she was done and stood up to stretch herself.

 

 

 

 

************

 

 

 

 

At about 3pm on the same day, Dele arrived the investigation departmental block with the result of the test. He met Helen in her office.

 

“Good morning ma”

 

“Good morning Dele, please have your seat. I’ve been expecting you”

 

“Yes, thank you”

 

“Yea, you are welcome. Let me call Uche to join us” she dialed Uche’s number and summoned him to her office.

“Please let’s wait for him” she said to Dele and smiled.

 

In less than two minutes, Uche was in the office. He was sweating and looked anxious to hear the results. After exchange of formalities, Dele announced the result.

 

“The fingerprints of the two culprits taken did not match with the one on the knife” He announced and looked at the inspectors who seemed weakened by the news. “It means that they weren’t the one who used the knife”

 

“Wow” Uche was the first to talk after the brief silence. “So we’ve been punishing the innocent”

 

“No, we can’t declare that they are innocent yet” Helen stated, which made them look at her. “They could have used an hand glove to carry out the act”

 

“No, an hand glove wasn’t used. There are fingerprints on the knife’s handle, so an hand glove was not used” Dele quickly dismissed Helen’s suggestion.

 

“Hmmm” she sighed, “that means we still have some people’s fingerprints to take”

 

“Yes” Uche joined, “we’ll need to test Ini too”

 

“Yeah, and it might be necessary to take Bola’s fingerprints too, she was at Ini’s house that day” she added. ” I received a call some minutes ago that she is conscious now although the doctor said her condition is still bad”

 

“That means we’ll have to visit the hospital too”

 

“Yeah, we’ll go there immediately just after you order some guys to get Amarachi’s friend, Ini”

 

“Huh huh” Dele cleared his throat.

 

• I think you guys have to excuse me, I’ve got some other things to attend to ” he said and got up from his seat.

 

“No Dele, I think you have to get to the hospital with us first” she stopped him. “Or are you going for something very urgent?”

 

“No its not really urgent

 

“Okay, we need you to take the fingerprint of the person we are going to meet there”

 

“Okay, but I think you can get someone to take it there for you. I believe they should have the necessary equipment

 

“Yes, even if someone else would take it, it has to be with your supervision, you’re our agent here”

 

“Alright then”

 

 

 

 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

*** 1 hour later in the hospital ***

 

“So Doctor, you mean there’s nothing you can do to save her?” Helen questioned.

 

“We are trying our best, but the truth is she has very less chance of surviving and even if she does, she would remain mentally disturbed” the doctor replied.

 

“”Wow! It’s a pity” Helen replied, looking sad. “But can we see her now?”

 

“Yes , of course. Let’s go” the doctor answered and stood up from his office seat and led the way. The three police officers followed him.

 

“No, this way. We changed the ward already” he corrected Helen and Uche who wanted to turn to another way as he locked his office door.

 

They walked for not up to one minute before they got to the ward on the same floor.

 

Bola’s eyes was on them as they walked in through the door, a light smile appeared on her face as she saw them. Helen held her hands when she got closer and smiled back at her.

 

“How are you Bola?” Helen asked

 

Bola’s mouth moved but it wasn’t clear what she said, Helen moved her head closer to her in a bid to hear what she was saying but still couldn’t hear.

 

“It’s okay Bola, we’re working on Frank’s murder case and we’ll get to the root very soon”

 

Bola looked at Helen like someone who was lost, she smiled unnecessarily and frowned again, biting her lips.

 

“What’s wrong Doc?” Helen turned to the doctor.

 

“I told you already, she can’t communicate to you” the doctor replied.

 

Helen turned back to Bola, ignoring the doctor’s reply. “Bola, do you know about the Nike Adejumo’s phone call?”

 

Bola did not reply her but continued with her display which made Helen loose all hope.

 

“One more thing Doc” she turned to the doctor again. “We need her fingerprint”

 

“Okay?”

 

“Dele here would take care of that?” She said tapping Dele on the shoulder. “We have to leave now”

 

“Okay, no problem” the doctor smiled, ” I’ll always call to update you”

 

“Thanks” she replied and left the ward with Uche.

 

*** 5:45pm, back in the CID block ***

 

“Hello Bode” Helen greeted Bode who sat at the reception as she walked in with Uche.

 

“Welcome” Bode quickly stood up and attempted to follow them. “I’ve been waiting for you for almost an hour”

 

“Sorry Bode” She stopped her steps temporarily. “You may have to wait here for some more time or come back tomorrow except you have something urgent to attend to”

 

“Okay” Bode replied and walked slowly backwards to where he was seated. He greeted Uche who was looking contented with the way Helen handled him with a nod and was replied in the same manner.

 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

“I’m sorry Ini, I hope our boys did not maltreat you?” Helen started.

 

“Just let me go home please, I can’t spend the night here” Ini replied angrily.

 

“You won’t stay here overnight if you cooperate with us, I don’t even intend to keep you here. I heard your father has already sent someone to ask for your bail” Helen continued, “I’m supposed to be at home now, but I don’t want to go and leave you here. So you have to tell me the whole truth to help the both of us, so that we can leave here”

 

“What do you want from me?”

 

“Nothing much dear, we only want you to tell us all you know about the knife we found in your house”

 

“You found it in Amarachi’s room” Ini retorted.

 

“Yes, and where’s Amarachi’s room?”

 

“See, I’m not responsible for whatever you find in her room, you should direct your question to her”

 

“Ini” Helen called and gave a short smile. “Why don’t you just make things easy for us all, just respond to our questions”

 

“But I’m not responsible for whatever you find in Amarachi’s room”

 

“But you own the house?”

 

“Yes, it’s not my concern what Amarachi brings into her room”

 

“So, even if she brings a dead body into your house and keep it in her room, it isn’t your business?”

 

Ini kept quiet for a while and stared into Helen’s eyes, “what do you want from me?”

 

“I’ve said that many times already, I want your cooperation. Tell us all you know about the knife, then you’re free to go after we take down your statement”

 

“I don’t know anything about the knife, I didn’t even know there was a knife in her room till you guys came the other time”

 

“But you’re the owner of the house”

 

“So? How will I know what goes on in Amarachi’s room? Is she a kid that I should be monitoring?”

 

“Hehe” Helen chuckled, “is there any other occupant of the house except for you and Amarachi?”

 

“No”

 

“Then that means it’s either of you that used that used the knife”

 

“It was found in Amarachi’s room”

 

“Yes, but it has been proven that she wasn’t the one who used the knife for the murder”

 

“Ehn, then let her explain how the knife got into her room”

 

“You don’t want to make things easy for us right?”

 

“Damn! What do you expect me to tell you?” Ini fired back angrily.

 

“Alright” Helen said calmly and stood up. “We’ll let you go now, but you have to report here tomorrow morning by 8am”

 

“For what?”

 

“We need to affirm that you didn’t use the knife” Helen answered. “Don’t worry, we won’t take your time”

 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

* * * Fifteen minutes later * * *

 

Bode stood up from where he sat waiting for Helen just as he saw Ini with another younger Lady walking towards the exit door

 

“Hey Ini” he called out to her and she stopped. “You came back to see Kelvin”

 

“Mtchew” she hissed at the question, almost silently . “Come to see Kelvin for what?” She held her sister by the had and continued walking.

 

Bode followed after them, “why are you here? What did you come to do?”

 

“I was arrested” she stopped and turned to him. “They accused me of using the knife”

 

“How come? How can they?”

 

“How won’t they? I’m sure Amarachi said something to them” she said and continued walking, following her sister to the car park. “Amarachi is just looking for a way to pull me down, I regret ever knowing her”

 

“Come don’t talk like that” he replied and followed after them. “I don’t think it happened that way”

 

“Then how did it happen?” She asked moving to the right hand side as her sister entered into the driver’s seat.

 

“Heyyy Ini” someone shouted from afar.

 

Ini stopped as she opened the door and looked towards the direction where the voice came from, Bode also turned to look. They saw Dennis walking speedily towards them.

 

“Ini” he called again, as he got closer to them. “What are you doing here?”

 

“You should be asking Amarachi that question not me”

 

“Why should I ask Amarachi? Did she bring you here? ” he retorted.

 

“Stop asking silly questions” she slammed. “You should go and find a way to prove that your Amarachi didn’t ki*ll Frank. Who knows if she did it anyway”

 

“Sorry please” Bode cut in before Dennis could reply. “May I know you please?”

 

“He is Amarachi’s boyfriend” Ini answered for him and stepped into the car.

 

“I have to go now, it’s dark already” she closed the car door and said something to her sister after which they drove off leaving Bode and Dennis alone.

 

“Hi, I’m Bode” he introduced himself, extending an handshake to Dennis.

 

“Dennis” he replied, taking the handshake. “How are you related to Ini?”

 

“I’m not related to Ini,I was a close friend of Frank, the deceased. We used to live together”

 

“Oh! Sorry about the loss, I’m deeply sorry”

 

“It’s okay, thanks”

 

“So you came to see Amarachi?”

 

“Yes, but I wasn’t allowed to. Only the lawyer was allowed to see her” Dennis replied.

 

“Oh! You’ve gotten a lawyer already”

 

“Yes, of course. You see, Amarachi didn’t ki*ll Frank. Someone planted the knife in her room”

 

“Who would have done that if she didn’t?” Bode questioned him. “She admitted to using that knife that day”

 

“Yes, but she didn’t use the knife to ki*ll anyone” he explained. “Why would she ki*ll Frank? She has nothing to gain in his death”

 

Bode gave a brief smile before he continued, “I believe neither she nor Kelvin killed Frank”

 

“Kelvin? You know Kelvin too?”

 

“Yes, I, Kelvin and Frank were best of Friends before Kelvin’s death” he replied and looked up like someone who was reflecting on something. “He loved Frank like a brother, he would not even dream of hurting Frank talk more of killing him”

 

“But Kelvin drugged Ama”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“No, he didn’t. He was drugged too, he wasn’t aware of all that was happening”

 

“Amarachi said she already suspected that someone was in the house already but she didn’t know that the juice had been drugged. She fainted after taking it and woke up to find herself with Kelvin on the bed” Dennis explained. “Kelvin was the only one that was been expected in the house that day”

 

“Hmmm, that’s nice, it’s cool to see both of you discussing” a Lady’s voice joined from behind. “I’m thinking that if Kelvin was the only one that was expected in the house that day, he must have arranged the phone call to Ini to take her out of the house and drugged Amarachi to have his way. I believe something must have gone wrong with his plans”

 

“Exactly, it must have happened like that” Dennis agreed with Helen

 

“No, that’s not possible, both Amarachi and Kelvin were drugged” Bode argued. “Please I do need to…”

 

“Sorry Mr. Bode” Helen cut in

 

“I have to be on my way now, I have other assignments to carry out” she said and walked away from them, walking towards where her car was parked.

 

Bode ran after her leaving Dennis who went to his own car. Bode stood at the front of the car just as Helen entered.

 

“I need to know how far you’ve gone with the investigation” he shouted.

 

“Get into the car” she shouted back at him.

 

Helen started the engine and drove off immediately after Bode entered without giving him an opportunity to talk.

 

“So, would you come online later tonight?” She asked after some minutes silence as they drove out of the station and hit the traffic.

 

“Online? You want me to come online? thought you said you don’t like chatting”

 

“Yes, I’m not used to chatting on social networks. I just feel like today”

 

“Okay, well. You’ve not answered my own question, I thought that was why you asked me to join you in the car”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“No, I just wanted to help you get home”

 

“But I can get home myself”

 

“You would have troubles getting a cab by this time in this area”

 

“I would have still gotten home, what I really need is for you to answer my question”

 

“What question?” She asked sternly, not because she didn’t remember but because she only asked him to join her because she wanted to be with him

 

“How far have you gone with the investigation?” He reiterated. “What have you done about the phone number?”

 

“I thought I already told you to leave everything to us”

 

“I’m just trying to make everything easy and fast for us, I’m tired of seeing my friend held in your bondage”

 

“Look here” Helen began when the roads suddenly became free, the loud noise from cars drowned her voice. She drove off speedily.

 

“Where are you driving to?” Bode asked as she took a sharp corner.

 

“I’m taking you home, here’s a short route to your house”

 

“But I can get home myself, I already told you all I need”

 

“Look Bode, the real owner of the line used to call Ini would be found and interrogated tomorrow”

 

“Tomorrow?” Boss’s eyes shone with excitement. “Have you gotten the real name and contact of the owner or you’re just hoping to?”

 

“We’ve gotten the real name and address already”

 

“And what’s the real name?”

 

“I don’t remember, I wrote it down somewhere in my office, would get it tomorrow”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Wow! Good work” Bode smiled at her. “I’m sure this information would lead to the real killers”

 

“I hope so”

 

“I’m sure” Bode replied, happy with the news she gave him.

“Ermm, I think you can drop me here, I’ll find my way home, it’s late already”

 

“Don’t bother, I’ll drive you home. We’ll be there in the next ten minutes”

 

“But it’s past nine already, remember you’re a lady”

 

“Hahaha” she laughed. “I lead a team in the CID”

 

“Yes? And does that make you a man? ”

 

“No, but I’m a lady who can still be on the streets by 2am when situation demands”

 

“Hmmm”

 

“Yea, so you’re the one who needs to get home safely”

 

“But I thought you said you had other things to do”

 

“Yes, just forget about that now” she replied him and made a U- turn leading into Bode’s street.

 

 

 

 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

“Inspector Helen James, Saro Division” Helen displayed her ID card to the receptionist.

 

“Good morning Inspector, what can I do for you?

 

“We are here to see one Miss Sandra Benjamin. She works as a Secretary to the public admin office manager”

 

“Okay, she’s in her office”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Please, how do we get to her.

 

“Just go this way” she replied, pointing a direction to her. “Climb up the stairs, open the first door you find, she’ll be there”

 

“Okay, thank you” Helen replied and walked to the direction pointed to with a uniformed officer, leaving another uniformed officer at the reception.

 

They got to the top floor as directed and opened the first door. Sandra was startled as she saw the uniformed police officer, she stood up from her chair.

 

“Good morning” Helen greeted.

 

“Good morning, please what can I do for you?”

 

“Are you Miss Sandra Benjamin?”

 

“Ermm… Yes, I am”

 

“Okay, your attention is needed in our office”

 

“Huh? Any problem?”

 

“No, not at all. We just want to ask you some few questions”

 

“Ermm… Let me inform my Boss first” she made a move to leave but was blocked by Helen.

 

“Sorry, you have no time to do that. You have to follow is immediately” Helen said sternly, “this way please”

 

“Ermm… You have to…”

 

“It will be in your best interest to keep shut mam, just follow us quietly”

 

 

 

 

** Forty minutes later **

 

• 0-7-0-3-8-8-9-9-5-6-2 , do you recognize this number?” Helen started the interrogation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“No”

 

“Are you sure you’ve not seen this number anywhere?”

 

“Yes, I’ve not seen it”

 

“And it’s not a number of one of your friends?”

 

“I don’t know, I don’t store people’s number in my memory”

 

“Then you should check your phone if it’s stored there” Helen replied and gave her the phone which was previously seized.

 

“I don’t think I have any number like that” she said as she scrolled through her phone. She suddenly found something, she took a quick look at Helen’s face and looked back to her phone. She quickly punched some buttons before Helen grabbed the phone from her.

 

“What did you delete?” Helen shouted at her.

 

“I didn’t delete anything” she lied.

 

“But your phone showed that a contact had just been deleted now”

 

“No, I didn’t delete anything” she replied shakily.

 

“Well, that was just to confirm if you’re really guilty” Helen continued. “We already know you own the number, that’s why we came for you”

 

“I… I… ” she stuttered.

 

“You don’t have to say anything to defend yourself, just answer … ” Helen was saying when her phone rang.

 

She ignored the call and continued, “you just have to answer all my questions truthfully and I’ll let you go. When last did you use the sim?”

 

“I’ve not used it for a long time now”

 

“For how long have you not used it?”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“For over six months”

 

Helen replied her with a heavy slab, making her fall from the chair she sat. She drew her up and made her sit back into the chair.

 

“If you don’t answer my truthfully, I’ll have to force out the true answers ” she threatened. “Now, when last did you use it?”

 

“About two weeks ago” Sandra reply inaudibly, as tears flowed out of her eyes.

 

“Ehn?”

 

“About two weeks ago”

 

“Who did you use it to call?”

 

“I didn’t use it myself, my friend did”

 

“Who’s this your friend? Was she Nike Adejumo?”

 

“No, Bola made the call”

 

Helen landed another slap on her face. “Who is Nike Adejumo? And where can we find her?”

 

“I don’t know Nike Adejumo” Sandra replied, with tears flowing more rapidly from her eyes.

 

“Then who made the call?”

 

“Bola made the call”

 

“And who is Bola?”

 

“Bola Olatunbosun, my friend”

 

“Bola Olatunbosun? Daughter of late Chief Olatunbosun?”

 

“Yes”

 

“She’s in the hospital right now”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Yes, she shot herself”

 

“Okay, what’s your relationship with Bola?”

 

“We are friends”

 

“That means you must know about her relationship with Frank and her friendship with Ini”

 

“She told me about Frank who impregnated her and another Lady who was trying to snatch Frank from her”

 

“Who is that Lady?”

 

“Amarachi”

 

“And what about Ini Williams?” Helen asked and paused for a brief moment before she asked again. ” Do you know her?”

 

“No o, I don’t” Sandra lied.

 

“You never heard about her? Or met her?”

 

“I don’t know if we’ve ever met, but Bola never told me about her” she continued to deny.

 

Helen paused for a brief moment and thought deeply, she remembered that Ini had once told them that only Bola knew about Nike Adejumo. If only Bola knew Nike Adejumo, then it was possible for her to have used Sandra’s sim card to make the call.

 

“Who did Bola make the call to with your phone?”

 

“I don’t know, she only asked me to borrow her a sim that I wasn’t using again and I did. The sim is still with her, I didn’t collect it back” she lied once again.

 

“You weren’t there when she made the call?”

 

“I wasn’t there”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Hehe” Helen chuckled and stared sternly at Sandra. “Are you sure you are saying the truth? You’ll be sorry if I get to find out that you’re not”

 

“I… I…” She was saying when the door flew open. Uche came in sweating.

 

“Take her away” Helen quickly commanded the junior officer who was standing nearby.

 

“Who is that?” Uche asked, the expressions on his face showed he really needed an answer.

 

“How did the test go?” She asked another question, ignoring his.

 

“Fine, but I don’t think the result will be positive, I don’t think Ini has anything to do with the knife” Uche replied

 

“Why do you say so?”

 

“I kept asking her questions all through our journey there and with the way she answered, I don’t think she has a hand in it”

 

“But you can’t just conclude with that”

 

“I’m not concluding yet, I’m only saying that I don’t think she knows anything about the knife, the same way you were sure that Amarachi and Kelvin weren’t the ones who used the knife after you questioned them”

 

“Hmm… Okay, but we have to wait for the result”

 

“Yes we do, but if it proves that she didn’t use the knife, then we have to go ahead and prosecute Ama and Kelvin” Uche added.

 

“Yes… But I really do wish it wouldn’t go this way, I don’t want the innocent to be punished”

 

“It has to go this way ma, Ama has to explain how the knife which she admitted to using earlier was used for the murder and was found in her room, at the same place she kept it” Uche intensified. “Kelvin has to prove to us that he did not murder Frank during their fight”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Hmmm, but I think Kelvin has greater chances. The tool used for the murder has been found and it has been proven that he didn’t use it”

 

“Huh, that’s true”

 

“Yea”

 

“Okay, so who was that girl you were interrogating?”

 

“Ermm… Nobody really serious”

 

“Nobody really serious? Is she not connected to the case”

 

“No, I’ll tell you of we are to bring her in” Helen answered. “If you may excuse me, I have to leave now”

 

“Okay”he said and followed after Helen as she left the interrogation room, taking the opposite direction she took.

 

** 2 Hours Later **

 

“Yes, come in please” Helen answered a knock on her office door.

 

“Oh! Uche, thank God you’re here” she exclaimed as Uche walked in. “I just got a directive from the IG, I sent a copy of the email to your box already. We have to report to the commissioner’s office early tomorrow to assure him that we can work as a team”

 

“Work as a team?”

 

“Yes”

 

“Do we have a team?” Uche asked a usual question.

 

“What do you mean by that?”

 

“With all due respect ma, we don’t have a team. How can we function as a team with bigger tasks when we don’t function as a team in smaller tasks?”

 

“I don’t get your point” Helen seemed confused.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“We are handling a small case and you’re hiding things from me already, how would we work effectively? How do we call ourselves a team if we want individual glory?”

 

“Can you please go straight to your point?” Helen slammed.

 

“Why are you not carrying the rest of your team along? You arrested the person whose phone was used to make the call to Ini and you’re hiding it from us, I had to find out from an outsider who doesn’t work with us at all”

 

Helen felt guilty as his words hit her deeply. She tried to appease him “Ermm, I’m sorry, I didn’t really mean it to be that way”

 

Uche stared at her deeply for some seconds before replying, “Is that all? You’re sorry?”

 

“I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean to hide it so as to take the glory but I just didn’t want to leave any stones unturned”

 

Uche smiled briefly before asking another question “how would hiding it from us help you?”

 

“I…”

 

• If you really don’t want to leave any stones unturned, why have you not asked us to investigate Bode?” Uche asked a striking question.

 

“Huh?” The question took her off balance

 

“Yes, why have you not asked us to investigate Bode?”

 

“And why should we investigate Bode?” She replied, trying to be hard with her voice. “Is there anything that implicates him in the case?”

 

“How do we know that if we don’t investigate him?”

 

“See, there’s no point in this”

 

“Oh! There you go, we can’t investigate him because you have a personal relationship with him?”

 

“What? Are you crazy? You know I don’t get personal with anybody”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Oh! Really? But you drove him all the way to his house yesterday?”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Don’t even pretend, I saw you when you drove out with him yesterday and I was just leaving here when I saw you drive back home”

 

 

“You don’t know what I went to do along that area, I have nothing personal with him”

 

“Oh! Please Inspector Helen, with the you guys stare at each other, someone who is not even a detective knows you have something going on”

 

“Believe whatever you want to, I’m a professional at this job and I know what to do and how to act with different people”

 

“Then stop protecting him and let’s investigate him too”

 

“I’m not protecting him”

 

“You are, you’re not ready to investigate him as the leader of the team and you’re not even giving us the order”

 

“Okay, you have it. Go ahead and find out whatever you want”

 

“You’re not going to lead us?”

 

“Lead you in something fruitless?”

 

“Okay, if that’s the way you want. Then as Bode’s protector, you might become one of the suspects very soon” he said and stormed out of the office without paying attention to her reply.

 

She fumed with anger as he left the office, she had never spoken to any of her superiors like that nor had any of her juniors talk to her like that.

 

She began to wonder if she was really protecting Bode as he said. Maybe she was allowing her personal feelings come into the task, if not why would she have followed Bode’s instruction not to get her long time partner and teammate involved in a part of the investigation. Maybe Bode had recognized her feelings and was taking advantage of it to hide something.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She was still deep in thoughts when her phone rang, she answered the call before it beeped the second time.

 

“Hello Doc… She gave up the ghost?”