Roses and Thorns – Episode 39

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE

Joel got home looking dejected and tired, by the time he entered the living room, his parents were pacing around uncomfortably, he had ignored their calls throughout the day. His Mom was the first to bombard him with questions.

“Nnam, what happened? you were not taking our calls. Melody left the house since morning, according to the gate man and she is not yet back”

“Or did you later come home to take her with you?, what happened to your clothe and why is your shoe stained with blood?” his father added. Joel let out a full breath and sighed, the tears started gathering again but then he wiped them off before they could drop.

“Dad, Mom, Melody was abducted earlier today by a psycho, she was raped and stabbed before we could get there, she has been taken to the hospital though and she is still unconscious” he sniffed.

“Oh my God, that girl is a good girl, she doesn’t look for people’s trouble na” his mother said feeling sober.

“Is it the same guy that killed Mercy?” his father asked.

“Yes Dad, but we caught the idiot though” Joel replied, they had been standing since he got home.

“That’s good, igbagbuokwala ya? (Have you shot him dead already?) the woman asked, she was crying already.

“I want to, but they said he will be taken to court and punished according to the law” Joel sneered.

“If that’s the case then, you need to contact our family lawyer, he is a very good lawyer and he has never lost a case before” his father explained going close to Joel.

“I don’t even need a renowned lawyer, we have already won the case, it’s just for us to get the permission to ki*ll him” Joel shrugged.

“My son, this is Nigeria, expect anything to happen. contact our family laywer now” his father replied.

“I will do that tomorrow Dad, i need to freshen up and rest, i will be in my room now” he hugged his father and pecked his mom on the cheek before climbing up the stairs.

***

Ambler got to the police station, he was dressed in black suit with a blue shirt, he carried a black portfolio in hands, and a black shoe to compliment his dressing. He went to the counter, three police men were there already, he greeted them and brought his business card out.

“I am barrister Ambler, and my client is in your custody, i need to see him” he said, making sure they looked at the card very well.

“Na who be your client?” one of the police men asked.

“Ezenwa Akueze, he was brought in yesterday after getting treated at the hospital, he has a wound on one of his legs” he explained further.

“You mean that rapist? so na you wan defend am for court? I pity your life” another police man hissed.

“Every body is entitled to a lawyer and he or she is not guilty until proven otherwise by the court of law. Can i see him now?” he picked his card from the desk and shoved it in his portfolio.

“Oya follow me kia kia” the first police man told him. they walked through a corridor and on getting to the last office, the diverted to another corridor and walked down, few minutes after, they were out in the field, they crossed the field and entered another corridor, the police man stopped at the first cell by the right. “You only get 20 minutes to talk with am because say you be him lawyer, I dey here dey wait” the policeman eyed him. Ambler ignored him and entered the cell, it wasn’t as smelly and dirty as people had explained to him. It was empty and neat, Ezenwa sat on the floor with his bandaged leg stretched out in front of him.

“Ambler, you finally came” he said as happiness embedded his face.

“How is your leg?, is it paining much?” Ambler asked looking around for where to sit and when he didn’t find, he resorted to leaning on the wall.

“It is not that painful anymore” Ezenwa replied him.

“I heard you raped the girlfriend of a captain, dude, you should have feared God na, soldiers are mean and wicked, not to talk of their captain, oboy your matter pass me” Ambler shook his head in pity.

“Oh cut the crap, i raped and killed his ex fiance, what did he do?” he sneered.

“Well that was because he wasn’t around from what i heard” Ambler shrugged.

“I didn’t call you here for you to tell me how mean soldiers are” Ezenwa sneered.

“Oya why did you call me here?”

“They are planning to take me to court and i need a lawyer” he said.

“You don’t need a lawyer to defend you because you are guilty as charged, you only need a lawyer to represent you in court” he adjusted his tie.

“Common Ambler, you have been our family lawyer since i can remember, you know what to do to make me a free man.”

“On one condition” Ambler spoke huskily.

“I know, father’s documents right? i was already planning to give them to you” Ezenwa replied.

“Yes, but this time around, i won’t be giving you a dime, the documents becomes mine once i get you out of here” he grinned.

“Deal” Ezenwa replied with a broad smile.

“Have a nice day” Ambler said leaving the cell.

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