Once I was asked to define life. I use to think life is being lucky and good and if one is good they may probably live a long and happy life but now, I know better. I would say life is a series of decisions and it's entangled with many faces. our choices allows us to see those faces and most of them are not good, but I would also say life is beautiful even if most of my choices are bad, maybe I am just lucky but life has its way, all I can do is wonder till that day arrives but until then, I'll explore my ability to choose.
I made a choice and the choice I made was to stay, Mary is the biggest threat to me now so I made a choice to put her in her place, she knows she has no choice but to do what I tell her but if she spent a lot of time with my father then, she would like to eliminate her threats and I am the biggest threat she has. It's just a matter of time before she makes her move.
I walked back to where Grace was sitting and it appears she just finished talking to someone. I sat down and expected questions.
Ejiro is dead.
What?
You heard me right.
What happened?
They say he was involved in a car accident.
You did say things are done with haste in this family. Were you close with him?
No. He was a fool.
It's not good to talk ill of the dead, he just placed his trust in the wrong people. is it not too quick to kill someone at this point mostly someone close?
Not if he knows too much, it's best not to point fingers at someone, it could be anybody here she said.
who stands to gain the most from his death? I asked.
That's how things are done in general when trying to investigate a case but this family is twisted, James. It is too early to tell. Everyone here has a plan to be the most powerful, the difference is some play the long game. And you my friend are exactly that type.
So am I a suspect?
You are too new to be a suspect.
You do have a way with words, the one no one suspects is likely the person that did it.
See, you do think like myself so let me ask, did you do it.
No. did you? I asked
Not that I know of she answered.
You did not but you know who did it.
Not for sure but yes. You will be going back tomorrow right?
You have a talent for changing conversations, yes, first thing in the morning.
Good, don't forget to sign the document in your room. I should do what am good at.
And what might that be?
Digging information from my dear siblings.
I think I've had enough for one night I said.
Take my keys, I would find my way home.
Alright.
I took it and walked out of the bar, in no time I arrived at the house around 11 pm. Most of the documents are easy to understand but some are twisted, too many things make no sense. There are lots of investors when all the companies are together but from the resent files, it seems all the names of investors and investments disappeared. The company was making a lot of money before, too much money. I must be missing something, something is not right and there are some things Grace has to tell me. I signed the document of ownership and closed the file. All the files I did not understand I separated.
It's been more than an hour since I had my bath and I couldn't find any sleep so I claimed to the third floor and sat on a chair by the window. Unlike home things are way too quiet, one can see very far because of the street lights everywhere. Sadly, some people live like rats while other live like kings, this is a GRA( government residential area) and it's only for the rich. I don't do a lot of thinking these days for my mind is constantly on the move, am never safe is what it echoes.
Someone just jumped the fence, I could see him from where I was and he clearly has bad intentions. He must have followed me from the bar, the fact he managed to get past all the security in this area means, either he is a professional or he knows someone important, important enough to bye some of the guards. From the way he walks, he seems sure of his ability like he knows the place. A professional will always question what he knows or think, that way nothing comes as a surprise. If he did come to kill me he wouldn't be carrying a gun, a gunshot in this neighbourhood is suicide. He is walking towards the door and now I've lost sight of him. He must have a way to get inside the house and that would be easy because I left it open for Grace if ever she decides to come home.
I got up and walked to the door and closed it, it will take him at least two or three minutes to search the entire house and I happen to be on the last floor. I picked my phone and called Grace, it rang for some time before she picked it.
Hello, are you still up?
I am surprised you are not drunk, I called to tell you somebody is in the house and I think he wants to kill me.
Hold on let me call the security.
If he got past the security then they are working with him, I only called to ask if you have any weapons in the house.
What do you think I am?....
Stop the crap I know you have a weapon somewhere, do tell am running out of time.
Where are you now?
On the top floor, the living room of the top floor.
I believe there is a gun behind the TV and there is a knife at one of the curtains.
Good, thank you, don't call the police and don't call the security either, I will handle this myself. He cut the call and switch off the phone, picked up the gun and the knife, he put the gun in his back and picked up a touch. He stepped out of the room and walked to the hallway where the electrical distribution box was and switch it off. The entire floor was dark all of a sudden.
The intruder was already on the third floor searching each room when the lights went out, he was not with a touch light. In no time he was now the one being hunted. All he could see was a flash of light here and there, he knew someone was coming and the person was good at what he does.
Who are you? the hunter asked.
You don't have to know, all you have to do is show yourself and let's get this over with.
Believe me, my face will be the last thing you see if I don't get answers so pray you don't have to see my face.
Am the one with the weapon here.
Oh, are you? if you must know I saw you come in from the fence.
You like being the hero don't you James?
So you do know my name, I ask again and for the last time, who sent you?
Step out from the dark and find out.
I did warn you.
He flashed the light again at the intruders face. The guy was holding a knife and he was slicing thin air. As soon as he stopped he was cut from the back, all he could do was scream in pain.
You know you are going to wake the neighbours right?
You are sick.
I know, and you my friend are in a big mess and if it's of any consolation you won't be coming out of this house alive, but before then, you are going to tell me what I need to know.
You can try.
He flashed the light at his eyes again but this time from another angle. The intruder rushed to the area the light shine from but there was no one there. He continued swinging the knife in the air till he stopped.
Show yourself the intruder shouted.
This time he was cut in the leg and this one was dip which brings the intruder to the ground screaming even louder.
When I was a boy people use to say men don't cry, but here you are crying. Are you not a man?
You are a crazy person.
Yes, I believe I am but still I need answers and you my friend are the only one that can give me answers. so I ask again, who sent you?
If I tell you would you let me go?
It depends.
On what Mr crazy.
If I like the answer then I might let you go. And besides, you don't have a choice, it's just a matter of time before you bleed to death so the earlier you start talking the higher your chances at survival.
You are lying.
He flashed the light on the intruder's face for the third time before cutting his arms. He dropped the knife and continued screaming.
I am many things but a liar is not one of them. He switched on the touch and picked up the knife.
This is a nice blade, expensive too. You must have used it on one than one occasion right?
Yes.
So, I ask again, who sent you?
It was a young skinny lady, I don't know her name but she did pay a lot of money upfront.
How much?
A hundred thousand.
What was she like?
She speaks quite fluently for a young woman who wants to kill someone.
So from your observations, she has done it before?
I think so?
Do you know you are a fool?
I don't understand?
That is the reason you are going to die fool.
He walked to the electrical switch and pulled it up, the entire floor light up again before he walked to the man on the floor.
That is a lot of blood. Let's get you cleaned up so we can talk.