Wale, Swalha and Todo went into chaos trying to find Kind, there had been no communication from him neither were there any demands from anyone for ransom. They all agreed Kind would not have just disappeared into thin air. He was supposed to have returned two days ago in he evening and Wale had anticipated their reunion, however he never showed up and his cellphone was off as well. Of the three Todo seemed to be the one panicking the most so he handed over Kind's case to his mother and despite being seen last by Swalha, they couldn't understand why Kind had changed course to go to another place instead of Todo's mansion.
Todo's mother however managed to calm them down and deployed another private protection team for Wale and Swalha. She had assured them all would be clear in a matter of a few days.
After a week, she informed them Cherry's sister was behind Kind's kidnapping but hadn't placed any demands. Apparently she had come forward and informed Todo's informants she had been informed to kidnap Kind but had not received payment for her work. She was apprehended afterwards, Wale insisting she be kept in isolation but not tortured for information for the sake of the child Cherry was caring.
Cherry's sister was hidden in a safe house where only Todo's mother and Wale had access to. They tried to get information from her and despite her unwillingness to cooperate, she confirmed Todo's mother's suspicion of the culprits involved. "It was a win win for me even without payment. That man hurt my sister, took everything away from her. I'm only defending my family and anyone in my case would do the same," Cherry's sister had said, defending her actions. "Even so, he could be in a ditch somewhere for all I care. My orders were to bring him unharmed and I did it so whatever happens to him is the least of my concerns. We dropped him in the location I gave you and that was it."
"Was Cherry involved in this?" Wale asked Cherry's after every crime she had confessed to. "How many times do you want me to answer that? Why don't you ask her yourself? Have you even bothered to check after her well being and your child? She is devastated by what you did to her just to be with a guy. As a woman, especially the one caring your child, when your fiancé leaves you for another man...a man! Do you think she will be okay? He deserves to die! I hope they kill him and bring his body parts to you maybe then you'll know how much pain you've caused my family!"
As futile as it was, Todo's mother still tried to calm her down. She kept on hurling insults at Wale, who sat as he passively listened, not showing any emotion. Standing up, he left the room and went to his assigned room instead. He sat in silence as he wondered to himself if he was devoid of emotion, unable to understand why Cherry's sister had gone to great lengths to harm him yet they had never met. All he wanted was to find Kind...alive. Placing his elbows on his knees, he leaned forward and covered his face with his hands, reminiscing over how happy he had been in the island with Kind. For a brief moment, he was able to enjoy just being the two of them. They hadn't spent that much time alone since Kind had moved out seven years ago from the apartment they had shared. He felt lost, he's been afraid the moment he found out Kind had been kidnapped and blamed himself for it...he blamed himself for bringing his family, his love life, his parents...he'd put Kind in danger all this time, kidnapped just as soon as Todo's mother had terminated the protection her team had given him.
What if Swalha succumbed to danger as well? She was staying with Todo presently but that did not mean in future she'd be safe. What about Todo who had effectively did everything he could to find Kind, that despite his panic, he was still committed to finding him, unwilling to give up, unable to sleep or eat. He was the one who had found Cherry's sister after all and apprehended her. Damn it! He didn't do anything? He couldn't! He felt so helpless...useless!
Todo's mother knocked, snapping him back from his thoughts. "The door was open...mind if I come in?" She asked and Wale nodded. "I do not believe she knows where Kind is so it is pointless to keep her here. We could use her as bait to find the perpetrators since she has a hunger for revenge and money, she is bound to reach out to her accomplices however, that is just one way and will take a lot of time. I'd suggest a more risky and time saving alternative. Take the bull by the horns. I've already threatened two people from the folder you gave my son and they have stepped down. It's amazing what you can do with people's weaknesses."
Sitting beside Wale she patted him gently in the back and said. "Your parents made a lot of money from investing in potential businesses, both new and old so they understood the risks involved if anything was to happed to them. You must not give up just yet. This is an old battle. I know you were forging peace with those who managed your parents assets instead of using force and that was wise. You were protecting Kind. But now they know your weakness. You have something to loose so you must understand now is the right time to use force."
Wale looked at her. He had known eventually he'd have to make a tough decision even if he didn't like it. "Cherry's sister is useless to us. I'm convinced she was just being used and they succeeded luring her with some quick money." Todo's mother nodded at his statement then quickly added. "However you are overlooking one matter. You may have come from a dysfunctional family and that is all you know. My dear boy, there are families that would actually do anything for their loved ones and just as you'll do anything for Kind, I'm sure Cherry will do anything to protect her manipulative sister." She held one of Wale's hands and continued, " You may not like my methods but that is none of my concern. I'm too old for games and time wasters hence, your permission was unwarranted when my team questioned Cherry and I was right. When you left the room, I had a good chat with that woman. She is smart to have kept her identity a secret, though it risked her sisters life. We may be able to find Kind even today.
I've already given out the location she told me a few moments ago to my team, they may find Kind...he may be wounded badly or not. What she confirms though is Kind has been denied food or water since his kidnapping"
"What?" Wale stood up suddenly. He didn't know what to feel. Kind may be found yet he may not be wounded...he may have served to death or died of dehydration, or bleeding...what if he was already dead? NO! He must be still alive, he is still alive! "Where is that place, I'll leave now!" He shook, his heart raced, he couldn't stand the weight of his body and felt an uncomfortable taste in his mouth. He could smell it! The smell of death...the death of his parents...the death of Kind! "No!" He shouted and fell to the floor in tears and lay his head on his knees. What if they don't find him? What if they never find him in time? What if he will never be found?
Taking a deep breath, he wanted to calm down, he had do. He couldn't succumb to sorrow just from speculating. The truth is Kind may still be alive. He was the only leverage they had against him, the only person they could have used against him so there was no way they would have sabotaged themselves. After all, they needed him alive. Otherwise, all his parents had would go to charity. "Call my uncle. He is the only person I haven't been in contact with and I'm sure he is using Kind to show he has power over me so I will submit to his demands." Wale looked at Todo's mother as he wiped tears away from his face. "I've reclaimed most of my parents assets so there is no need to go further than this. I'm convinced he is the one pulling the strings, using Cherry's sister and others to show his resentment towards me."
Todo's mother had watched Wale break down until he came to his own resolve by himself. She formed a smile on her face that confused Wale. Pulling him to stand up, she looked up to him. "You can't be always strong so break down more frequently to clear your head." She walked to the door and stopped midway. "I'm still convinced your ex fiancé and her sister know more than they make us believe so I'll continue my push and pull with them. In the meantime, worry about which hospital to have Kind treated. I plan to make sure he is found tonight."
"What makes you sure you will find him unharmed?" Wale asked feeling hopeful but still confused with her confidence. "This is your parents fight so let the old people take care of it. Your uncle and I have had unpleasant encounters in the past and I've waited for years for an opportunity like this one. My company has hidden many of his illegal activities so I plan to use one of them." Walking back to Wale, she continued, "Remember when you asked me if I knew how your parents died? Well, it turns out they may have been given a drug overdose through injections or orally, I'm yet to find out but as per my husband's last call to me, the company that supplied the drug was an underground company owned by your uncle and I have pre recorded confessions from anonymous accomplices, willing to cooperate to unmask him for who he is."
Wale thought to himself he should never mess with Todo's mother. She was fierce and sneaky at the same time. "Will you confront him in my stead?"
"Oh honey how innocent you are." She laughed. "I've been merely playing a game with all of you to buy time. Putting that woman here with us was an act to lure you to give me permission to raise a cold case. He is the relative you fear the most since he was the one who started a rumor you murdered your parents so you would let the case die just so he could claim a hold of your parents assets and he was successful." Suddenly, her expression changed as she said, "I do not have evidence against him that he killed my husband but I'm sure he was trying to get rid of any loose ends and my husband was collateral damage. However, I do have evidence, receipts that my husband sent me showing the names of those gentlemen that killed your parents, and his signature is there too. He was careless and that's why he got rid of them so what say you? Are you going to let me handle this as a case that took your parents lives or do you insist on meeting him in person just to quit like a fool, a coward, running away with a tail between his legs?"
Wale stood still. She had outsmarted them all, played them for fools including his son. He was definitely never going to mess with her. "Was that why you allowed Kind to be kidnapped?"
"To get your attention." She didn't deny it. "However, I underestimated your ex fiancé's sister. I assumed she was merely a puppet your uncle was using but it turns out, she had her own personal vendetta with you, so I'll not only find Kind for you, but for my son as well."