Collins fumed and bubbled at George when he learnt later that he was the one responsible for the impediment of his fast growing love. He started hanging in reports with a sombre disposition contrary to when he used to chuckle with George about a thing or two. He also seemed to have distanced himself from Bruce to the account that he was so close to George, his foe.
Jerome , who was the new kid in the block, never understood the enmity between George and Collins. He might have been so busy discharging his duties that he fell to recognize the common and obvious couple: Collins and Susan.Not even a single worker in the Big Blue failed to notice the fishy and fetish moves of Collins and Susan. Jerome had consequently failed to establish a solid reason why Susan was suspended.
Bruce and Alice were also neutral in this. Bruce never tried to comprehend why Collins behaved so sinister towards him of late. Alice on the other hand was robbed off an ally ,a confidant,a female worker like her and most importantly a gossiping partner. She couldn't help but pity Susan who had failed to heed her word when she warned her of Collins.She was always tired as all the cleaning was upon her . She had to do it alone. She ardently hoped that Hussain would come back and perhaps bring Susan back or assign her someone else to assist her. She couldn't understand whether to blame Susan for her actions or George for taking such a drastic measure .
During one of the evenings, when George was finalizing his work, Bruce arrived. He had just came from driving all the way from Mombasa towards Nairobi. He marched straight into George's office and unexpectedly found him chit chatting with Jerome as he strained to fix some important information on a spreadsheet.
Some of the Big Blue store men and workers were hurrying home and only a few were roaming around the compound for the last minute preparation to leave the premises.
"I have something troubling me brother George." Bruce started after a hearty exchange of greetings between the three men.
" Go on. It's almost time and the work for the day is over and therefore I'm here for you!" George enumerated and continued in an almost urgent tone " Leave this one for tomorrow Jerome! We'll fix it no worry!" He said now addressing Jerome. Jerome stepped back and sat at the other end of the big sofa leaving a considerable distance from where Bruce sat. George remained in the designated working position in an armchair before the computer on the table. The other armchair facing George, was empty.
Jerome stood up and stretched his finger to switch on the lights as the evening darkness was making the room uncomfortable. "My problem is that I take long on the road these days. " Bruce went on "I was acquainted to less time on the account that Kim's team was always behind me. I now have to call for help whenever the truck develops a mechanical breakdown." He complained specifically addressing George in particular. George became uneasy and a flash of surprise and anger appeared on his face.
" I thought Hussain paid those guys to accompany you always!" George blurted and continued, "What's going on with everything in this company. So even those mechanics have started playing tricks on me?"
" Maybe it's not that! " Bruce exchanged softly.
"No! It's seems there's no order here because they ought to be doing their work anyway. If there's a reason they must voice it. Isn't it." Jerome contributed equally angry at Kim's team of mechanics.
" Exactly! You spoke it!" George fumed.
"When I try to call them they never respond." Bruce completed. George thought for a moment then settled.
" l must do something about this!"
At that instant, there appeared a shadowy figure at the door. Everyone's attention was caught and Collins sauntered in. As if he had been already shown where he fitted, he strode towards the empty armchair and dropped his report on the table between George's hands. His face suggested the disgust and anger in him. The other men quieted and watched what their fellow man was dramatizing. Jerome in particular, was totally dazed by the series of events here. He wondered what George had done to the ever angry Collins. George looked at Collins with a sharp and serious glance to deliberately prove to him that he also had the ability to be angry.
"It's out of order!" Collins muttered under his breath. "Out of order? What is it?" George was surprised amidst his perturbation. " The report." Collins exchanged with a tone of finality. George lowered his head to reduce the distance between them and as if he wanted to say something important, he whispered softly. "Man you need to check your tone. I don't work with that emotion."
"So what! Listen! I don't care who you are George! You're leading this company astray." Collins bubbled in a more hoarse and loud voice.
"So stopping stupid relationships is what you call astray. You're putting your interest before work, really?" George said in an almost sarcastic voice. Bruce and Jerome laughed for a moment. Collins became more and more furious given that the laughing seemed to mock his feelings. "Look George! I'm going to say each and everything this company has been doing. I won't hide that Hussain sends you to kidnap people's daughters."
"As if you're not the one who goes with us. Go ahead and do it bro!" George challenged with a ridiculous voice and a slight giggle.
Bruce frowned and clicked loudly. He almost sprint from where he sat to slap Collins.Jerome gaped and sighed with surprise. He could not believe or understand what Collins had just said. The word kidnap did not leave him at ease . He looked at the three men one after in their faces and did not still relate to what had just landed into his ears.
"Wait! Kidnap!" Jerome interposed.
"It's cool man. We do it for money!" Bruce elaborated lowly trying to keep it secret as George and Collins exchanged bitterly.
"I'm going to quit this job. It's better to turn on the better side. Enough is enough George." Collins shouted uncontrollably.
"Quit! It's not my business. We all came here for money." George rejoined bitterly.
" Hey! Hey! That's not the way to go men! You're going to blow up something that will put you into trouble." Jerome intervened peacefully as he stood and strode towards them.
"You know what? This is it. We must accept that we all do things that are criminally unacceptable." explained Jerome intelligently.
" Okay what should we do then? " Bruce asked. Jerome cleared his throat emphatically.
"We must learn to solve our differences calmly . I mean suppose the other workers were here and they here this kidnap thing? You think jail cares emotions like anger?"
"Exactly!" George commended in a voice that suggested remorse. Jerome steadied himself with his hand on the table between George and Collins and continued to give his wisdom.
" During my duty as an IT personnel at the Blex towers, I learnt that Hussain is one of the most dangerous people we should be careful with. I learnt that he used to do abductions and went away with it. He is one of the most intelligent criminal of all records in this country. " Jerome paused for a moment , sighed prominently and continued with his narration. "It's only at this moment that it has come to my knowledge that you guys are the ones used by Hussain to execute those abductions. I learnt that he also had guys who lured you girls in the name of love in order to take their phone numbers and hand them over to Hussain who masquerade as the supposed lovers and eventually put them into his force. I totally have no idea where the women or girls abducted are taken to, but this is the only part I have not investigated myself. From few unreliable sources that I have, the victims are in most times killed for some special organs of their bodies. Hussain himself benefits immensely from this crime as he is also paid handsomely from someone I don't know very well but lives in Oman. So guys this is a very serious matter that ought not to be brought into our local disagreements. I intended to ask you George one day but I decided to wait for the matter to ripe. Now listen Collins, don't let your anger against George land you behind the bars. The same to you , my boss , Mr. George! It's death or jail okay?"
"We heard you Jerome. I must say I made it a mistake!" George regretted.
Bruce was silent and most puzzled of them all. Collins was slightly sneering but showed signs of partially admitting this truth. George lamented and blamed himself for letting his guard. For letting an inner most secret! It was pitch dark outside when the men dispersed that night from the premises of the Big Blue company.