10th of June.
"Don't tell me you still think he is innocent?" Granny placed her hands over my shoulder as we handed over the books to leftanat Adam for safe keeping.
"Any news? Have the Jukun replied to you?" I asked out of curiosity, would I be able to see my grandad again?
"Not yet, we've sent the message but nothing has been said yet. But we anticipate their response either today or tomorrow"
"Has he confessed to it yet? Jim, has he confessed to being the spy?" I want to know if he really was a traitor, this is really hard for me to process honestly.
I was always close to him? He was my personal driver and all, we used to move around Ida together. But why would he help us escape? Wasn't it Joseph that slowed down the car putting is in danger when we all slept? Is it really Jim who sold our location out? Is he really a Jukun?
I have a thousand and one unanswered questions for Jim, I wish I could get the answers and know where I stand. But I can't believe this can I? Did he really try to contact the jukun's and tell them the truth about me being alive?
"Not yet mam, he keeps telling a fairy tale but I am sure he would admit it soon enough. Give him maximum of a weak here and he will eat out all their information, we don't play here with punishment" leftanat Mathew said.
"But what if he is not the one?" I was still worried and I believed his innocence, he can't be right? He has stayed in the palace for over 3 decades, does that mean he has been watching and reporting everything that has been going on in the palace?
"Don't tell me you still believe that nonsense my dear, we caught him with the evidence and that is all you need to know" leftanat Mathew was stuck up in his idea that Jim was indeed the culprit, is this justice? Is this the way? Why can't I just accept that he is the one and move on?
"You said he was also doing some suspicious activities before being caught, like what?" I needed to get to the bottom of this, if there was other evidence to probe he is guilty I would believe it rather than holding on to a version of him that was fake the whole time.
"Well for starters he was always going to the market to get something, we still haven't figured out what because no one was trailing him then." Well and so? Would wouldn't do that? Going to the market is not a crime.
"But that doesn't prove anything" I responded.
"So you think, it means he has money at least to be going to the market on a daily based isn't cheap you know. Where did he get it from? Did you people come with money?" Leftanat Mathew asked me, that was tricky and I guess they were right.
"Where did he get the money from? No one was allowed to park anything as we were evacuating but if he knew that means he parked money and is spending it? You get Daniella, if everyone was parking essentials money is one that don't come to mind easily" leftanat Adam chipped into the conversation.
"I guess you are right, I just wished I could talk to him even if it was over a screen." But it was of no use, I have to put myself and my people first, I have to protect my identity and stay away from him to risk being exposed generally.
"We can't risk it ma, don't worry we would get the information of where he kept the missing book for you. As we speak some of our soldiers are busy checking his space in the palace to see what they can find and bring it to us" leftanat Mathew said.
"I can't wait to see what incriminating evidence would be brought back" he added.
"Yeah" I said softly as I went back to my chair to sit down, I need a break for all this that is happening with me.
"Sir"
"Sir" a younger solder was yelling from across the hall, the military base was so huge and spacious unlike ours in Ida.
"Leftanat Mathew they've responded to our message" the solder said immediately he entered the office.
"Okay, we would be right there Muhammad" leftanat Adam answered as everyone stood up to go and see what they sent.
The jukun's have finally responded? Well I guess they were right afterall it really is Jim. I can't believe he played my parents to the very end, I wish they were alive to see the things going on right now, my dad would be livid to find out that his people are nearly surviving, maybe that's why he wanted to be captured his sense of justice was far greater than any I've seen so far.
"Danie what are you waiting for" Adekunle asked as he was at the door and everyone else had left, I was deep in though i dint even notice the empty hall.
"Oh nothing" I got up and fixed my face as I began to walk to the door.
"I am surprised they responded to the message, it must mean that they really need him to get informations and all" knowing jukun's and how to behave as a neighbouring country is very funny, they don't respond to letters of invitation or well wish, it's so funny that they decided to respond now.
"What were you thinking about? You are surprised he isn't who you think he is right? I know how that feels, but don't worry about it you'll be fine in due time my dear." Adekunle said as he held me on my shoulder as we walked to the next office.
"Yeah, I know. I just need to mentally prepare myself for what comes next"
"If you want to take a break, my parent's and sisters are coming back next week, so we can leave for our mini vacation too" I wonder why he keeps bringing it up? Is he serious about it? Anyways.
"There you are Prince, we've been waiting for you" leftanat Mathew said as we walked into the office, everyone was already seated and quite waiting for us.
"You can now begin" Adekunle instructed as we found a seat.
"Dear Nigerian army,
I would advise you don't start what you cannot finish....."