The early morning haze lingered over the estate like a hesitant mist, softening the stark lines of the towering iron gates and groomed hedges. Tayo sat on the edge of the wooden bench near the servants' quarters, holding her cup of tea, which was now lukewarm and forgotten. The events of the previous night reverberated in her head—Chidi's warning, the hidden trapdoor, and the weight of the truths she had discovered.
Her thoughts were disturbed by the soft sound of a gate opening. She glanced up to see Mrs. Agbo, the elderly neighbor from the opposite home, enter her garden. Mrs. Agbo often sat on her porch, crocheting or caring to her flowers, her acute eyes observing everything that happened in the area.
Tayo rose on impulse and approached the little fence that separated the two homes. "Good morning, Ma," she said quietly.
Mrs. Agbo glanced up, her frown softening to a genuine grin. Ah, Tayo, good morning. "You are up early."
Tayo hesitated to speak. "I could not sleep. "I have a lot on my mind."
The elder lady nodded knowingly and motioned for Tayo to join her on the porch. "Come and sit. "Talking can sometimes help."
Tayo watched Mrs. Agbo's face as they sat in the ancient wicker seats. Her eyes were filled with knowledge and depth, as if she knew more than she said.
"Ma, you've lived here for a long time, haven't you?" Tayo started tentatively.
"Thirty-five years," Mrs. Agbo answered, her tone full of pride. "I've seen families come and go, some good, some... not so good." Her eyes went to the house.
"How about this family?" "Dr. Dapo, Madam Adaora?" Tayo inquired, her voice quiet.
Mrs. Agbo's grin faded, leaving behind a cautious face. "They have been here for about two decades. A prosperous and respected pair. However, no family is without its shadows.
Tayo leaned forwards, her heart hammering. "What kind of shadows?"
The elder lady paused, then sighed. "I don't want to talk, but... there were some odd things. Late at night, I'd hear noises—angry voices, slamming doors. I once saw someone excavating in the garden under cover of darkness. "They used to live with a young girl named Nneka, but she disappeared one day."
Tayo's breath caught. "You knew Nneka?"
"I didn't know her well," Mrs. Agbo admits. "She was calm and courteous. But she had a melancholy demeanor, as if she was bearing a tremendous load. I recall seeing her in the market many times, always alone. And then one day, she vanished. When I questioned Adaora about her, she stated the child had moved to live with relatives.
Tayo felt a shiver go down her spine. "And you didn't believe her?"
Mrs. Agbo shook her head slowly. "No. Something about how she stated it did not set well with me. Then there was the night I saw them in the garden. Dapo held a shovel, and Adaora seemed upset. Whatever they were doing, they weren't planting flowers."
Tayo's thoughts raced. The trapdoor in the tunnels, the messages, and the image all indicated that something was hidden in that garden. "Do you think they were hiding something?"
Mrs. Agbo's demeanor became melancholy. "I can't tell for certain, but over the years I've learnt to trust my intuition. And my senses tell me the mansion is packed with mysteries."
Mrs. Agbo continued to reveal facts as they talked—small, apparently minor instances that, when combined, presented a worrisome picture. She described deliveries coming late at night, words from an estranged family member, and the tangible tension that regularly emanated from the estate.
"Tayo," Mrs. Agbo added last, her voice solemn, "be cautious. If you're asking these questions, it suggests you've seen something too. And if that family has anything to conceal, they will not like someone looking into their history.
Tayo nodded, her determination strengthened. "Thank you, Ma. "I'll be careful."
Even as she said the words, she knew she couldn't stop. The pieces of the jigsaw were beginning to fit together, and the truth was within grasp.
Tayo returned to the home with a renewed feeling of purpose. Mrs. Agbo's fears were confirmed, and the elder woman's warnings fueled her drive.
The mansion loomed before her, its majestic exterior concealing the gloom within. She was prepared to sacrifice everything to discover the answers she was looking for.
However, when she walked via the back door, she couldn't escape the impression that someone was watching her. The air was heavy with tension, and the walls seemed to press in on her.
Tayo knew one thing for certain: she wasn't the only one seeking the truth. And anyone else was involved would do whatever to keep it hidden.