She finally picked up the phone and opened the pop up message fully.
"Good morning, how was your night?"
"Fine, yours?" She replied
"It was okay. So how are you doing this morning and how far have you gone with the fingerprints test"
"Good, we are on it"
"Okay, please tell me the result as soon as itis out"
"No, I won't"
"Why?"
"I think I'm beginning to tell you too much. I don't know how you even got the info about the fingerprint from me"
"C'mon"
"Don't bother, we'll do our job and make sure the right person os punished"
"Okay, but I'm sure that the result would prove that neither Kelvin nor Amarachi used the knife" he replied hopefully.
"Let's wait and see but even if it does. It doesn't still prove their innocence, they are still the major suspects"
"Hmmm"
"Yea, just pray that we get better proof of their innocence. I have to get back to work now. We'll talk later"
"Okay, but please don't forget about the number, Nike Adejumo's number"
She read the message and dropped the phone without replying. She continued with her connection of the modem. After successfully connecting, she opened her email.
She opened the message from the IT department and read.
" Forwarded Reply from ZTN Customer Care service
0-7-0-3-8-8-9-2-8-9-9
Customer's Name: Sandra Benjamin
Date of birth: 29/09/1889
Occupation: Secretary
Home Address: 4/6 Dosa Street, Etyle
Place of work: Devi International
--- Photograph attached --- "
She copied the details on her jotter carefully before reading other mails. She closed the laptop when she was done and stood up to stretch herself.
******
At about 3pm on the same day, Dele arrived the investigation departmental block with the result of the test. He met Helen in her office.
"Good morning ma"
"Good morning Dele, please have your seat. I've been expecting you"
"Yes, thank you"
"Yea, you are welcome. Let me call Uche to join us" she dialed Uche's number and summoned him to her office.
"Please lets wait for him" she said to Dele and smiled.
In less than two minutes, Uche was in the office. He was sweating and looked anxious to hear the results. After exchange of formalities, Dele announced the result.
"The fingerprints of the two culprits taken did not match with the one on the knife" He announced and looked at the inspectors who seemed weakened by the news. "It means that they weren't the one who used the knife"
"Wow" Uche was the first to talk after the brief silence. "So we've been punishing the innocent"
"No, we can't declare that they are innocent yet" Helen stated, which made them look at her. "They could have used aj hand glove to carry out the act"
"No, an hand glove wasn't used. There are fingerprints on the knife's handle, so an hand glove was not used" Dele quickly dismissed Helen's suggestion.
"Hmmm" she sighed, "that means we still have some people's fingerprints to take"
"Yes" Uche joined, "we'll need to test Ini too"
"Yeah, and it might be necessary to take Bola's fingerprints too, she was at Ini's house that day" she added. " I received a call some minutes ago that she is conscious now although the doctor said her condition is still bad"
"That means we'll have to visit the hospital too"
"Yeah, we'll go there immediately just after you order some guys to get Amarachi's friend, Ini"
"Huh huh" Dele cleared his throat.
" I think you guys have to excuse me, I've got some other things to attend to " he said and got up from his seat.
"No Dele, I think you have to get to the hospital with us first" she stopped him. "Or are you going for something very urgent?"
"No its not really urgent
"Okay, we need you to take the fingerprint of the person we are going to meet there"
"Okay, but I think you can get someone to take it there for you. I believe they should have the necessary equipment
"Yes, even if someone else would take it, it has to be with your supervision, you're our agent here"
"Alright then"
*** 1 hour later in the hospital ***
"So Doctor, you mean there's nothing you can do to save her?" Helen questioned.
"We arr trying our best, but the truth is she has very less chance of surviving and even if she does, she would remain mentally disturbed" the doctor replied.
""Wow! It's a pity" Helen replied, looking sad. "But can we see her now?"
"Yes , of course. Let's go" the doctor answered and stood up from his office seat and led the way. The three police officers followed him.
"No, this way. We changed the ward already" he corrected Helen and Uche who wanted to turn to another way as he locked his office door.
They walked for not up to one minute before they got to the ward on the same floor.
Bola's eyes was on them as they walked in through the door, a light smile appeared on her face as she saw them. Helen held her hands when she got closer and smiled back at her.
"How are you Bola?" Helen asked
Bola's mouth moved but it wasn't clear what she said, Helen moved her head closer to her in a bid to hear what she was saying but still couldn't hear.
"It's okay Bola, we're working on Frank's murder case and we'll get to the root very soon"
Bola looked at Helen like someone who was lost, she smiled unnecessarily and frowned again, biting her lips.
"What's wrong Doc?" Helen turned to the doctor.
"I told you already, she can't communicate to you" the doctor replied.
Helen turned back to Bola, ignoring the doctor's reply. "Bola, do you know about the Nike Adejumo's phone call?"
Bola did not reply her but continued with her display which made Helen loose all hope.
"One more thing Doc" she turned to the doctor again. "We need her fingerprint"
"Okay?"
"Dele here would take care of that?" She said tapping Dele on the shoulder. "We have to leave now"
"Okay, no problem" the doctor smiled, " I'll always call to update you"
"Thanks" she replied and left the ward with Uche.
*** 5:45pm, back in the CID block ***
"Hello Bode" Helen greeted Bode who sat at the reception as she walked in with Uche.
"Welcome" Bode quickly stood up and attempted to follow them. "I've been waiting for you for almost an hour"
"Sorry Bode" She stopped her steps temporarily. "You may have to wait here for some more time or come back tomorrow except you have something urgent to attend to"
"Okay" Bode replied and walked slowly backwards to where he was seated. He greeted Uche who was looking contented with the way Helen handled him with a nod and was replied in the same manner.
"I'm sorry Ini, I hope our boys did not maltreat you?" Helen started.
"Just let me go home please, I can't spend the night here" Ini replied angrily.
"You won't stay here overnight if you cooperate with us, I don't even intend to keep you here. I heard your father has already sent someone to ask for your bail" Helen continued, "I'm supposed to be at home now, but I don't want to go and leave you here. So you have to tell me the whole truth to help the both of us, so that we can leave here"
"What do you want from me?"
"Nothing much dear, we only want you to tell us all you know about the knife we found in your house"
"You found it in Amarachi's room" Ini retorted.
"Yes, and where's Amarachi's room?"
"See, I'm not responsible for whatever you find in her room, you should direct your question to her"
"Ini" Helen called and gave a short smile. "Why don't you just make things easy for us all, just respond to our questions"
"But I'm not responsible for whatever you find in Amarachi's room"
"But you own the house?"
"Yes, it's not my concern what Amarachi brings into her room"
"So, even if she brings a dead body into your house and keep it in her room, it isn't your business?"
Ini kept quiet for a while and stared into Helen's eyes, "what do you want from me?"
"I've said that many times already, I want your cooperation. Tell us all you know about the knife, then you're free to go after we take down your statement"
"I don't know anything about the knife, I didn't even know there was a knife in her room till you guys came the other time"
"But you're the owner of the house"
"So? How will I know what goes on in Amarachi's room? Is she a kid that I should be monitoring?"
"Hehe" Helen chuckled, "is there any other occupant of the house except for you and Amarachi?"
"No"
"Then that means its either of you that used that used the knife"
"It was found in Amarachi's room"
"Yes, but it has been proven that she wasn't the one who used the knife for the murder"
"Ehn, then let her explain how the knife got into her room"
"You don't want to make things easy for us right?"
"Damn! What do you expect me to tell you?" Ini fired back angrily.
"Alright" Helen said calmly and stood up. "We'll let you go now, but you have to report here tomorrow morning by 8am"
"For what?"
"We need to affirm that you didn't use the knife" Helen answered. "Don't worry, we won't take your time"
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
* * * Fifteen minutes later * * *
Bode stood up from where he sat waiting for Helen just as he saw Ini with another younger Lady walking towards the exit door.
"Hey Ini" he called out to her and she stopped. "You came back to see Kelvin"
"Mtchew" she hissed at the question, almost silently . "Come to see Kelvin for what?" She held her sister by the had and continued walking.
Bode followed after them, "why are you here? What did you come to do?"
"I was arrested" she stopped and turned to him. "They accused me of using the knife "
"How come? How can they?"
"How won't they? I'm sure Amarachi said something to them" she said and continued walking, following her sister to the car park. "Amarachi is just looking for a way to pull me down, I regret ever knowing her"
"Come don't talk like that" he replied and followed after them. "I don't think it happened that way"
"Then how did it happen?" She asked moving to the right hand side as her sister entered into the driver's seat.
"Heyyy Ini" someone shouted from afar.
Ini stopped as she opened the door and looked towards the direction where the voice came from, Bode also turned to look. They saw Dennis walking speedily towards them.
"Ini" he called again, as he got closer to them. "What are you doing here?"
"You should be asking Amarachi that question not me"
"Why should I ask Amarachi? Did she bring you here? " he retorted.
"Stop asking silly questions" she slammed. "You should go and find a way to prove that your Amarachi didn't kill Frank. Who knows if she did it anyway"
"Sorry please" Bode cut in before Dennis could reply. "May I know you please?"
"He is Amarachi's boyfriend" Ini answered for him and stepped into the car.
"I have to go now, it's dark already" she closed the car door and said something to her sister after which they drove off leaving Bode and Dennis alone.
"Hi, I'm Bode" he introduced himself, extending an handshake to Dennis.
"Dennis" he replied, taking the handshake. "How are you related to Ini?"
"I'm not related to Ini,I was a close friend of Frank, the deceased. We used to live together"
"Oh! Sorry about the loss, I'm deeply sorry"
"It's okay, thanks"
"So you came to see Amarachi?"
"Yes, but I wasn't allowed to. Only the lawyer was allowed to see her" Dennis replied.
"Oh! You've gotten a lawyer already"
"Yes, of course. You see, Amarachi didn't kill Frank. Someone planted the knife in her room"
"Who would have done that if she didn't?" Bode questioned him. "She admitted to using that knife that day"
"Yes, but she didn't use the knife to kill anyone" he explained. "Why would she kill Frank? She has nothing to gain in his death"
Bode gave a brief smile before he continued, "I believe neither she nor Kelvin killed Frank"
"Kelvin? You know Kelvin too?"
"Yes, I, Kelvin and Frank were best of Friends before Kelvin's death" he replied and looked up like someone who was reflecting on something. "He loved Frank like a brother, he would not even dream of hurting Frank talk more of killing him"
"But Kelvin drugged Ama"
"No, he didn't. He was drugged too, he wasn't aware of all that was happening"
"Amarachi said she already suspected that someone was in the house already but she didn't know that the juice had been drugged. She fainted after taking it and woke up to find herself with Kelvin on the bed" Dennis explained. "Kelvin was the only one that was been expected in the house that day"
"Hmmm, that's nice, its cool to see both of you discussing" a Lady's voice joined from behind. "I'm thinking that if Kelvin was the only one that was expected in the house that day, he must have arranged the phone call to Ini to take her out of the house and drugged Amarachi to have his way. I believe something must have gone wrong with his plans"
"Exactly, it must have happened like that" Dennis agreed with Helen
"No, that's not possible, both Amarachi and Kelvin were drugged" Bode argued. "Please I do need to..."
"Sorry Mr. Bode" Helen cut in
"I have to be on my way now, I have other assignments to carry out" she said and walked away from them, walking towards where her car was parked.
Bode ran after her leaving Dennis who went to his own car. Bode stood at the front of the car just as Helen entered.
"I need to know how far you've gone with the investigation" he shouted.
"Get into the car" she shouted back at him.
Helen started the engine and drove off immediately after Bode entered without giving him an opportunity to talk.
"So, would you come online later tonight?" She asked after some minutes silence as they drove out of the station and hit the traffic.
"Online? You want me to come online? thought you said you don't like chatting"
"Yes, I'm not used to chatting on social networks. I just feel like today"
"Okay, well. You've not answered my own question, I thought that was why you asked me to join you in the car"
"No, I just wanted to help you get home"
"But I can get home myself"
"You would have troubles getting a cab by this time in this area"
"I would have still gotten home, what I really need is for you to answer my question"
"What question?" She asked sternly, not because she didn't remember but because she only asked him to join her because she wanted to be with him
"How far have you gone with the investigation?" He reiterated. "What have you done about the phone number?"
"I thought I already told you to leave everything to us"
"I'm just trying to make everything easy and fast for us, I'm tired of seeing my friend held in your bondage"
"Look here" Helen began when the roads suddenly became free, the loud noise from cars drowned her voice. She drove off speedily.
"Where are you driving to?" Bode asked as she took a sharp corner.
"I'm taking you home, here's a short route to your house"
"But I can get home myself, I already told you all I need"
"Look Bode, the real owner of the line used to call Ini would be found and interrogated tomorrow"
"Tomorrow?" Boss's eyes shone with excitement. "Have you gotten the real name and contact of the owner or you're just hoping to?"
"We've gotten the real name and address already"
"And what's the real name?"
"I don't remember, I wrote it down somewhere in my office, would get it tomorrow"
"Wow! Good work" Bode smiled at her. "I'm sure this information would lead to the real killers"
"I hope so"
"I'm sure" Bode replied, happy with the news she gave him.
"Ermm, I think you can drop me here, I'll find my way home, it's late already"
"Don't bother, I'll drive you home. We'll be there in the next ten minutes"
"But it's past nine already, remember you're a lady"
"Hahaha" she laughed. "I lead a team in the CID"
"Yes? And does that make you a man? "
"No, but I'm a lady who can still be on the streets by 2am when situation demands"
"Hmmm"
"Yea, so you're the one who needs to get home safely"
"But I thought you said you had other things to do"
"Yes, just forget about that now" she replied him and made a U- turn leading into Bode's street.
TBC.....
