STARTLED

EPISODE EIGHT

I had made up my mind to go to Enugu. Things were getting out of hand. Detective Ifeanyi had gone mute all of a sudden. I couldn't reach him and I didn't have the contact of any of his colleagues, the only way to unravel the mystery was to travel to Enugu.

However, with Dan's presence, I knew it wouldn't be easy to just get up and leave. I had to look for a perfect excuse. So I did. I told Dan I had to go meet some business partners in Abuja. I couldn't tell him it was Enugu because I knew he would definitely figure it out.

" Abuja?"

"Uhuh." I replied as I wiped LJ's mouth. "LJ, you literally bath yourself with the food,since you won't let anyone feed you. Now I need to bath you again "

I carried LJ to the tub. He didn't need a bath. I just wanted to use that as a medium to end the conversation. Dan however, wasn't about to make it easy for me .

He followed me to the bathroom, " Do you really have to go? And must it be tomorrow?"

"Yes babe. I have to."

" Can't you just send Cletus? You've hardly had time to recover from all the stress of last week. I'm not in support of this journey at all. Just send Cletus."

LJ was having fun in the tub, so I came out of the bathroom. I knew we might end up getting angry at each other and I didn't want LJ seeing that.

" I can't send Cletus. I need to go myself. Why are being so adamant about my not going? "

"Well, maybe it's because I don't think it's Abuja you are going to. "

"What? Wait you mean you think I'm lying to you?"

Dan laughed, it was actually sarcastic. " Come on Kate, I know you are. You want to go to Enugu and follow up on that Lanre case. It's obvious. I asked you to leave it alone. I thought we had an agreement. "

I knew the truth had been found out but I wasn't going to accept defeat.

" You have got to be kidding me. How can you say that? Why would I lie to you . I'm going to Abuja."

Dan ran his hand through his hair, " Fine. I believe you. Have you booked a flight already?"

I nodded.

" Well then, I guess I'll know the truth when I see you off tomorrow "

I was frowning now," What! Oh my God!!! You are impossible. You know what? I don't need you to see me off. In fact, I don't want you to. I can't deal with this now. You can choose to believe what you want. " I walked out on him and went back to LJ but I knew I had just opened an injury that would hurt my family if I didn't contain it.

I left for Enugu the next day. Dan left the house early in the morning before I left and switched off his phone,so I couldn't reach him. He had slept in another room the previous night. I had to take LJ to Sheryl's before I left.

I got to Enugu before mid day and settled in a hotel. I really didn't know where to start from, but I didn't want to waste anytime . I still couldn't reach Detective Ifeanyi but I had his card. So, I decided to go to the address on the card.

I didn't find it difficult locating the police station. It was close to a car park, right in the heart of the city. However, I was very sure the cab driver ripped me off.

I walked across the compound towards the entrance of the building. I could see the Nigerian flag standing tall on a pole on the roof of the building. The compound was neat but filled with cars men in uniform sitting and laughing, who just looked at me and nodded a reply to my greeting.

I got into the building and saw to a woman in uniform who stood at the other side of a thick short wall that demarcated the hall into two. There were two officers handling two young men who looked pitiful also there.

" Mme osiso, no waste my time here abeg. Remof all those tins una dey wear" one of the officers said in a high and deep voice that resounded across the room, causing fear in the hearts of everyone, except the woman, who just sat on a stool and went through a long note book.

I summoned courage and walked up to her

" Good afternoon officer. "

The lady who was obviously in her mid thirties, just looked up from the book she was writing in, nodded and continued with what she was doing. It was obviously the norm here.

" Excuse me, I'm actually looking for someone "

She raised her head," When was the person arrested? "

"Ermmmm...not an inmate actually, I..."

" Madam, talk fast" she said impatiently.

" Detective Ifeanyi. He gave me his card some weeks ago. I've been trying to reach him but his line has been switched off."

She looked intently at me but said nothing.

" Why are you looking for him?" she finally asked.

"Well, I need his help urgently"

She closed the book, " Follow me "

She led me through a passage with offices on both sides. The passage was quite large and we were almost at the end of the passage when she stopped in front of a door, knocked and entered, I followed quickly but I was fast enough to get the name of the individual whose office we just entered and it wasn't Detective Ifeanyi.

The lady greeted the man who sat on his desk looking through a newspaper. He was obviously in his mid fifties. Very close to retirement. Had glasses on, dark, huge and handsome. Unlike most guys his age, he didn't have a pot belly, obviously worked out a lot.As I studied him, she explained to to him why I had come and then left the room. He offered me a chair.

" I'm Mr Muo .You are welcome, Miss ermmmm..."

" Davis"

" Davis? Are you not a Nigerian? "

I smiled, " I most definitely am"

"Where are you from? "

" Imo state"

He shook his head. " No offence, but it's just sad to see how the Ibos are losing touch with their culture. How can your surname be Davis. Wait! Are you married to a white man?"

I was getting uncomfortable but I decided to play along if it helped me get what I wanted.

" No. I'm not "

"Hmmm...it's a pity. Anyway, Beatrice said you came to look for Ifeanyi right?"

"Yes"

He took off his glasses and wiped the lens

" What's your relationship with him?"

I wasn't sure I wanted to tell him " We are friends. He helped me out some few weeks back. He gave me his card, so I just wanted to stop by to thank him."

The man smiled, " So typical of him. Well...I think you need to brace yourself up for what I'm about to tell you.

I sat down and paid abrupt attention.