The Deathlike Mission - Episode 1

 

As Kari Salman wearily walked out of the office building, her face wore a sickish-green look. Only a hard day at work could do this to a lady and Kari had just had one. It was her second day at work after a refreshing one month leave, not so much had changed around only that she now had so much work to do. She had spent the whole day at her desk reviewing suspects files and trying to compile evidences one after the other, and time really seemed to have sped by.

'The State Investigation Bureau is really a handful,' she thought to herself as she turned toward the parking lot where her blue honda civic stood . It had been a birthday  gift from her dad  two years ago. 'Her dad' she thought looking at her watch. It was 5.30pm already she needed to get home as soon as possible cause she had promised her father she will accompany him to a dinner event.

"Hey Kari, wait up!" a familiar voice called from behind. It was Laura she could tell, her best friend and colleague. She knew better than to keep moving, unless she wanted Laura to scream out her full name out so loud. Laura had always being like that, too playful for a detective. Little wonder she'd rather prefer remaining a desk agent rather than go out to the field even though she was smart. They had met each other at training school five years ago, for Kari it had been a dream come true to work in the SIB and she cherished the opportunity with everything she had

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/the-deathlike-mission-pt-1

. But for Laura being an investigator was the last thing she would ever wish for. She was there out of compulsion, her dream was to become a star in the fashion world. Her late father had wanted her there during his lifetime, did everything to persuade her, but all efforts were futile. After he passed on, she recieved the greatest shock of her life upon hearing the content and conditions of his will. She was an only child, her mother had died when she was just 16, so everything her father own was to be bequeathed to her. This was almost not the case as it came with a condition, 'That she would join the SIB and work for at least five years before she would be eligible to get her inheritance, and till then she will be living on a certain amount of allowance.' This had broken her so badly and she hated her father for it, she had no choice but to finally do his bidding.  Afterall how will she make her dream come true if she did not have any money. She will do it, and after she got her inheritance after five years she will quickly resign and make a go for her dreams. Luck was on her side as she got to training school on her second attempt applying, and this was her fifth year in the SIB service and she could'nt wait to drop her resignation, a fact she never failed to remind Kari at every chance she gets. Despite their deferences, both girls had grown so intimate that one who did not know could mistake them to be sisters.

"Laura, i thought you had gone home already," Kari said smiling as she watched her friend trying to catch up with her.

"You really thought so,"replied Laura sarcastically. "Besides why would i want to go home in a cab when i could be driven like a queen in your car?" she added sarcastically as she walked up to her friend.

"Well it happens, especially when you are off to any of your numerous dates," Kari replied giving her friend a wry glance. "By the way,  where is your car?"

"Oh dear dear, Kari i almost wouldn't have known you were the one talking if you had'nt added that line." Both girls laughed as they started walking slowly towards Kari's car. "Well," Laura continued, "My car misbehaved this morning so i had to leave it behind."

"That's quite a pity."

"Listen Kari," said Laura on a serious note, "I do not do those dates anymore,"

"Ok, someone's beginning to sound like her heart's been broken," Kari said in a light voice.

"Hell no!, i mean not the way you think. Just that i've had enough dates to last me a life time and i think i would rather prepare myself for something more serious like a relationship,” she giggled. “Come to think of it you are even the person who really need those dates. How about i fix you up with someone?”

“No ways Laura! thanks for your kind gesture but i’ll rather go on dates with my work,” she replied fondling with her bag for her car keys as they got to where it was parked.

“My only problem with you Kari, you always have work like we do not work in the same office. Talking about work, i think you have a new assignment.”

Kari shot up her head as she found her keys, “How did you know that?”

“I eavesdropped on paul’s conversation with the SIB chief, he’s going on leave and he’s leaving a lead for you.”

“Oh no, i’ve got so much to do already. What is it about?”

“I never got to hear, i had to leave before i got caught,” she replied with a wink.

“Just see that laura, he could find no one else to assign his work to except me. You know sometimes i wonder if paul does this kind of things on purpose, probably punishing me for turning his advances down,” she said leaning her back on her car.

“I don’t quite agree with you, paul’s too much in love with you to even think of intentionally stressing you, besides you are just one of the capable hands around him.”

“Really? What a reason!”

“It’s the truth, really you are good. But you know, i don’t envy you at all,  i mean its at times like this i am grateful i am not among the best hands, because i really cannot stand hard work. I can’t just wait to get my money so i’ll leave this job for workaholics like youself,” she added playfully.

“Laura, how did you even join the SIB?” asked Kari sympathetically.

“Well, you should go ask my late father that like you don’t know already. But seriously Kari, all i’m trying to say is that you should give paul a chance by that you’ll be giving your life some spice, you are  too uptight in work.”

“That’s my business Laura not your’s so keep your advice.”

“ok o, my mouth is shut. I will try as much as i can to maintain sealed lips on this issue.”

“Better for you, cause you won’t achieve anything by talking about it anyways.” Laura looked at her feigning a sad face and Kari laughed. She knew Laura better than anyone did, and she knew how best to keep her mute when she needed to think, especially now that  Paul was walking toward both of them.

“Speak of the devil” Laura said rather quietly as though she was scared of being scolded again.

“He always appears,” Kari replied wondering if she should out rightly express her resentment over his choice of replacement or just calm down and hear him out. “I’ll just chat with him for a while,” she told her friend.

“Whatever! I meant it when i said i will maintain sealed lips. Can i have your car keys cause you don’t expect me to wait for you standing,” she said holding out her open palm.

“Just get lost!” Kari replied throwing the key at her as she walked up to meet Paul halfway.

“Yes, but not without your cute car.”

Kari smiled at her friend’s joke, it was always difficult to wear a frown around Laura. She looked up and saw Paul smiling at her as he approached. He was devastatingly handsome in his simple jean and red T-shirt attire, it was obvious his leave had began. Sometimes she wondered why she found it so difficult to fall in love with him.

“Hello Kari,” his melodious voice brought her out of her reverie.

“Paul,”she called back as she stopped, watching his long strides cover up the remaining distance between them.

“Long time no see, you obviously had the nicest of time spending your leave, because you look really great,” he said while his eyes wondered about her.

Smiling she replied “Thank you Paul, you don’t look bad yourself. How have you been? Hav’nt really seen you around since i resumed.”

“Come on, it’s not quite two days you resumed yet. How’s your dad?”

“He’s fine, only sad i won’t be spending as much time with him anymore.”

“Uh-oh, thats a pity.”

“Paul,” she called on a serious note, wondering for the second time if she should be calm or mad about it. “I hear am supposed to take up your work?” There, she was calm.

“Yea, cause of my leave, hope you don’t mind that i suggested you?”

This was her chance she thought.

“Uhm no” then continued, “Honestly i did, you know i just resumed there are still so many files unattended waiting for me.” To hard she told herself.

“Am so so sorry for this, never meant to stress you at all, only thought you will be more than capable to handle it. But i could reappoint if its too much for you to handle.”

“Its ok” she replied trying to sound alright, “I’m fine about it now, so what’s it all about?”

“The young man we arrested yesterday with the van containing arms and explosives.”

“The John Malik guy?”

“Yes, they were two of such vans but we managed to lay hands on one while the other escaped. We expect there could be worst ammunition contained there and what’s more, people may be in danger, you need to do all you can for us to find out where those weaponry will be taken and what syndicate they work for.

“You really think they belong to a cartel?”

“Could be a very powerful one at that. We discovered that only a powerful syndicate could afford that and also smuggle it into the very heart of the country.”

“I believe so.”

“That guy in there is a starting point to get all we need to know, he is the the only lead for now.  Kari people’s life may be dependent on this task, you need to do everything you can to make him talk.”

“Definitely,” she replied with a strange enthusiasm bubbling within her. “I’m in Paul.”

“Good” he said patting her shoulders, mixed feelings reflecting in his eyes which Kari could not place. “The file containing the rest of the details will be on your desk first thing tomorrow morning. Even though i’ll be away, i’ll always keep in touch so i can assist you in every way i can. You have four others on your team, thier names are also contained in the file.”

“Thanks.” There was an uncomfortable three seconds silence before Paul spoke up.

“I’ll miss you Kari, so much.”

‘Oh no” Kari thought ‘Not now paul’

“I really don’t know how but it beats how you keep refusing my-”  The sound of Kari’s car horn distracted him, oh many thanks to Laura.

“Look paul, i really need to run, Laura can’t wait any longer, plus i need to accompany my dad to a dinner event right about now,” said Kari already turning to leave.

“It’s ok, you always escape anyways. I’ll call you, give my love to troublesome Laura and also your dad too. And do not fail to fill me in on every progress you make so far alright?”

“Ok boss, thanks for filling me in and you have the nicest of times spending your holidays.”

“Bye Kari!” Paul waved with a smile playing at the corner of his lips as he watched her go to her car. Putting his arms in the both side pockets of his trousers, he turned and headed for the office main entrance.

As Kari opened her driver’s seat door, her new found interest in the investigation surprised her when a moment ago she was so apprehensive of Paul’s choice of her. ‘Could be the importance of it,’ a small voice answered in her depths. She decided to be content with that reason till she found another.

“What in heaven’s name were you guys even talking about?” Laura scolded here as she settled in her driver’s seat.

“Oh Laura, you were my saviour back there with what you did.”

“You were actually going to stay longer than that?”

“We were just talking about the case generally, and then he was going to bring up the love issue again. The car horn sounded just in the nick of time to help me get away,” said Laura as she put the key on the ignition.

“There, you really owe me big this time.”

“And i think i’m paying you big by riding you home.” Both girls chuckled as the engine of the car revved.

“Yea thanks.”

“Guess what, Laura i think i’m beginning to be interested in this whole new assignment.”

“Really? After all the tantrums?”

“Yea, you know something tells me this will be a very long ride, and i cannot wait to get to it’s destination.”

Laura sighed “This is exactly why i can’t ever envy you girl, not even in the next life to come. You are just too comfortable in work, anyways you can go for whatever ride you want but just know here that i am so not coming with you on this one and i mean it.” Kari gave a loud laugh at her friend as her car hit the road.