The Deathlike Mission - Episode 14

 

Another week later, after the SIB concluded their findings on his body, Mr John was buried. His funeral was filled with sympathizers from far and near, so many of them Kari could not recognize. At some point she came to be weary because a thought crossed her mind that her father's killer might come from one of these strange faces. The entire procession went on smoothly and was well organized, all thanks to Jide Cooker . After he had been laid to rest in the cemetery, most of her close associates from the SIB and outside followed her home. While Laura was busy trying to entertain the guests, Kari sat on the couch as sympathizers gave her their endless condolences. After every one was done and almost everyone dispersed, she felt a warm familiar hand touch the side of her head, feeling her temperature.

"Hey," she said with a tired smile as she turned to find Jide beside her."

"Hi, are you ok?"

She sighed deeply. "I don't know, I'm just here. Everything is over and it just dawned on me that I will never get to see my dad again. Jide can my life ever go back the way it was, will I be able to live without my father? "

"Don't say that," he replied soothingly settling just beside her enveloping her both hands in his. "We all are here for you, though we can in no way replace your dad but believe me you will be fine given time ok?.

"How will I ever be when up until now that bloody killer hasn't been apprehended, he still runs about a free man whilst my dad lies dead and alone in the grave and this is almost three weeks!"

"You just need to exercise a little more patience, all hands are on deck to bring whoever is responsible to book and they have assured me of success before the end of the week."

"I'm growing impatient can't help it anymore,"

"Calm down

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

. Now that you are stable, I think there's something you must know. There's a similarity between your father's murder and that of John Malik."

"What are you saying Jide?"

"Both died of stab wounds that was inflicted on almost the same locations."

"I still do not understand you."

"I got the autopsy report of your dad, it is the same as that of John Malik. Though no one has taken the time to connect both deaths, but I have every reason to believe that John Malik and your dad were murdered by the same person."

"How can that be? Why would John Malik's killer have to kill my own father?"

"Calm down again. Isn't the reason obvious? Malik was killed because his Kingpin never trusted he would remain silent. Now, you are secretly investigating a case that is capable of blowing their cover. We had a little evidence I discovered we could work with. When I went in to rescue your dad, it was obvious the killer was looking for something maybe they felt the evidence was in your possession. Your father was in his way that's why he was killed. It probably wasn't their intention to get him killed."

"You aren't making any sense," Kari almost exploded.

"You have to believe me. I have spent time calculating this. It's the simple truth."

"This is too much for me to take in. If this is actually true, how would anyone know that I'm secretly on this besides I never told anybody I had the files."

"That brings us to the same puzzling question, did you speak to any one about this case by chance? Because unless this secret of ours had gotten out, we would not be in this state."

"How can you not trust me Jide, I didn't and haven't told anyone. The only person who knows about our secret aside the three of us is Paul, like you know I needed to let him in on every progress we make."

"Hmm. This Paul, can he be trusted?"

"Of course! The case was his beat, he is not strange to it but more or less a member of our team."

"Ok, I hope he's as good as he sounds." There was a pause then he had an afterthought. "Listen I'm really sorry for being this paranoid, only that the recent turn of events have really taken its toll on me. I just want us safe at all times."

"Don't worry, it's fine. I understand you are being careful."

"It's alright, if we all spoke to no one, I will find out where and how this secret got out of our grip. But I want you to do one thing, do not let Paul know I was involved in trying to save your dad's life ok?"

"But why?"

"Just do that for me, at least for now. Meanwhile, when you are well rested, we will begin the search for this Inika lady your dad directed us to, is that ok by you?" Kari nodded in agreement.

"Kari! Guess who's here," Laura called. They both looked up abruptly towards the voice.

"Oh my goodness, Paul!" Kari screamed standing up.

"Hello dear," He rushes to meet up with her.

"Where have you been?"

"You sure would want to know." They both hugged each other affectionately while Jide stood to his feet staring at them.

"Paul, how badly you behaved, not even a word from you upon hearing what befell us." Kari told him when they were free.

"I know, I know. No explanation or excuse would suffice. How are you? I heard about everything that has happened, I'm so sorry I wasn't here with you when you could have needed me. I was quite far away from here and did not get the message on time."

"You have no idea how terrible it was, your presence could have really gone a long way."

"Forgive me, please."

"It's ok, he's been laid to rest already."

"I can see you are holding up pretty well, oh my Kari," he said and hugged her again. Jide who had been watching them cleared his throat purposefully. "And this is Jide I guess?" Paul asked after Jide's interruption had separated them again.

"Yes, Jide Cooker. Always been by my side, you would not meet me as cheerful as this if it were not for him. I owe him a lot."

"Really, he sounds like a real gentleman."

"And you must be the famous paul, the girls never go a day without talking about you." Jide spoke. The four of them laughed. "Glad to finally meet you."

Both men shook hands before Paul responded, "Glad to meet you too and thank you for been there for my woman, if I could I would repay you."

There was a short moment of silence as a result of his last statement, before Jide braced himself and spoke up again.

"There will be no need to repay me in any way, I would do same for anyone in her situation."  And then Jide noticed a dying scar in his left palm. "What happened to you?" he feigned concern.

"Oh this, I was involved in an accident, that was part of the reason I could not be here when I should."

"Really! What kind of accident and how did it happen?" Laura spoke for the first time.

"It's a long story, will reserve it for another time."

"Hope it wasn't serious, like you did not have to be hospitalized?" Kari had to be concerned too.

"Not at all Kari, it was minor."

"Sorry about that." Jide said wearing a suspicious frown."

"Now everyone, I think we have  been too serious enough, can you all just sit so I could go get us some drinks," Laura said and dashed off immediately toward the kitchen.

"Alright Laura." Paul called behind her as they all sat down. "And to you Mr Jide, thanks for everything again."

"It's really nothing, like I said I would have done same for anyone in that situation." Kari raised a confused eyebrow towards Jide but he dodged her stare.

"You mean that?"

"Yes I do. Now let me excuse you both I think you have so much to talk to each other about, Kari please do as I said." His last statement left Paul wondering and a little bit disturbed. Jide leaves them and sits on the dining table beside.

"What did he mean by you been careful?" Paul whispered.

"Never bother about that, he's just saying."

"Really? I have a feeling that guy is unto mischief."

"Now Paul, are you here to sympathize with me or throw accusing fingers?"

"I'm sorry about, just got carried away."

At that point, Laura came in with a tray containing a bottled drink and four glasses. She filled all the glasses and served both Kari and Paul theirs while she threw funny words at them that made them laugh. After she was done, she looked about for Jide and saw him staring helplessly at Paul and Kari. She giggled, picked up the two remaining glasses and strode towards him.

"Hey!" she startled him.

"Laura, you scared me."

"You are really lost in your thoughts, what are you so grumpy about?" she asked handing him his glass as she sat down opposite him.

"Me? Nothing, I'm fine."

"Hmm, I know what I see in those eyes of yours." she said winking at him.

"What?"

"Jealousy of course. Tell yourself the truth Paul's presence here is really disturbing. You can't bear to lose Kari's company for a minute," she smiled sipping her drink.

"Huh?" That's not true." Then he exhaled. "Well must you always say exactly what's on your mind?"

"There, I got you." She laughed.

"Yes you did but it's a step farther than that, something  worries me actually." He replied dropping his glass on the table.

"What exactly?"

"I asked Kari if she told anyone about our private investigations just as I asked you."

"And her response?"

"She told no one except Paul,"

"Same here, and I guess by now you know why."

"That's the problem. Listen, When I tried rescuing Kari's dad, I had a near brutal fight with his killer and I ended up stabbing his palm with his own dagger. And I tell you this without mincing words, where Paul has that scar was about the same place I stabbed the masked guy."

"What!"

"Bring your voice low. That is not all, both the killer and Paul wear the same fragrance, I am sure of this." he said almost in a whisper.

Laura gave a light chuckle.

"Are you trying to say Paul could be behind Kari father's death?"

"I'm saying this is more than just coincidence, it's worth our suspicion."

"No, this is totally impossible and unbelievable, I mean I'm not hearing this.  How do you even mean to say our own Paul is a traitor, responsible for the death of Mr John. That's an unfair accusation and I will not accept it."

"Calm down. Look, I know exactly what I'm saying all of these is too much to be just coincidence.

"Stop talking nonsense Jide! I'm surprised at you. Now listen if this will mean anything to you, Paul is madly in love with Kari. It's only her consent that matters before he starts courting her. I never wanted to mention this to you seeing the fondness you have for her but your insensitivity and illogical conclusions leaves me no choice. Now tell me, how possible is it for someone to murder the father to the woman he loves so much in cold blood?"

"Come on, you are too intelligent for this. Who said there wasn't a reason why he was killed? But we can't get to that if you go on this way."

"I don't care, I can't just stand you making this grave assertions about somebody you barely know."

"Laura Paul's not what you think, there's something sinister about him a rational human being can sense even ten thousand miles away."

"I really can't stand this anymore. Just when I was beginning to warm up to you, you've proven what a pathetic fellow you truly are. Whatever you say, I will have you know that I and Kari will keep trusting Paul with our lives far more than a total stranger like you who came from nowhere." She stands up to leave but Jide places his palm over hers.

"I understand your anger, But I'm really sorry for making you feel this bad. Now, whether you believe me or not, I do not want any word of this conversation to get to anyone, not even Kari or Paul till I gather concrete evidence for or against it please."

She forcefully removes her hand from under his coverage. "Yes, I will do just that, not for you though but for Kari's sake because it's really going to hurt her feelings that you are accusing a man whom she has known this long and can bet her life on his loyalty. Excuse me." She leaves him and stalks off, while Jide stares angrily at Paul and Laura who were involved in a very deep conversation.