The Deathlike Mission - Episode 19

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Laura left that evening as planned amidst tears of goodbyes shared by Kari and her. From the airport Kari and Jide made a stopover at an eatery to fill their not-too-hungry stomachs before heading back to Kari's house to wait for Mary's visit for she considered it safer to meet them there.

Jide ordered both their meals and drinks, confident whilst at it like he knew what Kari would like. She only smiled at his gesture without a word . Before their meal was served, Kari decided to share an information.

"There's something I need to show you," said she searching her pocketbook at the same time. She removed and empty brown envelope and handed it to Jide.

"What's that?" he asked collecting it.

"Was just searching my father's bedside drawer out of boredom last night and I found it."

"Oh," he replied taking in the inscription on it. The letter was from Inika, addressed to her late father, and a date was on it too.

"There seem to be quite a bond between these two." Jide joked.

"Far more than we know."

"It sure came with a letter, didn't it?"

"I didn't find anything in it, I searched around hoping to find one but there was none."

"It's dated 15th October."

"Exactly, that's was the day my father was killed."

"That's true. Since the letter isn't in it he might have received it prior to his attack, probably reading it when he was attacked

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

. You think the assailant or most likely Paul got away with the letter?"

"I fear so, but why?"

"It's probably why he got interested in Inika. He must have gone through the contents, only God knows what it was."

"It's just so confusing."

Their order arrived just then.

"Come on now we need to eat, and fast. We'll talk about this later, there's a long night ahead." he added taking his drink.

As soon as they finished their meal, Laura's phone on the table rang. She took one look at it and her countenance changed.

"It's Paul," she said grimly.

"Take it,"

"I can't"

"Come on. And act normal too."

After a thought Kari tapped the receiver at the last ring.

"Hey Kari, how are you?"

Paul's voice cut through her throat like a knife.

"Hi Paul." she didn't bother to answer his compliments.

"I stopped over earlier at the office today to see you but you were out."

"Oh is that so?"

"Yes. And Laura, she wasn't there too. Have you heard from her?"

She could have screamed curses on him then, how could he be this evil?

"No, haven't seen her myself." she managed to say.

"Ok, my regards to her and you be good too."

"I'll talk to you later, bye."

She dropped the phone fuming with so much fury.

"If I were him, it wouldn't take me so much to smell a rat. That was such a bad act," he taunted.

"For all he has done, it's hard to keep up with the pretence much further."

"We have to if we want to beat him at his own game."

"Obviously not using me."

"From what he said, Laura would be in danger had she not left and so are you too." looking at his watch he said, "Now, if we are to beat Paul to it this time I think we should get going."

"Give me a minute." So saying, she gulped down the remaining drink in her glass and picked up her phone as she was not with any bag.

Mary was already waiting by Kari's gate before they got to her house.

"You would have let me know you were here already, you may have been followed and could have been in danger standing outside like that." Jide said with concern as they all got into Kari's living room.

"I know that. But I'm sure I wasn't followed."

"We can't be too sure, considering how you lied to us before. You could be setting a trap this time," countered Kari sitting on the recliner removing her boots.

"Kari," Jide called slowly signaling her to be easy on the lady.

"I'm sorry about that time. I was in danger. Inika would get killed if I didn't find a way to put you both off," said Mary.

"So she actually wasn't dead?" Jide asked settling himself on the chair close to Kari gesturing Mary to do the same opposite them.

"No, but she is now." she replied with evident pain and began sobbing. "They didn't keep with their side of the bargain not that I trusted they would. Though I lied to you as they instructed but she was still killed."

"Oh, I'm really sorry about that." Even though Jide had every reason to doubt, he somehow had the conviction she told the truth this time.

"You could have asked for help from us or from the police." said Kari trying to sound nice.

"I was scared, too scared to talk to anyone. I just wanted her back in one piece but I should have known I was dealing with hardened criminals."

"These people, why did they kidnap Inika?" asked Jide.

"Because she was linked to you, I don't how they found out."

"Found out about what?" questioned an impatient Kari.

"There's so much you do not know, but I'll tell you everything."

"What do you know?" asked Kari again.

"The man you grew up to know wasn't your father."

There was a second pause before Kari replied.

"What are you talking about?"

"He was just your guardian."

"You must be insane."

"How did you know this Mary?" Jide asked, shocked at the revelation.

"Because Inika told me so."

"Oh no." Kari gasped standing up. "I will be disappointed if you believe this woman Jide. She lied to us before, how is it that will she not lie again?"

"I am not lying, obviously not against the dead."

"Get out of my house!" she ordered pointing towards the door, her eyes flashing red with anger.

"No Kari hang on a bit, let's not be rash about this." Jide tried to control the situation.

"No ways, I will not listen to you this time. Do you realize what she is saying? How could someone walk into my house and put my very existence into question? She might be misleading us again for al I know," She barked. Then turning to Mary. "Please ma'am I do not care whatever it is you have to say, just leave this minute else I'll throw you out."

"Kari you can not send her out, we need to listen to her. Even though she's lying we still need to know why she will lie about a thing so grave. Also she might be in danger out there at this time so just calm down and let me get to the bottom of this." At his words she was suddenly calm as though she was enchanted. Then he turned to Mary with a stern look.

"I am not lying sir," rattled Mary as if scared of his look. "Not with such a matter, Sir John wasn't her father you have to believe me."

"And why should we believe you Mary, we weren't even directed to meet you how come you know this?"

"Because Inika was my sister."

"Huh!"

"Your sister?" exclaimed Kari and Jide at once

"You now understand why I had to lie to keep her safe even if she wouldn't want me to. You have to believe me, she would give anything to be here now just to tell you what I'm about to reveal."

"Argh!" Kari exclaimed softly and sank back into the recliner.

"Who is her real father then, you know him?" asked Jide quietly.

"Yes, met him just once. Such a kind man he was. He was an army Major, was falsely accused and wrongly imprisoned several years back when she was still so little."

"How so?" he probed.

"He was a victim of a failed system. To cut it short, weapons meant for the military kept being looted continuously until he and some officers decided to do something about it. Their inquiries however led them to a ring of some of his superiors and juniors who were responsible and too powerful to stand against. It was no small tussle, but eventually most of your father's comrades in the fight were killed, but your father and some others were framed with what they fought against by the ring when they discovered your father had evidence that could destroy them. It was very bad."

"And nothing could be done?" Jide questioned.

"Nothing. He fought against strong forces, was outsmarted and even betrayed."

"Mary you cannot be lying about this."

"I am not I swear on my life. Before all this began and shortly after Kari's mother passed away he employed the services of my sister and Sir John because he needed all the help he could get with Kari since she was still a toddler. They became like family to him and he told them about every step he took during this battle like he knew what will befall him. So they were properly informed about the situation. After his imprisonment, the ring knew your father's evidence still lied somewhere so they burnt down his entire living house to make sure everything was destroyed, but my sister and Sir John had it and managed to escape with it and Kari as well. About some months later, she made an attempt to fight for your father's release using the evidences at her disposal but she almost got killed and became a target. That was why she handed Kari over to Sir John who took care of her to his dying day while she remained in the chapel house just to be safe. Kari, this truth has lingered very long. Like I said, my sister will give anything to tell you this by herself..."

"If what you are saying is true," Kari snapped for the first time since the story began, "Why didn't my father tell me?"

"He was scared the truth would upset you, so he decided it best to keep it hidden. This same men are still going about doing worst things to this day, they killed my sister and they will kill me too if they find me. Here is a file containing vital information about most of them you might find useful should you choose to take it up."

Jide got the file but was too occupied in his thoughts to open it.

"We never knew what became of Kari's father in prison. He and Inika paid greatly because of this evidence, try to make good use of it."

"Please I can't take this anymore,"said Kari standing up. "It just doesn't make sense." She walked quickly to her room.

"Mary, I... " Jide lost his voice.

"I understand. This is what her late father feared, but she must know what she has to know."

"Yea. About the man who kidnapped Inika, you know him?" 

"Never seen him before this incident. But he must be working for them and must have got a clue Inika knows something."

"It's really sad. But can you identify him?"

"Of course. He threatened me severally, I could never forget his face."

"That's good. Please stay here for the night as it might be dangerous for you out there, tomorrow we'll find a way to keep you safe. I need to check on her now." He stood up to leave then he added. "Thank you Mary, it was such a risk you took."

"I was still going to die even though I stayed in the chapel anyways. It's nothing."

"I'll be back."

He disappeared into the passage holding the file even though he did not know what to say to make Kari feel better.