The Deathlike Mission - Episode 21

 

After the berating of Paul's dad on him, he began doing everything workable to get Kari killed so he could get back the files. In a recent instance, she was out late with Jide and on arrival at her home she met properties in the living room in disarray which was a clear signal there had been a raid to warn her. On account of that, Jide had sternly decided she moved out with her valuable belongings and he got her a room next to his in the motel he's lodged so he'll keep proper watch over her, what a terrible assassin he was . Kari however welcomed the idea because secretly she fancied being close to Jide twenty-four hours round the clock. But she was sort of amazed that he stayed in a motel and not a home. His explanation was that he just came to that part of the town for an assignment and would be returning to his base soon. What does Kari care, he could stay anywhere so long as he was close to her. She was seated on her bed that evening after work unfastening her shoe lace when she heard a light knock on the door and before she could respond Jide entered closing the door behind him. She gave him a bright smile, he reciprocated with a weak one leaning on the closed-door behind him. His expression was not quite readable but it seemed sort of gloomy to Kari.

"Hey!" She called softly.

"Sorry to barge in on you this way," He replied.

"What guards do to keep their wards safe you know, it's nothing." She defended with a hint of humor throwing her shoes towards the mini-wardrobe.

"Yea." he replied with a feigned smile.

"Hey!" Kari called softly again, "Are you sure you are fine? You look too strange for the man I know."

He exhaled. "It's eh..."

"Jide," she interrupted standing up and walking towards him

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

. "I'm not used to having you like this."

"I know. I just need to talk to you about something important."

"What could that be?"

"There's something about me you should know," he repeated uncomfortably.

"Surely it can't be that bad."

"Surely it isn't, trust me. I just don't want you to take or see me differently, and always remember, I am here to help you and keep you safe."

"Of course! Though it wasn't what we foresaw but you have been amazing. Why this Jide?" She asked a bit bothered.

After staring at her beautiful face for a while, he reluctantly brought his left hand from behind him exposing a paper he had been holding which bore a mug shot of her, the same sent to him several weeks ago regarding her elimination.

"Why do you have my photograph? Can't remember given it to you." She said lightly searching his face at the same looking at her photograph.

"It was sent to me weeks ago, right before I met you,"

"Why and how, by whom?" she asked bewildered. Then as an after thought after reading her statistics she exclaimed, "Oh my God! It can't be."

"Hey! It isn't what you are thinking," He tried to say holding her both shoulders, trying to calm her down.

"You were sent to kill me? You are an assassin Jide. how have I been so blind?"

"Come on. If I were an assassin I wouldn't be holding you like this."

"Huh?"

"Yes, you would be dead long before you saw my face. I could have killed you that night we first met by the eatery before you were attacked, or better yet I would have let him kill you to make my job easier. But I didn't, I saved you."

There was moment of quiet as they stared into each other's eyes with conflicting thoughts going through their minds.

"Let go of me." She said finally in a stern voice that Jide had to let go. "Who are you then and what do you want from me?" she asked without fear, a question she should have asked a long time ago in this manner.

He took some steps passing her towards the bed with both hands in his pockets trying to articulate his response.

"I am Senior Special Detective Jide Cooker, SIB National Security Branch - counter terrorism division." He replied still with his back to her, then continued. "Been in active field service for the past ten years, and stationed at the SIB headquarters in the Fct."

Even though he wasn't facing her he could feel her bewilderment and piercing eyes boring through his back.

"Oh no," she finally muttered like everything he had said in the past one minute just made sense to her. "You are what? You got to be kidding."

"I wish I were," he replied turning swiftly to face her. "Here, this is my identity card. I could never lie even with this." Kari stared at the card in his hand without touching it.

"Of course you can, and you definitely have how could you hide such a fact about yourself from me? You are no different from Mary then." she blurted walking sharply to the window like she was confused.

"Listen Kari," he said softly walking up behind her. "I understand your hurt, but if you were to listen to my explanation I could be worth your pardon."

"I am sure there is an explanation, but about my pardon, I am not. Allowing myself to be fooled by Paul wasn't painful, but by you, it is more than pain because you have been my - my associate, partner and - and confidant this short time. I really don't know if I would forgive you." She said close to tears.

"I understand perfectly, but let my explanation be the judge of that. Please sit and hear me out."

He made her sit on one of chairs by the bedside table while he sat at the edge of the bed and stared at her for one long moment before continuing.

"Like I tried to explain before, I am a Senior Special Detective in the SIB service. About seven months ago, we raided a warehouse and discovered different types of volatile weapons, guns and cartridges. Clearly the occupants were terrorist affiliated and even though they weren't prepared there was a bloody shootout leaving all but one dead. He was John Malik." Kari shot him a quick glance.

"John Malik?" She asked.

"Yes. He was sort of a major henchman at a local level and was skillful too, but we arrested him."

"So what happened?"

"He escaped our cells two days after his arrest and I was held responsible for it since I was the Detective in charge. It got serious because in his attempt to escape two Junior Detectives were killed."

"Oh what a pity. We heard a report of some sort, so it was you?"

"Unfortunately, yes. I was detained and further suspended indefinitely after I got released. But I didn't have rest because the keys were safely kept where only I could have reached at least that night. So I began doing a quiet investigation which led me to discover that our Deputy Director had a hand in his escape."

"That is a serious allegation Jide, how sure are you?"

"As sure as I was when I suspected Paul. But I could do nothing since I had no evidence against him. So I decided I was going to uncover whoever was responsible and as luck would have it, I picked up Malik's trail and had him followed until I discovered his circle. It was difficult and deadly at first but somehow I penetrated through a man called Zuri by working with him just to win his trust. I found out the man they worked for was fondly called the Major whom most of the boys have never had the opportunity to meet. So one of my assignments before I could meet him was to kill you, because it was reported that you were really hitting the suspect whom I discovered to be Malik hard. His death was a most unfortunate incident for me, but I realized I could use you because it was your case."

"Use me," she repeated the words. "So that's what you have been doing all along?"

"Kari please, I know that didn't sound well to the ears, but it's the truth and I'm not sorry about that because it turned out to be more. Following the series of events I have realized I couldn't have had a better partner and friend."

"Not anymore Jide, I won't be bought by your sweet words." She said and turned her face away.  He smiled. "So by your story," She continued, are you telling me that Paul's ring is the same with the one you belong to?"

"Yes it is. And please, I belong to no ring. It was all an undercover job as a tool to clear my name, regain my dignity and job."

"Obviously," she replied cheekily.

"Yes. And Kari, I also want you to know that there was never a time when I thought of harming you, though I decided if things got too tough that I could be found out I was going to..."

"Going to what?"

"Hide you somewhere or something of that sort. I do not know how you think of me now but I didn't have a choice in the matter, I had to do what I had to do."

There was a pause.

"I trusted you too quickly Jide, but I do not regret it." She said looking at him. 

"Really?" He asked shooting up a happy glance.

"Yes really. In as much as I detest you hid the truth for too long, I can't stay angry. You have done much more than required in spite of the fact your life could be in danger, I never could have asked for a more loyal friend."

"Thank you, you do not know how much these words of yours have eased my burden. I will never let any harm come to you as long as I live."

"Thank you too. About Zuri. Will you still keep up with the charade?"

"Yes, I will. We do not know who the kingpin is yet. As a matter of fact, Zuri sent me a mail requesting that we meet this night."

"Could be dangerous, what if Paul sees you there?"

"We operate from different quarters that explains why I didn't meet him till later. There's nothing to fear really. Zuri is the one I work with, but mind you I have never killed anyone regarding their cause."

"I can trust that."

"So Kari, even after hearing this, nothing has changed?"

"Nothing. You had serious reasons, Just be safe."

"I promise."

Clearly Jide never expected this soft landing. Was this girl being enchanted by him or what? Instinctively, he stood up and gave her a light kiss on the cheek. This action sent Kari's whole being reeling. She opened her eyes and met Jide's smiling face so close to hers that she almost couldn't stop herself from leaning in for a long kiss. She decided to close her eyes again and lean in, hoping that his lips would touch hers.

"Let's go grab dinner, it will soon be time for me to leave." he murmured. "I'll wait outside so you'll get changed."

What a disappointment.

She merely mumbled an "Ok." while he left.

'Oh no' Kari sighed and threw herself on the bed. How much more revelations could she take before this whole case ends? He was in the SIB service and the fact that he was sent to bring her end didn't change anything. She still felt so strongly for him even more than before, but she wasn't sure if he felt the same way because the way he had evaded the one moment that could have changed everything was frustrating. She had never been in this situation before. The men always beg for her. 'I'm so stupid' she chided herself again. How this handsome man could control himself before her was a surprise. Maybe he didn't want to get involved with her, she probably wasn't pretty enough or maybe - maybe he had a wife. Oh how that thought shattered her inside. Kari was sure as the dawn that she could trust Jide with her life debarring this new revelation, but she wasn't sure she could trust him with her heart hence she made up her mind there that she will never let her emotions get the best of her anymore when around him. With that, she stood up to get dressed as Jide was still waiting outside.