The Deathlike Mission - Episode 22

 

Laura was recuperating really fast back in calabar and her host, Jide's bosom friend Ben had been wonderful and contributive to her quick recovery as they already struck a bond with each other. Kari made it a point of obligation to always feed her with information on the current state of things beginning from the revelation of Mary to that of Jide. She had been listening with her mouth wide open in surprise during the telephone conversations, bringing to Kari's reminder how she had suspected from the start there was more to Jide . But in the end she was glad it was for good. Upon these news, Laura agitated to return soon enough knowing the danger her friends were into yet Kari had told her off. But now Kari would give anything to have Laura by her since she needed someone to talk to and work with especially as Jide wasn't available. He hadn't return from his meeting with Zuri the night before and all his lines weren't connecting. This got Kari disturbed. When she had woken up earlier, she made her way to his room but the door was still locked meaning he actually didn't return. He could be in danger or maybe he's been sent out on one of those dirty assignments of theirs. If that was the case, he would have dropped a message to that effect knowing how worried she would be. In the end all she did was pray he was safe wherever he maybe.

Kari only managed to reach the office but concentration was difficult

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

. Her boys had arrested two of Paul's men the night before and they had to be interrogated, she wasn't in the right frame of mind to do that so Imoh who had noticed her discomposed state took over while she watched seeming distant, occupied with thoughts of Jide's whereabouts and always checking her phone expecting his call or text. After Imoh finished, he decided to find out what bothered her because he was concerned.

"From the way you have been on the phone, it's glaring you are expecting an important call." he cleverly asked while they strolled to Chief Ajayi's office.

"Me? No." she replied sharply not looking his way.

"So, what's with your absent-mindedness, lack of interest in things you do ordinarily and always checking on your phone?"

"Nothing - just nothing." she replied again looking away.

"No, I don't think so." He stopped in her tracks, causing her to stop as well. "I know you Kari, I think something serious is the matter with you and the earlier you start talking, the better for you."

"Look Imoh don't -"

"Don't what?" He interrupted her, pausing briefly to allow two officers passing by them to be out of earshot. "You know you can always talk to me, we are friends. With Laura gone it's just me and you. Whatever it is we surely can work around it."

She gave a long thought looking at him with tired eyes.

"Imoh," She finally said. "It is complicated. I'm really sorry I cannot tell you anything now until I am certain of my fears, if not it's going to be a disaster afterwards. Please understand me."

After a moment thought, he replied. "It's fine, just know that whenever you are ready to spill it out, I'm always here to listen."

"Thanks, for your understanding."

At that moment, her phone rang. She hastily removed it from her side pocket. The caller ID was Jide. She looked up at Imoh, heaved a sigh and tapped on the receiver. The voice she heard wasn't Jide's but it was familiar. It was Paul's. How was he with Jide's phone? Oh God! It can't be. What she feared the most has come to be. Paul has him, they discovered him out.

"You must be shocked how I got your boyfriend's phone." Paul went on to say after Kari ignored his fake pleasantries. "But don't worry I think he has an explanation for that."

She was chilled to her core. Her knees almost gave way so that she would collapse but she held on. It was the first time they spoke to each other since the chase began. Paul probably thought Jide hadn't told her of his undercover mission yet.

"Paul, I get to speak with you today." She mustered courage to give him a reply, moving few steps away from Imoh whose looks showed he was beginning to connect the dots.

"It's really a pleasure, believe me."

"Why are you calling me?" She didn't need anyone to tell her he wanted something.

"I have your man Kari, I understand you might fear I would kill him, but I won't only if you do as I say."

Oh God! How did they discover him?

Her heart's tempo increased. "What do you want?" she asked trying hard to hide her true feelings.

"I understand you have two of my men in your custody but it's not a problem. What I want is that you will quit chasing me, not that I fear you have what it takes to catch up with me because you never will. Also, you will hand over to me in person all the files and documents you got from Mary."

"I will never do that!" she snarled.

"Then be ready to have the corpse of your man for lunch today."

"Paul you -"

"Listen young lady, I do not have the time for this, it's either you are in or out. Nothing will give me more satisfaction than to kill Jide, so if I do not get those documents when I expect them you will have yourself to blame."

There was silence as she sobbed quietly at her defeat. She had come to understand Paul was bad, but he is worse than she envisaged.

"Young lady -"

"Ok, ok." She agreed. "But I need to speak with him first, just to make certain he is still alive."

"You are in no position to make demands of me. But I assure you, he's fit. Only sedated by a little overdose of the ketamine we injected in him to prevent him from being violent. Don't worry, he will be up in three hours to welcome you."

"Paul why are you doing this?"

"If I have to answer that I would say this wasn't about you, but you decided to rope yourself in so enjoy the fun. You are to bring the documents to where you will be directed in three hour's time. Feel free to inform the Chief and the entire SIB or tell no one and come here alone if you want. I do not need to state to you what consequences of the former option carries, Detective Kari Salman."

She closed her eyes as the burning tears cascaded off her cheeks. This can't be happening. A moment ago Paul was her prey, he was at her mercy. But now the tables have been turned. Falling into the hands of Paul was deadly, she might not make it out alive. Kari had the choice of not giving in but Jide would die that's if he wasn't already. No! she couldn't stand that. Jide had been an angel to her, not caring for his own life in the process. It was probably time to pay him back, and she would.

"Kari," Imoh's voice broke her thoughts. "That was Paul you just spoke to." Kari nodded. "Don't you think it's time you let it out?" Imoh said half asking. It wasn't because of the sternness in his voice nor the concern he showed, but this time she knew she had to tell him everything because she needed help.

*                    *                    *

Imoh was amazed like Laura was when Kari finished her story as they sat at the recess area, beginning from where she and Jide met, to where he left to meet Zuri and never returned.

"I cannot let him die Imoh." She said, her voice filled with anguish.

"I'm afraid there isn't much you can do to help."

"But there is,"

"By giving up the documents? That's about the only evidence you have against them and the people who framed and murdered your father?"

"I cannot help it," she whispered still in tears.

"How are you even convinced that if you ever return those documents you will make it out of the place alive?"

"I don't know. Jide has risked his life for me too, I know if he were in my position he wouldn't stop to think about himself on this."

"Perhaps he would  strategize a better way."

"Perhaps this is my best."

"Kari you need to think this through again, it is suicidal -"

"I have but I can't stop myself." she cut him. "If any harm comes to Jide, I would not know how to live with myself."

Seeing what she felt for the young man in captivity was more than natural and he couldn't convince her otherwise, he gave up.

"Since you are bent on doing this, what do I do to help?"

"Good. Were you able to gather any information from Paul's men?"

"Not even the hardest criminal could withstand my torture, they squealed. But the information isn't necessary given that you would be directed to a location where you would likely meet them."

"That's true."

"Though you have been warned but you need to let me know where you will be headed by all means, you might need to be rescued."

"I know, but please do not inform the Chief he will spoil things."

"That's a hard one Kari, there's no way I could hide that. I would be using some officers if a back up is necessary which I'm sure will be. Unless you want me there alone where we all might get killed eventually."

"Alright, I understand. But do not take the step until I order you to do so no matter what because the Chief wouldn't take this lightly. He will want to do it his way and they would be sanctions for working behind him."

"I'll try my best, but I still think you shouldn't go there, Paul will not have mercy on you."

"I understand you mean well, but my mind is made up. I have to go get prepared."

With that she cleaned her eyes and stood up.

"It's obvious I cannot stop you," said Imoh standing up after her removing his pistol from the holster around his waist. "Since you have chosen to go, you might be needing this." He gave her the pistol. Though she had hers, Kari took it and nodded at him.

"Thank you."

"Be careful Kari, I might never recover too if ever you get hurt." she smiled at his words, gave him a hug and left in great haste without looking back at him