The Picnic - Episode 10

 

Jamal sat in the interrogating room, his  cuffed hands laid on the table in as his head rested uncomfortably on it in thought. "What mess have you gotten yourself into Jamal?" He asked himself. 

Duro walked in with Dare and Victor. "Uncle lie lie, wake up!" Victor banged on the table and Jamal raised his head up.
"Jamal no fit you at all, them for call you lai"
"That's not even funny" Jamal retorted with a glare at Victor and Duro sat on the chair. "You guys have the wrong guy . I didn't kill Bola"
 "Toke found you guys arguing" Duro revealed and Jamal stifled a scoff.
"So she decided to screw me over"
"What were you two arguing about?" Duro asked, "It's not in my place to tell you that"
"Are you going to speak or you prefer I torture the damn answer out of you"
"I have rights Duro"
"Now you're a suspect" 
"Actually, the suspect and will refer to the boss as detective" Victor corrected and Jamal rolled his eyes. 
"Before your dad died, Bola found out something and since then he's been angry at me. He's been threatening me to leave the pool house but I wasn't considering it

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. The pool house is my home. I either stay at the pool house or wound up dead."
"I don't understand" Duro answered looking so confused. "I told you already, it's not in my place to tell you this. How about asking your mom"
"Would you just cut the suspense already and tell me the truth, what business do you have with Mom?"
"I wanted to be close with Bola, he treated me nicely until he found out that I was part of the family"
"Don't tell me you're my brother"
"No, I'm your cousin. Your Uncle Kayode's bastard son. If you doubt me, go and ask your mom. I would never harm my family."

Duro drove into his dad's house. He came out of the car to see his mom already dressed. "Talk about the devil. I was going to meet up with you" she said moving closer to him. "Hey dear" she added touching his cheek.
 "You look all tensed up, have you had breakfast?"
"I'm not hungry, I'm just really angry"
"Taye called me, said you arrested Jamal. I was about going to the station"
"So it's true?" Duro asked,  "What?" His mom asked a bit curious, although she had her guess. "Is Jamal our cousin?" He asked and Mrs Daniels nodded her head.

"Your uncle was a Casanova. He got an hausa lady pregnant and she had Jamal. If his wife had found out then, she would have killed him; Bisi is very heartless. When Kayode drove the baby and the mother away, your father took them in, rented an apartment for them. He went to the university but he dropped out after having an argument with your dad, your dad bragged about being the one taking care of him since he was a baby. He wanted to make it on his own. Jamal left, but he came back later making a deal with your dad to work and make his own money while he receives hospitality. Your dad offered him a position but he bluntly refused. He personally took the position of a security. Stubbornness runs in the blood"
"Mom I think he killed Bola"
"Jamal would never hurt a fly. He's a good boy, humble to the core. He might be a little secretive, you all are but just give him time. He'll come out straight"
"What if i let him go and he runs away"
"Just let him go Duro, he's totally harmless" Mrs. Daniels held on to her son's hands. 
"That reminds me, I was speaking with one of my friend and business partner. She said her daughter just came back from Benin republic. She's a graduate now and she's young too, she's just twenty five years old"
"I know what you're trying to do"
"I told you already I would help you out if you don't work fast and I already planned a date"
"You have to cancel cause I'm dating already"
Mrs. Duro laughed hard, "It's a lie! Who do you want to deceive?" "I'm serious mom, I'm currently dating and hopefully she'll be the one"
"What's her name?"
"Rukerwe Johnson, she's from Delta State"
"Wait....same Rukerwe?" Mrs Daniel asked, "I don't know"
"Dunni's friend, the cook at the hotel?" She added, and Duro nodded. "She might not be from a wealthy home mom but I like her" 
"Come on Duro, you know I've never cared about that. I'm just surprised how you got to have such luck. I know her. That girl is something, Dunni adores and respects her."
"Shea?" Duro retorted smiling. "I really like her and I hope that I don't ruin things this time. Mom I always screw up"
"Just give her your time, don't die in this your police stuff even your dad had to give us time. Remember how he'll take me cruising for the weekends? Your dad was the most busiest yet the most romantic man I've ever met. You can be like him if you just try, a little effort would not kill"

"I have busy days ahead, more investigation."
"Screw them and just take a time out" "I haven't gotten anywhere in the investigation and you're telling me to take a time out"
Mrs Daniels pinched him on the arm. "I'm teaching you how to be romantic. Just do as I say"

Muna stood by the pavement, she held a plate of fried potatoes looking down at Ugo and Omo. She watched her wave at him then walked out of the gate. 
Muna back into the sitting room after she heard Ugo close the door. "You're leading her on" Muna warned.
"Are you jealous?" Ugo shot at her and she rolled her eyes. "I'm not jealous! I'm concerned. "You're leading her on, don't say I didn't warn you." 
She answered walking away. "Muna" he called out, "We haven't talked about what happened at the police station"
"Ugo I was with you, I had nothing to do with Bolaji's death."
"I know but you're really bothered about it and I want you to talk about it. Don't just help it all in"
"I would have told you if you were still my friend"
"Come on Muna, don't give me that, I'm still your pal"
"No Ugo, you're just my flat mate and nothing more" Muna replied angrily. "The fact that I took the s*x away doesn't mean we can't still be friends"
"The rent will expire soon, I can't wait to leave" she chipped in walking away into her room.

A week later, after Duro questioned the maids who were workers in the pool house who claimed not to have any idea about what happened at the pool house.
Victor rushed after one whom he had a liking for. "Hey" he called out and she finally turned back at him.
"What's up? I thought the investigation was over"
"Yeah but mine is about to begin" he said smiling but Cynthia seemed confused. He didn't understand where Victor was going with it. "I don't understand"
"Sorry I ....

Read " Hotel Palava " by the same author ( Essien Eno )

. I've been told that I'm not funny" he answered and she laughed. "This is me asking you out, are you free tonight?"
"I have to catch up with some things"
"What time?" He asked, "by eight"
"Does that mean you're free from the hour of six to eight" "Yes" she replied and Victor smiled victoriously. 
"It's a date then"
"I don't even know you and I'm sorry I have to cancel" 
"Because you don't know me shea?" He asked and she nodded her head. Victor grabbed her phone dailing his number. "That's my number" he said and his phone rang. 
"Now I have your number and I promise to call you" he added then left meeting Dare who was laughing. "I never knew you had such guts"
"Don't pay attention to him" the other maid opined, "Why?" Cynthia asked, "Cynthia he's with the police, I don't want any wahala. What if he finds us out?"
"Shhh" Cynthia said as they made way out of the police station. "There's no way anyone would find out. Not like we're being sloppy about it"
"I have a bad feeling about this guy"
"He's cute" Cynthia said turning her back as though to have a last look at him.

Duro cancelled his plans for the day then called up Rukky. "Hey are you free?" He asked as she through a hall. "I just came out of an unsuccessful meeting with someone i....." she paused them heaved a sigh.
 "I'm taking the day off" Duro announced.
"Are you okay?" Rukky asked, "I just need a time out with my girlfriend"
"Seriously?" She asked chuckling, "Okay, I'm free so where do you want us to meet"
"My house. I'll make lunch" he added and Rukky laughed. 
"Can you cook?" "You'll be surprised" he added and she stifled a soft chuckle raising her nose in disbelief. 
"You'll be blown away"
"I can't wait" she added sarcastically and Duro hung up.