(EPISODE 17) MY WEDDING NIGHT

I picked up my gun and nervously pointed it at the huge white guy who simply scoffed, drew forward and grabbed the gun, slapping me at the same time and sending me down with a ferocious kick on my left leg. “bitch” he cursed coldly, while Esther placed a hand on his shoulder and laughed.

The White Guy: “i heard noises from my room. I couldn’t imagine who you were talking with by this hour, so i decided to check up on you” he explained while she nodded.

Esther: “yea i knew you would come. That was why i slightly raised up my voice when talking to the idiot” she replied and spit on me.

I stared at them like a caged animal, clueless on what next to do. The tape however was still in my jacket recording everything that was happening, but it equally added to the tension in me. I was scared they were going to search me and discover it.

The White Guy: “so what’s she doing here?” he asked Esther who shrugged and eyed me.

Esther: “the bitch broke out of detention to query me on how her silly husband died” she answered. “now what do we do with her, should we wake everyone in the house and tell them of her presence?” she asked the guy.

The White Guy: “we have to tie her up first before thinking of what to do next. Hold the gun, let me go get a rope” he answered and passed the gun to her. “don’t try anything funny if you still value what’s left of your life” he threatened and headed to the door while i shook with fear.

Fortunately as he opened the door to leave the room, a big stick landed on his head, sending him back to the room with a powerful force while he screamed out in pain. I couldn’t believe my eyes as i saw my brother walk into the room like a super hero. I was over joyed and stunned. But my joy was short lived because Esther instantly drew back with fear, aimed and fired the only bullet in the gun at my brother.

Precious: “nooooooo” i screamed and leaped at her like a hyena…. Of course the whole plan looked ruined that fateful moment.

=====================

I pushed Esther to her bed, grabbed the gun and rushed to my brother who luckily was still standing.

Precious: “are you hurt?” i asked nervously.

Precious Brother: “thank God she missed, let’s get out of here” he answered and held my hand, but instantly, Esther grabbed me from behind and dragged me back to the bed, delivering few punches on my face. My brother tried separating us but the muscular white guy closed in on him, throwing out a punch which my brother dodged. In no time, the room turned into a battle field. My brother and i desperately struggled to wade them off and run away, while Esther and her guy did everything possible to hold us back. It really was a violent confrontation.

In no time we were all bleeding. However the earlier gunshot and noise we made as we fought soon attracted everyone in the house. In a matter of minutes the room was filled with surprised white folks, the two Nigerian gate men and two other black male servants. We were instantly separated and surrounded while Esther smiled with a triumphant look in her eyes.

Esther: “they came to murder us in our sleep. Can you imagine?. She even brought a gun” She complained breathlessly, while every other person in the room gasped with shock.

Damian’s mother came forward and looked into my eyes.

Damian’s Mom: “how did you get out of jail?, why did you kill my son, why are you here?, and what did we do to you?” she asked coldly. Tears fell from my eyes, I breathed deeply and controlled myself. I had to act cool. It was the first time i was being given a listening ear.

Precious: “I never killed Damian, I never killed your son. I doubt if any black woman will kill a man who has good intentions for her. I came here looking for answers. I had to brave all odds to be here. The police believes Esther killed my husband. I had no choice than to try get a confession out of her” i poured out.

Esther: “don’t tell me you are listening to that bitch?” Esther suddenly shouted. I turned, looked at her and smiled.

Precious: “oh no they won’t listen to me, but will listen to this” i smiled, pulled out the small recorder which surprising was still recording, stopped it and turned on the tape. The whole room went dead as eve....CONTINUED IN THE NEXT EPISODE....FINAL EPISODE..STAY TUNED.

(EPISODE16) MY WEDDING NIGHT

Let’s go home first. I want to see mum
“So when do you plan heading to the house?” The detective asked seconds later.
“It should be tonight, by 10pm. The neighborhood will be dark and lonely by that time” I answered quickly. “That’s okay but without a good recorder and hand gloves, i doubt if your mission will be successful. I can get them for you. Thank me later” he offered with a smile.
“oh thanks very much. You are indeed an angel” I thanked him. “I think we are forgetting something. We are yet to come up with a plan on how to get her out of this place without your colleagues noticing” my brother queried suspiciously.
“Leave that to me. I’ll get your sister out myself, but you will be right outside the premises to pick her up. You will be the person to drive her to the house” the detective said while my brother nodded in agreement. “Now get ready, in thirty minutes we should be out of here” he added.
“but it’s still 6:30pm I thought she’s breaking into the house by 10pm?” my brother asked with surprise. “Yea she is, but I can’t be able to get her out of this place by that time. I can only get her out in thirty minutes while you take her to your house or anywhere till show time” he answered. I breathed deeply. I really was nervous.

By 7:15pm that fateful evening, the detective took me out of my cell and helped me out of the compound by hiding me in his car. We had no problem leaving the police premises. It really was the most easiest part of the plan. In a couple of minutes we arrived at the agreed rendezvous where my brother was already waiting. As i made to alight from the detective’s car, he held me back and stared at me with a worried look.
“please be careful. Here is the recorder i promised. It’s very small, uses micro card and has high recording capability. It’s already charged” he said with care, as he gave me the recorder with little lecture on how to use it. “here are the gloves as well. You need no lecture on how to use them” he joked.
“please don’t disappoint me” he begged. I nodded, gave him a reassuring smile and alighted from his car. The detective was just a perfect gentleman. “so what now?”My brother asked as i joined him in his car. “let’s go home first. I want to see mum” I answered quietly. He gave me a long look, licked his lips and drove me home without another word.
______
10pm arrived much faster than i expected. I soon found myself at the back of my husband’s house with my heart pounding furiously while my eyes examined the fence as i prepared to scale it. Yea i was born and raised in the village among boys. I knew how to climb perfectly well. My only fear was on how to achieve my mission

I surveyed the area for the last time, reached inside my black jacket and touched the pistol my brother gave me minutes earlier.

Precious Brother: “it has only one bullet. You are not going in there to shoot anybody but i’m giving it to you because no knows what might happen when you get there” he said as he gave me the little weapon, equally giving me a quick lesson on how to use it. With one quick breathe, i scaled the fence, wounding as barbed wires tore my trouser. But the injury was nothing compared to the wound in my heart.

I pushed on, very determined to finish the task ahead. In no time i was at the backyard. I quickly headed straight to the garden and stopped for a minute to take a look at the crime scene where the detective believed my husband was murdered. Tears instantly fell from my eyes.

Precious: “Damian I believe you are watching. I know you are right here. I know a murdered spirit is always at the spot where his life was taken away. Yes i believe in it. I believe in superstition. I can’t do this without you. Please help me” I cried quietly, picked up myself and walked into the building with determination.

All the security lights were glaring as i made my way into the big house. But instead of being caught with the help of the lights, I was guided to the guest rooms by the same wonderful lights. However it really wasn’t easy knowing the particular room to check. I had to start from the first room downstairs, but luckily the first three rooms were locked, leaving me with no choice than to move over to the fourth room. I slowly opened the door but the room was very dark inside. I couldn’t see anything. I drew back to the corridor, closed the door and checked my recorder which was in good working condition. I smiled with satisfaction, safely tucked it back into the breast pocket of my jacket, pulled out a small touch light from my trouser and slowly walked into the room, flashing my torch light.

Lady: “who the heck is that?” a lady suddenly screamed from the bed, switching on the electric table lamp by her side, and revealing her face in the process. She was no other person than Esther Hardey.

The lady I came looking for. I breathed deeply, drew back, locked the door and switched on the main lights of the room which equally revealed my face to the frightened lady.

Lady (Esther): “oh shit, you?? You got to be kidding me” she instantly smiled on seeing my face, equally regaining all her composure as if she was sure I wouldn’t do anything to her. I quickly pulled out my gun from the jacket while she scoffed on seeing it. “oh please” she hissed, sat up on her bed, grabbed a stick of cigarette and lighted it. “what the hell do you want?” She asked coldly.

Precious: “You have to tell me how you did it or i swear, I will blow off your head right now. I didn’t come all the way here to laugh with you” I threatened seriously. Esther breathed deeply, stared at me for some seconds before shrugging.

Esther: “fine, sit down you will have your story” she said cautiously. “don’t worry about me, just talk” I pushed on harshly. “but why the fuck do you want to know how your husband died?. Anyway here is your story. You are still going down no matter what” she said with a smile, reached for the bottle of strong wine by her side, poured out a shot and gulped it all down. “you Africans are very dumb. You are nothing but an opportunist. You deserve whatever that is coming to you” she breathed fiercely. “do you know that I’ve been with Damian since my childhood. We were together all through high school and college. We were together till a silly friend of his dragged him to Africa. Everything changed from that moment, but i still waited and hoped. Then what?” she stopped, shook her head, sucked on her cigarette and blew out thick clouds of smoke, equally studying me cautiously. “I heard that a fucking black like you has gotten him completely off the hook. It was unbelievable. I couldn’t take it. I swore to ruin everything” she poured out while my hand trembled. “I made plans with my cousin who agreed with me in everything. We all joined Damian’s mother and her train. Together we came to Nigeria” she stopped and blew out more smoke from her mouth.

Esther: “do you smoke?” she asked quietly.

Precious: “no just continue with the story?” i urged.

Esther: “We arrived in Nigeria and I still tried my best to stop him from marrying you but no he wouldn’t listen. So after the wedding when everyone was carried away with excitement. I discreetly told him to meet me at the garden by 12am. It was a long wait, but he finally showed up and I got him distracted while my cousin slit him up. It was a clean revenge, but the whole plan changed when we got to the room and saw you deeply asleep. Instead of killing you, we decided to pin the crime on you by getting your prints on the murder weapon. Unfortunately your mother in law spoiled everything the next morning by pulling out the knife from her dead son’s body. Anyway you are still damned. I heard the case is being moved over to my country” she concluded with a laugh while a cold shiver ran down my spine. That exact moment, somebody pushed on the door leading to the room which I earlier locked, drawing my attention and equally making me take my eyes off Esther. With that split opportunity, she pounced on me like a tiger, knocked me down and opened the room door. A white muscular guy walked in and grinned at me. “oh what do we have here?” he asked with a cold smile. I instantly knew he was the murderer. The idiot that murdered my husband......to be continued

written by olulizzy

(EPISODE 15) MY WEDDING NIGHT

“so tell us what you have in mind?” the detective asked curiously. “well before i say anything, I’ll like to know if the so called Esther that got me into this mess is still staying at my husband’s house?” i asked while the detective nodded. “yes she is at the house. She chose staying their with your mother in law and four other people while the rest moved to a hotel but my department is still in possession of all their passports. So what has that got to do with your plan?” he answered and asked seriously. “a lot officer. It has a lot to do with my plans” i answered calmly. “yes go on” my brother urged desperately. “i can sneak into the compound, sneak up on Esther and make her confess. I know the house very well and i very much know the weak spots i can
use in gaining access to any room i so desire” i poured out breathlessly. My brother scoffed while the detective laughed. “you must be kidding, how on earth can you get her to confess?” my brother asked with disbelief “have you forgotten that i’m a woman. I know how to get a fellow woman to talk. Moreover Esther won’t find it hard opening up her mouth, since to her, i’m good as dead and it equally would be her word against mine. But if i can record everything with my phone without her knowledge won’t the case be solved?. Please just allow me to have access to the house, i’m very sure i can do it” i pleaded desperately. The detective scratched his head and breathed deeply. “have you forgotten that you are supposed to be in police cell?. How do i explain your disappearance?. No no no, even though your plan sounds tempting, i can’t allow it. I can’t put my ass on the line in such way” he said slowly, while i grabbed him strongly. “this is the only chance i got, please help me. If things go bad you can say i escaped from jail. You can fabricate anything and put on me. Please i beg of you” i begged passionately. He breathed deeply and nodded. “fine i’m in but if things go bad, you are on your own” he accepted, drawing great smile from me with his words. I hugged him with gratitude. “just pray it doesn’t go bad.This is the only shot you got to redeem yourself.
Don’t waste it” he advised while i nodded. It all appeared too easy to say but deep down i knew it was a very difficult task with high risk of failing. However I was very determined to carry it out. After all i had nothing to lose trying.
To be continued

(EPISODE14) MY WEDDING NIGHT

Later in the evening my brother came visiting with a flask filled with food, but food really wasn’t what i needed that moment. “i’m sorry for coming late, i really was held up with work. Dad is now safely home. I spoke with him few minutes ago” he said pleasantly while i ate slowly. “so what’s up, any breaking news?” he asked when i was done eating. I forced out a smile, thanked him for the food before telling him all that happened earlier in the day. He listened eagerly, frowning when i got to the suicide part of the plan. “no no no i don’t support that. What’s the detective thinking by suggesting such nonsense. No that’s bad” he said seriously, but before i could answer, detective Jeremiah showed up that moment with a heavy frown on his face. “i’m afraid i brought more bad news” he said as he stopped before us. “the Americans are now pushing for the case to be moved to their country” he calmly announced. My brother and I gasped with shock. "i got a call few minutes ago to prepare and document every thing i have on the case. We don’t even have the two days anymore” he explained seriously. “but that’s impossible!. The murder was committed in Nigerian soil. The trial should be here” my brother protested seriously. “I think you should take that up with the federal government if you have the right connections. I really had the feeling such a thing could happen but kept it to myself. Our leaders hardly deny the American government anything and this case is nothing different.
Seriously many things has been happening which are swept under the carpet without the public knowing” he summarized with resignation. “but i can go to court. I can stop them legally?” my brother asked seriously. The detective breathed deeply and shrugged. “well if you can get the court to sit before your sister is moved out of the country. Then yes you can. But she’s married to an American citizen which somehow makes her an American as well, moreover i learnt her dead husband already procured all necessary travelling papers for her before his death, which makes everything a lot easier for the Americans” he answered. “d--n” my brother cursed. “but we still have till morning to come up with something new” he added while i cleared my throat and spoke out for the first time. “i think i have a plan” i suddenly announced, surprising my brother and the detective with the cold smile which appeared on my face with the revelation.
Of course i had a new plan in my mind. A plan which was nothing close to the suicide attempt the detective proposed earlier in the day. So what kind of new plan came to my mind that crucial moment? C? Hmmmm

(EPISODE 13) MY WEDDING NIGHT

“I can do anything to free myself. Please just speak up” I pleaded. The detective shook his head, bit his lips and stared at me.
“hmmmm, if i’m unable to make any breakthrough within two days, you will have to harm yourself in a way that it will be impossible to put you up for trial. That’s the only way out” he said cautiously.
“wait a minute, I don’t understand. You mean i should harm myself?, in what way officer?” i asked with disbelief. He drew closer to me and squatted by my side. “that’s the only way to escape trial for some days. I can smuggle in some pills that will knock you out. So instead of finding yourself in the courtroom, you will find yourself in the hospital.
However it can be added to your charges but i believe your lawyer won’t have a hard time winning over the charge. But you also have to swear t keep your mouth shut if it comes to that. You know i can equally end up in prison over it” he said seriously, while i nodded. I couldn’t even find the voice to talk.
The plan was just so terrible to hear. Of course it was nothing but a sucidal plan. I knew the health implications of such deed, but it was a better option than prison. Seriously the detective was going out of line just to save a clueless lady like me. It wasn’t as if we paid him to help me. He simply was doing it for free. As if he knew what was going through my mind. He reached out and held my hands.
“when i joined the force newly. A young male student was picked up by our patrol team some miles away from a Robbery scene. We all knew the boy was innocent but still held him just to prove a point that we were working. Unknown to us, the boy was asthmatic and as soon as he was thrown into the cell, his health condition go very bad and before we could run around. He died. Since that moment, i decided to help the innocent. But you see, in police work it’s not always easy to be on the right path because we all obey orders and answer to our superiors whether we like it or not” He said softly. “you are a bright young woman but i’m afraid, if i fail to get good results. You will have to take your destiny in your hands. You will have to harm yourself. That’s the only thing that can buy us more time. Yes you will try committing suicide but I’ll be right on time to save your life. Anyway let’s pray it doesn’t come to that” he concluded and stood up while my head swelled with thoughts.
“God please don’t allow things to get that bad. Don’t allow me to try out suicide as an option” i prayed softly. It was such a difficult moment and decision to take. However i still had two days which was enough time for a miracle to happen...to be continued.

(EPISODE 12) MY WEDDING NIGHT

“I know you are helping me officer but you got to do more, you have to try every necessary means to
free me. Please i beg of you” i cried, kneeling before Detective Jeremiah who quickly looked away with embarrassment” “please madam stand up, don’t kneel for me, i’m not God” he begged but i still knelt, shedding more tears. A junior officer came into the detective’s office that moment bearing a file. “here are the rest of the results sir” he said to the detective who quickly snatched the file from him while i looked on hopefully. “you can leave now” he dismissed the officer before going through the file. “nothing new jeez, this case is really something else” he said to himself as he went through the file while i swallowed hard, confused on what next to do.“does it mean i’m going to hang for a crime i didn’t commit?. Can’t you run more tests” i asked curiously. “my dear our police department is one of the best in Africa. I have conducted all the necessary tests including fingerprint and DNA matching. The people that killed your husband had it well planned out and left no trace of anything. The only clear  found on your husband’s body belongs to
you, the rest are blurred. The murder weapon had only your mother in law’s prints on it. So you see
there is nothing we can use from the test results, we have nothing. The person that killed your husband
probably wore gloves, only if we can get those gloves” he concluded, while i cried out with the last strength
in me. “hey shut up, you are in the police station, don’t you know?” the detective frowned and stood up. “please shoot me, shoot me, shoot me” i begged with tears, forcing him to look away once again. “seriously madam, this is slowly slipping from me. I have only two options left, which are pretty hard” he said and swallowed hard while i stared at him hopefully, wiping my tears. “Number one. I play the good cop bad cop tactics on Esther, by secretly getting another audience with her. This time with another officer. We will then
present some selling lies and my colleague will ask for money to keep us quiet. Most whites think we are all
corrupt. So i feel she will buy my offer, and through that opportunity, i can get her to talk. The only bad
side of it, is that if it goes bad, i can be fired from the force. The second option is presenting my facts to
your mother inlaw, get her to reveal more details about her white guests to me. I’ll then do what we call
profiling, which will enable me get the man who killed your husband. Esther is no fool, she had no time to
hire a local hitman. She probably brought the killer along as her brother, cousin or friend. The only bad side
of this plan is that it may take more than two days to accomplish which then leaves us with one option
which you must do yourself to avoid trial. If i fail to meet up with the deadline” he concluded
seriously.“so what’s the option?” i asked. “oh it’s very dangerous. A very dangerous option” he
murmured.
To be continued.

(EPISODE 11) MY WEDDING NIGHT

The murder weapon had only your mother in law’s prints on it.
I know you are helping me officer but you got to do more, you have to try every necessary means to free me. Please I beg of you” I cried, kneeling before Detective Jeremiah who quickly looked away with embarrassment” “Please madam stand up, don’t kneel for me, I’m not God” he begged but I still knelt, shedding more tears.
A junior officer came into the detective\s office that moment bearing a file. “Here are the rest of the results sir” he said to the detective who quickly snatched the file from him while I looked on hopefully.
“You can leave now” he dismissed the officer before going through the file. “Nothing new jeez, this case is really something else” He said to himself as he went through the file while I swallowed hard, confused on what next to do. “Does it mean I’m going to hang for a crime I didn’t commit?. Can’t you run more tests?” I asked curiously. “My dear our police department is one of the best in Africa. I have conducted all the necessary tests including fingerprint and DNA matching. The people that killed your husband had it well planned out and left no trace of anything. The only clear prints found on your husband’s body belongs to you, the rest are blurred. The murder weapon had only your mother in law’s prints on it. So you see there is nothing we can use from the test results, we have nothing. The person that killed your husband probably wore gloves, only if we can get those gloves” he concluded,
While I cried out with the last strength in me “Hey shut up, you are in the police station, don’t you know?” the detective frowned and stood up. “Please shoot me, shoot me, shoot me” I begged with tears, forcing him to look away once again. “Seriously madam, this is slowly slipping from me. I have only two options left, which are pretty hard” he said and swallowed hard while I stared at him hopefully, wiping my tears.
“Number one. I play the good cop bad cop tactics on Esther, by secretly getting another audience with her. This time with another officer, we will then present some selling lies and my colleague will ask for money to keep us quiet. Most whites think we are all corrupt. So I feel she will buy my offer, and through that opportunity, I can get her to talk. The only bad side of it is that if it goes bad, I can be fired from the force.
The second option is presenting my facts to your mother in law, get her to reveal more details about her white guests to me. I’ll then do what we call profiling, which will enable me get the man who killed your husband. Esther is no fool, she had no time to hire a local hit man. She probably brought the killer along as her brother, cousin or friend. The only bad side of this plan is that it may take more than two days to accomplish which then leaves us with one option which you must do yourself to avoid trial. If I fail to meet up with the deadline” he concluded seriously. “so what’s the option?” I asked.
“Oh it’s very dangerous. A very dangerous option” he murmured.

( Episode 10) MY WEDDING NIGTH

Two days officer! You have just two days
Esther tried opening her mouth to say something, but the lawyer quickly held her hand, stopping her. Don’t say anything. The officer is bluffing. Hes trying to make you say something that could incriminate you he said to her before facing detective Jeremiah. If you really have the evidence to arrest my client, then go ahead, arrest her. But if you don’t, then shut the fuck up and do your goddamn work. Mind you, time is running out and you have only two days. The next time you will see me will be in court he threatened, shocking the detective with his words.
Of course not only the detective was shocked, I equally was very shocked because Esther was probably seconds away from confessing or making an unguided comment before the lawyer recovered himself and stopped her. Two days officer. You have just two days, else I will tear you apart in court the lawyer threatened and dragged Esther out of the office.

“We were just close to making a breakthrough damn the detective hissed with despair after they left. So what next? I asked with fear. He breathed deeply, opened the case file on his table, went through it and shook his head. Things are slowly adding up in your favor but we don’t have time on our side. We surely need a miracle he replied, Looked up at me and smiled to make me feel relaxed but I surely wasn’t.
“Remember we talked about the possibility of your husband going out to the garden that night to either smoke or see someone? he said while I nodded. According to the report in this file, there wasn’t any cigarette stick, ashes nor even anything similar found at the garden which then leaves us with one theory. He went out there to see someone, probably Esther, before a stronger person grabbed him from behind and stabbed him he concluded. how then do we find the mystery man that struck the fatal blow which killed my husband? I asked desperately. The detective shrugged. That’s what Im saying, we need more time, as it stands, Esther alone probably holds all the answers but we cant touch her he replied with resignation.
Tears instantly dropped from my eyes. The police had every reason to detain Esther but couldn’t because she was a foreigner. Instead I was the person being detained without due process..to be continued in the next episode..

(EPISODE 9) MY WEDDING NIGHT

After freshening up in one of the bathrooms, I was led to the detective’s office, where I sat and waited for the so called Esther Hardey to show up.
She showed up precisely ten minutes later with the same annoying white lawyer who threatened my brother.
They all stared at me with surprise as they walked into the detective’s office. “What is this murderer doing here?” the lawyer asked with anger. Detective Jeremiah smiled and shook his head.
As a lawyer, you should know that no suspect is guilty until a court of law gives verdict. Shes a suspect just like the lady that brought you along he answered the Lawyer who bit his lips angrily.
“Im taking none of this s--t any longer. If you cant do your job, better resign. My clients are tired of being detained in this country for no justifiable reason. They all want to go home and I give you two days to make it happen, else the fury of the American government will be on the whole Nigerian police force. You cant just keep everyone hostage he threatened.
“Oh I see you are representing all the Americans involved in this case, but I feel that will change soon the detective added quietly.
“What if I tell you, I have enough evidence to throw one of your clients in the cell right now? he pushed on.
Esther Hardey, she was at the house when the crime was committed. She was Damians fiancée, am I wrong? he asked the lawyer who kept quiet.
Esther had the motive and mindset to commit such murder and according to test results we have so far, she was physically present in one of the crime scenes which invariably places her in a bad position. I pin the murder charge on her. Phewwww case closed. I get promoted The detective concluded with a smile, while the lawyer instantly grew tense and stared at Esther with a coloured face.
Of course the detective had nothing strong to pin down the lady, but as a good officer he pulled a fast one on the white lawyer who for the first time looked beaten. It was time to prove how good a lawyer he was.
I prayed silently. I prayed for the detective’s stunt to work.
your client should use this opportunity to come out clean or Damian’s mother won’t like what I plan telling her the detective pushed on, while Esther colored up. It was obvious she was hiding something
oh Lord, make her to confess I prayed................CONTINUED IN THE NEXT EPISODE.

(EPISODE 8) MY WEDDING NIGHT.

Precious: “Officer Im all ears, tell me the news you bear I asked with fear. The detective threw a swift look at Nancy who shifted uneasily.
Detective: Well I don’t think now is a good time. It’s something private he replied, forcing me to smile quickly.
Precious: Nancy is like a sister to me. She knows almost everything about me. You can say anything in her presence I urged him nervously.
Detective: Esther Hardey he instantly called out, searching my face for any reaction. But the name he mentioned only drew me into another pit of confusion. The name sounded so strange and unfamiliar.
Precious: I don’t understand/ I haven\t heard such name anywhereI breathed with confusion.
Detective: That’s the name of your husband’s fiancée. A white lady he was supposed to Marry. The lady he left to marry you in order to fulfill the promise he made to you he explained.
A cold shiver instantly ran through my spine.
Precious: “So are you insinuating that Damian married me just to fulfill a promise? I asked sadly,
Precious: well I never knew he was engaged to any woman, seriously I thought all the ladies he played were just flings I murmured.
Detective: That’s not the problem he continued, breathing deeply. The lady in question is currently in Nigeria and was among the people that came into the country with your husband’s family and equally was present at the house when the crime was committed he explained, while I stared at him with a little hope.
Precious: That isn’t bad news, is it?. The lady definitely killed him. She had the motive and opportunity. Unbelievable I poured out desperately but the detective simply shrugged.
Detective: Yes she has the motive and opportunity, but we can’t just arrest her without strong reason. All I can do is to invite her for a little questioning and equally pray she doesn’t lawyer up he answered, breaking my worn out spirit. however we are still matching the DNA stuff we got from the scene and your husband’s body. I believe something positive will come out of it, but my only problem is that my superiors are putting much weight and interest in this case. They are pushing for closure and speedy trial which really will put you up as the scapegoat, if you are to be dragged to court without me finishing my investigations. You really need to pray my dear. You know how bad our judicial system can be, moreover the Americans want you to hang he concluded, while my heart froze. I instantly fell, collapsing on the floor within seconds.

I fainted

I soon regained myself to see two female police officers and Nancy by my side. Detective Jeremiah stood a distance away, watching me with great interest.
hope you have eaten today? One of the female officers asked me.
“Yea I nodded, breathing heavily.
“You have to get a grip of yourself if you ever want to win this case. You got to be strong. Esther Hardey will be here in few minutes for questioning the Detective said to me.
“Please i want to be present when she’s being questioned. I want to see her face I begged weakly.
“No I cant do that, I have already broken a lot of protocols for you he answered quickly.
I beg of you. Remember we are talking about my husband’s murder. Help a widowI pushed passionately.
He breathed deeply and shrugged.I hope I don’t get fired for all Im doing for you. Well you have to freshen up first, secondly you must promise not to say a word to the lady when you meet her he said seriously.
“Oh yes, I promise not to say a word I answered, while he smiled and left.
“The detective is a wonderful man. He will help you out the second female cop said to me, nodding with a smile...
To be continued

(EPISODE 7) MY WEDDING NIGHT

have to hold on tight dear, we are getting you out in no time. The detective promised to give you special treatment. So just hold on for a little longer my brother begged before leaving with my dad. However my day never had a dull moment because soon after they left, two of my colleagues came to see me as if they cared. I already knew they simply came to confirm things with their eyes, but thats one of the things in life we have no control over.
No matter what we do, we must have haters, we must have people who pretend to care and we also must have people whose only motive is to bring you down. Later in the afternoon, my friend Nancy also came to see me. It really was painful receiving such visits in a police cell.
Yea you guys should just for a moment reflect how it feels to be receiving your friends and colleagues, days after your wedding in a police cell. Horrible isnt it??. Nancy shed real tears on seeing me, her face coloured deeply. The shock in her very apparent.
I heard Rumours, I never believed till this very moment she said quietly. I swallowed hard and nodded. Nancy was my old time pal. We attended the same university, stayed in the same hostel and did our Nysc the same time, though in different states. Her parents were a bit wealthy and lived in the capital city. She
returned to live with them after Nysc while i came over to live with my brother. However i was fortunate to get a good job while
she managed a little teaching job in her neighbourhood. We still remained very close even after we disagreed over Damian. She was of the opinion that i was being overly ambitious, insisting that i was throwing away my life for money. I guess she was right?, but she merely objected to my relationship with Damian simply because i dropped my young boyfriend whom she much preferred, in order to move on with Damian. Yea Justice was the boys name, we were age mates and equally served {NYSC} the same time. He was a good kid but cmon I couldnt waste my future by waiting for him. He was even yet to get a job till the very moment I landed in the police cell.
Justice had a lot to do before thinking of settling down and I couldnt take the risk of waiting for him. At least I was good enough to keep him till we rounded up with Nysc unlike some of my course mates who dumped their boyfriends to get married in final year.
Damian brought only trouble just like i feared. My God this is a terrible Nightmare Nancy sobbed. I simply stared at her, not knowing what to say. But just that exact second, detective Jeremiah showed up with a dark smile.
you may not like the news i bear he announced and came forward while I almost fainted with fear.....

TO BE CONTINUED.    ......

(EPISODE 6) MY WEDDING NIGHT.

By 8am the next day, my brother showed up with my old father & detective Jeremiah. They all look very serious and tired. My heart bled as i saw tears form in my old mans eyes.
my darling you shouldn't be here he breathed painfully. I forced out a smile to assure him that i was alright.
  don't worry sir, we are coming close to solving this case. I'm working round the clock to make sure i solve the puzzles in the case. In no time your daughter will be out of here the detective said to him.
Officer please tell us what you have gotten so far. Tell us how far you have gotten my brother asked anxiously.
you know it isnt in our conduct to be revealing our investigations to people but nevertheless i will tell you guys how far i have gotten he answered, while my brother nodded desperately.
i worked on this case all through the night and i came to a conclusion that two people were involved in the murder. Moreover one of d security men in the house admitted seeing a white lady head to the garden at the exact time the crime might have been committed he revealed while I jumped up hopefully.
you should arrest the lady right away, isnt d testimony enough to vindicate me? i asked breathlessly. The detective shook his head and looked down.
im sorry but it isnt enough. The security man admitted seeing a woman head to the garden. He never said he saw her kill ur husband, moreover the knife cut in
your husbands chest was strong and deep. I doubt if any lady can strike so hard. A lady equally cant be able to drag your husbands body from the garden to his bedroom unless of course she was assisted. The fracture on his noise equally brought up another fact that the murderer might have
sneaked from behind, strongly cut off his breathe by covering his nose & mouth with one hand while burying the knife in his chest. Something a woman will find very hard to do. Anyway we are still running DNA tests which will help us put more things together he concluded, while I sighed with desperation.
cmon cant you just drill the woman that was spotted at the scene instead of wasting the time we dont have. Who is the woman, who is she? i asked curiously. The officer shrugged.
the security man unfortunately couldnt identify her.
According to him all the white women in the house that night looked the same to him he answered, shook hands with my brother and left. My father came forward & stared at me for some seconds, tears blinding his vision.
im going to the village today. Im going to visit the only living soothsayer in our clan. He can reveal the murderer for us he informed me slowly. I couldnt believe my ears.
Dad noooo!, you cant do that. You cant abandon your Christian believe for my sake. You are a strong catholic dad. It hasnt gotten to that I pleaded.
I cant sit, watch and do nothing. Your mother barely managed to survive the night. I must do something, I'm still the head and protector of my family he said
strongly. I bit my lips and looked at my brother for support, but all he did was just shrug.
It was obvious they had all agreed on it before visiting me....to be continued.