Web of lies episode 17

Web Of Lies – Episode 17
“What do you mean the chief is missing?” Darren asked aback.
Xavier walked to him and told him to go with him outside. They stood in the corridor.
“The chief went missing yesterday in the morning,” Xavier said checking his phone. “His wife called today saying he didn’t get home last night.”
“I talked to him in the morning yesterday. I found him at the reception.”
“I heard so too.”
“The chief is an old man, he could have spent the night at a girlfriend’s place,” Darren said.
“I could have known Detective,” Xavier said assured. “There is something wrong.”
“Come on Xavier, don’t dramatize this. Give him a day, he will surely turn up,” Darren told Xavier.
Darren walked away from Xavier and went downstairs. He saw Serena at the reception and walked to her.
“Darren you’re here,” She said folding some papers.
“You gave me a scare,” Darren said. “Calling me like the station had been robbed.”
“They told me to call you.”
“Who?”
“Go and see for yourself in Florence’s lab.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Darren go!”
He rushed to the laboratory and found the Minister with the other bodyguard who was poked in the eyes by Marcus.
“Sir. What a surprise,” Darren said feeling his knees weak.
“Close the door detective,” the Minister told Darren seriously.
Darren closed the door. He walked to a chair while the two looked at him with straight faces. They watched him sit down.
“Only a few know I’m here and I would like to keep it that way,” the Minister looked at Darren.
“No problem sir. How can I help you?”
“I believe you chased someone with my bodyguard last night, what happened? We found the car but not the bodyguard and you weren’t around too.”
Darren knew he had to answer intelligently. The other bodyguard probably saw him run to the car with his friend.
“Yes sir I was with him.”
“Where is he?”
“I don’t know. We separated. He was driving too fast I couldn’t take it. I got off the car and he continued the chase,” Darren paused. “By the time I got to where the other car had crushed, I only found one car and no one, only students at the scene. I asked if they had seen anyone but they said they got to the sight and found no one too. Since the station was near, i came here and filed a report .”
The minister looked at Darren and then his bodyguard. “That person who was been chased broke into my house. I asked my son and he said he doesn’t know but the CCCtv footage shows them enter his room and stayed there for a while.”
“Maybe he’s a friend of his.”
“A friend who secretly enters the house by jumping the wall fence?” The minister looked at Darren. “I doubt. Now my bodyguard is also missing.”
Darren thought about how he betrayed the bodyguard and the look in his eyes.
“Where’s the chief?” The minister asked.
“I just got here sir, I don’t know.”
“What’s the fuss about him missing?”
“He’s not missing. Its Xavier and his team who are making it a big deal.”
“He’s a big man, he’s probably somewhere with a mistress.”
“Exact thing I told them.”
“Alright detective, I’m leaving now. My men are searching for the BMW as we are speaking now,” the Minister said walking past Darren.
“BMW?” Darren asked.
“Yes detective. Let’s keep this on the low. I think that man is a drug dealer for my son.”
Darren was relieved knowing that the minister was clueless to what was happening and that was good for the secret investigation he and Marcus were carrying out. After the minister had left the laboratory, Florence came in looking surprised.
“Isn’t that the minister?” She asked looking at Darren.
He ignored her and stood up.
“What was he doing here?” She persisted.
He looked at her and asked, “Do you ever shut up?”
“Sir I was …..”
“Shut up please!” He shouted leaving the lab.
“Sir I saw someone entering your…..”
He didn’t hear her finish the sentence. He walked to his office, entered and pushed the door behind him.
“Hi Darren,” Marcus said.
Shaken, Darren rushed to the door and locked it with his keys.
“What are you doing here? How did you get in?” Darren asked.
“I found my way,” Marcus smiled looking around the office. “This is too small. Do you even breath?” He mocked him.
“I talked to you a few minutes ago, I thought you were at the building.”
“After hearing the recording, I got curious and decided to come here.”
“To do what?”
“Visit the chief but I’m so disappointed he’s not here,” Marcus hit the table. “I wanted to see him. I have heard so much about him. He reminds me so much of my Chief back in my days. These men always have something up their sleeves.”
“The minister and the other bodyguard you poked in the eyes were here.”
“I saw them on my way in.”
“How do you manage to do this?” Darren was left with no words.
“Experience my friend. I was in the field for too long,” Marcus said proudly, “If there is one thing have learnt is manipulation.”
“It almost put you in trouble.”
“Well you have said, almost.”
“As you have noticed, the chief is not here. You have to leave before someone sees you here.”
“Where could he be?” Marcus looked at Darren.
“I don’t know. He’s probably shagging a mistress somewhere.”
“Do you believe that yourself Darren?”
“Yes I do.”
“After finding out he raped Fiona and he disappears. That’s strange,” Marcus said thoughtful.
Darren thought about Marcus’s words and it hit him that perhaps the chief had known that he knows and had decided to skip town. But how could he have known that he knows? Darren thought.
“No! He will be back before the end of the day.”
“I’m leaving. I have to see a doctor, this arm is killing me,” Marcus looked at Darren. “You did a solid on Tatiana for her to tell you all that,” Marcus laughed.
“I hope you didn’t kill the bodyguard,” Darren said.
Marcus only looked at him and walked to the door.
Darren unlocked the office door and checked if there was anyone in the corridor. He saw some officers talking and told Marcus to wait. After they had gone into their offices, Darren told Marcus it was clear. Marcus left the station with no one noticing him. Those who saw him thought it was just an old man who had come to report a case or had come to certify some doc-ments.
Darren got his phone and tried to reach Ayana but there was no response. He was worried and decided to go and check on her. Since everyone was occupied with finding the chief, Darren saw an opportunity to visit Ayana. On his way to Ayana’s place, his mother called him.
“Darren where are you?” She asked him.
“At work mother,” he lied.
“I know you are not at work. I’m from there.”
“In the field mother.”
“You are lying. I’m with your sister heading to your house, meet us there now.”
“Mother I can’t!” He scre-med agitated.
“Come Darren!” She yelled back and cut the line.
He looked at his phone furiously. The cab driver looked at him through the rear view mirror and was waiting for him to say something. He finally did after much thought.
“Let’s go back to my place.”
The car made a U turn. They got to his place and found his sister’s car parked outside. They had already entered and were waiting for him on the veranda.
“Darren!” His sister exclaimed upon seeing him.
“Mathilda,” he smiled at her.
She ran to him and hugged him.
“Our detective. I miss you,” she said sadly.
His mother watched them from the veranda carrying Mathilda’s baby. Darren and his sister walked to her holding hands.
“Is it a crime to see my children getting along like this?” She looked at him.
“Mother excuse me,” he passed her and opened the door.
They got into the house and all sat in the living room.
“I’m hungry,” Mathilda said getting up.
“I’m sure there’s something you can cook in the kitchen,” he told her.
“I just need something light,” She went to the kitchen leaving him and their mother sited quietly.
“Hold her,” Darren’s mother passed him the baby.
“No thanks I’m not a fan of these,” he refused.
“No wonder you don’t have any ah,” she said irritated.
She looked at him as if anticipating him to say something.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” He asked her.
“Don’t you have something to tell me?”
“What mother?”
Her eyes were fixed on him.
“You called me to come here mother. What do you have to say to me?”
“Darren! I know you and Ayana are a couple now. She told me.”
“Some mothers,” he whispered.
“I heard you.”
“Yes mother, we are a couple now.”
“When are you getting married?”
“Mother?” Frustration crinkled his eyes.
“You’re both old and Ayana is reaching menopause soon. You don’t need to waste time.”
“We barely know each other mother.”
“I’m just saying. Look at your sister’s baby,” she looked at the baby in her arms, “isn’t she cute?”
Darren nodded.
“Don’t you want to have one like this but even more cuter?”
“When the time comes, I will have one mother.”
Mathilda came to the living room with cornflakes in a bowl.
“Why do you trouble him mother?” She looked at her mother.
“He’s growing old; I can’t wait anymore.”
“Let him take his time.”
“You’re being nice, what do you want?” Darren asked Mathilda.
She smiled and said, “Can’t I be nice to my brother?”
“I know you Mathilda. There is something you want.”
“You got me. My husband’s brother was arrested in Kabwe so I was wondering if you can make some calls so that he can be released.”
“What did he do?”
“He beat up his girlfriend but she made him do it. He caught her cheating on him.”
“So you want me to have him released?”
Yes big brother,” she winked.
Darren nodded his head.
“Who is the lucky girl mom is talking about?” Mathilda asked Darren.
“Ayana,” He answered.
“Beautiful name.”
“She’s also beautiful and educated,” their mother added.
Darren was quiet thinking what could be happening to Ayana. Yes, she had a breakdown but shutting him off like that was unexpected to him.
“Darren!” Mathilda called him. “You have zoned out. What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing important,” he answered.
“I want to see Ayana’s pictures; I guess you have some in your phone.”
“I don’t have sorry.”
“Check her WhatsApp display photo.”
Darren got out his phone. He checked Ayana’s DP and there she was, looking as beautiful as ever. He felt his body quiver to the thought of her. He wanted to see her. As a matter of fact, he needed to see her lest he went crazy.
“Give me the phone now,” his sister said.
He handed over the phone to her.
“This looks like someone I know,” Mathilda looked at Darren and her mother.
“People look alike,” Darren said.
“Not like this. It’s either they are twins or its the person I know,” Mathilda said convinced. “And the person I know goes by the name Ayanara.”
Darren became curious.
“Ayanara?” He asked.
“Yes,” Mathilda answered.
“From where?”
“Back in college 15 years ago.”
“That is a long time ago Mathilda,” her mother said.
“Yes but I think it’s the same person.” Mathilda said. “Where did you guys meet?” She looked at Darren.
“Mother brought her to me,” Darren looked at his mother.
“A friend of mine introduced her to me,” his mother added.
“What’s her story?” Darren asked.
“It was a long time ago but by the time she got to college she was married.”
Darren quickly got up. His mother almost dropped the baby.
“Mother careful!” Mathilda shouted.
“Married?” Darren asked.
“Yes and it was the same young husband who was paying her tuition fees,” Mathilda gasped, “Boy that man was poor.”
“It’s not her,” Darren said. “Ayana has never been married.”
“Yes she has never been married,” his mother added.
“She looks just like her, this woman. I hope she’s not because what we heard she was doing to the husband was not something to hear about.,” Mathilda sighed.
“What?”
“It’s not something to talk about with mother around,” Mathilda laughed.
“Just say it,” her mother said.
“Rumour had it that she was forcing her husband to sleep with other men so that they could find her tuition fees.”
“What?” Darren felt weak in his knees hoping and praying his sister was talking about another Ayana.
“The husband met a terrible fate. He died two years after Ayanara completed her course. We heard he was killed,” Mathilda drank the milk in the bowl.
This was too much for Darren. He went to his bedroom, put on his coat and went back to the living room.
“I’m leaving,” he looked at his sister.
“To where?” She asked him.
“I’m going to see Ayana.”
“Where does she stay?”
“Ibex.”
“Let me drive you.”
“No. You stay but I’m getting your car,” he stretched his hand for the keys.
“Darren No!”
“Do you want me to have your brother in law released?” He looked at her.
“Don’t do anything to my car,” she let him go.
Darren drove to Ayana’s place and as usual found Naomi washing clothes outside.
“The madam is not around sir,” she said getting up.
“Where is she?”
“I don’t know sir.”
Darren felt that something was wrong. He ran to the house ignoring Naomi shouting that Ayana was not in the house.
“Ayana!” He shouted in,side the house.
He checked the kitchen, dining room and living room but she wasn’t there. He saw her favourite handbag on the dining table and knew she was home. He went to the bedroom but didn’t find her. He ran to her yoga room and as he was about to open it, she came out closing the door behind her.
“Darren,” she hugged him.
“Ayana I have been so worried.”
“I know I’m sorry. I haven’t been myself lately.”
“I told you that you can trust me.”
She was silent resting her head on his chest. She let go of him and led him to the living room.
“You haven’t been answering my calls since yesterday,” he said holding her hands.
“I wanted to but I couldn’t.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I want to be alone Darren. I will call you when I need company. I hope you don’t mind,” she dismissed him.
Darren was confused.
“I’m sorry but that’s what I need right now. No wonder I told Naomi to tell you I wasn’t around. I promise I will call you once I’m fine.”
Darren was led to the door. He couldn’t even ask her about what his sister had told him. Feeling disappointed he left the compound and got to the car.
“Sir!” Naomi called running to him.
“What is it Naomi? Your madam is in,side, you lied to me,” he said.
“I know sir but that’s what she told me to tell you.”
“What do you want?”
“Sir there is something going on in the house, I’m scared.”
“What is it?”
“I don’t know sir. I’m not supposed to say anything but sir you have to help the madam please sir!” Naomi begged.
“Slow down Naomi,” he held her hand. “What is going on?”
“You have to check for yourself sir please. Go back in,side sir and force yourself into the yoga room.”
Darren ran back to the house. He rushed to the yoga room and kicked his way into the room. What he found was nothing he could have expected.
“Ayana!” He scre-med.
She turned around with a gun and a barbed wire in her hands. “Darren I told you to leave.”
“But why?” He asked as his heart hammered against his ribs with terror in his eyes.
The chief was laying on the broken glasses all tied up bleeding to death.
“He killed my husband,” she answered with eyes burning with wrath.
“Your husband?” Darren asked not believing the terrific scene he was looking at.
“Yes. My David, My Life,” she answered looking at the blood stained barbed wire.
© Brian Ngoma
To be continued