Roses and thorns episode 3 – 4

Roses And Thorns
CHAPTER THREE
By Jennifer Godwin
Joel and Ebube got to Mercy’s house and every where was already filled with police men, her gate was sealed and people were told to stay off the premises. Joel rushed towards the gate but was dragged back by a police man, Joel sighed and rolled his eyes,
“was the police man not seeing his camouflage or what?, He wasn’t a civilian but a soldier and a high ranked one at that”. Nonetheless, he brought out his ID card and waved it in front of the police man.
“I am captain Joel and the diseased was my fiance before de…” He was still talking when the policeman interrupted him.
“I already know you are a soldier from your camouflage no need for an ID card, but you have to understand sir, this is a crime scene and we don’t want anyone here.” The young police man explained.
“But my box is in her sitting room, i need to get it and also search around for an evidence” he replied.
“You mean you were here early this morning?” The policeman asked with eyes wide open.
“I was among the group of soldiers sent to Somalia three years ago on a fight for peace, i came back this morning to surprise my fiance but unfortunately, i got surprised and out of shock, i left the house leaving my box” Joel carefully explained because the last thing he needed was been labeled a murderer.
“Come with me” the police man said opening the gate and stepping into the compound. Joel gave Ebube a sign that he would be back. He followed the police man to Mercy’s bedroom and he found out that her corpse had been removed.
“Where is her body?” He asked.
“It is in a bag outside, we found traces of semen in her womanliness so i think she was raped and then she committed suicide because she couldn’t bear it. We are sending the semen to the forensic department though for a thorough test to be carried out.” the police man explained.
“This is not a case of suicide” Joel spoke quietly.
“What are you talking about?” The police man asked.
“She was murdered early this morning and the murderer raped her.” He concluded.
“How did you know?”
“Take a close look at the rope, the way it was tied from the left and not right. Someone that wants to commit suicide would tie it from the right to the left. Secondly, look at this stool (he pointed at a stool padded with heavy foam) someone was on this chair earlier today, i personally bought this stool for mercy and once someone sits on it, it takes a long time for it to rise back to its original form and as you can see, it is still sinked in,side. And then thirdly, her bed is scattered, i think she struggled with her killer before she got killed.” Joel explained calmly.
“Wow, now this is crazy, how come we didn’t think towards that dimension?” The police man asked no one in particular.
“I need to see her body for the last confirmation” Joel said walking out of the bedroom.
He followed the police man to where Mercy’s body was kept. They unzipped the nylon bag, he asked for a glove which was given to him, he took her right hand and examined her finger nails and then shook his head.
“Confirmed, she struggled with her killer a bit before she died, there are particules of scratched out flesh in her fingers mixed with blood which means she scratched her killer” Joel said and stepped aside for the police man to have a clear view.
“Thank you so much sir for this piece information, i will like to work with you on this case, let us catch the culprit” the police man said with a smile.
CHAPTER FOUR
“Thank you ma” Melody said to Mama chidera as she extends the money to her. Melody counted the naira notes and smiled. “5k Ma, aaah eshe ooo, thank you,” she completed folding the money.
“Just manage it my dear, you know if i had my way i would have brought you out from the slums and give you a better life, you are a good woman and also hærdworking” the woman said.
“Don’t worry Mama chidera, you are already doing a lot for me thank you. let me quickly rush to the market before sun down” she explained carrying her old bag.
“Okay my dear, take care of yourself” the woman said bidding her farewell.
Melody trekked under the scorching sun with smile evidently written on her face. That was the reason she loved working for Mama chidera because she adds few naira notes to their agreed payment. She got to ogbe ogonogo market and took the next turn to her right, she went straight to one of the elderly women selling garri, she bought a paint and proceeded to the rice section.
“Madam, how much is a paint of rice?” she asked as she picked few seeds of the rice for more scrutinization.
“1,500 ooo, and na better rice wey dey swell for pot” the seller said.
“oya put one paint for me”
“Okay, my customer” the woman replied.
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He watched her closely as she bought food stuff, he had seen her when she arrived at the market earlier on and right at that minute he already knew he had found his next victim, he had to get down from the car and follow her. Yes, he liked them plumpy and very fair, he imagined how sweet she would be in bed.
“Aboki give me two tubers of yam abeg, the cheapest ones ooo, you know say money no dey for now” he heard her say and smiled, she looked poor and wretched and she would surely beg for her life when he finally comes for her. Oh how much he loved it when his victims beg him and yes, when they also struggle, he liked it.
He followed her out of the market as she crossed to the other side of the road to board a tricycle, he got into his car prepared to follow up. She flagged down a trycycle and hopped in, he followed them at a close range. She stopped at the Metro bus stop and alighted, he stopped too and watch her as she walked down the dirty street. He finally turned on the ignition and left.
Tbc