MISSING - Episode 10

After the eventful night out, Ike and Kabir had returned home in a hurry, eager to tear through the documents they’d found earlier. Among the documents were pictures of a boy with his mother, in different places - at school, at the playground, and in what looked like their neighbourhood. There were also election campaign fliers with the face of the incumbent governor of the state - who only recently withdrew from his re-run campaign, crossed off with a red marker.

It was now near midnight, and Ike sat on the floor of their living room with the pictures and documents separated in neat piles. The smell of roasted meat and onions filled the room.

‘These guys were thorough,’ Kabir said, chewing loudly as he looked over Ike’s shoulder from where he squatted. Despite their hurry, on their way home, he’d insisted on buying Suya from the Mallam down the street.

‘Yeah. I just hope what we are doing isn’t illegal. Isn’t this evidence tampering?’ Ike couldn’t shake off his concern that they were meddling with dangerous people.

Kabir shrugged and gestured at the pile of documents.

‘I recognize Governor Osarume from these fliers, but just don't get how his pictures, and those of this boy and woman link to Eunice. Although it's weird that the boy seems familiar - like I've seen the face before.’ He paused for a moment then snapped his fingers.

‘I remember!’ He exclaimed, and rushed into his room. He came out shortly with a newspaper and scanned the pages quickly.

‘There it is. I knew I’d seen that face before.” He dropped the newspaper in front of Ike who scanned the page.’

‘The boy is Gov. Osarume's missing son!’

‘Yes!’ Kabir paced, still chewing loudly. ‘These guys may be responsible for the abduction. But if that’s true, Eunice could be in more trouble than we think.’

‘You’re right! But this means that the kidnap of Dr. Osarume’s son being peddled over the news was politically motivated, not random?’

‘With all these, it’s clear that it wasn’t random, considering the fact that Gov. Osarume stepped down from the gubernatorial race yesterday.’

‘Yes he did…and this morning the party announced his replacement.’

‘Uh, yes, the other man who lost in the primaries is replacing him. What’s his name again?’

‘That chief...’ Ike scratched his beard in thought. ‘I can’t recall the name right now.’

Kabir stopped chewing and locked eyes with Ike.

‘Are you thinking what I’m thinking?’

‘Blackmail?’

‘It’s possible.’

‘But it still doesn’t explain the link to Eunice. Nothing here gives a clue about her whereabouts.’

Kabir looked at the pile on the floor.

‘True,’ he said and sat beside Ike.

‘We still have two unopened envelopes. Let’s find that link.’

Ike turned over the large brown envelope carefully, and tore open the sealed side. He pulled out another wad of documents and slapped them on his hands.

‘What do we have here?’ Kabir smirked and lifted the documents from Ike’s hand.

‘These look like accounting documents.’

‘Hold on, there’s still something in here.’ Ike turned the envelope upside down, shook it, and picked up the black flash drive that fell out.’

‘These are payment records.’ Kabir spoke while still considering the documents. ‘These guys have been collecting payment from someone and took special care to document it.’

‘It’s even more confusing now.’ Ike grabbed the last envelope, tore it open without care, and some pictures fell out.

‘That’s the man! The contesting Chief!’ Ike exclaimed.

‘Oh wow, it looks like there’s a double game going on. The chief paid the abductors to kidnap the boy, which they did. But, they took the money but also gathered evidence against him. You were right, it is blackmail! But why? To what end? And where does Eunice fit into all of this?’

‘I don’t know,’ Ike shook his head, but we need to go to the Police with this immediately!’ Ike spoke vehemently. There’s nothing much we can do at this point. They can investigate further and lead us to Eunice.’

‘Yeah’ Kabir replied, albeit reluctantly. ‘First thing tomorrow, we go to the Police and hope that they do the right thing this time.’

*

‘SHE’S AWAKE!’

Eunice stirred slightly and opened her eyes. She felt woozy. The faint scent of lavender tickled her senses, then it all came back to her. Last night was real. They had escaped! She remembered the burning sensation in her chest, the heaviness in her legs, the relief she felt when she saw a road and cars speeding past, and the peace when darkness enveloped her.

As her eyes adjusted to the brightness, she turned her head to take in her surroundings.

‘Ouch!’ A sharp pain stung her neck. In her lying position, she became more aware of her body. She hurt all over.

‘Hi, Eunice.’

Her heart leaped at the sound of the familiar voice. She felt small hands grab hers and she smiled.

‘My mom and her doctor will take care of you. We made it.’

‘Thank you kiddo.’ Her eyes were heavy. She turned her head slightly towards the door as a woman walked in smiling at her.

‘Glad to see you awake. I’m Omorose, Ehioze’s mother.’

‘Hi.’ Eunice smiled weakly.

‘The doctor just left, but he’ll be back later in the evening to check up on you.’

‘Thank you ma, but how did we…?’

‘Gently dear, save your strength. You must’ve passed out from exhaustion. Thankfully, you got to a road and were lucky that someone saw you and Ehioze in time. Ehioze gave the man my number, who called me and dropped you off here on my request.’ Ehioze walked over to his mother and rested his head on her waist. She stroked his hair gently.

‘Ehioze was asleep for the most part of your arrival. He is still exhausted too, so his story has been coming out in bits. Hopefully, when you both are well rested, I can have the details. I cannot report to the police yet because I don't want to put my son at risk again. We have no way of knowing how far this goes.’

‘I understand. Thank God he’s safe. Eunice shifted her weight to her side to ease her back pain. When she felt some relief, she continued.

'Please ma, can I make a call?’

‘Of course, if you feel up to it.’

Omorose reached for her phone and typed as Eunice called out the numbers.

‘His name is Kabir. Please just tell him where I am.’

‘Sure. Now get some rest dear.’

‘Thank you.’

Ehioze walked to Eunice again and slipped his soft hands into hers. She squeezed his hands weakly and drifted off to sleep.

***

The door to the room swung open, slamming against the wall. A stoic faced man with an angry scar on his cheek held a teary and trembling Omorose by the neck. He walked into the room, shoved her violently to the floor and and stared them all down. Eunice choked at the sight, and tears welled up in her eyes. She'd thought her nightmare had ended, but she'd been thrust right into it again.