MISSING - Episode Eleven

‘My husband and I are going through a divorce.’ Omorose spoke softly in the fruity voice that Eunice had gotten used to in the past few hours.

‘Although, Ehioze lives with me, his father takes him out on weekends. During the week, I drop him off at school and pick him up, then drop him with his father on Fridays. But, on the Friday afternoon that he was abducted, I had a meeting, so I asked my driver to pick him up. It’s been a nightmare since then.’

Eunice sat up on the bed, and smiled at Omorose, nudging her to continue. Kabir sat on a chair beside her bed and stroked her hand gently as they listened to Omorose’s story. Ike and Tola sat on the double settee opposite the bed. The trio had arrived that morning, in response to Eunice’s phone call and had rushed her with hugs on arrival, expressing their unending relief over and over again, until Omorose insisted that they give her room to breathe and rest. She was still exhausted, but full of gratitude to have made it back alive.

Omorose continued speaking, so she turned her thoughts back to her.

‘I never got the call that he arrived at his father's place. The dad called me just after my meeting, furious and accusing me of breaking our appointment. I went into a full blown panic after that, calling everyone I knew.’

‘What about the driver?’ Tola asked.

Omorose sighed.

‘His line was unreachable initially, but the police later found his body and the crashed car some distance before the dad’s place. There was no trace of my baby. I prayed every single day since then and watched helplessly as his kidnap was used for political propaganda.’

‘Oh my God!' Ike exclaimed, ‘that's saddening. It must be hard for you and the family of the man to deal with this huge loss. I hope they find comfort. But I’m so happy for you that your son is back in your safe hands.'

‘Thanks Ike. You're very kind.'

'We’ve heard the different stories being thrown around, including the version which claims that your husband may have orchestrated it to win some sort of sympathy and paint the opposition party bad, then Ehioze would surface after. Do you think any part of it is true and he could be involved? Tola leaned forward in her chair after asking.

‘No, I don't think it is true.’ Omorose replied without hesitation. ‘I know he is a proud man, and even though he was angry about the divorce, he would never go to such extremes to take my baby, not to talk of using our child for political propaganda. I must admit that during one of my highly emotional tirades, I accused him strongly about the accusations but he denied it. He's not that kind of man.’ She paused then snapped her fingers as if remembering something.

‘Oh I forgot to call him when I called Chief about Ehioze. He needs to know that I have Ehioze now.’

‘You’re right. I think it's best that you do, so that you don't get implicated at the end of the day.’

“You are right Ike. By the way, you said you had just left the Police station when I called. Something about evidence that you found?

'Yes. Kabir and I got a tip from a former member of the gang that took Euni…' He paused at the sound of the doorbell.

‘That must be Chief. Please excuse me for a moment.’ Omorose got up and walked briskly out of the room.

Kabir turned to Eunice and stroked her cheek.

‘I’m glad you’re okay. I was really scared.’

Eunice smiled tiredly and tapped his cheek.

‘You scared? I would’ve loved to see that.’

‘Well, ask Ike, he can tell you all about it. I’m sure he would not let me live this down. You know, maybe after all this settles, we can get some time…alone.’ His eyes clouded. ‘I need to get some things off my chest.’

Eunice bit her lip and nodded. The door opened slightly and Omorose walked in with an older looking man. He was short, his face set in a frozen smile, and had an arrogant air around him. He wore a suit that his bulging stomach seemed desperate to escape from, and the buttons looked like they would pop any second.

Eunice felt Kabir’s hand grow still over hers. Tola was laughing over something Ike said, so both were oblivious to the new entrants.

‘Dears, I'll like you to meet Chief Nosakhere, my husband’s uncle.’

Ike turned and froze. His eyes grew wide, but in seconds he covered his expression deftly, stood and stretched his hand to the Chief.

‘It's an honour to meet you, Sir.’

‘Thank you,’ the chief replied, his voice honeyed and breathy.

‘You’re welcome sir.’

The chief looked around, and adjusted the pair of glasses that sat on his nose.

‘I came to check up on Ehioze and the girl.’ He picked his words, drawing out each one like a seasoned English professor teaching phonetics. ‘I’ve been worried since he went missing, and can swear that I have more number of grey hairs than I did before.’

Omorose chuckled.

‘I’m so happy that you can laugh now my dear. Unfortunately, I need to leave now for a meeting, but,’ he raised his forefinger, ‘I’ll be back within a few hours.’

He looked over at Eunice and nodded.

‘Get well soon dear.’ His gaze then shifted to Kabir who sat unmoving. He lingered a bit and a flicker of uncertainty crossed his features briefly before he turned and walked out with Omorose following him.’

‘Kabir, it’s him.’ Ike breathed as soon as the door closed.

‘Who?’ Eunice asked, puzzled by their reaction.

‘The man in the photos…’

Ike picked up his phone to dial the DPOs number. The line rang but there was no response. So, he typed a text, pressed the send button and paused at the sound of fast approaching footsteps.

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 and shoved her violently to the floor 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.

She grabbed Kabir hand and started shaking uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face without restraint. Kabir grabbed her to steady her and make a move to get up, but the gruff stern voice of their entrant stopped him.

‘Nobody moves, if not,’ he wagged his finger at Eunice, ‘that girl over there would be the first to kiss the ground. No one leaves until I say so.’

His matter-of-fact icy tone matched the stare that had haunted Eunice in the past days. He looked as menacing as ever, but deadlier with the fresh scar on his face.

‘I want your phones where I can see them. Don’t try to be smart, don’t try to be heroes and we would be fine. You have caused enough trouble already and I will not hesitate to deal with anyone who gets on my nerves even slightly. So co-operate everyone. This would be over in a bit.’

Eunice could see the bulge of a gun through his shirt. She could see his eyes. This was not a bluff. He walked to each of them and collected their phones. Then he sent a sly smile towards Eunice and walked to the door.

Omorose cried loudly and grabbed a leg of his trousers as he passed by her.

‘Noooo! You can’t go. Bring my Son from that wretched man buffoon! I want my son! Pleaasee... you can’t do this to me again!

He shook her off violently and scoffed. Then he walked out of the room and locked the door.

Eunice shut her eyes tightly ignoring Omorose’s wailing and the frenzied whispers of Kabir and Ike.

‘This can’t be happening.’ But it was happening.