Immediately Detective Tom stepped out of the inspector’s office, he was besieged by journalists, reporters, friends, colleagues and what have you. How fast news travels, he thought as he answered press questions, took congratulatory messages and shook hands with a couple of colleagues. Everybody, including his friends and colleagues wanted to identify with him. He was certainly the man of the moment, he thought as he jumped into his car and headed home. He promised his wife he will take her out that evening and he was really looking forward to the date. 
It was surely long overdue.
He checked his time; it was just a little after 4:00 pm, too early to turn in, he thought, pulling into one of the Okazi joints for a treat before going home. But just as he was about to enter the joint, his phone began to ring. He checked the caller ID, it was George. He picked up the call hurriedly. “Hello George, what’s up?”
“Boss, there’s trouble up here. They have been quarrelling so often. I think we have to move in now.”
“I hope you do understand what you are saying? We cannot afford to make a slip.”
“There’s no doubt, sir that she is your man. Delay could be dangerous, you know?”
“I just want to be sure.”
“Nothing in life is ever certain, sir. We can’t be sure of anything.”
“In that case, we need back up.”
“I don’t think that is necessary either, sir. It’s only the girl and the man.”
“He might be armed. Well, I’ll be there in a little less than 1 hour. Don’t do anything until I come.”
“Okay, sir,” George said and hung up.
Tom jump into his car and zoomed off to Tamaya city. As he sped along the high way, he couldn’t help but to remember the date with his wife a couple of his wife away and he sighed sadly. He pulled up by the side walk and put a call to her.
“Hi baby, what’s up?”
“Am good and you?”
“Em…em…” he stammered. He could feel her enthusiasm and he felt bad standing her up.
“Are you back? I’m still at the saloon. Won’t be more than 20 minutes.”
“Em…Emm, I might be late for the date.”
“Oh no honey, not today again, please. You promised…,” she cried across the line.
“I know. I’m sorry. I can still make it in time for the date.”
“It’s duty again? It’s always duty.”
“Look baby, I’ve just got an important lead.”
“I hope it’s got nothing to do with the Nnamani girl?”
“You are right; I’ve just got to wrap this case up.”
“You’ll be careful, won’t you?”
“You bet I will. Bye baby, I love you.”
“Love you too, good luck.” Tom cut the line and starting the car, he hit the road again, unaware he was being followed. In a little less than 45 minutes he was in Tamaya city. He checked his time; it was a few minutes before 5:00 pm. He was excited and nervous at the same time. From the reports George fed him, he had no more misgivings or doubts if O’Brian and the deaf and dumb woman were the same person. George was as good and as reliable as the Barrister had said and even more. He has done a lot of investigative work in the short space of time that he was assigned to the job. He has interviewed some of their neighbors and they all admitted there was something queer about the deaf and dumb woman. Some even swore they do hear them quarrel and argue sometimes. The most shocking information was that the deaf and dumb woman hardly leaves the house and whenever she does, it was always at nights. They also said she was evasive and anti-social. 
Soon, he was in Cyndi’s street, finding an empty parking space, he pulled up and brought out his cell phone and dialed George’s number.
“Hi boss, where are you?”
“I’m in front of the fast food joint. Where are you?”
“I’ll be there in a second.” 
A couple of minutes later, George appeared and got into the passenger’s seat.
“What’s the news?” Tom asked, looking around to make sure he was not being followed.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that he is your man, sir,” George said, “He sleeps with her every night.”
“Don’t be too sure, they could be lesbians.”
“I don’t think so. That girl is a call girl, besides the neighbors said they have heard them talking. I’ve even heard them talking myself.”
“Who’s in there with them now?”
“There’s no one there, only the two of them, always quarrelling.” 
“I’m going up there. Come up after 5 minutes. If anything happens, you’ll cover me.”
“You’re the boss. You have the final word.”
“5 minutes, okay?” Tom told him as he got out of the car.
Unhurriedly Tom crossed the road and headed for Cyndi’s apartment, unaware he was being followed. 
From the stair case, he could hear them. They were arguing and quarrelling over something. He felt for his gun, feeling a little bit nervous. He wished he had booked himself in or better still, come with enough back up. He felt cold sweat broke out all over him as he remembered he has not even written his will. He also remembered his beautiful wife and he nearly turned back. From there, he could hear them clearly. 
“I don’t think so,” he heard the man say.
“You’ll have to, I mean, you must,” the girl dared him.
“Are you threatening me?” the man queried.
“You may call it what you like,” the girl replied stubbornly.
“I can see that you are really growing wings. But remember I have the power to tame.”
“That one na story,” the girl laughed mockingly.
“And what does that suppose to mean?”
“Everything, anything you can think of.”
“I’ve still got those photographs, remember. Just a snap of my finger and they’ll pick you up.”
“Stop deluding yourself. No one will believe you.”
By now detective Tom Onyemaechi had no more misgivings, no more doubt that the deaf and dumb woman was his man. He was tempted to call police headquarters and ask for help, but he thought against it, besides he didn’t want to fool himself. He tapped lightly on the door and the voices died down immediately. He tapped again, this time a little louder.
“Who is it?” he heard Cyndi ask.
“It’s only me,” Tom said, feeling for his gun. 
The door opened and Cyndi stood in the door way, looking disheveled.
“Hi! What do you want?” she asked irritably.
“Nothing. I was in the neighborhood and I thought I should pay you a visit. May I come in?” Tom asked, already in the room.
“What do you want?” she asked again uncomfortably.
“I thought I heard someone talking?”
“No, it was only me. I was singing and the radio was on,” she lied.
“Where is your friend? Is she in?”
“Yes, but she’s down with fever.”
“I see,” Tom said, picking up a cigarette butt from the over filled ash tray. “Who smokes Benson & Hedges?”
“My friend, I mean, not this one.”
“It’s alright, Cyndi. Where is he? Is he in there?” he raised his voice and called out. “Look, O’Brian, we know you are in there. Come on out with your hands in the air and we won’t hurt you. Mind you, no games. Just take a look at the window. Every police man in the city knows you are here.”
“I’m not opening the door. Come and get me if you can,” O’Brian dared him.
“Open the door, the game is up.”
“Come and get me, you bastard.”
“Then, I’m gonna do just that,” Tom returned, ramming his shoulder against the door. The door held. He rammed his heavy shoulder against the door again, but it refused to give way. He brought out his gun and shot at the key and the door flew away, crashing somewhere in the middle of the room. Carefully, he tiptoed into the room, looking around for O’Brian in the midst of the rubble. Like a bolt out of the blue, O’Brian jumped on him, hitting off the gun in his hand. Tom staggered backwards, regained his balance and made for his gun, but O’Brian was faster. He kicked him in the chest and the police man staggered. He dealt several successive blows at him sending him crashing against a table. He picked up the police man’s gun and jerking him by the collar, he hit his head several time against the wall before leaving him sprawled out on the floor.
“You’ve killed him. You killed a policeman?” Cyndi cried. 
“Oh! Shut up and stop shriveling. He asked for it,” he barked. “Pick up whatever you can, we are leaving now!”
“I don’t want anything. You killed him, why?”
“Let’s go.” 
But just as they turned towards the door, there was George standing at the door with a gun on O’Brian’s temple.
“Any false move and I’ll blast your head off,” George barked, a mean look on his face. For a moment, time stood still for the two men. Then finally, O’Brian raised his hands up in the air.
“Now, turn back,” George commanded, “no false moves or else…” 
O’Brian did as if he was turning round but instead, he went for his gun. George saw the movement and shot him twice in the arm. But he missed by inches. The shot shattered the ceiling, raining debris on them. One of the planks holding the roof in place came loose and fell on George and he nearly passed out. Cyndi seizing the opportunity, fled from the room.
Meanwhile, the gun shot brought Tom back to consciousness. He sprang up to his feet and rushed into the room like a mad man just as George got up. He looked hurriedly around the room but there was no O’Brian or the girl. He tiptoed around, gun in hand and then he noticed the pieces of broken ceiling on the floor. He looked up and saw O’Brian on the roof. He shot sporadically just as George joined him. 
“He’s up there. Don’t let him get away,” Tom cried.
“He hasn’t gotten a chance. There’s just no way he will get away,” George said.
“He’s getting away,” the girl cried, pointing at the window.
Tom went to the window and looked out to the gardens. Then he saw O’Brian running away.
“There he goes,” he cried. “Take care of the girl, I will go for him.” Tom commanded and taking the steps two at once, he went after him.
As O’Brian ran down the street, he saw two young lovers smooching on top of their motorbike and he went for them. “Get out, quick,” he threatened the lovers with a gun. The two young lovers, stricken with fear at his presence gave way. Quickly, he jumped into the bike and zoomed off. 
Tom commandeered another motorbike and zoomed off after him.
Meanwhile, when Jaja heard the first gunshot, he had put a call to the inspector immediately.
“Just stay there, I’m on my way right away.” 
So Jaja hung around waiting. He was still waiting for the inspector when he saw O’Brian running and zooming away on the motor bike and Tom hot on his heels. He reversed the car immediately and went after them just as inspector Uhuru got to the scene. Immediately, the inspector joined the chase, too.
The End.