Agnes was surprised to see me the moment I stepped into the eatery, I nodded at her and she got the message and hurried toward our investigation room to open it. We all filed into the room while Agnes exited only to return back some couple of minutes later with a bottle of wine, glasses and left almost immediately. She returned back with snacks and some bottle of soft drinks, and gently placed everything on the table and took her seat looking at me curiously.
“What’s the matter?”, Mr. James asked Agnes who turned toward him.
“Two nights back, the CCTV camera caught some men lurking around this premises, they seem to be looking for someone, I really can’t tell but their movement depict such”, Agnes began as began took a quick short laugh drawing attention to himself.
“I already annihilated them, they were four in numbers right?”, Biggie asked Agnes.
“Yes”, Agnes answered Biggie.
“Those were trained assassins, I came across them while coming that night. They didn’t see me though, they were actually five in numbers not four. One was in the car, the driver and hidden eye. I took him out silently, then made a fake call to the others alerting them to come back to the car that the police were on their tail. I hide myself and wasted no time in wasting them the moment they came. I drove their bodies to an abandoned building and dumped it there with their car. I collected the phone they were using to communicate with someone who happened to be the one coordinating them. That was why I told you earlier that those after you are not Mr. Lekan’s men”, Biggie sat down staring at me.
“In other words, the attack and tracking is sponsored by a government official?”, I asked Biggie who nodded.
“This brings us to the puzzle…who?”, Mr. James asked no one in particular.
“That’s the puzzle and big question we’ll have to find and answer ourselves”, Biggie took some steps toward the desktop.
“You said the evidence from the accident scene are with you right?”, I asked Biggie who nodded without looking at me.
“Alright, everyone come check this out”, Biggie called our attention, we began to cluster around him staring at the monitor as he navigated and scroll through files.
“Take a proper look at her vehicle, you’ll see it only ran off the road into the bush and as we all know, Isadora is well learned as far as vehicle is concerned. She dodged that tree, she did not hit it and her vehicle did not summersault. Rather, it ran to a stop. Meaning, it failed break. Then another matter coms again; we all know Isadora to be a diligent and cautious driver. She hardly take her vehicle out without proper checking and test running. The vehicle failed break and ran out of control, and if such should have happened coincidentally, it would have been on their way going and not on their way back. So her break was tampered with in Buguma”, Biggie explained few of the pictures for us as I observed the press bus that was by the side of the road.
“Taking a careful look at that bus, that bus was the front while Isadora was driving behind. It was forced to stop when the occupants noticed that Isadora was involved in an accident. Someone came down from the bus before it was riddled with bullet killing everyone on the spot”, I noted pointing at the bus’ position.
“Exactly”, Biggie chirped in.
“Where’s Isadora’s car now?”, I asked Biggie who looked at me.
“At your place, that was where I insisted it should be parked when the police didn’t want to let it remain at their station.
“Good, tonight the three of us are going to my residence”, I pointed at Biggie and Mr. James.
“To do what”, Agnes spoke for the first time.
“There are live evidence there which we need to access and scrutinized thoroughly”, I smiled looking at her.
“Okay, just be careful”, Agnes touched my shoulder.
“Call Mr. Tonubari”, I instructed Mr. James who nodded and brought out his phone to make the call.
“”What should I tell him”, Mr. James asked me as the phone tone indicated that Mr. Tonubari’s phone was ringing.
“Just put it on speakers”, I instructed, and t=just then, Mr. Tonubari picked up.
‘Good day Mr. James”, Mr. Tonubari spoke from the other end.
“Good day sir”, Mr. James responded.
“How are you doing?”. Mr. Tonubari enquired.
“I am doing well sir and you?”, Mr. James responded.
“Good, how is Thompson?”, Mr. Tonubari enquired about me.
“I am here sir, good afternoon”, I announced my presence.
“Good afternoon Mr. Thompson”, Mr. Tonubari reciprocated.
“I called you in regards to the investigation we were carrying out before…”, I began while Mr. Tonubari only ‘hmmm’, “It’d be one of the biggest crime story ever from your media house”, I continued but Mr. Tonubari cut in.
“And I’ll pay you boys 800 bucks for it plus other incentives”, I took a quick look at Mr. James.
“Okay sir, but we’ll need your corporation here”, I began.
“Okay, I’ll gladly contribute my quota and supply you guys with all the help you’ll asked for”, Mr. Tonubari assured.
“Okay sir…you said something last time about Mr. Tony being kidnaped during the accident right?”, asked Mr. Tonubari who responded almost immediately.
“Yes, and his kidnappers have been demanding ransom from us”, Mr. James’ eyes widened.
“Okay, send us the number they used in calling you for the ransom”, I requested.
“Alright, you’ll get it once the call ends. Take care of yourselves and be safe. I wish you boys luck on your assignment”, Mr. Tonubari ended the call, few minutes later, Mr. James phone vibrated with a message from Mr. Tonubari.
“It’s the number”, Mr. James announced.
“Bingo!”, Biggie tapped his fingers.
“Time to take the battle to them”, I stood up with determination written all over my face.