Truth or Deceit

Tam just drove inside her home after dropping off Kennedy at School. Kofi didn't know how to approach her and apologize for his shortcomings ( that is keeping a secret from her and having a mistress).

" Tam" his voice cracked after summoning enough courage to approach her as she wanted to walk past him.

" Yeah, Kofi" she called out his name which she does only when she's mad at him.

" I'm really sorry" he said this time around with a rather better voice.

" Kofi...even if you apologise a hundred times to me I won't forgive you. The only thing we have to talk about is the call concerning the terrorist group, because, fourteen people are in danger as well as a little girl. I don't care if she's your daughter or whatever, she shouldn't be a victim of some crime" Tam said with a grim expression on her face. " And the next thing we have to discuss after I've helped the victims from those thugs or terrorists is our divorce." She added.

Kofi loved his wife so much and wouldn't want to ever loose her because she had been the only one who could tolerate his childish and annoying nature but he loved his life and reputation more. He was shocked by Tam's threats but didn't really care about the divorce threats because he had hopes that Tam would just ignore it after series of apologies as usual.

" A divorce? Tam c'mon...we have to talk about this" Kofi said.

" Yes and I'm sure you are happy..." She said and walked past him to get the door then paused as she got to the door " Come in, we have bigger life and death issues to discuss" she added as she entered the house and Kofi followed suit helplessly.

" So that's how you got entangled with the Grucs" Tam said after listening to everything Kofi had told her.

" Yes" Kofi nodded feebly after telling Tam the truth.

" I'll help you...I promise, to clear your name but we've gotta tell the cops that the Grucs are the ones responsible for the bank break in. You can't keep it a secret"

" No... please!" Kofi cried " It's money they want...I'm sure... I'll give them money to give back Anna" he added.

" Kofi...you trust me right? Besides I keep to my word unlike you" she rolled her eyes " That's the only way. But we have to keep it confidential between us and the cops because of your reputation. I'm pretty sure the cops will agree to it. Then you'll have to travel to Vena or call them to ask for how much they need and the address to meet up to pay the money. I'm sure they'd be smart enough as well to accept cash other than bank transfers. So, we'll be going to the FBI and the cops to discuss right now and see their opinion." Tam said as she made an attempt to stand up.

" Are you sure I won't be imprisoned or something?"

" I've given you my word. You wouldn't be punished unless you are hiding more secrets from me or you have another mistress. I'll have no option but to betray you the same way you did to me" Tam said and walked out of the house as Kofi followed as they headed for the police station.

**********

" Aimee...what a small world indeed" Arthur said as he moved towards Aimee.

" I don't understand...you...the bank...are.." Aimee stammered.

" Yeah...I'm Arthur Salvador, leader of the Grucs. The mastermind behind the bank break in, robbery, burglary or whatever it's called." He smiled " Hope I didn't miss out any other important information" he said as he walked towards her and stood face to face with her. " And oh...I'm going to make sure you pay for everything you've done to me...it seems Karma's is in my side as well"

" How... what did I do to you?" Aimee asked terrified.

" Arthur" Grape called his attention away from Aimee as he turned to face the old lady." The girls have less than thirty minutes to get to the stage" she said.

" C'mon grape...are you sure they can even dance? They won't dance tonight...the older girls will do the dancing tonight or do whatever you want to do with them...but as for Aimee, she and I have a lot of catching up to do" Arthur sneered and returned his gaze back to Aimee as Alicia and Grape took the girls outside through the back door.

As they left, Arthur returned back to his chair,

" You see, Aimee. You did nothing to me at all to be honest but I've been through a lot because of you"

" I don't understand...I should be the one saying that..you.." Aimee was still talking as Arthur cut in.

" Sacked you? Tried to sleep with you?" He laughed. " Well I own you." He sneered again. " Don't say anything, I'll tell you a story" He added hastily.

" You know, I was really surprised you didn't recognize me when you came to look for a job at my bar" He said as he sat on his chair and crossed his legs. " You remember your dad's old friend? Alvan" he asked.

" Uncle Alvan??" Aimee asked surprised as she remembered him. He had a moustache back then but now he has none or was it just for disguise Aimee thought.

" Yes my child. I'm Uncle Alvan. The one who wanted to help your Dad...sorry your ungrateful Dad years ago when he his business crashed" he said with a grin.

" I don't understand" Aimee asked still confused. " How did you turn out this way?" She added as Arthur laughed.

" Well, I've always been like this. Infact I was already into child trafficking that time you knew me. Cool business right?" He smiled cruelly. " Well, lemme head to the interesting part of the story or rather the name of the story" he chuckled " Your Dad sold you to me." "Calm down before you say anything" Arthur said as Aimee wanted to argue. " It's a long story, so at least you should pay attention" he added.

" it's a lie. How dear you lie on the dead. A good one at that" Aimee argued.

" Haha... little Aimee...you were fourteen then. Fourteen and innocent. You didn't know what was happening. One of your Dad's old friend works for me and told your Dad about me because your father was really desperate to get out of crisis. Sooo, he came to me."

" I know you were my Dad's friend so there's every possibility as well that he didn't know the kind of business you were doing... I'm not believing your story" Aimee said as she made attempt to return back to the dressing room.

"You don't want to believe? Well I have all night to make you do" Arthur said as he adjusted himself on the couch.

" Prove it then" Aimee stated.

" I have nothing to prove. All I have to do is continue my story. Like I said, your big man was really desperate. So, he sold you to me... Do you know how much I bought you? You don't need to know cause you can't pay me back."

" I won't believe you...my dad would- " Aimee was yet to complete her statement when Arthur shut her up,

" Shhhh...shhh" Arthur said to silence her.

" I'm not yet done and besides no one goes free when they interrupt me. Most of them end up like your Dad" Arthur warned as he gave a dry laugh as he saw that Aimee's eyes were teary.

" Ya...I did that too. I killed your parents. You should be thanking me for killing someone who sold you" Arthur mocked. He seemed to be having fun as he broke Aimee. Aimee was calm and quiet as tears rolled down her eyes.

" Very good. The silence I needed" he commented and continued " Back to our story. Do you know why your Dad ran away from Altanza when you were fourteen? " He asked as he interlocked his fingers and kept them on his knee, tilting his body to a more comfortable position.

" Or rather, do you know why he was in a haste to leave? He took all my money without giving me my price. I'm sure you you remember the guilt in his eyes...the fear on his face that day. Besides, the moving out was not planned and where did he get the money to flee? Did you ask yourself all these questions?" Arthur asked still in his position and watched Aimee who was still quiet as she was remembering how it happened so fast.

Her Dad had returned that day and told them ( her and her mom) to pack up few stuffs quickly that they were traveling. She remembered his face that day as if he was running away from something.

She didn't want to believe Arthur but her guts knew he was saying the truth. She had seen her Dad counting a very huge sum of money and her mom asking him about it when he had no job and his bank account had been totally drained for weeks.

" Aimee" Arthur called Aimee back to reality.

" Tell me it's a lie" Aimee said in disbelief.