CHAPTER 21

Richard was amongst the last people to enter the meeting room before being graced by the president's presence. The men, eight of them excluding the president sat staring back at the man in whose hands was the position every single one of them desired. Richard was quite confident it was him, and there was no way he was going to have spilled blood just so another man could harvest the fruits of his labor

"Gentlemen...thank you for availing yourselves this afternoon. Well it is in my hands to appoint a new Vice president and i found one from amongst you." there was a little chattering and clearing of throats before the attention was thrown back to the president

"I know all of you deserve this post, you all work hard but somebody has to be chosen right?"

"That's correct Mr President." the murmured in response

"Now allow me to cut straight to the chase. I thought long and hard about this decision and i still feel its the best. Gentlemen, i present to you the new Vice President of our beloved nation...Richard Mathe." a round of applause followed swiftly right after the president's announcement as Richard proudly got up to handshake to man and show appreciation. In his heart he felt on top of the world and on top of his game, and unfortunately for the current president, he had appointed a viper to come dine at his table and that viper was going to gladly do so.

"I have already arranged for a new Minister of finance to take after you. I hope we work well together." said the president smiling at an already plotting Richard.

****

Dylan's right hand man walked into his office to find him planting pictures all over his wall. The man seemed adamant even when that case had been declared cold but he was determined to unravel everything and he was sure the two cases were connected to each other somehow

"What are you doing?" he asked looking closely at the faces on the wall.

"Did you give Flynn my message?"

"Yes. He too thinks we should just leave it all. Its just pointless Dylan."

"Sit let me show you something. I spent sleepless nights trying to piece all these together." Dylan said to Chris who settled his butt on the table

"That's Helen right there. The girl Dominic sold whom i also did not find amongst the dead on the crime scene. My question to you right now is why Darian had her kidnapped and brought to him. I will find that out too because i already know she was at the crime scene."

"Boss, there is no way she is going to spill the beans to you. Not when she did not even report the kidnap."

"Chris, what i do know is that Darian kidnapped Helen to get back at someone look here." he pointed at two other pictures on either sides of Helen

"That is her father Richard and that is her brother Raymond. I have been asking around though many are not willing to tell but what i do know is that Darian and Helen had never had anything to do with each other which means that one of these two gentlemen right here knows what happened that night!"

"Okay okay...i am not seeing the link between this case and Khetha's case as you have highlighted."

"Chris Chris. There is still a whole lot for you to learn isn't there?" said Dylan with a laugh, "Look, there were four men in particular who had chunks of shares at that mine, the other three are dead and mind you, Kenneth Khetha is not part of the original four, Richard is."

"What?"

"The cycle of death following those ministers has one thing in common, they all had shares at the Havani mine. Is that not interesting?"

"So does that mean Richard is next?"

"Maybe or maybe not and you know why? The last minister to be killed of the three was former the minister of defense, and when he died, unlike the others he had already sold his shares to the late Kenneth Khetha. According to that death cycle Richard was supposed to die next but it was Khetha who did. Are you seeing what i am seeing here Christopher."

"Are you implicating Richard Dylan?!"

"Yes. That man knows more than he has given up and my gut feeling agrees. I simply now need to get proof and i am not backing down till i get it."

******

"Here speak." said Joshua placing the phone onto her ear

"Hello?"

"Hey Julia its Helen. Are you busy?"

"Well i was finishing up cooking, Is something up?"

"Not really. I was feeling a little bored so i thought we could go out and have a little fun but since you are busy..."

"No no its okay. I will come with you please come get me."

"I am already parked outside." she said chuckling, "Get ready quickly." With that she cut the call leaving Julia to negotiate her way out

"Well Helen wants to hang out. Can i go?" Joshua felt reluctant especially after she had mentioned Helen considering what was going on between them. He no longer trusted Helen and a part of him was refusing to let Julia go

"Its your sister Helen, I will be fine Ray. You do not mind looking after my pots do you? I am done already so switch off the stove after five minutes i will go get ready." she said walking away but Joshua held her hand yet his stare did not accompany her.

"Be careful." he whispered causing Julia to smile walk closer and stand on her toes attempting to plant a kiss on his cheek but Joshua was quick to turn his head his lips settling on hers in a surprisingly shocking way.

******

A happy Richard smiled broadly at the sight of the late afternoon news where the president announced him to the entire nation as the new Vice President. He felt on top of the world and his journey to that top post was swift and easy no hiccups along the way. Raymond joined him with a bottle of champagne ready to celebrate his father and it was indeed going to be a long night

"To more success father."

"To achieving desired goals, this is just the beginning." he said as they toasted

"Where is Helen? I did not get my congratulations."

"She went out a while back. She will be back soon i am sure she hasn't heard the news." said Richard in response just as a message entered his father's phone

"I am free now." it read

"Raymond, give me fifteen minutes i will be back just now." he said placing the wine glass on the table and going on to disappear into his his study. He quickly switched on his laptop and video called Lucas. Just the man he needed the most at that point

" Congratulations boss. You are headed in the right direction." he said in greeting

"This year has been awesome Luc, but that is not the goal. I have an important task for you and i want accuracy."

"Your wish is my command sir."

"The president. He may seem calm and easy but i don't want surprises. Sniff as much as you can and pay whoever wants to be paid to get the information we need. The man has something i want, i am vice president now and if he dies i am instantly the next President."