Chapter 11

I was just stuck in the hotel. Hearing different stories from Jimmy. Yesterday Zick said this, today Sam said that the next minute I got this information from officer A, and the next thing another piece of information that will make the previous one invalid. God, how can all these be happening just because my parents were shot? Something that's not even up to a week and many news have been flying around. Can't my father wake up and fight for himself? And I've not even heard from my extended family. Does that mean they've not heard of it? How can I be alone in this quagmire? When I heard last from Uncle Jude, he was in the US. But he told my father to quit his job then insinuating that the job was risky always placing them before death. But Dad never agreed. And that's even why they aren't as close as supposed. But must that be the reason why he'll hear of something like this and shut the doors of his heart against his only niece? Uncle Jude can't be that wicked or did another thing transpire between them? Now I'm only left with Sandra. A supposed total stranger. Well, how can I even continue my daily life without the fear of the unknown? This is just like a threat to my life.

... Aunty Sandra, is this how we'll continue without planning anything about our lives? For how long will we be hiding?

Baby Jessy, I'm just waiting to hear from Jimmy. At least, let's bury the dead so that we can permanently turn our back on the city.

That needs to be done as soon as possible. Nothing is coming out from those people. If karma refuses to play its role, I'll play it for Karma. But one thing is certain. As long as I remain alive, I must revenge for the death of my parents unless I die.

Be quiet, please. How old are you to make such a statement? What do you know now? Please be calm. We'll continue our peaceful lives in Enugu as soon as we bury them.

If possible, I want that to be done as soon as possible so I can think of what next. I'm just languishing in pain here. Even the trauma isn't going anytime soon if we continue staying here.

I know I'll do something about it. Sandra promised to do something faster

Aunty Sandra, I heard a knock on the door, did Jimmy tell you that he was coming? Cos I was scared, I asked to confirm if I'm still safe or not

Get me my phone... I rushed to the table and brought Sandra's phone. We saw Jimmy's message announcing that he'll be in the hotel in short while.

We then opened the door. He was still the one. He got in and closed the door behind him.

He was panting seriously. Could it be that someone is after him or he's after someone or something?

Jimmy, what's wrong? Are we safe at all? Aunty Sandra who was as confused as I asked him

He couldn't hold back but tell us all that happened in the night. He narrated how people wanted to kill him. He even added that he couldn't sleep in his own house. Everything was like a threat to me. Who's Sam that the law can't judge him? Even if the law can't judge him can't he be killed for what he uses to kill others? Jimmy insisted that we leave the city as soon as possible but Sandra disagreed with him. Insisting that we must bury my parents before we go elsewhere. Jimmy said that the only way the burial can hold is if we terminate the investigation and dismiss every case or even allegation against Sam.

Oh, God!! why must the wicked go free for the oppressed to be free as well? Will I forgive myself if Sam ever goes scot-free? That can't even happen. I insisted that we shouldn't dismiss anything. Let the case continue. But Jimmy whose life was already at stake had to do something to remain alive. Sandra had been indoors since the incident. I and Sandra o depend on her savings for present and future life. What if we explored all the solutions we had and Sam can't still face the law? What if Jimmy dies before the case even has a shape? Or even Sandra or even both of them. What if I become their next target? If we die the case will die a natural death.

Jimmy and Sandra insisted that the investigation should be terminated and we'll dismiss every allegation against Sam. So that Jimmy could remain alive and freely continue his job. And we also can bury my parents and continue with our lives. I Louis Jessy Nkechinyere had no choice but to oblige. Even if I reject their opinion, no one could listen to me. And I mustn't be that selfish to allow another person to lose his father or mother or both because I lost mine.

Instantly, Jimmy called Zick via phone call and told him to dismiss all the allegations against Sam unconditionally. It was like they'd planned it earlier, Zick didn't prolong the discussion but obliged.