Chapter 4 : Tares are not weed

"But while men slept, his enemy went and sowed tares among the wheat; and went his way".

-Matthew 13 : 25

Happy psychiatric Hospital

11am

"This is the place. I hope it won't be a wild goose chase", Chioma slams the car door shut as Pete steps out too.

Pete tuts, "It won't. Let's just go in".

They entered the hospital. All eyes flew on them.

Chioma whispers to Pete, "Are they staring at us because we're black and white?".

"Nope. We look suspicious", Pete says and paddles to the counter. Chioma following.

"Hey, my name is detective Pete and this is my partner, Chioma", They show their badges.

"We're here for Tina. Is she in?", asked Chioma.

The fair skinned nurse in front of them answers nervously, "That's me. I knew you'd be here".

Hospital's Cafeteria

"Some officers came here already to question us", Tina says.

Pete mumbles, "That must be Ria and Janice".

"They asked us about Erica and if she had any enemies", Tina was crying this time, "Erica was so innocent. She loved everyone and everyone loved her. I can't believe the news the morning. She's dead".

"Here", Chioma passes her a handky.

"Thanks", Tina accepted it and wipes her eyes.

"We got questions. Tell me about Erica", Chioma asks.

Pete grunts, "What do you think you're doing, Chichi? We're here for something else, remember?".

"Erica led a quiet life. She never said anything about a boyfriend or husband. She always came here with a kid named Israel", Tina wipes her eye again.

Chioma stopped her, "Wait. Did you say Israel?".

"Yes", Tina sniffled quietly, "Yes. He was an orphan whom Erica took care of. She had taken custody of him ever since he was a baby. Poor little orphan. How could they fall victim to that sick killer".

Chioma looked at Pete. Israel wasn't an orphan at all. His parents were Josie and Meshach. Erica must've told a lie to protect both herself and Israel.

"Your relationship with Meshach?", asked Chioma to Tina.

Tina says, "Meshach? He's a blind patient I often attend to. He used to be a priest or something. Doesn't talk much".

"We just came from his house. He had something to say about an Mp3", Pete pocketed his hands.

Tina put away the kerchief and sits erect on her chair, "Yes. The MP3 player with the weird message. I gave it to him. I thought it was a weird thing because the sender was Josie".

Chioma didn't want to dump the entire thing on the woman seeing how she reacted to Erica's death. Instead she asked another question, "You know the mailman?".

"Yes. She's my younger sister. Grace. Grace Heathrow. Is anything wrong?", Tina replies.

"Nothing is wrong. She just want to ask her some questions regarding the mail she sent. Where can we find her?", asked Pete.

"She's at the Holy cross cathedral. Today's Wednesday so its confession day at the church", Tina brushes hair behind her hair, "You'd need a photo identify her, right?".

"Yeah", Chioma answers. Tina shows them the picture of a fair skinned lady wearing blue overalls on a ladder.

"Okay. Thanks for the info", Chioma pats her hand, "Sorry for your loss, Tina".

"Thanks. Your handky?", Tina stood up along with them.

"Keep it", Chioma smiles.

"Turn the MP3 player to evidence. I'll go see this grace", Pete says.

**********

Sitting at the backseat of a cab, Pete chews on a mint candy. On the radio, Harry Style's 'As it was' is played. He bobs his head up and down. Chained to the rhythm of the song. A few minutes past and he arrived the cathedral. The fire service beat him to it. The church was on fire.

"Holy mother****", He exclaimed, pushing past the little mob that crowded feet's away from the church.

A woman prayed outside while the rest were caught up in shouts and choking sounds.

"Hey, how did this happen? When?", He asked over the exploding noise.

The praying sister replied him, "It started in the convent. The priest began the prayers when suddenly, there was an explosion noise. We barely made it".

"And the priest?", He asked.

The woman shook her head. He noticed the building was shaking and told everyone to run away. It quaked for a few seconds before leveling the ground.

For what took hours, Pete crawlede out of a pile of rubbles. Coughing violently. His body covered in dust.

"Shit", He spat blood and looked around him. The church was scattered around him. No one made it alive. Just him. He cursed loudly.

*********

"Are you okay?", Chioma put her hands on Pete's shoulders, "Does it hurt badly?".

"No and Yes. Very.", Pete winced as the paramedics removed shards of glass from his shoulder.

"How did this happen?", She looks around the rubble and coughs.

"I don't know if this is Josie's work or another", Pete coughs.

"Get a bed rest. We'll have men search the rubble later", Chioma told him, "I'm going back to Meshach".

She drive to Meshach's house. The back up were already there.

"Baby", Aaron rushed over to hug her, "I came as fast as I could. Are you okay?".

"Yeah", She hugged him back surprised, "You're here".

"You're not happy to see me?", His hands were wrapped loosely on her waist.

Chioma felt uncomfortable, "Everyone's watching us".

"So? Let them", He gave her a kiss on the lips. She couldn't help herself. He drew her close as their breath became one. She gasped for breath, putting her forehead close to his. Even though she's gone through a lot in her life, the pain all goes away when she's with this man. Her husband. Aaron. Who shouldn't be here.

"How did you come here?", She asked him.

He put his hands in his pocket, "Russell said you were here so I came. Besides, I haven't seen the old man in a while".

"Chichi. We need you. Apparently, the old man wouldn't let us take him until you arrives. I'm glad you came" A curly haired female officer called.

"Okay. Thanks, Ria" The couple looked at each other before entering the house. They found Meshach holding something wrapped in an old handky.

"What's that?", asked Chioma.

"I asked the detectives to get it for me", Meshach said softly.

"What is it?", She asked again and waved at Ria to uncover what he held.

Chioma screamed as soon as r eyes came in contact with a bloodred little chest "Get that away from me".

"Calm down, detective", Janice ran to her side.

"Damn it, old man. Why did you have to show her that?", Ria frowned at Meshach.

"What's that?", asked Hannah. A newly hired rookie.

"Something your feeble mind can't handle", Ria whispers to her.

Hannah rolled her eyes, "Sure. They never tell us greens anything".

Chioma ran out of the house. Aaron followed after her. Meshach heaved a sigh.

"What's that, old man?", Hannah asked.

"I hope you won't feel disgusted, officer", He said.

"Sure", She had heard about horror cases and whatnot. Being transferred from a small town. Something different like this is considered intriguing and not disgusting.

Hannah sat next to him, "I haven't seen Chichi act that way before. Its scary. What's that chest anyway that made a whole detective Chioma scream in fear".

"The chest is made out of skin and bones", Meshach replied.

Hannah slowly looked down at the little object and shrieks, "Oh lord".

"That's what remains of Chioma's daughter".

"Lord God", Hannah's hand flew to her mouth.

"First Disciple made this out of the little girl. I saw it happen. We all did. So if anyone is keeping out, be glad", Meshach squeezed the chest.

Outside, Chioma sank to her knees sobbing loudly. She remembered the blood from the room, the gunshot wound, the screams. Everything from 2018 came back as a new shadow. One that follows her around. A few officers around gave her privacy. Aaron held onto Chioma as she cried hysterically in his arms. Ria approached them.

"Take her home, buddy. I got this", She smiles.

"Thanks", Aaron lifted his wife with ease to the car.