Chapter 8: Parable of the lost

"Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the the face of my father who is in heaven".

- Matthew 17 : 10

"Who gave it to you? This box?", asked Chioma.

"I took it from the church 5 years ago", Meshach replies, "I didn't think you'd want it. Hell, you wouldn't want it".

A phone buzzed. It was a message from Ross. - 'Get to the station ASAP. We got a situation'.

Standing up, she makes her exit after greeting the old man along with the other officers goodbye.

She enters her car and keep the box on the passenger seat. The smell is avid but memories of whose body it was, tortured her. Her eyes fell on her belly and she exhaled. Turning on the ignition, she sniffles and drives.

The precinct.

"What's going on?", Chioma watched officers from their rival PD take boxes of files and evidence away.

"The situation we got is this. They're taking over", Pete said.

She should be upset by the idea but she felt relief. And said nothing.

Pete squinted his eyes, "Why do I get the feeling that you're happy".

She brushed past him, "I never said I was. Where's Russell?".

"About that", She ran upstairs. Stopping in her tracks, she looked at blood being wiped from the interrogation room's door and walls.

"I wanted to tell you", Pete said.

Diana walked with her team. Footsteps approach being her. it was her team.

"Detective Chioma. Its been a while", Diana brought out her hand.

Chioma shook it, "Likewise".

"I want to thank you for everything. The case will be under our care", She finished her sentence with a smile.

Chioma didn't stop her. She stepped aside for the woman and her team to exit.

"Come on, you're just gonna let them get away with everything?", Ria was shocked.

Chioma nodded, "My hands are tied. I'm sorry".

"Let's take a break, everyone. We've done our best", Choice claps his hands. The group scatters.

Kingsley Residence.

7 pm

"You okay?", asked Chioma to Aaron.

"I should be asking you the same thing", He helped her take off her coat.

She sat on the couch and stared into space for a minute, "Is it selfish if I'm happy HPD took the case".

"No way. Happiness is never genuine when the helper becomes a victim", Aaron pats her lap softly.

Chioma laughs, "That's too cheeky. Where did you get that from?".

"A magician never reveals his secrets", He kissed her cheek, "Hungry?".

"No", She said, "When is Robin coming back?".

Aaron motions to the fridge to get a cup of orange juice, "For the last time, he is not called Robin".

Chioma laughs again, "But he looks like one and", She scoots over for him to sit down on the couch, "He calls his house a nest".

Aaron gives her the cup, "Anod isn't a Robin and he's returning tomorrow morning".

She took a sip, "I hope his honeymoon was better than ours".

"What do you mean?", Aaron scoffs.

Chioma puts down the cup, "Oh, come on, your mom was there with us".

"That was a coincidence", He becomes defensive.

"Coincidence? it was a hotel in Spain, dad", She takes the cup and walks away.

"Come on", He wears his slippers and stands up. Turning to the living room, he claps his hands, the lights were turned off and every door and window was sealed shut. Following after her, he put his hands between the door and it remained open for him.

"Why do I have a feeling that you're trying to distract me?"

Chioma sips from her cup, "Aren't you getting in or not? I'm sleepy".

He enters the bedroom, "Sure thing, detective".

Getting ready for bed, Chioma lies down on the bed and looks at the starry ceiling in bioluminescent lights. There's a knock on the door and she lets the person in.

"You're here", the child says.

Chioma pats the side next to her and the little girl pulls back the sheet and laid with her.

"Don't forget to meet that woman tonight", the girl rest her head in the nook of Chioma's neck.

Chioma pats the girl's head, "The case isn't mine anymore, remember?".

"You promised to fight for me. You swore to do anything", the girl whispered.

"I know, darling", Chioma whimpered softly.

The girl wipes her cheek, "Don't cry. I'm here".

Chioma hugs her and kisses her forehead.

"By midnight. Go find her", the girl whispered and disappears.

"Mommy loves you, Abby", She sits up.

Aaron enters as soon as light brighten the spacious room.

"Thought I could find you here", He held onto a large teddybear.

"What's that for?", asked Chichi, pointing at the toy.

"I don't know. It kinda reminded me of Abby", Aaron joined her on the bed, "You came here".

"Yeah", Chioma leaned onto him, "This used to be Abby's room. I missed it so I came here".

"Before it was Abby's room, it was yours. I was intrigued by you", He smiles in attempt to distract her and it worked.

"I'm glad you had let me stay. its been long since I came here", She acknowledged.

"You became my wife, remember?", He gave her a kiss on the forehead, "My protector".

"I remember the news the morning of our wedding:

Millionaire playboy ties the knot with a police officer", Chioma laughed.

Aaron rubbed his eyes with his right hand, "My mom was pissed. She said you seduced me".

She looked at him, "Didn't I?".

"Of course you did, babe", He kissed her forehead again, "Goodnight, honey".

"Goodnight, babe", She closed her eyes.

Long hours later, a hand touched her legs and she awoke.

Abby looked at her, "Its midnight. Let's go".

Chioma looked at Aaron sleeping soundly, "I'll be back, husband".

Slipping away from his hold quietly, she peeled off her night gown and slipped into her jeans and T-shirt. Wearing Aaron's jacket, she took a face cap and left the house.

"I can't take the car. He'll know", She brought out the paper the woman she met at the station had given her.

"I know a way. Come with me", Abby grabbed her hands.

Crescent Street

"I knew I'd find you here", Pete said in a monotone voice.

"Jesus! you startled me. What the hell?", Chioma placed her hand on her chest.

"You're relentless, Mrs Kingsley. I saw the fire in your eyes back at the precinct. I knew you'd never back down", Pete came out of his hiding spot.

"Oh no. You caught me. That's too bad" She folded her arms below her chest.

"Does hubby know?", asked Pete. When she was silent, he cleared his throat, "He doesn't know, does he?".

"I'm going", She dialled the number she found on the paper. it clicked, "Hello".

The receiver answered, "Come straight to the house through the back. Be quiet".

"Okay", she put the the phone in her pocket and began to walk stealthily to the house, "Aren't you coming?".

Pete followed behind her, "Do you trust this woman?".

"I don't. That's why I brought a gun", She replied.

"Smart woman", He smiled.

The duo opened the backdoor and entered. Suddenly, the lights were turned on.

"I thought you were alone", the woman said to her.

Chioma shook her head, "No. This is a friend from work".

"Good. I have you where I want you", the woman smiled.

"What?" Chioma was confused.

The woman stepped aside as another person entered. She was barefooted. Wearing a white chiffon gown. A chaplet formed a necklace which rested in her chest. On her left hand was a knife while on her right was a bible. A white blindfold covered her eyes as she stepped in the midst of the trio.

Chioma was shocked, "Josie!!!"