Chapter 23

Pat and Olivia played the game until midnight, they had got drunk, especially Pat who did it on purpose. Olivia lay down and slept off, Pat pushed her inside, made her lay close to Mike while she lay at the edge. The Gin had hit her so hard that she slept off as if dead. As soon as Olivias body touched Mike, he turned and placed his hand on her body assuming he was laying with Pat. He drew her close to himself and Olivia who was also drunk did not hesitate, he held her that way while they slept. It was the rays from the sun that penetrated through the window that woke Mike up, his body movement woke Olivia too, both observed that Pat was snoring and they looked at each other with surprise. How did they get in that position to the point of holding each other. They were having the same thoughts and many questions crossed for mind. Olivia turned and took a closer look at all her friend, she was very deep in sleep. Mike drew Olivia close to himself and planted a kiss on her forehead. Olivia whispered good morning to him, and they hugged each other. Mike called the intercom and requested for coffee, he ordered for two cups as he felt Pat wouldn't be waking up anytime soon. Meanwhile Olivia had gone to the bathroom to freshen up. 

In Paris, Brains woke up full of life and anticipation that the day was going to be a success. He had avoided Lucy for two days as he wouldn't want to jeopardizing his chances of getting back Olivia, he had seen the way Lucy flinched at the mention of Mira and he was suspecting she knew her, even though he purposely avoided asking her. He felt that avoiding her had given him room to relax and think. He was almost getting so much attached to her. It was lust initially, it had grown to infatuation and who knows he might fall in love, that's if he hadn't already. He was to be at MIRAS PLACE by 9am, to avoid being late he needed to start early. He has chosen to dress in a corporate attire, hence his decision to wear suit. He brought out his brown suit, a tuxedo, he bought it when he travelled to the US. He was actually passing by a fashion shop and saw it displayed by the window which had a transparent almaco glass. He stopped and got in, luck worked on his side that the suit was exactly his side. With that he paid and took it along, he was being smart as he knew he might not see it if he was to waste time. He had only won the suit once at a friends wedding in Africa. The would make it the second time. He went into the bathroom and rushed his bath, it did not take him to get dressed. He looked himself up in the mirror and loved what he saw, he smiled and gave the image in the mirror a thumbs up. He wore a brown tuxedo suit and trouser, with a brown leather shoe to go with. His sense of dressing was part of his attraction to the Ladies. He was a kind of man that preferred spending for quality things than having many fake and below standard ones. He wore his Rolex wristwatch and sprayed his Armani perfume. He had combed his neatly barabed haircut and had added a little powder to his face. He was ready to go at 8am. The drive from the Hotel to MIRAS PLACE, wasn't that long so he had time on his side. He took his phone and called Mike, he had called him the previous night and wishes him happy anniversary, also Mike had told him how he went out with his wife and her best friend who fortunately and unfortunately was the same lady he had told him swept him off his feet and drove him crazy. Brains could not believe it, how would he handle it he had asked Mike, jokingly. He adviced him to play safe so that he wouldnt let the wife suspect anything. He woke up to see Mike's text message stating that he slept with the two ladies on the same bed. Hence his decision to call him. Mike picked his call and they exchanged pleasantries. Brains told him he saw his message and was curious to know how he handled it. He wanted to know if Mike handled himself. They joked and laughed while they talked, remembering some old time events that relates to such. Mike then asked him when he was coming back, which made Brains hiss a deep sigh and explained to Mike he would love to be back the next day since he was to see Olivia that morning. He told him he has an appointment with her by 9am. Mike wished him luck and they dropped the call. Brains called his cab man who told him he was already downstairs waiting. He had told him to come by 8am so they wouldn't go late. He went down, entered the car and off they went.

Somewhere at an inn, Chase and Bruno were having a meeting with CAPONE'S and his men. They were to decide either to storm 'the predators' camp or pick out the young man who handled the attack. The struggle for leadership between the gangs in the town has been an age long issue. The tussle was becoming stronger and and harder as the years go by. A lot of antics to outdo and outwit each other was obvious. There was serious alignment going on secretly. Some tilting towards the security agencies, some towards the Politicians, while some gangs align with other gangs. All in the bid to destroy the other gang and gain ground and relevance. The response gained in the meeting speaks volume to the trueness of such alignment. Chase was first to speak, and he addressed them formally reminding them how the Mayor of the City frowns at anything violence, as he was a man who love peace and justice. There was no crime in the city he would let go or die just like that, he would dig, no matter how long it took him, he would get the perpetrators. That was why he called them to help in getting the information on who paid for that attack. He promised to reward hem handsomely and keep covering them. Bruno responded first, he thanked Chase for the meeting and went straight to tell him that all his interested was to get the young man and possibky find who bankrolled the attack. He wasn't ready for fight. Capone was not happy with Bruno as he shouted at him to sit down. He reminded him that the City was theirs before the predators began to operate. He added that the eyes of the law and law enforcement agencies focused on them because of the amature nature of their operations. He thanked Chase for the way he had worked with them and promised he was ready with his men to terminate and possible extinguish the predators. They argued, shouted, quarrelled, but finally they reached a consensus. They plan was to get the young man and interrogate him, from their findings they would storm their camp and possibly arrest them. 

Meanwhile the driver carrying Brains was stuck on traffic and the time was ticking so fast, Brains asked him if there wasnt another road to the place. The young man affirmed that there was. He decided to find his way out of the lane and switch to another. He had already come out of the lane switched successfully to the other lane, he had driven to the next junction that would take him to the faster lane, when all of a sudden, all Brains could remember was the crash sound. He tried waking up but his eye wouldn't, he could barely see cars around and the siren lights, the last he heard was the sound of siren, he passed out. The ambulance came fast, the emergency unit was called immediately and they took the reserved emergency lane to avoid the traffic. The doors were forced open and while some carried Brains, others helped to carry the driver. They were rushed to the hospital. Brains phone had got 2 messages and several calls, one of the message came from MIRAS PLACE, it was a reminder on the appointment, while the several call were both From them and Lucy. The news of the accident went viral almost immediately as online and offline news reporters stormed the scene for interviews and on the spot accessment. Philip was the first to see the news online, he was changing stations on his TV when he saw a news flash. He stopped and saw the accident, he took his time to hear the details when the presenter mentioned the name. He picked his phone and called Mike to tune in to the station, he wants sure, so he didn't tell him exactly what he saw. Mike tuned in, by this time the two ladies had left him to God knows where. He saw the flash and just as he was contemplating, he got a prompt on his phone, behold it was from the Hospital, they had reached the last number Brains spoke with, to announce his involvement in a ghastly motor accident. Mike called back Philip and confirmed to him it was Brains. At the same time, MIRAS PLACE, also got a prompt form the hospital, that the said Brains that was to meet them up on appointment was critically laying in the hospital. The PA was shocked, she ran to MIRA'S office to relate the message, Mira who was watching the incident on Tv was dumbfounded, tears was rolling down her eyes.

Mike called Pat to figure out where she was, just the phone rang, the door opened and the two ladies entered. Mike told Pat about the accident, Pat couldn't hold it, as she shouted and threw herself on the bed crying. She asked if he was dead, Mike pointed to the TV where the news flash was being repeated. They watched as the reporter announced that there was no Identity card fund, only his wallet, with some money, both Dollars and franc. She then rolled out two numbers to call Incase any relative, friends, colleagues were watching. Mike quickly jotted down the numbers. Olivia was touched, she felt cold and held Pat who was crying. Pat informed her that the victim was his husband's close friend. Although they knew the accident happened in Paris, they were so engrossed in shock that the thought of Brains search for one Olivia never crossed their minds. Mike took excuse from the two ladies so as to meet up with Philip. 

Lucy had called Brains number of times, so she decided to visit him at the Hotel, he probably may have picked another lady she thought. She had gotten used to him that jealousy was creeping in. In their business such ciients were hard to come by, therefore she had to guard him jealously. Brains was not like all those pot belly old men that she could ignore for any cheap prostitute. She could understand and possibly back out when the likes of Mira or Olivia as the case may be was imvolved. She took a cab to the hotel and asked the receptionist to call his room. The young man on duty told her Brains had left the hotel by precisely 8am. She asked for Agent K, at least she could stay in his room and cool off while waiting for Brains. she was told he went out too. She sat down to think of the next move, should she wait, the possibility of him coming back early she wouldn't know. she picked her phone and dialled Brains number again, it was still ringing when she saw the news flash on TV, an accident happened that morning. A Toyota Prius was hit by a truck beyond repair, the preaenter showed the pictures of both the driver and Brains. Although his face was not clear, the name mentioned, grew her suspision. When she had he was on appointment at MIRAS PLACE, she slumped. The staff rushed and while one brought water which they sprinkled on her, the unbottoned her shirt to allow air. It took few minutes to resuscitate her. She called a cab and left for the hospital. She arrived the hospital and asked that she came to see Brains, the nurse at the reception directed her to the Directors office. The man asked her if she was related to him. She lied that she was his girlfriend, she had travelled and just came in to meet him for the appointment before she heard the news. The director told her to drop her contact and go, since he was still in Coma, as soon as he was revived, they would reach her. He promised her that they would do their best to make sure he was alive and alright. Lucy did as she was told and left, praying that Brains survived.

Mike arrived Philips office and both of them could not hold their tears, they hugged each other and Mike told him, that it wasn't up to 30 minutes the has spoken before the incident. Philip who was in serious shock asked Mike what he thought they could do. Mike suggested they call the hospital and make sure they took good care of him pending their plan to go over either him or both of them. They agreed and Mike made the call. The call was received by the receptionist who asked Mike to wait while she redirected the call to the Director. Mike introduced himself and Phillip, he was making the call with the speaker on. He then told the director he was calling from Africa and that the  last number Brains spoke with was his. The director was pleased, and told them Brains had serious shock which led him into Coma. He promised to get back to them as soon as he was revived. Philip told him that whatever it would take cost wise he shouldn't hesitate to reach them. Then the medical Doctor added that the girlfriend by name Lucy was already in town and that she had come to see him. Mike thanked him and the call was ended. The two men looked at each other. Girlfriend, Mike was thinking, was it not Olivia he went to see, why was really happening. Philip was thinking, Brains hadn't changed, Olivia was supposed to be the name here, or was there a mistake? Probably the Director may have mixed the name up. The lady must have called Olivia but the man having forgotten exactly the name thought it was Lucy. The two men who were engrossed in their thought as they were looking at each other, simultaneously shouted LUCY!!!