Chapter 43

The next morning Alicia, Brenda and Chase woke up early as planned, it didn't take them much time to prepare, they had planned that they would drop off Brenda at the place of work, Alicia would briefly see the people, then she and Chase would proceed to the office. They had a breakfast at the hotel restaurant, before they drove off in Alicia's BMW. It was an old model, 5 series but classic car, it had leather seat, with good sound system. Alicia had used it for years, eventhough she got it from her elder brother who had used it but gave her as a gift, the car still looked new. It didn't take them much time to arrive the place. The building wasn't quite big but the supermarket was a beehive of activities even at that early morning hours. Brenda was to work as a sales personnel, Alicia and Brenda stepped down from the car while Chase waited. They walked straight to the managers office, who was so happy to see Alicia and quickly offered them seats. He asked if Brenda was the new staff and Alicia nodded in affirmative. He ten welcomed Brenda and told her she was to start anon the job training. He asked Alicia to come pick her by 9pm, he then beckoned on another staff who came and took Brenda with her to her position. Alicia thanked the man, and promised to be back as discussed. She left the shop to the car and drove off with Chase. Chase asked her how the whole thing worked out, she explained and he was so happy that Brenda had got something reasonable to do. They listened in to a radio program on crime and dectective as they rode to the office. They finally arrived the office, there weren't much cars that morning, so it wasn't difficult to locate a space where she packed, they walked into the office and signed in as usual. The director then asked Alicia to go get Steve, the psychologist. She left Chase and drove to the hotel where he was lodged. While waiting, the director handed over the feedback that Steve had written after he interrogated Tim. Chase took his time and went through the entire writeup, he was able to digest all that Steve wrote. He then asked the director for permission to join the interrogation that day. The director didn't hesitate to allow him, but asked him to wait till Steve arrived so they would hold a session and map out a veritable strategy that would get them result. Alicia had barely driven out of the office environment, she was at a cross road waiting for the traffic to go green, when she saw a Ford bronco speedily approaching her passengers side of the car, she felt initially that the car probably may be running from authorities, but the rate at which it was approaching, gave her a second thought, it was so close to hitting her when she slammed on the acceleration and wheeled to her left, the bronco could only get a little of her front fender. She looked and saw a man with a gun pointed towards her, she then knew and understood what was going on. She switched the gear to reverse, and matched the throttle, the tires face a screech sound, and as the car moved back, she heard the sound of the bullet as it flew pass her initial position and hit a light pole. She didn't wait for the traffic light anymore, as she switched back to drive and took the road on her right and with her speedometer rising with great speed drove down to the end of the road, she looked through the rear mirror and saw the bronco followed her, then she decided to run through the streets as she swerved both left and right and navigated through the streets without difficulties until she was able to escape. She drove down to a nearby police office where she parked the car, used the nearby phone booth to reach out to Chase and took a cab to the hotel where she picked Steve.The office marvelled at her story, they knew what would have happened, they also knew it was from whoever was searching for Tim. They would have picked Alicia to get information on Tims whereabout. The Director commended Alicia's smartness and made a call to the police District office in charge of the zone. Steve and Chase were allowed to get to know each other, and Chase told him he had gone through his report and was very impressed as he would say the job of cracking Tim was now easier. Steve was happy with the feedback and they planned on their next step. They were not to waste much time as they could see that some people were already tracing to find Tim. 

Brains came out of the bathroom, he saw missed calls from Lucy and after dressing up, he ate his breakfast rested a while and went out for his routine exercise. He called Lucy back while walking down the quiet play ground. Lucy picked, they greeted and she enquired of him how he was fairing.

 what exactly do you want me to find out about Mira? She asked

her true identity, find out everything you could, especially anything that looked suspicious about her. Brains responded 

Lucy told him it was a tough job and the pay would be huge. Brains asked her to name her price which she did and after a little negotiation, they agreed on a certain figure. He asked her to send her account details so as to mobilize her. Lucy did not waste time as she sent the message immediately. She had taken her bath and ordered a cab to go out when the call came, so she decided it was the right time to visit MIRAS PLACE, instead of going to hang out waiting for a client. She was to buy a gift hamper as planned, so she locked her door and was walking down the stairs to go meet the cab driver, when she received an alert on her phone. She opened it and was shocked at the amount she saw. She then knew Brains was really serious and that it must have been an issue if concern to him. She walked down the remaining steps very fast and got to the cab, she told the driver that there was a change of plan as they would go to the mall, he would wait for her to buy something then he would take her to MIRAS PLACE. The driver nodded showing he understood her correctly. He turned the car ignition on and moved. They drove down to the mall, he parked the car,  Lucy came down and entered the mall. She walked down to the lift section, and selected a few things including wines, she then walked down to where they would package it. She was standing on the queue when she heard her name, she didn't turn as she felt no one knew her around there or probably it might be someone that had same name. Mira walked up to her and touched her, she turned, saw her and shouted. They hugged each other though lightly, Mira asking her what she came to do.

What brought you here?, she asked

I came to buy gift hamper. She responded

That would be for you man I guess, Mira said winking her eyes and smiling

No, it is for a friend who meant a lot to me, I wish I could do more for her. Lucy responded

Mira was impressed, she was touched with that statement as she felt jealous of the person Lucy was talking about, not knowing she was the one. Meanwhile Lucy thought it wise to sound that way so as to win her heart more as it would make her job easier. She had initially thought of engaging the services of experts, but she knew it was almost impossible to get an expert who wouldn't reveal it to Miras family, for favour, hence her decision to do the job herself, and let itremain a secret. The two ladies chatted a while and Mira said goodbye to her as she mentioned, that she was headed to her office. Lucy promised her she would drop by on her way back from where she was going. She watched as Mira left, she loved the way she cat walked, she really knew how to carry herself with such elegance. One if the things that marvelled her was that she always wore a very high heeled shoes upon her height, although it adds to her beauty, but she rarely saw ladies of her height do so. It got to her turn and he lady took her gifts, packed them properly the way they were suppouto be in the hamper, the she made sure it was properly wrapped, she handed it over to Lucy who paid and walked to the car lot. As soon as she got into the car, she told the driver to move to the nearest eatery, she felt it was wise to go eat something and use it to while away a little time before going to MIRAS PLACE. Lucy spent 30 minutes in the eatery, she came out more energetic and they moved to her final destination. MIRAS PLACE was always a busy office, and the protocol on place made it time consuming to see Mira, but Lucy had an advantage, she was well known to the PA and once Mira got to know she was there to see her, she would break the protocol and made sure she was sent in. She walked down the corridor to the office, as soon as she got to the door, the security personnel at the door was the first to recognize her and welcomed her. Then she proceeded to the secretarys office, where she was supposed to fill out a form, but the refused giving her the form, instead they called the intercom to let the madam k kw she was around. Lucy had got their mind to that level cos of her benevolent heart. She was always giving them money whenever she came around, sometimes she would buy them expensive launch and gifts. They knew that her presence in the office that day meant a few cash for them. Mira only asked them to let her exercise a little patience as the clie t she was with was almost through with what she was doing. The response pleased Lucy and she took a seat they offered her, sat comfortably and took out her purse where she kept few cash, this she gave the secretary to share amongst them including the security guard at the door.

Olivia was the first to wake up, although she slept a little bit late. She finished her work earlier but her mind was filled with Mikes mood and what might be his next move. She believed she had spoken to him the much she needed to on the issue and there was nothing much to do about it. She made up her mind that if he reacted in anyway that might jeopardize her career, she would leave town to an unknown and undisclosed destination. She went into the bathroom, called Pat many times, she didn't pick her call, she had wanted to give her the information that Mike had become aware of her and Nelly. After she dropped the call she felt it wasn't the right thing to do and thanked God she didn't pick the call. She came out of the bathroom, took her toothbrush and paste, went back and washed her mouth, then she called the kitchen for a cup of tea, she felt hungry but wanted something to hold in with till Mike woke up, hence the choice of tea. She had observed Mike, saw he was really deep asleep and felt it would be a bad idea waking him up. A little while, the waiter knocked and she opened the door for her, she brought the tea and bread in and left. Olivia sat down and enjoyed her breakfast. She had barely finished her food when her phone rang, Pat was returning her call. She picked and lied to her she had wanted to know her whereabout, Pat informed her she was home. She alsed if she had heard from Mike, Olivia denied. Olivia then promised her she would be back soon. By the time she dropped the call, she heard his voice;

That must be Pat I guess, said Mike 

Yes, replied Olivia.

He sighed, Olivia could see how frustrated he was becoming over the issue, she didn't know what next to do, so she asked if he would love to have some coffee before they order for food. He nodded and she called the kitchen, placed and order for a cup of coffee. Mike stood from the bed, went to the bathroom where he quickly brushed his mouth. He came and saw his coffee was already in the table, he sat down and did justice to it. It was helpful to his body, and he appreciated Olivia for suggesting and ordering it. Olivia was wondering when they would go home, because from the way she saw Mikes body language, she wasn't sure he was even ready to go back to the house again. She recalled he had said that home was anywhere she was. She told herself she must find a way to make sure they left the hotel that day, also she would find excuse to let him get home before her. It was as if Mike was reading her mind as he asked her what time they would be leaving and added that she would be coming back later if she don't mind. He said he wouldn't want Pat to suspect anything, hence his return first before her. Olivia accepted his plans and reminded him not to confront Pat yet. Mike accepted, but right inside of him, he was yet to figure out how to stay comfortable with Pat in the same house. He had always felt it would have been easier to bear, had it been she cheated on him with a man. He wouldn't run away from his house he said to himself, and he wouldn't want to lose Olivia either, so he had no option than to obey and follow her advice.They had launch together, before Mike called a hotel can and left. He wondered what to do with the gift he bought for Pat, although it wasn't Olivia's size, he wouldn't mind giving it to her, he thought of what to do with it, then he resolved to take the advice Philip and Olivia gave him. He would behave as if he was not aware of her outings and cheating, and keep working on his plan for Olivia, until fate brought a suitable time and place for him to talk. The cab was able to take a less traffic route which enabled them to arrive home quicker. Mike alighted from the cab, carried his luggage and paid the driver. He walked into the house and was received  by Pat with the usual cold welcome, he was already used to it so he allowed it pass, and moved to his room..