Chapter 44

While Lucy gave the staff in MIRAS PLACE the money, what she didn't notice was an elderly woman who sat adjacent her and was watching her with great admiration. Lucy was called in after a few minutes, as soon as she walked in, hamper in her hand, Mira welcomed her and asked why she was still carrying the hamper, Lucy explained that she brought it to the owner, she then handed it over to her and told her she was the person she spoke about earlier. Mira could not hold the tears that fell from her eyes, as she was deeply touched. She recalled her feeling of jealousy while Lucy said that at the mall. She then smiled as she realized she was jealous of herself after all. She asked Lucy to take a seat, and proceeded to ask her officially what the visit was about. Lucy made her to know she only came to drop the hamper and that she would be leaving immediately. She stood up after saying so and Mira joined her as she stepped out of the office. They said goodbye to each other at the door and Mira went back to her office. Lucy was appreciated by the staff as she left, she got into the lift, the door was about to shut, when she saw the old woman hurrying to join her. She tapped the open button and waited till she got in. The woman looked at her and smiled.

You remind me of my youthful days, I was strong and elegant exactly like you. She said as if she was talking to herself.

Thank you, Lucy responded 

My name is Mary, the old woman continued. 

Lucy ma, 

That's a beautiful name 

The lift got to a stop at the ground floor. They stepped out, Mary handed over a card to Lucy, it was a compliment card, 

I guess you came for a job, I like you, call me, I will make sure you get it. 

Lucy who was confused looked at the woman again, and said thanks.

Oh I forgot to tell you, Mira or Olivia, they get me confused, those very identical twin. I am their Aunt. 

Lucy watched her walk to a black Mercedes G wagon, a man who she suspected must be the driver, came down and opened the rear door, Mary carefully climbed in. The man shut the door and entered the driver's seat and drove off. Lucy stood for sometime, she couldn't understand what happened, she was totally confused. Many things happened within a minute. She told herself she needed to sit somewhere and replay the event again, inorder to digest it. She thought of the best place to go and felt it was better done at home. She looked around, saw a hotel cab that was parked and she walked towards it. The driver was sitted inside, so she told him where she was headed to, she entered after the price was negotiated and agreed upon, the driver drove off. She started replaying what happened, she looked at the card, it was a consulting firm, and from the Esq written at the end of Mary's name, she could tell she was a lawyer. She thought of Mary, she could guess she was within her mid or late 50s, but her dress sense and the way she behaved showed she was well learned and exposed. The G wagon showed she must be rich, but why not, Lucy asked herself, she already said she was Miras aunt. The cab driver diverted to her street and stopped in front of her house. She paid him, and got down. She unlocked her door and got in, then made sure she locked it, as she needed all the time available to understand what just happened and why. She pulled off her clothes and poured her self a cup of drink, sat on her bed quiet.

The woman had promised her a job, without knowing whom she was, and she made mention of Mira and Olivia. She recalled that those two names was becoming a reoccurring decimal. To her amazement, even Mary the aunt was confused at the names. There must be something about those two names. Lucy thought of the mention of twin by Mary, that meant Mira was twin, or was her confusion making her assume so. She decided that the entire Puzzle would be solved by one and only Aunty Mary. She would call her and possibly meet with her, she knew from the little she had said, that she was the kind of woman who do not have anything to hide. If Mira was twin, or had a twin sister, does it mean there was something sinister about her attitude that made Brains suspicious enough to dig into her life. Was it possible that Mira was impersonating Olivia. These and many more questions ran through her mind. She would first establish that they were twin then she would proceed to find out if they were having issues or sworn enemies, cos that would be the only reason why she would impersonate her to take her man. These were her plans for the next outing. She stood up, looked herself in the mirror, pointed to her image and praised her by calling her the best secret dectective in town. She poured herself some more drinks then she felt something was missing, she needed someone like Mike, she was feeling horny and she wouldn't want to meet anyhow man, what she needed was a real man who would satisfy her. She decided to hang out that night and find herself such man.She took her last gulp of the drink in her cup, and took a quick shower. She was excited with her discovery of not only the things that  concerned Mira, but her self discovery as regards what she could do. She has never thought she could venture into such role. Her plans was to contract somepne and pay the person whilehe kept the raining money. But the way the things were going, the information she needed were even dropping a her laps without efforts and to crown it all, it was coming with a promise of a decent job. She put on her mono skirt and her show breast top, picked other stuff she would need, and locked her door as she went out for a cab.

When Mike left, Olivia didn't know what else to do, a lot of things began to get into her mind. She felt like leaving Africa, and possibly traveling to south America. She had in mind going to Brazil, she also thought of vacating Mike's house, and either rent a house of her own or put up in a Hotel. All these kept resounding in her thought, she was so confused of the best choice out if it all. Love being what it is, was at the centre of it. She wasn't ready to miss Mike, her heart beats for him, he had become everything she desired in a man. The only thing that was in-between them and she could allow was her political career. She decided that she would go home and whatever happened, she would sort it out. She packed her stuff together changed her cloth, and got ready to leave. She had already sent a message to Bruno who promised to be on his way immediately. Her phone beeped and she checked, it was a message from Pat, informing her that Mike was back. The message made her sit for a while, with few questions in her mind, does it mean she suspected something, were they having issues that she needed her presence, or was she informing her as his girlfriend? She needed to be careful she told herself. As she was thinking through all the questions, Bruno called to let her know he was around and at the car lot. She carefully took her belongings and left the room to meet him.

Meanwhile Mike had stayed in the room for sometime and succeeded in pushing down all the negative and angry thoughts that had came into him when he arrived, he then gathered all that he bought for Pat and cane out to the sitting room where she was watching a movie, and handed them over to her. Pat was not surprised, as she knew he wouldn't miss doing so, rather she was grateful and super happy. She thanked him and without wasting time she removed the cloth she was wearing and wore them one after the other, asking Mike to comment on each one she tried on. The exercise lightened Mikes mood a little more, but right inside him, he knew something was missing in the house and he wanted Olivia's presence. Both of them were sitting and watching the movie when Olivia walked in, Pat was the first to react as she shouted and welcomed her, Olivia hugged her friend and looked at Mike who smiled and winked. She bacme happy as the signs showed the house was at peace and safe. Pat took her bag carried the things Mike bought as both ladies moved to Olivia's room. She showed Olivia the things Mike bought for her, Olivia was able to understand the wisdom behind that and she showed how joyful she was for the friend. The both ladies then began to discuss at length Pat's relationship with Nelly. Pat thanked Olivia for accepting to help her move on and her advice about Nelly. She told her Nelly was more patient with her now, that she was ready to wait for a peaceful divorce between her and Mike. This made Olivia a little relaxed, even though she knew there must be reasons for that decision. They gossiped from one topic to another and finally resolved to go cook something. It had been a while since they are a home made food, it was always a good from the hotel or from the eatery. 

Steve and Chase walked into the interrogation room together, Tim was already sitted, with his hands tied behind the chair. Steve was the first to take a seat, and he called Chase to take the other. The moment Tim heard the name Chase, He knew he was in to face the worst treatment of his life time. The story of Chase'method of interrogation and his brutality were known to everyone. He was already making up his mind to confess, when another agent brought in the electric seat and cables. When he saw those gagets, he knew his life and death was in his hands. The agent arranged the seat and as he approached him to untie him, he cried out for freedom, he concentrated more on talking to Steve as regards his earlier options that he gave him. He wasn't ready to go through those electric current. Whoever paid for the agency to handle the job must be higher than his Boss he thought. Chase told Steve to continue with him while he stepped out for a moment. He knew his presence was the causative factor for Tims change of mind and like he had already told Steve the job was easier based on the option of a safe landing. Tim told his story of how he started on the world of crime, what led to his joining a gang, to different gangs he had been a member. He was allowed the time to talk as he was placed on a recorder. As he was talking, Chase came back in the room and sat down. He randomly asked him some questions and he would answer. Tim was shocked to know that it was Chase that moved Brenda out that very night he slapped her. He pleaded with him to be lenient. Chase promised him that whatever Steve had offered, he would abide by it. He told him that all they wanted was the name of his sponsor. The moment Tim mentioned Alexis Crusoe, the entire room and the recording office went dead silent. Chase who slumped into his seat, was first to sit up. He wasn't sure he heard him correctly, he needed to be sure and for record sake wanted him to repeat himself. Moreover, anyone could bear that name. 

Who is Alexis Crusoe? He asked

The Director who understood the implications of that question was pleased and they all became alert once again. The only noise that was heard for the next few minutes was the ticking of the clock on the wall. If a pin as small as it looked had dropped in any of the offices, the sound would also have been heard. 

The senator, Tim said

You mean Senator Alexis Crusoe? Chase asked with a harsh voice as he stood up

Yes, it's him, Tim was now broken, he bent his head and was shedding tears. He couldn't help it any longer, head reached the climax of his eveil deed and he believed nature had come to pay him back. The law of karma was right there facing him. 

Steve and Chase left him and walked back to the Directors office. No one knew what to say as they all folded their hands and we're looking at each other. How would they present this to Ben Hart, they thought that both of them were the closest of pals, they needed time to think throught and find the best way and timing to reveal this to Me Hart as any mistake or wrong timing would reap the country into pieces. Alexis Crusoe was a senator, he had gone to the Senate for three times now, he was sponsored the first time by his friend and classmate Ben Hart. Ben had encouraged him based on his interest and participation in school politics those years, he wasn't having the financial power to handle it hence Bens intervention. He pulled through that very first time and since then, both families had a serious bond. Everyone that knew them, was in support of Ben as he was gunning for the seat of the president. They all were of the belief that Alexis would be at the fire front of the support for his success. Their children grew up together and studied in the best universities. It was rumored that Alexis son was to marry one of Bens twin daughters. Though the rumor held no water. The entire team of the agency could identify with the devastation the news would bring to Ben. They never anticipated nor were they expecting that the sponsor would be an insider not to talk of a close pal. Chase was the first to speak

Why would he order for Bens daughter to be kidnapped? He asked. It was more of a rhetorical question as non of them has an answer, the director said the interrogation was not ended, as they would need to get more information from Tim. Meanwhile the pause was worth it as they needed to breath out the shock. He dismissed everyone with a reminder of their oath of secrecy.