Chapter 82

Philip took his shower, got himself refreshed, he walked out from the bathroom to the room stronger but tired because of the trip and time he spent in the hospital. Brains told him that he was with some friends when he came in, and he would love to go back to then as they were still waiting for him. Philip did not hesitate, by then, he was already feeling sleepy. With that, Brains left him in the room and walked down back to the pool side. Lucy and Olivia were still seated comfortably drinking and smoking heavily when he returned. One look at the table would tell of the quantity they had consumed. Brains didn't want the fun to sieze, he would even prefer it went on till the next day, so he called on the waiter for more drinks. By that time, the entire pool side was already filled with a lot of people, some drinking like them, while few others were dancing to the good tunes that came out of the huge speakers mounted around. Brains never knew that when he left the ladies, he became a topic for discussion. Lucy told Olivia her impression of Brains, stating that he looked young and mature, with a good body well built. She continued to praise his physical look and added that he was any womans dream. While she talked, Olivia was listening with great attention, she was actually on the same page with her. All the while they were together, she recalled what that little time they shared in Paris, was like. Even though her mind was still beating for Mike, she wouldn't tell herself lies, Brains was indeed a woman's dream. Only that this time the woman in question might either be unknown or Lucy. Lucy asked her if Brains was having interest in her, suggesting that it won't be a bad idea to give him a trial. She added that since there was another woman having interest in Mike, (being Pat), it would be wise to be an option. This triggered some thoughts on Olivia, she remembered that Pat was still with Mike, and she wouldn't know what would have been going on with them. They might have had a lot of discussions and who knows she might come up as one of the topics to be discussed. She thought of the call she received from Pat, she told her she was the main reason for coming over, but she was still by Mike's side. She would wait for her to come the next day and use the opportunity to study her, that would give her clue on whatever might be happening or had happened.

It was as if Lucy's word were having a lot of influence on her, she was beginning to have a mixed feeling towards Mike, and her mind was beginning to consider Brains. Lucy noticed that her words were sinking into her, this made her more confident to talk the more. It was Brains return to the table that stopped their discussions. At that point they concentrated on the merriment, until late in the night, before they decided to go in and rest.

Ordinarily, interrogations were meant to start soft, and if the suspect responds truthfully to the questions, it would end same way. In most cases, it doesn't go that way, what usually happened was the use of force to get whatever information that was needed from the suspect. Though in all ways it also starts in a soft and dialogue kind of way, there would come a time when the suspect might become economical with the truth, thereby causing the interrogating agent to apply force. This force was meant to weaken whatever the suspect held strongly to not to divulge information. It could be physical strength or the level of loyalty he or she had sworn to. Which ever one it is, the application of force had way of affecting both the physical mental strength of the suspect and make him or her talk or confess. This happened to Tim, and most of other criminal elements who were interrogated by the agency. One advantage the agents had on any of their suspects was that their operations were all secret, making it impossible for any interference. 

Chase, the director and Alicia walked into the room where they had prepared for the interrogation of the senator. They made up their mind to give him a little respect, so there were no handcuffs, he was led to the room by two security agents. A chair was pushed towards him on which he sat down and made himself comfortable. The moment he saw Chase, he knew that he was trapped. He had really discussed a lot of secrets and allowed him access to a lot of information that could be used to nail him. He thought of the best way to go about it, and he felt that insisting on his lawyer would be a good start. He wouldn't just accept defeat, he had to put up a good defensive fight, who knows, he might win. Even though he made the decision, there was still the fear of the unknown. He had taken a good look at the entire structure and it's environ, it seemed to be different from the official formations of security agencies he knew. Being an old and experienced politician, he had knowledge that such secret formation exists, but he hadn't any experience of it until now. 

Can I have a stick of cigarette, he asked.

Chase looked at the agent standing by the door and signaled him to go ahead and give him one. This he did very quickly. They were used to suspects demanding such, so they made sure they have  lots of it in their store. Senator Crusoe took one from the pack and lit it with the lighter, he handed over the lighter back to him and drew a long breath of air from the stick, holding so much thick smoke in his mouth for a while. When he felt a little uneasy, he blew it out, making the room full of smoke. All these he did to buy time and see if there would be an idea that would struck him on how to escape what he had got himself into.

Chase looked at him, he had thought of how and where to start with him, it looked like he was yet to lay hold on a particular strategy to adopt. He took a stick of cigarette from the same pack, walked up to Crusoe and lit it with his own cigarette. When he was done, he walked back to where the director was sitting stood by him and told him that he was ready to start. The director, who was all these while watching the senator and studying his body language, told Chase to give him a little more time. This he said, trying to avoid the use of force, being that most times suspects had to give in after allowing them time in the interrogation room to meditate on all that happened. Chase obeyed the director and took a seat. They were all smoking and waiting, this time the director was flipping through the file housing the various evidence against Crusoe. After a little time of silence, the directors led Alicia and Chase close to Crusoe, and the interrogation began. Right in front of Crusoe was a camera on a tripod stand facing the senator. It was actually meant to record all that was said during the questionings. Alicia took her time to brief Crusoe on what they expected of him as they went ahead with the event. 

Sir, please may we know you? The director took the first shot at Crusoe.

My name is Alexis Crusoe, the senator responded.

The answer didn't go well with the team, they would have preferred a full me detailed introduction that had his designation, and various other information, but they allowed it, knowing that the main thing they wanted from him, was beyond name. The director continued with other follow up questions which the answers came promptly and in the order they were expected. With the questions, the senator was able to introduce himself, and his constituency. He went ahead to say where he was and when it got to saying why he was there, he paused. Every effort to make him talk didn't not yield positive response. He told them he wasn't going to say any other word until his lawyer cane in. Alicia had to pause the recording as there was a heated deliberation as regards senators request which does not need to appear in the video recorded. The director had to leave the room, to make a phone call. He called Mr Hart, informed him of what was happening, Hart told him not to use force yet, but as for the demand for his Lawyer, that they shouldn't grant him. With that said, the director dropped the call and walked back to the room, he ordered that the senator be sent back to his cell. Then he called for a short meeting in his office. 

When Brains woke up the next morning, the first call he got was from Philip, he asked that they talk. With that, He knew that it was all about the issue between Mike and himself. He was prepared for any talks, so he accepted. They agreed to have morning breakfast at the tea lounge in the hotel. Brains was the first to arrive at the venue, he didn't want to keep Philip waiting. It was actually his first time in the lounge since he came into the hotel. All the while, he had ordered his tea and it was brought to his room. He felt he had missed a lot not knowing such place existed. He found a good spot and sat, facing the entrance so he could see Philip when he comes in. The waiter approached him, she was a girl on her early 20s, she handed over the menu to him, while she waited for him to make his choice. Brains took his time to go through the many food listed there, he wouldn't know what Philip might want to take, but from what he saw, he asked the girl to get him  cup of tea and bread with omelette. The girl was about to leave when Philip arrived. She had to stay back and take Philips order too. When she left, Philip went straight to the point.

What is going on with you and Mike? He asked 

It wasn't Brains expectation, he never knew Philip would go direct on that issue. It took him off guard, he hesitated for a moment, not knowing the right answer to give;

Nothing, did he mention anything? He responded

He purposely threw the question back at Phillip, for him, it would be better to hear whatever Mike may have told him so that he would know how to respond. He watched Philip closely to see his reaction, but he was relaxed as if nothing was happening. The young girl interrupted them when she came with the tray carrying their order. She served them their breakfast and left. They ate quietly, each of them enjoying their meal. Brains noticed that few other Lodgers were coming in for breakfast too, he wondered why he never noticed such a place. He felt that it wouldn't be a bad idea bringing Olivia to such place, who knows she might love it and that would also be another plus for him.

Mike told me how you left the hospital angry, after a heated argument over a lady. Philip said.

He was wiping his mouth with the napkin on the table. He didn't bother looking up at Brains. All he was interested in was to reconcile them and make them see reasons why they should not allow a woman destroy their friendship. Brains wondered what Mike would have told him, he couldn't believe it was just that.

Was that all he said? He asked Mike.

No, he mentioned few other things, about the lady and how you reacted when he told you she was his. 

When Brains heard that, he became angry again,.but he hid it from Philip, he felt Mike was trying to get Philip on his side, so he decided that he wouldn't talk much on that, rather, he would accept whatever Philip had got to say, at the end he would carry out his own decision. He did not respond to Philip on the issue again, he only nodded in acceptance all the advice he gave to him. With that they concentrated on their food once again till they finished it. Brains paid for the breakfast and they left back to their different rooms. Philip was still feeling tired and needed some more sleep, Brains felt he could take Olivia back to the lounge, so the moment he stepped into his room, he dialled Olivia's room number. The control room after few questions and verification from Olivia, granted him access. Brains and Olivia greeted, with Brains asking her of her night rest, after that, he proposed the breakfast at the lounge. Olivia was also hearing about the tea lounge for the first time, she accepted mostly out of curiosity to experience what it was like. When the call ended, she told Lucy that Brains was inviting them to a breakfast at the lounge. They quickly took their bath, dressed casual, and walked out from their room towards the lounge. Being that they don't know the place, they stopped by at the bar on their floor and made enquiry before proceeding to the place. Brains was already seated when they arrived, Olivia, was so engrossed with the beauty of the place that it took her time to take seat. Lucy also wished she had known that such a place existed in the Hotel. They wouldn't have been having their breakfast in their room , they all said if they knew there was a breakfast lounge.Fortunately, the same girl that served Brains and Philip was the one that came back for them, so it was easier to get the service they desired. The menu was handed over as usual, Olivia took Quaker oat with cream milk, she said it had been a while she took that, when asked if she would be needing anything to take it with, she refused and insisted on only that. Lucy made her choice of coffee, but the decaffeinated one, she refused to take it with anything too. Brains then told them he had just had his breakfast few minutes ago at the same place, and felt they needed to experience the place, that being the reason for bringing them there. He added that he was happy they accepted to come ashis fear was that they may have been there before. Olivia appreciated him for the invitation and this made him happy as he counted it as another point scored.