CHAPTER SIX

As he stood under the shower, lost in thought, he couldn't shake the image of Anna Robert from his mind.

Her intense gaze during the interview had unsettled him, more so than even the scrutiny of the detectives Theresa had hired.

Unlike the others, this detective had a presence that was hard to ignore.

After drying himself with a towel, he went to his empty bed, relieved that his roommates weren't around.

He turned to his laptop and began a detailed search of Anna's social media profiles.

He found out she had a husband and a four-year-old daughter, who had been kidnapped three years ago.

He also discovered that Anna was skilled in hacking, which intrigued him.

Fortunately, it seemed she wouldn't be at the same school as him.

As he continued to investigate her life, he wondered who he would target next.

As she was about to leave the office, Frederick Solomon walked in.

It had been over five years since they last met, and he had changed noticeably, particularly physically.

Their last conversation had been during their graduation from the University of Lagos, where they both studied Criminology.

Richard had since completed his Honors degree in Accounting six years ago.

(Flashback: Six Years Ago)

Anna wandered the street aimlessly, holding a folder with carefully organized resumes and CVs.

She recalled Theresa's warnings about the difficulties of a Criminology career in Nigeria.

To avoid a typical police role, she had recently applied to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) but was rejected due to a lack of experience and connections.

As tears began to fall, she discreetly wiped them away when she noticed people staring.

A car horn interrupted her thoughts, and she turned to see her boyfriend, Fred.

He rolled down the car window and said, "Hop in, crybaby."

She got in, sighing heavily. "How long have you been following me?"

"Long enough. How are you, Anna?"

"Fine," she said, glancing out the window.

"I have a job offer for you, one that could change your life," he said.

She perked up. "A job? What kind of job?"

"I'll train you in hacking for five months. After that, you'll work as a spy," he explained further, "The governor needs a female operative to gather intel on his rival. Publicly, you'll be a chief protocol officer, but secretly, you'll track our enemies."

Overjoyed, she hugged him, tears of gratitude in her eyes. "Thank you so much, my love. I truly appreciate this."

(One Year Later)

She knocked on the door but received no answer, so she pushed open and entered, realizing that the door was open.

Inside, Fred was focused on his laptop.

"Did you hear me knocking?" she asked.

"Yep. The door was open," he replied without looking up.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Governor Aloa threatened to expose our boss's secrets. I'm trying to hack his system," he said.

"You're doing a good job," she noted.

He didn't respond.

She sat on the couch, waiting until he finished.

A knock on the door interrupted them.

She opened it to find Richard, who greeted her formally before heading to his room.

She watched Fred grab a drink from the fridge.

The two men didn't speak, which was unusual."Are you guys fighting?" she asked.

Fred laughed. "He gets upset when he sees us together."

"Who?" she asked.

"Richard liked you before I did in second year. He was the one who first noticed you. Because he liked you, I took an interest and made the first move."

She was surprised.

She had never suspected Richard liked her. "Why are you still living with him after what happened?"

Fred shrugged. "I don't know. Even after school, I was shocked when he suggested we share an apartment. I liked the idea. He's easygoing and a good roommate."

(Two Months Later)

Since Fred revealed that Richard liked her, she couldn't stop being curious.

She visited the house the bachelors shared together and watched Richard when he casually cooked or chatted with them.

He avoided eye contact with her all through the chats, which seemed intentional.

One day, she arrived home before the bachelors because she wanted to cook before they return from work .

She heard someone come in.

Her heart raced when she saw it was Richard."Um, good afternoon," she stammered.

Richard didn't respond, just stared at her."What were you doing in the kitchen?" he asked.

"I was cooking. I've put food in the fridge. Should I make some rice for you?" she offered.

He approached her, and she backed away.

He touched her cheek and looked into her eyes. "If I had asked you out five years ago, would you have said yes?"

She was shocked.

She had always thought Richard was handsome and intelligent, but he never showed interest in dating anyone in school.

She realized that, at that time, it would have been easy for her to say yes."Why didn't you end your friendship with Fred?" she asked.

"I didn't want to break relationships because of a woman. But if the woman I love isn't treated well, that's different."

"Treated well?"

"Fred gives you money but doesn't value you. When choosing a life partner, think about value. It renews love."

"I don't understand."

"Think about it. Do you feel truly valued with Fred?"

No one had asked her that before.

Fred was always busy, and she often felt she had to impress him.

"Fred values you only because he knows I do. He doesn't see what I see in you. He's not the right person for you."

"Who is?"

"I am"

She gasped. "Who is the right person for me? Fred made me who I am today."

"Do you even know who you are yet?"

"Yes. I'm a criminologist with hacking skills. Without Fred, I'd be jobless with rejected CVs. Now I have two cars!"

"With all that, why do you need to measure up for a man's love? A man who loves you sees what others don't."

She shrugged. "I don't think I have anything to offer beyond my hacking skills."

"You have much to offer. But for yourself, you need self-worth. You deserve appreciation for your flaws too. I saw your value from the first day at university, not just your skills. Marry me, Anna Anderson."

She was stunned.

No one had ever asked her to marry them.

Richard valued her just as she was.

Richard had secretly built a house he hoped to live in with her before they married.She was amazed at his confidence.

Despite Fred's wealth, Richard was certain she was his future wife.

(Present)

Fred smiled warmly and extended his hand. "Nice to meet you again, Anna Anderson."

"Anna Robert, please," she corrected him as she shook his hand.

She was now Richard's wife, with his surname.

He frowned slightly. "Richard never gave up, even after four years. He used our relationship to keep an eye on you. So intelligent."

She didn't want to discuss their past. She was now married.

"Before you came in, I was about to leave for the mortuary."

"We're going together. I've already contacted the mortuary attendant."

She agreed, and they left for the mortuary.

The attendant showed them Justina Marie's body. "She was killed in the same manner—shaved head, shaved hair, and that Chinese inscription."

Anna and Fred examined the body, exchanging worried glances."Dates of the murders: Queen on December 6th, Francess on February 7th, and Justina on May 8th," Fred noted.

Anna gasped. "The same date?"

Fred nodded. "The next murder will likely be June 9th, since July is the kids' holiday."

Anna observed that the killer used pliers, an axe, and a knife. "How did they get sharp objects into a church unnoticed? They must have had inside help."

"Was anyone at Saint High church the day the incident happened?" Fred asked.

"The church is always open," Anna replied.