Chapter 18: Shadows And Revelations

The days grew colder, and the university seemed cloaked in an air of impending dread. As the winds blew harsher, so too did the currents beneath the surface of its seemingly tranquil academic life. There was an undercurrent of anxiety that hummed in every hallway, crept into every classroom, and lingered in every conversation. It was as if the very walls were whispering secrets too terrible to tell.

Jay and Marriam were caught in the eye of the storm. Richard's machinations were growing more aggressive by the day. Rumors swirled about an imminent investigation into "misconduct" involving certain professors and students. Whispers grew louder, and curious eyes followed Jay and Marriam wherever they went.

One afternoon, they met with Professor Mohale in his cramped, book-lined office, which was barely illuminated by a small, antique desk lamp. Papers were scattered across the desk like leaves after a storm, and the faint scent of ink and old parchment filled the room.

Professor Mohale, a man in his late fifties, was a striking figure. His salt-and-pepper beard framed a face etched with wisdom and intensity. He had deep-set, thoughtful eyes that seemed to look right into one's soul. His skin, the color of rich mahogany, bore the marks of age and experience, and his hands, large and strong, gestured expressively as he spoke. Mohale was known for his no-nonsense demeanor, sharp wit, and a voice that resonated like a deep bell. He had an aura of authority tempered by a kind of weary compassion, and his reputation for integrity was unmatched.

"Jay, Marriam," he began, his tone grave as he leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers, "I've heard from Lakshmi. She confirms what Dr. Harper suggested — Richard is planning to go public. But he's waiting for the right moment, the perfect time to strike. He wants to make a spectacle of this."

Jay nodded, his jaw clenched. "We have to find out what he's holding over us, and we need to find out fast. Dr. Harper mentioned that Richard fears exposure more than anything. But we still don't know exactly what that exposure entails."

Professor Mohale's face darkened. "Richard's fear comes from his past. A past shrouded in secrets. He has built his entire career on his connections and alliances. But his foundation is far more fragile than it appears. If we find the cracks, we can exploit them."

Marriam leaned forward. "But how do we get that information? Who can help us?"

Mohale's eyes flickered with an idea. "There's one person who might be able to shed light on Richard's history — someone who has been in the shadows for a long time. Do you know Professor Olufemi?"

Jay shook his head. "I've heard the name, but I don't know much about him."

Mohale sighed. "Professor Olufemi is an enigma. He was a prodigious scholar in African literature, and his works were celebrated for their depth and revolutionary thought. He was also once a close colleague of Richard, but he disappeared from the academic scene a few years ago after a rather public fallout. Some say it was a matter of principle; others claim there was more to it."

Marriam raised an eyebrow. "Where is he now?"

Professor Mohale hesitated. "He's still around, though he no longer teaches here. He retreated into a life of semi-seclusion, but I have a feeling he knows more about Richard than anyone else. If anyone has the answers we need, it's him. The only problem is getting him to talk. Olufemi is… guarded, to say the least."

Jay's face hardened with determination. "Then we'll make him talk," he replied. "Where can we find him?"

Mohale scribbled an address on a slip of paper and handed it to Jay. "He has a small house on the outskirts of town. You'll know it when you see it — it's the only one with a garden full of African marigolds and a rusty old gate."

Marriam took the paper, her fingers brushing against Jay's as she did. "Thank you, Professor," she said. "We'll be careful."

Mohale gave a curt nod. "Be careful indeed," he warned. "Olufemi is not a man to be underestimated, and neither is Richard. The deeper you dig, the more dangerous this will become."

---

Later that evening, Jay and Marriam found themselves standing outside a small, ivy-covered cottage, a good distance from the main town. The house was unremarkable, save for the vivid blooms of orange marigolds that spilled over the fence like a burst of flames. A narrow path, strewn with pebbles and dead leaves, led to the front door. The old, wrought-iron gate creaked as they pushed it open, a discordant sound in the quiet dusk.

Marriam took a deep breath and looked at Jay. "Ready?"

Jay nodded. "Let's see what secrets we can uncover."

They walked up to the door and knocked. For a moment, there was no answer, just the soft rustle of the wind through the trees. Then, slowly, the door creaked open, and an elderly man peered out at them. His eyes were sharp, his face lined with age and wisdom. He was of medium height, with a wiry frame and a head full of white, closely cropped hair. He wore a simple, earth-toned tunic that seemed to blend with the natural surroundings.

Professor Olufemi's eyes were dark and probing, his skin a deep shade of ebony that seemed to reflect the glow of the setting sun. His hands were steady, despite his age, and he moved with a quiet grace that suggested both experience and caution.

"Yes?" he said, his voice deep and resonant, carrying an accent that spoke of distant lands and old wisdom.

Jay stepped forward. "Professor Olufemi, we're here to ask for your help."

Olufemi's expression remained guarded. "Help with what, precisely?"

Marriam glanced at Jay, then took a step closer. "We need to know about Richard's past," she said softly. "We believe you know things that could help us."

Olufemi's eyes narrowed. "Richard and I have no love lost between us," he replied. "But why should I share anything with you?"

Jay, sensing Olufemi's reluctance, chose his words carefully. "Because Richard is trying to ruin lives again. He's after us, and if he succeeds, more people will suffer under his schemes."

For a moment, Olufemi seemed to consider their words. Then, with a sigh, he opened the door wider. "Come in," he said. "But know this — what I tell you comes with a price. Are you prepared to pay it?"

Jay and Marriam exchanged a quick glance. "We'll do whatever it takes," Marriam affirmed.

---

Inside, the cottage was dimly lit, the scent of spices and herbs mingling with the smell of old books. The walls were lined with shelves crammed with texts in various languages, from Latin to Arabic to several African dialects. A small fireplace crackled in the corner, casting flickering shadows on the walls.

Olufemi gestured for them to sit at a wooden table and took a seat opposite them. He leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled under his chin. "Richard was once a friend," he began, his voice tinged with a mix of bitterness and nostalgia. "We were close — closer than brothers. But power has a way of corrupting even the best of us. Richard's ambitions were vast, his hunger for influence unquenchable."

He paused, his eyes distant as if looking back through time. "He began to manipulate the people around him, to use them for his own ends. At first, I thought it was harmless — that he was simply playing the politics of academia. But then, I saw the lengths he would go to, the people he would sacrifice to climb higher."

Marriam leaned forward, hanging on his every word. "What happened?"

Olufemi sighed deeply. "I confronted him, thinking I could reason with him. But Richard does not reason; he calculates. He saw me as a threat and turned his allies against me. He spread rumors, fabricated evidence, and within months, I was ousted from my position. It was then I realized that Richard is a master of shadows. He thrives in darkness, where secrets can be wielded like weapons."

Jay's face was taut with intensity. "So, what secrets does he have? What can we use to bring him down?"

Olufemi smiled faintly, a hint of sadness in his expression. "Ah, that is the question, isn't it? Richard has always kept his true secrets close. But there is one thing I know — a project he was involved in many years ago. It was off the books, something that could ruin his reputation if it ever came to light."

Marriam's heart quickened. "What project?"

Olufemi leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "It was called the Pericles Initiative," he murmured. "A research project funded by the government, ostensibly to study social dynamics. But in truth, it was much darker. Richard was at the center of it. He buried it deep when things went wrong, but there are still records — somewhere."

Jay's eyes burned with determination. "And where do we find these records?"

Olufemi shook his head slowly. "That, I do not know," he admitted. "But if you find them, you will have the weapon you need