CHAPTER 37

Gwagwalada – Aunty Caro's Friend's House.

The rusted gate creaked open, and Jimmy stepped into the compound, his eyes scanning the quiet surroundings until they landed on her.

Nelly.

She stood near the garden, her arms folded, confused at first—until she realized who it was.

She blinked once.

Then she ran.

They met halfway, crashing into each other's arms in a tight, desperate hug neither of them wanted to end. Jimmy held her as if she'd vanish again. Nelly buried her face in his chest, her heartbeat finally slowing for the first time in weeks.

> Nelly (softly): "You came…"

> Jimmy (whispered): "I told you I would."

A tear slid down her cheek, but she wiped it quickly.

> Nelly (pulling back slightly): "I should be mad at you… but I'm more upset with Aunty Caro. Why did she bring you here without telling me?"

Aunty Caro walked toward them from the porch, arms folded.

> Aunty Caro: "Because you both needed this. You've both been broken in different ways… maybe this helps fix something."

Nelly sighed. She couldn't argue. Not now.

The three sat on the verandah, finally breathing freely again.

But the peace didn't last.

Nelly's phone rang.

It was her mother — Ada.

She answered quickly.

> Nelly: "Mama?"

Her mother's voice came through, breathless and panicked.

> Mrs. Ada (on phone): "Nelly… the police came here this morning. They're asking questions. They want answers about your dad. About something that happened last night."

> Nelly (standing abruptly): "What happened? What are they saying?"

> Mrs. Ada: "They didn't give details. But they want me, you, and Caro to meet them at the station immediately. Something serious has happened."

Jimmy's heart dropped. He could see Nelly's hands trembling.

> Nelly (softly): "What now…?"

> Jimmy: "Whatever it is, we're facing it together."

Aunty Caro stood, already heading inside to grab her handbag.

> Aunty Caro: "Let's go. We can't wait."

As they walked out, none of them could shake the sense of dread building like a storm overhead.

Something had changed.

And they were about to find out what.

When they arrived, two officers were already waiting outside the station door. One of them recognized Aunty Caro and nodded solemnly.

"This way, please," the officer said, leading them to a private room.

The air was cold. The walls felt like they were closing in.

A moment later, Detective Rafiu stepped in, holding a file in his hand and looking far more serious than usual.

"Is this about my dad?" Nelly asked quickly. "What's going on?"

The detective gave her a long, heavy look before he spoke.

"There was an altercation last night… at your family's house in Abuja. Mr. Benson showed up, demanding either your return… or the ten million naira your father collected."

Nelly's breath caught. "And?"

"There was a fight," the detective said, voice lowering. "Your father and one of Mr. Benson's men… it got physical. One of them shot him. Point-blank."

Jimmy stood slowly from his seat. "Wait. Are you saying…?"

Detective Rafiu gave a firm nod.

"I'm sorry. Your father, Mr. Mark… he didn't survive. He was pronounced dead at the scene."

Nelly staggered back a step. Her body went cold.

Jimmy caught her before she fell.

"No… no, no, this can't be," she whispered, her voice cracking. "He was angry. He was wrong. But he was still my father."

Aunty Caro gasped softly, her hand covering her mouth.

Jimmy looked at the officer with fire in his eyes. "Where is the murdere now?"

"Gone," the detective replied. "We're working on it. But he left the city before we could make an arrest. The investigation is now considered a homicide. And you…" he looked directly at Nelly, "may be in danger."

Everything spun around her — her father's death, the chase, the betrayal, the silence.

Jimmy held her tighter.

"I've got you," he whispered. "You're not alone."

But Nelly had no words left.

Just grief. And fire.