MISSING PIECE (23)
“They should be at home now. I want you to go there and do a neat job. Is that clear?”, Tessy asked.

“Yes bosslady.”

*******
“Be fast nau, we’re already late”, Jacinta called to her children.

“Do we really need to go?”, Andrew asked.

“He’s your father’s friend he wants all of us to come over. Who knows? You could get ice cream too.”

That trick was enough. Who didn’t like ice cream? He rushed inside to his siblings to hurry them up, shouting,  “You guys should be fast we’re late.” Jacinta laughed.

“Hello dear.” She turned and saw her dreaded nemesis. Her face changed immediately. “What are you doing here?”

“Hey, calm down. I come in peace.”

“Was I supposed to smile with you ehhnn, Chris? You’re a very bad friend. I want you to leave this compound right now.”

“I can take care of you, Jacinta. Where is your husband? Nowhere to be found. I have  the money to take care of you and your kids. Just come with me”, Chris said, smiling.

“Your money will perish with you. Leave this place now!”, she screamed.

“Fine. You know where to find me if you change your mind”, he said, touching her shoulders lightly. Hands in his pockets, he strolled out, whistling. When she saw he was gone, she turned, tears falling from her eyes. Her children, who had been watching the drama, ran to hug her.

*******
Four Days Later…..

He looked around the bush. Could he be missing the description he was given? Or was it wrong altogether? There was no sign of life as the boy said. He checked his watch. Twenty minutes gone. Was today going to be a waste too? Maybe he shouldn’t have pursued this from the beginning. Maybe…..

Someone coughed. He stopped to listen. The person was whistling this time. He trailed the sound and saw a man, urinating.

What is he doing in a forsaken place like this?, he thought.  You’re here too, the voice in his head told him. He followed the man, hiding as much as he could whenever the man turned back.

*********
“This is where you will die.”

“Please, help me. I’m thirsty”, Armstrong pleaded.

“When madam comes, tell her that”, the thug replied and continued playing card games with his fellows.

That was all he could hear from where he hid. The man he had followed had entered an abandoned house one would ordinarily not have noticed because of the overgrown grass around. He couldn’t take them out alone, he needed backup.

What if they found him? Who could he call? “Inspector Hassan”, he muttered. He brought out his mobile, no network.

(To Be Continued)
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