ANYTHING FOR LOVE

CHAPTER THREE

Agnes's POV

I stared at Detective John in disbelief.

Temi and her family... murdered?

The words echoed endlessly in my mind.

I was relieved that Albert had survived, but the detective's questions made me uncomfortable.

Was he trying to imply that I had something to do with the murders?

I took a deep breath and forced myself to remain calm.

"Officer, I was at home during that time," I said firmly. "Why would I kill my future in-laws? What reason would I possibly have?"

He remained expressionless.

"I didn't ask whether you killed them," he replied calmly. "I asked if you were at the crime scene."

"I wasn't."

Silence filled the room.

"I need to see Albert," I said.

Detective John leaned forward.

"Miss Agnes... are you hiding anything that could help this investigation?"

My heart skipped a beat.

For a brief moment, panic threatened to overwhelm me.

But I quickly composed myself.

"No."

"I'm not hiding anything."

He studied me for several seconds before finally closing the case file.

"Very well. This interview has been recorded. If we have additional questions, we'll contact you."

He stood.

"Albert will remain in our custody for further questioning. You may wait in the next room until we're finished."

I frowned.

"Why is he still being questioned? He's the victim here. He just lost his family. He should be somewhere safe, not locked inside an interrogation room."

"I'm simply following procedure," Detective John answered.

As he walked toward the door, I called after him.

"Detective!"

He stopped without turning around.

"What's your name?"

"Detective John."

Then he left.

I hurried toward the waiting room.

Every step reminded me of the first day I had met Albert.

---

Flashback

"What would you like, sir?" I asked.

"I'd like a slice of vanilla cake and a yogurt."

That voice...

It sounded familiar.

When I looked up, my eyes widened.

"Oh... it's you again."

He smiled shyly.

"Hi."

I couldn't help smiling back.

"Vanilla cake must be your favourite."

"It is."

He wasn't much of a talker.

Definitely an introvert, I thought.

Still, there was something about him that made my heart race.

I processed his payment and handed him his order.

As he turned to leave, I gathered the courage to stop him.

"What's your name?"

He looked back.

"Albert."

The name suited him perfectly.

"I'm Agnes," I said with a smile. "I hope I get to see you again."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"Nice name."

Then he walked away.

I watched him leave, unable to stop smiling.

"I'll never forget that name," I whispered.

---

Present Day

Eunice's POV

The following morning, I arrived at the Federal Police Station.

As I walked toward the investigation room, I saw Agnes rushing down the hallway.

She didn't even notice me.

I scoffed.

What does Albert see in her?

I'd known him since we were children.

Never in my life had I imagined he'd fall in love with someone like her.

I shook my head and entered the interrogation room.

"Good morning," I said.

The detective nodded.

"Please have a seat."

After introducing myself, he asked,

"What was your relationship with the deceased?"

The question instantly brought back memories of the previous night.

My eyes filled with tears.

"Temi was my best friend," I said quietly. "Our families have known each other for years. I practically grew up in their home."

"What kind of people were they?"

"They were kind."

I smiled sadly.

"Aunty Bisi treated me like one of her own children. Sometimes..."

I laughed softly through my tears.

"I wished she was my mother."

The detective made a note.

"Can you think of anyone who might have wanted to harm them?"

I shook my head.

"No."

He remained silent for a moment before asking,

"Were there any problems within the family?"

I hesitated.

Then something suddenly came back to me.

"Actually..."

I leaned forward.

"Albert isn't Uncle Tunde's biological son."

The detective looked up sharply.

"And how do you know that?"

"It happened about two years ago."

I took a deep breath.

"I accidentally overheard Uncle Tunde and Aunty Bisi arguing."

His pen stopped moving.

"They were talking about a DNA test."

My voice grew quieter.

"Uncle Tunde discovered Albert wasn't his biological son."

The room fell silent.

"The argument changed everything."

I lowered my head.

"After that day, the family was never the same."

The detective wrote something in his notebook.

"When exactly did this happen?"

"About two months before Temi's birthday."

I nodded slowly.

"That was also the year they cancelled her birthday party."

The detective closed his notebook.

"Thank you, Miss Eunice. We'll contact you if we need anything else."

I stood.

Just before leaving, I looked back.

"Detective..."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Don't trust Agnes."

He waited.

"She's not as innocent as she looks."

Without another word, I walked out.

---

Agnes's POV

When I entered the waiting room, Albert was sitting alone.

The moment he saw me, he stood.

"Albert..."

Tears rolled down my cheeks.

"I'm so sorry."

Without saying a word, he pulled me into a hug.

His embrace was firm...

But his hands were trembling.

I pulled back and looked into his eyes.

"They're saying terrible things."

His expression remained unreadable.

"Albert..."

My voice shook.

"You didn't kill Uncle Tunde... did you?"

For a long moment, he said nothing.

Then he slowly shook his head.

"No."

"I didn't."

The fear in his eyes told me more than his words ever could.

"You have to believe me."

"I do."

I squeezed his hand.

"I trust you more than anyone."

He lowered his head.

"They questioned you?"

"Yes."

His breathing became uneven.

"What... what did you tell them?"

"I didn't tell them anything."

I smiled reassuringly.

"Our secret is safe."

He closed his eyes in relief.

Whatever burden Albert was carrying...

He wasn't ready to share it.

But I silently made myself a promise.

No matter what happened...

I would protect him.

---

Two Hours Later

Detective John's POV

Something wasn't adding up.

I requested the CCTV footage from Interview Room Two.

Minutes later, I sat alone in my office, replaying the recording.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Then...

I noticed it.

I paused the video and zoomed in.

A slow smile spread across my face.

"So..."

I whispered.

"That's what everyone missed."

I picked up my phone.

"Officer Ben."

"Yes, Detective?"

"I want the forensic report on my desk before 10:00 a.m. tomorrow."

"Yes, sir."

"And don't discuss this case with anyone."

I ended the call and looked back at the frozen image on the screen.

"The truth..."

I murmured.

"...is finally beginning to reveal itself