CHAPTER FOUR
1053 Words
Agnes's POV
I stayed with Albert for a while before leaving the police station.
By the time I stepped outside, it was already noon.
I was late for work.
When I checked my phone, I froze.
Twenty-three missed calls.
Almost all of them were from Mariam.
I immediately called her back.
"Oh my God, Agnes!" she exclaimed the moment she answered. "Where have you been? I've been calling you all morning. I was so worried."
I sighed.
"I'm sorry, Mariam. Today has been... overwhelming."
"What happened?"
"I'll explain everything later. I have to get to work now. Can we meet at our usual café after work?"
"Of course."
"Thank you."
I ended the call and hailed a taxi since my car was still at the mechanic's.
When I arrived at the office, my boss noticed I wasn't myself.
After I explained that there had been a family emergency involving my fiancé, he offered me compassionate leave.
I thanked him but decided to continue working.
Maybe keeping busy would stop me from thinking.
It didn't.
---
After work, I went to Whot's Café & Resort.
It was our favourite place.
The place where Mariam and I laughed together.
The place where I had met Albert.
Every corner carried a memory.
I arrived first and ordered two cups of yogurt.
A few minutes later, Mariam rushed inside.
She sat opposite me and grabbed my hands.
"Agnes... what happened?"
The waiter placed our drinks on the table before leaving.
I took a deep breath.
"Albert's family..."
I paused.
"...they were murdered."
Her eyes widened.
"What?"
I slowly explained everything that had happened.
By the time I finished, she was speechless.
"So you're telling me Albert's parents and sister are dead?"
I nodded.
Silence settled between us.
Finally, Mariam spoke.
"I always felt something wasn't right about that family."
I frowned.
"Mariam..."
"What? I'm just being honest."
"Temi is dead."
"I know."
"But she was proud."
"Mariam."
I looked at her disapprovingly.
"She's gone. Let's not speak badly about her."
She shrugged.
"I'm sorry, but it's true. We attended the same university. She wasn't exactly friendly."
I shook my head.
"And Uncle Tunde..." she continued.
"That man always gave me strange vibes."
I looked at her.
"What do you mean?"
"I can't explain it."
She stirred her yogurt absentmindedly.
"I've always been good at reading people."
I forced a smile.
If only she knew...
If only she knew what had really happened that night.
---
Flashback
Sunday, February 3 — 8:00 p.m.
Albert and I stopped by his family's house before he drove me home.
"Good evening, sir," I greeted respectfully.
"Ah!" Uncle Tunde laughed.
"Our beautiful daughter-in-law is here."
I smiled politely.
"I'm fine, sir."
"Sit with me for a while."
Before I could answer, Albert spoke.
"Dad, we're only stopping by to greet you. Agnes has to get home."
"Oh, Albert..."
He smiled.
"I'm out of my favourite drink. Can you quickly get it from the supermarket?"
Albert hesitated.
"I'll stay with Agnes until you return."
He turned to me.
"I won't be long."
I smiled.
"I'll be waiting."
As soon as Albert left, an uncomfortable silence filled the room.
Uncle Tunde looked at me in a way that made my skin crawl.
"Do you know you're a very beautiful woman?"
"Thank you, sir."
I forced a smile.
He stood up.
Then he took another step toward me.
Instinctively, I stepped back.
"You don't have to be afraid."
His voice sounded different now.
Colder.
Something wasn't right.
Another step.
Another.
My heart began pounding.
"Sir..."
I tried to move past him, but he blocked my way.
"Please..."
I whispered.
Then he grabbed my wrist.
Fear exploded inside me.
"No!"
I struggled to free myself, pushing against him with all my strength.
I screamed.
"Albert!"
I screamed again.
"Albert!"
Suddenly—
THUD!
Uncle Tunde collapsed to the floor.
Behind him stood Albert, breathing heavily.
The wooden stool slipped from his trembling hands.
"Agnes!"
He rushed toward me and wrapped his arms around me.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
"I'm so sorry I left you alone."
I couldn't stop shaking.
Then my eyes drifted to the floor.
Uncle Tunde wasn't moving.
Blood slowly spread beneath his head.
"Albert..."
My voice trembled.
"I think..."
"I think your father is dead."
Albert stared at him in horror.
"I... I only hit him once."
Neither of us moved.
Neither of us knew what to do.
Finally, Albert took my hand.
"Come on."
"What about your father?"
"I'll come back."
His voice barely sounded like his own.
"Right now, I need to get you somewhere safe."
The drive to my house was silent.
When we arrived, Albert turned to me.
"Don't tell anyone what happened tonight."
He looked terrified.
"I'll go back home."
"I'll figure everything out."
I nodded weakly.
That night...
I didn't sleep.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Uncle Tunde falling to the floor.
---
Present Day
"Agnes!"
Mariam's voice pulled me back to reality.
"You've been staring into space."
"I'm sorry."
"I think I should go home."
She looked at me with concern.
"You don't look well."
"I'm just tired."
She smiled gently.
"I'll drive you."
I didn't argue.
The journey home was quiet.
After taking a shower, I lay down on my bed.
Within minutes...
Exhaustion pulled me into a deep sleep.
---
Tuesday, February 5 — 9:00 a.m.
Detective John's POV
The forensic report was waiting on my desk when I arrived.
Coffee in one hand...
Case file in the other.
I opened the report.
My eyes scanned the first page.
Then the second.
Suddenly...
I stopped.
A slow smile spread across my face.
"So..."
I whispered.
"That's why."
I picked up the phone.
"Officer Ben."
"Yes, Detective."
"I need an arrest warrant for Albert Babatunde."
"Immediately?"
"Immediately."
I hung up.
Then I looked once more at the report.
"The truth..."
I murmured.
"...is finally beginning to surface."
---
Somewhere in Lagos
Eunice's POV
"The ultrasound confirms your baby is a boy," the doctor said with a smile.
My heart skipped with joy.
"A boy?"
"Congratulations."
She handed me the scan.
"Make sure you attend all your antenatal appointments."
"I will."
I gently placed my hand on my stomach.
A smile spread across my face.
"I hope..."
I whispered.
"...he looks just like Albert."
- Writer
