End of days

Chapter 36

Chapter 36

Her death dealt really hard on their mother who mourned her for almost a year. That was why, when Leah Rose was first diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago, every other person knew but her. They had to make sure Leah Rose wasn't in any sort of risk or danger before they finally told her.

"Have you thought about this carefully?" Ming wasn't looking too happy with the idea.

"Yes, it's the best option for me as it is, having a chemo is only going to keep the cancer at bay in my case. Having a double mastectomy will reduce the risk of reoccurrence to a minimum"

"You have my support sis" Ming hugged her. "Have you told Mom about this?"

"No I haven't, you know this is a sensitive topic to her? I'm just trying to be careful when approaching it".

"We will pull through this Leah Rose, God will definitely see us through.

*********************

It was already 24hours since Jane and Amaka were kidn*pped, and there is still no news on their whereabout. Rayford and Dele decided to pay a visit to the police station and see if they have been able to come up with anything.

''We couldn't find anything on the CCTV, it seems like it hasn't been working for sometime now'' One of the police officers in charge of the case told Rayford and Dele who were seated in the D.P.O's office, with the hope of hearing a good news.

''No that can't be correct, those cameras were working fine before I went on my trip two weeks ago, besides they all can't stop working at the same time'' Rayford argued.

''Or could it be that they were tampered with? probably someone had them disconnected?'' Dele said thoughtfully.

''My thought exactly, we think someone tampered with those cameras weeks before the kidnap. Whoever is behind this, had it carefully thought out'' Said the other officer who has been writing only God knows what, since Rayford and Dele walked into the office.

''So D.P.O, what is the way forward?'' Rayford asked the pot bellied man who kept picking his teeth.

''Like I told you the last time we spoke on the phone, we are going to leave no stone unturned. We will make sure we get to the bottom of this. You don't worry yourself, just relax okay?''

Rayford couldn't believe this man was asking him to relax, while he sat there picking his teeth like he just finished a meal full of fish bones.

''D.P.O, I can't relax. It's the woman I want to marry we are talking about''

''And her best friend whom I happen to care so much about'' Dele added.

''Ehn..... I understand, but you see there is a process to these things, we can't rush it. So just calm down ehhh? I know your generation is always in a hurry but I advice you to calm down'' He kept making annoying sounds as he picked his teeth.

''Isn't there something that can be done to hasten the process?'' Dele asked, trying hard not to get up and slap that toothpick out of the D.P.O's mouth.

''No sir, the money Mr. Ademola here gave us yesterday is still in motion. Or except you want to add something to it to fasten it a bit more?'' he said laughing, exposing those brown teeth of his.

To avoid any form of violence, Rayford and Dele stood up almost at the same time.

''Thank you so much for your time D.P.O, we will keep in touch'' Dele spoke this time as Rayford was already at the door on his way out.

''Bro, we need to find another alternative, these guys don't look like they have been doing much'' Rayford said to Dele as they got to where they parked their car.

''Same thing I have been thinking, because with the way these guys are stalling, we don't know when they will get to the bottom of this, that's if they ever do''

''The worst part is that, we haven't heard from the kidnappers yet, so we don't even know what to work with''

''I think we need to get a private investigator, and I happen to know one''

''Guy wetin you come dey wait since na? Contact him Asap'' Rayford told Dele as they got into the car.

''I will do that right away''

The next day, Rayford was sitting patiently in his compound waiting for Dele who was coming with the private investigator.

"Hey bro, sorry for keeping you waiting. We encountered a little traffic on our way" Dele apologized to Rayford as he got down from his car.

"It's okay, I just hope.. " Rayford's words got stuck in his tongue as the private investigator stepped out of Dele's car. First of all, it wasn't a he but a she. And not just any she, but Rayford's high school sweetheart Lauretha.

She was still as beautiful as Rayford remembers her to be. He could see she still possessed her poise as she walked up to him in her usual elegance all smiles.

"And who could have thought I would see the famous Rayford Ademola today?" She enveloped Rayford in a hug before he had time to react. "Nice to see you again after such a long time Rayford" Dele had to clear his throat, before she pulled out of the hug.

"Nice to see you too Lauretha" Rayford spoke after he has been able to gain back his composure.

"Well, since you both already remember yourselves, I guess there's no need for introductions. So I suggest we get down to business" Dele led the way into the house and they followed him inside.

"With what you guys have said, it all points in the direction of kidnap, though we can't be too sure. Have you guys been in any form of quarrel or dispute with anyone recently?'' Lauretha said after they had told her everything.

"I can't think of anyone" Rayford replied.

"No one at all, who would want to harm you? Or has threatened to harm you or any of these girls in anyway before?"

"There is one person"

"Who?" Dele and Lauretha both asked at the same time.

"Vivian"

"Who is Vivian?" Lauretha asked Rayford who was pouring some whiskey for himself into a glass.

"Whiskey, anyone?" He asked raising a glass to Dele and Lauretha.

"I will pass, thank you" Lauretha declined, Dele gave his consent by a raise of his hand.

"Vivian was Jane's boss, and she wasn't too happy about our relationship when she found out about it" Rayford passed a glass to Dele and then took a seat. "I'm sure you heard about the scandal two months ago, involving my ex and I?"

"Yeah I read about it sometime ago, what about it?"

"Vivian was behind it, she paid my ex to lie about our relationship status"

"Are you serious?" why did she do that?"

''Seemingly, she wanted me to date her niece instead of Jane''

''hmm I see, where can I find her?''

"Hold on, if Vivian is truly involved in this, then why would she kidnap Amaka too? I mean, Jane is the one she has something against here?" Dele asked thoughtfully.

"We will have to find out when I question her. Rayford can you give me her address?"

"Yeah sure, I can even take you to her myself"

"No, that won't be necessary. I need to speak with her alone"

"Okay, I will give you her address and phone number then"

"That would be great"

Two hours later, Lauretha was at High Waters Interiors, to see Vivian. When she got to the door of her office, she could hear a heated argument coming from Vivian's office.

She knocked severally on the door before she heard an angry voice asking her to come in.

"Good afternoon, my name is Lauretha, and I'm here to see Vivian" Lauretha introduced herself as she looked between the two ladies in the office, trying to figure out what could be making the two of them look so angry.

"Oh Lauretha, you were the one who called earlier right?" Vivian had a fake smile on her face as she spoke.

Before coming, Lauretha had called Vivian's office, to ask if they could see, but she didn't disclose the main reason she wanted to meet with Vivian.

"Yes I am ma'am, I have something important to discuss with you"

"Sure please have a seat" Vivian gestured to one of the chairs in her office. "Katherine please excuse us" Katherine who has been staring daggers at Vivian ever since, stormed out of the office, making sure to bang the door angrily on her way out.

"I'm sorry about about, please what can I offer you?"

"Nothing, I'm okay" Lauretha said to Vivian whose face looked like it was going to c***k from the fake smile she had on her face. It was clear she was trying to hide her anger from whatever discussion she was having with Katherine before Lauretha came in.