End of days

Chapter 40

Chapter 40

"What is it then? Because I see the way she looks at you, it's evident she still has feelings for you after all these years"

"How come you never told me Lauretha was the private investigator you were hiring?"

"I didn't know so myself until I met her, she came highly recommended by a friend. Besides I knew if I told you, you might not have agreed"

"Well, I don't know if I should be grateful for what you did or not" Rayford swiped his palm over his face.

"How do you mean?"

"I just discovered I have a son with Lauretha"

"What are you talking about? A child how?"

"Apparently she found out she was pregnant after we brokeup"

"And the pregnancy was yours?"

"Yeah, we have a son together"

"But why didn't she tell you all these years? Who keeps a child from his father that long? It's not as if you broke her heart or something. I remember your breakup was mutual"

"Same thing I have been asking since she told me"

"Except for one thing though"

"What is that?"

"You know she is the only child of her parents right? And we all know how her father wanted a son badly"

"Your point?"

"It could be that she didn't tell you because; her father took the boy as his heir. And the boy could be bearing his surname and not yours. And if that is the case, then, they might put up a strong fight before ever allowing you access to that boy"

"That's impossible, they can't stop me from seeing my son. If anything, I am supposed to sue them from keeping me away from the boy's life all these while" Rayford was already getting furious at the thought of Lauretha's parents preventing him from seeing his supposed son.

"Guy calm down, I only told you what I think. I didn't say that is what is going to happen. It's just a probability. I think we should just focus on finding Jane first, and then we can think of a way forward on this matter"

"Same thing I told Lauretha"

They were still talking, when the nurse taking care of Amaka came downstairs to tell them Amaka has woken up, and she was asking to see them.

"Really? That's great" Dele stood up at once and started climbing the stairs. While Rayford followed from behind.

"Hey..." Dele sat at the edge of the bed, while Rayford stood by the wall. "How are you?"

"Water please"

Dele got her some water, and helped her to sit up. "Is that comfortable enough?" He asked referring to her sitting posture.

"Yes, thank you"

They all waited for her to finish drinking her water, before asking any questions.

"Amaka, do you remember anything?" Rayford asked calmly.

Amaka nodded "Yes, but just a few things. I know we were kidn*pped by a man and a woman"

"Do you know who they were?"

"No I don't, we were blindfolded most of the times, and when we weren't, they had masks on"

"How did you escape?"

"I didn't escape, they carried me out of the place and dumped me in the bush, I managed to walk some distance before I fainted in that farmer's farm. And then he came and found me"

"Why did they release you?"

"Their boss told them they shouldn't have kidn*pped me, the only person they needed was Jane and not me. So he asked I be released. Rayford I think, this has to do with someone you broke her heart, because the lady amongst them, kept saying Jane made you to stop loving her"

"What? Did she say her name or something?"

"No she didn't, but she was very bitter. We need to get Jane out of that place please, before those people kill her. I beg you" Amaka started to cry, Dele got closer and consoled her.

"Do you at least remember the direction back to the place?" Rayford continued with his questioning after she had stopped crying.

"No, I was blindfolded all through the ride"

"How about we go back to the farmer's farm? Would you be able to trace your way back?"

"I'm not so sure, though I will be able to trace it back to where they dropped me. But after that, I really can't remember anything"

The nurse walked in "I'm sorry, but you would have to excuse me, it's time for her afternoon medication"

"Alright Amaka, you just rest. We are going to get Jane out by all means" Rayford assured her before leaving the room.

"What do we do now?" Dele asked as they went back to the living room.

"I really don't know, I'm so confused right now" Rayford paced his living room.

"Is there anyone you can think of who could have been unhappy with you breaking up with her?"

"The only person who comes to my mind is Tania, and she has been out of the country ever since the last time I warned her to stay out of my life. I confirmed it myself"

"Then, there must be someone else, after Tania you were never involved in a serious relationship, or were you?"

"No, after Tania, I only had one night stands and flings. Nothing serious"

"So it could be someone you dated before Tania or could it be one of your one night stands?"

"I think this person, should be someone I had something to do with after I broke up with Tania, because Tania never received any threats while we were together"

"Do you know all the ladies you have been with since then?"

"Guy....I don't have a list where I write their names now"

''Na wa o, this is serious'

As they spoke, Lauretha walked in with a guy she introduced to them as her partner.

"Hello guys meet my partner Mayor, Mayor this is Dele and Rayford"

"Nice meeting you guys" He was a short guy who looked so confident of himself, so much that you could smell it from afar off. It was as if he wore his confidence like a perfume. What he lacked in height, he made up for confidence.

"Same here" Dele and Rayford said almost at he same time.

"Lauretha has told me everything, is the girl awake yet?" He asked referring to Amaka.

"Yeah. but she is taking her after medications, so we might have to wait a while before going to see her" explained Dele.

"That's okay, was she able to tell you guys anything?"

Rayford told them everything Amaka had said.

"I think you would have to think about which of your ex you suspect is capable of something like this. But meanwhile, I would like to interview everyone again"

"How do you mean everyone?"

"Your family members, friends, staff. Everyone who has or had contact with Jane in the time past"

"But Lauretha already interviewed them" Dele said.

"Yeah, she told me that already, but I would still like to speak to everyone myself. There might be something they remember between then and now that might be helpful. If that's not too much trouble?"

''Mayor thinks he might find a missing link or something. Trust me, he knows what he is doing'' Lauretha explained to them.

"Alright, no problem, just tell me when you would like to start, and I will let them know"

"Okay great"

As they spoke, the housekeeper came in to tell Rayford she wanted to close for the day because she had some errands to run.

"It's okay Martha, you can go. Please endeavor to be here on time tomorrow"

"Who is she?" Mayor asked as Martha left the sitting room.

"That's my housekeeper"

"That means she should know your fiancée right?"

"Yeah, she does"

"Good, can I speak with her before she leaves?"

"Yes sure, let me call her for you"

Rayford went outside to call Martha as she was about stepping out of the gate.

"Hey mama Martha, please come in for a minute"

"Hope no problem Mr. Rayford?"

"No, not at all. The private investigator just want to ask you a few questions"

"But I already told her everything I know"

"Yeah I know, but this is a new guy, he wants to just do some follow up, that's all"

"I'm actually in a hurry, can't it wait until tomorrow when I come to work?"

"No Martha, this won't take time I promise" Rayford led Martha back into the house.

"I heard you have been Rayford's housekeeper for quite sometime now?" Mayor asked Martha after they were alone in Rayford's study.

"Yes, and Mr. Rayford is just like a son to me''

"That means you must know Jane his fiancée then?"

"Yes, I do"

"How would you describe her?"

"She is a very lovely girl, easy going"

"On the day of her kidnap you were the first to notice the gateman on the floor right?"

"Yes, I saw him in a pool of his own blood when I arrived for work that day"

"Do you mind telling me what happened when you arrived for work that day?"

"When I came for work that day, I saw the gate wasn't properly closed, I came in and found the gateman lying in a pool of his blood"

"Then what did you do after that?"

"I quickly rushed inside to call Miss Jane and her friend Amaka, but they weren't inside, I found the door wide open. That was when I raised alarm and called the estate security"

"Okay, so if I get you correctly, you went inside to call Jane and her friend?"

"Emm, Yes and Mr Rayford too, but I didn't find any of them inside"

"Then you alerted the estate security, before Rayford arrived?"

"Yes"

"Alright that will be all, please if you remember anything that will be helpful in this investigation, do not hesitate to let us know"

"Alright I will"

Martha stood up and took her leave, while Mayor went back into the living room to join the rest.

''On the day you hosted the get-together, was your housekeeper here with you guys?'' Mayor asked Rayford.

''No she wasn't, Sunday is usually her off day, so Jane didn't want to disturb her''

''So that means, she wasn't aware that you hosted a get-together?''

''No she wasn't''

''That also means, she wasn't aware that Jane's friend spent the night here on that particular day?''

''No she isn't''

''Before you came back that morning, did she call to inform you of what she found?''

''No, I only came back to find her crying and the estate security were here already''

''I think we might have a lead on who the kidnapper is''

''Who is that?''

''Your housekeeper''

.

.

How possible is this?

"Have you gone nuts or something? How can you say my housekeeper is behind my fiancée's kidnap? That woman is like a second mother to me, and she loves Jane just as much. I think it would have been better, if you told me you don't know who is behind the kidnap. Instead of telling me; my harmless housekeeper is behind it" Rayford was already on his feet, looking down on short Mayor as he spoke.

"I think, you need to calm down Rayford, let's hear why Mayor thinks your housekeeper is behind Jane's kidnap" Lauretha tried calming him down.

"No, I think you both just need to shut it already, is this your plan? To make me think someone else is involved, then I start chasing shadows? How am I sure, you aren't the kidnappers yourselves? For all I know, this could be your ploy to take Jane out of the picture just so, you and I could get back together!"

Lauretha was shocked at Rayford's accusations, she stood up in anger and tried to slap him on his face, but he immediately held her hand.

"How dare you? How dare you accuse me of doing something of such magnitude? When all I have done; is work my ass off trying to find your fiancée's kidnappers!"

Lauretha was already shouting as she spoke. "You know what? I think it's high time I left, since you already know so much about private investigation, I suggest you go find your fiancée yourself!" She picked up her handbag. "Mayor, let's go" She started walking out of the living room.