THE ARMAGGEDON: MAN EAT MAN

CHAPTER XXXIII

At the precinct, she found both the captain and John looking for her. It’s like; they were growing impatient about her missing. Lucky for her she got there in time. The search for David continued and as she promised him, she did her best to give him a heads up and to keep them off his back whenever she could.

A couple of hours later, as she was preparing to go to David’s house and warn Jessica as was requested by him, she got a text message from an anonymous number requesting her to pick the package that was about to be delivered to the precinct for her. The text was specific that she should get the package herself and that it was for her eyes only.

Moments later, a deliveryman did come by the precinct with a package for her. It was a simple A5 brown sealed envelope. As she was signing for it, John saw it and got curious to know what was in the envelope. She eluded him by telling him that it was from her lawyer about some deeds she was following up on. She lied to him so well that he believed it and got off her back. He excused himself and went outside.

The detective had the perfect moment to open the envelope. On opening, she found a communication device in it and a note telling her to put it into her ear and just listen without saying a word. She did exactly that and as soon as it was in her ear, a woman’s voice spoke on the other end of the line.

“Detective Jean, sorry to reach out to you in such manner but, I just had to. I have information that some people would kill to keep secret. Your career and my life greatly depend on it. Please meet me downtown, the old Kibich Central subway station. Take tunnel C9 and keep walking. I will find you.”

This was an offer so intriguing yet, outrageous to resist or turn down. On the way to the meeting point, she drove by David’s house to get all the journals Jessica had and take them with her.

Moments later, she arrived at the station and, curiously, into the tunnel… she went. She did not have time to think about what could be waiting for her in this tunnel she was led to. As such, it was very alluring to know more about the anonymous caller and the information.

Inside the tunnel, it was so dark but, after few paces, patience ran out and curiosity got the best of her. She heard a sound similar to someone jumping down from high ground.

“Hello, who are you and why did you have me here? I am a cop… a detective… homicide… and I have my gun with me,” Detective Jean said in a shaky but firm voice turning her right hand to reach for her side arm.

The strange woman took a few steps, still in darkness, towards Jean. “Relax detective…” she pulled a small lever to turn the lights on, “I did not go through all the trouble of luring you here just to commit murder.”

Jean moved closer as well to have a good look at the woman’s face, “I know who you are and, the information I have is of much interest. In return… I want your help,” the woman said taking steps towards Jean.

“What information do you think I need and who are you anyway?” Jean, with her hand still on the hoister, she asked.

The woman gave a stunted smile, “You can get your hand off the gun now,” the detective moved her hand away from the weapon but still was not at ease.

“I think my name is not as important as information about the Minister’s death,” the woman replied holding up a strange-looking key.

“How do you know about the Minister’s death and how sure am I that you are not the one that had him killed?” Jean pressed with questions.

“I am Cindy. The Minister’s former Secretary… the mistress... as everyone refers to me nowadays. I am the woman in the photos,” the woman clarified.

Jean leaned forward to take a closer look, “How come I do not recognize you? You look nothing close to the face I saw in the photos,” she supposed.

“Do not believe everything you see detective. Sometimes… looks can be deceiving. As a detective, you should know better.” Cindy replied.

“Not the first time I have heard that said to me. I know but…” detective Jean added.

Cindy stretched out her hand to pull off the hair and the facemask.

“Do I look like the woman you saw? Are you happy now? Can we get back to what brought us here? We do not have much time.”

When Jean saw her face, she relaxed, “Wow…you really… are you. I did not expect to meet you like this and neither did I picture you skinning yourself alive. How are you alive anyway? We went to your apartment in search of you but, your neighbors told us you were missing.”

Cindy, looking at her, threw the disguise on the tracks, “They did tell you the truth. I was missing… not dead. I had to go off the radar so that I could live.”

“All right, talk to me. Let me hear what you have. By the way, the Minister’s wife is in jail. They think she killed him. I thought you should know.”

“Thank you but… try something new detective… no offense.”

“Some taken…” Jean, making a face, responded.

“It’s one of the reasons why I am here meeting with you,” continued Cindy.

“And the second is what…”

“I want you to give me a new life. Process me documents to fly out of the country. As long as I am in this country, I am not safe.”

“Okay, I have no problem but your story must be worth it.”

“About two weeks ago, I noticed a strange car packed in my neighborhood. Sometimes… they could stay for hours. Once I left each morning, the car followed me and then disappear along the way. I started noticing strange persons paying much attention to me. That is when I suspected I was not safe.

As if this was not enough, I received caution from the Minister requesting me to be vigilant. He sounded nervous himself as well. It’s as if he knew something was about to happen to him. The day that he died, I played the individuals watching me and left. That’s how I got lucky. The following day, I heard of the ‘Minister’s accident’. I knew I was to be next… I had to survive.”

“How did you manage to escape from the admirers watching your every move?”

“It was not that difficult. Besides running for my life… having worked for the government and with the Minister had its upsides as well. I just used a decoy to escape. I came home in the company of my friend from work. We switched clothes, after which; I had to dye my hair as well. Minutes later, I walked out right in front of them. They did not follow thinking it was my friend. That’s how I slipped the jaws of death. Later, my friend got out of the apartment. They followed, only to realize; I had them fooled. That’s how I am still alive.”

“What about the information you told me about?”

“That day… the Minister gave me a call. He had sent a package to my apartment. When I opened, I found a key. There was nothing on it but… all he said was keep the key safe, and; I would know its true purpose should the right time come. I guess by the right time he meant his death and his wife being framed for it all.”

“Did you find out what the key was opening or where it belonged to?”

“What part of I am hiding and if I am caught I am dead don’t you understand detective? I have not done anything with it but… I still have it. I also think it might be opening a deposit box at the Credonia National Bank. This is where the Minister kept his valuables.”

“Do you have the key right now?”

“Of course, I have never left it since he gave me. Here it is.”

Cindy said handing over the key to detective Jean, “you go and find what secrets he kept there. I know it must be very important.”

“Okay, let me go find out what is behind the lock it opens and get back to you. I will let you know once I find something useful.”

“I am sure you will detective… and... thank you. I am really counting on you. You are all I got for survival. My life is in your hands now.”

“I will do my best… Were you still seeing each other?”

“Seeing each other with whom detective?”

“The Minister… where you still having an affair with him?”

“No, we stopped it after his wife knew about us and we have never been close since then. We only spoke on the phone and helped him whenever he needed my help… that’s all. Why do you ask?”

Jean moved her eyes up and down at Cindy in a suggestive unsettling look.

“It’s nothing... no reason. I guess I was just curious… that’s all. I do believe you though. I will be in touch,” responded Jean as she turned to leave.