The office cleaner

Episode 5 : OFFICE CLEANER

THE OFFICE CLEANER

EPISODE 5

…After drafting her plans, Judith made a few strange calls, using her second phone as usual. Then she went to bed, praying silently that everything turned out as planned.

The next day, Judith got to work by 6:40am. Akpan was already at work. He cleaned the surroundings as usual, including the back of the building and the Cutout area too.

Judith opened the door, went straight to the manager’s office and began to search the files on the shelf.

As she continued in her search, she muttered words to herself.

“This man is a hardened criminal, very heartless. I will deal with you”. She said as she continued to search.

She checked her wrist watch at intervals, to keep tab on the time. She took out some files and picked a few documents in each.

She then put on the Manager’s UPS and connected it to his photocopier. She made one copy of each of the documents.

Instead of taking the photocopies she had made, she took the original and replaced the files with the photocopies instead.

She went to Mr Excellent’s office as well and did same thing. She took some documents and quickly made copies in the manger’s office as there was no UPS to connect the HR’s photocopier

She took the originals too and replaced the documents with the photocopies instead.

After she was through, she carefully returned all the files to their positions, making sure she left no trace at all. She locked the offices, made sure power supply was restored. She then went about her normal duty.

The Manager and the Human Resource Manager arrived later that day and had their normal office routine without suspecting anything.

***

Two days later, Mr Excellent left office early because he wasn’t feeling too well. As he was about to drive into his compound, a man dressed in a simple shirt and trouser stopped him

“Peace be unto you Son of God,” he said

“Good afternoon, Sir”, Mr Excellent replied. “Who are you and how can I help you? He asked, looking curious

“I am pastor Nathan. I was just passing when I saw you drive pass. The Holy Spirit told me that you need help and that I must talk to you”, the man told him

“Well, as you can see, I am fine”, Mr Excellent replied him and was about to drive in.

“You are not feeling well. I bet you, you won’t get better if you don’t listen to what I have to say”, the pastor cut in. “I am here to rescue you from destruction”, he added.

Mr Excellent became scared. “What are you talking about? He asked as he opened his car door and alighted.

“Who is Dora? The pastor asked him

With shock written all over his face, he replied with a calm but shaky voice “I don’t know anyone by that name”.

“The Holy Spirit told me to tell you that you need to confess what you did to Dora within seven days. Failure to do this, you will be putting your life and that of your innocent family in danger”, the pastor warned him

“Here is my complimentary card. You can call me when you are ready to talk. Peace be with you”, he added as he handed his card to Mr Excellent.

He left Mr Excellent, who stood at the same spot for some minutes before he entered his car and drove into his compound.

He couldn’t go to work the next day. On the third day, he managed to go. As he drove in, Akpan ran to welcome him.

“Oka, welcome Sir. We missed you o”, Akpan said as he tried to help him carry his bag.

“Thank you”, Mr Excellent answered him with a weak smile.

“Oka abeg, there is something I wan tell. Please, no vex for me”, Akpan told him

“What is it? He asked with eyes fixed on Akpan

“I dey dream yesterday night. I saw one young lady chasing you with a big plank. You were running for sometime when you suddenly missed your step and fell down”, he narrated.

“The lady got to you and raised the plank to hit you. The only thing you said that I can remember is, “Dora, please, don’t kill me, I am sorry for everything”, he added

“I prayed for you when I wake o, but if you have offended anybody called Dora, please go and beg her. She is very angry”. My dream dey real, Akpan concluded.

“Thank you Akpan the dreamer”, Mr Excellent teased with a smile, but deep down, he was disturbed.

Throughout the day, he couldn’t do anything. Judith noticed how distracted and disturbed he was but didn’t ask him anything, since he had told her not to interact with him at work.

After she finished cleaning and left, he began to search his bag for the pastor’s card. He found it and put a call through to him

“Good morning, Pastor”, he said as soon as the pastor picked up.

“Peace be unto you. Please, who am I speaking with”, the pastor asked.

Mr Excellent introduced himself and told him that he really needed to see him.

“I am not in my office now and might not go there today. I will see you in two days”, the pastor told him

“I can meet you anywhere please. I need to see you today. Remember, you told me I had seven days”. He replied the pastor sounding worried.

“I promise I won’t take much of your time. We can even talk in my car”, he begged the pastor.

“Fine then”, the pastor said. He gave Mr Excellent his location and immediately, he picked up his bag, locked his office and left.

He got to the address the pastor had given him. The pastor came out to receive him.

They both sat in the car and Excellent began to confess everything he knew about Dora and his involvement with her.

“Dora was my girlfriend for three years”, he began…..

***

After about thirty minutes, he was through. The pastor prayed for him and told him that God had forgiven him.

He then gave him some portion of the bible to read and pray with.

Judith on the other hand had begun to miss her dates with both of them, giving flimsy reasons.

I have gathered enough evidence. Now it is time to reveal my real identity, she said to herself on a Sunday night, as she lay on her bed to sleep

TO BE CONTINUED…