PREYS AND PREDATORS

Chapter 3

Screw the devil. I swerved into Wick's street and drove smoothly. The showy decorations hung around shops and houses were glanced at through the window. December as usual turned out to be special and it was merely few days to Christmas. In a glimpse I saw the variegated lights round the Christmas trees and the golden little star stood unwaveringly on it.

Along the way some children formed a circle singing a familiar Christmas song hand-in-hand.

Jingle bell, jingle bell,

Jingle all the way

Oh what fun is to ride on...

That was all I knew or perhaps all I recalled at the moment. Soon after I slid to the front of Wick's home and parked. I sensed the wintry weather when I unclosed the door so I sheered towards the back seat to pick up my black jacket that I had deserted there for a while and wore it.

I had my car locked and went to render a knock on the door. In the process the door swung open and I came face to face with Andre. Of course I anticipated Wick instead however I wasn't bewildered.

A mischievous smile slid across his lips."Bet you were expecting someone else huh? Detective."

Since I knew my colleague regarded maybe as no so I shamed surprised."Maybe."

His husky body seemed to thwart me from eyeing inside."Maybe means.."

Sagaciously I cut him short midsentence because I knew what was coming."Is Wick in?"

"Uh-huh, come in."He widened the door to give me room to step in.

Shortly thereafter I found Wick by the dining table viewing some pictures. He wore a shirt with half his buttons undone. Barefooted. When he sensed my presence he lifted his chin and rendered a slight hit on my arm.

"Hey you good?"Wick happened to be taller. But it was hardly noticeable.

"Yeah,just fine. Saw your text,"that was me responding curtly.

Andre cut in."Want something to drink?"He asked me.

"Yeah actually, alcohol."

"Whoaa,Addy wants alcohol. When do that ever happen?"

Wick touched my arm,a bit baffled."Areyouokay?"He asked in machine-gun talk.

I didn't want my friend suspecting anything so I put on a deceptive smile."Sure, how's Marion?"

"Good and out. Think she got a call or something."

"So."With that I returned his focus to what he attempted to utter.

"About that. We got a case."

"How bad?"

"I'm afraid very."

Wick was fair in complexion unlike me,I was dark-skinned. He was Canadian. Me? Nigerian. Both living presently in California,U.S.A. Despite our differences we were best of pals. We worked and well, still working as detectives and partners in the criminal investigation department, for about twenty five years now. Which should be said to be a long time.

Together we had gone through hell and difficulties, hair-raising cases, risky combats,saved each other asses and got amusing promotions. As for Andre he only joined the department two years back.

"Take a look at this."He thrust one of the pictures to me.

My eye issue wasn't so critical so I only canted downward a little for a good view. What I eyed made me break in a cold sweat."What tha....."

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