Chapter One: The Funeral Without a Body
297 Words
The rain began before sunrise.
Dark clouds covered Akinlade Village as people gathered in black clothes around an expensive mahogany coffin. It rested above an open grave, yet everyone knew the truth.
The coffin was empty.
No one had seen Chief Samuel Adeyemi for ten years.
Some believed he had escaped with millions of naira.
Others believed he had been murdered.
The court had declared him legally dead, and his family decided to hold a symbolic funeral.
Daniel Adeyemi stood beside the coffin without an umbrella. At twenty-eight, he had become one of the youngest successful construction contractors in Lagos. His expensive suit, polished shoes, and luxury car meant nothing to him today.
His eyes never left the empty coffin.
"My father was not a thief," he whispered.
His uncle, Chief Benson, placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Daniel, let the past die. You have a company to run."
Daniel slowly turned.
"The past doesn't die when the truth is buried."
His uncle looked away.
The pastor concluded the service and invited everyone to throw a handful of soil into the grave.
One after another, family members stepped forward.
Daniel refused.
As he turned to leave, a young woman in a grey jacket walked toward him.
"You are Daniel Adeyemi?"
"Yes."
Without another word, she handed him a brown envelope.
"Read it when you're alone."
Before Daniel could stop her, she disappeared into the crowd.
Inside the envelope was an old photograph.
His father stood beside three smiling men in front of an unfinished office building.
Behind the picture were handwritten words:
Your father was betrayed by the people he trusted most. Stop looking for a dead man. Start looking for living liars.
Daniel's heart pounded.
Someone knew the truth.
And someone wanted him to find it.
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