The Mile 3 Murder Mystery

Evelyn Kalada

Evelyn Kalada smells of wealth and power. She is the wife of the ruthless politician Bob Kalada. She sat by the grand window of one of her phone sales shops , her fingers lightly touching the rim of a crystal glass of champagne. Her reflection in the glass told a story of elegance and sophistication. She owns a chain of phone retail shops. With her marriage to Bob Kalada she found herself swept into a world of opulence and intrigue. Growing up, Evelyn's beauty had always drawn attention and Bob, then a rising star in the political sphere, had been captivated by her from the moment he saw her. Since they got married she has been playing her role as the devoted wife, hosting charity galas and attending political events.

Bob's rise in politics was wonderful and he has cemented his reputation as a man to be feared. His enemies disappeared without a trace, and those who dared to oppose him found their lives made a living hell. He is a cunning politician, a man who would stop at nothing to maintain his grip on power.

He saw politics as the game of power and started his political journey by contesting for Port Harcourt City Local Government Chairman. During the campaigns his speeches clicked with the struggling masses. He promised jobs, security, and prosperity. Behind the scenes, he cut deals with powerful figures,business tycoons, union leaders, even rival gang bosses.When he won the election, he celebrated.

In his first tenure in office, Bob did well with the execution of his campaign promises. He brought in investment into some neglected neighborhoods. He created jobs and tackled crimes. Crime rates dropped. People began to whisper his name with admiration. Behind the scene, construction contracts went to companies that had funded his campaign and he set up a task force with instructions to target his enemies while leaving his friends untouched.His closest friends learned never to cross him. A misstep could mean public humiliation or an abrupt end to their careers.

Jane drove her car and stopped at the Prudence Hotel parking area.

Mark: Officer , you will be staying here for now.

Jane: You think I’m going to sit back while you handle this case alone?”

Mark : You just need to cool your head for the moment. I won’t risk your life.

Reluctantly, Jane agreed, and Mark booked her a room.

As he walked her to the room, Jane grabbed his arm. “ enough of all the officer stuff. Call me Jane.”

Mark looked at her, she is the kind of woman who turned heads when she walked into a room.She was the embodiment of confidence. She didn’t care if her swagger made people stare.

As they entered the room, she didn’t let go of his arm, pulling him with a quiet intensity toward the bed. The action was deliberate, and Mark’s heart skipped a beat. Her touch sent a thrill through him but he knew he has to resist this.

"You okay?” Mark asked, his voice gentle.

Jane nodded, though her grip on his arm didn’t loosen. Then she smiled faintly, finally releasing his arm. “Thanks, partner" she said.

" Now you can go to your room and close the door before someone gets the wrong idea.”

Mark left Jane's room. He knows someone had been tailing him and this person will be responsible for the attack on Jane. He stopped a taxi and entered.

As the taxi pulled away, he caught a glimpse of movement in the side mirror. A car eased out from the hotel, keeping a steady distance.

"Driver,” Mark said, his voice low.

“You see that car behind us?” he asked.

The driver nodded.

“Lose it.”

Nwito is a craftsman of chaos. His pistol in his coat was ready. He was also holding a bomb hidden in a bag.He was at a place near one of the shops of Evelyn Kalada. The Kalada shop smells of opulence, a gallery of phones with price tags higher than most people's monthly salaries. Nwito sat at a nearby newspaper kiosk pretending to read some papers ,watching his target, Evelyn Kalada attending to her customers. His plan was to enter the shop, finish her and vanish.

Just as was about crossing the street to head to the shop, a taxi pulled up in front of the shop. The sight of the taxi made him pause. A man in a black coat stepped out. Mark Tunde entered the shop. Nwito watched as the detective approached Evelyn and the two began a tense conversation.

Nwito realized he now have two problems, his target and the police officer. He gritted his teeth, knowing that patience was his only friend. He decided to wait.

Mark: Good afternoon Mrs Evelyn, I am Officer Mark from Police headquarters Moscow Road. I am investigating about the murdered lady Vera Tor. A witness claimed she heard you threaten Vera on phone weeks before she was killed. You allegedly told her she'd regret crossing you, that you will make sure she disappers "

Evelyn raised her eyebrow. "Regret can mean many things, officer, I didn't lay a hand on her. I was surprised to hear of her death ."

Mark: But you told her you will make her disappear. Do you understand the gravity of your words?

"Officer anything can come out of someone's mouth out of anger. I didn't mean anything literal. She was having an affair with my husband and I let my anger get the better of me"

Mark : She died after you threatened to kill her. You are the number one suspect. I am not here with an arrest warrant. You will have to come to the police station tomorrow morning for further questioning.

Evelyn's lips pressed into a thin line. "Are you accusing me, or are you fishing for a story to fit your narrative? I have no need to kill anyone, Officer. "

Mark : See you at the station tomorrow morning Madam

Mark pushed open the glass door of the phone shop and walked out, stepping onto the street. He scanned his surroundings, his eyes looking at the parked cars. He had felt the weight of eyes on him during the interrogation, a prickling sensation that didn’t subside even now.

A shadow shifted behind a newspaper kiosk. Mark pretends to light a cigarette. The game is on, and whoever is watching him will surely make his first mistake. He saw a taxi and signalled the driver to stop.

From the shadows, Ambrose sat in his parked car, capturing the encounter on a long-range camera. Nearby, Nwito at the kiosk checked the chamber of his weapon, hidden beneath a stack of newspapers. He has noticed the man watching from the packed car.