CHAPTER NINE: “The Flash Drive
513 Words
CHAPTER NINE: “The Flash Drive”
POV: Inspector Tunde Alabi
The file opened.
One video.
Grainy at first, like it had been filmed in a rush. The sound was muffled. Then a face appeared on screen—
Adanna.
She was in a room. Dim light. Hair in rollers. No makeup. This was a recording from days before the wedding. Maybe even a week.
She looked straight at the camera. Her eyes were tired. No filters. No armor. Just truth.
> “If you’re watching this, it means I’m gone. Not missing. Not on the run. Dead.”
Alabi leaned in.
> “I know how this sounds. Like I’m being dramatic. But I’m not stupid. I’ve felt it coming. Someone’s been watching me. My room’s been searched twice. My calls have static. And Chuka’s been lying. So has Lola.”
She paused. Looked down. Breathed.
> “I used to trust them. I used to love them. But not anymore. Not since I found out what they did to Nora.”
Alabi’s eyes narrowed.
There it was again. Nora.
> “They think I’ll keep quiet because I said yes to the ring. But I only said yes to stay close. To gather everything. I have files, photos, names. I even know where Nora’s car was dumped. They’re all in this house, smiling and laughing, planning my wedding. But they don’t know I already planned my exit.”
She looked up again. This time, her voice was calm. Dead calm.
> “If I’m dead—don’t ask who hated me. Ask who had the most to lose.”
The video ended.
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Alabi didn’t move for a full minute.
Then he stood, fast.
“Bring Chuka in. Again. Now.”
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Chuka walked into the room looking pale. Dark circles under his eyes. He saw the flash drive on the table. Said nothing.
Alabi hit play again. Let him watch it.
Chuka didn’t blink once.
When it ended, Alabi asked, “Where’s her phone?”
“I don’t know.”
“Where did you get this flash drive?”
Chuka hesitated. “She gave it to me. Three days ago.”
“She gave it to you?”
“She said… if anything happened, I should give it to the police.”
“So why didn’t you?”
“Because I panicked! She was dead! Everyone already thought I killed her. If I handed over a video like that, I’d look guilty. I didn’t even watch it until now.”
Alabi stared him down.
“Do you know where Nora is?”
“No,” Chuka said. “I swear. I was part of something dirty, yes. But I didn’t hurt her. I didn’t kill Adanna either.”
Alabi didn’t say anything.
He stood. Walked to the whiteboard.
On it were four names:
Chuka.
Lola.
Chief Okoye.
Unknown.
He crossed out Unknown.
Then circled Lola.
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Alabi picked up the phone.
“Bring in Lola Adebayo. This time… we’re not asking questions. We’re getting answers.”
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End of Chapter 9.
- Writer
