MIRABELLA

Chapter 2

Detective leo sat in his office. The news of the fire incident was being displayed on the television screen. The message displayed on the screen of his phone he seems lost in, was the last message Pedro sent to him before his death. He sighed, tucked his phone in his pocket and made to go out.. When one of his men came in abruptly.

"A young lady is causing a scene outside sir. She insists she must speak with you." The officer said.

"Let her in." Detective leo replied wondering who the lady was. After about few minutes, mirabella was ushered in. Detective leo almost wet his pants when he saw who it was.

"Mirabella??" He called surprisingly. "What happened to you? "

mirabella couldn't speak as a result of being weak.

"Get her a glass of water." Detective leo ordered. The water was given to her, and she drank everything in the glass.

" My dad said I should give you this video tape. He said you can help us." She managed to reply weakly.

Detective leo collected the video tape with shaking hands. He thought everything was over after Pedro was killed.

He tried putting on a smile to avoid the fact that he was already agitated. "I will make sure this gets to the right hands. Your parents death won't be in vain."

After about two minutes of sitting, it was clear that he would die from anxiety if he didn't make that one call. Excusing himself, he went to the toilet. He brought out his phone and quickly dialled Miller Harrison's number

"Sir?" He whispered to the receiver on the other end. " The kid made it out of the fire."

"What do you mean??" Miller's voice cut in sharply.

"She is presently in my office with the video tape. Her father apparently give it to her before his passing."

Miller hissed through gritted teeth "Those useless boys!

"Make sure you get the video tape from her. My boys will take it from there."

"Alright sir " Detective leo replied and ended the call, deleting the call history between him and Miller Harrison.

"You guys are so foolish!!" Miller spat out angrily immediately his henchmen got into his office."One job, just one job and you all screwed it!!" The assassins kept quiet ,watching him. Each prayed that they wouldn't be an example of his wrath.

"Now, you all are going to take care of this mess. Make sure it's cleaned up and no traces left behind." He commanded. The assassins nodded and left in a haste.

Mirabella eyes scanned around the office of the detective. Detective leo walked in with a wry smile. "Come with me mirabella, I will take you to a safe house. You aren't safe here."

Mirabella nodded and stood up following leo as he led the way out.

Silence hovered around them as they drove to Detective Leo's house.

"I'm so sorry about your parents mira. You know, your dad and your mom were very close friends of mine. I didn't expect they would die just like that in a very horrible way. Leo said trying to break the silence that was almost taking his breath away. Mirabella didn't respond. She still couldn't grasp the fact that her parents were dead.

Leo kept driving in silence when he discovered that mirabella wasn't in the mood for a chat. The car halted all of a sudden. Leo quickly got out and mirabella did the same.

"s**t!!" He cursed under his breath.

"What's wrong?? mirabella asked speaking for the first time since they left the station.

" I think the car has a fault." Leo replied avoiding mirabella's piercing eyes. I am just gonna call the mechanic now.. I'm sure he will get here soon. He added moving very far from where mirabella was. Bringing out his phone he quickly dialled Miller's number.

"Speak, I can hear you" His ever hoarse voice came on.

"What should I do??? Leo asked with a panic expression displayed all over his face. " This whole thing is making me loose my sanity".

"Get her a drink and sedate it. Make sure she falls deeply asleep my boys will take it from there. Miller replied. " Bring the video tape to me yourself". He added and disconnected the call. Leo sighed. This was definitely far from being over.

Mirabella sat quietly watching a kid and her parents play reminding her of the deep connection she shared with her family before the death of her parents. Scenes of her parents being engulfed in flames falshed as hot tears streamed down her face. Leo walked up to her with a drink in his hand

" This is your favourite mira" he said offering her the drink.

Mirabella looked at him hesitating before she finally collected the drink "Thanks" she muttered enough to Leo's hearing. She couldn't shake off the feeling that something was wrong. The detective words seemed reassuring, but his eyes told a different story. She noticed how he glanced at his phone every minute, his hands shaking.

" Where's this safe house located???" Mira asked, her voice cautious.

"It's very close now" Leo replied. " Your drink" He added "Aren't gonna take it??" He couldn't help but ask noticing that she hadn't touched her drink.

"I will" Mirabella replied. " Taking me to a safe house sounds like a good idea".

Detective leo nodded, his expression sympathetic. "Yes, it's the best way to keep you safe. I will make a few calls, and we'll get you settled in."

Mirabella watched as he picked up his phone and dialed a number. She strained to listen to the conversation, but the detective spoke in hushed tones. After a moment, he hung up and turned to her direction.

"All set", he said, his smile tight. "We'll get you to the safe house soon".

Mirabella's Instincts screamed warning. "Can I ask you something??" She said, her eyes locked in his.

"Of course, mirabella" Detective Leo replied, his tone measured.

"How did you know my parents??" Mirabella asked, her voice firm.

The detective's expression faltered for a moment before he regained his composure. " We attended the same college," he said, his voice smooth. " Your father was a good man".

mirabella sensed deception. She didn't believe the detective's story.

"I think it's time we got you to the safe house," he said, standing up.

Mirabella's heart raced. She knew she had to get out of there, and fast . She stood up playing along, but her mind was racing with escape plans.

The detective led her to the car and she got in. Leo started the car and the engine came alive with no iota of fault in it. Mirabella looked surprised.

"It appears the car doesn't need a mechanic" she said, her voice laced with every form of sarcasm.

"Yeah" Detective Leo replied avoiding making a eye contact with her.

As they drove away, mirabella glanced back. She saw two figures watching her from the shadows, their eyes locked on her. Mirabella's breath caught her in her throat. She knew she was in grave danger.