“Who do we have here?” Rafael stepped into June’s face, eyes searching. “I didn’t think I’d see you so soon.”
June was in a poor mood. When she saw Rafael and the lawyer who submitted a petition for Clarence to be let go on bail, her anger shot up. “You did this?” The incredulousness in her tone could not be mistaken.
Rafael held his tongue.
“You want her to be set free after what she did? How cruel can you be?!” June took no prisoners as she washed him with her words. “Sheila is a human too! She is someone’s loved one! Someone’s child! How would you feel if someone you loved got into an accident and the culprit was set free?”
Lucy held June’s hand, hoping to calm her down but it didn’t work. June stepped out of her reach and into Rafael’s face. “I will not let this happen, Rafael. I suggest you sit this one out. It’s not a good look at your already battered reputation.”
Rafael smirked. “Bold of you to speak about one’s reputation.” He said. “Clarence is pregnant.”
June felt like she’d been slapped. However, she refused to back down. “I don’t care if she is carrying your child, Rafael. Sheila was put in that condition and I won’t stop until I get justice. You shouldn’t stand in my way.”
“I don’t mind standing in your way, wifey.” Rafael slid his hands into his pockets, “I get to talk to you and keep my business in check. It’s a win-win for me.”
“Your business?” Lucy asked, seeming confused.
The lawyer rectified the situation. “You might not know but Miss Whitlock has sued my client for neglecting his responsibility.” He stepped forward. “We have no evidence to prove the paternity of the child in her womb yet, and until then-”
“I owe her a responsibility.”
June felt like she had heard the most ridiculous thing ever. “You want to do a paternity test?” She said in mock surprise. “Are you denying cheating on me and getting her pregnant in the process?” She scoffed, “I didn’t know you were such a liar!”
“I didn’t cheat on you.”
His words angered her the more. “Oh really? I didn’t realise. You may have forgotten but I freaking found her panties in your pockets!” June held her forehead, meanwhile, people who heard her speak stared at the fiasco, silently judging.
“My lady..” Lucy called softly, shrewd with embarrassment. “We should go now.”
“I don’t care what you do Rafael, but take this as a warning. I will not let Clarence get away with what she’s done. I don’t care about your business with her, but she will pay for her crimes.”
Rafael pursed his lips. Before he could respond, June walked into the station with her lawyer and Lucy. She met Clarence in the waiting area, and her anger intensified.
“I am here to file against the release of Clarence Whitlock.” Her lawyer began. “We have every reason to believe that letting the suspect out of her retaining cell is a risky move that would hinder the course of justice for the victims of her crimes.”
The officer in charge wore a sober expression. “I am sorry but Mrs Clarence Whitlock has been given bail of ten million due to her health status.”
Just then, Clarence walked out of her cell with a mad look in her eyes. She’d overheard June speaking to the officer and couldn’t walk away without giving a piece of her mind. “I’m so sorry.” She cajoled. “Are you hurt because I am carrying Rafael’s child? Do you want me out of the way so bad?”
“She will be placed under home arrest until her condition is better so you can rest assured.” The officer said when June turned grotesque.
“I think you are mistaken.” June started. “This woman whom you all want to protect is not safe outside these walls.” She explained with a cruel smile. “I guess you can imagine the public outrage at the news. They are even protesting against her father’s position. Who’s to say the angry netizens would not burn her house one of these days?”
“Someone lost their life as a result of her actions and seeing her run away from the scene and now get out of prison on bail, it’s like you are testing the public’s patience.”
Clarence had it with June. “Are you threatening me? Huh? Is that it? Do you want to bully me into staying in the prison? Do you think I am that foolish?!”
“I was only stating facts.”
“Keep your facts to yourself!” Clarence roared.
“I wonder if you are aware that April killed the housekeeper and fled the house you kept her hostage.” June stated and Clarence couldn’t hide her shock.
While trying to navigate the mess she was going through, she had forgotten the reason she got into the mess in the first place. “What?”
June smirked as the lawyers read her the fresh charges. “In fresh evidence, you have been listed as an obstruction to justice, kidnapper, as well as suspect to the murder of Mr Colton.”
Clarence felt her world ripped to shreds. “I have filed a petition against your release and it looks like the bill to keep you under police detainment has passed its reading,”
Just then, an officer rushed into the scene. “Sir!” He greeted the senior police officer. “We have received words from the General commander against the release of Clarence Whitlock for fresh charges levied against her.”
The officer placed a file on the table and the senior officer’s face darkened at the allegations and evidence contained in the file. He turned to Clarence with a grotesque face. “Take her back to containment!”
Clarence struggled against the men who returned her to the prison cell where she was to remain until she was tried in court. When Rafael heard of the situation, he was forced to a corner. He cancelled his schedule and thought of a way out.
Carson was in his office for a check-up when the report was made. “Do you remember nothing from that day?” He asked for the nth time, and Rafael fired up.
“I woke up with her on my bed. We were both naked.” He said. “I placed her in that condition,”
“If you are so certain, why are you so intent on having a DNA test done?” Carson reasoned out loud and Rafael turned quiet. The truth was that even when everything pointed to the child being his, he still had a shred of doubt.
When Rafael maintained silence, Carson pushed further. “Did you ever find out though? Maybe check the CCTV footage of the hotel room? Something that proves you had a wild night with her.”
Rafael felt like a light bulb went off in his head. He had been so caught up with his health and matters with June that he didn’t think to verify her claims of that night. He had been too ashamed of himself and the act.
However, looking back, he could see how stupid he was to take her words for it. Rafael picked up his phone immediately and texted the best hacker on his payroll. In seconds, a reply dinged into his phone. For the next few minutes, he gave the details of the dates and was promised feedback in three days.
Meanwhile, June was conversing with the detective overseeing April’s murder case. “We can’t find her. It’s like she disappeared into thin air.” He explained. “No one has sighted her since she left the estate. I’m afraid her trail is growing cold.”
June was unhappy with the events. “I will try my best to locate her. Keep me updated, and thanks for your hard work, ” she said, then dropped the call.
Evelyn sat in the living room, listening to everything but if their conversation was fatigued. “How does she manage to evade justice every single time?” She wondered out loud.
“Not this time,” June soliloquised. “She can run but she can’t hide. It’s only a matter of time.”
In the meantime, June decided to get her ammunition ready. She couldn’t afford a mistake on her end this time. She was going for the kill and would make sure at the end of things, her sister was in prison, paying for all her crimes.
The next day, June decided to meet, Sharon and break the news to her. She wasn’t sure of the reception she would meet but decided to leap anyway. June arrived at the prison and waited behind a glass to meet Sheila’s twin sister.
The officer brought her in and she looked a shadow of herself. The resemblance between her and Sheila was striking, but her eyes were dark and empty. A shell of what it used to be.
“Sharon…” June called and she raised her hand.
“Why are you here?” Sharon asked, lips taut. “What do you want from me? Haven’t you Rivera’s done enough?”
“Sharon-”
“Don’t. Don’t mention my name.” She said with pained eyes. “State your mission and let me go.”
June swallowed, the coldness that emanated from the young woman brought chills to her skin. “I know I am the last person you want to see right now, but-”
“I said state your mission!” She hit the table, eliciting reactions from the officer who watched her. June raised her hands, hoping the police officer understood it was okay.
“It’s Sheila,” June stated. “She had an accident.”