Lisa could barely turn. The horde of homeless people pressed in on her while some charged towards her. They all chanted repeatedly, “We are hungry! Give us food! Give us water!” Lisa fidgeted and tried to find her escape.
Suddenly, she heard the sound of a car approaching. She couldn’t see the car as she was encircled within the horde. The car sped and aimed at the horde. The horde suddenly dispersed like the flight of a thousand birds, leaving Lisa open at the center.
Lisa sprung around but it was too late for a flight. She shut her eyes and expected the inevitable.
The deafening sound of the vehicle accompanied by a strong wind blew past her. She quaked and her eyes fluttered open.
“I am alive, I am alive,” she said shakily and fell on her knees, “it’s all over now”, she muttered.
Lisa looked behind and noticed the crowd were regathering. She sprang up to her feet and took to her heels.
The mocking laughter that erupted from the crowd was her impetus.
After running a few minutes, she stopped to catch her breath. She realized she had left the un tarred road and was within the bustling city.
She was exhausted and confused. Who collected her polythene bag? Has it gone to her blackmailer? Who drove into the throng? If it was her blackmailer, why did he return to rescue her?” Her thoughts ran wild.
****
Jane was lost in thought. She considered letting Benny go. Though they longed for eachother but in reality they had absolutely nothing going. Keeping him around while she figured out Jeff wasn’t going to work. It was evident he wouldn’t let her be with someone else when he perceived her as his.
It was apparent, such a precarious relationship would become bothersome if she finally ends up with Jeff. It was high time she stopped being angry, if she was going to figure out all about Jeff, she needed to get back to him.
She watched the gate open slowly as she picked up her phone. Lisa walked in crookedly. Jane reconsidered her as she walked closer. She got up and walked towards her,
“Lisa? What the heck happened to you?!” Jane yelled and examined her thoroughly. “Talk to me Lisa? What happened at the store?!” Jane yelled.
“I am fine… I will be fine. Just help me into the bathroom,” Lisa whispered.
Jane was at a loss but did as Lisa requested. Lisa had her bath and locked herself in the bedroom. She laid sprawled on the bed like a broken twig.
After going through the ordeal she wasn’t sure her decision was the best. She felt exposed, vulnerable and insecure.
“‘Alex must not find out. I can’t afford a scandal getting out at this time. It’s the best I can do for us,” she comforted herself with such words. “You’ve have done well Lisa, it’s all for the best. You can’t afford any mistake at this moment. It could jeopardize the possibility of the company rising again. Just hold it in, it’s all over now… What if the culprit demands for more?” She waved off the thought and checked her mailbox. She needed to be sure the money went to the right person.
She flipped through her mails but there was none from her blackmailer. She heaved a sigh and laid her head to rest.
Tiny hands tugged at her as she closed her eyes to sleep. Voices that requested food and water yelled at her. Imaginary hands pulled at her hair and pressed in on her in her sleep. It was nightmarish.
****
Jeff removed his hoodie right in the taxi. He removed the memory card in the dash cam of the car and formatted it on his phone.
He secured his cash, replaced the memory card and fixed all other necessities before returning the hired taxi.
The day’s business was out of place. He almost blew his cover. He had thrown caution into the wind when he went all the way to save his victim from the throng.
He could not just walk away as he watched the throng pressed in on her. The possibility of making it out on her own was slim.
Jeff was disturbed. The heaviness in his heart turned to guilt. The realization was unsettling and terrifying. Jeff was a trained fraudster. He cared less about the fate of his victims and had never felt guilty about any of his escapades. Rather, each successful mission was a bravado and a show of his skills and prowess.
He was scared to admit the obvious. Love has dampened his brutality, he was human after all.
*****
Johnson lived to his words. He had never made empty threats. He had scheduled a meeting with Cole to discuss the change in his plans. He wanted all wedding plans stopped.
“I am sorry this is coming from me. I would suggest we put all wedding plans on hold. I had wanted to inform you on the phone but decided to come see you in person,” Johnson informed Cole over a cup of coffee.
“What? Why now? Is anything the matter?” Cole asked. “Not at all but I feel it is needful. I am afraid my son may not fit in well as your son in law. You must be aware that I have fired him from his office already,” Johnson supplied.
“This is too bad, we pushed the children into this. Is Jeff aware? I am afraid things might escalate. Remember we had little or zero influence on their union. They were already together before the betrothal.. Incompetence as a director does not disqualify Jeff from being my son in law… Are there other reasons I am not aware of?” Cole asked.
“No, not at all,” Johnson said flatly.
“Well, it isn’t a big deal, I will speak with Jane and my wife,” Cole said and stood up.
“Is it because Jeff isn’t your biological son?” Cole added.
“What?! How did you come about that?” Johnson exclaimed.
“Don’t you think it’s a fraud to make him marry my daughter without the slightest hint about his true identity?” Cole questioned and Johnson stammered.
******
The interrogation room was hot. Dec’s president denied Luke, he insisted they had never met. He also insisted that his company has nothing to do with either Marie or Luke.
The story changed when the statement of transaction between the firm and Marie was read out with actual dates and time. The president stuttered and remained silent.
The director of Lense Clinic was also interrogated separately. He admitted that he bought data on Evans’ product from Marie but denied his involvement in her murder.
His claim was countered with the last mail Marie had received from his firm. It was obviously a threat, Detective Jude insisted.
“Dealing with a breach of contract does not necessarily imply murder!” The director argued. “l am afraid it does in this case,’ the detective responded.
“You can’t make such conclusions without proof!” The director counter. “We will surely get one but I am sure you won’t go scot free for other charges against you. Evans has charged you with illegal acquisition of data and defamation,” the detective said.
*******
Lisa woke up from her nap, it was evening already. She walked into the kitchen to get a glass of water. Jane approached her head-on. “Where were you this morning? I already confirmed it with your representatives at the store. You were not at the store. So tell me Lisa, what the heck is going on? You left hurriedly this morning and returned looking like a lunatic. What the hell is going on?” Jane pestered.
“Can you please stop poking around? I am not willing to share, just turn a blind eye. Ok?!”
Jane retracted and returned to the living room. She knew Lisa well. No one would make her talk if she decided not to. This left Jane to wonder, her thoughts ran wild.
“Have you heard from Alex?” Lisa asked suddenly. “No, not since they left for the station.” “I should go check him out.” Lisa said.
“Please stop! Are you out of your mind? Just take a look at yourself. You need rest, Alex can take care of himself!” Jane yelled.
*****
Alex, Benny and Patrick left the station after the interrogation. Benny returned to the company while Alex and Patrick made their way home.
Things were in their favor. With Jennifer and Luke’s testimony, the fire outbreak was concluded to be arson. Efforts were put in place by the police to identify and nab the arsonist. It was obvious Marie had someone who took care of her shits.
With the turn out, Evans was able to prove that the fire outbreak did not occur from negligence and therefore they could seek for the insurance pay.
Lense Clinic was fined for illegal acquisition of data. Dec was also fined for illegal acquisition of data and defamation.
Alex could not hold it in. He walked in and gave Lisa a heartfelt hug. “We did it!” He exclaimed.
Patrick and Jane watched the two with smiling faces. The victory again removed all of Lisa’s doubt. “It was indeed the right decision”, Lisa thought and basked in the light of her husband’s victory.