Episode 17
THE UNDERCOVER 🎭
I stared at the ominous message on my phone, studying every word of it.
“YOUR WIFE IS NOT WHO YOU THINK SHE IS”.
My gut tightened.
Someone is definitely playing games with me. The first note in the restroom warned me to stay away from Samuel. Then Samuel mentioned Celina. And now this? Who’s behind all these mysterious messages?.
The undercover could be anyone else, but Judith…. She is too carefree.
I placed a call through to the number. I was going to give whoever it is at the other end a threat, but it was switched off. I tried two more times, same thing. I opened my messenger again, and continued studying the message again. Just then, the door swung open. Judith walked in, a worried look on her face.
She walked over to the bed and sat down beside me.
“Patrick, do you think madam Mary has been k¡dnapped?”. She asked, in a low voice.
I hesitated, unsure how to respond. The message still lingered on my screen, taunting me.
She stared at me and back at the phone in my hand with a suspicious look. I quickly tapped on the power button and dropped the phone.
“What did you say?. You were talking about Madam Mary?”. I asked.
She nodded, still staring at the.
“What happened?”. I asked.
She shook her head and looked up to me.
“Yes. Do you still think she has been kidnapped?”. She repeated.
I nodded.
“I don’t think so”. She said.
“Why?*. I asked.
“Because if she is, why hasn’t anyone called till now? Tell me. They were supposed to have called and demanded rans0m.”. She argued. .
“Yes, you’re right. So what do you think?” . I asked.
“Hmm, Patrick, I’m just worried. That woman has not been kidnapped. She lowered her voice.
…I think she has been abducted by some…maybe ritùalists, occültic men or any of these ….”. She was talking before I interrupted her.
“Judith, please, I have enough on my head already. If you have nothing reasonable to say, can you just lie down and sleep?.” I said.
She frowned.
“So I am being unreasonable? I’m being unreasonable because…”.
Again, I didn’t wait for her to finish the sentence because I knew it wouldn’t end that night, so I stood up and walked into the bathroom, slamming the door behind me.
Needless to say, I didn’t sleep a wink that night. And very early the next morning before anyone wakes up, I left for work. This story belongs to Joy Ifunanya
The search for Madam Mary commenced that morning. While walking down the passage, I spotted someone who resembled Sunday from a distance. He was standing in the garden, engrossed in his phone. I hastened my pace and turned the corner, my eyes fixed on him.
As I drew closer, my suspicion was confirmed. It was indeed Sunday.
But then, he started walking away.
“Sunday!”. I called out.
But under a second, he vanished around the next bend. I hastened my steps, determined to catch up until I found myself behind the cell. Two officers were standing at a corner, conversing.
“Morning, Sarge”. They greeted in unison.
“Morning” I replied, forcing a nod.
“Have you seen Sunday?”. I asked.
“Yes, he just passed by here right now”. One replied, pointing towards the other end of the building.
I followed his direction, and found myself in front of the station again. But Sunday was nowhere in sight. I turned around and headed towards my office. As I walked down the reception, I turned the corners, scanning the area, but there was no sign of him anywhere.
Is Sunday avoiding me or what?. I wondered.
I didn’t see him throughout that morning.
During lunch, I spotted him in the cafeteria, sitting alone at a table. I strode over, determined not to miss him again. And I was glad he didn’t notice me until I was standing in front of him.
“Sunday” . I called, my voice firm but controlled.
He looked up. The surprise on his face was obvious.
“Oh, Sarge, What’s up?”. He said, feigning a smile.
I slid into the seat across from him, my eyes locked on his.
“Cut the act, Sunday. We need to talk.”. I began.
His expression turned cautious.
“Talk? About?… He asked, and then he widened his gaze like he remembered something.
…Ohh! About yesterday, right? You see, what happened was that I got an emergency call so…”.
“You left without telling me?”. I asked.
He shook his head.
“No, Sarge, I didn’t mean to”. He apologized.
“Okay. That aside. What about the urgent call? You said I should meet you at the hotel at nine pm.” I asked.
“Hotel? Me? Why would I do that? Ohh yes yes, You’re right. I really did. I’m sorry Sarge. I’m so sorry. It is. I mean, it was a wrong number. I wanted to call somebody else”. He said.
My frustration boiled over.
“Don’t lie to me, Sunday! I saw you earlier, dodging me in the passage.”. I accused him.
He shrugged.
“No ohh. I wasn’t dodging you. I was only avoiding the crowd, Sarge. You know how it is.”. He still denied that, feigning a smile.
“Why do I still have this feeling that you’re hiding something?”. I asked.
“Why? I’m not hiding anything”. He said.
Why is he acting weird?. I wondered because obviously he is lying, Only that I just cannot place my hand on what he was doing. I had no choice than to let it slip, though I kept close watch on him the same way I do with Celina and Stella at home.
The search for madam Mary continued for three days without success.
On the night of the fourth, while returning from work, I decided to visit the widow’s place to see what she was up to. However, I was shocked to discover that the property had new occupants…she had sold it.
I hurried home. It was 10pm when I arrived home. And it seemed every member of my household had gone to bed by the time I returned. After knocking at the door for close to five minutes, Celina answered.
That was the first time I’m ever seeing her again after that night.
“Welcome, sir”. She hummed a greeting, and hurried up before I could answer.
When I got to the room, Judith was already sleeping motionless as I had expected. I dropped my stuff noiselessly on the bed, crept to the wardrobe, careful not to disturb her peaceful slumber. My heart racing, I opened the secret compartment and retrieved the case containing my hidden SIM card. But as I opened the case, my blood ran cold … .the SIM card was gone.
I searched every nook and cranny, my mind reeling with possibilities.
Aside from Judith and I, no one else had access to that room
Who could have taken it? . Or Had someone broken in? Panic set in, my thoughts spiraling out of control.
That SIM card held crucial evidence, potentially explosive information about some cases, including the video I had used in blackma¡ling the widow .
I almost let out a scream, but I quickly held myself…
I glanced at Judith, still sleeping peacefully as my mind pondered over the message I had received from an unknown number the night before.
Could she be hiding something? Has she discovered my secret? My eyes scanned the room, searching for any signs of disturbance. Nothing seemed out of place.
A chill ran down my spine. Someone had been here…something is not right.How could she even sleep so soundly, unaware of the storm raging within me?
I approached the bed, my footsteps silent on the plush carpet.
As I gazed at her, my eyes scanning her peaceful face, I noticed something off.
Guess what…
Typing 18….
© Joy Ifunanya
