JAMES:

I regretted ever trying to reconcile with Jake. I was totally disrespected by Fifehan. It was very unfortunate that I had to visit him on the day that he got attacked.

I finally cried when mum and my sister came to visit me at the station. They equally had regrets for asking me to god and visit Fifehan and James. Everything seemed too late now. Too late!

FIFEHAN:

I stayed all day at the hospital with Jake in his comatose condition. At night, I returned home. I was not myself. Folarin did all he could to keep me calm, but it wasn’t easy for me. 

"Jake will recover soon,” he assured. “James will be out of this hospital in a few days time."

He was suspicious. He felt I was hiding things from him; but I could not confide in him. Though I knew the one who attacked Jake, I could not disclose it to anyone.

JAMES:

Three officers from the Criminal Investigation Department were assigned to get to the root of the case. They were Gbenga, Eric and Hannah. As friendly as they were, they were only trying to get me to confess to what I did not do.

I remained in the interrogation room and was not taken to the cell.

"I've told you everything I know. I'll never hurt Jake! He's more than a friend to me! We've been friends for over twenty years!"

"But you love the same woman,!” Hannah spat. “Also, this happened when you visited them. You tried to kill him in order to have his girlfriend, didn’t you? Men and their callousness!"

The looks on the faces of the other CIDs almost made me laugh but I could not. As stupid as it sounds, I admired her.

"I didn't try to kill him!"

"Your aim was to kill him, but that did not happen!" Gbenga said.

"I love Jake! Oh God, please vindicate me!" I cried. "Jake went to get some drinks for us. I was only looking around the study when I heard the breaking of bottles and glasses. I thought he had fallen, but upon checking, I saw him on the floor, stabbed!"

"You did not only stab him, but you first hit him on the head with a cudgel, before stabbing him in the heart — almost piercing through," Eric said.

I shook my head and said, "I did not do any of these things. God is my witness"

"Look at you. Why God? Even Fifehan suspected you. She knows that it was you. Could it be that a spirit entered the house without the awareness of those in the sitting room? No one else, except the four of you, were inside that house. The backdoor was safely locked. No lock was tampered. Come on James, help yourself!" Hannah said.

I sighed as a tear dropped, "I know this is hard for you to believe. No one is ever going to believe me. I just pray Jake regains consciousness. I'm tired of this confinement! You've ruined my image! If I had known this, I wouldn't have gone to visit them, but I missed him! I miss Jake!"

Now the tears began to pour uncontrollably. I wanted to be alone, but I did not see that happening any soon.

"You once saved Fifehan's life, this is enough reason for you to know that she wouldn’t ruin your reputation for anything. James, you killed your…?”

"Of what gain will that be!? Why are you being so cruel to me? You want me to lie against myself? I am not a bloodthirsty fellow! I know how grievous it is, and just imagine the stupidity—if I wanted to kill him, would I do that in his house when I know that I'll be the prime suspect?" I asked in frustration.

Eric laughed, "We know you did that for two reasons: Jake had not been going out after Fifehan’s mum got kidnapped and you had become inpatient. So you chose to go after him instead. Also, you did that in his house so that we'd think that you wouldn't seem as stupid as you just mentioned."

I shut my eyes and let my breath come out of my mouth, "I'm totally done, Lord. Vindicate me!"

I looked at each one of them, looked at my handcuffed hands and shook my head. 

"Oh James! What fate is yours!" I screamed.

Later that night after a nightmare, I was awake praying that God would vindicate me, protect Jake and get Fifehan's mum out of the kidnapper's claw when I heard someone unlocking the door. It was dark.

"James!" The person sounded like Eric.

I was tempted to pretend that I was sleeping, but I answered him, "Eric?"

He walked up to me and said, "I'm sorry, James."

Before I could ask why, he covered my nose with a handkerchief. I couldn’t fight to set myself free since my hands were handcuffed to the table and my legs shackled. I needed to do something quick. 

I banged my hands on the table; the metals created a loud noise. He quickly took his hands off me and hurried out. I coughed repeatedly.

Later, the three entered. The officers at the door also came in. The light was turned on.

"What happened?!" They asked.

Eric looked at me with a pleading eye.

"I had a nightmare," I said. I noticed how relieved he looked.

"What!?" They screamed.

"You disturbed all of us because of a dream? Are you out of your mind?" Hannah asked.

The securities walked out.

"I was scared," I said.

Gbenga sat at the edge of the table. He put his hand on my shoulder and gave me a disarming smile, "What was your nightmare?"

"I saw a nurse taking Jake off the life support."

The three looked surprised. I knew Eric thought that I was only saying that to cover up for his lies.

"Are you serious about that?" Gbenga asked.

"Yes!"

He sighed, "Put your mind at rest. We'll find something to do about that."

Gbenga went to the other two and mumbled some words that I could not hear.

Hannah laughed, "Who told you that I'm not as brave as you?"

Gbenga brushed the fringe of her hair aside, "I know you are brave, but… Just forget it."

While they made to go, I said, "Officer Eric."

They all turned to face me.

"I want to speak with you in private, please."

"Okay!" He said.

The other two left while Eric drew closer to me.

"Why did you…"

He interrupted me by saying, "You're still not safe. Thanks for covering up for me with that lie."

"Lie? It was not a lie, it's true. I had a nightmare just before you came."

He nodded, "But why would he be so cruel?"

"Who? Who sent you?" I asked.

"Don't worry. You'll soon find out if you're still alive by then."

He had to leave.

"Hannah, I…"

"I know. She's a no–go area for you," he cut in.

"She and Gbenga?"

"He's only trying to win over her heart but he has not been able to. I think I will."

"You? The same woman your friend wants?" I asked.

"So? Is that a new thing? At least that has already happened to you too," he said.

"You're cruel, Eric."

"The world itself is so cruel," he retorted.

He had to go.

"Call her. Call Hannah for me," I said, bowing my head.

He got to me and sat at the edge of the table, facing me. 

"Just what are you planning to do?” He said, “If that's what you are planning to do, then I guess it's a stupid thing to do!"

"No!" I said, "I've realized I'm not safe with you guys, but I have to tell her what’s in my heart. I love her."

Eric laughed, "That's stupid of you! She's an officer; you're a criminal!"

"I'm a suspect, not a criminal."

He snickered more: "Yes, suspect—one in shackles!"

He walked out, and I bowed my head. I could see the real him. He was being used.

The door opened again, and Hannah entered this time around. She sat opposite me on a chair.

"I know it's stupid of me, but I have to speak my heart out. I love you."

She did not say anything.

"I'm a suspect, and you're an officer. It's stupid of me to confess my love to you, but this is my sincere feeling. You are the second woman I'd tell this to. Fifehan was the first, and she got me here."

She smiled and said, "You're just as human as everyone else, James. I don’t mean to make you inferior, but I don't and can't love you."

She stood up to leave and asked, "Is that all you called me for?"

"That's all I called you for. I know you like Gbenga. He's a man I've gotten to like, too. He's lovable."

"Who told you he's the one I love? You expect…" she trailed off, "Just forget it."

"And Eric, I want to..."

"Please spare me unofficial talks."

"But…"

She got to the door and opened it, only to face Gbenga. She walked past him. Gbenga walked up to me after I closed the door.

"I was only trying to help you, but you want to have that woman to yourself, just like your friend did to you?" He said, angrily.

I sighed, "I know I may die anytime soon, but I can't accept death with a heavy heart. I love her, so I told her."

"That's so absurd." He asked, "You love the officer in charge of your case?" 

"I love her. I like you. I like Eric. I love Jake. I like Fife."

"You no longer love Fife, just ‘like’?"

"I'm tired, Gbenga. I'm gazing at death."

He put his hand on my shoulder and said, "Don't think negatively about yourself, James. We're going to protect Jake as much as God wills. And even though you love the woman I love, I still like you. She's the one who'll choose whom to love. I'm not the only one trying to woo her. She has other admirers outside this workplace too."

"How much do you trust Eric?" I asked.

"I trust him a lot. Why do you ask?"

"I don't think loving someone should make you trust him completely," I said.

"Eric's case is different. He's done a lot for me," he said.

"All the same, I think he's not a man to totally trust."

"Alright!"

"There's something you need to know about him," I said.

"And what's the..."

"I'll be on my way home," Hannah said at the door.

"It's late; I'll drop you off," Gbenga said. 

Turning to me, he said, "I'll hear that tomorrow!"

They both left and shut the door. I sighed, placed my head on the table, and slept off.

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