The Hidden Toxin ✔(#6 in the Our Side of The Dice Series)

Chapter 24: Rough-handling the Revolver

People who take the law into their own hands often find that they are holding something far too heavy to handle.

- Rikkard Ambrose

"Mr. Kojo, " Ebun called from behind the broad-shouldered man softly.

She didn't fail to notice how his back had stiffened upon hearing a sound come from Mrs. Yekaterina's office. Still, he'd deciphered that that wasn't the voice or accent of Mrs. Yekaterina. She probably would have called him "Meester Khojo."

So slowly, he turned, his eyes narrowed the fraction of an inch. Ebun saw his shoulders sink in relief on seeing that it was a student who had called his name. Although Mr. Kojo had never seen this particular student before, he figured that she was perhaps, a fresher telling from the unconventional way she'd dressed.

So with a small friendly smile, he asked:

"Yes, how may I help you. Besides, why are you in school on a Sunday?"

To murder you, of course! 

Ebun's jaw worked as she gazed at Mr. Kojo, hoping that her stare would drill holes into those dark, sea-colored eyes of his. Then she remembered that Mr. Kojo had asked a question and was staring back at her, waiting for her answer. Funny how rage made common things slip away from your mind.

With a smile, Ebun managed to remain calm and not blurt out her original answer as she replied: "I'm here to collect my test script for animal dentistry, and I was wondering if you could step into the office for a moment." she motioned towards the door of Mrs. Yekaterina's office politely.

She noticed his chest swell up in trepidation. "Is she... Mrs. Yekateri..."

"Oh. No, no, no. Mrs. Yekaterina is not in her office right now, " Ebun answered Mr. Kojo's unfinished question with her best imitation of a nervous smile. "Are you terrified of her?" Ebun asked teasingly with a smile that now morphed from vain nervousness to a nefarious one.

"Oh. No."

"Very well then. I need you to assist me in looking for the test scripts on Mrs. Yekaterina's desk. I had my boyfriend accompany me into the office to help me in search of the scripts, but it was foolish of me to have thought that my boyfriend would know his way around the office, " Ebun said about Sean.

Ebun figured it was best to let Mr. Kojo know beforehand that she wasn't the only one in Mr. Yekaterina's office. It was best to prepare Mr. Kojo for Sean's presence. If he stepped in and met Sean upon concluding that only Ebun was present at the office, he would be confused, and soon, the pennies would start to drop, and he would realize that he was in danger.

On a lighter note, Ebun realized that lately, she referred to Sean as her boyfriend more than often. It wouldn't be bad if he actually were... Heat rose to her cheeks quickly and cut the thought off abruptly. This was a serious matter, and she couldn't get carried away!

"You are a janitor, so I figured you would know a few things about Mrs. Yekaterina's office — as well as the other offices of the staff since you clean them quite often. You wouldn't mind helping me in this little search, right?"

"S-sure, I won't."

"Come on in then, " Ebun gestured. Mr. Kojo moved his feet slowly as though there were a mound of feces on the floor and was afraid of stepping on it.

The low level of alacrity in which he moved irritated Ebun, but on the brighter side, it had given Ebun sufficient time to roll out a piece from the ducktape that she kept in the pocket of her hoodie. Also, when she looked into the office, she saw that Sean was pretending to be searching the desk for the test scripts frantically.  Ebun grinned wickedly with a tinge of pride. Sean was the best partner one could ever have in a crime operation.