SHADOW OF THE PAST

22 Banji's Birthday

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Dennis had returned to where he parked his car earlier after his futile search for clues. He picked up his phone from where he kept it in the car and dialed his boss' line…

“Sir, I found no clues in the factory,” he informed as Olanrewaju picked up his call on the third ring.

“Are you sure of what you are saying? I won't tolerate any silly mistake from you this time around.” Olanrewaju warned and took a pause thinking of what needed to be found out. “Did you notice anyone around the factory?” he asked

“No one in particular sir. Except for a mad woman, I met on my way…. She doesn't look any suspicious to me.”

“A mad woman? Where was she coming from when you met her on your way?”

“She was probably coming from the crime scene with some heavy loads.”

“What if the mad woman has the evidence with her?” he asked and Dennis paused. He recalled what the mad woman said earlier when he had carefully passed her….

“Finally, I found the phone I had lost since 1969 when I was in the army…”

“Sir, I need to check somewhere sir, I'll be right back,” he said hurriedly and got out of the car in search of the mad woman. He felt the phone must probably be evidence of their crime.

••• ••• ••• •••

Zoe had moved from the hotel to where she newly rented. Lucia had informed her that Femi has found out about Tomisin's death, and had refused to come home since he finds out.

So, Zoe left her apartment that morning and went to check up on Femi at his residence.

That was her first time stepping into Femi's residence. She was so delighted going there for the first time, and so sad at the same time. She was sad because she knew that was where her rival resided before she died.

Mere seeing her rival's wedding pictures that were hung on the wall infuriated her. She imagined destroying the picture frames and disposing of them, while her pictures replace them.

“Have your seat.” Femi who looked so weak said.

Zoe took her seat taking her eyes off the pictures on the wall. She shifted her gaze to Femi who sat down resting his head on the headrest of the chair opposite where she sits. She noticed that Femi looked so gloomy.

“Mr. Femi, don't tell me you have been punishing yourself over your wife's death… You shouldn't be like that you know… What has been written, has been written, and no one can change that. You need to get up, freshen up, and start all over again.” she noticed that Femi was paying attention to her advice and wasn't angry. She went further by counseling….

“Time is not on your side Mr. Femi. You are not getting younger. You need someone in your life. Someone ready to have babies for you. Someone ready to take good care of you…” she was still counseling when the doorbell interrupted her.

Femi excused himself, got up from where he sat, and went out to check who was at the gate…

••• ••• ••• ••• 
Tomisin and Fashola were standing by the gate, waiting patiently for a response to the doorbell Fashola pushed twice.

A minute later, Femi opened the gate and was so surprised to see Tomisin in his house.

“Oh, Diana… You are welcome to my humble abode. How did you guys meet?” he asked Fashola, after exchanging pleasantries, and Tomisin explained that she collided with Mr. Fashola at the branch office. He ushered them into the building smiling.