SHADOW OF THE PAST

25 Dead End

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Lucia began to frequent FOOD&MORE, to the extent that the trio had recognized her as a regular customer. Though, she wasn't recognized as the woman who had come with Zoe and fainted in the restaurant back then.

Lucia often targets the time she knew Femi won't be at the restaurant before she visits.

One evening, she arrived at the restaurant as usual and ordered Coconut Rice. Tomisin happened to be the waitress for that day. When Tomisin had gone to take her order from the counter, Lucia began to think of a way to start a conversation with Tomisin, which could probably lead to both of them getting close to each other.

“Erm… Sis,” Lucia called out with her eyes glued to her phone in her hand after Tomisin was back with her order.

“Yes ma'am,” Tomisin responded with a smile while placing the meal on the table.

“If you don't mind, can you help me out in choosing a style for my cousin's wedding?” she asked handing her phone over to Tomisin.

When Tomisin received the phone, it was a picture of Nifemi that was displayed on the screen instead of styles. In that picture, Nifemi was dressed properly while she went for a photo shoot for her sixth year birthday back then.

“Ma'am, this is a picture of a young girl,” Tomisin called her attention to the picture by handing it back to her.

“Oh, my bad!” Lucia exclaimed receiving back her phone. “That was my brother-in-law's late child. She died about seven years ago in a car crash. Her death was so painful. And her mother made the matter worst because she's a sophisticated woman.” she said purposely to see if Tomisin's reaction will change.

She believed that no matter how strong Tomisin might be pretending, the picture ought to hurt her deeply. But to her greatest shock, Tomisin remained calm and sent her condolences instead.

“What about the style ma?” Tomisin asked changing the topic and Lucia who was shocked by her response gave a fake smile. “ma, I think Pinterest is the best application to select those exclusive and latest Aso-Ebi styles.” Tomisin suggested and Lucia thanked her for the suggestion.

“Why is it difficult to get close to her?” she mumbled looking angry.

••• ••• ••• ••• 
Diana arrived at Uche's residence. Uche was the detective in charge of the attempted murder case at the old factory. Tobiloba was also present in his friend's residence.

“Tobi… See… I can't do this anymore.” she confessed bitterly and Tobi motioned for her to take her seat. “The memories of what happened at that factory kept playing in my head. Have been suffering from all sorts of terrible nightmares since the incident happened. Even though I was acting strong enough and pretending not to know him, my heart was shaking with fear. I have the imaginary vision of him strangling me to death.” Diana blurted out bitterly.

Tobiloba went close to where she sat and parted her back. “Diana, our goal here is to get evidence to arrest this man so that justice can be done because of what he did to you.”

Diana faced him with tears streaming down her face, “What if I was dead back then at the old factory?” she remembered how Dennis had pointed a gun and fired a shot at her. “If the gun had hit the vital point, I would have been dead by now, and wouldn't be fighting for any justice.”

“Diana, it's a choice to determine, and also a choice to opt out. We can't force you just because we needed evidence to pin him down as the prime suspect. If God says we will catch him, he will surely be caught.” Uchenna said.