On a Wednesday morning, three months and a half after Ajayi's death, Toju assumed the role of Managing his father's business. He was to manage his father's two shops. He visited the shops thrice a week to inspect the sales and stocks required.
Whenever he was there, he would instruct the workers on what to do, and take inventory of the items sold at the flower and plastic shop. He also ensured that proper records were taken of what goes out and what comes in. He was indeed the right person for the task, because managing a business requires focus and dedication.
After instructing the workers on what to do, he went to his father's office, which was now his office. He looked at the documents on the table and shelves, they were well arranged. His father's signature was visible on all of them. And as he looked at them, he remembered his father's advice on a responsible life. And he was determined to carry on with his father's policy, advice and legacy.
After a while, he decided to call inspector Kunle. He dialed the number, the phone rang and Kunle received the call saying.
"Hello Toju."
"It has been a while."
"How are you.?"
"I'm fine thank you."
"Do you have any clue on my father's death?" Toju asked.
"Well I'm still on it."
"Nothing concrete for now." Kunle replied feeling disappointed with himself.
"Alright please do something."
"I really need closure on this."
"I will Toju."
"Your father was a good man."
"I will ensure that justice prevails."
"Thank you Kunle." And the call ended. After the call, Toju switched on the television and watched a sport program, been a sport's enthusiast. He watched with keen interest admiring the style of his favourite players.
Later that same day, Kunle relaxed on a chair in the balcony, thinking about the case, but he had nothing concrete yet. He had been calling Funke to get over the stress, but she was still playing hard to get. He decided to call her again that evening, and when she received the call he said.
"Hello beautiful."
"Hello inspector Kunle." She replied.
"Just call me Kunle, you don't have to be official." He replied laughing.
"Where are you on the case.?" She asked.
"Nowhere for now."
But I'm hoping to get a break soon." Kunle replied.
"Have you visited the hospital.?" She asked.
"I have but I came back empty.
Kunle replied.
"Oh what a shame, I thought you would have answers by now." Funke replied disappointed.
"Maybe you can give me an insight on the case detective." Kunle said referring to Funke.
"Alright tell me everything you know."
"Not so fast detective."
"You will have to see me before I tell you anything." Kunle replied laughing in a funny way. Funke who was interested in the case had no choice but to ask.
"Where do I meet you.?"
"At the police station, we can talk in the canteen without being distracted." Kunle answered happy he was in control now.
"Then we need to fix a date convinient for us." Funke suggested.
"Friday will be fine." Replied Kunle happily.
"Alright take care, until then. Funke replied and the call ended.
When the call ended, Kunle was excited that he talked to her,
and he sure had a good night rest.As scheduled, on a Friday morning Funke got dressed to see Inspector Kunle at the station. It was her first time going to a police station because she had no business going there. His station was at Oshodi, just a very short distance from Victoria Island.
So she boarded a cab to the station. When she got there, she called him and he told her where he was. He was already in the canteen waiting for her. When he saw her, he was so happy to have such a beautiful lady as his visitor. As she walked into the canteen, all heads turned towards her direction. She wasn't affected by the stare, because it was something she was acquainted with. When she got to his table, Kunle quickly pulled out a chair for her to sit on.
"Thank you ."
"You are a gentleman." Funke complimented him
"Thank you. Kunle replied and said.
"Would you like something to eat.?"
" No never mind."
"A drink will be okay." Funke replied.
."Alright then." Kunle said as he beckoned on one of the workers to get her the drink. And within a short while, a cold bottle of malt was brought to the table. As they talked Kunle asked.
"Are you in a relationship.?"
"No not at the moment." Funke replied quickly, hoping that there will be no further questions pertaining to a relationship. But she was wrong because Kunle asked again.
"Why are you not in a relationship.?" Funke didn't want to say anything, but funny enough she decided to talk about her relationship status.
"Well I was in a relationship about a year ago."
"But it didn't end well." She replied.
"What happened.?" Kunle asked.
"He was abusive, and always wanted to be in control."
"It was a horrible one, and so I had to walk out of it.'
Funke replied wondering why she had been so expressive about her relationship with Lanre.
"What is wrong with me." She thought. Kunle decided to divert to the issue at hand, which was Ajayi's death. He said.
"These are the items found in Ajayi's residence.
"I have seen this before when I met you some few distance away from Macaulay close.' Funke reminded him.
"Alright these are my findings from the psychiatric hospital. It was a note containing details of what he read from one of the patient's record file dated 2000." Kunle explained.
"Can I take this home.?" She asked referring to the note.
"Yes you can."
"Go through it and see if you can make sense out of it." Kunle suggested and gave her the note book."
"Alright I will go through it and if I have any insight, I will inform you." She replied.
"Good my detective."
"We are solving this case together." He teased her, and she smiled when she heard this.
They talked about other issues, and before she left for home, Kunle gave her a break down of his interrogation with Ajayi's children and the workers. He also told her about Tosin's call in the garden, the sound she heard and where she saw the items she gave him. Tosin put them in a brown envelope, and that was how Funke received it from Kunle.
On her way out of the police station, Kunle called a cab driver he knew to pick her up from the station. In about thirty minutes, the cab driver came and took her home. Kunle admired Funke as she got into the cab. He couldn't wait to solve the mystery and attend to other issues. He desperately wanted to know her better.
Later in the evening, after dinner. Yinka and Tolu had a conversation with Funke. Tolu asked.
"I was told there is a current investigation into Ajayi's death."
"Yes there is." Funke replied.
"So he didn't die accidentally.?"
"No he did not."
"The medical report from St Nicholas Hospital Clinic proved otherwise.
"Hmm.. So painful."
"But who on earth would want him dead.?" Tolu asked.
"Only God knows." Replied Yinka.
"Time will tell." Funke added.
After saying this, she stood up and said.
,"I have some work to do."
"I need to reflect on certain things concerning Ajayi's death."
"Be careful Funke."
"There could be a killer out there."
"Allow Kunle to do his job." Yinka warned her.
"But he asked me to assist him."
Funke replied confused.
"He is fascinated by her mental skills dear. Tolu added.
"Funke will be alright, relax."
"Go ahead Funke I trust your judgement."
"You are more intelligent than most of the officers in the police force."
"Inspector Kunle can actually learn from you."
"Thanks Tolu good night." She replied and walked away.
In her room she made use of her reading corner. She placed the hospital card, the note pad, and Ajayi's picture with an unknown man. And then Inspector kunle's notes from the hospital. She looked at the items thoroughly placing her hands on each of them and saying the card, picture, and the notes. Then suddenly she saw the connection but she required one more clue to complete the connection.
Very early the next day at about 8.a.m in the morning. She called Kunle and he answered the call quickly saying.
"Hello detective."
"The name is Funke." Funke replied.
"Well I will call you that for now."
"When we are done with this case, then I can call you Funke. Kunle replied. She smiled and asked.
"Have you heard from Tosin, the girl you received those items from."
"No why.?"
" I think you should call her."
"And ask how she is faring."
. " I think she is in serious danger."
"Since you asked her not to make any call from the residence,
"Send her a message, or preferably call Toju and find out from him.
"Alright then I will." Kunle promised. He was about to say something else, but Funke interrupted him saying.
"Please do that now and call me back." She hung up.
This is serious Kunle thought. He decided to send a message to Tosin, but it failed. He sent it thrice but he got the same result.
Then he decided to call Toju.
Toju who was in his dad's flower shop with Ronke received the call saying.
"Hello Kunle."
"Hello Toju."
"Is everything okay at home.?" Kunle asked.
"Partially I'm at my dad's office with Ronke." Toju replied.
"How is Tosin.?" Kunle asked.
"She complained of a stomach upset some hours after breakfast. and I asked her to take the day off, in order to take drugs. Ronke bought some drugs for her to take home."
"You know it hasn't been easy for any of us since my dad's death."
"Tosin was really affected by his demise."Toju explained.
"Alright Toju please keep me updated." Kunle replied.
"I will." Toju replied and the call ended. Kunle quickly called Funke to tell her about the discussion he had with Toju. After listening attentively, she said.
"I think that maid is been watched."
"And I think she is in danger too."
"She knows something, and whoever killed Ajayi knows that too."
"You think so?" Kunle asked.
"I do." Funke replied
"What do we do now.?" Kunle asked. Laughing Funke replied.
"It sounds funny when you say we."
"You are my partner remember."Funke laughed again and replied.
"Call Toju tommorow and find out about her condition."
"Alright that will be fine." Kunle replied and asked another question.
"Are you making any sense out of the items I gave you.?"
"Yes I am gradually. Replied Funke.
"So what is the next step detective." Kunle asked teasing
"Our next step."
"You are the police officer."
"You lead and I follow. Funke replied smiling.
"You are my partner remember.'
Kunle reminded her. They both laughed. They continued talking until the call ended. After the call Funke looked at the items again and smiled.
"I'm getting close."
"I truly hope Tosin is alright. She said silently.
YOU ARE READING
In Cold Blood
Mystery / ThrillerThriller Funke relocates to Lagos for a fresh start. She moves in with her cousin Yinka residing in Macaulay Close. As she gradually gets acquainted with the Serene environment, a murder occurs. Funke's mental and psychological ability is tested.