Melan

Chapter Two

Gris is known for its grassy plains, short shade trees, pawpaw trees and its grazing cattle, goats and sheep. This morning as Officer Robert Viyz navigated up the tarred road leading to the residence of Mrs Nina, he could see the livestock farmers feeding their animals and he could also see few country side kids who were either feeding animals or discussing idly with friends.
                  He soon drove up to the driveway that was Mrs Nina's. It had lawns on both sides of the driveway that was perfectly trimmed. There were no flowers, just grass where there should have been flowers. The house was a modern looking bungalow that looked large enough to have at least eight bedrooms. Its front door was somewhat low and looked like it was made from wood that cost a million nyala. Robert rapped on the front door and in a few seconds, he could hear light footsteps running up to the door. It was opened by a little boy who looked ten.
"Hello there" greeted Robert. The boy looked at him for some time and then went inside slamming the door in Robert's face. A minute later, it was opened by Mrs Nina.
"Ah! Officer Robert, come in, sir."
"Good morning, Madam."
They sat down in the sitting room. Robert began to talk. "As you know, Madam, the case has been reopened and I'm the one taking over."
"Good. Now my daughter would get them justice she deserves."
Robert took out his note and pen. "You said you spoke with your daughter and that she sounded normal. Is that right?"
Mrs Nina stood up and went into the next room. Sometime later, she returned with a tray containing whisky and two glasses. She offered one to Robert. "Isn't that too early?" She shook her head. She poured the drink and sat again. As Robert took a sip, she said.
"Officer, I lied when I said I had spoken with my daughter. The truth is that we were having a quarrel and I was not on speaking terms with her."
"How long had it been going on?"
"Ever since she won her party's primaries. I did not like her contesting for Governor. I wanted her to step down but she was stubborn. We quarrelled and we stopped talking for sometime."
"How sure were you then that she had been murdered?"
"I know my daughter. She wouldn't have killed herself. She had never been one for taking the easy way out. When I heard the news, I knew that she had been killed. I talked with her husband and his family, but they had already declared she committed suicide."
She began to sob.
"She was not properly mourned. She was buried like an animal."
Robert got to his feet. "That would be all. I'm sorry, Madam. We would get to the bottom of this case."
When he came out to the front yard, he saw the little boy and two other girls, they were huddled together, perhaps talking about the police car packed in front of their house.
"They have not yet understood."
Robert did not hear Mrs Nina come up behind him.
"What did you say?"
"They do not fully understand what has happened. They just say their mother has gone to heaven."
Robert shook his head. He turned to Mrs Nina.
"Was there no coroner?"
"That fraud! Hell awaits him. He had the results within six hours. Suicide."
"Good day, Madam."
Robert turned and went to his car.

         *            *           *           *

      Robert packed the car opposite the party office. Mrs Rosemary Adingy had belonged to the Equality and Justice political party.
      The place looked near empty. No soul except a frail gateman was nearby. 
      Robert nodded to him and walked into the compound. Only two sedan cars were packed in the garage. The flower hedges bordering the driveway were untrimmed. Little grasses could be seen growing here and there. The place looked neglected. Robert passed into the reception area and no one was there. There were doors to his left and right and a stairway right before him but the entire place was quiet. He clapped his hands aloud.
"Anyone here?!"
As he was standing there confused, a door opened and a woman came out of an office to his right. She saw his uniform and looked baffled.
"Officer? Good morning. I thought it was... " she broke off. Then said, "Are you looking for someone?"
"I hoped to talk to anyone who knew Mrs Rosemary Adingy personally."
The woman was more confused.
"Rose? I thought the case is closed."
"It has been reopened."
"Oh"
"Were you expecting someone?"
"The party is selling this place.", she looked embarrassed, "we need funds. Is there anything else, sir? I'm busy. I came out here because I thought it was the man who was planning to buy this place."
"Did you know Mrs Rosemary well?"
"Yes. A hardworking and more importantly, an inspiring woman who pulled a lot of weight in her life." she sighed. "She was really something."
"What's your name?"
"Gwen Palori, Miss. That's why I'm still here."
"Is there anyone else here?"
"Mr Dret. He works in the printing section. He's also clearing up."
"Was there anything strange about Rosemary in her last days?"
"She was her normal self. Except that she began to hire private bodyguards. I mean, she had to. One never knows, right?"
"A bodyguard?"
"Yes."
"Do you know who?"
"No. But I think she hired from the Johnson Private Agency on St. Mark's street."
       A man stepped into the reception at that point.
"Ah. Mr George. You're welcome."
      Mr George was an average height, slightly pot bellied man who walked like one with a chip on the shoulder.
      "Mr George, meet Officer... "
"Robert. Nice to meet you, sir."
   A little while later, Robert was driving to the Johnson private agency.
     There he met a button nosed secretary who peered at him from behind thick rimmed glasses and told him of all the available services while staring curiously at his uniform.
" I want to meet the person in charge."
She took him into an office. A man larger than life sat behind the table and welcomed Robert. He said his name was Mr Klac Steve.
He sat down.
"You know of the death of Mrs Rosemary Adingy, I suppose?"
He suddenly became I'll at ease.
"Yes." He said so very slowly.
"It has come to my knowledge that she hired bodyguards from this agency."
"Only one, sir."
"I wish to speak to him."
Mr Steve sighed.
"He hasn't been seen since Mrs Adingy died. He just went missing."
"What? Who did you tell?"
"Ah. How do you expect us to report such? It would damage the business."
"Even when it has to do with one's life."
"The police confirmed she committed suicide. The boy just left. Perhaps he quit."
"Without warning?"
"It happens at times."
"What if I tell you that this case has been reopened and that Rosemary might have been murdered."
Steve suddenly looked a lot older.
"We don't want to associate such with this agency. Look for the boy and do whatever is needed. We wash our hands."
Robert shook his head firmly.
"It's not that easy. What's his address?"
"He's not there." Seeing the look on Robert's face, he said, "Never mind. Here it is."
He wrote it down and gave it to Robert.