The Writer

EPISODE 16

CHAPTER 16

CHEF.

For the past 1 hour, we've been drilling Ireyi with questions. So far, she's handled these questions quite well. But I think she's beginning to lose her wits with the way James keeps asking unreasonable questions.

Like now.

"So. What's your favorite perfume?" James for the past hour kept on with his stupid questions.

Ireyi gave him an 'are you stupid look'

"That doesn't apply to the problem that's at hand James"

"Oh yes it does," he said adamantly.

She looked bewildered, "how?"

"Well, he might be infatuated with the way you smell or maybe he wants you dead because he doesn't like your perfume"

Everyone stared at James like he had lost a screw.

He looked at each one of us, "what, why you all looking at me like that? You know I might be right"

"That is totally stupid James" I decided to speak. After being quiet throughout Ireyi's questioning.

"Yeah, stupid" Hassan put in.

"No, wait. He might be right" Chief said thoughtfully.

"Ehen!" James exclaimed in victory.

We all looked at Chief.

"About what part Chief? Is it the infatuation part or the part about her smell?" I asked.

He looked at me, "Gbenga might not hate her smell. He might be infatuated with her"

"No," Ireyi said shaking her head

"That can't be" Hassan added

"If he was infatuated, he would have just kidnapped her and kept her. Take care of her too" I stated. I didn't want to believe Gbenga would want to kidnap her just because he's infatuated.

I just can't believe that.

Chief looked away from me to James.

"You might be on to something James. Good work" chief commended him.

James smiled wide like a cat that stole a fish successfully. He might be an unserious human being. But so far, he's been the one bringing in ideas, good ones too that have led us to almost taking care of this thing we are in.

"Okay Ireyi, you can go now. You've been of great help" chief said as he got up from his seat.

"Well, I have to be seeing as the case is about me" Ireyi put in.

"Not just you, Uyai too" I added.

James nodded his head humming in approval.

Then he said something none of us thought of to ask.

"How did you know Gbenga has always been the one trying to kill you?"

I looked at him thinking 'I am a fool'.

Why didn't I think to ask that?

......................................

"It's obvious" Ireyi answered as she got up from her chair.

"Obvious?" chief asked.

"Well..." she dragged, giving me a side glance.

I tried to understand what she was trying to say.