PRIME SUSPECT

Chapter 22

March 16,2003

"Good morning  sir" Nat said  greeting his boss  as he walked  into his office, with Liz walking right behind him, who also greeted the boss.

"Good morning  guys, how far with the investigation, have you come close to finding the murderer ? " The DPO asked .

"No  sir, we don't have proof, and have not been able to arrest the suspects because of that "Nat said .

"Have all the suspects been questioned ?" The DPO asked.

"No sir,  we have not had the chance to question the last suspect, but we plan to do that today "Liz said.

"Who is the last suspect?"The DPO asked . 

"The Maid"Liz said.

"After she has been questioned  and you still can't tell who the criminal is, I give you the permission to start arresting all the suspects" The DPO said.

"OK sir "They both said.
************************************
"Good morning  Mr. Johnson, good morning Mr.Roland"Nat greeted  Dennis and Johnson  as soon as   they came downstairs  to meet  them.

"Good  morning sir"Liz greeted .

"Good morning "Johnson  greeted and signaled them to have their  seats.

"How are you guys? "Dennis asked .

"Very fine, thank you  sir"Liz answered with a smile .

"And how is  Mrs. Johnson  holding up?"Nat asked.

" Not very well , I must say and she hasn't been making  things easier for us all"Johnson said and heaved  a sigh.

"How far have you guys gone in the investigation?"Dennis asked looking worried .

"We are doing our very  best,  just put your mind at rest ,everything  will be sorted out"Nat assured  them.

"Actually,  that's part of the  reasons we're here. We came to ask  Ejiro to take us to Cioma's place."

Just as Johnson  was about to say something , Laura came downstairs .

Laura moved close to where  they were  seated and sat down .

"Mr Nat, Miss Liz  meet my youngest daughter, the deceased's   younger sister. She came back from Italy  yesterday "Johnson said .

"Good morning, I am Laura Steve it's nice to meet you "Laura said introducing  herself  as she greeted  both  of them .

"I am Nat, and this is my partner Liz. We are the detectives  in charge  of your sister's  murder case"Nat told Laura .

Laura shook hands with both   Nat and Liz  and then her father continued  saying what he was about to say before she came in.

"So, Ejiro will go with you since she's  the one who knows where to find Chioma "Johnson said .

Johnson called Ejiro to explain  the situation to her and she agreed   to follow them since she was  the only one who knew  Chioma's  house.
************************************Dennis decided to move out of his in-laws house, to go and stay with a friend instead.

"Are sure you would be fine "Mary asked her son-in-law

"Yes mom, I'll be fine, there's no need for you to worry "Dennis said entering  his car .

Just as he was  driving out of the compound , he receieved a text from an unknown number  saying

14??

Dennis read the text and was confused.
He packed his car to check and see if the text was from a familiar number , but the number was very strange too.

He  started  his car again and decided not to sat anything  to anyone  about the strange text he had just received .
************************************
It was around  8:03pm when  they finally  arrived  at  Chioma's village. A long journey from  Abuja to Anambra  which lasted for  over eight hours .  As  they entered the town, Nat packed his car.

"Ejiro  you didn't  tell  us  Anambra was this far from Abuja now"Nat said looking  very exhausted .

"It's actually  not far, it's because  you are coming to Anambra for the first time ."Ejiro said and smiled.

"How far away is Chioma's village from here? Liz asked looking  back  to face Ejiro who was sitting  at the back  seat.

"About one hour or forty-five minutes" Ejiro said.

"I'm tired, I don't think I can take that long drive this night "Nat said.

"I think  we should find a place to lodge in for the night,  I can see a hotel over there "Liz said.

"I'm  tired"Nat said.

"It's  just a five minutes  drive from here ,  or should  I drive instead?"Liz asked.

"No don't worry I'll drive "Nat said and started  his car .