THE WIDOWER.

CHAPTER 9

Nora and her partner marched through the gates of Strathmore university. They needed answers about the dead suspect. They strolled in heading to the administration block. "What would an university student be doing trailing someone as powerful as Mr Joseph?" Richard asked
"Extra money. Life in campus can get tough and students get into what they call gigs to make ends meet. Others are just catalyst for evil." Nora answered.
They matched through the block to get to the registrar .
"Excuse me." Nora said to lady seated in front of a desktop screen admiring her nails.
"Yes, how may I help you" she asked with a shrill.
Nora almost blocked her ears to avoid damaging her ear drums.
Richard intervened "we would like to talk to the registrar of academics." He said smoothly giving the overly bedecked lady a glamorous smile.
She smiled shyly as she disappeared to room next after knocking.
"You have a way with ladies I see." Nora said with smirk.
"Jealousy doesn't look good on you." Richard said with a wink.
"Hell will freeze over before I ever become jealous of your failing antics and obnoxious flirting." Nora said giving Richard a glare.
"Time will tell." Richard chuckled.
The secretary came back in and ushered them into the office.
They walked into a large office with a large window to the left.
In the middle was a mahogany desk with files scattered and a laptop.
The registrar was seated behind the desk on a phone call. She hanged up after some few seconds.
"Hello, I am detective Nora and this is my partner Richard. We are here to ask questions about a case we are working on and believe that one of your student is involved." Nora spoke authoritatively.
"Yes, yes, sit down please." The registrar offered.
" First ,we offer our condolences for your loss." Richard offered politely .
"Thank you. " The registrar responded.
"Well, I knew that Peter has gotten himself in trouble before but not to an extent of death." The registrar continued to explain.
"Did he have friends?" Nora said as she noted something down.
"Yes, one in particular Jeffrey syoki. I already alerted him that he has to speak with authorities as a procedure. He will be here in a short while." She continued.
Richard nodded in agreement. The secretary entered carrying a tray with two cups and a flask.
She placed it on the table swaying her hips. She started pouring hot milk in the three mugs with the university logo on them.
"Tea?" She smiled as she quizzed both Richard and Nora.
Richard nodded while she continued with the task.
After she was done she left with an exaggerated sway .
"How about Peter academic results?" Richard went on
"He was not that keen with his studies. He missed most classes and this leading us dismissing him at first. He repeated his second year, this is his second semester." Registrar Spoke with strained voice.
"We as a community here take an interest when a student starts misbehaving and failing in their studies. We are shocked as you are for a nineteen year old to end up dead." She continued
"What about his family?" Nora inquired.
"His parents are divorced and he used to live with his mother and his two sisters. So this is hard for his family." Mrs Hilda went on to explain.
There was a knock on the door which she responded and in walked a man.
"Jeffrey come in and have a sit." The registrar offered.
He looked nervous and shook. He sat on the extra sit near Richard.
"This is officer Richard and Nora. They only want to ask you some few questions about Peter." Mrs Hilda explained as she stood up to give them some privacy.
"We understand that you two were friends." Nora said curtly as the door clicked shut.
"Yes...ummmh. we are.. excuse me. We were friends." Jeffrey answered nervously.
"What kind of a person was he?" Nora went ahead to ask.
"Peter was a very social and lively in person yet very secretive. He talked about life as thing to be enjoyed. The YOLO kinda guy." Jeffrey spoke with admiration.
"Did you know what he was up to outside lecture halls?" Richard asked.
"Yes, he had gigs and a lot of businesses he did. He used to say he had errands to run." Jeffrey explained.
"Did he say who were his business associates? Nora asked with a frown.
"No, not even one. That's why I said he was secretive. The last time I had spoken with him was after an argument with his girlfriend about some illegitimate money and how dangerous he had gotten himself with a notorious gang." Jeffrey spoke with regret.
"What is his girlfriend's name?" Nora quizzed.
" Louise Makena ." Jeffrey answered.
"Thank you for your assistance." Richard spoke as let him leave.
"That is something." Nora cut through the silence that hang on the air.
The registrar walked through the door.
"I hope it was of help." She said with a tiny smile which brought some wrinkles at the corners of mouth .
"Yes thank you." Nora said as they shook hands .
Richard and Nora walked through the door to the reception lobby.
They were met by the over eager secretary offering her piece of paper to Richard.
He stared down to see her number written down.
She smiled as she went back to her desk.
Nora snorted to show her disapproval, "This is twenty first century, there is nothing wrong with giving a man your number. It shows you know what you want." Richard said with a dubious smile that spoke he intended to call her.
"Yeah right" Nora spoke with sarcasm.
They walked towards the gate and to their packed car a few blocks away.
"Something about Jeffrey that I can't place. I don't trust him and the information he gave us." Nora spoke her mind.
"Neither do I." Richard agreed with her.
Her phone rang " hey hun?" She answered her call with a genuine smile.
"Hey Nora bear. I want you to come over today there is someone I want you to meet." Jade stated with a chuckle for she knew Nora despised that pet name.
"I hope it is not those blind dates you always do." Nora warned her.
"As much as I enjoy doing that to you, this one is different. A friend to my cousin Daniel is back from America and needs help with a case." Jade said with a sigh.
"That's new and strange but I will be there." Nora spoke as she hanged up.
A friend to Daniel? She only met Barrak and that was a long time ago. She found this very interesting.
"You have a date?" Richard asked.
"What did I tell you about eavesdropping on peoples conversation?" Nora quizzed.
"So you have a date." Richard ignored her.
"I don't see how that is any of your business." Nora shrugged.
Richard laughed.
"I know how much you hate blind dates Jade organizes for you." Richard stated as they drove back to the office.
"And how do you know that?" She questioned with a lifted brow.
"Because I have 'saved' you from your dates severally. I pretend to be your boyfriend and other times I gave you calls as 'emergencies'." Richard smiled at her.
"There is one time I saved you from that man who had a fake British accent. I came in as your body guard and we lied about you being a daughter to a tycoon. He said he didn't believe us and we told him neither did we believe he has lived in England as he claimed. Turns out he was a con man. We arrested him two weeks later." Richard laughed.
Nora giggled.
"Does that jog your memory? Or maybe that time I budged in that restaurant acting like a jealous husband using my niece as a make believe. You had gone on a date with the son of a politician. You asked I save you because you working as an undercover and you didn't want to blow your cover. I made a scene and my sister never forgave me for using her daughter who she had entrusted to watch over." Richard reminded her.
"You over did that. I asked you to help me but as usual you dramatically handled the situation." Nora clucked her tongue.
"But I helped didn't I?" Richard grinned at her.
"Yes you did but not before the security officers dragged us out like a pair of common thieves. It was embarrassing. Thank God your niece was just a toddler." She reminded him.
They laughed at the same time.
"That was fun. Call me if you need saving from this one too." Richard offered after their laughter died.
"I don't know this one feels different. I will call you if necessary though" she promised.
They drove in silence as Nora's thoughts wandered to the evening ahead.

********