IRENE

Chapter 2

    Diane decided to take a walk outside the estate when she received a call. It was Kate calling. 

"Hello! "

"Diane how are you?". 

"I'm fine but you do not sound fine! ". 

She was silent for some seconds before speaking up. "You are right you know! ". 

"What's the problem?". 

"it's Peter! ". 

"Your boyfriend? What's with him? ". 

"Can I come over to see you at your apartment tomorrow? ". 

"That won't be possible because I have something to sort out tomorrow but whenever I am available, I will let you know! ". 

She let out a sigh of distress. "I just don't know what to do! ". 

Diane could sense the panic in her voice. "Just stay calm! I'll see you soon. "

"Okay! "................. (Lined dead) 

      Diane and Kate had been friends for a month now. They met at a supermarket in the estate. Diane moved into the Estate two months ago, and since then, Kate had been coming over to pay her visits. 

    Diane boarded a taxi to the outskirts of town. The taxi parked in front of a bar, she paid him off and highlighted the taxi. She brought out her cellphone and phoned one of Don's men. 

"I am at our usual spot, I need you here in 20 minutes! ". 

"Okay my lady! "......... (Line dead) 

She went into the bar and walked straight to the counter. 

"Give me two shots of whisky (she pointed to a table) and bring it to that table! ". She told the bartender. 

"Alright ma'am! ". 

She walked away from the counter to have a seat to wait for him. Soon enough, the bartender brought her order to the table. 

"I'll come for my bill later! ". She told him. 

"Alright! ". The bartender walked away. 

Diane gulped down one shot of whisky. She took a glimpse at her wristwatch. It was 7:45pm. She kept tapping her fingers on the table when she spotted Adam. He also spotted her. She whispered under her breath. "The detective is here! Is this guy following me?". 

Adam walked up to her and smiled. "Do you mind if I sit with you? ". 

She rolled her eyeballs. "Yeah, sure! ". 

He took his seat. "What are you doing here madam Diane? ". 

"Call me Diane! What's up with the madam? ". 

He smiled at her. "Are you always like this? ". 

"Go straight to the point Detective! ". 

He chuckled. "I ain't on duty. Drop the detective title and Call me Adam! ". 

Diane spotted the man she had been waiting for. She gave an eye signal alerting him to wait outside the bar. Adam noticed the movement of her eyes. "What was that? ". 

"I felt a little discomfort in my eyes or is it a crime to wink my eyes? ". 

He laughed. "Calm down Diane! Do you hate policemen that much?". 

"Point of correction, I do not hate policemen. "

"Then why act this way with me? ". 

"What way? ". 

He looked her into the eyes. "Like you do not want to see me around? ". 

She let out a sigh. "That's not it! I am sorry you felt that way. I just have a lot of things on my mind". 

He raised an eyebrow at her. "Things like what? ". 

Her face saddened. "My parents! ". 

He looked concerned. "What happened to them? ". 

"They were murdered and I can't seem to get over it! ". 

"Oh! I am so sorry to hear that. Did this happen recently? ". 

"It happened 20 years ago but I still have nightmares about it! ". 

"They are in a better place now, I can assure you ". 

She smiled faintly. "Thanks! ". 

He tried to change the topic. "What are you doing here? ". 

"Like I should be asking you what you are doing here!. "

He grinned. "I came here to relax and ease the tension! If lucky, I get leads on Irene ". 

Diane rolled her eyeballs. "What gave you the impression she will be here? ". 

"Not her, but a man who supplied information about her to the police". 

"How does he know things about her? ". 

"That is what I want to find out tonight. "

"But you said you are off duty? ". 

He smiled. "A detective is never off duty my dear! ". 

"That's lovely! ". 

The man he was waiting for arrived. He waved at him. "He is here! I'll see you some other time Diane". 

"Same here Detective! ". 

He laughed and went out with the man. Diane quickly phoned Timothy who she instructed to wait outside. 

"The detective and a man just stepped out now. I need information about who that man is and what he knows about me. "

"Is that all boss? ". 

"Once you have gotten that information from him, kill him, bag his body and bring his body to my apartment! ". 

"Why not let me dispose of his body? ". 

"I do not want the police to find his body, I want it to look like he just disappeared. "

"That is a very good boss! ". 

"I want it tonight and I do not want any mistakes Timothy! ". 

"Confirm boss! ". 

"When you come over, I'll tell you why I called over to the bar! ". 

"No problem boss, see you in a while! ".......... (Line dead) 

Diane gulped down the second shot of whisky. She went over to the counter to clear her bills. 

"How much is my bill? ". 

"Two thousand naira! ". 

Diane brought out money from three thousand naira from her pocket and gave it to the bartender "Keep the change! ". She told him and walked out of the bar.