Veronica brought some fruit and a light breakfast to the house the following morning and was received by Dele. Her sultry eyes sucked him in, and he couldn’t hold her gaze. Being so concerned touched him. No other member had reached out, though it was still a bit early to judge. Since things had changed with the accommodation arrangement, he and Shakira had only come across Veronica a few times and exchanged pleasantries. Like all other members of the church, she believed the couple were missionaries, and Runo a servant.
“Pastor told us what happened.” She fidgeted. “I thought I would bring some food. I wasn’t sure your housekeeper would be around.”
The church had been swamped with police officers the previous day, and the evening service had to be canceled, so even if the pastor didn’t make an announcement, news would have gone around.
Dele sighed. “Thank you, Veronica. God bless you.”
Runo assumed her role with her hands clasped behind. “It’s so kind of you. Though no one has been able to eat since yesterday.”
Veronica opened her basket. “I know it will be difficult. I put in some fruits and goatmeat pepper soup. It helps when one does not have appetite.”
“Thank you.” Runo picked up the basket and left them alone.
“Please have a seat.” Dele gestured and took one too. “I can’t believe this is happening. Why would anyone kidnap a missionary? Where do they think we will get money from?”
“I’m so sorry, sir. Your eyes are swollen.” She sighed. “I know it will be difficult, but you need to rest and eat.”
He shook his head. “I am on a fast now. With my wife gone, my life is in shambles.”
“Sir? Did you see the news last night? She’s on the news.”
He sobbed. “I saw it. Ah, it is pathetic how they treat a woman of God.”
Veronica walked to him and patted his back. “It will be well, sir. She will be found.”
Runo entered the room and cleared her throat. “I’ve washed the dishes.”
“Thank you,” Veronica said.
Runo placed the basket on the floor beside her and folded her arms across her chest. “We are just praying they will let her return.”
“This time around, we need to leave,” Dele said. “The land is rejecting our ministry, and the Bible says for such a place we must shake off the dust of this town from our sandals.”
“No, sir. It is the work of evildoers, and we reject it. You don’t have to leave. Your wife will be fine.”
“We saw her on TV last night.” Runo rubbed her hands together. “At least they did not beat her or anything.”
Veronica clapped her hands and raised them up toward heaven. “Yes, they did not. And we thank God. People have continued to pray in the church.”
Joshua entered the parlor with Eddy close behind. His gaze swept through the room.
Runo and Dele greeted the two officers, and they responded with curt nods.
Veronica picked up her basket and locked her gaze with Dele’s. “I will bring something light for lunch.”
Runo shook her head. “Won’t be necessary. He told you he’s on a fast.”
“Oh, yes. Sorry I forgot.” She sighed. “I have to go now. I will join the prayer meeting in the church.” At the door, she murmured, “Stay safe, Pastor Dele.”
When she was gone, Joshua leaned against the door. “Good news or bad? Which one first?”
Runo scowled. “Either, Joshua. We should go back to the school and see what is happening.”
“I have been recalled to HQ in Abuja. I am to resume with immediate effect.”
Runo shrugged. “I am happy for you. It’s a promotion, right?”
Joshua grunted. “I don’t know yet. The good news is—”
Dele blurted, “I thought this was the good news.”
“For real?” Joshua scoffed. “All through the night, negotiations went on. Shakira will be released tonight if the process of the release is properly carried out.” He rubbed his hands. “Sorry to say, I will not be here, so Runo you have to get it right. Or Shakira will be blown to smithereens.”
Runo rolled her eyes. “What’s the plan?”
“The money will be delivered to the church premises. Shakira will be strapped with a bomb and allowed to come in. Money must be dropped under the pastor’s window half an hour before she shows up. She will pick up the money, take it to her abductors in their hiding place, and the bomb taken off—”
“No way!” Dele cried. “Nobody agrees to such a stupid plan.”
Runo blinked. “How much?”
“They negotiated five million. The state government agreed to donate it.” Joshua wiped sweat off his forehead though the sun was not up yet. “The time for all this is midnight. Tomorrow morning, you go to the registry and get her married. You all leave this town afterward. It’s become too dangerous for her to be here.”
Dele paced. “I said it from the start. Shakira is now roped into some grand criminal investigation. We should have gone back to Lagos.”
Runo scratched her neck. “Why get married if she’s leaving?”
“Leaving Efayaw, not Nigeria.” Joshua steepled his fingers as was usual for him. “We believe her presence would continue to make the criminals take action, and in this they will make mistakes.”
Dele grunted. “At least we will be in the middle of civilization. I will take Lagos any day.”
Runo shrugged. “Anyway, I will get the rest of the picture from my supervisor.”
Joshua snapped, “I am your supervisor. I will report the continued insubordination on your part, Inspector Runo. You may be of the same rank, but I got on this job three years earlier than you.”
Runo waved him off. For a moment, Dele saw Joshua clench and unclench his fist and thought he would get physical, but the moment passed.
Runo spoke instead. “What time is your flight out?”
“Eddy will drop me off at the park,” Joshua said. “I will be traveling by road.”
“By road! Police is broke, huh?”
Dele would have done anything to capture the two faces before him: the defeated Inspector Joshua, humiliated before colleagues he felt superior to, and the smug little look Runo tried to hide but failed. Politics prevailed in every profession whether these two accepted it or not. He decided to focus his energy on the eventful day ahead.