Runo listened to their explanations and asked the same questions in different ways. Shakira presented her reasons and when she was done, Runo reluctantly brought out the documents and her passport. She offered no apology, which Dele found wrong, but since Shakira demanded none, he made no fuss.
Shakira laughed and squealed at every success point in the plan. Dele had never seen her so excited. She sent messages to her sister and friends, and to Deon. Everyone agreed to send some money. With her lost ticket and no-show penalty, she had to pay some amount, but she was issued another ticket. Within a week, she got enough money to fly to Lagos. Her flight to Houston would be the following day, but she had booked the hotel Dauda took her to for the night. The police detective was to meet her at the airport and drive her there.
Dele did not want to ask for anything, and she offered nothing. Altogether, he received a little more than two thousand dollars on her behalf, which was far more than she required, and he handed all to her. On the morning of her departure, he and the police officers offered to take her to the nearest airport in Calabar about thirty miles away, partially to escort her for safety reasons, and also to prevent her having to use public transportation.
There was general talk about the trip and the investigation. Shakira’s voice was louder than the others’ and Dele’s lower, which showed his state of mind, but she didn’t seem to notice. At the airport, Shakira hugged each of them after checking in.
“We’ll hang around till the flight takes off,” Dele said.
Shakira beamed. “Oh, wow. So kind of you.” She pointed toward the departure lounge. “Seems I’m the only one who can cross over here, though.” She giggled and waved.
Runo waved back and Eddy saluted, but Dele couldn’t find it in him to return any of the gestures. His stomach churned as he leaned back against the wall.
Runo arched an eyebrow. “Are you okay?”
He nodded. “Just sad to see her go.” The policewoman snickered.
He watched Shakira smile at the airport officials, who made small talk with her and commented on her passport. She collected the passport from an official and tucked it in her bag, collected her hand luggage from the security conveyor belt, and strolled off. She didn’t even spare a backward glance.
Everyone noticed, but Runo stifled a giggle. “Girl can’t wait to get out of here. I thought she’ll wave one last time or something.”
Eddy smirked. “She’ll do more than wave if the flight is canceled and she needs a place to sleep tonight.”
“Ah, no more drama, please. I’m exhausted,” Runo cried. “Glad to see her go. This was what I suggested all along.”
Eddy shot a quick look in the direction of Shakira’s retreating figure. “She just clogged the investigation. Not like we’ve made any progress.”
There were no seats in the check-in area, so they trooped to the parking lot to sit in the car and wait for the plane to be airborne before they returned.
“You’re so quiet, Dele.” Eddy threw a punch in his direction. “Missing her so much? I’d thought you’d leave with her.”
Dele grunted. “It’s better she went alone.”
Runo opened the car door when they got to it. “What’s your plan?”
Dele waited till they were all seated inside before he responded. “I’ll leave by road tomorrow morning.”
“By road!” Eddy chuckled. “Why?”
Dele shrugged. “I don’t have enough money for a flight.”
He didn’t have any money. Since he promised to help Shakira, he had silently prayed she would think of him and ask about his plans. Or better still, offer to buy him a ticket to Lagos. She had done neither.
Runo gasped. “Huh, Shakira did not think of buying you a ticket?”
Dele couldn’t help but jump to her defense. “She has a lot to spend on.”
Runo snickered. “She took our wardrobe full of lovely things.”
Dele snapped. “Her clothes and money were stolen when she arrived.”
“I’m glad she’s on her way. We can focus energy on finding the rogues behind her tragedy.” Eddy grunted. “At least we’ve confirmed they are in the area.”
“We knew they were a long time ago—”
“Wait, sorry, an announcement was made.”
“They’ve called boarding,” Eddy said.
“We might as well set out,” Runo said.
Eddy scratched his chin. “There’s a place down this road where they sell the best palm wine in the world. Can we just stop by?”
Runo threw her hands up. “Sure.”
Dele would have preferred to see the plane up in the sky before they left the airport, but he didn’t protest. They found the place Eddy spoke about and bought a keg of palm wine and some dry-roasted wild meat.
About an hour and a half later, as they settled down to enjoy the delicacies bought near the airport, Shakira sent a message to Dele from the new cell phone she bought out of the funds she received. She had arrived on time, and Dauda had taken her to the hotel.
Dele sighed with relief. “She’s in Lagos.”
“Oh, hallelujah!” Runo took a swift gulp of the local palm drink. “Hmm, the best of the best.”
Eddy laughed. “Too much of it will get you so drunk, you won’t remember where you are.”
“I’d like to retire into my room,” Dele said softly. “I have a long journey ahead of me tomorrow.”
Runo lowered her glass cup. “Are you going to see her before she leaves?”
Dele smirked. “No. I don’t plan to even if I get into town on time.”
She shrugged. “Okay.”
It was too early to go to bed. He had his bag packed, so he just sat and stared into space. He didn’t even have enough money to get to the bus station. He toyed with the idea of calling Pastor Goodwill, but what would he say? He’d vouched not to lie about his identity to anyone any more. Where would he get about five thousand naira from? He thought of Dauda. His friend could get the money, but at such short notice?
He pulled off his shoes and lay on his back. For the past month, all his basal needs had been met. Couldn’t he trust God just one more time?
Runo knocked on his door. “You have a visitor. The sister from the church.”
He sat up. “Veronica?”
“I guess.”
What does she want? He didn’t want to see anyone from the church or answer any questions. He had hoped to keep Shakira’s return quiet. But she thought she owed Pastor Goodwill an explanation. Though she didn’t blow the cover, there were many unanswered questions.