CHAPTER TWENTY

Juliana and Rosa accompanied the detective Isabelle to Jackson's village.

After providing enough description to the residents, they were directed to the house.

Isabelle knocked, and when the door opened, it revealed Mama B.

She gasped and attempted to lock the door, but Rosa kicked it open, and they entered.

Jackson was pouring water into a saucer as they walked in.

The kettle fell off his hand up on sighting them.

Rosa struggled to recognize him at first glance; he had aged, clearly in his early fifties.

Instinctively, she rushed to hug him, relieved to find him alive after being scared by fake news suggesting his death.

Mama B panicked, pleading, "Please, don't kill my son. He has lived in fear for eighteen years. Don't kill him."

"Why has he lived in fear?". Juliana inquired.

Tears filled Jackson's eyes as he searched Rosa's eyes. "Rosa???". With joyful tears, he hugged her again.

He sobbed. "You are doing so well Rosa".

"I looked for you. I was worried, uncle Jackson".

He sighed deeply. "It seem I have stayed in hiding for too long. I think it is high time we got justice for your mother".

"My mother?".

He led them to the balcony upstairs.

He narrated...

(Nineteen Years Ago)

Mary Ann adjusted her trousers and gazed expectantly at Chief Cyrus lying on the bed. "How do I get my payment?"

The man chuckled, "What money? Do you need a price for your wide hole?"

Mary gritted her teeth and kicked him. "Give me my money!"

She swiftly grabbed his purse from the table, extracting a bundle. "Bye for your sorry ass!"

She left, arriving at the house where Jackson was frying eggs for Rosa.

Pulling him into the room, she flung the notes over his face with a sly grin.

"Where did you get that big bundle of money?" Rosa asked.

"A customer wanted to deny me my money! I grabbed his wallet and paid myself a huge sum."

"What! What if he traces you? You shouldn't have done that".

"Trace me? He's a big man. He won't even have time for things like that," she remarked.

Walking to the sitting room, she assisted Rosa in combing her hair for school. "When you get back, I'll prepare your favorite, okay?"

Jackson packed the eggs and plantain into her food pack, and they both waved at her.

However, Rosa didn't wave back; she angrily left the house.

Mary sighed, "That girl hates me so much. She never says anything to me or even smiles at me."

Jackson shrugged, "Probably she's an introvert like Andrew."

She rolled her eyes. "...don't even remind me of that bastard."

"You didn't tell him about Rosa because you don't want to ruin a family, right?" he inquired.

She nodded, "They have three beautiful sons. I just have to live my life." He placed a comforting arm around her.

*******************************************

She was taking an unusually long time. Having gone out to buy ingredients to cook, Mary was never one to waste time.

Concerned, he rushed out to search for her, finding a crowd gathered on the other side of the road.

A heavy sigh escaped him as he hurried to the scene.

There lay Mary's lifeless body, covered in blood. He cried heartily as he carried her bloody form back to the house.

**********************************

After dropping Rosa at her father's house, he drove to the hotel where Rosa had taken the bundle from.

Following detailed descriptions, he located the man's residence and returned with the police.

"That is the man that killed my friend! Arrest that man!" he cried out, but lacking evidence, the police left.

Days passed, and his life felt meaningless.

The Dictaphone he acquired from a friend sat in the cabinet – a rare possession in Nigeria where dictaphones were not commonplace.

Determined to secure concrete evidence, he retrieved the dictaphone.

Heading to the suspect's house, the man came out, grinning.

"Such a poor young man". He said sarcastically.

"Why did you kill her?". He was still hurt but calmer now.

"Mary dipped her filthy hands in my wallet and stole from me! No one would feel calm".

"Was that enough to kill the poor woman that was only struggling to feed her daughter?".

"Oh! She has a daughter? Did you tell her about what I did?".

"Her daughter is dead. She died immediately she found out about her mother". He had to lie to protect Rosa.

"I researched about you and I found out that you live next to her. You attend Christ Mission Church and you formerly worked at Daily Times publication. I know your biological mother. Her name is Belinda. She is married to Dbiled. My son, even if you gather all the evidence in the world, you won't be able catch me. Money stands for everything here in Nigeria".

"I know that someday, there will come to a time that justice will stand more than money in this country ".

He shrugged. "...if you are still alive by then though ".

He glared at him. "What do you mean?".

"I am going to wipe out your family. If you don't leave that house in two years time, I will wipe out your family before I then finally murder you".

Lacking influence or financial resources, he had discovered that many publications refrained from exposing wrongdoing by prominent figures even when presented with evidence.

This inherent bias within journalistic organizations compelled him to depart from the field.

The restriction on journalists to speak without the approval of their editors further compounded the issue, as these editors often maintained close relationships with influential individuals due to mutual benefits derived from such associations.