The Deathlike Mission - Episode 3

TWO DAYS LATER.

Jide cooker stirred in his sleep as his phone beeped a message. In his subconscious, he reached for it and screwed to the inbox folder, but the new message was not clear enough. He heard another beep that jerked him half-awake. He then realized he was dreaming and he hadn't even touched the phone at all. He blindly searched for the phone with his right hand on the small table by his bed, pushing down an uncovered bottle of water. The thud the bottle fell with jolted him to finally open his eyes. Lazily sitting up he saw the mess the water had added to his already messed up motel room and sighed. He quickly said a silent prayer before finally reaching for his phone. He had a mail from Zuri his boss, he was too tired to have logged off his email account last night, he noticed, picking up his laptop so he could access it better.

What his eyes saw cleared the slumber left in him. A mug shot of a very pretty girl not more than her mid-twenties stared at him from his laptop. This made him a little bit uncomfortable so much so that he had to check around the room if he was alone. She had beautiful almond shaped eyes, perfectly arched brows, full lips, which were all positioned on an exotic well-carved face. Jide had never come across such facial perfection in a very long while

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/the-deathlike-mission-pt-1

. She wasn't smiling, obviously the photograph must have being taken on one of her serious occassions or so.

A cold shiver ran down his spine as he thought about why the photograph was being mailed to him. Ofcourse he knew. The purpose was to be on her trail while waiting for the ultimate instruction to assassinate her. His stomach did an unpleasant somersault at this thought. What could such a perfect innocent face have done to upset Zuri or the syndicate to attract such attention he wondered. Screwing further down to her personal details accompanying the photograph, he got his answer. The details read,

'Kari Salman-Senior special detective SIB.'

She must be on something that concerns the syndicate, maybe must be investigation something that could destroy them. What was he to do now, this was his first major assignment since he joined the syndicate two months ago. If he does this, it could mean bringing him closer to know who exactly the mighty Kingpin is, the real boss of the syndicate and he couldn't ruin that chance knowing what was at stake. It could also mean his death if he refuses to do as instructed, Zuri was ruthless, he kills at the slightest mistake. But on the other hand he wasn't a murderer, even though he was, there was no way in the world he would easily put an end to miss 'perfect face's' life just like that.

'Oh God,' he exhaled realizing there was no way out. He'll do it, but in his own way, he finally concluded relief surging through him. But first he needed the mess before him cleared, then he would start tracking the Kari-perfect faced girl, a sacrificial lamb to finally meeting Kingpin, he smiled broadly to himself as he dialed room service.

*                      *                       *

Kari pulled up at the small dimly lit parking space of the 'Sweet Chops' restaurant and turned off the ignition. It was 8:30pm, there was no way she would be able to make dinner for she and her dad after such a tiring day, so she had to get an alternative. John Malik's case was really taking much of her time. She stepped out of the car with her bag and walked in briskly to the counter to place her orders.

"Two plates of jollof rice, with coleslaw and fried fish, take home please," she was sure her dad will be good with that.

"Ok ma," the sales girl replied.

"And do add a soda and a coke to it."

"Here you are ma," the sales girl brought her order after five minutes. "Your bill is three thousand naira"

"Ok" she quickly paid and left. "Thank you" she said almost on her way out.

With her takeaway bag on one hand and her handbag on the other, she rushed to her car. As she tried to open the door, she felt strong hands grasping her neck from behind.

*                     *                      *

Jide was almost feeling sleepy inside his car parked outside the 'Sweet Chops' building waiting for the lady who just walked in. He had spent the whole afternoon opposite the SIB office keeping watch on her every move. It had been so so boring, but he had no choice. And now he was here waiting for her to get out so he would quietly trail her home and only God knows when she will be out. It isn't that easy to be a bad guy, he thought.

She came out sooner than he had expected and was heading to her car. From where he was parked, he couldn't see her perfect face clearly, but her graceful movement told him she also had a perfect physic.

Then he saw someone else. A man wearing a black hood rushing up to her, seeming like he attacked her from her rear. It wasn't clear to him at first, but when he noticed that she was struggling and kicking with all her might, it occurred to him that she was fighting for her life. He wanted to be happy someone else was doing his job for him, but that won't make him less guilty, so it was better he killed her by himself and bear the guilt all alone. With that he rushed out of his car to save her.  With his skill, he landed a heavy blow on the nape of the assailant. This weakened him as he fell letting Kari free.

"Are you alright?" he asked rushing to help her up as she choked and coughed, forgetting the attacker who stood up and took to his heels.

Too befuddled to speak, Kari pulled out her gun and pointed it at Jide. He did not expect that all.

"Hey! Calm down. I just saved you, i am not one of them. Please lower the gun so you don't pull the trigger out of shock."

She obeyed him without knowing why. He picked up her takeaway bag, took the gun from her and prodded her to lean by her car while she rested and tried to catch her breath. Now he finally got the chance to meet her even before he thought of it. She was extremely beautiful he assesssed while pretending to keep her steady, her face was far more perfectly crafted by her maker than what he saw on that suicide photograph. He also noticed her natural hair shuffled and a loose strand falling over her face which made her look more flawlesss. She also had a dusky skin just like when the sun is setting.

"Are you a bit relieved?" he asked after a moment of admiration.

"Yes, i am," she replied amidst coughing softly.

"There, you nearly scared me."

"sorry."

"Its ok, it was impulsive, I understand. So what really happened?"

"I don't know, but all i can remember is that i was getting into my car and this strange man attacked and began strangling me from behind, i didn't even get to see his face," She replied with fear in her eyes. "He tried reaching for my handbag, like he was going to snatch it or something."

"Your bag?"

"Yes, this bag."

"Check if he took anything."

"Everything is in place," Kari replied after skimming through her stuffs. "Could he have been a thief or what?" she said rather asking herself.

"I doubt that, because the way that guy held you i think he wanted much more than personal stuff," he warned her.

"Yeah, he seemed deadly."

"Well, you should be careful next time. Its not quite safe for a lady to be out by herself this days at this time." Who was he to tell her that, she might be standing before her actual killer for all he knows.

"I know that. Thank you for saving me, i mean the story would be quite different if you hadn't come when you did."

"Its ok," he replied guilt filling him. 'It ain't safe with me either', he wanted to say. "It was actually a pleasure being your knight in shining armour. By the way am Jide, Jide cooker." You shouldn't have told her  your real name dumbhead, he scolded himself.

"And i'm Kari Salman, SIB senior special detective."

Hmmm, there's something about the way she introduced herself.

"Whao! quite impressive, little wonder you had a gun and drew it out the way you did," he tried to sound surprised. "Once again its an honour meeting you."

"Thank you. Uhm, Mr Jide right? I think i've got to start going right now."

"That's right, you need to rest. Would you be fine on your own? I could drive you home i wouldn't mind at all." Just a way to know where she stays right? He mocked himself again handing her the takeaway bag.

"No, that won't be necessary ok, i'm fine besides you've done so much already for one night, that's ok to me."

"Alright then, since you insist you'll be fine on your own i'll just watch you leave," he smiled as he opened the car for her, she entered.

"Thank you once again Mr Jide, i will never forget what you did for me today," she said sincerely from the safety of her cute car.

"Sweet words indeed. Just be safe Kari." Kari this is the first time he was saying her name, for someone he was assigned to kill, he pronounced it too sweetly. He closed the door and watched her drive off. He began walking to his car, opened the door and sank on his drivers seat. He was supposed to trail her up to where she lived, but the attack on her could not just leave his mind. Jide knew the attack was from nowhere but the syndicate, but who could have ordered it he wondered. Zuri had already given him the task, there was no way he would send someone else. She really must have invaded their territory badly, and it must have touched the mighty Kingpin for them to have come for her from all angles. The most important thing to him was that they had made an acquaintance because he needed to know exactly what she was up to that is exposing her to such harm.  About the attack, he would find out exactly what was going on from Zuri, but till then he had to keep her safe because if anyone should kill her it had to be him and that he will do  in his own way. He started the ignition, pulled out of the car park and drove straight home.

...TO BE CONTINUED.