The Picnic - Episode 2

As Bola strangled her, she woke up immediately to realize it was only a dream. "It's just a dream" she mumbled. 

"Dreaming about death again?" Her little sister, twenty three years old Omo asked.
"No" she lied. "Try harder next time sis cause I'm not buying it." Omo protests, moving away from the table where she was reading an inspirational book, Good morning holy Spirit  by Benny hinn.
She sat on the bed now looking at her sister in disbelief. "It's my mind creating things Omo, you don't have to be worried"
"Sister, sometimes dreams do come to past. It might be it's our village people trying to send arrows" Omo spoke like a true religious fanatic. "Omo!" Rukky rebuked, "I'm fine it's just the whole Bola's death that's messing with my head." She paused rubbing her forehead. 
"I keep seeing his body" she added muttering some inaudible words afterwards.
"But wait o, how come you keep on seeing Bola's body? Not like you were at that picnic" Omo asked, "The pictures are all over the internet." Rukky answered and Omo still gazed in disbelief. 
She knew her sister was hiding something she just didn't know what.
"Una no dey sleep? Which Kain talk una con dey talk na?" Their mother walked in with a wrapper tied around her chest. "Rukerwe you no say you get work tomorrow"
"Mummy I hear" she added going back to bed while Omo resumed reading.

The sweet aroma of egusi soup filled the kitchen as Aunty Dupe stirred through the pot of boiling egusi soup then covered it with a lid

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/the-picnic

. Duro stood by the door quietly watching her. 
"If it's not my favorite aunt  preparing my favourite meal" he said which shocked Aunty Dupe who was unaware of his presence.
Aunty Dupe folded her hands amazed to see him despite his promises to come that day. It wasn't the first promise he had broken.
"Is it just me or I'm seeing double?" She asked and Duro laughed. "I didn't think you would come"
"Yeah right! That explains why you're cooking my favorite meal" Duro answered sarcastically, "Well you're just in luck" Aunty Dupe replied with a wide smile then opened her arms wide embracing him.
"I missed you so much" she confessed.
"You couldn't even visit" she complained leaning on the counter. "You didn't even attend your own sister's wedding"
"Something came up Ma"
"More important than Adunni's wedding?" She threw in raising her palm as though to slap him. 
"I had to investigate a cult clash incidence in Port Harcourt. Lives were at stake, students were injured and taken as hostages"
Aunty Dupe grew interested in the topic. "I heard about the news. It was all over the social media. So what was the result?"
"We lost two students and saved ten and it was all me"
"Look at this one" Aunty Dupe scoffed, "While you take the glory for yourself, I'd like to bring to your notice that your sister hates you now"
"If you guys can see things from my perspective"
"Gbenu Dake! (Shut up!)" She barked him, "What perspective are you talking about? You missed your brother's burial Duro that's unforgivable"
"Wow...you sound really mad at me"
"Mad? I'm not as mad as your mom and your sister. If your father was alive, he would have let hell loose here on Earth but....." She paused, shutting her eyes almost in tears.
The thought of Bola being dead gets her unhappy. He was never her favourite, but she never dreamt of one day having to attend her nephew's funeral.
"Aunty Dupe, are you okay?" Duro asked, "Bola didn't deserve to die the way he did you know? He was only 28. God will punish those that plotted this"
His gaze suddenly met with his aunt's. "Plotted?" 
"Ignore me dear"
"Do you know the implication of using the term plot?"
"I said ignore me"
"Aunty, what do you know about how Bolaji died?"
"They said it was a stray bullet from a gunshot from a robbery going on close to the pool house"
"What makes you think it's not?" He asked, "Bola had very disturbing last days before he died. He didn't want to say anything. He was just being secretive just like you always were. You all are so secretive! Just like your father"
"Disturbing last days as how?"
"When I would pay him visit to his house, he would diss phone calls, he would yell while making calls. I tried to sit him down and talk to him but he won't listen, he would just joke about it. I don't even trust his so called friends"
"Everyone loved Bolaji"
"Wake up Duro! You of all people should know the world is full of fake friends. They're poison and worst than enemies. I refuse to believe in the stupid stray bullet tale, there's more than meets the eyes about this case and I trust you to find out."

Days later, Duro scheduled a meeting with the  officer incharge of Bolaji's case. After waiting thirty minutes for the man in a restaurant, he called the waiter to pay for the drink he bought.
 Just then a man walked into a restaurant in suit and suitpant looking around. Duro sighted him afar off then waved at him. 
"You must be Durodola Daniel the man who called me shea?" He asked and Duro gave a gentle nod trying to hide the anger of waiting that long. 
"I apologize for coming late, I had to attend  my daughter's P.T.A meeting or else my wife would kill me. You know women and their wahala na"
Duro gave a fake chuckle and a nod. "The worst case is that the teacher didn't want the meeting to end and that witch of a proprietress, I was about to leave fourty five minutes ago when she said 'Mr. Jacob, the meeting hasn't ended yet'. I almost melted in shame with those women looking at me as if I was the only one eager to escape." Mr. Jacob rambled on while Duro thought of a way to divert. 
"Apology accepted Sir, what would you like to order" Duro signalled to the waitress, "Egusi and eba. It's been a while since I've eaten Egusi. My wife is allergic to it." "I'll have the same" Duro added and she left.
Duro almost rolled his eyes, he didn't want to dwell on a subject about Egusi. He wanted to hit the nail on the head but at the same time, didn't want to come out strong and rude. 
"My name is Olusegun Jacob, I was surprised when I got a call from you, what is it you want to talk to me about?"
"I heard you were the one who handled the case of Bolaji Daniels"
"Bo ..la...ji" Mr. Jacob slurred, "Bo..la..ji, Bolaji... Oh that young guy that died. He was killed by a stray bullet. Apparently, there was a robbery nearby and unfortunately, he was hit." He paused in thought, "Durodola Daniels shea? Ehya, you're his brother. I'm sorry for your loss"
"What exactly happened?"
"They were hiding and unfortunately he was hit"
"Where was he found?"
"By the pool" Mr Jacob cleared his throat, "If he was hiding, why would he be found dead by the pool?"
"Haba!" Mr. Jacob scoffed, Duro was beginning to get on his nerves. "How will I know"
"You investigated the case"
"How is this your business?"
"I guess there's no proof that he was actually shot by the robbers so it could be anybody" Duro thought out loud. 
"Abeg, I am not understanding again o, I said it was a stray bullet that hit the man and now you're saying rubbish"
"I'm sorry sir, but I just need to clarify this cause I heard you handled the case."
"And I closed it at stray bullet. There was no further investigation.

Read " Dysfunctional " by the same author ( Essien Eno )

. The armed robbers went away with 28 million naira from the bank, can you imagine?" He replied trying to create a diversion.
"I'm not a fool Sir, I know you're trying to avoid the topic. All I need now is your paperwork and some insights and"
"Nothing!" Mr. Jacob roared. "You will get nothing from me. Abeg who you be sef? You think you can bring me out of my house so I can listen to this rubbish?" 
He stood up to take his leave then Duro sniggered at him.
"Maybe I didn't introduce myself well. My name is Detective Durodola Daniels. I'm pretty sure you must have heard of me before"
Mr. Jacob stood still then looked at him in fear. He has heard a great deal about him; the competitive and deterministic son of a gun. Mr Jacob sat on the chair, his hands clasped together on the table as though begging him. "Abeg, I no want any wahala"
"All I need is every information you have and if you know what's good for you, you won't withhold any information."
Shortly after, the waitress arrived with the food.