We couldn't go to Mr. Frank's house the previous day, because of some issues that came up. Bianca felt it would be better to come on Saturday, by then she'll would have settled whatever she needed to settle.
She explained that, our meeting might take time and she wouldn't want it to exceed the time that her kids dismisses from school as it would disturb her plans.
After all that, we decided to have the meeting this morning, which was okay for all of us.
I and Jessica got to Mr. Frank's house and highlighted from the car. We went into the house and while I led the way, Jessica followed behind.
It was easier to locate the specific house the lived in, from my last visit. I knocked thrice when got to the entrance of the house and I waited.
"Are you sure this is the place? Jessica asked, looking around and feeling uncomfortable. "You know the houses look alike." She added.
I nodded. "Yeah, right. But this is the house. I've come here before." I replied.
Just as we were still talking, I heard the door creak and the next second, the door came open. With Mrs. Bianca standing at the door and smiling broadly.
"Good morning ma'am." She greeted, then looked at Jessica with a little frown on her face. I noticed it immediately and came to the rescue.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mention this on time. This is my best friend, Jessica. She was with me when you called and I thought that it was okay for her to come along with me. I just hope you will be comfortable with that."
"Okay, then."
She looked calmer after I explained. I didn't think there was a need for an introduction, so I let that part slide. She invited us into the house.
As usual, the two cushions in the sitting room, but today it was more reserved. Like she did a big clean up because we were coming?
Well, that is not my business and that's not what I came here for, so that aside.
"Please sit down ma'am." She said smiling.
The smile kept me nervous as I knew there was something behind it, yes, it was so unusual. Jessica, on the other hand wasn't comfortable with the house and environment from the onset. I guess that's what happens when a big lady who lives in a beautiful mansion leaves her place for a lower one.
"I have soft drinks, would you mind if I get some for you? Bianca asked, staring at us.
I looked at Jessica and she signaled that she wasn't interested. "No no, don't worry about it. Actually I ate before coming and I'm quite full still. My friend here, she's not a fan of eating out, so don't bother, okay." I said to her, hoping she doesn't feel bad about it.
"Alright then, it's fine." She replied, still smiling calmly.
She sat down opposite us, ready to launch. I knew she had something, wasn't sure what it was yet, but I could feel it's connected to the kidnap.
Trying to be a mother as I was, "That reminds me, how about the kids? Hope they are okay? I'm not seeing them around."
"Yes, I took them to stay with a neighbor's children so I don't get disturbed." She answered.
"Okay, that's good. So, uhm... You said you had something important to tell me. I'm really anticipating that will be something very useful to the search."
"Yes ma'am." She answered, shifting on her seat, she continued. "Well ma'am, just yesterday before I called you, I got a credit alert from my an unknown person. No name, like it was hidden. It was a very huge sum of money." She said, her hands begining to shake as she mentioned the part of the money being huge.
"No name, not even a hint or something attached? I asked, because that was the only way we could make out something from it.
She shook her head. "Not exactly."
I felt totally disappointed. What was the essence of coming here when there was nothing I could lay my hands on, as an evidence. I needed something, a lead, anything tangible. I was running out of time and still, I couldn't find anything to lay hold on.
Jessica saw that my mood had changed, so sat closer to me, patting me gently.
"Do you remember seeing anything that looks like a description? Because, how were you able to know the money was meant for you and not a mistake? Jessica asked her.
I looked up, glancing towards her. Bianca seemed to recall something at that instant.
"Wait! Yes, that's true. I saw, uhm Frank and business. That was the description, but there was no single name on it." She replied, excitedly.
I saw a glint of light in that revelation, so I came back to myself. "This money that was sent to you, how much are we actually talking about?
She stared at us like she was scared to say it, for fear of anyone else getting to know about it.
"Bianca, no one is in this room with us, except three of us. If there is anything that might happen, you can hold us responsible for it." I assured her.
She became more relaxed and settled after I gave her that assurance. So, she opened up.
"It's uhm. It's 10 million. 10 million naira." She answered.
I and Jessica gave ourselves a serious look and stared back at her. I was, speechless. I wasn't expecting such amount of money. I wondered the kind of business that transpired between Frank and whoever it is, that gave room to such.
Frank, was our driver and his salary wasn't much, it was a decent one, about a hundred thousand and though he was the highest paid driver in our estate, it was enough for him to an extent. According to him, his salary in his previous job was thirty percent of his current salary. Now, getting such amount of money for a business done is very suspicious and should definitely be looked into.
"Sonia. What do you have to say about that? Jessica asked.
For the moment, I was blank. I thought deeply on what to do at this situation, but nothing waa coming forth.
"Jess, I don't know. I don't know what to think or say or do. I'm just, blank."
Jessica saw the situation I was into and decided she was going to help out, no matter what. I was grateful I brought her along.
"Mrs. Uhmmm." Jessica stammered.
"Bianca." I and Bianca completed in unison.
"Mrs. Bianca, thank you. I know it might look like, we are invading your privacy, but at this juncture, we don't have a choice and you on the other hand needs to comply with us." Jessica announced.
Bianca stared at me, I didn't have a clue of what Jessica wants to do either. She turned to Jessica. "Okay, what would you want me to do? As far as I can help, I'm willing to."
"Okay, that's fine. Your husband must have involved in a contract, that led to you getting such amount of money which you are aware that it's unusual."
She nodded. "Yes, that's true."
"Do you have an idea where he keeps his documents? We could get something that would give us a good lead on how to find him and the rest." Jessica said in an assuring tone.
"I know where he keeps his documents, but he doesn't allow me go close to it at all. But I could help get them for you." She answered.
"We really don't need all his documents. We would be glad if you can help us search for anything that looks like a business deal. That's just what we need." Jessica explained.
She looked lost, as if she didn't understand what Jessica said. "Well, I don't know how to do it. How will I know it's business? She asked.
"Just focus on the first and last pages of every document you pick, I'm sure you'll notice when you find what we're looking for." I directed.
Luckily, this time she was able to understand what we were talking about. She left the sitting room and disappeared to the next room.
We sat still, waiting for whenever she would resurface, hoping she would bring anything, an evidence.
"Jess, do you think Frank might be the one behind all of these? The kidnap, the DNA test result that's causing trouble me and Alex. Do you think, he's the one behind it? I asked, almost amidst tears.
"Calm down girl, let's not hop into conclusion yet, till we have something, alright."
"Yeah, you're right."
Few minutes later, Bianca staggered into the room, like someone who had been beaten. In her hand was a brown paper folded in two.
"I think this should be what you're looking for." She said, handing it over to me.
I took it from her and opened it. Below the paper was a clause boldly written, "Frank and Business".
I glanced at the body of the paper, there were words written there, but it was like a code. I couldn't read it, except I know the codes embedded in it.
"Thank you so much Bianca. I really appreciate your time and effort to help us."
"I'm helping my husband at the same time, so I don't mind a bit."
I smiled calmly. "You know what to do about the money, you're not supposed to touch till it's approved and confirmed. For the meantime, we'll keep this, till we find out what exacy it is. We'll be on our way now."
"Thanks for honoring my invitation. I'm so glad you did" She confessed.
"The pleasure is mine. Make sure to take care of the kids and yourself properly."
"I will do that."
She walked us out of the house and we left casually. we got into the car, while she kept waving as we drove out of the place.