I woke up this morning with a start, after my alarm had ring, which actually woke me up from sleep. I stayed on the bed for few minutes, before getting up and stretching myself for a while.
I went to the bathroom to ease myself and I returned back to the room. The alarm was still ringing, so I turned it off, grabbed her phone and headed downstairs.
It was past seven on a Sunday morning, but I made up my mind to stay back home, not when Alex has been out of the house for two days!
I went to the kitchen and opened the cupboard to select what I wanted. After some deliberation, I took out the can of milk and placed it on the table. Grabbed a small bowl and a spoon, dropping them on the table.
I poured some milk into the bowl, closed the can and dropped it back in the cupboard. Then, I took out the cornflakes and poured some of it into the bowl and sat down to eat.
While eating, I opened my phone to check my calendar app for any reminder set for today. Just then, I recalled the incident that happened the previous day in Frank's house. I thought about what to do with the paper I had with me. I didn't want to involve the detective yet, till I was sure I had a concrete evidence.
Mr. Frank was a good man and a lot of people said the same thing about him. So, I couldn't say if it had anything to do with the kidnap or not, at least, not yet.
I dropped my phone on the table, still thinking about who I'll go to, to get those words decoded. I needed a trusted programmer. Few seconds I dropped my phone, it vibrates and I checked to see Jessica calling.
I tapped on the accept icon "Hey young lady." I said. "Good morning."
"Good Morning my manager. Uhhmmmm, I just called to check up on you."
"Hmmm, that's very nice of you. Thanks."
"Yeah. I want to assume that you'll be staying at home today, am I right? Jessica asked.
"I can't and I'm really not in the mood to. My pastor is aware of the situation on ground, so I'm sure he'll understand. Also, going to church alone, without my husband or my children, is heartbreaking. So, I'd rather just stay home and mourn." I finished
"Mourn you say? What are you mourning for? Jess asked in surprise.
"Nothing exactly, just for being lonely, I guess." I answered.
"You'll be fine okay."
"I hope so. How are you feeling? You know you complained of fatique yesterday. Are you better now?
"Getting much better. It kinda subsided."
"Great. Is Eddy back yet? I asked, a little bit curious to know.
"I wish the answer to that is a yes, unfortunately, it's not. So, he isn't home yet Sonia. I also have a feeling that he's with Alex wherever he is."
"Yeah, I thought about that too. I just hope they're safe out there though." I muttered.
"They are. Don't worry about them okay, they're big boys so they'll be fine. Erm, what about that stuff, of yesterday. Have you been able to find anything yet? Jessica asked.
I sighed lightly before answering. "I haven't Jess. I'm kinda confused about what to do honestly. But, I'll work on that though, I just hope it works still."
"Well, I'm not praying Frank is the culprit, but I just hope this will lead ilus to something tangible."
"We'll find out."
"Yeah, right. In the meantime, please do take care of yourself alright. I'll talk to you later darling."
"Alright. Take care of yourself then."
I hung the call after that and continued with my cold cereals, thinking deeply on what to do about the paper in my custody.
Perhaps, I should send it to Jide just like that, or wait till I get another idea. I got tired of thinking and abandoned the cereals on the table. I was still walking out when I stumbled into my Mom.
"Hey, watch it. Are you okay baby girl? You look so troubled." She said, like she was really concerned.
"I'm not okay, so just let me be " I answered coldly and walked out of the kitchen, stamping my foot so hard.
I knew I wasn't going to be comfortable in that house, not after raising my voice on my Mom, so I decided to step out of the house, for the meantime.
I left the compound and found myself walking on the street. Perhaps, taking a little stroll could do the magic, I presumed.
I still had a lot in my mind. How was I thinking that I could let it go so easily. I thought a little stroll could do it, or maybe I needed to move some distance further.
I felt a tap on my back and I stopped for a moment, not knowing what to think. Had those kidnappers finally gotten hold of me?
I turned around quickly to see who it was, my heart racing so fast. I remembered the face, the guy from the next building, my neighbor per say. I tried to remember his name, but it was so obvious that I had forgotten.
"Mrs. Sonia? Are you okay? I've been calling from afar, but you seemed not to hear me.
I couldn't remember someone calling my name. I must have drifted at that time.
"I'm really sorry, a lot has been on my mind lately, so please don't blame me. Mr...."
"It's George, ma'am."
"Okay. So, how may I help you? I asked, not willing to lengthen the conversation.
"I think it should be the other way round, how may I help you. I know you've been having tough times these period and it's telling on you. I don't know why I'm really showing so much interest, but I love your twins, very smart kids and I really wish I could do something to help." He said.
I thought about what he said, and my mind went back to the folder Bianca gave me. Could he help me find someone who can hack those codes for me and translate them. I thought to ask.
"Thanks for your concern. I really do appreciate. For the meantime, I don't know if you can help me find a tech person, a programmer that can help me translate some codes for me. Do you think you can help me on that? I asked, hoping that he would say yes to that.
He burst into laughter and throwing his hands on the air. I don't know what that meant, but I know I was surely embarrassed by his actions. I was getting pissed off and almost left him standing there.
"Mrs. Sonia, I'm really sorry. The funny thing and good thing about the situation is that, I'm a tech guy. I work from home for a lot of companies, so you are actually at the right place." He explained, smiling.
"Oh my goodness, are you serious about that. Oh my goodness. Thank you so much. Please, when should I get the codes so we can start work. I don't mind working on your terms."
"I can start right away if you are okay with that, just give me a time and I'll take it."
"Oh my goodness. I don't know how to thank you enough, I'm going to my house right away and I'm getting the codes."
"That's fine with me, I'll be outside waiting."
We went to my house. While he waited outside my gate, I went in to get the folder containing the codes. My mom wasn't nearby, so I didn't bother about it.
Getting the folder, I went out to meet him and handed it over to him. He asked that I follow him to his office in his house and of course, I said yes, how could I reject the request.
His office was a cozy one, quite decorative and more comfortable than mine. No wonder he prefers to stay home all day as he said.
In no time, he started working. I had no idea what he was doing though, I just sat at the corner and watched him do his job.
About ten minutes of working or maybe more, he said he was done. He printed the finished work and handed it over to me.
I glanced at the paper and really couldn't understand what was there. Though, I could see that an agreement was made and a contract signed. Another thing that caught my fancy was the fact that the agreement was to deliver two packages of equal proportion and that was suspicious.
I thanked Mr. George profusely for a job done and he said he was very happy to help. Of course he was, it was written all over him.
I asked that I used his phone to send the digital copy of the translated codes to someone. He gave one to me and I saved detective Jude's contact on it. I sent the copy to Jide and explained how it came about and asking for a feedback on the situation soonest.
After that, I thanked George again and folded the paper properly. I promised to get to him and also contact if needs arises, then I left.