I didn't go home immediately as I wanted to hear from detective Jide before going home, because that's the only way I can be happy that I really achieved something unlike some other days.
I flagged down a taxi and asked the taxi driver to take me to the nearest restaurant. At least I could stay there for a while, take breakfast there as well, while awaiting any positive response from Detective Jide.
It was Sunday, but then I expected that he gets back to me on time, possibly between an hour time.
Getting to the restaurant, I asked the guy to stop the car, while I got down and paid my fare. I walked slowly into the restaurant.
I looked around for a while to observe the place and know if I'd be comfortable with it. It was calm and reserved and there were few people in there, with warm faces.
I walked in confidently to the food counter to order for some food. After dropping my orders with them, I went to get myself a good spot to sit down. A very good position to get sight of whoever is coming in and going out, what ever is happening in the restaurant and whatever might be happening outside as well. It was a transparent wall, so I could see what was going on outside. Though, one could hardly see that was happening inside because it was a little vague.
Few minutes later, my orders arrived. Egg pancakes, chips, tea, chicken fritters and grapes. The latter which I would take when I'm done with breakfast, to while away time. She dropped the bottled water also on the table for me.
I got the bills from the waitress who served my food. Since I wasn't with my purse or my bag, just my phone and a small cash for transport in my pocket, I decided to pay using the instant transfer. When I was done, I sent her the receipt of payment via email and she left after confirming it.
I started eating immediately. I was actually famished. I had barely eaten the cereal I made earlier this morning out of anger. Now, it was actually telling on me as my little stomach grumbled even as I ate.
I was constantly checking my phone, silently hoping and waiting for a message from Jide, the detective. By this time, it was past 11 AM and I hoped that he would get to me on or before 12 PM. I was optimistic about it.
At about twenty minutes after, I was done with eating. I gulped down some water and belched as I swallowed hard. The food was quite tasty, but a bit different from what I do at home.
I took some grapes, fruit by fruit and threw them into my mouth, as I waited for a beep. Just the exact one I was anticipating.
I felt like calling him, to be sure he saw what I sent and looked into it. So I can be sure of what I'm doing, instead of just spending more time here.
At exactly 12 O'clock, I made up my mind to go back to the house. First of all, I would keep all these evidences in a safe place, or those guys might find that I've known about a little of their secrets.
As I got up to leave, immediately I got a text message from Jide telling me that he saw the message I sent and more reports will be coming up as regards it. He also mentioned that Frank actually struck a deal with whoever the criminal was, to get the kids, but to have no part in blood shed or their maltreatment, or anything that's odd and the other party agreed.
Listening to what he was saying, I was getting very furious, especially when he acknowledged the fact that Frank had been involved with the kidnap of my only kids. I thanked him for getting in touch with me, despite the fact that It wasn't a day for work, for him.
After ending the call, I left the restaurant and went outside. Luckily, I was able to see a taxi who just dropped a passenger, so I flagged it down and entered inside.
The distance from the restaurant to my house was quite close, especiallywith the car. Within about six minutes or so, I was just infront of the house.
I paid the taxi driver for his services and thanked him so much. I highlighted from the car and went upstairs.
Going upstairs, I noticed that there was something by the side of the house but I wasn't so keen in knowing what it was, as I was in a hurry to go and secure what I had in my custody, so I overlooked it and went into the house.
I didn't see my mother in the sitting room, so I hurried upstairs to my room. After I had kept it in a secured place and my mind was at rest a little, I decided to go downstairs. At least, to say hi to my mother.
I went downstairs and sat down on the cushion in the sitting room, expecting my mother to come out any time soon.
Just then, my mind went back to earlier when I returned to the house. I saw something behind the house, just like Alex did when he returned home from work the other day.
So, jumped off the cushion and I hurried outside to be sure of what I saw at first. It was a little box with few flowers on top of it.
I was scared to touch it at first, so I thought of calling mother first. I went to the guest room which she room uses for herself.
"Mother. Mother." I said, as I knocked gently on her door and waited for her to come and open the door for me.
I could hear her footsteps as she approached the door and opened it.
"Sonia." She said, looking startled as she saw me standing infront of her door. "What is the problem Sonia? She asked, concerned.
"Not really. Erm. I saw something outside, like a a box and a flower just outside the house. I'm sure you did not go to the market together to get anything, so I'm actually wondering how that is possible." I finished.
She looked surprised, but didn't make any comments then. She asked me to come show her what I am talking about.
By this time, I was beginning to get scared when she was surprised to hear that from me. I took her outside and showed her the box.
"Mom, do you mean you didn't know someone entered into this house then? I asked.
"Seriously dear, I don't know. I have been sleeping for some time now. Besides, you didn't lock the gate when you left and I didn't remember to lock it after you. Perhaps, that was the way. Or maybe they had other ways they could come in."
I sighed after hearing that. I was indeed at fault. Why would I make such a mistake of leaving the gate unclosed. Any one can come in to do whatever they wanted.
"It's alright Mom." I answered "I'll be more careful next time." I said, trying to wave off the blame.
"But, what's inside it? Have you checked yet? Mother asked.
"No, not yet. As Alex has decided not to come home, I'll open it myself." I answered.
I walked to the box and took it up. It had a lid, so I opened the box through the lid, to find a white paper folded carefully. I took it out carefully. My hands were shivering this time as I tried the unfold it, not knowing the next verbal bomb that's about to explode.
I unfolded the paper finally and I saw some writings that looked like it was scanned. I took a deep breathe before finally reading bit, and it says.
"I gave an instruction to stop your search and to forget everything. Give up on the children and turn yourself in, but rather you are trying to be wise! Right now, I don't have enough time. You have twenty four hours to give up or you'll get the corpse of your driver well delivered to you. That's what you need to know for the meantime!"
"What will you do Sonia? I'm really scared right now? Hope they are not in the house already? Mother asked, already fidgeting.
I calmed myself down. "Don't be scared Mom. It will be fine okay. I will send this to Jide immediately. I just hope he gets it on time."
I took a snapshot of the write-up in my phone and sent it to Jide, with few write-ups asking that he sends someone to come to the house for the meantime, Incase of emergency.
Luckily, he replied on time and said he was on his way already and we should hold on tight till he comes. I was glad that he responded fast.
I told Mom that I had relayed the message to Jide already and he is also on his way here to keep us company for the meantime. She nodded, but she still looked scared and a bit shaky. I held her while we walked back into the house.