The Journey Unknown( In Search Of An Ex)

Don Marcello Proves Himself .

Maria and two other security operatives on duty on the night of the inferno had arrived, before two men. The Crime Officer (CO Clems) and a policewoman who was the Investigating officer called everybody into his office.

"Now, what you wrote in your statements is what you all are going to say. Or is anyone here who wants to change his or her statement?"

There was silence after the CO's question.

"You. Tell us what you know about the fire incident," he told Maria.

"I resumed duty on that fateful night by quarter to six in the evening." began Maria," I went round the warehouse, as I always do when I report to duty before taking over. The warehouse was locked with its keys at both entrances. I went to the office blocks, the windows were locked and the A/Cs were off.

I went and took over duty."

"From who?" asked the CO

"From Mr John. Nobody came in. All of a sudden, people outside the premises were shouting fire. I have just finished my patrol and did not detect any possibility of a fire incident."

"You." the CO pointed at the man she took over from, Mr John.

"Mr John. state what you know about the fire " said the IPO.

He stated, that the other accused, seven in number, stated.

The man who drove the last lorry and offloaded additional foams stated as he wrote in his statement that they left Inter Foam's premises by 8 am on the 6th and at 5 pm dot, they drove in. Five men offloaded the foams, one hundred in number. He drove out of the warehouse and parked where he parked.

The five men who offloaded the foams said two of them slept in the driver's office that night but knew nothing about the fire. The two who slept in the driver's office heard shouts of people and woke.

There was a great silence and Don Marcello asked the driver. " Do you smoke?"

He hesitated and nodded and said yes.

He asked the motor boy. "Do you smoke?"

He nodded.

"That day as you guys were coming to deliver the foams, did any of you smoke?"

They agreed the motor boy smoked.

"While the vehicle was in motion," began Don Marcello, " you lit a cigarette and the window was open and the wind carried just a fiery particle of the light." He emphasized it, as a smoker.

He took excuse and they watched his drama. He lit a cigarette and drew it...one, two. The fourth time, he saw what he wanted. " The wind blew off a tiny particle as this backward and lodged it into one of the foams. Listen. By the thickness of the foam, which was twenty-four inches, the tiny light went deep down. It was not possible to be detected by the offloaders.

Then, that tiny bit of fire from the cigarette continued shimmering until it froze into an inferno. The whole foam became fire and spread with time.

There was no doubt. Even the IPO saw that was what happened.

The CO(Crime Officer) asked Don Marcello for his number and address.

Outside the station, Don Marcello lit a cigarette and clenched his teeth. He was crying. "Oh. God." He shed two drops of tears." Where. Where. Where will I find her!" He threw the cigarette away. Maria hooked their arms and leaned on him. You will not go without me."

"I am on a journey. I don't know where and when it will end. The case will be over tomorrow. You will go back to work." Don Marcello advising her, she was waving her head." If I am useless let me be for you. I will not leave you."

"No. If you don't want to continue in the job, do a feasibility study of what you want and bring it, I will fund it."

Neither that nor the job will comfort me more than you...I don't know how to put it but all I know is anywhere you go I will go, anywhere you sleep take me in your arms."

" Don Marcello cuddled her and patted her shoulder.

They dashed into the Bugatti.

They seemed exhausted. They went back to their chalet.

"What do you need?"

"Anything."

"Not anything. You made a choice to follow me, make a choice now and always what you want." Don said." I am a careless man."

"Careless? You are not. If you are careless, why did you save me?"

"No, coming to that, I will make heaven. I am available to help people."

"Then stop saying you are careless. You are the most careful guy. "

"I appreciate. Okay, what do you want?"

"Maria hummed and smiled." Jollof and Chicken? So they have it here?" "This is an intercontinental hotel."

" Okay."

Don Marcello lit his cigarette and measured a Cognac from the bar and up going, a service girl was coming behind him with a tray of Maria's dish.

No eating in the restaurant, no publicity. All his preoccupation. Find Melissa.

Maria curved her arm into the crook of his and leaning on him, asked" What can I do to ease your worry?"

"Don Marcello grinned." I understand your feeling. But is it worth it? If I find her today, I am gone and you may feel hollow."

"Marcello." Maria called him and cleared his mind," I know you have a wife. I am rational that I can't tell you to marry me." she said.

Two days are going by, won't he give her what she desires?

She desires many things, but one first.

Would he?