The Mile 3 Murder Mystery

Chapter Five : Officer Jane

 

The Superintendent of police office door swung open, and a young man stepped out. He had an easy smile, dark low cut hair, and wore his police uniform. Tamuno followed him, gesturing towards Mark.

" Superintendent Jane, meet your new partner— Mark Tunde from Forces Headquarters."

Jane extended her hand, her smile so confident. “Pleasure to meet you, Superintendent. I’ve heard great things. Let’s hope you can live up to your reputation.”

Mark smiled, brushing off the cool reception.

Jane  has  a reputation for being a quick tempered  woman  with a mysterious past. No one knew much about her history, only that she had worked in some of the most dangerous stations across the country before becoming the superintendent of police.  She has a stoic demeanor often led people to underestimate her, but her dedication to the law and her community was unmatched.

She had once admired Police Chief Obed , but that changed after Obed  publicly humiliated her by dismissing her theory in a murder case in the past. Obed’s obsession with control often delays progress in cases and leads to missed opportunities. Her history of clashing with Chief Obed is known. Their animosity grew as Obed repeatedly overruled Jane's unconventional methods, prioritizing public relations over justice. The two have reluctantly agreed to work together on Vera Tor’s case.

Lebari Tor's name strikes fear and admiration in equal measure. But at the moment, his world was fractured. His daughter, Vera, the one light in his otherwise calculated existence, was gone, murdered. Behind him, a man stepped silently into the room. Dressed in black. Nwito, Lebari’s most trusted assassin, waited wordlessly. For years, Nwito had been the perfect assassin for Lebari, emotionless, efficient, and cold. His previous assignments had been flawless.

 Lebari: Drink, Nwito?”

Nwito shook his head. “I prefer clarity when I work.”

Lebari poured a glass for himself. He downed it in one gulp and slammed it on the table, the sharp sound echoing through the room.

“Vera was my only daughter. Someone decided to take her from me to get at me.”

Lebari: Whoever did this, Wherever they’re hiding. You’ll find them. And when you do, kill them.”

Nwito nodded. 

Lebari:  This is personal. I don’t care what it costs, how long it takes, or who you have to burn along the way.

"Yes Sir "

Nwito walked towards the swimming pool side and leaned casually against the pool table. One man he has made up his mind to pay a surprise visit is Charlie.

Jane led Mark out to her car, an old but reliable BMW. Mark raised an eyebrow at the vehicle but said nothing, sliding into the passenger seat.

Jane: I will drive you to your hotel room at Prudential Hotel for you to cool off, tomorrow we start.

Mark: Fine by me.

Jane drove to Aba Road, got to GRA, parked her BMW inside the car park of the huge hotel on the edge of GRA. Prudence  Hotel had once been a bustling destination for tourists passing through the small town. Its faded sign, the peeling wallpaper, and the creaky wooden floors now told a different story. It had been years since the hotel had seen a full house, and the owners were barely keeping it afloat.

Mark shifted in the passenger seat, glancing at the building with a mix of exhaustion and reluctance.

“You sure this is the place?” he asked, eyeing the peeling paint and the lone moth circling the buzzing porch light. He was expecting to lodge at The Jury Hotel. The Jury he understands is the epitome of luxury in port Harcourt , hosting dignitaries, celebrities, and business tycoons and thrives on its ability to accommodate a high turnover of guests.

Jane smiled as she shut off the engine. “It’s not the best in town but it’s what the department can afford. Do you have a problem with it? "

Mark shot her a wry look. “Nah, I think I’ll manage. Thanks for the lift.”

“Don’t mention it,” Jane said “Don’t mention to anyone you are here.”

Mark knew someone already knew he was staying here. Someone has been following him, spying on him. He grinned but didn’t argue. “I go get some rest, Officer Jane. Tomorrow’s going to be worse than today.”

He pulled his trench coat tighter around him and lit a cigarette, taking a long drag. He can feel it, the unmistakable prickling at the back of his neck. Someone was watching him.

His years on the force had taught him not to react too quickly. Instead, he glanced at the reflection in a nearby store window.

Mark flicked his cigarette to the ground, crushed it under his heel, and slowly made his way to his hotel room with his bags.

Charlie lived in a modest but cozy home in a quiet suburb. Nwito knows suspicion will  quickly fall on Charlie, Vera’s  secret lover. The rain poured relentlessly in the night as Nwito forced his way unnoticed into the small  apartment of Charlie. Vera's lover boy, Charlie, jumped up from his bed, his eyes widening in fear.

Nwito grabbed him by the collar, pulling him close.

Nwito: You and Vera were close, right or wrong?

Charlie, nodded nervously. “ Yes, we were. But I know nothing about her murder. I have no hand in it ?”

Nwito: You are my first suspect. I need to know why you killed her.

Charlie's voice cracked. “I didn’t know. I swear! It's  not me. 

Nwito:  Don’t play dumb with me. If you did not kill her then who did and why?

Charlie stammered, “I don’t know what happened! We were supposed to meet, but she never showed up. I swear!”

Nwito studied him for a moment, then brought out his gun. Should he waste him? Doing so would be jeopardising the police investigation. He wasn’t instructed to jeopardise the police in their duties. He strongly believes Charlie is not the killer. 

Nwito: Who do you suspect? 

Charlie: She visited the Bela club the night she was killed. Maybe they can have some information. 

Nwito: I’ll be back. And next time, we won’t be talking. 

For him this mission was not just a job, it was personal to his boss and personal to him.