“I hope you heard the question that your wife asked”The policeman asked Donatus.

“Please, don’t call me his wife. God will not allow me to dine with the devil,” Ese quickly interrupted in an angry tone.

“No problem about that. The most important thing is that he heard your question. Let him respond.”

“Before we travelled, I already have appointment with people that wanted to buy the house we are living in. They wanted to come and inspect the house but there was a challenge; they wanted to inspect the interior of the house too. I couldn’t do it before we travelled because Itohan was always around. So , I agreed with them to come on that particular day because I know that we were travelling. A day to the wedding, we decided to go and inspect the wedding reception hall. I was actually the person that proposed it because I needed chance to meet up with my appointment. Immediately we left, I told Osaro and others that I had an urgent call in the office. However, I begged them to wait for me at the event hall. I did that because I didn’t want Ese to know that I went to the house.
When I got to the house with the clients, there was no sign that anyone was around. I opened the gate with my key and we went in. I showed the clients around and was trying to convince them that they should increase the amount they wanted to pay. As all these were going on, I didn’t know that Eric was watching me from his flat. The clients wanted to see Eric’s flat too but I told them that I didn’t have time to start searching for the keys. That was when one of the client requested that I should tell the person inside to open the door. I told them that nobody was inside there because I thought that Eric has travelled for the wedding. But they insisted that someone was watching us from the window. At that point I knew that I was in trouble.
I quickly saw my clients off and sneaked in from the small gate at the back. I hid at the corner with a strong big iron. Eric thought that I have gone so he came out. I hit him with strong iron and he collapsed.”

“Hei,” Ese shouted.

The police tried to plead with Ese,”Please madam pull yourself together. He still have more things to say. Then he turned to Donatus, ” Oya, brother in-law killer, continue talking. You have not said everything you told us.”

Donatus looked at the police man with the corner of his eyes in anger. But he has no choice than to continue with what he was saying.

“At that point Osaro and others were through with inspecting the hall. They called me on phone and told me, but I begged them to wait for me at the event hall . I met them and we went back together. It was later that I realised that Ese have removed the documents of the house from where we kept it.”

” So, I should have left it there for you. Ha! Thank God my love for you was not a blind one. You would have finished me long ago. What I’m I even saying? I’m I alive? Donatus you have killed me. I have to apologize to my 2 daughters for allowing a criminal to be their father” Ese kept lamenting.

The policemen tried their best to make Ese to stop lamenting. Afterwards, they signalled Donatus to continue with his confession. That was when Donatus made another revelation that scattered Ese’s brain.

” After Itohan heard about the death of her husband, she blanked out. I saw it as another opportunity to strike again. That was why I told Ese to stay with her mum while I accompanied her cousin that took Itohan to the hospital. After they resuscitated her, they told us that she was fit to go home but I insisted that she needed time to rest. They had no choice than to allow her to stay till the next day. I went out to buy a medicine that would flush the baby. In the night, they told me to go home but I insisted that I would stay at the hospital reception so that I could be checking up on her. When I told Ese, she was so happy. Immediately Itohan wake up. I gave her the medicine and told her that the nurses gave it to me. Luckily, she was discharged immediately from the hospital. On our way going home she complained of stomach ache and started bleeding”

The police men didn’t see it coming because Ese moved like the flash of lightening. She dashed forward and held Donatus on the neck but the policemen quickly removed her hand.

“Allow me and Donatus to kill ourselves here,” Ese cried and struggled but the policemen led her away.

********
When Itohan left Ese’s house, she didn’t have anywhere to go. She called Uloma on phone to inform her. Uloma quickly came to her rescue. She informed her mother that Itohan needed a place to stay until she was able to get an accommodation. Her kind hearted mother; Mrs. Paul obliged her. Uloma also called Stanford and Osas on phone to give them the update. They really appreciated Uloma for all that she has been doing for her friend.

Few days later, Stanford called Uloma on phone to inform her that she wanted her and Itohan to escort him somewhere. When they met him he explained to them that he needed them to help him choose an accommodation for his sister. After taking them to 2 different houses, they went to an eatery to get an ice cream.

“What do you think about the 2 places we went to?” Stanford asked.

“I like the first place ,” Uloma said.

“What’s your reason?” Stanford inquired.

” I love the serenity of the environment. I don’t like a house that is overcrowded. I love the fact that the landlord is the only one living there.,” Uloma explained.

” I.T what do you think?”

“For me, I prefer the second place. That place is lively. There are up to 4 flats there occupied by different tenants. Unlike the first place that seems like a grave yard. If many people were living in aunty Ese’s house, Donatus would not have easily killed Eric,” Itohan told them.

“It’s okay. Thats noted,” Stanford quickly said because Itohan was already becoming emotional.

Later in the day, Stanford called Uloma on phone to inform her that the house they were searching for is for Itohan.
Uloma shouted in excitement.

“What’s going on?” Itohan asked.

“Congratulations dear” Uloma told her with smiles.

“What are you congratulating me for?”Itohan asked.

“Stanford said I should inform you that the second apartment we visited is for you.”

Itohan jumped up in excitement,” tell me that it is a lie.”

“My dear it is true. You have just gotten a new accommodation. I am also sure that Stanford will help you to get employment in one of the branches of the company he is working for,” Uloma informed her.

“Ah! God will bless Stanford for me oo” Itohan prayed in excitement.

“Amen!”Uloma echoed.

Uloma went out to do something. When she came back, she met Itohan smiling to herself.

“I.T what is going on? Why are you smiling to yourself?”

Itohan was quite for a while. Later she said,” I think that God want to use Stanford to dry my tears”

“I don’t understand. Uloma told her.

” What is hard to understand in what I have just. I mean that Stanford is still interested in marrying me” Itohan said with smiles.

“I don’t think so. Uloma told her.

“Have I not been in relationship with her in the past. I know how it started”Itohan said firmly.”