38 Panic PT 2

"Because two policemen are outside and I don't know what they are looking for," June's mother answered. "Are you sure you did nothing wrong?"

"Of course not!"

Her mum let out a sigh.

"Okay, let's just go and see what they want. Your father is talking to them already."

As she walked to the parlor, June reminded herself to stay calm. It's nothing. They don't know anything. But why are they at her house? She felt a knot in her stomach that told her she would not like the answer.

"Good morning sirs," her mother greeted the policemen while she remained silent behind her.

"Good evening ma'am," The officers replied.

"So why are you here?" She demanded immediately.

"Erm, just as we were telling your husband before you came in," one of the officers answered. "There was a car accident at the bridge before the exit or the town last night."

June was beginning to tremble where she stood. A car accident? No, it can't be! She slowly wiped her sweaty hands at the back of her jeans, trying to keep her composure.

"And how does that concern us?" She queried. "My children and my husband were at home last night."

"One of the victims, a boy right before he passed out claimed your daughter was kidnapped last night."

June became stunned completely. Her worst fears had come to life. The killer now has Joana within his grasps.

"That's impossible!" Her father yelled. "Like my wife said, both my children were at home last night."

"No dad," June uttered like she was being remote-controlled. "Joana wasn't at home last night."

"Are you serious?" Her mother asked looking at her face for an answer. Just then June remembered what Joana wrote in the last part of the note. Ju, no matter what happens, remember I love you always and nothing you did could have changed that.

"She left a note," June added.

"Ah!" Her mother yelled frantically as she placed both hands on her head. "You girls have killed me!"

"Your sister wasn't at home last night and you waited until now to tell us?" Her father roared in a harsh tone as he raised his hand to hit her. He restrained himself at the last minute but it was enough to startle June. "But how are you sure it is our daughter, do we even know this boy?"

"We checked the car after taking the two boys to the hospital," The other policeman answered. "Three people were in that car. Aside from that, we found two bags in the bag seat including a cell phone... There were eight missed calls from last night till this morning from a contact saved as 'Juju' and we traced the call here."

"Was that you?" June's father asked looking at her.

"Yes."

June's mother wailed loudly as she went to the floor.

"Joana why would you do this to me?" She said as she wept.

"So what is the police doing to find my daughter?"

"We just came to make sure what the boy is saying is true. He and the driver are in critical condition in the hospital right now... we couldn't even get his name, all he kept mumbling was Joana so we had to make sure."

"Fine, you have made sure. Now go out there and look for my daughter!" June's father, Gabriel ordered. "In short, I'm following you to the police station. You need to have a proper description before you say you missed something," he looked over to his wife who was still sobbing. "Honey get up let's go."

She remained on the floor, wallowing in her despair.

"Come on, get up," he said. "These tears won't help change anything if we don't act fast."

"I want to go too," June uttered.

"You better keep quiet before I slap your face!" He said pointing a finger at her. "You are staying at home until further notice... Gladys get up!"

Slowly, June's mother got back to her feet. June handed her a handkerchief to wipe the tears and mucus off her face.

"Alright, let's go," Gabriel said not minding if his wife was ready to leave. "We don't have any time to waste," he added as he dashed towards the door. As he let the policemen go out he asked. "Hope you are still going to interrogate that boy?"

"Yes, as soon as he wakes up," the officer replied.

"Good... You better don't leave this house," he said finally to June before closing the door.

Immediately her parents and the policemen left, June called Margret.

"Margret he took her!"

"Oh, my God... Where are you right now?"

"I'm on my way to the hospital to check on John. Maybe he saw something."

"Okay, I'll meet you there."

** ** **

Grace headed out the next day again to Vaillant Estate but as she told her friends before she had a plan. The first thing she did was get a motorcyclist from the nearest junction who would be willing to follow Mrs. Badmus' car all around the city until she could get an opportunity to talk to her one on one. It would cost her money of course but time was running out and she had no better alternative. Next, she sat by an uncompleted building she saw the day before somewhere close to the entrance with proper shade as she waited to see the black Lexus again.

As she waited, she thought about Joana and wondered why she had not texted at all. Wasn't she safe yet? As she pondered she realized she hadn't even placed a call through to her to check. She was mostly preoccupied last night by Efe's tale about how wonderful his lunch date with Rose had been. She felt a sense of guilt within her as she considered how inconsiderate was then brought her phone to call Joana.

Coincidentally, as she was about to dial the number, a car sped past her. The plate number spelled 'BADMUS'. Luckily, Grace was wearing a face cap and had her head facing down her screen when the car drove past her so there was no way the driver would have noticed her. Grace almost jumped in excitement. Everything was going according to plan. She waited for the car to go a few more meters away from her before she ran off to meet the motorcyclist she had hired.

"Aunty you don take too much time oh, your money they count oh!" (1) The man warned.

"No worry, I go pay you." (2) Grace replied. "You see that black car wey just pass now now... Follow am!"(3)

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Translations:

(1) It looks like you took too much time Miss, your money is going.

(2) Don't worry, I will pay you.

(3) Did you see that black car that passed here just now, follow it.