STIGMA

CHAPTER 51

Friday 9:00 am

"Did you get any answers?" The D.P.O questioned Bode with curiosity as he entered his office.

"Yes, but there is a little twist", Bode replied.

"What is it?"

"Salamat is lefthanded......", he said.

"I knew it" The D.P.O cut in.

"....And Bimpe is right-handed....."

"I don't think she can kill her brother", the D.P.O interrupted again.

"But also a lefty", Bode finalized and grinned, seeing the confusion on the D.P.O's face.

Bode loved adventures, puzzles, and story twists and he was enjoying the direction the case was going.

"What do you mean she is right-handed and also a lefty? Is that possible?" He questioned.

"Yes. Bimpe is ambidextrous ", he uttered and chuckled lightly, then rested his back on the chair and the D.P.O watched him.

The D.P.O admired Bode so much for his intelligence. Occasionally, he feels he doesn't deserve the position given to me. In every case they handle, Bode was always bringing solid evidence and counsels on how best to solve the case. And sometimes, he feels intimidated.

And in situations like this, he was intimidated by Bode's boldness and confidence.

"How did you find out?" He asked Bode.

"She wrote a letter with her right hand and slapped Salamat with her left hand. Bimpe wrote the letter first before I went to meet Salamat. I saw a mark on Salamat's right cheek as she was writing and I asked her what happened. She explained that Bimpe slapped her, which indicated that she used her left hand. However, she writes, eats, and does most of her things with her right hand", he explained.

"Wao! Bravo! How would I do without you, Bode?"

"I'm honored" He bowed sarcastically.

"There are some unanswered questions Bode that we need to give answers to. Does this mean Salamat is innocent? Is Bimpe the real culprit? What about Raliat? Why is she still missing? Is she also a victim or the real culprit? Is there an accomplice? Is Raliat Salamat's accomplice or vice versa?"

"First, Salamat is still a suspect. Bimpe might and might not be the suspect and Raliat is missing because she is either hiding something or she was murdered alongside her fiance." He ascertained.

"If she was murdered, why didn't we see her body? Remember we found her bags in the apartment." The D.P.O interrogated.

"Very simple. If she was murdered, the killer must have disposed of her body to make it look like she fled for cover from the police." Bode further clarified.

"Meaning the real killer wants us to lose track and assume Raliat is the killer?"

"If she was murdered, yes. But if not, it means two things. It's either she is guilty or she is hiding something."

"What about Salamat, then? She was met at the crime scene."

"If I kill you now my dear friend..." Bode smirked at the D.P.O as he moved his face closer to him. "...I will flee. I won't wait to be caught."

"Even if you didn't kill me and saw me already dead, you will still flee, or won't you?"

"Yes, I will, to avoid implications." He responded.

"Why didn't she run away then? That is what keeps confusing me."

"She is naive", he blurted out.

"Naive?" The D.P.O laughed. "This is common sense Bode. And don't forget the fact that Ayoade had sex before he died. We need to prove who he had sex with before we can conclude."

"Very true." Bode presented.

"How do we go about it?" The D.P.O asked. "Salamat claims she is a virgin and Raliat is still missing."

"Virgin indeed! I don't believe it."

****
Bimpe was told of her parent's presence and she was ushered out of her little home for the last 24 hours. The mosquitoes were terrible and her eyes were swollen from too many tears. Her mouth was also swollen as a result of the blow given to her by Salamat.

"Bitch", she muttered to herself.

Her parents had arrived Zaria the day before and had come to check up on her along with her aunt and uncle. She was glad they didn't come with I.B.K.

She doesn't like I.B.K at all and she knew the feeling was mutual. She wished they were not related in any way.

Her mother had burst into tears immediately she saw her and Bimpe couldn't help but shed tears too. She saw the agony and the unspoken words in the eyes of her father, as well as repentance.

She saw nothing but sorrow and grief in the eyes of her mother and she cried more, mumbling Ayoade's name.

Her father had tried his possible best to bail her out but the police wouldn't allow it. They claimed it was a government case.

Bimpe didn't know it will get to this and couldn't believe she now had a one-night cell experience. She hoped to get out soonest because the place was hell for her.

She had been feeling feverish since she woke up that morning and she was scared her mother would throw a tantrum if she sees her swollen eyes and mouth. She wished she could conceal it from them but that was impossible.

She knew she was looking miserable like a widow but she didn't care. She wanted to be out of there.

"Bimpe", her mother called as she entered the room where they were seated. Her mother was with food warmer and Bimpe couldn't help but salivate in anticipation.

Her father was right beside her mother and he was already looking emaciated in just a day.

Bimpe pitied him.

"What happened to your face?" Her mother questioned as she stood up.

Bimpe was about to answer that it was just a fall when a wave of dizziness swept through her.

The sensation was strong and she staggered. Her mother noticed the look on her face and moved closer to her with concern.

"Bimpe" she called again but her daughter was lost in another world.

She couldn't control herself anymore and all she saw was white and the sound of her mother calling to her.

She lost balance and fell to the floor beside the policeman following her and the darkness enveloped her.

"Bimpe!" Her mother's scream echoed around the building.

****

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