Aisha lay on her queen-sized bed, her face a ravaged mask of grief and rage.
Her father, Mr. Bankole, stood over her, his own face contorted with a grim determination.
He reached for his phone, his finger hovering over a certain number before he dialed.
"Yes, I think it's time. Do it," he said, his voice low and devoid of emotion.
He hung up immediately, the silence that followed more menacing than a roar.
Aisha's body trembled.
"Father, as I desire Tade, in all you do, don't touch him, please," she pleaded, her voice a fragile whisper.
Mr. Bankole walked towards her queen-sized bed.
"I can't stand this damage, my angel, I promised to do what it takes to get rid of him and I will."
***
Tade had reached for the commissioner immediately he realized the threat was getting intense.
He and Anwana now sat across from the commissioner , at Tades' sitting room.
Her head was on his shoulder, a silent plea for strength. Anwana clung to him, her fingers digging into his arm.
"Mr. Tade, I want you to answer a few questions correctly," the commissioner said, his tone patient and firm.
"If we have a suspect, we can start a proper investigation with the information."
Some of his team members were already in the background, their faces grim, tracking the number that had called Tade.
"Think of someone you may have wronged," the commissioner continued.
"Someone who will gain from bringing you down. Someone who has been a threat."
Tade thought carefully, his mind racing through every business deal, every rivalry, every grudge.
He came up empty.
"I don't know, honestly. The only person who has been so bent on my downfall, he actually analyzes it to mock me, is my dad's second- or third-cousin. He's the company COO, Mr. Bamidele, but... on the brighter side, I'm not too sure if he makes statements to mock me or help me push ahead. I don't know," Tade replied, his voice laced with confusion.
The commissioner turned to Anwana. "Miss Anwana, how about you?"
"No one, sir," she said, shaking her head.
"Hmm, my people aren't in Lagos, so I think no one." She kept her gaze fixed on the floor, her mind swirling with a name she was afraid to speak.
The commissioner, holding a pen and a notebook, jotted down notes. "Your mum isn't here, I would have asked her, but..."
"Maybe, I just had one threat, but... I'm not sure. Tade, please pardon what I am about to say, I won't lie. I'm suspecting Aisha," Anwana cut in, her voice trembling but firm.
Tade turned to face her immediately, his eyes wide with disbelief. "How sure are you?" he asked, his voice filled with a desperate hope that she was wrong.
"Tade, that threat came in immediately we are just fine," she said, her voice gaining a desperate conviction.
"Someone is actually trying to break us, and the message the stranger said when he called this evening: 'reconsider who you love.' Tade, who else would want to break us? And haven't you noticed her dad hasn't called, even when the case has been going viral? He always calls when things go south, don't you realize?"
Tade's expression hardened with a cold realization.
Anwana's words, so simple and true, were like a key unlocking a door he had kept firmly shut. The commissioner nodded, a slow, deliberate movement.
"Thank you for being honest, Miss Anwana. I'll be back with something good this time. I'll have some of my men secure the area. You don't need to worry."
Tade rose to walk the commissioner off. He felt a newfound resolve. This was no longer an anonymous threat; it was a personal war.
***
Back in the room, Anwana placed her hand on her forehead. "Huhhh... Tade, I'm just tired of this mess, honestly."
Tade reached for her, pulling her close. "My love, it's going to be fine. I'm just so surprised. What if it's actually Aisha? I mean her dad, he's a big-time senator, a very well-connected man."
"That's serious, Tade," Anwana said, her voice a whisper. "I just hope my baby is fine. I have a bad feeling, honestly. I feel something is happening now." She started sobbing slowly, a wave of despair washing over her.
"He must be scared, hungry, and calling for me, Tade, what should I do?"
"Anwana, please, don't be like this. I'll break down too, please," Tade said, his own voice thick with emotion.
He was trying to be the man he was, the strong, unshakeable CEO, but he was just a father whose son was missing.
She wiped her tears. "Please, I'm sorry I'm like this."
"It's okay, my woman, it's okay," he said, his voice full of a tenderness that only she could bring out.
"Our son will be safe. I love you." He kissed her forehead, a promise and a prayer.
It had been two days since the commissioner got the information. Finally, the investigation was moving. The police had a lead, a concrete, tangible clue in a sea of despair. Tade and Anwana were at the police station again, the hope in their hearts a fragile, burning flame.
"Mr. Tade, we were able to track the number that called," the commissioner announced, his voice filled with a quiet satisfaction.
"Though it was a private number and a burner phone, it seems the person used it in another device, which made it trackable."
Tade rubbed his palms together in relief.
Anwana smiled for the first time in weeks, a fragile but beautiful expression that made her eyes sparkle.
"It's at Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area.
That's where we are heading now. It's just going to be a 50-minute drive. Mr. Tade, you will join
our convoy with Anwana. Stay put. My men are many. Today, we will find your son."