Daniel did not come to Millennium Park.
Zara and Mariam waited forty minutes.
“No sign of him,” Mariam said.
“He sounded frightened.”
“He may have changed his mind.”
“Or someone changed it for him.”
Mariam looked at Zara.
“Do not jump ahead.”
“My job is to jump ahead before people hide the landing.”
“That sentence explains why you created a cleaning schedule during NYSC.”
“The apartment was filthy.”
That evening, Zara went to Nnadi Construction.
Emeka sat behind his desk.
Adeyemi stood opposite him, sweating despite the cold air.
Zara closed the door.
“What happened?”
Emeka looked at Adeyemi.
“Tell her.”
Zara placed the AEGIS approval document on the desk.
“Why did you add them to the bid?”
“They came recommended.”
“By whom?”
“The Ministry.”
“That is not a name.”
Adeyemi looked at Emeka.
Emeka’s voice became quiet.
“Answer her.”
“Dele Adesanya.”
Zara leaned forward.
“What did he offer you?”
“Nothing.”
“What did he threaten?”
Adeyemi’s face changed.
“My brother owed money.”
“Dele paid it?”
Adeyemi nodded.
“Then told me the payment was not free.”
Emeka stood.
“You put AEGIS inside my company because of your brother’s debt?”
“I thought it was only logistics!”
“You signed documents you did not check!”
“I was protecting my family!”
“And what about the families on that bridge?” Zara demanded.
Adeyemi stared at her.
“What bridge?”
“You did not know?”
“No.”
The room fell silent.
Then Adeyemi whispered, “I saw records.”
“What records?” Zara asked.
“An Idu warehouse. AEGIS uses part of it under another company name. There were invoices, reports and payment lists.”
“Names?”
He nodded.
Before Zara could ask more, the office door opened.
A woman entered carrying a pot.
Soft flowers and fruit filled the room.
Chanel Chance Eau Tendre.
She stopped.
“I clearly came at the wrong time.”
Emeka closed his eyes.
“Ify.”
“What? I brought food.”
Adeyemi’s phone rang.
Unknown number.
He stared at it.
“Answer,” Zara said.
Dele’s voice came through.
“Mr. Adeyemi.”
Nobody moved.
“You opened files you were told not to open,” Dele continued.
Emeka took the phone.
“Dele.”
A brief silence.
“Mr. Nnadi.”
“You are calling my employee.”
“I am calling a man who understands agreements.”
“No. You are calling a man you frightened.”
Dele laughed softly.
“Fear is often the beginning of understanding.”
Zara stepped closer.
“Where is Daniel Okoro?”
Another pause.
“Zara. You are involving yourself in matters far above your position.”
“You did not answer.”
“I have always admired your focus. Do not allow ambition to become foolishness.”
“You recommended me because you thought I would obey.”
“I recommended you because you were intelligent.”
“Then do not insult that intelligence.”
The warmth disappeared from his voice.
“Walk away.”
“Is that a warning?”
“No... warnings are given before a decision is made.”
The call ended.
Ify placed the pot down.
“Why does he sound like a man who buries people?”
Nobody answered.
Mariam arrived twenty minutes later.
She took Adeyemi’s statement and arranged protection.
Emeka led Zara into the adjoining conference room.
“You should step away,” he said.
Her face hardened.
“Excuse me?”
“Dele knows your name. He knows we are close.”
“And you think pretending I found nothing will make me safe?”
“I think it may keep you alive!”
His voice struck the room.
Zara stared at him.
“You do not get to decide what fear makes me do.”
“I am trying to protect you.”
“Without trusting me.”
“Because you do not know when to stop!”
“And you do?”
Emeka exhaled.
“No.”
Zara stepped closer.
“This is a terrible idea.”
“What is?”
She pulled him down and kissed him.
The kiss was sharp and angry.
Emeka’s hand closed around her waist.
Her back met the wall.
He kissed her again, slower this time.
“Still investigating me?” he whispered.
“Be quiet.”
“That is not an answer.”
A knock struck the door.
Ify’s voice came through.
“I hate to interrupt the investigation, but Mariam found the engineer.”
They separated.
Mariam stood outside holding her phone.
“Daniel was found beside his car.”
Zara’s stomach dropped.
“Alive?”
“Barely.”