THE UNKNOWN- EPISODE SEVENTEEN

The Unknown

    Henry quivered. That event happening actually made him remember when he was still young and needed a sum of money of his school fee. His father was a tough man before his death and never did as if he heard his pleas concering the money. When the teacher had almost beaten him to death, he had no choice than to steal in his father’s room.

    But, that was his father, not Engineer Ashley at all. His father caught him in the act and dealt with him even more than how the teacher did to him. But wouldn’t Engineer Ashley just kill him? He had thought as he fixed his eyes on him.

    One prevalent thing about Engineer Ashley was that he hardly wouldn’t forget either a file, document or some architectural designs at home. He just remembered he had forgotten to pick an architectural design that had to do with a special project awarded to the company. He hated it when a driver or gatekeeper barged into his room to help him search, or else, he would have sent one of them to be of help to him. But, an ordinary cook in his room?

    Henry was moving backward, using his tilted leg to push in the drawer so that his punishment would be raised to the power of ten. He gave a short breath as he concluded that. Yet, Engineer was moving closer to he got to his front. “Madam.. em… what’s even her name? Madam Beatrice told me to clean the kitchen and everywhere in the house. That’s what I have been doing, Sir.” He shook as he told him.

    “It was my daughter that told you to clean all the rooms in this house?” He asked again.

    “Yes.. yes sir.”

    “Alright, no issue. No issue at all. Next time I meet you inside this room or next time you just enter into anyone’s room without prior  green light or notice, you’re dead!”

    “Y..yes.. yes sir.” He shivered and cruised to the left and made his way out of the room.

    “Why would Bibie ask him to clean up the rooms? By the way, hope he hasn’t found this diary?” He opened the drawer and brought out the ‘Confidential’ diary. “I don’t even know why I’m writing all these down, I should dispose this.” He said as he flipped the pages.

    He hissed and hurried to his wardrobe to get the architectural design. As soon as he got it, he hurried out of the room.

    Walking through the living room swiftly, Henry who had finished eavesdropping all he said in the room saw him with the ‘Confidential’ diary. He walked into the kitchen quickly, he had to know what’s up with the Kitchen.

****

    “It’s ten am already, ma’am.” Vivian told Beatrice.

    “That’s good of you, Vivian. I like people who are sensible and get their work done at the right time.” She paused, “we should head on to the Prince’s office.” She said as she shut down the laptop before her.

    “Alright ma’am, let’s go.” She said as she walked on.

****

    “Nicholas, I think I found something.” Henry said to Nicholas as he placed his mobile phone firmly to his ear and parading the small room given to him.

    Wiping his sweat, he sunk into the mattress and laid his back. “I said I found something.” He repeated, perharps, Nicholas never heard him.

    “What’s it? It pertains to our case, right?” Nicholas asked him quickly.

    “I am not sure. Engineer Ashley had gone to his place of work earlier and I was searching his room. Suddenly, the door flipped open and he walked in, asking me what I wanted. Before then, I found a diary which the word ‘Confidential’ was inscribed on it.”

    “So, is he still at home?” Nicholas asked him.

    Henry was sure Nicholas was ready to get the diary instantly. “He took it along with him as he left the house. It seemed he forgot something at home, so, he came that.”

    “For him to have taken it, he must have suspected you.”

    “I think so. He met me at his drawer and it was there he kept it.” Henry replied.

    “Alright, no problem. Have you started preparing fried rice for the ladies?”

    “I’m going to start now.” Henry replied.

    “Later then.” Nicholas ended the call.

****

    “At first, I thought we’d have to get one of the criminals that kidnapped that small boy, but now that Mrs Priscilla waved it till weekend.” Craig told Doris.

    Doris nodded. “But, was there any other thing apart from the signature of The Unknown?”
  
    “Hmmn..” he giggled. “None. But, I just remembered something.” He looked at her as he halted.

    Doris stopped too. “What is it?”

    “The Unknown and the little boy share the same redolence. They have the same scent, same perfume! Forever Mine.”

    “Really? Let’s go and check the list of those who do order for the perfume.” Doris said as both hurried to the office. The list had been sent to them.

****

    Engineer Ashley’s mind had been on race since he met Henry in his room. He wasn’t sure if he had opened the drawer or even the diary. He had looked so concerned because he never wanted anyone to read the content of the diary.

    But, he wasn’t so careless to have left something so confidential inside his drawer. He did keep it inside his traveling box and would always lock it a code not even known by Beatrice. He had to write something down inside it and that made him leave it inside the drawer beside his bed.

    At first, he wanted to shake it off but remembering Chief Sam, he shook his head. He had always wondered if The Unknown would come for him. At least, it wasn’t Chief Sam alone that was involved in the act, but speaking to the other commission of four that was left, he was assured that all was well because Chief Sam wasn’t careful enough.

    He gave a long breath. Mike wouldn’t be connected with The Unknown, he had thought as he shook his head again and looked at the diary. He hissed, why would he even write down such things inside the diary? Why? He hit his thigh slightly as he pulled his lower lip in.

    But, why has been so concerned? He asked himself. Mike wouldn’t have opened it. He surmised. But looking outside to ckear his evil thoughts, his mind struck it again and he picked his mobile phone to call Beatrice. He needed to know if she really sent him to clean the house.

****

    The diary.

    At least the deed had been done, the throne shouldn’t be left empty for a long time. It was two weeks already and the King had been buried. Everyone was getting off the death of the King and expecting the new King to step on the throne.

    But as tradition had it, Prince Dennis must have a wife before he would be crowned as the next King of Taraka Kingdom. Now, the two weeks the Chiefs had given him just elapsed and the cabinet members were all seated in the palace, ready to see who the King-to-be would bring in as his wife.

    Harry had relaxed, ready to see his brother’s choice. His weird thought had always been that Dennis would never get a lady to marry him within a week. Though, he was a Prince, even a handsome one. But, he knew he was always careful of the lady he would fall in love with. Would he ever get a good lady to marry within two weeks?

    Prince Dennis who had no one but the one he had started liking. He had promised not to stress himself before getting himself a suitable queen to be by his side always. His two weeks was just for him to transform Margaret to a Queen.

    It was a great surprise when he walked inside the gathering and greeted the Chiefs on seat. He addressed them in a low tune and seated.

    “Your wife, our Queen.” Harry who had been laughing said from his seat. He had been watching his brother for the two weeks. He never left the house to search foe any woman and he knew he had no one. Trying to play his games well, incase if his brother found no woman, he might be the King. He grabbed a bright lady from the stream and started following her  around.

    Katherine was a tall and beautiful lady. A lady who just got to Taraka Kingdom after they were released from slavery in Maro by the slavehunters. She had refused him with regard to all she had been hearing, but her parents had told her to go ahead, at least, that would make them taste wealth too.

    “Yes, let my wife come in.” Prince Dennis said and the door was opened unto Margaret to come in. “Here she is.” He added.

    Harry raised his head and saw the Margaret that he had been looking for. “No!” He shouted as every one started prostrating for the new King and Queen.

****

    Doris and Craig hurtled their gazes at the enveloped list of the recent buyers of the perfume to their Kingdom. “Nicholas Smithson.” Craig raised his head and looked at Doris. “Is this Nicholas?”

    “Yes.” She replied.

    “You never told me he uses this same perfume.” Craig said.

    “I thought that wasn’t neccessary. At least you have seen him severally, you must have sniffed his scent. By the way, Nicholas, off all people…” She chuckled.

    Craig looked away. “What of Matthias Victoria, do you know her?” He asked.

    “No.” Doris shook her head.

    “They are just ten. I said it, this perfume isn’t popular here. We just have to contact all the remaining nine of them, but, do you think Nicholas can do this?”

    “Nicholas? Firstly, the day The Unknown saved me from those men at Chief Sam’s place, his voice was husky. By the way, the night The Unknown came to save me in the forest, Nicholas was at Prince Edward’s place, performing for Prince’s birthday.”

    “Okay. Now I understand.” He said as he took a second look at the list. “We can contact all these nine through their various house addresses.” He said.

    “But, how did they know the address to their houses?”

    “When you order for something, won’t you put your house address?”

    Doris chuckled.

****

    Engineer Ashley just ended the call between himself and his daughter. Beatrice never told him to clean the house, so, what exactly was he doing there? Engineer wondered as he took in a long breath.

    He picked his mobile phone and dialed a mobile number. “Where can we meet? I have a business for you.” He said.

    “Alright, right away.” He said and ended the call.

    He fickled his wrist and stared at the watch. “Alright, when you get to the office, just park and get down. I’ll drive to where I want to visit myself.” He told the driver

    “Yes sir.” The driver replied.

****

    “My love.” Beatrice grinned as she walked into the Prince’s office.

    Prince Edward laughed. “Beatrice, what a surprise!”

    “That’s who I am.” She settled down.

    “You look so sexy.” He teased her as he sat down too.

    “You look so handsome.” She beamed and looked around. “I love this set-up of your office.”

    “Ooh.. don’t mind me.” Prince laughed. “What would you like to take?”

    “Em.. wait, let’s take this in a steady way.” Beatrice chortled.

    “By the way, where’s your handbag? Okay, you left them in the car?” He asked.

    “No. My phones and handbag are with my P.A, she’s outside there, with the Secretary.”

    “Won’t you let her meet me?” He looked at her closely.

    “Okay.” She smiled and walked to the door to call Vivian in.

    Vivian walked in and bowed on seeing the Prince. “Good morning, my Prince.”

    Prince just kept looking at her. “Are you the Vivian..?”

    Vivian raised her head. “Yes. Hope there’s no problem?”

    “Urgh… em.. welcome.” He grinned.

    “And why are you looking at her this way?” Beatrice accused the Prince.

    “Urgh… was wondering where you got a beautiful P.A.” He winked.

    “And what’s the meaning of that?” Beatrice rolled her eyes and hissed.

    “I’m being honest with you. But, she’s not as beautiful as my Beatrice.” He did the needful quickly.

    Beatrice smiled and dropped her head down in shyness. Raising her head again, she saw Prince’s eyes fixed on Vivian.

    “Prince!” She shouted.

****

    The diary.

    Prince Harry just kept looking at Margaret. It was the exact lady he saved! He jacked his head and looked at her again. “We are getting married in two weeks’ time.” Dennis spoke from his seat.

    “All is well, we are ready.” One of the Chiefs spoke happily.

    Harry stood angrily and left the scene for his room. He jumped on his bed, rolling from an edge to another in anger as he remembered how he saved Margaret and killed the native Doctor because she got missing.

    He was so indignant and sprung up to his feet as he stood before the mirror in his room and clouted it angrily.

****

  Beatrice stood angrily and looked at Vivian with grimace. She hissed as she dashed out of the office and Vivian rushed after her. She was impatient because the Prince kept looking at Vivian. “Ma’am, wait.” Vivian said as she almost got behind her.

    Beatrice halted and looked at her angrily. She walked closer and landed a slap on her left cheek. Vivian held on to her cheek and looked at her. She wasn’t suppose to be in that condition if not for Nicholas. If she never lost contact with him, wouldn’t she be a married woman too? Wouldn’t she be working in a better place? She had thought as she raised her hand to slap her too but felt it wasn’t right to do. She could control her anger.

    She dropped her handbag and mobile phone on her car and walked out of the company. The Prince had gotten outside too and walked close to Beatrice. “Why do you have outlandish thoughts?”

    “Save me that!” She stretched forth her right hand and picked up her things on the car. She walked into the car and honked for the gatekeeper to get the gate opened. Then, she drove out.

    Prince sighed as she watched her leave. Just then, he entered into his car too and drove out.

****

    “Engineer, what’s happening?” Jerry asked Engineer Ashley as they both settled down in an cool eatery.

    “Serious business, Jerry.” He looked right and left. “I want you to execute someone.” He said.

    Jerry chuckled. “Is that what you couldn’t tell me over the mobile phone? Who’s it?” He asked him.

    “Wait, you know this person called The Unknown, right?” He asked.

    “Sure. Who doesn’t know the unfortunate being that exposed Chief Sam? Engineer, I feel Chief will expose the secret.”

    “No. I went to the station skme days back and we spoke. He said he wouldn’t do such a thing. He just need us to help him out before he would be sentenced to prison because the evidences against him are very strong.”

     Jerry smiled. “So, have you found The Unknown?”

    “No. But I just employed a cook. I feel he was sent to spy. Who knows if he knows us all and wants me to be the second catch?”

    Jerry laughed. “What makes you suspect the guy?”

    “I caught him in my room searching. Anyways, just get him killed.”

    “Killed? I feel we should firstly torture him, then, if he doesn’t listen to us within twenty-four hours, we gonna waste him.”

    “Ooh.. that’s a nice idea. Get him, now!”

    “Consider it done Engineer. My guys and I will storm your immediately I leave here.”

    “No problem, just keep me update about everything.” He said.

    “That’s alright, Engineer.”

****
An hour later.

    Henry had given up on the fried rice. He felt it would get cold before the arrival of the ladies. So, he decided to take a nap. He had been dreaming of himself and Lizzy together, with smiles on his face as he slept on.

    Suddenly, the door was  busted and he woke up. A handkerchief was pressed on his nose for a some seconds and he became unconscious.

****