In the Fadeyis' home, a presence sat comfortably in the living room. His eyes were calm and collected, surveying the surroundings of the environment. Mr. Fadeyi's expression threw a thousand questions at him. In truth, Roland's unexpected visit made him feel a bit imbalanced, and his uneasiness could be easily seen from his sitting posture.
"Sir, I know your mind is probably running with questions at the moment. The same way you must have deduced by now that I also have some questions for you," Roland said.
Mr. Fadeyi soon gulped at what he said, his curious eyes fixed on Roland.
"Detective, I'm ready for your questions. Please make it quick; I've somewhere scheduled to go any moment from now. Hope you won't take much time?"
"Sure, I won't take much of your time," Roland said, flashing a quick smile. "Now, I will cut to the chase. Are you and the late Mr. Frank Abimbọla related in any way?"
Something glimmered in Mr. Fadeyi's eyes immediately he heard that name. Somehow, Roland managed to catch that fleeting flash. It was sorrow, and he could weigh the depth of it.
"Yes, we're related. He was my brother before he died."
"Flesh and blood?" Roland pressed further for clarity.
"Precisely!"
"I see. I don't know if you're aware, but I'm the one currently handling the case of the infamous serial killer. I've already started my investigation, and I found something interestingly linked to you. I checked the social media accounts of all the victims of the serial killer, and I kept seeing you in their pictures. Not just any random pictures – I saw you standing with two of them, and the last one shocked me; I saw you standing with eight men, and four of them were the victims. Your brother included. Both of you are very famous. It didn't take much time for me to know you were both brothers." Roland then paused for a few seconds, his eyes savouring Mr. Fadeyi's sudden show of expression.
"Ah, you're shocked, not because of me finding out about Mr. Frank Abimbọla, but because of the pictures of you with those eight men."
Everything said seemed like a thunderstorm had come upon Mr. Fadeyi. A memory seemed to have found its way back to him, and a realization dawned on him, accompanying him to drown in his thoughts.
"It can't be. A revenge? By who? How? No, it's impossible; the dead can't come back from their grave and start killing. No, none of them could have survived that day. I'm sure of that..." A sharp voice then cut through his train of thoughts, and his eyes searched for the owner.
"Sir, are you okay?" Roland asked with speculation in his eyes.
"Sure, I'm okay."
"But you seemed pretty lost a moment ago. Is anything the matter?"
Roland squinted his eyes, trying to cross-examine Mr. Fadeyi, an attempt to read his current unyielding expression.
"Definitely! Everything is fine," Mr. Fadeyi said, displaying a fake smile. In response, Roland gave a calm cough and quickly moved his eyes to the wall clock.
"Sir, let me not waste your time any further. This is my theory regarding the infamous serial killer. I think he is not killing people randomly. His action is an act of revenge, and I think I now know who his targets are – and they're all people with great affluence. A keen observer can easily figure that part out. Well, I'm 65-70% sure the rest of his targets are in that picture I saw you with those eight men. There might be more targets, but that picture solves a large piece of the puzzle, and I believe we can count on it. I've already informed my superiors. Sure, the police are aware, and will now start protecting the five men in those pictures that are still alive, which includes you. So, Mr. Fadeyi, your life and family might just be in serious danger, but fret not – we have prepared special officers to boost your security. Same with those four men. I can't predict the serial killer's next target because it didn't all align with the order of standing posture in the picture I was talking about. Neither is it in reverse."
Roland then waited for Mr. Fadeyi to digest everything he had said. "Thanks for this piece of information and discovery. I truly appreciate it. You're a really competent detective, as they say. I trust the safety of my family in your hands."
"It's my pleasure; I am just doing my job," Roland said, flashing a smile.
"So, Detective, can I take my leave now? There's somewhere urgent I need to go."
"Sure, some officers are paraded outside to escort you to wherever you're going."
"But I already have my own personal security personnel to serve as escorts."
"I do know that, but they won't suffice. You need the numbers on your side. Don't forget, your safety is our priority."
Mr. Fadeyi froze for some seconds, considering what Roland had said. "You have a solid point. Thanks once again," he said, getting ready to leave, as he had long since dressed up.
"But before you go, can you tell me why someone is after your life and family, and the rest of your friends? I believe those five men are kind of your friends. Did you and those men do something in the past that could have sparked the hunger for revenge? Your answer might just make the case much easier for us."
Roland said this, staring deep into Mr. Fadeyi's eyes, waiting for him to waver or act suspicious. However, in response, Mr. Fadeyi's expression remained unreadable.
"No, I don't think so. We don't really know the killer's driving force or reason behind it. Your words are still assumptions, no matter how logical they are."
"Well, you're not totally wrong, but if you remember something related to the case or perhaps figure something out, don't fail to call me."
With that, Roland brought out a card with his number on it and gave it to Mr. Fadeyi. "It was nice meeting you," he said, leaving before Mr. Fadeyi, who stood staring at his card and him.
****
I've been seated for a while now on this scrawny-looking bench beneath a dead mango tree. Indeed, the tree is dead, no longer able to produce fruit. In other words, it has become infertile, sterile, or rather barren. Nevertheless, it still serves a purpose. To me, and others who would agree, it provides a great service by shielding us humans from the scorching sun. This time of day is when its usefulness becomes more apparent.
Can I condemn this tree? No, I dare not. Instead, I marvel at how firm it stands, seeming unmoved and unyielding, almost as if it has a will of its own. Can humans also be useful when dead? No, their death doesn't fall short of futility and disappointment. Human lives can be so fleeting. We're no different from the leaves that stay on this tree for some time before falling and withering away.
As I gaze at the tree, I notice leaves falling from its branches. It seems I'm wrong; there are even more than I initially thought. The time these leaves spent on the tree is like the lifespan of certain humans before it's cut short. Right now, somewhere in the world, some humans must have died at the same time those leaves fell from the tree. Isn't it metaphorical? The concept of mortality and the unceasing circle of life can be so interesting.
As I permit my eyes to travel beyond the road, I see children running down the street. I can tell they're in a joyous mood, although all I can see are their backs and their feet trudging distances, generating dust. They remind me of my childhood days when my brother and I would challenge ourselves to a race to see who would reach home first after returning from an errand. Those moments were blissful and refreshing.
I recall how I used to annoy my big sister, and she would chase me angrily while I derived delight from being chased. Despite that, she still cherished me. I guess it was because I'm the last born, the youngest in our family. Now, when I think about it, I wonder if they've been watching me, if they've seen the man I've become and how it made them feel.
But are ghosts real? Can the dead be living in an astral plane far from this world? If they do, then I wonder how life feels in such a place. I'll probably get to know when my time comes, but until then, I must do what I have to do.
Hmm... it seems my patience has once again paid off. He seemed to have spent so much time in that building. Well, it's time to hunt once more. I hope this will be worth my while. Hahaha...