An Evening With Eva

Episode 35

Ahmed could not believe what he had just
heard. It seemed like he was in a dream. He
pinched himself to ascertain if truly he had
heard right. His uncle’s crest fallen face said
it all. But how was this possible? He had lived
with The Colonel since he was four years old.

He thought he knew everything. This did not
feel right.

“But how can this be? I have a sister? Please
explain to me Uncle.” Ahmed pleaded.

The Colonel sighed. He let out a gust of air
through his mouth, heaving heavily.

“Son, there is something I ought to have told
you. My plan was to wait till you finished
Military school and then I would tell you
everything. Unfortunately, I went undercover
and did not get to see you again. I had Eva
when I was twenty five. Her mother, my fiancée
got pregnant and desperately wanted to keep
the baby. I had already enrolled in the
battalion that was to fight in the 2015 West
African War and would not be there to support
her. I begged for Mary to reconsider. She said
she would have the baby and wait till I came
back. I was just a recruit but was placed in
the 16B Squadron, responsible for back up
attacks on the enemy. After the war ended in
2017, I came home with only one thing in my
mind; reuniting with Mary and the baby. It
was an effort in futility. I searched for months,
looking everywhere, calling friends, asking
families. I searched for her on the internet to
no avail. After three years of search, I
concluded that they were either dead or
missing. However, I met Mary five years ago
when I was still undercover. She was working
as a chef for the head of a rival gang. We
reconnected. As desperately as I wanted it, I
could not risk getting too close to her. I sent
her money regularly and got her a new
accommodation. I visited her only twice. I did
not want her in danger. In one of those visits, I
saw pictures of Eva. I desperately wanted to
talk to her but she was in school outside the
country. I haven’t spoken to Mary in two
years.” The Colonel finished.

“Wow. This is huge.” Ahmed replied getting
up.

He went to the wall where he had his
newspaper clippings. He studied the different
headlines. Taking a red marker, he drew
circles on different perfectly carried out
murders.

FINANCE MINISTER SLUMPS. SENATE
PRESIDENT DROWNS IN POOL. AMBASSADOR
TO THE USA DIES IN PLANE CRASH. NLC
PRESIDENT DIES FROM COCAINE OVERDOSE.

CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF DIES FROM HEART
FAILURE.

As he did, he turned to his Uncle who was
looking very downcast.

“Uncle, I am beginning to feel that Eva carried
out these murders.” Ahmed finished.

“Why do you say so?” The Colonel asked
walking up to Ahmed
“I just have a strong urge that she is. These
men all had one thing in common. They had
no history of heart disease, addiction to any
foreign substances. I checked the records of
the Ambassador to the USA. He changed his
flight plans at the last minute. He was
supposed to travel a day later. And guess who
his personal adviser was? A certain beautiful
lady who was redeployed two days after his
death.” Ahmed finished.

“This still is not conclusive son.” The Colonel
replied.

“I have a plan uncle. I know how much you
love Eva and don’t want her dead. There has
to be a motive behind the murders. The more I
think about it uncle, the more convinced I am.

She definitely is not working alone. Uncle, I
need your help now more than ever before.

Let’s get to her before someone else does.

We can help her. I can’t do this alone. I need you Uncle. Are you with me?” Ahmed said, facing the Colonel and shaking his shoulders.

The Colonel looked up at Ahmed with a
changed countenance. His sadness was gone.
His unhappiness disappeared. This was the
Colonel Ahmed knew.

“I am determined as an agent of the law to do
everything in my power against crime and
negative forces within and without. Eva may
be my daughter. She is also an enemy of the
state and has to be stopped. We leave for
Lagos at dusk.” The Colonel finished with a
tone of finality and walked to the bedroom.

For the first time in three decades, The
Colonel hurled himself face down on his bed
and cried like a baby.