Must Read: Paradox Of Abel - Season 1 - Episode 51

7 years ago

Must Read: Paradox Of Abel - Season 1 - Episode 51

Even after Ruth Brown had departed from the room, Daniel Famous’ eyelids were still as wide as they could possibly go. What recent information had been imparted on his being was not among those he was chanced to hear every day from the morning news. This terrible confession sent the blood tingling through his veins from terror, that he felt as if he was in a burning building. And Famous’ heart, being large enough for that of any six ordinary gentlemen of humane dispositions, forced a supply of tears into his eyes, by some hydraulic processes which were not sufficiently philosophical to be in a condition of justifiable explanation. Put out one fire, two more ignite.
The detective, on the other hand, was neither of lugubrious nor of mirthful temperament. His countenance gave off not a slightest inclination to weep or laugh out loud. But his brows were furrowed, his eyes set, his lips puckered and his nose slightly twitched. After a brief moment, his face, which was presently cast downward, was now directed to his sidekick. He appeared momentarily caught off-guard at seeing the pool of tears that flowed down the young man’s cheeks. He appeared to be studying his subordinate as if he were a new discovery in his collection of mathematical propaganda.
“Why would such evil embodiment as Cain Martins be created?” Daniel’s lamentation was touching.
“For everything, there’s a reason,” Lot, having realized that his reply was about to be disapproved by the wailing young man, hastily added, “Besides, Adolph Hitler’s mother contemplated about aborting her pregnancy, it was her doctor who advised her against it. Maybe the same happened in the case of Cain.”
“That is not an excuse, detective. Why is it that I’m always the one person who encounters the evil Cain Martins everywhere I turn?”
“It shows that the journey is not yet over. Have you ever thought that your presence here—your involvement in this case—might actually be the salvation of another? Remember, you played a great role in the former case of three years ago.”
‘What good thing may come from the fact that two beautiful ladies—Remi and Esther—were born under disastrous fates?”
“We don’t know that for sure. It is not every victim of S#xual abuse that gets pregnant.”
Daniel stared at Lot, “You yourself are not sure of that. And the fact that I’m in love with one of the two ladies is not helping situation at all.”
“Famous, I want you to think deeply before giving answer to this question I’m about to ask you. I will really appreciate it if you can give me an honest reply. I wouldn’t be asking you if it wasn’t bearing a great importance in this case we’re investigating.”
“Okay.”
Lot sighed, “Daniel, with whom are you truly in love between Remi Johnson and Esther Malik?”
For the first time, Lot actually found Daniel thinking deeply. It took the footballer a couple of minutes to reply the question.
“As a matter of fact,” Daniel explained, “I’m currently sitting on the fence concerning my love affair. This recent revelation behind the probable existence of both ladies has confused me immensely. Honestly, I can say that both ladies catch my fancy; but that isn’t new, pretty ladies have always caught my attention. Is it possible for someone to love two ladies at a time?”
“Of course, it’s quite possible, but the love of one should be greater than the other. It’s impossible to love them equally. I remember that my mother used to love my younger brother more.”
“In that case, I think I love Remi more,” he paused, “But I don’t think I’d love to be a part of her family, as her mother would give me hell; her family members detest me.”
“Does Remi love you?”
Daniel frowned at the question, “I don’t really know. I used to think she did when I met her for the first time in PH; she was so very interesting and cheerful then, she even promised to marry me if we met again, I thought she meant her words. I even risked having my limbs amputated over that promise. But seeing her again for the second time was another story. This Remi is entirely different from the pleasant girl I encountered in the bus in Port Harcourt. Of course, she’s still as beautiful as ever, it’s just that she’s withdrawn and is of short temper. I’m just finding it hard to believe that I fell for the wrong woman—I like the other Remi better.”
‘What about Miss Malik? Do you think she’s in love with you?”
Imagining that someone might be falling secretly in love with him elicited out of him a funny feeling. The feeling was not funny ha-ha, but funny strange. He managed to hide the feeling well.
“Why would she fall in love with me?” he asked the detective suspiciously.
“You’re not really an ugly sight to behold. An average woman would fall in love with you if you’ve got brains. But unfortunately, knowing you to be a big girl’s blouse, your intellectual capability isn’t something I can entirely vouch for.”
“Oh, thanks so much for the vote of confidence,” said Daniel, not without a note of irritation. ‘You’re not doing great in the love department yourself. If I am not mistaken, doesn’t that constitute the pot calling the kettle’s complexion into question?”
Lot smiled, “I beg to differ. I’m done with that kind of stuff. The kind of hurt I have suffered over numerous unrequited love relationships has implanted in me such a deep distrust of females that my only association with them now is with high-class, high-priced call girls.”
Daniel was rendered agape, “Call girls? As in ‘ladies of the night’?”
Lot nodded and justified his claim, “Of all the female species, call girls are the most honest.

All they want is money and they tell you how much up front. You pay for what you get, and you get what you pay for. No complications, no tears, no deceit.”
“You never fail to amaze me, Detective Lot.”
Lot lifted an admonishing finger, “But I’m not advising you to be like me. You’re young, you may fall in love many times and get heartbroken as much times. But you may eventually find the right woman who will love you without reservations, no matter how dumb you are.”
Famous refused to take offence at that latest monstrous calumny. “I’m already twenty-seven, I think I’m old enough to be in a relationship already.”
“Of course, you are. Just take this from me—that girl, Remi Johnson, is not the girl for you.”
Daniel stared in astonishment. For a moment, he thought the detective meant what he said. When he saw the serious expression in the older man’s face, he was more than astonished to realize that his thought was true—the detective actually meant his words. He could not believe his ears. He had risked a lot coming here because of Remi. That young woman had invaded his thoughts and dreams for days—and to surrender all just because the impossible detective did not approve? Impossible!
Daniel shook his head so vigorously that the detective thought he was going to break his neck soon if he did not stop now. But this swing of the cervical vertebrae endured further without the benefit of a snap or crack.
“No, no, no, no, no,” Daniel brayed, “I won’t let you do this to me again.”
Lot feigned temporary ignorance, “Do what?”
“Don’t pretend, sir! This is what you do; anytime you see someone I love you advise me against that person. This was the same thing you did the last time.”
“And I was right the last time, wasn’t I?”
“No, you weren’t—if not for the obvious factor. But you can’t be right this time around.”
“Will you still want to marry her even if she is a bastard?”
Daniel would have interpreted this remark as a callous one hadn’t he known a little bit of the detective’s mind. He knew that one part of Lot’s brain deem it necessary to care for the women, that they might have been born from ill-fates; but the other part of his brain automatically classed people as mere units in a problem, and at moment, his references—before those who might be unfamiliar with his faculty—must always seem surprising.
Nonetheless, his words stung Daniel like thorns but the young man managed to keep his dignity and said, “I might. I’d rather marry her than spend the rest of my life with Esther, the daughter of Cain.”
“Bastard or no bastard, Remi is not the right woman for you.”
“I’m beginning to think that calling you here to investigate this case is a mistake.”
“You may keep your belief to yourself.

Aren’t you seeing it already?”
“Seeing what?”
“Remi was the figure that ran past your window; that should tell you everything.”
“You can’t crucify a man for sU-Cking at his thumb. The fact that she’s the runner doesn’t mean she’s the murderer.”
“Perhaps not—we shall find out about that soon enough. But it certainly means that she doesn’t belong to you.”
“You’re not making the slightest bit of sense. I think you need a smoke now. One thing I know which is capable of oiling your rationality is the consistent puffs of cigarette smoke.”
“I’m cutting down on smoking; besides, cigarettes have nothing to do with what I’m telling you—if only you can open your eyes.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. We should continue with the investigation now. Who should I call in next?”
“Mr. David Malik.”
Daniel went out to summon David. He returned shortly without his subject, but his face was beaming with excitement.

“What is it that is making you grin like a mask?”
“There’s someone here who wants to talk to you.” Daniel replied, still grinning.
“I told you to call David Malik, I’m not speaking with anyone else.”
“You’re definitely going to want to speak with this one. Didn’t you hear the barks of the dog?”
“I heard, I thought it was barking at your fatuity.”
“It was barking at that person who wants to speak with you.”
Lot was getting impatient, “Cut the crap, will you? Who might that person be? President Goodluck Jonathan?”
Daniel shook his head, ‘No, the person is Mr. Chike Okafor.”
“Mr. Chike Okafor? Who the hell is that?”
“That—that is the late Mr. Malik’s lawyer.”