Michael’s hunt for Vinolia went on like a predator. Police kept tip-toeing around his territory from time to time. His lapdogs at the station kept informing him.
Michael sat in his spinning chair, he slowly rotated to look at his sidekick.
“Sparks, have you found her? ” Michael said, impatient.
“No, boss,” he said, then hesitant. Mike clinched his teeth, but before he could say anything, Sparks continued. “Boss, I’ve got a lead. I’m not sure about it.”
Michael stared at him. “So you, want me to open your mouth for you to say it?”
“Oh, sorry boss” said Sparks. “Yeah boss, the car is still at the Mechanics.”
“I already know that,” said Michael.
“What, you don’t know is that, the night before we went to the Mechanics, Vinolia’s car was seen at Ashley’s house,” replied Sparks.
“Ashley… the name sounds a bit familiar! Doesn’t it?”
“It does, because Ashley is a Motor Mechanic . Which means he is the one who could lead us to trap Vinolia.”
He said he only saw her once when she dropped the car off, Michael thought. Which means he might have lied. What was Vinolia’s car doing at his house? ”
“Which means there’s more to this than meets the eye,” said Sparks.
“Okay, you have to tail him. Tail Ashley. Find out everything about him that could lead us to his connection with Vinolia,” said Michael.
Ashley’s walls were closing in on him. He was being tailed by Sparks. It had been days since he last saw Vinolia.
He sat on his car outside, ready to leave, as Nkele headed towards him. She didn’t look so thrilled at all.
“Ashley, you have to stop, what you are doing ?” Said Nkele.
“What are…”
Before he could ask, Nkele interject loudly.
“I know that this girl you’re seeing is wanted by a crime lord. He wants her dead.”
“Mxm, Damon. This is none of your business. Stay out of it Nkele,” said Ashley as he opened the car door.
“I have to go to work.”
“Ashley you are putting yourself in danger, this girl will get you killed,” said Nkele, holding his arm.
“All of this is your fault. Had you not left me, I wouldn’t even have had a chance to meet her,” Ashley said angrily. “Yeah, you’ve torn me apart. Now I’ve found someone who makes me happy.”
“Ashley I’m sorry, but I’m here now. You don’t need her now,” she said.
“Whoever told you I can’t live without you?” he shook his head. “They lied. I’m doing just fine,” said Ashley as he pushed her hand off.
“I’m sorry for hurting you. I really hurt you, I didn’t appreciate you enough. I now realise I love you. I don’t need anything but you.” She clinched his hand again “Please forgive me, Ashley.”
Ashley felt tempted as he stared at her watery eyes. He slowly unhinged her hand.
“The thing is I love you. I always have. This is all I wanted, for you to hold me this close.” Deep silence creeped in
“It’s too late now, right now I just want to save the woman I love.”
Nkele cried out ” But I’m the women you love”.
“Nkele, if you knew me very well, you’d know I’m not like you. I don’t give up on people I love.”
He broke her hold on him as he turned the car on and drove away. Nkele felt tears rolling down her cheek.
Sparks drove steadily after Ashley. He went around the neighbourhood to learn more about him. Those who knew him said he was just a good guy, who made a living by fixing cars, that’s all.
***
Do you think it’s ever too late for two people who love each other?