🦋 Chapter Twenty-Two 🦋
(The Watcher)
"My kid must be missing me…"
Godstime smiled faintly—almost foolishly—but beneath that fragile expression, Moses could see the truth. He understood the depth of his friend's emotions. Being a single father wasn't easy… especially at times like this.
"Alright. Be careful," Moses said firmly. "And stay away from alcohol."
"It was just one time," Godstime replied with a weak shrug. "Don't worry. I won't—at least not until we know who can be trusted."
Moses studied him for a moment before adding, "You should also contact Mr. Bill. Judging by his character, I'm certain he's already looking for someone to blame."
A faint smirk crossed Moses' lips.
"To Nigeria?" he asked.
Godstime frowned slightly, now fully sober.
"That… I honestly don't know," he admitted.
Moses' brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"
Godstime exhaled slowly.
"It's strange—even to me. All I remember is going back to the hotel, drunk… then falling asleep. But when I woke up, I was already on a plane heading back to Nigeria. My bags—everything—were with me."
Moses' expression darkened.
"And when I got back," Godstime continued, "you were the first person I thought of. But I couldn't contact you. I didn't even understand what was happening anymore. So I stayed in an old motel for a week. When I was sure it was safe… I came straight to you."
Moses remained silent, absorbing every word.
"But I promise," Godstime added quickly, "you're the only one who knows about this. I haven't told Mr. Bill yet—and I won't. Not for now."
"That's good," Moses said quietly. "I think it's better that way."
The Hospital Parking Lot
Moses struggled to steady his trembling hands, the files in his grip crumpling slightly. His head throbbed as he leaned against the car window, lost in thought.
A soft snore pulled him back.
"Hey, Godstime!"
He tapped his shoulder.
"Wake up."
Godstime stirred. "Ah… what is it?"
"Don't hide anymore," Moses said coolly. "I'm sure Mr. Bill already knows you're back—and he's waiting."
Godstime nodded slowly.
"What do we do now?" he asked.
"For now… nothing," Moses replied. "I need time to think. But those fake documents? They need to be destroyed. Burned. Before anyone mistakes them for real."
Godstime nodded in agreement.
"I should get going," he murmured.
"He helped us," Godstime added hesitantly, "but he also made us scapegoats. With the tax authorities closing in, he wouldn't hesitate to frame us for embezzlement."
He sighed deeply.
"But—"
"It's simple logic," Moses cut in. "No need to overthink it."
Silence followed.
"How long have you been back?" Moses asked.
"Judging by these files," he continued, flipping through the pages, "someone is forging our signatures… attaching them to illegal transactions."
"Exactly," Godstime said. "That's why I came to you."
"Mr. Bill…" Moses muttered.
Godstime stiffened. "That's impossible."
Moses didn't respond immediately.
"Get out of here," he finally said. "Your wife must be worried."
Moments later, Moses stood alone, a small flash drive in his hand, watching Godstime's car disappear into the night.
"There you are. I was starting to wonder where you went."
The voice didn't startle him.
Moses turned.
Mia stood there, arms crossed, her gaze sharp.
"I was just getting some fresh air," he said indifferently. "I hope that's not a problem."
Mia chuckled softly.
"Yeah… it is. Because I know there's more to your 'fresh air' than you're saying. But first—who was in that car?"
"I thought your job was to protect me," Moses replied. "Not spy on me."
"It's my duty to monitor anyone who gets close to you," Mia said firmly. "That's called close protection. So don't waste time—answer me."
Moses held her gaze.
"Just a friend."
Mia didn't look convinced.
"You're a terrible liar," she said.
"And yet… you're still here," Moses replied calmly.
A faint smile touched her lips.
"Mr. Bill is asking questions," she said.
Moses' expression hardened slightly.
"About?"
"You."
A pause.
"What does he want?"
"Where you've been. Who you've been talking to. Why certain documents went missing."
Moses' jaw tightened.
"If there's something I should know," Mia added quietly, "this is the part where you tell me."
"There's nothing," he said.
A lie.
And they both knew it.
Her phone buzzed.
"It's him," she said.
Mr. Bill.
She answered briefly, then ended the call.
"He wants to see you."
"Tonight?" Moses asked.
"Urgent."
Moses nodded.
"I already know why," he said.
"And why is that?" Mia pressed.
"Because someone is trying to bury the truth…"
His eyes darkened.
"…and I'm in the way."
Elsewhere…
"He's gone."
The words should have brought relief.
But they didn't.
Samuel stood still, staring at the empty road where the van had disappeared.
For a moment, his chest eased—
Until the memory of that voice returned.
Low. Calm. Threatening.
This isn't over.
"Are you sure you're alright?" an officer asked. "Do you still need to go to the hospital?"
"I'm fine," Samuel replied.
But his eyes said otherwise.
They were searching.
Calculating.
Because he knew something they didn't.
That van leaving… wasn't the end.
It was a delay.
Tom was in that van.
He was sure of it.
And if Tom was involved—
Then this wasn't random.
It was planned.
Samuel walked away quickly.
Not in relief—
But urgency.
Barnabas.
🌹 Outside the School 🌹
Barnabas shifted uneasily, clutching his school bag.
Something felt wrong.
Everything looked normal.
But it didn't feel normal.
"Barnabas, come with us. I'll take you home," his friend's mother offered kindly.
He shook his head quickly.
Too quickly.
"Alright… but don't wander off. And don't talk to strangers."
Barnabas nodded.
But her words echoed.
Don't talk to strangers.
Because it already felt like someone was watching him.
Main Street — 4:56 PM
Samuel forced himself to stay calm as officers questioned him.
"There's no need," he said. "I just hurt myself."
"Then come with us for attempted suicide," one officer snapped.
They were wasting his time.
"I'll come," Samuel said quietly, "but not now. I need to take my grandson home."
Mocking laughter followed.
Samuel leaned closer.
"If you're serious about your job…"
His voice dropped.
"You should be chasing that van."
Silence.
Mia's eyes narrowed.
"What did you say?"
"You heard me."
A pause.
Then—
"Go."
Samuel didn't hesitate.
Within seconds—
He was gone.
🌹 Back at the School 🌹
Barnabas stood still.
Then—
He froze.
A black car.
Parked.
Someone inside.
Watching.
"Excuse me."
He flinched.
The new teacher stood beside him.
Smiling.
But not with his eyes.
"I can take you home."
Something wasn't right.
Then—
In the reflection of the teacher's glasses—
Barnabas saw it.
The black car door opening.
"Grandpa!!!"
He ran.
Samuel had just stepped out of his car when Barnabas slammed into him.
He held him tightly.
Too tightly.
"Did you wait long?" he asked softly.
Barnabas nodded… then pointed.
Samuel looked.
The black car.
Empty.
Too late.
"Why are you injured?" Barnabas asked.
"I fell," Samuel replied.
But his grip tightened.
Because now he knew.
This wasn't coincidence.
Tom wasn't waiting anymore.
He wasn't watching from afar.
He was already here.
🔥