Chapter 70

Lance woke up to a text from Anderson telling him about the preliminary trial date set by the judge. Lance and his team had three weeks for prep and both attorneys from each side had to trade information they had that was pertinent to proving their client's cases. After getting done preparing, he called his wife and asked how she was doing with the pregnancy and promised to visit her during the weekend. He also mentioned to her that his cousin Stone was with him for a couple of days. She didn't like the idea because she had never heard of him and where has he been all this time? Lance attributed her suspicions to the pregnancy but after hanging up the phone, his wife's intuition was always right, he thought. Where was Stone all this time? Yes, he told Lance that he had been moving up and about but where was he exactly?




'So, your sister-in-law sends her greetings over the phone," he told Stone when they were having breakfast.

'Thanks, how is she?" Stone asked.

'Doing great," he cleared his throat. 'Nobody knows where you have been all these while, mind telling me?"

Stone looked up at Lance, 'I have been everywhere," he laughed shifting in his seat.

'Where exactly?" Lance probed further

'Am i under interrogation, my lawyer?" Stone joked.

Lance didn't want to press more lest his cousin think he didn't want him around, 'I am just asking. I am glad you're back though. I have to get going now," Lance stood up.

'Big case?"

'Yes. We have a preliminary trial date and this is the crucial time to get some things done. This is the part i hate."

'Do what you got to do, cousin. This job suits you. I am thinking of leaving soon."

'What's the hurry?"

'I got to keep moving. That's me, i live a nomadic lifestyle."

'Stay a little bit longer. The house is kinda boring all alone. Stay till the case i am currently handling gets done. We can even go visit your sister-in-law together."

'When is the preliminary trial date?"

'You pay attention," Lance grabbed his brief case and went on. 'In three weeks time."

'I can stick around."

'That would be great."

*****

Hunter was bored in the small room. There was a single bed, a small table and tiny wardrobe with a big mirror on it. Since morning, He had been hearing people laughing and talking outside. They were the bricklayers. He felt like he could leave and go find Ben and Devi but where would he even start from? He thought. Perhaps, Ludo would pull something but he was worried about her safety at the same time impressed with how courageous and grown she'd become. She didn't need any protection from him no more than he was sure of. As he kept tossing, there was a knock on the door. He wondered who that could be and got to his feet slowly walking to the window beside the door. He slightly moved the curtain and saw Melanie standing with some parcels in her hands. He looked around and saw three men working carrying some bricks. He opened the door for her and she entered without looking at him. He closed the door behind him and stood motionless looking at her put the things on the bed.

'Ludo sent me," she said handing him a small box.

'What is this?"

'A phone."

'I don't need it."

'Ludo said you would say that. Here is her line, call her at exactly 22 hours today. She mentioned something about having dinner with her boss and could get some information for what you are looking for. This food can last you some days but we'll get you something as the days goes by," She pointed at the parcels.

'I told Ludo i was okay."

'Hunter," she called him without fear. 'Ludo is all grown now. She's no longer the girl she was six years ago. She makes her decisions and faces the consequences alone. So if she wants to do something for you, she will do so without even consulting you, that's Ludo these days."

Hunter's furrows puckered.

'Promise me one thing though!" Melanie said

He directly looked into her eyes. "What is that?'

'Don't let her get hurt," with that Melanie was out of the room and left the flat.

Hunter removed the phone from the box and turned it on. He couldn't wait for 22 hours.

*****

With the preliminary trial date set, Lance and Associates was in full mode work wise. This was one of the important cases Lance had landed and he needed to make waves for his firm. From morning, he was uptight at work giving and yelling out orders to everyone, even Caesar. During the day, Anderson came over and stayed in Lance's office for close to an hour. When he left, Lance was even more upset demanding for paperwork to be done. Ludo didn't want to cross paths with him. She avoided every chance she would get to interact with him. Despite the long day, she was looking forward to one thing, dinner with Caesar. She knew she was using him but she liked him too. He seemed to be a great guy but needed work in the department of conversations especially what to talk about with girls.

*****

She stared at him across the table they had sat listening to what he was saying. He had taken her to Tender & Meat because he had heard her mention she loved meat in one of their conversations. He was eloquent in his words and a charmer. He had done his homework, it seemed.

'Enough about me," he sighed getting uncomfortable with the way she was looking at him. 'Tell me about yourself Ludo."

'Well, there isn't much to talk about me. I am just a girl who is trying to figure out her life."

Caesar grinned, 'What does that mean?"

'Honestly, it means a lot of things and i don't think i can spill it all out at the moment."

'You are mysterious you know that?"

'Is that a bad thing?"

'No No No, on the contrary i like it."

She let out a giggle; she beat herself over it. That was dramatic, she told herself. There was no reason to sell herself that much.

'I love your dress." he confessed

'Thank you," she blushed looking away again feeling guilty that this wasn't just a casual hangout.

They had dinner and talked about a ton of things, they even lost track of time. Ludo looked at the time, exclaimed and told him she had to go back home, otherwise her parents would be worried. Caesar drove her home and when they parked, that's when they talked about Ben and Devi.

'Ben and Devi have been in alterations with the law for the past ten years. They have been accused of crimes such as corruption, assault and even murder but they always get away with it. Every time. They are known as contractors, they work for powerful people in governments, business tycoons as well as politicians. They are independent and don't represent no one. They do the job and disappear but they are careless. They always leave trails," Caesar paused. 'The last time they were heard from was some three years ago. It was a human trafficking case. They got away with it too but there were people looking for them, an agency of some sort in another town, that's what i was told."

'It's that bad?" Ludo probed.

'And it made me wonder why you're looking for dangerous people like those two."

She faked a laugh, 'I am not looking for them. It's just research, Caesar."

'I hope that's true."

'So…." she hummed, 'Their last known location?"

'Ludo?"

'Trust me. I am nowhere even closer to meeting those people, it's just…."

'Just what?"

'My friend just need closure that's all but if you don't want to give me the address, I will pass on the message. Thanks for tonight, i had a great time," she leaned forward and pecked him.

She almost opened the door and he held her hand, 'I can give you the address but promise me one thing."

She stared at him with a frown on her face.

'Don't get involved in whatever is happening."

'I promise."

'Let me text it to you now," he got his phone and texted her.

'Thanks Caesar," she left the car and stood watching him put the car in reverse and driving out in the night.




As soon as she reached the door, her phone rang and it was Hunter. She got inside the house and found Walutanga watching a cartoon with Joe asleep on the couch while Zamiwe was in the shower.

'How's our Prince today?" she greeted Walutanga.

'Fine Ludo," he responded. 'Did you meet Hunter today?"

'No but he's calling," she waved the phone at him, 'And i better answer it before he gets agitated."

She went directly to her bedroom and closed the door behind her. The phone cut. She called him back and told him about the address. He insisted that she give him but she denied telling him he would have to get better first and she was persistent till he obliged. He seemed like a different Hunter, she thought, after talking to him on the phone. He was listening unlike six years ago. She thought it was because the boy's life was in danger.

'Can i enter?" Zamiwe knocked once on Ludo's bedroom door.

'Come in mom."

'So your father told me you came home after work and went back. You didn't wear this dress in the morning, what was the occasion?"

'Work mom and i want to sleep," she laid back. 'Do yourself a favor and sleep too."

'I have to wash Walutanga's wounds first. That boy is sweet. I wonder why someone would want him dead."

'Everything will be sorted out in due time and the culprits will be dealt with."

'I don't like the sound of that. Don't do anything stupid with that friend of yours. He's dangerous. Let him handle everything on his own."

'Don't worry mom, i will be fine."

'If you say so. Now tell me about your date."

'Mom!" She complained, 'I want to sleep."

'I need all the details."