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CHAPTER THREE

Inspector John and Ramsey contacted the service providers of the network on which the other Donald’s number was operating. Someway, somehow, they were able to get his address. Inspector John and Inspector Ramsey went for the other Donald.

(At the house where the other Donald lived)

“Good afternoon.” said Inspector John

“Good afternoon. Who are you and how may I help you?” a woman said.

“Please, does anyone by the name Donald live in this house?” asked Inspector John.

“Yes; and that is my son. What is the matter with him?” said the woman.

“Is he home?” asked Inspector John.

“Yes, he is. (Calls on her son). Donald! Donald!!”

(Donald comes to meet his mum)

“I am here mum. (Looks at the police officers) Mum, what is happening here? Who are these men?” said Donald.

“Looks like they are here for you. This man here asked after you.” said his mum.

“Are you Mr. Donald?” asked Inspector John.

“Yes, I am.” said Donald.

(They bring out their Identity cards and show it to them) “I am Inspector John and here is Inspector Ramsey from Efficient police station. Mr. Donald, we want your appearance in our station. We just want to ask you some questions.”

“In your station? What is the matter? Please, tell me. I am his mother. And why can you not ask him questions here?” said Donald’s mum.

“Madam, I am sorry, we cannot interrogate your son here. He is coming with us to the police station.” said Inspector John.

(Holds her son). No, my son is not going anywhere. If you cannot ask him questions here, he is not going with you.” said Donald’s mother.

“Madam, please respect yourself. He is coming with us to the station. We just want to ask him some questions. That is all.” said Inspector John.

“I said my son is not going with you.” Donald’s mother insisted.

The police officers tried to make Donald’s mother release her son, but she was adamant. After several attempts and Donald mother remained adamant, Inspector John looked at Inspector Ramsey and signaled with his head passing a message across. Ramsey understood and pulled out his gun and pointed it at them.

“Do you think we are here to joke? Release him now! Mr. Donald, move now!” said Ramsey.

Donald’s mother let go of her son.

“You can have him oo. You can have him. Take him away.” said Donald’s mother.

The police officers got hold of Donald and were taking him away.

“Mum, they are taking me away.” said Donald.

“Don’t worry son. I will call your uncle. I will call some other people. Something will be done.” said his mother.

The two policemen took Donald away.

(At the police station)

“Mr. Donald, do you know of any lady by the name Belinda?” asked Inspector John.

“Yes, I do. She is a friend of mine.” said Donald.

“Just a friend?” asked Inspector John.

“Yes, just a friend.” replied Donald.

Inspector John and Inspector Ramsey look at each other. Just a friend?

“Where were you on the 3rd of this month at night? On a Sunday night it was” asked Inspector John.

“I was in a hotel. I was at a bar then I later went into one of the rooms in the hotel with my girlfriend.” replied Donald.

“Which girlfriend of yours is that and in which hotel were you?” asked Inspector John.

“I was in George’s hotel and I was with my girlfriend Nancy and that is the only girlfriend I have.” said Donald.

“You mean you were not in Ruby hotel and you were not one of the guys with Belinda on the night she was attacked?” asked Inspector John.

“Attacked? Was Belinda attacked? And by the way, I don’t even know why I am coming into the issue. I was not at any Ruby hotel and I was not with anyone that night except my girlfriend.” said Donald

Inspector John signaled to Ramsey and Ramsey presented Belinda’s phone to Donald.

“Mr. Donald, how do you explain that which is appearing on the screen of Belinda’s phone?” Inspector John said.

Donald looked at the phone and after awhile, he bowed his head to the table in regret.

“Mr. Donald, no matter how much you try to conceal the truth, the truth will eventually come out to the open. As a matter of fact, in your own case, the truth was already in the open before your lies; but it was not clear. Now it has become clear by your reaction. I hereby put it to you that you were the one who attacked Belinda on that night; an attack which caused her memory loss.” said Inspector John.

Donald looks up. “No, that is not true.” Donald said.

“What is not true? Did you not just show remorse? Did you not just give a regretful reaction? What does your reaction depict? Are you acting a movie or playing games or what? If it is not true, then what is true?” said Inspector John.

“I was drunk that night. I had already had champagne prior to having that conversation with Belinda.” said Donald.

Inspector John and Ramsey looked at each other and said in unison, “CHAMPAGNE?”

“Yes, champagne. That was what I took in the bar that night.” said Donald.

“Meaning that you were truly with Belinda and the other guys that night and you were having champagne with them?” asked Inspector John.

“No.” said Donald.

“What is no? Then what do you mean by you were drunk. What has that got to do with the issue?” asked Inspector John.

“I was drunk and I did not know I was talking to Belinda that night. I thought I was talking to my girlfriend.” said Donald.

(John looked at Donald and heaved a sigh) “Mr. Donald, we want you to help us and also help yourself. Tell us all what you think we need to know about what happened that night.” said Inspector.

“That night, I was at a bar in George’s hotel and was drinking. I was alone. After drinking for awhile, I became drunk and was aroused and I felt like being with a girl that night. I grabbed my phone and spoke with my girlfriend Nancy on the phone asking her to come meet me at the hotel where I was. After some time of waiting for her and she did not show up, I dialed her number again. It rang but she did not answer. I dialed it repeatedly by she did not answer the call. After awhile of waiting and she still did not show up, I then went to the receptionist to book a room in the hotel. Then I went into ChatPlace to send her message that she should come meet me in the room I booked upstairs when she arrives. And I got a reply soon after I sent the message. After I saw the reply, I went into the room I had booked to go wait for my girlfriend. I did not know she was not the one I sent a message. It was until the next day when the drunkenness had gone and I check my phone that I realized that I was talking to someone else.” said Donald.

“When your girlfriend arrived, how then did she know where you were?” asked Inspector John.

“When she arrived and she did not find me at the bar where she thought I was, she called me and I told her to come upstairs.” said Donald.

“And why do you think Belinda would reply to you if she was not the one you really intended to talk to?” asked Inspector John.

“Maybe she was also drunk that night.” said Donald.

“Mr. Donald, are you telling the truth about what you know or you are hiding something from us?” asked Inspector John,

“I am not lying to you.” replied Donald.

“Is there anything that you know or have to prove what you have said?” asked Inspector John.

(Donald thought for a while) “Yes, I remember. Check that conversation and you would notice that I mentioned Nancy’s name in my message which shows that I intended to address my message to Nancy, my girlfriend. If I knew Belinda was the one I was talking to or if I had intended to address the message to her, I would not have mentioned Nancy’s name in my message. Belinda is only a friend to me and I would not have asked her to come meet me in a hotel room. My relationship with her has not gotten to that level. We are only friends. Besides, I have my own girlfriend and we have not broken up. If I want to be with a girl, she is the one I call and no one else” said Donald.

John and Ramsey looked at the message and yes, it was there. The name Nancy appeared in the message Donald sent to Belinda. The attacker was not yet!

The phone of Inspector John rang. Someone was calling. Inspector John picked the call and the voice of Belinda’s mother was what he heard.

“Hello. Inspector John, please come to the hospital. There is another development.” said Belinda’s mother.

“Really? Okay we will be there soon.” said Inspector John.

“Okay, I am expecting your arrival. Thank you very much.” said Belinda’s mother.

“Who was that?” asked Inspector Ramsey.

“Belinda’s mother. She has asked us to show up in the hospital. She said there is another development.” said Inspector John.

CHAPTER FOUR

(At the hospital)

“Madam, we are here. What happened?” said Inspector John.

“It is my daughter. Something happened before I called you. I was here with her when she screamed all of a sudden.

(Flashback)

“Leave me alone!!!” Belinda suddenly screamed from the bed.

(Belinda’s mom stood up to check on her daughter.)

“What is wrong, my daughter? What is the matter?” asked Belinda’s mother.

“Mummy, I stabbed him.” said Belinda.

“Stabbed him?” asked Belinda’s mother.

“Yes, I stabbed him on his left arm. I stabbed him with a piece of glass.” said Belinda.

“Who did you stab and why did you stab someone?” asked Belinda’s mother.

“I cannot remember who I stabbed. But I remember I was in struggle with someone and then I stabbed him with a piece of glass. I cannot remember why I fell into the struggle or what were we were struggling for but I remember I stabbed the person with. And I also remember the person is a man.” said Belinda.

“Really?” asked her mother.

“Yes, mummy.” said Belinda

(Flashback ends)

“Hmm. And she did not mention anyone in particular, identifying him as the one she stabbed?” asked Inspector John.

“No. She said she could not remember the person particularly but she could remember it was a man.” said Belinda’s mother.

(Turns to Inspector Ramsey) “That guy at the station, is there any mark of injury on his left arm? I don’t think I ever noticed such on him.” asked Inspector John.

“Me too. I don’t think he has a mark on his left arm. Does that mean that the guy is innocent?” said Inspector Ramsey.

“(Heaves a sigh) Let us not conclude yet. The investigation is still on.” said Inspector John.

Belinda was sitting on the bed while that conversation was going on. After that last statement of John, the nurse walked into the ward. When the nurse had gotten, she called out on someone from inside.

“You can come in.” said the nurse.

Then the door began to move and someone was moving into the ward. This figure appeared in the ward. And everyone in the ward looked at this figure who had gotten in. And all of a sudden….

“Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!

Belinda screamed all of a sudden pointing to the figure who had walked in and afterwards, Belinda fainted. Everyone including the person who walked in rushed to check on Belinda.

“Who are you and what are you doing here?” Inspector John asked the person who walked in.

“I am Edward. I was with Belinda and the other guys on the night she was attacked. I heard what had happened to her and I am here to check on her.” said Edward.

“And why did she scream when she saw you?” asked Inspector John.

“I don’t know.” replied Edward.

“Hey look! (Ramsey noticed on Edward). John look! Look at this guy’s arm.” said Inspector Ramsey.

John saw what Ramsey was talking about. There was a mark on Edward’s arm. Which arm? Right or left? LEFT! Edward had a mark on his left arm.

“Did you say you were with her and the other guys on the night she was attacked?” asked Inspector John.

“Yes, I was.” replied Edward.

Immediately John pulled out his gun and pointed it at Edward

“You are under arrest, young man. Ramsey, handcuff him now!” said Inspector John.

“Handcuff? What for? I am only here to check on Belinda.” said Inspector John.

“Young man, you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say here may be used against you in a court of law. Handcuff him!” said Inspector John.

Edward was handcuffed and was taken away by the policemen.

(At the police station)

“Mr. Edward, why did you attack Belinda that night?” asked Inspector John.

“Attack? I was not the one who attacked Belinda.” said Edward.

“Were you with Belinda that night or not?” asked Inspector John.

“I was one of the guys with her.” replied Edward.

“How did you get this mark on your arm?” asked Inspector John.

“I had an accident at home and this mark was consequential to that. And what has that got to do Belinda’s case?” said Edward.

“Belinda claimed that she stabbed someone with whom she was in a struggle on his left arm. And here you are with a mark on your left arm and you also claimed that you were with her that night. Is there not a connection?” said Inspector John.

“Officer, this mark on my arm was consequential to an accident I had at home. I was not stabbed there by anyone.” said Edward.

“Then why did she scream when she saw you?” asked Inspector John.

“Okay! I will tell you what happened between us that night. It is true that I was one of the guys with Belinda that night. While we were drinking, I noticed that Donald her boyfriend went to tell her something and he left us. He was the first one of us to leave the bar that night. Afterwards, the other guys also left leaving me and Belinda behind. I was high that night and I noticed that Belinda was drunk. And I was aroused. I was feeling a strong urge that and I wanted like satisfying it. We had had champagne that night; every one of us. When I noticed that Belinda was drunk, I went to book a room in the hotel for me to stay with Belinda so I could… I could….” said Edward.

“So you could what?” asked Inspector John.

“So I could sleep with her.” said Edward.

“So you could sleep with someone else’s girlfriend?” asked Inspector John.

“I was high and really aroused that night. It found it hard for me to hold myself. And Belinda was the only girl around.” said Edward.

“So that means when you got into the room and you wanted to sleep with her but she refused, you assaulted her right?” asked Inspector John.

“No. I did not assault her.” said Edward.

“Then what happened.” asked Inspector John.

“After we got into the room, and I was about to do the job, I suddenly heard a voice.” said Edward.

(Flashback)

“I can see you guys are having a good time.” A voice said.

“And who are you and what are you doing here?” said Edward.

“You are very silly for asking me that question.” The voice replied.

“Would you get out of here man? Get out!” Edward said.

“Do you know who you are talking to?” the voice said.

“Who are you?” asked Edward.

“Who am I? Since you have asked, then let me show you who I am.” the voice said.

(Flashback ends)

“And later, I remember I became conscious and met myself on the floor. I was feeling pain in my head and I was feeling dizzy. My view was not clear. I stood up from where I was and I staggered. I could not balance on my feet. I looked round in the rooms and my view was blurry. On the floor beside where I was lying, I could notice a figure lying on the floor which I thought was Belinda’s body. But I could not see any stains of blood or any traces of attack on her. Maybe that was because my view was not clear. Someway, somehow, I found my way out of the room and while I was on a corridor in the hotel, one of the guys who were with us that night at the bar saw me and took me into the room he had booked. And that was where I was until the next day. I did not attack Belinda that night. Rather I was attacked myself.” said Edward.

“Can you recognize the face of the person who showed up when you were with Belinda in the room that night if you see the person?” asked Inspector John.

“No, I can’t” said Edward.

“Why? Was it not after the attack that your view became blurry?” asked Inspector John.

“Like I said earlier, I was high that night. And I can also remember that the person was wearing something over his head. That concealed his face to some extent and because of my state at that time, I could not make out how he looked that night.” said Edward.

(Inspector John signaled to Inspector Ramsey and Ramsey dipped his hand into his pocket and brought out a handkerchief. Wrapped in the handkerchief was a golden ring. You remember the ring?)

“What do you know about this ring? Have you seen this ring before?” asked Inspector John.

(Edward took the ring and examined it. Edward felt the ring and looked at it closely.) “I placed my hand on something. Yes, I remember I placed my hand on something. Something like this. While I was moving out of the room, I placed my hand on something like this because I was crawling on the floor as I was moving out. I did not have enough balance to walk on my feet and I crawled on the floor. I can remember placing my hand on something while I was crawling towards the door. But I cannot say for sure that this is it, but it was something like this. But as for me, I personally don’t own this ring. In fact, I don’t wear rings. So I am not the one who owns this.” said Edward.

“So you are now telling us you are not the one who attacked Belinda?” said Inspector John.

“Never! I never attacked her. Rather I was attacked myself.” said Edward.

(At the hospital)

Belinda was laying on her back on the bed and gazing at the ceiling. While she was like that, something was going on in her mind. Some memories were coming. She was visualizing something in her past.

(Flashback)

“Belinda, is this not you? I have got you at a good time. What do you have now or what can you do now to defend yourself against me?” someone said.

“Henry, what is it? What have I done to you to deserve your threats? Why are you here now?” said Belinda.

“Really? So soon? Have you forgotten so soon what you did to me? You attacked me Belinda. You struck me hard. You made me bleed. You caused me pain. Have you forgotten?” Henry said.

“Henry, why don’t you leave me alone? Were you not the one who first grabbed me and was trying to rape me before I attacked you? I was defending myself from you, foolish pervert.” Belinda said.

SLAP!!! (Henry gives her a slap on her face) “How dare you talk to me like that? Don’t you have some fear in you for me? Are you not afraid of me?” said Henry.

“Henry, there is nothing to be afraid of about you. I don’t fear you. There is nothing you can do to me.” said Belinda.

“Oh I see. Belinda, I would have considered sparing you because of the relation between you and I. Because of what we have had together in the past. Because of what we still have between us now. But, look at you. You are not showing any remorse for what you did. You do not feel sorry before me Belinda. You just said you are not afraid of me. I hereby choose not to pity you my dear. I am going to take my revenge.” said Henry.

“There is nothing you can do Henry.” said Belinda.

“There is something I can do. I can cause you pain. I can make you cry. Belinda don’t try me.” said Henry.

“Henry, I repeat, you can do nothing.” said Belinda.

“I repeat, I can do something.” said Henry

“Then show me, Henry.” said Belinda.

“For real?” asked Henry.

“Yes, show me what you got, you weakling fool.” said Belinda

(Henry grabs Belinda by her shoulders) “Belinda, don’t try me. I am warning you. I can cause you pain.” said Henry.

“You can do nothing.” said Belinda.

“Argggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh” by Henry.

“Leave me alone! Leave me alone!! Henry, leave me alone!!!” said Belinda.

(Flashback ends)

Belinda’s mum was sitting by her bed when Belinda was having those thoughts. All of a sudden….

“Henry, leave me alone!!!” Belinda yelled.

Belinda sat up from her lying position as she yelled. Her mom got up from where she was sitting to check on her. One of the nurses in the hospital also rushed in as she had heard the voice.

“Belinda, what is wrong? What happened this time?” asked her mother.

“Henry! Henry! Henry! Henry! Henry!” said Belinda.

“Belinda, who is Henry?” asked her mother.

“Henry! Henry! Henry! Henry! Henry!” said Belinda.

“Belinda, please talk to me? Who is Henry? What about him?” said her mother.

“Henry! Henry! Henry! Henry! Henry!” said Belinda.

“Belinda, please. Please talk to me. Who is Henry?” (Belinda’s mother held and shook her daughter as she was going emotional. Who was Henry?)

“Madam, please take it easy. Please. Let go of her.” said the nurse.

Belinda’s mother started weeping and she fell back to the chair where she was sitting.

“Belinda, would you like to go back to sleep?” the nurse said to Belinda.

“Henry! Henry!” Belinda said.

“Calm down, Belinda. Calm down. Go to sleep, okay?” said the nurse.

Belinda was made to lie on her back on the bed as her mother wept on. The nurse moved closer to Belinda’s mum to console her. Belinda looked at her mom from the bed as tears rolled down her own eyes too. Belinda and her mum looked at each other, weeping. Afterwards, Belinda’s mother got her phone and dialed Inspector John’s number and called for his and Inspector’s Ramsey’s appearance at the hospital. They later arrived.

“What is the matter, madam? Any development?” asked Inspector John.

“It is Belinda again. She screamed and after she sat up, she was mentioning Henry.” said Belinda’s mother

“Henry? What did she say about Henry?” said Inspector John.

“Nothing else. She was just repeating the name Henry. That is all.” said Belinda’s mother.

Inspector John heaved a sigh.

“What is the name of that guy in our custody again?” Inspector John asked Ramsey.

“That is Edward. (To Belinda’s mother) Are you sure it was Henry that she mentioned?” said Inspector Ramsey.

“Yes, I am very sure. It was Henry.” said Belinda’s mother.

“Madam, I want to ask you. Is there anything in Belinda’s possession apart from her mobile that you think can help us in our investigation?” asked Inspector John.

Belinda’s mother thought for awhile then she said, “Her diary. Yes, Belinda has a diary.”

“Her own personal diary?” asked Inspector John.

“Yes, it is at home.” said Belinda’s mother.

“Madam, can you help us with that diary? I want to see that diary.” said Inspector John.

“Yes. I will go home and bring it down here.” said Belinda’s mother.

“Okay, Madam. We will be here waiting. Don’t rush madam. Take it easy. We will be patiently waiting here.” said Inspector John.

“Okay, let me go and get it.” said Belinda’s mother.

Belinda’s mother left the ward and headed home for the diary. She came back later with the diary and handed it over to Inspector John. The policemen left the ward with the diary.

After awhile, while Belinda’s mother was seated in the ward and Belinda was asleep, she suddenly heard the sound of the door moving. It was moving slowly. What was happening? Who was trying to get in? Someone was behind the door.

“Who is that?” Belinda’s mother called out.

(No response)

“Who is behind that door?” Belinda’s mother said.

(No response)

What was going on? Someone was behind the door. Belinda’s mother stood up on her feet from the chair and called out again.

“Who is there?”

(No response)

What was happening? Belinda’s mother thought for awhile and then she decided to go see who was there. As Belinda’s mother approached and got close to the door, all of a sudden, she felt one hand go over her nose and another at the back of her head. Someone was trying to suffocate her to death! Belinda’s mother struggled to get free from the hold as the hands held on tight. Both parties struggled; one struggling in attack and the other in defense. Some noise was produced as both of them were struggling and Belinda woke up from her sleep. Her eyes were opened and she saw what was happening. She yelled!

“Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!”

Belinda continued to yell and the attacker withdrew his hand from his hold and left the place in a bid to escape. Belinda’s mother was gasping for breath. Belinda rushed to meet her mother where she was to check on her. Some nurses rushed into the ward as they had heard Belinda scream. After awhile, the two policemen who had left the ward also arrived and joined them in the ward. Belinda’s mother was now seated on the floor looking weak. She had almost lost her life.

“What happened?” asked Inspector John.

Belinda’s mum managed to speak. The two policemen went out of the ward in search of the attacker but they could not find him. He escaped! Who was he by the way? After awhile of hunting for the attacker and they could not find him, the policemen returned to the ward. Belinda’s mother was now seated on a chair and was looking better.

“Madam, did you see his face?” asked Inspector John.

“No, I did not. He was having a mask on his face and wore something over his head. I could not make out his face.” said Belinda’s mother.

“Is there anything that you think can help us in getting him? Did you find anything on him that can help out?” asked Inspector John.

Belinda’s mother dipped her hand inside a pocket on one side of the gown she was wearing and brought out a ring! Ring again! What type of ring? Diamond or golden? Silver ring! It was a silver ring. Inspector John collected the ring and looked closely at it. There was something about the ring. He could relate with that ring. Inspector John showed it to Inspector Ramsey, and after Ramsey examined it, he could also relate with it. There was something about that ring. It was created in the same structure of the golden ring which they had found in the room where Belinda was attacked. The same structure! There were only two differences between both rings. The first one was golden while the second was of silver. And the second difference was what? Story continues!

Inspector Ramsey and John left the ward and headed for the station. They had with them Belinda’s diary and the silver ring.

CHAPTER FIVE

One day, it happened that the two policemen went to meet someone at home. It happened that day. Both of the inspectors went to meet someone in his house.

(At the person’ house)

“Oh! Officers, you are welcome. Please sit down.”

“No, there is no need for that Mr. Ben. We would not be sitting.” said Inspector John.

“Really? Okay! So, what is the matter? Why are you here?” asked Uncle Ben. (It was Uncle Ben they had gone to meet. You remember him?)

“Mr. Ben, can we see any Identity of card of yours? Any identity card that displays at least three of your names?” said Inspector John.

“Sure, I have such Identity cards in the house. In fact, there is one in my pocket right now.” said Uncle Ben

Uncle Ben brought out the Identity card and handed it over to Inspector John. John looked at it and nodded his head. He passed it to Ramsey, who also looked at it and nodded his head. John collected the Identity card from Ramsey and handed it back to Uncle Ben. Then John wanted to speak, until something occurred to his mind. He sensed something. He had seen something. John looked closely at the spot where he had seen something. What did he see?

“Mr. Ben, is this a bronze ring on your finger?” asked Inspector John.

“Yes it is. It is my ring. I purchased it myself. And what’s up with it?” said Uncle Ben.

“Please, can I have a look at that ring?” said Inspector John.

“Of course!” said Uncle Ben.

Uncle Ben pulled out the ring and handed it over to Inspector John. John examined the ring and nodded his head. He handed the ring to Ramsey who examined it and nodded his head too. Ramsey handed it back to John who then handed the ring back to Uncle Ben. John then signaled to Ramsey with his head passing a message across. Ramsey understood. Ramsey pulled out his gun and pointed it at Uncle Ben.

“Mr Ben. You are under arrest.” said Inspector Ramsey.

“What? For what? What have I done?” asked Uncle Ben.

“Hey! Hey! Mister, please respect yourself and move. We don’t want to handcuff you but if you don’t comply, I have a handcuff with me here. Move!” said Inspector John.

“But for what? What have I done?” said Uncle Ben.

“Would you move now otherwise I will blow off your skull. Now move!” said Inspector Ramsey.

“Mr. Ben, you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say here may be used against you in the court of law. Now move!” said Inspector John.

Uncle Ben was arrested and taken to the police station. What for?

(At the police station)

“Mr. Ben, I put it to you that you were the one who attacked Belinda and gave her the injury that caused her to lose her memory.” said Inspector John.

“What? Do you know what you are saying? Belinda is my niece; the daughter of my brother. And I love her and would never want to harm her. So what are you saying?” said Uncle Ben.

“Mr. Ben, I am putting it to you and I still stand on it that you were the one who attacked Belinda that night.” said Inspector John.

“Inspector John, you are really trying my patience here. I am not the one who attacked her. She is my niece and I love and would not want to harm her. For what reason would I want to harm Belinda? I was not the one.” said Uncle Ben.

“Mr Ben, you also bear the name Henry right?” asked Inspector John.

“Yes, I do.” replied Uncle Ben.

“Then what can you say about this Mr. Ben?” (Belinda’s diary was presented to Uncle Ben)

Uncle Ben looked at the page of the diary before him. It reads:

“Dear diary, remember what happened between I and my uncle, that man called Henry? He has been threatening me because of it. He has said that he will take his revenge on me. So in case, one day, he does something to me and I die and leave this world, I want you be an evidence against him. I want the police to see this in you so they can know that Henry and I had something together before I died. I don’t want him to go scot free. I will try my best while I am still alive to defend myself against him, but if he kills him, I want you to serve as a testimony against him. Goodnight!”

Uncle Ben looks up at Inspector John and tried to say something but his lips only shook. He did not say anything at first. After awhile, he eventually said something.

“But this does not stand as enough proof that I was the one who attacked her. Don’t you think that she may be lying? What proofs have you got to confirm what she wrote here that I have been threatening her? And even if I have been threatening her, what proofs have you got that I was the one who attacked her? I have said it before and I still stand on it. I was not the one who attacked Belinda.” said Uncle Ben.

Inspector John smiled and then he signaled to Inspector Ramsey. Ramsey placed a handkerchief on the table. Wrapped the handkerchiefs were two rings. Golden and silver!

“Mr Ben, what can you say about those rings before you?” said Inspector John.

(After awhile of looking at the rings) “I don’t know about these rings before me. I have got no business with them. I don’t own them and I don’t know the one who owns them. By the way, what has that got to do with this case?” said Uncle Ben.

“That golden ring was found beside where Belinda’s body lay in the room where she was found. Afterwards, in the hospital, Belinda’s mum was attacked and that silver ring was gotten from the attacker. The thing is, both this golden ring and the silver ring look like the bronze ring which we saw on your finger in their structures. So there is a connection.” said Inspector John.

“And what does that mean? If the rings look alike, does it mean I own them? Am I the only one to have bought a ring like that?” said Uncle Ben.

“Mr. Ben, take the three rings and look closely at them and see if you will notice something about them?” said Inspector John.

Uncle Ben took the rings and looked at them one after the other.

“Look closely, Mr. Ben. And you will find some text on them. On the golden ring, you will find G737, on the silver ring, you will find S737, while on the bronze ring, you will find B737.” said Inspector John.

“Yes, I can see that. What does that mean? Because the numbers are same mean that I own them?” said Uncle Ben.

Inspector John signaled to Inspector Ramsey. Ramsey reached for a laptop computer, operated it for awhile and placed it on the table.

“Mr. Ben, look at that this computer. What you are looking at is a conversation between us and the company that produces and markets these rings. And they confirmed it to us that they do not sell the rings separately rather they sell the three rings together. Which means that if you bought this bronze ring, which was what you told us, you also bought the silver and the golden rings.”

Uncle Ben kept mute.

“Mr. Ben, furthermore we asked about the text on the rings and we were informed that the text on the rings were there so the one who bought them could identify which ones were his own in case if he loses any of them. They do this because the rings look alike and there could be a mix up. So in case there is a mix up or they get lost, each owner would be able to identify his own rings with that identification number. The numbers on these golden, silver and bronze rings reads G737, S737 and B737 respectively which means that they were purchased together. So if you were the one who purchased this bronze ring with B737 on it, that means that you also purchased these golden and silver rings along with it.

Mr. Ben, I am putting it to you that you were the one who attacked Belinda that night and you were the same one who attacked her mother in the hospital. What have you got to say?” Inspector John said.

Uncle Ben bowed his head for awhile then he looked up at Inspector John.

“Yes, I did it.” said Uncle Ben.

Inspector John and Ramsey looked at each other.

“If you did it, then why did you do it?” asked Inspector John.

“It was one night. Belinda was celebrating her birthday so I went for the celebration which was holding in a hall in a hotel. That night, I was high because champagne had been served at the party and I had drunk from it. I was high and was feeling aroused that night. After the party ended and people were going home, I was going to the toilet to ease myself. Upon getting close to the male toilet, I saw Belinda on a call. I waited for her to finish with her call.

(Flashback)

“Belinda, Belinda, how are you?” asked Uncle Ben.

“I am fine. Thank you. Uncle Henry, are you alright?” said Belinda.

(Belinda was someone who called her uncle Henry amongst the people who knew him as Henry. If you see Henry in this story, it is Uncle Ben)

“Alright? No, I don’t feel alright. I feel there is something going on inside of me that I seriously need to take care of.” said Uncle Ben.

“Really?” asked Belinda.

“Yes, something going on in me. Do you mind checking on me, maybe you can help me out.” said Uncle Ben.

“Okay, I don’t mind. So which part of your body is affected?” said Belinda

Belinda moved closer to Uncle Ben and tried to check on him. All of a sudden, Uncle Ben grabbed Belinda and was trying to bring her down. Belinda screamed and strived to get free from his hold. Uncle Ben, as a man that he was, was stronger than Belinda and succeeded in bringing her down and was trying to get between her legs. Belinda exerted her strength to break free but she was not strong enough. She had to do something fast. He was going to rape her! Belinda looked around and found an empty bottle of an alcoholic beverage. She smashed the bottle on the floor, and with one part of the broken bottle in her hand, Belinda stabbed Uncle Ben in his left arm. Uncle Ben withdrew from the struggle as a consequence and held the stabbed part, groaning in pain with blood flowing out of the spot. Belinda got up from the floor and ran away from the scene, leaving Uncle Ben behind in his pain.

(Flashback ends)

“I was there for awhile, then I managed to walk myself from that place into a room I had booked prior to that time. One of the hotel workers saw me and I told him it was an accident. He helped me with first aid that night. The next day, I left the hotel and drove to the hospital for treatment. Afterwards, I called Belinda on phone.

(Flashback)

“Henry, why are you calling me now?” said Belinda.

“What? Have I suddenly lost respect before you? You just called my name like that? Said Uncle Ben.

“Henry, leave story. Why are you calling me? Simple!” said Belinda.

“I want to apologize to you for what happened that night. I was high and aroused that night. I would not have done that to you on a norm. Hope you did not tell your mum?” said Uncle Ben

“Sorry for yourself, Henry. You are such a disgrace. If I had not done what I did, what would have happened to me? You would have raped your own niece?” said Belinda.

“Belinda, I told you what had happened to me that night. The champagne we had had affected my system.” said Uncle Ben.

“Shut up your dirty mouth, you this foolish pervert. Were you the only one who had drunk that night? Did I not drink? Did some other people not drink? And now you say it was champagne. Or it was because of the dirty feelings that you had towards me in your heart and you saw that situation as an opportunity to get me.” said Uncle Ben.

“Belinda, why are you talking to me in this manner? You are not even showing any remorse for what you did to me. Don’t you know that you have caused me pain? Come and look at my arm now. I am feeling pain in it.” said Uncle Ben.

“Oh! Your arm? You just made me remember that I had been nice. What about your head? What if I had stabbed that your head and the bottle had gotten into that your brain with those dirty thoughts of yours? Uncle Ben, I am really doing you a favor here. I have not told my mum what happened. I did what I did to defend myself and there is nothing you can do about it. Pervert! Get of my line.” said Belinda.

“Hello, Belinda… Hello, are you there? Hello….” said Uncle Ben.

Belinda had hung up the phone.

“Hmm. Am I the one that Belinda is talking to in this manner? She did not show any respect. She did not show any remorse for what she did. This girl does not know me. She does not know who I am. If she knew, she would not try this with her. I am going to teach this girl a lesson.” Uncle Ben said to himself.

(Flashback ends)

Afterwards, I started threatening Belinda. She was being rude towards me and it appeared like I had lost my respect before her. I wanted her to show some respect. I wanted her to feel remorse for what she did. But she did not. I would send threat messages to Belinda asking her to apologize for what she did otherwise she would regret it. But she would not apologize. Every time, I would talk to her and try to threaten her, she would also reply me with threats. I felt so ashamed that that young lady, as young as she was, was acting like that to me. So I decided to teach her a lesson.

I had asked someone to help me monitor her and I was informed that she was at that hotel that night. I went there and was keeping an eye on here but she did not know. I saw a guy leave the bar with her and they headed upstairs and I followed them.

(Flashback)

“I can see you guys are having a good time.” said Uncle Ben.

“And who are you and what are you doing here?” said Edward.

“You are very silly for asking me that question.” said Uncle Ben.

“Would you get out of here man? Get out!” said Edward.

“Do you know who you are talking to?” said Uncle Ben.

“Who are you?” said Edward.

“Who am I? Since you have asked, then let me show you who I am.” said Uncle Ben.

Henry hit Edward hard with a thick piece of wood on his head. Edward collapsed to the floor and got unconscious. Henry turned to Belinda.

“Belinda, is this not you? I have got you at a good time. What do you have now or what can you do now to defend yourself against me?” said Uncle Ben.

“Henry, what is it? What have I done to you to deserve your threats? Why are you here now?” said Belinda.

“Really? So soon? Have you forgotten so soon what you did to me? You attacked me Belinda. You struck me hard. You made me bleed. You caused me pain. Have you forgotten?” said Uncle Ben.

“Henry, why don’t you leave me alone? Were you not the one who first grabbed me before I attacked you? I was defending myself from you, foolish pervert. Said Belinda.

SLAP!!! (Henry gives her a slap on her face) “How dare you talk to me like that? Don’t you have some fear in you? Are you not afraid of me?” said Uncle Ben.

“Henry, there is nothing to be afraid of about you. I don’t fear you.” said Belinda.

“Oh I see. Belinda, I would have considered sparing you because of the relation between you and I. Because of what we have had together in the past. Because of what we still have between us now. But, look at you. you are not showing any remorse for what you did. You do not feel sorry before me Belinda. You just said you are not afraid of me. I hereby choose not to pity you my dear. I am going to take my revenge.” said Uncle Ben.

“There is nothing you can do Henry.” said Belinda.

“There is something I can do. I can cause you pain. I can make you cry. Belinda don’t try me.” said Uncle Ben.

“Henry, I repeat, you can do nothing.” said Belinda.

“I repeat, I can do something.” said Uncle Ben.

“Then show me, Henry.” said Belinda.

“For real?” said Uncle Ben.

“Yes, show me what you got, you this weakling fool.” said Belinda.

(Henry grabs Belinda by her shoulders) “Belinda, don’t try me. I am warning you. I can cause you pain.” said Uncle Ben.

“You can do nothing.” said Belinda.

“Argggghhhhhhhhhhhh” Uncle Ben yelled in rage and shook Belinda rigorously.

“Leave me alone! Leave me alone!! Henry, leave me alone!!!” said Belinda trying to break free from his grip.

Uncle Ben and Belinda struggled for awhile but Henry overpowered her. While they were struggling, a golden ring fell off one of Uncle Ben’s fingers and landed on the floor. Uncle Ben grabbed her head, moved backwards and dashed forward with force, smashing her head viciously against the wall. Belinda sustained an injury at the back of her head instantly due to the attack and blood flowed out from the spot. She fell to the ground. Henry left the room.

(Flashback ends)

“And that was it.” said Uncle Ben.

“And why did you go to attack her mother at the hospital?” asked Inspector John.

“I was afraid that Belinda was going to recover from her memory loss and remember what I had done to her. So I went there to finish her up. Her mother was there with her, that was why I tried to kill her. I had planned to kill her mother first so I can have my way in murdering and finishing Belinda up. Please officer, it was because of champagne. It was the champagne that made me high and aroused that night. If I was not in that state, I would not think of sleeping with Belinda. And what happened would not have happened. Please help me. I am a responsible person in the society. If I am released and not sentenced to jail, I can contribute to the betterment of the society. Please help me.” said Uncle Ben.

“Mr. Ben, when you get to court, you would go and say that in court. Inspector Ramsey, take him to the cell.”

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), and gambling, and Al-Ansaab (stone altars for sacrifices to idols, jinn, etc), and Al-Azlaam (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are an abomination of Shaytaan’s (Satan’s) handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful”
[al-Maa’idah 5:90]

Allaah has cursed the drinker of alcohol. In Sunan Abi Dawood (3189) it is narrated that Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah has cursed alcohol, the one who drinks it, the one who pours it, the one who sells it, the one who buys it, the one squeezes (the grapes, etc), the one for whom it is squeezed, the one who carries it and the one to whom it is carried.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani as stated in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 2/700.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) likened the one who is addicted to alcohol to one who worships idols. It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The one who is addicted to alcohol is like one who worships an idol.” Narrated by Ibn Maajah, 3375; classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah, 2720.

In Saheeh al-Bukhaari (2295) and Saheeh Muslim (86) it is narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No one who commits zina is a believer at the moment when he is committing zina, and no one who drinks wine is a believer at the moment when he is drinking it, and no thief is a believer at the moment when he is stealing, and no robber is a believer at the moment when he is robbing and the people are looking on.” This means that such a person is not a believer in the sense of having complete faith, rather his faith is greatly lacking because of this evil action.






THE END