BEHIND THE SMILE - Episode 18

He went back the following day to inform them that she did not show up.

They asked him to provide the necessary information and he did.

“…so her friend, Anita called you yesterday and said your wife made mention of going to see a student in your school who also happens to be her clients. To get information if you’re cheating on her or not?
A police officer taking down the information asked Benny who nodded affirmatively.

The police continued reading out the information to his hearing.
“… and her name is Bianca. And this same Bianca invited you over to a hotel to confirm what Anita said, she was acting weird initially right in the hotel room. And later gave you your wife’s wedding ring with the information that she was no longer interested in the marriage…?

Benny kept nodding and wishing the police officer can hurry up with the whole thing.
“,… why didn’t you believe the lady, Bianca? even after she hand the ring over to you…”

“I don’t officer. I know my wife and that’s unlike her. Something isn’t right… the whole thing is fishy…” Benny replied.

“Alright we will start our search right away. But first, give us this Bianca’s mobile number and any information you know will be helpful in our investigation. Also your wife’s colleagues will be brought in for questioning. We will do all we can to find your wife…be reassured.

Benny provided the information before leaving.
He went back to his car.
He held his two palms together, shut his eyes and prayed silently.

“The Bible in psalm 91 said you will not let our feet to be strike on a stone’ pestilence will not come close to our dwelling, you promised to give your angel charge over us. Your words is the only confident I have Lord and that’s where I stand this hour to say wherever my wife maybe at this moment I’m believing by faith that your angels are surrounding her and will not allow any harm to come close to her. We have both been through so much in our lives…I know sorrow may last for a night but joy comes in the morning. I know our morning will definitely come but until it arrives I ask that you keep my wife safe wherever she maybe. Forgive me oh Lord for allowing my personal problems to take your place in my heart….”

Benny heaped a sigh, he placed his head on his car steering and continued to pray.

Bianca was first invited in for questioning.
She was very calm and did not show any sign of fear or guilt all through.

She even sometimes flashed them her pretty smile, making it appear all innocent and sweet.

They later let her go but not after putting all statement down and marking her not guilty.
Anita and other colleagues also came in for questioning.
None seem to be guilty.

The police still went further to search Bianca’s house but nothing was found.

The police informed Benny that Bianca is not a suspect and from the story that they were told Dorcas was with her lover and do not want to have anything to do with him again.
Bianca told them the same story that she told Benny.

The police told Benny to try and start accepting the fact that Dorcas has gone to be with another man due to his infidelity and several miscarriage saga.

They still promise to leave the case open and will continue their investigation slowly until they see and hear from Dorcas.

Benny did not believe and although he decided to go with whatever the police said but he was also putting more efforts to know where his wife maybe.
He didn’t stop there, he backed it all up with continues prayers.

Bianca called him one day and said.

“I can’t believe you will put my names among the suspects of your wife’s disappearance. Prof Benny, I understand you loved your wife and I admire that about you and also hope that I will get a man like you who will love me with all his soul. I have helped you in the past and got rid of all the Photoshop pictures before it circulate. I know I was a bit late and it got to your wife but i really tried to avoid such. I try to convince your wife that you are innocent but she was head bent on leaving you. I even get insulted in the process. I just couldn’t believe that you put my name up for suspects and they came to my house with search warrants. How could you when I mean well for you and your family?
She began to weep quietly

Benny heaped a sigh before saying.

“Listen Bianca, don’t take it too hard. My wife is missing and anybody can be a suspect in this case. You were not the only one invited for questioning. Yours is that you happened to be the last person to see her that Wednesday and with what you did back in the hotel it makes you appears suspecious. How could you invite me to a hotel, instead of telling me the reason why I was invited you started parading naked with no intention of putting on clothes… all in the name of “your private space” or whatever you said, can’t actually remember. I’m sorry that i read wrong meaning to all of that act. sorry, but my wife is still out there and I don’t know where exactly and I intend to find out. No one can take the place of my wife in my life…kids or no kids I love Dorcas and I will continue to dig untill the real truth resurface and if at the end Dorcas truly went to be with another man…I will respect that. She deserves to be happy with whoever she wants to be with. But until I confirm the real truth in all of this, I won’t stop searching for her…”

“I’m sorry too Prof for what happened at the hotel. I meant no harm, and will never try to take the place of your wife. I understand how hard this whole thing is and I hope that soon it becomes a history. Just to prove that I meant well, I have already reported the matter to a different police station as a fresh case. They will like to speak to you by tomorrow. I promise everything will be alright soon because this officers are filled with actions. I’m ready to provide any information that will help in this case…”

Benny was taken aback with what Bianca said.
“You did all of this for me? I really appreciate Bianca. This means a whole lot. Thanks…”

Few days later, Benny met with Bianca’s officers.
Two men in uniform and they asked him to provide every information needed on the missing person case and Benny did.
He was hopeful that this new officers will find Dorcas.
Bianca was with him all through and also gave her own information.

She even asked them to search her apartment but Benny told him that it’s not necessary anymore.

Benny try not to give room for any unwanted closeness with Bianca

That really got her pissed. even after every thing, all her efforts Benny remained unbending to her charms.

She was not going to give up just like that.
If she can’t have Benny then no one can.

****
Benny happened to get a call one day and the caller identify himself as Charles.
Benny screamed excitedly knowing that Charles survived the shot.
Charles informed him that he was far away in an undisclosed place after the shot and that is where he was being treated.

“Did you inform anyone at all about me working on digging up the person behind the Photoshop? because whoever that shot me is closer to you than you think…”

Benny told him he didn’t tell anyone aside his wife. And his wife does not know any details of him. Benny even told him that his wife have been missing for weeks now.

“Prof, the person that shot me does not want you to know the truth. Is a woman and she was on a mask and made me destroy every information I found before shooting me. Is not a man like we initially thought and this person maybe closer to you and probably pretend to be a friend. She thought I’m dead but I managed to get a quick help. I know what she sound like though. She is probably the one that kidnapped your wife. If you want to catch a thief then you have to act like a thief. Use this information well Prof Benny and becareful because whoever that is behind all of this is dangerous…”

After the call Benny, stood still thinking hard.
Deadly breeze blew cold air around Benny.
His phone suddenly dropped from his hand to the ground.
The picture became more clearer and immediately fear grip him.

Bianca was the only one fitting perfectly into the whole scene.