BLOOD AND MONEY

BLOOD AND MONEY EPISODE TWO

Mum was attended and soon she got conscious again. This was going to be hard but I was her only hope now, her strongest pillar and I had to be there for her. I had to assure her that even though dad was gone, it was going to be okay.

We visited home where dad was building and the foundation had already been started but then work stopped as soon as my father died.

Mum: this was to be our new home.

She said in a devastating tone as we walked around the compound.

Me: mum, we can't stay here anymore. We can buy land and build somewhere else. We have the money.

Mum: this place carries a lot of memories for me and your father. Your father will be buried right here because its his home. Do we just walk away and leave him here?

Me: mum, dad did not die of stroke or road accident, he was "macheted" to death. We don't know why the guys who killed him did and we don't know if they got what they wanted and that's a risk I don't want to take... Not with you.

She remained quiet and after seeing the house, we left as the body had already left ahead of us..

We tried asking around for the people who found my dad to see if we could find his phone but no one came forth probably because they thought they would be associated with my father's death. If you had seen the condition of the body, you wouldn't too. I tried calling the phone and to my surprise, it was still going through only that no one picked it. It was one of those phones with a very complicated way of inserting and taking out sim card so whoever had it, maybe didn't even know how to take out the sim card.

Mum: let's just go Owen, we already got what we came for.

Me: mum, we need that phone.

Mum: but its not going to fly on its wings and get here. Whoever has it has decided to keep it so let's go please.

The weather had changed and it seemed like it would soon rain. Mum thought of passing by Agrippina's house but I didn't let her. That is after I had called Willis several times telling him I was in the village but he never showed even after asking me to let him know when I was around.

Mum: we are not certain its Willis who killed your father and it wouldn't be good if Agrippina learned that we came home and did not pass by her place.

Me: you can always visit her next time. Let me ask you something mum, have you received a call from Willis or his mother condoling with you?

She was silent and I was not even sure of what she was thinking. My mother was one of those good women who believed in doing good regardless and I took after her too bad after seeing my dad, I felt something in me. He didn't have to go down like that.

We travelled a long distance but finally got to Nairobi and settled dad in a mortuary of our choice before going back home. When we got back home we found my friend Robert waiting by the door and when he saw us. He hugged mum and I and told us how sorry he was. Robert and I went to the same high school and to the same university and graduated the same year. He worked for dad in his company and was away at the new branch facilitating when he heard of what had happened. Both mum and dad liked Robert and he was the one person that felt at home in my place more than anyone else ever did.

Robert carried mums bag and we all went inside.

Me: when did you get back?

Robert: an hour ago. I tried reaching you but your phone is off.

Me: yeah, my batt died and I couldn't charge as I had forgotten my charger.

Robert: anyone wants coffee?

He said dumping the bag on the chair and heading to the kitchen

Me: sure.

Mum: no, I'm fine. I will go to my room and get some rest... Don't burn down my kitchen.

She picked her bag and left.

Robert got to making the coffee for both of us as I hanged around the kitchen to keep him company..

Robert: she is not in good shape at all.

Me: she lost a husband. She is allowed to be in bad shape.

Robert: I'm truly sorry about your dad. He was an awesome man. His death has affected a lot of his employees too.

I did not really know how to handle everything but I was really glad Robert was there with us. He made the house a bit lively because I had someone to talk to and brainstorm with as everything happened very fast.

A few minutes into that, there was a knock on the door and I left Robert in the kitchen to go and answer it. On opening the it, Della was standing there all worked up and from the look on her face, I could tell she was there for war.

She said hi and quickly made her way in not waiting for a response so I followed her in.

Me: babe!

She put her bag down and looked at me.

Della: why did you switch off your phone?

Me: I did not. We travelled and the phone went off. I didn't have a charger with me and I just got home a few minutes ago.

She heard someone in the kitchen and she peeped.

Me: its Robert.

She sat down like she didn't even care he was there. I don't know what happened between Robert and Della but they couldn't stand each other. Robert literally hated Della and I was the one on the spot being caught up in the middle of their fights.

I sat next to her and took her hand in mine then looked her in the face.

Me: babe, I wouldn't switch off my phone intentionally you know that right?

She didn't respond but had this worried look on her face.

Della: what is he doing here?

Me: he is my friend and incase you forgot my father died and I could use a lot of people around me.

Della: I'm sorry.

I kissed her on the forehead then got up to get her some coffee. I turned briefly when i got to the door to ask her if she needed something to accompany the coffee but I saw her stare at her phone then switch it off and put it in her bag then looked around nervously. That was so unlike her so what was really going on with her?

Robert: your coffee is ready

He said handing me a mug as he leaned on the kitchen counter and took a sip of his...

Me: is there any left for Della, she is here.

He pointed to the coffee maker without saying a word.

Robert: I need to discuss something with you.

Me: what is it about?

A phone call came through before he could mention what it was so I left him in the kitchen to talk to whoever was calling as I went back to Della.

ELSEWHERE

Willis had been back in the city in fact he was in the city when Owen and his mother were in the country side. He was busy planning with some rogues on how to strike claiming that Owen's father never paid them for close to three months.

Amongst the workers was a guy called Jabali a right hand man to Willis whom he worked hand in hand with as Gerald worked with Willis...

Jabali: I don't think this was the right time to get the guts to strike. The family is still mourning.

Willis: you know nothing about power. Power is not asked for in a polite way, it is grabbed. Right now, Owen's and her mother's minds are not functional and if we wait till the dust on Gerald's death settles, we might never get anywhere..

Jabali: I know all that, but you were a friend to the family. Don't make it too obvious that you were involved in Gerald's death.

Willis: I really don't care about Gerald's family and by the time I'm done with them, they will be in shreds.. I will fully own this company even if it means killing Owen and his mother... I can see you are developing cold feet. You better pick sides before its too late.

Willis walked out on Jabali and stood at a distance watching the employees chant all sort of stuff during the strike calling out the Bosses.

There's a problem, Robert said coming towards us as there was this weird look on his face. He picked his keys and asked if I was coming or not completely ignoring Della's presence

Me: what's going on?

Robert: the workers are on strike and its chaos at the company.

Me: what!... Why?

Robert: uumh! I don't know because I am right here with you. Are you coming or not?

Della: you can't just leave me here.

Robert: you really think you are important than his fathers multi billion company?

Della: who made you his spokes man, this is my boyfriend and you can't just duck into our conversation uninvited.

Robert picked his jacket and started to walk away.

Me: wait!

Robert stopped and Della gave me a daring look.

Me: I'm coming with you.

Robert opened the door and stepped out giving me and Della some space.

Me: Don't take it that you are not important my love, you are. But I need to attend to other things as well but you can stay and when I come back we can have time for ourselves.

Della was not excited so she said she was leaving too and so we walked out together. She got into her car and drove off ahead of us as Robert and I headed to the office to try and listen to the workers...

Me: why do you hate the girl so much bro?

I asked Robert turning down the loud music he was nodding his head to.

Robert: I don't hate her I just dislike her that's all. Its not like I am supposed to get along with everyone.

Me: no. Whatever is between you two seem abit too personal because she hates you too and I'm kind of stuck in the middle of a best friend and a girlfriend who can kill each other as am left taking the blame..

Robert: it hasn't gotten to that. As long as she stays out of my way, we are good..

Robert and I had several other discussions as we drove to the office trying to beat the traffic. What was really going on and why did the workers strike. My father was a very straight forward man and he paid his workers and employees in time. Never had there been a strike before and why now that the company was going through a loss?

Me: I think I should call Willis. He should be able to talk to the people and calm them down.

Robert: don't make that call yet.

He put his hand on top of my phone and I looked at him.

Me: is there something you know about this strike that I don't?

Robert: no. That's what we are going to find out but I wouldn't trust that Willis guy if I was you.

Robert's talk made me feel like there was something he was hiding. What did he know about Willis or Willis and my Dad?

Me: why,... talk to me. You have been in the company long enough so at least you are aware of what's been going on.

Robert: your father and Willis were having issues that at some point were clear even to us. They couldn't agree during board meetings and I don't think he is the right person to ask for help. This is your Father's empire and he built it out of sweat. I think its about time you step up and take charge. Don't let someone do whatever he wants with your father's company. I'm here, I know everything you need to know. I will guide you.

I looked at him not sure if thats the road i really wanted to go. Robert and I got to the company and we tried to address the workers but no one would listen in fact some of the workers started throwing stuff at us and we had to run for our lives. Sources had it that Willis had been there but I never got to see him. Was he dodging me, and why didn't he do something about the situation if the company really meant something to him?

Robert and I left fearing for our lives. Robert's car was stoned as someone also fired shots at us that shattered my side of the window.

Robert: get your head down!

He said taking a turn and driving off in speed.

Me: somebody wants me dead?

Robert: you are the son to the man in question, anyone would want you dead if at all they feel like you are a threat.

Robert drove us home. I was shaken up pretty hard and now I had known that it was not only my father that was a target but me too.

Robert: who could have shot at you?

Me: I don't know man. We have to be careful.

Robert reached for the fridge to get some water as I headed up to my room to change and get rid of the clothes that had glass shuttered on it..

On my way to my room I realised that my mother's door was halfway open and when I called she didn't answer. I pushed the door open and saw my mother hanging on the rail on a window with a rope on her neck.

I shouted for help and i was in great shock. Robert came rushing up the stairs and when he saw my mum, he stopped on his tracks

Robert: holy crap!...