Fanny’s eye balls rolled and his hands trembled under the firmness of the handcuff. He sat before a large table, writhing in pain and humiliation. At the time he was sweating profusely and shaking his head in disappointment. He was yet to believe who snitched on him even though he doubted if I ever knew about his tax invasion.
He only could point at one person that knew of his tax invasion
And that person was Melissa.
Melissa had come to visit him and as soon as she sat opposite him, he snapped, “You daughter of shame!” his eyes shot at Melissa, leaving her confused and heartbroken.
“Why would you call me such name, father?” she scowled her face and sighed, wondering what could make Fanny curse her upon seeing her.
But Fanny wouldn’t stop blowing hot at her, “I thought I could trust you with secret. I thought you were a worthy daughter. See where your wickedness has landed us, uh?” he shook his unkempt head in loss and lowered his gaze.
Melissa who was still confused dragged a furrowed brow, “What are you insinuating, father? Are you accusing me of snitching on you or what? What are you accusing me of?” Her eyes were almost getting welled up with tears now as she winked in anxiety.
Fanny sniffed and raised his gaze uneasily, “Years ago I told you about the twenty-years tax invasion which the Fanny Group did to save enough money which was used to run the empire. I wasn’t supposed to reveal it to anyone but I revealed it to you with trust.” He paused, sniffed and broke down in tears, as he shook his head, and said through tears, “You are the only one I told and I expected you to keep it secret. How did it get to the Ministry of Internal Revenue? Talk to me you dope!”
Already, Melissa was all tears “Stop this father!” She snapped, “What makes you feel that I snitched on you with the ministry? What would I gain if I reveal your tax invasion? Am I that daft and stupid?” she dabbed her eyes with handkerchief.
Fanny Luis snarled at her, “You can’t tell me nothing, Melissa. I have every right to put the blame on you because you are the only one that knows about my tax invasion, even Lisa Bake doesn’t know about it.” He lowered his gaze and his tears trickled to the table. “You know the dilemma that has befallen us now. You know Lisa Bake is on the verge of death at the hospital. Melissa why?”
Infuriated, Melissa slammed her hands on the desk and beamed in rage, “I didn’t do it, father! You may have to investigate properly before accusing me falsely…!”
She was interrupted when the door creaked, opened and their gaze came upon Dr Scholar Nick, the Minister for Internal Revenue.
“Fanny Luis,” the minister called as he walked in, “I don’t need to remind you the consequences of tax invasion in Rio Hondo. For a reputable man of your stand to invade tax for twenty years, then you are up to no good. You had better get your lawyer because you are in for the worse…”
Fanny shook his head and dragged a pitiable look, “Please minister, I don’t know what you are talking about. I have been the Chairman of the Fanny Group and when I established the empire , I never for once invaded tax. I …”
“You keep shut, criminal!” he barked furiously at him, “I know the punishment that will be meted to you and in no distance time you will face the law.” He peered his face at fanny and snarled. “Not only will you pay all the tax you invaded, but you will spend the rest of your declining life behind bars!”
Melissa protested arrogantly, “Mr. Minister, I wouldn’t stand here and watch you accuse my father falsely. My father has been a patriotic citizen of Rio Hondo. You can’t accuse him falsely without any fact. Besides who told you my father invaded tax? We want to have facts, else you will hear from our lawyer…”
The minster interjected her, “Oh uh, uh. We have our facts.” He raised the brown file and slammed on the table. The twenty-year tax invasion is cited in the Fanny Group’s tax documents which has alterations and anomalies…”
Fanny Luis dimmed his eyes at him, “Minister, please there is no smoke without fire. May we know who snitched on me? How come all those years you never knew about my tax invasion until now. Something must be fishy… somebody somewhere doesn’t want my success…”
The minster interposed with a brief chuckle, “If you must know who snitched on you , then it will interest you to know that it is your underrated son-in law…”
“The world richest man!” Fanny exclaimed at once.
“Brian Patrick!” Melissa exclaimed louder. “Oh shit!” she punched her fist in the air. “We are doomed,” she mumbled.
Promptly the creaking of the door interrupted every one and I walked in majestically, “We meet again, Fanny and Mellissa.” I sounded and stood at the door, all smiles and arms folded, with my host of security flanked behind me.
“You! Brian Patrick?” Fanny’s wailing tone echoed from wall to wall. He stood up and dared to stand up.” What did I do to deserve this, Brian Patrick?”
Melissa stared at me thoughtfully ; her eyes dimmed as she recalled revealing all about the tax invasion to me some years earlier, “You wicked ex husband!” she snarled as warm tears trickled down her cheeks, “I trusted you and revealed the Fanny’s tax invasion to you and you use it against us now, uh?”
I chuckled and clapped mockingly, “Your agony just begun Fanny Luis. I can’t wait to see you face the law and rot in jail so that by the time you are released you will become poverty-stricken like I was and have a taste of what I faced. As for you Melissa be ready to mourn Lisa Bake all alone and feel what I felt when I lost Pamela Patrick, my foster mother!” I threatened, hissed and turned to leave.
“Brian Patrick! No! No!” fanny yelled at the tops of his voices.