Chapter 79

James had driven almost half the journey when he remembered the gift. He groaned in frustration. Should he return to grab it? Despite knowing that Carly was an understanding child, he didn't want to take any chances. He had promised her severally and he had to fulfill it now.

Sighing, he turned the car around and drove back to the company. He decided to park right outside so that he wouldn't alert his boss and whoever he was in a meeting with. As he alighted the car, oblivious to what was happening, he walked into the reception and grabbed the bag. On his way out, he heard some whispering that sounded somewhat aggressive.

Shrugging, he decided to leave. He had already had too much delay and he needed to rest that night too. As he got into his car, he checked the mirrors to see that they were in place. He reversed the car but before he drove off, he noticed something in his mirror. He moved the car backwards a little and he soon realized what was happening.

His boss's assistant was strangling his boss. James' eyes widened as realization dawned on him. He took out the small camera he had bought for Carly and placed it on the mirror. He made sure that it recorded everything the killer said and did. But when he was about to end the video, he realized that the killer managed to glance in his direction and caught him.

James quickly started driving off. He drove at a speed like never before and he parked at his house. He hurried inside.

"Martha! Martha!" He yelled. "Come on, come on! Pack, we need to leave!"

Martha hurried out, heart in her throat due to her urgent James sounded. Carly was fast asleep but had also woken up due to how loud her father's voice was.

"Dad? You're home? You got me something?" She asked.

James managed a smile. "It's in the car darling. Just go there and wait for me, I'm coming."

Carly hurried out to the car and waited for her parents as James had instructed. Martha folded her arms akimbo as she stared at her husband.

"What have you done? Did you steal from your boss? Why are you so apprehensive?"

"I'm being pursued, Martha! We don't have time for any explanation. Let's get to the road first and when we are a little safe, I can tell you everything." James swore.

He began to frantically pack their clothes into boxes and when Martha saw that he was serious, she assisted him. She packed their non-ceramic plates and cups into a bag and pulled them to the car. Within five minutes, they had taken enough for them. James stepped on the gas and as he drove off, he saw a faint headlight approaching their house and he drove even faster. It won't be long before they would notice that they had run away and they would come for them.

After driving for an hour and he felt like he had lost his pursuers, he drove to a small motel by the side and parked the car on the other side of the road.

"Why not park in the car inside the hotel? It's too small for your pursuers to just come in to check." Martha suggested.

James shook his head. "You take our things first, she checks in with Carly. I'll drive the car further down and I'll come back I promise."

Martha was skeptical. She didn't want him to go and try something stupid. "Let me drive the car there." She suggested. "That way, even if they saw me returning, they wouldn't recognize me."

James weighed his options. Letting Martha do it seemed more plausible. Her reason also made sense. None of his workers knew his family members. They only knew he had a wife and a child, they didn't even know the gender of his child.

As he took out the stuff and rolled them into the hotel, Martha got into the car and drove down the street. James had just finished checking in and turned the corridor when Gary walked into the hotel. He looked around the parking lot and did not find the car there. Scowling, he strode out again.

Martha had parked the car really far and when she alighted, she left the car door open as she fled. She ran and she noticed some black cars whoosh past her and she turned back to watch them. Suddenly, they all slowed down and in one turn each, they turned on the road to return. Martha watched silently behind a tree as they parked around the car. Two men came down and checked the entire vehicle but found nothing.

"They couldn't have gone far." One said. "The only issue is where did they go?"

"Listen... They have a child, surely, they would get tired. If we stayed a bit longer, I'm sure that we could find them."

"No. Two of you go into the woods and check. Four of you, go up, the remaining ones will stay here."

Martha listened as they made their plans. She was yet to know what her husband had done that caused his life to become so important to such wealthy people. She just hoped that he hadn't stolen from them, because if he did, she would personally turn him in to them. She could not endanger her daughter's life for him if he stole.

But if he did not, and maybe just got involved in some things they did, she would make sure to protect him well. With that thought, she slowly slipped away, carefully walking down to avoid making any noise.

It took her almost thirty minutes before she finally arrived at the place. James was pacing the reception, waiting for her.

"What is the matter? Why are you pacing?" Martha asked as she entered.

James pulled her into a hug. "I was so worried. I hoped they didn't somehow recognize you and take you." James said. "I would never be able to forgive myself."

"I am yet to know though, why are we being chased?" Martha asked softly. She held James' face, looking into his eyes. She saw him masking the fear and apprehension in his eyes. Her heart broke. Did her fears come true?

"My boss is dead," James whispered.

Martha's mouth fell open. Here she was thinking that her husband stole from his boss, she never expected that he could have killed the man too.