Mark was back at his chambers thinking of how to go about his investigation after so many failed attempts . His instinct told him Diana was innocent of the crime of burning the ammunition house but however, clearly she is guilty for breaching the military rule and all evidence pointed out that she was guilty of both crimes.
The most gruesome of the two crimes Diana is supposedly a prime suspect of is the crime of burning down the Ammunition House two days to a major war that will determine the future of Sterling city.
Mark was deep in thoughts that he didn't know when Richarlison walked in. He was so much worried of exoneration good Diana's penance. He didn't want her executed. He had only 23 hours left.
"Sir!" Richarlison saluted. Mark didn't respond, he obviously didn't hear him.
"Sir!" He saluted again, this time more loudly that it jolted Mark from the land of thoughts.
"What?" Mark asked brusquely, rather tiresomely. He has been unable to catch a sleep for the last 24 hours because he has been looking for a way to spare Diana.
"Flora still won't say anything. She insist she left the yard before what transpired! We're left with no more option..." After a moment he added
"Diana is guilty!".
"Do you really believe she is guilty?" Mark asked.
There was a momentary silence in the office. Richarlison of a truth didn't believe she was guilty, but he can only work base on the available evidence.
"Sir... I can't really - a phone call interrupted what he was about saying.
On looking at the caller ID, Mark paused and said, "Hold on, let me take this call!"
It was Otani returning his call. He had called him few minutes ago to inform him about Diana situation at the moment. He felt, Otani could be able to sign an undertaken in order to free her. He thought that could work out smartly. But when he called him, no one answered it, now he was obviously calling back.
"Hello..." He said,
"Hello? Who is this? " The voice at the other end of the phone rang out sharply. Mark immediately deduced that the person on the phone was obviously Otani's bodyguard and he requested, "Give the phone to your boss"..." this is the president general!" Mark added, Introducing himself.
"Boss kei? Boss my foot!" The voice at the other end rang out again, this time mockingly.
Mark turned to look at his phones screen again and again, wondering if it was indeed, Otani's call line and of course it was. But?
"Who is it?" Another voice at the other end spoke.
After a brief moment, the first person answered, he probably must have thought he hung up the call.
"It's one man, he said I should give the phone to my boss.."
"Which boss? The second man asked, he sounded like his superior.
"Jake's pawn of course!" The next moment, a roaring laughter followed.
Mark was completely stunned. Jake's pawn? Even Richarlison was confused and shocked as they both clearly overheard the conversation between the first and second person.
The next moment, "shit" rang out and the the call quickly ended.
"Something is fishy!" Mark concluded. Speaking of Otani, his step brother, he stood up at once... Everything is not alright with him. On a second thought, since he is not taking my call, he could take mum's calls.
Mark then started of towards Flora's bedroom.
Richarlison followed him behind closely.
When Mark got to Flora's room, he couldn't find Flroa "He ought to be at home this crucial dangerous time!" Mark vented.
As him and Richarlison walked back to the office, they both heard sounds of footsteps coming from Mark's bedroom. As expected, they opted to check out who it was.
As they got to Mark's bedroom, Mark bumped into his mom, Flora, just coming out of his bedroom.
"What the fuck is she doing here in my bedroom?"
Seemed like it washer footsteps they had earlier heard.
"Hey... " Flora jolted to her full sense. It looks like she is going to be caught. She was here to steal the silver ring with the initials K. O carved on it.
It was her second assignment. Steal the ring and give it to Jake in exchange for her son, Otani.
"Mum!! What are you doing here?" Mark inquired, he was a bit shocked.
Even Flora kind of was shivering like someone caught red handed doing an evil act. She immediately dropped into acting.
"Ohhh, I was here to check up on you. Didn't know you were not around. Now that I have found you. Hope you're good?" Flora immediately stalled the question. She can't afford to get caught. She has hidden the silver ring in her bra.
"Yea... I'm good! Was just coming from your bedroom.... I had come to inquire about my step brother. He is not taking my calls..." Mark stylishly asked.
"Oh, he is good. I talked with him few minutes before coming here. He is perfectly well!" Flora responded. Her voice, however was not convincing. It sounded like it was hiding something.
"Oh really?" Mark asked.
"Yea.. I'll have to be going now, that I'm sure that you're okay!" Flora said and left hurriedly.
Few minutes ago, Mark called Otani and his line was picked by a stranger who said "boss kei, boss my foot" and later when he thought the call had ended, someone said " He was inquiring about the captive, Jake's pawn.."
What he said resounded in Marks mind.
After Flora left, Mark immediately asked Richarlison to trail her. Something was indeed fishy about her movement and what she had just said. It obviously was a lie.