Chapter 32: Chapter 32

Part Eleven

The beginning of the End

Chapter Twenty Nine

Halal rang the bell at Daria's house again, she brushed her hair backwards and waited for someone to answer the door. She'd texted Daria earlier but had gotten no reply, she'd tried calling but Daria didn't answer her calls. Frustrated she'd thrown on her yoga pants, bright yellow large T-shirts before coming over to Daria's house.

Daria finally answered the door,  she was still dressed in her night gown. "What do you want Halal?" Daria asked looking sour faced.

"What is wrong with you? I've been trying to phone you, text you, talk to you, you've been ignoring me" Halal asked with a frown on her face.

Daria sighed "I've been giving you a taste of your own medicine, I know you've been avoiding me Halal.  And I won't speak to you until you tell me why" Daria said with a frown on her face.

She knew why Halal had been avoiding her, it was obviously because she was pregnant and she was hiding it. Daria hoped Halal could at least confide in her.

"What are we Daria, Kids? I've been busy, my world doesn't revolve around you" Halal said pointedly.

Daria tried to hide the hurt on her face but she couldn't  "Busy with what Halal? You push me away every time. When you need me, I'm there for you in a flash, are you ever there for me when I need you?" Daria asked looking pained.

Halal sighed and placed her hand on Daria's shoulder. "I'm sorry if you feel that way, I've been dealing with a lot right now. I just needed some space to think. Can you understand that Daria?" Halal asked.

Daria nodded "You know you can talk to me about anything, you can trust me" Daria said. Halal smiled and nodded, telling Daria only meant telling Darrell. She couldn't tell Daria,  not yet.

"So what can I offer you?" Daria asked. She eyed Halal critically trying to tell what had changed but Halal still looked the same.

"Nothing, I just had breakfast at dad's.....i mean Jacques" Halal corrected herself. Daria smiled "It's okay to call him Dad you know, he's your father" Daria said.

"It's not okay, it just slipped out mistakenly. It's disrespectful to my late father." Halal frowned.

"Explain to me why calling your biological father 'dad', is disrespectful to your late foster father?" Daria cocked her brows in askance.

"I didn't come here to discuss daddy issues, I came here to talk about your brother Darrell. His birthday is on wednesday next week, I want to throw a surprise party for him" Halal said.

"You want to throw a party for Darrell, you know how he feels about parties, I don't think you should honestly" Daria protested.

"I've already contacted Felicity and a few others at the hospital, Jacques said we could use his house. Felicity is handling the drinks, I and Maria are handling the catering and I want you and Jacques to handle the decor, Harvey and a few others at the hospital are handling the entertainment" Halal said taking out a note pad.

"Wow, you already have this planned out. Okay, I'll help if you insist" Daria smiled.

"We're storing everything at Jacques' house tomorrow, and this is top secret Daria. Do not tell Darrell" Halal said.

"You can trust me H,  I won't tell a soul. I swear" Daria smiled sweetly.

Halal's heart warmed, she was going to tell Darrell she was pregnant on his birthday.  She hoped he'd be happy and ready to welcome the child that would probably stay or not.

"Halal is throwing a party for one of our doctors, her gynaecologist to be specific. I also have a feeling she's really pregnant"

'Well here's the thing madam, I don't pay you to give me uncertain information, find the truth and get back to me'

"I plan to do so at Doctor Darrell's party"

'Wait a minute, did you say Darrell? As in Darrell Miller?'

"Yes, he's one of our gynaecologists. He's an easy going guy,  he won't be a problem"

'Actually he will be a problem, but I'll handle it.  I think I'm going to crash that party, when is it?'

"Next week Wednesday"

'Where, give me the time and place. You know what? Never mind, I'll get myself an invite'

''How do you plan to do that?''

'I just said you shouldn't mind, now what else do I need to know?'

"I contacted the doctor in charge of Victoria, she's as good as dead. I've done everything you want, how about my own end of the deal?"

'I'll hand you the tapes the moment I'm done with you. I still need you around till Victoria's death'

The phone went off immediately. She sighed and sat on the bed, that's when she heard footsteps.

"Janice...." Harvey looked at his wife in shock. She turned sharply. "Oh hello honey, you're back. I thought you weren't coming home tonight" she sounded breathless as she spoke. She wondered if he'd heard anything at all.

"You're the one who pushed Victoria? Oh my God, Janice what have you done?" Harvey gasped.

"Harvey it's not what you think, please listen to me. I did what was necessary, for us, for the hospital" she said walking over to her husband. She stood in front of him, her heart pounding, her expression wary.

"Of course, it makes sense now. Femi must have confided in you hoping you'd convince me to believe him but you killed him instead" Harvey gasped and broke down.

Janice clutched her chest "I'm sorry, she was blackmailing me. I made a mistake in the past and she was using it against me. I'm sorry Harvey, you can't tell anyone. If you do, you'll get me arrested" She said sobbing.

"You want me to cover up for your crimes, Janice you killed innocent children. All these years that poor woman has been mourning and you're responsible for her suffering. Who are you going to kill next, me?" Harvey asked in disbelief.

"I will never hurt you, I love you. Please you can't expose me, I swear to you I won't harm anyone again. I swear to you, please trust me" she begged going on her knees.

Harvey stared at her in horror, his wife was a killer, a monster, she'd killed innocent children without remorse. She'd killed his best friend too and had almost succeeded in killing one of his nurses.

However he couldn't turn her in, she was his wife and he loved her.

"You have to promise me Janice that you'll not lay a finger on Halal, Darrell or anyone else" he looked into her eyes.

"I swear to you, I promise" she said in a remorseful voice, her cheeks wet with tears. "And I want you to stay away from them, do not go to that party. Stay away from my hospital too. I also want the list of everyone involved in this dirty act with you" Harvey said looking at his wife intently.

Janice nodded, she knew he would keep her safe no matter what. He loved her after all. He would keep her secret, she was safe. No one needed to know her crimes.

Darrell watched the two important women in his life talk like conspirators, he knew instantly that they were up to something. With his birthday coming up next week, he knew what they were talking about instantly.

He walked over to them and handed Halal the glass of apple juice she'd requested for and a plate of fried chicken.

He was still mad that she hadn't told him about the baby, mad that he'd not figured it out himself, that he had to learn about it from her ex husband.

"What are you two talking about?" Darrell asked eyeing his sister, she smiled sheepishly and looked away.

"Do you mind? We're talking women business. Excuse us" Halal said playfully taking a sip of her juice.

"Let it better be women business and not a surprise party you two are planning for me. You know I hate surprises" Darrell said.

Halal scowled at him "Why would we throw a surprise party for you, what's the cause for celebration?" Halal feigned ignorance.

"Haha......play clueless all you want but I'm serious. My birthday is next week, I don't want a surprise party. I've made plans already" Darrell said.

Daria frowned "Plans with who?" She asked. "None of your business, just don't throw a surprise party. I'd hate to disappoint you two" Darrell said and walked away.

Halal turned to Daria. "Are you sure this is a good idea?" Daria asked the minute Darrell was out of sight.

Halal nodded "I'll make sure he cancels his plans, just leave everything to me" Halal winked.

"Okay, if you say so. Anyway back to the discussion, Jacques and I have decided to use flowers instead of balloons. Balloons are so outdated and childish. We've also decided to use blue lightening too, Jacques suggested glass sculptures to give the party some class. What do you think?" Daria asked Halal.

Halal shook her head "Glass sculptures are fragile and expensive. Cancel that but I love the blue lightening and the use of flowers. Janice, Harvey's wife called me earlier, she wants to know whether to hire a comedian. And also if we should get a DJ or a live band" Halal said.

"I'd say DJ but I know by brother, so let's go with a live band. This party is a little too extravagant isn't it, Darrell won't like it one bit. You know he likes low key parties, and it's just a birthday celebration" Daria said.

Halal rolled her eyes "It's not just a birthday celebration, we're going to celebrate something else too" Halal said. Daria looked confused "What?" she asked.

"I can't tell you till then" Halal grinned. Her phone vibrated on the coffee table, someone was calling. She checked the caller ID, it was her cousin.

She answered the call. "Hello Eva, how are you?" Halal smiled. Daria's eyes widened at the mention of Evangeline. She'd assumed they weren't on speaking terms.

'Hello Lili, I just called to inform you that I'll be coming in to Lagos on Tuesday. Could you please make arrangements for me? I need a place to stay' Eva said.

Halal grinned "You can stay at my house, I'll love to have you over. Oh and that means you'll be around for Darrell's party" Halal said.

'Wow, Darrell? You still talk with Darrell?' Eva asked.

"Yes...it's a long story E, we'll talk more when you come. Before I forget, what kind of transportation will you be taking?" Halal asked.

'I'll be taking Mira Motors, you'll come pick me up from their park at Ajah. I can't wait to see you' Eva said.

"Yeah, same here" Halal said warmly. She was glad that Eva was finally accepting her and trying to bond with her. Family is important.

"Eva is coming?" Daria asked as Halal dropped her phone. "Yes, can you believe it? I haven't seen her in ages" Halal responded.

Daria faked a smile, she certainly didn't like being around Eva. There was something sinister about that girl, something that made Daria shiver whenever she saw her or heard her voice.

Felicity pulled Darrell into her office cautiously, she looked around the hallway for lurkers. When she saw none, she closed the door and turned to Darrell.

"What is this about?" Darrell asked curiously. He was just coming into the hospital, he didn't understand why Felicity was acting odd. Not just Felicity but everyone he'd met since he walked in.

"Rumor has it that Harvey has lost his mind" Felicity whispered. Darrell cocked his head in confusion.

"What do you mean by lost his mind?" Darrell asked. "Harvey has fired a lot of staffs this morning, he has also hired a new security team, there are fixed CCTV cameras everywhere. Including this one, I'm worried" Felicity said cocking her head towards the CCTV camera in his office.

Darrell smiled "He hasn't lost his mind, he's just being cautious. I like the fact that he's handling this matter seriously now" Darrell said sitting on an empty chair.

"I think he knows something and he doesn't want to tell. He refused to see me this morning" Felicity said.

"You're overreacting, I'm sure everything is fine" Darrell said. Felicity shook her head "Darrell, he fired the labour room assistants, two nurses in the hospital pharmacy, the night guard, the previous security team and the lab attendant. How can you say everything is fine?" Felicity asked.

'Can't you see the pattern? This people were on our list!' Felicity insisted

Darrell sighed "Okay, I'll talk to him during my short break. For now, just don't worry about it" Darrell said.

Felicity nodded, the telephone on her desk rang. She moved to her desk and picked up the receiver. "Doctor Felicity speaking" she said.

'This is Doctor Mathew from western pride hospital, there is a matter I'd like to speak to you about' the caller responded.

"Oh...okay. Hold on a second" Felicity turned to Darrell and mouthed western pride. That got Darrell's attention immediately, he sat straighter and asked her to activate the speaker mode.

Felicity pressed the speaker button. "Go on" she said. 'I've been trying to reach doctor Harvey for some time now but I haven't been able to. Are you aware that a doctor from your hospital called some days ago asking me to stop treatments on Victoria?' Doctor Mathew said.

Felicity gasped "What? no! Of course not" Felicity replied and immediately looked to Darrell who was looking just as shocked.

"Who was the doctor, what was her name?" Felicity asked.

'She didn't give me a name, only said she was calling from your hospital and on behalf of Harvey' Doctor Mathew responded.

Felicity shook her head "Doctor Mathew, unless I, Doctor Harvey or Doctor Darrell show up at your hospital, do not do that. Victoria is an essential part of an investigation that is going on and she has to receive constant treatment till she recovers. Ensure that she's watched constantly, her life might be in danger" Felicity said.

'I understand Doctor Felicity' Doctor Matthew replied. Darrell stood up from the seat and moved to the table. "Hello Doctor Matthew, this is Doctor Darrell" Darrell started.

'Good afternoon Doctor Darrell' Doctor Matthew responded. "Doctor Matthew could you forward the number that called you to us?" Darrell asked.

'Sure I can do that, there's something else you should know. My nurse informed me that Victoria twitched this morning, she's definitely responding to treatment' Doctor Mathew said.

Darrell and Felicity sighed in relief immediately. "Thank you Doctor Matthew, we'll definitely get back you after we speak with Harvey" Darrell said.

'Alright, have a good day' Doctor Matthew replied. Darrell let out another breath of relief. Finally, some good news. He couldn't wait for Victoria to be fully conscious, the culprit must be found.