Afloat Season 3 E. 12

There is no greater tyranny than that which is perpetrated under the shield of the law and in the name of justice

- Montesquieu

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Ituron community-

Who would have guessed that the mysterious stranger in Maurice's home was his long lost blood uncle. 

Why did he decide to come back now?  Eric thought as suspicion crept into his mind. Though his head told him that Uncle Ambrose had always been a sincere man and should not be doubted, his guts still had reservations and over the years he had learned never to ignore his guts.

"Uncle I must apologize for what happened earlier. I think your long absence made my men to assume you're a stranger."

Eric explained carefully. 

"A stranger? But I am a son of the soil."

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Ambrose exclaimed on a laugh. 

Eric leaned off the door post and straightened. He looked at the ticking wall clock and saw it was showing ten minutes to midnight. His heartbeat accelerated as thoughts of Alex flashed through his mind. He had wasted his time and energy burning down the wrong bridge. What would he tell Alex? 

Subduing his emotions, he faced Maurice's uncle; 

"I am sorry for the way we treated you and although I would like to continue our discussion..."

"Duty calls," Ambrose finished for him."I understand. It's alright. Feel free to visit anytime."

"Uncle! Eric is now a big man and can stamp into anybody's home whenever he likes. He doesn't need an invitation!"

Maurice taunted.

Eric glared at him briefly, whirled around and stalked out of the house and into the night. His men rushed after him. 

Just then a low monotone rang out and Maurice picked up his phone from the floor next to his chair. He squinted at the small phone in his hand and suddenly his eyes widened the moment the caller id registered in his mind. Without hesitation he answered;

"Hello! Yes I can hear you...how far?"

"Maurice, there's problem oh! The girl..."

Stanley's voice seemed to have awakened Maurice's low spirit. He met his uncle's inquiring gaze and immediately turned away.

"Hello? I can't hear you!" 

Maurice yelled into the phone while walking briskly towards his bedroom, at the same time his quivering finger pressed down hard on the volume button and reduced the audio. The moment he closed the door behind him, he incredible the volume again; 

"What were you saying? Hello Stan!" 

His wife sat up in bed and stared at him with mixed feelings.

"Hello Maurice! That bird is... is dead."

Maurice's face beamed and he sighed with relief. 

Finally! People would call him Maurice the millionaire! 

The thought of the bank alerts he would receive by daylight made his hands tremble. Suddenly he remembered they had said they would give him cash. Whether cash or alert, he would finally join the few millionaires in their community. Maurice suddenly felt like dancing.

"So the delivery was successful!" He laughed out boisterously.

His statement was followed by a period of silence and Maurice sat down next to his wife on their bed.

"Oga Maurice, the delivery failed oh. Our little bird died b- before I could deliver."

"What?" Maurice sprang up from the bed. His heartbeat quickened as he listened to Stanley's agitated voice, "Stanley wetin you dey yarn? What are you talking about? Who died?" 

"The girl! I I don't know how she cut the rope ...before I knew what was happening she ran off...it was so dark, I-I tried to catch her...I really tried, but..." 

Maurice staggered forward and leaned against the wall. This must be a joke; his dazed mind reasoned

"But, but what?" He queried unable to subdue the sudden surge of impatience and fear consuming him.

"She was so fast. I don't know why she ran into the flowing river...I swear I tried to save her but the current almost drowned me..."

Maurice suddenly saw his world shattering before his eyes.

Dapper drowned? How did this happen? His millions! His heavy alert gone? The repairs at the house were yet to be paid for...how would he pay the men?

Several questions raced through Maurices bemused mind as his knees buckled and his body slowly slid down the wall of his room. His whole body hurt, but the sudden pain in his chest was the worst.

"My husband!" His wife called out with an alarmed expression. She struggled to get off the soft bed.

"Oga Maurice are you there?" 

Stanley's voice in his ear pulled him back to reality and Maurice nodded as if they were staring at each other. He managed to mumble a yes. 

"They said you must deliver another bird within twenty four hours or they will come for you..."

The phone slipped out of his grip and Stanley's voice faded. Maurice grabbed the front of his shirt with jellylike fingers as cold sweat ran down his back and the squeezing pain in his chest intensified. He let out an unrestrained squeal and fell on his side.

END

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