Seven Targets

Chapter Five

His stay at the office the following day was very short. Detective Daniel thoughtfully studied the case file,not only is he anticipating his retirement he also wants to ensure that the perpetrators of the crimes are apprehended and brought to book,and also that the kidnapped victims are liberated. Later in the evening before he returned home he visited the clubhouse of Kelvin Brian again to interview more people around the place.

Meanwhile,Robert at school had informed Dave and Jason of the dinner his dad wants to have with them.

“What did you tell him about us?”

“Nothing, he just wants to know you both and besides,that might be the condition for allowing me come for the party”

“Oh, don’t worry daddy’s boy we would come.”Dave said as he patted Robert on the right shoulder humorously.

“And who is daddy's boy.''Robert said playfully, smiling, although he was upset inside. This angered him the more as he reckons that he should be making independent decisions by now, decisions that would not be influenced by his dad or mum. 

After classes that day he drove with Dave and Jason in their car home. He is also considering learning to drive too. He loves the attention Dave always got whenever was around friends and other ladies, and they both have girlfriends. Would it be alright having one too? Since both Dave and Jason each have one. How would it feel like to have one since he hadn’t asked any lady out on a date before. His dad would definitely object to it.but does he have to tell him? Robert couldn’t help himself from thinking this way all through their drive home. 

When they got to Dave’s and Jason’s apartment he also went with them into Jason’s room. Their mum was not around when they came home so they were the only ones at home. When they went to Jason’s room he sat on the bed while Dave went to his own room and Jason went downstairs to the kitchen to get drinks for himself and Robert.The picture of a light skinned and tall man with a hairy face on Jason’s table caught his attention. It was the same face he saw on the front page of the magazine the previous day. Was this his dad? He had never asked him about his dad before and they have never spoken about him before. He looks much like Jason, from the eyes to the hairy skin you could tell from afar he was a carbon copy of the man in the picture. But how come? Robert was still glancing at the picture frame he had held in his hand when Jason came in and handed over the plastic drink to Robert.

“Your dad,yeah?”Robert asked, pointing to the picture frame as he kept it on the locker.

“Yeah.”Jason replied. 

“You look so much like him.”

“Yeah.So my mum said. Although I have never seen him before and would not recognize him even if we met.”

“What do you mean?” Robert asked, still trying to process what he just said.

“I had not been born when he left. My brother was still a toddler then.”

No wonder he didn’t meet their dad the first time he came and they have never spoken about him before. They have only spoken about their mum and from the way they did he was sure their relationship was not good.

“Sorry about that.”

“Nah, it’s fine.”

He stayed at their apartment for about an hour before going home. He had also discovered something again about Dave. Dave acts most of the time as though the war on drugs. Although he had not seen him in the act before. He would never do that and in fact considers anyone taking drugs to be irresponsible,but he craves  the kind of autonomy they both had. He got home and later that night he informed his dad who came back much earlier that Dave and Jason had agreed and would be coming for dinner later that Friday. He however kept all what he saw at their apartment to himself, and he did that for two reasons. He didn’t want His dad to know he had been to their place.(although detective Daniel already knew). Secondly, why would when neither Dave and Jason had never spoken about it to anyone including him until he asked Jason.

Finally Friday came and both boys arrived at Robert's apartment by 5:45. They had decided to come very early. Detective Daniel also arrived fifteen minutes after they settled down. He met them discussing with Stephanie his wife in the living room . The dinner had already been prepared and the table set. When detective Daniel walked in, both boys stood up to greet him while Stephanie stood up to collect his bag from him.

“Hello boys.”Detective Daniel greeted them smiling while at the same time handing over the bag to Stephanie.

“Good day sir” both boys chorused almost at the same time. Detective Daniel extended his hand to them as they also did the same.

“I’m Jason.”extending his hand to the detective.

“Dave.”also extended his hand to him.

After the short greeting, he left them at the sitting room while he went upstairs to bathe and change. Moments later he came downstairs to join them at the dining table. When they prayed and started eating the detective looked at Dave and ask who the younger was between him and Jason.

“ I am sir.”Jason responded 

“Oh,  you look more hairy than Dave but his face looks more mature than yours.''smiling.

“ Yeah, my mum says he looks more like my dad.

“Your mum says?”Trying to process Dave’s answer.

“How about your dad?”

“Yeah my dad and mum got separated several years ago when I was much younger and Jason  was still unborn.”

“ So sorry about that.”

“Thanks sir.”

“What’s his name?”

“Nicholas Dobson.”Dave replied ,reasoning why all the questions.

When he mentioned the name Detective Daniel's eyes lit up, he looked at Jason and then back to Dave. Yes, the resemblance of Jason and that of Nicholas whom They had been looking for was now making sense. He observed the face the moment he came in and greeted them.He however did not express any form of surprise so they wouldn’t notice. All this while steffany was just eating and watching.

“So you have never met him in person since he left?”

“Not a all, only his pictures and some of the clothes he left behind.”

“Ok,sorry for bothering you with too many questions, enjoy the meal.”Daniel said  as he swung his right on the table towards their food. He also continued eating. Is this not the son of the wanted criminal he and his team had been looking for?Does Robert know about this all along and hid it from him?

That night before going to bed he made a call to Mr James, the cop who is part of his team. He had been the one alongside other cops who visited the crime scene the day it happened. They both discussed and agreed to keep it low but that he should organize another dinner night for the boys.

“let your wife and kids know that a friend of yours would also be coming for dinner.”

“Good.”

“But this time, have a private discussion with him before the dinner.”

They both agreed to this and he went to bed. He was up very early the next day and informed Robert he wanted Dave and Jason to come for another dinner  the next Friday and also,his friend would be around.Robert promised to inform them. Seems his dad loves their company, he thought. He considered telling him about the party at Dave's apartment the following week but changed his mind.