Chapter 3: Suspects and Secrets

Now, investigation shift: killer fit dey among Ifeoma family and friends.

He tell team, "Make una check her circle, start from church, from music people, everybody close."

As dem check Ifeoma social circle, Inspector Musa find out say she be popular local singer.

One old woman wey dey sell fufu near estate gate say, "That girl voice sweet like honey. Na she dey sing for every wedding, every child dedication."

Ifeoma was 30 then, fine woman, her singing voice golden—people love am.

For Okposi, her beauty and song be like festival. Boys dey rush, girls dey jealous, but Ifeoma always waka with grace.

For years, she dey perform for entertainment spots, which na why she and her first husband dey fight, later dem divorce.

People dey whisper say her first husband no like make she dey sing outside. "Musician woman get too many fans," dem talk. But Ifeoma stubborn, she no gree drop microphone.

Obinna Nwafor was 35 then, correct job, good looks, people talk say him dey treat Ifeoma well.

Some say Obinna too dey shine, always dress well, always dey smile. Him own people say na correct man.

Even though both of them don marry before, outsiders see dem as couple wey love dey strong.

For family meeting, dem dey hold hands, dey laugh. Neighbours dey use dem do example, "See how dem blend, e good to marry person wey fit you."

Neighbours talk say the couple dey talented and well-behaved, never quarrel with anybody.

"Dem no dey shout, no dey fight for compound like some people," neighbour Mama Kemi say. For Okposi, that na big compliment.

From first round investigation, revenge no show, even crime of passion no too clear. For a while, Inspector Musa no know where to look.

Even Musa, wey sabi read people face, confuse. "Perfect family dey hide big palava sometimes," he reflect.

But if you reason am, the more perfect case look, the more e fit dey hide big secret.

He remember old mentor for Bauchi: "When water too clear, fear am."

This one na carefully planned killing—dem never just catch the mistake.

Inspector Musa tap biro, "Mistake dey somewhere. We go catch am."

Just as police dey run out of clues, Ifeoma mama report something important.

Her voice dey shake as she talk to Musa, "Inspector, I no fit keep quiet. E get something wey dey my mind."

“Some months ago, Obinna buy accident insurance for Ifeoma.”

Everybody for station look up. For this side, who dey buy insurance unless e get reason? Even officer wey dey sip garri pause, listen well.

This thing strange. Why husband go buy insurance for wife just like that?

Inspector Musa raise eyebrow, "Madam, when exactly e buy am? Wetin be the reason?" The room quiet, pen dey scratch paper.

Inspector Musa quick begin check.

He send fastest sergeant make e call insurance company sharp-sharp, even threaten say if dem no answer, he go come there himself.

The check reveal problem.

Insurance paper land for Musa table. He look am twice, see say date no too far from Ifeoma death.

Three months ago, Obinna Nwafor buy personal accident insurance for Ifeoma.

Musa look Obinna name for document, then look through window where rain dey threaten to fall. Inspector Musa grip the insurance paper tight. For this Okposi, secrets no dey hide forever—somebody blood go still talk.