That same Saturday afternoon, Officer Michael Tanui stood outside Tricia Muiru's house looking livid. He hated himself for having to deceive Tricia Muiru. He consoled himself with the thought that he didn't have any ill intentions to begin with. He only wanted to help Gary Wako. The plan was solid. No one was to get hurt. But then Tricia got hurt in the process.

He shifted his stance and stroked the visible creases on his shirt. He was not in his police uniform today. Weekends were his off days. He had on a brown shirt with large sleeves ending at the elbow and a pair of black beltless slacks that he thought made him appear quite taller than usual.

He knocked on the door and then waited patiently. A minute later, the door swung open. Tricia Muiru stood at the other end. One hand against the doorframe, the other firm on her hip. She batted her lashes and considered him sharply. The sun rays that peered at her face revealed dark bags cuddling the skin underneath her eyes. She appeared to have lost a few pounds since he last saw her, the olive green dress she was wearing barely clung to her.

Michael said, "Tricia, I thought I'd come see you concerning the burglary."

"Oh, right." She eyed his casual wear then added, "You could have just called." Michael noted the poignant undertone.

"There are a few things I'd like to run by you. It could help out in the investigation."

Tricia appeared to be in thought for a little while before she swung the door further open. "No walking in my house with your goddamn shoes."

Tricia had company in the living room.

It was Harriet Muiru. Officer Edward Muiru's older sister. He offered a weak smile. "I didn't know you were in town." Michael knew Harriet from back then when he was Edward's partner in the General Crimes Department. That was way before Edward got a promotion and was transferred to the Homicide department.

Harriet Muiru replied. "I just arrived a few hours ago. After Tricia's call, I couldn't wait till the next day. Tell me you at least have some suspects."

"We are still looking into it."

"That's not good enough, Michael."

"Look, I get the urgency. And trust me, I'll keep you all updated once I have something tangible. For now, you'll just have to wait."

Tricia's voice piped up. "What is it that you wanted to discuss, Officer?"

Michael felt the disdain in her voice. Then he remembered how he had treated her on the night of the attempted burglary. She had every right to act the way she did.

Michael began, "First of all, I wanted to apologise for my wrong behaviour. I should have treated you better."

Tricia Muiru nodded. Her features softened a little. Michael took that as an acceptance of his apology. "Good, you realized. What's the other thing?"

Michael said, "Is there anything else you can remember about the attack?"

Michael had hoped Tricia hadn't caught any of the faces of the attackers. He knew that somehow if she had, it would lead to him eventually.

"I thought I said everything that I remembered."

"Well, frankly, we got nothing to work with. We need more."

Michael needed to keep the momentum. If he wanted to check the house again for Gary's drive, he had to work with a certain angle.

He had reason to believe the drive could be in Edward's office.

"What about fingerprints?"

"There were no fingerprints found," Michael responded. "Is there anything that they could have taken from the house?"

Tricia sighed. "Nothing is missing, Michael. I already told you so."

"Can I have a look at Edward's office?"

"I already did, and nothing is missing. I arranged everything back."

Michael could tell Tricia was beginning to get irritated. Either way, he still insisted on having a look.

"Suit yourself," Tricia had responded.

Michael knew exactly where the office was. He had come here a couple of times. Discussing cases in the office. He was no stranger here.

He got up from his seat and headed down the hallway. The office study was just right at the end of the hallway.

When he got there, he twisted the door knob and pulled his frame into the room. He closed the door behind him.

Dejavu hit me hard. Suddenly, he imagined Edward by the desk. His eyes glued on some piece of evidence laid out on the table. Edward always had the habit of taking home evidence. He claimed that his study was where his mind truly came alive. Michael could attest to this. Edward was great at his job. He was a genius. It's no wonder he got the promotion.

He walked towards the large oak desk, pulled the drawers open, and began to rummage through them. When he didn't find anything, he turned towards the large folders on the desk labelled important in cursive text. He flipped through each folder. His eyes were fast, yet careful.
But still, he found nothing.

Michael sat down. He needed to think. If Gary Wako said he gave Edward the flash drive just two days before the accident, then the drive should still be around here.

Not unless Edward decided to keep it at his work desk in the HDU (Homicide Department Unit) office.

But his desk had been cleared out. Some rookie now occupied it.

Michael then realized something. He reached for his phone from the front pocket of his trousers and dialled a number. It was a number listed to Gideon Mwai. An officer at the Kenya Traffic Police Department. Michael Tanui knew him because he was one of the two officers who were called to the site where Officer Edward's car had crashed into an old trailer.

After a few rings, it was picked. "Officer Mwai. Are you at work today?"

"Sadly, yes. Most of the crew is out in the field. Am manning the office today. Tell me, what do you want?"

Michael suspected Officer Gideon Mwai knew this was not a courtesy call.

"I need you to confirm something for me."

"What?"

"Remember the car crash that killed Officer Edward Muiru?"

There was a long pause before Gideon came back on the line. "Yes. I still remember, clear as day. What about it?"

"Were there any personal items retrieved from his vehicle?"

"There were a couple of items. We handed all of them to the family."

"Do you have the report in your data system?"

"Yes. I can email it to you."

"Thanks. And Gideon, for the moment, keep this between us."

"Okay."