To Find Grace

Episode 49

Walking inside, she shook her head realizing neither Grace nor her guy was inside. Unknown to her, the cops watching the place were closing in on her and the moment she stepped out murmuring to herself, she came face to face with the cops who shouted for her to not move.

“What have I done officers?” she asked raising her hands up high afraid of the guns pointed her.
“Are you Diana Mwape?” one of the officers asked
“yes I am” Diana stammered trying to think of a plan to get herself out of danger.
“What are you doing here Madam?” the cop asked further.

“Um, I came to search for my daughter officer, the thing is she has been missing for hours and some good people told me a certain couple brought her here. Am a poor widow officers and some rich couple want to steal my child, please help me” Diana cried faking it all.

“What was that? Are you not the one that kidnapped a young lady? Someone reported that you had their child kidnaped and wanted to kill her if not for them to save her”
“no, it’s all a lie officers, see, here are the photos of her and my entire family, how can an elderly woman like myself kidnap a person of her size, she is my daughter just look at those photos and you will see am not lying” Diana handed them the phone and the officers looked at her recalling the face of Grace and indeed they could see she was the one and the photos of her a child proved Diana could be right.

“But why would the same girl give a statement that you wanted to have her killed?” the police asked her.
“I am telling you those people are manipulating and even threatening her officers that is the only explanation here. Where is my baby, oh God please save her” Diana faked tears and the officers looked at each her. Her age and story made a lot of sense and they could see she was suffering for her lose.

“we need to get to the bottom of this, if she is not the one that kidnapped the girl it means the two men that came to report are the real kidnapers” one of them shook his head.
“yeah, I have the phone number for one them, let me try calling for him to come to the police we need to get this issues solved” the officer sighed and ordered them all to get the station including Diana who hesitated a bit but realized she had to go for her story to sale, she wanted to buy herself some time before they could learn the truth so that she could find a way out.

“hello” Jack answered the call the first time it rung, it was now past 9 am and he was thinking of going to see Grace at her parent`s house knowing she could have at least rested.
“Jack, please come to the station there is something we need to ask you” the cop told Him.

“Ok, am going to pass through as I have to go and check on my girlfriend” he responded
“No, better come here first, we found the woman you were accusing of kidnaping the girl”

“What, you found Diana?, I hope you have locked her already, please don’t let her go” Jack sighed
“Just come over” the officer informed him before cutting the call and Jack rushed out to his car happy that finally Diana would get to pay for her sins.

Upon reaching the police station he was shocked Diana was seated comfortably and her face was wet with tears.

“Where is my baby you evil man!” Diana screamed upon seeing Jack, he stopped in his steps surprised at what she was talking about.
“What?” Jack frowned surprised.
By the time Jack was learning the truth about what Diana had told the cops, it was too late they locked him saying he was to tell them where Grace was taken by Ben. Accusing him and Ben of reporting a fake kidnap meanwhile they planned it all.

For hours, they locked him in and didn’t give him access to his phone so he would call Ben. They told him they had to wait till his accomplice called lest he gave him a hint and Ben escaped with Grace. His effort to try tell them the truth failed as the officers asked why the two had not told the police the previous day about Grace being raised by another mother.
“Am telling you the truth officers, it’s just that a lot was going on yesterday and we didn’t want to have the entire story told when we had to look for Grace. “ Jack tried to convince them but they would not listen.
Diana who was now told to wait around till they had Ben, was smiling to herself as she tried to find her way out of the police station before they could get to Ben and Grace.
“How do I leave now that they want me to hang around?” she asked herself pacing around.

“Excuse me officers, can I use the ladies room?” she asked one of the police officers.
“Of course mam, just take the corridor down you will see the convenient rooms on your left” the man responded and that was the chance for Diana, she turned right instead and took the other way and escaped.

Jack looked at the cops doing their work he called out form the cells.
“Officer I will tell you were she is, let me take you there myself” He looked at the man who looked at him full of suspicion.
“if you play us we will make sure you rot in jail” the man warned him and Jack sighed knowing they would regret their actions once they learnt the truth, he planned on going to Ben`s house and let Grace tell the story herself,.

“Where is the woman, ask her to come so that we go with her” the officer in charge of the case told his mate.

“Sure sir” the man answered and walked to find Diana. Unknown to them she was even on a bus heading to Choma, planning on another runaway with her son never to be found again.