Chapter 3

Benita arched her neck. "You're my husband?"

"Yes, babe." He nodded, grinning. "Hurts my heart every time you ask that but it's fine. I'm Eliav, your husband. You're Benita."

"I know."

"You do? That's good, that's good. We've been married seven years now. We have a son."

"I have a son." Benita stared at the floor, massaging her temples. "I can't remember. My head is burning. God, what happened to me?"

"Don't get stressed honey. It makes it worse. You need to calm down. Let's take you to our hospital."

Abby stepped in. "Sorry. Can you show us some pictures of you two together?"

The man paused and turned his head. "And you are?"

"We brought her here."

The man let out a loud, booming laugh that didn't reach his eyes. "Forgive me, oh my saviours. I have to compensate you two for all your hard work... how does a million sound?"

Chams narrowed her eyes. "A million what?"

"Dollars of course."

The siblings exchanged looks.

Abby returned to him. "We appreciate but we still need some proof you're actually her man."

"Oh well this is my business phone." He held up a sleek device, illuminating a generic, factory-set colourful wallpaper. "I don't have personal photos on here."

"How about a card?" Chams asked.

He patted down his trousers and suit jacket. "Seems I forgot it in the car."

Chams shrugged. "Well go get it then."

He narrowed his eyes at her. "You two are acting suspicious."

Abby stepped in front of his sister. "We're suspicious?"

"Yes. You two are interrogating me but how am I sure you two aren't affiliated with the kidnappers, huh? Tricking my poor innocent wife. I'd like some proof from you."

"What kind of proof? We already reported to the police."

"Oh I have a policeman right outside actually."

The siblings looked between themselves and Benita.

The man gestured toward the corridor, and a uniformed officer stepped through the door.

"Good evening citizens, my name is Officer Langa. Eliav here placed a call to our station at 5p.m. reporting his wife was missing."

The supposed husband offered a smug shrug, adjusting his cuffs.

Chams crossed her arms. "Are you sure he is her husband though?"

The cop replied in the affirmative. "He provided evidence at the station. If you're in doubt however, you can come along with me. We'll be stopping there to clear up the missing person's case."

"Nah, it's cool. We already called your colleague in, he took our statements—"

"Then you have nothing to worry about. You’ve done enough as strangers. We're glad to have citizens like you. We'll take it from here."

Abby scanned the cop's faded patch and the bodyguard's heavy, motionless stance. "Okay... yeah. Sure."

"Great that's settled. Now baby—"

Benita held her hands out. "Wait. Um, Eliav? Please who's this?" She showed him the photocard.

His eyes widened. "Oh, sweetheart. That's my brother, Omari."

"...Omari?" She repeated. "Nonso..." Her smile grew. "Dare... Faris! Wait, I'm remembering things!" She chirped.

The man's smile wavered. "Those are all my brothers. Do you miss them baby? They're all home, worried about you."

"Really?"

"Yes. Now no more questions right now. Your brain needs rest." He forced a small laugh, looking at the siblings. "Sorry, my bad."

"Why would she have a photo of your handsome brother, though?" Chams shot. "Doesn't that bother you?"

"He's a bit..." He made circular motions with his pointer finger next to his temple.

Benita frowned, hugging herself.

He turned to the siblings. "That's why she had the photo card on her. She prays for him at daily mass. Very religious this one."

The siblings forced a pair of tight smiles and nodded.

On the way to the lobby, Benita excused herself for a bathroom break. One of the guards escorted her.

"So we'll be leaving now," Abby said, pulling Chams closer by the elbow. "Hope y'all have a good night. Take care of Benita."

"Oh wait, your compensation?"

Chams waved. "Don't worry about it. Can we get your card or number to reach you later?"

"Sure, sure." He called out a series of random numbers.

When he finished, Chams stared down at her screen, her brows knitting together.

The digital Caller ID didn't display 'Eliav.' The number didn't even exist.

The siblings muttered a quick goodbye and hurried out to the parking lot.

Chams slumped back against the driver's seat, letting out a ragged exhale. "I don't think that's her husband, bro."

Abby agreed. "What do you think we should do?"

"I don't know. Those guys seem dangerous, that's why I didn't say anything."

Abby reached for his phone. "I'm gonna try the police again."

"What about the last two times we interacted with them tonight? There's even one right in there."

"Think he's legit?"

"Corrupt cop?" Chams pursed her lips. "I think we did our best for Benita. If it makes you feel better. While we were talking, I found her socials. I sent a bunch of DMs to the accounts tagged in her photos. Hopefully, they—"

Knocks rapped against the window.

The man who called himself Eliav stood outside.

Chams lowered the glass. "Yes—"

He shoved the cold barrel of a pistol straight through the gap. It was inches from her nose. "Where the h£ll is she?"

Chams gulped, glaring at it.

Abby pulled Chams towards him, holding his palm out toward the gunman. "What the h£ll? Who?"

"Benita!"

"We left her with you!"

"She's not there anymore." The metallic click of the safety switching off echoed inside the sedan. "So where the f*ck is she?"