Chapter 6

Miriam was driven down in the early hours of the morning to the famous Glass House in the city centre. The Glass House was known as the Criminal Investigation Department's complex for official meets and forums. The CID-owned complex was renowned for playing host to numerous executive conferences, national police chief's council on investigatory matters and PACT meetings with the public and surrounding environments. The Glass House was the quite the towering complex which couldn't be missed for anything amidst the busy city.

Miriam alighted from a glossy black armoured police cruiser to the salute of officers who had expected her arrival. Unlike the previous day, she looked smarter in her silky, lustrous khaki jacket well tucked into a fitted pair of matching khaki trousers. The right and left sides of her jacket had colourful ribbons while the epaulettes on both shoulders carried three stars, each on either side indicating her rank in the force. The conspicuous chevrons on either side of her sleeves could not be missed, too while her lustrous peaked cap boasted the badge of the police force. Miriam was, in every sense, a decorated inspector and much beauty to behold. She moved with grace and definite strides into the Glass House and proceeded into the elevator which catapulted her to the top floor. She found her way into the guildhall where she came upon the chief of police having a stand-up chat with Salim as the duo shared some laughter and drank toast to wine. There were other lieutenants and inferior officers on the scene who engaged in stand-up chats while others were seated having discreet, isolated chats ahead of the panel's probe. However, the officers who came within Miriam's eyeshot treated her to salutes and welcome gestures as she strode into the guildhall with courage in her steps. Her presence was obvious and could not be missed for anything. Her emphatic outlook made it even so. Miriam stood at six feet tall in a near hour-glass figure and smooth skin, having almost no blemishes. Her bold advance towards the direction of the Chief of police was abruptly thwarted by a corporal who loomed in her face out the blue with the usual salute and handed over the daily newspaper to her.

''It's a message from the Lt. Donell of the Denver county, ma'am,'' the young corporal said, facing Miriam as he stretched forth the folded daily towards Miriam. ''He asked me to drop it with you.''

Miriam stared at the daily and wondered why the kind gesture had come from Donell. Donell Jones was a colleague and inspector of the city of Denva. He had been a smart comrade and fellow Lieutenant whom Miriam admired on the job. Aside his career in the police force, Miriam was quite aware of Donell's adventures in politics and his constant attempts at currying favour with executive forces in a bid to be ascend to the powerful role of an Inspector general of police. Of course, she quite knew of Donell's desperation, but then, the man himself didn't look it--not a bit of desperation or ambition. He had a rather calm, content composure and feel-good attitude towards the littlest details.

''Oh-oh, Lt. Donell! Where is he?'' Asked Miriam, accepting the offer from the young corporal. ''We have some catch up to do.''

''He's somewhere around, ma'am. He's taken the moment to have his morning routine.''

''Coffee and cigarette in the café?'' Miriam chipped in, asking the corporal.

''More like it, ma'am,'' he replied, struggling to repress a smile.

Right about the moment Miriam dismissed the corporal with a wave of her hand, she made to straighten the news daily in a bid to lap up what was contained within, but then, Donovan walked into sight, causing quite a diversion.

''Morning, inspector,'' Donovan greeted, keeping a serious face while he adjusted his suit to keep it in place.

''Oh, Morning, Donny. Great to have you around just in time,'' replied Miriam briefly looking up at Donovan. But then, she caught a glimpse of his sombre countenance and instantly steadied her gaze on Donovan's face. ''What's the dingy look about? You made a new discovery?''

''Have you seen today's daily?'' Asked Donovan, keeping a gloomy loom still. ''You need to see what hell of a mess Salim has done.''

Without a second thought or uttering a word, Miriam dunked her head towards the daily she had in her clutch and unfolded it hurriedly. She read through the headline only for her spirit to be lowered. It was Salim this time! He had granted an interview and revealed the death threat he had received from the mysterious killer. Worse still, he was seriously making a link of the event to Jack Banning.

''Salim announced his burial before his own death, uh?'' Donovan prompted Miriam, attempting to hear her view of the headline.

''Salim is such a big mess!'' Miriam gruntled, clenching her teeth before smacking her forehead with her palm. ''He mentioned Jack Banning in the mix. How silly.''

For a moment, Donovan felt concerned about why the mention of Jack was becoming a thing with Miriam. He observed Miriam's energy since the previous night each time Jack's name was mentioned. But then, he instantly dismissed the concern to face the real issue.

Still reeling from the shock of the publication, a baritone voice cut in and she was forced to abandon her worries for a while. It was the Chief of police alongside Salim who had come advancing towards Miriam.

Sighting the chief of police, Miriam ditched everything and stood to attention. She swung her arm towards her head and made a salute to the chief of police, Williams.

''I have the pleasure to introduce the inspector of the troubled county to you,'' Williams said to Salim excitedly, beaming his focus on Miriam. ''I'm sure she will be willing to serve your questions as soon as the panel begins.''

Salim stood still, not uttering a word but nodding in acknowledgement as he came face-to-face with Miriam for the first time. The mogul looked chubby, almost with a protruding belly and his big, black beard that had patches of grey all over. It was probably the second time--since her teenagehood--that Miriam would be meeting Salim ever. He was a man in his late 50's and he seemed a man seething with bad blood and serious bollocking. Against the notorious impression about Salim, he seemed innocent and a man of few words. In fact, his appearance was attractive and charming such that he could have been misidentified for a youth but for William's introduction.

''Pleased to meet you, Mr Abdullahi,'' said Miriam with a steely voice that reflected no excitement whatsoever.

Salim shook his head in acknowledgement but his composure reflected nothing but negativity and gall. Miriam couldn't expect anything less from the soft-looking mogul and chairman of the Oriental Hotel where the murder all began before she ordered an indefinite seal of the hotel. Of course, Miriam had not expected the decision to sit pretty with Salim, neither had she expected him to be on good terms with her. But the job had to be done, she concluded.

Williams was bothered by what transpired between the duo. Being a retired Colonel General in the force, he quite understood Salim's obvious concerns and reasons for his attitude. In the light of this, Williams took the conversion more seriously.

''Inspector, Salim is our duty to protect now. He needs us more than ever '' Williams said facing Miriam squarely. ''His life is at stake here. I'm sure you won't fold your arms and watch the nation lose a gem, will you?''

Miriam nodded in acknowledgement, listening out for more.

''We must do everything, marshall all possible equipment to ensure the serial killer is thwarted,'' Williams continued. ''That shouldn't be a problem for us in any way, inspector. Do I make my self clear?''

''Roger, sir,'' replied Miriam.

''The panel starts in ten minutes,'' Williams added. ''Mr Abdullahi Salim has many questions for your county and the state of security in the city. Do get ready.''

''Roger, sir,'' Miriam relied, standing still at attention.

The duo of Salim and Williams proceeded away from Miriam as they continued their chat across the room. Miriam knew that Salim had his claims. She knew he had some game up his sleeves. The soft-looking man she saw a moment ago was only a camouflage of a cunning and clever mastermind of political schemes. He must have his claim ready, but she equally had her answers prepared.

''Damn it! We need to put a stop to this and caution Salim of granting interviews,'' said Donovan.

''That will be taken care of, Donny. Worry less,'' replird Miriam. ''I know clearly what Salim Is up to.''

The duo of Salim and Williams proceeded away from Miriam as they continued their chat across the room. Miriam knew that Salim had his claims. She knew he had some game up his sleeves. The soft-looking man she saw a moment ago was only a camouflage of a cunning and clever mastermind of political schemes. He must have his claim ready, but she equally had her answers prepared.

''Damn it! We need to put a stop to this and caution Salim of granting interviews,'' said Donovan.

''That will be taken care of, Donny. Worry less,'' replird Miriam. ''I know clearly what Salim Is up to.''