ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA.

Ahmad breathed through his nose in annoyance. The victim just arrived at the station but the result didn't come with her from the hospital and he does not know what the heck is wrong with those people for not producing a result in such crucial moment. Is that how their system really work here in Nigerian? This is not done, not at all.

"Is it here yet?" He asked again for the nth time, Constable Ashiru had to bite back his own annoyance for being asked thoroughly.

"No, Sir..." Ashiru trailed off when he saw a nurse walking briskly inside the station with few more behind him in similar white uniform of trousers and shirt.

"Good afternoon, Sir. We are sorry for the inconvenience but the result is here." The head nurse apologized to Ahmad, his face really showing surfeit of apology which didn't do anything to melt Ahmad's angry stare.

He took the manilla envelope from the man in swift move, his lean fingers gliding across the sealed top as he opened it, clearly dismissing them with that air of nonchalance. They've annoyed the man for he didn't want to talk or they'd all be locked in the cell by now. They apologized again and left the station in quick strides.

Good for them. Ashiru thought wryly, the man is on edge.

After he's read the daisy paper inked with pitch words, thoroughly, he closed it and lean on the bench where Ashiru always sits on. He didn't even get to walk into his office, he's been anxious about the result and didn't think it will take them this long to produce a single piece of paper. In Texas, the paper would've been there along with the victim, as easy as that.

He strolled, enlivened to the interview room at the back of his office where they've kept the Jamie lady. He's told one of the officers there to get her some sandwiches and chilled soda to keep her occupied for the time being. She was so nervous that she could barely sit down the last time he saw her, he didn't know whether she's unsheathed the anxiousness. Such pity.

The room is a shade of grey, the whole four walls are painted with that colour. The iron table and chairs in the middle are also of the same hue which might not be so comforting for criminals. He didn't mind the look though, that's the same one they have in Texas only that the one there have more technologies, including a lying detector.

He saw her sitting on the chair like a criminal, her hands both in front of her thigh and the food in front of her was untouched. His brows scrunched wondering why she is so worried and apprehensive. She looks tough and bold outwards but really fragile inside. She reminds him of someone he can't point name at.

Composing his expression so as to not scare her some more, he approached her with lion like grace, smooth and evading. Relaxing his taut rocky muscles and the lines that were showcased between his brows, he gave a professional smile and sat down on the chair opposite the one she is occupying. She visibly flinched which made him grimace. She looks like a mouse.

Dematerializing other thoughts, he began. "Good afternoon, Miss Jamie. I hope we didn't keep you here for long?"

She gulped, her eyes looking at him as if drinking in his whole features albeit still scared shitless. He is used to those kind of stares but that coming from the scared little lady is something. She wouldn't eat the sumptuous sandwich in front of her nor the chilled soda but she is drinking him in and quaffing down more than she could take.

Jamie Maxwell is a pretty woman with tall figure and skinny form. She might not be fair nor is she dark, somewhere around caramel and beige, but her skin is flawless. Long face, deep wide set eyes, funnel nose and natural plump lips. Her face is bare of any makeup, pure natural beauty which many men will appreciate except him. He could only admit it.

After what seems like forever, she blinked and shook her head then as if she thought against it, she opened her mouth. "Not at all, Sir."

"Very well." He nodded, swiveling around to cross his legs. "So, Miss Jamie, you said you saw the person that left Miss Nafisa's room?"

"Yes, S-sir. I saw him riding on a power bike when I chased after him and there are only three people in the university that have the vehicle." She wrung her fingers on the table. She has nice fingers but she eats her nails, from the looks of it.

Ahmad nodded, scribbling down a bit of the information. She was supposed to come with another officer for that, but sometimes, he likes to do his job alone. Like the way Jamie Maxwell is all jumpy and anxious, she wouldn't like being questioned by many people. He can take a few writings here and there, he is not handicapped.

He stared at the paper for a few seconds before raising his head, his mountain pen tucked between his thumb and forefinger. "Why did you chase after him in the first place, Miss Jamie? Because I'm certain you wouldn't have caught the glimpse of him had you seen what has happened in the room."

Jamie nodded, as if agreeing to the theory and knew he would ask that. "I chased after him because men are not allowed in women's hostel, something was missing there and he left Nafisa's door open when he left in a hurry. He looks haggard from behind, adjusting his zipper and searching for keys hastily in his pants pocket."

Ahmad smiled. "That was a good move, Miss Jamie. This sure will help us get to the bottom of this and find the criminal in no time." He stood up. "Thank you very much for your time."

A genuine smile broke from Jamie's face when she understands what it means, she can go back to the school as free as a bird and her presence in the station is not required anymore. "It was no problem at all, Sir. Anything to help keep those men locked." She hesitated for a bit before she blushed and ask. "A selfie, Sir?"

The amusement danced in his eyes but he nodded and stood few inches behind her.

"Good afternoon, Miss Nafisa." Ahmad greeted almost cheerfully albeit it looks the opposite, he wants to be approachable and responsive to the victim.

They've finally consoled her into talking about the scene after so many hours of lectures from her rich parents that won't forgive whoever it is that is behind their daughter's condemnation. Ahmad likes parents like that, not the ones that will be afraid to face it upfront, fearing what the society might say about them later on. That doesn't matter, you need to speak up for that to stop!

If you keep your silence, you might not know where that person will carry his ill behaviour to. It might be your sibling, relative or sometimes even someone more closer to you. Reporting them means reducing them even if it is with one number.

Nafisa has been timid, jumpy, apprehensive and tired. She didn't talk to her parents nor anyone but when a motivational speaker and psychologist spoke to her for good thirty minutes, she finally agreed for the interview. Ahmad knew what she is going through and hope to God she can cope up with it after everything is sorted. He will make sure this guy suffers the consequences of his actions, no matter who his father is.

The chubby fair lady in front of him gave a small nod but didn't say a word. Her button nose is tightly clipped and red from being blotted at along with her puffy eyes. Her thick upper lips looks quiet bigger than it's normal size all due to crying her eyes out. His heart reach out for her, he will make the guy pay!

Deciding to cut to the chase and keep the pleasantries aside, he moved on. "Who was the guy?" She flinched, her face moving to the side like she has been slapped.

Her shoulders are hunched over her chest, her body collapsed on the chair as if defeated and he understands that kind of feeling. She feels humiliated, angry, depressed, dread and all, ruined. She will shiver and shudder here and there, not too bad to think it's seizure but there to be noticed. Her hands are covering her body, she shivers and bow her head further before her mouth moved.

"Farouk Shugaba."

Ahmad had already searched for the guy himself after the way Jamie helped with the information about motorbike. He's already sent someone to go bring him, just wanted to confirm whether or not he is the one but there is no doubt now. This Farouk Shugaba will have to pay for ever thinking about forcing himself on her and if he's done that before, double deal for him.

Because Ahmad will never forgive men like that, they should be erased from the world.

"I want you to calm yourself down and focus on getting better. I'm going to make sure he pays for what he does, that, I promise." Ahmad stood, called out her mother to come get her out of the room because she does not want anyone coming closer to her.

He didn't expect her to say anything but she did right before her mother walked in. "He is the nephew of an influential man, if you manage to get him punished for his crime, I'll be forever indebted to you. I heard you want to change the system here in Nigeria, y-you can start with this."

"It is a promise." He vowed just before he watched her accompanied out of the room by her mother.

Ahmad was called out by her father outside the interviewing room, he left to hear what the man has to say just when Farouk Shugaba was escorted into the room by his men. Ahmad's gaze darkened, his whole mood completely changing by the mere sight of the guy who just ruined a young lady's life. He is walking with the ease of man without crimes, it irked Ahmad to the core.

How can you walk with air of arrogance after raping a lady few hours ago? No guilt? No fear of law?

His attention swerved from the guy back to the geriatric in front of him -Nafisa's father- Alhaji Mujtaba. The man looks distressed too, bags underneath his aging eyes and withered smile that packed myriad of bitterness that made his stomach clench and taut. This is a father watching the man who ruined his daughter, he is very much composed. Ahmad is sure wouldn't be able to watch this unfold.

"I'll pay whatever it is that I will have to, but that guy must be punished. I don't care whether his uncle is an important figure in this country, he just ruined my daughter's life and is not apologetic. I am counting on you, ACP Al-Hafiz." The man's eyes are pleading even though his words were sharp.

Ahmad gave a curt nod, his hands behind him. "You have my word, Sir. I will make sure Farouk Shugaba pays for what he's done to your daughter and this will become a lesson for the upcoming ones."

Whatever it is Alhaji Mujtaba saw in his eyes, it made him very much pleased about the case and less tensed. "I'll make sure to get something in your account."

Ahmad's face didn't give out any emotion but the grim lines at the sides of his lips told him he's made a wrong deal. "I don't need nothing, Sir, this is my job."

They parted with more pleasantries before Ahmad made his way to the interview room where Farouk Shugaba is currently demanding his phone. The audacity and gall of the guy made Ahmad ferociously furious and the need to punish him multiplied.

"...to sue this station the minute I step out." Those were the words Ahmad caught but he knew what the guy was saying to his colleagues.

"That is, if you are leaving this place with your brains intact." Ahmad's voice pierced through the quiet room as he made his way to the table and sat on it instead of the chair. He wants to be closer to the guy so his fist can exchange pleasantries with his jaw whenever he please.

Farouk Shugaba rose his head away from the other officers behind him to size up Ahmad. Ahmad didn't know what the guy is up to but he's seen the way his lips tilt into a smug smile that didn't sit well with him. The guy thinks he will leave the station unscathed and bouncing on his two feet, he is mistaken. Ahmad will turn heaven to hell before that happens or will have to leave his line of job than fold peoples hands.

"Oh, the new American officer. What a great honour to finally meet you by myself instead of the television and newspapers. You handling my case is a great pleasure." Farouk Shugaba stood up only for him to get bounced back by Constable Ashiru's angry hands. "Don't touch me again." He glared at the Constable then back to Ahmad with a polite smile.

Farouk Shugaba is a young man in his mid twenties or even early twenties, you can never tell these days. His crooked nose explains his rugged self along with once bursted lip. A scar ran from the left side of his face down to his jaw, completing the thug look for him. He is no saint, Ahmad could tell that much from his face and dressing.

He is wearing good jeans but tattered from thigh to knees in that style they call crazy. His shirt is sleeveless, exhibiting lean arms that clearly isn't a female's but not a strong man's.

"It won't be pleasure. Wait until I'm done with you, Shugaba, your remains won't be stared at by the dogs. Drat."

Clearly, Farouk didn't like those words. His eyes narrowed in annoyance, as if he is not getting through to what he wants when he's always gotten whatever he sets his mind on.

"Didn't you just say the name yourself? Shugaba! Don't you know who he is?" Seems like that is a rhetorical question because he continued talking after a mini pause. "Oh, you won't know, you are new here. Well, let me do the honour. Shehu Aliyu Shugaba is the deputy governor of this state, which means, the state is ours. Let's cut to the chase and write down your price."

Ahmad's fist move before his mind could scold him not to. His fist connected to Farouk's jaw, the cracking sound bringing satisfaction to his chest. When he doubled over, cradled his jaw and touched the bloody wound there, Farouk's eyes blazed with unquenched rage. Ahmad shrug off the look, it didn't bother him at all. He's seen far more scarier ones.

"Get him to the jail and torture him grade B." Ahmad ordered and left the room to his office.

He wants the guy to suffer a bit before they even think about taking him to yo the court. If his family is really that influential, they won't want him in jail for their reputation will be muddy but before then, Ahmad wants him to take a little medicine. No matter what, he won't let them get what they want this time around. Like he's promised Nafisa, he will start changing the system with her case.

Rich or influential, that will not work in the face of law. Not under his watch.

A knock came from the door of his office, he gave a rasp of come in and Constable Ashiru trudged inside looking unsteady and grim. Something is wrong, and Ahmad will not like it at all.

"Sir, Mr. Farouk wants to confess something and he wants you there."

Ahmad's brow raise, he stood up and left the office in quick strides to hear this confession. Whatever lie this guy is going to cook up now will not work for him. He's tried bribing him with money and since that didn't work, he wants to plot out another lie to save his ass. He's been with many criminals to know all about their tactics.

Beaten beyond recognition, Farouk still managed to talk in that arrogant tone of his. "Fatima Babagana is the one who plotted this whole thing to get back at Nafisa."