Michael felt the chill of the crisp Tuesday morning as he sat in the meeting room at the police station. He reached for his breast pocket to grab a Dunhill Switch, only to remember that he had left it at home.

Preston, who was seated across from him, informed him about the murder at Hijos Pub. Michael's mind raced as he tried to piece together the details of the case.

"Well, that certainly rules out Big Ted," he said.

"Not if he wasn't working alone," Preston replied, his hands nimble on the laptop laid on the table. The sound of the keyboard being pressed echoed loudly in the room.

"You suspect an accomplice?"

Preston looked up from the laptop and stared briefly at the crime board pinned on the wall. He had just updated it—the first thing that he did when he got to the station early in the morning. Big Ted's mug shot was next to Gary Wako's image with a question mark underneath it. A yellow sticky note represented the victim at Hijos pub. It was empty. Preston had yet to figure out the victim's role in the case. "Big Ted was still in custody when the man was shot down. That already tells us there's someone else out there."

"Someone willing to kill to keep the truth from coming out," Michael added.

"I think we are missing something," Preston sighed loudly and touched his temple. He recalled his conversation with Inspector Nyanchama. The Inspector had ordered the release of Big Ted by morning. Preston had yet to fulfill the request. He had hoped that the new development would somehow link Big Ted to the murder of Diane, but even so, he still had nothing.

"I am struggling to get the connection between Big Ted and the murder at the Pub and how they all relate to Diane Rucho."

"Anything on the victim at Hijos Pub?" Michael asked.

Preston had been searching through the web for anything he'd find on the victim. Just minutes ago, he found the victim's Facebook page. There was nothing much there, save for a captured selfie with a wide display of chipped teeth and a business ad in an ugly backdrop of yellow. Most of the information that Preston already had was from Officer Dan. Preston had requested that he carry out a background check on the victim. "Victim's name is Ezra Khayi. A pawn shop owner at River Road. A regular at the pub. No wife, no kids."

"Criminal records?"

"None really, except a traffic ticket a year ago. He went all in on the accelerator. A witness claimed he could have almost rammed into a motorist had he not been stopped. He paid some violation fee, and that was it."

"Any reason as to why Officer Edward had interviewed him?"

"None that I know of."

"How does he even come into the picture?" Michael asked.

"My thoughts exactly."

"What if this was all an affair gone wrong? What if Diane was cheating on Big Ted with this Ezra guy? Big Ted finds out about it and then kills her. Or maybe even this Ezra person finds out about Big Ted."

"And kills Diane?

"Yes."

"If that is the case, then who kills Ezra?"

"Maybe the dude got wrapped up in some other shit. A business deal gone wrong."

"An affair seems too far-fetched."

"Well, you'd be surprised at the lengths one would go to for love."

Preston then asked, "How did it go with Emma Ruto?"

"I'd say more than good. She was forthcoming. Provided a list of guests that were served by Diane on the night that she was admitted at Nairobi Hospital. She talked about keeping the meeting confidential—"

Preston interrupted, "Confidential? Why the need?"

"Claimed she didn't want anything leading to her."

"Well, ain't that of interest."

Michael slipped out a ruffled piece of paper from his trouser's front pocket. It rustled in his hand as he pulled it wide open. "You were right. Gary Wako was among the guests that Diane served that night." He handed the piece of paper to Preston.

Preston pored over the paper and read off the other names. "Charles Ndemo, William Khayi, and Vincent Waigara." At the realization, he asked, "William Khayi? Do you think he could be related to Ezra Khayi?"

"I'd bet my chance on that."

Preston searched for "William Khayi" on the web. A profile appeared on the page with a passport-sized photo. The photo showed a middle-aged man dressed in a black suit with a red tie. He had a freckled face, strong brow bone, an undercut stubble, and a clean-shaven head.

Underneath the photo, there was a small segment. It read :

Co Dillers Ltd, Chief Financial Officer, Mr William Khayi, suggests an increase in the company's yearly turnover, representing a growth of 32% proforma versus the previous year 2022. He claims the resilient growth is a result of the long-term strategy set out to revolutionize the retail manufacturing industry.

Preston heard his jaw drop as he raised his eyes to meet Michael's inquisitive gaze.

"Kafkaesque."

"What?"

"That's what Officer Mark Otieno said when I asked him about the case."