Hotel Room Murder

by C. M. Okonkwo

  “Inspector Osbourne,” Princewill Jackson called.

  The inspector turned to his side to see Princewill Jackson looking into a waste bin by the corner of the sitting room. He went there immediately, then looked closely at what caught Princewill Jackson’s attention. It was an empty pack of a cheap phone.

  Inspector Osbourne turned to Okechukwu Orlu immediately. “How recently was this phone purchased?” he asked, as he picked up the empty pack using his removed gloves.

  “It wasn’t just purchased per se.”

  “It is yours?”

  “It was, but Titilayo came back briefly yesterday asking if I had a spare phone that I wasn’t using. I told her that I had only one cheap phone. I have had it for some time now, so she bought it off me for five thousand naira.”

  Inspector Osbourne took his focus off the empty pack and looked at Okechukwu Orlu. “Has she paid for it?”

  “Yes, sir. She paid cash.”

  The inspector glanced at Princewill Jackson, then back at Okechukwu Orlu. “What time did she come back?”

  “The first time was in the—”

  “She came back twice?” Inspector Osbourne butted in.

  “Yes. The first time was around 11:30 in the morning. I’m not sure exactly when, but it was before midday because I went out by midday. The second was around 3:00 in the afternoon, though I don’t remember what specific time it was. I was surprised to see her because she never comes home early.”

  “What did she come home for? Apart from the spare phone she wanted.”

  “She came to drop something at home, but she had forgotten her room key at work, so she gave the thing to me to hold until she returns.”

  “What was it?” Inspector Osbourne pressed further.

  “I don’t know, I didn’t open it.”

  “When she took it back from you where did she put it?”

  Okechukwu Orlu was getting uncomfortable. “Why all these questions? Why don’t you just ask her directly if she’s at the station right now?”

  “Well, you are the one who told us about the said thing, not her,” Inspector Osbourne said.

  “Then, I can’t give you any other information. When you see her, you can ask her whatever you want.”

  “Titilayo Lawrence is the main suspect of the murder of two people,” Inspector Osbourne blurted. “Now, answer the question. Where did she put the thing when she took it back from you?”

  Okechukwu Orlu trembled, as he answered, “She hasn’t taken it back from me yet.”

  “What?”

  “I still have it. I went for a meeting and wasn’t home when she returned from work yesterday, and she was already asleep when I got back from the meeting. She left early this morning, and when I called her to ask her what to do with it, she said I should hold on to it until she returns this evening.”

  “Can I have it, please?”

  Okechukwu Orlu sighed, then went into his room. Seconds later, Princewill Jackson’s phone rang, and he went outside to take the call. Right after, Okechukwu Orlu returned with a wrapped white plastic bag and gave it to Inspector Osbourne.

  Inspector Osbourne immediately looked into the bag, then back at Okechukwu Orlu. “I have to leave now. And I’m taking this with me as evidence. Thank you for your cooperation.”

  “No problem, sir.”

  Inspector Osbourne added the empty phone pack in the white bag, rolled up his gloves and tucked them in his back pocket, then left.

  ***

  When Inspector Osbourne got outside, he met Princewill Jackson making a phone call that he ended abruptly. They then walked back to the car and climbed in after the inspector beeped the doors open. He passed the bag to Princewill Jackson to look through, then powered the car and drove off.

  “This is unbelievable,” Princewill Jackson remarked, after feeding his eyes.

  “It is, indeed. I can finally get a confession.” Inspector Osbourne eyed Princewill Jackson’s phone, which he was still holding on to. “Was that Samantha again?”

  Princewill Jackson raised his phone and shook it twice. “It’s just an issue I need to sort out.”

  “Look, Princewill, I think you should go sort out your business and do any other jobs you have. You have been of tremendous help, and this case is basically wrapped up. I will let you know the outcome once it’s over. I owe you that one at least.”

  “Thanks for that. I’ll ride with you to the station and pick up my car.”

  ***

  Same Day

  Friday, 23rd November 2018

  6:30 p.m.

  Once they got back to the station, Inspector Osbourne went inside, carrying the plastic bag, while Princewill Jackson diverted to his car, got in, and drove off. In the lobby of the station, a frantic officer spotted the inspector and hurried to meet him.

  “Inspector, good thing you’re here.”

  “What is it?”

  “One of the suspects you brought in has been causing trouble,” the officer said.

  The inspector was surprised. “Who?”

  “The doctor. He said he has to go to the hospital later and he hasn’t rested or prepared.”

  “Thank you,” Inspector Osbourne said. “I’ll go to him now.”

  Inspector Osbourne made a stop at his office and dropped the evidence on his desk, then went to see Doctor Umanze. As soon as the inspector showed his face in the interrogation room, the doctor stood up and banged the table.

  “I have been sitting here all afternoon,” the doctor spat. “How long do you intend to still keep me? I have to get to work this evening and I haven’t prepared.”

  “I’m sorry about that,” Inspector Osbourne replied. “I was following up on a lead and didn’t remember to follow up with you.”

  “Are you at least going to take these off?” Doctor Umanze raised his hands, showing the handcuffs.

  “Of course.” Inspector Osbourne went to the doctor and took off the handcuffs.

  Doctor Umanze rubbed his wrists, just as he had done the first time he was uncuffed, then asked, “You said you were following up on a lead? Have you found my wife’s killer?”

  “Not yet, but the cleaner is our main suspect for now. According to the hotel records, she had used her access badge to enter the room twice, by 11:01 a.m., and by 12:30 p.m., but she never mentioned that when we first took her statement. And now, her explanation doesn’t make any sense.”

  “So she was the last person to have seen my wife and Daisey’s husband alive?”

  “I believe so.”

  “And it’s sure that no one else entered the room but her?”

  “That’s all we got from the hotel unless there’s something else we have missed, but I’m sure that the cleaner would be able to provide us with the information needed.”

  “I hope you find the killer soon,” Doctor Umanze said, then sounding sad, he added, “So that I can get some closure. Daisey, as well.”

  “We will,” Inspector Osbourne replied. “I believe we are close to the truth. We will keep you informed once it’s over.”

  “Thank you, Inspector.” The doctor looked at the door, then back at the inspector. “Am I free to leave now?”

  The inspector nodded, then left the room after the doctor. He made a stop back at his office to take the wrapped white plastic bag, before going to the interrogation room where Titilayo Lawrence was being held. He entered and sat, then placed the bag on the table.

  “How long do you intend to keep me here for?” Titilayo Lawrence asked. She glanced at the plastic bag but didn’t put too much thought into it.

  “It depends on how quickly you confess,” Inspector Osbourne said.

  He opened the bag and brought out the empty pack of the cheap phone and placed it on the table. He put his hand in the bag and brought out a smart phone, then put it beside the empty pack. Next, he placed a second smart phone. He also placed two wedding rings, a few other items, including a designer handbag. When he had neatly arranged all the items on the ta
ble, he squeezed up the plastic bag and placed it beside the items without saying anything.

  Titilayo Lawrence’s voice trembled, as she said, “When I entered the room the first time, I pulled the sheets and blanket off and saw two people on the bed, but they seemed to be in deep sleep. I snuck around and stole from them, then I left. That’s all that happened.”

  Inspector Osbourne stared at her for a moment, then asked, “Do you know how much of my time and police resources you have wasted? Why didn’t you just confess at first?”

  She didn’t say a word.

  “And now you want me to believe that you only stole from the victims and didn’t kill them? Are you trying to waste my time again?”

  “I swear to you that I didn’t kill them. I could never slap anyone, let alone kill someone. I entered the room and tried talking to them, but there was no response, so I stole and left.”

  “What do you mean by you tried talking to them?”

  “I did that to check if they were going to wake up. Stealing and leaving were a big risk, so I ran home directly forgetting my keys. I had wanted to go to my locker first, but I changed my mind because I knew I would have been discovered if anything was reported missing. I put the things in one of the trash bags in my trolley, then took it away to avoid suspicions. I had seen a cell phone on the floor first, so I put it in my pocket and forgot it there. When it rang a few hours later, I got scared. First, I wasn’t allowed to be seen with a phone, and secondly, I didn’t want to be seen with a stolen phone. When it rang again, I cut the call without thinking of the implication, then switched it off before hurrying back home briefly. I then bought a cheap phone and swapped the SIM cards in case it came up much later that the stolen phone had rung and the call had been rejected.”

  Inspector Osbourne had taken only one thing from her rushed confession. “So how was stealing and leaving a big risk?”

  “I kept my trolley in the room and left. I could have easily gotten into a lot of trouble or lost my job just for doing that. And also, if either of the guests had woken up in my absence, they would have searched for their things then alerted the hotel security who would find the trolley and instantly know that I was behind it.”

  “What do you mean by ‘if they had woken up in your absence’? I’m sure they looked dead with patches of blood on one of them. Why did you think they would wake up?”

  “There was no blood on anyone the first time I entered there.”

  “What?” The inspector moved to the edge of the seat.

  “The first time I went in there, it just seemed like they were in deep sleep from too much alcohol or the likes, but they didn’t look dead. When I returned, I noticed that my trolley had been moved, and when I opened the sheets and blanket again, I noticed the blood and I knew that something was wrong, so I ran out of the room and went to report it.”

  Inspector Osbourne was confused. “Did you just say that there was no blood the first time you entered the room?”

  “Yes. And my trolley had moved. Someone else had entered the room in my absence.”

  Inspector Osbourne was visibly aggravated. He stood up, as he asked, “Why didn’t you say this earlier?”

  “I couldn’t admit that I had entered the room the first time to steal. I felt that if I didn’t say anything, I wouldn’t be discovered.” She paused and looked down. “I’m sorry.”

  Inspector Osbourne shook his head.

  “What happens to me?”

  “If your story checks out and we find the killer, then you’ll go to prison for theft and obstruction of justice.”

  Titilayo Lawrence stared at the inspector in shock, as he stormed out of the room.

  ***

  Inspector Osbourne hurried back to his office and called the hotel again. Once the call was answered, he asked to be transferred to the hotel manager.

  “Inspector, I was just about to give you a call,” Akande Bishop said.

  “Oh, really?” Inspector Osbourne sounded sarcastic. “I found the missing items in Titilayo Lawrence’s house, just by the way.”

  “What?” Akande Bishop exclaimed, then hesitated, before adding, “I truly don’t know what to say. There’s never been a record of theft from any of our staff. Believe me, we will deal with her accordingly for it.”

  “You can, eventually, depending on the outcome of the case, but that is out of your hands for now,” the inspector stated. “And back to the reason I called. Titilayo Lawrence finally confessed to stealing those items, when she saw them, but not to killing the victims. And according to her, there were no patches of blood on any victim the first time she entered the room, but the second time, there were. She also claimed that her trolley had been moved, so someone else had entered the room when she left the first time.”

  “That was the reason why I was about to call you,” Akande Bishop said. “We missed something before.”

  “What did you miss?”

  “There was indeed another entry to the room, but my assistant didn’t pick it up before.”

  “Why not?” Inspector Osbourne sounded angry. “How could something so vital be missed when I specifically requested for the access list within a given timeframe?”

  “I apologise for that and take full responsibility for any consequence. But following my instructions, she filtered the room access record for the morning up until 12:00 noon, then started from 12:30 in the afternoon, when Titilayo told you she had entered.”

  “So she missed the timeframe between 12:00 noon and 12:30?” Inspector Osbourne asked, although it was more of a confirmation than a question.

  “Yes. And I was just going through the weekly access report and saw that there was an entry by 12:14 p.m., which confirms that someone else entered the room after Titilayo’s first entry.”

  “Who was the person?”

  “We don’t know who precisely, but the access card registered to the room was used to access it, which means that the guest who reserved the room went back there before Titilayo returned.”

  Inspector Osbourne knew exactly who it was. Although completely fed up with the hotel’s incompetence, he thanked the hotel manager and hung up.

  Chapter Ten: Killer

  Same Day

  Friday, 23rd November 2018

  7:30 p.m.

  Inspector Osbourne barged into the interrogation room where Desola Ogunba sat, startling her. As she held onto her chest, her facial expression went from fright to frustration, then to fury.

  “I’ve told you everything,” she spat, throwing her hands around. “Why are you still keeping me here?”

  “Because you lied. You didn’t tell me everything.”

  “I. Did,” she spelt out, banging the table twice with each word.

  “We found the missing items from the hotel room, including your husband’s wedding ring.”

  Desola Ogunba’s eyes lit up, and she calmed down. “So you have found the killer then?”

  “No. Just the thief. It was the cleaner, and she has confessed to the theft.”

  “She has confessed to the theft?” Desola Ogunba repeated. “Then who is the killer? It has to be her otherwise it makes no sense at all. She might have stolen the items with no intention to kill, but if my husband or Enitan, or even both of them woke up in the middle of the theft, it would have forced her to resort to murder.”

  The inspector didn’t respond. He sat, staring blankly at Desola Ogunba, and she got the message. He had certainly figured something else out. The cleaner was just by the way.

  “The theft and the thief are not the issues, I suppose,” Desola Ogunba added. “The first thing you said was that I lied. So what do you think I lied about this time?”

  “You said you never went back to that room, but you did.”

  “I went back to the hotel and heard a voice in the room, then I ran off. It’s the truth.”

  “So what did you do after you believed the person in the room had left?”

  “I never went back to that room. I didn’
t know who the person was. It could have been my husband or Enitan, so going back to the room was out of the question. I left immediately and never went back.”

  “That’s not what the room access record said.”

  “There must be a mistake somewhere.”

  “Mrs. Ogunba.” Inspector Osbourne breathed. “We’ve gone past the pretence and the back-and-forth. It’s not going to help anyone. Just tell me the truth now, and you might not get the death sentence.”

  “The death sentence?” Desola Ogunba yelled. “For a crime I didn’t commit?”

  Inspector Osbourne stood up to leave.

  “I didn’t go back to the hotel room after I heard the voice. What else do you want?”

  Inspector Osbourne headed for the door.

  “Wait, Inspector.”

  Inspector Osbourne stopped and turned his head slightly.

  “Ask the driver. He knows my every move. He would tell you that I only went back to the hotel once.”

  Inspector Osbourne turned around fully, then came back to take a seat. He liked the suggestion, which he believed was something he should have done in the first place instead of coming to see her. He pulled out his phone and dialled Gabriel Makun’s number, then put the phone to his ear.

  Before the driver answered, Inspector Osbourne said, “If he confirms that you went back there, that’s it. You will go down for the crimes.”

  “Hello, sir,” Gabriel Makun’s voice rang in Inspector Osbourne’s ear.

  “After Desola Ogunba, I mean Daisey...” Inspector Osbourne glanced at Desola Ogunba when he said that, then looked away. “After Daisey Ogunba left the hotel the second time, did she make any other stops or go back to the hotel a third time?”

  Gabriel Makun hummed, as he thought, then said, “Yes, sir.”

  Inspector Osbourne was annoyed. “Why didn’t you add that earlier?”

  “Because you thanked me and asked me to leave before I had finished telling you all the other unplanned trips,” Gabriel Makun responded, “So I thought the hotel was more important to you than any other place.”