Chapter 689: Close to the end

Dayo woke up earlier than everyone else the following morning.

For a few minutes, he remained in bed, looking at the time on his phone before deciding to get up. His family was still around, and he wanted to do something for them before everyone became occupied with their usual activities. He had not forgotten the conversation from the previous day, especially the disappointment in his parents’ voices when he told them what had happened to Jennifer. Although they had eventually settled down, he knew that a simple apology would not immediately make everything right.

There was something he usually did whenever he wanted to make peace with his family. He cooked for them.

It had been one of his habits for years, and he knew exactly what each person liked. If he could get everyone around the dining table and serve them a good meal, at least he could make the morning a little better.

He went into the kitchen and began preparing breakfast. He made sure to include everyone’s favourites, taking his time with the different dishes rather than rushing to finish. The kitchen gradually filled with the smell of freshly prepared food, and he was still arranging the last few things when he heard someone approaching.

Abisola appeared at the entrance, looking at the food on the counter.

"What’s all this?" she asked.

Dayo turned around with a smile. "Good morning, Mum. I’m making breakfast."

"I can see that. But why are you making all this food so early?"

"Can’t I cook for my family again?"

Abisola moved closer to inspect what he had prepared. She recognised several of her favourites, and her expression softened slightly, although she was not about to let him escape without a comment.

"Are you trying to bribe us with food because of what happened yesterday?"

Dayo laughed as he picked up another plate. "Mum, come on. You people already miss my cooking. I’m only giving you what you’ve been waiting for."

"Is that so?"

"Of course. I mean, I’m the best cook in this house. You should all be grateful that I’m here."

Abisola turned toward him, looking almost offended. "So you’re saying you’re a better cook than me?"

Dayo stopped what he was doing and looked at her. "Ah, Mummy, no. I didn’t say that."

"But that’s exactly what you just said."

"I’m only joking. You know you’re the best, Mum. I’m just trying to make everybody happy this morning."

She laughed and reached for one of the plates. "You had better know what you’re saying. Don’t come and take my position in my own house."

Jeffrey entered while they were still talking, followed by Janet. Both of them looked toward the dining table when they noticed that breakfast was ready.

"What’s happening here?" Jeffrey asked. "Dayo, you made all this?"

"Who else? Have you seen anybody else cooking?"

Jeffrey picked up a plate and examined the food. "So this is how you’re apologising now?"

"Is there a problem with that?"

"Not at all. I think you should apologise more often."

Janet laughed as she joined them. She was particularly pleased to see that Dayo had remembered what she liked, and she immediately began serving herself. Jason arrived shortly afterwards and found the family already gathering around the table.

He looked at Dayo, then at the food.

"What’s the occasion?"

"Nothing, Dad. I just wanted to make breakfast for everybody."

Jason took his seat. "I hope you haven’t put too much salt in anything."

Dayo gave him a look. "Dad, please. Have you ever complained about my cooking?"

"Many times," Jason replied, picking up his cutlery.

The others laughed, and Dayo joined them as he brought the remaining dishes to the table. For a while, the conversation stayed light. Jeffrey talked about his swimming training, Janet mentioned something from her acting lessons, and Jason asked Dayo whether he had any plans for the day.

Abisola was enjoying her meal, although she occasionally reminded Dayo that the food did not mean he had escaped yesterday’s discussion. He accepted her comments without becoming defensive. He knew she was still hurt, and he was not expecting one breakfast to settle everything.

When they finished, Janet thanked him for making her favourite breakfast. Jeffrey also admitted that he had missed eating his brother’s food, although he still insisted that Dayo should cook more often.

Dayo smiled as he collected a few plates. "You see? That’s what I’ve been saying. You people have missed me."

"Don’t get carried away," Jason replied. "We can still cook for ourselves."

"That’s fine, Dad. But you know mine is better."

Abisola looked up from the table. "Dayo!"

He laughed immediately. "Mum, I’m sorry. I’m not saying anything again."

The family continued teasing him as they helped clear the table. The atmosphere was much better than it had been the previous day, and Dayo was glad that everyone seemed comfortable enough to joke with him again.

After breakfast, the family gradually began preparing for their different activities. Jeffrey had training to attend, while Janet needed to take care of a few things connected to her acting lessons. Jason and Abisola also had responsibilities at the restaurant, so they could not spend the entire day at Dayo’s house.

Before leaving, Abisola reminded her son about arranging a proper visit with Jennifer.

"Don’t forget what I told you. I want to see that little girl properly, not only through a phone."

"I won’t forget, Mum. I’ll speak with Luna and arrange it."

"Good. And don’t keep postponing it."

Dayo assured her that he would make the arrangements. He greeted everyone as they prepared to leave, and his mother gave him another reminder to take care of himself before finally going.

Once the house became quiet, Dayo returned to the sitting room and sat down.

He felt relieved.

Having his family around had helped him take his mind away from the situation that had occupied so much of his attention recently. For a few hours, he had been able to enjoy ordinary conversations, listen to his siblings talk about their lives and share a meal with his parents. It was something he had needed, even if he had not realised how much.

However, the quiet did not last long before his thoughts returned to everything that had happened.

Jennifer’s kidnapping came back to his mind. He remembered the first demand, the money he had paid, the second demand and the uncertainty that had followed. He also remembered what Luna had gone through and how close their relationship had come to breaking completely.

Michael and Silas were still in custody. The evidence had been handed over, the investigations were progressing, and the privileges the two men had once enjoyed had been removed. Their network was under investigation, and the people who had supported them were facing questions they could no longer avoid.

Dayo had done what he needed to do, but there was something he still wanted.

He wanted to face both men.

Not through reports or messages passed between investigators, but in person. He wanted Michael and Silas to know exactly who had brought their operation down. They had spent years believing they could operate without consequences, and he wanted them to see the person they had underestimated.

Dayo picked up his phone and called Felix.

Felix answered after a few rings. "Good morning, Dayo."

"Good morning. I need you to come over."

"Is everything all right?"

"Yes. I just need to discuss something with you. Come over when you can."

Felix agreed and ended the call.

It did not take long for Felix to arrive.

He found Dayo in the sitting room, with his phone resting on the table. They exchanged greetings before Felix settled into one of the chairs.

"So, what is it?" Felix asked. "You sounded like you wanted to discuss something important."

Dayo did not waste time introducing the subject.

"I want to meet Michael and Silas."

Felix looked at him, making sure he had heard correctly. "You want to meet who?"

"Michael and Silas. Both of them."

"Why?"

"I want to see them face to face."

Felix remained quiet for a moment before asking, "Dayo, have you thought about what you’re saying? You know the situation surrounding those two men. There are restrictions on their access to people, and the authorities have been careful about who is allowed to see them. This isn’t something you can simply arrange because you want to."

"I know that."

"Then what exactly are you planning?"

Dayo leaned back slightly. "I want them to see the person behind their downfall. I want to sit in front of them and let them know that the person who exposed everything is the same person they tried to destroy."

Felix understood the anger behind the request, but he still had concerns. Michael and Silas had spent years building connections and protecting themselves. Even though their position had changed, they were not ordinary men, and he did not want Dayo to underestimate the situation.

"It’s dangerous to assume they have nothing left," Felix said. "They may be in custody, but we don’t know everything about their remaining connections. We should be careful about this."

Dayo listened before responding.

"Felix, I understand what you’re saying, but I’m not going there without permission. I don’t intend to bypass their security or interfere with the investigations. I want a proper meeting, arranged through the people responsible for them."

"Even with that, why now?"

"Because I want them to know that I was behind it. They have been trying to find out who supplied the evidence, and I want them to see me themselves. They thought they could take my daughter, threaten my family and get away with it. They thought nobody would be able to touch them."

He paused before continuing.

"Look at where they are now. They have lost the protection they used to enjoy, their financial arrangements are being investigated, and the people who worked with them are no longer sure what to do. I’ve already brought their operation down, Felix. The rest is just a matter of time. It’s going to happen, and there’s nothing they can do to stop it."

Felix studied him for a moment. He knew Dayo well enough to recognise when his mind was made up. There was no point trying to persuade him to abandon the idea. What mattered now was making sure it was handled properly.

"All right," Felix said. "If this is what you want, we’ll make the request through the proper channels."

Dayo nodded. "Use the same email address we’ve used before. Send a request to the police commissioner and another one to David Whitmore at the IRS. I want both of them to know that I am requesting permission to meet Michael and Silas."

Felix took out his tablet. "Do you want the requests to explain why?"

"Keep it simple. Tell them I want to meet the individuals currently in their respective custody arrangements. Make it clear that I’m requesting an authorised meeting and that I’m willing to follow whatever security procedures they require."

Felix began making notes.

"Should we request the same date for both meetings?"

"Yes, if they can arrange it. But let each authority decide what is possible. I don’t want one meeting to interfere with the other."

"Understood."

Dayo watched as Felix prepared the messages. He wanted everything handled properly. The police had their responsibility concerning Michael, while the IRS had its own responsibility concerning Silas. He had no intention of treating the two organisations as though they were one authority or asking either to interfere with the other’s work.

After reviewing the wording, Felix sent the first email to Commissioner John Philip and the second to David Whitmore.

Both requests were now in the hands of the people responsible for the respective investigations.

Commissioner John Philip was reviewing a report in his office when the new email arrived.

He almost continued reading the document in front of him, but the subject line caught his attention. It was connected to the same correspondence channel through which the earlier evidence had been supplied.

The commissioner opened it and read the message carefully.

The sender was requesting permission to meet Michael Erickson, who remained under police custody. The request was formal, and it acknowledged that any meeting would have to take place under the conditions established by the authorities.

John read it a second time.

He had already spent considerable time reviewing the information that had been provided by this unknown individual. The material had been detailed enough to give investigators a clear starting point, and it had helped them examine matters that might otherwise have taken much longer to uncover.

What he still did not know was the identity of the person responsible.

The sender had not introduced himself in the earlier correspondence, and the information provided had been focused on the evidence rather than personal details. The commissioner had tried to understand the source’s position, but there was very little to work with.

Now the same person wanted to meet Michael.

John placed the email beside the report he had been reading and called one of his senior officers.

"Come in for a moment. There’s something I want you to look at."

The officer entered a short while later, and John turned the screen toward him.

"Read this."

The officer went through the request before looking back at the commissioner.

"This is from the same source?"

"Yes. The person who provided the earlier information."

"He wants to meet Michael Erickson?"

"That’s what the request says."

The officer looked at the message again. "Do we know who he is?"

"No. We haven’t established his identity."

John returned his attention to the email. "I want you to review the request and tell me what arrangements would be required if we decide to approve it. We cannot simply allow someone into custody because they have supplied information. We need to consider the restrictions already in place and make sure the investigation isn’t affected."

"Understood, Commissioner."

After the officer left, John remained interested in the request. He had questions about the sender that he could not yet answer. The person had supplied information that could have created enormous problems if it had been released publicly without proper verification. Instead, it had been sent directly to the authorities.

John wanted to understand who had managed to gather so much material and why that person had chosen to remain unknown.

For now, he would allow his team to examine the request. If a meeting could be arranged safely and within the existing rules, he was willing to consider it.

At the IRS office, David Whitmore received the second email while going through a separate set of documents relating to Silas Vane.

He recognised the correspondence channel immediately.

The message was from the same unidentified source whose evidence had helped investigators examine Silas’s financial arrangements. David opened it and read through the request.

Unlike the police commissioner’s email, this one concerned a meeting with Silas at the IRS holding facility. The sender had requested permission to see him and had stated a willingness to comply with the necessary security arrangements.

David leaned back slightly after reading it.

He had been following the investigation closely, and the information supplied by the unknown source had proved useful. It had helped his team examine transactions, company structures and financial records that required further verification. Some of the material had already been checked, while other parts were still under review.

The request raised a question he had been considering for some time.

Who exactly was this person?

David called one of the officials working with him and asked him to come into the office.

"I’ve received another message from our source," he explained after showing him the email. "He wants permission to meet Silas Vane."

The official read the request and looked at David. "Do we have any information about his identity?"

"Not enough to establish who he is."

"Has he given a reason for wanting to meet Silas?"

"Not beyond the request itself. He wants to see him in person, and he’s willing to follow the arrangements we put in place."

David returned to the screen. "I want this reviewed carefully. We have restrictions in place for a reason, and we cannot allow anything that might compromise the investigation. Find out what would be required to arrange a supervised meeting, and prepare the relevant information for me."

The official agreed and took note of the instruction.

After he left, David opened the earlier correspondence again. He compared the new request with the previous messages, paying attention to the way the sender had handled the information. The individual had been careful not to turn the investigation into a public dispute, and the material had been directed to the appropriate people rather than circulated outside the process.

David was curious about what the person hoped to achieve by meeting Silas.

Perhaps he wanted to confront him. Perhaps there was something he wanted to communicate directly. Whatever the reason, David wanted to understand who had supplied the evidence that had become so important to the investigation.

He decided that the request deserved serious consideration, but no approval would be given until the necessary checks were completed.

Back at Dayo’s house, Felix had finished reviewing the sent messages.

"Both requests have gone through," he said, putting his tablet away. "The police commissioner has received his, and David Whitmore has received the one concerning Silas."

Dayo looked at him. "Good."

"We’ll have to wait for their responses. They may need time to review the restrictions and decide whether the meetings can be arranged."

"That’s fine. I’m not asking them to break their rules."

Felix settled back into his chair. "Are you certain this is what you want? Once they agree, there may be questions about your identity and why you have been involved in the investigation."

Dayo understood the concern. Until now, he had kept his involvement separate from the public attention surrounding the case. The authorities knew that someone had supplied the evidence, but they did not know who he was or what his personal connection to Michael and Silas might be.

He was prepared for that to change.

"I know they’ll want to know who I am," Dayo replied. "I’m not asking to remain anonymous during the meeting. I want them to know exactly who they’re sitting in front of."

Felix accepted the answer. "Then we’ll wait for the approval."

Dayo thanked him, and Felix soon left to attend to his other responsibilities.

For a while, Dayo remained in the sitting room with his phone in his hand. He thought about the two men and the different ways they had tried to control the situation. Michael had started cooperating with investigators, while Silas continued to resist and demand the involvement of his lawyers. Neither man had yet faced the full legal consequences of what had happened.

Dayo was not going to interfere with that process. He wanted the evidence examined, the investigations completed and the law to take its course. But he also wanted one opportunity to look both men in the face and tell them that their actions had brought them to this point.

He had spent enough time dealing with the consequences of their decisions. Now he wanted them to know who had made sure they could no longer hide behind the power they once held.

The requests had been delivered, and both authorities were considering them independently. Neither side had contacted the other, and neither knew what decision the other would make. Each had its own investigation to protect and its own reasons for wanting to identify the person behind the evidence.

Dayo placed his phone on the table and stood up.

He would wait for their answers. Once permission was granted, he would make the journey and face the two men who had caused so much damage to his family.

For now, the next move belonged to the authorities.