Adanne insisted that her family put me up for a day or so.

“Whatever you need, Alex. I want to get this killer as badly as you do. I've written about him enough.”

She had her own apartment in the city, but we drove to her parents' house on a part of Victoria Island-to a side of this fascinating megacity that I hadn't seen before.

The streets here were wide and clean, with no buildings taller than two stories. Most of the homes sat behind yellow or pink stucco walls. Still, there was a familiar smell of fruit and flowers decaying in the air.

Adanne pulled up to a gate and punched in a code.

“Alex,” she said before we got out of her car, “I prefer to save my parents the stress and worry. I told them we've been in Abuja. They're worried about civil war.”

“Okay,” I agreed. “Abuja it is.”

“Thank you. You're very kind,” she whispered up close to my ear. “Oh, here they are. They'll think you're a new boyfriend. But I'll clear that up, don't worry.”

Everyone was coming out through the carport to the parking pad as we pulled in. I was still pondering the idea of Adanne's new boyfriend.

Two boys, adorable, smiling twins in school uniforms and undone neckties, appeared. They were elbowing each other to be the first to open Adanne's door.

There were hugs all around for Adanne and then introductions for me. I was a policeman from America who was helping her with an important story. I was not a new boyfriend. Adanne had everyone laughing about that absurdity within seconds. Ha, ha, what a comedienne she was.

Chapter 95

I MET HER mother, Somadina, her father, Uchenna, her sister-in-law, Nkiru, and the nephews, James and Calvin. They couldn't have been warmer or nicer people. It seemed utterly natural to them that a complete stranger should come stay in their home for an unspecified amount of time.

The house was a modest one-story but with lots of windows and interesting views. From the foyer, I saw a walled backyard with tamarind trees and flower gardens. I could smell the hibiscus, even from inside.

Adanne showed me to her father's office. The walls in here, like in Adanne's office at the Guardian, were covered with framed news stories.

I noticed that a couple of them dealt with a gang of killer boys, and the man who led them. The name Tiger wasn't used, however.

“Are these all yours?” I asked, looking around. “You've been a busy girl, haven't you?”

She was a little sheepish now, the first embarrassment I bad seen from her.

“Let's say I've never had to wonder if my father is proud of me. My mother as well.”

I also noticed a framed military portrait on the desk-a young soldier with Adanne's features and her eyes.

“Your brother?”

“Kalu, yes.” She went over and picked it up. Instantly there was sadness in her eyes.