"Boy, I'm tired. Aren't you?"
Gyan stood by the tap, washing bits of cement off his face, hands, and legs. It was five o'clock on Saturday, and they had just finished work for the day.
"We worked hard for that money," Charles said, putting on his shirt. He pulled a comb from his pocket and began to fix his hair.
"Now we've got enough for the suitcase, haven't we?"
"More than enough," Gyan answered.
"It's better that way. We'll need the extra money for taxis and other things."
"When do we begin?"
"On Monday. We need to rest tomorrow."
Gyan picked up his bicycle, and the two friends left the building site.
"That's the last BASS CONSTRUCTION will see of us," Gyan laughed as he pushed his bicycle beside Charles. Their pockets were full of their week's wages.
"Gyan, I need to stop by Madina Market to buy something for my mother," Charles said.
"Sorry, I can't come with you," Gyan replied. "I've got work to do at home before dark."
"We'll meet at Mallory's place tomorrow at four, right?"
"Yes. She must be very impatient by now."
Gyan rode off on his bicycle while Charles walked toward Madina Market.
Both of them were hoping they would soon free Casper.
***************
"How many flights are there in a week?" Charles asked as Gyan stepped out of the KLM office on Kwame Nkrumah Avenue.
"Three," Gyan replied. "All in the evening. Check-in time is at six."
"Alright. When will you say you're travelling?" Mallory asked as they walked along the pavement.
"The sooner, the better," Gyan said. "I'll say I'm leaving the day after tomorrow-Wednesday."
"Good," Charles said. "I can be at the airport that evening. Mallory, can you make it?"
"I'll be there," she said. "But first, we need to see what happens at the shop."
"We're going there now," Charles said. "Gyan, make sure you play your part well."
"I've been practicing all day," Gyan replied.
"And remember to look innocent," Mallory added.
"Let's hurry," Charles said. "Look, there's a minibus."
They ran across Kwame Nkrumah Avenue and jumped into it. The bus took them to the city centre, and they got off near Makola Market.
"Do you see that big shop over there?" Charles asked, pointing.
"Peace and Blessing Enterprises?" Gyan asked.
"Yes, that's the one," Charles said.
"And do you see that narrow street across the road?"
Gyan nodded.
"We'll wait for you there. Good luck."
Charles and Mallory crossed the road and walked toward the narrow street.
Gyan entered the shop. There were several customers inside. He looked around and saw suitcases arranged on the shelves. He walked toward the cheaper ones and began examining them. From the corner of his eye, he noticed a slim, fair-skinned woman sitting at a table. She was watching him.
Then he heard a chair move. Footsteps followed.
A sweet perfume reached him.
He turned.
The woman stood beside him, smiling.
"Hello. Can I help you?" she asked.
"Yes, madam. I want to buy a suitcase," Gyan said, trying to look as innocent as possible.
"You're a student, I guess. Are you travelling overseas?"
"Yes."
"Where to?"
"The USA. I leave on Wednesday, but I'll spend a few days with my uncle in Amsterdam."
The woman smiled brightly.
"You're very lucky. You'll need a strong suitcase. Come and see these."
She pointed to the more expensive suitcases with name labels.
Gyan moved closer.
She was exactly as Mallory and Charles had described.
***************
"I wonder what's happening in there," Mallory said, looking toward the shop. "Hasn't he been inside too long?"
"Let's give him ten more minutes," Charles said. "If he doesn't come out, I'll go in."
"Look!" Mallory said suddenly. "See that man coming out of the shop."
"Which one?" Charles asked.
"The slim one in light brown trousers and a white shirt-the one with afro curls."
Just then, a large bus passed in front of them. By the time it moved, the man had disappeared into the crowd.
"He's gone," Mallory said.
She tried to remember where she had seen him before.
"What about him?" Charles asked. "Do you know him?"
"I'm not sure," she said slowly. "That face... I've seen it somewhere before."
She sighed.
"Here comes Gyan!" she said, smiling.
"Good," Charles said. "And I see you chose a brown suitcase."
Gyan joined them, grinning.
"Boy, that woman is beautiful!" he said.
"What did you find out?" Mallory asked quickly.
"A lot," Gyan replied. He showed them the name label and the receipt.
"What else?" Charles asked.
"That woman is dangerous," Gyan said. "She sits there waiting to trap people. But this time, we've trapped her."
"Brilliant!" Mallory said excitedly.
"She asked many questions," Gyan continued. "And I answered all of them. She doesn't know my answers are a trap. Soon, she'll be caught-like an antelope."
The three friends burst into laughter.
An old man passing by looked at them and smiled wishing he was young like them.
"So they know when you're leaving?" Mallory asked.
"Yes," Gyan said. "They'll be waiting at the airport at six in the evening the day after tomorrow. I'm sure we'll catch them."
"Let's get a taxi," Charles suggested.
Mallory suddenly grabbed his sleeve.
"Look! There's a man standing in front of the shop with a brown suitcase. It looks exactly like Gyan's."
They all turned.
"Was anyone else buying a suitcase while you were inside?" Charles asked.
"No," Gyan said. "I was the only one. That man looks like one of the shop assistants."
"He's looking for a taxi," Mallory added.
Charles thought quickly.
"Gyan, you and Mallory take the suitcase home. I'm going to follow that man."
"Why?" Mallory asked. "We'll see them again on Wednesday."
"There is a reason," Charles said. "I want to know where he takes the suitcase. It could give us more evidence."
Before they could stop him, Charles ran off. He jumped into a taxi just as the other man did the same. His taxi followed closely behind.
"I don't feel good about this," Mallory said.
"Don't worry," Gyan replied. "If anything happens, Charles can handle it. He's strong enough."
Gyan picked up the suitcase.
Mallory followed him through the busy street.