The two taxis drove past Opera Square and joined the High Street. There was one car between them. They passed the Castle crossroads and continued through Osu. When they reached the Labadi dual carriageway, they began to move faster.
"My brother, do you want to speak to the passenger in the taxi ahead?" Charles's driver asked.
"Yes."
"Then I can overtake him and stop the taxi for you. That way you won't have to pay so much."
"Just follow them," Charles said. "I want to surprise my friend. I don't think we have far to go."
"Alright," the driver said.
Just after Odum Estate, the cars turned onto an untarred road. About a mile ahead, the first taxi turned right and stopped in front of a large house with a huge iron gate.
Charles's taxi drove past and turned into another road.
Charles got down, paid the driver, and began walking back slowly.
Tousie opened the gate and allowed the shop assistant to enter.
"Tousie, a man followed me in a taxi," the shop assistant said.
"Did you see his face?"
"Yes. His taxi passed me as I was paying the driver. I think he stopped just beyond the house."
The assistant pointed.
"We can't take chances," Tousie said. "I know what to do."
He hurried to his room in the boys' quarters. When he returned, there was something heavy in his pocket.
He opened the gate and stepped outside.
"Hello, can I help you?" he asked, smiling at Charles.
"I'm looking for a friend's house," Charles replied.
"This is a large area with few houses. If you describe it, I might help you."
Tousie moved closer, still smiling, his hand inside his pocket.
"It's a yellow house with a—"
Charles suddenly felt something hard pressed against his back.
"Get inside, or you're a dead man," Tousie said coldly.
Charles froze. He knew it was a gun.
Sweat ran down his face.
"What… what is this?" he stammered.
"Move!" Tousie ordered.
Charles obeyed and walked into the compound.
Suddenly, something struck the back of his head.
He fell .
When he opened his eyes, he was lying on the cold floor of a dark cellar.
His head throbbed. His body felt weak. He did not know where he was.
In the sitting room of the main house, Tousie was speaking to Carol.
"He followed the shop assistant here. He's in the cellar of the guest house."
"Find out what he wants," Carol said.
Her deep-set eyes looked cold. A faint smile crossed her face.
***************
Charles lay on the cellar floor, barely able to move.
Suddenly, he heard a door open.
Footsteps. Then another door unlocked—the one to his cell.
A bright torch shone in his face.
Before he could react—
A whip struck his body.
He cried out.
"This is what happens to uninvited guests!" a voice said.
Charles was pulled up and made to sit against the wall.
"What is this about?" he asked, trying to stay calm.
The torchlight hurt his eyes.
"Who are you? Why are you here?" the man demanded.
Charles felt weak, his body aching.
"And who are you?" he managed to ask.
"I ask the questions!" the man snapped, kicking him.
"Is this how you treat an innocent stranger?" Charles said.
"A stranger who spies on private houses," the man replied. "Now talk."
He raised the whip again.
"My name is Charles. I told you—I was looking for a friend's house. You offered to help me, then forced me inside at gunpoint. You hit me, and now you're beating me for nothing."
The man kicked him again.
"What did you come here for?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Charles said.
"I'll make you talk!"
The whip came down again and again.
"Who sent you?"
"Nobody! I came alone!" Charles cried.
"Talk!"
The blows continued.
"Are you trying to kill me?" he shouted.
When it finally stopped, his body was bruised and bleeding.
"You're a murderer," Charles said weakly.
"That's only the beginning," the man replied. "If you don't talk, you'll die."
He left, locking both doors behind him.
Charles lay in pain in the darkness.
***************
"What did he say?" Carol asked.
"Nothing," Tousie replied. "But I'm sure he knows something."
"Is he spying on us?"
"Yes."
"That could be dangerous," Carol said. "Was he alone?"
"I've been watching all day. No one else."
"We can't release him," she said.
"What shall we do with him?" Tousie asked.
Carol smiled.
Tousie understood immediately.
"That's easy," he said. "He'll disappear—like the last one. No body was found. Should I do it tonight?"
"No," Carol said. "Wait until Wednesday night, after Jaheim has left. We must not make mistakes."
"Trust me, madam," Tousie said.
Carol reached into her bag and handed him money.
"You'll get the rest when it's done."
Tousie smiled.
***************
Charles thought he was going to die.
He wished he had listened to Mallory and not followed the man. But it was too late.
No matter what happened, he would not tell them the truth.
If they found out, they would change their plans.
Casper would remain in prison.
He had to stay strong.
After a long time, he heard a door open.
A small window in the cellar door opened. Something was thrown inside.
Then silence.
Charles crawled across the floor. He found a polythene bag. Inside was rice and stew.
Hungry and weak, he ate quickly in the darkness.
Later, the door opened again—quietly.
A small hand placed something on the window.
"Drink quickly and give me the cup," a young voice whispered.
Charles struggled to the door, found the cup, and drank.
"Thank you," he said weakly.
"Give me the bag," the boy whispered.
Charles passed it back.
The window closed.
The door locked again.
Charles lay down. Exhausted.
For the first time since he was captured, he slept.