Danny waited outside Kofi’s apartments, wondering what to do.
No one was answering the bell he rang at the front of the building.
The apartments were in a building Danny knew well. It had once been a pub. One that families would come to on a Sunday. He remembered his mum and dad bringing him and his sister here when he was a kid. They’d have a meal. And he’d have a Coke. Then they’d walk round the lake to go to the Canal Gardens.
Danny noticed that most of the building was dark. Having circled it, he could see two of the apartments had lights on. So some people were probably home.
But he didn’t know which apartment was Kofi’s. And there was no way in. So all he could do was wait outside for Kofi. Or, in the worst case, Mills.
It was a cold night. The temperature had dropped much further than it had over previous nights. Danny shivered. There was a breeze coming up from the park, air cooling as it came across the lake.
But this was nothing new to Danny: he had stayed out watching buildings and people in colder weather than this.
There were not many people about. And most of them were in cars. Looking for somewhere quiet to spend time in the park. A few others were walking dogs. There were no children.
After half an hour Danny saw Kofi walking, coming down from the main road.
‘Kofi!’
Once he had called out, Danny saw his friend smile. He loved that about Kofi. That he was still himself. Even though he’d become a professional footballer. Kofi was the exact opposite to Ian Mills.
Danny spoke quickly. ‘I think I know who had your phone. Your bag.’
Kofi looked at him, puzzled. ‘How do you know I have lost my phone?’
‘I’m guessing it was in your bag.’
Kofi shook his head. ‘I have lost my phone, my boots. A lot of things.’
Danny didn’t normally like to say someone had done something until he had proven it. But this time it was different. Everything was different about this case. If that was what it was.
‘I think it was Ian Mills,’ Danny said.
‘Ian?’
‘Yes.’
‘Why would Ian do that? He is my friend.’
‘He said some things,’ Danny said, ‘that made me think it was him. Then I texted your phone. And someone replied back. I am pretty sure it was him.’
‘But why would he do it? He has lots of money.’ Kofi looked genuinely confused. Clearly he had never doubted Mills for a moment.
Danny shrugged. Should he tell him that he thought Ian Mills hated Kofi because he had everything that Mills had once had, but no longer did?
No. It was just a theory. Something he’d picked up on. But he had no proof.
And maybe he was wrong. Maybe Mills was OK. Maybe Danny just couldn’t deal with him taking Charlotte out for a date.
But, even if that was true, should he tell him that he was worried Mills was the real burglar and that he might target Kofi’s apartment?
Danny wasn’t sure. He felt as if he had no foundation to build on. All the things that were going on had undermined all that.
‘Can I come and see your apartment?’ Danny asked. At least they could talk. He would enjoy seeing Kofi so nicely set up.
‘Yes. You can come in. I am sorry. I should have asked you.’
Danny smiled and they walked towards Kofi’s home. Kofi punched a number into a keypad on the door. They walked along the corridor. Everything was new. And clean. The carpet was spotless.
Danny had decided that, once they were inside, he would try to explain honestly to Kofi how he felt about Mills. He would explain that he was not sure if he could judge him properly because of all the things to do with Charlotte.
They reached Kofi’s apartment. Kofi took out a single silver key and unlocked the door. ‘This is my home.’