SEVENTY-ONE

June 27

The new Center Against Corruption (CAC) was President Bannerman’s brainchild. A month after completing its construction on the premises behind the CID building, the grand opening, evening gala, and fundraiser were in full swing. Cream in color, the floodlit, colonnaded edifice appeared luminescent and classic against the night sky. The courtyard within accommodated hundreds of well-heeled partygoers coiffed and dressed to the nines. Everyone who was anyone in Accra was in attendance, most of them undoubtedly keen for a chance to chat with the president. Getting to him was easier said than done, however. Apart from his entourage of closest associates, he had a flank of personal, armed bodyguards.

In general, with military and SWAT present, security was heavy. Both Dazz and Edwin were on duty, Dazz on the rooftop and Edwin patrolling the grounds. At midnight, Edwin would switch places with another team member at the front entrance.

James and Josephine Akrofi were among those lucky enough to be in President Bannerman’s inner circle. The Akrofis were big donors to the new center and their names were already up on the brass-plated list of patrons. The conversation was lively and the champagne bubbly. A DJ was spinning tunes and there was a small dance floor. Shortly after midnight, Josephine whispered to James that she needed to get something from the car. He nodded.

When Josephine reached the front, Edwin was keeping an eye on the parking lot and surroundings.

“Madam, can I help you with anything?”

“Please escort me to my car, officer.”

“Yes, of course, madam.”

He walked alongside her. Their shoes created an irregular rhythm on the asphalt. “How are you, Edwin?” she said quietly.

“I’m fine, Mummy. And you?”

“I’m good. It’s been quite some time since we spoke. Why don’t you call more often?”

“Sorry. I should do that. You look very nice tonight, by the way.”

“Thank you.” She smiled at him as they passed a row of shiny SUVs, still the vehicle of choice for the well off. A few chauffeurs were hanging around talking to pass the time.

“Where are we going?” she asked him.

He pointed ahead. “Over there.”

At the end of the parking lot was a not-yet-open garden of shrubs and shade trees, a seating area with tables and chairs, and what was to be a bar with soft drinks and snacks for the center’s employees. The only illumination of this corner came from the lamps in the parking area. Now, Edwin and Josephine were in the shadows.

They sat down together.

“Do you ever speak to your father?” Josephine asked.

Edwin grunted. “He doesn’t even mind me. Even at CID, it’s like I’m not even there.”

She squeezed his hand. “Don’t worry, eh?”

“I’m not at all worried,” Edwin said.

“That’s good.”

“And Kwame, how is he?”

“He seems to be much better in his new spot,” she said. “He had become tough for the old place to manage, so we had to move him out. He’s adjusting well.”

“Great to hear that,” Edwin said, smiling. “I’ll never forget that day when he was a baby, long before you took him to UK, how you brought him to see me and I was holding him in my arms. It was so nice.”

Josephine nodded slowly as she thought back on it. “Yes, it was. Whenever I think of that time, I wonder what it would have been like if he had been normal.”

“I know what you mean,” Edwin agreed, “but praise God, Mummy, he is getting very good care in aburokyire.”

“Yes, we thank God,” she said. “How is work—and your friends, Courage and Dazz?”

“They are doing great.” Edwin paused. “Mummy, I want to move to a new place.”

“Oh? Where?”

“On Spintex Road. Two bedrooms. They want two years’ rent in advance.”

That was against the law, but all the landlords did that.

“How much, my dear?” Josephine asked.

“It comes to seventy thousand.”

“Is it a nice place?”

“Very,” Edwin said. “Just a little repair work here and there, which will be easy for me. I can pay some of it—maybe about five thousand.”

“All right, dear,” she said. “I’ll transfer the rest to your account on Monday.”

On the roof, Dazz had noticed Edwin escorting the IGP’s wife. The area inside the perimeter of the CAC was secure, so accompanying the ladies was a courtesy and formality, really, as well as an opportunity for tips, sometimes good ones. The tips made these after-hours events worth their while. Dazz didn’t keep exact track of the time since he had seen Edwin with Mrs. Akrofi and when he put his night-vision goggles to his eyes, it was not for the purpose of “checking up” on them. But as he slowly scanned the perimeter of the property, he passed two figures in the garden area at the far end of the car park and came back to focus on them. Dazz’s head jerked back with surprise at first. He returned his eyes to the goggles to double check that he had really seen what he thought he had seen. Yes, it was indeed Edwin and Mrs. Akrofi locked in an embrace.