It was 7 pm and Derrick was walking towards the exit that also acted as an entrance for the staff of Bank of Baroda. He was the only one walking through the alley which had white walls, a white ceiling, and a dark tiled floor.
The exit had a walk-through metal detector and a security guard seated on a chair resting his hands on a table.
When Derrick reached the guard named Frank, he felt like using the toilet, "Please watch my bag."
Frank waited until Derrick had disappeared then he reached below the table and pulled out a Dell Laptop. Lord, let him have the same model as the one I have here. He quickly unzipped Derrick's bag and took out his laptop.
In an answer to Frank's prayer, Derrick owned a Dell laptop though it was a different model to the one Frank had. He switched the laptops as quickly as he could.
Derrick returned two minutes later and got his bag. It feels heavier than usual? He unzipped it.
Lord let him not find out, prayed Frank.
I should take out the unnecessary items when I reach home, thought Derrick.
9:00 PM:
Derrick sat on his bed ready to start watching the final season of the television series, 24. He got his bag and removed the laptop. Or what he thought was his laptop. "Hmm?" How could this be? Have I also become a victim of those guys in taxis who steal people's laptops and replace them with a stone? No. Then I would have a stone. FRANK. What I'm going to do to him the moment I lay my hands on him.
He dialed the number of William, a workmate of his who sat next to him at work.
Hello?
Hi William. Sorry to call so late. Do you happen to have Frank's number?
No. We aren't allowed to have contacts of security personnel.
Thanks for the help. Bye.
He hang up the call before William could reply.
Who can I talk to who's not a goody to shoo? Cindy.
He dialed her number.
She didn't pick up.
He dialed a second time.
She picked up and said, Hello.
Hello.
I know you're not calling about bank-related issues?
Actually, I am. Do you happen to have Frank's number?
Yes. Send it to me immediately.
Okay. He hang up and waited for a text. His phone beeped after thirty seconds. The text was a number – 0798-836-427. These people who use ancient networks like Africell. Why can't they be like the rest of us and have an Airtel or Mtn line? It's criminal not to have one of the two leading networks in Uganda. He dialed the number.
It didn't go through.
The criminal is smart, he made sure I can't reach him. I wonder if he's going to come to work tomorrow or if he's going to call in sick or if he'll ever show up to work again.
Derrick tried sleeping but found it hard to. Images of him punching Frank's face till it bled kept him awake.
5:00 AM:
His alarm rang. Noooooooooo. His body felt three times heavier than usual. He had eventually fallen asleep at 3 AM. I should go beat him up, get my laptop then come back home. There's no way I'm making it through a full day of work.
6:30 AM:
Derrick was standing outside the staff entrance to Bank of Baroda rubbing his knuckles. He had placed his bag at his workstation.
The security company G4S changed guards at 7:00 AM sharp every day.
He turned towards the entrance for staff cars to the bank.
William drove in with Cindy seated in the front passenger seat of the car. They both got out smiling and laughing.
"Good morning Derrick," William said as he placed his bag on the table and walked through the metal detector.
"Good morning," replied Derrick.
"Good morning," said Cindy, "Has Frank promised you an airline ticket?"
Derrick smiled, "No."
Frank entered the parking lot. His eyes met Derrick.
Derrick didn't want to cause a scene so he waited for Frank to take over the entrance keeping duty from the night guard. He stood next to Frank and said, "I know it was you."
"What do you mean?"
"You stole my laptop."
"Stole what?"
Derrick eyed him. He wanted to punch him. "My laptop."
Frank saw his clenched fists, "Beat me up if you want. The security cameras are watching you."
Derrick thought, Let me go and talk to the video security guard. For all, I know it could be someone else or some people that are out to get me. He strolled and knocked at the video security door.
There was no answer.
He knocked again.
The door opened.
"Good morning Abraham," said Derrick.
"Good morning. How may I help you?"
"My laptop got stolen."
"Why do you think I can help you with that?"
"I think Frank stole it. I mean switched my laptop for another."
Abraham sat down with a keyboard and mouse in front of him, "What time did it happen?"
"Umm. Check the footage between 7 PM AND 7:1O PM at the staff entrance."
"Okay."
The video played showing Derrick leaving his bag with Frank then it played showed Derrick returning to get his bag from Frank two minutes later.
"Did you see that?"
"What?" said Abraham.
"The jump in the footage. Rewind it a few seconds before and play it."
Abraham obeyed.
"See from 7:04:45 you see Frank seated by himself but at 7:04:59, there's a jump in the feed."
"True," said Abraham, "But sometimes that happens with security cameras."
"Frank is my number one suspect but I don't think he's working alone. For now, I'll pretend nothing happened. Can you give me access to your feeds so I can check to see if your feeds were remotely accessed?"
"No. Besides, I don't want to lose my job. You would have to contact the G4S headquarters G4S to gain access to this system."
"Yes. Thanks a lot for your help."
Abraham smiled, "You're welcome."
Derrick left the room, Thank you Lord for the cloud.
Abraham sent a text to Frank that read, He knows someone tampered with the feed.
Frank sent a reply to Abraham, Our people at HQ will frustrate the life out of him.
