SHADOWS OF DECEIT

Scram

Jesse, concerned about not hearing from Josh the entire previous day, decided to visit his house. Comparatively, Josh's house was a bit more comfortable.

Josh's residence, painted in fading blue, featured only two rooms. A small cubicle outside served as the bathing and toilet area. Jesse knocked and opened the creaking, unlocked wooden door.

Upon entering, he found Josh's Grandma sweeping and greeted her. "Good morning, Nana."

"Oh, Akwasi, I thought someone had broken into my house again," Nana said in her slow, hoarse voice.

"Really? Did someone break in, Nana?" Jesse inquired, glancing at Josh's door.

"He's not here. Are you looking for him?" Nana asked while collecting gathered rubbish with a dustpan.

"Yes, Nana. Did he come home in the evening?" Jesse asked.

"No, he wasn't here last night. I thought he was with you," Nana replied.

"Oh, yes, but he left early in the morning, so I thought he came to say hello to you," Jesse lied, not wanting to alarm or pressure the elderly woman.

"Oh, no, he didn't come."

"Alright, Nana, take this for breakfast, then." Jesse handed her a 50 cedis note, waved goodbye, and left.

Determined to find Josh, Jesse headed to Adenta near the police building, where Josh sold his coffee. The place was still guarded by the police, though not as intensely as the previous night. Upon arrival, he saw Josh making coffee for a couple, and Jesse patiently waited until they were served.

"Hello, Jesse," Josh greeted, laughing.

Jesse, wearing a visibly angry expression, got straight to the point. "Where the hell were you yesterday?"

"Woah, woah, calm down," Josh soft-laughed, gesturing for Jesse to relax. Switching to a serious tone when he saw Jesse was still serious, he said, " Hello, Jesse."

"Explain. I have work to do," Jesse blurted out.

"She called me," Josh smirked, looking at Jesse.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Jesse asked, still angry.

"I mean, she called me. What, do you want me to spell it out for you?" Josh said, irritation creeping into his voice.

"What? Really? And you didn't think to call us and let us know your whereabouts?" Jesse retorted.

"Are you jealous?" Josh asked.

"Why would you think that?" Jesse replied, shocked by Josh's statement.

"You know what? Just go away. Get the hell out of here," Josh said, clearly angry now.

"Oh, I see. Now you're telling me to scram away?" Jesse shot back.

"Jesse, get the..." Josh began, but Jesse cut him off with a low, threatening tone, "You better watch your back, Josh, this..."

"Umm, hello," a voice spoke, interrupting the tension. Both men turned to see two policemen and a woman standing in front of the coffee machine.

"We'd like to order three cups of coffee," Maddy said, deciding to break the awkward silence. Peter, one of his colleagues, decided to join in, asking, "Were you guys fighting over a girl?"

Nate discreetly used his elbow to nudge Peter in the stomach, trying to silence him. Josh finally replied, "Alright," and started making the coffee.

"I'll be leaving now, Josh," Jesse said, looking at him with a dark expression before walking away.

"What was that, man?" Peter asked after Jesse went away.

"It was nothing, Peter. Here, take your coffee," Josh smiled and handed the coffee to them.

Nate muttered a "thank you" as they went back to the police building.

Thomas went to answer the door as he heard it ring. Opening it, he found a woman in official black pants and a navy blue shirt who appeared to be Chinese if not for her dark complexion.

"Uhh, hello," Thomas greeted before processing the situation.

"Yes, I'm Detective Elena," she said, showing her ID card to Thomas. "Would it be okay if I ask your mum a few questions, only if she's alright, of course?"

"Oh, yes, yes, come in," Thomas said, widening the door to welcome her. "She's upstairs," he added, leading Detective Elena to the living area.

Maame Yaa sat on her usual couch, dressed in black with a red scarf. The stress was evident on her face. A young lady sat beside her, displaying a clear resemblance to Thomas.

"Mum, someone is here to see you," Thomas announced.

Maame Yaa slowly raised her head to acknowledge her visitor. She nodded and motioned for Detective Elena to sit, appearing calmer today.

"Umm, hello. I'm Detective Elena. Sorry for your loss. I hope you wouldn't mind if I ask you a few questions," Detective Elena said.

Maame Yaa nodded.

"Right, was your husband here this Monday before his death in the evening?" Detective Elena inquired.

"Yes, he left early in the morning and never came back," Maame Yaa replied, almost on the verge of tears.

"Was he acting weird in the morning, or did you hear him on a call acting strange?" Detective Elena continued.

Maame Yaa shook her head.

"Did someone peculiar visit before Monday or on Monday?" Detective Elena asked.

Silence filled the room as everyone awaited Maame Yaa's response. Instead, she stood up and shouted, "Find the murderer for me and stop asking these stupid questions!"

"Ma'am, you have to calm down. These questions will help me find the murderer," Detective Elena tried to soothe her.

"You're all useless! All of you in the police department are useless! Get out of my house!" Maame Yaa shouted, slamming the door to a room.

Thomas and the young lady exchanged a look before she followed her mum into the room. Thomas gave an apologetic glance to Detective Elena and escorted her out of the house.

Maame U sat on her bed, wide awake, waiting for her son as it was already past midnight, and he had not returned. She tried calling him, but he didn't answer, and it was the same with Josh.
Jesse usually informed her if he would be late, but this time, there was no notification.

Glancing at her peacefully sleeping baby, Maame U decided to step outside to see if she could spot her son in the distance. She had been doing this for the past hour, growing increasingly worried.

Returning inside, she sat on her mattress beside the baby, feeling the weight of sleepiness tug at her. Despite trying to stay awake, her eyes occasionally closed involuntarily. The door creaked open, and in walked her son.

"Ma, you're not asleep?" he asked upon seeing her sitting on the bed.

"Where have you been? I called you, and you didn't pick up," she questioned.

"Sorry, Ma," he apologized as he grabbed a bucket.

"Where are you going?" Maame U inquired when she noticed him taking his towel and the bucket.

"To bathe," he replied.

"What? It's late now, Akwasi," she complained.

"I know, but I have to bathe," Jesse said, heading out without looking back at his mum.