SHADOWS OF DECEIT

Again!

Jesse's stomach emitted a low growl, a poignant reminder of his hunger. They had been provided with a meagre serving of watery corn porridge before being dispatched to the field alongside fellow inmates for labour. As the clock neared 1, the urgency to complete their work intensified, knowing that the prison officers would only serve them a meal after their toil. They had utilized the money earned from their fieldwork to procure it.

"Hey Jesse, why don't you come over here and join us?" Hynex called out, motioning to a spot near a bushy area on the field where his usual group was gathered. Despite feeling tired, Jesse decided to join them, even though they were close to finishing their work and the prison officers would likely be handing out food soon.

"Take it easy, man. You don't have to give it your all," Juju said, playfully slapping Jesse on the shoulders. "Yeah, don't overexert yourself," Max added. Jesse just smiled and looked down at the ground, avoiding any further confrontation.

"You just joined in, right?" a subdued voice said, prompting Jesse to raise his head. The speaker, an elderly man with visible wrinkles, introduced himself as Andy, smiling and revealing his nearly complete set of teeth. It seems the man was not around the other time Hynex was introducing the group to him.

"I'm Jesse," he replied politely.

"Hey, there are cigarettes here. Want to smoke?" Wande asked, directing his question toward Jesse, who shook his head in refusal.

"Oh, come on, just one puff. Nothing will happen. Even Andy here still smokes," Kofi chimed in, exhaling a plume of smoke from his cigarette.

Feeling the collective attention on him, Jesse reluctantly accepted the cigarette from Wande to divert any further scrutiny. As he took a puff, he couldn't help but cough, realizing he couldn't endure this. He wondered where they had even obtained the cigarettes.

A loud clap of hands echoed, courtesy of Godfred, one of the prison officers overseeing them. "The food is ready, and it will be shared here. You have just 5 minutes to finish up, so make it quick," Godfred announced, prompting the inmates to return to their assigned areas.

As the food was distributed, unfortunately, Andy's portion fell, leading Jesse to share his meal with the elderly man. Sympathetic, Jesse had no qualms about sharing.

After finishing their meals and joining the others who stood up, Jesse noticed a stench and a wet patch on the back of Andy's shorts. It seemed the elderly man had inadvertently soiled himself. Jesse discreetly informed Andy of the situation.

"I think you soiled yourself," Jesse whispered to Andy.

"Oh," Andy simply acknowledged.

"Follow me," Jesse said, guiding Andy into the bushes and offering him a sachet of water for cleaning. Once there, Jesse handed the sachet of water to Andy. "I'll wait for you right in front here with my back turned" Jesse stated thoughtfully.

"Don't worry, boy. Just go. I'll join you soon. I don't think you can stand my stench," Andy reassured with a chuckle.

"Are you sure, sir?" Jesse asked.

The man chuckled again as he pulled off his shorts, prompting Jesse to discreetly retreat from the scene.

The inmates sat on the bus as it transported them to the Adenta prison. Engaging in conversations and laughter, it appeared that life held some semblance of enjoyment for them, perhaps if the labour work was exempted and better food served.

Despite the camaraderie among his fellow inmates, Jesse remained unusually silent throughout the drive. Despite nudges and attempts from his new group to involve him in their discussions, he refrained from uttering a single word. Upon arriving at the prison, Jesse disembarked and headed straight to the cell wing, seeking respite through rest.

"Haven't you thought about showering?" Hynex inquired upon noticing Jesse's absence from following them to the communal bathroom.

"No, um, I'm really tired. I'll shower later," Jesse replied, watching the others proceed to their bathing routine.

***********************************

Inspector Evans sat on his chair, savouring the fried yam he had dispatched Nathan to purchase, while he diligently reviewed the documents scattered across his desk. With the clock nearing 3, he harboured the desire to conclude his tasks promptly and head home for a well-deserved rest. Amidst his concentration, a ringing phone disrupted the quiet ambience, signalling an incoming call.

"Hello," Inspector Evans greeted casually, his words punctuated by the rhythmic chewing of fried yam.

"What?" His eyes widened in surprise at the information relayed through the phone. Still munching, he inquired further, "Again, on the fields?"

Listening intently to the details provided by the caller, he responded, "In the bush? Where were the prison officers?"

Expressing disbelief, he exclaimed, "What? So you mean there was a murder in broad daylight, amidst inmates and prison officers?"

Acknowledging the urgency, Inspector Evans concluded, "Right, I'll be there in a few."

Ending the call, he swiftly rose from his seat, determined to find Felix for a ride to the field.