The Dawuni Files - A White Shadow

Chapter Seventeen

Dawuni was confused. From what he had gathered speaking with Irene, she has been working as a teacher for five years now. So how was her name part of the list of reporters.

Maybe they were different people. But that was rare in Ghana, to have two people with the same names in the same order.

Dawuni looked at his watch, it was 6:00 pm. He decided to pay Irene a visit. He wished for her own good- and his - that she had a very concrete explanation.

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The street lights in Irene's neighborhood were on and working by the time Dawuni pulled in front of the house.

He was mildly surprised to see a knocker on the front door instead of a door bell. Who still used knockers? Dawuni hit the knocker against the door a few times before the handle turned.

The door swung open and Irene stood there, a long kitchen knife in her hand. Dawuni moved back, wondering why she was holding a knife.

"Oh, Dawuni it's you ." Irene lowered the knife and her face broke into a smile.

"Yep." Dawuni beamed." But what's with the knife?"

"Oh that? There have been some robbery cases in the neighborhood, so I was just being cautious since I wasn't expecting anyone. Come on in."

Irene moved aside , making way for Dawuni and then closed the door.

"Have a seat. Would you like anything? Juice? Water? A drink?"

"Oh , no. I'm okay." Dawuni settled into the couch." So how are you?"

"I'm good. What about you?"

"I'm also doing well. How is your palm?"

"It's healing well." Irene held out her hand." It says thank you."

Dawuni smiled." Tell it I said, it's welcome. I think I'll renege on my earlier stance about the juice."

Irene laughed softly as she went into the kitchen. Dawuni looked around the living room, noting the paintings on the walls. Irene returned shortly with a tall glass of sobolo on a tray.

"You must be a lover of art." Dawuni pointed to the paintings as he took the drink.

"Actually, I'm not. My dad , who is a great lover of art, bought them and insisted I use them to furnish the house. He even two of them during the PAAF week."

Irene had just done the honours of bringing up the main subject of Dawuni's visit.

Dawuni took his chance." I attended the PAAF and it was incredible. Did you also attend?"

"I did, but not as a guest. I was a reporter for CVT radio."

"A reporter?" Dawuni arched an eyebrow." Buh, you are a teacher so how....?"

"I was working part-time as a teacher and a reporter, but I quit. It was becoming too stressful and exhausting to juggle the two jobs together."

Dawuni sipped his drink, releived that Irene had a good explanation. He couldn't just take her word though , he would have to look into it later.

They talked for a long time and when it was about 9:00, Dawuni decided to head home.

"I should  probably be going." Dawuni informed Irene.

"Okay. Thank you for the visit, and goodnight."

"Goodnight too."

Irene escorted Dawuni outside and watched as he drove off.

On the drive home, Dawuni called Titus.

"Hello." Titus said, when he picked the call.

"Yeah, bro. Wassup."

"I'm cool and you."

"Same here. Um, I was wondering if you could do me a favor and look up a name for me. It's Irene Hayford."

"Just a sec." There was a long pause, then Titus came back." I found something. So according to the data base, she was born on 26th August, 1994 to Mr and Mrs Hayford. She attended Grace Child Basic school, then went to St George Senior High School before proceeding to the University of Ghana, where she majored in journalism and English. She lost her younger brother some years back.  She worked as a part time teacher and a part time reporter for CVT radio. She has no criminal record and her history is unremarkable aside from the fact that she was a brilliant student. That's all I can find for now."

"Thanks man."

"No prob." Titus hung up.

Dawuni was relieved that Irene had not lied to him. He really liked her and wasn't sure how he would react if she was a criminal. Dawuni promised himself that he'll send her out, once he was done with the case.