He laughed with some embarrassment. “Come on, sis.”

“What have you been up to?”

“Well, you know, I dey here, that’s all.”

“Did you manage to get a job yet?”

Bruno crossed his big arms over his chest. “I get construction job last month.”

“Congrats!” Emma said.

He shook his head. “But they said they don’t need me anymore.”

“Oh,” she said with disappointment. “So, what are you planning now? If anything?”

He hesitated. “I want to go into Internet business with Nii Kwei.”

Alarms raised in Emma’s head. “What Internet business? Look, don’t think I don’t know what that Nii Kwei is all about. He’s a sakawa boy, right?”

“No,” Bruno said, too indignantly.

“What no? Look at his clothes. What kind of car does he drive?” Bruno looked at the ground and muttered something.

“What?” Emma said. “I didn’t hear you.”

“Range Rover.”

“Range Rover!” Emma exclaimed. “What did I tell you? How old is he? Twenty-seven?”

“Yeah,” Bruno said, squirming.

“And what normal guy his age can afford a Range Rover except a sakawa boy? Don’t get involved with him, Bruno. Please, I beg you.”

“It’s okay, Emma,” Bruno said, chewing on the inside of his cheek. “Don’t worry, okay? Nothing bad go happen.”

“Get a legitimate job, Bruno,” she pleaded, putting her hand on his forearm. “Try to settle down into something honest for a change, eh?”

He flipped over his palm. “Which job are you talking about? There are none in Ghana.” Bruno’s statement wasn’t far from the truth, but that wasn’t the discussion.

“I just want you to turn your life around,” she said, staying on topic.

“I will, I will. It’s just that . . .”

“That what?”

Bruno released a big breath. “I don’t know. Let’s talk about you for a while. You’re giving me too much tough time.”

She laughed.

“How is your work with the police?” he asked, determined to change the focus.

Emma turned the corners of her mouth down. “They sacked me.”

Bruno’s mouth dropped open. “What? When? Why?”

“Two weeks now. Long story.”

For a moment, Commissioner Andoh’s assault played in her mind, but she forced it out. “Oh, sorry, sis,” Bruno said with sympathy. He took her hand. “Are you okay?”

Emma shrugged.

“I know what that means,” Bruno said. “You’re not really okay.”

“I will be,” Emma said with a sigh. “Anyway, I’ve managed to get a part-time job at the Accra Mall in the Apple store. I start next week.”

“Ah, cool. At least you have that.”

Emma didn’t mention that she had been hoping to hear from DCOP Laryea’s friend, Yemo Sowah. She was beginning to lose hope. Wouldn’t he have called by now?

“Come with me and let’s chop waakye, your favorite,” Bruno said, brightening. “I’m hungry.”

“Of course you are,” she said with a snort. “It’s all that wee.”

He giggled all the way to the waakye stand.

FIFTEEN

January 22, Washington, DC

It was the night before Josephine was to leave. Gordon had begged her not to do so without his treating her to dinner, at least. “Who knows?” he had told her on the phone. “I may not see you again for a long time. Or ever, even.”