Derek looked perplexed. “I still don’t get how Ponsu helps the sakawa guys. He teaches them better techniques of ripping off people’s money or what?”

“Sakawa boys will only say that Ponsu is one of their most effective intermediaries between the physical and spirit world,” Sowah said, “and so he procures the best powers from the gods, so to speak.”

Derek snorted with derision. “Sounds like hokum to me.”

“Well, it does to us,” Sowah said. “We’re not in that world, so it’s difficult for us to understand.”

“It almost sounds like you’re giving them some credibility.”

“Maybe, but not legitimacy,” Sowah responded. “There’s a difference.”

“You’re right,” Derek said with a little more humility.

“Bottom line is,” Sowah continued, “we have to find Ponsu and question him. He has two shrines—one smaller one here in Shukura in Accra, and a larger one in Atimpoku, his hometown and where he started out.”

“How soon can we do that?” Derek said.

“Emma and I will go to Shukura tomorrow morning, but if he’s at Atimpoku at the moment, we’ll proceed there immediately.”

“I’ll come with you,” Derek said at once.

“I will not allow that, please,” Sowah said firmly. “Part of my job is to protect our clients. If the path your father took put him in danger, we can’t let that happen to you as well.”

“Okay,” Derek said, but he was clearly disappointed. He brooded for a while and then muttered to no one in particular, “Why, Dad, why? Why didn’t you listen?”

Sowah looked at Emma, and then back at Derek in sympathy. “Very sorry about all this, Derek. We’ll work on it until we have a resolution. I promise you that.”

“Thanks, Mr. Sowah.”

“You’re welcome. May I make a suggestion?”

Derek looked up. “What’s that?”

“That you go back to the hotel, relax—perhaps have a drink by the pool, and then a nice dinner. Something to take your mind off things. Let us do the worrying for you, okay?”

“That’s not a bad idea.” Derek rose, smiling and looking marginally better.

The two men shook hands and Emma walked Derek to the front door. Outside, he faced her. “Listen, I appreciate all your efforts, I really do.”

“You’re most welcome, sir.”

“Now let me go get that drink,” Derek said, heading down the steps. He looked back at her with a playful smile. “You should join me!”

Emma laughed. “Have a good evening, sir.”

“No, no,” he said. “Call me Derek.”

Emma watched him walk away before she went back in. As she returned to the detectives’ room, she remembered she needed to call her mother, Akosua. Emma expected the usual harassment about why it had been such a long time since she had phoned, and she got it.