Chapter 6

Mr Mireku mentioned Soya's name all over the house so much that the help felt so uneasy. Why wouldn't he allow them to do that for him since they knew the ins and outs of the house more than he did? Finally, he came to himself and asked Esi for help.

" I don't seem to be getting any response from Soya. Any idea where she is?"

" I'll try her secret hideouts. If she's not there, then she must be somewhere else."

" Somewhere else? Where would she go without telling me?"

" It's strange because she tells me everywhere she goes so I can watch her back." Ohene, although stunned by her revelation, was more concerned about her absence than to find out more about her secret life.

" Where do you think she will be now?"

" I have no idea. She was unwilling to return to that nightclub she went to and was arguing with one man over her phone." Who could this man be? Mr Mireku did not seem to have any idea. She was not at loggerheads with anyone and her lifestyle had become so inconceivable that letting her be would be the most appropriate thing to do.

" Do you know which nightclub she went to last night?"

" Yes. The one in town, hidden underground, out of sight."

Why would she be at such a place? Anyway, I met her in the obscurest of places so I have no right to question her sense of judgment.

"Would you be kind enough to take me there?" Her demeanour alone told him Esi was as scared as a jack-rabbit .......... Suddenly, she was shivering involuntarily and sweating profusely.

" It must be a no-go area, isn't it?" Esi nodded. " Do you think we will need security?"

" That will make our case worse. Nobody will be prepared to release any information if we come openly and throw our weight about."

"We are only trying to stay safe?"

" Explain that to them and they'll throw you out. They're safer in their chambers than you with a policeman guarding you."

" He'll be in plain clothes?"

" They know every policeman in this town and believe you me, some of them are part of this clique. Even the government is afraid of them." Why would Soya choose to be amongst such people? Again, I must explain that to myself because I found her in one of such places anyway.

"I suggest we go in disguise," said Esi.

"Disguise? Why would I want to disguise myself?"

"They have security cameras which pick up the faces and details of everyone that enters their club."

"That should tell you they will be able to do so even if we're covered in mud and ashes."

"The system always has a flaw we can take advantage of."

"Lead the way then."

"I must warn you though, that I have to find make-up artists to help us take up new identities."

"We will need more days then?"

"Exactly!"

"I need to find Soya now."

"I know that but have you considered the fact that if you rush through with this, your efforts may be in futility?"

"But I can't wait that long? I need to find her as soon as possible."

"I 'll get the best of them to help us in the shortest time possible."

"So what else do you suggest we do?"

"That we wait a day or two for her to put her acts together."

"But I can't wait that long?"

"I understand. Safety is our watchword now."

"What about Frema? Have you seen her lately?"

"I haven't been to her room lately."

"And she hasn't come out to eat or greet anyone?"

"No."

"Doesn't that seem strange to you?"

"I haven't thought about it."

"Please find out where she is so we can be sure."

Esi went looking for Frema, knocking gently on her door for a few minutes, but when there was no answer, she panicked and forced the door open. Frema would have scolded her if she was inside but there was no sign of her. Strange.

" F-r-e-m-a! Where are you?" Esi searched everywhere, even under the bed. Her sheets were not laid and her bedroom slippers were still before her bed as if she were ready to wear them upon getting out of her bed. Esi's heart beat faster than a hare. They were in deep trouble. The danger was looming somewhere. Nobody had seen this coming. Had they, security would have been improved. Howbeit, everyone had become complacent and lax.