by Terry Morgan
CHAPTER 65
In Sierra Leone, driver Mitchell was, as usual, the last to arrive back at the yard of Mambola Transport Enterprises. It had been another long, hot day and the sun was just setting in a red ball over the Atlantic Ocean beyond the fence and through a row of silhouetted coconut palm trees. He reversed the truck into his allocated space next to the concrete block building that was the company headquarters, switched his engine off and jumped down. Van drivers Samson, Big Saidu and George were sitting together, smoking on the wooden pallets in the lengthening shadows.
"What's up my man?" Mitchell called to the three.
"Mr Suleiman, he want to see you," said Big Saidu.
"Him very serious this day," added Sampson, grinning. "He tok about that bastad Moses, say he know now he big teef and skimmer. Say he have proof. Say he wanna speak to you, Mitchell. You must go, fast like. He's in the office."
"OK," said Mitchell. "But you got any watta, man? I gave all my watta to lady who sell banana but still not get any free banana."
Mitchell knocked on Mr Suleiman's office door and went in.
"Ah, Mitchell. We have a serious matter."
"Something I did, Mr Suleiman?"
"No, no. It's that bastard Moses. He is a criminal, Mitchell, a big time crook, a scammer and a thief."
"You see, Mr Suleiman? I told you."
"Yes, but my cousin Cole in England told me more."
"Sorry, Mr Suleiman."
"Now then, Mitchell. Tomorrow I need you to be like that big, fat lady from Botswana. You know who I mean? The lady detective - except you are not a lady."
Mitchell scratched his head.
"I have a plan, Mitchell. Tomorrow you must deliver some boxes to Rocki General Supplies."
"How many. Mr Suleiman?"
"I don't know, perhaps ten. The number is not important, Mitchell. Listen and do not interrupt. Tomorrow you will deliver some boxes to Rocki General Supplies. They are water purifiers that were lost at the airport but now found. It will be a nice surprise for Mr Moses so when you turn up he will be very pleased to see you. Now - listen, Mitchell. Tell him you want him to check inside the boxes. When he is not looking and busy checking, you must do something. You must stick this little machine in his office near his telephone. It is a big mess, yes? His office?"
"A big mess, Mr Suleiman, but what is that?"
"It is a voice recorder."
"Where did you get it, Mr Suleman?"
"From my cousin, Cole, in England DHL delivery this morning. There is another little machine that belongs to the first one - they are like brother and sister. This one is for Mr Moses, this one is for you. You must sit outside in Sani Abacha Steet for three days to listen to what Moses says. Then you must go back and retrieve the machine before he finds it."