“You’re welcome,” he said, standing as well and seeing Dawson to the door. He hesitated. “Look, Inspector, I want this mess cleared up too, and it doesn’t do me any good to do a dance of deception around you. So, if there’s anything you think I might be able to help with, please call.”
“I appreciate that sir,” Dawson said. He was just about to leave when something occurred to him. “Actually, there is something you might help me with. I’d like to meet with Mr. Calmy-Rey for a chat. Can that be arranged?”
“Yes, of course,” Sarbah said. “I’ll set that up for you and give you a call.”
As he took the elevator down, Dawson reflected what a breath of fresh air Sarbah was, compared to DeSouza. Sarbah was open and willing. He had a smooth texture to his demeanor. DeSouza was the opposite-as rough and lacerating as barbed wire.
Nevertheless, as different as the two men were, they were both still suspects with strong motives. In both cases too, however, it would be difficult to prove their involvement because they appeared to have good alibis. If either of them had paid someone to carry out a contract killing, it would be tough to make that connection.
For a while at least, Dawson turned his mind to something soothing and joyful as he thought about the family joining him in a little more than a day. Christine and the boys would leave for Takoradi on Friday afternoon directly after school.
He called her as he walked to the car. “Are you getting ready?”
“Yes. Sly and Hosiah are very excited about the trip. They can’t wait to see you.”
After hanging up with Christine, Dawson called Reggie Cardiman and introduced himself.
“Oh, thank God, Inspector!” Cardiman’s voice was as deep and projecting as if he were using a megaphone. “At last we have someone competent to clear this nasty thing up.”
“How do you know I’m competent?” Dawson asked in some amusement.
“Come now, Mr. Dawson. I know about your solving the serial killer case in Accra. You must come to Ezile Bay Resort. I would like to meet you for a good chat.”
Cardiman’s British accent incorporated heavy Ghanaian inflections. He sounded hearty and friendly, nothing like the impression Dawson had formed from the minutes of the STMA meetings.
“That’s why I was calling, in fact,” Dawson said. “When are you available?”
“I’m here all the time. Just let me know when you plan to arrive.”
“My wife and two boys are joining me from Accra tomorrow, and they would enjoy visiting Ezile Bay with me. What about Saturday? We could leave Takoradi in the morning.”
