“Thanks.” He didn’t like to dwell much on past achievements, so he moved on. “I should caution you that I might ask uncomfortable questions or things you’ve already gone over with the previous investigators.”
“I expect that and look forward to it. I just want whoever did this to my aunt and uncle to be captured and brought to justice. Where are you right now? Can we meet in the next couple of hours?”
“I’m at Korle Bu. My son Hosiah has just had heart surgery.”
“Chief Superintendent Lartey mentioned that. I understand Hosiah is doing well?”
“Yes, thank you, Doctor.”
“God bless him. I’m so glad. I can meet you there. I assume Hosiah is in the Cardiothoracic Center?”
“Yes.” He gave her the room number.
“Who was that?” Christine asked as Dawson hung up.
“The doctor I was telling you about.” Dawson explained. “The niece of the victims. She’s going to come here so we can talk about the case. You’ll have to pick Sly up, and I’ll stay instead.”
She pressed her lips together with displeasure. It hadn’t been long since Lartey’s call, yet the case was already intruding, turning things upside down like a disruptive houseguest.
AN HOUR OR so later, Christine left to get Sly. With afternoon traffic building toward rush hour, it would be a while before they returned. As Dawson read a favorite Ananse comic with Hosiah to pass the time, his gaze shifted to the door where two women were entering. The first was the matron-the senior nurse-whom Dawson knew. She was buxom, but the other woman was tall, with fair, copper-colored skin. She wore a black trouser suit with a glimpse of an indigo blouse at her neckline. Her face was heart-shaped, and her head was crowned with luxuriant black curls. Tiny freckles dotted both cheeks like sprinkles of cinnamon.
“Inspector Dawson,” the matron said, “you have a visitor.”
He stood up. “You must be Doctor Smith-Aidoo.”
“Yes.” She smiled. “I’m very pleased to meet you.”
They shook hands.
The doctor moved closer to the bed. “And this is Hosiah, the perfect patient I’ve heard so much about? How are you, young man?”
“I’m fine, thank you,” he said softly and deferentially.
“Matron tells me you’re a very brave boy.”
He smiled bashfully.
“He is very good,” the matron confirmed, beaming at him.
“Wonderful.” Smith-Aidoo looked at Dawson. “Can we talk for half an hour or so? The matron will have her staff keep a special eye on Hosiah. They all adore him anyway.”
“Sure,” Dawson said. He ran his hand lightly over his son’s head. “I’ll be back soon, okay?”
