Web of Lies Read Online Free PDF Page A

boldly.
    “Well, cool it, Gary. I want my little brother to meet a friend of mine. You just carry on, and I’ll see he gets home on time.”
    Gary waited for Femi to say something, but Femi remained silent.
    “Okay. See you tomorrow then.” If Gary felt put down, he was not going to show it.
    “Yeah, see you around, man.” Femi tried to sound normal.
    “Sorry to break up your one to one.” James softened his tone as soon as Gary was out of hearing. “Errol wants to meet you. Don’t worry, it won’t be long. You’ll be on your way before your dad notices a thing.”
    Femi flicked over his wrist to check his watch. He felt his muscles tensing at the mention of Errol.
    “Don’t you trust me then?” There was a sharp edge to the question.
    “I’ve got to be home by half past.”
    “Not a problem. Errol only wants a quick chat. You can use the shortcut.”
    The shortcut that Papa said never to use. Femi’s heart was thumping as fast as if an opponent’s ball had just flown over his head. He followed James past three pumps that stood like solitary sentinels in front of the deserted cabin where people used to pay for their petrol. The massive roof cut out the late afternoon light. In the dimness underneath,it was already evening. Whoever this Errol was, what did he want with him? How could he have said no?
    At the far side of the building, a wooden screen jutted out from the wall. That smell! It took him straight back to Alade Market in Lagos and the young men who hung around in corners smoking. As they turned the corner, a tall, thin figure emerged from a door at the back of the cabin behind the screen. His toffee-brown face was almost hidden by a peaked cap and narrow dark glasses. He was dressed all in black with a black-and-white cap and matching two-tone shoes. The place looked grimy, but Errol was immaculate. He left the door slightly ajar and, although no sound came from inside, Femi sensed that they were not alone.
    “So this is the little brother!” Errol laughed lightly. A gold chain around his neck glinted despite the gloom. “I’ve seen you around, Femi.”
    Of course! This was the same young man he had noticed lounging opposite Avon after school recently, surrounded by some of the older students. How slow he was! Once or twice he had been aware of the dark glasses focused in his direction, but he hadn’t been too bothered. Young men often stood on the streets scrutinizing others from behind their shades. But this was the same Errol who had sent a message to Sade.
    “Yes.” When Femi’s voice finally came out, it was so small it seemed to come from a little person floating above him.
    “Well, if your sister didn’t point out yours truly, I don’t hold it against you, Femi.”
    How was he meant to reply? Errol leaned backward, but his gaze didn’t shift.
    “Don’t embarrass him, Errol, man! Look, we haven’t got long because we don’t want Femi in trouble with his daddy, do we?” Femi felt that hint of mocking once again. “I’ve got to see to a friend, so I’ll leave you two together for a minute.”
    A couple of young men had appeared near the old air pump, and James strolled off toward them. Femi’s tongue and stomach felt like they were knotted in tight braids.
    “Okay, let’s do a little business. Man to man.” Errol leaned forward and smiled. “You need money, right?”
    James must have told him. He couldn’t deny it.
    “Yes.” It was hardly more than a whisper.
    “Do you work Saturdays?”
    “My dad won’t let me.”
    “Let me see what I can do for you, Femi. If James Dalton says you’re his little brother, that’s good enough for me.”
    “Thank you.” Femi didn’t want to appear rude, but he glanced anxiously in James’s direction.
    “I owe you one, Femi. You gave your sister my message, right?”
    “Yes.” It was his small voice again.
    “Your sister’s different. She’s a good-looking girl. Like one of them African princesses—and she’s got