Jan left at the crack of dawn. He got exhausted thinking about the thief. He had to go home to bathe and eat something. His neck was stiff and body was tired. He knew the chair was not good to sleep on for too long. He reached his home, snuck in like a thief so that his mother wouldn’t ask questions.

“Jan, is that you?” she said from her bedroom. She already knew it was Jan.

“Yes it’s me Ma.” he answered and walked normally because she had caught him.

He went into the bathroom and showered. He dressed in his casual shirt and casual trousers. He walked to the kitchen and found his mother making breakfast.

“Where did you sleep?” she asked.

Jan sat down but he couldn’t reveal anything. His mother stared at him, he had to answer her so that she wouldn’t keep pestering him. “I slept at the shop.” he answered.

“There is a bed here and you sleep at the shop. Where? On the floor?” she spoke, worriedly.

“Ma, I lost track of time so I slept on the chair,” he said, chewing some bread.

“That’s not healthy.” she sat down.

Jan’s mother wouldn’t stop; she knew what was healthy and what was not. She was getting worried for nothing, he thought.

“Mama it will not happen again.” he spoke softly.

She lifted her hands as if she had agreed. Jan left after putting the plates in the sink. He checked the time, it was just quarter to 8. Thomas stood by the corner as if he was waiting for Jan.

“Howzit bra?” he said.

Jan didn’t see him, he got puzzled when he saw him.

“I am fine. Why aren’t you going to work?” he asked.

“I thought we could talk.” Thomas said sincerely.

“About?” he asked, shocked.

What had Thomas want to talk about? Jan began to suspect that Thomas might be the thief. Why was he so interested in what he was going to do?

“Did the money balance yesterday?” Thomas asked.

“No, it wasn’t balancing.” he answered and walked away.

Jan walked and he followed. They walked quietly until they reached the supermarket.

“Jan are you involving the police?” he asked as they entered.

Jan got irritated and shook his head. Today it was Thomas on the till. They switched everyday as Mr Tari had ordered them to.

He sat down and jotted what was sold yesterday, checking the goods. Sugar, mealie-meal and cooking oil was short when he checked the shelves. Jan, dumbstruck, went back in the office and sat down. He put his hands on his head. He took his phone and sent a message to Shingi.

Did you get the cameras?

I will bring them later, chillaz.

Thanks friend.

Kool.

At last, he could catch who was stealing from the supermarket. Mr Tari had sympathy to employ them. However, one of them was a thief. He sat typing the information of how much money they made each day on the computer. Suddenly there was a knock at the door.

***

Tell us what you think: If you suspected Thomas, would you confront him?