Shingi entered, Jan nearly fell because he couldn’t balance on the chair. He was relieved the thief would be caught.

“My boss, I brought your merchandise,” Shingi spoke and sat down.

Thomas came inside quickly as if he was being chased.

“What are you doing here?” Jan stood up.

“What is Shingi doing here?” Thomas said loudly.

“It’s just a social visit.” Shingi said and stared at Thomas.

Thomas left. Jan and Shingi stared at him as he left. Jan looked by the door and saw Thomas far from the door.

“What’s going on?” he whispered, concerned.

“I suspect Thomas is the culprit.” he answered calmly.

Jan sat down and told Shingi what was happening in the shop. Shingi handed him the tiny cameras with small buttons.

“You know how to use them?” he asked him.

Jan shook his head. He once saw them when Shingi gave them to a gang leader when he wanted to watch who was selling him out.

“I will come help you,” he said and left.

Jan stared at the cameras, then he put them in his pockets. Thomas entered his office.

“What was Shingi doing here?” he asked.

Jan looked at him and left with a book. Thomas searched the office to find whether Shingi gave him something. He found nothing. He left and went back to the till.

Towards closing time, Jan went to Thomas who counted his cash while the others left.

“Is the cash balanced?” he asked curiously.

“Yes, no one will steal from me,” he answered confidently.

Jan walked back to the office. Thomas brought the cash after a few minutes. He handed it to Jan and left. Jan counted it and it was two hundred short. Jan took his phone and sent a message to Shingi.

You can come now. Check the coast first.

On my way.

When Shingi arrived he texted Jan and Jan went to the opening of the shop, he let Shingi enter. They put a camera by the corner facing the sugar, mealie meal and cooking oil. The other two faced the till. One was in front and the other at the back of the till.

“We will see tomorrow who the thief is,” Shingi said as they locked the shop and went away.

The next day Jan would be on duty on the till. They both walked home after checking all the cameras. Jan waved at his friend, who then walked alone in the darkness. Shingi stayed three houses away. Jan was now satisfied; he would catch the thief soon.

***

Tell us: If the money also didn’t balance when Thomas was managing the till, could it be that someone else is stealing?