He was now alone. Alone on his own. He did not know what to do with himself. As he sat in the dimly lit room, Jacob was sure he had to do something to get out of the damn shoplifting racket.
It was too dangerous a job to be done singlehandedly. Yet four months had passed since that day Sonny was picked up by the cops. And since then, he kept a very low profile as he suspended his operations.
He knew he could not match Sonny in shoplifting skills; the master was gone and the pupil remained with noone to guide and inspire him.
Jacob knew their agents had become furious following his failure to deliver goods at the right time. But what could he do?
He did not want to risk doing the job singlehandedly. With Sonny gone, it would be like putting his fingers on fire. It was tantamount to walking into danger knowingly.
He did not want to walk into danger quite deliberately. With Sonny around, he had always felt assured and confident. But now he was gone. And his confidence was wavering.
It was shattered. He had tried pulling off some little jobs but these were too insufficient to make him survive. He had some money he hoped to survive on as he tried to figure out what his next move would be.
But for how long would it be? I have to pull out another job to survive but this time a real big one, Jacob told himself.
However, the idea of pulling a big job began to worry him. He was really troubled. Pulling jobs for survival!
Why had he accepted such a risky kind of life? He asked himself as he kept wondering.
Then, it came like a big flash of inspiration when he remembered his mother's words as a little boy: taking things which don't belong to you is stealing; God punishes thieves.
As he remembered, tears began to roll down his cheeks. He suddenly realised he had betrayed his dear mother by living a lifestyle not meant for him but gangsters.
He should not go on betraying his mother, he reasoned. Then it came back again like another flash of inspiration: Ask God for help!
He said a short prayer; long prayers were not his approach to talking to God.
He prayed thus: "Lord, help me get out of this life and I will always love you."
Jacob was still wondering about what to do after his prayer when he heard a knock on the door. He stiffened to attention almost at once.
Who was it? Had the cops finally traced him to his hideout? Slowly but carefully he rose and walked to the door.
He opened it. Standing at the door and facing him was an averagely built boy who was poorly dressed. He wore a worn out flap cap and tattered brown trousers.
Jacob eyes him quizically, carefully and saw he had quick darting brown eyes. He was almost his age.
"What is it? And who are you and why are you here?" Jacob asked as he let the boy inside the room.
"I am Gere. Sonny has sent me to you. He has requested you to do a little favour for him and requires you to collect something hidden in the ceiling here," the boy explained as his darting eyes avoided Jacob's face but studied him instinctively.
Gere went on to speak, "He says you should take it to Mbale where his mother lives."
"How did you meet him?" Jacob who appeared puzzled was also alarmed as he thought the boy could be lying and was up to something.
"He's an old friend of mine. He was sentenced to five years and is right now in an approved school. I met him there when my term ended and was about to leave for home."
Jacob now became convinced the visitor was telling the truth. But still, he wanted to learn more as he inquired, "Where does he want the things delivered in Mbale?"
Gere replied, "He told me his mother lives in Namakwekwe estate near the stadium, in fact behind the stadium. Just ask for his mother and you will be shown the house. Sonny is well known in Mbale."
"Ok, I will do it."
Having achieved his purpose of the visit, Gere walked across the room and opened the door.
Then he slid out as quietly and discreetly as he had come. Jacob watched him leave and began to think.
Should he go to Mbale and do his friend the favour he asked? He realised he could not let his friend down at such a difficult time in his life.
It was a debt he had to repay after failing him the day Sonny required not to run away but accompany him to the police station.
He had to go.
Sonny, so it appeared to Jacob, was kind to his mother. He loved his mother as any son should.
It was for that reason he wanted the gift delivered to her in Mbale. Extravagant though he had been, Sonny cared for those he loved.
Then like a shot, he remembered Mbale was near the border with Kenya. At this point, the unmistakable voice came to him: You must go to Kenya and find your grandfather.
Come to think of it, was he not meant to go to Kenya and try to trace his grandfather, but had deviated from the course?
It was at that moment, the idea of going to Mbale and eventually crossing into Kenya pleasantly came back to him. But what did Sonny want him to take to his mother?
The solution lay in the ceiling. Jacob closed the door and went up the ceiling. He lifted the lid and climbed inside.
Facing him were two big suitcases that contained clothes. He opened them. But a quick look inside the suitcases revealed there was nothing of interest except probably a few old clothes.
Tiredly, he shifted his eyes to an old, ragged suitcase at the far end of the ceiling and began to check inside.
Then he saw it. Lying on top of some clothes was a small tin. He opened the lid using a small silver coin and stared at the contents.
Jewels stared back at him as he realised this was one Sonny wanted taken to his mother. He climbed down the ceiling carrying the small tin full of jewels.
For the next half an hour, he became busy packing his clothes into his bag. He had several pair of trousers and shirts, unlike when he first arrived in the city.
He came out of his room and locked it. He had already made up his mind, he was going to pay tribute to his jailed comrade.
Jacob checked the amount of money he had and knew it was enough to get him to Mbale. Then he walked to the city centre where he would catch the bus going to Mbale.
There was one which was meant to depart in an hour's time. Jacob booked a ticket and hung around. He had an hour to wait.
He waited.