Photo Bombed

by Daria White

  “Judy?”

  He bobbed his head. “That’s what she said. But I can look into it again. In case we missed something.”

  “Does he have a record?”

  He eyeballed her.

  “Off the record if… you don’t mind sharing.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Oh.”

  “Keep an eye out, all right? Call if you remember anything else. We’ll bring him in for questioning about where he was during your attack.”

  Good. Bianca held up the bag in her hand. “Thank you for the soup. You don’t need any, do you?”

  He chuckled. “No, Ms. Wallace, but thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  He backed away from her porch. “Have a good evening.”

  “You too.” Bianca watched him turn his back, and she closed the door. Locking it, she rested against it. She didn’t straighten until she heard a clearing throat.

  Alyssa and Chloe.

  Her daughter folded her arms over her chest. “Who was that, Mom?”

  Bianca narrowed her eyes at her daughter. “Never mind that. Since you’re so interested, why don’t you both help with dinner and help peel the potatoes?” Bianca had expected a groan or the rolling of the eyes, but Alyssa’s smile only grew bigger.

  “Sure thing, Mom.” Was that a smirk?

  Bianca pointed to the kitchen. “Get to peeling. Thank you.”

  The girls whispered as they walked side by side to the kitchen. Casper trotted behind them. Bianca held on to her container of soup, ignoring the goosebumps sliding along the back of her neck.

  Chapter 21

  Loud, thumping music rang in Bianca’s ears. A nightclub. Her sister had managed to talk her into coming to a nightclub. Adjusting the strap on her spaghetti plum dress, she wondered if anyone would notice her slip out the back door.

  “Give me another reason we’re here?” she asked Melanie.

  “To unwind a little. You’re either working or researching into Martin’s murder. I think you need a break.”

  “But a club, sis? I’m not in college.” Bianca’s eyes scanned the room. From his booth, the DJ announced R&B 90s Throwback over the speakers and the crowd cheered as the former hits played from Toni Braxton, Brandy, En Vogue, 112, and many more. An area of small tables and stools weren’t filled, and judging by her high heels, Bianca would need a seat soon.

  “This place has a good mix. Who knows?” She nudged her sister’s shoulder. “You may meet a nice guy. Regardless, we’re here to have fun.” They found an empty table and sat.

  Bianca crossed her legs and rubbed at her ankle. Her flats were in the car. “Now you sound like Mom.” She narrowed her eyes at her sister. “Did she put you up to this?”

  Melanie raised her hands as if in a surrendered gesture. “You know I wouldn’t do that to you. Unless…”

  “Unless what?”

  “Alyssa told me you had a visitor the other night.” Her sister eyeballed her, while resting her chin in her palm.

  Bianca’s mouth dropped. “Okay.”

  “You won’t tell me? This is me you’re talking to.” Melanie pressed a hand to her chest.

  “There’s nothing to tell. It was… only Detective Sims. He brought some soup over my house.” Despite having dinner in progress, Bianca did taste the soup. Delicious. Good choice by the detective. Not all store brand soups were created equally.

  Melanie tilted her head to the side. “Why?”

  Bianca stared at the table. “He was… just being nice, I guess.”

  “He saves your life and you think he brought soup over because he’s being nice?”

  “Why wouldn’t he? I’m not reading into anything. Sometimes soup is just soup.”

  “I can do a little detective work of my own.” She perked in her chair. “Maybe I can ask around town about his story. Is he married? In a relationship?”

  “Don’t you dare!” Bianca readjusted in her seat.

  Melanie’s grin grew. “Why not? Don’t you think it’s time you met someone amazing?”

  “I meet new men all the time. Hello?” She raised her hands and gestured at the surrounding crowd.

  “Okay, I get it, but I think there’s something to this.”

  “I say there isn’t.” Not quite, but a part of her wanted it to be. As of yet, Bianca didn’t know what to do with her attraction to Detective Sims. She’d been out of the dating game for a while.

  Her sister’s look turned serious. “Just promise me one thing.”

  “What’s that?”

  “If you meet someone who’s worthwhile, will you at least give it a chance?”

  Bianca inhaled the perfume in the air mixed with cologne. Give someone a chance. Could it be that Detective Sims was being more than nice? She’d caught his stares a few times, but he’d said nothing. Nothing was clear, and Bianca didn’t want to build a fantasy in her head based on assumptions.

  The question she needed to answer was: Did she even like him? He was a skilled detective. Thoughtful. Caring. Even considerate when he brought soup to her house. When his gray eyes flashed in her mind, her nerves fired all at once. The attraction was apparent, and for him to be the first man she’d taken serious interest in since her divorce, she pondered her feelings. Then again, her father had been a cop. Rubbing her palm over her chest, did she want to get involved?

  Bianca’s memories flooded of the nights her mom would wait up for her father during his night shifts. She’d never forget waking up in the middle of the night for drink of water, only to find her mother sitting on the couch. Bianca didn’t say a word. She only poured herself a glass of cold water and went to bed.

  “I see you’re thinking about it.” Melanie smiled. “Promise?”

  Bianca bobbed her head. “Okay, if being the keyword. I’ll give it a chance.”

  Her sister clapped her hands.

  “Having fun?”

  Bianca raised her chin. “Jordan? What are you doing here?”

  Dark jeans hugged his waist and he wore a dark polo shirt. His face lit up when he smiled. He pulled up a chair and sat between the ladies. “Just hanging out. I’m guessing you two had the same idea?”

  “Getting some sister bonding in,” Melanie said. Then she stood to her feet. “What do you want to drink, sis?”

  “Give me a soda,” Bianca said.

  Melanie disappeared into the crowd, leaving Jordan alone with Bianca.

  “How have you been?” she asked.

  “Okay. What about you? Anything more come from our visit to the bakery?”

  Bianca shook her head. “I wish I could say everything makes sense, but I think I’m missing something.”

  “Like what?” Jordan draped an arm over the back of her chair.

  She filled him in on the latest developments, including her dive in the pond.

  “What?” Jordan’s eyes widened.

  “I know.”

  “Have you seen the guy since then?”

  Bianca shook her head. “Do you remember seeing the driver at the wedding?”

  Jordan rubbed at his chin. “I think so. I saw him talk to Priscilla a few times. Though they hired a wedding planner, Priscilla offered to help with the plans too. I guess she was trying to show Chad she could accept Nicole.”

  “So she would know the driver.” Could Bianca ask Priscilla about the man without seeming too suspicious?

  “Here we go.” Melanie set two glasses on the table.

  Jordan cleared his throat. “Want to dance, Melanie?”

  Her head jerked toward him, but then she grinned. “Sure. That’s if you can keep up.”

  Jordan held out his hand. “We’ll have to see, won’t we?”

  Bianca did a double take. Her sister took Jordan’s hand, and they pressed their way through the crowd. While she had a moment to herself, Bianca pulled out her phone. She sent a text to Priscilla.

  Sorry if too late, but quick question. Do you know the name of the limo company you hired for the
wedding? My mom has a red carpet match making theme event coming up.

  Sent. Bianca bit her bottom lip. It wasn’t a complete lie since her mother had another matchmaking event on the calendar. One lucky matched couple would get a limo ride as part of their date. Bianca’s eyes drifted to the dancefloor. She smiled as she watched Melanie dance close with Jordan.

  Buzz. Buzz.

  Priscilla: How exciting! Maxwell’s Limousine Service. I recommend them.

  Any chance we can request the same driver?

  Long shot, but she asked.

  Priscilla: Not sure. I would call and ask.

  Do you remember his name?

  Priscilla: Not off-hand. I think it starts with a P?

  That was no help.

  Thanks! Have a good night.

  Priscilla: You’re welcome. You too! I did get your voicemail but I’ve been busy. Thanks. Can’t wait to see the photos!

  Great!

  Bianca opened a browser on her phone to look up Maxwell’s Limousine Service. Home page. Rates. FAQ section. Services. Nothing about their drivers.

  Her chest heaved a sigh just as Melanie and Jordan returned to their table and sat down. “Have fun?” she asked.

  “He’s not too bad.” Melanie winked.

  Jordan chuckled for a moment, but his face dropped.

  Bianca looked behind her, but there wasn’t anyone she recognized in the crowd. She faced Jordan. “Are you okay?”

  Despite the low lighting in the club, his face looked flushed. He cleared his throat. “I’m fine.” He stood to his feet. “I need to head home. You ladies enjoy your night.” Jordan didn’t say another word. He left.

  Melanie sipped her drink. “I hope it’s nothing serious.”

  “Me, neither.” Bianca watched as he disappeared into the crowd. What had changed? What had he seen? Or better yet, whom?

  ***

  Alyssa released fast, panicked breaths as she shifted the car into park. Bianca wasn’t too far behind her, but at least they were in an empty parking lot instead of her daughter driving on the highway. Hairs lifted on the back of her head, and she patted her daughter’s shoulder.

  “Not… too bad,” she said.

  Alyssa eyeballed her. “Really, Mom?”

  “You’ll get better. Trust me, once you learn, you’ll never forget.”

  Alyssa’s hands dropped from the steering wheel. “I know I said I wanted to drive, but this is… scary.”

  Bianca listened to the wind fluttering a plastic bag against a bush. “I told you: Don’t grow up too fast.”

  Alyssa bobbed her head. “Are you sure you don’t mind me spending the summer with Dad?”

  Bianca smiled at her daughter. “I’ll find something to do. Just call me when you can and let me know how you’re doing.”

  Alyssa grimaced. “I guess I would feel better if… she weren’t there.”

  “Hope?”

  Her daughter nodded.

  “I’ve always taught you to respect adults. Hope is no different.” If only her stomach didn’t turn at her own comment.

  “You respect her? She—”

  Bianca held up her hand. “Alyssa, if you want to ask your father, I’ve told you before to ask him, but I’m not here to bash him or his new wife with you.”

  Alyssa’s chin dropped to her chest. “I’m sorry. I just wish things hadn’t ended the way they had.”

  Bianca took her daughter’s hand. “I know. Me too.”

  Her daughter released a deep sigh. “I’ll try to make the best of it. For you.”

  She shook her head. “No, do it for you. Your father and I are adults. He’ll be fine. I’ll be fine.”

  Alyssa squeezed her hand. “Okay.”

  Bianca released her daughter’s hand and gestured to the steering wheel. “Want to try again?”

  Alyssa blew out her cheeks. Putting the car in reverse, she backed out of the parking space.

  “Easy on the brakes,” Bianca said.

  Alyssa drove down the lot. Bianca checked the odometer. Twenty-five miles per hour.

  “You can go faster,” she said.

  “How much?” Alyssa asked.

  “Try thirty miles.”

  Alyssa did.

  “Okay, now thirty-five.”

  Alyssa sped up some more.

  “Good. Keep your hands steady. Now try forty.” The engine hummed. “Now slow down without jerking the brakes.”

  “Mom?” Alyssa sounded panicked again.

  “You can do it.” She had to. Or they would drive in the grass. “Careful.”

  Alyssa was, and despite the slight jerk at the end, at least Bianca didn’t have to worry about whiplash later.

  “Good.” She beamed at her baby girl. Bianca must have blinked because her little girl who used to draw stars on construction paper was driving. “I told you it gets better.”

  Her daughter blew out her cheeks again. “You think we can call it a day? I’ve had enough time behind the wheel.”

  They switched places, and Bianca settled into the driver’s seat. She saw Alyssa playing with her phone, but when she put it to her ear, Bianca looked straight ahead.

  “Hey, Dad,” Alyssa said. “Yeah, first driving lesson with Mom. No.” She laughed. “No, I didn’t run over anybody.”

  Bianca held back a snicker.

  “No, I’m not driving in your neighborhood.” Alyssa giggled.

  Bianca took a deep breath, savoring the moment.

  “Okay.” Alyssa continued. “I’ll let you know. Love you too.” She hung up.

  Bianca turned into their neighborhood, only to see another car behind them. A white Honda. She thought nothing of it. There were plenty of people in her neighborhood. Then again, her stomach quivered at the thought of the man in the park.

  She hadn’t told Alyssa, but she had already taught her daughter to be watchful of new people. The car followed her onto her street. Bianca swallowed. She hoped it was her imagination.

  She had to protect Alyssa. No one would hurt her daughter. “Can you go take out the leftovers for dinner?”

  “Sure.” Alyssa grabbed her backpack. As soon as Bianca pulled into the garage, Alyssa didn’t waste time getting out.

  Bianca cut the engine, stepped out the car, and grabbed her phone. She noticed the car following her had parked in front of her neighbor’s house two blocks down. The only person she knew with a white Honda was… Judy? Why would she be following her? Bianca took her phone out to take a picture, but the engine ignited. The car sped down the street.

  Bianca sprinted to the edge of her driveway, snapping pictures, but when she looked at them, her pictures were blurred. As far as she could tell, Judy wasn’t driving. Who else had the same car as her?

  “Snap.” Bianca groaned. Did she call the police? No one threatened her or Alyssa. She hadn’t seen the man that chased her in the park recently either. Did Detective Sims catch him and hadn’t had time to tell her yet?

  Bianca headed back to her house and let down the garage door. She locked the door behind her as she entered her home. Then she set her house alarm.

  Chapter 22

  “That’s cute, honey.” Bianca tilted her head to the side as Alyssa modeled a mustard solid blouse.

  Alyssa faced the full-length mirror. “Are you sure?”

  Bianca took a picture of her daughter. She loved their mother-daughter shopping trips, but she invited Nicole to join them so they could talk. Nicole said next time. With everything going on, Bianca understood her friend taking space if she needed to.

  “Mom?”

  Bianca blinked. “Sorry. What did you say?”

  “The blouse. Are you sure you like it?” Alyssa asked. She tugged at the hem as she faced the mirror again. “I just don’t…”

  “Just don’t what?” Bianca inched closer.

  Alyssa’s lips twisted. “Not all the girls are dressing like this at school.”

  Bianca folded her arms. “How are they dressing?”

  Alyss
a bit her bottom lip. “They… show a little more.”

  “Let me guess…” Bianca bobbed her head. “Is this about Kendrick? Is there another girl who’s eyeing him who wears less than you do?”

  Alyssa’s eyes bugged. “How did you know?”

  “I’ve been your age, sweetie. The same thing happened to me with your father.” She ignored the dull ache inside her chest.

  “Wow.” Alyssa tucked her dark brown curls behind her ears. “Well, what do I do?”

  “Is he dating her?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Whom does he pay attention to? You or this other girl?”

  “When he’s with me, he focuses on me. I just don’t know what he’s doing when I’m not around. We’re getting to know each other…”

  “But?” This was the most Alyssa had shared with her about a crush.

  “I don’t want him to get bored with me and leave. I don’t want to end up like…” Alyssa caught herself. She covered her mouth as she stared at her mother.

  Bianca motioned for her daughter to sit in a nearby plastic chair. She sat next to her.

  “Is that what you think happened? Your dad got bored and left me?”

  Alyssa wrung her hands together. “I don’t know. He never told me why. I asked, but he never explained.”

  “Ask him again if you need to. It’s his place to tell you his reasons for leaving.” She paused and took her daughter’s hand. “For me, it was a hard decision. It was heartbreaking. Marriage takes work, and sometimes one person will fight for love while the other wants to walk away. I didn’t force your father to stay.” Bianca focused her eyes on Alyssa. “If a man doesn’t see your value, that’s on him. You’re a prize.”

  “But how do I stand out? The other girls are—”

  “Don’t worry about the other girls. You’re you. Be yourself and love yourself the way you are. A man who cares for you will see that and love you too.”

  Alyssa nodded. Her eyebrows drew together. “Did Dad see your value?”

  Bianca gave a faint smile. “I think he did the best he could.” That was the best answer she could give without thinking the worst of Malcom. Her phone buzzed inside her purse. Bianca spotted Jordan’s name. Where had he been? She motioned for Alyssa to return to the dressing room. “If that’s what you want, you have enough money. I’ll meet you at the front of the store.”