The Vows We Break

by Briana Cole

  “Shit,” I hissed as the thought strengthened. “Adria, I’m so damn stupid.”

  She glanced around and I winced, remembering I was in a church. “What are you talking about?”

  “I’m talking about, it’s him,” I said. “Somehow Leo is involved. He has to be.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Adria, it makes sense. He’s still talking to her. That much is clear. She isn’t pulling all this off alone.”

  Adria pursed her lips in thought. “That doesn’t make sense. I mean, I don’t like him with everything that happened, but didn’t you tell me he saved you from her?”

  “Yeah . . .” She was right. That part didn’t make sense. But, hell, neither did any of the mess I had been tied up in when it came to them. But I knew there was something else underneath. Something that was hidden in plain sight. That fact alone caused a shiver of fear to race up my spine. I couldn’t put my finger on it, and that made me vulnerable. And whoever it was was attacking me in every way possible. First my business, my son, and ultimately my dad. Who was next?

  My head suddenly whipped up to Adria as she stood in front of me in all her pregnant glory. “Maybe this was a bad idea,” I said. I couldn’t bear the thought of anything happening to her.

  “No, we’re going to look and see what we find,” she insisted.

  The uneasiness was still there, and I couldn’t shake it. “We’ll stay for fifteen minutes,” I relented. “Then will you go home to Keon?”

  “Yes. But only if you promise you’ll go to the police if we find anything.”

  I nodded. “Deal.” I took a breath and entered my dad’s office.

  It was as if this space had been frozen in time all the way down to the papers littering his desk. His scent still hung in the air as strong as if he were sitting in the leather wingback chair.

  Without thinking, I crossed the room and picked up the frame on his desk. A picture of all four of us. One of those little family pictures my mom had dragged us to JCPenney Portraits to take one year because we didn’t have any. The kind where we all dressed in the same color of various clothing styles. I looked to be about eight or nine, with two tight hair bows and a forced smile that matched Keon’s, because we’d been told we better act right. Come to think of it, that was the first and last time we’d taken formal family pictures. Which was probably why my dad had framed it instead of trashing it, because the picture was hideous, if I could be honest.

  Yet still, the picture had captured every piece of genuine happiness in his eyes. Those eyes I felt like I hadn’t seen in entirely too long, and with the exception of memories and photos, would never see again.

  Adria let me have a little moment, because she waited patiently until I’d set the frame back down before speaking. “We’re going to get to the bottom of this.” I surely hoped so. For all of our sakes.

  She started in the file cabinet while I rummaged in his desk. Apparently everything was going according to plan with the sale of the church from what I could see by the papers. Offers, bill of sale receipts for furniture, a log of the financials. My folks had been right. There wasn’t a lot of money left, and they were just about breaking even with the prospective buyer offers on the table. I surely hadn’t realized it had gotten this bad.

  “What is that smell?” Adria asked as we continued our search.

  I sniffed the air and caught the subtle aroma of stale food. Not too strong, but strong enough. My dad kept a mini-fridge under his desk. I opened it, and immediately the smell grew stronger, assaulting my nostrils. Other than a half-gallon of sweet tea that looked to be nearly gone, there appeared to be something wrapped in a grocery bag. A little investigation revealed it was spaghetti, weeks old, with mold around the Tupperware corners. “Probably should throw those out,” Adria suggested, turning back to the files in the drawer.

  I nodded, eyeing the refrigerator contents once more. Poison. The officer’s words came back to bounce around my head. I couldn’t shake it. I felt like I was missing something.

  “Is this what you needed?” Adria pulled a folder from the drawer, stuffed tight with papers. “Childcare Registration.”

  I put the food out of my mind and walked closer as she examined the sheets inside, thumbing through each one. She stopped on a piece of paper in particular. “Child’s name, Leo Owusu Junior.”

  “That’s it.” I reached for the paper, my eyes quickly scanning the information myself. Sure enough, she had put what looked like authentic information. A phone number, even an address. Question now, what was I going to do with it?

  A knock hit the door and startled us both. Adria and I exchanged glances before I quickly folded the paper and stuffed it in my pocket. “Come in,” I called.

  The door opened and to my surprise, Tyree peeked his head in. I let out a relieved sigh. “Hey, boos,” he greeted with a smile. “They told me I could find y’all back here.”

  I beckoned him into the room. “Yeah, just trying to straighten up a little. What are you doing here?”

  “Well, I started attending after . . . you know—the pastor got sick. Sad to say, but I think that was my little wakeup call.” His smile faded, and his forehead creased in concern. “How you holding up, boo?”

  I gave a little shrug. “I’m hanging in there, I guess. Thanks again for coming to the funeral service, Tyree. And even to the hospital. It really meant a lot that you were there for me and my family.”

  “Of course.” He looked to Adria, his smile widening again. “Baby mama over there looking hungry.”

  Adria laughed and rubbed her stomach. “That’s always.”

  “Well, they just finished bible study. Y’all want to go grab something to eat?”

  Adria closed the file cabinet and looked to me. I knew she was remembering I wanted her to get home to my brother. Just to be safe. Yeah, we had Tina’s address, but we had no idea where the bitch was.

  “Rain check,” she said. “Key is waiting for me at the house, so you two go ahead. Call me later, Kimmy?”

  I nodded, relieved.

  “Sounds good,” Tyree said. “And hey, when we all get back to somewhat normal, I’ve been playing with some ideas for Melanin Mystique. An investor friend of mine is in town, and he’s very interested.”

  “Interested?” Adria and I spoke at the same time.

  Tyree grinned like he was sitting on a pot of gold. He lifted his hands, palms out. “Okay, okay, don’t get mad but . . .” He paused dramatically. “I may have shown him your business proposal. And he may be interested in investing.”

  My mouth dropped, and for the first time in a long-ass time, I saw a little peek of light at the end of the tunnel. “Wow, that is great news, Tyree,” I said, still in shock. “I’m just—wow! Why didn’t you say anything before?”

  “Well, I wanted it to be a surprise, and I know you’re going through a lot. Now it doesn’t have to be some immediate decision. But I thought, when you’re ready, I could set up a little business meeting, just to talk.”

  I looked at Adria, her face still registering just as much shock as mine. “We’ll talk about it,” she answered for me. “Thanks, Tyree, and tell him we are interested. Just give us some time. Kimmy just—”

  “Of course, boo. I know.” Tyree nodded as he grabbed each of our hands. “And that’s what I told him. I just wanted you two to keep it in the back of your minds. You know I’m here for whatever you need.”

  I hugged him. “Thank you. For real. Now let’s get out of here.”

  “Wait, what’s that smell?” Tyree paused at the door, sniffing the air like I had just done earlier. Oh, damn, the refrigerator.

  “We probably should throw that old food out, Kimmy,” Adria said, wrinkling her nose in disgust.

  I thought about it as Tyree headed for the refrigerator to do just that. “Just leave it,” I said, stopping his movements. On second thought, maybe there was something in there. Maybe not, but still, throwing it away didn’t seem like the smartest move r
ight now. Not while my dad still had an open homicide case with poisoning involved.

  We got Jamaal from the childcare and headed outside together. The sky had darkened, threatening rain.

  “Please call me when you get home,” I instructed as Adria hugged me first, then kissed Jamaal.

  “Yes, Mother,” she chided. She hugged Tyree as well, then left.

  “So, boo, what you thinking for lunch?” Tyree asked, glancing at his watch. “Well, dinner rather,” he corrected, noticing the time.

  I glanced up as the first few sprinkles of rain dropped. “Let’s do dinner another time,” I suggested. “I’m not really hungry, and I probably need to get home before the sky opens up.”

  That’s what my mouth said, because honestly it sounded good. But really, I had an address in my pocket. Maybe I needed to pay Mrs. Tina Owusu a little visit.

  Chapter 25

  I knew I was taking a huge risk being over there. It was dangerous, but, hell, I had been in worst situations. But now as I sat outside of the apartment building, I had to admit the decision to come had been impulsive and thoughtless. What did I expect to find?

  The first droplets of rain splattered the windshield, causing the glass to blur and fog. But still, I managed to keep my eyes focused on the window of the first-floor apartment in building F. My eyes dropped to the words on the paper I had unfolded. Yeah, this was supposed to be Tina’s place.

  The complex wasn’t anything fancy, but it was kept up nicely and looked on the fairly newer side. I couldn’t picture Tina staying here, though. Not flashy, money-hungry Tina. I couldn’t help feeling like this was more of a temporary place to lay low. Which only heightened my suspicions. The hell was she hiding for unless her sneaky ass was up to something?

  There was a little whine from the back seat, and I glanced in the rearview mirror. Jamaal’s pacifier had dropped to his lap, and the lack of his little soother was definitely making him irritable. I hated I couldn’t leave him with anyone while I went on this little excursion, but I couldn’t ask Adria because then she would ask one too many questions, and leaving him with my mom right now was definitely a no-go. Who else did I have? Leo? Jahmad? Hell, no.

  So as much as I didn’t want to, I had gone ahead and brought him along, promising myself I would just watch and see if she was there. I could always come back later, even with the police if I needed to. I reached to the back seat for his pacifier and popped it back into his mouth.

  The afternoon fell, bringing school buses wheeling through and tenants home from work. But still no Tina. After an hour and a half, I had just about given up. She probably just put some random-ass address for paperwork’s sake. I should have known Tina’s uppity ass wouldn’t be caught even looking at apartments, much less living in one.

  The crisp black Bentley caught my eye through the window, mainly because the vehicle looked fresh off the showroom floor and appeared completely out of place in the parking lot riddled with Fords, Chevys, and Hondas. Now that was more like Tina.

  I frowned as the vehicle backed into a parking space and for a moment just sat there. I panicked. Did she see me? I called myself parking far enough away from the building while still being able to see so as not to look too obvious. Now I was second-guessing that decision as well. Sure, I had traded in the Porsche Leo bought me for a more spacious vehicle now that I had to cart around a car seat. But my Audi Q7 was anything but inconspicuous and just as out of place as the Bentley.

  My phone vibrated in the cup holder at my hip and, keeping my eyes on the car still sitting, waiting, I picked it up and put it to my ear.

  “My bad, girl. I meant to call you when I first got home to let you know I made it. I jumped in the shower real quick,” Adria said.

  “Okay, good.” At least that eased my fears. Adria was home, safe and sound. “Where is Key?”

  “I asked him to run out and get me something to eat,” she said, then added, “And, Kimmy, I swear if that man comes back with anything other than Hot Cheetos and sour cream, I am divorcing his ass. Sorry in advance.”

  I didn’t respond as the door to the car swung open and Leo emerged into view, a cell phone to his face. Apparently some heated discussion had him distracted as his mouth moved quickly.

  “Girl, you okay?” Adria asked, clearly sensing my distraction.

  “Yeah,” I murmured. “Just thought I saw someone.”

  “Where are you?”

  “I’m headed home.” That was a lie, but not really. I would be headed home as soon as I figured out what the hell was going on with Leo. I couldn’t even say I was really surprised to see him here. I knew he and Tina were still fucking around. This just confirmed it.

  “Okay, well, call me later. I think Keon just pulled up anyway.”

  “Enjoy that nasty shit,” I said, referring to her snack of choice.

  That prompted a laugh. “I’ll save some for you.”

  We hung up as Leo crossed the street to building F, his pace unusually quick. And I noticed how he kept looking around as if he knew someone was watching him.

  From my position I wasn’t able to get a good angle on the door, but I did see him pull out keys as he hung up the phone. I did see his smile, a huge contrast to the anger he had been displaying with the caller only minutes before. And I did see a hand grab his forearm and pull him playfully out of view. Then he disappeared into the apartment.

  I sighed, deciding to go home. I was still unsettled by the unanswered questions. Leo pulled out keys, so he obviously lived there, or was very close to the person who did. That was unusual, even for him. Who was he arguing with? And who lived in the apartment in building F? Obviously by the smile on his face, someone he was very happy to see. Probably Tina, I instantly concluded. It was clear the bastard was lying. As I had figured, they were in some twisted little something together. But why bother me? Was it revenge? And did they really kill my dad?

  I left with more questions than answers, and that shit was bothering the hell out of me.

  * * *

  I leaned on the door to the formal dining room, which my mom had made into a makeshift office. I was surprised to have found her in there, well, anywhere, really, outside of her bedroom. But here she was going through something in a file cabinet.

  She didn’t readily speak, so I waited patiently while she continued browsing for whatever it was she was looking for.

  Finally, she sat down, a manila folder in hand. “What are you doing?” I asked at her continued silence.

  “Just finalizing some things.” She looked up at me. “I’m selling the house,” she admitted. “And the church. I can’t do this, Kimmy. I just need to—”

  “Mama, I get it. You don’t owe me any kind of explanation.”

  Mama nodded and dropped her head. “I just feel like I’m betraying him,” she admitted. “By leaving. Like I’m supposed to be stronger than I am. But, I can’t.” She shook her head and met my gaze with tears in her eyes. “I’m not that strong, Kimmy. Your dad was my strength.”

  I blinked back tears of my own. “You know I just bought my house. Move in with me. I think it’s too painful for us to be here. At least right now. Let’s stay there for a little while and then if you still want to sell the house, I’ll help.” That appeased her. For now.

  My mom rose from the chair. “Officer Terry came by again,” she started. “Asking me all kinds of questions. Making allegations.”

  Anger immediately ignited in me. I thought back to Detective Vincent Wright and the investigation when the police thought I had killed Leo. Shit was infuriating and embarrassing. It hurt like hell to know my mom was going through that.

  “I know something happened up at the church. I just don’t know what.”

  I left my mom there and stormed to my room. I tried not to wake Jamaal as I rummaged through my dresser. Surprised I hadn’t thrown it away, I found Officer Terry’s business card and carried it back with me to the living room, dialing the number as I walked.

  Her d
esk phone went to voicemail. “Officer Terry, this is Kimera Davis. I have some additional information on my father’s case. I may know who did it. I have a name and address, so please call me back.” I hung up and shoved the phone back in my pocket.

  “Kimera.” My mom’s gentle voice startled me as I turned to face her. Shit, I hadn’t expected her to hear me. “You know who did it?”

  I had never explained to my mom everything about Leo and especially not Tina. As far as she was concerned, Leo was dead, and I had gotten a little hurt when someone tried to snatch my purse, reason for my bruised appearance when I went into labor with Jamaal. I sure as hell didn’t need to add to what she was already battling.

  “I don’t,” I said, choosing my words carefully. “But I don’t need the police coming down on you. I found something in Daddy’s office at the church.”

  “What?”

  “Just some food in the refrigerator. Remember they said it was poison. So I just think they should take a look.”

  Mama’s nod was slight as if even she knew I was stretching. I hugged her.

  “We are going to get through this,” I tried my best to assure her.

  “I don’t think we will,” she murmured before pulling from my arms and walking back to her bedroom.

  * * *

  I half expected Officer Terry to call me back pretty quickly. I was actually anxious to divulge my little pseudo-FBI discovery. I just hoped it was worth something. Lord knows I was just as determined to solve this case as they were. We all needed closure, and having whoever did this to my dad walking, talking, and breathing while he lay six feet under was enough to make me sick.

  It wasn’t until later that evening when my phone rang, and I didn’t hesitate to answer without looking. “Officer Terry?”

  “Hey, boo, it’s me.”

  My anticipation fell at Tyree’s voice. “Oh, hey, sorry about that.”