“But she thinks we’re sitting over here unscathed when that’s not true. This situation affects all of us. I’ve been praying for her and everyone at the company. Truthfully, I’m scared, too.”
“Come here, baby.” Kenny took Sylvia in his arms and hugged her tight. They rocked each other without a word for the next five minutes. “I’m going to do everything in my power to keep you safe from harm, but it’s going to take a whole lot of prayer and faith.”
“That’s my man. I love you, Kenny.”
“I love you, too, Sylvia.”
The moment was interrupted by the ringing phone.
Reluctantly, Kenny removed his arms from around Sylvia and picked up the phone, but not before he gave her a quick peck on the lips. “Hello?”
“Kenny, this is Harold.”
“What’s going on, man?”
“Look, I’m still in town and got to thinking about what Marvin wants us to do about that woman. If you can get away, how about we hit that bar where Marvin said he met her? We can at least talk to the bartender, or if we get lucky, we can talk to her.”
Kenny looked at his watch, then back at Sylvia who was still standing in the place he left her, her hips tilted in a sexy pose while she monitored his conversation. “Yeah, that’ll be alright. I’ve got to shower and change. Just got back from a five-mile jog.”
“Alright, see you in, say, an hour at the office?”
“Sounds like a plan.” Kenny hung up the phone and faced Sylvia, whose face was contorted with eyes that pierced straight through him.
“And where do you think you’re going, Mr. Richmond?” Sylvia asked, her hands still on her hips.
“Remember the little thing that I told you I need to take care of? Well, Harold thinks now is a good time to put our plan into action.”
“And just what is your plan? You don’t know the first thing about interrogating anybody. What if this person you’re going to question has a gun and turns it on you? Have you thought about that? How are you going to defend yourself? Lord, Lord, I don’t know about the people in my life.”
“If you don’t want me to go, I’ll call Harold and tell him so.”
“This isn’t a joke, Kenny. I’m concerned about your safety because you for sure aren’t.”
“Calm down, Sylvia. We’re only going to talk to the bartender, and I promise that we’ll be cautious about our approach to this thing.” Kenny jumped in front of Sylvia and pretended he was a detective searching for clues. “Just think of us as Starsky and Hutch, Shaft and Rambo.”
Sylvia began to laugh. “Boy, go take your shower and get out of here. You look more like Abbott and Costello—the blind leading the blind.” Sylvia laughed some more.
“It ain’t that funny, baby.”
Kenny showered and jumped into the clothes he’d worn earlier in the day. He reached for his cologne but thought better of it, given Sylvia’s mood at the moment. One last look in the mirror, and he was ready to go. Snatching his jacket from the hanger, Kenny practically ran down the stairs where he was met by his inquisitive wife.
“You rather like this detective stuff, huh?” Sylvia asked, kissing Kenny hard on the mouth.
“What was that for, babe? I’m not going to be long.”
“Just wanted you to remember who you belonged to. Don’t want you to fall off in some bar and end up like Marvin—in somebody’s bedroom with the jewels that belong to me dangling in front of someone else.”
Kenny laughed. “Now, Sylvia, you didn’t have to go there. You know your man got exactly what he wants right here in this house standing right in front of him. I know where my jewels belong, and if you have some doubt about it, I’ll take the time right now to show you.”
“I have no doubt that you know, but it wouldn’t hurt to get a sneak preview of the coming attraction.”
“Baby, be waiting for me when I get back. I’m going to wear your jewel case out. Rrrrah, rrrah.”
“Bye, sweetie, and be careful.”
“I will.” And Kenny was out the door, his adrenaline running high because of the task he was about to undertake. He jumped in his car and plowed out of the garage, ready for his date with destiny.
The darkness had overtaken the city, and the night life had emerged from nowhere. Lamplights illuminated the city just as the moon illuminated the sky. There was a certain eeriness about the night—like they were bad boys, hiding in the shadows of dirty deeds or the thought of one.
Like scenes out of a movie thriller, several images played out in Kenny’s mind as he drove to meet Harold. There was the bartender jacking him up against the wall and as soon as the image faded, a shapely brown-skinned female was up in his face, pouring her breasts into his chest, while she strangled him with her tongue, torturing him over and over with her kisses.
Kenny shook his head to wipe the images from his brain. The red light ahead made him get a grip and pull himself back to reality. Maybe Sylvia was right about his not being ready for this challenge. Hell, he had played more women than he could count in his heyday, but maybe that was the problem. He was no longer that Kenny Richmond.
At the next light, he made a right turn and saw the large sign that announced Thomas and Richmond Tecktronics, Inc. He turned in the lot and drove to the executive parking lot where he saw Harold’s black Hummer glistening under the lamp light. This assignment was for the good of the order, and he was ready to get it on.
Kenny jumped from his car and slid into the passenger side of Harold’s vehicle. They were two men on a mission and all systems were go. Taillights followed by back-up lights signaled that the mission had begun. Harold backed up, spun the Hummer in a ninety-degree angle, and sped out of the parking lot into the night.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Shadows were painted on the walls of the family room as Marvin entered the dark house, looking for his wife and daughter. He could hear Larry King’s interview with John McCain, the senator answering questions about his choice of a female running mate. It certainly had sparked the almost lethargic Republican race for the White House, but Marvin wasn’t interested in any of it at the moment.
He entered the room and found Rachel staring at the television while Serena was sound asleep in her arms. Rachel looked up and gave him a half smile, then drifted back to the television interview.
“How was your day? And why are you in the dark?” Marvin asked as he walked over to the lamp that sat on the end table and turned it on.
“Probably not as good as yours. And to answer your second question, because it’s peaceful.”
“Well, my day was spent with our finance department looking over our financial statements and strategizing as to how we can bring the company back from the brink. I’ve arranged an emergency meeting with the board of directors to brief them on all that transpired just before...I offered my stock for sale and my brief brush with death. Hopefully, they will accept the plan of action that the accountants and I have come up with.”
“Sounds like you’ve been busy. I had a visit from Sylvia.”
“Good. I’m glad that you weren’t alone all day.”
“It wasn’t a good visit, Marvin. I’m tired of people acting as if they’re immune from our situation and we are the ones who need prayer and salvation.”
“What did Sylvia say?”
“It’s not what she said so much as how she said it, with that ‘I’m above all of that because me and my God have it going on’ attitude.”
“Okay, Rachel. Tell me exactly what she said. Certainly, she didn’t come up in here with that kind of attitude...like she’s untouchable.”
“She suggested that I see her pastor like he can save the damn world.”
“Ahh.” Marvin yawned. “I see what this is about.”
“No, no, you don’t see. You weren’t here. Maybe I shared too much...maybe I gave her the indication that I needed help.”
Marvin’s studied Rachel. A severe frown reshaped his face. “So just what did you tell Sylvia? Did you tell her some
thing that would prompt her to suggest a visit to Pastor Goodwin? Did you tell Sylvia about the suit you found and what you suspect? Huh?”
Rachel shifted in her seat and woke Serena up. Serena wiped her mouth with her hand and was still in a daze when she realized Marvin was in the room. Immediately, she jumped from her mother’s lap and threw herself at her dad.
“Daddy, you’re home. Daddy, I want some chicken nuggets from McDonald’s.”
Marvin patted Serena’s head. “Hi, sweetie, give Daddy a kiss.” Serena kissed him and he kissed her in return. “You sure you want McDonald’s?”
“Yes, Daddy! Yeah! Mommy, we’re going to McDonald’s.”
“We’ll finish this later,” Marvin said to Rachel. “Maybe you should take Sylvia’s advice. It wouldn’t hurt for me to see him myself.” He picked Serena up, grabbed his keys, and headed out the door.
Harold pulled the Hummer to the curb in a vacant spot three doors from the bar. A red light blinked on and off outlining the words EARL’S TAVERN. Harold cut off the motor and sat still for a few moments, working up the nerve to begin the interrogation. A frown was etched on Kenny’s face as he flexed his muscles and emitted a small sigh. With arched eyebrows he looked at Harold and waited for the signal, and when Harold nodded his head to the left, they both exited the vehicle.
Darkness enveloped them as the front door of the bar closed behind them. The place was small and dinky. Just inside the tiny foyer was a long bar with maybe fifteen stools that were almost all filled with what might have been Wednesday night regulars. Smoke swirled in the air and laughter along with it as the bartender, who was now looking the duo over, finished a jaw-dropping funny joke.
Kenny made a connection with his eyes and then walked to one of the four tables that sat off to one side in a semi-circle around a small stage. The smell of chicken being fried met their nose, and Kenny motioned the lone waitress to the table.
“What’s on the menu?” Kenny asked the petite waitress, dressed in a white top and black slacks with her hair piled high on top of her head.
“Chicken dinners,” she said. Pop, pop. She folded her gum over in her mouth and cracked it again. “Do you want the chicken or not?”
“Harold, what do you want?”
“I’m hungry; I’ll have a chicken dinner and a beer,” Harold said.
“A beer for me, too,” Kenny said. The waitress started to walk away and Kenny called her back before she was out of earshot. “Excuse me...”
Pop, pop. “Yes?” the girl asked.
“What is your name?” Kenny asked.
“Who wants to know?” the waitress said with a scowl. Pop, pop.
“Never mind. Who’s in charge of this joint?” Kenny asked.
The waitress’ mouth stood still, and she stared at Kenny then at Harold. “I don’t know why you’re asking me all these questions. If it’s food and drink you want, I can handle that.”
“Tika, let me handle these gentlemen.” Tika walked away. “I’m Earl,” a large man said, peering down at Harold and Kenny. He was dressed in a long-sleeved, white collared shirt and black Wrangler jeans. “I’m in charge of this joint. What can I do for you gentlemen?”
“Have a seat,” Harold said, speaking for the first time. “We have some business we need to talk to you about.”
“I’ll sit if I think we have something to talk about,” Earl said, keeping an eye on the two.
“We’re harmless,” Kenny began. “We’re here to try to get some answers for a friend of ours.”
“What you talking about?” Earl asked, eying Kenny with suspicion.
“A good friend of ours came into your bar last week,” Harold said.
Cutting Harold off, Earl sat down. “Y’all five-o or some kind of detectives?”
“No, man. Relax,” Harold said. “This doesn’t concern you, but maybe you can help us. See, my friend came in here last Thursday and met a woman. I believe my friend got drunk and then left with this woman.”
Harold and Kenny watched Earl closely. “Ummph,” Earl said, nodding his head as if he remembered something.
“Earl, I need a drink,” one of the patrons called from the bar.
“Yeah, Earl, my glass is empty,” someone else hollered.
“I’ll be back, gentlemen,” Earl said. “I believe I do remember the night.”
“Bingo,” Kenny said, after Earl got up and went back behind the bar. “I hope he’ll be straight up with us.”
“If we’re straight up with him,” Harold said, “I don’t think we’ll have any problems getting information.”
A plate of fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, collards, and cornbread was set on the table. No smile or “Enjoy your food,” came from the waitress. There was no pop, pop to break the silence either, just the glare of her accusing eyes was all they got. Then she broke the silence. “Earl will bring your beers to the table.” And she was gone.
Three minutes later, three beers hit the table—one for Kenny, one for Harold and one for Earl.
“Alright, you were saying that your friend came in last Thursday and got a little loaded and left with a woman. Are you sure it was this bar? You know men and women come in here all the time and pair up with one another.”
“No disrespect, Earl,” Kenny cut in, “but our friend was no regular here. In fact, he’s a local businessman who just...well, let’s say he had a lot on his mind that night. We believe that the woman he left with took advantage of him and is now trying to blackmail him for money he doesn’t have.”
“What is this woman’s name?” Earl asked.
“Why don’t you tell us, Earl?” Harold jumped in. “A few moments ago you acted as if you remembered the incident well. We’re just trying to help our friend get out of the trouble he may have brought on himself.”
“What do you want with her?” Earl asked, being protective of the woman he had yet to name.
“Nothing,” Harold said. “We’d like to ask her a few questions.”
Earl was silent for a moment, debating whether or not he was going to give up the name. He looked from Harold to Kenny. They didn’t look like thugs; they were dressed like businessmen and seemed to be genuine in their concern. He sipped his beer and put it down, making one more go-around in his head. “Peaches is her name. She goes by the name of Peaches.”
“Where can we find this Peaches?” Harold asked.
“If you hang out long enough, you’ll run into her here.”
“How well do you know this Peaches?” Kenny asked. “Does she have friends? Where does she work?”
Earl wasn’t going to hand Peaches over like that. “Look, she’s just a regular here. I don’t get all into my customers’ business. I provide them with what they want to drink, a little laughter, and a place to hang out for a while before they go to their lonely existences. Yeah, I do know that most of the patrons here don’t have nobody—this is their refuge and circle of friends.”
“So is this Peaches one of the lonely ones or does she just prey on the lost souls who just happen to journey in here on a whim?” Kenny asked.
“Can’t answer that for you,” Earl said. “Gotta get that from the horse’s mouth. Well, I’ve got to get back to my regulars. They miss me when I stray too far away from the bar. I hope you fellas get the answers you’re looking for.”
“Thanks, Earl,” Harold said, finishing off the last of his macaroni and cheese. “We appreciate you taking the time to talk with us.”
“No problem.”
Earl strolled back to the bar. Whispered conversation passed from one patron to the next as they prodded Earl for details on his encounter with the two foreigners. Harold and Kenny watched them all with interest, wondering if any one of them would give them a lead to Ms. Peaches.
“What do you think?” Kenny asked Harold.
“Well, he didn’t say much of anything...nothing for us to go on but a name, something we already knew. Hell, Peaches is probably not even her real name, but I guess it’s a sta
rt. I think we should sit awhile, and see if she sets foot in here tonight.”
“I might have to get myself a chicken plate because my wife has probably cleaned up the kitchen and gotten ready for bed. She’s worried about me being out here...afraid something might happen that I can’t handle.”
“Well, Kenny, I was a little worried myself, although I think we’re okay. Earl seems nice enough, and he didn’t have to give us the woman’s name.”
“Yeah, I think you’re right. Let me get that waitress’ attention. I wonder what Earl pays her an hour? Her service isn’t worth two cents.”
Harold laughed. “You’re right, man. In this dump, you get what you pay for.”
The hour was going on nine. A few women straggled in and sat at the bar, but none seemed interested in either Harold or Kenny. About nine fifteen, a small band made up of a guitarist, a saxophonist, and a soloist came on stage. They were straight from the sixties, wearing red shiny suits with red shoes to match. Two of the men wore Jheri curls, and the singer was bald.
The microphone screeched as well as the guitar as they tuned their instruments and tweaked the amplifiers. Before long, old school music floated in the air and two couples took to the small dance floor. Harold and Kenny watched while bobbing their heads to the music.
Realizing he’d lost track of time, Kenny looked at his watch. “Man, I’ve got to get home. It’s ten-thirty. If this Peaches was coming tonight, she probably would have been here already.”
“Don’t turn your head,” Harold said suddenly. “I think our Miz Peaches has just arrived. She’s talking to Earl and he’s giving me the look. Yep, she’s heading in our direction with a drink in her hand. Let’s play ball.”
“Hello,” said the medium brown-skinned woman with the short Afro and painted lips. Kenny slowly turned around at the sound of the voice. The long-legged woman wore a tight-fitted denim outfit, and he let his gaze travel up her body.
Harold got up and motioned for the woman to sit. “My name is Harold and this is Kenny. And what is your name?”
“Ummmm, Peaches,” she said at last, taking a sip of her drink and offering a smile.
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