~ML~
“How’s everything?” Jessie voice was calm to the mental storm raging in his mind.
“Good. Good.” He gripped the steering wheel tight in his hands as he maneuvered his car through morning traffic on I-77.
“Wow…double word. What’s really up?” Jessie read him too well even through phone.
“Nothing much. Just was driving in and hadn’t spoken to you in a while.” Nothing was really…up. In fact everything should be perfect in his world after last night, rather early morning.
“Not buying it. But, if you just called to shoot the breeze I can do that too. David’s soccer team made the championship. So all day Saturday we will be at the recreation center for the game and following banquet and awards.”
“Soccer…it will be Christmas in a few weeks.” When the car in front of him slowed down the flow of traffic in the left lane by breaking for no reason, Parker found and opening and swerved to the right.
“It is. But, they play indoors for the winter.”
“Ah.” Soccer wasn’t his sport. He actually didn’t have time for the traditional black sports of basketball and football. But, he was going to have to learn to follow soccer more since his nephew had been playing for the last three years and most likely would continue into high school and college. “How are the other two short stacks in your house?”
“Raven made the spring pee wee cheerleading team and Jennifer brought five new bugs into my house. Two of them ended up in her sister bed and Raven wasn’t too happy about that.”
He chuckled, the strong laugh tightening his core to the point of pain.
“Figured you’d like that one.”
“Jennifer always was my favorite. I knew she was going to be special the first time I let her hold a tarantula at the pet store and she didn’t go screaming away like her brother and sister.” His niece was five and full of spunk.
“Remember that when I ship her to you. When you find a box with holes in it on your doorstep don’t be shocked.”
“I’ll take her and put her to work in my lab.” He merged over to his exit taking Brookshire.
“I don’t doubt it.” A few moments went by before his sister spoke again. “Are you really okay or something else you need to talk about?”
There was something else, but it really wasn’t his business to share. Having the stress free conversation with his sister had done the trick, given him something else to think on instead of ruminating about Sonya as he’d done since he’d woke the second time.
“Nope. That’s it. I’m at work now, so I’ll let you get back to yours.”
“Alright. I’m here if you ever need to talk.”
It was the same thing he’d said to Sonya that morning before she left his house, and just like his lovers response he didn’t give his sister anything more. They exchanged quick I love yous before the call ended.
A few minutes later he pulled up into a vacant employee parking spot then got out. His first thought when he entered the museum was of Sonya. He wondered how she was fairing with whatever the situation that was happening.
The first person to land in his path was Stacey. The employee entrance was at the back of the museum and nowhere near her station as the admissions clerk. Obviously, telling him she’d been waiting for him. He’d thought he’d made himself clear yesterday, apparently not.
“The feds are here.” No warm up or pleasantries. He also noted that her face was lit up, but not in a come-hither fashion.
Oh, no, she’d understood him and was only there to unload her gossip of the day. She appeared as happy as shark in a pool filled with bloody water and a wounded person splashing around.
“Are they now?” He paused in stride for a brief moment, only so he would have to be followed by the annoying sound of her five-inch heels clicking beside him through the halls.
“Yes. Two of them have been in her office for over an hour and there’s one in Kravers. I’ve been told to hold all his calls indefinitely.” She declared with a wide smile on her thin, thickly painted lips.
“Good to know.” He craved answers. There was no way he was going tell the town crier that. He’d wait for Sonya to share with him, not amass information from someone else, especially not Stacey Ghent. Going by her, he ensured he didn’t brush against any part of her then he headed toward his department.
“Don’t you even want to know who else was on the after-hours admittance log and is being questioned?”
“No.” He called over his shoulder, but kept striding away.
There was a resounding strike from behind him that he registered in his mind as Stacey slamming one of her stilettos against the wood floor. Shaking his head he kept it moving.
It did something to him inside, placed a rock in his stomach, because Sonya hadn’t talked to him. She’d used him for physical release, as much as he enjoyed their passion he still would have like for her to trust him. Share with him what was going on and allow him to truly be there for her. He didn’t track down his ex-wife whereabouts only to be her bed sports buddy. He desired more, a real relationship with her. One where they talked and sexed and went for long drives holding hands.
Did she want that too?
If he hadn’t heard from her by lunchtime he’d seek her out. Whatever she was going through, he didn’t want her to do it alone.
~ML~
“You’ve reviewed all of my files and two hours ago you told me that U.N. investigator confirmed with his team in Johannesburg that my counterparts’ files and correspondence match. They recorded, weighed and set up a shipment of one Grooved Sphere and that same item I was expecting. Not this forgery that showed up. I’m as baffled about it as you guys are.”
Agent Williams sat behind her desk while she occupied the visitor’s chair across from him. His partner was hulled up with Kravers, giving the director the same drill she was sure. The recovery representative leaned against the wall to Sonya’s right, just observing and staring at her so strong that Sonya wouldn’t doubt the woman knew how many hairs were on her head.
“Explain to me then. How did twenty pounds of pressed opium get in your hands?”
“What?” Sonya looked from Williams to Drummond, she was sure she hadn’t heard him correctly. “I’m sorry, did I miss something here? Did you say opium?”
When Drummonds simply arched an eyebrow, Sonya glanced back to Williams.
“Yes.” Affirmation was all he gave her.
She shrugged. “I have no clue what you’re talking about.” Even though she was unclear if she and the authorities were on the same page, their odd question would explain the grim expression on Edgar’s face when they all walked out of his lab. She’d had a sinking feeling for the last three hours waiting for the ball to drop, evidently it was a two ton brick.
The agents and investigators had interviewed everyone else first and saved her and Kravers for last.
Her chair squeaked as Agent Williams leaned back clicking a pen in his hand. “That sphere was made up of one hundred percent pure processed poppy seeds.”
For a moment her vision went blurry. “I didn’t know that.”
“You ever travel to Afghanistan or any costal region of South Africa?”
Oh, hell. Was this where I put the nail in my own coffin. Innocent until proven guilty. She repeated those words to herself. However, her mind shot a percentage to her of how many people went to jail when they were innocent, but all circumstantial evidence pointed to them. “South Africa yes. I’m an African American history buff.”
“American? Not African?”
“Well in history…they are very much one in the same when you talk origins.” Oh, my, God, now I’m having to explain my work. “Look, it was a couple of years ago when I went. I traveled, for pleasure, educational research and work.”
Williams flipped through his legal tablet of notes. “But you were just granted funding for your exhibit a couple of months ago.”
She crossed her legs and uncrossed them. Sonya
wanted to get up and pace the room, scream or throw something. However, she worked at keeping herself composed as best she could. “That is true but any curator will tell you that an extensive amount of leg work and research is do beforehand to justify opening any exhibit because of the thorough knowledge one must have of the subject and artwork and artifacts.” She licked her lips and slid a hand over her head to the bun at the back of it. “I did what any curator would have done.”
“Mmhm.” He made a few notes.
“May I ask a question?”
Williams’ pen remained on the paper as he jotted information, but he lifted his gaze to hers. “Sure.”
“How do you all know that it’s drugs and not some kind of plaster or ceramic?”
“Mr. Chastain carries a field kit. The UN can test for several things right on the spot. Your sphere came up hot.”
“That is not my sphere. I was supposed to have a Grooved Sphere delivered for my exhibit not that drug ball or whatever it is that showed up.” Her words ended on a high screech. She was losing control of her emotions. However, she wasn’t going to apologize for getting loud, because this was her career they were discussing. Sooner or later she knew it would come to that. “Why aren’t you trying to find out where the ancient artifact is?”
“Oh, I will.”
That was the first time Drummond had said a word since she introduced herself.
Shocked, Sonya practically snapped her own neck turning to look at the cool woman.
“The underwriters for these pieces, place paying for stole artwork last on their list. So, I make sure they get the items returned so they don’t lose money.”
“That’s what I’d like to see happen as well.” Sonya declared, trying to connect with the hard woman in some way.
“I’ll leave you two to finish this out.” Drummonds made her way to the door then out of it.
“You’re not planning any trips out of town now are you, Ms. Watson? I know it is the holiday and all.”
“No.” She’d just been to see Charmagne over Thanksgiving, so she was done. Holidays and being around her father didn’t mix, so she kept those two apart.
“Good.” He slipped the pen in his pocket and rose. “Well, be in touch.” No more words needed he left.
Sonya dropped her head down on the edge of her desk. She wanted to knock herself unconscious so she could wake up and find this had all been a horrible nightmare.
Drugs?
This situation was worse than she’d originally surmised. Damage to an artifact was already a horrific possibility, but now she felt sick and caught in the middle of a nightmare. She had no answers for any of it, and that was the most frightening of it all. No control of a situation that out of everyone, she should have managed from start to finish.
Her phone on her desk rang.
Blindly, she reached for it. “Hello.”
“Watson. Kravers. I want to see you in my office.” The called ended as abruptly as it happened.
She rose from the small chair and straightened her blazer and walked out of her office. Normally, before she met with the director, she sat and took a few breaths to get her mind together, but after the grenade had been tossed into her lap by Drummond and Williams anything else that befell her, she’d take in stride.
Down the corridors she walked zombified toward Kravers corner of the museum—no thought in her mind or feeling in her body. She was numb.
The many faces of visitors and employees were a blur on the fringes of her vision.
Arriving at his door she gave two firm knocks. When his high tone of ‘enter’ bellowed through the door, she went in.
He sat behind his desk. His tie was askew and his hair was disorderly as if he’d spent more than a few minutes shoving his hands through it. She empathized with his appearance because it was how she felt on the inside—everything out of place. His eyes were glazed over and beaded to the point of little harsh pokers.
It was evident that after the hell of the day he needed a target and his sight was set to Sonya Watson. Well placed.
Stepping to one of two vacant seats, she began to lower herself.
“Don’t. This won’t take long.”
She resumed her full height and waited.
“As of this moment you are on administrative leave.” Aim. Fire. “I will notify you once the board and I have determined the extent of said absence or if there will be any further punishment as this investigation unfolds.”
“I understand, sir. The African American department was my responsibil—”
“No longer.” His hand cut through the air and her words like a knife. “Your assistant manager can take it in your stead. I think it goes without saying that until the situation is cleared up there the African Arts history exhibit will be closed indefinitely.”
“Yes, sir. Simeon will do a fine jo—”
“That’ll be all. Leave your badge before you go.” He waved her away with one hand and reached for his phone with the other.
She was unceremoniously dismissed. There was no place for her even to express her apologies or cry foul and that she had nothing to do with this. Her words would have fallen on deaf ears even if she’d had the chance.
Silent, she reached for her security badge. Unclipping it form her lapel, she placed it on his desk. After she wiped the sweat from her palm down the front of her skirt, she turned and left his office. She closed the door behind her.
Making her way back along the passages until she reached her office, her steps were more steady and rapid now then her trip out. When she entered her office, Simeon was standing in the middle the room pacing.
“There you are.” He rushed to her. “Mr. Minton and I have been worried sick all day and wanting to talk to you. Drugs. Can you believe it? What in the hell—”
“Simeon.” She could not help but smile at his outrage and enthusiasm. She placed a hand on his shoulder. “Thank you for your concern. All of this will work it’s self out one way or another.” Walking to her desk, she removed her purse from the drawer. She logged out of her terminal but didn’t shut it off. Others would need it.
When she step away from the desk and crossed the room to her assistant, now temporary director, she removed her museum keys from the pocket of her blazer. She held them out to him. “Take these. You’ll need them, for now.”
The last part she’d wanted to say for a little while or for a week or so, but she didn’t know when or if she’d be claiming them back.
He frowned, staring at the keys then her face, but still didn’t claim them. “What’s going on?” His eyes stretched the size of duck eggs as he held his hands away from the keys. “Were you fired?”
“No.” Not yet. “Just stepping away temporarily. It is standard protocol while an investigation is ongoing. I’ll still be in the area. Call if you need me. Even though I doubt you will.” She grabbed one of his hands and forced the keys into it as she offered him a broader smile, try keep his worry at bay.
“Sonya…this just isn’t right. It doesn’t feel right.” He held her hand with the keys between his. His gaze was filled with an honest sincerity.
“I know, but everything will be fine.” She pulled her hand away. Turning she went to the door and paused a moment to exchange her blazer for her coat on the rack. Without another word, she left.
Her intentions were to follow Kravers instructions to the letter, but instead she knew there was one final stop she needed to make.
On her way to the wing on the other side of the building she felt as if all eyes were on her every time she passed another employee, she ignored it all. People were going to talk, gossip about facts and fiction. She’d never allowed things like that to rule her life and she wouldn’t start now because her department was involved in this mess.
Almost at her destination she turned a corner and walked right into a wall.
The strong fortress surrounded her, pulled her in and held her. She allowed it. Inhaling deep, she took in the one scent that calme
d her body the way nothing else had done for her all day. Heady, robust and spicy. Parker.
She could hear the conversation and footsteps of people passing by them, but she didn’t care. For this one moment she was just going to let it all go.
He stroked her back. “Soni-love, I have been out of my mind. I was on my way to your office.”
Hearing the words ‘your office’ brought her back to the here and now and had her pulling away. “I was headed to let you know I’m leaving out.” She glanced up at him and wanted to sigh at the familiar sight of his face. Her mind offered her flashes of the last hours she’d spent in his bed.
“That’s probably a good idea. I’m sure you’re exhausted. Start tomorrow with fresh eyes.”
A dry cackle moved through her lips. “Not quite. This is it for me. For a while any way.”
“What?” He reached for her, placing hand on her arm. “Come to my office so we can talk in private.”
“I can’t, Parker.” She shook her head. She couldn’t go with him, not just because Mr. Kravers had ordered her to leave the premises but she need time alone to process all of this.
“The spiders, I know. Let’s step into the garden for a bit then.” He started to tug her in another direction.
Digging her heels in, she kept him from taking her further. “It’s not that. Look, I can’t get into it now. Just know I’m on administrative leave for now.”
He stared at her. “They can’t do this to you.” He was outraged and his face tightened around the corner of his eyes and mouth. “Talk to me.”
She ignored the pleading in his voice and the softening of his gaze. This wasn’t his problem. “I will…just not today. Not—”
“Well, isn’t this cozy.”
Startled, Sonya pulled away from Parker and faced the person behind her. “Mrs. Drummond.” Was this woman following me?
“May I help you?” Parker took a step forward, almost as if he was trying to shield her.
Sonya didn’t need a protector, especially now. The woman would probably take it as there was something Sonya needed cover for…like importing drugs and stolen artwork. She moved around the massive man. “Did you need me for something else?”
Evidence of Desire: Hero Series 3 Page 17