Convergence: Remington Carter Series Book One

by M. E. Coleman

  “Not a problem I’ll yell when it gets here.”

  Chapter 8

  We were eating gooey, cheesy goodness thirty minutes later on the giant pillows.

  “Movie or game?”

  I didn’t really care either way I was just comfortable sitting around. “Whatever you like. I’m not particular.”

  “Twenty questions alright with you?” Eli looked nervous. He’s had this planned it seems.

  “I suppose,” I answer warily. Where is he going with this?

  “If you don’t want to that’s okay. I just thought we could get to know each other better this way.”

  “No, it’s fine. Go ahead.”

  “What’s your full name?”

  “Remington Reese Carter. My mom and dad’s favorite things. Reese’s cups for my mom when she was pregnant with me and of course Remington for my dad being in the military. What’s yours?”

  “Elliot Michael McAdams. My parents weren’t as original as yours it seems. So, your dad is in the military?”

  “Is that your question or are you making conversation?” I would have rather avoided this question altogether and now it’s been brought up right away.

  “That’s my question.”

  “Technically he was in the military and now he’s in, or I guess was in the CIA. That’s not something I usually spread around either.” I don’t want everyone knowing about my dad.

  “I wouldn’t say anything, Remi. Anything you tell me, if I even think you might be uncomfortable with it, I won’t talk about around others,” Eli looks so earnest as he says this I believe him. “Your turn.”

  “When did you know you wanted to play football?” I’m curious because he’s told me before he’s here on a scholarship for football and majoring in business, like me, and minoring in psychology.

  “Forever I think. I always liked to play it with my dad and brothers at home and then when I was at the military academy I joined the team they had. There weren’t too many fun things to do there recreationally. That’s actually how I met my roommates. They’re a couple years older than me.”

  “You went to a military academy?” I suck in a breath and must have some weird expression on my face as Eli looks at me with a confused expression. What are the odds of him answering that way?

  “Not your turn pretty girl,” he says with smirk. “It’s mine.” I wait for him to go on. He looks like he’s not sure he should ask his next question. Then he takes a deep breath and says, “You said ‘was’ when you were talking about your dad. Did he pass away?”

  Yep there it is. May as well get it over with. “Technically, I’m not supposed to talk about it, but I trust you.” I take a deep breath. “My dad disappeared on his last assignment when I was in high school. My mom and I don’t know if he’s alive or not. There was an investigation from his superiors, we were questioned incessantly, but we don’t know anything and they haven’t found anything out. It was my senior year. That’s why I transferred here as a sophomore. I was supposed to be here with Alex as a freshman, but instead I stayed home with my mom and took a gap year to help her out and did mostly online classes from home and a few at the local community college that I couldn’t take online. Without a definitive answer on if my dad took off on his own or something happened to him all his accounts my mom wasn’t on were frozen even though those savings were hers too. Not just my dad’s. If he did take off, which I can’t see him doing, he loves my mom and me, then they didn’t want him to have access to resources. If he,” I get choked up and Eli sees it pulling me between his open legs, turning me to rest mine over his thigh so he’s cradling me. “You don’t have to go on,” he says hugging me tighter and resting his cheek on my head. I feel smelling my hair, it’s kind of sweet. I want to finish telling him, so I continue on.

  “If he died, and they could prove it, they wouldn’t have done anything. If he’s missing or taken off it’s frozen until they find him or until they determine it’s no longer needed as bait. If they released it to my mom, she could potentially give it to him if he contacted her. My college fund was in his name as well. My deposit had already been paid here, but there wasn’t enough for a full year of school so I made arrangements for the deposit to be held onto until I could transfer. I spent most of that first year picking up modeling jobs. I had done a couple ads when I was sixteen, but I needed something I could do to help mom out and pay for school. I got enough saved up that year and the next while I was taking classes at the local community college, so I didn’t get too far behind the others here. That’s why Alex is a junior and I’m a sophomore, I didn’t have enough credits to transfer in as a third year. I’ll be twenty-one this May. So, was that long winded enough for an answer?”

  Eli doesn’t say anything for a bit. When he does he says, “I don’t just want to say I’m sorry. It doesn’t seem adequate. I hate you had to go through that. Did they find anything at all?”

  Even though it’s not Eli’s turn I decide to answer his question. “They found a motel room in an area he wouldn’t have been in unless be was assigned to it. They wouldn’t give us a lot of details on it. His luggage and some other things were left behind. The only thing he took was his identification as far as they can tell, since it wasn’t there. There wasn’t any sign that he was taken against his will. They tracked his phone and vehicle GPS to find him and ended up there at that motel. The investigators asked us questions for months, but we didn’t know anything other than he was supposed to be gone for a couple weeks on assignment. They check in every few months to see if he contacted either of us and we were under surveillance for almost a year before they backed off. Even if my dad went rogue I know he wouldn’t contact us in any way, he would know they would be watching. So that’s it for the most part. I worked and then transferred.” I chew on my lip waiting for his response, playing with my necklace.

  “Maybe when the guys get back we can ask them to look into it. I only do work part time because of football and full-time classes, but the others already graduated.” Eli’s arm behind me begins playing with ends of my hair as he speaks. I’m suddenly very aware of how I’m sitting in his lap.

  “What would your roommates be able to do to help? I’m not sure the agency would be willing to share any information. Besides that I have enough money to pay for school and help my mom out, but not enough to hire a team.” I don’t want to seem ungrateful to Eli, but really what can they do to help that hasn’t already been done. As an afterthought I add, “I didn’t know you worked here too, I just thought you were renting a room from them.”

  “For one, if we helped it would be because we wanted to and two, I know the guys from the school we went to. After I graduated I met them here. One of the guys had this building left to him by some relative an aunt I think.” He looks down at me staring at my hand playing with necklace still. Swiftly changing the subject as if he knows I don’t want to talk about my dad any longer, he asks, “What’s that on your necklace? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you without it.”

  I show it to him. It’s a silver disc with and R scripted on it. “It’s a locket that a couple friends gave to me a long time ago. I guess it was really a going away present since I only saw them once more after they gave it to me.” I go to open it and show him the pictures inside. I figure now is a good a time as any to tell him about the guys, but right then my phone starts ringing. I go to answer it and see that it’s Adam. “I should probably see what’s up with him, it’s pretty late for a social call.” I answer the phone to a slightly out of breath Adam. “Hello?”

  “Remi? It’s Adam. Hey, I lost my assignment for class and was wondering if you had it? I’m not too far from your building if you have it and don’t mind meeting me downstairs?”

  “Umm..yeah, which class? I’m at home you can swing by and I’ll come down with it.” I don’t want to invite him up so I’m glad he suggested meeting downstairs.

  “It’s for the calculus class. I was sure I had written it down, but I can’t find i
t in my notes at all. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

  I tell Eli I’m running some school work to Adam downstairs as I see him cleaning up the living room. I guess he knows that conversation is over as well. I get out to the sidewalk and wait on Adam. As I’m standing there I get a text message, but before I can check it Adam walks up. “I copied the notes for the assignment. Hope you have enough time to get it done before class tomorrow,” I say handing him the copied pages from my notebook.

  “Thanks Remi, I owe you one.” He takes the papers I hold out. He stands there for a minute, then says, “So, I’m going to the big costume party tomorrow night at the beta frat. Would you like to go with me?” Now I’m wondering just how ‘lost’ his homework had actually been.

  “Actually, I’m going with Alex, but if you’re going I’m sure we’ll see you there.” I answer noncommittally.

  “Oh, okay. Well I’ll be looking for you.” He seems disappointed. I’m going to need to think of a polite way to tell him I’m not interested in him like that soon, before his crush gets any worse.

  “See you tomorrow Adam,” I say as he walks away. He waves back and disappears around the corner. I turn and almost scream, Eli comes out of the doorway and grabs my shoulders to steady me. “Holy crap dude you scared me.” Now that I’m over my scare I laugh a little.

  “Sorry I just wanted to make sure you were alright and lock up for the night.” He looks like he wants to say something else too, but doesn’t.

  “I’m gonna head up to bed, see you tomorrow?” He nods his head and I go back upstairs. As I’m getting into bed I plug my phone in and see the message icon still showing in my notification bar. It’s from an unknown number.

  I know where your father is.

  That’s it. Nothing else, no number to contact back. If this is a prank it pisses me off. I put the phone down and go brush my teeth and wash my face. I’ll call the investigative team tomorrow and let them know about the message, it’s the first thing I’ve heard about my father since he disappeared. I find it a little odd too that I was just talking about him to Eli before I got the message. I try to put it out of mind and get some rest.

  -----

  While Remi was upstairs I sneak into her room. I want to surprise her with my costume tomorrow, but I don’t know what she’s wearing. She’s left something hanging over on the desk chair. I see that’s it the costume. Getting what I came for I turn to leave when I notice my coin that all students get from the academy I went to. I frown wondering how it ended up in here. It was in a drawer in my room. I grab it and set it on my dresser on my way to check the doors for the night and on Remi as she hasn’t come back yet. I’m excited for tomorrow. If things go well the wait will finally be over and Remi will officially be mine.

  Chapter 9

  I wake up to a knock on my bedroom door. “Remi? You up yet? There’s some people here to see you.” I open my eyes. It’s barely light out, can’t even be seven yet. Who the heck is coming to see me at the asscrack of dawn?

  “I’m awake. Be right there.” I grab a hoodie and throw it on over my tank and shorts and pull my fuchsia fuzzy socks on I left out last night. I brush my teeth and hair and head out to meet my visitors. As I get to the kitchen I see Agents Bricker and Norman sitting at the breakfast bar. Eli turns with coffees for them both and goes to get another for me. He’s barefoot and in sweats and a tank with an open zip up thrown over it. His hair is still mussed from sleep. I reluctantly drag my attention away from him to address the two visitors. “Umm…someone want to tell me why you’re in my kitchen?” I glare at them both.

  Eli looks at me and comes over to stand next to, but slightly behind me. Being supportive while allowing me to handle it. I shoot him a grateful look. I didn’t expect that out of him. “We’re here because- actually if you could excuse us Mr. McAdams we’d like to speak to Miss Carter alone.”

  Eli looks down me for an affirmative. He’ll leave if I ask him, I know that, but I don’t want him to. “Eli can stay, he knows about my dad.” Agent Norman instantly looks thunderous while his partner Bricker opens her mouth to say, “That is highly inappropriate for him to know about an agency investigation. Who gave you leave to discuss it?”

  “I don’t need permission to talk about my dad. You have stalked my mom and me for almost three years, we don’t know what happened and I’m not putting up with your attitude so can it of get the fuck out.” I’m furious and want to smack someone. I realize I’m holding Eli’s hand. I’m not sure if he reached for me or I reached for him, but I’m glad for it either way.

  Snarkily, Agent Bricker continues on, “You are to inform the agency of your residence at all times, as well as all phone numbers and email you can be contacted at as well as notify the agency of any communication you receive that could potentially be from Agent Carter. Care to guess what we found when we showed up at your dorm this morning?” She doesn’t wait for me to answer, “We found a construction crew arriving and that the students had been relocated…several weeks ago. We had to track your phone as the administrative buildings aren’t open for business for the day yet. All that after the fact that you didn’t report the communication you received pertaining to your father when it came in. At this point I think you may need to come in for another interview. Go dress and meet us outside.” As she turns to leave I lose my temper.

  “Excuse the hell out of you. You have no right to come here. I don’t answer to you. My whereabouts or residence are also not your business. And what the fuck do you mean by I didn’t report a communication. Do you actually have my phone bugged?” I’m stepping forward with every question and end the last on a growl, now I’m directly in Brickers face with Norman watching Eli closely.

  Bricker smirks, I want to plant my fist in that smug face, I feel Eli’s arm circle my waist and pull me back into his chest. “You received a communication last night stating that someone knows where your father is. You didn’t report it. That leads us to believe that you know something as well or soon will. We have no intention of being left out of the loop any further.”

  “I opened that message as I was going to bed last night and figured I would call it in when I got up. Obviously, you woke me up. I haven’t even had a chance to report it and you’re here up my ass trying to drag me in for an interview. Guess what lady? I’m not going to any interview, I’m not talking to you period. Contact my attorney if you would like to speak to me and you’ll have to arrest me to get me to go with you. As I haven’t exactly done anything other than take the temporary housing the university arranged after my dorm flooded and I didn’t try to contact the agency at almost midnight last night, I think I will be safe in saying, get the fuck out. This is harassment and my attorney will be filing a grievance against you directly. Norman, I know you just follow Bricker around your head is too far up her ass to do anything for yourself. If that changes let me know, as far as I’m concerned, you’re both done here, and Bricker that’s permanently for you.” I’m standing with the door open, I follow them out and downstairs and make sure the doors lock behind them. I hold my head and shriek when they’re gone. I need an outlet before I chase her down and do something to get arrested.

  Eli comes running down the hall. He’s worried until he sees me then he starts laughing. I scowl at him. “Oh my god, Remi. I thought you were going to punch her. I’m sorry if I would have known what they were up to I wouldn’t have let them in. I’m going to scan the building in case they left any bugs then I’ll take care of your phone and check your car too just to be safe. Don’t worry I won’t let them spy on you. Or me. The guys would kill me if I let us get spied on.” With that he breezily and without an outward care walks back upstairs to get to the fourth floor. I shake my head at his back in a little bit of disbelief that he didn’t freak out over all that. I head back in and go take a shower to calm down and get dressed for the day. When I come back out Eli has a little pile of plastic and metal pieces in a glass of water. “I got those off your car and from everyw
here they were while they were in here. That’s a little overkill in my opinion. Let me see your phone.” I hand it over and pull the SIM card out of it breaks it in half and tosses the pieces into the water as well. He pulls out a new card and pops it in powering it back up. “Should be fine now. Just don’t let anyone near it. I gotta get ready for school.” He turns to leave.

  “Thank you, Eli I should have known we were still being watched. I shouldn’t have brought this here to you, I wasn’t thinking.” I feel a little ashamed at not telling him about the possibility and don’t meet his eyes.

  “Not a problem Remi. I told you I work the security gig too. If I can’t handle a few bugs I’m in the wrong business.” He leans over reaching out and tilting my face up to meet his eyes, he kisses my forehead and then releases me to go to his room. “I’m gonna go get ready I have class and a game to get ready for.”

  He walks out while I stare after him.

  Chapter 10

  I hurried home from my last class and had a can of soup for dinner. After showering I put my bag together with my costume. I was going to get ready with Alex at her place. After showering I put on some black leggings, a lacy plum colored cami top and a charcoal cable knit sweater that hits me mid-thigh. With some slouch boots and a scarf I was ready to go after pulling my hair up and putting on some mascara. It wasn’t getting too cold out yet and with all the lights and other people in the stadium it should stay warm enough. I grab a light jacket on the way out just in case.

  When I get to the game I park on the outer edge of the parking lot to hopefully not get stuck in the traffic jam that usually ensues at the end of sporting events at this college. I find Alex waiting near the entrance. We both showed our student ID’s and paid the entrance fee. We stopped by concessions and grabbed drinks and nachos. As we made our way to our seats I told Alex about my morning visitors. To say she was outraged was an understatement. I think she may have been angrier than I was and had several inventive things that Bricker could do involving her head and rear end. I laughed so hard I got a few strange looks from other people.