Déjà Vu

by Suzetta Perkins

  She needed to get far away from his quiet probing because she had no idea what was going through his mind. The demons of the past were starting to haunt her, and his words came flooding back to her, You’ll have an opportunity to redeem yourself.

  Santiago was getting ready to say something when Aunt Maria shoved two steaming plates in front of them full of scrambled eggs, sausages with grilled onions and peppers, hash browns and hot biscuits.

  “That’s breakfast,” Santiago finally said after a period of silence.

  “Way too much for me at this time of morning,” Angelica said. “Gracias,” she said to Aunt Maria whose wide smile acknowledged her thanks.

  “You can take home what you don’t eat and have it in the morning.” Santiago rattled off more Spanish to Jorge and Maria. They rattled something back, nodded their heads and exited the room. For the first time in a while, Santiago smiled at Angelica.

  They finished their meal with so many unanswered questions still lingering in the air.

  “I’ll take you home, now,” Santiago said. “I enjoyed our short time together.”

  Although Santiago was a perfect gentleman, Angelica still questioned his motive. She wanted to believe that his seeing her at the club was a shock to his system, and he wanted to commune with an old friend. She may never know what he was thinking, but she hoped that their repast satisfied any curiosities he had about her.

  The driver was waiting for them outside. They got in the car. She really did not want Santiago to know where she lived, but she had little or no choice.

  “So, you live alone?” Santiago asked.

  “No,” Angelica was quick to say. “I’m staying with a friend temporarily. I hope to have a place of my own soon.”

  “Why not move in with me? I have a beautiful place outside of the city. A beautiful woman like yourself would certainly add a certain amount of elegance to the place.”

  Angelica’s lips remained sealed. She looked straight ahead as a bad feeling began to mushroom. Santiago’s world was not her world. She did not belong. Anonymity was what she truly wanted, but exposure is what brought him to her. This is what he meant about redeeming herself. No, she couldn’t live with him.

  “Think about it,” Santiago said. “You don’t have to give me an answer right away.” Santiago looked straight ahead. “I know all about you—your whereabouts, what you’ve been up to, and I know you have nowhere else to go.”

  The whites of Angelica’s eyes bulged from their sockets. Her chest heaved in and out as she digested what Santiago said. She turned her head to stare at him, unable to comprehend the madness that was erupting before her. Santiago stared back.

  Angelica’s frown turned to anger. “Have you known all along that I was here in New York? What is this, Santiago? I don’t have time for games.”

  “Neither do I. You owe me, Angelica. I’ve waited five long years for you to repay your debt, and you can start by giving me the five one-hundred-dollar bills I gave you. You won’t be needing them, because somehow I already know that your decision to move in with me will be a yes, and if so, you won’t need to take off your clothes to a room full of drunk, lecherous men for your survival.”

  “I hate you.”

  “You’ll love me more in the morning.”

  The rest of the ride was in silence until they neared the street where Ari lived. It was six in the morning, and day was breaking. As they started to turn down Ari’s block, Santiago spotted a police car at the end of the street, sitting at the stoplight. Perspiration formed on Santiago’s forehead, although it was cool in the car. He instructed the driver to pull to the curb and told Angelica to get out. He would be in touch with her later.

  Angelica stiffened. Why were the cops in this neighborhood at this time of morning? She wondered if they were casing Ari’s place and compiling information on her because of Donna’s death? She shuddered and exited the car, glad to be away from Santiago. Her knees began to wobble and her hands started to shake. Angelica’s feet felt like lead—too heavy to lift and climb the few stairs to the porch. She managed the climb and turned her head in time to see the police move on as the light changed. And then from out of the shadows, the lone black car with Santiago in it pulled away from the curb, turned the corner, and drove out of sight.

  25

  Several days had passed since Malik had had lunch with Jefferson. Malik couldn’t erase the picture of the broken-down man who had sat before him. This was the man he held in high esteem, a man he would’ve walked, ran, swam, and pole-vaulted to the ends of the earth for. He and Jefferson were fraternity brothers, Omega Psi Phi, bound together like a ball and chain, trying to emulate the successes of their brothers William “Bill” Cosby, Reverend Jesse Jackson, the late astronaut Ronald McNair, and Michael Jordan.

  Something else had Malik bound. It was not the fraternity brother he held in high esteem. Friendship had its place, but there was something, someone more demanding of his time, thoughts, and dreams.

  Had his life come to this, moping around like a lovesick puppy? Malik had not been able to eat or sleep because his head was rocked with daydreams of Margo Myles, his fraternity brother’s wife. It frustrated him that he allowed so much time to pass while he cultivated an unsuspecting Margo for a future that had no guarantees, and when the moment came to release his pent-up feelings to her, she reacted like he was an unwanted stalker. In his soul, Malik felt Margo’s presence, and he was going to find a way to reel her in because she was a catch worthy of his time.

  But the bars of the cell that were supposed to house Jefferson Myles at Raleigh’s Central Prison for another fifteen years were suddenly opened, and his dutiful wife Margo, who stood by his side for his eventual return, now welcomed him home with open arms. Jefferson reminded Malik of the story in the Bible of Daniel in the lion’s den and the three Hebrew boys, Shadrack, Meschack and Abindigo, who were thrown in a fiery furnace yet God delivered each one. For sure, Jefferson had nine lives; there could be no other answer.

  The bell on the front door jingled—a fixture Malik had mounted on the door at Margo’s suggestion. He pulled himself out of his daydream to face the customer that dared to interrupt his thoughts.

  His mouth fell as he watched the beautiful woman in the red linen jacket, white linen slacks and white silk blouse walk through the door. Malik scrambled to his feet and tripped on a cord that he hadn’t taken care to secure to the floor.

  “Margo, what are you doing here? Is Jefferson with you?” Malik punctuated his words.

  “No, I’m alone. I had to show a house this afternoon, and since I was in the neighborhood, I thought I’d drop by to see how you were doing.”

  “I’m much better, now that you’re here,” Malik said with a smile that stretched the width of his face.

  “Look, Malik, I don’t want to beat around the bush.” Malik’s smile began to fade. “My husband is home now, and I really want to make it work. I don’t know how since…since I can’t stop thinking about what you said the last time we were together…”

  “Can you be feeling what I’m feeling, Margo? I won’t apologize for the way I feel about you. I’ve been in love with you for some time now. I was afraid to say it any earlier than I did for fear you would react the way you did.”

  “Malik, I don’t know what’s going on inside of me. I want to make love to my husband, but I can’t because you keep getting in the way. I hold Jefferson, but I’m thinking about you.”

  Malik stood in front of Margo and looked into her eyes. “Oh, Margo, I’ve prayed for this day. God, I know it’s wrong, but I can’t deny how I feel about you. And I do want you.”

  “Maybe you’re lonely because of Toni. We’ve both been without our loved ones, Malik. We’re probably reacting to pent-up needs that we’ve been deprived of for so long.”

  “Margo, I loved you before Toni and I were married.”

  “Malik! I know you loved Toni. You told me so not more than a week ago.”

  “I did love he
r, Margo, because you were forbidden to me. I was a good husband to Toni, and she was a good wife. I miss her dearly. But there is still you.”

  Margo sighed and tried to move away from Malik. He grabbed Margo and wrapped his arms around her. With little effort, Malik kissed Margo passionately on the lips. And to his surprise, she responded, withholding nothing. Their tongues mated greedily, neither letting the other go. Malik held Margo tight, not wanting the moment to come to an end, but it did with Margo gasping for breath and then wiping her mouth before releasing a smile.

  “I’ve got to see you again,” Malik said to Margo, unable to contain his good feeling.

  “I don’t know…I’m not sure, Malik. God’s going to punish me for this.”

  “Don’t back away, now. I’ve waited a long time for this, and I’ll wait as long as it takes—a week, two weeks, so long as I can touch your lips again.”

  “It’s wrong, Malik, but I do feel something for you. I better go. I told Jefferson I would be back in a few hours.”

  Malik smiled. “Margo, I love you.”

  Margo smiled back and turned and left the way she had come. Malik watched the door close behind her, and this time when he slapped the wall, there was hope in his heart because the woman he loved was beginning to feel the same way.

  26

  Angelica quietly tiptoed into the house. She hurriedly crossed the living room and then the dining room like a thief. It was still dark in the house and Ari would be stirring at any minute.

  The grandfather clock began to chime, startling Angelica. She fell against the wall, recovered and prepared to move on. On the fifth chime, Ari, fully dressed, appeared in the doorway to the dining room and jumped when he saw Angelica’s figure pass in front of him.

  “Halt,” Ari said.

  Angelica stopped in her tracks. She was disappointed that she and Ari’s relationship had faltered before it got started. “You talking to me?” She slowly turned and faced Ari. God, he was so good-looking, even in the dark.

  “What are you up to, Angelica? Why are you creeping in here like you’ve stolen something?”

  “Didn’t want to disturb you.”

  “I gave you a place to stay because I cared. You’re beautiful. I like beautiful women, but I don’t like to be taken advantage of. I’ve tried to help you, but I’m not sure what went wrong.”

  Angelica eased into a seat. “Ari, sit down. You’re a good man and you’ve been more than kind to me. I appreciate all that you’ve done, and for that I’ll be forever grateful.”

  Ari sat down. “What’s up with you, then? What happened between you and Donna? What kind of work are you doing that keeps you out until six in the morning?”

  “One question at a time. I’ll answer them all since it doesn’t look like I’ll be getting any sleep.”

  “I need some explanation, Angelica,” Ari said. “It pisses me off when I don’t know what’s going on right under my nose.”

  Angelica touched Ari’s arm lightly. “You’ll be late for work.”

  “I can get someone to work in my place. We need to talk.”

  “Okay,” Angelica said, sitting back in her seat.

  “Where have you been all night?”

  “Ari, I’m…I’m working…I’m a stripper. I work at a club in Manhattan. Of course, the hours are late, but the money is good…very good.”

  Ari’s silence made Angelica uncomfortable. She lowered her eyes and continued.

  “I needed to make some fast money so that I could get out on my own. I have some money, but I needed the security of a job. Not that I’m proud of it, but I used to be a stripper years ago, and I guess I haven’t lost my touch.” Angelica smiled. “I don’t want to be a burden on you, Ari, and I believe I have enough money so that I can be out of your hair sooner rather than later.”

  His voice was serious. “You don’t have to go,” Ari said.

  “That’s not what you told me yesterday.”

  “I’ve changed my mind. What about Donna?”

  “What about Donna?” Angelica asked.

  “What happened between the two of you?”

  “Donna was angry because I refused to do the photo shoot she set up. All those lesbians; I was not about to compromise myself in some rag magazine like that. I’m sure Donna thought I was ungrateful since she was doing me a favor, but I had visions of walking a top-model runway—not posing in compromising positions. She told me to get out of her house, and I did. Donna nearly slammed the door on my behind when I walked out to meet you.”

  “I believe you, Angelica. I’m surprised the police haven’t questioned you yet. I’m sure it won’t be long, now, before they show up.”

  “There was a cruiser sitting at the light when I got home. Scared the crap out of me. Have you heard anything else, Ari?”

  “No, only what has been printed in the papers. To date, they have no motive, no murder weapon, and are still talking to acquaintances. The arts community is baffled by Donna’s death.”

  “It’s a shame. I can’t fathom who would want Donna killed, but I sure as hell didn’t do it. I couldn’t hurt a flea.”

  “Rest assured, the police will be coming around soon to ask questions.”

  “You seem so sure about that Ari.”

  “They questioned me yesterday. I told them you had been staying with Donna right before her death.”

  Angelica’s face froze in time. It looked as if she stopped breathing. She slowly rose from her seat and wrapped her arms around her chest and began walking in circles. Then, she threw her hands up. “You told them about me, Ari? What did you say?”

  “As a doorman, I see a lot of people come and go. They asked me questions…pointed questions, that I had to answer. We have surveillance cameras on the premises, and all the cops had to do was watch them to know if I was telling the truth or not. On the day of Donna’s death, you both walked into the building together.”

  Angelica exhaled and fell back into the chair.

  “If you didn’t do anything,” Ari said, “you won’t have anything to worry about.”

  “I didn’t kill Donna, Ari. You’ve got to believe that. I didn’t have time to do all the things the paper said happened.”

  “Plus, you were as cool as a cucumber. I know you didn’t do it, but who did? Do you want me to stay around today, in case the cops show up?”

  “Would you, Ari? I don’t mean to sound desperate, but I’d feel better if you did.”

  “Look, why don’t I fix us some breakfast, while you take a hot shower and get comfortable,” Ari said.

  “No breakfast for me, Ari. Maybe a glass of juice.”

  “I can manage that; now go on and take your shower.”

  Angelica looked at Ari. He was a decent man, and he only did what any other citizen would have done. He’d known Donna a lot longer than he knew her and was probably loyal to Donna’s memory. She wasn’t mad, just glad that Ari prepared her for the unexpected. She got up and went over to the bathroom.

  The warm water relaxed her. So many things were running through her mind—Donna, Ari, the cops and Santiago. Santiago was the last person Angelica had counted on rekindling a relationship with. In fact, she had hoped he had fallen off the earth in some great big black hole never to be seen or heard of again. Was it a chance meeting? She would never know, but the last thing she wanted was to be back in his clutches.

  Finally shutting off the water, Angelica emerged from the shower, feeling like she could conquer the world, until she heard a knock on the door. Grabbing a towel, she wrapped it tightly around her body.

  Knock, knock. “Angelica,” Ari called, “the cops are here.”

  Angelica froze. She wasn’t sure what time it was but it seemed awfully early for the police department to come calling. “Give me a minute, Ari. I’ve got to get dressed.”

  “All right. I’ll tell them you’ll be out in a minute.”

  “Thank you, Ari.”

  Angelica took her time. What kind of questions
would they ask her? Nerves replaced the good feeling. She finished drying off and went to her room and put on a pair of jeans and a blouse. She looked in the mirror and decided not to put on any make-up but brushed her hair into a ponytail. She blew air from her mouth, looked once again in the mirror, pressed her blouse down and opened the door to face the music.

  When Angelica entered the living room, Ari was talking to two middle-aged, white men dressed in plain clothes. They each had a notepad in hand and stopped talking when they saw Angelica. It was obvious they were admiring her as their eyes roved over her body.

  “Ms. Barnes?” one detective asked. “My name is Detective Michaels, and this is Detective Henderson,” Detective Michaels said, pointing to the other gentleman before they flashed their badges. “We’re with the Homicide Division of the NYPD, and we’d like to ask you a few questions about the death of Donna Barnes Reardon.”

  “Okay.”

  “How do you know Ms. Reardon?” Detective Michaels asked.

  “She’s the cousin of my ex-husband,” Angelica replied.

  “I understand that you were living with Ms. Reardon as recently as two or three days ago. How did you come to live with Ms. Reardon and how long did you live with her?” Detective Michaels asked.

  Angelica sneered at Detective Michaels, not liking his tone of voice or the questions he posed. She looked at Ari and turned away.

  “Donna invited me to come to New York because she said she had a job for me—a modeling job. I was very excited about the opportunity to do something different and get away from North Carolina.”

  “So when did you come here from North Carolina, Ms. Barnes?” Michaels asked, while Detective Henderson was writing feverishly in his tablet.

  “I’ve been here a week,” Angelica replied.