Beauty and the Beast

by Deatri King Bey

  Dennis knew Marco too well to celebrate before he found the second half of this deal he wouldn’t be allowed to refuse.

  “If the cops find Jay before you, I forgive your debt, then kill both of your asses.” The line went dead.

  Shit! Dennis handed the phone over to Redman.

  “Damn, man, you look like you seen a ghost or somethin’.”

  “How did I get caught up in Marco’s mess?”

  “I feel sorry for ya, man. But you know how Marco is. He don’t want no cops snoopin’ round. I know this ain’t got nothin’ to do with you, but you got ta see this from Marco’s sidepoint.”

  The word is viewpoint or standpoint, you idiot. Damn, I have an illiterate thug consoling me. Could my life be any worse?

  “From Marco’s side, he’s also an innocent bystander. He ain’t got nothin’ to do with Butch. Now the cops is gettin’ all in his game. That’s why he had to call on another innocent bystander, you, to help get him out of this bind.”

  “Look, Redman. I thank you for everything, but I need to get to work on this. My life is on the line.”

  “I hear ya.” He reached in the front pocket of his baggy jeans and pulled out a wad of cash. “Marco said to give you twenty grand to help you find this mark. He don’t want you wastin’ no time at the office. Go on sick leave or somethin’. We got a doctor who can give you a note if you need it. Don’t come back lookin’ for no mo’ money before next week.”

  Shortly after Redman left, Dennis called Jay and updated him.

  “… So you can’t return to Chicago any time soon,” Dennis said into the phone as he lay on his suede sofa and stared at the painted white swirls on the ceiling. “You need to lie low. I can wire money to you. As long as the cops don’t pick you up, we’ll be fine.”

  “You need to get them paintin’s, man. What’s going on with Nefertiti?”

  “She won’t even answer my emails.”

  “Stop actin’ like a punk and go get your woman. You know she’s at her aunt’s house.”

  Anger rose in Dennis. “The only thing that’s gonna stop is you calling me a punk. Just because I’m not reckless like you—”

  “Aw, hell naw. Your reckless gambling ass is what got us in this mess. But you right, dawg. You been steppin’ up to the plate. Damn, you actually stood up to Marco. I’m impressed. I’m gonna lay off. But you gotta go for Nefertiti.”

  “I know, man. It’s just…” He drew in a deep breath. “Bruce isn’t a joke, man.”

  Jay chuckled.

  “What?” Dennis asked.

  “To tell you the truth, he scares the hell out of me, too. I’m just glad he didn’t see my ass in the car when he went after you in the hospital parking lot. I thought for sure you were a goner.”

  “Thanks for your support,” Dennis replied dryly. “I’ll go by there tomorrow.” He didn’t think Nefertiti would take him back, but he was hoping to see the paintings and the layout of Maxwell Manor. He might have to plan a robbery of the place. From what he’d heard, Maxwell Manor was ten miles on the other side of nowhere, so the security was most likely lax.

  “You got to come on strong with Bruce. He’s like some freakin’ animal. He can smell fear.”

  “Hey, I handled Wilson’s ass.” The more time passed, the easier it was for Dennis to see that Jay had been correct. Wilson had to die. “I’ll be ready for Maxwell this time.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  Though tempted to take off her teal veil and bask in the midmorning sun, instead Nefertiti closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. The honeysuckle actually smells stronger than the roses today.

  Her cell phone sounded with “Toccata” and sent her heart thumping against her chest.

  “Daddy!”

  Colored pencils, an art eraser and sketchpad flew off Nefertiti’s lap as she jumped to answer her cell phone. Her phone literally hadn’t rung in months, so she knew who was calling. With her movement, the phone tumbled between the slats of the wood bench.

  She ignored her scattered supplies and bent to retrieve the phone before he thought he’d missed her. She reached for the cell, and the ringing stopped.

  “No!” She checked the caller ID, but it didn’t say “Daddy.” Instead, it had an area code and number she didn’t recognize.

  Her heart fell to the ground and shattered into tiny pieces. “I’m too old to be pining for my ‘daddy’ like some baby anyway.”

  “What’s up?” Bruce entered the flower garden and knelt beside her.

  “Nothing,” she sighed.

  He stared at her a long while as she fumbled with the pencils. Man, how she hated being such a baby, but she couldn’t help how she felt. It didn’t make sense for her father to turn his back on her, yet here she sat being forced to face his abandonment as a real possibility.

  Bruce motioned toward the phone, which she did not realize she had clutched to her heart with one of her hands. “What’s wrong? Did Uncle Nathan call?”

  “Not yet.” She set the phone on the bench, then began picking up her supplies.

  “Give him time. Maybe he hasn’t checked his email yet.”

  It had been over twenty-four hours. “Maybe,” she said with less life than a rock.

  “Let’s go.” He quickly gathered her things.

  “I don’t feel like going anywhere.”

  “Exactly. That’s why we need to get out.” He pulled her along. “I just need to change out of this suit into some jeans.”

  “Are you sure you’re a recluse?”

  “Maybe Daddy is sick and for some crazy reason, they aren’t telling me.”

  Bruce held Nefertiti’s hand a little tighter as they descended the stairwell into the entryway. “Now that sounds like a reasonable explanation.”

  “Why do people do that?”

  “Usually, they think they’re sparing their loved ones worry or some crazy nonsense.”

  “Don’t you ever feel you need to spare my worry or some crazy nonsense,” she teasingly mocked as they stepped onto the marble floor. Nefertiti did a spin and curtsied. Since she was wearing jeans, tennis shoes and a teal summer blouse and matching veil, the effect of a glamorous ball gown with all its adornment was nowhere to be found. “Have you ever thought of having a ball?”

  Bruce bowed, then took her hand. “I remember those damn ballroom dance classes you dragged me to over the summers.” He drew her in. “Shall we dance?”

  As they waltzed around the room to music only they could hear, Nefertiti was taken back in time to their childhood. She had been ten and him fifteen when they took their first lesson. She didn’t fully understand at the time, but the way he had looked at some of the older girls and young women in the class was how Nefertiti had wanted him to look at her. Now as she gazed into his eyes, she thanked God for granting her another wish.

  “I’ll admit I loved the Latin dances.” He switched to salsa. “After the trial, let’s have an engagement party. It can be a masquerade ball.”

  She clung onto him. “That’s perfect!” She stood on her tiptoes and pulled his mouth down to hers. “You’re perfect.” She lifted her veil and took his bottom lip into her mouth.

  “Umm, woman, don’t get me started or we’ll never get out of here.”

  “Is that such a bad thing?” she murmured.

  “You’re killing me.” He released her and leaned into Janis’s office. “We’re headed out before Nefertiti jumps my bones. I believe I had a conference call some time this afternoon. Go ahead and reschedule it. Do you have a pair of sunglasses Nefertiti can borrow? It will be easier to pretend she’s blind if we cover her eyes.”

  Nefertiti entered the office. “He’s making me go against my will.”

  “Good.” Janis plucked her sunglasses out of her purse. “Have fun.”

  Bruce’s cell rang. He checked the caller I.D., then answered. “Hello, Silas. What’s up?” He frowned. “Who?”

  The frown didn’t worry Nefertiti as much as the way Bruce stared at her. The last time
he’d given her that look he’d told her Mr. Wilson had been murdered. Oh God, please don’t let them have gone after Mama and Daddy to get to me. Please no. Not that. Panic surged through her veins and sent her heart racing.

  “Send his ass on down here. Thanks.”

  Bruce barely had enough time to disconnect before she said, “Did something happen to Mama and Daddy.”

  “Oh no, baby, no.” He held her in his embrace. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  “When we come back from seeing the alternative spot for the resort Roy is suggesting, I’m going to see my parents. I have to make sure they’re okay.”

  “Of course, baby. Janis, make arrangements for us to land in Champaign instead of Chicago for the return trip.”

  “Consider it done.”

  “So who is on their way up here?” Nefertiti relaxed into his arms.

  “Dennis.”

  “What?” She backed away. “He’s here? Now? What the…?” She shook her head. “No. No!” She smacked the desk with her hand. “I don’t want to see him. No!”

  Bruce was saying something, but all she heard was the sound of Dennis cursing, puking and stumbling out of her hospital room.

  “Nefertiti!” Bruce gently shook her. “Look at me.”

  “He left me. I was scared, hurt, and alone. I needed him.” The teal material of her veil darkened with her tears.

  “It’s time for you to close the Dennis chapter of your life for good.”

  “He closed it when he abandoned me.”

  He slipped his hand under her veil and caressed her face. “I know this is difficult for you, but you can do it. You’re the strongest person I know. He’s claiming to be your fiancé and insisted on seeing you. I’ll be right by your side.”

  “I can’t look at him. I don’t think I can even speak to him. And I thought you didn’t want people knowing I’m here.”

  “I was panicking. There’s no way folks won’t know you’re here. But they won’t know you can see until the trial. I’m sorry to say this, but I think Dennis might have had something to do with the attack.”

  “What?” Nefertiti and Janis exclaimed in unison.

  “Why the hell is he showing up six months after the fact? And those emails…” He trailed off and calmed. “I understand your apprehension, and I won’t force the issue. I don’t even know what I expect to find out.”

  “As angry as I am with Dennis, I can’t see him having anything to do with the attack.”

  “I pray you’re right, but according to Ken, Butch was sent to steal your paintings.”

  Nefertiti gasped. “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?”

  “Does that really matter right now?”

  In the big scheme of things, she knew he was correct, but she’d sure ask him later. “So what’s the story?”

  “Someone named Jay hired Butch to steal your paintings, but you came home unexpectedly.”

  She conked herself in the head with the butt of her hand. “So that’s the Jay you were asking me about. Now it all makes sense.” She raked her mind for a Jay, but came up empty.

  “Where were you supposed to be that night?” Bruce asked.

  “Wow, you’d think I’d remember everything about that night, but I’ve forgotten. All I remember is…” Visions of Butch strangling her made her throat constrict. Soon, she couldn’t breathe. “Br… Bruce.” She grasped for air. She could see Butch pull out a knife.

  “I’m here, baby.” He caressed her back until her breathing returned to normal. “You don’t have to do this. I’ll talk to him myself.”

  Betty peeked into the room. “That jackass just pulled in front of the house.”

  “I want to try, Bruce.” She forced the memories away and hurried into the study to the lily tapestry armchair under the large bay window. The early afternoon sun felt great on her face. If she could just focus on the warmth instead of Dennis, she’d be able to maintain control until Bruce obtained the information he needed.

  “Hello, I’m Dennis Green, here to see Nefertiti Townes, my fiancée,” she heard Dennis say.

  “He must be out his damn mind,” whispered Bruce from in front of the bookshelf a few feet from Nefertiti. “How can he claim anything after all this time?”

  “She’s in the study,” Nefertiti heard Janis say. “Right this way.”

  The confidence in Dennis’s stride had returned since she last heard him stumble like a buffoon out her hospital room. Eyes closed and shades firmly in place, she soaked in the rays of the sun.

  “Hello, darling,” he said sweetly. “Bruce,” he said with a distinct edge, “may Nefertiti and I have some time alone please?”

  “No.” Bruce folded his arms over his chest.

  “I know we got off to a bad start at the hospital, but…”

  Nefertiti was lost after Dennis said hospital. Bruce hadn’t been at the hospital, so what on earth could Dennis be referring to? Then it hit her. She’d felt a strength there supporting her throughout her ordeal. Bruce was there. He saw me battered and bruised. With each realization, her love for Bruce did the impossible—it deepened. He’s been here for me since day one.

  “I’m not leaving, so say what you need or move on.”

  Dennis snarled, but moved over to the couch. “Won’t you sit with me, Nefertiti?”

  “She can’t see,” Bruce interrupted. “Once she sits, she pretty much stays wherever.”

  “Oh, of course. I’m sorry.” Dennis placed one of the chairs from the game table across from Nefertiti. She wondered if he did that so he wouldn’t have to face Bruce. Given a choice, she would have preferred Dennis to sit on the couch—as far away from her as possible.

  Clean-shaven with a smooth bald head, his dark chocolate skin and sultry brown eyes were what she’d noticed about him first. Two years ago she’d thought the man who sat across from her was drop dead gorgeous. Now she wondered what she ever saw in him. He was even wearing the pale yellow cotton shirt she’d given him their first Christmas. Maybe he’s trying to test if I can see.

  He rested his elbows on his knees and his face in the palms of his hands. “I visited you in the hospital, but… But you were asleep. I should have been there. Everything started going haywire at work, and I wasn’t getting off until after visiting hours. You know I’m no good at calling. I haven’t spoken to my mother in years, but she knows I love her. I love you.”

  The more Dennis spoke, the more Nefertiti could see what Bruce had been talking about. Dennis had a tendency to ramble, yet his ramblings usually made sense. She wasn’t sure if he was out of character because of his guilt or because he was somehow involved in the attack. But what motive would he have?

  “I’ve finally sold my condo and moved to a cute two bedroom apartment.” He bent to reach for her hands.

  “No touching,” Bruce warned.

  “I’ve fixed up the spare room for you. I want you to come home with me where you belong.”

  Laughter erupted from Nefertiti and surprised everyone in the room, including Nefertiti. She laughed so hard that she cried and her stomach cramped up. Soon she began coughing, but the hysterical laughter didn’t end.

  “Janis,” Bruce barked. “Come get Nefertiti.”

  Janis rushed in and led Nefertiti back to her suite.

  Dennis and Bruce stood face to face in the study.

  Bruce couldn’t blame Nefertiti for laughing at Dennis’s ludicrous suggestion, but once she fell into hysterics, he knew this meeting had been a disastrous mistake. “Let me get this straight. You abandoned the woman you supposedly love six months ago without a word, now you waltz in and expect her to move in with you. Why are you here?”

  “There is no supposedly. I do love Nefertiti.”

  “You have an odd way of showing it. Why are you here?” Bruce knew why; the man was fishing. He also didn’t like the way Dennis appeared to be studying the layout, as if casing the place.

  “I should have been at Nefertiti’s side this entire tim
e.”

  “Now tell us something we don’t know.”

  “I’m here now.”

  “It’s too late now. You can’t tell me a man as smart as you didn’t know that. So again I ask, why are you here?”

  Dennis shook his head and turned away. “You got me.” He went over to the window and looked out over the grounds. Several security guards strolled about. “Since you’re so bright, why am I here?”

  “All I’ll say is this. If I find you had anything to do with the attack on Nefertiti, I’ll kill you my damn self.” He stalked out of the room. Unfortunately, Rachel, who had been sent in to deliver a message about his flight, couldn’t move to the side quick enough, and Bruce practically knocked her to the floor.

  The eighties rap group Houdini blared on the opposite side of Nefertiti’s door. Bruce knocked. No answer.

  “Nefertiti.” Still no answer.

  He opened the door and entered. As he’d thought, she was in the sitting area of her room working on her geometric chip masterpiece. He still couldn’t tell what she was creating, but he was glad she had an outlet.

  “The freaks come out at night,” she sang. “The freaks come out at niiiiight.”

  “And how’s my freak?” He knelt and kissed her on the ear.

  “Whew.” She dropped a handful of orange hexagons and grabbed onto him. “You scared the mess out of me. Turn that down.”

  He reached over, picked the universal remote off a pile of chips and flicked off the iPod stage. “I’m sorry about that fiasco of a meeting.” He drew her into his arms. “If I ever suggest anything so asinine again, please feel free to slap the mess out of me.”

  “If I ever agree to anything so asinine again, don’t slap me, slap yourself for me. I know you had your heart set on going out today, but can we just hop on the plane and head to Virginia?”

  “I can do you one better. How about we hop on the plane and head for Champaign? I know you want to see what’s going on with Uncle Nathan. Why put it off?”

  “Oh, yes, yes, yes, yes, double yes. You have the bestest ideas.”

  “Well, you are my bestest gal. I gotta keep you happy.”