Running Deeper Than a Race

by Kendra J. Williams

  “Don’t start crying. I love you too.”

  “I’m going to try. I don’t feel right because I know what she’s been dealing with.”

  “Yes, I understand. But you have to be level headed just in case she walks up.”

  “Okay.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Quinn sat down on the floor as she thought about her next move. “Do I call everybody in my phone to make a drive to Micro or do I play it cool and wait?”

  “What’s wrong with you?”

  “I can’t even tell you.”

  “Why? What’s wrong?”

  Quinn stared at nothing in particular on the wall as she fought back tears. “I don’t want her to die,” she whispered putting her hand on her mouth.

  “Who are you talking about?” Lamar asked taking two steps closer to her.

  “Brinley, is kidnapped.”

  “What do you mean, kidnapped?”

  “It’s a long story.”

  “Let’s sit down. I have all the time in the world.”

  “I don’t think we have time. She said they hit her.”

  “Hit her? With a car?”

  “I’m assuming. She couldn’t talk. She was able to text me and told me not to tell anybody else. I guess she wanted to see if she could get away.”

  “Does she know where she is?”

  “An abandoned house. That’s all I know.”

  “Let’s sit down,” he repeated. He walked over to the couch and motioned for her to follow him.

  “I don’t know what to do. What if she dies and I could have saved her.”

  “How are you going to do that?”

  “Call for help.”

  “I say. Wait and see if she calls back and let you know what to do.”

  “She’s texting. She couldn’t talk. I’m so upset about this. I knew this shit was going to happen once I got settled. If she doesn’t make it I will never be able to forgive myself.”

  “Do you have any of her friends’ phone numbers?”

  “I don’t. And I’m sure that she isn’t going to give them out.”

  “Shit,” he whispered.

  Lamar was a retired detective. He retired two years ago at the age of 45.

  “Do you know anybody?”

  “I do but she told me to wait.”

  “Yes. She doesn’t want the local police to know. Something about them being in with the racists that hit her.”

  “Nobody saw them hit her?”

  “Lamar, I never thought I would visit a place like that. I know the neighboring towns are rough but the neighborhood that she lives in. They’re something else. The racism jumps out.”

  “Oh, so they aren’t undercover with it? Where is this at again?”

  “Not at all. Those Micro residents don’t care.”

  “It has to be if nobody seen her get hit.”

  “I’m sure they were watching.”

  BRINLEY: I’m scared.

  “Your phone is going off.”

  “Maybe that’s her.” Quinn looked at the phone and started crying.

  “What does it say?”

  She handed the phone over.

  “Oh shit. We need to do something. Let me make a call and see what I can do.”

  “Okay,” she stated as she walked back over to the couch.

  “HELLO!”

  “Hey, man. How are you doing?” he asked pacing the room.

  “I’m good. Out of town on business.”

  “I’m out of town too. Shit, I needed a favor.”

  “I can see what I can do.”

  “Hey, my girl has a friend that’s been kidnapped.”

  “Kidnapped? It’s 2018. Who in the hell is kidnapping people? Is she grown?”

  “Yes. The people hit her first and then got her.”

  “Oh damn. I know you’re lying.”

  “No, sir. I wish I was.”

  “Do you know where she is?”

  “All I know is, she’s in an abandoned house in a small town in Micro.”

  “Micro? I know the fuckers aren’t kidnapping people?”

  “Yes. Do you know the area?”

  “I’ve passed through it. I don’t know many people there. What’s the plan?”

  “I don’t have one. She just texted my girlfriend and said that she’s scared.”

  “So, she’s still alive? Lamar, you know they don’t keep victims alive that long before killing them.”

  “I know man. I want to help to get you there but I’m sure the flights are crazy right now.”

  “I’m about two hours away. Should I get the police involved?”

  “Hell no. She doesn’t want them involved. Said that they could be in on it.”

  “Oh, they’re on some fuck shit. We’re about to blow that motherfucker off the map. There will not be a town called Micro if they keep playing.”

  “Man, the way I’m pacing this floor right now. I’m not in the mood for this at all. The way people are killing our people. I wish they would kill her. I don’t even know her but because she’s my girlfriend’s best friend. We’re going to cause all kinds of hell.”

  “Alright bet. And I’m with the smoke, the flames. All of it.”

  “Let me wrap it up here and I’ll be on my way. Any clues on where she could be?”

  “I wish I did. If I find out anything I’ll text you.”

  “Okay. I appreciate that. I’ll let you know once I’m headed that way.”

  “Sean, you might get named the hero of the year if you pull this off.”

  “I don’t even need the title. I do what I can when I need to.”

  “And that’s more than enough.”

  QUINN: WE’RE GOING to get you out of there. I don’t know where you are but I’m coming.

  BRINLEY: Don’t fly back for me.

  Brinley tried to fight her tears but she was scared, tired, in pain and dirty.

  QUINN: They have to die. Just so you know.

  BRINLEY: As they should. What they did was evil. I wouldn’t do a deer how they did me.

  QUINN: Save your battery. I’m trying to see what I can do without getting the crooked police involved.

  BRINLEY: Thank you. I love you. I should have left with you.

  QUINN: Don’t start crying.

  BRINLEY: I haven’t stopped.

  QUINN: Chin up. Stop. You’re strong. You got this.

  BRINLEY: I could have broken bones. They hit me hard with that raggedy ass car.

  QUINN: They have to die.

  “Hey, babe. I have some good news. My homeboy Sean is going to head that way.”

  “You told him not to take anybody with him?”

  “Yes. He’s a couple of hours away but he’s going to let me know when he’s on the way.”

  “Do we need to book flights?”

  “Quinn, you came to the west coast to chase your dream. You got one of the biggest opportunities of your life. I can’t tell you what to do but it’s your choice.”

  “I’m going to see what your friend finds out but I might be on the first thing out smoking by Saturday if nothing changes. I can always fly back by our next shooting day.”

  “I’m following your lead. I’m retired,” he stated sitting down behind her. He squeezed her thigh. “She’s going to be just fine.”

  “I sure as hell hope so.”

  I hope so too, he thought to himself.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “Kendall, have you heard anything?”

  “No. I have been so scattered brain that I forgot to call her. Has she reached out to you yet?”

  “No. I left the house after an hour. There wasn’t much traffic. So I couldn’t ask anybody.”

  “Do you really think that they would tell you anything? I bet if you went to the house on the end of the street that sells drugs, they would have told you something.”

  “I doubt it. I didn’t even see a car over there. And that raggedy dog that ran up on us, I didn’t see that either. I wouldn’t
be surprised if the whole neighborhood was in on it.”

  “I wouldn’t either. Hold on. Let me send this message.”

  KENDALL: Brinley, this is Kendall. Please respond to this message and let me know that you’re okay.

  “Okay. I just sent her a message. Let’s see if she will respond.”

  Brinley gripped her phone tighter as she looked down and read the message from Kendall. She smiled because she missed him and his conversation.

  “Any word?”

  “Naw, man. I’m nervous like I’m waiting on results or something.”

  “I am too. I don’t think she’s going to respond to me.”

  “Don’t say that. I would be okay with a yeah or something. Damn let one of us know that you’re alive. I hate that I don’t have her mom’s number or a close friend. Something. I can’t stand this.”

  “Do you still have the key to her house?”

  “No. I left it the last time I was over there.”

  “Shit. Damn. Fuck. I can’t believe this,” he stated slapping the counter in his house.

  “Where are you?”

  “Home.”

  “You didn’t go into work today?”

  “Nope. I knew that I wasn’t going to be able to function. I have vacation time and sick time. I need to use it before the end of the year anyway.”

  “You love her? Awww.”

  “I have love for her.”

  “There is nothing wrong with loving her.”

  “I didn’t say that there was. I have love for her.”

  “And that’s fine too. But how many of your girl friends have been missing and you didn’t call off of work?”

  “Because they weren’t missing. They were cheating. That’s a difference. They were out being grown and didn’t want me to love them the right way.”

  “True,” he laughed. “She hasn’t said anything back yet.”

  BRINLEY: I’m okay.

  “Hold up. She just responded.”

  “What did she say? Oh shit.”

  “That she was okay.”

  Maverick shook his head.

  “I don’t believe that shit at all.”

  “Me either. Maybe she wanted to put us at ease. What if she’s with a friend and didn’t want to tell you?”

  “I’m not debating that theory but when has it been a crime to respond back. She knows that I come and help her run. That’s how I know that she’s lying.”

  KENDALL: Where are you?

  BRINLEY: You can’t tell, Maverick.

  KENDALL: Okay. I won’t. Kendall was lying but he was going along with the conversation since she decided to talk.

  BRINLEY: I went on a date last night. I didn’t come home because I headed straight to work.

  “Kendall are you texting? What’s going on?”

  “Hold on man. She’s lying in these messages.”

  “What is she saying?”

  “She told me not to tell you but she went on a date.”

  “A date?”

  “Yes. I don’t believe it but I’m going to go along with her story.”

  “Maybe she is on a date. There is nothing that I can do.”

  Brinley wiped her face with the inside of her shirt as she lied. “I’m going to die in here and I’m lying to stop them from getting hurt too. This isn’t right,” she cried.

  BRINLEY: Please don’t tell him. It was a last minute date. I really like, Maverick but I don’t know if I’m ready for a serious relationship.

  KENDALL: Your secret is safe with me.

  BRINLEY: Thank you.

  KENDALL: I’ll see you once I get back in town.

  BRINLEY: I probably won’t need you anymore.

  “Man, she’s tripping. Talking about she doesn’t need me for security anymore. And some more shit. She’s tripping.”

  “That’s my cue. She let it be known that she’s good. So, I can stop stressing about it.”

  “We shall see. I’ll be back tomorrow. I’m going to ride by the house and see if she comes to the door.”

  “Don’t even worry about it. Let her be,” Maverick stated.

  “Are you going to be alright?”

  “I will be. Thanks again man. You saved me from a broken heart.”

  “I don’t think that I did,” he stated rubbing his head.

  “You did. I’ll see you tomorrow. Right? Don’t start dodging me since you don’t have to bodyguard Brinley anymore.”

  “Oh, you got jokes.”

  “I do. A pretty lady doesn’t deserve to draw a wedge between us.”

  “Your raggedy ass work schedule did that. You don’t remember that part of it?”

  “I do but hopefully I’ll have a new job next year.”

  “Let us pray,” he joked.

  “I’m serious. I’ve been on a few interviews.”

  “And your dream job is going to call you. I’m sure of it.”

  “I sure as hell hope so because my dream woman left me.”

  “And on that note, it’s time for me to go.”

  “Forget you,” he laughed.

  “I knew you were upset about it.”

  “I’ll be alright. I’ve been dumped before.”

  Maverick walked through his house as he closed his doors. He brought a three-bedroom house a couple of years ago to make room for his studio and equipment. Today was the first time that he envisioned, Brinley running through the house to the basement to go do her daily workout on the treadmill when it was too cold to go outside to run.

  “I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Oh my bad. I forgot that we were still on the phone.”

  “I bet you did.”

  He stopped in the living room, as he touched the couch. “Life has a funny way of humbling you when you get ahead of yourself. I’ll bounce back. It’s going to take a while. Unfortunately, I was all in for her as well. I got my friend to guard her for free. I look like a damn dummy.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  As the sun was starting to set, Sean was turning down main street. There wasn’t much traffic as he tried to navigate to a resting spot. He crossed the railroad tracks and spotted a park. “Jerome Park,” this might be a good place to sit for a minute.

  “Hello!”

  “Yes. I’m here.”

  “What does it look like?”

  “Like a damn ghost town. Are you sure that someone was kidnapped around here?”

  “Yes. That’s probably the point of it. They want to act like nothing goes on around there.”

  Sean noticed a police car.

  The line got quiet.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I see a damn police. I’m sure he’s going to come back and harass me.”

  “Do you have your gun permit and stuff on you?”

  “You know that I do. I don’t leave the house without it.”

  “I hope you got the big one with you,” he joked.

  “I thought about it but I put it back,” he chuckled. “I needed to research the lay of the land before I started a riot around here. It might not be much to do though.”

  “It’s dark there right?”

  “Yes, the sun was setting as soon as I pulled up at the park.”

  “You’re at the park. What time does it close?”

  “It closes.”

  “Yes, it does.”

  “When did the park start getting closing times? Either I’m old or I haven’t been to a park in a long time.”

  “You’re old,” Lamar laughed.

  “The last time I checked, you were five years older than me.”

  “That still makes you old.”

  “Whatever.”

  “Okay. I see someone walking.”

  “Don’t bother those people. Just watch what’s going on.”

  “That’s what I’m doing. Why are you whispering?”

  “Because Quinn went down for a nap. She’s been crying since earlier. She doesn’t think anyone is going to be able to find and save her friend.�
�

  “Oh, my bad. I’m going to do what I can. I don’t know much about this place but I’m going to investigate for sure.”

  “Are you still working the private investigation cases?”

  “Yes. I can do those during the day and camp out at night. I know how to rest in between.”

  “I don’t even want you out there alone. It doesn’t feel right that you have to do something like this in 2018. When in the hell will shit like this going to end?”

  “Unfortunately, never.”

  “And you’re right. That’s the sad part. I bet she’s somewhere close.”

  Boom. Boom. Boom.

  “What’s that?”

  “An idiot. You already know. I’m going to call you back once I handle this.”

  “Is that the police?”

  “Hell yes.”

  “Don’t hang up. I’ll listen while it’s going on.”

  Boom. Boom.

  “Officer,” Kendall stated as he rolled his window down.

  “Sir, can I help you? The park is closed.”

  “I’m not at the park. Is there a problem?”

  “Yes, you’re sitting outside of the park. Are you waiting for someone?”

  “I am.”

  “You can go down to that store and wait for them.”

  “Officer, I don’t know what kind of day you’re having but I need you to back up from my window. I’m not bothering you. I would really appreciate it.”

  “I’m having a wonderful day and by the way you’re talking you’re about to be in the back of my squad car.”

  “For what?”

  “For being a smart ass.”

  “And that’s not against the law. If you don’t have probable cause, I would love for you to back up from my window. It’s cold out there and I don’t want to catch a cold."

  "You’re going to catch more than that.”

  Sean didn’t make eye contact with the man until then. His eyes got blood shot red before he spoke again.

  “Step back from my door so I can open this door since you’re such a hard ass. I’m sure I can give you the ass whooping that your parents never gave you growing up.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Back away from my door so I can whoop your ass. You’re brave as fuck talking to me like I’m some kid.”

  “Sir, you’re getting out of hand.” The officer stepped away from the car and Sean got out.