by Mason Dixon
“Yes,” Destiny said. “The rest of the building is empty. I checked it myself.”
“I’ll check behind you to be sure. In the meantime—” He extended his arm toward the door.
Destiny reluctantly joined the others outside. The area looked like a M.A.S.H. unit had set up shop. Two ambulances were parked in the middle of the street. By the sound of it, more were on the way. The customers affected by the fumes were being treated by medical personnel. Megan stood between two of her fellow tellers. Her breathing labored, she didn’t look like she could stand on her own. When she began to melt into the ground, one of her companions frantically waved for an EMT.
Destiny’s shoulders slumped. She had gotten to know these people. Come to care about them. Now they were suffering because of her. “What have I done?”
Megan—dear, sweet Megan—seemed to be suffering the most. All the customers loved her. She greeted everyone by name as if they were bosom buddies. She blessed them with a smile that looked sincere, not forced. Her fellow employees adored her, too. Each day, she regaled them with funny stories about her husband Ian and their crazy menagerie of pets. Though tiny in stature, Megan was the glue that held the branch together. If something happened to her, Destiny would never forgive herself. When Rashida called, the obvious concern in her voice made Destiny feel even worse.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“How bad is it down there?”
“It’s…bad.” Destiny tried not to cry as she took in the chaotic scene around her.
“Stay safe. I love you.”
“I—” Destiny said the words Rashida probably wanted to hear instead of the ones she needed to hear. Not “I’m sorry” but “I love you, too.”
Her other phone rang almost immediately. Harry calling to chew her out.
“What’s going on down there?”
Destiny summoned all the bravado she possessed as she pressed the burner to her ear. “I’ve got everything under control.”
“If this is your idea of control—”
Destiny cut her off. “Harry, I’ve got this.”
“We need to meet.”
“No, we don’t. The plan hasn’t changed that much.”
“What am I supposed to—”
“Think, Harry. Your father’s company is in charge of keeping the elevator in working order. Use that to our advantage. Step in before someone calls for service. If my crew can replace your father’s maintenance team, we’re golden.”
Harry blew out a deep breath that sounded like a mixture of relief and admiration. “I knew there was more to you than a pretty face and a silver tongue. Welcome back.”
Destiny snapped the phone shut and slipped it into her pocket. “Is Megan going to be okay?” she asked the EMTs as they placed Megan on a stretcher.
“We can’t do anything else for her in the field. Her airway’s too constricted. We need to get her to the ER as soon as possible.”
Rashida showed up after the ambulance door slammed shut. “What’s going on?”
Seaton, who had just finished placing a call to Megan’s husband to tell him what had happened, repeated the story for Rashida’s benefit. She offered to keep an eye on the goings-on at the branch so he could follow Megan to the hospital. Winter and two of the tellers volunteered to tag along.
“I’ll look out for the branch,” Rashida said. “Go take care of your employees.”
“Thanks, Miss Ivey.” Seaton waved good-bye as he jogged toward the parking lot.
“I hope she’s going to be okay.”
Rashida sounded genuinely worried, but she quickly turned to the task at hand. As they crossed the street, she asked for an explanation of what had taken place. Jackie, her cell phone plastered to her ear, asked Destiny to do the honors.
Instead of waiting to gather her thoughts, Destiny made the mistake of diving into the retelling while her emotions were still close to the surface. She started out calmly enough, but as soon as she got to Megan, she began to lose it.
“I only wish I’d acted faster,” she said, her voice quavering. “If I had, Megan wouldn’t be on her way to the hospital and none of the customers would have been affected.”
If she had said something when she’d first spotted the smoke, chances were Megan and the others would be okay. Now, for one or all three, the road to recovery might be long and winding. If they recovered at all.
Rashida rubbed her arm to assuage the hurt. The tender gesture made Destiny’s heart ache. She should be the one giving comfort instead of receiving it. “You acted as quickly as you could. You couldn’t have anticipated the situation would deteriorate so rapidly.”
Yes, she could. Not only that. She could have prevented the situation from happening at all. Tampering with the elevator had been her idea. She should have known it wouldn’t end well. Everything she touched turned to shit. Today was yet another example.
She, Rashida, and Jackie headed inside the bank to meet with the fire inspector. Destiny couldn’t believe the amount of damage that had occurred in a relatively short time. The smell was almost overpowering, permeating every soft surface. The walls and countertops were lightly stained, the inside of the elevator and the walls nearby more heavily so. The cleaning crew would have to be magicians to make this mess disappear.
After the fire department cleared the scene, Karl Gibson, the owner of the cleaning company, inspected all three floors before sharing how long he thought he and his employees would need before the branch could reopen for business.
“Five, six hours tonight. Another seven or eight after the oil’s gone.”
“I’ll stay with you while you do the first round of cleaning,” Rashida said. “Someone will be here tomorrow to repair the elevator and remove and replace the oil in the motor. I have no idea how long that will take, so let’s plan on having your team come in on Saturday to do the deep cleaning on the furniture and carpets. I’ll drop by on Sunday to see if there’s anything we need to follow up on in order to be ready to open for business on Monday.”
Harry had the window of opportunity she needed. As long as she volunteered to babysit the elevator repair team, nothing could go wrong. If she dressed them in coveralls and work clothes, they wouldn’t raise any eyebrows when they waltzed through the front door Friday morning. When the job was done, they could split their take, strip off their costumes, and disappear into the crowd.
“Do you want me to arrange security for tonight?” Jackie asked.
“I’ll stay with her.” It had been a long day, but if she had to pull an all-nighter, so be it. From now on, she wouldn’t leave Rashida’s side. Because after Friday, she might never see her again.
“Then it’s settled,” Rashida said. “Destiny and I will take first shift. I’ll come back on Saturday and Sunday, and I’ll ask for volunteers for Friday during tonight’s update call. Not that I expect to have any takers.”
“Maybe someone will surprise you.”
Nearly seven long hours later, Harry stepped up to the plate.
“How did the update call go?” Destiny asked after she followed Rashida into her apartment.
“Better than expected. Megan’s doctors say she’s going to be fine and Harry offered to supervise the repair team, which frees me up to tackle the regularly scheduled items on my agenda.”
Destiny wished Rashida would stop pushing herself so hard. “Do you have to be quite so dedicated? Why don’t you sleep late tomorrow? Or better yet, why don’t you take the day off? You deserve it after all the hours you put in today.”
“You won’t get an argument from me.”
“So you’ll do it?” Destiny asked hopefully.
“I wish I could, but I have to go in. We’re stretched too thin.”
So was she. She looked exhausted. When she headed to the bathroom, Destiny followed her to make sure she didn’t pass out on the way. She offered her something to drink, then tried to get her to eat. Neither had eaten since breakfast. Rashid
a inhaled a slice of pepperoni pizza. Destiny did the same.
Destiny climbed in the tub. She sighed when the warm, scented water instantly began to soothe her aching body. Rashida soon joined her. When Rashida nestled against her, Destiny wanted to wrap her arms around her and keep her safe from harm. Safe from her.
“I love you.”
Rashida smiled in response. When Destiny began to touch her, Rashida’s smile quickly turned into a grimace. Of pleasure, not pain. Destiny held her as she came. She would have kept holding her if Rashida didn’t insist on returning the favor.
“Your turn.”
At Rashida’s direction, Destiny turned and faced the wall. Rashida slowly lathered her skin. The tiny bubbles coated her neck, shoulders, arms, and back. Then Rashida gently rubbed the washcloth over her breasts, teasing her nipples awake. Rashida massaged her shoulders, kneading the tension out of her taut muscles. Destiny had never felt so content. Or so turned on.
“Turn around,” Rashida said. “I want to watch you come.”
Destiny turned to face the only woman who had ever captured her heart. The woman whose own heart she knew she would soon break.
“Tell me what you want,” Rashida said, “and it’s yours.”
“All I want is you. You’re all I need.”
And the one thing she couldn’t have.
Chapter Twenty-two
Friday, March 17
7:10 a.m.
Savannah, Georgia
Destiny groaned as she rolled over in bed. Everything hurt. Her feet. Her legs. Her back. But especially her head. She had been thinking way too much, examining the problem at hand from every possible angle. Sticking to the plan was out of the question, but what other option did she have? The easiest solution—the only solution—was the one right in front of her. She had to do what Harry wanted. Whether she wanted to or not.
She stretched her aching muscles. She couldn’t remember the last time she had been so tired. Was this what it felt like to put in an honest day’s work? She had certainly spent an honest night. Last night, she had laid herself bare. Last night, the gentle but insistent probing of Rashida’s fingers, lips, and tongue had drawn the truth out of her.
“I love you,” she had said more times than she could count. “I love you.”
She smiled at the memory, but her smile quickly turned into a scowl when she remembered what was on her agenda for the day. Today was the day Harry’s plan would finally come together. Today was the day Destiny could make a fortune but lose someone who meant more to her than money. Today was the day.
She reached for Rashida but came up empty. She opened her eyes, squinting against the glare of the morning sun.
Rashida was dressed and halfway out the door. Standing in front of the floor-length mirror in the bedroom, she carefully applied a coat of lipstick and reached for a pair of earrings. “What are you staring at?”
“You.”
Destiny crawled across the bed, grabbed Rashida by the back of her pants, and pulled her down. She pinned Rashida’s body with her own and kissed the face she had quickly grown to love. After a few minutes of girlish giggles, Rashida pushed her away. Destiny couldn’t hide her disappointment as she watched Rashida prepare to head to work. She didn’t want her to go. She didn’t want their time to end. She wanted one more day to try to figure things out.
“Are you sure you can’t you play hooky just this once? I’ve got the day off. Let’s spend it together. We can watch the parade and have some green beer in a crowded bar. Or, if you want, we don’t even have to leave this bed.”
“Like I said last night,” Rashida said with what seemed to be genuine regret, “I wish I could, but I can’t.”
Trying not to pout, Destiny dragged herself out of bed and went to the kitchen to make herself a cup of coffee. Across the room, Rashida blended herself a smoothie. Destiny felt like half of a happily married couple going about their usual morning routine. Unfortunately, her image of domestic bliss was nothing more than an illusion. She wished she could make the image real. She wished she could steal away with Rashida. Catch a plane somewhere and never look back.
“If you could live anywhere but here, where would you choose?”
“What do you mean?” Rashida’s eyebrows knitted in confusion.
She probably thought the question had come out of nowhere, but Destiny needed to know the answer. Chances were she’d never see Rashida again after today. Even if she did, their relationship, such as it was, would never be the same. She wanted to have one more piece of Rashida to take with her when they went their separate ways.
Destiny repeated her question then listened, fascinated, as Rashida shared her dream of visiting Malaysia. Rashida’s words painted vivid images in her mind. She could clearly see the things Rashida spoke about. Wizened fishermen casting their nets on the water. Street vendors sautéing a series of mystery ingredients and serving them up as lunch. Tourists taking in rustic charm one day and basking in elegant sophistication the next.
When Rashida talked about spending New Year’s Eve on an enclosed walkway that stretched between two skyscrapers, Destiny could picture herself dancing slow with her under a canopy of stars. Surrounded by people but feeling utterly alone.
“What’s stopping you from going?”
Rashida laughed as if the question was the silliest thing she had ever heard. “I don’t speak a word of Malay. That’s reason enough.”
“So learn.” Destiny wasn’t as willing as Rashida was to let go of her fantasy. To let go of her own. She held Rashida’s face in her hands and looked deep into her eyes. “I want you to be happy.”
“I am happy. Right here. With you.”
“Then stay with me.” Destiny held onto Rashida. Held on because she didn’t want to let go. “Don’t go to work today. Pick up the phone and call in sick. I promise to make it worth your while. Stay with me.”
Rashida broke free with apparent reluctance. “If it was any day but today, I would. But I can’t. I’m sorry, but I have to go to work.”
Destiny felt sick to her stomach as she followed Rashida to the living room. Rashida had no idea what she was in for. What they were both in for. Rashida tried to toss her a bone by offering to take time off next year, but next year would be much too late.
“See you tonight,” Rashida said, obviously trying to cheer her up.
“See you.”
Even before the door clicked shut, Destiny knew what she had to do. Instead of doing what was easy, she had to do what was right.
She grabbed her uniform and got dressed. Her clothes smelled like oil and she smelled like sex, but she didn’t have time to take a shower or find something else to wear. She needed to get downtown as fast as she could.
She ran downstairs, climbed in her car, and headed home. After she grabbed what she needed, she drove to the Savannah Chatham Metro Police Department faster than the law allowed. Frankly, though, a speeding ticket was the least of her concerns.
The desk sergeant took in her disheveled appearance and eyed her with suspicion. “May I help you?” he asked, his hand easing toward his gun.
“My name is DaShawn Jenkins and I need to see Chief Wilson.”
“The chief is a busy man. What can I do for you?”
“If you don’t want to be shackled to that desk for the rest of your career, you’ll get off your ass and take me to the man in charge.”
“Give me a reason.”
Destiny pulled her video camera out of her pocket. “A bank’s being robbed and I have the proof right here. Is that reason enough?”
“Which bank?”
Destiny shook her head. “I’ll divulge that information as soon as I’m standing face-to-face with Chief Wilson.”
The desk sergeant licked his lips as if he were envisioning the commendation and resulting promotion he could receive for breaking a high-profile case. “Come with me.”
Destiny followed him through the crowded police station.
“Wait here
,” he said before disappearing into Chief Keith Wilson’s office.
She stood outside the door while the desk sergeant conferred with the chief and two detectives. She looked at her watch as several precious minutes ticked by. Finally, the desk sergeant opened the door and waved her inside.
Chief Wilson sat behind a desk overflowing with paperwork. One detective leaned against the desk, the other spilled over the sides of a chair positioned in front of it.
Chief Wilson steepled his fingers and leaned forward as if he were trying to earn her trust. That might have worked if his hands hadn’t been resting on copies of her mug shots from past arrests.
“Sergeant Anderson says there’s something you want to tell me.”
“Low Country Savings Bank’s main office is being robbed. A team of three is breaking into the vault.”
“When?”
“Right now.”
“If that’s the case, we should have received an alarm call. No one has been dispatched to that location today.”
“The alarm’s disabled. An employee let them inside. She’s the fourth member of the team.”
Chief Wilson’s eyes widened slightly, but his face remained impassive. “And you know this because?”
“I’m the fifth.”
Cashing in her insurance, she played the secret recording she had made of Harry’s confession. When the playback ended, she expected Chief Wilson to send every available officer to the bank to thwart the crime. Instead, he allowed the detective leaning against his desk to do the talking.
“Miss Jenkins, you’ve got a record a mile long.” His expression and posture broadcast his skepticism. “Why should we believe this tape is anything more than a hoax? From my perspective, it could be real or it could be part of a scheme to extort money out of Harrison Collins. She’s an upstanding member of the community. It makes no sense for her to be involved in the crime discussed on the tape.”
“Whether it makes sense or not, she is involved. You saw it for yourselves. Why would I lie?”