Moments later, I exited the alley and made it to the street. It was then that I nearly collided with Talib. He saved me from them. He ran them off and took me home.
I thought he was my knight. He had saved me from becoming another statistic.
She paused for so long that Camille thought the recording had ended, except she could hear soft sniffles.
I never told my mother about what happened that day. But I always thought of him. He was the man in my dreams, the man that would come and save me from my life. Then a few years later, after graduating from college, he showed up at my door.
He took me to lunch at a fancy restaurant. He asked about my life and my grades. I told him about wanting to pursue a graduate degree in the United States. He told me about a special scholarship program with his company and said he’d put in a good word for me.
I completed the application and was awarded a full scholarship to pursue my MBA in America. Later, they sponsored my internship and guaranteed my position with IJDC.
I was on cloud nine. I could send money home to my family. I hoped to, one day, bring them here.
Ashanta continued her voice clearer than before.
I worked with IJDC for about three years when I noticed some discrepancies in a few accounts. I took my concerns to Saul. He laughed in my face. He questioned me, asking whether I'd shared my thoughts with any other employees. I assured him that I hadn't. He told me that if I said anything to anyone my family would not live to see another day.
The line went silent. In a hushed voice, she continued.
I soon learned that Talib orchestrated it all.
Camille and Marc were sitting on the edge of their seats. She was sure Marc understood nearly everything that was being said. Ashanta sounded so unlike herself. The sniffles had subsided and she sounded cold and distant.
When Saul mentioned my family, I knew something was wrong. I now wish I would have let the comment slide. But he has never liked me and I did not understand why until now. He knew why Talib recommended me for the job.
I later confronted Talib and he told me that I had to play nice in order to keep my nice job and my family would remain safe.
Cami, he is using my family as the carrot to keep me compliant. I had to get my family here. I began trying to find a way to bring them to Houston so that I could protect them.
That’s when I started seeing Harold.
She began crying again.
I thought my plan was easy. I would blackmail Harold to get to Saul. But I didn't have the details. I started saving the records and trying to identify the relationship between Saul and Talib. I know Talib, so I decided to follow the money. I kept records of payments and any transactions I thought would help me.
Harold had been trying to take me out for years. I decided to use him to help me. When the perfect opportunity presented itself, I would get Harold to put the pressure on Saul.
I didn’t plan on falling in love with Harold. And I found it harder and harder to go through with my plan.
I waited too late. The next thing I know I receive a call from Talib, and Cami…my mother was screaming “no, no” and “Shani, help me.”
The line filled with Ashanta's piercing pain, she cried and she hiccupped trying to catch her breath. The pain of her crying moved through the air. Camille's eyes began to fill with unshed tears.
I think he KILLED my mother.
Marc put his arm around Camille, pulling her close as she cried for her friend’s loss.
I tried to call them, but I’ve received no response. I’ve tried to contact Talib, but he won’t return my calls. And then today…Harold died.
Camille wished she’d known. The recorder played and all they could hear was her cries. Suddenly, she stopped. Camille held her breath waiting for Ashanta’s next words.
Cami…it’s all my fault.
Her voice cracked, sounding like a child.
My dreams and my ambition killed my mother and the man I love. Who’s next? Me?
Her chorus of tears began again. Camille laid her head on Marc’s shoulder. Was Ashanta dead? And if so, who did it? Was it Saul or Talib? She could not think past her friends sorrow and apparent loss. She just hoped Ashanta’s evidence would help find the person, or people, responsible.
I’m sorry. I don’t want you harmed. But I’m torn because I want to see them pay for the mess they’ve made of my life. Please help me.
Should you decide to help, I’m giving you everything I have. In the package you will find the names and account numbers that I believe IJDC used for Talib.
Camille, I did not figure out what they were trading. I know that IJDC would deposit large sums of money into various accounts. The only piece of information I have on Talib is the name of his company, Precious Ventures. It’s based in Libya. It’s a for-profit company and I was slotted as a recipient of their higher education scholarship fund. They awarded five students during 1999, which is when I received my scholarship.
I was unable to locate the other students. We all attended different universities. Two came to the States, one went to Geneva and the other went to Antwerp.
I can’t leave everything on this recorder, for your safety. You will find over four years of records in my safety deposit box. You will have access to everything I have. Camille, you’re a smart woman. You will need it. When you see everything, think about everything that I've told you. I started dropping hints months ago. I only hope you paid attention.
I’m sorry I couldn’t share the truth with you before now.
…I thought I could handle it.
She was crying again.
Cami, be careful and don’t go alone. Talib is manipulative, even though people view him as harmless. But I have reason to believe that he killed my mother, and Harold. Don't underestimate him. I love you.
The recorder stopped.
Chapter 15
Camille excused herself to shower and dress. Holding her as she cried was the hardest thing Marc had ever done. He wanted to get his hands on the person responsible.
Marc reached for his cell phone and called his brother. He asked him to pull any stateside records for Precious Ventures. As he disconnected the call, Camille entered the room. She changed from her casual clothes to her signature suit. She looked exhausted, but still beautiful. He stood to meet her, opened his arms and she walked into his embrace. He held her until she squeaked, ”I can’t breathe.”
They laughed, relieving the strain in the air. “Are you going to be all right?”
“Yes, I’ll work half a day and leave for Dallas this afternoon.”
She stood before him and immediately transformed from Cami to Camille. Gone was the vulnerability. Now she stood with her face full of determination. It seemed so sudden that he had to take a step forward. He placed a finger beneath her chin, turning her face to him. He ran his thumb under the light rings under her eyes.
“How much sleep did you get last night?”
She shrugged and whispered, “A couple of hours.”
He groaned and she smiled. “What’s so funny about planning to drive five hours on two hours of sleep?” It didn’t sound like a good idea to him.
“It’s not funny, but necessary. What I find funny are your grunts of protest.”
The humor reached her eyes and he liked the way they twinkled. He kissed the tip of her noses and declared, “I’m coming with you. What time do you need me back?”
Camille hesitated, but he was prepared to tag along whether she liked it or not.
“What about three?
“Okay. Go and finish getting ready.”
Marc heard the coffeemaker begin and the aroma of hazelnut filled the air. He released her.
“Would you like me to make you a cup?”
“Yes,“ she nodded and the delight in her face made him want to drop everything and kiss her again. Instead, he allowed her to walk away and get ready for work.
“I think you should pack now and put your luggage in your
trunk,” he called to her. “We could meet at my parent’s house. You can leave your car there and we’ll take the rental car.”
She stood in the doorway as he explained further. “I don’t want you to leave your vehicle unattended. Plus I think we should ride in an unrecognizable vehicle, as a precaution.”
That seemed to appease her because she left heading toward what he’d presume was her bedroom. He made her coffee and decided to be nosey. He retraced her steps and found himself in her bedroom doorway.
He stepped in with the coffee in hand. He could hear the water running from the adjoining bathroom. He noticed the cherry wood sleigh bed. The bedding was an assortment of brown hues ranging from a light tan to a rich brown that bordered on black. A lone picture on her nightstand caught his attention. He looked to the left and right before entering further. He sat the cup down, sat on the end of the bed and picked up the picture.
He recognized her in the middle. It appeared to be a picture of her parents with a man several inches taller than the rest of bunch, standing in the back. He heard the door to the bathroom open.
“Is this your family?” he asked, not looking her way.
“Yes, my parents and my older brother.” She walked to her closet, pulled out a duffel bag, and began loading her clothes inside.
“Do you have any other siblings?” He watched her move quickly about the room.
“No. It’s just the two of us. What about you?” She paused to grab some socks. She closed the drawer with her hip and placed the items in her bag.
Marc placed the picture back and leaned back onto the bed. He pulled his hands behind his head. With closed eyes he said, “I have a brother and a sister. I was with my brother the night we first met.”
Her bed was soft, and he would have imagined her sleeping in it if he wasn’t so tired. Concerned with getting to her, he’d slept less than an hour. He could hear her moving around the room, but did not bother to open his eyes. Marc planned to asked more about her family, but he soon drifted off to sleep.
* * *
Camille watched as he slept silently on her bed. She had imagined him in her bed, but not like this. He had run to her rescue and now the dark knight was sound asleep. She took this time to look at him closely without inhibition. His face was handsome, with full eyebrows and eyelashes that rested on his high cheekbones. His nose was broad and his full mouth was surrounded by a goatee and mustache.
She allowed her eyes to travel over his body. She’d felt his muscular tone and now she could see that he took care of his body. As he lay on his back, his midriff appeared nearly hollow and his worn jeans hugged the contour of his well-formed, thick thighs.
The soft hum of his light snore abruptly stopped, she feared she had been caught. He ran his hands over his face before crossing them behind his head falling back asleep.
She did not want to wake him. What should she do?
She rested against her dresser watching his chest rise and fall. Camille, piqued with curiosity, decided to allow her eyes to travel lower. She’d felt his fullness pressed against her stomach earlier, but now she wondered if he was as big as her mind had concocted in their heated exchange. Her eyes ventured south, but the ringing of her cell phone interrupted her. She jumped and watched him to see if he would wake. He didn’t. She lightly jogged to the living room, needing to answer before it woke him.
She answered breathlessly.
“What are you doing? Am I disturbing you?”
“Mah…?” She shook her head and then answered, “No, ma’am. Is everything all right?”
“We’re fine. I called to check on you since we didn’t hear from you Sunday.”
Camille slapped her head with her hand. She was so caught up in the case that she forgot to call her parents. They did not agree with her going undercover, however they had reached a compromise years ago, which required the weekly phone call.
“I’m sorry, Mom, things have been abnormal here, I’m fine. How is…” Camille heard Marc call her name.
“Just a second, Mom.”
She removed the phone from her ear, attempted to cover the receiver with her hand and walked to the doorway. He was calling her, but he was still laying missionary style on the bed. She moved closer and he grabbed her hand, pulling her to him. With a flick of his index finger he beckoned her forward. She knelt, hanging inches from his beautiful ebony face. Her eyes focused on his lips as he propped himself up on his elbows. She was tired of fighting her growing feelings for him. What she meant to be a quick peck turned into a kissed that astounded them. She unintentionally ran her tongue over his bottom lip, dipping it into his mouth. His chesty growl stopped her from entering further.
“Baby, please don’t do that,” he said as if in agony.
“Do what?” she asked, forgetting that her stepmother was on the phone. She stepped back as he pouted like a child for cutting their session short.
He sat up on the bed. Marc stood and walked to her. She tried to move out of his way, but soon found her back against the wall.
“This…” He skillfully placed his mouth over hers. He sucked her lower lip into his mouth. She moaned and lifted her hands to cup his face, which resulted in the phone dropping with a hard thump on the floor.
“Oh, hell…my mom,” she whispered, her eyes still closed. Camille scrambled and picked up the phone.
“Mom, are you there?” He laughed at the stunned look on her face. She swatted at him. He pointed toward the bathroom. She nodded and watched as he retreated. He had a nice firm butt, too.
“Camille…are you there?” She could vaguely hear her mother through the fog settling over her senses. That man is entirely too sexy. She heard her mom call her full name.
“Mom, I’m sorry. What did you say?”
“What’s going on over there? Who’s there with you?” She did not lie to her mother, but how would she explain Marc?
“Hum…a friend.” That was good.
“A friend? Do I know this friend? It sounds like a man.” She didn’t miss a thing.
“It is, Mother.” She only used mother when agitated and she hoped she would get the hint.
“Mother, huh. All right, young lady, keep your secrets. Just be careful and don’t forget to call your parents from time to time.”
“Yes, ma’am. Actually, I’ll be in town tomorrow.” She could stop by and visit them while in Dallas.
“That’s great because your brother is in town, which is the other reason for my call.”
Camille talked with her mother for a few more minutes before they said their goodbyes. She disconnected the call and placed the cordless receiver on the docking station in the kitchen. She loved her family and found it difficult to separate herself from them for months at a time, especially her father. They had a wonderful relationship. The thought of him placed a gentle smile on her face.
“You look happy.”
She almost forgot about him. His deep brown eyes still held an edge of restlessness, but it only added to his charm. She wondered what type of man he was in a relationship. Was he commitment phobic? Did he believe in love? Did he believe in marriage?
He stood a few feet away and as her mind wandered. Marc took his time moving his eyes across her body. She felt the intense heat of his presence. Lord help me, she thought as he moved towards her. The look in his eyes turned from adoration to raw need. She braced her hands on the countertop, watching as he rounded the corner and stood behind her. She stood frozen in place. The sound of their synchronized breathing could be heard throughout her condo. She inhaled and jumped a little when he placed his hands on her shoulders.
Camille wondered what he was thinking and what they’d do next. He took another step and his groin met the roundness of her backside. They both exhaled in sync. Marc moved his hands from her shoulders and circled them round her body. He lowered his head and placed a single kiss in the tender area where her neck curved into her shoulder.
She released a slight moan as he continu
ed a trail of delicious kisses along her neck. Marc opened the collar of her shirt wider, giving him more access to her bare skin. His soft kisses became pinching nibbles that caused a sensation to travel the length of her body and settled into a throbbing tingle between her legs.
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