by D. Camille
Isis looked around. “Not yet, but I'm sure she'll be here.”
“Did Marc tell you what she's done that we're investigating her?”
Isis shook her head. “No, just that it's criminal.”
“Well that's a long list.” Trent frowned.
Isis' eyes lit up. “You think she killed somebody?”
Callie looked at Marc and he kept his expression neutral.
“Nah, Marc wouldn't send us in to catch a murderer.” Trent shook his head.
Marc saw Callie lift a brow at him before snatching her headset off.
“Who did she kill?” Callie demanded glaring at Marc.
Marc slowly removed his headset and stared at her.
“I swear if you don't tell me, I'm getting out of this car right now!”
“Possibly both of their fathers,” he said quietly.
Callie stared at him trying to process his answer. “What the hell are you doing Marc?” She went to reach for the door and he stopped her. “Sit down Callie,” he ordered firmly.
“Listen to me, if Dr. Smith killed Justin Black and Milton Martin, what better way to rattle her than to see both of their children? I know what I'm doing. Let me do my job,” he told while her blocking the door.
Callie sat back. “Will she try to hurt them?” she asked.
Marc shook his head. “She's not violent, she's conniving. We have to outsmart her.”
She watched him for a long moment before nodding slowly. “If she killed their fathers, then we have to catch her.”
“Thank you.” He moved away and put his headset back on while Callie did the same. They both listened to the action taking place inside.
Trent and Isis made their way over to a refreshment table where Trent picked up two glasses handing one to Isis. She took it with a thank you and brought it to her lips before she felt a hand on her arm.
“Isis Martin, what a pleasure to see you.”
Isis turned to the woman and recognized Dr. Camille Smith.
She put on her biggest smile. “Dr. Smith, what a wonderful surprise. I didn't know you would be here.”
“I'm surprised to see you as well,” Dr. Smith agreed. “I'm so sorry about your father.”
Isis gave a sad look. “Thank you and thank you for all you did for him.”
Dr. Smith smiled. “I only wish I could've done more... my time with him was so short.”
Isis looked at Trent. “Dr. Smith this is Trent Harris. He's my escort tonight.”
Trent watched the woman as she stared up at him seeming to catalog everything about him.
Camille smiled happily. “You are so handsome.”
“Thank you,” he responded watching the woman continue to study him. “Do I know you Dr. Smith?”
She placed a hand on his arm. “I think you just remind me of someone.”
Trent nodded slowly then glanced at Isis. “Are you affiliated with The Black Foundation, Trent?” Dr. Smith asked.
“No, I'm here as Isis' escort.”
“Hmmm...we could use handsome young men like yourself at The Black Foundation. You seem like a very smart young man too. You'd probably fit in like family.”
Isis looked at Trent as he digested the woman's words. “Thank you Dr. Smith. That's very kind of you.”
Inside the car, Marc's hunch was confirmed. The woman knew Trent's identity. Her subtle hint had confirmed that. Now it was time for Isis to take over. Marc smiled as he heard her voice through his speakers.
“Dr. Smith, I didn't know you were affiliated with The Black Foundation. My family used to live on the same street as Mr. Black and his son, Jordan is a very good friend of my sister Isabelle.”
Dr. Smith turned to Isis. “Yes, I was Justin Black's doctor for many years and I became the chair of his Foundation shortly after his death. He wanted me to make sure everything he was unable to do while he was alive was taken care of.” She glanced at Trent then back to Isis.
“So what exactly have you accomplished for Mr. Black?” Isis asked with a bright smile.
Camille laughed softly. “More than he ever thought I'd be able to.” She took Isis' hand. “Come dear, let me show you some of the things I've accomplished.
Isis faltered. “Well, I don't want to just disappear on my escort.”
“He'll be fine. Trent can make himself at home here.”
In the car, Marc put a hand to his face. “Don't leave him Princess. She's trying to separate you.”
“Actually Dr. Smith, Isis had just agreed to dance with me and I'm anxious to hold such a pretty girl in my arms,” Trent said smoothly.
Leaning back against the seat, Callie breathed a sigh of relief. “Good job baby. Don't separate.”
Camille looked at the pair and smiled. “Of course, we aren't going anywhere. The night is young and full of excitement, just like you two.”
“Enjoy your dance.” Isis and Trent watched as she disappeared into the crowd.
Isis turned to Trent. “Why is she trying to separate us?”
Trent began to lead her to the dance floor. “I don't know. I think she's up to something.”
“Yes baby she is!” Callie screamed inside the car and Marc turned to her. “Who is she?”
Marc frowned. “Someone I'm clearly underestimating.”
Back on the dance floor, Isis and Trent began to dance to the band tune. “What should we do? I still need to question her some more.”
“I'm not supposed to let you out of my sight so if we don't get the questions answered, we'll have to regroup and come up with a new strategy,” Trent told her.
“I promised Marcus that I wouldn't let him down. He trusted me.”
Trent looked down at her. “You're in love with him?”
Callie and Marc looked at each other in the car.
Isis smiled from ear to ear. “Yes, yes, yes! I love Special Agent Marcus Graham.”
Trent laughed. “Well damn, okay.”
Callie laughed as Marc gave a small smile. She'd rarely ever seen this brother smile since the first time she'd met him and here he was practically blushing over Isis declaring her love for him.
“I'm happy for you Isis,” Trent told her sincerely.
She looked up at him. “Thank you Trent. I know you truly mean it.”
“Let's mingle until Dr. Smith finds us again,” Trent told Isis and they began to walk around the venue. Pictures of Justin Black were on display as the Foundation's founder. Trent stopped in front of one and stared at the man who was responsible for giving him life.
Isis looked at him then at the picture. “You favor him a lot, but Jordan looks exactly like him.”
“Yeah he does,” Trent agreed. “Even little Justice looks like him.”
“I've heard good things about him,” Isis told him.
Trent laughed. “Bad things too.”
Isis flushed. “I didn't want to say that.”
“It's cool. I know who my father was.” Trent looked away. “He was the man who gave me away without a second thought.”
Callie caught her breath in the car listening to Trent. She could hear the hurt in his voice. As much as he joked and tried to hide it, she knew that not knowing his father was something that weighed on his heart.
“Oh baby...” Callie sighed as she lowered her head listening.
Isis took Trent's arm. “Let's get some food. We might as well settle in for a little while.”
“You know me and food,” Trent said smiling.
They headed to the room with an elaborate buffet. The two made plates and found a table before sitting to enjoy their food.
“So this is a Ball, huh?” Trent asked.
“Yeah, this is a Ball,” Isis answered. “A bunch of rich people eating, drinking and being merry.”
Trent continued eating. “I'd rather be at home watching basketball with Callie.”
Isis agreed. “Yeah, I'd rather be with Marcus doing anything.”
They looked up and Dr. Smith was standing at their
table with a glass of white wine in her hand. “Hello beautiful young people. Are you enjoying yourselves?” she asked smiling.
Both looked up at the elegant woman in the designer dress and flawless makeup.
“Well I'm mingling and making sure everyone is having a good time. I won't keep you,” she said happily. “I'm so glad you two came tonight.”
Dr. Smith turned and stumbled slightly spilling her glass of wine in Isis' lap. Both Trent and Isis jumped up from their seats as Isis yelped.
“Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry Isis,” Dr. Camille said reaching for a napkin as servers dressed in all black came immediately to assist. “You should go to the ladies room and put some cold water on it.”
Isis looked up at Trent. “I'll walk you there,” Trent told her and took her arm as Dr. Smith directed them to the facilities with a smile on her face.
They walked down an empty hall to where the restrooms were located and Isis turned to Trent. “I'll be right out. Don't go anywhere.”
“I'll be right here,” he assured her before she stepped inside. Trent looked up and down the empty hall.
“We're at the bathroom and Isis is inside,” he told Callie and Marc listening in the car. “We're fine. You don't need to come after us.”
Callie looked at Marc. “Should we go get them?”
Marc sat contemplating. “Let's give them a few more minutes.”
Trent turned as a hand holding a cloth came out of nowhere and was placed over his mouth. Trained in Jui jitsu, he sprang into action throwing the man off his back. He was ready to pounce when he heard the click of many guns. He looked back down the hall and froze when he saw four gunmen dressed in black.
“Shield,” he said softly, praying that Isis didn't emerge from the bathroom.
Chapter 22
At the sound of the code word, both Marc and Callie threw off their headsets and grabbed their guns. They were out of the car and inside the building in ten seconds flat with Marc shouting orders and flashing his badge joined by other agents.
They hurried to the hall that contained the restrooms and found it empty. Callie rushed into the restroom and reappeared with Isis by her side. When she emerged, she looked around.
“Where is Trent?” she demanded looking at Marc who stood surrounded by three other agents.
Isis looked at Marc in fear. “He's in the building Callie. We have to find him.”
Callie rushed over to him with her weapon in her hand. “Find him? What the hell are you talking about Marc?”
Marc looked down at her flashing eyes. “I don't know where he is Callie.”
Isis gasped as she looked around. “He was waiting out here for me.”
“He called for backup,” Marc told her.
Callie lifted her gun to Marc. “Find him...or I swear your ass is dead tonight!”
“Callie!” Isis screamed watching her point the gun at Marc's face.
“Do you hear me?” Callie said in a low voice.
Marc sighed. “Put the gun down Callie. We're wasting time.”
He turned to one of the agents. “Where does the tracking say he is?”
“There's some sort of lower level in the building,” the agent reported. “We have to find how to get down there.”
“What about his mic? What's coming through?” Callie questioned.
The agent looked somber. “It went silent and wherever he is now, the reception is dead.”
“Let's move.” Marc ordered before he turned to Callie who had lowered her weapon. “We'll find him.”
Callie took off behind the other agents after giving Marc one last look. Isis stood watching in horror as Marc came over to her. “They're taking you home.”
“I have to help find Trent!” she protested.
“They're taking you home,” he repeated walking over to a waiting agent.
Isis slowed. “Marcus...”
“Take her home!” he barked to the agent before he turned and followed his men in the search for Trent, leaving her to watch his retreating back.
*********
Trent's heart felt as though it was going to beat out of his chest as he stood looking at the man across from him.
“Who are you?” Trent asked knowing that the man couldn't possibly be who he thought he was.
The man smiled. “Who do you think I am Trent?”
“I know who you look like, but you can't be him,” Trent answered watching the man closely.
He laughed. “You can relax Trent, I'd never hurt you. You're with family.”
Trent's eyes narrowed. “I never had a family.”
“But you have one now,” the man responded.
Trent swallowed. “What do you want with me?”
The man smiled. “I wanted to see you.”
Trent looked around at the men dressed in black that had brought him to this place. “So just asking was not an option?”
“I didn't know if you would be receptive.” He shrugged. “And I know your brothers would not have allowed it without checking me out.”
Trent continued to study the man whose picture he'd just looked at a little while ago. If this man was who Trent thought he was, how was that possible?
“Even though you're a genius son, you won't figure this out,” the man told him.
Trent's eyes narrowed. “Who the hell are you and what do you want from me?” he demanded.
“Camille told me you were here and I had to see you for myself,” he explained. “I don't want anything from you son.”
“I'm not your son!” Trent yelled.
The man smiled. “You're a Black.”
Trent frowned. “What are you going to do to me?”
“I'm going to let you walk out of this room and go home to your apartment that your brothers gave you with that pretty little girlfriend you have. Callie...she loves the hell out of you boy. Don't mess that up.”
Dark eyes clashed with matching ones. “You're watching me?” Trent asked angrily.
“I've been watching you for a long time Trent,” the man admitted. “And I'll always be watching you.”
“Why?”
The man smiled. “Because you're a Black, the one that was lost and now he's found.”
“This is crazy. I don't understand what the hell is going on here!” Trent said frustrated.
“It's okay Trent. All you need to know is that you're never alone.”
Trent looked at the man. “My brothers will find out who you are,” he vowed
The man laughed. “Your brothers don't even know I exist.” He reached into his breast pocket and retrieved a phone.
He studied the screen for a moment before looking back at Trent. “Well it seems our time together is over. They have an entire squad looking for you.”
“I would shake your hand, but I know your skills. I wouldn't want to end up passed out on the floor.” He walked to a door and looked back. “Don't ever forget Trent, you're a Black.”
Trent watched him disappear through the door and turned to find all the gunmen gone as well. They had placed a cloth over his face to prevent him from speaking as they led him to this room and when he'd entered, the man had been waiting for him. Trent knew that Marc and Callie were looking for him and he wondered if Isis was okay, or had they taken her too.
The door burst open and Marc entered slowly with his gun drawn, quickly surveying the room. “Trent! Are you okay?” he asked coming over to where he stood.
Before Trent could answer, Callie burst into the room and ran to him. “Are you okay?” she asked grabbing him.
Trent looked at Marc over her head. “I'm fine.”
Marc lifted a brow. “What the hell happened? Why are you down here?”
Callie stepped back to listen, watching Trent's face.
“Four gunmen brought me down here. There was a man waiting for me,” Trent explained.
Callie looked confused. “Who was the man?”
Trent looked down at her confused as well. “I don't know.”<
br />
“What did he look like?” Marc questioned.
Trent lifted his eyes to Marc then looked at Callie. “He looked exactly like Justin Black...”
*********
Isis arrived at her empty apartment and was escorted inside by the assigned agent.
“Goodnight Miss Martin,” he said as he exited.
Isis was still in shock from Trent being taken. She didn't understand what had happened. Had Dr. Smith done something to him? She knew the mission wasn't over, but what was going to happen now? Isis went to her room and stepped out of her dress and into another outfit to prepare for what was next. She left the microphone and wire intact for Marcus to remove later.
Would Marcus still want her on the mission or had the plans now changed?
She took a seat on the sofa and tried to replay the evening. Dr. Camille Smith was a very savvy woman apparently. She'd set them up by sending them to the restroom where she'd apparently planned to take Trent. But why would she want to take Trent? What did she want with him? Who was this woman?
Marcus had made her leave the scene without one word. He hadn't even allowed her to stay and help find Trent. She wondered if he had been found and what had happened.
The doorbell rang and Isis went to look through the peephole. Seeing Jeremiah on the other side, she opened the door since Marc had assured her that Jeremiah was no threat to her physically. Isis looked him over in a suit jacket and slacks.
“Hi Jeremiah.”
He stepped inside and looked at her. “Hey Isis.” He glanced around. “Is Tasha here?”
Isis shook her head. “No, she's not here. I just got here myself.”
He nodded. “Good, so now you can come with me.”
Isis felt her heart began to beat the same way it did before she stepped out on a stage. “Come with you?” she repeated.
“Yeah...now.”
“When Marcus gets here, maybe then...” she trailed off.
Jeremiah shook his head and Isis watched as he slid his jacket back to reveal a weapon at his waist.
“Now.” He smiled as he came to take her arm. “Don't worry, Marc will find you. He's the FBI.”
Isis felt a chill at his touch. Jeremiah allowed her to get her shoes then moved her quickly out the door and down to his car. He turned to her and smiled. “We don't want to keep Millie waiting.”