Black Regrets

by C. J. Thomas

  “It’s just … I wonder how the DA will treat him after he retracted his charges against me.” Against Oscar’s wishes.

  “You think he’ll be made an example of?”

  “Depends on the mood Oscar is in and what evidence they have against him.” I turned the key over and started the engine.

  “Oscar is smarter than that,” Giselle said. “He knows that he doesn’t want that piece of the story to get leaked. You let me handle him.”

  “Don’t let your boyfriend find out.” I smirked.

  “He’s just a friend,” Giselle shot back.

  “Stop lying to yourself.” I backed out of my parking spot and headed for the garage’s exit.

  “Kelly?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Thank you.” Giselle smiled through the line. “I’m feeling good about this. And Mario is going to be thrilled when he hears the news.”

  I kept silent, not wanting to get my hopes up. Though Oscar know had Parker in his office, I wasn’t convinced he would keep his promise to revisit Mario’s plea deal. I’d been let down enough these past couple of weeks to know that nothing was ever what it seemed. And as I looked up the street where I’d been walking with Kendra only minutes ago, I couldn’t stop myself from thinking how it was strange that Kendra’s uncle always seemed to show his face around the same time Madam decided to poke her head into our lives.

  “I was going to grab a quick bite to eat before heading back to the office,” Giselle shared. “Kelly, you’re ready to make our case against Sylvia, right?”

  I snapped out of my thoughts and punched the gas, hitting the road with renewed determination. “Forget the office. I need you to get eyes on Sylvia.”

  “Why? What’s going on?”

  “Something’s up with her.” I couldn’t stop thinking about Kendra, hoping Maxwell had managed to catch up to her by now. “We need to know what it is.”

  “Is everything all right?”

  Wiping my damp palm on my thigh, I said, “I’m afraid she knows we’re on to her.”

  “Kelly, did something happen?”

  Swallowing the stone in my throat, I said, “She got to Kendra.”

  “What? When?” Giselle snapped. “And why am I just hearing of this now?”

  I made a right turn and continued to make my way across town while telling Giselle what happened in Laguna Beach. Giselle listened as I told her how Sylvia managed to intercept Madam’s delivery and used it to get to Kendra.

  “Shit,” Giselle sighed. “She’s doing this on purpose.”

  “I know.”

  “And, if you’re right, she’ll write that story about Maria’s body being moved from Mint and release it just as the world learns about her involvement in Maria’s murder.”

  “Giselle—” I paused. “It’s important we keep this information strictly between us. There is a chance we can stop this before Sylvia gets her story published.”

  “Where is Kendra now?”

  I applied my foot to the brake, coming to a complete stop at a red light. “Madam has her.”

  “If Madam has her, then she knows Sylvia is working to uncover her operation.”

  I sucked back a deep breath and said, “You have to get to Sylvia first. We can’t let Madam beat us to her. Because if she does—” My voice trailed off as I thought about how I couldn’t reach Sylvia earlier on the phone.

  “—she’d kill her.”

  43

  Kendra

  I felt like I was backed into a corner.

  Though Madam remained composed, I knew she was agitated by what had happened. The thick vein in her neck told me everything I needed to know about staying cautious.

  With sweat pouring down my back, I didn’t know what to say. All I knew was that I had to be careful with the words I did choose because Madam would never forget them—and would certainly find a way to use them against me.

  I looked out the window toward Kelly’s office. The glass door shimmered in the sunshine like a beacon of hope calling me in. If I could get there, I knew I would be safe. Even if Kelly wasn’t inside, Giselle would have the resources to protect me. But I was terrified of turning my back on Madam.

  “Go on, baby girl.”

  Spinning my head back around, I faced Madam. “Kelly doesn’t know I’m here.”

  She nodded her head to the limo’s door handle.

  “You told him you would bring me back to his place.”

  “This is his place.” Her brows raised.

  I frowned as my racing mind worked through the possibilities. I started to doubt everything, and it didn’t take me long to convince myself that once I stepped out of Madam’s limo another challenge would be tossed my way.

  “Honey, you don’t need Kelly to protect you.” Madam’s voice floated through the air like a children’s lullaby.

  My body went cold as I closed off my ears. I was afraid that Madam had already made the decision to have me killed way before she came to steal me away from Kelly today. Nothing was a surprise to her. She knew all. And with her endless supply of information, she had a constant stream of knowledge coming her way around the clock.

  “You’re a big girl.”

  I felt hollow. Like everything inside me that made me human was gone and I was left with only a shell. I despised the way she treated me, the way she was talking to me. But, instead of fighting back, I bit my tongue and hoped for the best.

  “Besides, he won’t be too far behind, I’m sure.” Madam settled one hand on Jerome’s thigh and Jerome nodded once.

  “I can’t.” My voice cracked.

  “Get out, Kendra.” Madam raised her voice.

  Lifting my head, I pleaded with her. “I’ve already been stalked today and—”

  “—You don’t want to end up like Tonya.” Madam cackled. “Please, just stop it with worrying that you’ll end up like her.”

  Jerome snickered.

  Color drained from my face and I couldn’t take anything she said seriously.

  Feeling flustered by this less-than-ideal situation, I began pleading for forgiveness. “I’m sorry for what happened. But everything happened just like you said it would. How was I supposed to know I had the wrong guy at the diner or Sylvia wasn’t who she said she was? I was set up, clearly.”

  Madam’s lips flattened as she stared quietly.

  Jerome leaned forward and opened the door, motioning for me to get out.

  “Will you forgive me?” I cried.

  Madam’s tongue slid over her bottom lip. “Once I get back what is mine, then I’ll consider it.”

  Suddenly, Jerome clamped his fingers around my arm and pushed me out the door with brute force. I didn’t have time to respond or judge whether Madam was being sincere or not. Because, truth be told, I didn’t believe she would ever forgive me. What I did was unforgivable. Even if it was unintentional. I could see the rage burning between her eye slits, and if I did jeopardize whatever exploration she was alluding to then why wouldn’t she put my head on a block, too.

  Checking I had all my belongings with me, I turned back to the limo with my head hanging low.

  Jerome pulled the door shut, sending my insides jumping. Then I watched the limo drive away, praying all this would blow over soon.

  Spinning on a heel, I rushed up the stairs and hurried for the front entrance, hopeful it would be open and Giselle would be inside.

  Feeling the crippling effects of anxiety begin to consume me, I stopped at the top of the steps to glance around. Ever since being chased by the motorcycle, I hadn’t been the same. It all happened so fast. My brief encounter with my uncle was a blur in the craziness this day had become.

  Wrapping my fingers around the door handle, I yanked only to be met by my worst fears.

  It didn’t budge.

  But I pulled harder, hoping it was stuck.

  It shook, but again barely moved.

  I hated that it was locked and I had nowhere to go.

  Feeling vulnerable, I d
idn’t want to add to my ever-expanding list of worries. But it seemed I had no choice. Madam did this on purpose. Separated me from Kelly and dropped me on the opposite side of town knowing that I would be close to breaking down.

  Diving my hand inside my purse, I pulled out my cell and quickly called Kelly.

  Turning my back to the building, I kept my eyes scanning the street.

  “C’mon …” My toes tapped as I listened to it ring.

  When Kelly didn’t answer, my worries only grew more troublesome.

  Finally, it clicked over to voicemail and I left him a message. “Kelly, baby. Everything is fine. I’m safe and standing outside your office. Call me. We need to discuss Madam. She’s losing her mind—” I could feel the tears forming behind my eyes as fear stole away my ability to speak. “And I’m afraid she’s going to do something bad. Call me back.”

  Shaking, I pulled my phone away from my ear and killed the call. Falling against the door, my shoulders streaked down the glass as I crumbled to the ground. Burying my hands in my face, it didn’t take long for tears to fall.

  My life felt like it was falling apart.

  I couldn’t trust Madam any more than I could trust Mom.

  And with what my uncle had said, I was still in shock. It seemed no matter what I did, I couldn’t win. Everyone was out to get me. And without Kelly, I had no one.

  “You’re Kelly’s friend, aren’t you?”

  My insides lurched when I heard his deep voice approach. Wiping my cheeks, I blinked my eyes dry and found him walking up the steps with his hands buried in his pockets. He was dressed nicely and had an incredible smile that should have made me more relaxed than I felt. I was sure I had seen him before but couldn’t remember where. But there was still something about him that made me hesitant to speak.

  He approached with a friendly smile and pointed to the door. “Closed again?”

  I sat there and stared. Slowly, I nodded, unsure what to think of him.

  “I don’t know how those two get any work done.” He stood next to me and turned to face the street. “They’re always out of the office it seems.” He laughed.

  When I didn’t react, he angled his head down to me.

  “Is he the reason you’re crying?”

  I shook my head.

  “How long have you two been seeing each other?”

  “I’m sorry, but who are you?”

  “A friend of Giselle’s.” He offered his hand and when I took it, he pulled me to my feet.

  But I regretted accepting his hand because as soon as I did, his gaze went to my ears.

  Smirking, he said, “He’s got you at the club.”

  Brushing his hand away, I crossed my arms over my chest and let my hair fall over my shoulders as I turned my head away.

  “I’m sorry, I saw your earrings and just thought …”

  “It’s not your fault.” I rolled my eyes over to him. “I’m having a tough day.”

  Taking a step back, he held out his hand. “Let’s start again. I’m Drake.” He smiled.

  Restoring faith that he was trustworthy, I shook his hand and said, “Kendra. And yes, you’re right. I’m Kelly’s. At least for the time being.”

  Glancing at his watch, he said, “Giselle said she’d be here.” He turned to look at me. “Did Kelly tell you the same?”

  Before I could answer, Maxwell’s SUV came skidding to a stop in front of us. We both watched Maxwell roll down the passenger window and yell, “Kendra. Oh, thank God you’re here.”

  I stepped forward with a furrowed brow, wondering what it could be now.

  “C’mon.” He waved me over. “We have to go.”

  Jogging down the steps, I called over my shoulder to Drake, “I hope Giselle doesn’t make you wait long.”

  “I’ll be fine.” He waved.

  Sliding into the passenger seat, Maxwell welcomed me inside by telling me to buckle up. “Kelly had me come for you.”

  I flipped my head around with knitted brows. “Is he okay?”

  “Yes, yes. He’s fine. But we need to get you somewhere safe until things cool down.”

  Turning my gaze out the front windshield, I said, “I think I know just the place.”

  44

  Kelly

  I got to Sylvia’s in record time.

  Giselle showed up not long after and I met up with her at the hood of her car.

  “What are the odds we find her here?” Giselle glanced up to the apartment complex.

  Looking over my shoulder, I arched a brow. “Dead or alive?”

  Giselle shared a look of concern and I knew exactly what she was thinking.

  “Hard to say if Madam has been here or not.” My hand waved for her to follow me as we approached the building together with heavy feet.

  As we marched up the stairs, Giselle kept checking over her shoulder like we were being followed. I kept my eyes on the parking lot below, anxious to see what waited for us inside.

  I hadn’t been sure what we were going to find once we got here. My only hope was that Sylvia was alive and Madam hadn’t done what I feared she might be angling for. But I had seen Madam pick up Kendra, so if she had already come for Sylvia it was before … right around the time I put in an unanswered call to her this morning.

  Giselle shortened her strides and stopped at Sylvia’s front door. She got up close to the peephole, but of course she wouldn’t be able to see anything. When she pulled back, she looked at me and shook her head.

  Taking a deep breath, I nodded.

  “The moment of truth,” she said, lifting her fist to the door, knocking.

  Wiping the sweat off my brow, my legs were restless.

  Despite me wanting to get Sylvia arrested for what I believed she did to Maria Greer, I didn’t want to see any physical harm come to her. We’d had our moments of friendship, and I hated that it had come to this.

  Giselle held her breath and waited.

  And as my heart slammed against my chest, I thought about Kendra and what Madam might be putting her through now. I was sure it had to do with Kendra meeting with Sylvia—what was said, who was mentioned, and all the details that Madam would want to keep secret. Madam would want to know every last thing that was said, multiple times, even if she knew them already. That was her style. I knew it better than anyone, and it did little to settle my stomach.

  Another minute ticked by until Giselle finally looked to me and asked, “What do we do now?”

  I checked to make sure the door was locked before reaching to my back pocket. I pulled out a collection of tools I had brought to pick a lock, anticipating I might need to. When I held them up to Giselle, her shoulders slumped as she sighed.

  “Kelly, I’m not sure we need to add breaking and entering to our list of unethical business practices.”

  “Sylvia might be dead inside.” I stepped closer to Giselle. “Wouldn’t you like to find her body first?”

  Her head barely nodded.

  “Keep on the lookout,” I said, getting my tools ready. “This should only take a minute.”

  My fingers quickly worked over the lock and it clicked over. I glanced up to Giselle who was sharing a look of surprise. “Got lucky.” I smirked.

  She gave me a knowing look. “Seems like you knew what you were doing. And, no, I don’t want to know where you learned that.”

  I grinned and rolled up my tools before stuffing them in my back pocket again. Then I pulled out two pairs of latex gloves and handed one to Giselle. “Put these on.”

  She took them and slipped her fingers inside. With our fingers covered, I opened the door with a racing heart.

  Before stepping inside, I let my senses go to work. My nose checked for unfamiliar scents and my ears listened for sounds of life. There was only silence and familiarity, and that gave me the confidence to finally fully step inside and look around.

  “You take the back. I’ll sweep the front.” I pointed in the direction I wanted Giselle to go. We did a quick sweep bef
ore realizing the place was empty. “She’s gone.”

  Giselle’s smile was slow, and I knew we were both relieved to not have found a body. It was the last thing we needed now, but that still didn’t mean she wasn’t dead.

  “Do you think she’s already fled?” Giselle’s eyes scurried over the walls. “Maybe she knew we were coming?”

  “Or maybe she knew Madam was coming for her.” I turned on an overhead light and continued perusing the living room.

  “Either way, she wasn’t ready to face either of us.”

  Moving to the living room, I picked up magazines and internet news clippings from the coffee table. There were scented candles that hadn’t yet been burnt and various pieces of art filling the walls. It was a normal looking apartment home to a woman living alone. Nothing was out of the ordinary. No forced entry, no evidence she had left in a hurry.

  But something about it still felt off.

  “I’m going to take a closer look in the back,” Giselle said as I moved into the kitchen.

  I opened the fridge and poked my head inside. It was half-filled with a half-eaten box of spinach and milk that was still good. Fruits, vegetables, and cheeses filled the shelves. Then I turned toward the sink to find dirty dishes that needed to be washed.

  Perching my hand on the ledge of the counter, I stood, stared, and thought.

  Sylvia had been here this morning. I knew it. So why suddenly leave? And who was she running from? Me? Or Madam?

  “Kelly,” Giselle called from the back room. “Come look at this.”

  Turning on a heel, I strode to the back of the apartment thinking how Sylvia let jealousy destroy her life. Nash was only one man, and I was sure he wasn’t her first. That was what made all this so frustrating to see. Sylvia couldn’t get over him. Even if what they had was only one night, she couldn’t find the strength to move on. And, in the end, it possessed her to kill Maria.

  “Check this out.” Giselle pointed to Sylvia’s messy desk as soon as I entered.

  I sifted through the mess.

  “Looks like she’s been busy doing her research,” Giselle said.

  Flipping through her many pages of notes, Sylvia had sheets of paper detailing Madam’s activities, the lives of her employees, and how her business was structured—including her guess to where Madam was working to expand her enterprise next.