Street Safe

by W. Lynn Chantale

She gasped. “Really Rue, all I did was call the police. I didn’t hurt him.”

  “Why didn’t you say something?”

  She averted her gaze. “He asked me not to. Auggie didn’t want you to worry.”

  He grasped her hands. “Did you ever think the two might be related?”

  A startled sigh escaped her lips and she studied him. “But they were weeks apart.” Na’arah sat back, her heart pounding as she recalled that night. She remembered the sensation of someone watching her. The men who’d beat up Auggie probably knew what she looked like. Was that why he’d apologized?

  “I think you should talk to Miles, tell him everything that happened that night.”

  She nodded. Street smoothed small, soothing circles on the backs of her hands. The caress was just the balm she needed when everything in her life was so uncertain. She was so frazzled right now, and she craved his touch.

  A gentle squeeze on her fingers had her meeting his gaze. Compassion and a hint of desire flared in his eyes. “Listen, I’ll have Beau take over for me so I can spend the rest of the evening with you.”

  Na’arah ducked her head. “You don’t have to do that.”

  He leaned across the table, tucked two fingers beneath her chin and lifted her head until she met his gaze again. “I do.”

  She read the sincerity in his eyes. Tears clogged the back of her throat. “Only if you really want to. Don’t do anything special on my account.”

  “Go wait in my office. I’ll send Miles in to talk to you.”

  She hated to ask, but she knew she wouldn’t be able to answer questions without bawling her eyes out. “Will you be there?”

  He nodded. “I’ll be there.” He stood and kissed her. A slow, sensuous slide of lips ignited an ache between her legs. Desire dampened her panties while need sidled through her veins. He took his time, seeming to infuse everything he couldn’t say into his kiss.

  “I will be there for you no matter what happens,” he murmured against her lips. A moment later he was gone.

  Na’arah rested her fingertips on her mouth. They were still warm from Street’s tender caress. How could he kiss her like that when he didn’t believe she was carrying his child?

  “Hey, Arah.” Zee giggled and grasped the back of the vacant chair. “I’m gonna get goin.’”

  “Okay.”

  She flashed her a mischievous grin. “I saw the way he kissed you.” Zee slung her purse over her shoulder, then fished out her keys. “And that was no ordinary lip lock. That smooch sent several people running to the bar for more drinks.”

  Embarrassment burned to the tips of her ears. “I’ll walk you out.” She linked arms with her sister.

  “Should you tell your keeper you’re going outside?” Zee teased.

  Na’arah chuckled, but did manage to catch Street’s eye as she walked out the door. He tossed a frown across the room, but she merely waved and continued into the night.

  A breeze blew across the water and Na’arah shivered in the sudden cold. She pulled her jacket a little tighter around her. “I don’t think I’m going to participate in the race Saturday,” she said.

  “C’mon, Arah. You promised,” her sister whined.

  “I know, but...” She glanced around at the raised voices. Every cell in her body clenched as the men argued.

  “Oh I get it. You and Street.” She nudged Na’arah. “I’ll let you slide this time.”

  Na’arah ran her fingers through her hair. The charm bracelet glinted in the floodlights.

  Zee grabbed her arm. “Did Street give you this? It’s gorgeous.”

  “No.” Na’arah reclaimed her wrist. “Auggie gave me this.”

  “Really?” Zee’s eyes widened. “Why? Street doesn’t like jewelry?”

  She laughed. “I have no idea of Street’s jewelry preference, but Auggie asked me to keep this.”

  Zee fingered the charms. “I’d have it appraised. It looks very old and expensive.”

  “I suppose.” Na’arah shivered. “Call me later. I need to tell you something.”

  “Why not now?”

  “Because I’m cold and I want to go back inside.”

  Her sister laughed and opened the car door. “You just want to bump pelvises with the bartender. Hell, I want to bump pelvises with the bartender.” She laughed when Na’arah glared at her. “The man is fine, Arah. Are you sure this is what you want to do? Is Street what you want? I know we’ve talked about this and I warned you not get involved with him, but if he makes you cry again, I promise to hurt him.”

  Definitely not crushing anymore. Na’arah was all the way in love with Street and carrying his child. The answer must have shown on her face. Zee shook her head.

  “Go back inside. I’d hate to be the reason you catch a cold.” She slid in the car, cranked the engine and slammed the door. A moment later the window opened. “You better call me.”

  “I will.” Na’arah smiled and stepped away from the car. “I promise.”

  “And you owe me for the movies.”

  “I’m sure I do, but it won’t be driving you and your friends around.”

  Zee drove away, her laughter ringing in her ears. Na’arah stared into the night. The gentle lap of water against the rocks mingled with the rumble of traffic and nearly drowned out the scuff of footsteps on pavement.

  Raised voices snapped her from her reverie. Her breath stilled in throat. She knew that voice. She followed the sound, heart thudding painfully in her chest, to the far side of the building. The words they shouted grew clearer.

  “...she has the bracelet.”

  “Then she probably knows where the money is,” said the other.

  Both the men from the spa. If she could see their faces then maybe she could tell Street what they looked like and then move on with her life. A pang of regret filled her. If she left, she wouldn’t be with him every day.

  “We need to find out what she knows.”

  “Don’t you think I’ve tried? She’s never alone.”

  The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end and for the first time Na’arah realized she was outside...alone. And no one knew where she was. A chill blew through her. She risked a nervous glance around. There were a few people on the sidewalk across the street, but no one else was in the parking lot.

  If she could just see their faces. She peered around the corner of the building. A large dumpster blocked her view, but she could make out the sleeve of a navy blue jacket. One shiny gold button hung from a thread while the other was missing in its entirety. The button was the same Miles had shown her. These were definitely the men from the shop.

  She inched closer. The other guy wore a black hoodie. He lifted his arm revealing an oversized white watch and long scratches on the back of his hand. The guy who tried to drag her from the theater. That’s where she’d seen the watch. She edged closer, trying to get a better look. The toe of her shoe nudged a branch. It was enough to send it careening into the metal dumpster. The ensuing clang was loud and both men turned in her direction.

  Oh no. She dove behind the building. Had they seen her? Blood roared in her ears as she held her breath. Oh god. What if they’d seen her? Her stomach fluttered. How could she have been so stupid?

  “Get out of here. The first chance you get. Get her and find out what she knows.”

  If she could get to the rear entrance of the building she could slip inside and get some help. Inhaling a breath as wobbly as her resolve she hurried across the parking lot and stumbled over a chunk of broken asphalt.

  Were those footsteps behind her?

  She stutter-stepped and regained her footing. A soft chuckle sent fear scurrying down her spine. They’d found her and were going to kill her for sure. She half turned, expecting to see her faceless assailants and bounced off a hard body.

  A grunt and strong arms circled her. That’s right. There were two. She struggled a moment, before the murmured words penetrated her frightened brain.

  “I’ve got you.”<
br />
  Na’arah stared into Street’s brown eyes and sagged with relief.

  “What are you doing out here by yourself?” he demanded.

  “I was just walking my sister...”

  “That’s what the bouncers are for.”

  “I saw them, Rue. After she left I saw the men from the spa.”

  “You could’ve been hurt. All the more reason for you not to be out here alone.”

  He gripped her shoulders, his fingers biting into the soft flesh. She winced. Street was right. She should be more careful, especially since she couldn’t identify the men who were after her. He had every right to be angry with her.

  “God woman, if you don’t want to think about your safety at least think about the baby,” he admonished. “You don’t walk outside, especially at night unless I’m with you or one of the bouncers.”

  The back door scraped open and banged close. “Did you find her? Is she okay?” Miles skidded to a halt.

  “Yes to both.” Street wrapped an arm around Na’arah’s shoulders and steered her toward the rear entrance.

  Miles looked her over. “She’s crying. Why is she crying?”

  Na’arah almost laughed as she swiped at the moisture on her face. The man didn’t seem to have heard a word she said.

  “Because I yelled at her.”

  “You yelled at her. You’re not supposed to yell at a pregnant woman,” Miles said.

  She halted in her tracks and swung around to stare at Street. “You told him.”

  “I did.” He met her glare.

  “Even though you don’t think...”

  “Your hands are freezing.” Street cradled both her hands between his. “It is way too cold out here for you.” He glanced at Miles. “Whatever questions you have for her, you better ask now. I’m taking her home.”

  He hustled her inside, fussing all the way. Miles suppressed a laugh and Na’arah rolled her eyes. If she’d known Street was going to react like this, she’d have waited to tell him her news.

  “Rue, please stop. I’m a grown woman and I don’t need you to tell me how long I should stand in the cold. My hands are usually cold. Would you listen to me for a minute? I saw the men.”

  “What? When?”

  “Just now. They were behind the dumpster arguing.”

  The men exchanged looks and bolted for the door.

  “Stay here.” Street tossed over his shoulder. The lock clicked.

  Where was she going to go? She perched on the corner of the desk. Several minutes passed before they returned.

  “They were gone.” Miles announced. “Can you describe them?”

  She shook her head.

  “But you just said...”

  “The dumpster was in the way. I recognized their voices. One was wearing a navy jacket and a button was missing. The other a black hoodie. He had on a big white watch.”

  Street frowned and glanced at Miles.

  “You sure about the watch?”

  She looked from one to the other. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “Just checking. And you still didn’t see their faces?”

  Again she shook her head.

  “I’ll send someone to patrol the area. Maybe we’ll get lucky.” He sighed and studied her a moment. “That’s a lovely bit of jewelry you’re wearing, Arah. Where’d you get it?”

  Na’arah looked at her wrist, then at Street. He scowled as if he knew where the bracelet came from. He dropped her hands.

  “Auggie gave it to me.”

  Tension increased and Miles glanced from one to the other. He held out his hand. “May I?”

  She fumbled the clasp and handed over the bracelet.

  “When did he give this to you?”

  “A coupla months ago. The night he was assaulted.”

  Miles lifted a brow and she shifted beneath his heavy scrutiny.

  “I tried to give it back to him. He said it was a gift.”

  “I bet,” Street muttered and folded his arms across his chest.

  “What does that mean?”

  Miles held up a hand. “Quarrel on you own time.” He inspected the bauble. “What else happened that night?”

  “Two guys attacked him. I called 911 and stayed with him until the paramedics came.”

  “Did you get a look at the men?”

  “A little, but nothing definitive.” She shrugged. “Auggie insisted I keep the bracelet.”

  “Anything else strike you as strange?”

  “He apologized for dragging me into everything.” She shrugged. “Would it be possible for me to get inside the shop? I really need to get some paperwork done.”

  Miles cast a wary glance at Street. “Why don’t you tell me or Street what you need and we’ll get it. You should probably wait until it’s been cleaned to go back in.”

  “Have you seen anything at the store that shouldn’t be there?” Street asked suddenly.

  Na’arah shook her head.

  “Anything while you were going over the financials for the business?” This was from Miles.

  She studied first Miles, then Street. They knew or suspected something, but didn’t want to tell her.

  “He was a lousy record keeper, but the taxes were all paid on time.” She paused. “He has a lot of history on the town and much of it centered around Hack House and the Electric Sugar Refining Machine.”

  Miles stared at her blankly. “I’m sorry. An Electric Sugar Refining Machine?”

  “Oh the Sugar Scandal,” Street said. He turned to Miles. “The original owners of the house figured out a way to scam their stockholders back in New York. The Electric Refining Machine was supposed to be a more efficient way to turn raw sugar into a finer texture.”

  Miles waved his hand to fend off any further explanation. “Yeah, yeah. I remember Auggie and Derrick going on about that one night at our poker game. There was some speculation there may have been some cash secreted on the premises.”

  “From my understanding, all the money was spent on the house and renovations at the time,” Street said.

  “A few of the stock certificates that were issued came up for auction recently,” Na’arah said. “I do remember seeing those in the file.”

  They exchanged looks.

  “What does that mean?”

  A knock sounded on the door. Street limped to the door and threw it open. Beau stood on the threshold.

  “I have a customer asking for you,” he said. He stared just beyond Street. “Where did you get that?”

  Street followed his gaze and Miles quickly pocketed the bracelet.

  “I’ll be out in a minute, Beau.”

  “I-I think I need to lay down,” Na’arah said.

  “Go do what you need to do, I’ll stay with her.” Miles offered.

  Street cast a worried look over his shoulder, but left.

  Miles helped Na’arah upstairs. “He really does have your best interest at heart.”

  Na’arah shook her head. “Yes, I suppose he does.” They paused at the top of the stairs. “Have you found anything that will catch Auggie’s killer?”

  “We have a couple of leads, but it’s still best if you stay with Street.”

  She nodded. “Yeah, I figured as much. I need the paperwork from the office brought over.”

  “I can arrange that.”

  Miles plucked the key from her hand, unlocked the door and walked through the space. He returned to where she was standing and dangled the key from his index finger.

  “Thanks.” She accepted the proffered item. When she realized he was still standing there, she faced him. “Was there something else?”

  He shook his head. “Just waiting for you to get in safely.”

  She chuckled, entered the apartment and locked the door behind her. At least this way no one could really get to her. She replayed the events in her head. Being alone in the parking lot had spooked her, but there was something else as well. The argument. She recognized one of the voices.

  ****
<
br />   The bar was quiet. All the chairs had been placed on the tables, the stickiness from the day mopped away. A man perched on one of the bar stools, his back to Street, but Street approached him nonetheless.

  “Does this mean I need to find someone else to pour my heart out to?” Derrick was saying. He chuckled. “No, I’m off tomorrow.” An exasperated sigh filled the silence. “Yeah, yeah I’m going to a meeting.”

  Street tapped the bar with his cane and Derrick glanced over his shoulder with a smile.

  “Gotta go. The owner of this here establishment is kicking me out.” He swiveled on the stool and frowned. “What’s with the cane? I haven’t seen you use that in months.”

  “Lot of activity around here, lately.” He leaned against the counter. “So you’re still going to Gamblers Anon.”

  Derrick’s head bobbed up and down. “Got to. Between those and talking with a couple of my sponsors, that’s the only thing getting me through the day sometimes.”

  “And business?” Street lifted the cane, a sturdy black beech wood walking stick with a sterling silver skull shaped handle, and blew a minuscule speck of dust from the top. He met and held Derrick’s gaze.

  “Gearing up for the fall. I actually got a couple new contracts that have really helped this year.” He slowly slid off the cushion, keeping a wary eye on his friend. “Is something wrong?”

  Street almost smiled. If nothing else the man was always perceptive. He shrugged, just a casual ripple of his broad shoulders. “Nope. Should there be?”

  Derrick swallowed, clutched his phone a little tighter and stepped backward. “That’s what I’m asking you. The last time you wore that calm-but-I’m-still-gonna-kick-your-ass expression was when a coupla enforcers came looking for me and trashed the bar.”

  “I have some questions.”

  “Anything you wanna know.”

  “That night. When you let yourself in my place...”

  A quick smile curved his lips and his shoulders sagged as he blew out a breath. “Is that what this is about? God, Street, you had me worried. If I’d known Na’arah was there I wouldn’t have let myself in.”

  “Why were you holding her?”

  “She looked rattled and crying. I couldn’t just not help.”

  Street advanced a step and Derrick stumbled backward, colliding with a bar stool. The furniture toppled and clattered to the floor.