I buried my face in my hands.
“Ms. Walker, I’m sorry that you had to find out all of this in this manner. This investigation has been ongoing for months. We believe the suspect has stolen the identities of dozens of your members,” Agent Harris slid another packet across the table.
“Dozens?” I questioned.
“Possibly even more than that. Those are just the ones we know,” he replied.
“Jesus, this is too much,” I sighed.
“The paperwork in this folder authorizes a complete audit of security footage, computer servers, employee records, payroll, customer databases, and financial statements. Also, if you agree to help us you have to let agent Michelle continue to be employed in your establishment, and you cannot tell anyone who she is. Not your staff, your trainers, friends, or family. If the suspect realizes we’re closing in, they’ll disappear and all of the legal ramifications will fall on you and your business. You could be sued for millions of dollars in restitution to these victims,” Agent Harris said.
“My client isn’t responsible for any of this so you will not bully her into helping you with your investigation,” Jackie interjected.
She then turned toward me, “Are you ok with allowing them to continue their investigation so they can get what they need to fry this motherfucker?” She asked.
“Absolutely! I will give them whatever they need, I want to help!” I told her honestly.
After signing all the paperwork and agreeing to help the authorities, I walked out of the building feeling numb. It felt like every time I took five steps forward; I took ten steps back. I drove away from the Justice building on autopilot as my mind replayed a million different scenarios. They didn’t tell me who they suspected was the scammer, it had to be my brother. They didn’t want me to alert him, so they kept it a secret from me. Who else had access to all of those files and all of that information?
I arrived in front of my house, parked the car, killed the engine, and sat there replaying the events of the night. I felt so alone and wished I had someone to be here for me. Someone to tell me that it would be ok. My phone rang, and Zumo’s contact popped up on the screen. I ignored the call because I wasn’t in the mood to fuck and I wasn’t in the mood to talk about what happened earlier.
I just wanted to be left alone.
He called back and I knew he wasn’t going to give up so I answered the phone.
“Please Zumo not right now,” I whispered trying my hardest not to let him know that I was upset. He had just said that he could take care of me better than I could, and I told him he was lying, I didn’t feel like hearing him say I told you so.
“I’m on my way,” he said before ending the call.
Less than twenty minutes later, he pulled into the driveway parking behind me. He got out of the car carrying flowers, and a grocery bag. He walked up to the window and tapped lightly signaling for me to roll it down.
“Yes?” I asked as I tried to clean my face, but I knew that my eyes were red rimmed and puffy from crying.
“Get out of the car, come inside, and tell me what’s wrong. I’m here for you. Whatever it is, you don’t have to deal with it alone,” he assured me.
“It’s bad Zumo, but I can’t tell you about this. I could get in real trouble if I do,” I looked down at my hands.
“Well, you don’t have to tell me, but I can still hold you and feed you ice cream,” he shrugged.
I unlocked the door; he pulled it open and pulled me into his arms. I came undone and allowed myself to be vulnerable as my world fell apart. This was the first thing I wouldn’t be able to protect my little brother from, and I felt like I had failed him as a sister.
Chapter Fourteen
Ny’Airy Buckle
By Friday night, all of my careful logic had started to feel a little less solid. I stood in front of my mirror one last time, smoothing my hands over the black dress I’d chosen for the mayor’s ball. It hugged my waist, dipped low enough in the front to make me feel dangerous, and flowed around my legs like liquid satin. I had gotten my hair pinned in soft curls, my makeup was done light giving my bold red lipstick the spotlight, and the diamond earrings the sales rep insisted I purchase caught the light every time I moved. I looked expensive, like I belonged somewhere fancy. I didn’t look like a woman who had spent the last two years surviving heartbreak and eating my feelings. I looked like the woman who broke hearts and left men yearning.
When the doorbell rang. My stomach flipped so hard I had to steady myself. I walked out of the room feeling surer of myself with each step towards the door. I grabbed my purse, keys, and cellphone placing them all in the bag. When I opened the door, Cozart was standing there in a black tux that fit him like it had been tailored by God. His shoulders were broad, jawline sharp, and the sight of him made my knees weak. How did he manage to look as good in a suit as he looked when he was shirtless and wearing sweats? One hand rested in his pocket, the otherhandheld a large bouquet full of beautiful, long stemmed, red roses. It had to be more than two dozen.
“Oh my, these are beautiful,” I said as I grabbed the bouquet with both hands so I wouldn’t drop it.
“Yes, you are,” he said as his eyes traveled slowly over me, from my hair to my heels, his mouth curved into a slow, appreciative smile. “Damn, NY’Airy,” he said softly, looking me over like I was the only thing worth seeing. “You look breathtaking. You are stunning baby girl,” he complimented me as his eyes shone brightly. I began to blush as I turned away from the door so I could go inside and place the flowers in a vase.
“Thank you,” I said over my shoulder. I tried to appear nonchalant, but my palms were sweaty, my stomach was full of butterflies, and I was smiling so hard my cheeks were aching. I took a few deep breaths to collect myself as I placed the flowers in the vase. Then he walked back to where he stood by the door.
“You ready?” he asked me as he held his hand out.
It felt like he was asking me if I was ready for more than just the gala. I dismissed that thought the minute it crossed my mind. I only saw him as a friend, and I was glad that he saw me the same way. It certainly took the pressure off of things.
