After All (44 page)

“
Somebody is feeling mellow
today.” Danny raised an eyebrow.

“
I just really like that
song.” Michelle gazed off, a serene expression on her
face.

“
Hey, if I'd known that I
would have played it before now.” Danny snapped his fingers in time
to the music. “I'm off at seven tonight. You and me down at the
Blue Room; how about it?”

“
Sorry, I'm involved.”
Michelle smiled at him. Those words had a fabulous sound. The
happiness on her face proved she was anything but sorry. She went
back to her office still humming.

Shantae and Laree were waiting for her.
Both wore knowing smiles as they watched her approach.

“
What's up, girl?” Shantae
gave her an appraising look from head to toe. “You're in a very
good mood.”

“
Yeah, she sure is,” Laree
agreed.

Michelle meticulously straightened her
desk and filed away old news copy. “What are you two doing
here?”

“
We were just out this way,”
Laree blurted out.

“
Yeah. We decided to go out
for dinner after work and figured you might want to go.” Shantae
gave Laree a conspiratorial wink.

“
Oh, I can't tonight.”
Michelle pressed her lips together.

“
Really? Working late, huh?”
Shantae raised an eyebrow at her and nudged Laree with an elbow at
the same time.

“
Not exactly.” Michelle said
keeping her voice cool.

“
How can you ‘not exactly’
work?” Laree followed Michelle closely around the room. “You're
either working late or not. Which is it?”

“
I'm not working, but I
can't go out to eat with y'all.” Michelle had her back to them
putting folders into a large cabinet.

“
Why not?” Shantae stepped
closer to Michelle.

“
Yeah, what's the big
secret?” Laree moved in, too. She fixed Michelle with a sardonic
gaze.

“
No secret--” Michelle
turned to find herself almost nose to nose with both of
them.

“
Then what's the deal?”
Laree smirked at her.

“
None of your business,”
Michelle giggled pushing between them to pass.

“
Let's guess, Laree.”
Shantae blocked her attempt. “Now, judging from the grin on her
face I'd say a man is involved.”

“
Yeah, she's got that look
all right,” Laree chimed in.

“
Not just any man, either.
I'd say this was
the
man. Know what I'm saying?” Shantae glanced at Laree
sideways.

“
I hear you. This is Dr.
Feelgood, honey. She's got that afterglow.” Laree
snickered.

“
Shut up you two.”Michelle
tried to sound aggravated as she pursed her lips to prevent a
smile.

Laree laughed. “Sugar, don't even try
it. We knew what the deal was when we didn't hear from you last
night.”

“
For real. As soon as we
walked in I said to myself, uh-huh. They're rockin' steady again.”
Shantae nodded.

“
Come on, girlfriend.
Enquiring minds want to know.”Laree took a seat and crossed her
legs. “Give up the details.”

“
It was incredible,”
Michelle breathed. She dropped all pretense of being cool and
collected.”We talked for hours.”

“
Just talked?” Shantae lips
curved in a knowing smile.

“
Like I said, incredible,”
Michelle said. Her face was radiant with joy.

“
That's great, Chelle. You
and Anthony belong together.” Laree hugged her.

“
Cedric says Anthony has
been grinning all day even with business being down since--.”
Shantae's hand flew to her mouth. “Sorry, 'Chelle. I had to spout
out bad news just when you're feeling good for the first time in
over two months.”

“
That's okay. Don't think it
hasn't been on my mind. Things would be perfect except for this
suspicion hanging over Anthony.” Michelle's brows drew together.
The subject tempered the buoyant mood.

“
But he wasn't indicted,”
Laree said in a bid to cheer them.

Michelle sat down with a thump. “It
doesn't matter. Some people apparently feel an accusation is the
same as a guilty verdict.”

“
What he needs is for them
to catch whoever killed that guy.” Shantae perched on the arm of
the chair Laree sat in.

“
And soon.” Michelle nodded.
Her stomach tightened with fear at the possibility Anthony could be
sent to prison.

“
The cops must be searching
for another suspect since they didn't have enough evidence against
Anthony.” Laree looked from Michelle to Shantae. “I mean, it makes
sense.”

“
I hope so. But who knows.
They're not saying a whole lot these days,” Shantae replied. “You'd
think Ike would lift a finger to do something. After all, he got
Anthony into all this. He should get him out of it.”

“
What could he do without
getting himself in trouble?” Laree asked.

Michelle stood up and grabbed her
purse. “Laree is right, Shantae. Even if he had the conscience, Ike
would have to admit to some knowledge of drug dealing and who knows
what else. No, he probably wouldn't do it even if he wanted
to.”

“
I guess so. It just seems a
shame that Marcus is the little criminal, but Anthony is getting
all the heat.” Shantae followed Michelle and Laree down the
hall.

Michelle turned sharply causing them
both to jump back. “That's it!” She snapped her fingers.

“
What?” Laree gave her a
baffled look.

“
My Lord! You scared the
life out of me.” Shantae put a hand to her chest.

“
That little scum ball,
Marcus.” Michelle looked at them both. “He’s working at the Housing
Authority. Marcus is jealous of Anthony, always has been since they
were kids. He'd do anything to get back at him.”

“
Set his own cousin up for
murder? Not even he could be that low,” Laree gasped.

“
You obviously don't know
him,” Shantae retorted.

Michelle glanced at her watch. “Four
thirty, two hours before Anthony picks me up. I've got time if I
hustle.”

“
For what?” Laree quickened
her pace to keep up.

“
Michelle, this isn't the
fifty yard dash. Slow down.” Shantae began to trot behind them
both.

Michelle dug inside her purse for her
car keys.” Earl should still be at work. He'll be able to check it
out. See y'all later.” She strode to her car.

“
Earl? I don't understand
what she's talking about,” Laree panted.

“
Gotta go. I'll call you
later,” Michelle yelled. She drove off. Her friends stood on the
parking lot completely astonished.

“
What the?” Shantae stared
after her.

Laree shrugged. “Love scrambles the
brain, honey.”

***

Michelle parked next to Anthony in
front of her apartment. Anthony leaned against the fender waiting
patiently. Michelle felt a surge of excitement seeing his easy
grace. He stood straight as she came closer. As handsome as ever,
he was dressed in a dark brown sweater with a brown, olive and gold
stripped shirt underneath. Matching olive cotton pants were just
close fitting enough to hint at the muscular thighs beneath the
narrow waist.

“
Hi, baby.”Michelle brushed
her lips across his. “Sorry I'm late.”

Anthony clutched her to him and covered
her mouth with his. His warm tongue traced a fiery route on the
soft inside of her mouth. “Umm, that's better.”He buried his face
in her hair.”I haven't seen you for over eight hours. I need more
than a peck on the lips, woman.”

Michelle leaned against him. “I missed
you, too.”

“
Then why did you keep me
waiting ten agonizing minutes?”Anthony pretended to admonish her.
“Now you're going to have to make it up to me.”

“
Oh, no!” Michelle's eyes
widened in mock horror. “What terrible price must I
pay?”

Anthony ogled her. “Ten extra minutes
in my arms tonight young lady.”

“
Don't be so easy on me.
Better make it a couple of hours.”

“
You're right.” Anthony
shook a finger at her. “You need to be taught a lesson. Never put
work before romance.”

“
Work.” Michelle drew back
remembering why she arrived late. “We might find out something to
prove you didn't murder Troy Quarles.”

“
We who? I hope you haven't
been taking any risks.” Anthony tensed, a worried look replacing
the mirth in his brown eyes.

“
No I haven't, scout's
honor.” Michelle grabbed his hand. “Let's go up so I can tell you
about it.”

Anthony followed her up the stairs.
Though he tried questioning her, Michelle made him wait until she
poured them both a glass of soda.

“
Whew, that hit the spot.”
Michelle smacked with satisfaction.

Anthony drummed his fingers on his
knee. “Okay, tell me exactly what you've been up to.”

“
You know my friend Earl,
right?” Michelle continued when he nodded. “He has a contact in the
State Police records section. We call her whenever we need
information on someone's arrest or prison history. It's all public
record. But if you don't have a contact you wait
forever.”

“
How interesting.” Anthony
crossed his arms. “Like you're making me wait right
now.”

“
I'm getting there.”
Michelle settled back into her tale.” “s I was saying, Earl is
going to get a prison record on Troy Quarles and Lonnie
Mason.”

“
But we already know they've
been in prison.”

“
Yes, but when and where is
the question,” Michelle said, pleased with herself.

Anthony scratched his chin deep in
thought for several moments. “Help me out. Why is that
important?”

“
Maybe they knew each other
in prison. The police might find it very interesting. Drug dealing
in the larger public housing projects took a sharp increase in the
past few years. About the time a lot of folks with prison records
started getting jobs there.”

“
I see what you're saying
now.” Anthony leaned forward with a look of interest.

“
And Marcus has been working
there for a while now, too.” Michelle watched his face. “And he's
been hanging with Lonnie Mason and Tia Sanders. It's too much of a
coincidence.”

Anthony shook his head in disbelief.
“Sure Marcus has always resented me, but frame me for
murder?”

“
Anthony, Marcus feels
something much stronger than resentment towards you,” Michelle said
gently, knowing this was one more terrible truth he must face.
“Remember, he threatened you after you fought that
night.”

“
I know but--”

Michelle put a hand on his arm. “I bet
Marcus saw an opportunity to implicate you in a drug
ring.”

Anthony still resisted her suggestion.
The whole world seemed to tip at a crazy angle at thought that
those he’d known all his life were people he really did not know. A
few days had changed a lifetime of relationships.

“
Marcus hates me that much.”
He shook his head as if to clear it.

Michelle reached to comfort him. “I
know how you feel, honey. But everything I've dug up so far seems
to lead to it. I'm sure it'll be important in clearing you of
suspicion,” she said, her voice intense.

Anthony's expression softened. “Thank
you, babe. I keep forgetting how much time you've put into tracking
all this down.” He kissed the top of her head.

“
Listen, nobody messes with
my man.” Michelle snuggled closer to him. “Anybody that does is
going to have to answer to me.”

Anthony grinned. “I feel safer already.
Now let's forget about everything and everyone else. Stay right
there.”

He went over to the stereo system and
popped a compact disc into it. The smooth strains of Alicia Keys
singing a long song filled the rom.

Anthony moved sensuously to the beat
and held out his hand. “May I have this dance?”

Michelle watched the rhythmic motions
of his body as though hypnotized. She placed her hands on both his
hips and matched her movements to his. They lost themselves in the
music. Long passionate kisses left them breathless. Michelle
lovingly guided Anthony's hands over her breast thrilled at the
tantalizing sensation of being caressed through the soft fabric of
her blouse.

“
Come on.”Michelle danced
him into the bedroom.

Michelle still wondered at the hunger
he roused in her. Anthony seemed to be reading her mind. His tender
touch at just the right moment made her cry out for more. Through
song after song, they made love. They held each other trembling and
unable to speak after each fantastic wave of ecstasy. They drifted
off to sleep with arms and legs entwined.

Morning dawned bright with a clear blue
sky. Michelle and Anthony lingered over coffee and
toast.