Caught Up (Indigo Vibe) (10 page)

CHAPTER EIGHT

Chicago

Harriet snapped her flip phone shut.
She has always thought she’s better than me!
Harriet had been calling Angela for days and was ready to give up. Talking about giving up, she hoped Rosa would stop calling her. Harriet knew Rosa would confront her eventually, but Harriet intended on putting off “eventually” for as long as she could.

On television, a woman rushed from the hotel entrance to the waiting taxi, reminding Harriet of when her sister had abandoned her for the first time…

Chicago, thirty-one years ago

Harriet stood at the hotel window and watched Angela’s taxi merge into the holiday traffic. Angela was so gullible, it made Harriet sick.
Typical goody two-shoes
. She smirked.
Tell her what she wants to hear, and she’ll lap it up
.

Missing her fluffy down pillows and bright, cheerful comforter, she returned to the hotel bed and pulled back the ugly brown and orange splotched spread. She would call David after her nap, sure that he’d be plenty worried by then.

Rolling onto her stomach, she stuffed the pillows under her arms. She couldn’t get over the way he’d pulled his punch instead of hitting her. Her heart smiled. He really did love her and wanted to have a baby with her. Yes, even the mighty David had fallen to her will.

She slipped her hand between her stomach and the bed. If not for the baby, she would be stuck in a loveless marriage and missing out on all the things David would buy her.

Maybe I’ll name her Miracle
, she thought
.

If she played her cards right, she’d be married to David and living the life she deserved by Christmas. But first, she needed to get rid of George. After he showed his butt by throwing her out, she knew he never really cared for her. He’d obviously wasted their money on a woman and blamed Harriet for their financial troubles.

Finished napping, Harriet told herself this was the last time she’d try David’s number. She’d left him a message over an hour ago, apologizing. Though in love, she didn’t want to sound desperate and lose the upper hand. Her mother had learned that lesson the hard way.

She laughed in delight. David was actually hers, and soon she’d have more money than she could dream of. She prayed George wouldn’t try to weasel in later. When she’d called him, George apologized for kicking her out of the house. He said he would move into an apartment and leave her the house, but Harriet wasn’t hearing it. She told him to sell that cheap-assed house and give her the money. She’d found a man that knew how to treat a woman. A tinge of guilt pricked at her for being so hateful to George. After all, he had been a good provider, initially. But David had so much more to offer that she had to love him.

She dialed David’s number, then placed the phone to her ear.

“Yeah.”

“David, honey, I’ve been worried about you,” she said in a voice so sweet it made sugar taste sour.

“What the hell do you want? I aint payin’ for no fuckin’ abortion.”

The hostility pouring through the line brought a frown to her face. “Didn’t you receive my message, love? I’m sorry about yesterday. I don’t want an abortion. I was so worried this was George’s baby that I hadn’t considered this could be our child,” she lied as easily as she had when she told Angela that she hadn’t had sex with George for six months. “Please forgive me for being so emotional.” A nervous giggle escaped her. “The hormones of pregnancy have me acting out of sorts.”

“Yeah, right. Back to my original question: What the hell do you want from me?”

She didn’t appreciate his tone of voice, but would remain silent on the subject. Before yesterday, he’d only spoken to others in such harsh tones. She rationalized his pain was speaking, not David. The idea of her aborting their love child obviously cut him deeply.

“I thought we could go to dinner and discuss the baby, my divorce, the wedding.” She smoothed down her mauve wrap around skirt as she waited for his reply. His silence worried her. Perhaps she should have waited until tomorrow to call. The hotel room was paid for one more night.

“You don’t honestly believe I’m marrying you, do you?” His sinister laugh crept through the line, then rappelled down her spine. She shook it off. She couldn’t have miscalculated this badly. She knew what men wanted: how they thought and how to manipulate them. More importantly, she knew David loved her as much as she loved him. Why else would he be so distraught over her aborting their child? Why else would he spend so freely on her? “I know you’re angry about yesterday, but I was distressed.”

“Do I have to spell the shit out? Is my accent too thick? I…don’t…want…your…ass.”

“B-but, David, you said you’d marry me if I left George.” Panic sent her heart racing. This hateful man couldn’t be the love of her life. Someone must have answered his line. She twisted the phone cord between her fingers. “I’m divorcing George,” she stammered. “We-we’ve already started the paperwork.”

“You mean he’s divorcing your ass. I just got back. I went to him like a man and apologized for showing my ass.”

“Why are you doing this? You said you loved me.” In a daze, Harriet sat on the edge of the bed, crinkling the comforter with her free hand. She’d actually believed David and George’s professions of love. She cursed herself for being so arrogant, so stupid, so… She felt like she’d throw up, and not because of the baby.

“I said whatever the hell I had to get your ass in bed. You’re nothing more than a high-priced whore. You’re no better than your mama.”

“I’m nothing like my mother!” The sound of her mother crying after yet another man walked out on them resounded painfully within Harriet. “How can you speak to me like this? I don’t understand.” She drew her hands through her lye-straightened hair as if to find the answers between the black, shoulder length strands. “George threw me out. I have nothing. Don’t do this.”

“I ain’t doin’ shit. You knew you were married. What the hell did you think he’d do when you get pregnant by a
real man
? Hell, I’m not stupid. You punked
Jorge
. I ain’t goin’ out like that.”

“But what about the baby? It’s yours. I can feel it.” She blinked away her tears. She’d given him something that she’d never given another man—her heart. Biting the tips of her French manicure, she rocked on the bed. This couldn’t be happening. Not to her. She was too smart, too cunning, too beautiful to be taken for a fool. What would she do for money until she found another man? After the way she’d cut up on the phone, there was no way George would take her back.

“I’m a man. I take care of my responsibilities, but that don’t mean I have to marry your ass.”

“But, I love you.”

“Love my money.”

She gripped the phone with both hands as if that would double her sincerity. “You’ve got to believe me. I’ve never felt like this before.”

“You were supposed to be on birth control,” he bit out, accent thickening along with his anger. “I told you what happened to
m’ijo
.”

“David, please. This is your chance to have another son.”

“I told you I can no risk havin’
no mas
…” he trailed off.

“David, please listen to me. I love you. I love our son. He needs you to be his father.”

“You think I’m gonna let you manipulate my ass? That shit’s the oldest trick
en el libro
. You bled
Jorge
dry, now you’re after me. Fuck that. I ain’t havin’ it.”

“No!” She wiped the tears away. She couldn’t give up. His money was her future. “I love you. I never thought I’d love—”

“Don’t waste your breath,” he cut in.

She heard him draw in a few deep breaths. Praying she hadn’t pushed too hard, she remained silent. But his heavy accent told her she’d shoved him over the edge.

“A hundred grand is more than enough to raise a kid.” He inhaled deeply. “To keep your trick ass from abortin’ my son, I’ll give you cash
after
he’s born.”

Her ears perked up to the sweet melody of a hundred grand. Assessing her situation quickly, she fingered her belly like the buttons of a calculator. “I’ll need at least half a million, David. Please. How will I survive until the baby comes? I know you want a healthy son.”

His laugh was so loud that she had to pull the phone away from her ear temporarily. “I thought your ass was in love with me. You seem to have recovered quickly. Two hundred big ones—after my son is born. Don’t even think about asking for more.”

Noticing his accent had dissipated, she felt more secure. “But, I need money now.” He didn’t reply. “David?”

“Meet me at Tony’s. I’ll give you a lil’ somethin’ to hold you over for a few days. But you need to get back in your house and get your things. Pawn some of that shit I bought your ass. You have money.”

She heard the phone slam on his end. The line went dead. The phone fell from Harriet’s trembling hand. She’d given him her heart, and he’d crushed it. Sounds of her mother crying returned. She would never allow a man to use her as they had her mother. No, she was better than her mother. Harriet would never be the used again. She slumped to the bed.

Never again
, she swore.

CHAPTER NINE

Samson couldn’t believe how close he’d come to crossing the line with Rosa last night. She was perfect for him, but the timing was anything but.

David entered the interview room minus his shackles. “What’s the special occasion?” he asked in Spanish. “Why are we in here?” He sat across from Samson.

“This is the only place I could speak with you privately.”

“What about them cameras?” He nodded toward the corner of the room, but the cameras were missing.

“We need to talk about Ernesto.”

“I can’t stand his stupid ass. Is that Rosa?” One of her pictures was sticking out of the folder. Samson slid Rosa’s folder across the table to him. “I still can’t believe I made someone so beautiful.” David flipped through the folder. “I’ve missed the last six years of her life.”

“But, I thought she didn’t know anything about you until the other day?”

“Don’t get your shorts in a bunch. I kept an eye on her from afar. She’s my little girl.”

“I want to protect Rosa, but I can’t unless I know the whole truth.” The truth behind his own words scared Samson. She was someone he could fall in love with. He corrected his thoughts:
was
falling in love with. Setting the timing issue aside, they came from two totally different worlds. He’d never fit into hers, and she’d never fit into his.

A slow grin eased across David’s face and mischief sparkled in his eyes, putting Samson in mind of Rosa. “So now, you’re her champion?” David straightened his posture and spoke through his nose. “My, aren’t we the gallant one?”

“I’m being serious.”

“So am I. She’ll need someone to watch over her after I’m gone.”

“Well, that someone isn’t me. Is Ernesto your silent partner in the syndicate?”

David’s larger-than-life laugh filled the small room. “Subject change time. Okay, I’ll play along. Will you arrest his ass if I say yes? If so, hell yeah! I saw the newspaper. That stupid bastard’s big mouth is gonna get her killed. Lock his ass up. There’s an open cell across from mine.” He began reading through articles written about Rosa, the business prodigy. “She was only thirteen when she orchestrated her first company takeover. Yeah, you’d better lock Ernesto up fast.”

“Stop being facetious and answer me.”

“I like you, Samson—but I love Rosa. Even if Ernesto were part of my organization, I would never tell. Bolívar International will be hers someday. I won’t ruin her inheritance or her name.”

Samson expected as much, but he thought he’d give it a try. “Do you have the information on the Sierra syndicate?”

David patted himself down. “Not on me. I already told you, I ain’t turnin’ over shit.”

“I’m not asking you to turn anything over. I’m asking if it exists.”

David took a recent picture of Rosa out of the folder. “Can I have this?”

“Sure.” Samson had grown accustomed to David taking time to choose his words carefully in deciding what he’d reveal. He smiled internally. Rosa did the same thing.

“I have it in a safe place. No more questions about it.”

Samson could tell that David had a love-hate-admiration-jealousy relationship with Ernesto, but David had trusted him as he had trusted no other. Samson worked through different scenarios in his mind as he thumbed through the folder on Ernesto. Two rang out clearly.

In the scenario Samson preferred, Rosa was on the right track. Ernesto was no longer a part of any drug syndicate, and David gave the information to Ernesto to use as security against the Sierra syndicate. The two men were doing what they thought was necessary to protect Rosa.

In the second scenario, Ernesto was neck deep in the Martín syndicate, and he was using Rosa to gain more advantage over the Sierra syndicate.

David pulled the file on Ernesto to his side of the table. “Ernesto is a self-centered bastard. Always has been. Don’t get me wrong. He has his moments, like when he agreed to take Rosa for me. I thought he’d pawn her off on a nanny, but instead, he raised her himself. I’m impressed.”

“Why did he agree to take her?”

“I fucked up gettin’ Harriet pregnant. He was the only person I could trust with my baby.”

“But why did he agree to take her?”

“Let the truth be told, I’m just as self-centered as Ernesto. For once in our lives, we were thinking of someone else. We agreed he’d raise my child, and I’d stay away.”

“What if Rosa had been born a male?”

“Sex didn’t matter. In raising Rosa, we are selfless. She is our center.”

“After Rosa was born, did you remain in contact with Ernesto?”

“Before my ass was locked up, he’d send me pictures and updates every few months. Rosa doesn’t know this, and I expect her to continue not knowing.”

“I understand.” Samson opened his notebook and began writing notes.

“Have you contacted your family yet?” David asked. “What’s your brother’s name, Derrick?”

Samson continued writing. “Don’t start. I’ve been too busy.”

“You couldn’t keep your sister from killing herself anymore than you can stop my execution. Her death wasn’t your fault. My death isn’t your fault. You can’t save the world.”

“Mind your own business,” Samson warned. He’d failed his sister, and it cost her life. When his family needed him in control, he was busy wallowing in self-pity about his divorce. He missed his family, but he had to ensure Rosa was safe before he contacted them. It had been over a year, so a quick phone call wouldn’t do.

“I’m dying in a few days and can’t look after you. Call your brother.”

“You’re looking after me?” Samson said, voice filled with amusement.

“Hell yeah! I know some of that psycho-babble shit. Your sister had just died when you started ‘befriending’ me. In saving me, you save your sister. I can’t be saved, Samson.”

“You’re talking crazy.”

“Am I? I don’t know how or when it happened, but we’ve become friends, and I’m dying. You feel helpless, just as you did with your sister.”

“Be quiet.” The folding chair screeched against the speckled linoleum floor as Samson pushed away from the table. “Are you ready to return to your cell?”

“What’s this, you sending me to time out? Stop fighting battles you can’t win. Rosa needs you in your right mind. Re-connect with your family.”

A chill went down Samson’s spine. The blood drained from his face. “Ernesto’s part of your syndicate, isn’t he.” He rounded the table, smoothing down his goatee. “Rosa will be crushed.”

“You won’t find anything on Ernesto, but Rosa needs you.”

It wasn’t what David said, but what he didn’t say that terrified Samson. “Say it, David. Why does Rosa need me?”

“Don’t pay any attention to me. I’ve been locked up too long. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and contact your family. You finish that letter of resignation yet? I thought you were quitting after my execution.”

“I’m not letting you off the hook so easily. Give me the Ernesto connection. What danger is Rosa in?”

David stared into Samson’s eyes a long while. “I’m an asshole. I know how you always ride in like the fuckin’ cavalry to save the day, so I told you Rosa was in danger.”

“Why?”

“It’s my way of matchmaking.”

“You’re lying.”

“It won’t be the first time.”

Samson clinched his fists and let out a frustrated sigh. “How can you play these stupid games and say you love Rosa? You’re the one who’ll get her killed.”

“Then hop on your white horse and protect her.”

“Why are you trying to push me and Rosa together?”

David looked at Samson as if he’d lost his mind. “Because I’m about to die, and I need someone I trust to take care of my little girl!” He pushed away from the table. “Damn.” He brushed his hands over his hair as he shook his head. “I’m dying,” he said softly. “I can’t leave her alone.”

Taken aback by David’s show of emotion, Samson asked, “What about Ernesto? Why don’t you trust him to take care of Rosa?”

“You mean the dumb-ass who told her who I am? I stayed away from my child all of these years to protect her, then that stupid mutha’ blows everything. Don’t you think I wanted to tell her? That I wanted to be the one she adores? Ernesto’s usefulness has ended. She doesn’t need a father—she needs a husband.”

“Wait a second.” He held his hands up slightly. “Hold up. I’m interested but… Well hell, we come from different worlds.”

“You can come up with a better excuse than that. I know what the hell I’m doing. I picked her father, and I’ll pick her husband. I know where you spent last night.”

“How the hell did you find out?” Samson snapped.

“I didn’t. I guessed and you just confirmed.”

“You’re a piece of work.”

“How the hell you think I became the head of the largest drug cartel in the world?” David marked time about the interview room, using his hands as he spoke. “I know I’m the big bad drug lord, but I love my child. I even care about your ass. Between Rosa’s visit, Father Mike talking about I need to atone for my sins, you talking about fate and my impending death, I know what needs to be done.”

“You don’t have to die.”

“I can’t live in a fuckin’ cage for God knows how long! I don’t want to.” He drew in a deep breath in an attempt to calm himself. “But, I can’t leave Rosa by herself. I got to thinking about fate and atoning for my sins. Hell, there ain’t that much atonin’ in the world, but you. You work for the DEA, but you’re not DEA. We should have never met. Rosa should have never found out about me. You two should have never met. You spent the night with her because it was meant to be. Fate.”

“This is crazy. I hate to break it to you, but last night I went to Rosa’s hotel room to apologize for Alton showing his ass. We didn’t do anything. I don’t mix business and pleasure. I’ve learned my lesson.” Talk of fate brought Rosa’s comment about feeling as if you’d known someone you just met your entire life to his mind. In a way, Samson felt the same way for her. They’d just clicked, and he couldn’t find a logical explanation for why.

“You didn’t do anything because you’re falling in love with her. Hell, you two were made for each other. Stop blaming yourself for your sister’s death. Stop punishing yourself for the divorce. Stop playing martyr and live. I wish I could be thirty-four again. I would leave the drug life behind and raise my daughter. Yeah, I’ve been lookin’ after you.” A sheepish grin overtook his face. “What the hell else have I had to do? I pray you don’t get to be my age, looking back at a life full of regrets.” He paused. “I need for you to grant a dying man’s last request.”

Samson watched as David fiddled with Rosa’s picture.

“I want you in Chicago when I die.”

“I told you I’d be here for you, and I meant it. You’re not dying alone. I’m not doing this because of the job. I want to be there for you.”

“Rosa needs you.” He shrugged his shoulders. “How did two assholes like me and Harriet have such a loving child? She cares too hard. I want you there with her. She’ll need you.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out a letter. “Give this to her for me—after I’m gone.” He handed the letter over.

Conflicted, Samson accepted the letter. He wanted to open it and see if David finally told Rosa the truth about Ernesto so she’d protect herself.

“Don’t get your hopes up,” David said, breaking into Samson’s thoughts. “It just tells her I love her and am sorry we didn’t have more time together. If you want, I’ll write another letter so you can read it before I seal it.”

Samson placed the letter between the pages of his notebook. “That won’t be necessary.”

“Then, I think it’s time for me to leave.” He rounded the table and gave Samson a brutha embrace. “Take care of my baby girl. No more regrets.”

“No more regrets.”

* * *

Samson stared out the window of their cramped temporary office onto the parking lot a few floors below. The rain didn’t keep the protesters away. David’s words continued to ramble in his mind. Samson’s life was already full of regrets, and he didn’t want to make Rosa another.

“We need to get up out of here for our flight to Chicago,” Alton said from his desk. “George Wells is out of town, but we have other interviews we can conduct before he returns.”

“What about Gains, the original agent on the Martín case?”

“David must have paid him off. He kept a low profile after he retired. He moved to France about five years after his retirement and lived well above the means of a former agent. He died six years ago of a heart attack. Every ex-agent that has worked on this case retired a little too nicely.” He slammed his fist on the desk. “Hell, Ernesto and David were doing their dirt before there was even a DEA. They slipped Ernesto in under the radar, kept all of his connections hidden.” He thumbed through the list of people they needed to interview. “The people old enough to help are either dead or senile. The bookkeeping back then was horrible at best, but I have our guys digging through old boxes and reading though every scrap of paper they can find.”

“Are any of their high school teachers still around?”

Alton opened his notebook. “I was calling them while you were wasting time on David.” He tapped on the list. “There are actually three I’d like to check out before we interview Harriet tomorrow. I’ve already made the arrangements. Let’s go before we miss our flight.”

* * *

Ernesto stood at his floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. “I should kill you for this, Harriet,” he said loud enough for the speakerphone to pick up his voice.

“I said I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…”

He stalked over to the phone and snatched it from its cradle. “You never mean to! Did you see the news? She’s on every channel, pleading to see David. Do you know what you’ve done?”

“I… I’m leaving town for a while.”

“The hell you are! Rosa’s worried sick about you. Why haven’t you returned her calls?”

“I can’t face her. I’m so ashamed. And, the DEA called me. They want to interview me in the morning.”

“Shit! The cat’s out of the bag now. You’ll have to talk to them. I’ll tell you what to say.” He repeated his new and improved version of how he came about raising Rosa.

“No! I won’t do it. You make me sound like a slut.”