Caught Up (Indigo Vibe) (18 page)

“Why are you snooping around my desk?”

Samson jerked his head up. “I wasn’t… I mean…” He rounded the desk to her. “We need to talk.”

“About what, you accusing my father of being a criminal, you trying to manipulate Mrs. Walker, or you spying on me?” She brushed by him and closed the Internet connection.

“You knew I had to question them, Rosa. You’re being unreasonable.”

“You’ve practically convicted my father, yet I’m the one being unreasonable. This is a clear case of guilt by association, guilt by being born Colombian.”

“Since when did Ernesto claim anything Colombian?”

“I’m not arguing with you.” She took her seat. “This won’t work. I have to support my father, and you have a job to do.”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “You’d so easily dismiss me?”

“I’m in no mood to pamper your ego.”

“Who was that man who just left your office?”

“A client.” She straightened her already neat desk.

“Well, make sure it stays that way.”

Brow raised, she asked, “You’re not serious, are you?”

“What’s his name? I’ll check him out.” He reached inside his suit coat pocket and pulled out a small notepad and pen.

“I’m warning you, Samson, leave my clients alone.”

“He didn’t sound like a client to me.”

Rosa stared at him a good long while, then picked up her phone and dialed the front desk. “Excuse me, Gail. Could you get Mr. Paige’s number please?”

“Yes, his number would do nicely. I think I need to pay Mr. Paige a visit,” Samson said.

Rosa hung up, then dialed the number. “Hello, Jeff, it’s Rosa.” She listened a few seconds, smiled at Samson and giggled. “I know you just left.”

“What the hell are you doing?” Samson asked under his breath.

“I’ve changed my mind. I’d love to go out with you.”

Samson leapt forward, almost grabbing the phone. Rosa didn’t flinch. “Seven o’clock would be fine… See you tonight… Yes, I’m sure you’ll show me the time of my life… Goodbye.” She hung up.

“You’re not going out with him!”

Rosa pushed away from her desk, then rounded her desk and stood directly in front of Samson. “Wanna bet?”

The silent seconds that passed felt like hours to Samson. No way would he allow his woman to go out with another man. But how could he stop her? She wouldn’t even accept his calls. “I’ll be the mature one and leave before this gets out of hand.”

“You do that.”

Without looking back, Samson commanded his legs to walk out, reminding himself that she was angry. She loved him. This was her way of striking back at him for doing his job. He’d give her a day or two to cool. Until then, he’d have a tail put on this Paige guy and check out his background, just in case he was one of the drug connections snooping to see what Rosa knew.

The name Paige rang a familiar bell in Samson’s ear.
Damn
. He definitely recognized the name. He stopped off at the receptionist desk. “Excuse me, Gail, could you tell me where Ebony’s office is?”

“No.”

He didn’t know if she were joking or serious. “Why not?” he asked in the most neutral tone he could muster.

“I saw the way you looked at her when she came in. First of all, she’s Rosa’s friend, and secondly, she’s happily married. This is her third child. You need to step off.” She pursed her lips. “Men are dogs.”

“I need to interview her for my job, Gail. Now, would you please point me to her office?”

A few minutes later, Samson was seated across from Ebony in a coffee shop. Mid-morning, the shop traffic was at a minimum. Ebony added cream to her coffee. She reminded him of his deceased sister. They were both tall, beautiful, dark women with kind hearts. He missed his family, but pushed his sorrow away. Rosa needed him. “How long has Jeff Paige been a client?”

“He came sniffing around a week or so ago, insisting that he could only work with Rosa. He’s up to something.”

“That’s what I was thinking.” He took a sip of coffee. “What type of work is she doing for him?”

“He wants to set up a separate network for an annex office, and he wants her to test the firewall protection of their main system.”

“So he hired her to infiltrate his network.”

“Yes. Don’t worry about Rosa. She won’t fall for the likes of Jeff. She has her sights set on someone else.” She tipped her coffee cup at him.

“I just ran for the ‘Jerk Of The Year’ award. I can’t believe how jealous I was. He’s not her type at all.”

“Give her a day to cool off.” She took a sip of coffee.

“She has a date with him tonight.”

Ebony almost choked from laughing so hard. “Oh, poor Rosa.”

Samson smirked. “Serves her right. Do you know if Jeff Paige is part of Paige Industries?” He asked, though he knew the answer. The DEA had several leads that pointed to Barry Paige, CEO of Paige Industries, as a major player in the drug world.

“His father is CEO.”

“Is it standard to have two separate networking systems?”

“Not the way he wants it. He wants them to be two totally non-related businesses.”

“Why would he do that?”

Ebony hunched her shoulders. “You’ve got me.”

Samson knew why—Paige was keeping an eye on Rosa. Samson would sick Alton on him directly after his interview with Ebony. “Have you met her father, Ernesto Bolívar?”

“A few times. He’s overprotective, but nice. He is even working from his Chicago office until you guys stop investigating him.”

“Oh really?” He stirred his coffee. “So why are you being so forthcoming with information?”

“Rosa told everyone to give our full cooperation.”

He thought about the article Rosa had found about Caldwell and wondered what had happened to provoke her to conduct her own investigation. He needed to apologize for the way he had acted. They were both after the same thing. There was no need to be at odds.

* * *

“I owe you an apology, Jeff.” Rosa stood under the soft yellow light of her porch lantern. He’d taken her shopping, though she wouldn’t allow him to buy her anything. He’d also taken her to dinner at the most expensive restaurant in town.

She forced herself to remain still as he stepped closer and placed his hands on her waist. “What’s wrong?” he asked. “I had a great time.”

“I had a nice time, but I don’t want to lead you on. My life’s a mess, and I’m not looking for a relationship right now.”

He leaned back on the wrought-iron porch railing. “Oh, this has to do with David Martín, doesn’t it?”

“In a way. I need to get my life back in order.”

“How about this? We part as friends. If you need to talk, I’m here for you. We can do this on your terms.”

When not talking about himself, which was rare, Jeff was actually a nice guy, she decided. “Thanks.”

He kissed her on the forehead, said goodbye, and went to his limo. Rosa sat on the porch a few more minutes. The neighborhood was so peaceful at night. She closed her eyes and listened to the crickets, wishing for her own peace.

According to reports, Caldwell was embezzling money from his company for David Martín. She’d told Samson that he was wrong for considering Ernesto guilty by association; now here she was telling herself the same thing. She sighed and went inside.

Too tired to change into nightclothes, she chose to sleep in her full slip. She turned on the lamp and reached into her nightstand for her journal, but it wasn’t there. She’d forgotten that she’d packed it away and needed to start a new one.

She frowned at the drawer. Some of the items were out of place. She always kept her extra pencils on top of the notepad. One of the pencils was off to the side. And the Post-its were in the top center instead of the bottom center.

She snatched the cordless phone up so quickly the numbers almost didn’t follow. She punched in the digits, then waited.

“What’s wrong, Rosa?” Ernesto asked, his voice filled with concern and sleep. “It’s almost midnight.”

She marched out of her room toward the kitchen. “You’ve been snooping in my room, haven’t you?” She rounded the corner into the kitchen and headed straight for the basement door. She’d caught him reading her journal when she was a teen, but she couldn’t do anything about it. She yanked the basement door open.

“Calm down.”

“I’m not calming down, Daddy!” She flicked on the lights as she stomped down the steps. “You have no right to invade my privacy.”

“I’m your father and worried about you, that’s all the rights I need.”

She slapped on the light as she entered the storage room. The cement floor was so cold it stung her bare feet, but she didn’t care. “About what? That I’ll find more of your dirty little secrets? I told you to tell me everything. Have you told it all?” Phone propped between her ear and shoulder, she pulled out the bin with her journals. She threw the lid, and it clattered against the wall.

“Leave the past in the past. I’ve changed.”

She took the keepsake box that contained her journals out. “I believe you’ve changed. But you sneaking around my home makes you look guilty. If you’re not guilty, stop acting like it.” She put her most recent journal on the floor, then returned the keepsake box to the bin.

“You’re right, baby. I apologize.”

She began dragging all of the storage containers to the center of the room. Each had an itemized list of its contents.

“I was looking for your journal. You’ve always been so open with me, but since you found out about David…” he trailed off. “I’m sorry I’ve shaken your faith in me, but I’m worried about you. You’re still my child. You won’t tell me what’s on your mind. I can’t help if I don’t know what’s wrong.”

She stuffed her most recent journal in with her college memorabilia items. “If you want to help me, cooperate with the DEA.” She pushed the bin into a corner of the storage room, then began stacking and replacing the other containers around it.

His voice rose in defense. “Don’t you think I want to cooperate? This goes against everything I am, but I have to protect you.”

“Protect me? From what? The only one snooping around is you. No one’s after me. I don’t know anything, and your cooperating with the DEA won’t change that.” She continued arranging the storage units.

“You don’t know the drug world. I do. I’m not worried about the DEA. I have to protect you the only way I can.”

She pushed the final bin into place. “What’s going on? Why are you so worried about the drug world?”

“Because now they’ll think I’m actually David’s partner. The only way to get at me is through you. And you won’t even let me hire security for you.”

“Then, let’s work with the DEA. Set up a sting. Samson will help us.”

“No, Rosa! Why do you think the DEA never made the connection between David and me? David has agents in every agency to ensure the connection was never made. David isn’t the only one with agents on his payroll. If one of the crooked agents found out I was cooperating with the DEA…” he trailed off. “I won’t jeopardize you.”

She turned off the light in the storage room, then went into the basement and lay on the carpeted floor. She hadn’t furnished the basement, so it was empty. “You’re killing me, Daddy.”

“I know this is hard for you, but I can’t involve the DEA.”

She couldn’t dispute his point that David had agents in his pocket, but Samson wasn’t one of them. “Please talk to Samson. He can help.”

“No, Rosa. This is my decision to make. Are you with me or not?”

She blew out an exasperated breath. “Yes. I’m with you.”

* * *

Glad that Anna hadn’t woken, Ernesto disconnected and set his cell phone on the nightstand. He didn’t divulge any information the DEA didn’t already know, so he was still safe on that front.

Yes, Rosa will always be with me,
Ernesto reaffirmed…

Chicago, twenty-four years ago

Ernesto quickly rounded the corner to see why Rosa had come into the house screaming for him. She dropped her sketchpad and ran up the stairs, skipping steps.

“I’m sorry, Daddy,” she said with tears streaming down her face as he lifted her. “I promise to be a good girl. I won’t break my arm
no más
.” She hugged him tightly. “Please don’t leave me.”

Harriet didn’t make it to the top step before Ernesto blasted, “What the hell have you been telling her?” He held Rosa close, rocking her. “It’s all right, baby.” He stroked her hair. “I’d never leave you.”

“She’s my daughter—”

“Don’t say another word! I’ll deal with you later.” He stalked off to his office and slammed the door, thinking this was low, even for Harriet.

Comforting Rosa, he hummed a lullaby until she sobbed herself to sleep in his arms. The fear in her eyes of losing him was twenty times worse than her fear from the fall. David had given her to him. Harriet didn’t want or appreciate him. Rosa never asked for anything and worshiped him. He gently brushed the hair out of her face. He had no intention of ever giving her up.

Painful memories flooded him: A man had taken his mother from him; a murderer had taken his surrogate mother from him; and then the abuse he suffered at the hands of foster parents stole his youth and innocence from him. A child at the time, he couldn’t fight back. He kissed Rosa’s forehead. No one would take what was his again.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Shocked that Rosa allowed him into the house without any resistance, Samson sat at the kitchen table and watched as she heated water. Dressed in jeans and an orange cotton blouse, she was as beautiful as ever, but she looked mind-weary and exhausted. The usual cheer and laughter in her eyes had disappeared.

“I apologize for my behavior yesterday. I was totally out of line.” He took off his suit coat and draped it over the back of the chair. “Allow me to make it up to you. There’s a strawberry festival this weekend I’m sure you’ll enjoy.”

She took the teakettle off the stove and poured hot water into their cups. “Thanks, but I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to see each other socially.”

He watched as she set the teapot on the stove and opened the lower cabinet next to the oven. One of the screws fell out of its hinge.

The cabinet isn’t the only thing in the room in need of repair
.

She lazily set the screw on the counter, then grabbed the box of tea out of the cabinet and took out two packets. “You did want tea, didn’t you?” She returned to the table, holding out a teabag. “I have apple juice.”

He took the offered bag. “Tea will be fine. There’s no reason we can’t continue seeing each other.”

“No reason? Humph. How about your job is to convict my father?”

“My job is to find the truth. We’re both working toward the same goal. We’re on the same side.”

“I’m going in knowing he’s innocent, and you’re going in thinking he’s guilty.” She used her spoon to press the steeped teabag against the inner edge of her cup.

“Unlike you and Alton, I’m objective.” A flash of acknowledgment lit her eyes before she covered her emotions. “If Ernesto’s innocent, then I’ll find it. What are you afraid of?” After seeing the Caldwell article on her monitor, he knew she was afraid Ernesto was still involved in the drug trade. She was near the point where she could deal with Ernesto’s possible guilt, but she needed more time.

She pushed her tea away. “I have to protect my father. I don’t trust Alton. Would you please give me all of the information you have on Daddy? I don’t know where to look or what to look for.”

“On one condition. You have to cook dinner for me tonight.” He displayed a toothy grin. “Strictly business, of course.”

The laughter returned to her eyes. “You are a mess, DEA Agent Samson Quartermaine.”

“I’ll be by around six.” He went over to the counter and held up the screw. “Do you have any tools?”

“In the garage.”

A few minutes later, he sat on the floor and began fixing her cabinet. She crouched down and watched.

He patted the cream tile floor with his hand. “Sit here. You should learn how to do these small jobs.” She moved closer. “Your garage is a handy man’s heaven. I’ll bet you don’t even know how to use half of the equipment.”

“And you’d be correct, but I could have taken care of that screw.”

“I saw a few other things that need fixing. Instead of indulging in strawberry delights this weekend, how about I make a few repairs around here?” He took her hand into his.

“I’d never impose on you.” She gently tugged her hand away.

He pressed his lips to her forehead. “I’m not giving up on you, Rosa.”

* * *

“The best way to find holes in Ernesto’s story is through Rosa,” Samson said. “In order to prove his innocence, she’ll cooperate.” He looked out of their second story office window onto the street below. A mid-morning rush of people hurried from here to there.

“You can’t give her everything we have, man,” Alton said. “You’re too close. She’s playing you.”

He turned his body to face his partner. “I never intended on giving her everything. I’m revealing what I think she already has and a little more. I need for her to see that we’re a team, working toward the same goal.”

“And what’s your goal, to catch Ernesto or win Rosa’s heart? You’ve fallen for her.”

“I’ll admit I have feelings for Rosa; but
if
Ernesto’s crooked, he’s going down. I don’t give drug lords free passes, and neither will Rosa.”

“You actually believe she’ll turn on her father? You’re dreaming.”

“She’ll never turn on Ernesto, but she won’t support his illegal activity. She’s already found out about Caldwell.”

“So what do you think she’ll do when she finds out Ernesto’s the head of the Martín syndicate?”

“
If
he’s the head of the Martí
n syndicate, she’ll deal with it just as she has everything she’s learned in the past week.”

* * *

“I didn’t say you could open my blinds, Ernesto.” Harriet stood in her living room with her arms folded over her chest, tapping her foot. David had made her a hundred million dollars richer, so she no longer needed Ernesto. She’d never have to depend on anyone else again. She wondered what David did with the rest of his drug money. She figured he had to be a multi-billionaire.

Ernesto continued opening blinds. “You did a great job with the agents. I’ll have to buy you something special. Did Rosa say anything to you about Agent Quartermaine? I’m afraid she’s getting involved with him.” He approached her.

Harriet
tsked
. “Rosa’s smarter than to become involved with some poor cop. He has nothing to offer her.” Hands on her hips, she craned her neck back to look into his face. “I’m sick of you always making me look like the bad guy.”

“You are the bad guy.” He turned and walked out.

Harriet was so enraged, she couldn’t move until after he’d already left. She grabbed a nearby vase and hurled it across the room. It smashed against the door, shattering to pieces. “I hate you, Ernesto!”

She needed vodka, but instead, rushed into her bedroom and read the information an anonymous friend of David had sent her. The correspondence said that David arranged to have everything taken care of between Rosa and Ernesto. Harriet crumpled the letter. David was taking too long, and she didn’t trust this friend to come through.

She sorted through the hundreds of pictures that accompanied the letter. The friend had told her to make copies and put them away in a safe hiding place. Some of the pictures were taken from a distance, but were clear. Many of the pictures contained Ernesto and David in the shots. Another group of photos looked promising also. She grinned. Rosa would finally see Ernesto for the liar he was.

Wishing she could have just one celebratory drink, she licked her lips.

* * *

“Come in. It’s unlocked,” Rosa yelled over her shoulder as she stirred the homemade vegetable soup. A few seconds later, Samson entered the kitchen. He’d changed from his suit to jeans and a polo shirt. She loved bright colors, and a dark man in bright yellow—she shook her head—Lawd have mercy, he looked fine.

He tapped the salad bowl, quickly scanned the kitchen, then stepped behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, drawing her into his chest. “The soup smells delicious, but a man needs food when he comes home from a hard day’s work.”

The rumble of his voice against her back comforted her. Soaking in the security, she pressed further into his embrace. “Do me a favor.” She pointed to the counter corner. “Move the grill over to the island and plug it in.”

She took two marinated steaks out of the refrigerator, and his eyes lit up.

“Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about!”

She waved off his silliness. “Oh my goodness. You’d think you never ate before.”

* * *

Samson caught Rosa sneaking another peek at him. He’d known she’d like the bold yellow of his shirt. He winked at her. She blushed and averted her eyes. At his first chance, he planned to go clothing shopping.

She pulled her feet up on the white curved sectional in her living room and continued reading the information he’d given her. “Is this everything you have on him?”

“Everything I could give you. I won’t allow my feelings for you to interfere with the investigation. If Ernesto’s still involved in the drug trade, he’ll be arrested and prosecuted.”

A compassionate understanding filled her eyes. “I can respect that.” She returned to the file. “You’re wasting the taxpayers’ money. He’s innocent.”

“I pray you’re correct.”

Her mouth opened wide, then shut. “You guys already know he was laundering money for David.” She shook her head as she continued reading. “I told him to tell you.”

“The statute of limitations is over.” He scooted next to her and draped his arm around her shoulder. “I’ve never seen such a well-organized syndicate.”

“You sound in awe of them or something.”

“I’m impressed. It’s no wonder Ernesto’s at the top of the business world. What do you think about the Caldwell connection?”

She toyed with a few curls beside her ear. “I don’t want to consider Daddy guilty by association. According to these,” she tapped on the papers, “he bought our first house from the guy. I remember Caldwell coming to our house several times, but Daddy never liked him.” She paused. “Neither did I. Daddy must have known he had ties to David’s illegal activities, but that doesn’t make Daddy guilty of anything.”

“That’s how I feel also. We have associations, but no recent proof of any illegal activity.”

She tossed the file onto the coffee table and snuggled into Samson’s side. “Daddy’s been acting so strange lately, I was afraid you’d show me something…” she trailed off. “He’s innocent.”

She still sounded as if she were convincing herself of his innocence. Samson stood, pulling her along. They both needed a break. “The moon’s almost full. Let’s go for a walk.”

* * *

“I was shocked when I saw you lived in a middle-class neighborhood,” Samson said. “I thought for sure you’d live in an overpriced condo or mansion somewhere.”

“I’m not into wasting money, and I’m only one person,” Rosa said. “What would I need with a mansion?”

They continued strolling, hand in hand, along the sidewalk. “I guess I’m just trying to say that I’m glad you’re down to earth. You don’t seem rich.”

“Rich? Describe rich.”

“Uh, your father, Jeff Paige, your mother…”

“Okay, you win.” They shared a laugh. “You have my mother to thank for my attitude toward money and possessions.”

“Yeah right,” he drawled out.

She elbowed him in the side. “Don’t be mean.”

“I just can’t see it.”

“Maybe you’re looking at it wrong. She has everything money can buy, yet isn’t happy. The only times I remember her being truly happy were when we weren’t spending money. When I was a kid, we’d go to the park. She’d get in the swing next to me or play on the slide and have a great time. Sometimes I’d pick her a dandelion and clover bouquet. By the way her face lit up, you’d have thought they were the rarest, most expensive flowers ever. Somewhere along the line, she was taught that the things money can buy brings happiness. Her life has taught me different.”

“That’s sad.”

They rounded the corner and continued toward her house. “So why haven’t you seen your family in over a year? Too busy with David?”

“Ever since my sister died…I don’t know. If I’d have been there for her, she wouldn’t have killed herself.”

“You got that right. How could you turn your back on your own blood?”

“What?” He heated instantly. “I didn’t turn my back on her. It’s not like I knew how much trouble she was in.”

“Why didn’t you?” she chastised, her pace increased as they entered her yard. “She was your sister, and you’re a DEA agent. You should have investigated for yourself.”

“I did, Rosa. The files don’t contain information about her psychological well-being. Every time I spoke to her she said she was a little down. How was I supposed to know it meant more?”

They stopped at the edge of her porch. “Excuses, excuses. She said she was down.” Poking him in the chest, she asked, “What did you think that meant? You should have stopped her. You should have known.”

“Well hell, of course she was down. She’d found out her life was a lie. But I was there for her. She could have come to me and told me how she actually felt instead of thinking I’m a mind reader. You’re going through the same thing. Are you down about it?”

“Yes.”

“Do I need to call suicide prevention?”

“No.”

“I loved my sister, Rosa. I did everything I could for her.” Realizing she was actually projecting her situation on him, he softened. “I’m here for you.”

The devilish grin that he’d seen so many times on David found its way to Rosa’s face. “Are you convincing me or yourself?” She hopped up the stairs and entered the house.

He stared at the beveled glass within the front door.
What just happened?
One second they were walking, the next he was defending himself. Whatever happened, she’d made her point. He should have stopped blaming himself long ago. So many people had told him, but he never listened. Rosa was the only person that didn’t tell him, she showed him. He took the steps two at a time and went into the house, worried about how he’d protect her if Ernesto were guilty.

Rosa handed Samson the cordless phone as he walked into the kitchen. “What’s this for?” he asked.

“I don’t know anyone in your family’s phone number.”

“I’ll call later. We need to talk now.”

“I’m not going anywhere. Call while I clean the kitchen. You can use my bedroom for privacy.”

He pulled her into his embrace, loving her.

* * *

“Hello, Brianna.”

“Samson? Samson! Oh my God,” she screeched. “It’s Samson!”

He smiled at his sister’s excitement. “How have you been?”

“Wait a second. I’m putting you on three-way.” He heard a click, then a short time later, “Derrick, you won’t guess who I have on the line.”

“You’re right,” Derrick answered. “I won’t even try. Now what do you want?”

Samson shook his head. His older brother, Derrick, was still all business. He moved from Rosa’s bed to a recliner in the corner.

“Conference in John for me, then I’ll tell you.”

“I’m busy, Brianna. I don’t have time for this.”