Accused

by Sharon C. Cooper

  For the next thirty minutes, they roamed the store with Kenton sharing his food likes and dislikes. He’d been honest about eating whatever she cooked, but the fact that she wanted to make what he liked only made him love her more.

  “A little help here,” Egypt said, stretching for a bottle of lemon juice out of her reach on the top shelf.

  “How many?” he asked.

  “Just one.”

  Kenton put the juice in the basket, then placed his hand on the small of her back as they moved down the aisle. He found any excuse to touch her. He saw her almost every day at work for the last few years, but living with Egypt had taken his need to be close to her to another level.

  “So, what do we have here?” came a familiar voice from behind them.

  Kenton smiled, but Egypt stiffened and moved closer to him. He wrapped his arm around her waist, his hand resting on her hip before he turned to his long-time friend.

  “Dang, they just let anybody in this store,” he cracked, and Egypt relaxed her shoulders. Moving his arm from around her, Kenton extended his hand to Caleb, pulling him in for a man hug.

  “Now I see why you’ve been avoiding my calls.” Caleb’s appreciative gaze took in Egypt.

  “Sweetheart, this is a good friend of mine, Caleb Zander. Caleb, this is Egypt Durand.”

  Caleb extended his hand to Egypt. “Well, I’ll be damn. I’ve heard a lot about you, but I was starting to think you were a figment of his imagination.”

  Egypt smiled and shook his hand, not moving from Kenton’s side. If anything, she seemed to move closer. She had to know he wouldn’t introduce her to just anyone.

  “I’m a little surprised to see you grocery shopping.” Kenton nodded toward the handbasket Caleb carried. He was also surprised to see how disheveled Caleb appeared, a wrinkled button-down shirt that was partially untucked, stained jeans, and muddy boots. That wasn’t like Caleb.

  “I’m not here by choice. The wife needed me to stop and pick up a few items on my way home.”

  “You doin’ all right, man?” Kenton asked, still thrown off by Caleb’s unkempt appearance. The scraggly beard was new, and so was the fading bruise on his left jaw.

  “Oh yeah. I’m fine. I was at a buddy’s house. A few of us helped him move and then headed over to Steve’s place to watch the game. So, Egypt I hear you run things at Supreme. Must be kind of hard keeping fellas like this guy in line.”

  They all stood around talking for a few minutes. Kenton and Caleb tossed verbal jabs back and forth and even got Egypt involved in the conversation. But she didn’t seem as engaged as usual.

  “Man, I’d love to stand around chatting with you,” Kenton said sarcastically, “but we need to get going.”

  Caleb glanced down at his phone before holding it up and squinting. “Yeah, me too. Why don’t we all get together sometime? I’ll need to check with Dora, but let’s plan for some time soon.”

  Kenton nodded. “Sounds good, man. I’ll be in touch.”

  Kenton and Egypt continued down the aisle and up another. “What’s wrong? All of a sudden you seem off.”

  Egypt grabbed a bag of flour, sugar, and cornmeal from the shelves and placed them in the cart. “Nothing really. I was a little um…what made you think I was uncomfortable?”

  “You didn’t move from my side, and your responses to his questions were stiff. I also could feel the tension bouncing off of you.”

  “I was a little uncomfortable with the way he kept looking at me.”

  Kenton stopped her from moving with a hand on her arm. He waited until a woman with a baby in the cart and a child holding onto the side passed. “Uncomfortable how?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know, just uncomfortable. Like he was studying me each time he asked me a question. I know it sounds crazy. It was just a feeling. I’m sure it was nothing.”

  Kenton pulled her into his arms and kissed the side of her head. “It doesn’t sound crazy at all. You should always pay attention to your intuition, your gut, or anything else that might keep you safe. Caleb was a therapist for the FBI. Now he has his own practice. I met him years ago when we both worked for the agency. He’s a good listener, and the only thing I can say about his invasive behavior is that he listens with his eyes and ears. He pays attention to facial expressions, movements, and everything else. I wouldn’t overthink it if I were you.”

  Besides his grubby clothes, Kenton hadn’t noticed anything out of the norm with Caleb, but Egypt had been looking out for herself for a long time. He didn’t want her to doubt or ignore any discomfort she felt with anyone. Intuition and gut feelings had saved his life more than once.

  A few minutes later, and they were in the truck and leaving the parking lot.

  “Do you mind if we go to my place after dinner? I want to check the mail and pick up a few items.”

  “Sure, unless you want to go now.”

  “Nah, later is okay. You mentioned you and Caleb meeting while working for the FBI. Did you guys leave the agency at the same time, for the same reason?”

  Kenton maneuvered his vehicle down the highway, thinking about his time at the FBI. “No. I resigned after an op went bad. We were ambushed. I lost a witness and my best friend.”

  “Oh no. Kenton, I didn’t know. What happened? Were you hurt?”

  He told her about the trial, Santana, and how she’d been one of his confidential informants for years. Kenton’s hands tightened on the steering wheel while he verbalized all that had happened the day he and his friends were attacked. But he left out the part about there being a traitor at their agency, someone who had given their location to the DeLevese gang.

  “I’m so sorry for your loss.”

  “That time is a prime example of why you should trust your gut. Deep down I knew it was too risky. Yet, I put our lives in danger.”

  “Surely you don’t blame yourself. You couldn’t have known you guys would get attacked. Besides, you and Quaid were trying to do something special for Santana by honoring her one request.” Egypt squeezed his hand. “You said that was the only thing she asked for before being carted off to God knows where. I didn’t know her, but I’m sure she wouldn’t want you blaming yourself for something you really couldn’t control.”

  In his heart, Kenton knew Egypt was right about Santana, but he also knew he should’ve made different decisions that day. No, he couldn’t have known there was a dirty agent in the FBI, but he could have declined Santana’s request. Then she and Quaid would be alive.

  “I know I blame the FBI and the U.S. Marshals for everything bad that happened to my family and me,” Egypt said. “I also truly believe there were some instances they handled poorly. But if I’m honest with myself, I also know that sometimes crap happens despite the best-laid plans. The people who attacked you guys are to blame. Not you.”

  They drove the rest of the way in silence, but memories of all those years ago rattled in Kenton’s mind. Yeah, he made mistakes back then, he just couldn’t make them again. Egypt’s life might depend on him.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Hours later, they pulled onto Egypt’s street. As they drove passed one home after another, Egypt felt as though she’d been gone more than a couple of days. She was already getting comfortable at Kenton’s place. When this nightmare ended, how would she be able to return to her quiet, little house and her lonely, empty life? Even though she and Kenton were now dating, chances were, she wouldn’t see him every night. She’d fall back into long work days, eating alone, and everything else that composed her solitary life.

  Egypt shook her head. Think positive. No more loneliness. She was going to get her happily-ever-after, with Kenton.

  “Remind me to turn a lamp on before we leave,” she said after Kenton stopped in front of the house instead of pulling into the long driveway leading to the detached garage in the back of the house. “Why don’t you ever park in the driveway?”

  “I like being able to see the truck as I approach. Fewer blind spots.”<
br />
  Egypt thought about that as he climbed out and walked around to the passenger side then opened her door. Kenton stayed close as they walked up the stairs.

  “We need to install some floodlights in front of the bushes,” he said. “Even if the inside of the house was illuminated, it would still be too dark out here.”

  “Maybe I’ll talk to the landlord. I don’t want to put any more money in this place. I put up new blinds, changed the floor in the kitchen and had a security system installed. That’s it for my improvements.”

  They stopped at the door, and Kenton glanced back at the street. “Remember what I said earlier. When we go inside, you stay near the door until I check things out.”

  Egypt nodded and let them in. Mail from the shoot in the door was on the floor in the front entrance. She stepped over the envelopes, turned on the hall light, and hurried to get to the alarm panel. Egypt started punching in the numbers when she realized the system wasn’t beeping.

  Her hand hovered over the buttons. “Kenton,” she said quietly, glancing around the living room and dining area, but not seeing anything out of place. He had already started looking around and was heading down the short hall to the bedrooms.

  Egypt didn’t know what he heard in her voice, but he turned, his dark eyes locking with hers. His right arm was behind his back. No doubt his hand was on his weapon.

  “What is it?” he said.

  “My alarm system was disarmed. I’m almost positive I turned it on before we left.”

  He nodded. “You did. I saw you.” He checked the front door lock then reached for her hand. “Stay close to me. We’ll clear the place together,” he whispered.

  He had already looked into the coat closet, the kitchen and they headed down the short hall. The place was so small. It didn’t take long to peek into closets, her office and then check her bedroom. No one was inside.

  “Does anything look out of place?” Kenton asked while they stood in her bedroom.

  Egypt didn’t touch anything, but walked around, trying to remember how she left the space. She was a little OCD in putting things away, closing doors and drawers, and making sure everything was in its place. But she had been in a hurry before leaving. She hadn’t left anything laying out but looking around, she couldn’t be sure that she hadn’t left the closet door ajar or the shower curtain pulled back.

  Egypt pointed those things out to Kenton, panic swirling inside of her. Someone had disarmed her alarm and roamed around her house. She was trying not to freak out. When they returned to the kitchen, Egypt noticed a couple of other things askew. The notepad that she usually kept on the counter for her grocery list had been moved to the center of the counter. Usually it was kept near the wall. Also, the curtain over the small window that looked out to the neighbor’s house was open. She never looked out that window.

  There was something else.

  “My favorite mug is gone,” she said, unable to control the trembling in her voice.

  “How do you know?” Kenton asked, his hand resting on her hip. He had no idea how much she appreciated his presence, offering a calm she didn’t feel.

  “After I use it, I always wash and place it back on the Keurig cup tray. It’s not here.”

  “You think someone stole the mug?” Kenton asked frowning. “Why would they—”

  “Why would someone disarm my alarm? If they can do that, I wouldn’t put anything past them,” she snapped. After a few frustrating breaths, Egypt realized she was lashing out at the wrong person. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t take this out on you.”

  Kenton held her close and kissed the top of her head. Something he’d been doing often. Then he pulled out his phone.

  “Who are you contacting?”

  Instead of telling her, he turned the phone around and showed her the screen.

  Laz.

  He put his finger to his lips for her to be quiet.

  Oh no. He thinks the place is bugged.

  He sent off the text, and Laz responded immediately. The former police detective was one of the best and would stop at nothing to get answers.

  Egypt tapped her forehead with the palm of her hand as she thought of something else. Leaning in close to Kenton’s ear, she said, “I have two surveillance cameras.”

  Kenton’s brows lifted, and he directed her to the front entrance. She thought they were going to walk out, but they didn’t. “Are they attached to the alarm system?” he asked in her ear, and she shook her head. They whispered back and forth.

  “I bought them a couple of months ago. I rarely think about them.” She pulled out her cell phone and found the app. While she did that, Kenton moved around the small space and then went to the back door.

  “Sweetheart, come here.” He directed his attention out the small window that overlooked the backyard. He pointed outside, and she saw that the garage door was partially opened.

  “Is your car in the garage?”

  Egypt nodded. She reached for the doorknob, but Kenton caught her hand before she touched it. “Whoever was here, came through this door. It’s unlocked. Show me where the cameras are,” he whispered in her ear.

  Kenton followed her to the living room, and she pointed out the thin, six-inch camera that was on the book stand. No one would ever notice it amongst the books and a few knickknacks unless they were looking for the device. Then she led him to her bedroom and pointed to the heating and air vent.

  Egypt handed him her cell phone. Part of her wanted to see the video, but a pulsating fear kept her from leaning over his shoulder. She really didn’t want to know who’d been lurking inside of her home. While Kenton watched the footage, Egypt folded her arms across her chest and paced the living room, still disturbed that someone had gone through her stuff. She didn’t have much, and there was nothing of importance in the house, but still.

  “Sonof…” Kenton growled under his breath. Then wiped his hand over his mouth and down his perfectly trimmed goatee.

  “Do I know the per…who is it? Just tell me.”

  Before Kenton could respond, there was a light tap on the living room window. He held onto her phone and went to the door, his gun at his side. After looking through the peephole, Kenton let him in.

  Egypt’s pulse pounded in her ear. Anxiousness roared through her body. Kenton either knew who broke in, or he saw something that freaked him out. Seeing Laz only doubled her anxiety.

  Wealthy business people and crime families hired fixers, individuals who handle illicit situations and made them disappear. Supreme had Laz. The former police detective had connections in high and low places and didn’t hesitate to use either when necessary.

  Laz walked in looking big, bad and dangerous. Dressed in all black, including a black leather jacket and black skull cap pulled low over his head, he held up a listening device detector and put his finger to his lips. Egypt was surprised when Angelo strolled in behind him, dressed similarly. Where had they come from?

  Angelo hugged her but didn’t say anything. Dread clawed through Egypt’s body while Laz checked the house. Between Kenton’s reaction to the video, and Laz and Angelo showing up, the stakes were beyond serious. Next level serious.

  When Laz returned to the living room, he held up three fingers.

  Kenton cursed again. “Get everything you need, and let’s go,” he said to Egypt, and then pulled her solidly against his body, lowering his mouth to her ear. “I need your house and car keys.”

  She wanted to question him since he still hadn’t told her what or who he saw on the video. Yet, the intensity in his eyes and the strong set of his jaw left no room for an argument.

  While she hurried around her bedroom collecting her things, Angelo stood in the doorway. Were Kenton and Laz still in the house? At one point, Egypt thought she heard her car roar to life, but she wasn’t sure. It didn’t matter though. Whatever the guys were doing, she would go along with it. She trusted them.

  Only having one suitcase, Egypt packed as many clothes and shoes as she co
uld. There were no personal items in the house, like photos, a birth certificate or anything that could reveal her past life. Those few items were locked away in a safety deposit box on the outskirts of town. Egypt never expected for someone to break in, but she always kept the possibility in the back of her mind.

  With shaky hands, she grabbed the last item—a dress bag that held a new evening gown for an upcoming fundraiser. Glancing around, only furniture she wasn’t attached to was left. The day had started out filled with happiness and hope for the future, and now anxiety swirled inside her gut. What was next? And why did this feel like the last time she’d be in her home?

  “Ready?” Angelo asked. He had the suitcase in his hand, along with another small bag that held her mail.

  Egypt nodded and followed him out of the room, surprised to see one of Supreme’s tech guys working on her alarm system. He nodded at her as Angelo led her outside to Kenton’s SUV which was now parked in the driveway.

  “Where is…” Egypt started to ask about Kenton’s whereabouts when she spotted him and Laz walking toward her. “What’s that guy doing to my car?” she asked.

  “He’s going to park it in Supreme’s lot until we figure out what’s going on,” Angelo explained as he loaded her belongings into the back of the vehicle. “The tech guy working on your alarm is on the phone with Wiz, trying to determine how someone overrode the system.”

  “Okay,” Egypt said, studying Kenton as he got closer. His dark eyes still looked lethal, and a muscle jumped near his jawline as he approached. He seemed even more pissed than earlier.

  “I’ll explain everything,” he said, not giving her a chance to speak before he opened the back door of his truck. “Hop in. Angelo’s going to stick around and lock up the house.”

  “Why is Laz driving?” she asked when Laz slid into the driver’s seat and Kenton scooted in next to her.

  “He thinks I’m unstable,” Kenton murmured. As his grip made her hand numb, Egypt wondered if maybe Laz was right.

  “I didn’t say you were unstable. I said you have lost your damn mind.”