Reunited by the Badge

by Deborah Fletcher Mello

  “Her?”

  Her mother grinned. “A grandmother can dream, can’t she?”

  Simone laughed, shaking her head. Her mood seemed to lift, if only for a moment. “Paul wants to move to Morocco. He bought a house there.”

  “Why Morocco?”

  “It’s central to those places where he’s established his medical missionary programs.”

  “I do admire his philanthropic spirit. He’s a good soul.”

  “He’s a little irritated with me at the moment,” Simone said, explaining how she’d left him high and dry in Canada without so much as a warning.

  Her mother shook her head. “I can’t reiterate it enough, Simone—a relationship will not work if you don’t communicate with your partner. Your father and I work because we’ve learned how to have the hard conversations. You can’t run just because you don’t like what Paul has to say. You need to sit in his truth and own yours. And you both have to be committed to doing that together.”

  “I know, but I needed to focus, and I couldn’t do that. It was just easier to leave.”

  “No one said your relationship would ever be easy and you can forget about marriage being easy. It’s hard, and it requires an investment of your time and energy and your commitment to work hard through the challenges when they come.”

  Her mother took a deep breath before continuing. “And what you did wasn’t fair to Paul. Even if you decided to leave, he had a right to express how he felt about that, and you needed to hear it.”

  “I know,” Simone said sighing softly. “And I’m working on doing better. I really am. Paul loves me, and I love him. But I don’t think I can move to Morocco. Especially now with a baby coming.”

  “Then don’t. But instead of looking at things so narrowly, allow yourself the luxury of being open to whatever the future holds. I’m sure Paul will help you figure it out. If being with him is what you want, then let him help.”

  “You’d be okay if I took your first grandchild to Africa?”

  “It would mean your father and I would be doing much more international travel. We would make it work.”

  “Please don’t tell Daddy about the baby yet. I think it’s something Paul will probably want to have a conversation with him about first.”

  “I can respect that,” her mother said with a nod. “So, what about the case you and Paul were working on? How’s that going?”

  “I’ll be leaving the prosecutor’s office to work the case in private practice.”

  Judith’s brow lifted slightly. “You’re planning to open your own firm?”

  “No, ma’am!” Simone said with a shake of her head. “I’m joining Ellington’s law firm as a junior partner. There, I’ll have the full weight of the firm behind me when I file the class-action lawsuit.”

  “Well, you’re just full of good news today, aren’t you, baby girl?”

  “Do you think Daddy will be mad at me and Paul? That we didn’t get married before getting pregnant?”

  Judith shrugged. “Your father wants you to be happy no matter what. I’m sure he’ll hiss and scream at first, but probably not for long. His bark has always been harder than his bite. I have no doubts though that if he hears it from Paul first, Paul will get the brunt of it before your father gets to you.”

  Simone sighed. She stole a quick glance to her watch. “Then I need to run and go swear your other children to secrecy.”

  Judith laughed. “Who’d you tell?”

  “Mingus and Ellington.”

  “You know Ellington can’t keep anything secret!”

  The two women chatted for a few minutes longer before heading down to the kitchen to check on Mingus.

  Her brother was dozing in a recliner in the family room.

  Their mother shook her head as she tapped him gently. “Are you okay, son?”

  Mingus opened his eyes slowly, looking from his mother to his sister and back. “I’m good.” He yawned, stretching his limbs up and out. “How about you two?” he questioned, looking toward Simone.

  His sister smiled and nodded, her eyes shifting to his. The conversation between them was quick and silent, no words necessary. Because Simone did feel better, like the weight of the world had been lifted from her shoulders. She knew her baby would be fine because even if she screwed up, there was family supporting them. They would make sure her baby would be okay. Her whole face lifted in a smile. Her baby! She and Paul were having a baby! Suddenly the prospect of that didn’t feel so daunting.

  He reached into the breast pocket of his leather jacket and passed his mother an envelope. “That information you were looking for,” he said. “Let me know if you need anything else from me.”

  The two exchanged a look and Simone could feel the energy between them shift as the moment became awkward. Her gaze swung from one to the other, but it was obvious it was not a conversation she was privy to. Her curiosity waved and she wanted to ask about their exchange but she knew better than to intrude. Mingus might share if she asked him when they were alone, but she knew her mother would not take kindly to her being nosy in business that was not hers.

  Her mother slipped the envelope into the back pocket of her slacks. “Thank you,” she said before changing the conversation. “Simone, do you want something to eat?”

  “No, thanks. I’m headed to dinner to go kill Ellington and then I’m going home. It’s been a long day.”

  Her mother laughed. “Tell your brothers and sister I expect them all here for Sunday dinner. It’s important. And call your father, please, so he at least knows you are home.” She wrapped Simone in one last hug.

  “Thank you, Mom,” Simone whispered.

  Her mother kissed her cheek. “Trust your instincts, Simone. They will never lead you wrong. And please don’t hurt your brother too badly. I like Ellington.”

  Mingus laughed. “You like us all!”

  Simone giggled. “Nope, they love us all. Mom and Dad only like some of us. Me especially!”

  “Glad I’m special, too!” her brother said as the two headed out the door, their mother smiling as she watched them exit the home.

  Chapter 14

  There was no denying the family resemblance as the Black siblings gathered for dinner at Thithi’s Restaurant, one of their all-time favorite spots for Thai food. They were a pretty family with distinguished features and warm complexions indicative of their biracial heritage. Even seated, it was easy to tell that the brothers were all tall, with athletic frames, much like their father. The sisters had both gotten their mother’s high cheekbones and dark eyes. They had inherited the best genetic material from their parents, and each wore it well, along with their jazz-musician names that spoke to their parents’ aesthetic. Armstrong, Davis, Ellington, Parker, and Vaughan were laughing heartily amongst themselves. Ellington was sitting with a smug expression on his face that quickly bottomed out when he caught sight of them. “Hey, we weren’t expecting you,” he exclaimed as the hostess pulled up two additional chairs to the table.

  “I’m sure you weren’t,” Simone said, her gaze narrowing. “It’s hard to gossip about me when I’m here, right?”

  Ellington laughed. “It wasn’t like that, Simone!”

  “Yes, it was,” Vaughan said as she jumped from her seat to give Simone a hug, the two women holding tightly to each other. “I’m so pissed at you,” Vaughan exclaimed when she finally pulled away. “Why didn’t you call someone to let us know you were okay?”

  “Because I was okay! Y’all don’t call every day to check in with anyone.”

  “We didn’t have people shooting and trying to kill us a few weeks ago, either,” Parker said as Simone moved around the table to give them each a hug and kiss.

  “When did you get back?” Armstrong asked.

  “Last night.”

  Davis stood and hugged her, as well. “Missed
you, sis!”

  “Where’s Paul?” Vaughan questioned, throwing a quick look toward the door.

  “He’s still...well...he...” Simone stammered. She wasn’t ready to tell them that she had left Paul in Windsor. She wasn’t in the mood for the judgment she knew would come from her brothers. She also wasn’t ready to announce her pregnancy or explain plans she hadn’t yet made. She shook her head. “I’m sure we’ll all see him in a day or two.”

  Vaughan punched Ellington’s shoulder. “So, this is the news you had? You could have just told us in a text that Simone was finally back home.”

  “He had more news than that,” Mingus said, tossing in two cents as he reached for a menu.

  Simone shot her brother a look.

  “I did have more news,” Ellington said, that smug look returning. “I am pleased to announce that attorney extraordinaire Simone Black has officially joined the law firm of Black, Turner and Hayes, eventually to be Black, Turner, Hayes and Black. After a quick discussion with the other partners and a vote in favor of meeting all her demands, she now reports to me! Once all the appropriate contracts are signed, of course.”

  There was a round of cheers as they all congratulated her, the warmth of it moving Simone to tears. She suddenly wished Paul was there to share in the joy with her. “I guess I need to give the prosecutor’s office my official resignation,” she said, batting back the moisture in her eyes.

  Ellington laughed. “Yeah, you need to do that. You can’t stay on leave with them and work for me.”

  Parker leaned forward in his seat. “What’s going on with that problem of Paul’s? You two have any resolution yet?”

  “It’s why I’m back. I need to put some things in motion.”

  “And the two men that shot at you?”

  “They didn’t find us, so...” Simone shrugged.

  “Which suggests you might not be safe,” Armstrong snapped, their siblings nodding in agreement.

  “You still need to come down to the station to give us a statement,” Parker admonished. “And I mean it, Simone.”

  “I will! When Paul gets back, we’ll both come right down to see you.”

  “No, Paul can give us his statement when he gets back. I expect to see you first thing in the morning.”

  “Really, Parker?”

  “I mean it.”

  “I’ll make sure she gets there,” Mingus interjected.

  Parker shot him a look as the others laughed.

  “I mean it,” Mingus said as he gestured for the waitress and ordered himself a drink. “I’ll have her there bright and early. Won’t I, Simone?”

  “Yeah, whatever,” Simone muttered, her focus on the menu and the chicken pad thai she wanted to order.

  “Anything else you want to share with us?” Ellington suddenly questioned.

  “Yeah,” Mingus added. “Anything?”

  The two brothers exchanged a look, Mingus clearly fighting not to laugh out loud. The others were trying to figure out what was going on.

  “What are these two fools talking about, Simone? What else aren’t you telling us?” Vaughan asked.

  Simon shot them a glare, swiping the smirks from her brothers’ faces. “I have more news, but I can’t share it until I’ve had a chance to talk to Daddy first,” she snapped. “I hope all of you,” she paused, glaring a second time at Mingus and Ellington, “will respect that.”

  “You and Paul got married!” Vaughan exclaimed. “You eloped!”

  “You better not have,” Parker interjected. “I can’t speak for Paul, but I know you are not that crazy!”

  “I know that’s right,” Davis added. “Pops would kill you and I don’t even want to think what he’d do to Paul!”

  “He’d bury Paul,” Armstrong laughed.

  “She’s gonna wish she and Paul had eloped,” Mingus mumbled under his breath.

  Simone glared. “Y’all keep guessing. Have your little fun. I’m not paying you an ounce of attention. When I have something I want y’all to know, I’ll tell you.”

  Ellington held up his hands as if he was surrendering. He leaned to kiss her cheek as he changed the subject. “Since we’re all here, there’s something that’s been bothering me.”

  “What’s that?” Parker asked.

  “Is something going on between Mom and Dad that all of us don’t know about?” Ellington asked, looking toward Vaughan. “Or a few of us don’t know about?”

  “I was wondering the same thing,” Armstrong said. “Mom hasn’t been herself lately.”

  Simone’s gaze swept around the table. “I hadn’t noticed anything. Did my being away cause a lot of friction between them?”

  “It definitely didn’t help,” Mingus quipped.

  “Something’s going on,” Vaughan answered. “But I don’t know what it is. Any of you talk to Daddy lately?”

  “I had lunch with him yesterday,” Parker noted. “But he didn’t say anything, and he seemed fine.”

  “Well, they’re not fine together,” Vaughan said. “They barely spoke to each other this past Sunday. And when they did, they bickered about everything.”

  They suddenly all turned toward Mingus, eyebrows raised as they eyed him questioningly.

  “Either of them say anything to you, Mingus?” Parker asked.

  “No,” he answered, but there was a moment of pause just long enough for the rest of the brood to question how truthful he was being.

  “You know something,” Vaughan finally quipped. “What’s going on?”

  Mingus reached for his glass and took a sip. He didn’t bother to give her an answer but the look he shot around the table spoke volumes. His silence was suddenly deafening and they all instinctively knew not to push the issue with him.

  “Mom said to tell everyone that she expects us all to be at the house for Sunday dinner. Maybe we can figure out what’s going on then,” Simone interjected, genuine concern washing through her.

  “Y’all need to stay out of it,” Davis said. “It’s not our business unless they want it to be.”

  Simone suddenly thought about her conversation with her mother. If something was going on with their parents, she trusted the two would talk it out and make it work. Because everything her mother and father preached, they lived whole-heartedly, and she was desperate to have that with Paul.

  “Davis is right,” Armstrong interjected. “Mom and Dad will work out whatever is wrong. If there is anything wrong at all.”

  A wave of silence draped the table as their server delivered the plates of food that had been ordered earlier. Simone reached for her sister’s hand on one side of her and Mingus’s hand on the other. Both squeezed her fingers, nothing needing to be said as Parker led the family in prayer, blessing the food and their good fortune. She was home, with family, and all was right in the world. For the first time in a good long minute she felt like things were beginning to look up. Now all she needed was for Paul to return to make it even more perfect.

  * * *

  Paul and Oliver had spent the better part of the day analyzing and testing the last drug samples they’d received. After recording the last results, he had secured the data and forwarded results data to Simone. They were finishing up in the lab when Paul’s phone rang. He was about to answer the call when Oliver stopped short in the doorway and pulled his index finger to his lips to shush him. He shut off all the lights and they were suddenly standing in darkness, just the faintest hint of light shining through the door.

  Paul felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand at attention. He silenced his phone instead of answering it and moved to Oliver’s side, using the light from outside to peer around the open door. “What’s wrong?” he whispered.

  Oliver pointed to the house and a shadow moving past the family room window. “I think there are two of them,” he said as he slowly closed the
lab door and locked it. He engaged the flashlight on his cell phone. “They can’t see inside here,” he said, “but I didn’t want them to see any light reflecting under the door. Who do you think it is?”

  Paul shrugged, trying not to let the fear show on his face. His heart was suddenly racing, and he broke out into a cold sweat. “Whoever it is, I don’t think they mean us any good.”

  “What do you want to do?”

  “Well, we’re not going down without a fight!”

  Oliver nodded his agreement. He took a deep breath and moved across the room to one of the locked cupboards. Taking a key from his pocket and then opening the door, he pulled out two hunting rifles and passed one to Paul. “This place is a fortress, but if they breach that door, shoot.”

  Paul released the weapon’s magazine and opened the chamber. “You keep them loaded?” he said, his voice a loud whisper.

  “You’re damn right I do! I live in the woods and most times I’m here by my lonesome.”

  “Is there a reason why you didn’t put any windows in this space?” Paul questioned.

  “Yeah, I didn’t want anyone being nosy to see in.”

  “Makes good sense to me. But now we can’t look out!”

  Oliver shrugged. “What now?”

  “If it’s the men Lender hired and they’re after me, there’s nothing in the house for them to get their hands on. Simone took all the data. If this is some random robbery, they might walk off with that big-screen television of yours. Either way, I’m not going to go ask them what it is they want. We need to get to the car and get back across the border.” He suddenly thought about Simone, grateful that she hadn’t been there, inside, alone, when they’d intruded on the space. He couldn’t begin to image what he would do if she were in harm’s way.

  “My passport’s in the house. I’m also thinking they’re probably parked down the road since we didn’t hear a car pull up. That might be a problem if there’s more than one of them.”