OBSESSED WITH TAYLOR JAMES

by Toye Lawson Brown

  “What can I say? You can take the boy from the hood but a little of it will always remain with me.”

  “You have made a success of yourself, Mario; don’t let this blow all that for you.”

  “You are right; I wasn’t using my head. So, should we warn Taylor about the hit on her head?”

  “I’ve been struggling with that, but since the man hired to do the hit is an undercover cop, no harm will come to her. She has been through a lot and doesn’t need to know about this until we make the arrest.”

  “Good cause I would be worried about her going after the person before you were able to make the arrest.”

  “Well it will be over in a few days. Life will return to normal for both of you.” Detective Diego stood fastening the button of his black JC Penny suit. “I’m done with my business. Oh, Mario, after we are through with this case, how about we get together for a beer. We have more in common than you think.”

  Mario walked with him to the door. “Is that right?”

  “Yes. The woman I love is a strong African-American woman also. I think the four of us should get to know each other better.”

  Mario pasted a smile on his weary face. The lack of sleep was taking a toll on him physically, but he would endure it if it meant helping Taylor cope. “Detective Diego, Once Taylor is up to going out again; I’ll give you a call. I think it would be good for us to start making new friends.”

  “Please call me Alfonso.”

  Mario extended his hand waiting to shake his new friend’s hand. “Okay, Alfonso.”

  Returning the handshake, he said, “I’ll wait for your call. Until then I’ll be in touch. Adios, amigos.”

  Mario waved as Detective Diego left his office. Closing the door to get back to work it opened again with Anderson Cartwright entering.

  He frowned seeing the mad standing in his office “Anderson, what brings you to my office?” He asked shoving the pictures in his desk drawer.

  “I won’t stay long. I wanted to know how Taylor is doing. She may not work here any longer but she will always be a part of this firm.”

  “Last I saw, her office was cleaned and her name plate gone. When a person is fired that usually equates expulsion from the family.”

  “I had no choice. Taylor violated the rules, Mario.”

  “Yet, I remain. I am just as guilty as she is of violating the rules.”

  “Not to sound harsh…she was only an associate. Your presence with the firm is a higher priority.”

  Mario released a sarcastic laugh. “Taylor will survive, and not to add to her stress, I won’t tell her you asked about her.”

  Anderson shifted his weight against the door. “You and I don’t have to be on bad terms, Infante. Women come and go so don’t let sleeping with that woman ruin your career. You may have prestige following your name but when you are out of the game, people tend to forget about you.”

  Mario folded his hands together on the desk. The furrowed of his brow showed detest for the undercurrent the conversation had taken. “Anderson, let me remind you that people who sit on towers have a longer fall to the bottom.”

  Anderson braced his hands on the back of the chair. “Excuse me, son? I believe you misinterpreted me.”

  Mario stared at him for a moment without saying a word. Slowly he rose from his chair. “First, I am not your son. Second, I don’t need you as I’ve stated before.”

  Anderson’s jaw hardened. “Don’t snap at me. I have a tendency to snap back.”

  “Then I suggest you don’t threaten me because you wouldn’t like the way I snapped back,” Mario reply angrily.

  Clicking his tongue, Anderson puckered his lips. “I definitely understand the attraction to Ms. James; two peas in a pod. This clearly exemplifies Mr. Stevenson’s fiancée’s reason for not trusting her.”

  “What does Kelly have to do with this?”

  “I felt bad for her the night of the Mayor’s ball. She noticed Dillon was incensed Taylor was with you. He obviously has an attraction to her.”

  “Wow, we saw two different scenarios that night. What I witnessed was the vindictiveness of a man plotting to get his best friend fired, and the face of his future wife boasting his efforts.”

  Anderson’s mouth opened, closed, and then opened again. “I have a meeting to attend shortly.” He managed to say glancing at his watch.

  “Enjoy the rest of your day, Anderson.”

  Anderson retreated from the office. Mario reclaimed his chair feeling superior at knocking the wind from the snobbish windbag. Removing his cell phone, he crossed his feet on the edge of his desk to make a call.

  Chapter 24

  Taylor inhaled, pausing at the door of Sebastian’s hospital room. “What do I say to him, Sabrina?”

  “You ask how he is doing and give him the flowers. Taylor, you can do this, girl.”

  Filling her chest with air and releasing it, Taylor brushed her hair back. The curls had started to fall from the humidity of the July day. “We will spend a few minutes sitting with Sebastian then visit Dillon. I may be upset with his actions, but he is my friend and I care about his health.”

  “I have no objections to visiting Dillon. However, when he is better, I will give him a piece of my mind,” Sabrina replied with a bite to her tone.

  “Get in line behind me.”

  Taylor eased the door open and went inside the hospital room. Sebastian appeared to be sleeping. His red hair seemed brighter against the stark white pillowcase. A single IV ran in his arm and the plastic tubing inserted in his nose was the only apparatus helping him function.

  He opened his eyes suddenly causing Taylor and Sabrina to jump. His eyes scanned the two women. “Taylor?” He rasped.

  “Yes, it’s me, Sebastian. How are you doing?”

  His dry lips cracked when he smiled. “I’m getting better according to the doctors. God, I’m glad to see you. Are you sure I’m not dreaming?”

  Handing the flowers to Sabrina, she covered his hand with hers; it was cold. “I’m positive its’ not a dream. Sebastian, I’m so sorry this happened to you. I’m going to make sure you have care when you’re released from the hospital.”

  He struggled to take air in his lungs. “No. I will be fine. I should be out in a week or so.”

  “So soon? You seem weak to me.”

  “My collapsed lung is healing from the gunshot wound. I was worried about you, though. I didn’t know what happened to you.”

  “I’ll fill in the blanks when you are better. Is there anything you need? Who is taking care of Thor?”

  He shook his head to keep from talking too much. “Clayton is taking care of Thor.”

  Taylor‘s heart sunk to the bottom of her feet. Sebastian’s struggle to breath was painful to her. “I’m not going stay long. Get plenty of rest Sebastian; we have a block party to plan.”

  He gave a thumbs-up. “I’ll be ready.”

  “Sebastian.” She called his name when he closed his eyes. Placing a kiss on his cheek, she backed away from the bed.

  Sabrina leaned over her shoulder holding a chart. “He’s sleeping. According to this chart he is on heavy medication.”

  Taylor pushed it from her face. “That is confidential, Sabrina.”

  “Sorry. I forget I’m no longer a nurse.”

  Taylor left the room with Sabrina on her heels. “Consider going back nursing, Sabrina. You saved Sebastian’s life.”

  “Too much pressure. Doing hair is less stressful, and my clients won’t die on me.”

  She pressed the elevator button making a joke. “They could if you screw up their hair. Dillon is in ICU. My chances of visiting him are slim since I’m not a family member.”

  “I bet you are on the top of the list if Dillon has anything to say about it,” Sabrina snickered.

  Taylor shot her sister a mean eye. “Don’t ever joke about that….ever!”

  “Put the eyes away….I didn’t mean anything by it.”

  “I’ve haven’t t
old anyone but you about that night. I don’t need you to bring it up now….I have enough shit to deal with.”

  “Taylor! Relax…I wasn’t talking about that! Damn, I meant his mother probably put you on the list as a visitor.”

  “No, you weren’t. What happened between Dillon and me was a long time ago. We have forgotten about it; I suggest you do the same.” Angry Taylor jammed against the small corner of the elevator ignoring Sabrina.

  The elevator opened to the quiet ICU floor. Taylor located the phone to inquire about Dillon. Before she could dial, Kelly exited the doors. Their eyes locked immediately.

  Kelly broke the silence. “My goodness, Taylor! You look fabulous considering what you’ve went through in the last forty-eight hours. We were so worried about you.” She hugged Taylor.

  Taylor accepted the fake hug, returning one of her own. “I’m lucky to be alive.”

  “I was praying for you. When I heard about the other women released with you…it was amazing.”

  “Yes it was. Look, Kelly. I’m not here to reminisce. I’m concerned about Dillon. How is he doing?”

  Kelly tossed her long hair aside. “He is making progress. The doctors are waiting for him to wake up.”

  “He is in a coma?” She asked scared of the answer.

  Kelly fidgeted letting her attention wander to the hallway whenever the elevator doors opened. “Um the doctors had him in a medically induced coma but stopped it when he was responding to commands but has sensed stopped.”

  The stuttering and nervousness caused Taylor to think Kelly was hiding something. “Well that is good news. Was the surgeon able to remove the whole tumor?”

  “The CT Scan showed most of it was removed. Dillon should make a full recovery but will need rehabilitation to gain whatever motor skills he may have lost.” She twisted the gold watch on her wrist. “I’m in a hurry to make an appointment but Dillon’s mom is with him if you want to talk to her.”

  Taylor nodded. “Of course; I’ll talk to her.”

  “Okay. I will call you. Maybe we can have dinner and discuss Dillon.”

  Like THAT will ever happen. “Sure, you have my cell number,” she said smiling and lying at the same time.

  She kissed Taylor on the cheek, saying, “I’m so happy you are safe.”

  “Um-hum, I know how glad you are about that. Bye, Kelly.”

  “Did you notice how nervous she acted, Taylor?”

  “I did indeed. I also noticed her engagement ring is missing.”

  “Ooh, I wonder if Dillon called off the engagement before he had a seizure.”

  Taylor proceeded to the phone. “I’m not worried about her right now. I want to check on Dillon then go by my house to collect the mail.”

  Her cell phone rang. “Shoot!” She dug it from her purse putting it to her ear. “Hey, baby”

  “Taylor, where are you?”

  “I’m at the hospital with Sabrina. We visited Sebastian and now trying to see Dillon. You sound strange; what’s up?”

  “Baby, have Sabrina drive you to the police station now. There has been a new development in your case.”

  Taylor legs suddenly had the strength of cooked spaghetti noodles. “Umm, what kind of development? Mario, has there been an arrest?”

  “Taylor, how soon can you get here?”

  “I’m there already,” she said twirling an eavesdropping Sabrina around in a circle to face the exit.

  *****

  Mario waited in Detective Diego’s office. If he didn’t see if, for himself, he would not believe the bizarreness of what went down. Detective Diego handed him a styrofoam cup filled with black coffee. Taking the first taste, he gagged from the bitter quality coffee the police had grown accustomed to drink on a daily basis. “This stuff is awful,” he said putting the cup on the desk.

  “Well, we make do with what we have.” He opened the lower drawer of his desk hauling a half-filled bottle of dark tequila. “Add a shot of this and it will taste premium brewed.”

  Mario pushed the cup over for a shot and drank from it again. It went down smoother. “That was an improvement.”

  Diego loosened his tie. “If we get the suspect to roll over on her contact, Ms. James is free of this mess.”

  Mario choked down another gulp of the coffee. “What are the chances of that happening?”

  “With this suspect, I won’t find that hard at all. My partner is working an angle to get a confession. I honestly believe we will have a signed confession before Ms. James arrives.”

  Rubbing his hands together, Mario stood to pace the bland gray office. “I want this over with. Taylor is a strong woman refusing to let her weakness show. She is going on like nothing has happened to her.”

  “You should welcome that. Most women would hide away and never want to venture outside alone. I think she is brave to get back to her routine so soon.”

  “She has not been home or faced the person doing this to her yet. If she survives this, then she will have conquered her fears.”

  A light tapping on the door quieted both men. Taylor opened the door relieved Mario was present. She walked over to hug him. “What is going on?”

  Mario rubbed the small of her back. “Sweetheart, Detective Diego has made an arrest. It’s all over, baby.”

  She entwined her fingers between his. “When you say it is over, does that include you have the person who put the cameras in my house, in custody?”

  Detective Diego sat on the edge of his desk hiking his knee. “Ms. James, it is all over.”

  Mario held her trembling hand. He pulled the chair away from the desk so she could sit before she fainted. “Baby, sit down. What I have to tell you will knock your socks off.”

  She sat crossing her legs. “Tell me; I can take it.”

  Detective Diego handed her a folder. “Inside that folder is pictures. Please look at them and tell me if you recognize anyone in them.”

  Taylor opened the folder. The pictures were high quality color and crystal clear. “The woman looks like Kelly. Only dark sunglasses are covering her face, and her hair is tied in a bun.”

  Detective Diego asked. “If you aren’t positive Kelly is the woman in the picture, do you notice any item of clothing or jewelry she wears often that you would recognize?”

  Taylor held the picture closer to her face. “The engagement ring. That is Kelly’s engagement ring,” she said dotting the picture with her index finger. “I saw her at the hospital and she didn’t have it on. Okay, okay, before I start hyperventilating, please tell me Kelly is not the one doing this?”

  Mario massaged her shoulders letting Detective Diego break the news. “Ms. James, she is knee-deep in it. She met with an undercover cop she tried to hire to assassinate you.”

  Taylor dropped the pictures and immediately paced the office. The high heels of her shoes clicked on the hard floor in a synchronized rhythm. “This is a joke. Why would Kelly want me dead? We’ve butted heads but damn, I didn’t think she hated me enough to cause me harm.”

  “Ms. James, can I get you some water?” Detective Diego offered to help relax her nerves.

  She rubbed her forehead with the palm of her hand. “No, I don’t want any water! I want to know why she wanted me dead. What did I do to her?”

  “My partner is interrogating her as we speak. We hope she will reveal the reason she went to this extreme,” Diego said in a calming voice.

  “I assured her I was not interested in Dillon. I didn’t have anything to do with his wanting to call off the wedding. If anything, I encouraged him to seek counseling to help with their problems.”

  Mario wrapped his arms around her. “That is what I told him, baby.”

  “Mario, did Dillon have part in this?”

  “From what Detective Diego uncovered, no.”

  “This is unfreaking real. She wanted to trap Dillon in a lie. She would have videotaped proof we were sleeping together only she got you on tape instead?”

  “That seemed to be her plan.
Police are searching Dillon and Kelly’s house for evidence other than what they have already.”

  Taylor snapped her head to face Detective Diego. In a concerned voice, she asked. “Detective, do you have those tapes? If those videos get in the wrong hands, my legal career is over. Hell, if Mario decides to run for public office, and those tapes surface, he is ruined.”

  “Ms. James, we confiscated two laptops from the residence and technicians are combing through the hard-drives. If there is anything on those laptops, they will find it.”

  Not accepting Kelly would stoop to murder, Taylor needed to hear directly from her, why she would do it. “I have to talk to her.”

  “I’m sorry; I can’t allow you to do that. You will have a chance to have your say with her in court.”

  “I can’t wait until she is given a court date to talk to her. Dillon is in a coma. Kelly has been at his side for several days talking to him urging, him to fight for his life.”

  Mario sighed rolling his eyes slightly from irritation. “What are you saying, Taylor?”

  “Mario, there is a good chance Dillon has lost some of his memory. If Kelly is the only person he recognizes once he is out the coma, she will need to be there for him.”

  He put his hands on his hips not believing the words coming from her mouth. “He may have lost his memory, Taylor. Doctors won’t know the extent of memory loss he suffered until he is awake.”

  “I know I sound silly, but if Dillon had nothing to with this, then he shouldn’t suffer. If he wakes up only remembering the good memories he and Kelly had; I can live with that.”

  Mario threw his hands up turning away from her. “God, I can’t believe you!” he fumed. “The woman tried to hire a man to kill you! You’re an attorney, Taylor…”

  “Baby, I know this is wrong on so many levels, but listen to me. Dillon won’t have any memory of me, and him and Kelly will live happily ever after.”

  He walked over her; taking hold of her hands he brushed a kiss across her knuckles then bent his brows saying, “His memory loss may not be permanent, Taylor; what if, months from now, he remembers everything? Will Kelly try again to have you killed but only succeed this time? Baby, you gotta leave your heart out of this. Kelly committed a serious crime; she has to be punished for it.”