by Mz. Robinson
He chuckled.
“It’s not funny,” I said with a sigh.
“Sorry. To be truthful, at this point, I just feel there’s…well, a conflict of interest.”
“There’s not,” I said quickly, “or at least there doesn’t have to be.”
“There is, Diamond. I have an interest in my client’s wife…and that’s my conflict.”
“Clint—”
“Listen, I need to be going,” he said. “I have an important meeting to get to. Let me know if you’d like a referral. I know some excellent lawyers.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I said with attitude. “I know how to use the Yellow Pages.”
Chapter 22
I knew my trip to St. Maarten was entirely for business, but I was excited to travel somewhere outside my state for the first time in a long time. The inner diva Gator had once spoiled was in desperate need of a change of scenery. Not only did I select Randall to accompany me on the trip, but per Gator’s request, I took Tyrese along too.
Our flight touched down in Princess Juliana Airport at 11 a.m., and Luis had a car waiting for us. The driver, a pudgy man with mocha-colored skin, introduced himself as Stanley.
As we traveled toward our destination, Randall marveled at the sites, reminding me of myself the first time I’d visited the city.
Our chauffeur pulled into the parking lot of the Sonesta Beach Hotel and Casino.
“I’m sorry,” I said, slightly confused. “I thought we were meeting Luis at his estate.”
“Tomorrow at noon,” Stanley said. “Until then, please enjoy your accommodations.”
“Word!” Randall said eagerly, looking up at the luxury hotel.
“One moment,” I said, concerned. I wasn’t aware of any change in the plans I’d discussed with Gator, and I wanted to be one hundred percent sure everything was kosher. I dialed Gator’s number, hoping and praying he could answer at the moment.
“You made it?” he answered quietly and quickly.
“Yes, but the driver brought us directly to the resort and said our showing isn’t until tomorrow.”
“No worries, love. I received the message this morning that there was a change in the appointment. Everything is still a go.”
“Okay.” I sighed with relief.
“Enjoy your time there and promise that you’ll think of me.”
“Always.”
“Everything okay?” Stanley asked, holding my car door open.
“Yes,” I said. “Thank you.”
He assisted me out of the car, then retrieved our bags from the trunk. “If you need anything, please feel free to call,” he said, handing me a business card.
“Thank you. I will.”
“This is sweet,” Randall said as we entered the resort. He reminded me of a child on his first trip to Disney World as he looked around the lobby in awe. “Yo, can I hit the casino later?”
“No gambling,” Tyrese stated as we approached the front desk. “We’re here to make money, not lose it.”
I smiled in agreement; he’d taken the words directly out of my mouth.
“You guys are no fun,” Randall complained.
We checked in and headed to the Ocean Terrace building of the resort, to our respective rooms.
“You have free rein to everything in your room,” I advised them. “The resort is all inclusive.” I slid my keycard through the slot and turned the handle when the light turned green.
“Does that include the ladies?” Randall grinned as he watched a petite redhead walk by.
Tyrese looked at him and shook his head. “I’m gonna meditate for a moment,” he said, opening the door across the hall from mine. “Call me if you need me.”
“Thank you, Tyrese,” I said politely.
“That brother’s just too uptight,” Randall said, shaking his head.
“That brother is about his business,” I advised him. I was beginning to wonder if bringing Randall into the business was a wise decision. Although I trusted him, his outlandish and wild sense of humors seemed to rub the other team members the wrong way. “I’m going to take a power nap. Let’s meet in the lobby at seven o’clock for dinner.”
“Sounds good,” he said, then walked into the door next to mine after trying three times to successfully slide his keycard through.
I stepped in my room and set my luggage down. The room was modest compared to the one I’d stayed in the last time I had visited the island, but it was nice nonetheless. It offered an ocean view from the private balcony and was furnished with a king-sized bed. It was exceptionally clean and nicely decorated with vibrant colors and a variety of hardwoods.
After taking a quick shower, I slipped on a short sundress and decided to go for a walk and enjoy the beautiful sunshine. I strolled along the shoreline, allowing my toes to dig into the warm, white sands with every step. Staring out at the crystal-clear waters, I watched the waves with admiration, while flashbacks of the last time I’d visited the island danced in my head. My honeymoon had been one of the happiest times of my life, but I’d taken those moments for granted, and now I wanted them back. I continued my stroll along the beach until my stomach began to rumble.
I returned to the hotel, hoping to grab a light lunch at Bay View Restaurant. In the restaurant, I spotted Tyrese, sitting at the bar. “Hey,” I chimed, climbing on the chair beside him.
He was staring at a book, open on the bar in front of him. “Hey,” he said, closing the book.
“How was your meditation?”
“Good,” he said. “Nice and peaceful.”
“How often do you meditate?”
“At least once a day.”
“That’s cool.” I picked up one of the menus lying on the bar and glanced through it. After making my selection, I flagged down a waitress and placed my order.
“Are you ready for tomorrow?” he asked.
“I am,” I said confidently.
“If all goes well, we’ll be back up and running by the first of next week.”
“I definitely hope so,” I said, thinking about the stack of bills I needed to pay. “So…how did you meet Gator?”
“Through my brother,” he said, “Jonah.”
I looked at him and suddenly felt somewhat guilty. “Oh. Jonah was a good man.”
“Yes, he was.”
“How is your family? Do you need anything?”
“Only prayer,” Tyrese said, looking at me. “I can handle the rest.”
“Prayer, huh? I can do that.”
“I appreciate it.”
There was an uncomfortable silence between the two of us until Tyrese stood up then picked his book up off the bar.
“Well, I’m gonna do a little sightseeing,” he said. “Have a great evening.”
“You too,” I said with a smile.
* * * * *
Randall called to advise me that he wanted to skip out on dinner. He’d met one of the locals earlier in the day and had been invited to some “bad-ass beach party” that was to be thrown by the resort. I knew I couldn’t stop a grown man from doing his thing, and he would only drive me insane if I tried, so I advised my brother to have a good time and to call me as soon as he got in.
I was still full from my lunch at the Bay View and quite restless, so I slipped on my bathing suit and hit one of three pools at the hotel for a night swim. There were several couples lounging around, each lost in their own romantic worlds. I felt somewhat like a third wheel in their presence, but I was determined to enjoy myself. I found an empty lounge chair and set my towel and sandals down.
“Diamond?”
I turned around and instantly locked eyes with Clint. He was wearing swimming trunks and slip-on sandals, and there was a beach towel slung across his broad shoulders. “What are you doing here?” I asked, surprised.
“Vacation,” he said.
“Wow,” I said. “What a coincidence. When did you get here?”
“Three days ago,” he said. “I just packed my
bags and left. I needed a breather and this is one of my favorite spots.”
“So you were here when we talked?”
“Yes.”
I was on the island to partake in criminal activity, and I’d run into a lawyer who knew me quite intimately. Either I had the worst timing in the world, or the universe loved throwing me into awkward situations; I was beginning to think it was the latter.
“What about you? Who are you here with?” he questioned, raising his eyebrows.
“Um…my brother,” I said nervously. “Randall decided to treat me to a mini-vacation.”
“Wow. That was nice of him. Where is he?” he asked, looking around.
“At the beach party, with a date.”
“He dumped the prettiest woman I’ve seen on the island for a pretty girl?” he flirted.
“Something like that,” I said.
“Not to talk shop, but did you manage to find other legal representation?”
“Not yet,” I said. “I just started looking.”
“Well, my offer still stands,” he said. “I’ll get those referrals together for you as soon as I’m back in town. Enjoy your stay,” he said, then casually turned to walk away.
I had faith that Clint would keep our secret, but only if he had something to lose. I needed to keep the man playing on our side, at least for the moment. “Clint, wait,” I beckoned.
“Yes?”
“I-I need you,” I said, “and not just for the case. I just need you to be understanding and patient with me right now.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying I want you. I really do, but I just need patience and a little space to figure it all out. I’ve been through a lot.”
He smiled and opened his arms.
I stepped into his embrace and wrapped my arms around his neck. Scandalous as it was, I planned to give the man just enough attention and affection to keep him wrapped around my little finger. Keeping him happy was a win-win situation; he’d be smiling, and I’d be able to save my own ass and maybe Gator’s with his help.
Chapter 23
The next morning, Gator called to let me know the plans had changed yet again. “You need to stay at the resort during the showing,” he said. “Let Ty and Randall know to take their bags with them. The car will be there for them in an hour,” he advised me. “Stay at the resort until Tyrese calls you. When he does, catch a cab to the airport, and they’ll meet you there. “
“What? Why—”
“Just do it, Diamond,” he barked, then hung up, showing me no love whatsoever
I was pissed and tempted to do the exact opposite of what Gator had demanded, however, I set my phone on the counter and went to Tyrese’s room to let him know the game plan. I knocked lightly, still fuming from the tone Gator had taken with me over the phone.
Tyrese opened the door, wearing jeans and a crisp polo. “Morning,” he said, stepping back to allow me inside his room.
“Good morning.” I gave him a breakdown of our change of plans.
He just nodded his head and kept a straight face the entire time, taking it all in. “I’m ready,” he said.
“Great.”
Once he was filled in, I left him alone and knocked on Randall’s door once, then twice. He hadn’t called me when he’d returned from the party the night before, and I was hoping he was actually in his room rather than shacking up with some beach blanket bimbo somewhere else in the hotel. After a few seconds and my fourth knock, I finally heard him on the other side of the door.
“Coming!” he called.
He opened the door, wearing nothing but his boxers. His eyes were thin slits, completely bloodshot, with luggage-sized bags beneath them. He reeked of alcohol and sex.
I stepped past him, only to see that the beautiful room was destroyed, as if a frat party had been thrown in it, and there were two naked women sleeping peacefully in the bed. On any other occasion, I would have given my brother a high-five for his obvious conquests the night before, but this occasion called for me to get in his ass. “Are you fucking serious?” I ranted. “This is a damn business trip, Randall! You’ve got one hour to get ready before the driver gets here!”
“What?” he asked, scratching his bare chest. “Dude said noon, and it’s only, like, 9:00 in the morning.”
“I don’t care what time it is,” I stated, walking over to the bed. “Shower, get dressed, and take your bags with you.” I jiggled the sleeping women. “Excuse me, ladies, but it’s checkout time for you,” I said.
They looked at me like I was crazy, and I gave them a look that confirmed that I was. Slowly, and without a word of complaint, they crawled out the bed and started retrieving tiny slivers of glittery, skimpy clothing from the floor. Once they were dressed, I escorted them to the door.
After filling Randall in on my conversation with Gator and reminding him how important the meeting was to all of us, I returned to my own room to hold my breath and pray that things would not go horribly wrong.
Two hours later, I was sitting in the hotel lobby, a nervous wreck, waiting for Tyrese’s phone call. I had a sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach that something was not right, such an unsettling feeling that I called for a cab well in advance and offered the driver $300 to wait for me. He graciously accepted, which was no surprise, since the normal rate from the resort to the airport was a measly $15.
“Hey, you,” Clint said, entering through the lobby doors.
“Hey,” I said, staring at my phone anxiously.
“Leaving paradise so soon, angel?” he questioned, staring at my bag.
“Yes,” I said. “I’m just waiting on my brother to get back from saying goodbye to his friend,” I lied, feeling even more uncomfortable and vulnerable in the lawyer’s presence.
“Okay. Well, I’m here for three more days.”
The sound of my phone ringing caused me to jump. “Excuse me,” I told him. “Hello?”
“Ready,” Tyrese said quickly. “Meet us at the curb.”
I quickly grabbed my purse and luggage. “I have to go, Clint,” I said, flashing him a smile. “Call me when you get back in town.”
“All right. At least let me get your bag for you,” he offered, reaching for it like some kind of lovesick bellhop.
“No, it’s okay. I got it.” I hurried out the entrance of the hotel with him trailing behind. I handed my driver my luggage and opened the cab door.
“Diamond,” Clint called, “what’s the rush, sweetie?”
Damn it! I thought, as he was quickly becoming a royal pain in my ass. “My brother’s meeting me at the airport instead,” I lied.
“What time is your flight?”
“He has the tickets,” I said. “Look, I’ll see you when you get home.” I leaned in and kissed him hard on the lips, hoping it would be enough to coax him out of my business. I stepped back and smiled.
“I’ll call you as soon as I’m settled in,” he said.
I climbed in the back of the cab, slammed the door, and asked my very patient driver to hurry the hell up.
Gator had advised me that we were only meeting with Luis and that the actual exchange would take place at another time. I quickly discovered that was not true when I saw Randall and Tyrese climbing out the back of the limo, each carrying leather duffle bags with a gold “L” on the pockets, luggage that clearly didn’t belong to them.
“What the hell’s going on?” I whispered as Tyrese approached at the curb.
“Be easy,” he said. “Luis said it’s now or never, so we chose now.”
Randall smiled like a Cheshire cat, his hangover obviously gone. “Let’s move,” he said.
My chest began to tighten, and my stomach gurgled. Now is not the time for the shits, I told my body, but the butterflies continued to dance.
“When we get to TSA, stay in the left lane,” Tyrese instructed me. “Look for a female with short, spiky black hair and pink reading glasses. She’ll get us through.”
�
�Are you sure?” I asked.
“No,” he said, looking at me seriously, “but we’ve got no choice but to take his word for it.”
“You should have left it there,” I stated, getting cold feet.
“Diamond, that wasn’t exactly an option,” Randall piped up. “When dude said it was now or never, I think he was referring to more than the goods.”
“I agree,” Tyrese replied, and the cold tone in his voice made it clear that it had been a life-or-death decision; fortunately, they’d chosen life.
We arrived at the security checkpoint and saw the female Luis had mentioned. She was in the left lane, guarding the monitor. I clenched my thighs together as the urge to pee surfaced in my lower body. I was the first to go through the scan. Glancing up at the woman’s nametag, I saw that her name was Mandy. I grabbed my items from the plastic bin and stood, trembling slightly and trying to look casual as Tyrese approached.
As he prepared to set his bag on the roller, a tall, hefty agent approached Mandy and ordered her to switch lanes. Tyrese’s normally calm demeanor immediately took on the look of a shaken man.
Oh my God! We’re so busted, I thought frantically. My pulse raced as visions of us being taken down by security bombarded my head. I watched as Mandy and the man went back and forth briefly, until she finally turned to step away. No! No! No! Damn it, Mandy! I screamed in my head.
The man motioned for Tyrese to drop his bag on the conveyer belt, and I saw the defeat in his eyes as he obeyed.
“Ugh!” Randall suddenly screamed.
I shot my eyes past Tyrese and gawked at my brother, who was hunched over lying against the conveyor belt, clutching his chest. His antics caused an uproar amongst the staff and the waiting passengers. I watched as several people sprang into action to help him.
“I-I can’t…can’t br-breathe!” Randall cried loudly.
The man who’d come over to relieve Mandy was the first agent to step up and advised the passengers to step back. “Give us some room here, people!” he shouted, trying to maintain crowd control in the busy place.
Mandy resumed her position at the monitor as Tyrese’s bag, followed by Randall’s, rolled through the scanner.
