by D. Camille
Khalil vowed there would never be another name added to that list. This was about more than Kyros, although that was his motivating factor. He glanced over at Melody with a hard gaze. She looked at him then turned her head quickly away from his deadly stare.
They landed at Metro and headed to the exit. Khalil turned over the laptop along with the calendar page to Malachi for him to follow up on. He then turned to Corvus.
“Thanks for coming,” Khalil told him and the two gave each other a brief hug.
Corvus nodded. “What do you need me to do?”
Khalil looked at Melody. “Make sure she gets back to the hotel.” His eyes narrowed. “And watch her ass.”
“Are you going to be cool?” Corvus asked. “You want me to call somebody?”
Shaking his head, Khalil declined. “No, I’m straight. I need to meet with the Negus later.”
“Okay,” Corvus checked his watch and noticed it was after midnight. “I’ll hit them up in a few hours.”
Khalil nodded and walked to his car. Malachi and Corvus shared a look before Corvus escorted Melody to his waiting vehicle.
In his car, Khalil sat behind the wheel in silence. The anger he felt surrounded the empty vehicle. He glanced in the rearview mirror and saw the spot where Kyros always sat. Rubbing his face, he took out his phone.
“Khalil? Where are you?” His Queen’s voice came through the phone laced with concern.
He closed his eyes. “I need to see you.”
Danielle heard something in his voice that sent a chill down her spine. “Oh my god! What happened?”
“May I come now?” he asked quietly.
“Of course,” she answered quickly. “Come now, I’m waiting.”
Saying goodbye, Khalil started the car. He didn’t want to wake his parents and Kyros in the middle of the night and upset them. He’d be there as soon as they woke up in the morning, but for the next few hours, he needed a rational voice to help him through the night.
Khalil arrived at Danielle’s and saw the light on. She opened the door as he exited the car and when he reached her, she pulled him inside and closed the door behind them. Looking into his face, she raised a hand to her mouth.
“Oh baby, what is it?”
He lowered his head, unable to utter the words that tore at his heart. Shaking his head, his shoulders began to gently shake and Danielle pulled him into her arms.
Rubbing his back, she whispered, “Come sit down.” Unzipping his coat, she helped him shrug it off then led him to the living room. She dropped the jacket on a chair then sat next to him and grabbed his hand.
Khalil still had his head down staring at her floor. Danielle braced herself because if Khalil was affected like this, she couldn’t imagine what had happened in New York. His pain was palpable and she felt it to the core of her being. Seeing such a strong man this way made her lift his face to hers.
“Can you talk about it?” she asked softly.
Khalil stared at her. “Thank you for letting me come.”
“Khalil, what happened?”
“He wanted to hurt my son.” She watched anger, fear, and pain cross his face as his eyes began to water. “He wanted to…rape him.”
“And I’m so damn mad, I can’t even think straight.” He gritted out as a single tear slipped out of his eye.
Danielle held him tightly. “Oh Khalil, no…” She felt her own anger and pain rise to the surface as she felt the tremors through his body.
“Did you call the police?”
Khalil answered firmly. “I don’t need the police.”
She pulled back. “Khalil, what did you do?”
He sniffed slightly and sighed. “That’s not the question.”
“Okay, then tell me what the question is.”
“Here’s the answer: I’m going to kill his ass.” He told her. “And no one is going to stop me.”
Danielle looked at him. “I can see that.”
“And your response to that?” he asked watching her.
“You have proof of his intentions?” she questioned.
He nodded. “And additional evidence yet to be sorted through.”
“Tell me what happened,” she prompted.
Khalil took a deep breath. “He had a bedroom set up with a picture of Kyros on the nightstand. It was a boy’s room with a large Spiderman mural on one wall. He had clothing and underwear that would fit my son.” He paused and regrouped.
“In the next bedroom, Malachi found an opening in the closet that led from that bedroom into the child’s room so he could slip and in out undetected.” Khalil’s nostrils flared. “I found a hidden laptop and a calendar with a heart on April 25th.” Remembering the paper, Khalil fished in his pocket. “And this…I’m not sure what it stands for, but it seemed important.”
Danielle took the paper and the blood drained from her face. “Where did you get this?”
Khalil watched her cautiously. “It was in one of the drawers.”
“I know what this is Khalil,” she said lifting her eyes to him. “It’s NAMBLA. I’ve heard of them in my work with kids.”
“What is it?” Khalil questioned frantically.
Danielle shook her head. “It stands for North American Man/Boy Love Association.”
Khalil froze. “You mean there’s more of them?”
She nodded. “Sadly, there are many. It’s an organized group of basically, child molesters.” Danielle stood and left the room. When she returned, she had her laptop and sat it on the table. “Look at this.”
They looked over the website until Khalil stood to his feet and walked away not able to read anymore. Danielle watched him closely and closed the cover.
“You’re right. If he is a part of this, he was going to hurt your son but in his twisted mind, he was going to love him,” Danielle stated. “Thank god you found out in time.”
Khalil frowned. “What if there were others?” he asked angrily.
“Sadly, it’s a strong possibility there are.” Danielle confirmed. “How did Melody possibly hook up with this man?”
“Melody is a damn fool,” Khalil said harshly. “There’s no way she should have missed all these damn signs. She was too busy planning her come up.”
Danielle stood and walked over to him. “I agree there were red flags, many that I questioned myself but maybe he concealed it from her? I’m sure this isn’t something he would discuss openly. What did she say?”
Khalil looked down at her. “She kept crying that she didn’t know, but how could she not, Danielle? Melody is far from stupid.”
“I don’t know baby, maybe it’s like you said, she was too focused on herself,” Danielle explained. “Men like these are predators and very skilled at manipulation.”
She shrugged. “Even I didn’t think he was involved in something like this from looking at him.”
“He deserves everything that I’m going to do to him,” Khalil told her pointedly.
“Yes, he does.”
Khalil lifted a brow. “You agree with me?”
Danielle touched his face. “This man preys on children and carefully planned to terrorize your son. The administering of deserved punishment or reward...”
“Is the definition of justice,” she finished.
Khalil gathered her into his arms and held her close for support. Danielle returned his embrace and rested her head on his chest. “He must be stopped,” she said firmly.
He lifted her face. “The Queen is a true warrior?”
She nodded. “To protect those who can’t protect themselves, yes. Many of these men have been accused of charges and skated right through because of their wealth and connections. Incidents involving clergymen, politicians, Universities…I’ve seen them all in the news with very few serving any time and even then they’re protected.”
“How did he single out Kyros?” Khalil asked confused.
Danielle took his hand and led him back to the sofa. “Sadly, Khalil, Black boys are molested at t
he same rate as girls, but it’s not given the same attention. Coaches, mother’s boyfriends, family members, foster homes and organizations like that one, target these kids. In most instances, our boys don’t report anything and many of them are walking around traumatized with nowhere to turn. The stigma and shame prevent them from even seeking help.”
“I think, Spencer saw a woman, who didn’t have much interest in her son and felt he’d found an easy mark,” she told him. “But he didn’t count on having to battle a King to get him.”
“This is some bullshit!” Khalil snapped. “How the hell do organizations like this exist, when the Black Panthers were targeted and annihilated for serving their community and protecting themselves? Yet a group of fucking pedophiles can openly celebrate that shit!”
She touched his arm. “I know, it’s not fair and I’m not naïve enough to think that it’s not designed that way. I swore to protect children and families and that’s what I do as well as I can within my boundaries, but when I can skirt the boundaries to help a child, I do that as well.”
Khalil looked at her. “I’ve witnessed that for myself.”
“Promise me that you won’t do this in a way that takes you away from your son…and me,” she whispered.
Khalil leaned down and kissed her softly. “I promise. I can’t give you details because I don’t want you involved that way, because of your job.”
Danielle grabbed his shirt. “Get his ass off the streets.”
******
Corvus sat in the car with Melody on his way to her hotel. Her phone rang and he looked at her.
“It’s Spencer.”
“Answer it and put it on speaker.”
Following his instructions, Melody answered the call.
“Spencer, where are you?”
“The question is, where are you Melody?” he responded.
“What are you talking about?”
“Did you give out the code to the house in New York?” he questioned.
Corvus gave her a look. “Uh no, I went there today,” she told him.
“You were in New York? Why?” he demanded.
She huffed. “Because Spencer, I hate this godforsaken city too and I needed a few things, since I don’t know how long I’m going to be here.” She paused looking at Corvus. “I just hopped a quick flight, I’m back now.”
“I could’ve had some things sent to you,” he said slowly.
“Well if I knew where the hell you were and how to get in touch with you, maybe you could. You’re not answering your phone or my texts,” she complained.
“I told you I’m busy, but I call when I can.”
“When are you coming back to Detroit?” Melody asked.
“Soon, my time is running out to get things done the way I want,” he explained.
Melody held Corvus’ gaze. “I saw the room you did for Kyros. It’s incredible.”
Spencer laughed softly. “I’m sure he’ll love it. I know what little boys like.” Corvus frowned angrily.
“Why didn’t you tell me about it?” she quizzed.
“I wanted to surprise you both.”
Melody frowned. “Oh, I was surprised.”
“Have you set the meeting yet with Khalil?”
“No, I’m talking with him again tomorrow and then everything will be set.”
“Good, try to make it for the end of the week. I’ll be back by then and we can finish things.”
She paused and Corvus lifted a brow. “Yeah, I can’t wait to finish things,” she told Spencer.
They ended the call and Corvus shook his head. “I don’t even understand this shit. How did you even meet this dude?”
Melody looked out of the window. “We met online. A dating site for black women looking for wealthy husbands.”
“And you met a white dude?”
She looked at him. “White dudes like black women too, just like y’all chase after white women.”
Corvus shrugged. “Whatever you’re into…”
“Spencer replied to my profile.” She shook her head. “The first thing he asked is, if I had children. I didn’t want to tell him at first, thinking it would ruin my chances of meeting him but I was honest and told him that I did have a son, but his father had custody.”
“Then he was all in. We met and he swept me off my feet. Wined and dined me, brought me gifts, took me on trips. I thought he was everything, then he asked me to marry him a few weeks ago and I thought, finally my life was going in the right direction.”
She shook her head sadly. “Damn, I was wrong.”
Corvus glanced at her confused. “You didn’t see any signs?”
“Signs that he wanted to molest my son?” Melody asked sarcastically. “What do think, we sat over dinner and he said, ‘Hey I want to get Kyros so I can sneak into his bedroom’?”
“Hey, don’t get mad at me. This yo’ shit!” He corrected her. “And you have to deal with it…and Khalil.”
Corvus made a face. “Shit, and Khayla, and the Lewises, and the Negus, and the Nigist.”
He shook his head. “Damn girl, you in some deep shit for real.”
Melody turned to the window. She remembered Khalil’s twin and next to Khalil, she was the last one that she wanted to deal with.
“What’s going to happen now?” Melody asked.
He shrugged. “Khalil will let you know. If you turn on him or double-cross him, you will meet the same fate as Spencer.”
“I told you in New York, I would never let anybody hurt Kyros. I may not have been a part of his life, but that doesn’t mean I would ever harm him.” Melody vowed.
Turning his attention back to driving, Corvus asked, “Why did you stay away from him? Khalil would have let you see him.”
Melody continued to stare out of the window. “At first, I’d planned to set myself up real nice and come back for him, but the years started to roll by, then Khalil left Virginia and moved back here to Detroit. I hate this city because it took everything away from me.”
“The city?” Corvus asked with a frown.
She turned to him. “Yes, this city. Khalil loved Detroit more than anything and wouldn’t give up his dream of coming back here. I thought that getting pregnant would change his mind, but that didn’t even work.”
Corvus stopped at a light and turned to her. “Khalil believed that you got pregnant by accident.”
“Khalil believed a lot of things about me.” She turned back to the window and Corvus shook his head. They might have to let the Nigist handle this one right here.
******
Spencer walked back into the room where his colleagues waited.
“Everything okay?” one asked.
He nodded and took a seat. “Yes, it was my fiancée at the house. She went home to get some things.”
“Was she snooping?”
He smiled. “Melody doesn’t snoop. I keep her so well taken care of that she doesn’t ask for anything or about anything.”
“You hit the jackpot with that one.”
Spencer nodded. “I know. I couldn’t have asked for a better set up. A single mother who has no attachments to her son and a father from the inner city.”
“Then why are you taking so long to get him?” another questioned.
He sighed. “The daddy actually thinks he’s a father and wants to hold things up. I thought he’d be happy we’d take the boy off of his hands. Hell, he probably has more littered across the city.”
“That is what they do,” one agreed.
“He seems to have nine lives, but I won’t stop until I get what I want,” Spencer vowed. “And I always get what I want.”
“Why is this one so special?” one man asked.
Spencer pulled out his phone and opened Kyros’ picture. “Like I told his mother, I fell in love with him the first time I saw him.”
******
Danielle felt herself being shaken awake. “Danielle…”
She opened her eyes to find Khalil leaning over
her. “Hey,” she wiped her face. “Did I fall asleep?”
They were on the sofa with her head in his lap. “Yes, I’m sorry to wake you but I have to get over to my parent’s house.”
Danielle sat up. “You’ve been up all night?”
“I couldn’t sleep if I tried, but it was nice to have you cuddled against me.” He kissed her softly. “Thank you for helping me to get balanced for what I need to do.”
Danielle looked into his tired face. “Can I make you something before you go?” she asked.
“No, I’m going to eat with Kyros.”
She nodded. “Call me later.”
“Of course.” He got to his feet and helped her to stand.
“If I can do anything…” she began and he cut her off with another kiss.
He lifted his head. “You’ve done everything I could ask for Queen. You’ve been here to support me.”
“I will continue to do that.”
Khalil smiled at her. “Go to bed and get some rest.”
“Be safe,” she warned. “We don’t know what lengths he’ll go to.”
“I will.”
Khalil grabbed his coat and put it on along with his boots. “I’ll call you later.” One last kiss and he was out of the door. Khalil checked his surroundings before heading to his car. A few minutes later, with a honk, he was gone.
At his parents’ home, Khalil rushed to the door. His father answered with a look of concern before Kyros ran to the door in his pajamas.
“Hey Daddy!”
Khalil grabbed his son and lifted him in his arms, holding him tightly and kissing his face. “Hey son.”
“What’s the matter Daddy?” Kyros asked picking up on his father’s emotions.
Khalil looked at him. “I love you!”
Kyros gently hugged his father confused at his display. “I love you too.”
Assata appeared and saw her son. “Who?” she demanded.
Khalil knew what the one word was asking. Who had to be eliminated? He sat Kyros back on his feet. “Why don’t you get dressed and then we’ll have some breakfast before school?”
Kyros smiled. “Okay.”
He scurried off and both Assata and Khalid came to embrace their only son. His mother stepped back and looked at him. “Answer my question.”
“Spencer Tynesdale,” he answered as his eyes narrowed. “And I will take care of it personally.”
