The mother of the pregnant girl had just lost her husband. I think he was a fisherman and was lost at sea. His body was never found. She had a whole bunch of other kids too, so the pregnant girl was an added burden on an already poor family.
So, they sent the girl to my district in Top Hill to live with that church sister who had promised to find a family for the baby. I knew that the Jackson's wanted a child and was working with them at the time so I told them. Gersham Jackson handled the rest of the adoption. That's Taj's father—the best father around."
She said stoutly, "Why you are bringing this up now is beyond me. The adoption was legal."
"What was the name of the girl?" Natasha asked with anticipation; cutting off Harriet's ramblings.
"Her name was Net," Harriet said. "That's all I know. Those fisher folk really know how to name their children from the trade."
Natasha looked at Harry and grinned. "I am from fisher folk too, Harriet. Are you sure that Net wasn't a nickname or something? Do you have a surname?"
"No," Harriet said. "It is possible that she changed her name when she came to the district. People do those sorts of things all the time—to save face you know. Young, unmarried Christian girl...She was probably ashamed of the whole thing. I think I heard that the boy who got her pregnant was accepted to some fancy school abroad and he left her in Jamaica with the pregnancy."
"Do you have any idea which district she was from?" Natasha asked desperately, "I am from Parotee in St. Elizabeth. There are other fishing villages there like Black River, Alligator Pond, and Slipe. Any of those names ring a bell?"
"No," Harriet said, "I never really spoke to the girl, she was very quiet and extremely shy."
"Can you describe her?" Natasha asked.
"Slim," Harriet recounted, "extremely curly hair…just like Taj's. She was medium brown. She cried all the time…she had just lost her Dad and was pregnant. That's all I know."
"Thanks Harriet," Natasha said contemplatively, "you've been most helpful."
"I have?" Harriet asked surprised, "how old are you Natasha?"
"Twenty seven," Natasha replied.
"Are you single?"
"Er...yes," Natasha answered reluctantly.
"Good-looking?" Harriet asked with a grin in her voice.
"Goodbye Harriet," Taj, who was silent through the whole reciting of his beginnings, perked up suddenly, "I will call you later."
"Taj is single too," Harriet said. "Don't you dare hang up the phone on me young man."
Taj who was about to cut the call, jerked suddenly and stilled.
"Now that's better," said Harriet as if she was in the room with them. "See how obedient he is Natasha?"
Natasha laughed. "Yes ma'am."
"He is also tidy and clean."
Taj rolled his eyes. "Harriet please, you are embarrassing me."
"Okay," Harriet said unrepentantly, "call me later."
Taj hung up the phone and looked at Natasha and Harry sheepishly. "Sorry."
Harry grinned. "I can empathize. I have a few females like that in my life."
Natasha was avoiding his eyes. She got up from her chair. "I need to think about what Harriet said. Something is puzzling me."
"What exactly is that?" Harry asked. "She was pretty vague with the information."
"I don't know," Natasha bit her lip, "but I am going to find out soon enough." She closed the laptop and finally looked at Taj. "What time tomorrow is The Presidential Ball?"
"Five o'clock. The invitation said elegant dressing. It would be nice to see you in formal wear."
Natasha flushed and looked at Harry who was staring at both of them speculatively.
"Are those the emails?"
"Yup," she nodded, "we can go through them tonight."
Harry nodded. "Alright, let’s go."
"Where are you guys staying?" Taj asked curiously.
"I am staying at Pavilion Hall. I have an apartment on the first floor of the girls’ only dormitory," Natasha said pushing her laptop in the case and zipping it up.
"I travel everyday from home," Harry said. ‘It's just forty-five minutes from here. I get to see my wife every night."
Taj nodded, a feeling of elation overwhelming him. He had been trying to figure out the dynamics between her and Harry. They sounded like they were genuinely platonic partners. "So see you tomorrow Natasha."
Natasha nodded.
Chapter Eight
"What is with those secret looks and hot, heavy tension I sense between you and Taj?" Harry asked as soon as they entered her apartment. The cramped space was home to a single bed, a study table, two chairs, and a small fridge. Natasha was on the first floor of Block A. the bungalows were divided into fourteen blocks in a semi circular fashion around an ornamental garden.
"It's nothing." Natasha said plopping the laptop down on the study desk. "Just your regular basic attraction."
Harry snorted and pulled up a chair beside the desk. "If you say so Detective."
Natasha turned on the laptop, "I was browsing through Edward Carlisle's emails a little before you came by the office today and I saw something that should get you excited."
Harry raised his eyebrows. "What? An affair?"
"Seems so. Check under the archived messages for 2007."
Harry quickly clicked through the files until he reached 2007 and found a bunch of mails to an address: [email protected].
"Bingo," he breathed, "I knew these types can't keep it in their pants. I just knew it."
"Stop sounding so excited because the man's a cheater." Natasha said scowling, "Somehow I think the Supe…who thinks his uncle walks on water…will be very disappointed."
She glanced in her fridge. "May I offer you some refreshment? I have orange juice and bottled water."
"No food?" Harry asked hunkering down and looking at the mail closely.
"Nope," Natasha said, "I was supposed to go to the school's business center and check out Ryan Bancroft's son and shop for some snacks. Haven't gotten around to doing that yet. I basically just eat at the cafeteria and then come back here."
"Not even nuts, or chocolate?" Harry looked up. "My belly is growling."
"I don't hear it," Natasha grinned, "so it's not loud enough."
"Come on, have mercy," Harry said, "I didn't have lunch today. My wife forgot to pack my lunch."
Natasha laughed. "You big baby. Okay, I am going to the business center for food. If I see Micah Bancroft I will chat him up a bit."
She got up. "Hurry up and browse through those emails…no men on the female dorm past ten o'clock."
Natasha grabbed her battered army camouflage jacket and slipped her feet into sneakers. She had contemplated driving to the business center but at the last minute decided to walk. The business center was almost seven minutes away. The air had a certain bite to it and she pushed her hand in her pocket.
She felt her slim line switchblade knife and her phone in her pocket. She guiltily waved to the campus security on her way to the business center because she knew she was not supposed to have a weapon on her.
She was glad for the walk. It gave her a chance to think about the case so far and also think about Taj Jackson.
She wondered about him. To be honest, she had had a slight crush on him since she first saw his picture. On her first day in his class she could see that all the girls had been drooling. One girl had even admitted that she had joined the class just to stare at him, but of all the girls there, she had sensed that he liked her.
She had breathed a sigh of relief because she had targeted him as the most likely candidate to help her with the investigation. He had been her target to get them access to faculty, and he was more than willing to help.
She barely glanced at the well-manicured lawns and the hustle and bustle of students; so lost was she in her thoughts of Taj.
"Where are you going?" his voice said to her.
She jumped. It sounded too real to be her mind. She looked around and saw tha
t he was walking a few paces behind her. He was dressed casually in a tracksuit and was panting a bit.
"I saw you walking purposefully in this direction and decided to follow," he said, panting slightly. "I'm terribly out of shape."
Natasha blushed. "I wouldn't say that, you look like you are in great shape." She stopped and waited for him to catch up. "I am going to the business center."
"Oh," Taj said, "been through the emails already?"
"Nope, Harry is going through them now. I am just going to get some snacks. Apparently his wife did not pack food for him today, so he is starving."
Taj grinned. "He sounds happily married."
"He is." Natasha nodded. "They've been together since high school."
Taj grimaced. "I had a high school girlfriend who I saw myself being happily married to."
Natasha was about to keep walking and then she looked at him fully. "Is that so?"
Taj laughed. "I see feminine curiosity and jealousy in your eyes."
Natasha closed her eyes. "That's right, you read people for a living."
"And administer medication too," Taj said jokingly. "Spent four years in med school for that."
Natasha started walking. "So why aren't you not married to her?"
Taj laughed again, "I thought you had resolved in your thoughts that you wouldn't give in to curiosity and ask me that question?"
"Boy, you are real nifty with this mind reading thing."
"It's not too hard," Taj said. "People are basically predictable in some of their responses. But, to answer your question, we aren't together because she married somebody else. Sometimes high school relationships don't work out."
"Do you still have feelings for her?" Natasha asked curiously anticipating his answer with bated breath.
"Yes," Taj looked at her sideways. "Warm fuzzy feelings like one would have for a sister…I guess. I got over my initial heartbreak years ago. I am friends with her husband now and we all get on like a house on fire."
Natasha breathed out and then blurted out the thought that was uppermost in her mind since she saw his picture. "Are you seeing anyone?"
Taj stopped and then turned the full brunt of his brown gaze on her. "Is this a question for your investigation, or is this you finally admitting to yourself that you have the hots for me?"
Natasha growled. "You are so...so..." She threw up her hand in the air, "Bancroft like." She stomped off to the Business Center. It was well lit up in the dusk and she headed toward it determinedly.
"Take that back," Taj said to her a hurt tone in his voice.
"Arrogant," Natasha huffed, "and too sure of yourself."
"It's this school," Taj grinned at her, "they are rubbing off on me. I swear I was never in a million years like Bancroft. And yes, I am single."
Her steps faltered. "Okay then."
"But Harriet already told you that on the phone." He walked beside her up the walkway. "Are you going to give me a dose of my own medicine and answer me like a self-assured arrogant pig if I ask you if you are seeing anyone?"
Natasha grinned. "It's tempting, but no I am not seeing anyone. I haven't been in a relationship since," she stopped under a street lamp and screwed up her face, "five years ago. I dated a very clever con artist for a while…even lived with him. I should have listened to my mother and not live in sin. Turns out I was not only living in sin. I was also sleeping with sin."
Taj laughed. "That's a novel way to put it…sleeping in sin."
Natasha shrugged. "Never again."
Taj nodded. "Is this a vague way of telling me that since I am so obviously interested in you that I must be above board or you will hurt me?"
Natasha rolled her eyes and then started walking again. When they approached the mini plaza she said, "I am going to the supermarket."
Taj followed behind her. "Just out of curiosity, how badly can you hurt me physically?"
"I teach kickboxing to my fellow officers in the summers, when I am not under cover," Natasha said smirking. "I am also quite good at Aikido."
"Never heard of that," Taj said shuddering. "It sounds really dangerous."
"Have you ever watched a Steven Seagal movie?"
"Yes, I am ashamed to admit it. I've watched all his movies," Taj said, "and I enjoy it."
Natasha giggled. "You see his signature moves?"
"The arm twisting stuff?" Taj asked. They were nearing the supermarket.
Natasha nodded. "Yup. The defender does not try to stop the attacker, but uses his momentum against him. It is pretty easy, once you get the hang of it."
Taj looked unsure. "I am taking your word for it. Want to have a drink when you are done shopping. I promised Micah I would have a chat with him. Might as well check him now since I am here."
Natasha's eyes lit up. "Sure."
Taj grinned, "I wish you were getting excited to be having a drink with me, but I figure it's Micah that has you excited. You will have an opportunity to pick his mind."
Natasha laughed. "I like you."
Taj placed his hand on his heart comically. "Thank God, because I like you too."
Natasha was still smiling when she entered the student lounge. There were several sitting areas and rooms where students were playing pool and dominoes. She headed toward where Taj was sitting around a circular table with Micah. They had a several bottles of drinks on a tray between them.
They both had a faint resemblance when she catalogued their features. She glanced from one to the other. It was faint but the resemblance was there, around the eyes. Micah had almost waist length neatly groomed dread locks. His eyes were deep set and he was whipcord lean—he looked like he had a long distance runner's body. He had a chain around his neck with a small blue whale in the middle.
"Hey, Taj's girlfriend, have a seat," he said waving to her. He had a slightly husky voice and Natasha smiled. He made a very nice package. If she hadn't seen Taj first, she might have been interested in him.
"Is that what he told you?" She sat down and put down her bag between her and Taj.
"No," Micah said, "I saw you two flirting and grinning from the edge of the driveway and came to my own conclusions."
Natasha nodded. "Were you expecting Taj?"
"Not really," Micah said, "I was expecting my fiancée." He looked down in his drink sheepishly.
"Long story. My father is forcing me to marry her. She's the only daughter of a very generous benefactor of this college." He sighed, a look of pain flashing across his eyes. She's a past beauty queen—spoiled, immature, and young but my father requested it. In the past I would jump through his hoops, but not this time."
Natasha made a moue sound. "Hush, there are worst things than being forced to marry a pretty, rich girl."
"I am not going to marry her." Micah sighed. "I am not going to be working here much longer either. I have an escape plan."
He laughed. "I am not cut out for this rat race."
He picked up his juice and raised it in Taj's direction. "More power to you Dr. Jackson for wanting to be involved in the fray. This kind of thing is not my cup of tea. I am too young to be living this fake life anymore, and too old to be bowing and scraping at my father's well polished feet. I am getting out of here soon."
"So what are you going to do?" Taj asked Micah who had a steely determined look in his eye.
"Work here for another six months. I've been saving. By then, I should have amassed enough money to buy the old place I am living in now. It has some acreage attached to it. I can live a simple life and write and play music when I want."
"How many children does your father have?" Natasha asked innocently. She had checked that data on Bancroft already but she wanted to hear details from his son.
"Five." Micah looked over at her. "I am the eldest and most unfortunate for being his first born. Then there is Adrian…he's the good son. He went and did his Masters in the Social Sciences. He should be back here next year teaching his good little heart out and being molded into his father's
image.
Then there's Kylie. She's a straight up nerd, with a brain like a computer."
He hiccupped. "She likes that area too. She goes to school here but keeps a very low profile. Then there is the famous Marcus Bancroft—you must have heard of him. He's the upcoming track star that everybody is talking about these days."
Natasha gasped. "That's your brother?"
"Yup." Micah nodded. "My Dad was too distracted in his growing up years to discourage him from following his dreams I guess."
"Your father sounds terrible." Natasha said quickly.
Micah shrugged. "My baby sister, the youngest of the bunch, would disagree with you. She thinks he walks on water. I guess after the first three he decided to be more humane in how he raised her."
"Your mother must be pretty strong to deal with his personality," Taj said softly.
"She's okay," Micah said. "They got married pretty young and started having children right away. They are not what I would call happy. My Mom is the giver, my Dad the taker."
Taj nodded. "Your father strikes me as the big-time taker when I met with him today."
"Oh yes. How was that?" Micah asked interested. "Did the beast roar?"
Taj shook his head. "He's something else I tell you. He said he'd have me investigated so that he could flaunt my secrets for the board to see and then nail me to the proverbial wall with my shame."
Micah nodded. "Sounds like good old Dad."
He cocked his head to one side. " You resemble him quite a bit." He turned to Natasha. "Don't you think so?"
Natasha nodded. "That's the first thing I thought when I saw Taj."
Micah shrugged. "Uncle Oswald only got Arnella and Vanley before he died but anything is possible. You might be my long lost cousin.
Wouldn't that be something? I can't explain it, but when I saw you outside the building, I liked you instantly. Must be your blood calling out to mine. Don't mind me, I know I sound fanciful. I don't mean your parents any disrespect."
Saving Face (Mount Faith Series: Book 1) Page 6
