Nahla was just about to wrap up her memo when she remembered something else.
“Oh! And, I need to cross-check the parcel numbers on the Greens’ deeds.”
She paused after that and inhaled deeply. “Remember that you got this, girl. You’ve uncovered dirty politicians, a sex trafficking ring, and shady non-profits in one of the biggest cities in this country. Little Lyle, Chaney, ain’t got nothing on you. You werebornfor this. Do your thing.”
With that, she ended the recording. Nahla made it a point to hype herself up with reminders and affirmations whenever she got the chance, because other than Mr. Hill, there weren’t many people who did that for her. The life of an investigative journalist could be a lonely one, because she was always chasing stories others were afraid to pursue. It was the reason she began making voice notes in the first place. It made her feel less isolated, . . . lessalone.
Nahla sighed and readjusted herself in her seat, just as her phone rang. When she saw Dream’s picture and name appear on the screen, a small smile graced her lips. Nahla had never had many long-lasting friendships. She wasn’t sure whether it was because she was always so busy or because she had never come across women on the same plane as her. That is, until she moved back home and met Dream Pierce.
It was on one of the rare nights that Nahla decided to let her hair down a bit and have a night out. She found herself at a sleek and sexy sports bar calledIgnite. Apparently, Dream’s husband, Rhys, owned it, and they had been in town managing the location because his manager’s wife had just given birth. Dream and Nahla had clicked instantly and had only grown closer in the last seven months.
They were so similar in many ways. They were both incredibly ambitious and invested in their careers. Dream ran a thriving digital design and marketing business that kept her busy, and she also left her hometown of Chaney right after high school, moved to a big city, and eventually moved back home.
The most significant differences between the two of them were that Dream had found her soulmate in Rhys, whom she had apparently been in love with since childhood, and that she had slowed down with business long enough to be a mother to her beautiful four-year-old son. Nahla had yet to meet a man who inspired her to devote any of her precious time to taking care of him or a baby, but spending time with Dream did help her realize she wanted that one day.
“Hey,” Nahla said when she picked up the call.
“Hey, girl! I was calling because I know you’re traveling to Lyle this morning. I’m praying for your safety and that you find what you’re looking for.”
Dream’s words warmed Nahla’s heart. She had gotten a call from Mr. Hill first thing that morning with similar sentiments, but her sister, brother, and father knew she was traveling that morning and hadn’t said a word to her. She didn’t hold things like that against them, because she was sure they were still asleep, but itdidfeel good to know that her well-being and success were on somebody’s mind that morning.
“I appreciate that. Does work or baby Rhys have you up this early on a Saturday?”
She chuckled. “Girl, both. This child came into our bedroom an hour ago, asking for breakfast, so I got up, cooked, and now I’m working on a website for a new client. What about you, though? How are you feelin’ about today?”
Nahla groaned as she merged into the left lane, because she was now going to be on this one-lane road for the next thirtymiles. Country roads were the main thing she hated about going to Lyle.
“I feel good. I have a lot to accomplish, but as long as everyone I’m scheduled to speak with is still willing to talk, I should be good. The hardest part is going to be getting official documents from the city. I don’t imagine they’ll be too cooperative, but I got a few tricks up my sleeve to get what I want.”
Dream sighed. “I know you got this, but I want you to be extra careful today. I wish someone were there with you. You know I got a personal bone to pick with that city, and I don’t need nothing happening to you.”
“Yeah, I know.”
Dream’s brother-in-law, Trevor, played basketball atLyle Universitya few years ago. When Rhys visited him there one night, they got stopped and were racially profiled by a couple of White police officers. Unfortunately, Trevor had an illegal firearm in his car. His big brother took the wrap for it and was sentenced to a year in prison, forcing Dream and Rhys to spend their first married year apart.
“I promise I’ll be all right. I’m going to be as discreet as possible while I’m there.”
“You’d better. I’m gonna let you go, though. I just wanted to check in. Make sure you call me once you’re in for the night.”
“Will do.” Once they hung up, Nahla turned on some music and vibed out the rest of the way to Lyle. She knew Dream and Mr. Hill were worried about her traveling to Lyle alone, but she honestly wasn’t. Throughout her career, Nahla had ended up in stickier situations than this. Compared to some of the other stories she had covered, this one was a cake walk. She’d be just fine.
“Brother,what the hell are you doing here this early? You just got back a few hours ago.”
Continuing to drill the camera above the door, Cannon answered his little sister without turning around.
“What it look like? I should have replaced these old ass cameras months ago.”
Capri shook her head and laughed before sliding past the large ladder her brother was standing on. He was almost completely blocking the entrance to their business,Porter Protects, but she knew he didn’t care.
Once Capri sat behind the desk in the lobby of their building, she turned toward her brother again.
“Old?” she asked. “Cane, you just bought those cameras less than a year ago. They have a three-year warranty.
Still focused on his task, Cannon said, “Those warranties don’t mean shit, Cap.”
Capri pondered arguing the point further but declined. She knew exactly what this was. He had just finished a job in Los Angeles, protecting a pop star who had been receiving threats. Not only had Cannon successfully protected the young lady, but he also identified the threat and turned him over to the authorities. It had been a three-month job, but initially, they weren’t sure how long it was going to last, so his sister hadn’t lined anything else up for him after that.
Cannon hated not being busy. While for most people, being home was where they found peace and rest, for Cannon, it was the place where the silence became unbearably loud. Whenever he wasn’t working, he was forced to think about things he’d rather suppress, and it was for that reason that he was already at the office. When he couldn’t sleep, he fixed things, and this morning, those things were perfectly good security cameras.
