She watches as he ascends then she gives her attention to the phones and the items on the table. Things really have taken a turn overnight and everything has changed.
But how? Where did he get those horrible hospital records? What else can he find?
So many thoughts, good and curious ones, run through her mind but skepticism is at the forefront. However, she tries to push it back because hewants to find Tanjaya and needs her help.And more importantly, he wants to kill Marcelin.
After staring at both phones and the papers on the table for a moment, she stands and treks up the stairs. The door to the main level was left open, a sign that he’s serious about her being free to go. So she walks right into the kitchen. Akeem stands at the massive island going through a basket. Tension floats in the air. She brought it but doesn’t want it to linger so she speaks.
“I think I might want a little something. Did you order yet?” she asks.
“Nah, I haven’t,” he says before looking up. He passes her a menu. “I’m thinking this spot.”
The menu for Pancake House is pretty decent. Although it’s a breakfast spot, it has a few lunch offerings too. Because she’s really not a breakfast girl, she decides on a grilled chicken breast sandwich and salad. When he passes his phone to her, she adds her order to the delivery app. His stack with bacon and eggs is already in the cart.
“Is there stuff in the fridge?” she asks while still holding the phone.
“Just drinks, mainly water.”
“Then, let me add my coffee and a cup of ice,” she says more to herself.
After adding a large dark roast, a kid-size carton of milk, and sugar packets to the order, she hands the phone back. While he submits the order, she takes advantage of her newfound freedom and tours the home. She checks the fridge and pantry first before moving to the dining room, living room, beautiful guest bathroom, and both bedrooms. If they spend another night here, she’s definitely sleeping on the huge wooden sleigh bed in the guest room.
When she returns to the kitchen, all of the items from Tanjaya’s apartment are on the island. He’d brought them from the basement while she toured. Akeem wanted to bring her bag up but didn’t feel right going through her things. She is no longer his mark. If she decides to stay, she will be his partner, and in that role, she’s allotted boundaries and a level of respect.
“Do you want me to bring your bag up?” he asks.
“Are we staying here again?” she counters.
“So, you’re not leaving?”
“No, not yet anyway. I really need to find my sister and make sure she’s okay,” she says.
“Good.”
“You still didn’t answer my question though. Are we staying here again?”
“At least tonight. I’m hoping we can start tracing her steps tomorrow but we can figure that out today.”
“Then, yeah, let me get my stuff. It’s all still packed.”
“I got it. Your shoulder still isn’t a hundred. We might need to find you a real sling today. I’m sure this town has a drugstore or something.”
“I think it’s good,” she says. But when she notices the furrow of his eyebrows she adds, “But it might help, especially when I’m sleeping.” He nods then heads toward the basement. When he walks off, it suddenly dawns on her that she doesn’t even know his name. Naturally, he hadn’t offered it, and before, it didn’t matter to her. She only wanted to get away from him, knowing the least about him that she could, but things are different now. “What’s your name?” she calls out and he laughs lowly.
“Akeem,” he says with an arrogant ass smirk before continuing down to the basement.
“Akeem,” she repeats in a whisper, then finds herself smiling.He looks like an Akeem.
Smirking to herself, she steps toward the bag he brought up from the basement and takes the papers, notes, and envelopes from Tanjaya’s place out. The lighter is at the bottom of the bag. Last night, she didn’t pay much attention to it. Her focus had been the papers, but this morning, she examines it and notices the logo,Lazy Nights Club.She has the club pulled up on her cell when he emerges with her stuff.
Holding the lighter and her phone out to him, she says, “Look what I found. It’s a night club in Jacksonville. The logo matches; this has to be the same place.”
He takes her phone and looks through the pictures on the site. Lazy Nights Club is a late night R&B and rap club with a unique appeal. Actual beds line the walls of the club—four on each, twin-sized . The spacious, open floor plan houses two large bars, a sectioned off VIP, corner DJ booth, and three small stages with poles placed throughout. According to the site, it’s a twenty-four hour establishment and has been in the city for almost twelve years.
“And you think she might have been here?” he asks when he slides her phone back.
“Yeah. She doesn’t smoke, at least not that I know of. I mean, her place didn’t smell like it and there were no signs, ashtrays, or nothing. She kept this lighter for a reason and I think it’s worth the ask or look,” she says and he nods in agreement.
It’s a start, a good one actually.
