“And what are we looking for?” Akeem asks.
“A floral box with some of Tanjaya’s things and postcards over the years. Some of them had addresses or postmarks. Maybe something here can help.”
“I’m sure it can,” Sunjiya says after grabbing Aunt Pri’s hand. “But before we get started, is there a restroom back here?”
“Not back here but there’s one up front in the main office. They’ll let you use it,” Aunt Pri answers.
“Okay. I’ll be right back.”
“I’ll go with you,” Akeem says.
“No. Stay and get started,” she says, then lowers her voice so only he can hear. “It’s a lot. We’re going to be here all day.”
“Bet. Go. We’ll get started,” he says and she leaves the two of them.
Seizing the opportunity to speak with Akeem without Sunjiya, Aunt Pri steps closer. She reaches for his hand, and out of respect, he takes hers.
“Not everyone is blessed to have an easy path in life and Lord knows Tanjaya wasn’t. She came into this world unwanted and that is truly not a good start. Her road has been rocky and she truly reached hell on earth when she got with that no-good ass Marcelin. He beat her down, emotionally and physically. That boy is gonna kill my baby if he gets his hands back on her and you can’t let him,” she cries.
“Yes, ma’am, I won’t,” he says.
“Thank you,” she sighs, then squeezes his hand tighter. “That girl right there is—” she begins but her words halt.
“Akeem! We gotta go,” Sunjiya yells as she frantically barges into the unit.
“What’s wrong?” Akeem and Aunt Pri ask in unison.
“He’s got her! He’s got her!” she cries. “Marcelin has Tanjaya.”
“Oh God!” Aunt Pri sighs and stumbles. Akeem hooks his arm around her waist to keep her steady. “I’m good. I’m good,” Aunt Pri assures him in a shaky voice.
“We have to go. Now!” Sunjiya stresses.
“And we will,” he says as calmly as he can. Emotions are high with both ladies and he needs to figure out what the hell is really going on. “Are you sure he has her and how do you know?”
“Honey called,” Sunjiya reveals.
“Honey?” he asks for confirmation.
“Yes. Honey just called me when I was in the restroom. Let’s go. We gotta get her before he kills her,” Sunjiya pleads.
“Go,” Aunt Pri insists. “Please go.”
Sunjiya rushes toward Aunt Pri and hugs her, then grabs Akeem’s hand. They rush out of the storage unit and damn near run to the rental. A million questions run through his head and the moment they’re in his ride, he fires them off.
“What number did Honey call you from? Can you call her back? What happened? Where was she and how the fuck did he find her?” he asks.
Sunjiya pulls her cell from her tote and dials the last number on her call log. When the call connects, Honey’s voice fills the car.
“What happened?” Honey asks frantically.
“I’m in the car with Akeem. You’re on speaker. Please tell him what you told me,” Sunjiya pleads.
“That nigga has her,” Honey says.
“What happened?”
“Tan showed up at my house yesterday afternoon. I thought it was you at first but it wasn’t. I was so happy to see her ass. She stayed with me all day then left to see a few people at the club. I wished she hadn’t,” Honey says, then loudly blows out a sigh. “I don’t know who but somebody told that nigga Marcelin she was in Jacksonville at the club Monday night. They must’ve saw you and thought like I did, thought you were her. Who-the-fuck-ever contacted Marcelin and he had her snatched. That muthafucka has her.”
