41

Ansley and Simeon laughed at an old episode of Martin—the one where Martin tried to discover who had stolen his new CD player. It didn’t matter how many times she saw this episode—it always brought tears to her eyes.

“This show is still just as funny as it was when it first aired. I miss good television like this, don’t you?” Simeon asked as she picked up a slice of pizza.

“Yes, girl. Martin will always give you a laugh. You want some more soda?” she asked before getting up from the sofa to refill her glass.

“No, I’m good.” Simeon got up to follow Ansley into the kitchen during a commercial break. “I’m glad that we are getting to do more than a drive by meet and greet.”

“Me, too.” She placed the soda back in the refrigerator.

Simeon walked over to the wine rack to retrieve a bottle. “Ansley, I’m sorry about everything you went through with Davis—and me.” She carried the wine bottle with her to the living room and sat down.

“Let’s not ruin our evening by talking about that jerk… or the past,” Ansley uttered as she poured some cherry soda in her glass. “He’ll get what’s coming to him in due time.”

“You’re right,” Simeon stated. “He’s been arrested.”

“What?” Ansley walked back in the living room, following her friend’s gaze to the screen. Mug shots of Davis and two other men popped up on the television. She rushed over to listen to the news report.

“Criminal solicitation to commit murder, gunrunning, and drug trafficking—what-in-the-world,” Ansley murmured.

She wanted to vomit. Who was this man?

“This is crazy. Have you seen this other guy before?” Simeon asked.

“Nah. I don’t know who that is. This is just too much.” She glanced over at her friend and said, “It’s official, I am a horrible judge of character.”

Simeon laughed. “I’m right there with you.” Simeon took a labored breath. “I don’t know about you, but I need a drink.”

“Get to pouring. I need something stronger than this soda,” Ansley said. She was going to have to go to her boss and inform him of her relationship with Davis before it came out in the news. She prayed that her name would be kept out of this, but the way her luck was going…

“Jason, do you have a minute?” she asked, standing in the doorway of his office. “There’s something I think you should know.”

He looked up from his Mac, his ice blue eyes beaming. “Sure. What’s up?”

Ansley closed the door behind her before taking a seat. “I’m sure you heard about the three men charged with trafficking across state lines from Illinois to Georgia.”

She left out the part about soliciting murder, she couldn’t form her mouth to say that aloud.

Leaning back in his mesh office chair, he nodded. “Yeah, they made some arrests over the weekend.”

“Yeah that’s the one. Well, one of the men arrested…I use to date him.” Ansley’s eyes widened, touching her hand to her heart she said, “But I promise, I had no idea he was leading a double life.”

Jason’s eyebrows shot up and he leaned forward in his seat. Ansley began crossing and uncrossing her legs.

She could see that hamster wheel of thought racing through his brain.

Jason scratched his head “Whoa. That’s—wow, that’s some heavy stuff. Have you talked to the police?”

“Yes, well no I haven’t. I spoke to them about another incident.” She cleared her throat, casting her eyes downward. “My concern is that they will contact me based on his call history. There was a time when we spoke on the regular. Just in case they are trying to find people involved, I just want to be prepared.”

“I want you to talk to my attorney, Carlton Rosenberg,” Jason said. He reached inside his desk and pulled out a business card and handed it to her “I don’t want you talking to anyone without him. Give him a call today.”

“Thank you.” She grabbed the card and rose form her seat.

He gave her a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry that you’re dealing with something like this. You know what, why don’t you go ahead and finish the day from home so you can contact Carlton.”

Ansley shook her head. “That’s not necessary. This will not affect my work,” Ansley stated. “Right now, work is what is keeping me sane. I just didn’t want you to be blindsided if anything comes out regarding my brief relationship with him.”

Jason nodded in understanding. “Thank you for telling me.”

Ansley left his office and went to her desk. She checked the Internet to see if there was more information on Davis’s arrest.

Nothing new.

Every time her mind was clear of him, something would put him back in her head. Simeon always felt the need to implant him in their conversations and now he was on the afternoon news broadcast and no doubt he would be news at six too.

Then there was Davis, who would call on occasion. He never left a message, but just seeing him in her missed call log was enough of a nuisance. Davis had called her twice over the weekend, but Ansley refused to accept his calls. The arrest was still shocking to her, but considering the life he led, it shouldn’t have been a shock at all.

She had rushed into things with Davis, it was clear that she never knew him. The man she thought she knew would’ve never committed a crime, but the real man was a thief and now a smuggler and a killer. Ansley had fallen for the picture he painted of himself. She supposed she was being too hard on herself, but it was true—she should have been more careful.

Later that evening, Ansley grabbed her mail and headed up to her condo. She was tired and considered going straight to bed, but she needed to get started on her next assignment for school.

She unlocked her door, headed straight to her bedroom and sat down on the edge of her bed, scanning through her mail. Ansley’s gaze stopped when she saw the letter addressed from Davis. Her first thought was to throw it in the trash, but curiosity got the better of her.

My sweet Ansley:

I can only imagine what you must be thinking, but I want you to know that this is not what it seems. I never aspired to be a criminal or live the fast life, it just kind of came with the bloodline, I suppose. I may be guilty of many things, but I am innocent of the things they are saying on the news.

Please come to visit me and look into my eyes. There you will see the truth. I know I hurt you, but it was never my intent. I love you and I want to make things right. Please give me the chance to explain myself.

Davis

Ansley threw the letter into the trash. There you will see the truth? But you signed as Davis? Yeah okay. Boy bye.

She had an appointment with the attorney in the morning. Ansley didn’t want any connection to Davis, although a part of her wanted to have a conversation with him. She wanted to look into his eyes and get some understanding—she needed to know why he chose this lifestyle. Would his eyes really reveal the truth?