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Raindrops splattered on Deja’s windshield as she drove away from Miles’s school. Classical music flowed through the speakers, and Deja repeated deep breaths trying to steady herself before arriving at work. She had a lot to figure out over the next few weeks to move her and Miles, and stressing out prevented her from thinking straight.
Since she’d missed a day of work, she anticipated a busy day of catch-up and an attitude from Raquel. Deja rarely took time off work, so her boss would have to get over it. She’d received a text from Nina early in the morning but had waited to respond until after she’d dropped off Miles. He obviously was a lot more perceptive than she’d given him credit for, and she couldn’t risk him overhearing what was going on with Nina. But she assumed Nina was probably unraveling at home while waiting for a response, so Deja called her.
“Did you get him the money?” Nina asked.
“Yes. Last night. It’ll be taken care of today. This whole nightmare will be behind us soon enough.”
“The police were at my house this morning.”
“What? Why? What happened?” Deja lowered the music.
“It’s exactly what I’ve been trying to tell you. Someone’s following me. I thought it was in my head, but Rodney and I were, you know, and then someone or something was watching us in the window.”
Deja shuddered. “Rodney saw the person too?”
“Yes. He called the police.”
Deja cursed under her breath. “And you said you two were doing what?”
“You know, being intimate. I’d totally forgotten I’d opened the blinds and—”
“Since when did you two start doing that? I thought you didn’t.”
Nina let out a breath. “I’m telling you that someone is following me and peeping through my window. But you’re concerned about our sex life. What’s going on?”
Deja tightened her grip on the steering wheel. “No, I’m not concerned. I’m trying to get the story straight.”
“Do you think someone else could know what we did?” Nina asked.
“What we did? Nina, I didn’t do anything.” Deja entered the freeway and stepped on the gas.
“I didn’t go to the police because you said you didn’t want to be an accomplice. You helped me hide the body then told me to keep my mouth shut. We are both guilty now.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I don’t want to fight. I don’t know who’s following you, but we need to keep our heads on straight right now. I don’t think anyone could know about Kevin. It’s been five days, so if anyone had a credible lead, they would have gone to the police by now.” Deja hoped so at least. Though she thought she had everything under control with the Kevin situation, she was starting to question that.
“Well, it’s more than a coincidence. I’m sure of that.”
Deja exited the freeway and turned up her windshield wipers as the rain fell harder. “I don’t know what’s going on, but once the body is gone, there will be no way to prove anything happened.”
“But I’m scared for my life! Who knows what this person is capable of.”
Deja turned into her office’s driveway and shut off the engine. She didn’t want to scare Nina and admit that she had a point, which she did. “If the police came to your house, I think that creep will get the message. I’m at work now and have to go in. I’ll text you once I get confirmation that the body was moved.”
“Okay, but don’t text anything incriminating. Rodney’s coming home early to spend the day with me. Bye.”
Deja sat in her car, trying to process everything Nina had told her. If someone really had been stalking Nina, the situation was more serious than she imagined. But she had no idea who would do that or why. Quite frankly, she didn’t want to stay around long enough to find out.
A white Mercedes she’d never seen before was parked next to Raquel’s car. Clients usually weren’t scheduled this early, so Deja wondered who the car belonged to. She left her car and jogged through the parking lot, dodging raindrops. “Morning, Maggie.”
Maggie stared at her with an open mouth.
“What’s wrong?” Deja asked.
Maggie pointed down the hall. “Raquel’s been waiting for you. She wants to see you in her office.”
Deja tried not to roll her eyes. Missing one day of work was not the end of the world, especially not after what Deja had done to secure their contract with Thompson. She opened Raquel’s door and paused. An older white woman fumed across from Raquel at her desk. Her blond hair hung just below her shoulders, and she had diamond earrings and a matching diamond pendant. Deja had never seen the woman before, but she hoped she was a potential client because she was obviously rich.
“Deja, come in.” Raquel rose and closed the door behind her. All her usual friendliness had been replaced by a sullen expression. “We need to speak with you.”
Deja’s heart pounded. Something was definitely wrong. “What’s up, Raquel?”
“This is Mrs. Thompson. She wanted to discuss our contract with Silicon Valley Has a Heart.” Raquel gestured to the chair next to the woman. “Please. Sit down.”
Deja preferred to stand. “How can I help you?” She leaned her back against the wall.
The woman narrowed her piercing blue eyes at Deja. “I came to personally tell you that your services are no longer needed. Our foundation has a name to uphold, and the last thing it needs is a scandal between the president and a piece of trash like you.” She turned to Raquel. “Your staff has been sleeping with my husband. It’d be a pity for a small business like yours to get blackballed in the Bay Area.”
Raquel’s gaze darted to Deja. “Tell me this isn’t true.”
Deja was speechless. Sure, it was true, but she had no idea how the hell this woman had found it.
“Just tell the truth!” Mrs. Thompson yelled.
Deja could definitely tell the truth: that she’d been giving it to Thompson better than he’d ever gotten it in his life and that she’d only done it to advance Raquel’s business. But none of that would save her job, and she didn’t have the energy to lie. “It’s true.”
Raquel gasped. “Oh, Deja.”
Deja found it hard to believe Raquel hadn’t suspected what was going on. She’d obviously turned a blind eye and didn’t mind as long as she could reap the benefits.
“Mrs. Thompson, please accept my sincerest apologies. This is not the way my company conducts business. This will certainly be handled accordingly.” Deja almost choked on Raquel’s sappiness.
“It better be.” Mrs. Thompson clutched her Gucci handbag and rose. She gave Deja a look dripping with disdain before walking out of the office.
When she had left, Raquel lowered her voice. “Deja, I’m going to have to let you go. It’ll ruin my business if I keep you. I’ll mail you your last check, which will be for this pay period and an extra month, since I know you have Miles to support.”
Deja couldn’t believe she was being fired from her first real job. “I appreciate you giving me this opportunity. I’ll get my things.”
Raquel opened the door. “I’m sorry things have to end like this.”
With her head hung low, Deja walked to her office. She gathered the few personal belongings she had, said goodbye to Maggie, then packed her things in her car. Rain poured outside, and tears slipped down Deja’s cheeks. She hadn’t wanted to sleep with Thompson, but she hadn’t had much of a choice. Without a job, she’d have to leave San Jose much sooner and immediately search for other employment.
The only thing stopping her from packing up and leaving this weekend was Nina. Deja would have to make sure Nina got the other half of the payment from the bank next week, then Deja would be free to leave. But she had a feeling it wasn’t going to be easy for either of them until then.