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A WEEK LATER
“Just a minute!” CeCe abandoned his breakfast of cornflakes and got his keys out the adjoining living room on his way to answer the door. “Who is it?”
“It’s Ms. Okorie,” his neighbor answered in her high-pitched Nigerian accent.
CeCe opened the door, smiling. “Good morning. What can I do for you?”
“Am I bothering you?” The 55-year-old’s strong features contorted under her light-yellow skin.
“Nope. Just on my way to work.” CeCe shook his keys. “Everything okay?”
She wiggled her wide nose. “Do you smell that?” She sniffed, trying to peek inside his apartment. “That odor?”
CeCe looked back into his apartment.
“It’s putrid.” She scratched her corn rolls under her black head wrap. “I’ve never spelled anything so bad.”
He sniffed and shook his head, pretending he didn’t smell it.
“I thought it was coming from your apartment.”
“Mine?” CeCe chuckled, shifting against the door. “No. The meat market down the street is always having problems with the pipes. Their sewer’s probably messed up again.”
“It doesn’t smell like sewer waste but like something rotting and it’s getting worse. Everyone on the hall is complaining. I’ll make a complaint to Mr. Weaver.”
CeCe held his objection to not make her suspicious. “It’s not that big a deal to bother the building manager but it’s up to you.” He walked out his apartment and locked the door. “I got to get to work.”
“Okay.” She backed up as he passed her. “Have a good day.”
CeCe watched her out the corner of his eyes as he reached the stairs. “You too.”
****
STRICKLAND TRAIPSED inside Jonathan’s mansion, meeting Tran in the foyer.
“Detective Strickland? What are you doing here?”
“I wanna speak to Jonathan.” Strickland whistled past Tran, walking through the Mediterranean stone columns.
“You know he’s already gone.” Tran tottered behind him in his flip-flops.
“Is that right?” Strickland walked by the flamboyant rooms and stopped by the curved stairway. “Where is Jonathan?”
“That’s none of your business. He paid you for your services and anything else is none of your concern.”
“Why can’t I know where he is?” Strickland twisted the cigarette behind his ear. “What harm would that do?”
Tran crossed his arms in the airy white shirt.
“Ah.” Strickland checked out the gold statue of the naked woman without a head. “He doesn’t trust me.” He grabbed the statue’s breast.
“No, he doesn’t and with good reason.” Tran yanked Strickland’s hand from the statue. “Please stop molesting the antiques and leave.”
“While I’m here why don’t I let the girls in on what’s been going on?” Strickland continued through the hallway. “Where are they? Ladies? I could use a massage or something hotter.”
“That’s not happening.” Tran jumped in front of him. “Leave now.”
“Is that how you treat me when I sacrificed my job to help your boss?” Strickland waltzed into Jonathan’s family room where Ana and Jinghua enjoyed morning tea. “Well, well, well.” His dick pulsated at the sight of the beauties.
“Not you again.” Ana leapt out her seat, her red hair bringing a majestic spark to the brown and green décor. “Get out. How dare you show your face around here after what you did to Rena?”
“Believe me she enjoyed every minute. Where is she?”
“Stay away from Rena,” Jinghua said.
“This place is something else.” Strickland snorted, checking out the furniture and accents. “Mr. Wild has style.”
Asia stomped inside with Shauna and Emma.
“Oh hell no,” Asia snapped. “Get out.”
“It’s my old friend Emma.” Strickland winked at her and she rolled her eyes.
“Get your sleazy ass out, Strickland,” Asia demanded.
“Hey, Chocolate.” He lifted the porcelain lamp, flipping it over to see the bottom. “How’s it hanging?”
“Chocolate?” She lunged at him. “Who the hell are you talking to?”
Tran held Asia back. “I don’t want to get the guards to escort you out, Mr. Strickland, but if you don’t leave—”
“What?” He put his hands in his pockets. “You have to be nice.”
“And if we don’t?” Asia snarled.
“I might poke a hole in Jonathan’s plan. You wouldn’t want that, would you?” Strickland walked to the table and rested in the Louis XVI chair. “Now how about you show me some hospitality?”
The women looked at each other.
“I know what would break the ice.” Strickland slapped his palms. “Go get your little bikinis on and we can have a twerking contest. Let’s see whose cheeks move the fastest.”
“I can’t take him.” Emma turned to Tran. “Get security. He’s disgusting.”
“Hey, Chocolate?” Strickland approached Asia. “How about giving me a sniff of them panties?”
The other women gasped.
“You!” She slapped him.
“Ooh.” He rubbed his reddening cheek, chuckling. “I like it rough.”
Asia raised a fist. “Get out of here or you’ll get more.”
“Why are you guys so hostile?” He backed away, raising his hands. “Jealous I picked Rena over you? Where is she?” He left the room, singing her name. “Rena?”
The group followed him to the stairs.
“Where is she?” Strickland pointed upstairs. “Is she in her room? I’ll go say hi.”
“No, you won’t.” Asia grabbed him. “Jonathan promised she never had to see you again, and it’s a promise we intend to keep on his behalf.”
“I’ve had enough of this.” Tran left.
“He’s getting the guards.” Emma held her waist with her chin in the air. “You better leave now.”
Strickland lowered his eyebrows. “I’m not going anywhere until I see Rena.”
“Why are you doing this?” Ana asked. “You forced yourself on her the last time. Isn’t that enough?”
“I didn’t force myself on anyone. There was a deal, and she had her part to do.”
“You...” Emma closed her eyes. “I’ve never met a man like you before.”
He licked his lips at her delicious cleavage. “And, you never will.” He leapt onto the stairs. “Rena, it’s the man of your dreams, Kelley Strickland! I came to take you away from all this.”
Tran showed up with a guard. “Get out, Detective.”
“Let’s go.” The guard reached for Strickland.
“Hey, hey.” Strickland hopped off the stairs. “Don’t touch me. I’m a cop, remember?”
“Whoever gave you a badge should’ve lost their job a long time ago,” Shauna said.
Strickland pointed at her. “I might try you out next time.”
“Yeah?” She grabbed her waist, sticking out her hip. “You and what army could handle this?”
“Oh, I could handle it, baby.” Strickland glanced at her ass. “Just ask Rena. I’ll be back, ladies.” He waved back at them as he followed the guard. “Tell Rena I’ll see her the next time I come through.”