With no sleep at six, the next morning, JD sat in the chair next to the door and watched as his wife slept in the bed. She had not moved, not even to change position. He knew, for he had sat in the chair since coming upstairs after his altercation with Brian. What in the hell could he have been thinking. From the day Brian, met Tracy, JD knew he was attracted to her. That attraction had grown into something more over the years, but JD never thought Brian would act on it. Never in his wildest imagination did he ever consider Tracy would be attracted to anyone but him. Arrogant thinking, hell yeah, without question but that’s what he’d thought. The day he walked into the office he had at his first condo to see his sister’s shy college roommate lying on her stomach on the floor with headphones on her ears and feet swinging in the air, was the day other women had ceased to interest him. He tried—Lord knows he tried, every other woman that came across his path once she returned to school. None of them, not the models, the news anchors, the actresses, Carolyn Roth, none of them could keep his mind from wandering to Tracy. Finally, he stopped trying and surrendered to the power she had over him. Since then, regret had never crossed his mind. When he married Tracy, he was more than ready to spend the rest of his life with her.
The truth was he couldn’t live without her, but he wondered now if she felt the same. Tracy was only nineteen years old when they met. She was as innocent as the first snowfall, pure, innocent, and naive. Had he taken advantage of that? Should he have given her the same opportunity to see other people—to be involved in relationships with other men? Did she regret never experiencing making love with another man? Was she curious? Was she truly attracted to Brian?
Brian. The man was as much a part of his life as Tracy was. They had been friends since high school. They met on the football field. Brian and Douglas were already staples when he and Calvin went out for the team. The older players would tackle them relentlessly, but JD and Calvin would keep getting up. He guessed Brian and Douglas must have liked something about them, for the two men decided to help them out, by blocking for them. He remembered Brian saying, “If you want to get to him, you’ve got to come through me.” That’s how their lives had been every since. Anyone that wanted a piece of JD Harrison had to go through Brian Thompson first. That wasn’t an easy thing to do. Brian could put your ass on the floor, before you could bawl up a fist. At any time, Brian could have fought him back when they were downstairs, but he didn’t. Now, JD wondered why? Was it because he was guilty of kissing his wife? Or was it because he’d vowed to protect him, even from himself if needed?
Samuel could see JD sitting in the chair near the door of the bedroom as he walked down the hallway. The man must not have heard him approach because he never looked over his shoulder. Something heavy must have gone down. He received a call from Brian to take over security detail for the family. Brian stated he would be working from the office until further notice. When he attempted to ask questions, the man he had come to know very well gave him a warning look. This was one of those times, you did not ask questions, and you just followed orders. “JD.”
“Yes Samuel,” he answered without turning.
“I have the team downstairs. Brian asked me to go over the changes with you. Do you have a moment?”
“I’ll be right down after I take a shower and get dressed. Feel free to have some breakfast while you wait.”
“Will do,” Samuel replied, then went back to the kitchen.
Magna, Ryan, and Donnell were in the kitchen when he returned. “He’ll be down shortly.”
“Why are we changing assignments?” Donnell asked.
Samuel shrugged his shoulder. “I’m not sure. But this is what we do. The secondary crew is in place as we speak, but we don’t know them. We don’t know their capabilities and right now, I don’t trust anyone.”
“That’s a good philosophy to have in life.” JD stated as he entered the kitchen. “What do you have for me Samuel?”
Brian will be running things from the office. Magna will control the command post in the pool house--Ryan will take Tracy and the children—Donnell and I are on you.”
“Why do I need two of you?”
“The boss indicated he wanted someone in front of you before you enter a room and a man looking behind you at all times. That’s what we are going to do.”
JD leaned against the kitchen counter and folded his arms across his chest. “I’d rather have the extra man on Tracy.”
“Noted,” Samuel, replied. “Donnell and I will be on you.” The two men stared each other down until JD threw his hands up in the air. “Fine.” He walked out of the kitchen “I’m working from home today,” he said just before storming into his office and slamming the door.
Donnell was the first to stand, “I’m taking the outside of the house,” he smirked at Samuel and walked out the garage door.
Magna stood, “I’ll be in the pool house.”
She walked out of the patio door leaving Samuel and Ryan in the kitchen. Ryan exhaled, “What could make a man as cool as JD Harrison that pissed?”
“Only two things,” Samuel replied nonchalantly, “You messed with his children---or his wife.” She looked up. “You want to make a guess at which one Brian touched?”
Ryan shook her head, “I don’t buy that. Brian is devoted to both, JD and Tracy. I don’t buy it. Something else went down.”
Samuel knew what his sister Pearl told him earlier about the call she’d received in the wee hours of the morning, but he wasn’t going to share that information with anyone. “Whatever took place is not our concern. Let’s concentrate on keeping this family alive.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Ryan stood. “It’s still dark out. I’m going to help Magna get settled into the pool house.”
“Ryan,”
“Yeah,” she looked back at him when she reached the door.
“I need you focused and on point.”
“I got you covered,” she stepped outside the door. Something did not feel right. Her job was to protect this family from harm. Well, in her estimation of things, some harm had been done. To do her job she needed to know what. Entering the pool house, she walked over to the monitors and took a seat. “Magna, you’re a computer geek, give me a hand with this.”
“What do you need?”
She inhaled then released the air out, “I’ll let you know when I find it. How much do we record and where?”
“The recordings are around the clock in every room.”
“Bedroom too?”
“Yes, but not once JD gets home.”
“Okay. I didn’t leave until nine last night. Mr. H had just arrived when I was walking out. Can you get me back to there?”
Magna pushed a few buttons, indicated the date and time required into the computer. “This monitor will show you the recording. The other monitors are live feed.” She pulled up a chair. Ryan looked over at her. Magna raised an eyebrow at her. “I’ve known JD and Tracy before they were Mr. and Mrs. If something has gone wrong, I want to know.”
“Here I thought you were Ms. ‘by the book’,” Ryan smiled then they both turned their attention to the monitor. Fast forwarding through the recording, they stopped where Calvin, Rossie, James, Samuel and Brian met in JD’s office. “Okay, there’s the boss and Samuel leaving the meeting out the patio door.” Not long after that they saw Calvin and Rossie leaving the house, leaving James, Mattie and JD in the office. “Shit, this is not going to be good.” Ryan said as she fast forwarded the recording until James left. “I was afraid of that?” She said when she saw only Mattie and JD remained in the office.
Magna shook her head, “It’s not what you are thinking. JD would not mess around on Tracy, believe me I know.”
Ryan looked over at her, “How do you know?”
“Been there with women all over him and he has never waivered.”
Ryan turned back to the monitor, “There is a first time for everything.”
“Put a “C” note on it.”
“You’re on.” Ryan fast forwarded more, until she saw Tracy come down the stairs. “Do you see that look on her face? Something’s going on in that office. Ain’t nobody in there but Mr. H and Ms. Thing.”
Magna shook her head, “Nope, not in their home. JD wouldn’t do that.” She reached over and switched the monitor to the recording for the office. She put in the time and date from the recording they had just reviewed. Then hit play. The recording picked up where JD and Mattie stood.
“Roll it back ten minutes,” Ryan suggested and Magna complied. “Now, let’s see what’s going on.”
The two watched as Mattie fixed the drink and sat on the desk. When she reached out and touched JD’s arm, they both looked at each other. When their attention turned back to the screen Tracy had entered the room and the interaction between the three was very animated. There was no sound, but they had an idea of what was being said, as Mattie quickly grabbed her purse and left the room. What surprised them was that JD followed her. While the monitor was still on the office, Ryan saw when Tracy took the drink, frowned and ran out of the room. “Put it back on the foyer,” Ryan eagerly requested. Magna did then they followed Tracy actions leading out the door. “Pull the back yard up.”
“It’s coming,” Magna said as she keyed information into the computer. They watched as Tracy ran into the pool house. “We don’t have footage in here.”
“Okay, let’s see what happens.” They watched the screen, “There’s Mr. H. coming out the back door. Why is he stopping?”
Ryan looked over near the door. “He’s seeing something through the window, but what?”
Magna smirked, “Look at the expression on his face. What do you think he is seeing?”
Ryan turned to Magna surprised, “The boss, and Mrs. H? No.” she repeated the word. “No, Mrs. H loves that man.”
The recording was still going, “Hold up, look.” They saw as JD carried Tracy in the house. “Something’s wrong with her,” Magna said as she adjusted the monitors again to the foyer of the house. They watched as JD carried Tracy up the steps then Brian coming into the house on his cell phone. They watched Brian pace back and forth, looking out of the front window as if he was expecting someone. They fast forwarded and saw Pearl and another man enter the house. Brian took the man upstairs. They continued to watch until the entire scene played out. “Whoa.” Magna exclaimed as they watched JD knock Brian to the floor.
“Oh shit,” Ryan muttered. The two sat stunned, neither speculating on what may have happened. “I almost wish I hadn’t seen that.”
Magna shook her head. “We’re missing something.”
Ryan’s cell rang. She answered, “I’ll be right there.” She closed the phone. “That’s Samuel. I have to go.”
“Not a word of this to anyone,” Magna ordered.
“Who in the hell am I going to tell?” Ryan said and walked out of the door.
Magna started at the monitor. “Somethings not right.” She sat there and began to run through the recordings again. This time she began with the office and watched it frame by frame.
Walking into the kitchen Ryan looked at the clock, it was after seven. She fully expected to see Tracy in the kitchen especially since Mrs. Gordon was away, but she wasn’t there. Walking up the steps, she looked over to Tracy’s office and she wasn’t there. She walked down the hallway to Jasmine’s room and found JD there, now dressed in suit slacks and a white shirt open at the collar, about to lay the baby back in her crib. “Sorry Mr. Harrison. I was looking for Tracy.”
“She’s still a sleep.” He said as he pulled the blanket over the child.
Ryan’s cell phone rang. JD gave her an evil look as she backed out of the room. “Ryan.”
“Get the glass off the desk in the office,” Magna order.
“Go into the office. Use gloves or a napkin. Bring me that glass.”
“Alright!” Ryan replied then followed what she was told. She placed the glass in a plastic bag and ran it out the back door to Magna. “What did you need the glass for?”
“I’ll let you know when I know.”
Ryan shook her head, “This is going to be a long ass day with all the attitudes.”
♡♡♡♡
Around ten JD went up stairs to check on Tracy, she was still in the same position. She had not moved. His anger was dissipating to concern. The last time she slept this late was the day after the Eagles gang attacked her. He remembered that day just how afraid he was of losing her. He was just as afraid now, but for a different reason. He pulled the covers up around her shoulders then went to check on the children.
When he returned downstairs he saw he had missed two calls on his cell phone. One was from Mattie. He definitely was not in the mood to talk to her. The other was from the hospital. He listened to the message then returned the call to Dr. Prentiss.
“Dr. Prentiss, I received your message. You indicated it was urgent.”
“Yes, it is Mr. Harrison. I received the toxicologist report back on your wife’s blood work. As I expected there was a substantial amount of Flunitrazepam in her system. It’s commonly known at Rohypnol, or…”
“Roofies,” JD whispered.
“You know of it and what it is used for.”
“Yes,” JD’s mind was wondering. “Tracy doesn’t take drugs of any kind. She barely drinks.”
“There was a small about of bourbon also found in her blood work. Mr. Harrison, I don’t know you but I have to ask. Has your wife been depressed or withdrawn lately?”
“Not that I’m aware of. Why do you ask?”
The doctor hesitated. “In addition to a date rape drug, at times it is used for suicide attempts.”
A stunned JD shook his head, not believing the turn of the conversation. “Dr. Prentice, my wife did not try to commit suicide. I’ll be the first to admit we have a lot going on in our lives, but nothing to that ext…” JD stopped mid sentence. “Dr. Prentice, how long should she sleep?”
“It has different effects on different people. Some would be in an amnesia state for three to four hours, then some as long as twelve hours.”
“Is there anyway of knowing when the drug was digested?”
“Not from the test we took. However, we could look further.”
“Would you please and let me know. One more question Dr. you mention a state of amnesia. Will Tracy remember what happened?”
“Probably not.”
JD nodded, his mind still wondering. “Thank you Doctor Prentice, for everything.’
“I’ll be back in touch with the results.”
“Thank you,” JD replied absentmindedly as he hung up the telephone.
♡♡♡♡
Turk had seen and heard enough. He placed a call to Tucker. “How is your guest?”
“Healing. As soon as this case is a done deal, I’m going to take her home.”
Turk smiled. “Good decision. Here’s another. Charlie should make a visit.”
Tucker exhaled and smiled. “It’s been a pleasure to work for you.”
♡♡♡♡
The morning was going by slow. This was not what he was used to. By this time of day, he would have talked to JD at least five times, Tracy three, and JC twenty. That little boy was like a son to him. There were times when he was so envious of JD, but never once did he resent or wish for anything less for his friend. JD had done things the right way. He studied hard when he was in school. Any and every charity that wanted or needed help, JD was there giving support or cash when he could. That was the thing about the Harrisons; they would give you the shirt off their backs if they thought you needed it. JD had done it for him so many times, when they were young, Brian had lost track. The vow he took to protect JD and his family was deep from the heart. Brian was an only child to a single mother. JD, Calvin, and Douglas were the closest thing to family that he had. As much of a dog as he was, Brian would never step to any of his friend’s women. Brian stood at the window of his office in The Ashley Building, overlooking Broad Street in downtown Richmond. In the distance, he could see the entrance to the mansion. He knew JD and Tracy would be living in that building soon. Tracy. He closed his eyes as he thought of her. How many times had he wondered what would have happened if he had met her before JD? What would it feel like to kiss her, to hold her in his arms as a man would hold a woman—not like a friend? Well, he got his answer last night. He lowered his head and sighed. What in the hell was he thinking? What was she thinking? Why did she kiss him like that? For the hundredth time he tried to figure out what happened and was still unclear on all the facts. But one thing was real; JD had every right to knock his ass down. For a minute, he did lose his mind and kissed his friend’s wife. Damn if she wasn’t as sweet as he’d imagined. But years ago, he’d resigned himself to the fact that that was all he could do—imagine.
Sitting back down behind his desk, he knew this was not and never would be his cup of tea. But for now, this is what he would do. He checked the coverage plan for the family to ensure everyone was covered. The telephone rang, “Thompson Agency,” he answered.
“Boss, I’m sending something to your computer. You need to take a look at it right away.”
“Go ahead Magna. What is it?”
“I’d rather not tell. You need to see it for yourself. Don’t lose your cool, just handle business when you are finished.”
Brian stared at the phone when Magna hung up. He opened the email and clicked on the video attachment. He viewed an edited version of the security recordings from JD’s house. Less than five minutes later, he was walking into Mattie Gresham’s office slamming the door behind him. “What in the hell did you put in JD’s drink and why?”
Before she had a chance to answer the six-three fuming man, another six-four man entered her office. “What in the hell is going on?” James asked as he scowled at Brian.
“Give me five minutes and I’ll let you know.”
“James I can explain,” Mattie cried out as she stood behind the desk a good distance from Brian.
“Explain what?” James asked looking between the frightened woman and a furious Brian. “What happened to your lip?” he asked noticing the swollen cut.
“You want to know what happened after you left JD’s house last night.” Brian walked towards her, reached across the desk, and grabbed her by the blouse.
James pulled Mattie from Brian’s grasp and stood between the two. “Brian my office, now!” James’ voice boomed throughout the room.
Brian had never put his hands on a woman before, but at the moment, he wanted to kill Mattie Gresham. He walked out of the room before he was tempted to fulfill that desire.
James turned to Mattie, “You want to tell me what this is about?”
“I’m sorry James. I’m so sorry,” she sat in her chair and cried.
♡♡♡♡
It was after noon when Tracy finally moved and JD was there when she finally opened her eyes. “Tracy?”
“Morning,” she groggily reply as she turned over.
“Tracy, turn over and look at me.” She turned over but was still dazed. “Tracy I need you to open your eyes.” She did. “Can you see Tracy?” she nodded. “Good. Tracy do you remember drinking or taking anything last night?”
“What?” was all she could manage.
JD exhaled, she wasn’t able to answer him yet. But he needed answers from her. He needed to know if this drug could explain her actions. But even if it did, it did not explain Brian’s.
“JD,” Samuel called out, but did not walk into the room.
Not making any headway with Tracy, JD covered her back up to let her sleep a little longer. He stepped outside the room, “Yes Samuel.”
“James is trying to reach you. He said it’s important.” Samuel handed him the telephone.
“Thank you.” He took the telephone, “Hello James.”
“There’s something you need to hear.”
“Can it wait?”
“No. Mattie has been working for Munford.”
“Munford wants information on Al Day’s location. He blackmailed Mattie into getting the information from you.”
“Mattie isn’t privy to that information.”
“I know. Somehow Brian found out she spiked your drink last night to get you lose enough to talk. If that failed she planned to get you in a compromising position and used it against you.”
JD looked over at Tracy still groggy in bed. Munford was at the root of his nightmare. The man had to go down. “Where is she now?” he angrily asked.
“Brian is questioning her to see if there is anything you can use on Munford.”
“What did Munford have on her?”
“She has a younger brother at the university. He was pulled over holding. Munford has threatened to give him a larger charge. Could ruin the boy.”
“Get his name. Have Brian pass it on to Calvin to review his case.”
“What do you want me to do about Mattie?”
Looking over at Tracy, he could only shake his head. The drink was meant for him. She must have drunk it after he walked out of the room. “Fire her.”
“Alright. Do you want to tell me why Brian is here with a busted lip and not with you?”
“No.” He hung up the phone. He knew going into politics and having a decent personal life was an unlikely combination. But he was determined to make both work. At the moment the playing field wasn’t even. Munford had been wreaking havoc on his life for too long. That threat had to be eliminated before he had a chance at making his life work. He prayed Al would come through for him. With Gary gone, it may be his only hope to getting his life on track. Walking back into the room, he noticed Tracy eyes were open. He smiled down at her, “Hi.”
Tracy looked up at him, then closed her eyes trying to get her thoughts together. She had no idea what time of day it was or why her body felt so weird. The one thing she did know was that woman was in her house last night with her hands on Jeffrey. “I want you to fire Mattie Gresham. I don’t like her around you. Call me naive, jealous, or insecure—I don’t care. I want her gone.”
“Done,” he said standing over her. He put his hands in his pockets. “Do you remember anything else about last night?”
“Other than that woman’s hands all over you, no. Is there anything else I need to know?”
The thought of telling her about the entire night frightened him. Knowing why things happened helped some, but it had brought out some of his insecurities. For the first time he could admit he was afraid of losing her. “Yes.” He saw her eyebrow arch up. “You need to know there is nothing I would put before you. The things I do are because of you. There is no woman on this planet that will make me risk losing you.”
Pushing the covers aside, she attempted to stand, but her body seemed heavy. Forcing herself to move, she finally stood. “I’m going to take a shower. Then I’ll fix breakfast. Then I’m calling your mother over to stay with the children. I’m going down to campaign headquarters and if you haven’t done it, I’m firing every female in the office.” She walked over to the bathroom.
“Babe,” Tracy turned supporting herself by holding on the doorframe, “It’s one o’clock in the afternoon. We’ve had breakfast and lunch.”
Tracy saw a smirk form on his face and frowned. “Then I’ll cook dinner and fire everyone afterwards.”
“Okay,” he nodded. He watched as she turned and closed the door behind her.