IT WAS A difficult decision, but Cynthia believed she had followed Samuel’s advice and did what was best for her. LaVere’ was happy, her mother was happy and she was happy. Then why did Samuel seeming so detached from her displease her when they arrived back at her place.
“How did meeting the potential in-laws go?” He asked. He could see she was uncomfortable around him.
“His mother and sister are very nice people. You would actually love his little sister Zsa Zsa. She’s very spirited and full of life.”
“She sounds like my little sister Phire.”
“Phire?”
“It’s short for Sapphire.” The uncomfortable silence continued. “You know your safety is my number one concern. Everything else is secondary. What transpired between us yesterday has you uncomfortable. And I don’t like that.” She started to say something then stopped. “I’ll get Brian to take over. He won’t know the reason why.”
“I realize it didn’t start this way, but in the last few weeks you have become my savior. I depend on you for my safety and sanity.”
“I promised you I wouldn’t leave and I’m not. You won’t see me, but I will be around and I won’t let anything happen to you. Do you believe me?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Then whenever you need me just call.”
Tears began to form in her eyes. She walked over and put her arms around his waist. “Please stay my friend.”
He hugged her and kissed the top of her head, “I will.” He exhaled, “Want some friendly advice?”
She looked up at him expectantly, “Yes.”
“LaVere’ is a sensible man. If this is what you want for your life give him an opportunity to explain things for himself. His servant stepped out of line when he told you those things the other day. From what I heard today, I’m sure his days with LaVere’ are numbered. I’ve met the King; he is a very reasonable man. He loves his family but loves his country more. However, if he believed LaVere’ was in love with you he would not object to the marriage.” He pulled away, “It is my belief that you should only marry someone because that person makes the world right for you. No other reason. Not to progress a country, not to strengthen a family, not for any other reason than, that person makes the world right—just for you. Anything less than that you are shortchanging yourself.” The words were spoken so sincerely, that they brought tears to her eyes. Suddenly his leaving was disturbing to her. He pulled out a card and a pen. Turning the card over he wrote down several numbers. “There will be several people with you at all times. You will not see them, but they will be there. If you need to talk, for any reason, give me a call.” He turned to walk downstairs.
“You are a good man, Samuel Lassiter,” she smiled.
The smile was breathtaking. He wondered what in her life made her feel less than worthy of the very best. “Everyone deserves a life of love and happiness. A marriage of convenience does not grant either.” He looked at her one last time, “Get some rest.”
“I will,” she said. She knew come morning he and Rusty would be gone.
* * *
It was time for Munford to know all the players in this game and Samuel was more than happy to oblige. If he was in Munford shoes the first thing he would do was eliminate a threat. Based on the information received, Gavin, Day, and Cynthia would be on that list. He had to protect her.
Samuel sat back in the plush leather chair that was in the Chief of Police’s office as he took stock of his surroundings. It was important to know all you could about the enemy. He looked at the pictures and awards on the wall, making a mental note of each organization named as the presenter. If he was going to play this game he had to know what was important to this man. The first thing to pop out was the many pictures of his daughter. Several were in ballerina outfits when she was younger and several in theatrical outfits as she became older. There was only one picture of the wife sitting on his desk. All of the pictures taken with different dignitaries included Wanda Jacobs, an administrative assistant in the department. “Hmm,” he sat in the seat behind the desk and waited.
Samuel heard Munford insert his key to come into his office. He turned the chair away from the door towards the window as the unsuspecting man entered. Munford was placing his briefcase on the desk when Samuel turned in the chair. “Good Morning Chief.”
Startled the man who stood five-ten and weight about two hundred and forty pounds went to pull his weapon. “Who in the hell are you?”
Showing no emotion, Samuel stared at the man who was now pointing his gun at him. “You don’t know me Chief but I’m here to give you a heads up,” he said as he slowly stood.
Munford sized the man up. He had to be at least six-six, two hundred ten solid pounds and he looked familiar. “I don’t know you. You are an intruder in the Chief of Police’s office. Shooting you would be justified.”
Samuel walked slowly around the desk as the Chief took a step back, “Then you would have to explain why a CIA operative was killed in your office.
“Only if they find your body, you see I believe in shooting first, asking questions later.”
“Then shoot.”
“You’re a cocky mother-----I’m the one with the gun.”
“What does that tell you Chief? You’ve dealt with people like me that don’t give a damn about much of anything. The fact that you are holding the gun, in my estimation of things really means nothing. My presence here is to keep Cynthia Thornton alive without killing you. But just to be clear I don’t have a problem killing you here and now, but it just so much red tape I would have to go through explaining you away. It can be a pain in the ass and who needs that aggravation.”
Confused, the Chief frowned and shrugged his shoulders, “Who in the hell are you?”
Samuel took advantage of the confusion, in a split of a second he kicked the gun out of the chief’s hand, knocked him to the floor, and placed his booted foot in the man’s throat.
“My name is Samuel Lassiter, that’s two s’s. I just happen to be the antagonist in the sad story of your life. As any good antagonist, it has become my mission to make your life a living nightmare. Unlike others, you have an opportunity to alter the ending to your story.” Applying more pressure on the man’s throat he bent down and leaned against his knee. He could see the color draining from the man’s lily-white skin. “Take Cynthia Thornton off your hit list. I’m going to let you up now. But I have to tell you this is the only warning you will get.”
Samuel stood and extended his hand. Once he was standing Samuel adjusted the Chief’s suit jacket and smiled. He could see the anger in his eyes. “If an accident, drive-by, or any type of gang violence is in any way connected to a harmed strand of hair on Cynthia Thornton’s head, I will kill the person I believe to be responsible.” He turned and walked out the door.
The moment Samuel walked out of the office Munford slammed his fist on the desk. “Damn,” he walked over to his window as his chair rolled backward from the action. The life he built for himself was beginning to unravel, he could feel it. Since JD Harrison came into the picture, Gavin had grown a conscience and was not as accommodating as he had been in the past. At one time, Gavin just looked the other way. Now, it had become increasingly difficult for him to get Gavin to follow his wishes. He thought telling him about James Harrison's death would let him know how far he would go to get what he wanted. But Gavin threatened to take him down. Now, he had Lassiter threatening him. He was getting sloppy. It was time to take a step back and tighten things up again. Then he would resume taking control of every aspect of city government. The Chief sat down at his desk, “What could he do that would affect both Gavin and Lassiter?” After thinking for a moment, a cynical grin appeared on his face. He buzzed his secretary. “Get Sanchez in here now. Then pull everything we have on a Samuel Lassiter.” He sat back, who in the hell was this man that was bold enough to break into his office and threaten him. Didn’t he know who he was? He was the most powerful man in Richmond, not Harrison, and damn sure not Roberts, he was. If Lassiter didn’t know that, he was about to learn it fast.