AFTER THE PRESENTATIONS and dinner was served Cynthia was making her rounds through the crowd. This was the best part of her events. She was able to talk with people to get a feel for the service provided during the evening. People are genuinely honest once things are winding down. They are relaxed and usually speak freely. She stood at the table speaking with a group of women when suddenly she felt a wave of intense heat rising from the small of her back. Listening to the ladies, she looked over her right shoulder but did not see anything out of the ordinary. Then she quickly glanced over her left shoulder, turned back to the ladies then slowly turned her attention back to the left. Sitting at the bar with a drink in his hand was Samuel. His look was so intense she looked down to make sure she still had on clothes. He was looking as if he could see right through her dress. It was not her manner to be rude, and not giving someone talking to you your full attention is rude. She turned back to the women and completed the conversation. When she was through she looked back towards the bar and he was gone. She shrugged her shoulders and walked through the tables heading in the direction of the kitchen.
The activity in the breezeway had slowed since dinner was served. Most of the staff was in the kitchen with Roz cleaning up. When she walked by the hallway that led to the balcony and several rooms, she thought she heard voices. However, the balcony was not in use. It was November and the weather was cold. No one in their right mind should be out there. She walked in the direction of the voices and was startled when a hand reached out from one of the openings and covered her mouth. Another hand circled her waist and pulled her out of the walkway. Recognizing the touch, she relaxed as the man pinned her to his side. She turned to see it was Samuel. He looked at her and motioned for her to be quiet. He looked over his shoulder and down the hallway to make sure they were not seen. He slowly removed his hand. “What are you doing?” she whispered loudly.
He placed a hand back over her mouth and gave her an agitated look. She mumbled something angrily, but it was muffled. He applied a little more pressure and turned his head back as if he was listening to something. She settled down and listened as well.
The conversation coming from the balcony became rather heated and the men seem to be attempting to keep their voices down. It took a minute but she recognized one of the voices. It was Gavin’s and he was not pleased.
“This is the last opportunity I’m giving you to back me publicly. The choice is yours. Frankly, if you don’t come on board I’ll find a way around you and Harrison.”
“This is the last time I’m going to say this, you can’t get around JD. He is too politically powerful. Without his backing, even if legislation makes the mayor’s seat an elected position, you will not win.”
“Then I’ll eliminate him in another way. There’s nothing to it. It just has to be planned right,” the man sneered. “Just like his daddy’s.”
There was silence as she saw Samuel close his eyes and exhaled. Looking into his eyes the realization of who they were talking about came to her. Her eyes grew as big as saucers, “Are they---.” Samuel quickly covered her mouth. Then Gavin began talking in a manner that sent a chill up her spine. “If what you previously insinuated is true—it’s called murder. I will begin an investigation and if there is anything that connects you to James Harrison’s death, I will crucify you.”
“Neither you nor Harrison will live long enough to complete an investigation.”
“If you go anywhere near JD or his family, I will have you taken out. If you go near Cynthia Thornton I will kill you myself.”
They heard footsteps coming in their direction and Cynthia’s heart leaped. “Don’t you walk away from me, Roberts!” the man yelled.
It sounded if Gavin stopped. “It’s time for you to realize who I am. I’m no longer your rookie partner and you have crossed the line of friendship. From this moment on, it’s Governor Roberts to you. Your telephone calls and demands to see me will go unanswered. You wanted me to choose sides—well the choice is made. I’m putting you and your department on notice,” he said and continued in their direction. Samuel released his hands from her mouth and replaced it with his lips. Stunned, her eyes popped open as wide as a silver dollar. Slowly the softness of his lips awakened her senses.
His body pressed protectively against hers as he applied more pressure to her lips. Instinctively her lips parted and his tongue eased into the space where it seemed it belonged. His hands moved to cover her face as someone walked by. She wasn’t sure if it was Gavin or the other man, for she was lost in the kiss. Moses himself could have been walking from the mountain top and she would not have cared less.
Samuel’s first instinct was to ensure whoever was walking down that hallway did not see her, so he covered her body completely with his. As the steps continued down the hallway, he ended the kiss and listened. There were other voices that joined Munford on the balcony.
“Is everyone in place?” Munford asked.
“We have it covered. The woman will be handled tonight. I don’t understand why you’re going after her.”
“It’s not for you to understand. You simply follow my orders then report back to me tonight.”
Footsteps sounded walking in a different direction. Samuel looked down as Cynthia who appeared dazed by all she was hearing. Another set of footsteps walked by and he kissed her again and covered her body with his. This time she knew why.
When he ended the kiss neither moved. He braced his forehead against hers and just held her. It was clear both of them needed a moment to regain their senses. She could feel his heart racing against her hand, so she began smoothly rubbing her hand up and down his back until the pace slowed. He in turned stroked her back to slow hers.
When she was able to speak she asked, “Were they talking about JD?”
For a moment she was not sure if he was going to answer. Nodding his head he swallowed hard and replied, “Yes.”
Hesitantly she asked, “The women they are referring too would be Tracy and Carolyn?”
He looked into her eyes then brushed her curls away from her face, “No, you.” He hesitated. “We have to leave here.” He stepped out into the hallway to see if anyone was around. When it seemed clear, he pulled her towards the exit.
“Wait, there are still guests in the ballroom, I can’t leave.”
“You are leaving now.”
“I am not,” she pulled away.
It was then that a fast breeze went between them in the very spot she was previously standing. The sound and rush of air were so sudden, it took her by surprise.
Samuel knew exactly what it was when the bullet lodged into the wall behind them. He pulled out his weapon, grabbed her, and pulled her out the exit door near the balcony. “Come on, now,” he demanded. Once outside he went towards the back of the building that led across Marshall Street. He ducked in an alley between two buildings pinning her behind him. He reached into his pocket, retrieved his silencer, and placed it on his gun. He then took off his jacket and placed it around her shoulders.
Breathing heavily, trying to catch her breath, she asked, “What in the hell is going on?”
“If I were to guess, we are being shot at, Darling.”
She hit him in the back, “Hell I know that, why and by who?” she demanded.
“Why? We overheard that conversation.” he looked back at her. “The who would be Richmond’s finest men in blue.”
“The police,” She looked at him as if he had lost his mind.
“Now listen, the office is only three blocks away. Do you think you can make it in those shoes?”
The look she gave him was a cross between are you crazy or are you crazy. “These are three and a half-inch Prada. They are made to look good, but they are not made for walking.” Before she could finish he covered her mouth, listened, and began slowly pushing her back with his body shielding her behind him.
Samuel reached down to his cell phone on his hip and pushed the send button on his cell phone knowing it would dial the last number that came through. Just as the caller pickup a police scanner beeped.
“Anything on your end?” the person on the other end of the radio asked.
The person approaching them answered back, “Nothing. What’s your location?”
“Third and Marshall just in case they try to get to the building.”
“Who’s on Fourth Street?”
“It’s covered.”
“Roger that. Go silent?”
The radio was turned off as footsteps came closer. Cynthia had a grip on his shirt so tight that her nails were digging into his skin, but he continued walking backward pushing her further back into the dark alley at the same time watching and listening to the approaching steps. A car drove by when he felt a sudden jerk at his shirt. He turned to see Cynthia being grabbed from behind with her mouth covered and just as suddenly saw her body go limp. He raised his revolver and was about to pull the trigger when the person spoke. “Big brother if you shoot me I’m going to tell mom.” He lowered his weapon and quickly stepped into the open back door to a vacant building. They waited until the footsteps of the man that was tracking them were in the far distance. The savior motioned for him to be silent, then pointed to a door on the front side of the building. Samuel nodded, took Cynthia from the savior’s shoulder, and gathered her in his arms. The two traveled soundlessly from the back of the building to the front and waited. Once the area seemed clear the savior pushed a button on a device inside his coat. The back door to an SUV parked at Fourth and Clay Street opened. Samuel slipped out of the building and placed Cynthia on the back seat. When he reached the driver's side the door was open and the motor was running. He waited until the red light changed and then pulled into oncoming traffic.
* * *
Fifteen minutes later Samuel pulled into the back of Brian’s home. He looked back at Cynthia, she was still out. There was a moment in the alley when he thought she was going to witness just how brutal he could be and the thought bothered him. For some reason, he did not want her to see that side of him. One thing was for certain, he was not going to allow anything to happen to her. He exhaled and stepped out of the vehicle, gathered her in his arms, and used the side door to enter Brian’s home. There was a keypad entrance, which only certain agents had the code.
As Samuel entered the room he normally met Brian in, he gently laid Cynthia on the sofa and took a seat in the chair next to the door. Staring at her he wanted to curse, she was so vulnerable. He stood and walked over to the bar behind the desk and poured himself a cognac. He turned back to her and his gaze went straight to her lips --the very lips that caused him to lose his concentration tonight. It was not his intent to kiss her, but doing so served two purposes: it shielded her from anyone that walked by and kept her quiet long enough to hear the exchange between Gavin and Munford. But it also caused him to lose count of the number of people on that balcony and that nearly cost her life.
The exchange, could he have heard right. Munford ordered the woman to be taken out. It was a stupid move. Munford thinks taking out the woman will make the men fall in line. He’s wrong—it will make them want to kill him with their bare hands. Of that he was certain; it would be his reaction to anything happening to Cynthia. Samuel continued to think as he stared at the woman lying on the sofa still out. Munford had to know Cynthia and Tracy were being protected and he still tried to take them out. He sat up suddenly remembering the question Cynthia asked him. Could he have been talking about the first lady too? “Damn,” he pulled out his cell and called Brian. “Where are you?” he asked when the telephone was answered on the other end.
“I’m in downtown Richmond where an officer and another unknown was taken out. The perpetrator they are looking for sounds a lot like you. Care to comment?”
“Wasn’t me, but you need to be home about now. On your way call Harrison but don’t leave his family alone.”
* * *
Ten minutes later Brian was walking through his door with haste. He stormed into the room where he normally met with Samuel. Seeing Cynthia on the sofa he went to her, “What happened?” he asked angrily of the man sitting next to the door.
“She’s not hurt, just asleep. It was easier to get her out that way. Samuel stood and poured two drinks; he refreshed his, gave one to Brian, and sat the other on the bar.
“Who’s that for?”
“Harrison, he’s going to need it.”
Brian sat at the end of the sofa, “Would you care to shed some light on this?”
Samuel relayed the events of the evening to Brian.
Brian lowered his head and exhaled. “Did she overhear the conversation between Munford and Gavin?”
“Yes.”
“She distracted you?”
“Somewhat. But I’m staying on this case. No one will protect her like me.”
So he was right. He sensed something happening with Samuel and Cynthia. He looked down the sofa at her, “Cynthia is like a little sister to me. She’s a pain in the ass, but I will not stand for anyone hurting her. That, my friend, includes you.”
“I’m not asking for your permission to be in her life. I’m just letting you know how I feel.”
Brian always appreciated a straightforward man. Moreover, he liked the idea that Samuel clearly does not seek approval for what he wants. “You realize she is high maintenance and I know what you make.”
“I have faith in my skills.”
Brian smiled, “It’s going to take a little more than skills to keep that woman happy. Believe me, I know. But if you are serious about her, go for it.”
“Are you going to advise Harrison about the conversation between Gavin and Munford?”
“Not all. Calvin Johnson, JD’s chief prosecutor has the information on Munford. We will not move until we have something concrete. This information creates new complex issues that could have political repercussions. How do you want to play it out with Munford?”
Samuel was not a man to drop the ball on anything. “I have a plan for him.”
“No dead bodies?”
“I haven’t left any thus far.”
“Cynthia?”
“I’ll tackle that when it becomes an issue.”
“You are a better man than me,” Brian said as he shook Samuel’s hand. “Taking on the Prince, the Governor, and Sofia—you have my respect.”
A few minutes later JD arrived. Samuel did not contribute too much to the conversation He left it up to Brian how much of tonight’s events he would share with JD. His thoughts now went to his brother. What was he doing in Richmond and how did he end up in that building?
After JD left, the two talked a while longer until Cynthia began to stir at which time Samuel explained how they got to Brian’s home, leaving out the assistance from the savior. There was no need bringing him into the picture since she did not see him. She took a moment to call Roz to ensure her she was safe and that everything had closed out properly.
She then looked at Brian as tears rolled down her cheek. “Did he tell you Munford had Mr. Harrison killed?”
Brian nodded, “Yeah, he told me.”
“How are we going to tell Ashley and JD?”
“We can’t.”
“What? We have to. Brian, don’t you remember what they went through?”
Samuel walked over to where she was standing, “Cynthia,” she looked up at him with tears in her eyes. “We can’t discuss the conversation we overheard with anyone until I can investigate further.” He wiped the tears away with his thumb and then held her until she was cried out.
An hour later she was home tucked in bed with Samuel sitting in the chair by her door. Tears began to flow down her cheek as she thought of all that had taken place. Gavin was involved with Munford, the man that had Mr. Harrison killed. Replaying the conversation in her mind she remembered him threatening Munford if he tried to harm JD, she could still hear the anger in his voice. Then she thought about the conversation that night a few months ago. Was Munford the man Gavin was talking about? Did he have information that could ruin Gavin and if he did what was it? She sat straight up in bed, “the locket.”
“Cynthia,” Samuel called out to her as he approached the bed. He could see the tears stains on her face. Without asking he pulled his shoes off laid on top of her comforter and gathered her into his arms. “Whatever it is it can wait until the morning.”
Samuel held her until he was certain she was asleep. Leaving the room with Rusty at guard he walked downstairs grabbed his jacket then stood outside the sliding doors of the family room and waited. It wasn’t long before Ryan appeared. “Had a busy night here.” She said with her hands in the pocket of her jacket.
“That’s an understatement. How many came through?”
“Two were here scoping the place for possible entry. But here’s the thing.” She smirked and looked down, “I followed them when they left. Give you one guess where I ended up?”
“Police headquarters downtown.” If she was surprised by his answer she did not show it.
“You need to move her. Cops can play a lot of games in different ways, especially if people don’t know to suspect them.”
“I need you to get in touch with Detective Donnell Williams. You can find him at the third precinct. Don’t trust anyone else with the message. Have him meet me at The Renaissance Private Club at six in the morning.”
“I know him. I’ll take care of it personally. You should know Harrison’s place had a few visitors tonight as well as the Governor’s place.”
Well, that answered his question on which women Munford was targeting. “Is everyone safe?”
“Yeah, whatever happened downtown last night froze all action.”
“Will your people allow you to see this through?”
“My boss wants this to end soon. It’s interfering in our normal activities.”
“Once this is over with, you and I are going to have a talk about those other activities,” Samuel stated.
“We can talk, don’t know if it will change anything,” Ryan said as she strutted away.