When I pulled into the Nichols Brothers Auto Shop, it seemed vacant compared to the bustling atmosphere from only two days ago. I wasn’t sure if I should exit my vehicle or not until I caught movement inside. It appeared someone was probably looking back at me, wondering what I was doing in the parking lot.
I didn’t leave them long to figure out. I climbed out of the car, once again questioning why I was running around in this hot weather. The humidity had my t-shirt stuck to my back by the time I approached the door.
I frowned at the closed sign. It was a weekday and I knew they were supposed to be open since there was also another sign indicating their operating hours from 9 am to 6 pm. It was past the lunch hour by now, but the auto shop didn’t strike me as the type of business to close down. I pulled on the door anyway.
Locked.
I peered inside and then jumped back.
Damion Nichols was looking back at me, his face a mixture of hostility and confusion.
I smiled and waved at him, hoping he would take pity on an old woman.
He relented and unlocked the door. “Can I help you, Ms. Patterson?”
“Are you open today?”
He glanced around the parking lot as if he was expecting a car load of people to arrive and break down the door. “Why don’t you come in out of the heat?”
I was grateful. Damion might have had a bad rep, but somewhere along the way, he still remembered his manners.
“How’s your brother doing?” Now I didn’t mean to ask that, but that’s how my mouth worked. Words came flying out before I could stop them.
He eyed me. “Why are you asking?”
“I’m concerned. Briana is my stepdaughter, you know, and she’s having a hard time with all of this. I understand her and Theo were getting close since she’s been back in Charleston.”
Damion sighed, “Yeah, they been hanging out. He’s doing as fine as he can, I guess. His lawyer is working to get him out of there. They can’t hold him much longer. He didn’t do anything to Sondra and they don’t have evidence. Plus, he doesn’t even know how she ended up at Briana’s house.”
“Well, that’s good. You know Briana found Sondra. She also had no idea she was there at the house and from what I saw on a video, those two shouldn’t have crossed paths anyway. I mean why would Sondra show up at Briana’s house?”
Damion shrugged, “Who knows. Sondra was crazy.”
“Crazy?’
He walked back behind the counter as though he needed to put distance between himself and me.
“Theo and Sondra have not been a couple for a long time. They were on and off. Really, if Sondra never got pregnant with the kids, I doubt Theo would have had anything to do with her. I warned him to leave her alone. She would always do dumb stuff like not let him see his own kids and then claim he was a deadbeat dad. He takes care of his kids and makes sure Sondra gets a hefty check every month. I’m not trying to speak ill of the dead, but Sondra talked a lot of smack that wasn’t true at all. Then her Mama would come right behind her acting like Theo was the worst man ever. Even she wouldn’t allow him in the house to see his own kids.”
Wow, I wasn’t expecting all that.
“Sounds like Theo is getting a bad rap.”
“Yeah, hopefully the cops will let him go soon.” He looked at me. “I hope Briana doesn’t get harassed by the cops. Sondra was known for starting stuff. Whatever went down, I’m sure it wasn’t Briana’s fault.”
“No, it wasn’t. Which brings me to another question.”
“You’re not here at all to get work on your car, are you?” Damion smiled, but I noticed unease in his eyes.
I was not Ms. Popular with folks today.
“Like I said, I’m concerned, and to be honest, I’m looking for Charlene.”
Damion’s shoulders jerked, “Why?”
I gave him the eye myself, wondering what that reaction was about. “She seemed upset the other day, like she wanted to talk. Sounds like her friendship with Sondra hit a bad patch.”
He narrowed his eyes, “Charlene will be fine. She hadn’t been that close to Sondra for years. Like Theo, she was better without her.”
“I thought I remembered Sondra and Charlene hanging out together when they were younger. But I don’t remember Charlene’s sister, Yvette. I didn’t realize Charlene had a twin until my daughter mentioned it.”
Damion scoffed. “Sondra and Yvette, now those girls were two of a kind, they lived for causing trouble for other people. Charlene was and still is sweet. She followed behind those two like some puppy dog. Really, she’s better off without both of them.”
“Even her own sister? That’s pretty harsh to say, Damion.”
He shrugged, “Sorry, I tend to say what’s on my mind. Yvette’s death was tragic, but there were a lot of people who didn’t miss her. A lot of people aren’t going to miss Sondra either.”
I was speechless. Damion was hard core.
“You sound protective of Charlene. She’s special to you.”
He smiled, this time his face appeared to be genuine. “Charlene and I have always taken care of each other. Like I told you, she’ll be fine after some time passes by. She spent years not having anything to do with Sondra.”
“So why get with her this past weekend after so much time had gone by?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know.”
“Would it be possible for me to talk to her?”
He licked his lips, thinking. “I can’t tell you where she lives or anything like that.”
“No, I wouldn’t expect you to do that. But if you can pass the message along that I would like to talk to her, that would be wonderful. I do really want to make sure she’s alright. I like looking in on my former students from time to time. I’m glad to see you’re doing good, young man.”
He flashed that charming smile again. “I’m doing alright.”
“Good, well I’m going to leave you and thank you for having a talk with me.” I turned to leave.
“Ms. Patterson?”
“Yes.”
“Briana’s a good person. Always has been. I hope the cops leave her alone.”
“You know her dad is a former cop. I’m sure he’s going to do all he can.”
Damion nodded.
I could feel his eyes on my back as I left the auto shop. Once inside the car, I glanced up. He still seemed to be sitting behind the counter. I still didn’t get why the auto shop was closed. Now that I think about it, the whole time Damion and I talked there wasn’t a sign of any employees or any noise from the garage. Absolute silence.
I wasn’t sure what to make of the shut-down. Maybe Theo wanted everything shut down until he could finish with the police. He was the main owner. It certainly would keep anyone from asking questions and being nosy during business hours.
That didn’t stop this old lady.
I checked my phone and smiled. Well, at least Amos finally returned my text. He must have texted me while I was talking to Damion.
I opened the locked screen to read the text.
Eugeena, no signs of Briana yet. Please keep an eye out for her if she comes back to the house. I’m working on something with my buddies and may be late. I didn’t want you to worry if I didn’t arrive home by dinner.
I stared at the small screen for a few moments. What was Amos doing that he wasn’t going to be home for dinner? The man was retired.
Lord, wherever he may be please protect him. Protect Briana, and please let me keep my peace of mind.