he put it in his briefcase underneath a batch of papers and locked the case. Feeling better about things, he was ready to face what lay ahead.
40
Nothing had changed since Angelica left Fayetteville. She couldn’t say that about the turn of events in her life-Donna, Hamilton, and now Ari. It was as if she wore a neon sign that said “I’m bad news and if you get close to me something terrible will happen to you.”
She and Edward got a hotel room somewhere in the middle of town, Edward had suggested that they get double beds so that he could be close to Angelica in case Santiago should roll into town.
“You know Hamilton’s folks are waiting on you to finish the arrangements.”
Angelica walked around in circles with her arms folded across her chest. “Edward, I really don’t want to go. Those people hate me, and I think they blame me for Donna’s death because I was living with her.”
“Well, you’re going to have to, Little Sis. I’ll be with you. I’m going to call Jefferson when daylight comes and see if he can meet us sometime today-get all of this over with.”
“Do what you have to do. I wonder if they found Ari yet? I can’t believe Santiago would stoop so low as to harm Ari to get to me.”
“I hope the police find Santiago before he hurts another soul. Angelica, I fear that if they don’t, you will be in grave danger.”
Embezzling funds from his corporation had cost Jefferson more than a twenty-year prison sentence that was reduced to five. It cost him his livelihood and a marriage that was crumbling at a fast rate right before his very eyes. Several million dollars of stolen property marked him as a man not to be respected, causing him undue stress and liabilities which, if it had not been for Margo, could have put the family in ruins. Jefferson understood Margo’s distrust of him in some ways; it tore at his heart that while he thought she would accept him back with open arms, she had rejected him, although she had led the church congregation and others to believe that she wanted him home and was willing to do whatever it took to get their family back on track. Seeing Malik at Margo’s real estate office earlier served as a reminder that his indiscretions were still costing him.
Quiet invaded the house. For the first time since coming home, Jefferson ventured to the little area that they called a bar and poured himself a stiff drink. His mind was in knots but not because of Malik. He had another worry that caused him great anxiety-Santiago. Memories of a not so distant past flooded his mind.
The wet drink trickled over his fingers as he dodged the memory of the hail of bullets that had rained on his Mercedes. He grabbed his glass with his other hand to keep from spilling its entire contents. Jefferson was deathly afraid of Santiago, and he still carried the scars of a near-fatal crash.
The ringing of the phone brought him back to reality. He rushed to the phone, anxious to talk to someone, anyone who would take his mind away from the thoughts that were trying to rob him of his sanity.
“Hello,” Jefferson said, not recognizing the number.
“Jefferson, this is Edward Thompson, Angelica’s brother.”
This was not the voice Jefferson was anxious to hear. It was not soothing, and the last thing he wanted to talk about was Angelica.
“Yes, Edward. Are you in town?”
“Yes, Angelica and I arrived early this morning, a little ahead of schedule. Do you have some time today to go over Hamilton’s papers? It looks like we may have to bury Hamilton, and we’d like to have all our ducks in a row so we can move expeditiously, if possible.”
Jefferson hesitated. He hadn’t anticipated seeing Angelica so soon and wasn’t sure he wanted to see her at all. Edward’s voice brought him back to the moment.
“If it’s not convenient…”
“No, no,” Jefferson said. “My mind was on something else, but sure…this afternoon is fine. How about in a couple of hours?”
“Sounds good. Why don’t we meet at O’Charley’s, say two o’clock, it’s open and public.”
“I’ll be there.”
“All right, see you later,” Edward said.
Jefferson hung up the phone and looked at his watch. He had an hour and a half before he would meet them. Why not? Many of his days and nights were spent alone. If Margo wasn’t showing a house, she had other things she was involved in that kept her away from home. It seemed she consumed much of her time finding ways to stay away from him.
Jefferson let out a small sigh as he continued to think about his state of affairs. He needed a job. It was the only way he would add some civility to his life. Maybe it would be best if he and Margo led separate lives. It certainly seemed to be what she wanted. He shook the thought from his head temporarily.
He hobbled to his bedroom. Every day, strength was returning to the muscles in his legs. There were times he still needed to use his walker, but today he was going to show Angelica and Edward that he was a whole man and that he had truly come back from the dead.
Jefferson marched into the large walk-in closet and pulled out a pair of starched jeans, a white long-sleeved shirt, and a blue Polo blazer. After laying his clothes on the bed, he ran through the shower, splashed on a little of his favorite after-shave and sang a song while putting on his clothes. A song had not split his lips in a long time, and while he was only going to see Angelica and Edward on business, Jefferson felt like he was back in the saddle.
Checking his watch again, Jefferson picked up his wallet and looked around the house to make sure he wasn’t forgetting anything. It wouldn’t take him long to get to the restaurant, but he wanted to arrive a few minutes early so that, if he did have to struggle to the door, he wouldn’t be the object of their stares. Ten minutes later, Jefferson was out of the house and on his way to O’Charley’s.
The air was brisk, but it felt wonderful as Jefferson rested his arm in the frame of the open window. The radio was tuned to Foxy 99; Jefferson’s head swayed with the music. He wasn’t sure why a simple drive to a restaurant to meet with the woman he despised invigorated him, but he reminded himself that this reunion was strictly business.
The parking lot was relatively light and Jefferson pulled into one of the free handicapped spots that were available. After exiting the car, he looked around to see if he recognized any familiar faces. Seeing none, he headed inside and requested a table for three.
Several couples entered the restaurant. Jefferson’s eyes darted into the parking lot, anticipating the arrival of his lunch companions. Then he saw her-dressed in a white, form-fitting pantsuit, set off by a golden-yellow blouse with a pronounced fly-away collar. She seemed taller than he remembered, but once she entered the restaurant along with her brother Edward, he saw the sleek pointed-toe stilettos that encased her feet. Her hair was brushed back into a ponytail, and diamond studs dotted her ear lobes. He resisted the desire to stare.
“Hello, Jefferson,” Angelica said, nodding her head slightly with an arrogance Jefferson remembered well. She extended her hand to him.
“And a good afternoon to you, Angelica, Edward,” Jefferson replied, patting Angelica’s hand and then letting it go.
Angelica made a full scan of the man she last saw sitting in a wheelchair at the county courthouse. “It’s been a long time.”
“Yeah, a very long time.”
Pleasantries over, the trio followed the hostess to a table at a nearby window. Jefferson expressed his condolences and shared with Angelica and Edward that he feared Hamilton’s death might be the work of Santiago. It was Angelica’s revelation that gave more meaning to what Jefferson feared and multiplied his anxiety. With Santiago looking for Angelica, he would constantly have to look over his own shoulder. Edward shared that the local police were already alerted that Santiago might find his way back to Fayetteville.
They each ordered a salad and continued their light conversation. Jefferson felt Angelica’s eyes dart in his direction, but he resisted the temptation to look back. Even though she was as beautiful as she ever was, he
