“I will go and print out both rosters right away.” Dalia moved to her computer and pulled
the needed information.
Maya turned her attention to Mark and Nicolai. “While you’re talking to the staff
members, I’m going to speak with the residents to allay any fears they may have.”
She turned back to Dalia, “Dal, could you gather the staff after you provide Mark and
Agent Montgomery the list. If you could also call and arrange for the others who aren’t here to come in as soon as they’re able, I would appreciate it,” she instructed.
“Of course. I will start assembling everyone as soon as I print the roster.”
“I’ll leave you to start your interviews. I’ll meet back up with you as soon as I’ve finished speaking with the women.”
* * * *
Mark and Nicolai were inside the conference room, the last staff member was leaving the
room as Maya approached. “How did it go with your residents?” Mark asked.
“Fine. I didn’t realize the time had gotten away from me. I wanted to make sure the
women understood they weren’t in danger, and you had questions that would help make sure
everyone was safe here at the House. They seemed nervous, but basically everyone was content, not afraid.”
“I’m glad you were able to allay their fears. We’ve interviewed most of the staff. No new
information, but we still have a few more counselors coming in later. I also called the station and spoke with Jordan, he’s arranging for extra security. We’d better start interviewing the residents.
It would be best if you were with us as we interview them Maya,” Mark told her.
“Ms. Vallejo was hesitant,” Montgomery said to Mark when Maya excused herself from
the room, to follow Ruby Vallejo.
“Does she know something?” He’d asked, trusting in Montgomery’s odd abilities.
“Maybe. She was uncomfortable, unsure,” Montgomery dragged the last word out, as
though weighing it carefully.
Mark went to the door of the conference in time to see Maya and the woman speaking
quietly to one another before Maya smiled and placed her arm around Ruby’s narrow shoulders, and gave her a light squeeze. The woman hugged Maya tightly before releasing her and striding quickly away. Mark turned away as Maya headed back into the room.
“Ruby told me something she didn’t disclose earlier.” Maya addressed both men as soon
as she reentered the room, but her eyes were on Mark.
“What was that?”
“ She’d noticed one of our weekend counselors, James Smith, had brought a vase of
flowers in the same morning I received my flowers. At the time, Ruby had been hesitant to say anything.”
“Who is this Mr. Smith?” Nicolai asked.
Maya turned in his direction and answered, “James is one of our newest practicum
students. He comes in the evening and on the weekend.”
With a frown, Mark took out the printouts Dalia had given them, double-checking the
names. “James Smith? There’s no James Smith on this list.” He showed the list to Maya.
“I guess Dalia hasn’t updated the roster. And he isn’t here until later in the evening. He’s not scheduled to come in until the end of the week.”
“Why does he come in so late?”
“Our residents are used to being out late night and early morning, and that’s a hard habit
to break. It’s good to have a counselor on duty for them in case they want to talk. I usually have a staff member available, and we lucked out with James needing those particular hours, because of his full-time job.”
“We need to speak with him. Do you have his work phone number available?” Mark
asked.
“I’m sure it’s on file. I’ll check with Dalia.” Maya left the room and went in search of the phone number.
As she went in search of the information Mark and Nicolai perused the remaining
counselors on the list, circling the names of those they still needed to contact.
“If you don’t mind I would like to speak with him,” Nicolai requested as Maya returned
back to the room, phone number in hand.
“We don’t have his work phone number but we do have his home and cell numbers.” She
told them.
“Dr. Richardson could I use your phone please? In case he has caller i.d, it might be
better for your phone number to show,” he explained.
After she handed him the telephone, he dialed the number, and on the second ring it was
picked up with a friendly, “Hello you’ve reached, James Smith. At the sound of the tone please leave a message. Have a wonderful day!” Nicolai disengaged the phone after leaving a message for him to call Imani House.
With a small shake of his head he said, “I’m sure he’ll call back but I don’t think you
have anything to worry about,” he said more to Mark than to Maya.
Maya was confused with the conversation, and realized there was something she was
missing, the two men engaging in some sort of silent communication she wasn’t privy to. She looked back and forth between them, waiting for an answer.
“We’ll follow up with another call, and if he doesn’t call back, I’ll be here when he
comes to work to ask him a few questions.”
After speaking to the security guards once more, Mark and Nicolai waited until the two
uniform police had arrived before they left.
Mark’s call to one of his brothers had produced two plain clothed guards, whose
expertise would allow them to go undetected outside guarding Imani House and its occupants.
He’d also produced two personal guards who would take turns to provide Maya with 24-hour
protection.
Before he reluctantly left, Mark turned to Maya and kissed her lingeringly on the lips.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can. If I think it’s getting too late, I want you to let Mike give you a ride home.” He referred to the silent watchful guard who’d discretely given them privacy.
“Mark do you really think all of this is necessary?”
“If I
