“You were only a few years older than Ally, yet you took on the role of mother and
protector for her. You did the best you could for her and she knew that, Maya. But no matter how wonderful a parent you are, God has given everyone free will. Some don’t choose wisely, but there is only so much you can do. After you’ve done all you can, there’s nothing else to do, baby.” He gathered her in his arms when he saw her eyes tear up.
“Please don’t allow the way Allison chose to live her life to influence your belief in your parenting skills. That would be an injustice to you, and our child,” he nearly begged.
Maya finally returned his hug. As she held on to him, she didn’t say a word, simply
hugged him, rubbing her head back and forth against his chest. When his phone rang, he barely stifled a curse.
“Let it ring, it’ll go to voice mail.”
“But what if it’s an emergency? With everything going on....”
Mark groaned but answered, “Hello” he barked into the receiver.
“Thank God you answered Detective Halstan. This is Dalia, is Maya with you?”
“Dalia what’s going on? Where are you?”
“I am here at Imani House. I came by to retrieve a document I need to work on at home. I
am not sure, but I believe Maya has received another message from that woman.”
“What is it exactly?” Mark asked Dalia, while Maya leaned close into his side, trying to
hear the conversation.
“When I walked into the office, I noticed the package right away, addressed to Maya.”
“Did you open it?”
“Yes I did. I open all mail and that includes packages for Maya as part of my
administrative duties. When I opened this one, a ‘bouquet’ of dead flowers lay inside with a note sitting on top.”
“Did you open the note?”
“No, I left everything alone.”
“Great Dalia. Here’s what I want you to do--leave the office and lock it when you do and
then go directly to the security guard. Are you on a cordless phone?” He started putting his clothes on as he spoke, and watched with raised brows as Maya did the same.
“Yes I’m on the cordless.”
“Okay, I’m going to stay on the line and when you reach one of the guards I want you to
give the phone to him okay Dal?”
“No problem, the guard is outside the office door. I will hand the phone to him now,
Mark.” Within seconds he was speaking with the private security officer.
“Listen Whitaker, I need you to go and do a check around the House. Make sure
everyone is accounted for. Make sure you have the resident and staff roster to verify against. I don’t want you to let anyone leave the House under any circumstances until I get there. Ms.
Draugulis has found a suspicious package and it’s imperative everyone in that house stay where they are,” he instructed.
Before he hung up the phone, Mark asked to speak to Dalia once more. “Dalia I’ll contact
the guards outside and one will be instructed to come into the house, while the other checks the perimeters. I’ll be there as soon as possible.”
“Let’s go, I’m ready.” Maya was dressed and ready as she gazed at him expectantly.
“I don’t suppose there’s anyway I could convince you to stay home?” When she only
gave him a look, one brow arched, he didn’t bother arguing with her.
“Fine, but I insist you stay close to me. Dalia didn’t read the note, but I don’t like the
sounds of a dead flower arrangement being sent to you,” he told her grimly.
On the way to Imani House he made two calls. The first was to the security he’d hired for
her, alerting them to what had transpired and instructing them on what to do.
The second one was to Jordan. “Jordan, Maya has received an anonymous package at
Imani House, and it doesn’t look good,” he said without preamble as soon as his partner picked up the phone with a grumbled ‘Hello.’
Jordan’s voice lost all traces of sleep quickly. “Where are you?”
“I’m on my way to the House.” He looked over at Maya as she sat in the passenger seat
of his Expedition, and revised his statement, “we’re on our way. We should be there in fifteen, twenty minutes tops.”
“I’m on my way too. I’ll get there as soon as possible.”
“Okay partner thanks. I’ll see you there.” Mark ended their conversation as he and Maya
raced to Imani House.
CHAPTER 47
“I’m sorry sir, but Detective Halstan says everyone needs to stay put until he arrives and
that means volunteers as well,” the security officer informed James.
“I don’t understand why I need to stay; I didn’t see anything so I won’t be of any help,”
he told the large guard. He was being forced to stay when he would rather be anywhere else but Imani House when the detective arrived.
“This is ridiculous. Dr. Richardson will not like that you’ve kept me here, when I really
need to go.” He frantically tried to think of anything would allow him to leave.
Dalia walked into the room as James was beginning to seriously start ranting. “What
seems to be the problem Mr. Smith? Officer Rodriguez?” She asked.
“Mr. Smith insists he needs to leave, after I’ve informed him that Detective Halstan has
given me strict instructions no one is cleared to go before he arrives.”
“I didn’t insist,” he insisted. “Something has come up unexpectedly and I would like to be able to leave to take care of it.”
“James I’m sure Detective Halstan and Maya are on their way. I called and they will soon
be here,” she told him, glancing at her watch as she
