Chapter 10 - The Auto Shop
Detective Rollins told me not to go.
I went anyway.
Not alone.
A patrol unit followed two blocks behind, lights off.
The auto shop sat between a tire warehouse and an empty laundromat. The OPEN sign was dark, but a light burned in the rear office.
I stayed in my truck.
Rollins called.
“Do not get out.”
“I’m not.”
“Good.”
Then I saw Simone’s SUV.
My stomach dropped.
She had told the kids she was at home.
Her vehicle rolled from behind the building and stopped near the side entrance.
Darius came out carrying a duffel bag.
Simone got out.
They argued.
Even through the windshield I could see the anger in her body.
Darius shoved the bag at her.
She shoved it back.
Then he grabbed her arm.
I opened my door.
Rollins shouted through the phone, “Andre, stay in the vehicle!”
Darius raised his hand.
Before he could strike her, officers moved in.
Flashlights flooded the parking lot.
“Hands! Let me see your hands!”
Darius ran.
Simone froze.
I watched him sprint behind the shop, heard a crash, then a police radio explode with voices.
Two minutes later, they dragged him back in handcuffs.
Simone stared at me across the lot.
Not relieved.
Furious.
“You followed me?”
“I followed the necklace.”
Darius laughed from beside the cruiser.
“This fool still thinks it’s about a necklace.”
Rollins turned.
“What does that mean?”
Darius smiled at Simone.
She looked terrified now.
“Shut up,” she said.
Darius laughed harder.
I walked closer.
“What is it about?”
Rollins put an arm out to stop me.
Darius nodded toward Simone.
“Ask your wife what she promised me after the refinance.”
My jaw tightened.
“What refinance?”
Simone said nothing.
Darius shrugged.
“She said you’d sign anything if she put it in the breakfast pile.”
I felt the blood leave my face.
“What was the money for?”
“Fresh start.”
“For who?”
He looked at Simone.
“For us.”
I stared at her.
She shouted, “He’s lying!”
Darius’s smile disappeared.
“You said we’d be gone before Andre noticed.”
“Stop talking!”
“You said his company could eat the debt.”
Rollins stepped closer to Darius.
“What debt?”
Darius looked toward the auto shop.
Officers were carrying out the duffel bag.
Inside were identity documents.
Blank checks.
Gift cards.
Cash.
And a stack of mail addressed to people I didn’t know.
Rollins’s face hardened.
“This is bigger than your family.”
Darius leaned toward me as officers guided him away.
Then he said quietly, “You want to know the worst part?”
I stared at him.
“She wasn’t planning to take all three kids.”
I looked at Simone.
She went completely still.
“Which child were you leaving behind?” I asked.
May you like
Darius answered for her.
“Maya.”
