hate to bother you,” Kendrick started as he explained the situation he was in.
“Have you had a chance to talk with the witness yet?” Zak asked when he was done.
“Not yet.”
“Let me make some calls and see what I can find out but I think you’re right. Something about this doesn’t feel right.”
“I’m glad we’re still in sync with each other.”
Zak chuckled softly. “You know my wife is going to kill us both, right? I’m thinking all of your sisters might have some issues with this.”
“Might?” Kendrick laughed. “We’re talking about the Boudreaux women, man. You’ve met them, haven’t you? Maitlyn, Katrina, Kamaya, Tarah? Especially Kamaya and Tarah. They’d be mad at your funeral and you’d know it! I guarantee Maitlyn’s going to be furious as hell!”
Zak laughed with him. “We’ll worry about that when we have to. Until then, what do you plan to do?”
Kendrick shrugged. Vanessa was staring out at the land below, her brow furrowed with worry. The little girl was wide-eyed, excitement shining in her bright eyes.
“I’m going to keep her safe,” Kendrick said matter-of-factly into the microphone.
* * *
An hour later Kendrick had checked them into a motel in Mobile, Alabama. Vanessa and the baby had sat in a rental car while Kendrick had leaned across the counter in the motel’s office flirting shamelessly with the desk clerk. Vanessa watched him intently as he dazzled the young woman with his charm. She could only begin to imagine what he had to be saying to her. The girl giggled as he took the room key from her hand, winking an eye as if they shared some special secret.
As he stepped back into the car she tossed him a look, annoyance furrowing her forehead.
“What?” he questioned, eyeing her curiously.
Vanessa shrugged her shoulders. “Nothing.”
He smiled. “Oh, it’s something.”
She rolled her eyes, tossing her gaze to the parking lot outside the window. “Is this where we’re staying?” she questioned.
He shook his head. “No.”
“Then why are we here?” she asked as she turned back to stare at him.
He didn’t answer. Instead, he steered the car to the back of the building and parked. Exiting the vehicle, he unlatched Gabi from the car seat in the rear, lifting the child into his arms. She’d been sleeping since they’d picked up the car and Vanessa hoped that she was tired enough to sleep for just a little longer.
Kendrick then gestured for Vanessa to follow him.
Their room was on the second floor of the motel; the front door faced the balcony that looked over the parking lot. Inside, the space smelled like mildew—musty and dank. The rancid odor had them both frowning as they moved inside and secured the door. The room was decorated with two full-size beds, a desk and an old television set. The carpet and bathroom had both seen better days. The walls were thin and a television blared from the room next door.
As they moved inside, Vanessa shot Kendrick a look to show she was not pleased. She suddenly felt spoiled and pretentious, but if she needed to take a shower there was no way she was doing it in that bathtub. She took a deep breath, looking for the right words to voice her displeasure. Biting her tongue instead she dropped her luggage and Gabi’s diaper bag onto the first bed and moved to the wooden chair in front of the desk and sat down.
Kendrick moved to lay the baby down and Vanessa suddenly jumped back to her feet.
“Wait!” she snapped. She moved to the diaper bag and pulled a blanket from inside. She laid it down across the bed top. “She might catch something if you put her on that bedspread,” she said, her face twisted with distaste.
Kendrick smiled as he laid the child on the oversize, pastel-colored receiving blanket. As he stood back up, Vanessa looked satisfied. She moved back to her seat. Before either could say anything else Kendrick’s cell phone chimed.
Vanessa’s reaction to the no-tell motel had been expected. He stood watching as she bit down against her bottom lip, her eyes taking in every strand of dust and dirt that marked the space. When something bug-like scurried across the floor her eyes widened, following it as it disappeared beneath the dresser. Her head waved slightly as she wrapped her arms around her body, hugging herself tightly. He was impressed that she hadn’t gone screaming from the room. He thanked the man on the other end of the phone and ended his call. He met the look she was giving him.
“Really, we’re not staying,” Kendrick repeated, a slight smile pulling at his full lips.
“Then why are we here?” she asked again.
“I can’t explain just yet,” he said.
She nodded but said nothing.
“If you needed to let your family know you were okay, who would you call?” Kendrick asked.
“My mother.”
He nodded. “Use the motel phone and call your mother. Don’t tell her where you are, just let her know you’re okay and that you’ll give her another call soon.”
“I can speak to my mother?”
He nodded, gesturing toward the motel room’s phone. “Just keep it short and sweet, please,” he said.
Vanessa moved to the side of the bed and reached for the receiver. Before dialing the long-distance call she grabbed a tissue from the box on the nightstand, wiped down the mouth-and earpiece and then pulled it to her head.
Kendrick chuckled ever so softly.
Joy painted her expression as she dialed, and Kendrick heard the device finally ringing on the other end. But the excitement on her face diminished quickly. Obviously, there was no answer and she must have reached her mother’s voice mail instead. She took a deep breath and left a quick message. “Hi, Mama! It’s me, Vanessa. I just wanted you to know that I’m okay. I’m with...” She hesitated as she tossed him a quick look. “I’m with a friend right now and I will call you back as soon as I’m able. I love you, Mama!”
As she hung up the receiver she looked as if she were struggling not to burst into tears. Sensing her distress Kendrick moved to her side. “Are you okay?” he questioned as she lifted her gaze to his.
“Do I look like I’m okay?” she hissed behind clenched teeth.
He grinned, holding his hands up as if surrendering. “Sorry,” he said softly as she pushed past him, moving back to her seat.
Gabi shifted against the bed, rolling onto her side as she pulled her legs to her chest. She curled her body into a fetal position. Kendrick and Vanessa stopped to watch her, both holding their breaths that she wouldn’t suddenly wake up. The little girl deeply inhaled and then snored ever so softly. Eyes
