All I Want Is Forever (25 page)

“You survived,” Talia said.

He turned around. “We both did. I have my way of dealing, and you have yours.”

“Yes.”
We each learned to cope with the past in different ways,
she thought.

“I really want you to be happy and feel safe. I'm not selfish enough to hold you back because I—”

“Because you what?” Talia's heart pounded.

“I'm sorry, Talia.”

Talia swallowed hard. What had she expected, a declaration of love that would magically make everything fine? “So am I,” she murmured.

“I'll make sure you're out of it.”

She shook her head gently. “There you go, putting yourself on the line to rescue someone else.”

He waved a hand. “I'll be fine. Barron is desperate enough to try anything, including going after you to scare Monette. I won't let that happen.”

Derrick's tone scared her. “Please don't do anything crazy,” she said.

His expression relaxed in the ghost of a smile. “Who, me do something crazy? Never!” Derrick took her hand. “Good-bye, baby girl. I'm proud of everything you've done.”

The word “good-bye” stuck in Talia's throat as she watched him stride off quickly.

Talia sat in her brother Karl's living room with his family. They all stared at the television. His youngest climbed into her lap and insisted Talia look at her stuffed bunny.

“Not right now, honey bee.” Talia kissed Rashida's soft woolly curls.

“Lord, what else can happen?” LaTrice, Karl's wife, said.

“A whole lot,” Karl said with a grave frown. “You know anything about this Earl guy, Talia?” He looked at her. Anxiety made his brown face even longer.

“Not much. Monette did run with him back in the old days.” Talia hugged Rashida, savoring the sweet innocence that radiated from her little body.

“You think she did him in?” Karl asked.

“C'mon, y'all,” LaTrice said to the children playing on the carpeted floor. “Go back in the playroom with your toys.” She shooed them out despite whining and protests.

Talia gave Rashida a final pinch on her velvety tan cheek before releasing her. “Karl, you shouldn't even ask me that question.”

“Yeah, you're right. Our mama ain't no killer.”

Talia glanced away from his gaze. She'd learned to dodge the truth from the best, Monette. Although she didn't like it, Talia told herself it was for his own good. The less Karl knew, the better for him.

“Hey, they doin' more on the story,” Karl said.

Talia leaned forward and stared at the television again. “Now what?” she muttered.

A slim blond male reporter read from a sheet of paper in his hand. “So in a stunning reversal, Winn Barron seems to have struck a serious blow to Ms. Victor's allegations. We couldn't reach her attorney James Rand for a comment. However, sources close to the investigation tell us court records document that Earl Glasper was last seen with Ms. Victor before his disappearance. Hank Sherman reporting.”

Karl shook his head. “I went to visit Monette up at the prison. First thing she wanted to know was if you was gone yet.”

“She called and told me to get out of town.” Talia no longer looked at the television screen.

“You leaving, right?” Karl said.

“Yes.”

Karl let out a sigh of relief. “Great. You got something good up there in Washington, D.C.”

“Right.”

“Derrick is being questioned. They found out he knew Monette and been talking to her.” Karl continued to stare at Talia. “Sure hope they don't drag him down just cause he was tryin' to help.”

“Men like Barron destroy anyone in their path.” Talia tapped her clenched fist on the sofa cushion. “So much for Perrilloux's integrity. He's helping Barron.”

“Wish we could do something.” Karl let out a grunt to show his frustration. He combed his long fingers through the thick hair on his head.

Talia didn't answer him. She shivered with fear at the thought of what might happen. Her worst nightmare was coming true. Karl and LaTrice talked on about the news reports and local rumors circulating. Everyone old enough to remember had a theory it seemed. After refusing to stay longer, Talia headed back to Mama Rose's house. Mama Rose was waiting for her when she pulled into the driveway.

“I've been watching the news. It's horrible.” Mama Rose had started talking before Talia had gotten out of the car.

“Don't get upset. You know what the doctor said.” Talia took her arm. “In fact, stop watching the news.”

“Listen to me. They just said Derrick might be arrested for obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence.”

“What!” Talia gripped her arm tightly. “Who said that?”

“I thought you were watching the news at Karl's! They broke in toward the end on Channel 7. That news reporter showed them leading Derrick into the sheriff's office.”

“This is insane.” Talia felt dazed. The whole world seemed to be spinning out of control.

“Just when I didn't think this whole situation could get any worse,” Mama Rose said.

“I can't believe it. Derrick might go overboard, but…” Talia thought about his need to protect others. Derrick was bold, even reckless at times. “What have you done?” she whispered.

The phone rang, and they both rushed inside. Talia grabbed it first. “Derrick, what the hell is going on? I can't believe Perrilloux would stoop so low,” Talia said in a rush. His deep voice cut her off. “Yes. Yes. I wish I could help in some way.”

“Tell him my cousin's son is a top attorney in New Orleans. We won't let them railroad him!” Mama Rose shook a fist in the air.

Talia paced as she listened to him. “I understand. Good-bye.”

“Don't hang up. I'm going to give him Wayne's office number. I've got his card in my desk, or somewhere.”

Talia had already pushed the
OFF
button. “He's talked to a lawyer already.”

“I'll find that card anyway.” Mama Rose scurried out mumbling to herself. “I wouldn't trust the lawyers around here. All of them are too chummy with the Barrons and their crowd.”

Talia sat down hard on the sofa. She dropped her purse without looking to see where it landed. Derrick was caught in a swirling undercurrent that threatened to suck him under, along with Monette's chances of freedom. He and Monette begged her to stay far away from them, something she'd done so easily for years. The terror twisting her insides told her to take their advice. Running away was exactly what she'd done before.

“Found it!” Mama Rose yelled. She hurried back into the den holding a business card over her head. “Give me Derrick's cell phone number.”

“It's 567-3344,” Talia said in a wooden voice. She rubbed her eyes.

“Humph, voice mail.” Mama Rose left a message talking rapidly. “Now you be sure and call him. Bye, darlin'. You call me if you need anything! There.” She heaved a deep sigh.

“Where did it start?” Talia said.

“Winn Barron is behind all this,” Mama Rose hissed. “He's a no-good—”

“No, Mama Rose. What has happened in my life, in
Derrick's life, started before we were born. And I still don't know why. Why me? I used to cry so and ask myself that question over and over until I'd scream.”

“I don't know the answer either, sugar.” Mama Rose sat next to her.

“After a while I quit wondering. I accepted that for whatever reason my life was always going to be miserable.”

Talia remembered being cold and alone when she was five years old. Not cold because of the temperature. The chill she felt was being surrounded by chaos with no one to help her feel safe. When Mama Rose squeezed her hand tightly, Talia blinked back to the present.

“Monette had so many problems,” Mama Rose said in a gentle tone.

“Then I met you. I remember the first time they dropped me off here.” Talia put her head on Mama Rose's strong shoulder.

“You were only a little bitty thing.”

“You let me cry until I was exhausted. You didn't lie and tell me everything was okay like a dozen adults had done before. Remember what you did?” Talia moved closer until Mama Rose put her arms around her.

“Lord, baby, my memory isn't what it used to be.” Mama Rose said, a smile in her voice.

“You just kept talking to me about that one raggedy little toy I brought with me. Once I stopped shaking you put me in that big bathtub full of bubbles and little boats floating in it. I remember feeling so warm and clean. Then you let me put on these cute yellow cotton coveralls. The cloth felt soft against my skin and smelled like flowers. Later on we had milk and gingerbread cake. I went to sleep without being afraid for the first time in my life.” Talia drew in a shaky breath and let it out.

“When I started taking in children I'd get so discouraged. I'd wonder if I was making any difference.”

“You did. Even when I went back to live with Monette, what you did for me and taught me gave me strength. I love you for it, Mama. I always will.” Talia felt a tear slide down her cheek.

“I love you, too, baby.” Mama Rose sniffed. She let go of Talia. “Now we'd better finish packing your bags. Thank the Lord you leave tomorrow. I'll feel a lot better knowing you're safe from this mess. I'm going to fold up those clothes I washed for you.” She stood.

“Hmm.” Talia stared ahead without seeing anything. Her thoughts were on Derrick.

“Come on now. With all the clothes and things you've got, we can't do it in the morning. Lord, child! How many shoes can one woman wear?” Mama Rose laughed.

“Yeah, right.”

Her expression turned serious again. “I'm going to make sure my cousin's boy helps Derrick.”

“I hear you.” Talia felt a thudding pain around her eyes.

“Don't you even think of missing that plane!” Mama Rose put both hands on her hips. “Derrick and Monette—”

“I know, I know,” Talia broke in

Mama Rose headed down the hall. “You coming?”

“In a minute.”

Talia continued to stare into space. Every nerve in her body screamed that she should get out of town fast and not look back. The voice of reason told her she couldn't do anything to help them anyway. Still, she felt sick at the thought of leaving. Could she go back to carefully selecting which designer pumps to wear with her designer power suits? Sit sipping mocha latte while
she swapped Beltway gossip with other buppies? Talia went into her bedroom and started emptying the large open pullman suitcase lying on the floor.

“Damn it,” Talia muttered. “I must be out of my everlasting mind.”

 

“I've got a plan,” Talia announced the moment Jim Rand opened his office door.

“Monette won't be happy with me if I—”

“You scared of her or something?” Talia crossed her arms.

“Trying to bait me won't work,” Jim said mildly. “I work for her, remember? And it so happens I agree with her reasoning. You shouldn't get involved.”

Talia brushed past him and strode into his office. “I
am
involved, like it or not.”

Jim sighed and closed the door. “I know you're upset about Derrick. I'm sure he'd say the same thing. Go back home, Ms. Marchand.”

“Do I like having a mother in prison? No. Would I love to be far away from here? Yes. Am I scared? Dumb question considering we're talking murder. But I can't leave her and Derrick to face this without doing everything I can,” Talia said with force.

“What you've done already is more than enough.”

“Real nice, but I'm not leaving. I can put my plan in action with your help or without it.” Talia stared at him steadily. “What's it going to be?”

“You're just like your mother. Hardheaded, impulsive, and unreasonable.” Jim leaned against his desk and crossed his arms. “Alright, the plan.”

Talia sat down in one of the chairs in his office. “My boss, Peter Gallagher, has friends in high places. These friends have friends in high places all over the country.”

“Including Louisiana.”

“Pretty quick for a college professor and lawyer,” Talia quipped.

“Smart-mouthed like your mama, too.” Jim squinted at her.

“I'll take that as a compliment.” Talia wore a brief half smile before she got serious again. “Pete called around and found out something interesting. Larry Perrilloux isn't as thrilled with his old pal Winn as everyone thinks. In fact, this is just the latest crack in their crumbling friendship. Seems he's privately expressed to power brokers that Barron crossed the line on this one.”

“Maybe, but they won't cut him loose until they do damage control. Which includes discrediting Monette. The result of which will be to keep her in prison.” Jim's expression deepened into a deep frown.

“Not to mention ruining Derrick and linking them both to a possible murder.” Talia felt a cold shiver of fear.

“The sheriff's office is searching the woods behind your old neighborhood with help from the state police. They've turned it over to their ‘cold case' specialist.”

“Cold case?”

“Cases that remained unsolved for years because they hit a dead end. When they get new information the case is reopened.” Jim rubbed his jaw. “Barron provided that new information by linking Glasper's disappearance to Monette.”

“Right.” Talia turned that fact over in her mind. “So how did Barron know Monette was with him the night he disappeared?”

“He knew about her and Glasper. A logical connection.” Jim shrugged.

“She and Earl could have broken up by then. In fact, they took turns dumping each other,” Talia said. “They
weren't quiet fights either. Trust me, I lived through it. The cops were called at least twice.”

“Maybe Barron didn't care until his neck was in the noose?” Jim looked at her with interest in his dark eyes.

“Barron is known for being a real snake when he's crossed. He could have smoked her for murder and the cocaine then.” Talia shook her head. “I think there's another reason.”

“Such as?”

“I know my dear mama. Five dollars says Monette is still holding back.” Talia raised an eyebrow at him.

Jim growled like an irritated pit bull. “She'd better not be. I've told her—”

“Yeah, which means exactly nothing to Monette. And then there's Jerome Hines. He knows more than he's saying, too.” She tried arranging the pieces of the puzzle in some way that made sense.

“Derrick thought he might help, but he's getting jumpy now. Murder allegations tend to do that to people,” Jim said in a morose tone.

“Bum!” Talia tapped a foot hard and thought some more.

“We'll discuss your theories with Derrick.” Jim didn't wait for her response. He got up and went to the desk phone. “I'm sure you know his home number.” He gazed at Talia.

“I don't know why you'd assume such a thing.” Talia cleared her throat. “It's 337 555-0002.”

Jim tapped the number pad on the phone. “I'm quick, remember?”