Chapter 18 The Crucial Clues #3
Slowly, Carry released her legs away from her chest, and began to straighten out.
David had come over and was looking down at Tessa and Carry.
He reached down to help Tessa up, then he reached out to Carry.
She wiped her eyes, then reached out to take David’s hand.
David pulled hard, helping Carry back onto her feet, then pulled her into a tight embrace.
“Greg’s going to need you both now more than ever,” he whispered.
“They’re trying to kill him over the Tashugi’s.
” Carry’s eyes went wide and she gasped as the words hit hard like she just went against Rocky.
She sniffed her nose hard. “We’re all here for you too, Carry,” he softly spoke, holding her so tight that she realized how scared David was in this situation.
“Are you sure he’s going to be alright?” she asked quietly. She finally hugged David back.
“You bet he’s going to be alright,” David said with forced confidence. “He’s 3G and when the games on the line you know he’s going to drain that deep three point shot.”
“Why do you guys always talk about basketball,” Carry said as she pulled back from the embrace.
“Because that’s where we all first became not just a team, but an adoptive family. And Carry,” David gently added. “You are family. You have been since day one at Pimico, and no matter where you go from here, you will always be family. Family looks out for each other. Greg needs all of us now.”
“You’re right,” she acknowledged then turned to Veronica. “He’s going to need all of us.”
“And we’re all going to stick together for Greg,” Veronica confirmed.
“Then I will stand with you,” Carry said and she hugged Veronica tightly. “For Greg’s sake,” she whispered.
“Yes, Carry, for Greg’s sake, but also for our own sakes.
If we don’t stand together now, we won’t survive this emotionally,” she whispered back.
“I can’t do this alone and neither can you.
We need to rely on each other. You are still my Miss Vanilla Rose at the end of the day, no matter what else. That makes you my sister.”
“Sister?” Carry said softly with a smile. “I like the idea of being sisters with you.”
“Neither of us had a sibling growing up,” Veronica observed.
“I like the idea of being sisters with you also.” She kissed Carry on the forehead and they separated.
“Thank you,” she said to Bill with a smile, then turned and addressed the rest of the gathering group.
“Thank all of you for being here for us,” she said and grabbed Carry’s right hand with her left.
“We appreciate you being there for us during this fiery trial.”
“Miss LaFayette,” Alex called from behind the group. He had a perplexed look on his face. “I know that you’ve just had a trying experience,” he started cautiously. “But I was wondering if you could at least sing the first dance song for Gail and I?”
“First dance?” she started to ask with some confusion, and saw Bill lifting his hand to say no.
“Of course,” she said with a smile as she regained her composure.
“What better way to respect my man than to continue with your reception,” she firmly announced with some determination building inside her.
“It’s your celebration after all,” she said then looked directly at Carry. “Wouldn’t that honor Greg?”
“It’s what he would have done,” she confirmed. “He was always about putting the needs of other people before his own.
“Then, why don’t we all go back inside for your first dance Alex. You and Gail deserve that,” she said with a smile. “Besides, it will take our minds off what happened until we find out more.” She started back towards the club with Carry following closely behind.
David shook his head and gave a wry short laugh. “I can’t believe these women can be this strong. Greg has always affected everyone he’s been around, but this is next level.” He reached over with his right hand for Tessa, accepting her left, then started walking back toward the building.
“Well, Bill?” Alice said with a soft left handed tap to his right bicep. “Are you convinced now about these people?”
“I’ve never seen such loyalty and determination anywhere else,” he said with soft amazement. “I don’t know why I doubted your judgment, babe. Let’s put it all in. Lock, Stock and Barrel!”
“That’s my man,” she said and kissed Bill deeply. “Let’s join them inside.”
“Let’s get inside, quickly!” Keith ordered as he parked his Jeep in the garage behind the small white house. “I don’t want to be seen. We have to limit our exposure.”
“I’ve got Jack,” Brick called. “Danny, go clear the building!”
“On it!” Danny called back, immediately exiting the vehicle with his weapon drawn and ready.
“I’ll be right back,” he said as he headed to the door from the garage to the house.
The sound of the garage door closing drowned out the scuffle of his feet across the concrete floor.
Danny carefully turned the doorknob with his left hand while he leaned his left shoulder against the door and held the gun towards the opening side.
He shoved in hard, bursting through the doorway with his gun spinning around while he checked.
He disappeared for a moment then returned.
“All clear!” he called, motioning them to join him.
“Let’s go, Jack,” Brick called as he opened his door and took position to the back of the Jeep so Jack could slide over to the right rear passenger door to exit. “Head in! Keith and I will be right behind you!”