28. A Close Call
A CLOSE CALL
TESSA
Saul stiffens beside me, and I can feel the shift in the air between us—warmth turning to cold dread. Outside the window, four officers in crisp uniforms fan out across the porch, their presence heavy with unspoken accusation.
Antoine isn’t with them. Thank God. But the relief is fleeting. My stomach twists as I turn to Saul, the weight of the situation pressing down like a storm cloud.
“What are we going to do?” My voice wavers, betraying the fear I’m trying to keep at bay. “What if he dug into your past after Antoine figured out who you were? What if he figured out that Patrick was missing? What if he figured out that you killed him?
Whoa, Tessa. You’re spiraling.
Saul doesn’t answer right away. He moves purposefully, yanking open a drawer and pulling out a sweatshirt and shorts. He tosses them to me but then pauses, his sharp eyes scanning my face. He’s in front of me in two quick strides, kneeling to dress me himself, his hands gentle but efficient as he pulls the sweatshirt over my head.
He stands up and pulls on a matching outfit, then takes my face in his hands, forcing me to meet his gaze. His tone is calm, but the fire in his eyes speaks of unshakable resolve. “Listen, sweetheart. The second he ran my name, he’d have found nothing. I’ve paid good money to ensure I’m a ghost in the system. Especially America’s system. Don’t worry—I’ve got this.”
My eyes widen, my breath coming in shallow bursts. “What if this isn’t just about Crescent Hall? What if?—”
He cuts me off, his voice firm. “The fact that Antoine didn’t show up himself tells me he knows this looks bad for him. He shouldn’t have touched you, and Crescent Hall has cameras everywhere. He’s bluffing, trying to scare us.”
I swallow hard, forcing myself to focus. “But how did he find us? This place is remote.”
Saul tilts his head, his jaw tightening before he speaks. “Did you call your sister while you were here?”
I bristle at the question, my back stiffening. “No! And even if I did, Selene would never rat us out. She’s not a snitch.”
His expression softens, but his tone remains steady. “Baby, I know she wouldn’t—not intentionally. But she doesn’t know me, and she looked worried when I dragged you out of Crescent Hall. He could’ve played on her emotions, maybe got her to share your location without realizing what she was doing. You two track each other when you go out, right?”
I exhale sharply, knowing he’s right. Selene and I have always tracked each other for safety. “Damn it.” My voice cracks as guilt seeps in.
He pulls me into his chest, his arms wrapping around me like a fortress. “It’s okay,” he murmurs, kissing my forehead. “We’ll handle this. Just follow my lead, alright?”
I nod, clinging to him as if he’s the only solid thing in a world that suddenly feels unsteady.
When we step out onto the porch, the humid, thick, and suffocating night air presses against my skin. My pulse pounds in my ears as one of the officers steps forward, his expression unreadable beneath the brim of his hat.
“Good evening,” he says. “I’m Officer Landry. Is this the residence of Mr. Saul Mensah?”
“Yes, sir,” Saul replies without hesitation, his voice calm and assertive. “How can I help you?”
The officer glances between us, his tone clipped. “We received suspicious activity reports at this address and were sent to investigate.”
I can feel the heat rise in my chest, anger mingling with fear.
“Suspicious activity?” Saul’s brow arches as he crosses his arms, his calm exterior unshaken. “Four officers seems a bit excessive for that, don’t you think?”
Landry’s eyes narrow, and his jaw tightens. “No, I don’t. You never know what people might be hiding. Can you both step out here so we can talk?”
We oblige, but tension coils in my stomach as the questions begin. A big Black man, four cops, and a cabin in the woods sounds like the start of a Jordan Peele horror film.
“Mr. Mitchell, you work as a bouncer and cook at Crescent Hall, correct?”
“Yes.”
The officer’s gaze shifts to me. “And you were at Crescent Hall last Friday Night?”
I nod, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Yes, but we came home early and stayed in for the night.”
Lord, now I’m lying for this man.
Landry raises an eyebrow, skepticism flickering across his face. “We’re aware of the altercation with Chief Dupree. Care to explain what happened?”
Saul steps forward, his presence commanding. “Yes, I’ll explain. The chief repeatedly put his hands on my fiancée despite her asking him to stop. He was harassing her, and when I intervened, he threw the first punch. If you check the security footage at Crescent Hall, you’ll see that I acted in self-defense.”
I haven’t had a chance to say yes yet. But I can’t say that I hate him calling me his fiancée.
The officers exchange glances, their expressions unreadable. But Saul’s tone remains steady, unwavering. “You’re here because he sent you, hoping to intimidate us. But if you want the truth, you won’t find it by wasting time here. Check the security tapes. They’ll tell you everything you need to know.”
The officer's next words drop like a stone into the charged silence. “So, I take it you don’t know that Chief Dupree is dead?”
I gasp, stumbling back as if the air has turned solid around me. “What? How? What happened?”
Officer Landry’s gaze sharpens, dissecting every trace of emotion on my face. “We were hoping you could tell us. He was found face-down on the pavement outside Crescent Hall. Evidence suggests he may have been thrown from the roof of the building. What can you tell us about that?”
Before I can respond, Saul steps in front of me, his broad frame shielding me from their prying eyes. His stance is unyielding, and his arms are folded across his chest. He exudes a calm authority that leaves no room for argument.
“Officers,” he begins, his tone clipped and measured, “you’ve taken enough of our time without presenting formal charges or issuing a subpoena. If you need further statements, I’ll need to call my lawyer. Chief Dupree was alive and inside Crescent Hall when we left. That is the only statement we’ll be making at this time.”
Landry’s jaw twitches, his composure cracking ever so slightly. “Mr. Mensah, we understand this is an uncomfortable situation for you and your fiancée, but these questions are necessary. We need to rule out any possibility of foul play involving either of you. Please understand, this is standard procedure.”
Saul takes a measured breath, his lips tightening in a grim line. I can feel his reluctance in the subtle tension of his shoulders, but he nods. “Fine. Ask your questions.”
The officers press on, peppering Saul with inquiries about his whereabouts before and after the altercation with Dupree. Saul offers them only curt, non-committal answers, his face a mask of stoic resolve. He dances around the truth when they probe into suspicious activities or strange encounters, conveniently omitting our run-in with Celine Varennes.
His calm, unflappable demeanor doesn’t falter, even as the officers scribble furiously in their notebooks, their skepticism thick in the air.
After fifteen minutes, the lead officer finally steps back, his eyes narrowing. “You think you’re slick,” Landry says, his tone dripping with disdain, “but we’ll get to the bottom of this. Call your lawyer. We still need to take your full statement and conduct further questioning at the precinct. Can you both report there tomorrow morning?”
Saul glances at me out of the corner of his eye, a silent exchange passing between us. He nods slowly, his voice steady as he replies,
“Yes, we’ll be there.”
I doubt it.
As soon as the door closes, Saul turns to me, his hands cupping my face as his lips crash into mine. The kiss is fierce and consuming as if he’s trying to pull every ounce of reassurance and connection from the moment. When he finally pulls back, I’m breathless, the world spinning around us.
“Did you kill him?” I ask, panting. “ Did you kill Antoine?”
Saul grabs the back of my neck and rubs his thumb up and down my nape. “ Now, how would I have done that, sweetheart? I’ve been with you all night?”
I narrow my eyes, “ You know what I mean, Saul. If this is going to work, you can’t keep secrets from me. Did you have anything to do with Antoine’s death?”
He takes a deep breath and squeezes my neck tighter. “I swear, my love, I had nothing to do with his death. But I have a feeling Cecil might have. Antoine Dupree was dirty and had a terrible gambling problem. He owed Cecil money. From what I’ve witnessed working at Crescent Hall, owing Cecil is not conducive to living a long life.”
I search his eyes, find the truth, and nod.
“Well, why do we still need to run if he’s dead?”
Saul cocks his head and watches me intently. “Because, love, they still suspect me. They want to question me; they are watching me. It’s too hot here; I need to lay low in my own country for a while. And I need you with me. My sister is now in London at Oxford, but my grandmother is in Accra, and I want you to meet her.”
I lay my head on his chest. He’s right.
“Call your sister and Grandmère,” he says, his voice firm but soft around the edges. “Go home, pack a light bag, and tie up whatever loose ends you need. We’re leaving for Africa tomorrow at 2:00 am. You can explain everything to them both on the way.”
I grab his arm, my eyes wide with lingering fear and disbelief. “Wait—what do you think happened to Antoine?”
Saul’s dark eyes search mine, a flicker of something unreadable passing through them. His hands frame my face, his thumbs brushing over my cheeks as he answers. “I don’t know, love. Stranger things have happened at Crescent Hall, and you know as well as I do that someone dies or disappears there every year. Maybe it was the ancestors. Maybe it’s Cecil. But this is our way out, and I think we should take it.”
He pauses, his gaze steady and unyielding. “We don’t have to tell your sister or Grandmère about Patrick or anything else that could implicate them. Just let them know you’re starting a new life in Accra for a while. Do you think they’ll come with us?”
Hell no.
I shake my head, a sigh escaping my lips. “My Grandmère is too old to make a move like that, plus she’ll be excited by this turn of events. She’ll shoo me to the plane faster than you will.”
“Selene won’t leave, but she won’t want me going anywhere. But I can keep her calm. Just give me a few hours to get everything in order. I’ll go with you anywhere, Saul, anywhere on this earth. But I need to talk to Selene first. In person.”
His hands tighten on my face, a flash of vulnerability breaking through his usual composure. “You won’t let her change your mind, will you?” His voice shakes, the words thick with raw fear.
I kiss his mouth, lingering until I feel him relax beneath my touch. “No, dear,” I whisper against his lips. “No one can keep me away from you. Can you trust me?”
It takes him a long, tense moment to answer, his gaze boring into mine as if searching for an unshakable truth. Finally, he nods, his voice low and resolute.
“With my life, love. I’d trust you with my life.”