Chapter 6
Chapter
Six
McKay
“I think I’m going to call that guy, you know the one I told you about from BJ’s the other night,” I said to the girls. We were on a three-way call.
I stared at the card in my hand while I paced the floor.
Two weeks had passed and I was officially out of time to tell my parents.
I told Mackie I would make the announcement once I hit my second trimester and time was ticking.
I was ten weeks and counting. I hadn’t even been by the house in the past month out of fear that they would smell the pregnant on me.
Or see it for that matter. My hand fell to my non-existing pudge that I swore was there.
“The private investigator?” Johnni asked while she smacked loudly in my ear. I counted to ten, waiting to see how long Hollis would take to call her out about it. She hated that shit.
“Yes. I’m running out of options to find him,” I said as I played with the card between my fingers.
“Ugh, Johnni, please stop smacking in our gotdamn ears. Hell, the pregnant one ain’t even doing all that.
Whatever you eating ain’t that fucking good.
” Johnni kissed her teeth while Hollis continued with her spiel.
“And Mickey, I don’t understand why you are just now getting around to doing it.
I told you that night to call him so you could get this done.
I’m ready to put belt to ass to this nigga for attempting to flee the scene on you. ”
“I just didn’t think I had enough information,” I whined, rolling my head back, more annoyed at this whole conversation, even though I’d brought it up.
“Girl, all a professional needs is a name. Please tell me you at least have that?” Hollis asked.
“Don’t do too much over there now. Yes, I have his name.”
“Just making sure. Well, handle your business. I gotta go. I’m running late to catch this football player with his pants down, literally. Love y’all, call me tomorrow afternoon,” Hollis said, jumping off the call first.
“Oh shit, I didn’t realize it was so late. I still have to finish dinner before Quincey comes home. Love y’all too.”
“Love y’all.” The three beeps came soon after my last word. I stood there with my phone in my hand, unmoved.
“Come on, Mickey, just call. What’s the worst that could happen?
” I stopped pacing, making my way over the couch, slowly taking a seat.
I looked at the card once more before I hit the numbers to call Burkeley Morgan.
Most people would’ve counted their losses and moved on if they were in my position, but the growing baby inside of me wouldn’t let me.
I wanted to know what happened to Harlan, and like Hollis said, even if he wasn’t physically trying to be a part of things, that didn’t stop the financial aspect of this situation.
I hit the speaker phone as I released my nervous breaths. The line rang a few times before his husky tone came through the line. I hated to admit that his phone voice sounded as fine as he was.
“Burkeley Morgan, P.I. How can I help you?”
“Yes, hi.” I cleared my throat and instantly cringed at that act.
“Sorry, you probably don’t even remember me, but you gave me your card at BJ’s a few weeks ago. You said you could help me find someone.”
He was quiet, so I spoke again.
“It’s McKay, the girl who was crying in the booth, umm… sogging up my burger and fries.” I let out a low laugh.
“I remember you. When are you free to come in?”
I gnawed on my bottom lip, fighting the urge to say right now.
“Um… are you free today or tomorrow? I really need to find them soon.”
“I’m free right now if you are. The address to my office is on the card.” I smiled as I scooted up on the couch to get up. I was moving now, grabbing my purse and keys.
“I’m on my way.”
“Perfect.”
We hung up and I made it to the address in twenty minutes. If it wasn’t for the sign in the yard, I would’ve sworn this man was legit crazy and about to kill me. I rang the bell then ran my hands down my dress.
“Relax, Mickey. Hollis and Johnni have your location in case anything happens.” The door swung open and I came face-to-face with Burkeley whose smile and low chuckle let me know that he’d heard me.
“Yes, relax. I promise, nothing is going to happen. Please come in.” I stepped inside and took in the full light and open concept of his house and all the plants.
“You have a lot of plants. Does the house triple as a greenhouse too?”
“Triple?” Burkeley said as he stepped in front of me.
“Oh, I’m assuming you live here too.”
He nodded as he chuckled again.
“Oh yeah, but no. I mean, not officially…or yet. I do love my babies. I’m new to this plant lifestyle.
Let me show you to the office. Do you want something to drink?
Water, coffee, juice?” he asked as he led me down a hallway with more plants along the walkway.
The only one I could make out was the bamboo.
“No thank you.” My nerves were too shot to handle anything right now. We made it to the office and I took a seat in the chair Burkeley pulled out for me before he took a seat across from me.
“Okay, well let’s get started. I remember the last time we spoke you didn’t have much on the person. Is that still the case?” Burkeley asked, grabbing his pen and a notebook.
“Yes. I have a full name, an old address, and his telephone number. The last time I called it was no longer in service and the house is currently available for rent.”
I watched Burkeley’s face for a reaction but got none so I continued.
“His name is Harlan Triplet. Do you want the old contact information?”
He nodded.
I reached into my bag and pulled out a piece of paper I’d written all of Harlan’s information I had before it was no longer good on.
“And I’m guessing you just want the updated information, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Do you have any information as far as hangouts or his job?”
“So this is going to sound crazy, but we were fairly new at dating, so we hadn’t made it to all that.
I knew what he did, just not where. We hadn’t met friends or family, so I can’t tell you what he did outside of work and traveling for that.
And even that wasn’t a consistent thing.
I mean, he did it a lot, just not at the same time nor for the same amount of time.
He’s an investment banker who worked with a lot of corporations.
Some here, some down in Austin Peaks. That I know for sure because he told me once he was going there.
But Harlan and I had only been dating for three months before he disappeared. ”
Burkeley sat back in his chair, cocking his head to the side as he stroked his beard.
“Three months? And you’re sure he didn’t just ghost you?” I shook my head. I wasn’t sure. I mean, I was. It had been a month. The shit was obvious. But he didn’t just get to run.
“Maybe. Whether he did or not doesn’t matter. I’m pregnant; so finding him is essential.” I could tell by Burkeley’s raised eyebrows and slightly gaped mouth that I had just shocked him.
He cleared his throat as he nodded.
“Well, I believe I have enough information to at least get started. Give me a week or two to see what I can find. If you remember anything, please don’t hesitate to call, anytime.”
I nodded, going to get up, feeling defeated before Burkeley even had time to do his job.
“Oh yeah, how do I pay? Do I make a payment now and later upon delivery or something?” He waved me off.
“Later is fine. Here, let me walk you out.” I went to protest, then remembered I was in this man’s house so I let him lead the way back to the front door.
“Try not to add any more stress about the situation, McKay. I promise I got it from here.” This time, Burkeley’s words sounded encouraging, making me give him a small smile.
I walked out, giving him one more look, waving. I still couldn’t believe I was actually trusting a private investigator with my business to find my missing baby’s father.
The fire blazing from the pit warmed my skin while the cracking helped calm my thoughts.
I was at Johnni’s house that she shared with her husband Quincey.
It was girls’ night and Johnni decided to host. Quincey had the idea to light the fire pit for us since the weather had officially broken, making it fall here in Crescent Falls.
While they sipped wine, I had a cup of hot chocolate.
Lately, the flavor had become one of my favorites to indulge.
“Mickey, have you heard anything from the P.I. guy? I still can’t believe the extremes you have to go through to find this piece of shit. Like who the fuck just dips off like this?” Hollis hissed, sounding just as angry as I’d been with this whole situation.
“No for real. Now I’m genuinely curious. Who the hell you were fucking with?” Johnni added.
I shook my head, hating all of this.
“No. It’s only been a week since I hired the man.
We gotta let him work. Even though he assured me that he’ll find him, I don’t think I even gave him enough information.
I didn’t have much, especially once he moved and changed his number on me.
I feel stupid. How the fuck was I busting my shit open for someone I barely know? ”
“And I mean, wide the fuck open,” Hollis said before she took a drink, which had me rolling my eyes.
“No, but seriously, it sounds like you were still in the early stages of dating and getting to know each other. That’s the point of that phase.
You’re supposed to be doing all the background work during those months,” Hollis stated as she tossed me a wink with a smirk.
Since we were the two single ones out of our trio, she and I always found ways to make our hot girl shit make sense to each other while Johnni would reel us back in.