Chapter 7 #2
“Of course, this market is steadily growing and I have to stand out and be the one who gets the business. So keep me in mind next time. I get tickets to everything and my site will tell you what’s all included with my suites.”
“Well damn, okay. I will. And now let me apologize because it’s me who has taken too much of your time. Again, McKay, I’ll be in touch.” This time I made my way to the door so I could get back to work.
“Thank you again for the food, Burkeley.” I offered a silent nod as I headed out of the door, waiting until I heard the click of the locks before I left.
Just spending that small amount of time with McKay only confirmed even more that I wanted her.
I told McKay I would call her with the deposit and contract, but once I had the pictures and ran a full search of Harlan, I was able to find him.
I didn’t know if she misspelled his last or he’d given her the wrong spelling, but his Triplett had two t’s and instead of the one she’d provided me.
So that’s why nothing came up during an earlier search.
After I reran his name through my database, a full book of Harlan Triplett came up, going back to birth.
I was able to get his current address, phone number, and marriage license.
It was three in the morning and I was currently driving to Austin Peaks to scope out the address I had for him. McKay only asked for information on him, but I felt like her seeing what I’d found would help explain this situation better.
By the time I made it, it was a little after seven in the morning, the perfect time to catch it all. I made sure I had my camcorder handy.
I slid into the back seat so I could get the best angle of the house where a woman stood outside with two kids, both girls, looking like they were waiting on the school bus.
To anyone watching it looked normal, but I knew better.
Not long after the kids were sent off, the same woman was now back outside, this time sending Harlan off.
I caught it all on video. From them hugging and kissing, even the I love yous.
I quickly grabbed my camera to snap a few photos of his house, the address, and the car, making sure to get his plate in the process.
I thanked God for their long goodbye. Once he was gone, I headed back down the road too. I had what I needed. I prayed this was enough for her to finally move on.
I pulled in a heavy sigh as I cut the computer off.
I had just transferred the recording to a USB drive so she could view it on her computer.
I was currently working on the full package for her, including the film that Tino developed before I made my way home.
This video was the last thing I needed to do.
Once I was sure the drive had the clip, I reached for my phone to text McKay that I would be by soon.
I was sure she was expecting her invoice, but the job was complete.
This was the first time since I had been in business that I honestly didn’t feel comfortable with charging a client anything. It was clear that this Harlan guy had played the fuck outta both his wife and McKay. But it seemed like McKay was the only loser in this situation.
Not if I could help it.
I closed my eyes and dragged my hands over my hair before I grabbed the back of my neck as I remembered the size of her small but very evident pudge.
She was probably too far along to even end things and save herself from becoming a single mother.
I was almost positive this dirty muthafucka wasn’t going to be involved or anything.
No, men like him paid people to get rid of problems that threatened to ruin their white picket fence dreams.
“Fuck.” I put the drive inside of the envelope I had for her along with all the other stuff I was able to find.
Me: Hey, McKay, I have some news. Are you free?
While I waited for her reply, I was already headed out of the house. The low vibration alerted me that she had texted me.
McKay: Hey, yes. I can come to you.
Me: No need. I’m already out and about. I’ll see you soon.
Twenty minutes later, I was pulling into McKay’s parking deck and hitting the button to head up.
I tucked the envelope under my arm while I made my way down the hallway. I caught McKay’s wide brown eyes peeking around her doorframe again, making me chuckle a bit.
“I see you’re still peeking,” I said once I was standing in front of her.
“I can’t help it. Please come in,” she said, smiling timidly and stepping aside, giving me the space to walk in with me catching her scent again today.
That vanilla peach was enough to bring me to my knees if our circumstances were different right now.
Not to mention, McKay was glowing, matching the yellow she had on.
“We can meet in here. You can have a seat. I was in the middle of getting ice, so please one second. Can I get you something to drink?” I cleared my throat before I answered.
“Yes please, water and take your time.”
After a few moments she returned with a bottle of room temperature water in her hand along with a cup of ice for her.
“I hope you don’t mind but the bottled water is warm. I hate cold bottles of water so none are chilled but I can get you a cup of ice if you—
I cut her off. “No, this is perfect. I drink it the same way.” I accepted the water.
“Okay, well what did you have to talk to me about? You said you had some news?” McKay took a seat next to me, getting straight to business on her cup of ice. The crushing sound had me smirking for a second before I cleared my throat.
“Yeah. Well, I found him.” I presented her with the envelope. McKay wasted no time setting her cup down and opening it.
I watched her intensely while her face went through the process. Her mouth fell open as she tilted her head to the side, squinting before she pressed her lips together. I didn’t have to guess what she saw first. I knew it was the pictures.
“Who is this?” She asked lowly.
“Harlan’s wife.” She gasped and I could see the pain riddled on her face now as she clenched her chest. I waited for McKay to speak, but she didn’t, so I continued.
“This is my guess as to why he just disappeared. I attached a video for further evidence as well as his number and address.”
When I noticed tears had slowly begun to fall, I glanced around for a box of tissue or something. When I came up empty, I got up, going to the kitchen for a napkin. By the time I came back, all the pictures were now laid out on the coffee table.
“Married? How could I not have caught that? What about me and my baby?” McKay dropped her head into her hands and I watched her shoulders buck while her once silent cries turned into sobs.
I re-took my seat, doing my best to console her. I wasn’t used to this part of my job. Once I delivered the package, I left, unaware of the outcome of whatever part I played. This was breaking my heart. I could tell McKay was a good person who’d genuinely fallen for his ass.
“Hey, it’s not your fault. It’s easy to miss signs, especially when he lives with his family four hours away.”
“Family? Oh god!” she choked out, now giving me her red eyes and tear-stained cheeks.
“I think I’m going to be sick.” She shot up, heading to the back of her condo, leaving me sitting there for a minute, unsure of what I should do. I didn’t want anything to happen to her, but I wasn’t sure if I should stay either.
Once I heard her coughing, sounding like she was choking, I moved fast, trying to follow the direction of the noise.
I finally made my way to the bathroom where McKay was on her knees, hovering over the toilet.
I kneeled behind her, grabbing her hair and rubbing her back.
I could tell my presence caught her off guard by the subtle jolt but she relaxed a bit once I started talking to her.
“Here, breathe. Fuck his bitch ass, if he’s the kind of boy to run from his responsibilities it’s best you know now, right?
Ain’t no reason to let that nigga knock you off your square any more than he already did.
You’re not alone nor will you be. Everything is going to be okay.
” I didn’t have kids, but I could never imagine leaving them behind, especially not like this.
Once I was sure she was done, I helped her up. McKay did her best to avoid my eyes while she went to the sink. I headed out of the bathroom to give her privacy.
“Thank you, Burkeley. You can leave now. I’m okay.”
Now that I knew for sure that she was okay, I headed out. My job was done.