CHAPTER 14: INTERLUDE
I REPOSTED CHAPTER 14 BECAUSE OF THE WAY I WROTE CHAPTER 15.
ITS NOTHING MAJOR, JUST A FEW MINOR ADJUSTMENTS AND A CHANGE IN THE WAY I ENDED CHAPTER 14.
NEXT MORNING
Sharp eyes watched the small, neat brick red building across the street from the park bench, hidden in the shadows of a great oak tree.
"Where's Mei?" Keesha asked as she priced some items.
"She had to run some errands, she'll be back."
Keesha nodded her head.
"Oh, I'd be careful around here. You're on somebody's shit list."
Keesha looked puzzledly at Shauna.
"Yesterday, there was a group of girls in here. Apparently, Reid was hanging out with one of them and he let your name slip while they were getting busy."
Keesha's eyes went wide and then she burst out laughing.
"Her name is Amanda and she has long, jet black, curly hair. She doesn't know what you look like, but one of her friend's apparently has some brains and figured Keesha belonged to a black girl. And there is one only other dark skinned girl in town and she's dating Pogue, that biker guy we met."
Keesha rolled her eyes. "Great, just what I needed. My ass getting kicked by some chick over her guy."
"Hey, you slept with him." Shauna pointed out.
Keesha tilted her head back, stung by the viciousness of her tone.
"Shauna? Something wrong?"
Shauna looked over at Keesha. Accusation in her eyes. "You promised me you would end it."
"Shauna, I'm not having an affair with him."
"But he's still in your life." Shauna pointed out trying to control her anger. Keesha was being willfully naive about this. She narrowed her eyes at her best friend. Understanding crossed her radiant face.
"You like him."
Keesha looked uncomfortably away. She had to admit, she had thoroughly enjoyed the date last night. Even when Reid was trying to unconsciously get into her pants. Other men she had dated made it seem like routine. I-buy-you-dinner-you-sleep-with-me. But with Reid, it didn't feel like that. Reid knew how to get into a woman's pants without making it feel like obligation. Reid was a true womanizer. He seduced women because he liked them.
Shauna put her hand on her hips. "You're playing a dangerous game Keesha. Amanda's a bit of a hot head. I sold her and her friends some oils to distract them with other boys. But she has eyes only for Reid. It will occupy her for awhile but if she hears your name, that could change."
"Shauna, you seem to think that we're fucking each other. I haven't slept with him since that first night. And you don't seem to see that I've been keeping everything with him friendly."
"But you encourage him when he starts flirting with you! I've watched the both of you. And awhile ago, Mei told me he was jerking off in our bathroom!"
"Dammit Shauna. What do you want me to do? Slap him every time he opens his mouth? Wear Nun's robes around him?" Keesha sighed in annoyance. She loved Shauna but she could be so overprotective at times. "Shauna, you forget that he is protecting me."
"And I can't?"
Keesha sighed. "You are. But he is protecting me in a different way. A way that you can't understand."
"A way that you refuse to tell me you mean." She began angrily.
"I'm doing that to protect you too girlfriend. I wish you would just trust me."
The bell rang as the door opened. Reid stepped through.
"What do you want?" Shauna began angrily.
"Wow." Reid said putting up his hands in mock surrender. "Did you get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning Shauna?" He asked.
"Shouldn't you be at school or something?"
Reid flinched at her tone. Man she could be a right bitch in the morning. I guess she wasn't a morning person. "I just came to say good morning to my favorite women."
"Well good morning." Keesha began. "And Shauna's right. You should be at school."
Reid smiled at Keesha. "I will love. But I wanted to make sure you were alright and to ask if Shauna remembers about tonight." He focused his gaze on the golden and red haired beauty glaring at him. "Make sure Mei has everything ready for us by midnight. We plan on making our move then."
"Anything else your Royal Highness." She answered sarcastically.
Reid narrowed his eyes. He could feel the menace coming off of her. If she were a man, he'd be in his face and demanding either an explanation or preparing for an ass whupping. But he was a she. And Reid didn't hit girls. Besides, something told him he would have to "use" just to take her down. She looked like she would be a handful in a scrap.
"Yeah. I also wanted to make sure Keesha has her phone on."
Keesha pulled out his cell phone and showed him. "See, it's on. Now scoot. We have a lot of work to do today."
Instead of leaving, he moved to sit at one of the chairs arrayed around the large, purple cube shape table in the center of the shop and placed a small cardboard box, tied with official red and white bakery string, on top of it.
"Thought you'd might like to take a break with some fresh pastries. You won't find a finer pastry shop then right here in Ipswich." He untied the string. "Ladies." He offered.
Keesha sighed to herself. Here was the moment when she should be the mother and tell him to get his skinny ass to school. But damn if those pastries didn't smell good. And besides, she knew how sensitive Reid was when he was trying to be nice. And since that evening, everything had changed between them. Yes, Reid still had feelings for her. But he was being mature about it and resisting the urge to act on it. Something Shauna wasn't seeing.
She sat down in the high back wicker chair opposite him.
"Shauna?" Reid offered.
"Why not." She growled in spite of herself.
"Mmm. You should try the powdered donut."
"So, who's Amanda?" Keesha began giving him a pointed look.
Reid shrugged his shoulders. "Just a girl."
Keesha narrowed her eyes. "Do you always treat women like that. Just something to toss aside when you're done?"
Reid suddenly looked over at her. His smile faded.
"Amanda came in here with a bunch of girls raising up a storm about you and the fact that you let slip Keesha's name. She also thinks that Keesha might be black." Shauna said licking the jelly off her fingers.
"I didn't mean to say it. It just happened."
"I'm not concerned so much about that Reid." Keesha began. "I'm more concerned with the way you treat girls. You don't respect them enough."
Reid was quiet for a moment. Keesha could feel the atmosphere change in the small space of the shop. She watched as he worked himself for a moment.
"Keesha. I've never hurt a woman in my life. I don't force them and I've never made any girl feel as if I would ruin their reputation or spread lies. That isn't my style." He replied uncomfortably. This was not what he wanted to discuss first thing in the morning.
"So why do you treat them like that then?" Shauna interjected. She was grateful that Keesha was talking to him in serious mode.
Reid gave Shauna a sharp look. "I'm not looking for a relationship right now. And they understand that. But I'm not going to play the virgin and deny myself either. And I'm not comfortable with just using my hand. I have these urges and I'm going to fulfill them. And if I find a girl that is willing I will make a move for her." His voice was suddenly hard.
"You men are all alike. You just start younger and younger."
"Peace Shauna." Keesha said wiping jelly from her face. She could feel Reid's anger growing.
"I'm going in the back, we have some more stock to put out." She said rising. "Thanks for the donut, kid."
"It's Reid, Shauna." He answered slowly. What the hell did he walk into.
Shauna said nothing as she headed for the storage room at the back behind the counter.
"What the hell was that all about? I just came in here to bring you ladies some donuts and grace you with my presence and then you tag team me?"
Keesha looked away. Shauna had started on her this morning about this and then Reid walks in and the next thing she knew, she's attacking him. Getting all Girl powered on him. "I'm sorry Reid. Don't take it personal. Shauna's just looking after me."
Reid slumped in his chair. It was more than that. "Alright whatever Keesha."
Keesha frowned. He looked unhappy.
"So don't you have to be in school?"
Reid looked over at her. "You want me to leave that bad? Shauna is really influencing you."
"No, but I am concerned about Amanda."
"Keesha, I told you not to worry."
"I know Reid, but please don't be angry with Shauna. We were just trying to get you to understand that you're treating women like toys. We can't help that, its an older girl thing."
A horn blared from outside.
"I have to go." He rose irritation clinging to him.
"Reid." Keesha began rising to her feet.
Reid stopped and looked at her. Reid felt his heart flutter.
"Listen, I'm sorry. Thanks for the pastries. Really. I mean it. It was nice of you."
Reid nodded to her and let a small smile cross his face. Then he smirked at her. "How about a kiss then for my forgiveness?"
Mild outrage formed on her face. "Get! Before I call the Truant Officer." She said gently pushing him toward the door.
Reid chuckled. "Had to try." The horn repeated. "Alright Baby boy, lay off the fucking horn already!" He shouted heading for the door. Before he could he stop himself he suddenly whirled, catching Keesha by surprise and planted a kiss on her cheek.
"Reid!"
He gave her a wicked grin before he laughed and leaped into the Hummer that had pulled into the parking space in front of her shop.
Keesha stared through the window, a bewildered look on her face as she watched the vehicle speeding away.
"Innocent huh?" Came the accusing voice from behind.
Keesha whirled. Her braids slapping her shoulders. She caught the backside of Shauna retreating into the storage room. Keesha sighed angrily and continued ticketing the items.
Mei looked at her watch. It was nearly Noon. She watched as the female attendant walked down the cylinder block shaped building and headed for Mei's position. Mei narrowed her eyes. The woman was Asian and relatively young. She would have an hour to do this.
LUNCH TIME
Reid looked over at the couple locked around each other at one of the cafeteria tables. His eyes widened as he recognized the faint aura of red pulsing outwards from Amanda's body. He watched as it slowly enveloped the tall, muscular boy wearing the Spenser's letterman sweater. He let out a chuckle as he recognized the energy. She was casting a spell on him? Amanda?
He didn't think Amanda was a witch. Interesting! Reid headed over to them. He wasn't worried. It was faint, weak. He could easily break through it. "Beat it jock, She's mine." Reid began. The boy suddenly snapped upright. His eyes fluttered as if he had come out of a trance. Reid's nose flared at the faint scent of jasmine and amber. Oils? And they were energized, not like the stuff you'd get from a mall or something. Reid narrowed his eyes. Someone had purposely put their essence into it. He thought briefly where Amanda could of gotten them from. Keesha's shop?
The boy looked up at Reid, confusion written all over his face. "I said beat it Princess, She's not your King." Reid narrowed his eyes and gave the jock a meaningful look.
Amanda looked over at Reid, anger growing on her face. "Dammit Reid. Get lost."
The boy blushed and quickly picked up his books. "Sorry Amanda." He said scurrying away.
"What the fuck Reid?" She began as Reid moved into the once occupied seat.
"He's gay."
Amanda's eyes widened in shock.
Reid stifled his urge to laugh at the whole scenario. Amanda using magic to enchant a gay jock.
"And you'd know this personally?" She shot back taking a sip of her milk.
"I shower with him in the lockers. I've seen him. Plus, he offered himself to me once."
Amanda rolled her eyes at him. "Go away Reid."
Reid pouted. "Aww, you still mad at me babe."
"Whatever gave you that idea? Could it be that other girl's name while I was trying to get your attention?"
"I told you it was my cousin's name." Reid said feigning innocence.
"Just how stupid do you think I am?"
"Look, I'm telling you, it was my cousin. Come out with me tonight. I promise. I'll make it up to you."
"I don't think so." She snarled.
Reid narrowed his focus on her. He could see the aura of the spell pulsing. He could break his hold on the boy but her anger towards him made it difficult to break. He would have to wear her down, weaken the aura.
"Alright. I'm sorry. Look, you know how I am. I'm not a one woman kind of guy. You knew that going into to this. But I've seen you more than any other. That should tell you something about how I feel about you. You're my favorite. But I can't help it baby, I love women. I thought if anyone could tame me, it would be you. I'd didn't think you'd give up so easily."
Reid could see the aura around her weakening as he gave her truths mixed with lies. A small smile appeared on her lips.
"Alright Garwin. One more chance."
"Great, I'll be there around six."
She nodded her head to him.
Reid smiled victoriously. A look Amanda didn't see as he headed for his brothers seated around a nearby table.
"Well, are we still on for tonight?" Caleb began when Reid joined them.
"Of course. I just have to wait for my friend to call. He's going to give me the layout of the place."
"It's nearly 12:15. What's taking so long?" Caleb growled.
"I told you. He knows what he's doing and he's aware of the time frame. He'll come through."
"So what time are we meeting up?" Caleb asked hating the fact that Reid was running this.
"I told her we want to be in by midnight so I think it would be go if we got there about an hour early."
Caleb nodded his head. "And Keesha and her friends? Their memory erased yet?"
Reid growled quietly to himself. Caleb intended to keep bringing this up until he gave in.
"Yes, Caleb." Reid lied smoothly. He slumped his shoulders and dropped his head, feigning sympathy. "That's why I was using so much that night."
Caleb searched Reid's face. He was surprised at Reid's reaction. "It had to be done Reid. She could of threatened us."
Reid arched an eyebrow at Caleb. "How many times do we have to have this argument?"
"Sometimes, things have to be done for the greater good in spite of what we feel. It isn't always right and its never pleasant but it is the way it is." Caleb offered in sympathy. He could see that this Keesha was affecting him. He was finding this odd considering they had spent one night together.
"Yeah, whatever, spare me the lecture Yoda."
"Alright, that's enough. We've got class soon. Reid said he did it and its done." Pogue interjected giving Reid a pointed look. "You two have to be focused for tonight's little adventure."
"I need some more fries before class." Reid said angrily getting up.
Caleb stared after his retreating back. Something was bothering him.
Reid let out a short sigh of relief. He hoped his behavior helped convinced Caleb his sincerity. It wasn't so much the lying to Caleb that angered him it was Caleb's lack of trust in his judgment of people. Reid maybe a lot of things but if its one thing he knew, it's people. Why couldn't Caleb see that?
An hour later, Tyler's phone vibrated. He slipped the cellular to Reid, who then got excused from class to go to the bathroom. "Yeah." He answered when he closed the door of the last stall.
"I will email you the layout of the place. Wait by the park bench under the oak tree across the street from the Morgue. It's important that you stay under that tree until midnight. Five minutes before, make your way across the street, staying in the shadows and take the angle of approach that I will lay out for you on the plan. It's important, the camera will not be able to pick you up if you follow that angle. Once the light goes out, the door will be open. You will have exactly one hour to get in, read the report and get out." Mei said over the phone.
"Got it. Thanks beautiful." Reid said. The phone call ended. Why is Keesha the only one with any warmth? He mused.
The three Ipswich boys looked up as Reid returned. He handed the hall pass back to the teacher. He gave the phone back to Tyler.
"Well?" Caleb whispered keeping his attention on the English Professor. "It's all set. We'll get together tonight. He'll email me the layout. We'll look at it before we leave." Reid said ending his conversation just as the Professor turned around.
The woman frowned at Reid. He shot her his most innocent look.
Shauna turned as Mei entered the shop. "Alright, I called Reid and gave him the instructions. I need to be there around 11. A ride Shauna?"
"I wish I could go, it actually sounds like fun."
"You have an even more important task. Watching Keesha." Mei said trying to cheer her up.
"Yeah, it's not like she appreciates it." Shauna growled.
Mei searched her friend's face. She saw hurt in Shauna's green eyes. "Don't worry, I have a feeling things are going to get revealed very soon." She placed a gentle hand on Shauna's arm. "She does appreciate it. You know that. But we have to be patient with her. There's someone out there that wants her dead and she is having lucid dreams of the victim at the moment of death. That's pretty heavy stuff. If having Reid around can give her piece of mind, then let it go." Mei soothed.
Shauna sighed. She knew that. "Yeah, I know."
Mei gave her a reassuring smile and went in the back to use the computer.
Shauna sighed wistfully. Seeing the way Reid flirted with her like some love struck kid and then turn into Superman to protect her with a fierceness that bordered fanatical, caused uneasy memories to surface. Shauna had to learn at an early age to rely on herself and not trust anybody, especially men. And in unguarded moments, she had often wished for her champion. She envied Keesha.
But it was more than that. Next to Mei, Keesha was the only other person she could trust. Keesha was like a sister to her. She spent a long time cultivating that friendship and she resented some young, wealthy, spoiled, pain in the ass brat, coming in and just gaining Keesha's trust in the space of a week.
She thought Keesha was stronger than that. Shauna would never allow a male to come between their friendship. No matter how much she might of loved a man, her friends came first. She was surprised at Keesha's change in attitude. Maybe coming to Ipswich was not such a good idea. She should have stayed in the City. Keesha had an edge in the City that she was losing living here.
The bell rang for their final class. "Alright guys, let's get to my place and take a look at these plans your friend emailed." Caleb began packing his books. The other three boys looked at each other. "Uh Caleb. I'll meet up with you later. I have something to do first." Pogue said slowly. Caleb looked suspiciously at him. Pogue had never been vague with him before. "Oh?" Caleb began. "Yeah, I got an errand to run that I forgot about. It absolutely has to be done right now." Caleb held his gaze for a moment. "Alright Pogue. I'll see you in an hour."
He turned to Reid and Tyler. "Yeah, me too. And I need Baby boy's help here." Reid began.
"Me too what?!" Caleb asked in irritation.
"Uh. I have to pick something up in town and I need Tyler's help."
Caleb sighed. He was surprised at the sudden aloofness of his brothers, but especially Pogue.
Caleb looked pointedly at Tyler. Tyler swallowed. He hated when Caleb looked at him like that.
"Yeah, Caleb. Reid is expecting a package and it will only fit in my Hummer." He said trying to hide his nervousness. He knew Caleb could see right through him.
"Come on Reid. Let's get going. We have a lot to do before tonight." Pogue urged shoving Reid forward. He grabbed at Tyler's wrist and pulled on the boy. "You two Ty." He looked back at Caleb staring at him. Annoyance crossed his handsome face.
"Why don't you start looking at the email. We'll be with you shortly. Promise." Pogue said with a friendly smile and quickly followed the other teens out.
Caleb ran his hand through his hair and sighed in frustration. He hated that his brothers were keeping something from him. For the first time, he felt as if he wasn't in control of a situation and it bothered him. Reid had suddenly become the leader in this. And he didn't like it one bit.