Chapter 3

 

Clad in only a large t-shirt and her tiny blue boy shorts, Keisha meandered into her stainless-steel kitchen in the dimness of six thirty the next morning and went right to the cupboard.

Last night had been a rough one; she had suffered little to no sleep all through the night and when she did it drift off; her sleep was filled with unclear dreams. She had woken up feeling like she was staring into something she should know, something important that was just right in front of her, but for all the powers that be, she couldn’t come up with what that was.

And that really bothered her.

Finger combing through her hair as the percolator bubbled with the life-giving almost ambrosia fluid named coffee, she leaned heavily on her arms and sighed. God, things were so paradoxical right then; externally everything about her seemed fine but internally her carefully controlled life was upended.

For more than half a year now she had made herself to stick to a routine; a schedule which mainly consisted of work, work and more work with some downtime sprinkled in when she could get away with it. The last time she had a night out with her girlfriends was over three months ago and even worse, she hadn’t had sex in over six months.

It wasn’t for a lack of propositions though. Every time she set foot outside the blatant interest men showed her were so inviting but she didn’t have the time to indulge. Or, that was what she told herself.

She gave herself a host of reasons, things like she was too busy with work and that new clients were popping out from the woodwork and she had to cater to them or that the men who came her way had this problem or that one and lastly, she just wasn’t interested.

Once or twice she had contemplated having a no-strings-attached one-night stands but knew she'd hate herself for it the next morning. Keisha knew that she was the kind of person who valued the steady pleasure of a real relationship instead of a fleeting lust of one night.

Speaking of relationships, Keisha buried her head in her hands at the memory Hunter had dragged out of the back of her mind. The old boyfriend that she had seriously believed she had been in love with, in love with enough to marry: Bryce.

Bryce Henri Dubois, a suave, deep mocha-skinned man four years older than she was that had rocked her world for the seven months they had been together. A graduate of University of North Carolina Bryce was a structural engineer and a native of New Orleans with a level of intelligence than bordered on illegal.

Fresh out of college Keisha had been hypnotized by the way his smooth Cajun accent had drawled ‘ma cher’- his darling-, plus the mind-blowing sex they had, had only wrapped his web tighter around her.

Her twenty-two-year-old self, had been on the verge of pledging her life to him but it had all crashed when his wife had shown up on her doorstep.

Outraged and devastated Keisha had confronted him with screams and tears and even though Bryce had sworn on his mother’s grave that he and Renee were just married in name only, she had packed up and left.

Three months had passed with her still wallowing in pain and betrayal until she had come to her senses and snapped out of it. Her company had been in the beginning stages when she had been with Bryce and then, with her now free time, she had put all her energy into making the green bud bloom.

A year later she with tired but happy eyes had watched the words, ‘Shafie Incorporated,’ being placed on the list of accredited and growing brokerages in the state. From then on, just like Hunter had said- damn it- she had played it safe with the men she allowed into her life.

With the men after Bryce, she had kept a part of her, the most sensitive and vulnerable part, back from them. There was just this part of her that she wanted to keep safe, free from the hurt and pain of being with the wrong person. Logic told her that it was inevitable to not get hurt but Keisha wanted to spare herself from the agony of betrayal once more.

The smell of coffee permeated the air and she grabbed a cup off the rack and poured out the dark liquid into the cup. Mechanically spooning in creamer and sugar she looked around at the kitchen that by its level of cleanliness could rival a hospital’s surgery.

It was all clean silver lines and planes and every surface was daubed with antiseptic pine scent. Keisha couldn’t really remember the last time she had made a mess inside it. Once upon a time she had loved baking, cupcakes, puddings and even pies. But now she was so caught up with her work that the love had dissipated.

Sighing, she shoved that concern on a second-place shelf as she had more important issues to deal with. Mainly, who could have gone and set her up for such a huge fall? She knew that with the level of technology now available, it was easier than ever to steal someone’s identity and damage a person. Any card reader could do it too, but she was sure that every time she swiped her credit card it was with a secure portal so what the hell had happened?

Sipping the drink, she analyzed the situation. The best she could come up with was that someone had opened an account for her with the excuse of being a proxy but still, that someone had to have her documents; passport, driver’s license or social security card.

She was double sure that any online sites she used were legit, so what the hell had happened? Once again, the feeling from last night, the unsettling feeling that she was missing something obvious, was there again.

Scrubbing her weary face with one hand Keisha sincerely wished that she had a way she could click her heels thrice and to make this problem just disappear so she could move on with her life. Shooting a look at the clock she silently washed out the cup and then went to take a shower. She’d order her breakfast at the office.

Disrobed and under the lukewarm spray, it was hard to stay her mind from thinking about Hunter. Tilting her head upwards she bit her lip and forced down a groan. Her mind was conjuring Hunter's intense look and magnifying it. She imagined that deep consuming gaze locked on her body as he mentally stripped her bare.

She knew there was no half-and-half with that man. If he went to do something she knew that he would do it with all the intensity inside him. Work or play or even making love; Hunter wouldn’t stop until he reached perfection.

If it came to that, could she really survive that level of concentrated passion? She rested her hand on her lower stomach and felt the deep trembles inside. Maybe not but God, she wanted him.

She wanted him kissing her, him touching her, him over her and him inside her; but sadly, that was a real long shot. So, for sanity sake, it was best to let the fantasy go for now.

Taking a deep and settling breath Keisha shut the water off and so was the burgeoning daydream cut off too.

In her wide bedroom, one of the two in her fifteen thousand square foot condo, she slipped on her silky undergarments, her work clothes- a navy skirt suit this time-, did her make-up and hair and in a few moments, she was out the door.

Her company was less than fifteen minutes’ drive away, as her condo was just on the outside of the trade center, the epicenter of the financial sector of Queen's Land.

The day was another balmy blue-skied day which normally gave an ambiance of peace and tranquility, so why was it that as she approached she felt an ominous feeling settle in the middle of her stomach?

Parking in her spot Keisha grabbed her handbag and briefcase and left the vehicle. From the entrance lobby, she took the small elevator to the first floor still fighting the troubling sensation.

She stepped out into the main working space and ran an apprehensive look over the whole room. Everything seemed in place, all her employees seemed settled enough and the air wasn’t heavy so why was she still feeling anxious?

Making her way to her office she, saying her greetings to some people, passed Lila’s empty station and wondered where her PA was. She got her answer soon enough as she opened the door to see the young woman standing at one of her large windows and twisting her hands.

Instantly, that ominous feeling tripled but Keisha controlled it and settled her bags on the desk, “Lilia, what’s wrong?”

The assistant's eyes were large and shone with a sheen of water behind her glasses and then, with a hushed and cracking voice spoke, "Keisha, I…this morning, I intercepted a call from your lawyers, Anderson and Associates saying that they have been notified by the DA office about a suit against you for money laundering."

A wave of dizziness swamped the young boss with the fear that the whole floor knew but then she remembered the lax air in the room and knew that her employees didn’t know.

“I know this isn’t something you’d like known and I haven’t told any of our colleagues about it…” Lila hushed then her eyes really beaded with tears, “But they want a meeting with today at three thirty sharp to hear your side of the story… and a prosecutor is going there too.”

Keisha slowly let out a tense breath and closed her eyes for a moment, “Thank you for your discretion, Lila. And please, don’t take this too hard. It will work out. They already informed me about it and it’s under control.”

Lila seemed to deflate like a popped balloon. She had gotten so tense with holding Keisha’s secret that the young woman been moved to worried tears.

“They’re not going to lock you up?” Lila asked.

"Not if I have anything to do with it," Keisha replied firmly, "Relax, it's all under control. We'll find out who did this and lock them up. Please, put it out of your mind and pretend that this hasn't happened. Go about your day like normal, okay. I promise you, it will be okay."

Lila’s still worried wide eyes searched hers for a moment before she came to the conclusion that it was only best to trust her employer. Nodding with her now found assurance Lila took off her glasses and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.

Straightening up she nodded with a level look on her face, “I understand, y- you’ll work it, I know you will.”

Gifting the worried girl with another assuring smile Keisha ushered the frumpy cardigan-clad young woman out, "…Lila, remind me to take you shopping one of these days."

The tension broke then and Lila smiled, “I will certainly take you up on that offer.”

Back in her office Keisha sank heavily into her desk chair and sighed, great, so goddamn great. Her secret was out.

Taking a moment to regroup she shot a look at the clock, it was five minutes to nine. She’d better get some sustenance inside her if she was to be on top of her game with the lawyers.

Rifling through her desk she took out the menu of a local health fool catering service and had Lila order her breakfast. That done she went to distract herself by actually doing some work.

The time seemed to crawl and by the time it got to three Kiesha was on edge. Nevertheless, she didn't show it and in coordinated grace, Keisha packed up and left the company with only a single knowing nod to Lila.

Exactly seventeen minutes later she pulled up the towering steel and glass building of Anderson and Associates and left the car with her poker face on and went straight inside.

She bypassed the reception desk without a glance as she knew exactly where she needed to be; fifth floor, room eighteen. The elevator whisked her up to her destination sooner than she liked and then she was knocking on the golden embossed door of Leighton Anderson, her lawyer.

"Come in, Ms. Al-Habar, its open." Leighton's deep baritone said as he opened the thick wood of the door.

Steeling herself Keisha walked in to see her lawyer and a secretary, armed with a recorder, a paper pad, and ready pen, ready and waiting for her. Also, with them was a platinum blond woman who looked like she was straight out of GQ magazine but the no-nonsense air she had practically screamed ‘lawyer'.

‘Let’s get this dog and pony show on the road then,’ She thought as she approached the two.

Leighton's dark grey eyes met hers. "Hello Ms., Al-Habar, please have a seat. This is Kristen Jackson; she is the prosecution on this case. At first, the District Attorney's office had requested an audience at the station but I managed to have it done here."

“Thank you,” She replied succinctly and then sat in the padded chair, “Let’s get this over with.”

“Okay,” Leighton said, “First of all, the primary charge leveled against you is just conspiracy of money laundering but since the investigation is still going on you aren’t formally charged. We need to have you give your statement, and then we’ll move from there.”

“Alright,” Keisha nodded, “I understand.”

"Good," Leighton said reaching over to press ‘record' on the silver device, "Date is August twelfth, two thousand and seventeen, in the office of Anderson and Associates. Present are myself, Leighton Anderson and a paralegal clerk Ashley Wright, Kristen Jackson, the prosecution from the District Attorney's Office and the accused Ms. Keisha Al-Habar who is to address the matter of an illegal money laundering account allegedly operated under her name. Ms. Al-Habar, please state your name."

Keisha smoothly enounced her name as clearly as she could.

"Good," Kristen said evenly, "Ms. Al-Habar, could you please recount the date of June 13, 2012, at the premises of the Bank of America on 210 E Trade Street Charlotte?"

"I cannot because I wasn't there," Keisha said smoothly. "My identity was stolen and an illegal account was made under my name. I only came to the realization when the FBI showed up at my doorstep a day ago."

“Very well,” Kristen said, “Let’s move on.”

Three hours and forty-seven minutes later had Keisha almost staggering into a local bar with the sole desire of getting a stiff scotch to erase the past few hours from her mind.

The statement taking had only taken an hour but at Leighton's request, she had stayed back as he coached her to on what might happen further. Until she was formally booked she had to watch her steps and not talk to anyone no matter who they claimed to be.

The dim bar had just the ambiance she needed; dark and mysterious enough to afford her anonymity.

Again, the predominant thought that was always running through her head came back again, with even stronger force; what the hell was going on? In less than three days her carefully structured life was now a speeding train running helter-skelter off course and maybe heading for a cliff’s side.

Ordering and receiving a tall Johnnie Walker's bottle of the amber liquid bottle and a shot-glass Keisha poured some and shot the whole thing back in one gulp. She then pinched her nose as the burn faded into her stomach.

Despondent, she filled the glass again….and again…and again.

“… You know, we have to stop meeting like this.” A low smoky voice said as a now familiar body settled itself beside her.

Keisha felt low and dark humor fill her chest then she twisted her head to him and squinted, “Did you put a tracer on me or something because I’m pretty sure you’re following me.”

Hunter eyed her as he gestured to the bartender, “I sense that a part of you would like that but no, this is, as before, pure coincidence. May I ask why you’re drinking yourself into a coma? Corona, please.”

“Uh, I don’t know, probably because I’m acutely aware of the fact that someone is out there laughing their ass off at my expense and that my reputation is going to be tarnished for life and after this is done, if I’m not marinating in a six by six prison cell that the only thing I can use my credit for is to buy a Big Mac?” Keisha snorted while fingering the bottle.

"Oh, and aside from that, how about the fact that my life is about to be ruined and my company, the one I worked for with blood and tears, is going to be ripped away from me; is there any other reason why I shouldn't drink myself into one?" Keisha drawled, each word loaded with sarcasm and swallowed another shot.

She reached out and filled the tiny crystal once more, “Oh and I forgot, today, I was called in at my lawyer’s office to give a statement. That was the icing on the cake.”

Hunter sighed and forehead was wrinkled a bit, “Well, the DA is quick on stuff like this and I bet it must be some eager brownnoser trying to make a name for himself, even though the investigation is still going on.”

“It’s a woman actually and she’s no brownnoser,” Keisha replied dimly while feeling her palm itching to reach over and smooth his forehead out. “How are you with that, anyway?” Keisha asked dully.

Hunter shot her a look, a look which Keisha held until he broke it. “You know as well as I do that I can’t tell you that.”

“Bullshit.” Keisha snorted while reaching for the bottle, “Since when are you the one to follow rules?”

Hunter gifted her with a wry smile and shifted closer to the point that their forearms were so close to touching, a move which made Keisha suck in a silent breath.

“I do follow rules… sometimes. I’m not all that insubordinate you know.”

“Could ‘a fooled me,” Keisha mumbled while forcing her attention back to the empty glass before her. “Will you just tell me anyway?”

The small clink of Hunter’s Corona’ bottle on the table was met with a sigh and Keisha didn’t move her eyes from the paler skin that was almost resting against hers.

"Don't let this slip… the paper trail is going cold," Hunter said almost silently, "We know that the money is deposited and every three months the bank receives a letter authorizing an express encashment to another account which is controlled by a company named Ares Inc… which is based in Greece. What we are trying to get the source of the funds and we suspect that Ares is a front that funnels the money back to the US. We're still trying to get more from Ares Inc but until then..."

She then pushed the bottle away and fell forward with her head framed by her head in hand with her fingers digging into her hair. "Until then I'm screwed."

Her heart nearly stopped when Hunter large hand closed over hers and the level of low humming energy that settled into her made goosebumps lift on her skin.

Her head shot up and met his eyes which were no less than five inches away from hers. This close his green eyes seemed to glow with a lit fire, now unsure if she really is innocent or guilty as hell, he hid his suspicion well “Listen to me, if you let this get to you half the battle is already lost. We will get to the bottom of this, just trust us...”

The soft breaths of his words ghosted over Keisha’s lips and she unconsciously bit her lower one. This close she didn’t miss how Hunter’s eyes flitted to her mouth then back to her eyes.

A tension, thick like the air before a thunderstorm, was instantly between them and lust, as clear as daylight was in Hunter’s eyes. Her heart was in her throat and her lips slipped open just as the man repeated, “…Just trust us.”

How she found her voice Keisha didn’t know but when she did, it came out very thick, “I will.”

Hunter's head didn't move for a long while and hazel and green eyes met. Both orbs held the same emotion; deep-seated attraction but even with the level of lust simmering between them they managed to pull away.

Both turned back to their drinks with tension high in each body. “So, um, how long do you think that’s going to take, to get the financial records I mean?”

“Our tech monkeys are working hard but we haven’t gotten a timeline.” Admirably, Hunter’s voice was steadier then hers was and Keisha had to admire that. “But we will get them and by the way, I’m cutting you off.” He finished while reaching out and calling the bartender to take the bottle of scotch away, “A glass of water, and keep them coming.”

Keisha playfully narrowed her eyes at him, “Killjoy.”