The Canary (Completed)

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

***

For the remainder of the day, KenLeigh and Joe enjoyed each other's company, completely disregarding the text message that she had received. The subject would not arise again until the following morning. KenLeigh was roused from her slumber when the doorbell rang, eliciting the yelping barks of Fudge and Cola. Joe soon awakened and sat up in bed.

"You expecting someone?" he asked.

"No, I'm not."

"Stay here. I'll get it," he said, placing his feet on the floor. He slipped on a pair of basketball shorts and traipsed to the front door, shushing Fudge and Cola the whole way. He looked through the peephole, surprised to find two men waiting, wearing suits and donning Miami Police Department-issued badges. He sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Now what?" he asked himself before opening the door.

"Good morning, sir."

"Good morning, detectives. What can I do for you?"

"I'm Detective Heath Slater and this is Detective Titus O'Neil. Is KenLeigh N'Diaye here?"

"Yeah, why?" Joe asked.

"Well," Detective O'Neil started to explain, "we've gotten word that one of her husband's-"

"Ex-husband," Joe corrected.

"I'm sorry. Ex-husband's former associate's was planning to harm her, and we need to ask her a few questions."

"What do you mean by 'harm her?'" Joe asked, becoming angry.

"We'll explain all of that. But first, we need to speak with Ms. N'Diaye."

Joe nodded and stepped aside to let the detectives into the home.

"Wait here."

He walked back to the bedroom where KenLeigh had wrapped a robe around her and was pacing the floor.

"Joe, what's going on?"

"There are some detectives here that need to speak to you about Damu."

"About what?"

"I have no idea, baby. Something about someone trying to harm you."

"Here we go again," she said, shaking her head. "When does it stop, Joe?"

Joe protectively wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled his nose in her hair.

"I don't know, Peanut. But, I promise you this, nothing's gonna happen to you as long as I'm around, and I'm not going anywhere."

KenLeigh nodded her head in acknowledgement of his words and released a deep breath.

"Let's go talk to these detectives and find out what the hell is going on," Joe said, taking her by the hand.

The couple returned to the living room where the detectives had been patiently waiting.

"Ms. N'Diaye, I'm Detective Titus O'Neil, and this is Detective Heath Slater," Detective O'Neil introduced as he and his partner shook her hand.

"What's this about?" she asked.

"Well, Ms. N'Diaye," Detective Slater started to explain, "Apparently, the husband of your ex-husband's mistress put a hit out on you."

"A what?!" KenLeigh exclaimed.

"You're fucking kidding, right?" Joe asked.

"Unfortunately, not. And we've been advised that that person's recently been in contact with you," Detective O'Neil said, pulling a picture from the back pocket of his slacks and showing it to Joe and KenLeigh. "Recognize this man?"