Learn To Love Again

Chapter 24

It had been about four days since Malcolm escaped prison and I was already kinda getting used to having detective Sterling around. He was a lot less annoying than I'd imagined.

Whenever I wanted to go somewhere, he would follow me in his car and, after checking out the area, stay outside until I was done– however long it took. I wondered if he didn't get bored doing it, or if he wasn't needed at the station for other matters.

I never saw nor heard anything about Malcolm since he escaped. The police still couldn't find him and I was beginning to wonder if he was even still in the country. Any typical prison escapee would have fled to another country the second they escaped. But then again, maybe the police alerted the airports and docks the second they found out he escaped.

I asked detective Sterling about it. "Do you think Malcolm is even still in the country?"

It was a cloudy Sunday afternoon and he was sitting on the porch steps. I leaned against the door frame.

"He has to be," he said. "We have people in the airports and docks looking out for him."

"How close are you guys to finding him?"

"Very close. My guess is that he's still in Mobay. He's been spotted in a few places in the city these past few days. We just haven't found out where he's staying yet."

"You think so?" It gave me the chills to know Malcolm was probably still so close to me.

He nodded. "I had people check all the hotels, inns, and guest houses and they haven't found him. Now they're going through the communities one by one."

"But what if he's not in Mobay?"

"They're doing this in every parish, they're just more focused on Mobay."

"Does he have family here that he could be staying with?" I asked.

"None that I know of. He's not from here."

"Where's he from?"

"St. Elizabeth."

"That's the same place Monique's people are from," I said. "The first time I saw him, he was at her baby shower. I think he was with her Mother's friend's son."

"Interesting," he said. "So you hadn't seen him around before then?"

"No. Not that I can remember."

"Can I speak with your friend? I think I have a few questions to ask her, and it'd be great if I could get in touch with the person Malcolm came to the party with."

"Sure. I was planning to visit her today, anyways. I'll call her and let her know you're coming."

He nodded, and I went back inside. After making a quick call to Monique, I grabbed my my keys and purse and left the house.

We took detective Sterling's car. I directed him to where Monique lived and he pulled into her driveway and parked the car. On our way into the house, Erika's car pulled up behind detective Sterling's and I smiled. I was sure Monique had invited her.

I entered the house, and detective Sterling followed. Monique was in the living room watching TV. When she noticed us, she stood from the sofa and turned off the television.

"Detective Sterling?" She asked with a polite smile.

Detective Sterling nodded in acknowledgement and Monique gestured for him to take a seat. He sat in a chair near the sofa, and I sat on another close by. Erika entered shortly after and sat next to me.

Monique asked detective Sterling if he wanted something to drink. When he refused, she sat back onto the sofa.

Detective Sterling wasted no time in getting to the point. "So I heard Malcolm was at your baby shower."

Monique nodded. "Yeah."

"Did you know him before then."

"No, I don't recall ever seeing him before then?"

"Are you sure?"

She nodded again.

"What do you know about the person he came with?"

"His name is Andray. I don't really know a lot about him," she said. "I know his mother, Margaret. She's my mother's friend."

"Do you happen to have his contact information?"

"No, but I could ask my mother to get it for you." She pulled her cell phone from her pocket, left the sofa, and disappeared into the kitchen.

She returned a few moments later with a sheet of paper.

"Here's his address and telephone number." She handed the paper to detective Sterling.

He took it and rose from his seat. "I'm going out to the car for a while to get something done. I'll be right back."

"Okay," all three of us said in unison.

The second he was out the door and out of earshot, Monique let out a squeal. "Anna, he's so gorgeous!"

"You too?" I asked disbelievingly. "I get enough of this from Erika."

"But he is," Erika protested. "I might have to take him for myself."

I laughed. "Sure, if you don't mind a couple long hours in jail and a few speeding tickets."

"So what? I'd rather have bad times with him than good times with someone else."

"Okay, stop," I said with a smile. "This is not worth quoting Luther Vandross for."

"What's he like?" Monique asked.

"He's okay," I said carefully.

"Just 'okay'?"

"That's what I said," I responded. "Why are you guys drilling me?"

"I just asked a question," Monique said, a wide grin on her face. "What? Are you getting uncomfortable?"

Erika began laughing. "I think she is."

I rose from the chair. "I'm going outside."

"To do what?" Monique asked.

"To find some sane friends."

I heard laughter behind me as I exited the house. I scanned the area and saw detective Sterling leaning against an almond tree to the side of the driveway doing something on his phone.

"Did you find anything out?" I asked as I approached him.

He stood upright when he saw me. "The information is being processed. But in the meantime, I'm going to pay a visit to Andray." He pulled his car keys from his pocket.

"I'm coming with you," I demanded.

He smiled. "You don't have a choice."

I gave him a menacing gaze, before returning to the house to tell the others I was leaving. When I got there, the girls were at the same place I'd left them.

"We're leaving," I told them. "Detective Sterling wants to visit Andray."

"Okay," Monique said.

I was on my way back through the door when Erika yelled, "Tell Mr. Handsome I said bye."

I rolled my eyes and made  my way back to the car. Detective Sterling was already seated in the driver's seat and the passenger door was open. I entered the car and shut the door.

As he pulled out of the driveway, I heard him say, "Am I to assume that I'm Mr. Handsome."

A cringe crawled up my spine as I felt warmth spread across my cheeks.