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  “But I haven't been eleven for the last fifteen years. You should have told me,” Michelle scolded him.

  “And make things worse? No way.”

  “Well Mama certainly fooled me all this time. The way she manipulated everyone. To think I used to get so mad at him for the way he behaved towards her. Under the circumstances, he was a saint,” Michelle snorted.

  “There you go again, passing judgment.” Brian threw up his hands in exasperation.

  “But--”

  “But nothing. Dad shut Mama out in his drive to succeed. He tried too hard to prove to her family and friends that she didn't marry beneath her. He forgot how much Mama needed him. And Mama? She's spoiled and used to being the center of attention. Even her mother said so more than once, remember?” Brian stared ahead with a sad expression. “They both made mistakes that led to this fix they're in, Chelle.”

  Michelle shook her head as if to clear it. “Maybe you're right. It's just a lot to take in at once. I feel as though I'm seeing our parents for the first time.”

  T'aneka came in, her face beaming. “Dom looks better. He opened his eyes a little, but I don't think he saw me. That's a still good sign, isn't it?”

  “Sure is. Look what the kids made him.” Brian held up a colorful crayon drawing with “Get Well, Uncle Dom” scrawled in childish handwriting. It was signed by Brian's two children. “I'm going to stick this on wall when the nurse turns her back.” He grinned at them before leaving.

  “Michelle, I'm sorry about what's happened.” T'aneka sat three chairs from her staring at the floor.

  “Honey, you don't have anything to be sorry for.” Michelle got up and went to her. “You're just as much a victim here.”

  “No, Dominic wouldn't have gotten hurt if he hadn't been protecting me.” T'aneka said in a wavering voice. She wiped her eyes with an already damp tissue.

  “Of course he protected you. Dom wouldn't stand by and let someone he cares about get hurt--”

  “No, you don't understand. Those guys were really after me.” T'aneka turned teary, swollen eyes on her. “He was almost killed because of me.” She buried her face in her hands. “I've hurt you, too. I wouldn't blame him if he never wanted to see me again.”

  “T'aneka, tell me what you're talking about.” Michelle pulled T'aneka's hands down and patted them.

  “Lonnie and Miz Kinchen found out I was the one copying them invoices. Somebody had been following me for days before me and Dom got attacked. So then I denied there was invoices like you talked about. And I'm sorry for getting Dominic hurt and making it look like you made everything up in your reports,” T'aneka finished with a sniff and hiccup.

  “You were the secret source passing information to Greg? Why didn't you tell me?” Michelle exclaimed.

  T'aneka nodded. “I got so scared after they beat up Dom. Lonnie likes hurting people and when he's mad...” T'aneka shuddered. “Please don't hate me.”

  “Of course I don't hate you. It took a lot of guts to do what you did.” Michelle squeezed her hand.

  Tears rolled down T'aneka's cheeks. “But if it wasn't for me, Dom wouldn't be in the hospital, and you wouldn't be in trouble. I heard 'em say on Channel Six that you got suspended. I messed up everything.”

  “Stop that right now,” Michelle said firmly. “It's not your fault at all that Dom got hurt. And as for denying you gave me those work orders, you were terrified for your life. Don't blame yourself for that either.”

  “Lonnie's got a big gang. I just hope they don't try to hurt Dominic again.” T'aneka dabbed her eyes.

  “I doubt they'd be that stupid. Not with the police still investigating.” Michelle gave the young woman what she hoped was a convincing smile of encouragement. She certainly hoped those thugs were not so desperate or bold to try again. But for T'aneka's peace of mind, she dared not share her own fears. “And what about you? Are you okay?” Michelle asked gently.

  “Sure, a coupla of men drove up before they could-- you know. No, I'm fine.” T'aneka squared her slight shoulders. “I'm gonna take care of Dom. We'll come out of this okay. Someday those men are gonna pay for what they've done.”

  “Men like that seem to get away with.. ” Michelle bit her lip.

  “Murder,” T'aneka said in a low voice completing the horrible word in both their minds.

  Michelle thought of Ike Batiste and all the evidence implicating him in the growing scandal surrounding the Housing Authority. Truthfully, she had always known him to be a man given to questionable business deals. Yet even she was shocked at the evidence of crimes being committed if not with his consent, at least with his knowledge. No doubt he or his partners were responsible for the assault on Dominic and T'aneka. And maybe murder. She cringed at the thought that Anthony was somehow involved. Michelle felt a rush of warmth at the memory of his gentle hands stroking her. The hours spent holding each other, sharing intimate thoughts and feelings; those had been some of the most fulfilling hours of her life. The sharp pang of loss pierced her once more. With all that's happened, he should be the last person on my mind. What's the matter with me? Yet, she had to know.

  “Did you ever hear Anthony Hilliard's name come up?” Michelle spoke in a steady voice. She tried to make the question sound neutral even though her heart was pounding in the few seconds it took T'aneka to respond.

  T'aneka frowned in concentration. “No-oo, never heard of him. Least his name wasn't on none of them invoices or bills. Who's he?”

  “Ike Batiste's nephew.” Michelle watched her face carefully.

  “Nah, his name never came up. And I'm sure he never did any work for them either. Miz Kinchen's secretary is a lazy heifer. She always left all the filing for me. Walks around with her butt on her shoulder callin' herself an `executive assistant'.” T'aneka lifted her top lip in scorn. “Anyway, that's how I was able to see all the invoices.”

  “You're sure?” Michelle's heart leaped with hope as she gripped T'aneka's arm without realizing it.

  “Positive. Hey, Dominic told me 'bout you and him. Tough luck he gotta have Ike Batiste for a relative,” T'aneka clucked sympathetically.

  “Oh, that's over. I was just wondering--, I mean for purposes of the story,” Michelle finished lamely. She let go of T'aneka's arm and stared at the floor.

  “Uh-huh.” T'aneka eyed her skeptically.

  Thankfully, Brian came back at that moment. Michelle wasted no time escaping T'aneka's scrutiny. It was mortifying to realize her feelings for Anthony were so transparent. Michelle left T'aneka with Brian for her turn visiting Dom.

  Entering the intensive care unit, she suppressed an involuntary gasp at the sight of her little brother so pale and lifeless. Michelle shivered at the thought of how close he came to dying. She took his hand and massaged it tenderly as she gazed at him. After a time his eyelids fluttered and he opened them.

  “Oh, Dom. You're going to be just fine. Can you hear me, honey?” Michelle was thrilled to see a slow smile spread across his face briefly before his eyes closed again.

  She kissed his hand. “If you can fight against the odds then so can I,” she promised.

  Michelle left the hospital with a new determination. Not only would she help find the men who had attacked Dom, but she would prove her report was valid. She would do it for LaWanda, her baby, Dom, and all the others Ike had hurt.

  ***

  For the next two days Michelle spent every hour putting together more evidence of the dirty deals going on at the Housing Authority. T'aneka helped her reconstruct from memory a list of repairs paid for but never done. T'aneka felt sure the regional HUD office had audit records showing expenditures. They organized dozens of photographs of apartments needing substantial work. Michelle converted her dining room table into a desk. Stacks of papers piled up on it in short order. She sat sifting through the maze of federal housing regulations when the doorbell rang.

  “Mrs. Hilliard.” Michelle was flustered to find Anthony's mother at her door.

  “Hi
, Michelle. I apologize for showing up like this, but I was shopping nearby. Can I talk to you for a little bit? Of course if you're too busy--” Lizabeth scanned Michelle's face nervously as she knotted the strap of her purse.

  “No, ma'am. Come on in. I don't know what I'm thinking letting you stand out there so long.” Michelle patted her hair and looked around the living room. She began to pick up stray magazines and straighten the pillows on her couch.”Have a seat. Can I offer you something? A cup of coffee maybe?”

  “No, baby. Don't go to any trouble.” Mrs. Hilliard sat down.

  “No problem. Actually I'm making a pot now.” Michelle smiled at her before going into the kitchen. She returned a few minutes later with a tray. “Here you go. Hope it's not too strong, I've been drinking it to keep going.”

  “Working hard I see.” Lizabeth nodded at the piles of books and papers on the table.

  “Yes, ma'am.” Michelle tensed up hoping Lizabeth would not go over there. She remembered leaving a rough draft of another damning report or Ike's activities. When Lizabeth glanced away from the dining table to look at the rest of the room Michelle exhaled slowly in relief.

  “Lovely apartment.” Lizabeth smiled tentatively at her.

  “Thank you.”Michelle shifted in her seat.

  After several seconds of silence, Lizabeth put down her cup.”Anthony would throw a fit if he knew I was here, but I had to come. You can tell me this is none of my business. I'll understand if you do.”

  “No, ma'am, I wouldn't do that.” Michelle broke in.

  “Now let me finish. You and Anthony belong together. There, I said it,” Lizabeth said in a resolute tone.

  “Mrs. Hilliard, I'm not sure what to say. But. .” Michelle's voice trailed off.

  “But it's none of my business.” Lizabeth studied her face.

  “Oh I didn't mean that.” Michelle wondered how to explain without insulting Ike. Surely Lizabeth must be as loyal to him as Anthony.

  “Ike,” Lizabeth said as if having read her thoughts. “I know all about it. Let me tell you something. Ike has been wonderful to us. There were months he paid my electric bill, water bill, and house note because I couldn't. He treated Anthony like he was his son. If I tried to tell you everything he did for us during the first two years after Anthony's daddy left, I'd be here all night.”

  “Anthony told me how much Ike helped you both.”Michelle looked down at her hands in her lap. She braced herself for a tongue lashing about the news stories.

  “Oh he has. And I love him for it. But he's got some low down dirty ways, too.” Lizabeth chuckled at the look of astonishment on Michelle's face. “Baby, you think I had no idea what kind of shenanigans that rascal has been up to all these years? In fact, I could tell you things that would keep you writing for months.”

  “But Anthony worships Ike.”

  “Anthony still looks at Ike with the eyes of a little boy. He was young, impressionable, and in pain. I did the best I could to make up for the loss of his daddy. But there are times when a boy needs a caring man in his life. Ike was there when he needed him most. I can see both sides of Ike. Anthony hasn't gotten to that point yet.” Lizabeth leaned forward, a worried frown creasing her face. “I'm afraid he'll be devastated. That's why it's important that he have you.”

  “Not me, Mrs. Hilliard. Anthony will never forgive me for those reports I did.” Michelle could still feel the sting of angry words they had exchanged.

  “You love him. I can see it in your eyes when you talk about him. He'll need that love when he has to face up to what Ike is.” Seeing Michelle open her mouth to speak, Lizabeth held up a restraining hand cutting off her protest. “And to lean on while he fights to clear his name. Unless you believe he's guilty.”S he held Michelle's gaze for a long moment.

  “No,” Michelle said in a small voice.

  “I thought not.” Lizabeth smiled at her warmly.

  “At least not directly.”

  “What does that mean?” Lizabeth asked. The smile vanished.

  “There are a lot of ways to be an accessory to wrongdoing. Anthony has helped shield Ike from the consequences of his actions for a long time. Ike has gone way past `shenanigans' as you call them.”

  “Anthony cares for the man who has been a father and friend. His only fault is loving Ike too much to see his faults.” Lizabeth hands trembled as she gripped her purse.” Anthony could go to jail.”

  Michelle looked away. She felt a chill of fear at the idea of Anthony being sent to prison. Yet how could she be sure of how much he knew of the attack on Dom. “ Mrs. Hilliard, I'm sorry. I hope that doesn't happen. I really do. But Anthony and I don't have a future together.”

  “I see.” Lizabeth stood up. “Giving up on a good man has been the sorrow of many a woman, Michelle. Trust me, I'm a living witness. Before I married Anthony's father, I was dating a man named Fred. I thought he was so boring. He didn't have one ounce of romance in him. Then along came handsome, charming Sonny Hilliard. Sonny said all the right words and did all the right things. I fell for him hard. Fred is still his same old plain self. But he's stuck by his wife for thirty years now and been a wonderful father.” She paused before going out. “Take my advice, Michelle. Don't be too quick to judge because of one mistake. Keep the whole man in mind.”

  Michelle locked the door and leaned her forehead against it. Brian's voice came back to her. He too had admonished her against making harsh judgments quickly. Michelle wanted to believe in Anthony. Part of her yearned for his touch even while a sharp inner voice warned her he could never be trusted.

  Her mind reeled with the effort of sorting through the tangle of thoughts and feelings assailing her. But Michelle did not want to think anymore. Work seemed the only constant left in her life. Everything else seemed to shift and change shape. Writing always helped to center her no matter what else was going on. But she could not look at anything to do with Ike just now. Instead she sat down and plunged into finishing an article on black tourist attractions in Louisiana for a magazine.

  Chapter 15

  “You got yourself in a mess of trouble I hear.” Marcus sprawled across the large leather chair of his father's den. He regarded Anthony with a sardonic smile. “Tsk, tsk, cousin. Getting involved in drug trafficking.” He wagged a finger at Anthony.

  “Very funny.” Anthony fought the urge to knock the smirk from his face.

  He had come over to have a private talk with his uncle only to find Marcus waiting with Ike. Marcus made it plain he would not voluntarily leave them alone. Ike sat nursing a drink.

  “I think so, cuz.” Marcus guffawed.

  “Shut up, Marcus,” Ike muttered into his glass.

  “Come on, Pop. Lecture him on the evils of hanging with the wrong crowd. If you ain't up to it, let me. I remember all the ones you gave me word for word. They're classics.” Marcus winked at him.

  “Ignore him, Anthony. He's acting like a fool, as usual.”Ike shot Marcus a cutting glance.”The cops won't charge you with nothin'. No evidence.”

  “But where did they get the idea I was involved with Troy's drugs deals? They mentioned a connection to the Housing Authority and some of the guys you helped get jobs, Uncle Ike.” Anthony took a seat across from Ike.

  “I dunno. Maybe some punk is tryin' to throw them off by fingerin' you.” Ike avoided returning Anthony's gaze.

  “But why me?” Anthony rubbed his chin.

  “I said I don't know.”Ike rose abruptly and strode to the bar.”Look, quit worryin' about it, all right? I’ll fix it.”

  Anthony stiffened at his words. “Fix it? What are you talking about?”

  “Please, father dear, please let me tell him.” Marcus leaned forward sneering at Anthony.

  “I told you to shut up!” Ike whirled on Marcus his eyes blazing with rage.

  “No, I want Uncle Ike to tell me.” Anthony spoke in a tight, grim voice.

  “I have contacts. They can get the police to see this was a set up job,” Ike said evasiv
ely.

  “How can they prove it when I can't?” Anthony pressed.

  “Because-- look I said don't worry about it, all right?” Ike yelled. “I got business to see to.” Without a backward glance, he stalked from the room. A quiet descended in the room as though his departure created a vacuum that sucked out all sound.

  “He didn't answer your question, did he?” Marcus jeered.

  “Since you're so eager to, you tell me.” Anthony was not sure he wanted to hear. Ike's reluctance to explain planted a seed of fear that grew with each passing minute.

  “Pop doesn't know details because he's made a point not to know them. Code words like ‘take care of it’ come in handy. Personally, I don't think he can save your butt. He's got his own problems.” Marcus smiled with satisfaction.

  “So Michelle was right about Uncle Ike all along.” Anthony sat down as the full meaning of his words hit home.

  “Don't be naive. Pop couldn't care less what Lonnie and his gang does as long what they don't hurt his pocket.” Marcus shrugged. “It's his version of employee benefits, you know? Sort of like profit sharing.”

  “And the contracts to repair or renovate low rent housing?” Anthony said in a strangled voice.

  “What can I say? Pop has his own way of handling overhead, too. Getting paid for work you don't do makes for a nice profit margin.” Marcus watched the effect of his words on Anthony with relish. “So your girlfriend had his number all along. Unfortunately she can't prove it now.”

  “But her reports--”

  “Word is she can't back them up with evidence. I hear she may have forged all those invoices. Too bad her little purple notebook has vanished,” Marcus snickered. “Our lovebirds are both in hot water. You can't prove you're not a drug dealer and murderer. And little Lois Lane can't prove she's not a liar.”

  “No, it can't be,” Anthony mumbled, staring ahead.”Uncle Ike connected to drug dealers and looking the other way?”