The Banks Sisters 3 Read online

  “I’ve never seen you this way.”

  “I’ve never had literally no clue as to where to turn on a case before,” he said. “It’s like the perpetrators have fallen off the face of the earth. No one has a clue as to where the files are. And the fact that I was promoted with such high regards, I have to deliver the goods.”

  “And you will.” Simone hated seeing her husband this way.

  “That’s easier said than done,” he shot back. “You don’t understand. This one case could make or break my whole career.”

  “And you will break it open. I know you will.” Simone encouraged him, “Come on, you got this, baby! Let me put on a pot of coffee—mine black and yours with a shot of Cognac. And let’s work this thing out one step at a time.”

  Though Chase knew better than to discuss his case with anyone, he decided to take Simone up on her offer.

  Hell, he thought, right about now, I need all the help that I can get. And at the end of the day, Simone and her sisters have masterminded bank robberies before, so maybe, just maybe, she can bring something to the table.

  Chapter 40

  A Sucker-Punch

  “Honey, I’m home!” Wolfe entered the house, but no one said anything, which was extremely odd, he thought, after leaving his shoes at the door.

  “Babe?” He called out, and nothing. This was definitely not normal. After a long day in the jungle dealing with knuckleheads, debts owed, larceny, and bullshit, he was used to Rydah greeting him at the door, embracing him with hugs, kisses, affection, and nothing but love.

  “Rydahhhh . . . baby!”

  Still nothing.

  Something was definitely wrong. Wolfe pulled his Desert Eagle out of his pants and crept through the house, not knowing what to expect. He was trying to shake his feelings of caring, but he just couldn’t.All kinds of things ran through his head, and he hated the thought that if something happened to Rydah, it would truly have a huge effect on him. He hated that he cared for her and had vested interest in not only her, but her family too. He knew a man in his line of work shouldn’t be this attached to anything or anyone.

  For a split second, he thought about turning to walk out the door and out of Rydah’s life forever. However, as much as his mind told him to do so, his heart wouldn’t let him go anywhere.

  He took the safety off, put one in the chamber, and started to assess the situation. He crept through the house one step and room at a time. He popped into the bedroom, and Rydah seemed to be in another world.

  “Hey, beautiful!” Wolfe said as he entered into the bedroom. Rydah was staring off, so deep in her thoughts that she hadn’t even heard him come in.

  “Hey, babes.” He came in closer, startling her.

  Rydah snapped out of her trance and was shocked to see him with a gun in his hand. “Hey, you scared the shit out of me. I didn’t even hear you come in.” She was confused.

  “That’s not like you,” he said, taking the clip out of the gun and placing it on the night table. “Where was your mind? It seemed to be on the other side of town.” Wolfe could sense something was wrong.

  “Just a lot on my mind.”

  “Well, I’m here to listen.”

  “I don’t know where to start, and I’m not ready to talk about it yet. Still processing.”

  “Well, I’m here, and after all that we’ve been through, you can trust me. And when it comes to you, I’m definitely a good listener.”

  “So you remembered where I live, huh?” Rydah said nonchalantly, referring to her not seeing Wolfe in a few days.

  “Stop that!” He came in and kissed her with a long tongue kiss. “How could I forget? This is where my heart lives.” Wolfe hadn’t been to Rydah’s house in over a week. He’d been busy with tying up the loose ends with Abe and Prince.

  She chuckled. “You are so funny. You smelling all good,” she said, getting a sniff of his Bond No. 9 cologne. “Fresh shower before you come in. That’s new.”

  “Work, baby. Cold, callous, dirty work.”

  “I bet. Seems like . . . nut-busting work, if it’s the kind that calls for a fresh shower.”

  “Oh, that’s what you think? That I’ve been fucking with some bitch?” He put up his defense.

  “You said it, not me. I’ve never known you to come in here smelling like Neutrogena body wash combined with Bond No. 9 cologne. You usually all funky, dropping your clothes at the front door. But now all of a sudden you come in here all fresh and clean. Change in behavior. I’m watching you.”

  “Ain’t even like that. I’ve been dealing with them niggas. Once I was done I burned my clothes. For my own safety, I had to take a shower. I couldn’t come across town like that. Funky is one thing, but DNA, blood, and bullshit is another.”

  “I respect that.”

  But now all I want is a good night’s rest, spooning with my baby.” He took her in his arms.

  “That’s fair.”

  “How did the surgery go?” He changed the subject, trying to lighten the mood.

  “It went well. She’s happy. But the guy who we met at the mall, Alphonso, he turned out to be a plastic surgeon at Dr. Snatch’s office. I thought he would have talked her out of it.”

  “Shiiiit. You know nobody was talking her out of that. She was determined. But it went good, right?”

  “Yeah, it did. Just resting, healing. Mom taking good care of her, so you know she enjoys Mom spoiling her and all that.”

  “I already know she sucking that in.”

  “Yup. She has an appointment tomorrow. All her drains will be removed, and I asked Mom to drop her over here after so I can talk to her.”

  “You know we about to have a beast on our hands for real.”

  “Yeah, don’t I know it. When she’s skinny, she’s going to be something else.”

  They both laughed at the thought at how off the chain Tallhya was going to be with her new physique.

  “What do you have planned tomorrow?” he asked.

  “No real plans. I just have something important to talk to her and Simone about, that’s all,” Rydah said.

  “I respect that.” He nodded, not wanting to pry. “Well, we about to be in the club business.” He put the manila folders and envelope on his side of the night table.

  “Really?” Rydah asked. “How so?”

  Wolfe yawned, not wanting to get into it tonight. “I will tell you all about it tomorrow when I wake up, okay?”

  “Okay, baby.” Rydah was curious, but she had much bigger things on her mind and couldn’t really focus anyway, so tomorrow was better for her too.

  Wolfe was so tired from being up for days that the peaceful vibe in the comfort of Rydah’s home made sleep finally come down on him. He took his clothes off and jumped in the bed. “I’m tired and just want some sleep,” he managed to get out. Before she could offer him something to eat, he was out like a light.

  Rydah watched as the man, who never seemed to sleep without one eye open, was deep in slumber in her bed, snoring. She felt good to know that he was finally getting the rest he needed.

  While Wolfe slept the night and the next morning away, Rydah couldn’t get one ounce of sleep. Her mind was so heavy, and it seemed like the time until she would get to talk to her sisters turtled by.

  Finally, Simone arrived and hugged her sister.

  Luckily, it wasn’t as awkward as she thought it would be, just the two of them alone without Tallhya. During the hour they talked, Rydah learned that she and Simone were more alike than she thought.

  “So how are things going with Chase being in town now?”

  “I have barely even seen him. It’s like I’m just here to keep his bed warm. He’s working so much that we literally only sleep in the same bed. He’s up and out before me, and comes in way after I’m asleep. I try to wait up for him, but most nights I end up falling asleep.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. It’s not your fault. He keeps telling me to go out and enjoy the city. And I
want to,” said Simone, “but it hasn’t been easy. I don’t know anyone. And I don’t like bothering you.”

  “You don’t bother me at all, sis. I want us to spend more time together. I’ll be glad to help with whatever you need.”

  “I can’t even get Chase’s opinion on simple things like that, because he’s been so obsessed with this case and all.” She shook her head, wishing that things were different.

  “Is it the armored truck heist or the cold cases that mainly have him so stressed out?” Rydah asked.

  “It’s both, but his bosses have been applying pressure like you would not believe to try to recover that information. It’s some pretty heavy shit on those missing files. Shit that has people worried about what could happen if it got in the wrong hands. A lot of folks—innocent people—could be killed.”

  The front door opened. They’d been so engrossed in their conversation that neither sister had heard a key in the lock.

  “Heyyyyy, bitches!” Tallhya barged in, loud and beaming with smiles. She walked into the sunken living room and stood in front of Simone, holding her hands out to the side. “Bammmmm, bitches! Boom-shaka-la!”

  “Daaaaaamn!” Rydah was impressed

  Simone gasped. “Oh my goodness!”

  “You look amazing!” Rydah exclaimed. “Like a whole different person.”

  “And the swelling hasn’t even gone done yet. My doctor said that there will be way more dramatic results in about two to three months.”

  “Girl, you look great. I’m so happy for you. I hope it truly makes you happy.”

  “She sure looks happy,” said Rydah. “Happy, rested, and radiant. Shining and glowing and slim!” Rydah said.

  “How does Dr. Fonz like it?” Simone asked with a raised eyebrow.

  “He keeps telling me I didn’t have to do it, but he comes over and checks on me.”

  “The doctor making house calls?” Rydah joked.

  “Girl, yes! And you know Uncle Maestro all over him like the FBI, interrogating him.”

  “Oh, trust me I know. Better you than me. Girl, I’m glad you over there getting a taste of them,” Rydah said.

  “But you look great, girl, and so happy! That’s why you smiling! You skinny and got a boyfriend.”

  “I don’t have a boyfriend. But skinny? Yes, it’s coming!” she said with smiles.

  “We are happy for you. We truly are!” Rydah said.

  The ruckus woke Wolfe from his sleep. He decided to get up and head into the living room to check out the results of Tallhya’s surgery. But first he needed to brush his teeth, wash his face, and find some shorts to throw on.

  “Well, thank you for having my back, but this meeting isn’t about me. It’s about you. You said you have something to tell us,” Simone said.

  Wolfe was about to slip on his shorts and wife beater but decided to ear-hustle a little longer before joining and kicking the bo-bo with the girls.

  “I know,” Simone said. “You sounded like it was so urgent on the phone, and since I’ve been here you’ve been kind of distant, not like your normal self.”

  Wolfe also wanted to know what was on his baby’s mind. He wanted to be sure that her sudden funky mood didn’t have anything to do with him. After all, he had just disposed of a few men and a no-good bitch. In his world, it was totally acceptable to eliminate one’s enemies, but Rydah wasn’t from that world. She was a lover of all things, seeing the best in everyone. One thing for sure, Wolfe thought, something very serious was going on with her, and she wasn’t sharing it with him. So he’d have to find other methods to figure it out, even if it meant snooping.

  “Come to think of it,” Tallhya said, “you’ve been kind of off for a few days now. I thought I was misreading shit before.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “Well, I want you to know that no matter what, I got you and I love you. You already know how I feel about you. So whatever it is, we can get through this shit no matter what.”

  Wolfe thought, Enough of the fucking sentimental shit. Spit that shit out. Curiosity was killing him.

  Rydah looked at both her sisters. Simone took her hand, prompting Tallhya to put her hand around Rydah’s waist.

  “It’s like . . .” Rydah couldn’t quite get the words out.

  Wolfe had never seen her speechless before.

  “Are you pregnant?” Tallhya said, trying to guess what had Rydah so tongue-tied.

  There was a brief silence.

  Wolfe thought about what Tallhya had asked Rydah. How would he feel if the answer to the question was yes? He wasn’t sure if he was ready for a family. It wasn’t something that he’d put much thought into. For the first time in his life, he began to let his mind wander to places it had never been before. Maybe he needed to rethink the way he lived his life. Give up the streets. Focus on being a husband and the father he never had. The father that he wished he’d had. Hell, he had enough money for a few generations of his offspring to live lavish. Why not? If he was going to ever settle down and hang up boots, Rydah was the perfect woman for him. It felt weird to him, thinking of being all in with someone, but maybe the time was right.

  “OMG! I’m going to be an auntie!” Simone got all excited, assuming that the answer was yes because Rydah hadn’t said anything.

  “I swear, I’m going to be a great role model. I’m not going to be with any crazy-ass shit. I swear, I’m going to love this child, and we are all going to give it everything we never had.”

  “We are. This child will have none of the dysfunctional bullshit we were subjected to growing up,” Simone added. “But I think this is the gift that this family needed to bring us all together.”

  Wolfe began to envision pushing a little girl on a bike or tossing a baseball to a son, and he couldn’t help but to think of what a magical feeling that would be for him.

  Until . . .

  “I’m not pregnant. Not that I know of, anyway. But who knows? We do be getting it in every chance we get.”

  “Then what is it?” Simone asked.

  “And bitch, you will fuck up a wet dream of a nigga behind bars. Damn!” Tallhya said, shaking her head.

  “That would have been good for the family,” Simone added.

  “Well . . . I think what I have to say is good for our family. Well, at first I did, and then I thought about it long and hard, and perhaps maybe it’s not.”

  Wolfe was still drifting off in his own fairy tale, one he never got to live as a kid. He was ready to get the sisters out of the house so they could begin practicing conceiving.

  Tallhya clapped her hand one time. “Bitch, I’m going to fight you. You blowing my high off being fine with all these tight-lipped charades. Just spill it.”

  “I’m trying.” Rydah took a deep breath. “I just don’t know where to start.”

  “The beginning’s always good,” Simone suggested.

  “All ears.”

  “So . . .” She looked at her sisters, and they looked at her in a way to egg her on to spit out whatever was on the tip of her tongue.

  “I was curious to look at the files to see if anybody in Wolfe’s camp was working with the police. Though I don’t know many of his friends, I wanted to make sure none of his inner circle or security were snitches. Because Wolfe has always been nothing but loyal to my family and me, I wouldn’t want anything to happen to him. Especially by the law or the hands of a snitch.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know why. I just began to search a lot of stuff. I just felt like, why would God put this in my hands if it wasn’t something I was supposed to see?”

  Tallhya and Simone were both pin-drop silent, studying their sister’s body language as she spoke.

  “Then I became relentless, almost obsessed with trying to find something. Then I think, in a crazy way, my mind began to play tricks on me. I started to wonder about you, Simone.”

  “Me?” Simone questioned.

  “I’m being real. Yes, you.”

  “Just hear her out,�
� Tallhya said.

  “I mean, I don’t know much about you, and I’m still learning. Then, the fact that you are with Chase, and the events that happened in Virgina. . .” Rydah pointed out, “You can’t blame me.”

  Simone was quiet for a split second, then reluctantly said, “No, I guess I can’t.”

  “So I started to search Chase’s case, looking for his case files of what happened in Virginia or anything on you. Just to see where he was and his thoughts on his reports as far as his job was concerned.”

  “And in regard to me, you came up with nothing! Right?”

  “Nothing as far as you were concerned, Simone.” Rydah looked at her. “Buuuut . . .”

  “But what?” Tallhya defensively said. “I already know you ain’t find shit on me.”

  “Let me finish,” Rydah firmly said.

  “Well, hurry the hell up, then. All that slow talking and knot-in-your-throat shit is blowing me.” Tallhya looked in her sister’s eyes.

  “As I read all of Chase’s stuff, I came across something both mind-boggling and interesting. I couldn’t believe it until I got a trusted source to look further into it.”

  “What?” Simone said.

  “And what trusted source?” Tallhya asked.

  “Wolfe’s investigator. He is loyal to a fault, and he finds and knows everything.”

  “God, Lord, you know I love my sister, and I’m grateful to her, but she is dragging this whole thing out, and I just pray, Lord, give me some patience.” Tallhya looked up at the ceiling, saying a prayer.

  “And it was true,” Rydah said, as if she were talking in a riddle.

  “Lord, just give me strength and patience. My sister is really losing her mind. Don’t let this craziness be hereditary.”

  Simone looked at Rydah, “Okay, you are scaring me a little bit, and my mind is running crazy.”

  Rydah got up and poured herself a drink.

  “This shit is heavy. She drinking,” Tallhya said. “It’s getting intense. She don’t drink like that.”

  “Chase lied to you. He said he found Bunny dead, that she committed suicide.”