Page 86 of His Team

Painful Loss

Maribel

“Hello, may I speak with Maribel Jones,” the man on the other end of the phone says as I answer.

“This is she. How can I help you?”

“This is Harris Buckley. I was your father’s attorney. I have an important matter to discuss with you.”

“Excuse me? Was. What do you mean by was?”

“I’m sorry to inform you that there has been an unfortunate incident in your father’s home. He and several employees were fatally injured during a home invasion. There were no survivors.”

I gasp and clench my T-shirt over my stomach. I stumble forward and flop down on the couch. Knitting my brows, I blink in confusion for a moment as I sit in silence.

“Hello, Miss Jones? Are you still there?”

“Yes, I’m here.”

“I’m so sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I know this has to be difficult and devastating to say the least.”

“Do they have any suspects in custody?”

“No, as of now, they don’t have any suspects and the investigation is ongoing.”

“What makes you think it was a home invasion?”

My heart is pounding. Dez comes to mind, and I can’t help wondering if he had something to do with this. I should be returning home next week, but I managed to sign up for summer session to make up for some credits I purposely failed and need to graduate.

“The safe in the bedroom was empty and sitting open when the authorities arrived.” Mr. Buckley pauses and clears his throat. “It looks like the code for the safe was tortured out of him before he was executed.”

I swallow down a sob, only feeling slightly relieved. I’m trying to process what he’s saying to me. I’m thankful this wasn’t Dez, but it’s setting in that someone has murdered my dad.

He’s gone.

I break down sobbing and can’t register anything else being said. I’ve been so angry with my dad for the last four years, but I didn’t want to lose him like this. My heart hurts.

“I will try you again in the morning or you can call me back on this number when you’re ready. I’m so sorry for your loss.”

I vaguely register the words before the line goes dead. This hollow feeling fills me and my stomach rolls. I jump up and rush to the bathroom to empty my stomach.

Cameron

As we sit in Amina’s living room on the couch, I rub her hair as she lies sobbing on my lap. She’s been this way since I arrived. I was shocked to hear her father was murdered in a home invasion.

Shit like that seems like the stuff that happens in the movies. I’ve never known anyone who’s been murdered in their own home. People are crazy.

“I’m so sorry, baby. I’m going to be right here with you through this.”

She stiffens in my hold. I wrinkle my brows. Sitting up, she looks at me with her tear-soaked face.

“Cam, the thing is, I don’t think this was just some robbery. I don’t believe this was something random.”

“What are you talking about, baby?”

“I should have booked my flight to return home. Instead, I signed up for summer classes. I flunked a few classes I need for my degree so I wouldn’t have to go back yet.”

“Yeah, I know that, but what does that have to do with anything?”

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