Page 34 of Secret Silver Nights

“Why would I do that?”

Again, Monique tamped down her ire. Someone of Devante’s background had little use for law enforcement. “Never mind. I’ll let them know you’ve been found so they don’t spend any more time looking for you in the rubble.”

“Thank you.”

Monique turned into her driveway, emotional weariness adding to her physical state. “You’re welcome. I’ll talk to you later.”

* * *

The next morning, Monique sat at her table sipping a cup of tea. She’d been going through the motions of checking her email, but in actuality she’d been thinking about Niko and replaying their time together last night in her mind. Having had a fitful night’s sleep, she’d finally gotten up at six-thirty, put in a couple of loads of laundry and then settled down for a half-hour phone conversation with her mother. Five minutes in and as much as she loved her mother, she’d regretted making the call.

“Good morning, Mom.”

“Morning, Monique. You’re up early. Busy day ahead?”

“No rest for the weary.”

“Or, it seems, for those campaigning for public office. I hope you’re taking care of yourself.”

“I am,” Monique said around a yawn.

“Perhaps you should have gone to bed earlier.”

“There was a fire here last night at Paradise Cove Elementary.”

“Oh, no.”

“Yes.” She shared what she knew with her mother. “Fortunately no one was killed or injured. But the damage is extensive. I’m sure it will go into the millions of dollars.”

“I’m sorry to hear about that and can understand your having to be on the scene. You know I support you, but becoming mayor, even of a small town, will be a huge responsibility. I wish you hadn’t broken up with Rob and had a man there to support you.”

“The townspeople are all very supportive of each other. I’ll be fine.”

“Rob loves you, Monique. And he’s such a nice man.”

“Yes, he is, but the relationship is over and that decision is final.”

Monique knew that as far as her mother was concerned, any black man working was a good one. Having married at the tender age of twenty-two, her old-fashioned mother thought Monique an old maid. Her mother had liked Rob from the start, appreciated his Ivy League background and white-collar job. It was probably why she chose to stay in denial and not accept the fact that except for friendship, Rob was in Monique’s rearview mirror.

“I sure hope this desire to enter politics doesn’t have an adverse effect on your personal life,” Mrs. Slater continued. “In the event of your winning, I hope you’ll reconsider your decision. Rob would be an excellent partner in your political lifestyle.”

“Rob and I will always be good friends. He’s visiting this weekend and will join me Memorial Day weekend for a fundraiser in San Francisco.”

“That’s great to hear! Give him a hug for me.”

“I will.”

This comment effectively satisfied her mother and they spent the rest of the conversation talking about family and her dad’s early-retirement plans. During the call, she received a text from Rob confirming that he’d made his flight reservations. Monique made a mental note to prepare the guest room. She wanted to make sure that Rob understood that this was a platonic visit…not a romantic one.

* * *

At the respectable hour of 8:00 a.m., Monique reached for her cell phone and dialed Niko’s number. He answered on the first ring. “Good morning.”

“Good morning, beautiful. Wait, I can call you beautiful, can’t I, without fearing a charge of harrassment?”

“I don’t know, Counselor. A word like that could be deemed inappropriate use with your equal, right along with ones like sugar and dear.”

“My apologies.”

“I don’t hear one ounce of sorry in your voice.” Niko had elicited Monique’s first true smile of the morning.

“But I’ve been properly schooled. Good morning, Monique.”

“I’ve got a busy day ahead of me and not long to talk, but I wanted you to know that I heard from Devante.”

“Excellent! When?”

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