20
Mimi walked to the passenger side of John’s gray Ford Explorer and hopped in. Only for an instant did she think about having John follow her home so she could drop her car off. Although the idea was tempting, it really wasn’t a good idea. She didn’t want her new neighbors to think that she was a loose woman entertaining a host of strange men in their quiet neighborhood. It would take two hours tops to complete her mission at NC Central, after which she’d pick up her car and head to her cozy condo, alone.
“All clear,” John said, offering Mimi an enthusiastic smile as he shut the lid on his cell phone. “I’m on your clock.”
“Thanks for going with me to clear up this matter for Afrika. I appreciate your friendship.”
“No need to thank me. I would have done it for you at the drop of a hat.”
John put the car in gear and gave Mimi another enthusiastic smile, while running his eyes along the smooth muscles in Mimi’s calves.
“Watch it!” Mimi shouted as John mashed the brakes to keep from hitting a car that was slowly moving in front of him. “Don’t make me have to jump out of this car and drive myself.”
“No need. The brother ain’t gonna let nothing hurt you.”
“Yeah, right. Pay attention.” They laughed.
“Okay, Mimi, I’m listening. That was a close call. Your legs shouldn’t have been looking so good, girl. They are a distraction, you know.”
“Then I’ll drive myself,” Mimi said, attempting to pull open the door handle.
“Okay, sister, close the door. I’m now on my best behavior. From here on out, my eyes are on the traffic in front of me.” They laughed again.
“John, I’m glad we got together today. I needed a little laughter.”
“Glad to be of service.”
They drove in silence for the next twenty minutes, observing the scenery for what it was, while taking quick glances in each other’s directions.
“Your colonel is a lucky man,” John said, taking a moment to look at Mimi while the light was red.
“He certainly is, but I’m equally as fortunate. Raphael has been very good to me.”
“Well,” John said changing the subject and moving forward as the light turned green, “we’re at our destination. Where to?”
“I want to go to the business office first. John…”
“What, Mimi?”
“John, I need to go by myself. I’m going to call my daughter and have her meet me. I don’t think it wise…to…you know…for you to be with me.”
“No problem. I’m here if you need me. I may pay Mr. Christianson a visit.”
“John, I appreciate you coming with me. I needed your morale support after talking with Afrika. It may make matters worse if you talk to Victor, especially if my theory is right.”
“So…you don’t want me to…just say hello for old time’s sake?”
“John, you’re a jewel. I don’t want to make any waves for Afrika.”
“I thought this was the reason I was accompanying you?”
“Let it go, John. I wasn’t thinking straight.” Mimi balled her hands into little fists and released them. “I got caught up in…”
“You couldn’t resist my charm?” John said, and then chuckled.
“John, you’re making this harder than it’s supposed to be.”
“I got you, Mimi. Handle your business. I’ll be around.”
“Okay,” Mimi said, and took off in the direction of the business office.
John stood at attention with his arms folded and watched as Mimi strolled toward the brick building. Mimi turned around slowly and saw John staring and quickly turned back around and walked as fast as she could. John smiled, unfolded his arms, contemplated something, and began to move forward.
Before John could talk himself out of it, he found himself in the lobby of the Admissions Office. There was very little traffic, and he approached the receptionist with his best smile. The receptionist smiled back.
“Good afternoon,” John said, giving the pretty young lady with the bleached blonde hair a quick once over. Her oval face was a smooth caramel with deep, brown eyes that smiled back at John, and her medium-thick lips were inviting. She was very attractive, but getting past her and into Victor Christianson’s office was his priority.
“Hello…ahh, ahh,” John said as he looked for a nameplate.
“It’s Ms. Simpson,” the pretty lady said, now showing her pearly whites.
“Ms. Simpson, my name is John Carroll, and I’m an old friend of Mr. Victor Christianson. I was in the neighborhood, and I was hoping to say hello. All I need is a few minutes.”
“Let me check with his secretary.” Ms. Simpson dialed a number, allowing her roving eyes to keep John in her sight…keeping him under tight scrutiny. “Sheila,” she whispered, looking up at John who backed away, “there’s a fine brother out front wanting to see your boss. He says he’s a friend of Mr. Christianson. Girl, he’s so damn good looking, I just want to throw myself at him, and explain later.”
“Phyllis, you are so crazy. I’m sure he’s not as fine as Victor.”
“I don’t know what you see in him. Everybody has had him.”
“Why don’t you let me worry about that? Anyway, he’s a last fling before I tie the knot. I’m going to milk Victor for all I can get. I am, however, getting a little sick and tired of his daughter showing up whenever she gets good and ready, demanding his attention. But none of that will matter soon.”
“Well, Ms. Sheila, if that’s what you want, but you know you’re not being fair to the man you claim you’re going to spend the rest of your life with. Look, my fine brother seems a little agitated, so would you let me know if the great Mr. Victor Christianson will see him?”
“What’s his name?”
“Girl, I forgot that fast. Hold on; let me ask.” Phyllis placed one hand over the mouthpiece of the phone. “Sir, may I have your name again, please?”
“John Carroll.” He smiled.
“It’s John Carroll,” Phyllis said to Sheila. “Okay.” Phyllis hung up the phone. “Mr. Carroll, Mr. Christianson’s secretary will call me in a minute to see if…”
“Saved by the phone,” John said, anxious to have his time with Victor.
“Okay, I’ll let him know,” Phyllis said, hanging up the phone. “Mr. Christianson will see you, Mr. Carroll. He only has a few minutes.”
“That will be fine. Point the way.”
John followed Phyllis’ instructions and found himself in front of Sheila’s desk. Before he was able to introduce himself, the door opened and a smiling Victor came out.
“I’ll be damned. What brings you to my neck of the woods after all this time?” Victor asked John, giving him the fist bump. “Come on in.”
Sheila recoiled after Victor slammed the door. She picked up the phone and dialed Phyllis. “Girl, I think you’re right about this one. I won’t be mad if you snatch him for yourself. I’ll see if I can get the four-one-one on him.”
“Thanks for looking out.”
“Gotcha, Phyllis. Will talk with you later.”
JOHN FOLLOWED VICTOR INTO HIS OFFICE AND SAT IN THE WING-back chair in front of Victor’s desk.
“When was the last time we spoke…four, five…six, seven years ago?” Victor asked, as he crossed his legs, leaning back in his chair almost as far as it would go without tipping over.
“It probably has been longer than that. I can’t remember.”
“So, John, what brings you by? We weren’t running partners nor fraternity brothers in college, so I’m rather surprised by your sudden appearance.”
“I’ve been keeping up with you, Victor. You’ve made a name for yourself here at Central—one of its graduates holding a top spot at their alma mater.”
“Well, I’d like to think of it as having reaped the fruits of my very good education. So what have you been up to?”
“I’m doing well. I work in the Research Triangle Park for a drug company. Not much else going on. Now that all prelims are aside, I did come here today to talk with you about something that is weighing heavily on my mind.”
Surprise registered on Victor’s face. Like a large object in a giant sling, he snapped back into an upright position, waiting to hear what John had to say. He picked up a pencil and began to drum lightly on his desk.
“We have a mutual friend that has some concerns about the treatment of her daughter on this campus,” John began.
Victor searched John’s face, waiting for the obvious—the name of the student in question.
“Our friend feels that her daughter may be the target of someone’s malicious attempt to interrupt her education,” John continued. “I hope you can assist me in finding out who the perpetrator might be and put a stop to the madness.” John paused a moment to let the information sink in.
“I’m listening,” Victor said, the unwelcome sign now posted on his face.
“This student has been harassed in a number of ways, and I come to you as a friend in high places that can move through the system faster than through the regular hierarchy.”
Victor looked at John thoughtfully. “Why come to me? The student has a recourse; one being the Counseling Center. Secondly, we are bound by FERPA, which means I’m unable to disclose any information about a student that is enrolled here without that student’s permission. The student will have to request intervention. Even the parents must get a release from the student before we can provide them with information.”
John licked his lips. “I’m trying to be tactful as I know how.”
Victor’s stare penetrated John’s soul. “Tell me, John, what’s this all about? Who is the student in question? Who is this mutual friend we have in common that is concerned about their loved one’s well-being? Let them come to me and inquire. So if there’s nothing else, I’m afraid this meeting is over.” Victor looked at his watch. “I’ve got another meeting in a few minutes.”
“I’m not ready to leave yet.”
“This meeting is over.” Victor stood up and showed John the door.
“I’m here to serve you notice, Victor. If you as so much go near or call Mimi again, you’re going to have to answer to me. Comprende?”
“So, you’ve still got a love jones for an old flame?” Victor snickered. “Look, John, I don’t know what Mimi has told you, but it’s not true. I haven’t seen or heard from Mimi in nineteen years. You should know better than anyone about how she vanished into thin air. Females.”
“You can say what you want, Victor, but I’ve got my eyes on you. Touch Mimi again, and you’ll realize that I wasn’t spewing out an idol threat.” John looked at his watch. “I’m leaving. I’ve wasted enough of my precious time already.”
John walked out of the office without Victor having the opportunity to utter another word. John passed Sheila’s desk and gave her wink. Even though she had a phone to her ear, Sheila’s smile went from one end of her face to the other.
Inside his office, Victor was fuming. Someone was going to pay.