/> “Maybe we can have dinner sometime,” Roland said.
Carmen smiled, “I'd like that.”
It was obvious to Marcus that Roland had touched Carmen's heart. He could see it in her eyes. They said nothing to one another until they reached the car.
“Well, what did you think?” Carmen asked as they drove away.
“I don't know, I've never seen Roland so, so, so passionate.”
“Are you kidding, that was vintage Roland. He was always very passionate about Dez.”
“I'm not saying that he's not; I've just never seen him like that, is all I'm saying. I spent the better part of a year with the man and this is new to me.”
“You heard what he said, no reason to act unprofessionally, I mean really, crying in front of your lawyer,” Carmen mused.
“What did you think of his explanation about Suzanne?”
“That was vintage Dez.” Carmen laughed a little. “I remember we used to have a dog named Mercedes. Dez loved that dog. He was part of the family. One day Mercedes got out the house and got hit by a car. For months after that Dez was in denial. She wouldn’t admit the dog was dead. Everyday she'd put food out for him. My father would have to come behind her and throw it away. She'd talk to Mercedes and this went on for months.”
“What brought her out of it?”
“My mother. Dez said she was going for a walk and called for Mercedes to come with her. I guess my mother had had enough. She yelled, 'Desireé Marie Taylor, if you say one more word to that dead dog I'm taking you to a psychiatrist' and that got that. Dez never mentioned Mercedes again.”
“Yeah, when your mama calls you by your full name you know she's serious. What's your middle name, Carmen?”
“My middle name is Aneale. It's a family name. My grandfather's name was Neal. My mother's middle name is Aneale and so is mine!”
“What's you mothers name?”
“It’s Dominique. You'll meet her.”
“Dominique. I like that name.”
Carmen rolled her eyes and looked away. “So what do we do now, Marcus?” she asked as they approached the connector.
“Not much to do until I hear from Garrett. So after I drop you off, I was going to go home and take care of some unfinished business,” Marcus said thinking about having that long overdue talk with Randa.
“Believe me, I can understand that. I have something's I need to put behind me, too,” Carmen mused, thinking about her mother. “But I'm not quite ready to do that just yet. So, since your gonna drop me off,” Carmen frowned and rolled her eyes. “I guess I'll go back to my room and call some old friends. Maybe I'll try to find Porsche Temple.”
“That sounds like a good idea. Call me later on tonight, hopefully I'll have heard from Garrett and we'll compare notes,” Marcus said, without taking note of Carmen's apparent disappointment with his plan for the evening. The phone rang. “This is Marcus Douglas.”
“Marcus, this is Garrett. I got some information about Suzanne and Frank Collins for you. Meet me at your office and I'll lay it all out for you. Oh, and Marcus, is the client with you?” Garrett asked excitedly.
Marcus looked at Carmen while she stared aimlessly out the window. “Yes, she is.”
Carmen glanced at Marcus. “What?”
“You are gonna bring her with you? Right?” Garrett asked.
“I can be there in half an hour,” Marcus smiled at Carmen, who was once again staring out the window. She is beautiful. Marcus thought.
“Yeah, yeah, I'll be there,” Garrett said. “But you are gonna bring her?”
“Half hour it is, Garrett,” Marcus said as he pressed end on his phone.
“What is it?” Carmen asked.
“Garrett has some information about Suzanne and Frank Collins.”