“You judge people too much, Dee!”
“And you excuse police officers too much!” Delilah said.
“What? I just said that this needed to happen to—”
“You say that, but you are always so defensive. And if you act this way, imagine how he will act if I start asking him questions like this?” Delilah reasoned.
Queen sighed. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have raised my voice. Maybe he has his reasons for not discussing it with you. Maybe it’s you and not him.”
“Now you explain,” Delilah folded her arms.
“You called him a dirty cop more than once to his face. Right? How much time have you spent understanding his problems over telling him about yours?”
“Oh, brothers. I should have never gone down this road with you.” Delilah mumbled.
“Really? Why? Oh, that’s right. Because I’m a cop?”
“No. Because you’re my friend. A friend who has already judged me the same way I judge you. A friend who can’t be objective. One minute you want to protect me from him, and now look at you trying to protect him from me!”
Queen's mouth hung open. She had no rebuttal. She sat back exasperated.
“I just wanted your opinion,” Delilah said. “He’s so good with Noah and with me. But he’s a man with secrets. I can tell, and that worries me. How could he be one of those animals that would do the things we see on TV and still be Maverick? And if he isn’t one of the bad guys, why won’t he just say it.”
“Maybe he wants to talk about it with you, but he’s afraid you’ll judge him if he tells you everything. Or maybe he can’t talk about it because he’s not sure if he’s guilty. What then? Think about it, Dee. Could you love a man who is everything but perfect?”
“I’m not that bad,” she confessed.
“Then ask yourself. Do you really want to know who he is to find out?” Queen asked.
Delilah stared at Maverick’s boots.
“Maybe he’s forcing himself to face the reality of his new situation. He has a family now and a kid. We’re devolving as a species, you know? That’s what’s happening on the TV. We’re taking it straight back to caveman days. People are sick and full off of hate, and America is suffering. I see it everywhere, Dee. Didn’t you tell me he ran from the force and hid away from this world? Well, Noah has pulled him back in it. He has to see the world through his son's eyes. That’ll sober up anyone.”
“True,” she nodded.
“Give him some time and some space. Men like him only open up when they are ready.” Queen shrugged.
“Men like him?”
“Cops. We know how to keep secrets,” she winked. “Got any beer?”
“No, girl,” Delilah frowned. “Jesse, we’re not a pub.”
“Ouch, don’t be so mean about,” Queen joked.
Delilah smiled. “You know it’s funny. I’m trying to be patient. It’s just that he helped me. He helps me, I mean. In ways, I have never felt protected before. I feel like I’m letting him down by not addressing this issue,” Delilah said.
“I wish I had answers. The department is divided. They think all cops should be united no matter the crime. And then you got me and Apollo and a few others. We’re the minorities. Everyone wants us to choose their side without even bothering to understand why we can’t. No one can hide who they are anymore. What you are and who you are is always going to show up no matter what mask or badge you wear.” Queen stood and pulled out her mask from her pocket. She put it back on. “Our flight leaves at ten tonight. Can you handle everything before then?”
“I’ll be at the airport,” Delilah said.
“Cool, I’ll text you which hanger. See you soon.”
“Bye,” Delilah said. She walked Queen to the door and hesitated on closing it. She watched her friend drive away. Maverick should be home soon. She had to find a way to reach him, but when, and how? She’d just have to pray that things between them would be better if she remained patient.
Falcon Cove Private Airport - After 9pm
Maverick parked at the private airstrip, hanger six. He turned off the car and shut down the lights. They sat there staring at the charter planes for a moment in silence.
“Well, you ready?” he asked.
Delilah pointed to the left. Queen and Apollo were walking with men in blue suits. She figured they were federal agents of some sort.
“You going to be okay with mama and daddy and Noah?” she asked.
Maverick chuckled.
“What’s funny?” she smiled.
“I’ve been here for months now. You still think I can’t handle family time with your parents?” he asked.
“I mean, I know you are good with patience. Lord knows you’ve seen a lot of drama with all of us. I just worry. That’s all,” she reasoned.
“I’ll miss you.” He brushed his knuckles over her cheek. One touch from him reassured her.
Delilah could feel her cheeks warm with a blush. She leaned over, and he greeted her with a kiss. When he came home with Noah, she told him everything about the trip that she knew. He didn’t question her. They packed everything up and returned to the ranch with her on the phone, calling in her legal team. They were now on standby for anything she needed while in D.C. She didn’t have time to make-up with her parents. Delores was so happy to finally have her grandson back in her arms she didn’t seem to notice Delilah or Maverick.
“I’ll miss you too,” she said again. The kiss between them ended sweetly. She wiped traces of her lipstick from his mouth. “Mom is going to be all over Noah, but you’re in charge. Remember that.”
“My ego can take it,” he said. “Besides, she hasn’t seen him in weeks. I think they deserve some time together, don’t you?”
Delilah disagreed. She felt her mother’s punishment hadn’t gone far enough. But that would start a debate she didn’t need to have. She stared into his eyes for a moment and wondered again what was in his head. What were the things he never said to her, and how could she ever get him to trust her to tell her his truth?
“Mask?” he asked with a raised brow.
“Huh? Oh? Yes, I got three of them.” She patted her Chanel purse. “I’m coming back as soon as we got her. I’ll call you to check-in as soon as possible, but you call me if you need me. Promise?”
He kissed her nose.
“I’m a big boy. C’mon.” He left the car first and came around to her door to open it. Queen and Apollo greeted her. Maverick and Apollo chatted as he located her luggage.
“How is he? Did you two talk?” Queen whispered from under her cloth mask.
“Not enough time, besides, you’re wrong. He’s okay.” Delilah said.
“Really? Okay. Tomorrow is the day. She’s coming home,” Queen said.
“I can’t wait to see her. To get the real story on how all of this started,” Delilah said.
“You know that story. Remember the car accident we covered up?” Queen asked.
“Shhhh! Don’t say that; they could hear you,” Delilah nodded to the agents.
Queen smirked. “They know the story, Dee. Armand told them everything. It doesn’t matter. These agents have bigger fish to fry than us.”