Hi everyone! I am looking for individuals who are willing to read Fragments of Justice and provide an honest review. In exchange, you get a free copy of the book (which is also available on KU). This book is part of a series so it would be helpful if you have already read book I and II in the series.
I am looking for individuals who are frequent readers of my books and Substack newsletter/blog. If you're interested, you can email me at BobbieLou.author@gmail.com. Please use the same email address you use for this newsletter/blog.
Fragments of Justice is available on Amazon.com ← CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
In the last excerpt, we caught a glimpse of Detective Lance Mason. Today, we get a snippet of Kenya. Her story didn’t end in Baby Pawn. *Trigger Warning*
Chapter 2- Kenya
The hot water from the faucet ran down the drain in swirls of red as Kenya poured out her punch and rinsed the cup. A worker she hadn’t met before approached her. A young guy, in his early twenties, maybe, with a preppy, college-student look. She hadn’t seen him before, but the evening staff rotated often.
He’s trying to fit in, Kenya thought, seeing a glimpse of a tattoo near his wrist where his shirt stopped.
“They make us cover them up,” he said, following her eyes. “It’s the only one I have, but my mom nearly had a fit,” he chuckled.
Kenya peered down the hall to see if any of the other residents were there. Her shoulders relaxed when she spotted two open doors.
The guy shifted from foot to foot, appearing unsure if he was supposed to be there.
“You’re Kenya, right? I’m RJ.” He glanced around. “You got a phone call.”
After the water ran clear, she turned off the tap, creating a loud silence.
“Who?”
The guy scratched the back of his neck. “I didn’t write it down, but he said his name was Lance, maybe? I’m almost sure. It didn’t make a whole lotta sense, but he said they may have located your baby?” His face scrunch up.
Her heart skipped a beat. “What?”
“He said he’s out in the field, but they’re working on something big.” The worker glanced toward the hallway again. “He didn’t want you to freak out or nothing, so they’re gonna keep it quiet for now. Since he is out in the field, he said his partner will meet you tomorrow, at five o’clock, in front of the grocery store down the block.”
Her pulse hammered in her ears. “Did he say… how they found—”
“Nah… No details. Only that they need to move quickly.” He hesitated, “He said with all that’s going on, not to tell anyone… Not yet. Something about a trial?”
Her hands tightened around the edge of the sink. Why wouldn’t he ask to speak to me? Unsure Lance had a partner, Kenya looked over the man from head to toe. It makes no sense, but… why would someone lie about this?
“I shouldn’t say anything,” the worker added, his voice dropping lower, “But you might not want to let the other staff know. Sometimes they’re funny about residents going anywhere other than therapy and work.” He chuckled. “As if y’all don’t deserve a life.”
She nodded, her mind already racing. Could it be true? After all this time?
Later, alone in her room, Kenya felt a smile cross her face. Imani. She inhaled and let her breath out slowly. Her daughter’s name meant faith. She’d named her as soon as she found out her baby was a girl.
Her phone buzzed, widening her smile. Lance. It had to be, since he got her the phone and no one else had her number yet. She grabbed the phone and stared at it, not recognizing the number.
Unknown Caller: Hey, it’s Lance. My phone died this morning. I use this one when I’m out in the field. I hope you got the message.
Kenya: Yeah. They told me.
Lance: With the trial, it’s important to keep things under wraps. We can’t risk information getting out. OK?
Kenya: OK, but I’ve got a mandatory drug test after my session tomorrow. I might be late.
Lance: Not a problem. They’ll wait for you.
Kenya: Where did you find her?
Lance: I’m sorry. I’m rushing to a crime scene. I’ll text you later.
By the time she lay down, he still hadn’t responded. He’d been working overtime for the upcoming trial, so it wasn’t unusual for him not to get back to her immediately. She set the phone down, her heart still pounding. Tomorrow. Five o’clock.
She tried not to let herself believe it. Tried not to hope, since hope almost always let her down… but it was already too late.
The next day, with calm excitement, Kenya rushed to get dressed and signed the log at the front desk, dashing out the door.
The bus doors closed as she sat, sliding her hand in her pocket.
Shoot. She forgot her phone.
She had to get to her session on time, but if they let her go a bit early, she might have time to go back to the house and grab it.
He said they’d wait for me.
Her shoulders shrugged. The phone wasn’t important. The only person she used it to contact was Lance, and she would see him soon enough.
Eager to see her baby, she answered all the session questions, did all the relaxation techniques, and rushed to get her drug test completed.
Back outside, she felt a slight breeze on her face as she headed to the store. A ten-minute walk.
I should have told them to pick me up from here. It would have been quicker.
The sky was low and gray, a dull overcast.
Sirens rang in the distance.
A sleek black SUV idled at the curb. The passenger-side window rolled down, and a woman stepped out.
“Kenya?” She was an older white lady, maybe in her thirties, and her eyes darted around after she spoke.
Kenya took a deep breath and peered around. She had expected a man. The woman had blonde hair and a solid build. She obviously worked out, but she was also feminine, wearing faded jeans and a cutoff Harvard T-shirt that lay above her waistline. She was pretty, and she looked friendly, but Kenya hadn’t been expecting her.
“You must be Kenya,” the woman said warmly when she didn’t respond.
Her pulse quickened. She hesitated on the edge of the sidewalk.
“Lance said to meet his partner at the grocery store.”
The woman’s smile widened. “Change of plans. Get in.”
Chronicles of Iniquity Series:
Desperate Girls - Kindle Unlimited
Baby Pawn - Kindle Unlimited
Only One Way Out - This side story is a novella and fits best between Baby Pawn and Fragments of Justice; however, it can be read as a standalone.
Fragments of Justice - Kindle Unlimited
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Where to Find Me!
You can currently access all my books from my author page on Amazon. https://amazon.com/author/bobbie.lou.