King of Chatham by London St. Charles

Author:London St. Charles
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Macro Publishing Group
Published: 2019-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 19

The live orchestra hit the first chord of the familiar pomp and circumstance song, and the entire audience shifted their bodies one-hundred and eighty degrees, facing the rear of the auditorium, except Reno. He was looking for anyone who stood out from the rest. Unfortunately, with the size of the crowd, he’d have a better chance of finding a single strand of hair on the floor.

Reno situated in an end seat to have the best mobility if he had to make a sudden move. Turning to check the side closest to him, he spotted Zuri marching down the aisle. She smiled as she passed by, applying a slight pinch to his forearm. Any time, Zuri touched Reno it gave him the feels, but he couldn’t bask in them, he had to focus on his surroundings.

One-fourth of the way through the ceremony, six men in black suits stood strategically in even intervals in the aisles and on the sides of the stage. The pulsing in Reno’s heart, shifted into his throat. He placed a foot in the aisle and rested a hand on the bulge under his jacket.

A click in his ear made him shudder.

“Stand-down,” the robotic voice commanded through the device. “These men are here to protect Michelle Obama, she’s the commencement speaker.”

Reno eased back in the seat, allowing his alert level to return to normal.

He’d never seen the former First Lady in person, so this was a treat. Reno eyed the lifelong Secret Service detail, a perk that President Richard Nixon relinquished in 1985. The Herculean men were clad in the same attire as his driver, Bryson Kale. If she wasn’t in attendance, Reno would’ve thought they were contracted with Crossroad Security.

Reno’s vibrating phone pulled him from his thoughts. He’d received a text message from Kaleb. Meet me at The Burger Joint after Zuri’s graduation. It’s important. Like a sixteen-alarm fire, tsunami, volcano erupting important. I’ll be there at three.

He texted back, I’ll be there.

Applause roared like thunder after Mrs. Obama’s speech. Secret Service flanked the front of the auditorium and escorted her down the aisle, tucked inside a human sphere of muscle and weapons. She waved to the audience until they disappeared behind the exit doors.

The remainder of the ceremony was uneventful. Reno was curious to know who would cheer for Zuri when her name was called to walk across the stage. All of her family was supposed to be in Tanzania. If Godfrey was in the audience, Reno didn’t want to give away his position just in case he needed to make a move, although he wanted to jump out of the rafters to celebrate her accomplishment. No one other than her graduating class, and the faculty on stage clapped for Zuri.

Something isn’t right.

Standing as the graduates descended down the aisles, Reno leaned in Zuri’s direction as she came close. “I’ll be waiting out front by the car with Bryson. Be careful.”

She nodded and continued to march toward the exit.

Reno blended into the sea of people, following the last graduate walking out of the auditorium and into the lobby.

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