Jack Crawford was being patient with Kenya Adaeze. After reading the text message she received from Nate, he was doing everything he could to keep her calm. After spending several hours at Kenya’s Moon Lake apartment; they both get back on the road and drove over to Nate’s house. As they drive by they see no vehicle in the driveway. Kenya not willing to admit defeat jumps out of the car and knocks on the front door.
After waiting a minute and not getting a response; Kenya heads to the back and starts looking in through the windows. After not seeing any one Kenya huffs back to Jack’s Lincoln town car and they drive off. While Kenya didn’t see anyone at the Anderson home; Dr. Frances Twist was home next door and saw the woman in question skulking about the Anderson house. Worried she might be an agent of Benton; Dr. Twist had the good sense to snap a picture of the strange woman as she quickly went back into the car. Frances also took a picture of the vehicles license plate and proceeded to report the suspicious action to the police.
Back in the car Kenya instructs the driver to head back to Moon Lake High; figuring the Nate could be there. She is dismayed that when they arrive to see school just letting out; Nate is not there. While both Kenya and Jack see young Eric Anderson with Frieda Knight and another woman they do not know; they are both intrigued to see all three get into the back of a beat up car driven by an old man. Following the vehicle at a discreet distance, they arrive at a dinner that is clearly hosting a private function. Kenya is about to get out and crash the soiree when Jack finally speaks up;
“Perhaps we should pick this up again tomorrow love.”
“No,” Kenya answers. “Not until I have words with Nate.”
“Well you won’t get them by busting in on a private function,” Jack states; “Especially if you intend to bully and intimidate children.”
“I have no intention of harming Eric or his friends,” Kenya answers looking out at the diner; “I just want Nate.”
Jack sighed; he knows Kenya won’t stop. He is also worried what would happen if Kenya did harm the children they just followed. If Benton Knight found out his daughter was harmed; there would be no place for Kenya or him to hide that Benton wouldn’t find and extract revenge.
“Can we get closer?” Kenya asks.
“No,” Jack answers; “Our car while inconspicuous on the road; it would stick out like a sore thumb in that parking lot. Best to stay here,” he responds.
“Then I’ll get closer on foot,” Kenya states as she gets out of the car.
While trying be as inconspicuous in her red dress and high heels; Kenya manages to get as close as she could at the door. Deciding to chance it, she marches in the diner only to be stopped by a waitress acting as a bouncer.
“Sorry ma’am,” she states; “we are closed for a private party.”
Kenya thinking fast: “Please! I need the washroom now!” Doing a slight dance and pretending to grimace in pain, the waitress sighs and relents. She points to the hallway at the end and Kenya rushes over there. As Kenya entered the washroom, she got a good sniff of the various people at this party. All were were-panthers; except for the young girl next to Frieda and the old man who was the only werewolf. The waitress that stopped Kenya was a were-feline.
“Nate’s clearly not here,” she fumes as she finishes her business on the toilet. Getting up to flush just in case the waitress followed her; Kenya washes her hands and tries to come up with another plan. “Well Eric is here and I’m sure he doesn’t know Nate text dumped me; perhaps I can get him to relay a message to Nate;” Kenya muses as she dries her hands and leaves the washroom. Noticing that the waitress hasn’t bothered to check on Kenya; she decides to head to where Eric is and ask him directly.
Eric was enjoying his cheese burger with Frieda and Spencer when a striking woman in a red dress approached them.
“I’m sorry to bother you,” Kenya smiling; “but I’m wondering if could help me Eric Anderson.”
Eric and the rest look up to see and answers; “Kenya,” Eric states; "Its been awhile."
“Last Thanksgiving,” Kenya answers, taking a discreet sniff, “but Nate never mentioned you became a were-panther.”
Spencer pipes in, “that’s because he has only been one since last Tuesday evening.”
“Well congratulations then,” Kenya answers; “But that’s not why I’m here. I was supposed to meet Nate today and he never showed up.” Giving her best look of worry; “you wouldn’t happen to know where he is?”
“No,” Eric answers; “but if you find out let my parents know; they both texted me wanting to know where he is as well. The school called to let them know he has been absent.”
“I see,” Kenya looking thoughtful; “if it would be possible can you send Nate a message for me?” Kenya pleads; “Ask if he could meet up where we first met. Tell him I have the answer he is looking for.”
“Okay,” Eric looking confused; “But can’t you contact him?”
“My phone died and I haven’t got a spare charger handy,” Kenya lied.
“Done,” Eric responds hitting send.
“Thanks,” Kenya pleased with her ruse; “Oh and sorry for disturbing your party.”
“Would you like to stay?” Frieda responds.
“No thank you,” Kenya responds. “I have to get going; I’m already late for diner with my parents;” lying again.
Before Frieda or anyone else could respond, Kenya high tails it out of the diner and heads back to Jack Crawford’s town car. Getting in, she sees Jack looking at her completely stunned.
“You are by far the craziest were-panther I have ever met. To walk in bold as brass to a party hosted by a Knight without an invite!” Jack laments; “It makes me want to have you here and now. Driver be dammed.”
Kenya just grins, “Perhaps later. Right now I want to see what the message I had Eric send to Nate, does.”
Jack Crawford instructs his driver to drive back to Kenya’s apartment. Neither aware that a Moon Lake police car is following at a distance. For during Kenya’s and Jack’s tailing of Eric to the diner; Dr. Frances Twist called Moon Lake police and reported a suspicious car and person snooping about the Anderson residence. The deputy who over heard the *bolo witnessed the woman matching the description enter the exact same town car, the deputy reported its location and is now following awaiting instructions.
*Bolo is police jargon for 'Be On the Look Out'
Authors Note: Thanks to blackjack88 for pointing out that Kenya and Eric met during Thanksgiving. Chapter edited accordingly.