by Max Winters
***
Miss Williams, you claimed to have arrived Mr. Copper’ house after he had been murdered.” Phil began with interrogations while Elizabeth Steel sat on one of the chairs that faced Keisha, in deep reflection as she emitted momentary glances at her. Keisha’s hair was a pile of ruins and distress possessed her completely.
“Yes…we had a date and I went over to his place to find out why he hadn’t shown up for the date.” Keisha began with her explanations lacking the right words to make them understand that she could never in her whole life be capable of killing anyone.
“Then went to his house and you killed him.” Phil reiterated reading her countenance but she denied the allegation.
“I didn’t kill him…why would I want to kill a man that loves me so much.” Keisha demanded not understanding the climax of the inanity the police man was insinuating.
“If you didn’t kill him, who did, Miss Keisha Williams?” Phil asked as though he was giving her a privilege to exonerate herself from the accusation.
“I did not kill Robert. I arrived at his house and saw everywhere dark. I tried to put on the lights but apparently the power had been destroyed by whoever killed him as he was lying lifeless on the ground with a gun by his side.” She argued.
“If you insist in your claim that you did not kill Robert Cooper, why do we have your fingerprints on the gun?” He played a mocking smile probably to jeer her that she was a blatant liar.
“Agent Phil I think Robert’ death is directly linked to the deadly cartel I have been investigating in recent times.” Agent Steele interrupted trying to create a nexus between the recent assassinations revolving around Keisha.
“This is my case agent Steele. You are yet to ascertain your so-called hypothesis about the drug cartel but I don’t share your school of thought and you are aware of that. She is guilty and I would prove that.” He continued taking his attention back to Keisha who continually made a silent prayer that Elizabeth could take over her case as she was a more objective thinker.
“Why is your finger print all over the murder weapon since you claim to be innocent of the accusation against you?” Phil repeated his question, this time in a louder and harsher tone probably to stop Elizabeth from interrupting him and to finally getting Keisha to confess.
“When I saw Robert on the floor…I was too confused and I did know what to do and before I could realize, I already had the gun in my hands.” Tears rolled down her cheeks for a fatal mistake she had made that was going to cost her freedom.
“I put it to you that you had the gun ready to kill him and in a struggle you shot him. Miss Williams maybe you shot him in self defense…that could earn you a lesser sentence you know.” Phil continued in his manipulative tactic that he believed would oblige her to confess but that was far from working. Phil believed in Damon and the clean services he provided and he didn’t accept Elizabeth’s claims that Damon was perhaps linked to the juvenile Malcolm-the thought never crossed his mine, not even once. However, agent Steele had abandoned her claims of Damon being a drug trafficker because she had no evidence to pin him down. She had been warned by inspector Mark especially as she discovered nothing after a thorough search.
“What are you trying to do?” Keisha refuted instantly. “You want me to plead guilty for a crime I didn’t commit?” Her eye balls bulged out of their socket.
“It would be easier if you just admit to your crime, after all every criminal pleads not guilty even when the truth stares them right in the face.” Phil mocked.
“I am innocent of this crime.” She reiterated avoiding succumbing to the intimidation that was meant to keep her off her balance.
“You walked into Mr. Copper’s house and found his body…why didn’t you call the police?” Elizabeth who had been silent all the while demanded. She badly needed to safe Keisha from Phil’s clutches but from all indications the evidence against her was overwhelming.
“I tried calling but my battery went dead.” She responded in regret that brushed her countenance.
“How then is it that you were able to call Johanna Milton?” She inspected Keisha’s gaze intently.
“I was in panic and I couldn’t think of anything but to get help.” She responded.
“You should have called an ambulance and not your lawyer. Something is fishy…don’t you think?” Elizabeth continued tapping her fingers on the table and watching Keisha who seemed exhausted. The questioning session had been longer than usual but perhaps that was Phil’s routine of making his culprits admit to their crimes-tire them out and make them loose complete focus. Quite commendable but apparently it wasn’t’ working on Keisha.
“Johanna is like a friend and confidant.” Keisha explained.
“All the more reason we find her involvement in this case rather crucial.” Agent Phil cut in his usual abrupt and harsh manner. One would be keen to notice that he was disgruntled with agent Steele as she was always involved in the numerous investigations that arose in their department. To cut the chase, he was jealous of her accomplishments over the years. She had proved her competence to their boss undermining the competence of the men folk. Phil was a nerve of insecurities and he didn’t fail to get his pound of flesh even if it meant being unreasonable.
Chapter 13
The evening came with the sort of silence that would possess the sleeping area of the prison inmates. Malcolm had been keen to noise that someone had been watching him all evening and his guts warned him. He climbed over to his sleeping spot with a hand stuck to a small knife. He lay with his eyes wide open while his predator stepped over his bed and climbed to his sleeping spot directly above Malcolm’s.
Silence crept into the snoring hall and immediately the man above Malcolm stepped down cautiously and with a pillow in his hands, he tried to snuff life out of him. Malcolm fought immediately the stranger made his very first attempt. Malcolm had been watching him all the while and was ready for his attack without his knowledge. They stumbled in a struggle and in the end Malcolm’s grip weakened on the knife and it fell and immediately his attacker stabbed him in the stomach twice. He let out a mighty groan, alerting the other inmates from different cells and the noise invited the guards who immediately intervened.
Blood leaked profusely from Malcolm’s belly as the guards contacted the ambulance service. He had been badly wounded and the other inmate was placed in solitary. His countenance was dark and his looks were as scary as a professional assassin. The manner in which he had attacked his target only proved he was a veteran in matters of such categories. The nurses stepped out of the ambulance in rushing steps and transferred the wounded Malcolm on a stretcher. His eyes were tightly shot and his breathing reduced, making the police officers to panic as they boarded the ambulance.
“There has been a change of plans.” Inspector Mark spoke over the phone as he stepped out of his office towards his car. Keisha was still having another interrogation session with Elizabeth and Phil.
“Malcolm Smith has to be transferred to the central penitentiary. I don’t want any more deaths. Got that?” He ordered. Graham who was also coming into the interrogation room heard of the new development and wanted Elizabeth to know giving her obsessed with the case. He perhaps wanted to impress her as he had been on a cul-de-sac with all attempts to make an impact on her.
Keisha’s heart sank in fright immediately Graham brought the terrible news about Malcolm. It was going to take a miracle for him to survive the attempt on his life. She had shut him out of her world completely and hadn’t bothered to know how he was faring. The anger in her heart was grave but hearing that his life was under a threat even behind bars meant there was more to his case than she had thought. Concern for him rose and at this point she realized that Robert was perhaps a rebound or perhaps she had been pretending or deluding herself that she was in love with him.
The death of Robert tainted her conscience as she imagined that he may have died because of his alliance with her, nevertheless she could only mo
urn for him in her own way as the unfolding of events only told her one thing, she ending behind bars like Malcolm. Was it really possible for innocent people to actually be convicted for crimes they didn’t commit? An inner battle began inside of her. She sincerely prayed that wouldn’t be her fate.
Johanna’s attempts to put up a strong defense for Keisha in court failed as she was suspected to be Keisha’s accomplice but she was free because there was no evidence that directly linked her to the crime. However Keisha was found guilty for murder charges as Robert’s family had insisted that justice had to be served for the death of their son. Keisha was the last caller Robert had before his murder and also Keisha’s fingerprints on the murder weapon were evidences that the judge used to pass her sentence.
She was convicted to life imprisonment and at this Keisha wept with a twisted brow as she pinned Johanna’s gaze. Tears flooded her cheeks while the cops trailed her out of the court. She looked up in desperation perhaps calling on God to save her from the injustice but it was too late. Thoughts of Malcolm flushed into her soul and a hot globule of tears dropped down her cheeks. What if someone else had killed Tessa? She wondered. The only enemies she had was Malcolm as Malcolm had paid her pending debt with Damon and there wasn’t any reason he drug lord would have come after her.
She dismissed all surges of regret as there was no way she was going to remedy the situation with Malcolm. She was going in for life detention and he was never going to see him again. She had lost the man of her life because of the pain of the death of her sister that had overwhelmed her. Why didn’t she see things in that light in the past, maybe she would have been able to hear Malcolm out? Hurt ran through her spine as the cops led her into the central penitentiary. The ancient gothic structure was walled with huge iron wires that stretched towards the sky and her eyes went pale as she scanned the area. Many inmates strolled around the area in green t- shirts over grey sweatpants. The menacing eyes of the other inmates sent shivers down her body and her heart leapt in fear. Was this where she was going to spend the rest of her life? Panic possessed her completely.
***
Malcolm’s attention drifted to the huge TV set that hung on the wall in the hospital ward. The news channels constantly reported the death of the journalist as well as the verdict that convicted Keisha. He stormed out of bed, hurting the wound in his stomach. His eyes popped out of their sockets as the camera filmed Keisha taken into police custody. She hadn’t seen her in months and she hadn’t come to visit him after their last ugly encounter. She had come with curses that he shunned and warned that the next time he saw her; she was going to be dead by his very own hands.
Anger had possessed him especially as she had refused to hear him out. He had spoken with such disdain owing to the fact that she had ended their relationship. She was the only thing that had ever given a reason to live. Shunning him out of her world was like sending him on a suicide mission and his heart was torn into shreds. He had been angry with her and had been remarkably harsh and perhaps her decision of staying away was justified. Seeing her plunge into his dilemma was never what he wished for her. He loved her a lot and wanted her to be happy in life irrespective of the odds. Keisha had a heart of gold and he was certain that there was no way she could have been guilty of the allegations that had resulted in her detention.
“Mr. Smith…you are hurting yourself.” One of the nurses marched into the room, helping him back on the bed. He groaned in pain as she managed to lift him up.
“I need to get out of here.” He fought to release himself from her grip.
“Your wound is not healed yet.” She stiffened her grip on him, stopping him from peeling off the drib that stuck on his wrist.
“I’m fine…I need to leave here as soon as possible.” He pushed her to the side and her screams invited the police men stationed outside the room. They rushed into the room and pressed him on the bed while the doctor injected him with a doze of sedatives that knocked him off balance. He couldn’t take the pain of seeing his beloved Keisha in an appalling prison setup. He drenched into a deep sleep while the two police men retired to their station outside the ward.
***
Two weeks in the regional state hospital was relieving, now he was going back into the detention and the thought was killing. The thought once again Keisha once again was demoralizing. His love for her had increased with her absence. Attempts to get rid of what he felt for the beautiful brunette proved abortive. He had decided to let go of any animosity as his heart still beat for her. He threw his gaze into the sky probably to survey his new home as he had been transferred to the central penitentiary. He was led into the gigantic building with eyes that spelt his anger. His gaze fell on a site that shocked him. Keisha nestled in one corner alone looking depressed. He climbed into the elevated stairs that led into the sleeping positions. A police man pushed him behind the head to walk faster as he continually stared behind, hoping Keisha’ gaze could catch him.
***
The inmates flooded the open field for head count and sports in the prison courtyard. The area was rowdy after hours of sport and Malcolm caught a glimpse of Keisha and approached her slowly. A pot bellied woman walked closed to her with a gruesome gaze meant to induce fear into her. Keisha retaliated to whatever intimidation she was inducing and as if one a queue Malcolm arrived and warned her to stay off Keisha.
“Malcolm?” Adrenaline rushed down Keisha’s spine. She stood dazed as though she had seen a ghost. She was confused if to hug or run away from her. Their last encounter was abysmal and shame possessed both of them as they contemplated smiles and frowns.
“Hey Keisha…how are you?” He played a gentle smile probably for gratitude that they had met once again.
“Malcolm…I’m so glad to see you.” She fell on his shoulders hugging him tightly with tears that rushed down her cheeks. “I’m so sorry.” She cried out while he savored their sweet encounter with eyes closed. All the anger in her heart had diffused and all he just wanted to know was what had transpired between her and the journalist that had made her a culprit of the murder.
“What happened?” Malcolm demanded, impatience consuming him. She glanced up at him hesitant to tell the relationship between her and Robert but Malcolm was aware already as the news reporters were detailed on the information.
“He was my boyfriend.” She began not being able to look him straight in the eyes.
“I know.” He responded immediately.
“I came to his house to find out why he didn’t show up for our date and found him dead and the next thing the cops arrived.” She explained. “Malcolm you have to believe me I’m innocent.” She pleaded.
“I know Keisha.” He assured her instantly like he could tell what she could and couldn’t do.
“You mean you believe me?” Surprise encompassed her. He had judged him wrongly but he seemed to be the only one who believed she was innocent aside Johanna.
“I understand how it feels to be unjustly accused Keisha.” He played a smile. She admired the courage with which he faced life. He had such a huge heart that he was willing to let go of the past. All he wanted to do was to start all over again. She was the love of his life and living without her was dreadful.
“Malcolm I know what I did to you was unfair and believe me I regret my actions terribly.” Keisha responded in a low whisper as though she didn’t want to say out the words loud because she didn’t know how he would react.
“Shh…I should be the one apologizing to you baby.” His emotions possessed him.
“But you are here because of me and someone almost got you killed.” Keisha continued.
“I am the reason why everything went wrong. I didn’t mean to keep the truth about my business away from you… I love you so much. I was afraid you would leave me if I told you the truth.” He started presenting his petition like a child in front of his mother. He had fallen so deep for her that he was willing to break every rule for her. His time in prison brought tormenting th
oughts that he had repented of his sins .He regretted having tried to kill her. His fear for Damon and the cartel ruled him in the past completely.
Chapter 14
The attempt on his life only made him realize that the much talked about loyalty in the drug business, was a myth. He had been convicted for charges of drugs and murder but Damon and his boys hadn’t shown up for fear of being identified and linked to him, nevertheless he had ignored that completely. They had done nothing to help him out but they wanted to end his life.
“You should have told me the truth Malcolm instead of keeping me in the dark.” She paused and emitted a shocking eye rolling as she figured out what to say next. “You were willing to kill me just to keep your secret?” She looked away caressed by the memory of that fateful night.
“Keisha I swear to you on my life that I didn’t kill your sister and I don’t know who did but I have a hunch that Damon did.” He continued. He was opening up to her perhaps as redemption for the fact that it was his fault that her life had become a mess.
“Why will Damon want to kill my sister?” She demanded curiosity taking over her.
“The same reason you suspected that I was the one who killed her.” He explained while her brows stretched as she tried to explore the option.
“I don’t think Damon will have a reason to want to kill me.” She argued trying to establish a link.
“Damon is the leader of the drug syndicate I work for.” He confessed not caring about any repercussions. He wanted her forgiveness and from then henceforth he was going to be nothing but honest with her. Fate had given them another chance to be together though in the weirdest place ever.
