The Black Diamond Trilogy

by Brittani Williams

  “Well, who’s going to run everything while we’re gone? We can’t trust everyone to keep things in order.”

  “We’re only going a few days and I think that it will be good for both of us. You could use a vacation too.”

  “Yeah, you’re probably right,” she said with a slight smile.

  “Plus we can get married too if you want,” I said in a low tone. I thought that she might not have heard me but she definitely did.

  “Are you serious? I would love to but I don’t want you to rush into it because of everything that’s going on now.”

  “I’m not rushing, I know where my heart is and I know that’s what will make you happy.”

  “Well, I’m down then, nigga!” she said, bursting into laughter. We both laughed together and for a moment we forgot about all of the drama.

  “I have to go back out but I just wanted to check on you. Do you need anything before I go?”

  “No, I’m cool, I’ll start getting my stuff together now. I’m excited, I’ve never been to Vegas before.” She laughed.

  “Okay,” I said as I laughed with her. I gave her a hug before I was on my way back out the door. Just as I began to back out the driveway two police cars pulled up behind me with flashing lights and sirens blaring.

  “Turn off your vehicle and step out of the car with your hands in the air,” one of the police officers yelled as he stood with his door open and his gun in hand.

  I got out of the car with my hands up as he’d requested. I was pissed though I knew what this was about. I knew that they’d come for me sooner or later. Diamond came running out of the house yelling.

  “What are you doing? He didn’t do anything,” she cried.

  “Stop right there, ma’am,” the officer from the other vehicle yelled.

  I looked around and the two workers were standing outside of the car most likely waiting on a signal from me. I gave them a look that kept them calm.

  “Diamond, listen to them, please. Call the lawyer and tell her to meet me down at the station. Don’t worry, babe, they don’t have anything to hold me on.”

  The officer had handcuffed me and began walking toward the car and reading me my rights. I’d heard those rights before in the past but I still couldn’t get used to it. Diamond was standing at the top of the steps as the officer got in the car and began to drive down the street. She still had tears streaming down her face. Even though I wasn’t the one that murdered them I’d take the rap for it rather than have her locked away. I cared about her too much. Once we reached the station I was thrown into a holding cell, a small-ass box with a metal door and a small window, I felt like I was suffocating it was so damn hot in there. I sat down on the metal bench and leaned my head up against the wall. I prayed that my lawyer would get here fast and straighten everything out.

  Chapter Forty-four

  Diamond

  For You I Will

  It was time for his arraignment and Ms. Baker was confident that she could get him off. I was standing outside of the courtroom pacing. Ms. Baker met me in the hall where I stood nervous and feeling sick but I was going to hold it together until this was all over with.

  “Stop worrying so much, it’s going to be okay,” she said, placing her hand on my shoulder. “Let’s go head inside; they should be bringing him out shortly.”

  “Okay,” I replied as I followed behind her.

  The courtroom was packed with people. I remembered this all too well since I’d been in the same position just a few years ago myself. I found a seat and waited patiently, though my nerves were shot. When I saw him walking out with the officer behind him I smiled. I was so happy to see him even in these circumstances. I wished that I could hug him—my body had been yearning for his touch. He looked around the room as if he was trying to see if I was there. I stood up just before he turned around and blew him a kiss. He smiled and sat down.

  “The Honorable Herbert Johnson, judge presiding. Please be seated and come to order,” the clerk, said, standing over to the side of the bench.

  “Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. In the matter of the people of the State of Pennsylvania versus Keshawn Black. Counsel, your appearances please,” the Judge said loudly as he took his seat on the bench.

  “Good afternoon, Your Honor, Rob Spencer and John Wilks on behalf of the people,” the district attorney said, standing.

  “Your Honor, good afternoon. Trisha Baker, attorney on behalf of Keshawn Black, who’s present in custody before the court.”

  “All right, and with you?”

  “Your Honor, this is Mr. Joseph Rake, an investigator, who will be assisting in the case.”

  “All right. Mr. Spencer, are you ready to proceed in this arraignment matter?”

  “Yes, Your Honor. At this time the people would file, with this court, a ten-count complaint against defendant Keshawn Black, date of birth, February 8th, 1975. The people are filing five counts, one of them murder, the first count charges the defendant with murder with gun allegations pursuant to 12022.53, as well as special circumstances pursuant to penal code 190.2. The remaining counts are four counts of attempted murder, premeditated attempted murder, all with the gun allegations, again pursuant to penal code section 12022.53. The remaining counts are assault with a firearm charges, again with the attendant gun allegations. We are filing this complaint in this court due to the fact that the defendant personally killed the victim in these crimes.”

  “Mr. Black, how do you plead?” The judge turned to look over at Black.

  “Not guilty,” he responded.

  “Okay, Mr. Black, to your plea as the court has recorded them, not guilty to all of the counts in the indictment,” the clerk said.

  “Thank you and you may be seated Mr. Black,” the judge instructed. “Now, due to the severity of the charges here, there will be no bail set.”

  “Judge, my client is a respected business owner and is not a flight risk. I ask that some sort of bail be made for my client.”

  “The charges are A felonies, Ms. Baker. I’m sure you are aware how dangerous that would be to allow him to remain free during trial preparation and trial.”

  “Judge, my client is not a danger to society and we will prove that the charges against my client are bogus. The state claims to have one witness and no solid evidence.”

  “Is this true, counsel?” the judge asked, turning toward the district attorney.

  “We do have one witness, Your Honor—it’s actually one of the victims, Mica Thompson. We have her testimony that Mr. Keshawn Black shot both her and Lolan Kemp on the evening in question here. She’s actually present here today.”

  My heart dropped to the floor. Black looked back at me and as I was looking around I spotted Mica off to the left side of the courtroom. She’d survived. Then I thought back to that day when I swore I saw her driving by me. How did this happen? Why would she accuse Black and not me? Black looked shocked as if he’d seen a ghost. She looked over at me with a look that could kill. We were staring each other down like we were about to go to war. Then she gave a devilish grin and sat back down.

  “Ms. Baker, my decision stands, there will be no bail set at this time. We will revisit it later as we get closer to trial.”

  “Thank you, Judge,” she said as she sat back down.

  “So that’s it, I’m going to be stuck in jail?” Black said in anger as he turned to Ms. Baker. “I didn’t have anything to do with this.”

  “I know, Black, but there isn’t anything that we can do at this time. We will talk later, okay?”

  Black was pissed and I could see the anger in his face as the officer grabbed him by the arm so he could stand and be escorted out of the courtroom. I silently cried as they took him away. What the hell was I supposed to do now? Ms. Baker and her assistant walked toward me and motioned for me to come with her.

  “What is going on? He can’t stay in jail, I need him,” I said as soon as we were outside the door.

  “I told you to tru
st me, he’s not going to be there very long. Just give me some time to straighten things out.”

  “I can’t believe this. I . . .” I stopped in my tracks as Mica walked out of the courtroom. I wanted to say something but I couldn’t find the words to speak. She slowly walked toward Ms. Baker and me.

  “Well, well, well. If it isn’t Ms. Diamond Diva. Long time no see, congrats on the baby. Too bad you’re going to be a single parent.”

  “Don’t respond,” Ms. Baker jumped in.

  “I’m not because she’s not worth it.”

  “Tell that to your man when he gets locked away for the rest of his life!” She yelled.

  “You know what, Mica, you’re going to get what you deserve, believe that.”

  “Is that a threat? Because if it is, I’ll have you locked up right along with him.”

  “Diamond, come on, let’s go.”

  Mica laughed loudly as we headed toward the door. I turned to look back at her before making it through and she was still laughing. She took her hands as if she had a gun and pointed it at me while still laughing. I turned around and walked out of the door. I was furious. I got in my car and picked up my cell to dial Kiki. My hands were shaking and I felt like I was going to lose everything I had, including Black.

  “Hello,” Kiki said in a low tone.

  “Mica is alive,” I yelled.

  “What?”

  “She’s alive, she was in court today. She’s the witness that they have. Black is going to go to jail for what I did. What am I going to do, Kiki?”

  “What do you mean, she’s alive? They had a funeral for her and everything.”

  “It was a memorial. Damn, Kiki, how did this happen?”

  “I don’t know D, do you think that she had something to do with all of the stuff that’s been happening to you and Black?”

  “You know what, now it all makes sense—it has to be her. I knew I wasn’t crazy. Kemp is dead—it’s been her all the time. Someone has to be working with her, I can’t see her doing all of that on her own.”

  “Who do you think would be helping her?”

  “I don’t know, but that’s what I am going to figure out. I’m not going to just sit back and let Black rot in jail. If I have to kill that bitch, I will, and this time I won’t make the mistake of not checking her pulse,” I yelled in frustration. “I have to call JB and tell him what’s going on. I’ll call you back, Kiki.”

  I hung up.

  Instead of calling I decided to drive down to the warehouse. When I pulled up a few workers were standing outside. They all turned to look at me at the same time. Probably all anxious to see what was going on with Black.

  “Hey D, how did everything go at court?” Tommy was the first one to speak.

  “Not good, not good at all. Is JB here?”

  “Yeah, he’s inside. Is there anything that you need us to do?” Money stepped up and asked. I didn’t even know him that well but I didn’t get a good vibe from him. I felt like he was up to something from the moment that Black introduced me to him.

  “No, I’m fine,” I replied as I opened the door to go inside. JB was sitting in Black’s office on the phone. He was quite comfortable with his feet on the desk and his chair leaning back. He jumped up as soon as he noticed me and quickly ended his call. I didn’t know who to trust, but Black told me if anything ever happened, JB was the only one I should talk to.

  “What happened down at court?” he asked as soon as he ended his call.

  “They kept him and they wouldn’t give him a bail.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because Mica is alive and she’s saying that he’s the one that shot her and Kemp.”

  “Wait a minute, she’s alive?”

  “Yes, I think she has something to with all of the shit that happened. The fire, the car bomb, all of it.”

  “Are you serious?”

  I gave him a look that said it all. I wished that I wasn’t serious. I wished that it was all a dream that I would wake up from.

  “Well, what do you need me to do? Whatever it is, I’ll handle it.”

  “I need you to find out who’s helping her and I need her ass eliminated. Without her they have no case. If she’s dead they’ll have to let Black out.” I meant every word of that. I was going to do whatever I had to do for him. I had to because I knew that he’d stay there if it meant keeping me out. We not being together just wasn’t an option.

  “Okay, don’t worry about it, I’ll take care of everything for you.”

  “Thanks, JB, I really appreciate it. He’s gonna need you to continue taking care of things out here until he gets out.”

  “No doubt, I got it.”

  “Okay,” I said as I headed back out to the car. Money walked over to me just as I was about to get in.

  “Hey Diamond, I’m sorry about Black. I just want you to know that if you need anything—I mean anything—I’m here for you.” He reached his hand out and touched mine. I quickly pulled my hand away.

  “Thanks, Money, I’ll keep that in mind.” I tried not to be rude but I hoped that he wasn’t coming on to me.

  “Okay, well, I won’t hold you. Here’s my number, make sure you use it.”

  I didn’t even respond as he gave me a devilish grin and began to walk away. Black would kill him if he even thought he was looking at me too hard. That wasn’t the first time that he’d said or done something that I didn’t feel too comfortable with but I still hadn’t told Black. I was too focused on getting him out of jail. I got in the car and saw through the rearview mirror that he was still standing there as I drove away. The drive home seemed especially long because so much was going through my mind. I pulled up to the house probably in about twenty minutes but it felt like an hour. I parked, got out, and walked up to the door. Just as I turned the knob someone called my name.

  “Diamond,” a female voice yelled.

  I turned around to find Trice standing there with her and Black’s son holding her hand. What the hell did she want? I thought.

  “Yeah,” I replied.

  “Look, I know I don’t know you but since Black’s been locked up I’ve been struggling and since you’re his girl you have access to his money. I need some money for his son.”

  “I’m sorry you’ve been struggling but I don’t have access to his money, so I can’t help you.”

  “I’m trying to be nice here. You don’t know how hard it was for me to come here today. When I found out you were with him I was furious and then when I found out you were pregnant I hated you. Then I felt like an ass for it. I don’t know you but I know Black and regardless of the badass street persona he’s a good dude and if he loves you then I can’t hate you. I’m really just asking for some help—whatever you could do would help me.”

  She was melting my heart. How could I not help her and the little boy who looked just like the man that I loved? This pregnancy was definitely changing me because if she’d said these same words to me before I was pregnant this conversation would have gone a whole lot different. If I turned her away I’d be the bitch that I used to be and the bitch that only cared about getting to the top and being in charge. I wasn’t that person anymore and I honestly liked this person a lot better. I stood there quiet, trying to take it all in. I must’ve stood for a minute too long because she turned around and began to walk away.

  “Trice,” I called out to her. “Come in, let’s sit down and talk. Let me know what you need and I’ll make sure you get it.”

  “Thank you so much,” she said, turning around and walking toward me. She followed me in to the house. I stood at the door for a second looking at the sky before I closed the door. Maybe this good deed would help things go right for me. At least that’s what I hoped anyway.

  Chapter Forty-five

  Diamond

  Emergency

  Two months had passed since the day of Black’s arraignment and I still hadn’t heard any news of him getting out. JB had been unsuccessful in finding Mica bec
ause they’d obviously had her in a witness-protection program. I hadn’t seen her again since that day in the courtroom and honestly I wasn’t trying to. The next time I saw her I wanted it to be in a casket. I was just two months shy of giving birth to the baby and I couldn’t wait to get back to myself. Lately, Trice and I had become pretty cool. Kiki hated the idea but, shit, Kiki hated anybody she thought would take her spot as my best friend. I didn’t plan on being friends with her but shit happens. She was actually fun to hang around; I could see why Black cared about her. She reminded me of myself—well, the way I used to be.

  I hadn’t been to Gia’s in two weeks and I was in desperate need of a touch-up. I didn’t have an appointment as usual but Gia would always bump me to the front of the line, pissing all the other girls in the salon off. I pulled up in my freshly cleaned BMW and parked right in front. There were a few random people standing outside on the corner and I could tell before I got inside that it was packed. I walked in and headed to the back.

  “Hey girl,” Gia yelled as she normally did when she saw me. She immediately stopped curling the girl’s hair in her chair to give me a hug. “Look at you, all prego, I never thought I’d see the day,” she laughed.

  “Yeah, tell me about it, girl, I can’t wait until this is all over so I can get back to normal.”

  “What you getting done today?”

  “The works, my hair is a damn mess.” I laughed, pointing to my head.

  “Well, you can go ’head in the back to the shampoo girl, I’ll do you next.”

  “Okay, cool.” I walked in the back where the shampoo bowls were. I sat down and waited for the girl to come over, which took a little too long but shit, I just jumped in front of a bunch of chicks outside. I couldn’t be so impatient. She walked over to me with a smirk on her face. This was a new shampoo girl who I had never seen before. I wanted to know what the hell she was smiling about but then I remembered my ass was big and pregnant.

  “You’re Black’s girl, right?” she asked.