The phone rang a few times before she picked up. “Hey Kiki, it’s D, I need you to do me a favor.”
“Girl, what the hell do you need me to do at five in the morning.”
“I’m down at the police station, girl, they . . .” I turned to look at the officer who was standing behind me. I gave him a look like Damn can I get a little privacy and he sighed as he turned his attention toward the other things going on around the precinct. “The cops came to the door this morning saying they have a witness that fingers Black as the one who killed Kemp and Mica.”
“What?” she yelled. “Who the hell is the witness?”
“I don’t know but I need you to get a message out for me, I can’t really say because they’re watching me like a hawk but I’m sure you know what I mean.”
“I got you, Diamond, don’t worry, girl, everything will work itself out.”
“Thanks Kiki, I love you, girl.”
“I love you too.”
I hung up and was then walked back into the interrogation room. I was tired, cold, and annoyed. I kept my fingers crossed and hoped that this would all go away as some type of misunderstanding. I had to figure out how to get myself out of this one. I waited and the longer it took for them to return the angrier I got. I heard the doorknob turning and prepared myself for the worst.
“So, have you thought it over?” the detective asked with a smirk on his face.
“Look, where’s my lawyer? I’m not talking to you anymore until she shows up.”
Just then Ms. Baker, my lawyer, walked through the door. I instantly felt a little bit of weight being lifted off of my shoulders.
“Sorry it took me so long to get here,” she said as she walked around to the side of the table where I was seated. “What are you charging my client with?”
“She’s been fingered as an accessory to two murders.”
“Fingered? So I assume that means you haven’t pressed charges yet?”
“Not officially, but we will very soon.”
“Well, then we’re finished here. Diamond, come on, you’re free to go.”
“Just like that?” I asked, shocked.
“Just like that!” she replied as she headed toward the door and motioned for me to follow.
I jumped up out of that chair faster than a cheetah. I wish I would have known I could have left because I would have done that hours earlier. I turned and looked back and gave the detective the same smirk that he had been giving me each time he’d walked into the room. He gave me a look that said a thousand words. Like this wasn’t over and I wasn’t going to get over that easy. I walked out of there and Ms. Baker offered me a ride home. I knew that she’d pick my brain on the way.
“Now, what’s going on here, Diamond?”
“They are accusing me of being an accomplice to the murder of my husband and my best friend. They’re saying that Black was the one that murdered them. There isn’t any truth to that whatsoever but they claim that they have a witness.”
“Witnesses can be broken so don’t worry yourself too much about that. Have you spoken to Black?”
“No, I didn’t want to call him and risk him being dragged down there with me.”
“Good, well believe this, if their witness was as strong as they claim they are, you’d both be locked up. They haven’t arrested you yet because they don’t have enough evidence.”
“Thank you so much for getting down there. I know it was before business hours.”
“Don’t worry about that, Diamond, I work for you and believe me, you’ll get through this, I’ll make sure of it.”
By then we were pulling up in front of my house. I got out and waved good-bye. I hadn’t even made it up to the steps before Black was coming out of the front door.
“Babe, what the hell happened?”
“The cops came and knocked on the door saying that they needed to take me down to the station for questioning and then when I got there they were saying that they have a witness that is fingering both you and me for Kemp and Mica’s murder.”
“What? A witness? How the hell could they have a witness?”
“I don’t know, but it probably has something to do with the person who’s been terrorizing us.”
“What did Ms. Baker say?”
“She said that their case must not be strong or else both of us would be in jail. She says not to worry about it.”
“Not to worry? Someone is trying to put us under and I’m not going to rest until I find out who the fuck it is!”
“Babe, don’t go out there and get hurt. Please don’t do anything crazy—we have a baby on the way.”
“I know that, but these muthafuckers are taking me for a joke. I’m not about to get knocked down and not get the fuck back up. This shit is getting way out of hand.”
“I’m just afraid, I’m not trying to have this baby behind bars.”
“You’re not going to. Look, if no one else understands, I do. I know why you did what you did and I never bashed you for it. Yeah, Kemp was my friend but all is fair in love and war. Shit happens and if you hadn’t shot him when you did, trust me, someone else would have.”
I stood there silent. I hadn’t even made it into the living room. I was still standing near the door. My heart was pounding. I couldn’t relax and I was beginning to feel sick to my stomach. My head was spinning and it was becoming hard to breathe. “I need to sit down, babe, I feel like I’m about to faint,” I said, placing one hand on my forehead.
“Come on,” he said, grabbing my hand and leading me over to the sofa. “You have to calm down. You can’t let this wear you out.”
I had reached the sofa and sat down but I was still feeling sick. “Babe, I feel like I’m . . .” I threw up right on him and all over the sofa and the floor. He didn’t even budge; he sat there next to me with his hand gently rubbing across the top of my back. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t have enough time to warn you.”
“It’s okay come on, let’s go upstairs so you can lie down and rest. I’ll clean this up in a little while.”
I agreed and got up from the sofa and followed him upstairs. My nerves had gotten the best of me. Once I got up to the bedroom I went into the master bathroom to wash the throw-up off of me. My shirt was soaked and the smell of it almost made me do it again. I sat down on the side of the tub and put my face in the palms of my hands. What the hell had I gotten myself into? If I thought things were bad in the past they were definitely only going to get worse.
Chapter 16
Black
Falling
“What the hell do you expect me to do, just wait around and let them lock my ass up for some shit that I had nothing to do with?” I yelled at JB. I didn’t normally take my anger out on him but he was pissing me off.
“That’s not what I’m saying, I’m just saying the way that you are approaching the situation is only going to make things worse.”
“Well, this is the only way I know how to handle shit and if I have to keep shooting mothafuckers until somebody tells me who the fuck the culprit is that’s what I’m going to do. Nigga, I got kids and a woman to think about.”
“I know, but . . .”
“But what? There is no but, you said that you would ride for me and you had my back—now that’s what the fuck I need from you.”
JB sat across from me with a frown on his face. No man likes to be spoken to like a child, but hell, he wasn’t getting the point. I was angry, but I knew if I had to go around town putting a gun to people’s head for information I would. This shit was stressing me because I couldn’t go to jail—I had too much shit to live for. Money entered the room a few seconds later and he must’ve felt the heat in the room.
“Damn, is everything cool?” he asked, barely shutting the door before he spoke.
“Hell no, everything ain’t cool, someone is out here trying to sabotage me and I’m not having that shit.”
“Well, anything you need me to do, I’m here. It ain’t even going down tha
t easy.”
I could see sweat building up on JB’s forehead. Money and I had gotten close since this partnership and slowly but surely JB was taking his self out of the equation. All of that you’re like my brother and I wouldn’t let anything happen to you shit wasn’t much more than words and it was just making me angry in times like these. Money had been stepping up to the plate the past few weeks and I respected that. JB continued to give him a stare of death while I continued to pace back and forth.
“Look, I’ll put every nigga that run with me on it for you. We’re going to find out who it is, I put my life on that.”
I stopped in my tracks and turned to look at him. “Thanks man, I really appreciate that shit.” I stuck out my hand to give him dap and he obliged.
“It’s no problem. You’ve looked out for me that’s the least I can do. I’m going to get on that right now and I’ll keep you updated.”
“Cool, thanks again.”
He walked out and even though I felt a little better knowing that niggas had my back I still continued to pace across the floor. It was quiet except for the sounds my boots were making on the floor. Without that you could hear a pin drop.
“Yo’, I know you’re going through it right now but you have to use your head on this one. I’m starting not to trust this nigga Money. I mean he just met you a few months ago and he’s ready to ride for you like he’s known you his whole life. I don’t like that shit.”
“Why, because you ain’t doing the same thing? Don’t hate on him now when you’re the one that was on his dick from jump,” I yelled.
“On his dick? I wasn’t on his dick, I just saw an opportunity that’s made you more money.”
“Me? Nigga, it made us more money, not just me.”
“Look, I’m going to let you calm down a little. I know how shit feels when the walls are closing in but you know I ain’t going to let shit happen to you. I just think that once you calm down and think about the shit a lot of the moves you want to make now won’t seem so smart.”
Maybe he was right, maybe I did need some time to calm down. Maybe I needed to get away for a little while to ease my mind. I didn’t know who to trust and which way to turn. I had to protect what was mine and that included my family.
“I’m going to take a trip for a few days, you think you and Tommy can handle things until I get back?”
“Of course, man, I think that’s a good idea. A few days away from this drama will do your mind good, I guarantee that.”
“All right, I’m going to bounce and get home to check on D. I’ll probably ride out tomorrow or Friday.”
“All right, let me know if you need anything.”
“All right.” I said before he got up to leave the office. I left out shortly after that to go home and check on Diamond. I had two workers sitting outside of the house to make sure she was safe. I pulled up in front and gave both of them a nod. I went in the house where Diamond was laying on the sofa watching TV.
“Hey babe, what brings you home so early?” she said, sitting up.
“I wanted to come and check on you plus I wanted to tell you to pack a bag so we can go to Vegas tomorrow.”
“Vegas? Tomorrow, why?”
“Because I need to get away from all of this bullshit for a few days. I need to make some precise moves and dealing with all of this is clouding my mind.”
“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 17
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.”
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