“What time did you leave her house?”
Sabathany took a calming breath. “Between 7:15 and 7:30. I don’t think I was there ten minutes. Her place was filthy and I just couldn’t take anymore of her lies.”
“What lies?” Trueblood asked.
“She claimed she needed fifty bucks, but once I got there, she started begging for more money. She figured because I’m with Kendrick that I’d be good for it. And she didn’t say it quite that nicely. When I left, she called me again and tried to change her tune. She was insistent that I give her more money, saying she owed some guy. I didn’t believe her, though. I figured it was a ploy to get me to give her more allowance because she’s always acted so entitled. After that, I stopped answering her calls because I knew it would be more of the same. In the past I found the best way to deal with her was just to ignore her. Eventually she got the hint.”
“Yeah, but you answered at 9:45PM and 10:05PM,” Howards said.
“That’s true. The first time I asked if she could take a hint, then I hung up. The second time I told her to lose my number.”
“And that’s all you said?”
“No, I told her that I hoped she enjoyed what little she managed to scam out of me because the gravy train had come to an end. She called me a bitch and I told her I always knew the real Lola would show herself eventually. And that was the last time I spoke to her.”
“Are you sorry she’s gone?”
Sabathany looked at no one in particular. “Right now, I can’t get over falling for her lies again. I mean, she had no intention of getting herself together. But yeah, I’m sorry she’s dead. At least I can make my peace with God because I tried to help her. But I refuse to waste anymore tears on a woman who told me she didn’t want anything from me except the rent. I truly hope you find the son of a bitch who did this, but in a way, and I hate to say this, she brought this on herself.”
After thirty more minutes of questioning, the detectives saw Sabathany Morris as a young woman desperate for a mother’s love, but disappointed that she was unable to resuscitate their relationship. And she seemed both saddened and angry that Lola had not kicked her drug habit.
“Say, where was all of that tension between you two coming from earlier?” Trueblood asked after Sabathany left.
“Just a woman scorned. We slept together one night and she got pissed because I didn’t call her afterward. To get even, she started spreading some untruths about me to her lady friends,” Howards answered.
“You don’t think we made a mistake letting her go, do you?”
“Naw. But remind me never to get on that bitch’s bad side ever again. She clearly has abandonment issues.”
“Sounds to me like you dodged a bullet with that one,” Trueblood said with a dry chuckle.
Howards sighed wearily. “You could say that.”
An immensely relieved Sabathany was thrilled to be let go. She walked victoriously to her car, excited that both detectives were satisfied enough to remove her from their persons of interest list in the murder of Lola Morris, and that she had gotten away with it.
FIVE
October 16, 2013
The plane began its descent, slipping through clouds which caused a mild turbulent shake of the aircraft. Kendrick stared out the window, recalling how beautiful and welcoming the California sunlight was the first time he came to Los Angeles. It had been five years since he arrived by bus, a hopeful twenty-five-year-old with a thousand dollars and a duffel bag filled with clothes and dreams. In less than thirty minutes, Kendrick would be back in the land where his dreams had come true.
Now, Kendrick sat in business class, besieged by captivated flight attendants going above and beyond to be close to him. Yes, things had changed.
By the time the plane landed and arrived at the gate, a small crowd of airport employees gathered, all with delighted anticipation on their faces. Some already had their cellphone cameras out at just the right angle for when the actor walked through the gate door.
A black woman with long, swinging braids was the first to approach Kendrick the moment she lay eyes on him.
“Can I get a selfie with you?” she asked.
“You sure can.” Kendrick put his arm around the woman. “What’s your name?”
“Kim. I ain’t gonna lie, Michael Strahan is my dream husband, but you and Kelly had great chemistry!”
“Thank you for watching. I’m glad you enjoyed me on the show. Kelly was great to work with, but I’m glad Michael’s feeling better and back where he belongs.”
After Kendrick heard the soft click of the camera, he faced the young woman, making sure his gaze penetrated her senses. Kim giggled, then cupped a hand over her mouth.
“Damn, you’re sexy,” she said.
“Aw, shucks. Thank you so much.”
As the crowd grew, Kendrick found his attention pulled in all directions by those wanting to take pictures, or offer words of flattery. He noticed passersby slow their pace, curious about the commotion he is stirred.
“Can I have my picture with you, Morris?” another woman screamed, elbowing her way through the group of fans.
“Who?”
“Aren’t you Morris Chestnut?”
“Uh, no, ma’am.”
“Oh, well, can I get a picture anyway?”
“Sure, just as soon as you call me by the correct name.” A warm smile thawed the chill from his words.
“Oh, you won’t tell me who you are?”
“Folks, thank you. That’s it. I gotta go. You all take care, those of you who know my name.”
Kendrick headed off to find Brenda Vaughn awaiting him at Arrivals. Brenda warned him of the occasional mistaken identity. He was not yet an A-lister like Will Smith, Kevin Hart or Denzel Washington. He still belonged to an obscure group of actors who people somewhat recognized, whose names lingered on the tip of the tongue as they snapped their fingers trying to remember the name. Unfortunately, many belonged to this ever-growing pool of interchangeably talented actors. Brenda told Kendrick it would be his responsibility to carve out an identity for himself so that people knew who he was by face and name.
Kendrick followed the Arrivals sign outside. He spotted Brenda’s blue, 2012 Porsche with its top down after she beeped the horn at him.
“Uh, Mr. Black, you need to get a move on it. The airport cops already made me loop around twice.”
“The fans wouldn’t let me out of there. Sorry.”
“Oh, well, in that case I forgive you.”
“One lady thought I was Morris Chestnut.”
“Well, I told you it’s to be expected.”
“It still sucks.”
“Well, you do look like him. Either way, you’re both nice looking men who won’t have any problems getting the opposite sex to like you, or the same sex for that matter.”
“Not the kind of reassurance I was hoping for…and for the record, he looks like me.”
“Oh, excuse me, I stand corrected. And don’t be so quick to throw your nose up at the gays. They make up a nice, healthy chunk of the demographic who watch your films, too. Just thank the boys in WeHo, Chelsea and the ATL.”
Kendrick buckled himself in. “I already know all that. I got no beef with the LGBT community. Anyway, thanks for picking me up.”
Brenda drove off. “No problem. By the way, my phone’s been ringing off the hook since your appearance with Kelly Rippa.”
“Really?”
“Oh yeah. Jimmy wants you…Kimmel and Fallon. I got a call from the folks at Letterman. Even The View wants you to stop by to promote the film!”
“Stop it!”
“Kendrick Black, I bullshit you not.”
“That’s great news!”
“I’m telling you, you’re on fire. So, how was the flight?”
“Hands down that had to be the best flight. They treated me like a god in business class. And then, when I got off the plane, there was a gang of airport employees who recognized me. And not ju
st to say, ‘hey, ain’t you what’s his name?’ People knew my name. Well, most people.”
“Sweetie, when I’m done with you, everyone is going know your name.”
Kendrick smiled broadly. His body tingled at the possibilities. He already enjoyed and counted on recognition from the late-teenagers and twenty-somethings; they were the primary demographic watching his films. But what Brenda promised to do would make him a household name in every house.
“Now, all I need to do is get home and smooth things over with Sabathany.”
“She’s still angry about you not letting her go?”
“Yeah. She’s been really short with me over the phone.”
“Tell her to get over it.”
“Brenda!”
“No, I’m serious, Kenny. This would all be a lot easier if I could sell you as the sexy bachelor looking for love. That would seal your status as a sex symbol for sure. You want everyone to think they’ve got a shot with you. Relationships kill the fantasy.”
“Sabathany loves me.”
“What’s your point?”
“Wow, that’s cold.”
Brenda shrugged. “No, really, what’s your point?”
“My point is I can’t deny she exists. Wouldn’t be right.”
“Look, Sabathany is a beautiful woman. She’s giving me Tika Sumpter look-alike all day long. But she’s going to have to go along to get along. She needs to get with the program.”
“What program?”
“You know exactly what I’m saying,” she said, glancing into the blank expression on her star client’s face. “I’m saying there are plenty of women who want this life, and will make the necessary sacrifices to be with the latest it-boy. Hell, I can think of a few ladies off the top of my head who wouldn’t have an issue sharing you.”
“Sabathany doesn’t share anything.”
“You’re missing my point,” Brenda sighed, tapping into her backup of patience. “I’m just saying that there are a lot of women out there who want a slice of the good life, who are willing to put up with practically anything to have it. You can do whatever you damn well please and they won’t be standing at the front door to nag you about it. So, if Sabathany wants to benefit from your success, then she needs to let you be the star you’re meant to be without hassling you.”
“Okay, now I get it.”
“And believe me, I know I’m the last one who should be offering relationship advice. Just be careful.”
“Any more nuggets of wisdom?”
“Yeah. I really hope you know what you’re in for, because it’s going to be like buzzards sniffing out the dead. People know when you hit it big, and they’ll start coming out of the woodwork with their palms out, saying they knew you when. You better learn how to handle them. Now more than ever, you need to know the people you surround yourself with.”
“I hear you.”
As they talked, most of their words became lost in the passing breeze. Kendrick rested his eyes and fell asleep to the wafting smell of eucalyptus.
“We’re here. Wake up,” Brenda said with an amply hostile nudge when they arrived in front of his house.
“Thanks again for picking me up.”
“You’re welcome. Glad I could play chauffer while you sleep. Give some thought to what we discussed.”
“I heard what you were trying to say. And don’t worry, I know how to handle Sabathany,” he insisted with a wink.”
Brenda was not convinced.
Later, Kendrick and Sabathany enjoyed reuniting bliss. He lay on his back, gazing up at her, wrapping the whole of himself around her.
“I love having you inside me, baby.” Sabathany leaned forward to whisper in his ear. Her breath was sensuously warm and light.
He nodded, adding an upward thrust. “And I love being inside you.”
Sabathany leaned away from him, holding her hair up so it would not become mussed. Kendrick relished shattering her resistance. Her vanity and anger fled the room as her normally beautiful face contorted into something ugly when he brought her down onto himself. He could tell by her rapturous whimpers and crazy sex face that it was just a matter of time before she surrendered to the pleasure he intended to give her.
The low rising platform bed, adorned with rose pedals and musk—an invitation to a lovers’ oasis—was now a rumpled, stained mess. Neither of them cared. Kendrick pulled out, staring at the part of himself gleaming wet in the soft, late-afternoon light. Sabathany flipped on to her back, and held her legs until her knees aligned with her shoulders. Kendrick plunged deeply, the sensation as rich as the first entry. Sabathany held firm to his biceps; her now scraggly hair covered her eyes.
I’m about to…” he began, his words faltering on his tongue.
Sabathany smiled, convinced of the power she wielded.
“Aw shit!” Kendrick moved to pull out.
Sabathany drew him close, vice-gripping his waist with her legs. He struggled like caught prey. Then, the fullness of his climax rushed through him. When they finally parted, Kendrick was unable to read the meaning behind her beaming smile. He rolled away to the edge of the bed, like a one-night stand who had gotten his sexual fill and had now lost interest. Without saying a word, he went to the bathroom.
After both showered and dressed, Sabathany grilled dinner out on the massive wrap-around patio. She held a set of tongs in one hand, and a glass of blush in the other. Kendrick nursed a beer while he watched from the dining room. Despite succulent aromas of steak and baked potatoes, he had no appetite.
When dinner was served, Sabathany enjoyed the meal while Kendrick raked a fork over his potato.
“Are you just gonna sit there?” Sabathany asked.
“Why’d you do that?”
Sabathany put down her utensils. “Do what?”
“Now, you’re going to sit there and act brand new, like you have no idea what I’m talking about?”
Sabathany shrugged. “I really don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Grabbing hold of me when you knew I was trying to pull out? This some kind of con you’re running to get me to marry you?”
“You think I’m one of these desperate females who has to give birth in order to keep a man? You’ve got a lot of nerve!”
“Looks that way to me.”
“Did you ever stop and think that we haven’t made love in who knows how long, and I was in the moment, enjoying being close to you?”
“Yeah, right!”
“Fine, don’t believe me.” Sabathany bolted from the table.
Kendrick paused for a moment, deciding to rein back his own anger. “Look, all I’m saying is that I’m not ready to get married, and I’m definitely not ready to be a dad.”
“We talked about this already. And it was agreed that you should concentrate on your career. I want you to be successful. I’d be a fool not to. But, I’m also a woman who wants to get married one day. I don’t want to reach a certain age only to find that the option is pulled off the table. And no one is saying we must get married today or tomorrow. I just want to know it’s something we’re moving towards.”
Kendrick eased behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders. “That’s all you had to say.”
“Well, I thought I already said it…two months ago. You’re not the only one who’s been inside their own head.”
“You still act as if you expect me to get up and walk out on you.”
“Sometimes it feels that way. I find myself wondering if you’re secretly ashamed to be with me. You don’t’ want us photographed together, I hardly know any of your friends, and you got upset when I asked to meet your parents. We’re coming up on a year and a half; I don’t think it’s unreasonable to share in more parts of your life.”
Kendrick turned Sabathany around to face her. “Babe, the reason why I don’t want us photographed is because Brenda told me that in order to build a fan base, I should pretend I’m single. People want to feel they have a chance with me. Frankly, I
don’t care if it’s a million women who pay to watch me on the movie screen or a million dudes.”
“Dudes?”
“You know what I mean. Yeah, I’m a good-looking guy. I ain’t afraid to say it. And I’m not too uptight to be anyone’s fantasy who wants to put me in their dreams at night. Now, that’s just me. Secondly, besides Brenda, I don’t have any friends here in L.A. You know how I feel about the culture out here. I work here, but I don’t want to live here. I really want to move back to Minneapolis, so I can stay centered. As far as my family, yes, I want you to meet them. But, I knew there was going to be a lot of drama and you didn’t need to see that.”
“I can really meet them?” She beamed.
“Yes, really.”
“When?”
“I want to head back there before I really take off on this press stuff. Why don’t we use this time to get out of L.A.? You can even come with me on the press junket.”
Sabathany squealed with delight, rewarding Kendrick with a thankful kiss and a hug.
I got her right where I need her to be, he thought victoriously to himself.
SIX
“I hope you don’t mind, Mr. Black, but I took the liberty of bringing you more shrimp cocktail,” the spiky-haired male flight attendant said, offering a flirtatious smile.
“Thanks, man,” Kendrick replied.
The flight attendant began to walk away when Sabathany jumped in. “Um, excuse me!”
“Yeah?”
Both Sabathany and Kendrick were taken aback by his tone.
The flight attendant fumbled to correct himself. “I mean, yes?”
“I’d like more shrimp cocktail, too, if you don’t mind.”
“We ran out. Just now. Sorry ‘bout it.” He turned on his heels, and walked away.
Sabathany tossed her napkin down. “Now see, if I called him out his name he’d think I did him wrong,”
“Babe, don’t even let that bother you.”
“And you’re no help. You’re encouraging him.”
“No, I’m not.”
“If I didn’t know any better, you seem to like it.”
“You don’t get it, do you? This is all about playing the game. If I’m nice to that dude, he’s going to pay to watch my movies. And maybe, he’ll bring his boyfriend, or a whole gang of friends.”
The Best Possible Angle Page 4
