* * *
L. A...
Jeremiah wasted no time in first taking Terra by her place to pick up her Power-of-Attorney on Deidre, explaining as they went. Stressing that right now, under the circumstances, she may need to make him Deidre's attorney to see to whatever situation they were about to face. Terra was almost in tears, agreeing to anything he suggested, her imagination going crazy because Jeremiah didn't know exactly what it was that his brother meant. They hadn't a clue on the condition of Deidre. However, when they arrived, the emergency room was filled with patients, everyone was busy. There was blood almost everywhere they looked. Patients stretched out on gurney's against the wall. They rushed over to the police in attendance, asking questions about what had taken place. There were news vans there as well, reporting on the event, with a camera man taping live, a woman standing right outside the emergency entrance with her microphone.
KLAC News6
"Tonight - once again, urban gang violence erupts, caught in the midst - an innocent victim falls prey. Its been heard and warned again and again, be careful - don't get lost. Heed venturing into certain parts of the city, and never, not ever at night. Tonight, this unfortunate error was made by one of this city's leading citizens. Where she now, here at Cedars-Sinai - fights for her life. We'll keep you informed as the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate, reoccurring - event - unfolds. I'm Tanya Hyde at KLAC News6!"
"We're here in behalf of a Deidre Wherrington, we heard that she has had some type of emergency?" Terra asked right away.
"Who are you?" One of the officers asked.
"I'm Terra Conway, I hold Power-of-Attorney over her, and anything connected to her in case of an emergency. I have that document with me here." She informed him, unzipping the leather binder that held the legal document for him to see. "My request is this, until I know what is going on with her, she is to have no contact from anyone. No one should be allowed to visit her without my physical presence, clearing them - for access. This includes her parents; in other words, no one is to be called and notified. No one! I need you to now escort me, and her attorney which I have appointed to represent her, to the medical team in charge so that they are aware of this, and we can be filled in on what's happening."
"Step this way, and I'll see what I can do." The officer directed, leading the way to the desk to make them aware that Deidre Wherrington's lawyer and legal representative was there in her behalf and that all information and reports on her injuries and care needed to be directed to them only. The Power-of-Attorney was copied and placed on Deidre's clipboard. Immediately following that Terra placed it back in the leather binder and was directed to a waiting room. There was too much going on for anyone to stop and talk to them at the moment. Jeremiah escorted her to the waiting room and excused himself to find his brother. Letting her know that he would return when he spoke with him.
"What the hell is going on now Max?..." Jeremiah asked after the officers took him to the room where his brother was being held. "...and what do you know about Deidre Wherrington?"
"I don't know nothing! Other than she was screaming and running through Crenshaw earlier tonight. I didn't know who the hell she was!"
"Wait a minute, you're not making sense-..."
"Just listen... for the last few days, there been whitey activity in the hood... know what I'm sayin'? Few of m'boys seen this car, white man driving it - looking around and shit. Then ol'man Mr. Reynolds, saw'im too. Ol'man was tellin' me... tellin' me... watch yo'self, cause somebody up to some shit that ain't right! There we are tonight, hangin' and chillin' and shit - then one of my boys fly up sayin' Shay whitey female - screamin' her ass off! At the time, I didn't know who the fuck it was! I didn't know until they took her from me and laid her ass down to take her away here... that's when I seen her face! Then the police started asking me all kinds of shit about her!"
Jeremiah couldn't believe it, he stood a moment thinking that over, then asked. "Who was after her?"
"Five goddamn vehicles! Shootin' like a motha'fucka! Tryin' to - snuff - her - ass -out! Then blame that shit on us! That's what ol'man Mr. Reynolds' was saying!"
"Did you see any of them?"
"No! But they was driving shit like ours! You know... somebody went through a hell of a lot of expense duplicatin' our shit! Trying to make it look legit! Like a goddamn gang war! Wouldn't no goddamn gang war! Some motha'fucka wanted to kill her ass, and make it look like we did the shit! Hell'naw! We ain't wearin' it man! You got to do somethin'! This is bullshit! We saved her goddamn life!" He blasted, then thought about it. "Is she still alive?" He asked realizing she may not be.
"I don't know." Jeremiah stood with his mind in a whirl; caught up in something so surreal. They were suppose to meet. He now wished he'd gone to pick her up. Then he started wondering how was it things were mastered to bring it all about. "Hold tight, I'll be back!" Jeremiah stated heading for the door.
"Wait man! Where you going?"
"I'll be back!" He yelled.
He went to Terra and told her what he gathered from his brother, taking the time to calm her. Instructing her to call family members in to be with her so she was not waiting their alone, she agreed. He next went to the officer in charge and started making demands. "I need to be taken out to the scene of the shootings! I need to make sure nothing has been mishandled! I also want her vehicle confiscated - asap! This is her address, I want it pulled now! I smell something rotten! I need specific and concise questions asked of those whom first saw her."
"We're gathering all of that now. Let us do our job okay? Don't expect too much time spent on it. Its pretty much cut and dry what's happened here." Officer Rogelio La Roja replied.
"You see, that statement right there tells me, I better not leave this in the hands of the wrong people! Because you of all persons, should know - few things like this, are always, simple cut and dry! According to what I've been told, there's something else going on here." Jeremiah informed the Spanish officer. "I need to get to the scene where it all took place - now!" He continued with urgency.
He was taken to one of the many locations, and immediately lost his patience because he wanted to be taken to the start location, where Deidre originated and the initial attack began. He wanted a count of all vehicles involved. All weapons used confiscated. Details of every individual injured on the scene. Before long, he and the head of investigations were in an argument over how the investigation was being done, as well danger of contamination.
"I'm telling you now! This investigation is not going to be conducted like a common gang war occurrence! Believe me detective Johnson, I will not leave this one alone! There's a hidden mystery here - it will not be buried! I can tell you that now." Jeremiah assured the angry detective Martyn Johnson.
Chapter 78
Oscar T. was a nervous wreck waiting for the phone call to say all had gone according to plan. Any moment now they should be hearing from the police concerning their daughter's unfortunate death. He expected to hear, something to the effects of -"Due to a wrong turn by the taxi driver, they were set upon in a high crime area, urban street thugs and gang bangers!" He paced in his study, waiting - waiting - waiting for the phone call. He kept going over his reaction to it in his head. How he must appear once the news was given to him. He held the throw away cell phone in his pocket. Edgy he removed it to check once again that it was on... it was working fine. He put it away and resumed his pacing. It was driving him crazy with wanting to know had they even done it yet? If not... what were they waiting for? He told them, it was to be done the very day of their return from their business trip. Unable to stand the silent waiting, he turned, opened his television cabinet and clicked on the news.
Immediately there was being reported a gang war attack on a young woman who had ventured into the high crime area. Smiling, Oscar T. clicked the television off, not wanting to know too much. It was only a matter of time now before they were contacted. Then they could rush down to the hospital as concerned and hor
rified parents of their daughter's tragic death. It was the perfect crime set up. Oscar was proud of himself for thinking of it. The world would automatically assume what it has been programmed to assume. They would draw the easiest conclusion, out of control gangs. Racist attacks on the unfortunate, another tragic casualty at the hands of out of control Urban areas and violence. Lighting up a cigar, he thought this would make a nice boost to his political career.
"Let me think... grieving father determined that his daughter's death not be in vain. There needs to be hard and fast changes made in the legislature concerning attacks on the innocent." He thought out loud, puffing on his cigar to get it lit. "Yes... this will make a nice issue to address and bring to the forefront!" He smiled, knowing that any moment now, their phone would ring, so it was a good thing he was puffing on a cigar, he needed to be behaving in a natural manner previous to the call, or the arrival of the police breaking the tragic news. It was going to be a long night, he wondered if he should go on up to bed? He looked at the clock on his desk, it was after two in the morning. "They should be contacting us by now?" He thought unsure. But then again, it depended on what time it all occurred as to when they would be contacted. He decided to take faith in that what he'd planned was done. If he could only get that one phone call with the simple words declared. "D and D." - Done and dead. That's all he needed to hear. That's what they agreed upon. Yet... he waited. Nothing. He couldn't stand there all night waiting. He went up to bed and would wake to find all was done... and then he could begin mourning until it was time to strategize on the next move.
* * *
Wisconsin...
It was the crack and roll of thunder, tapering off into smaller rumbles that shook him.
Shawn's body jerked from the loud boom. "What the..." He froze a moment to gather his bearings. "...aaah hell... Jesus Christ." He moaned. Smacking his dry mouth, his jaw felt sore, "Oooh man..." His dry scratchy throat would not swallow, he needed water. "Sylvie... emmm - I need water... baby... please. " He called out softly, praying she would get him a glass. He felt like crap and didn't want to move. His left hand went to the side to shake her, and soon realized, he wasn't in bed. His arm dropped. His head felt like hammers were beating up front, his eyes were scratchy and then he tried to blink and felt startling pain from one. "Aaah fuck... what... what the hell?" He was right handed and lifted it to his face, it too hurt. He flexed his fist and immediately regretted it.
Slowly he tried to pull himself up into a sitting position. Now up-right, he felt himself listing to the left, wincing he pulled himself center. Squinting, he tried to open his eyes to see, it was morning... he knew that. Although gray out, what daylight there was - was there. Lightning flashed once more, brightening the outdoors through the window, and then, back to grey; a few seconds later, thunder rumbled and rolled again. Forcing his eyes to open, he could see that it was dark and stormy. Still squinting, he was trying to bring his senses around.
"Aaah hell... I need some water." He groaned and leaned forward to stand up. "FUCK!" He exclaimed loud. His body hurt...everywhere. Holding himself still, he stared out the big picture window through the drapery sheers, trying to decide if he was going to take a step or not, if so, with which foot first? "What the hell ... doing on the sofa?" He murmured. Taking a deep breath, he looked around the house. It was quiet. Very... quiet. Lightning fired up bright before him, making him squint as he stood to the sound of the pouring rain. He turned carefully and made his way for the kitchen, even his back hurt, he flexed his shoulders, shifting his back from one side to the other, wanting to crack or loosen the spine, trying to get the kink out while looking around as he moved toward the sink. Everything was neat and in order. At the sink, he turned the faucet on, letting the water run as he took a glass from the cabinet, rinsed it out and began filling it and drinking. Five times before he had enough. Slowly he reached forward and turned the faucet off and set the glass down, bracing himself against the counter.
The house was too quiet, especially surrounded by the storm outside. Of course, Angela was with Derrick's family, leaving him and Sylvia home alone.
He stood a moment trying to let the fuzz in his brain clear, until his eye focused on his raw knuckles. Flashes of last night finally began. Jake... arriving late at their reception. Jake up on stage touching Sylvia. Her attack on Jake, and then his need to get to him as well. They fought.
She'd lied to him. Had kept it from him that Jake had been after her. Question was... why?
He stood away from the counter and turned to look into their bedroom. That's when he noticed the bed. It was still made and didn't appear to have been slept in.
"Sylvia?" He called out, thinking she must be up and in the bathroom. He made his way towards the bedroom looking on the bed. Her white gown lay there. He stood in the doorway, staring at the bed, then around the room. His eyes scanning to the right where their luggage had been sitting, packed and ready to leave that morning for their honeymoon. His luggage was sitting there... but hers... gone.
"Sylvia!?" He called out again, letting go of the door frame, he made his way into their room, passed the bed to the bathroom, the door was open. It couldn't be any other way, as he remembered kicking it open, busting the top hinge to leave it hanging oddly along with the striker plate on the opposite frame, it too was busted and barely hanging there. Shawn stared at it for a few moments because he couldn't move. His actions last night replaying in his mind, the frightened scream of Sylvia's voice was now clear - he'd scared her last night. The beat of his heart, was starting to speed up.
"Sylvia?!" He called again and turned around, his eyes immediately went to his bags on the floor, absent hers.
"SYLVIA?!" His call to her growing stronger with his fear as he went rushing through the bedroom, his right knee was killing him, making him limp a bit as he charged pass the fireplace, around her favorite chair, to the side hall leading to Angela's room. He threw the door open, "Sylvia?! Oooh... come on... don't." He cried out her name, whimpering as his heart beat faster with each discovery that she was not there. He rushed to her office, stood a moment holding the door knob. "Be here Sylvia... please... be in here." He turned the knob and tossed the door open to face an empty room that almost brought him to his knees.
"No no no no no... baby please... SYLVIA!?! SYLVIA?!!" He ran back through the house, passed her chair to the basement door and threw it open and flew down the stairs, almost falling, skipping over two at a time. "SYLVIA!! SYLVIA!?" He looked in his studio, in the bathroom, and spun in a circle, then rushed to the stairs, up them, favoring his knee he rushed through the basement door, across the house to the kitchen door, snatching it open, he dashed out into the pouring rain, heedless of it he rushed to the garage and threw that door open. Her car was gone.
"Oh come on come on come on - don't do this to me please... don't do this Sylvie... don't do this!" He whimpered, rubbing his stomach, feeling as if he were going to be sick. He ran threw the rain across the road, up to his porch. His SUV and the truck were parked outside on the driveway in front of the garage.
He tried to open the door, but it was locked, and began banging on it.
"MUNDOOOO! CRYSTAL! OPEN THE DOOR!!" He banged, and shook the knob. "MUNDOOO! CRYSTA-A-AL! OPEN THE DOOR!" He banged on, standing out in the wind and weather with the cold deluge soaking him until finally Mundo came to the door, barely able to open his eyes, he backed up letting Shawn in.
"WHERE'S YOUR MOTHER?! SYLVIA-A-A!!! Baby where are you?!" He called through the house, going from one room to the other in a panic.
"Ain't she at the house over there?" Mundo asked yawning looking outside at the pouring torrent, then shivered.
He received no answer, just the sound of Shawn pounding on Crystal's bedroom door. "CRYSTAL?! YOUR MOM IN THERE? CRYSTAL!! WAKE UP... IS YOUR MOM IN THERE?!"
Crystal turned to her back, rubbing her eyes, feeling cotton mouth and queasy. She moaned out a, "HMMM?"
"IS - YOUR - MOTHER - IN - THERE?!" Shaw
n shouted.
Crystal sat up, looked around and then rose and went to the door. She had on a night sleeper that reached her knees. She opened it to see Shawn standing there dripping wet, blue, purple and green eye, cut lip, hair all over his head.
"What the heck?! What happened?!" She asked.
He peered past her into the room, no Sylvia.
Shawn turned away, leaning with his back against the wall with his knees bent, he rocked, "I'm gonna be sick... I'm gonna be sick." He repeated over and over, hurting everywhere, scared to death.
"What the heck happened?" Crystal asked walking out into the hall to see her brother standing at the end of it looking at Shawn.
"You telling me, my mama left?" He asked staring at Shawn who was leaning over breathing deep, and suddenly he darted across the hall into the bathroom shoving the door wide just making it to the toilet.
For the fourth time, Crystal asked, "What is going on?! What do you mean... mama left?!" She asked her brother.
"They was fighting last night."
"Who was fighting last night?!" She asked stunned. "I need some water, wait a minute." She walked into the kitchen and drank a few glasses hearing the thunderstorm rage outside, Mundo followed her part of the way.
"Papah-Shawn and Jake... got into a big ass fight! Over mama! Shit got crazy as hell! They was thumpin' like a mug!" Mundo informed her.
"Why?" She asked.
"Over a goddamn song! I think. Jake had me play some shit didn't no body wanna hear! Then Papah-Shawn got mad at mama, 'cause Jake was trying to hone in on his shit wit'her! Uncle Jake a scandulous motha'fucka! That ain't no goddamn lie! I ain't know... hell, it was just a song."
BOMAW 4-6 Page 2
