The Scales (The Black Land Series Book 3)

by D. Camille

  “You always were the smartest in the class,” Patrice mocked.

  “Here’s one for you…one falsehood spoils a thousand truths,” he told her quietly.

  Patrice sat up and stared at him. “Why did you ask us to come here? What kind of deal are you offering?” she asked cutting to the chase.

  There was a knock on the door and Brandon glanced at Tauri. “I’ll get it,” she said standing to her feet.

  Everyone inside watched as she opened the door to two officers from the Department of Corrections. Tauri waved them inside then pointed at Patrice.

  “She’s right there.”

  Patrice’s eyes widened. “What is this?”

  “They’re here to remove your ankle bracelet,” Brandon informed her.

  She smiled. “I’m glad you’re on top of these things,” she told Brandon before turning to the officers. Gracefully, she extended her leg and waited while they removed the device.

  When it was off, Patrice twisted her foot from right to left, admiring her empty ankle with a sly smile. Brandon watched her amusement without expression.

  “Thank you gentlemen,” he told the officers and waited until they exited the office.

  Patrice turned her attention to Brandon. “I guess there’s always next time, Brandon. Am I free to go?”

  “Actually Patrice, I haven’t informed you as to why I asked you here.”

  “I’m listening,”

  Tauri stood and walked over to Brandon’s desk and picked up a small device.

  “Listen very closely…” Brandon told Patrice.

  Tauri started the device and all four people in the room heard Attorney Hamilton along with the cousins, Lenny, Terrance and Tremaine. Patrice’s breath caught as she listened to her Counsel bribe the men, tell them to leave town and pay them off to keep them from testifying against her.

  Brandon and Tauri watched the pair in their seats as the recording ended. Patrice turned to Attorney Hamilton. “What the hell have you done?”

  He looked confused as she turned to Brandon and Tauri. “I had nothing to do with this!”

  Brandon moved his gaze to the Attorney. “As a lawyer, you know what this means. Now the question is, are you going down for her alone?”

  “I am not on that tape and I didn’t know anything about that. That is his doing!” She pointed at the attorney.

  Tauri intervened. “We didn’t have to come to you. We could’ve simply filed charges, but we wanted to give you the opportunity to do what’s right at this point,” she told Attorney Hamilton before he dropped his head into his hands.

  “You have nothing on me! I want to leave,” Patrice snapped.

  “On the contrary Patrice, we have two witnesses ready to testify to your evil deeds.” Brandon stood to his feet. “Terrance and Tremaine didn’t dodge the police, they’re hidden away from you and your minions.”

  “They were working with Chief Green the whole time and were wired when they met with your attorney,” he explained.

  Patrice folded her arms. “So you’re simply still at square one. It’s my word against two little nappy headed boys.”

  “And a former attorney,”

  Patrice turned at the voice. “What?”

  Attorney Hamilton looked at Brandon. “I’ll tell you whatever you want to know.”

  “You can’t do that! That is privileged information,” she protested.

  “When I’m disbarred, I’m no longer an attorney…so I guess you were right Patrice, this is my last case.”

  Patrice turned to Brandon and Tauri. “It was his idea. He forced me to go along with it and extorted the funds from me.”

  Tauri shook her head. “It’s over Patrice.”

  “You’ve violated your probation by participating in bribing and intimidating a witness.” Brandon glanced at his phone then walked to the door and opened it with a smile.

  “Hello chief,”

  Mac returned his smile. “Hello counselor, do you have a parole violator for me?”

  “Yes I do, along with an arrest warrant for her and her attorney.”

  Mac entered with four officers and walked over to Patrice. “Good afternoon Patrice, we meet again.”

  “Guess what I found when I executed a search of your old office?”

  Mac waited as Patrice looked away from her.

  “You know I never thought that I’d find the gun that I believe killed Beverly Evans, hidden in your office.” Mac shook her head. “I wouldn’t even have thought to look there.”

  Mac smiled. “But then a little birdie that sits outside your door, gave me a heads up.”

  “And she’s agreed to testify against you.” Mac took out her cuffs. “So we’re going to make sure you stay behind bars until your trial, so she won’t have to worry about you bothering her like you did those young men.”

  “Turn around,” Mac ordered.

  As she took Patrice into custody, two other officers moved over to Attorney Hamilton to do the same.

  Patrice turned back to glare at Mac and the other two officers began to take her away. “I’ll see you at the station Patrice.”

  Mac looked at the attorney. “You too, Attorney Hamilton.”

  “Take them,” Mac instructed and waited until they left the office.

  Turning she smiled at Rion and Tauri. “You two are amazing. Thank you for all of your help in getting those two behind bars.”

  Brandon came to place a hand around her waist. “I’m glad that Tremaine trusted you so much. This could have turned out much worse, for everyone involved.”

  “Terrance was skeptical, but I think the Negus talking to him brought him around,” Mac told him.

  Tauri looked at the couple. “I can’t believe the lengths that she’d go to. I’m glad she didn’t just try to have them killed.”

  Mac sighed. “Sadly, that might’ve been her next step, so I’m glad she’s in custody again.”

  “And she has to get new counsel,” Brandon added. “There aren’t going to be too many lawyers knocking down her door to represent her.”

  Tauri smirked. “But she’ll find one who’s trying to line his pockets.”

  “If we even go to trial. She’s facing so much, she should plead guilty and save the taxpayers some money.”

  Tauri agreed. “If she gives us the police, we can work out something.”

  Mac looked concerned at Tauri’s statement and Tauri smiled.

  “Don’t worry Mac, she’s going to prison…for a long time,” Tauri assured her. “But maybe we can give her some special accommodations for turning on the police.”

  Mac agreed. “Yes, I want those officers off the force for good. What they’ve done to young men like Terrance and Tremaine is inexcusable.”

  “And what hurts me the most is that they felt there was nowhere to turn for help, not even to the chief.”

  Brandon heard the sadness in her voice. “That’s not your fault baby. It’s just that a few bad apples can change everyone’s perception, but that’s why those apples have to be dealt with swiftly and accordingly, to show the people that they do have a voice.”

  “How are Terrance and Tremaine?” Tauri asked.

  “I’m going to see them now and tell them that we have Patrice and the Attorney. I’m so proud of them,” Mac answered.

  “And of Patrice’s assistant…she contacted me and spilled all the tea.”

  Brandon added, “I don’t think Patrice treated her very well and she was more than ready to see her get her just due.”

  Mac looked amazed. “I never would’ve have even contemplated Patrice having possession of that gun. I know ballistics will confirm it’s the one I’ve been searching for.”

  “How the hell did she end up with the murder weapon?” Tauri asked.

  Mac nodded. “Patrice paid the store owner to get the gun back from the initial shooters because she wanted to have leverage over them.”

  “Damn, she truly is a Queenpin. How did she do all of this under our noses?�
�� Tauri questioned.

  Brandon looked at the women. “She’s good but karma is a bitch, and all the negativity she put out has returned to her,” he commented. “Nobody can help her now.”

  “Which means I’ve got a ton of work to do,” Tauri announced. “So I’ll talk to you later Brandon.”

  He nodded. “I’ll be around.”

  Tauri said her goodbye to Mac and the couple watched as she left. Brandon pulled Mac close and kissed her softly. “Mackenzie…”

  Mac returned his kiss and held him close. “I’ve missed you.”

  “I know you’ve been busy,” he whispered back.

  She frowned. “I hate not being able to see you for days at a time.”

  Brandon touched her cheek. “But you always make up for it.”

  “And I’m glad you were taking care of Terrance and Tremaine,” he told her. “Those boys deserve a better life than what they’ve been given so far.”

  Mac smiled softly at him. “That’s why I love you.”

  “Why?” he asked smiling down at her.

  “You understand me better than anyone ever has and you support me unconditionally,” she whispered.

  “I’m not going to lie, Mackenzie, I worry about you but I wouldn’t ever let my fears stifle you. I know this is your dream so of course I support you, because I love you and everything that comes with that,” he told her honestly.

  “Thank you for telling me that,” Mac told him. “I wonder how my job affects you.”

  “You just arrested two criminals who were terrorizing the city, arrested dirty cops and solved a murder case. That’s amazing and I’m proud that my woman did that,” he complimented.

  Mac smiled. “We’re going to do so many more amazing things for our city.”

  “Yes we are baby,” Brandon said lowering his head. “And other amazing things as well.”

  ******

  Brandon arrived at Judge William’s home a short time before the Patterson’s were due to meet with Victoria. The Judge had suggested his home as a neutral site other than Rion and Tauri’s home or the Patterson’s, where Victoria had grown up.

  Everyone had agreed to that set up, which allowed for anyone to leave when they were ready. Judge Williams had asked Brandon to be in attendance as support for both sides, and Brandon had asked Mackenzie to also attend as support for him…and just in case some law enforcement became needed.

  Inside the home, he sat with Victoria and Benjamin, as he encouraged her. “It’s going to be alright Victoria.”

  She looked into his green eyes. “Whatever happens, I’m going to accept whatever decision they make.”

  Benjamin hugged her close. “Let’s just hope for the best. They’ve had time to think things over.”

  When the bell finally rang announcing the family, Brandon went to answer the door. He greeted Granny and Granddaddy Patterson, then Tauri and Rion along with their son.

  Rion looked at Brandon. “What do you think?”

  “I think it might be alright,” Brandon answered honestly and glanced at Tauri. “Just be honest about whatever you feel.”

  She nodded then looked at her husband holding their son. “I’m right here Goddess. Whatever you want, just say the word.”

  The Pattersons studied their granddaughter standing in the foyer, more worried about her than themselves. The couple had discussed their wayward daughter and agreed that whatever made Tauri happy, they would do too. Both parents had long ago made their peace over Victoria’s disappearance.

  After all these years, they didn’t harbor any ill feelings toward their only daughter, never had actually. Victoria had been a young girl with her own ideas. They were thankful that she had left their granddaughter with them and that little girl had become the love of their lives.

  “It’s going to be okay baby girl,” Henry Patterson told his granddaughter.

  Tauri hugged him close. “Okay, Granddaddy.”

  Together the group moved into the room where Benjamin and Victoria waited. Both were on their feet as they watched the family enter.

  Millie Patterson was the first to greet her daughter. Slowly she walked over to her and held her gaze. Victoria watched as her mother looked her over, then met her eyes again.

  “Hello baby,” Millie said in her raspy voice. “Welcome home.”

  Victoria eyes watered as her face scrunched. “Hello Momma…” she cried and Millie took her into her arms.

  “I’m so sorry Momma.” Consoling the crying woman, Millie gently rubbed her back and when Victoria finally composed herself, she straightened and looked at her mother lovingly.

  Millie touched the face that resembled hers. “If you are Victoria, and you’ve come back with good intentions, then we’re here for you.”

  Victoria nodded. “I swear, I just want my family.” She looked over at her father. “I missed you so much.”

  Henry moved closer then hugged her tightly. “We missed you too Victoria.”

  Rion watched Tauri closely as her grandparents greeted the woman whose abandonment had caused her so much pain in her life. When she moved forward, he paused still holding their son.

  The room quieted as Tauri stood before her mother. Her first thought was that Brandon was right, this woman did look like both her and her Granny with her honey complexion and light brown eyes.

  “Hello Tauri,” the woman spoke to her as she stood and watched her.

  “I don’t know what to call you,” Tauri said shakily.

  Victoria’s tears fell and she swiped at them. “Maybe we could start with Victoria?” she offered quietly.

  Tauri stood still in silence with her eyes locked on her mother’s.

  “You’re so beautiful,” Victoria said through her tears. “I’ve seen pictures of you, but they didn’t do you justice.”

  Tauri looked at her grandmother, then back at Victoria. “You look like a younger Granny.”

  Victoria smiled slightly then looked at Rion, and Tauri followed her gaze then held out her hand to him. Rion approached slowly with their son and stopped at Tauri’s side to also study the woman before him.

  “This is my husband, Orion.” Tauri told her. “And our son Orion Patterson Shaw.”

  Victoria greeted Rion then looked at the baby in Rion’s arms and her tears fell even more as she stared into the beautifully alert dark eyes of her grandson.

  “Oh my god! He’s so handsome,” she said in awe.

  Rion held the baby out to her. “Would you like to hold him?”

  Victoria waited for Tauri to object and when she didn’t, she nodded quickly. “Please…”

  Gently she took the baby into her arms and felt his sweet warmth. Victoria looked over at Benjamin as he smiled at her.

  “He’s the reason why I’m here tonight,” Tauri told her and Victoria looked up.

  “I always thought you’d left because there was something wrong with me…” Tauri began. “But when I look at my son, I know he’s perfect and anything that I do is because of me…not him.”

  “I understand how my choices affect him and will affect him all of his life.” Tauri took Rion’s hand. “And that’s why I can forgive you. My husband says that he came here to find me so this is where I needed to be, so I thank you for leaving me in Detroit with two people who have given me more love than any child could ever ask for…” She smiled at Rion. “And so that my every dream could come true.”

  Henry and Mille both felt tears as they watched their granddaughter. Everything she did and everything she was, made them proud to be her grandparents. They watched as Rion hugged his wife and kissed her softly. Benjamin moved to Victoria’s side and looked down at the baby in her arms.

  “Thank you Tauri, you’re forgiveness means more to me than you’ll ever know and I want you to know that I always loved you.” She paused and looked at the baby. “I was young and dumb but thought I knew everything and really knew nothing at all.”

  “I missed my parents, I missed my baby and I only had mys
elf to blame,” she finished.

  “Why did you come back now?” Tauri asked.

  Victoria glanced at Benjamin. “A very kind, very special, very wise man told me it was time for me to stop running and take responsibility for my actions.”

  “Are you here to stay?” Tauri questioned.

  Victoria looked around the room. “If it’s okay with you all…yes, I want to come home.”

  Little Rion began to squirm and kick then Victoria quickly handed him back to his father as he began to cry.

  “Is he alright?” Victoria asked concerned.

  Rion looked down at his son. “He feels his mother’s energy. She’s worried and he’s upset.”

  Tauri took a breath and tried to calm herself as Victoria watched. “Do you want me to leave?” she asked.

  “If I had my choice, you would have never left in the first place,” Tauri said quietly.

  “I’m not that girl anymore Tauri. I’ve grown up and I realize what’s important in life,” Victoria explained. “I would never do anything to hurt you again.”

  Tauri looked at her. “I won’t let you hurt me or Granny and Granddaddy,” she said protectively.

  Victoria nodded. “Understood, and if at any point you don’t want me here, I’ll go.”

  The room fell silent waiting for Tauri’s reply. “I think we can take it one day at a time,” she whispered.

  Victoria released the breath that she’d been holding inside. “That’s more than I could ever hope for Tauri Ann.”

  While Tauri stood face to face with her mother, she felt the tears began to fall unheeded down her face. “I missed you…” she cried, unable to keep it inside.

  Victoria hesitantly wrapped her arms around her as her own waterworks unleashed. “Oh baby, I missed you too…”

  As the women cried in one another’s arms, the doorbell rang and Brandon hurried to answer it. Mac rushed inside after he opened the door.

  “I’m sorry I’m late,” she apologized. “What did I miss?”

  Brandon pressed her back against the door and proceeded to make love to her mouth until her arms were wrapped around his back. When he finally lifted his head, she stared up at him confused.

  “So, did I miss something?” she asked dazed and confused.

  “I love you Mackenzie Michelle Green and I can’t wait to marry you.” He smiled.