by Deja King
Maya had also been awakened by the ruckus. "Who was down here screaming?" she asked, still not fully awake.
"It was a misunderstanding. Go back to sleep."
Maya, now more alert, saw Jamal and then glanced at me. She paused for another few seconds and then went back to her room.
"Busy morning," I said casually, trying to alleviate the tension in the air.
"What happened yesterday? Why didn't you show up for the wedding or return my calls?" Jamal's voice was full of accusatory undertones. I knew I had to use my choice of words wisely.
"Jamal, I'm so sorry. I didn't even have a chance to check my messages. I got so sidetracked with Maya and her problems that I couldn't focus on anything else. But why are you here? Shouldn't you be with your new wife?"
"What problems did Maya have?"
"An abusive boyfriend. Mike is out of town so I had to take the place of a big brother." There was no question in my mind that Jamal was now drilling me, and I didn't like it one bit but I remained cool. "So, how was the wedding? I know Nina looked absolutely stunning. Her custom-made Vera Wang gown was beautiful."
"Yeah, it's too bad I never got to see it on her," Jamal said as he walked up the stairs. The closer he got to me, I could see his eyes were swollen and red like he'd been crying all night.
"I don't understand. What happened?"
"Nina never made it to the wedding. In fact, Nina is dead."
"What!" I belted. I even put my hand over my mouth for extra dramatics. "What happened? Did she get in a car accident or something?"
"No, she was murdered."
"Murdered! But who'd want to kill Nina?"
Jamal's eyes stayed locked on mine, and I knew he was searching for any sign that I was lying or knew more than what I was saying, but I refused to draw back.
"But it gets better. She was involved with Nico Carter."
"Nico Carter," I repeated, sounding confused.
"Yes, your ex and the man who tried to murder you."
"I know who Nico Carter is, but I had no idea he knew Nina. How did you find that out?"
"Shortly after they discovered Nina's body, they checked her last outgoing and incoming calls, which led them to Talesha. After hearing about Nina's death, she broke down and told the cops everything, including Nina's relationship with Nico and helping orchestrate a setup involving you."
"Nina and Talesha? That same loud-mouth chicken that was up in my face at the bridal boutique? I was hanging with the enemies and didn't even know it. I can't believe they were trying to set me up; but for what?"
"Supposedly she resented your past relationship with Nico and held you responsible for him being on the run."
"This all sounds crazy and farfetched." While continuing my act of being dumbfounded, I secretly wished I had tossed Talesha over the cliff along with Vita. But luckily, I did have Vita tell her I was a no-show. Still, Talesha was so distraught over Nina's death that she developed diarrhea of the mouth. To kill her now would put unwanted heat on me, so hopefully the police and Jamal would chalk up both women as being the scandalous, grimy whores they are, and in Nina's case, was.
"At first I did too. But after cops told me they found Nico's fingerprints throughout her apartment, and the lady that runs the building identified him in a photo, and combined with Talesha's story, I knew it had to be true. But once I thought about it, it all made sense. I suspected that Nina was seeing somebody, but I could never prove it. Then when you didn't come up with any dirt, I wanted to believe my suspicions were incorrect."
"So, have police located Nico, and do they think he's responsible for Nina's death?"
"No. Once again the elusive Nico has managed to disappear, but the police aren't really saying if they believe he is the shooter. One of the detectives did tell me they believe whoever killed her sneaked up from behind. This entire ordeal is extraordinary, because never did I see all these lies coming. Nina was living a whole other life that I was completely unaware of. It's funny how you think you know someone so well, but come to find out you don't know them at all. They're a complete stranger."
"I know what you mean." I wasn't quite sure if Jamal's comment was directed at his life with Nina or me, but it was time for him to go. "Jamal, I don't mean to rush you out, but I need to take care of some things. But let's definitely talk later on." I gave him a hug and started walking back up the stairs.
"Aren't you curious to know what Nina's intentions were when she tried to set you up?" Jamal blurted out, freezing my step.
"Why don't you tell me?"
"Your death."
"It seems a lot of people want me dead."
"Indeed, but you always seem to be one step ahead."
"Is there something you want to ask me, Jamal? Because if so, then just do it." It was clear from my tone that my patience with him had run out.
"Did you kill Nina?" he asked pointblank.
"As a matter of fact, I didn't. And I resent you even making the implication."
"I have the right to know what happened to my fiancee," he said, becoming defensive.
"The so-called fiancee who not only left you at the altar, but was carrying on a full-fledged relationship with a known cold blooded killer, is that the fiancee you're harassing me about? Let me give you a little bit of advice. Stop wasting your time playing Perry Mason for a woman who obviously didn't give a damn about you."
"That's cold."
"What's cold is you cross-examining me this early in the morning in my own home. I'm beginning to regret not letting Nathan show you the front door. But I'll give you a pass this one time because Nina's death has apparently left you delusional. That can be the only explanation for your blatant disrespect. Now please leave my home before I have to call security."
"Precious, wait. I'm sorry. You not showing up at the wedding and then not returning my phone calls, then the Nico factor has my mind working overtime. This whole bizarre episode has me feeling like I'm in the Twilight Zone. I'm taking my frustrations out on you, and I apologize."
"Like I said, I'm giving you a pass this one time, but I think it's best you leave. You've already said enough." I continued walking up the stairs, dismissing his presence. Jamal needed to be well aware of my anger so he would think twice before discussing his suspicions of me with anybody else. I didn't hold too many people in a high esteem, but he was one of them. I would hate to take him out this world because of his misplaced love for a ruthless bitch. I hoped for his sake that he would let sleeping dogs lie.
'~5, ~eraenJ
For the next few weeks, I was constantly looking over my shoulder, waiting to get that knock at the door from the police investigating Nina's murder. The knock never came, and I hoped their investigation was taking them in a direction that had nothing to do with me. Jamal had left me a couple of messages apologizing profusely for his accusations, so I figured he bought the show I put on for him. Technically, I wasn't lying. I didn't kill Nina, but it was only because I wasn't given the chance. It would've been my pleasure to lullaby her sneaky ass.
Before I could delve any deeper, the ringing of my cell phone interrupted my thoughts. "Hello."
"Precious, please come and get me!"a frantic Maya screamed.
"What's wrong, and where are you?"
"I'm in the Bronx. I got into a fight with my boyfriend, and he straight left me stranded here with no cash, no cell, nothing. I'm using some dude's phone that I don't even know."
"Relax. Give me your exact location and I'll come get you." I typed the address in my navigation system and made a detour from going to get my nails done so I could swoop up Maya. I hadn't seen her since her suspension was up and she went back to school. I figured everything was going cool, but it was the middle of the week during school hours, and instead of being in class, Miss Fast-Ass Maya was standing on some corner in the Bronx.
I slowed down when I got on Baychester Avenue and looked for Maya. I noticed her standing on the corner by the Barnes and Noble. I beeped my horn and
she came running up to the car with a smile across her face. Besides her hair being a little disheveled, I didn't see any noticeable bruises, which was a relief.
"Precious, you're the best. I was out here `bout to freak out," she said, getting in the car.
"What the hell happened, and who is this boyfriend you got? I hope it ain't that older dude you mentioned before."
"Nah, I don't deal wit' him no more. Clip's dumb-ass did this shit to me."
"Clip? How old is he and how long you been dealing wit' dude? And why did he leave you stranded in the Bronx?" I had to stop myself because the questions kept rolling off my tongue.
"He just turned eighteen. We been kicking it for a couple of months now, but keeping it on the hush-hush `cause he works for my brother. That's what we got in the fight about. I want us to step out as a couple and come clean, but he's talking `bout `no'."
"What does he do for your brother?"
"He push weight," Maya said, as if, Duh, you should know that!
"Your brother still moving diesel out here? I thought he gave all that up for this music game."
"Getting that music shit to keep poppin' off cost a lot more paper than Mike anticipated, so he uses the drug game to fund the music game. Plus, you know my brother gon' be street for life."
I nodded my head, listening to Maya becoming increasingly curious about what she was spitting to me.
"But see, Clip's tryna break into the business as a rapper. My brother was supposed sign him to his label, and today he told me it's about to happen, and that's why he ain't ready to let everybody know we're together. I'm like, shit, fuck dat! What, you care more about my brother putting you on than being wit' me?"
"What changed to make Mike want to sign him to his label now?"
Maya was halfway listening to me and partly listening to the radio. When Ludacris' "Money Maker" came on, she turned up the volume and snapped her fingers. "That's my song right there. But yeah, um, what changed was Supreme getting murdered."
I hit the brakes so suddenly on my Range that if the car behind me had been just a few feet closer, it would've rammed right into me. The person in the back of me started blowing the horn, but now the light was red so everybody was on pause. I cut that radio off with quickness and turned to Maya.
"Why you turn that off? I told you that's my song," she complained.
"Maya, what did Supreme's death have to do with that nigga, Clip?"
"Well, you know Supreme had the rap shit on lock. He was King of New York. Couldn't nobody new come out and really get no shine. My brother was actually tryna' get Supreme to sign to his label."
"You must've got your information wrong."
"No I don't. I was there and I heard the conversation," Maya said, twisting her neck.
"What conversation?" Now every car behind me was blowing their horns because the light had been turned green, but I was so entranced in what Maya was saying I hadn't noticed. After going through the light, I pulled over on the side of the street. I didn't want any further interruptions.
"Over the summer I was staying wit' Mike, and he gave me some money to go shopping, `cause like always, he had some business to handle and wanted me gone. I didn't care, but when I was about to leave I overheard him saying that Supreme would be there in a few. Girl, you know I lost it. I wasn't positive it was `the' Supreme," Maya said, giving quotation signs with her fingers. "But the chance that it was, was worth me sticking around for."
She continued. "Mike always had his meetings in his entertainment room, so when he stepped out I hid in one of the closets and waited, determined to see my boo. Precious, I hope you don't feel I'm being disrespectful. I know he was your husband, but I'd been in love wit' him since he did that record with Beyonce, `Wife You'. Me and my girls just knew he was talking about us." Maya was grinning while telling me her story, and not understanding I couldn't give a flying fuck about the crush her and every other chick on these streets had on Supreme. My interest was on Mike.
"It's cool. Finish your story."
"Yeah, yeah. So finally, Supreme did show up looking fine. He had on the white Sean John sweatsuit, all iced out. The damn rock he had in his ear was blinding me from the closet."
"Enough about what he was wearing, tell me about the conversation."
"It won't nothin' too deep. Mike basically told Supreme that he knew his deal was up with whatever label he was on, and he wanted Supreme to sign wit' him. Mike threw out all these huge dollar amounts he'd give him. See, that's how I know my brother's so paid. That's why I don't have no problem hittin' him up all the time for paper and dare him to say no, `cause I know all about that money he was offering Supreme. You feel me?"
I just nodded my head yes so Maya could continue spilling the information.
"Uh huh, so yeah, Mike was tryna offer Supreme more money than what Bill Gates got, and when they finished talking, both of them left. And thank goodness they did, `cause I was loving seeing my boo, Supreme, but I had to pee."
"You haven't told me what Supreme said to Mike's offer."
"Oh, Supreme told Mike hell-to-the-no. So I knew Supreme had extra-long paper too, to turn all that money down."
"When did all this go down?" I could see Maya straining her brain trying to remember.
"Come to think of it, it was a week before Supreme got killed. I remembered I was listening to Miss Jones on Hot 97, and she made the announcement, and I was like, damn! I just saw him last week! But least I was lucky enough to see Supreme in the flesh. None of my girls can say that. But real talk, I cried when I heard he was dead. Are the police any closer to finding his killer?"
"Nope." But I am, I thought to myself. I didn't say a word as I drove Maya back to my house. She was so busy singing and rapping to every song on the radio that she was oblivious to the dark places my mind had gone after our conversation. I was always so positive that Nico was the triggerman in Supreme's death that I never let my mind go in another direction. Had the detectives who came to see me right after Supreme's murder been right? Was he always the intended mark? Was this about music and money, not revenge? I had to find out once and for all.
When we pulled up to the crib, Maya snapped out of her musical bliss and focused her attention back on me.
"Precious, you're not going to tell my brother about what went down today, are you?"
"You mean in regards to Clip?"
"Yeah, what else would I be talking `bout?" she asked, not having a clue how valuable the conversation that she overheard between her brother and Supreme was to me.
"Nah, I wasn't asking, I was making a statement. Don't worry, I won't mention a word to Mike about Clip. But you do need to be careful. That nigga left you in the Bronx, wit' no money, no purse, nothing. Do you really want a cat like that as your man?"
"I forgot to mention that I did use my purse and phone to go upside his head when he told me we still couldn't tell nobody about our relationship."
"But you said y'all got into a fight."
"Yeah, we fought wit' our mouths, and then I fought him wit' my fists, purse and phone."
"So what did he do?"
"Latched onto my arms all tight, then took my phone and purse before driving off." Maya smacked her lips and folded her arms like she was the victim.
"So he didn't hit you?"
"Hell nah. Clip ain't crazy. He knows I'd tell my brother and that nigga be dead. But he needs to give me my shit back. The only reason I didn't call Mike was `cause I didn't want him knowing I skipped school."
"I tell you what. Everything we talked about will stay between us. There's no need for Mike to know you skipped school. But chill on the Clip situation. He'll give you back your stuff."
"So you think he's right for wanting to keep our relationship a secret?"
"It's not about right and wrong, it's about getting what you want. You have to know what battles to fight and the ones not worth stressing over. If you're meant to be with Clip, then it'll happen. Relax, Ma."
"Night I'l
l follow your advice. But how we gon' explain to Mike why I'm at your crib?"
"I'll handle Mike. I'll tell him I'ma pick you up from school so we can have a girl's day. You can spend the night and I'll drop you off at school in the morning."
"That's what's up! You're the best, Precious."
"Hum huh, but you will be going to school tomorrow. Don't fuck around with your education, Maya. It's vital to have that street knowledge, but it's just as important to hit them books. I still regret not going to college, and maybe one day I will, but having your high school diploma is a must," I said, dead serious.
"Damn, I never really thought that deeply about it before, but you're right. I promise I'll get my act together and start hittin' them books."
"I'm proud of you. Now get out the car. I got moves to make. Nathan will let you in."
"But wait. I thought you said we were having a girl's day," Maya said with a frown on her face.
"That's what I'm telling your brother. I have some things that need to be handled, but when I get back we can hit the mall and go out to eat or something."
Maya's face lit back up at my offer. "Okay, I'll see you when you get back."
I waited and made sure Maya got in the house before driving off. I did have moves to make. First thing I did was place a call to Jamal. I hadn't spoken to him since he tried to go Perry Mason on my ass, but from the messages he left me it seemed he let it go, though the reception I received on the phone would be the only way I'd know for sure.
"Hello," Jamal answered.
"Hi, Jamal. It's me, Precious."
"Wow, I can't believe it's you. I'm surprised to hear your voice.
"My number didn't come up on your phone?"
"Honestly, I was in the middle of something and didn't even check it before I picked up. But I'm really happy to hear from you. After our last conversation, I didn't think I would ever speak to you again. I was completely out of line."
I was relieved to know that he had fallen for my performance, because I needed his help. "You were in shock. You'd just found out Nina was dead. I understand you were looking for someone to blame."
