Possessed

by Stacy-Deanne

  “Rena.”

  “When you were here, I felt so alive.” She rubbed Dee’s stomach. “How’s the baby?”

  “It’s fine.” Dee moved Rena’s hand, sensing a bizarre, sexual vibe from the moment. “What about the arrangements? Are you having a funeral?”

  “Jonathan wanted to be cremated. We’ll probably have a private ceremony within The Circle. You’re welcome to come. You’re a part of us too.”

  “Why would I wanna come?”

  “Because even if you don’t want to care about him...” Rena rubbed Dee’s forearm. “You do.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous.”

  “If not then why are you here?”

  “I wanted to make sure you were all right.”

  “Oh, Dee.” Rena hugged her again. “I’ll never be all right unless you can forgive me for not being the friend you needed.”

  Dee twitched, pushing her away. “It’s okay.”

  “Can you stay a while? We haven’t had breakfast yet.”

  “No, I have to get to work.” Dee stood. “I’ll call you.”

  “Wait.” Rena stood, fixing her dress. “I can’t keep saying I’m your friend and not following through.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  Rena took Dee’s hands, swallowing. “I have something to tell you about Jonathan.”

  “Rena?” Asia flew from the bushes. “I need to talk to you.”

  Dee squinted.

  “It can wait,” Rena snapped without looking in Asia’s direction. “Dee, let’s go inside so we can talk.”

  “Rena.” Asia got in between them, breathing through her nostrils. “I’m sure Deidra has to get going. That would be best.” She pinched Rena. “Wouldn’t it?”

  Rena moved back, slouching. “I’ll see you, Dee.”

  “What did you need to say?”

  “Nothing.” Her plump cheeks reddened. “Have a good day at work.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  “What the hell is your problem?” Asia pushed Rena after Dee left. “You weren’t about to do what I think you were, right?”

  “Yes, I was. I can’t keep telling Dee she can trust me then hiding things from her. She deserves to know the truth.”

  “Are you crazy?” Asia grabbed her. “You can’t tell her Jonathan is alive. Snap out of this, Rena.”

  “Out of what?”

  “This spell Deidra Quarter has over you.”

  Rena scoffed, walking behind Asia.

  “You keep your mouth shut about Jonathan, girl.” Asia twirled around, facing Rena. “We agreed to Jonathan that we wouldn’t say anything. Besides, if you tell about him faking his death we’ll all be in trouble.” She yanked Rena’s arm. “We could go to prison. Do you understand that?”

  Rena ripped her arm away. “I understand everything.”

  “Look, we stuck up for you against Jonathan with the Strickland thing, didn’t we? We had your back on that.”

  “What does that have to do with this?”

  “The women deserve your loyalty. This plan is the only way that Jonathan will get Deidra back with The Circle.” Asia wobbled her head, holding her waist. “You want that just as much as he does.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Come on.” Asia grinned. “You think we can’t see it? This innocent act about you telling Dee the truth because you wanted to help her is bullshit. You told her because you were mad Jonathan had sex with her.”

  “He raped her, Asia.”

  “That’s not what’s bothering you.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “You’re in love with Deidra.” Asia pushed out her bosom. “You want her for yourself.”

  Rena gave her the onceover. “Are you crazy?”

  “It’s the truth, and you know it.”

  “Why is everything sexual with you, Asia?”

  “Your feelings for Deidra have been obvious for a long time.” Asia crossed her arms. “The way you look at her and how you say her name.”

  Rena jolted upright. “You’re wrong.”

  “Is that why you were always up under her when she was here? Why you loved hanging in her room with her late at night and why you followed her around the compound like a lost puppy?”

  “I did no such thing.”

  “Deidra Quarter will never love you, and I won’t let you throw our lives away so you can get in her panties.”

  “You’re disgusting, Asia. Your mind’s always in the gutter.”

  “I’m not the one lusting after another woman.” Asia threw her nose in the air. “You told her what Jonathan did because you were jealous. You were fine until they had sex then after that you get a conscious? Please.”

  “He raped her.” Rena shook her head, shutting her eyes. “I’ve had enough of this asinine conversation.” She pivoted and marched to the pathway.

  “I’m serious, Rena. You keep your mouth shut! We’re not going to prison because Dee Quarter gets you wet.”

  Rena continued to the house. “Go to hell.”

  ****

  “Jeez.” Hock Meadows slumped in the suede recliner behind his desk when Dee and Connie entered his office. “Detectives?” He tapped his pen, lips curling into a frown. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”

  “Mr. Meadows, is that a pen in your hand or are you happy to see us?” Dee winked, closing the door.

  “What do you want?” He tilted the chair back, taking off his wire-framed glasses. “I have a client coming in about thirty minutes.”

  Connie opened her blazer and sat in the burgundy chair beside his desk. “This won’t take long.”

  “Mr. Meadows?” Dee checked out the photos on the shelf by the file cabinet. “Do we look stupid to you?”

  He clasped his hands, exhaling.

  “You thought we’d buy your story of finding Lang’s body and leave it at that?” Dee sat on the couch beside the black shelves. “We knew there was more to the story.”

  “We found interesting information about you, Hock.” Connie crossed her legs. “Turns out you like to hang around in The B-District. That puzzles us.”

  “Why?” He pursed his lips, wiggling the pen.

  “Because you don’t seem the type to frequent that part of town.” Connie smiled. “You’re so put together and chic. Then again looks can be deceiving.”

  He cleared his throat. “Get to the point.”

  “You ever heard of The Jack Off?” Dee raised an eyebrow. “It’s the seediest sex club in Maryland. You’ll get an STD just walking into the place.”

  “Not a place for a man of your caliber,” Connie teased. “Or is it?”

  “Let’s save you the trouble of lying.” Dee sat erect, shoulders raised. “We spoke to the security guard there, Delbert, and he confirmed that you go there almost every weekend. Is that right?”

  Hock swallowed, neck rippling.

  “Turns out Lang had a wild side herself.” Connie leaned back, playing with the end of her ponytail. “You two hit it off, didn’t you?”

  He squirmed. “Listen.”

  “You, and Lang had an affair,” Dee said. “You met at The Jack Off and Delbert said it wasn’t long before you were seeing each other outside the club.”

  “Wait, okay?” He dropped the pen. “It’s not like you’re making it sound.”

  “How are we making it sound?” Dee shrugged. “Like you lied? Because you did.”

  “I didn’t lie.”

  “You claimed your only connection to Lang was finding her body,” Connie said. “We’re not playing this game with you anymore. Did you kill Lang Latimer?”

  “No. Yes, we had an affair, but that was it. Fuck.” He grabbed his head. “Okay, the night she was killed, Lang, and I met in that lot and we had sex in my car.”

  Connie looked at Dee over her shoulder.

  “We were just about sex.” Hock moved his hands left and right. “She was with Gage and you know about my girlfriend, Sue. I love her.”
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  “Then why were you cheating?”

  “Come on, Detective Wilks. You never been tempted to step outside a relationship?”

  Connie hung her head and Dee knew Hock had hit a nerve since Connie cheated on her ex-husband.

  “Sue and I aren’t that compatible sexually.” Hock tugged on his tie. “I have urges for things beyond her understanding.”

  Dee half-grinned. “You’re a freak.”

  “I go to The Jack Off because it’s the only place I can be myself.” He picked up the photo of him standing beside the lovely brunette with her hair in a bowl cut. “Sue’s the love of my life and she’d hate me if she found out about Lang.”

  “That’s a motive right there.” Connie folded her arms. “Maybe you killed Lang because she threatened to tell Sue.”

  “Lang didn’t want Gage knowing any more than I wanted Sue to know. Lang begged me to have sex with her in that parking lot because it was spontaneous and that’s the stuff she was into. Afterwards, we got into an argument because she had to leave for her student’s recital and I wanted more.”

  “More sex?” Connie asked.

  “Yeah, that’s how Lang liked to control me.” He grimaced, his face turning red. “She’d get me hot and then quit after she got satisfaction.”

  “She was a selfish lover?” Dee asked.

  “Very. But the sex was incredible.” He sucked his bottom lip. “It always felt like my body was exploding when I came inside her.”

  “All right.” Connie frowned. “We didn’t ask for the details.”

  Dee shook her foot. “So Lang wanting to leave pissed you off?”

  “Yes so I left. Lang called me a few minutes later begging me to go back so we could talk.” His exhaled. “I agreed but stopped to get some gas first. When I got back, she was dead.”

  Dee smacked her lips. “That’s one hell of a story.”

  “It’s just not good enough.” Connie stood, taking out her cuffs. “Hock Meadows, you’re under arrest for the murder of Lang Latimer.”

  “What?” He sprung from his desk. “Wait—”

  “Don’t fight us.” Dee and Connie approached him. “I’m sure you don’t want a scene for everyone here at the firm to see. We’ll try to save your dignity.”

  “Save my dignity?” He gasped as Connie slapped the cuffs on his wrists. “I didn’t kill Lang!” He wiggled as Connie read him his rights. “I want to see my attorney!”

  Connie and Dee took him out the door.

  “You can call your lawyer as soon as you’re booked,” Dee said.

  “You can’t do this!” Hock wriggled as they dragged him from the office. “I didn’t kill Lang. I’m innocent!”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  A Week Later

  “Just a minute!” CeCe abandoned his breakfast of cornflakes and got his keys out the adjoining living room on his way to answer the door. “Who is it?”

  “It’s Ms. Okorie,” his neighbor answered in her high-pitched Nigerian accent.

  CeCe opened the door, smiling. “Good morning. What can I do for you?”

  “Am I bothering you?” The 55-year-old’s strong features contorted under her light-yellow skin.

  “Nope. Just on my way to work.” CeCe shook his keys. “Everything okay?”

  She wiggled her wide nose. “Do you smell that?” She sniffed, trying to peek inside his apartment. “That odor?”

  CeCe looked back into his apartment.

  “It’s putrid.” She scratched her corn rolls under her black head wrap. “I’ve never spelled anything so bad.”

  He sniffed and shook his head, pretending he didn’t smell it.

  “I thought it was coming from your apartment.”

  “Mine?” CeCe chuckled, shifting against the door. “No. The meat market down the street is always having problems with the pipes. Their sewer’s probably messed up again.”

  “It doesn’t smell like sewer waste but like something rotting and it’s getting worse. Everyone on the hall is complaining. I’ll make a complaint to Mr. Weaver.”

  CeCe held his objection to not make her suspicious. “It’s not that big a deal to bother the building manager but it’s up to you.” He walked out his apartment and locked the door. “I got to get to work.”

  “Okay.” She backed up as he passed her. “Have a good day.”

  CeCe watched her out the corner of his eyes as he reached the stairs. “You too.”

  ****

  Strickland traipsed inside Jonathan’s mansion, meeting Tran in the foyer.

  “Detective Strickland? What are you doing here?”

  “I wanna speak to Jonathan.” Strickland whistled past Tran, walking through the Mediterranean stone columns.

  “You know he’s already gone.” Tran tottered behind him in his flip-flops.

  “Is that right?” Strickland walked by the flamboyant rooms and stopped by the curved stairway. “Where is Jonathan?”

  “That’s none of your business. He paid you for your services and anything else is none of your concern.”

  “Why can’t I know where he is?” Strickland twisted the cigarette behind his ear. “What harm would that do?”

  Tran crossed his arms in the airy white shirt.

  “Ah.” Strickland checked out the gold statue of the naked woman without a head. “He doesn’t trust me.” He grabbed the statue’s breast.

  “No, he doesn’t and with good reason.” Tran yanked Strickland’s hand from the statue. “Please stop molesting the antiques and leave.”

  “While I’m here why don’t I let the girls in on what’s been going on?” Strickland continued through the hallway. “Where are they? Ladies? I could use a massage or something hotter.”

  “That’s not happening.” Tran jumped in front of him. “Leave now.”

  “Is that how you treat me when I sacrificed my job to help your boss?” Strickland waltzed into Jonathan’s family room where Ana and Jinghua enjoyed morning tea. “Well, well, well.” His dick pulsated at the sight of the beauties.

  “Not you again.” Ana leapt out her seat, her red hair bringing a majestic spark to the brown and green décor. “Get out. How dare you show your face around here after what you did to Rena?”

  “Believe me she enjoyed every minute. Where is she?”

  “Stay away from Rena,” Jinghua said.

  “This place is something else.” Strickland snorted, checking out the furniture and accents. “Mr. Wild has style.”

  Asia stomped inside with Shauna and Emma.

  “Oh hell no,” Asia snapped. “Get out.”

  “It’s my old friend Emma.” Strickland winked at her and she rolled her eyes.

  “Get your sleazy ass out, Strickland,” Asia demanded.

  “Hey, Chocolate.” He lifted the porcelain lamp, flipping it over to see the bottom. “How’s it hanging?”

  “Chocolate?” She lunged at him. “Who the hell are you talking to?”

  Tran held Asia back. “I don’t want to get the guards to escort you out, Mr. Strickland, but if you don’t leave—”

  “What?” He put his hands in his pockets. “You have to be nice.”

  “And if we don’t?” Asia snarled.

  “I might poke a hole in Jonathan’s plan. You wouldn’t want that, would you?” Strickland walked to the table and rested in the Louis XVI chair. “Now how about you show me some hospitality?”

  The women looked at each other.

  “I know what would break the ice.” Strickland slapped his palms. “Go get your little bikinis on and we can have a twerking contest. Let’s see whose cheeks move the fastest.”

  “I can’t take him.” Emma turned to Tran. “Get security. He’s disgusting.”

  “Hey, Chocolate?” Strickland approached Asia. “How about giving me a sniff of them panties?”

  The other women gasped.

  “You!” She slapped him.

  “Ooh.” He rubbed his reddening cheek, chuckling. “I like it rough.”

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p; Asia raised a fist. “Get out of here or you’ll get more.”

  “Why are you guys so hostile?” He backed away, raising his hands. “Jealous I picked Rena over you? Where is she?” He left the room, singing her name. “Rena?”

  The group followed him to the stairs.

  “Where is she?” Strickland pointed upstairs. “Is she in her room? I’ll go say hi.”

  “No, you won’t.” Asia grabbed him. “Jonathan promised she never had to see you again, and it’s a promise we intend to keep on his behalf.”

  “I’ve had enough of this.” Tran left.

  “He’s getting the guards.” Emma held her waist with her chin in the air. “You better leave now.”

  Strickland lowered his eyebrows. “I’m not going anywhere until I see Rena.”

  “Why are you doing this?” Ana asked. “You forced yourself on her the last time. Isn’t that enough?”

  “I didn’t force myself on anyone. There was a deal, and she had her part to do.”

  “You...” Emma closed her eyes. “I’ve never met a man like you before.”

  He licked his lips at her delicious cleavage. “And, you never will.” He leapt onto the stairs. “Rena, it’s the man of your dreams, Kelley Strickland! I came to take you away from all this.”

  Tran showed up with a guard. “Get out, Detective.”

  “Let’s go.” The guard reached for Strickland.

  “Hey, hey.” Strickland hopped off the stairs. “Don’t touch me. I’m a cop, remember?”

  “Whoever gave you a badge should’ve lost their job a long time ago,” Shauna said.

  Strickland pointed at her. “I might try you out next time.”

  “Yeah?” She grabbed her waist, sticking out her hip. “You and what army could handle this?”

  “Oh, I could handle it, baby.” Strickland glanced at her ass. “Just ask Rena. I’ll be back, ladies.” He waved back at them as he followed the guard. “Tell Rena I’ll see her the next time I come through.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Red Marrow, South East Wales

  (Time zone 5 hours ahead of Maryland)

  “Hm.” Jonathan sat in the office on the third floor of the mansion, tapping the pen on the cherry wood desk. “If he comes by again let me know,” he said into the phone.