Harvey wandered about the apartment, brushing the furniture off. I need some rest, she thought, picking up the pipe and turning the lighter on high. She puffed hard, sucking on the stem in her quietness.
Ms. Harvey plopped down on the sofa and picked up the remote control. She was about to turn on the television when the ringing phone startled her. She stared blankly at the instrument. Perspiration formed on her brow and her lips went dry. The ringing continued louder. What if it’s Coco? The thought was stuck in her head, echoing loudly like a broken record.
Licking her dried lips, she watched wide-eyed as her heart pounded and the phone continued ringing loudly.
“Hello…” she breathed, nervously cradling the phone too close to the side of her face.
In an attempt to hear better what was being said, Ms. Harvey adjusted the instrument. When she heard the screaming on the other end, Ms. Harvey became anxious.
“Hello. Hello. Who is this? Slow down and talk…”
Ms. Harvey held her breath and fearfully listened to the caller. After a few minutes, the phone slipped from her grip. Her body crumpled to the floor. She was staring at the ceiling and her head was shaking side to side. Ms. Harvey opened her mouth but no sound came. Her lips were ashy-gray and dry. Ms Harvey pulled her hair and kicked her legs then stared off as if hypnotized by a beam of light. She finally let out a loud, blood-curdling, guttural wail.
“What did she say?” Deedee asked anxiously.
“I don’t know but I don’t think she took it very well,” Josephine answered, staring at the cellphone in her hand.
Deedee lit another cigarette and they smoked while waiting outside the hospital.
“Do you think Coco’s gonna pull through this one, Dee?”
“You know her better than me. I mean you’ve known her longer and...” Deedee sucked on the cigarette and passed it to Josephine. “One thing I know for sure, she’s a powerful sister and a real fighter.”
“Yeah, I know. Coco was a… is a great sister,” Josephine said.
“I don’t know why he had it in for Coco so much.”
“Crazy ass, he was trying to kill everyone he came in contact with.”
“One thing I’m happy about is he’s dead. Eric killed that nigga’s ass fer sure,” Josephine said.
“My uncle didn’t kill him. The detective did,” Deedee said immediately.
“I was ducking and running to see what happened to Coco. I didn’t know it was the detective who shot his ass. How Eric wind up with the gun in his hand?” Josephine asked.
“The detective gave it to him after he shot Lil’ Long.”
“Why’d he do that?”
“I don’t know. I know my uncle did not shoot anyone.”
“You sure it wasn’t Eric? The detective took him—”
“I am sure. I saw the whole thing. He’s completely innocent,” Deedee said emphatically.
“My bad. I just thought it was him that’s all. I was busy trying to help Coco,” Josephine said.
“We better get our stories right. You know the police is gonna be questioning us next,” Deedee warned.
“Yeah, I’ll say what you told me. You ain’t gotta worry ‘bout me saying a thing. It’s about whether or not Coco’s gonna live, right?”
“Yeah, that’s what’s it’s all about,” Deedee said. The emotion running through her mind made her sound even more concerned.
“Shit man, I still haven’t gotten over losing Dani. I can’t lose Coco too…” Josephine’s voice trailed and she started crying.
“Yeah, how could anyone forget Dani?” Deedee asked, her mind drifting.
Coco, Danielle and Josephine were all gifted singers and dancers. Coco was special. She was tough but had opened up and shared more with Deedee than any of the other girls. Ever since they met on that ominous night outside the club, their friendship had blossomed to incredible heights.
Da Crew was Danielle—rich, spoiled, sexy beautiful and talented. Josephine was coy and smart. Her dad was a lawyer and her mother a doctor. They kept her under strict control. Being a part of da Crew was her escape. She used to be shy but now she was more outgoing. Josephine, like Danielle, used to use sex and her charm to entrance the man of her interest.
Deedee was aware of Josephine’s attraction to her uncle. Danielle would’ve been flirtatious. She was that way, loose and selfish because she despised sharing the limelight with anyone. Until her death, it was all about Danielle. Deedee stared at Josephine, wondering if Danielle was now living on in Josephine. They hugged and tears flowed.
CHAPTER 2
Detective Kowalski was profusely perspiring, pacing back and forth. His swagger slowed and he rubbed his nose, thinking. The detective wanted to wrap this case up fast.
“Your protections are all gone. Your mob associates were all wiped out. Now level with me! Are you leading a criminal enterprise?” he asked, staring at Eric’s nonchalant face. “Am I right? You took care of Maruichi and his boys so you can be a drug kingpin?”
“What the hell are you talking ‘bout, man?” Eric snorted.
Kowalski was in the hunt for a suspect and possibly a promotion if he could crack this case open. Eric sat at a desk in the detective’s office, his arms folded. He watched as the detective paced in front of him.
Eric was contemplating his next move and glanced at the presidential Rolex on his wrist. It was five after eight in the morning. His lawyers would arrive soon to get him out of this jam. Having already spent six hours being interrogated by the police, Eric was a little frustrated, but in control.
“Look dick, I ain’t stupid so why don’t we cut the fun and games. You’ve got nothing on me. I don’t have to say anything until my lawyers walk up in here. Then I’m out. You understand, don’t you?” Eric was tired and his voice sounded strained.
“Don’t forget, I got a weapon used in the commission of a crime with your prints all over it.”
“That’s bullshit! I got witnesses. I didn’t commit any crimes, dick. My lawyer walks up in here, I walk out. That’s what’s up!”
“You fucking screwball, you’re not going anywhere. This is your gun and it was used in killing a man.”
Detective Kowalski discharged the magazine and slammed a black Glock 37 on the desk. The sound of the weapon making contact with the empty desk reverberated through the tiny office. Eric was unshaken but Kowalski’s breath was coming fast. He leaned closer and yelled.
“I could make it real bad for you if you don’t cooperate!”
Kowalski’s tone was menacing but Eric remained unfazed. He folded his arms and smirked at the sweating detective.
“Oh yeah, that’s your story, dick. I ain’t gotta say no more. My lawyer will be here soon and you’re going to have to let me go. Stop the games. You’re trying to plant that on me. You and I know it’s not working.”
Kowalski stared at Eric and shook his head. The brass would back him if he could break the case open. He needed something corroborating. Detective Kowalski thought for a minute. An officer walked into the room and handed Kowalski a note.
“I’m saying this now Ascot. It’s cheaper for you to play ball with us,” Kowalski warned and stared at the piece of paper.
Then he smiled.
“It seems