“So, Doc, how soon can I get out of here?”
“Well, Mr. Sanders, I think you’re ready to be discharged Friday. We need to run some more tests to make sure you’re ready.”
“A’ight, that’s cool.”
He examined me, and then he left. I kind of felt what he was saying. I knew I was eager to leave, but I was still in a lot of pain. Today was Wednesday, so Friday wasn’t too far. I lifted myself up and grabbed the card the detective left. I stared down at it until I tucked it under my pillow. I lay down, thinking all kind of things.
* * *
Malaya
I sat at my desk, going over some work. I was trying to see what angle I was trying to take with Javon’s case. As I swept through the mounting evidence they had against him, I realized that he was making a big mistake by going to court. I only wished his ass would have really listened to me. I was still reading when I heard a knock on the door.
“Come in,” I hollered.
“I need to talk to you about the Javon Sanders case,” Dana said with a concerned look plastered across her face.
“What? Did something happen that I don’t know about?”
She sat down and crossed her legs. “Well, whatever I’m about to tell you is confidential. I mean, I want you to use it to prepare your defense but, please, you can’t tell anyone, and I mean anyone, not even Javon,” she said, sounding nervous.
“Dana, you’ve got my word. What is making you so nervous?”
“Well, I’ve been keeping it a secret because of his job, and he is married. I’ve been seeing the assistant DA for a while now. The other day, he was working while we went away for the weekend and, after a few drinks, he started talking about how they were gonna win the case against you. I didn’t say a word, so he kept on talking. That’s when he showed me a folder; it was the case that they had against Javon. To make a long story short, one of Javon’s friends, who is supposed to be his closest confidant, turned state’s evidence, and he is going to testify against him. They gave him full immunity.”
“Really? Are you sure? If I can remember, Javon and Mann-Mann were like brothers.” I shook my head in disbelief. I wasn’t shocked; I knew how the game was played. I couldn’t say I blamed him; I was just mad that my dumb-ass client couldn’t see it coming.
“Yes. He asked me to promise him that I wouldn’t say anything until you saw the witness list.”
“You’ve got my word, but I need to call the DA’s office and ask them for a copy of the witness list. That is the normal process, so no one will ever know you said anything.”
“All right, boss. Got you.” She smiled and got up.
“Dana, I appreciate you.” I smiled at her.
After she walked out, I started to think. This nigga, Devon, knew about this, but he didn’t say a word to me. See, this kind of made it easier for me to do what I was going to do. I saw everybody was out for self, so I was definitely only worried about me, myself, and I.
I heard a knock at the office door, interrupting my thoughts. I wondered what Dana wanted now.
“Come on in,” I yelled.
As soon as the person entered, I realized it wasn’t Dana. Instead, it was Detective Rosales and Detective Pelluso.
“What do you want? I told you to contact my lawyer if you needed anything,” I said.
“This is a search warrant to confiscate your personal computer and papers,” Rosales said while trying to hand me a piece of paper, but I waked off without taking it.
“You can’t do that! I have confidential correspondence between my clients and me.”
“I promise you, we’re only interested in your personal conversations.”
I didn’t wait; I stormed out and grabbed the phone in the front office.
“Isiah, you need to get here ASAP! They are searching my office and confiscating my laptop. They can’t fucking do this,” I yelled in the phone.
“I’ll be there in less than five minutes.”
I hung up and walked to the window. I was furious as hell. These motherfuckers were not easing up. What the hell did they think they were going to find? Did they really think I was a stupid bitch? I mean, after all, I was a defense attorney. I did this shit for a living. I couldn’t wait for this shit to be over; I was going to sue this fucking city for harassment.
In no time, Isiah’s ass walked in and started going off about harassing his client. I swear, that man was a pit bull, and he knew the law.
“Your client is a person of interest in the murder of her husband. And this a search warrant signed by Judge Clarke.” Rosales handed the paper to Isiah.
“Detective, no disrespect, but this is farfetched. My client is a very respectful member of the community, and she is a good-ass defense attorney. I think that alone should speak for the kind of person she is.”
“Well, no disrespect, but I’ve seen cold-blooded killers who were preachers before. We are not going to stop gathering evidence until we got everything we need to charge someone with the murder of Detective Ipswich.”
“My client has rights and, unless you’re prepared to charge her with a crime, I will be filing a harassment charge against you and your office.”
“Well, we are finished here for now, but I would love for your client and you to come see us down at the precinct. It’s in her best interest if she cooperates with us from early on. You know the death penalty will be on the table for the brutal killing of a police officer.”
“Good day, Detective,” Isiah said and opened the main door, allowing them to walk out.
I pranced back into my office. I was mad as fuck. I hoped they’d hurry the fuck up with my laptop. I wasn’t worried about them finding anything on there. I was angry because these detectives were like a pain in my ass that wouldn’t leave. In front of people, I had to pretend like I didn’t have any worries, but the truth was, deep down, I was shivering. Especially when that motherfucker mentioned the death penalty. A bitch like me wouldn’t look good in no damn orange.
Isiah walked into my office and stood there like he was thinking. “I have no idea why they are so adamant about putting this murder on you. Malaya, please don’t hold anything from me. I need to know everything so I can be prepared, just in case they decide to charge you.”
“Isiah, you should know me better than that. I told you, I don’t know who killed my husband, and I damn sure didn’t kill him. They examined my hand for gunpowder residue the night of the murder, and there was nothing. I don’t know what their fascination is with me or who is spreading lies about me, but I know I couldn’t kill my children’s father.”
“Well, I’m going to start doing some investigating on my own. When you have time, send me all the names of anybody you think might’ve had a motive to kill Trent. Also, send me a copy of your financial statements. They need to come up with a motive and physical evidence before they can charge you. In the meantime, I suggest—and this is only a suggestion because this is your firm and I can’t tell you how to run it—but I think you need to take a leave. Let me handle the Sanders case.”
I sat there in silence, listening to what he was saying. I felt like I was drowning, and there was no way out. I doubted that Javon would agree to this, but I damn sure would ask him. I really needed a fucking break to get my thoughts in order. Only God, Javon, and I knew what really happened to Trent. I knew I wasn’t talking, and God ain’t say a word. As far as Javon . . .
“Thank you, but I need to talk with my client first, and I will let you know by tomorrow. Thank you, Isiah, for everything.” I shot him a fake smile.
After he left, I put my head on my desk. I needed a second of quiet to get my head together. I must’ve dozed off because I got startled when Dana tapped me on my shoulder.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine.” I quickly wiped my eyes.
She walked around to my chair and wrapped her arms around me. It was then that I started bawling. I had so much built up inside, I needed to let it out.
“Babe, I need you to know I’ve got you.” She kissed me on my lips.
I was caught off guard. “What is you doing?” I stuttered.
“Malaya, I’m sorry. I just thought I would comfort you a little.”
I removed her arm from around me, and I got up. I didn’t know what she was thinking. I didn’t knock gay people, but I didn’t go that way. There’s nothing another bitch could do for me.
“Listen, let’s just forget that this happened. But please don’t try me like that again. Don’t you ever. You understand?”
“Yes. I’m so sorry, Malaya,” she said and exited my office, hanging her head down in shame.
That was it for me. I was ready to get the fuck out of there. I turned my office computer off. I grabbed my briefcase and locked my office. I walked out to the elevator and pressed the button.
I got in my car, feeling depressed and distraught. I had no regrets that Trent was dead. Shit, if I had to do it all over again, I would. The way that bastard treated me, I swear he deserved every ounce of what he got. I just wished I had done it myself so I wouldn’t worry about this nigga running his mouth.
* * *
Javon
It was early Friday morning, and I was too psyched to go home. I’d been in here for a minute, and I was ready to go. The block was missing me, and I was too eager to get back to my life. I grabbed my cell phone and called Tania. I totally forgot that I needed a ride out of here.
I dialed her number, and it rang out until her voicemail came on. I hung up and pressed redial. She picked up.
“What do you want?” she snapped.
“What the fuck you mean, what do I want?”
“Javon, I told yo’ ass, it’s over. You can go be wit’ that lawyer bitch.”
“Man, go ahead wit’ all that. I’ve only got one woman, and that’s you. Anyway, man, I’ma be discharged ’round eleven. I need you to come scoop me up and bring me some clothes and a pair of my sneakers.”
“I already told yo’ ass, I’m done with you. You carried the hell out of me. I bet you that bitch is laughing at me. You made a damn fool out of me, but I’m done. I’m taking my fucking kids and getting the fuck away from you.”
“Tania, you better quit playing with me. You already know I will show the fuck off if you take my kids away. Yo, you better bring yo’ ass up here at eleven to get a nigga.” I hung the phone up on her bitch ass.
This bitch was gonna run me into another bitch’s arms if she didn’t tighten up on her attitude. I didn’t know ’bout no other nigga, but I knew my black ass didn’t want no bitch who was constantly complaining about me fucking another bitch. I mean, that’s all I was doing was fucking, and in Malaya’s case, I was using that bitch to beat this case. I planned on leaving that ho alone once this case was over. If Tania continued like this, her ass would be left also. I planned on leaving Richmond, and probably moving down to Florida with my big homie.
It was fifteen minutes to eleven. I dialed Tania’s phone to make sure she was on the way, but the phone went straight to voicemail. I waited a few seconds, but it was still the same. I sat on the edge of the bed, dialing her number back to back. There was no response.
“Man, where the fuck you at? I told yo’ ass eleven a.m. It’s now eleven-fifteen. Where the fuck are you at? Call me back or something.”
I sat there, feeling antsy. I checked my phone to see if I had any missed calls or texts. I knew there wasn’t any because I was holding the phone in my hand. I thought about calling a cab, but I couldn’t because a nigga was broke. I knew I had stacks on me when I got shot, but I had no idea what happened to them. Those police might’ve pocketed that shit. They were known for that.
At 2:00 p.m., the nurse walked in the room to inform me that they were going to clean up the room for another patient. In other words, the bitch was telling me that I needed to get the fuck out. I still had on the hospital gown, without boxers underneath, dick hanging and shit.
“Your ride is late; did you call?”
“Yeah, I did.” I walked off.
“Let me get you another gown, so you can cover your backside.” She shot me a strange look. Within seconds, she walked back into the room with a gown and some of those thick hospital socks.
“Good looking out.”
“You’re welcome.”
I dialed Malaya’s number.
“Hello,” she answered.
“Yo, where you at?”
“Javon, what do you want?” she said with an attitude.
“Yo, I’m discharged, but I ain’t got no ride up outta here.”
“Did you call your bitch?”
“Man, chill out. You weren’t worried about her before, so what is this all about now?”
“I’m not worried about you or that bitch. I was just wondering why she’s not there to get you.”
“Man, I ’ont know, but I need you to come scoop me up.”
“All right.” She hung up without saying anything else.
I wasn’t stuttin’ her. I just wanted to get out of here so I could get to my cars and my money. I never allowed a bitch to make or break me before, and I damn sure wasn’t going to start now. I walked out of the room and walked toward the elevator.
“Mr. Sanders, you have to get in this wheelchair, so we can wheel you out of here. Stay right here while an aide grabs a chair.”
I waited until she walked off, and then I got on the elevator. My side was still hurting bad, but it was nothing that I couldn’t manage at the time. I got out of the elevator and walked outside. There was a bench nearby, so I walked slowly over and sat down.
I heard my phone ringing, so I answered it.
“Where are you?”
“I’m sitting by the emergency room entrance.”
I saw when she drove into the parking lot. I got up so she could see me. She pulled up, and I walked to the car. I got in, put my seat belt on, and she pulled off.
“Man, I ’ppreciate it.”
“No problem.”
The ride was very quiet. Young Jeezy music was playing low. I wondered what the fuck was going on with her. “Yo, Malaya, what’s going on with you, B?”
“Who said something was going on? You asked me to pick you up, and that’s what I did.”
“It’s me you’re talking to. Ever since I talked to you the other day, I feel like you’ve got some kind of attitude toward me and shit.”
“Javon, maybe this was a mistake. Maybe we should have kept it on a professional level, because all this is too much.”
“Man, now you’re having regrets and shit. You wanted this just as much as I wanted this. Or was it that you were pretending that you wanted this?”
“Don’t fucking turn things around. I should’ve never crossed the line with you. I had no idea you had a woman. I don’t want to be in any kind of drama. I’m too old to be arguing with another woman over a damn man.”
“You ain’t got to argue with anyone. If I recall, I wanted us to move in and be a family, but you didn’t want that! Even after the old nigga was gone, you still didn’t want that. So that tells me that you ain’t trying to see me as more than just your side nigga.”
“Whatever you say! You think it looks good that my husband just passed and I’m already living with another nigga? Don’t be foolish.”
“Look good to who? This is our life; fuck e’erybody else.”
“See, that’s why you’re a street nigga, and I’m the one with a degree, because you can’t think with sense for once.”
“What the fuck did you say? I ain’t no dumb nigga. Man, let’s just drop this shit.”
I felt my anger coming on, so I decided to drop the subject. I knew the bitch was sneak dissing me, but I controlled myself. There was no reason to show out when I needed her to beat this case; or did I really need her? Hmm. I had the detective’s number folded in my hand.
There ain’t no pussy in my blood, but the more I thought about how this case might turn out, the more I was debating wha
t I wanted to do.
“Where am I taking you to?” she asked, interrupting my thoughts.
“Take me to my crib.”
I reluctantly gave her the address, but then why the fuck did I care? That bitch was too busy to get a nigga. Right now wasn’t the right time to give a fuck about her feelings.
“So, umm, what’s good wit’ my case?”
“It’s postponed because you got shot. I’m waiting to get a new date from the DA’s office.”
“Oh, okay, that’s cool.”
“Listen, Javon, I need to talk to you. There’s a lot going on, and I really feel like I need to take a break—”
“A fucking break? What the fuck you mean? I’m in the fight of my life, and you’re worried ’bout taking a break?” I yelled out, spit flying everywhere.
“Yes. I don’t feel like this is a good time for me to provide the attention your case needs. I’m kind of sidetracked, dealing with some personal shit. My partner, Isiah at the firm, is very tenacious, and he can do just as good a job as I can.”
“Nah, fuck that, B! I came to you; you accepted this case, so you will defend me. I’m not trusting my life with anyone outside of you! So, I suggest you get your personal shit together because you will defend me. Bitch, after everything I did for you? I blew that nigga’s brains out for you. Did you forget that, huh? You fucking owe me,” I yelled with everything in me.
“You better lower your fucking voice. I’m not that little bitch you’re fucking with. I’m a grown-ass woman, and you don’t tell me what the fuck to do.”
“You have no idea who the fuck you’re playing with! Don’t think if you try to fuck me over that I would think twice about blowing your and your princesses’ fucking brains out.”
That bitch stopped the car in the middle of the street. “Let me tell you something, you little lowlife piece of shit, don’t you ever threaten my fucking children. Fucking around with me will get you a life sentence in federal prison.”
“Man, all you’re doing is barking. You already know what it is.”
She looked at me, rolled her eyes, and drove off erratically. I shouldn’t have taken it there with her, but the way I was really feeling right now, I didn’t have any more fucks to give. I was happy when she pulled on my street.
Falling for My Side Dude Page 13