by Tyora Moody
“I know. What was serious enough for Adam to be killed? Who’s to say you’re not in some kind of danger? I’ve been concerned about you.”
Asia raised an eyebrow. “Is this why you didn’t make me feel bad about tracking you down at your daughter’s basketball game?”
Coleman nodded. “I’m new to homicide, but I have no intentions of having you as one of my cases.”
Asia followed him outside. She was on her way to her car, when Coleman insisted, “Ride with me. We’ll pick up your car later.”
She followed him to his Ford Explorer. He held open the door. Once he climbed inside the driver’s seat, she questioned, “Are you sure about this? We’re off the clock.”
“What else am I gonna do? My daughter’s at a sleepover.”
“Yeah, but your…”
Coleman looked at her, “My daughter’s mom. We never married. Her mom’s serving time.”
Asia had to catch her jaw from dropping open. That was the last thing she expected to hear. “Serving time for what?”
“Murder. She shot her uncle. Claimed he’d abused her as a child.”
“What? Oh my goodness. How do you do it? Imani is really—”
“Well-adjusted. I’m a man of God. I’m not ashamed to pray. When I wanted to get promoted to detective, God answered a prayer that I’d had as a young boy. Let’s find out what Lane knows about his former lawyer.”
Asia nodded. She was at a loss for words as her admiration for the detective grew.
Chapter 14
Saturday, November 19 at 5:11 p.m.
Her admiration for Coleman dipped as they entered the bar. When she’d said it was okay to meet with Officer Lane, she didn’t envision a smoky bar scene. The rank smell was going to be all in her clothes. Maybe it was good he insisted she didn’t drive her car over here.
Coleman looked at her, “Lane will most likely be in the back playing darts. It’s his thing.”
“You sure we should be talking to him while he’s throwing sharp objects?”
“Hey, you wanted answers.” Coleman moved ahead of her to lead the way.
Once again, she wondered why she didn’t stay at Jo’s longer today or head home to enjoy the weekend like a normal person.
They walked through a door leading to the game area, and Asia noticed stares from men, mainly law enforcement types as she passed by. Lane was in the back like Coleman had said. She was even more surprised to see Lamb. She peered over at Coleman, who looked equally surprised.
He drew closer. “Well, Ms. Reed. Seems like my current partner and former partner are friends.”
Lamb scowled. “What are you two doing here?”
Lane eyed them as they approached. He twirled a dart in his hand. “I heard about your promotion. Congratulations, Coleman. Didn’t know you had a thing going with the ADA.”
Asia stepped forward. “I’m here about Adam Locklear.”
A look flashed across Lane’s face that she couldn’t read, but it made her focus on him.
“Oh yeah. A shame what happened, he was a good guy.”
Coleman commented, “A really good lawyer. Expensive too.”
Lane stated, “He respected cops. Knew I was doing my job.” He turned and threw the dart at the board. The dart almost landed in the center.
Lamb growled in the corner. “He didn’t respect cops.”
For once, Asia was grateful to have the curmudgeon speak up. She shifted her eyes to Officer Lane’s face. “Lamb’s right. Locklear threw him under the bus while he was on the stand. Made a mockery of him.”
Lamb guffawed, “You don’t have to exaggerate. Your dad, the chief, didn’t help either. I’m going to get a refill.” He walked away.
Coleman looked after his partner. “You got this?”
She nodded as Coleman went after his partner.
Asia turned her attention to Lane. “Adam was good. No one deserves to go out like that. He had two kids.”
Lane nodded “I know. Our kids are the same ages.” He grabbed a swig of his beer before continuing. “He was real sure of himself that he would’ve won if we went to trial. The kid reached for his pocket. I had to make a quick decision.”
“I’m not arguing with you. I went through the facts of this case more times than I care to count.”
“Then, you should also know there is nothing more in this world I wish I could change. I wish I never saw that kid.”
Asia stared at Lane for a moment. The true victims were Danye’s family, but as she looked at Lane’s stubbled face and his eyes, she realized probably for the first time that the officer was in pain too. “My family is in law enforcement, Officer Lane. I know it’s never easy to take a life or see a life snuffed out.”
“That young man haunts me. Not like some ghost, but… my family is destroyed. My kids don’t talk to me, my wife barely talks to me. The guys at work are supportive, but even they keep an arm’s length. That night… I dream about it over and over.”
This wasn’t what she expected when she came here. Whenever she saw Lane, he seemed to have more of a smirk on his face. This guy in front of her now looked exactly as he described. Haunted.
“I’m not here about Danye Lester. I do want to know your whereabouts the day your lawyer was killed though. I understand you stopped by his office later in the afternoon after the press conference. Is that correct?”
Lane narrowed his eyes. “Yes, around three-o’clock. Later that night when he was shot, I was home with my family, having an argument with my wife. I’m sure she won’t mind confirming. I came here afterwards.” Office Lane reached for his beer, but then stopped, “You should know Locklear and his assistant were a bit tense when I arrived.”
Asia inquired, “What do you mean?”
“You know how people are all tense after an argument. Like when I argue with my wife and we’re both huffing and puffing afterwards. She goes off to her corner and…” He smiled, “I usually come here.”
“Did you hear what they were arguing about?”
“No. She definitely wasn’t happy, slamming the desk drawers. I felt like I’d came at a bad time.”
Asia nodded. “Anything else?”
“What else would there be? You’re not hoping I will spill some secrets to you? I mean Locklear is dead, but I don’t need to tell you anything we talked about.”
“Unless you had something to do with his death.”
Lane laughed. “Why would I kill him?” He stepped towards her. “You trying to pin something on me because you couldn’t with that kid? Is that what this is about?”
Even though Lane had closed the gap between them, Asia didn’t budge.
Coleman came up from behind, “Hey, you should back up.”
“Because you’re going to defend your girl?”
“She’s an ADA.”
Lane spat, “I don’t care. You shouldn’t have brought her here. I’ve answered your questions. Now leave me alone.”
Coleman touched Asia’s shoulder. “Let’s go.”
They walked out together. She didn’t speak until they were in the car. “Does it seem like he’s hiding something? He purposely mentioned Candie was arguing with Locklear. People argue and she has an alibi. I need you to check his exact whereabouts. He says he came here after arguing with his wife.”
Coleman stuck the key in the ignition, but faced her. “Candie didn’t say anything about an argument. She could’ve decided to leave that out purposely.”
“I’m curious if there was really an argument, but I’m more curious about your old partner.”
Coleman frowned, “What would his motive be for killing his lawyer?”
“I don’t know. Maybe Locklear knew something. You did notice that he suddenly got all huffy like I was trying to ask him about what he talked about with his lawyer. I didn’t ask him that specifically.”
“You don’t miss much, do you?”
“I don’t know. I feel like I keep missing something. I feel like we have a lot of folks telling h
alf-truths. One of those people hold the key.”
“Well, I’m sorry meeting Officer Lane didn’t help you getting any answers.”
Asia took a deep breath. “It’s fine. He was probably right. I’m still steamed about Danye and the fact that I couldn’t do anything. But he’s haunted. He admitted it.” She turned to face Coleman, “Does that mean he’s remorseful?”
“It means he’s not totally cold-blooded. He didn’t just take the man’s life to do it. It was self-defense.”
They sat in silence. Coleman let out a long exhale. “This trip kind of worked out in a weird way. I finally got to talk to my partner. Though he wasn’t exactly sober.”
Asia sniffed her shirt sleeve. “Good. Something good came from going in there.”
Coleman smiled, then his smile disappeared.
“What’s wrong?” Asia asked.
“Looks like I will get a new partner soon. Lamb is retiring. He has stage 4 liver cancer though. Not much of a retirement.”
Asia observed Coleman as he turned on the engine and drove out the parking lot. Asia decided she needed to enjoy what was left of her weekend.
Chapter 15
Monday, November 21 at 10:15 a.m.
Five days ago, she’d found Locklear with a fatal shot to his forehead. Her niece was almost a whole week old. The joy and sadness of that day weighed on Asia for the remainder of the weekend. She really needed more leads this week versus endless questions. Asia clicked the secure URL on her computer so she could view the footage from the garage the night she arrived to find Adam’s body.
Lord, you don’t hear from me often, but I just need something to resurface that points in the right direction.
That was her prayer as she sat with her family yesterday at Victory Gospel Church. She’d missed a few Sundays prior. Despite running around on Saturday with Coleman, she was ready for some spiritual fuel. She liked that Coleman insisted he and his daughter attend church Sunday. Asia had taken note of Coleman’s ability to handle the pressure of the case like a pro despite his newness to investigations. She hated to admit that she’d become quite curious about his life, especially after his admission of his daughter’s mother.
He is a single dad, doing it all. What’s not to like about that?
Asia stared at the footage for what felt like the tenth time. No other person was visible in the garage when she’d arrived. She’d asked for footage from the time she arrived until she left which was about a three-hour period.
Adam’s law firm was in a busy office building. Though it was after hours on a Wednesday night, Asia felt like there should have been more people stirring around the building and garage. The more she looked at the footage, the more she felt like something wasn’t right. She just couldn’t see it.
Someone knocked on her closed office door interrupting her intense focus. She called out, “Come in.”
Her assistant Christine stuck her head in the door. “Hey, Asia, the big boss wants to see you.”
“Okay, thanks. Let Brandon know I’m on my way.” Asia had promised to keep the DA in the loop, but she’d been avoiding him all morning. It was hard to figure out what to tell him since she still wasn’t sure herself. She strode down the hallway towards Brandon’s office and knocked on his open door.
Brandon was on the phone, but waved for her to come in. He pointed towards the door, so she closed the door behind her. The door’s click seemed too loud to her ears. As she sat down in the chair across from the desk, she heard Brandon say. “Yes, Captain, I will look for Ms. Reed to update me. Thank you.”
Oh, that couldn’t be good. She straightened her coat jacket so it hung smoothly across her hips.
Brandon smiled, “Asia, how are you doing?”
“You mean what have I found out about Adam Locklear?”
He grimaced, “No, I want to know how you’re doing first? Surely you don’t think I’m that callous, Asia?”
“Of course not.” She fidgeted. “No one can do this job like you, boss. Your passion. Your drive. All admirable.”
“I appreciate the flattery, but we both know you can do this job better than me.”
Asia tilted her head. “You know I have no interest in politics.”
He laughed. “Being a DA is not an easy job. It’s very public, but I have no doubts if you run someday, you would easily win the hearts of the people.”
She observed him. “You were just re-elected for your second four-year term. Why are you trying to throw me in this ring?”
“Never too early to start planning. I just want you to think about it. Sometimes change is good.”
Asia shook her head, flabbergasted by Brandon. “You have over fifty assistant district attorneys. I’m sure one of them will want to step up to the plate if you decide you’re ready to move on.”
“But you’re the best.”
“Now I’m flattered. The only thing I want right now is to find out who killed Adam Locklear and what information he had to share with me.”
Brandon sat back in the chair across from her desk. “That’s what concerns me. It’s time we talk about Locklear.”
Asia wasn’t sure she wanted to know what her boss had to say, but she had a sinking feeling she already knew.
He sighed, looking more exhausted. “I know you were close to Adam at one time, and I can’t imagine what that was like to find him. I wanted to give you some time, but I think you’re spending way too much time on the investigation. Why don’t we let the detectives do their job? Find a suspect, make an arrest and we will deal with this later. We have plenty of other cases I need you to chair.”
“To be honest, I’m surprised you haven’t stopped me by now knowing my past history with him.”
“I’ve seen the last week take a toll on you. I need my top ADA back. Plus, you already know, if and when we charge someone, it’s probably best someone else on the team serve as the first chair.”
Asia nodded. “You’re right. It’s time for an actual case that has a suspect with solid evidence and witnesses.” She grimaced. “Coleman seems to be doing a good job despite being new. He may find something.”
Asia thought she wasn’t going to hesitate to ask questions either. She felt comfortable with Coleman and knew he would keep her in the loop.
“Good, that’s the spirit. Let’s talk about where we need to direct your attention to next.” He reached for a folder on his desk. “I’d like to see if we could move the Lawrence Warren case forward to a grand jury in a few weeks, definitely before the end of the year.”
Asia thought for a moment. “Lawrence Warren, he was one of Adam’s clients. He already found a lawyer to take his case?”
Brandon smirked, “Yes, apparently Brooke Cannon was more than ready to help him. Her and Adam were rivals, so I’m not surprised she’d snap up his clientele.”
Asia twisted her hands. “Did you know Adam clerked with her dad, Preston Cannon?”
Brandon’s face grew pensive, “Yes, I remember when Adam worked under Preston. A lot of lawyers worked under that man. He was good, one of the best defense attorneys around for years. I can tell he groomed his daughter well and you could see where Adam developed his courtroom skills over the years.”
“According to Adam’s ex-wife, Brooke was interested enough in Adam that she wanted to be Mrs. Locklear.”
Brandon raised his eyebrow. “Really? That’s interesting. I would keep that under your belt. Brooke’s even trickier in the courtroom than Adam.”
Asia asked, “I know this is off-topic, but we are getting ready to deal with Cannon Law Firm. Is Preston officially retired or does he still play a role in the firm?”
“As far as I know, his daughter handles most of the cases. I’ve seen Preston here and there on the golf course. He’s still plenty sharp too. I know he’s a board member on quite a few boards here in Charlotte. Very wealthy guy. Why are you asking?”
“I don’t know really. I went to talk to Brooke about Adam. She alluded to the fact her dad
still keeps up with the firm.”
“I’m not surprised. He established Cannon Law Firm almost thirty years ago. Preston was and still is an intimidating guy. In and out of the courtroom. Which is why you need to study this case. Brooke learned from the best.” Brandon handed her the folder.
Asia grabbed the folder. “So Lawrence Warren is claiming he didn’t shoot his wife, but the evidence says differently?”
“This is premeditated. We need the grand jury to see Warren for what he really is. A cold-blooded murderer. Start preparing. I’d like us ready to do jury selection soon after Thanksgiving.”
“I see you really want to get this one moving before the end of the year.”
“It’s a big case, Asia. One of those ones you can certainly add to your list of wins.”
“I’ll get on it.” Asia rose from the chair.
“Asia?”
“Yes.”
“I’m really sorry about Adam, but I think this will be good to get you back in the swing of things. You’ll see.”
As she left Brandon’s office, she knew pushing Adam’s death to the back of her mind was necessary. Unfortunately, her unanswered questions weren’t going away anytime soon.
Chapter 16
Tuesday, November 22 at 2:15 p.m.
Asia didn’t often bring cases home, but last night she did. She needed to make an effort to re-focus her mind away from Adam’s death. Only problem was, the more she read through her new case, the more disturbed she’d become. She stared down at her desk, her eyes transfixed on the photo of the slain woman. Something about the way Janice Warren was shot was an eerie reminder of another crime scene in Asia’s head.
“Boss, you okay? You need some coffee?”
Asia looked up to see Christine at her door. “Yes, that would be great.” She waited until her assistant returned with the cup of coffee.
“Thanks, Christine. This was right on time.” She took a sip of the bitter liquid. “Did you read over these files yet?”
“For Janice Warren? Christine nodded, “Yes, I did. Her husband, Lawrence Warren, claimed he received a text from her. Which we do have evidence of on his phone. When he arrived, he found her shot in her home office. There were no signs of forced entry. No fingerprints other than his and hers in the office.”