Queen Bitch: Part 4 (Bitch Series)

by Deja King

  "Where the hell did that come from?"

  "Last I heard, Detective Moore said you were missing. You have a family, a daughter that was recently kidnapped, but instead of being in LA, you're here in New York searching for an address on Nina. Does this have something to do with Nico? I know you and him go way back. The two of you have some sort of twisted relationship that keeps you connected. I hope you're not throwing your life away to be with him."

  "Are you done with the multiple questions, because Jamal, you don't have a clue to what you're talking about. Me coming here to see you and this search on Nina's address I'm doing, is all being done so I can be with my family again. Yeah, you right, Nico and I do share a deep connection. Some people may describe it as twisted, but it ain't nobody's fuckin' business. But best believe my family comes first."

  "I think I might know."

  "You don't know shit about me and Nico, Jamal."

  "You're right, and I don't want to know. This is about Nina."

  "Oh," I exhaled noisily, trying to calm down. "What do you know?"

  "I have a box of Nina's belongings that I never got rid of." I gave Jamal a peculiar stare. "The same way I don't understand your love for Nico, you don't understand my love for Nina, and let's leave it at that," Jamal stated as if reading my mind, and I couldn't argue with what he said.

  "I get it. Now continue."

  "Nina had an address book that she would always keep with her. When she died, I went through it trying to find her relatives to let them know what had happened to her. She always told me she was estranged from her family, but of course I felt they needed to know that she had died."

  "Did you get in contact with any of them?"

  "No. There were a lot of names in there but none of them knew anything about Nina's family. A couple of people mentioned a person by the name of Terrell. They said it was her brother, who was dead. It was mindboggling to me because Nina never even told me she had a brother who died. I apologize. I'm losing focus on the point I was trying to make."

  "That's okay, take your time." It seemed like for the first time, at that moment I realized just how much pain Jamal was in over Nina's death and all the lies she told him. I never cared to understand or sympathize with his loss. Nina was less than zero in my eyes, but when I looked in Jamal's eyes, she was so much more.

  "The point is, if I'm not mistaken I never threw that address book away. I believe it's in that box with some of her other belongings. It could be a stretch but maybe the Queens address is in there."

  "Maybe so," I said, not wanting to get my hopes up too high. "I don't have any other options so it can't hurt."

  "When I get off work, I'll go home and get the address book."

  I leaned back in my chair and gave Jamal this look. It was this look I would get in my eyes ever since I was a little girl. It meant, Don'tfuck wit' me!

  "I know that look."

  "I know you do. We did grow up together."

  "How about I go get the address book now?"

  "How about I think that's a plan?"

  "I'm sure you do." Jamal smiled for the first time since I got here. "If you like you can come with me. Maybe meet me my wife."

  "I'm sure she's lovely, but I'm not in the mood to pretend like I'm happy to meet someone. No offense."

  "None taken. I hope you find everything you're looking for, Precious. It seems that in all the years that I've known you, I've never seen you happy."

  "In my world, happy is a baby word, Jamal. All I want is for me and my family to stay alive. On that note, I need to go and so do you."

  "Here, meet me at this address in an hour and I'll give you the book." Jamal jotted down the address on a piece of paper and handed it to me.

  "Thanks again."

  "Don't thank me yet. I don't even know if you're going to find what you're looking for."

  "Even if the address isn't in there, thank you for trying to help. You really didn't have to."

  "Yes, I did. I want you to bring Nina's murderer down."

  "You haven't even asked me who it is."

  "I don't need for you to tell me. I have faith that you will handle it."

  "I always knew you were a genius, baby. See you soon," I said, walking towards the door.

  "Precious."

  "Yeah?" I stopped and turned around before exiting.

  "So you know, it does matter to me."

  "I'm glad."

  I left out of Atomic Records even more driven than when I went in. I wanted to find the apartment location in Nina's address book, but I wasn't going to give up even if I didn't. I needed my life back, the one that always seemed to be a few feet out of reach for me. I thought about what Jamal said, how he had never seen me happy. Long-term happiness did seem to elude me to the point I had accepted that it wasn't supposed to be a part of my life. I exploded into the world in the center of destruction, and I had been fighting for my rightful place ever since. Maybe the word `happy' could find a place in my world. If I didn't feel I deserved it, my daughter damn sure did. And Maya or nobody else would deprive her of that. That meant I would have to do whatever needed to be done... even if all eyes are on me.

  "Supreme, I'm so happy Aaliyah is back home. This place wasn't the same without her," I said, bouncing her on my lap.

  "I know, she lights up the whole house."

  I watched as Supreme stared adoringly at his daughter. I knew he was thinking of Precious. He couldn't help it since it looked like Precious spit Aaliyah out. "Why don't the three of us go to the zoo today? It'll be fun." I didn't want to go to no damn zoo but I had to break up all that reminiscing Supreme was in the middle of.

  "Sure, that would be fun. I know Aaliyah would love seeing all those animals."

  "Great! I'll go get her dressed and we can get ready to go." I picked up Aaliyah and headed upstairs. When I reached the mid point I heard the doorbell ringing. "Supreme, are you going to get that?"

  "Yeah, but I wonder who it could be and why the front gate security didn't let me know somebody was here," Supreme said, walking to the door.

  I continued upstairs until the familiar voice made me stop and head back down.

  "Detective Moore. I should've known it was you. You come to visit so often the security no longer feels the need to announce your presence."

  "I'm flattered. Can I..."

  "Of course, come in."

  "Thank you." I heard Supreme close the door as I reached the bottom step. "Well look it here, it's Maya Owens. I see you're stepping into that mother role with ease. That baby gets cuter every time I see her."

  "Hello, Detective Moore. As always, it's a pleasure to see you," I mocked.

  "Same here."

  "Detective, we were on our way out, so what brings you here today?" Supreme asked.

  '11- ave some news that I wanted to share with both of you."

  "Did you find out where Precious is?" Supreme couldn't even control himself from wanting to know the whereabouts of his beloved Precious. Even with the bitch dead, she was still living in our house.

  "No, but I know one place she is not."

  "Where?" I wanted to stay out of the conversation but my anxiousness got the best of me.

  "With your brother, Mike Owens," Detective Moore turned to me and said.

  Supreme grabbed his arm and turned him back around. "What makes you so sure?"

  "Because Mr. Owens perished in a fire a few weeks ago."

  "What? What happened?" Supreme questioned, becoming animated.

  "It seems he had been staying at a house in Calabasas and a horrific fire started, and not by accident," he added, cutting his eyes in my direction. I kept swinging Aaliyah on my hip as I didn't peep his shade.

  "It was arson?"

  "Yes, it was. The whole house was pretty much destroyed."

  "Then how are you sure it was Mike that died in the fire?"

  "It took a long time, but the medical examiner was able to get a partial fingerprint, and of course they ran it threw t
he system. With Mike having a criminal record his name came up. His body was found in the basement. Whoever set the fire shot him first."

  "That motherfucker finally got his!" Supreme said, slapping his hands together.

  "Maya, you don't seem surprised by what happened to your brother."

  "Should I be? I'm sure with the life he lived he made a lot of enemies."

  "I can't believe that motherfucker was living right here in California. What the fuck was he sticking around for?"

  "Mr. Mills, that's interesting because I was trying to figure out the same thing. I was hoping Maya here could help me."

  "How can I help? Like I told you, I haven't had any contact with my brother."

  "You did tell me that. Mr. Mills, you can rest a bit easier knowing that the man who brought so much tragedy to your family is now dead."

  "Damn, straight! But there goes another dead lead when it comes to finding Precious. I'm glad he doesn't have her, but I do want to know where she is."

  "Was Mike staying in the house by himself." I asked.

  "I'm sorry, Maya, what did you say?" Detective Moore put his finger behind his ear and leaned forward.

  "I said, was anybody else in the house with Mike?"

  "Not that we know of. Again, the house was burned pretty bad, but they didn't find any other bodies."

  That can't be! Precious diedin thatfire too!Maybeher body was burned so bad that there wasn't any sort of trace. But there would have to be something left. Or maybe Detective Moore isplayinggames with me trying to get me to tell on myself. Only the person who set the fire would know that another body shoulda been found. Yeah, Detective Moore is definitely trying to set me up. He's been suspicious of me from day one but can't get anything to stick. He is counting on me to slip up and put the nail in my own coffin. Nah, you gon'have to come better than that. &u sticking to the story that only Mike died in the fire, than so am I.

  "Detective, I appreciate you coming over here and informing us about Mike."

  "Of course. I'm sorry we haven't been able to find any leads on your wife. I hope you haven't given up finding her."

  "Of course not, but I also can't stop living my life. It seems that there hasn't been any foul play and her life isn't in jeopardy, so I have to assume she left on her own free will."

  "It would seem that way, but again, I'll keep my eyes open. With the way the pieces to this puzzle are coming together, anything is possible."

  "Maya... Maya..."

  "Huh?" I finally answered Detective Moore, snapping out of my deep thoughts.

  "I guess you got something heavy on your mind," the detective pried on the sly. "Are you going to be okay?"

  "I appreciate your concern, but I'll be fine."

  "Good, I'm sure you will. What I wanted to tell you was that we tried to get in contact with your mother so she could claim your brother's remains, but we haven't had any luck."

  "I'll take care of it."

  "Here's my card, if your mother has any questions."

  "Thanks," I said, snatching it out his hand.

  "I'll be going now. I don't want to overstay my welcome but I'm sure I'll be back. Like you said, Mr. Mills, I'm a frequent visitor."

  I stood on the side watching Supreme escort Detective Moore to the front door. That man truly made my skin crawl and I regretted not letting Devon kill him before I took him out. Now with Devon dead I had nobody to finish off the job. But as long as I played it cool I was untouchable. I had gotten rid of all the loose ends. Everybody who had any dirt on me was dead. I had to remain focused and calm. I was this close to having everything I wanted. Supreme was still in love with Precious, but slowly he was accepting the fact that she left him and their baby. As much as he loved her, Supreme would never be able to forgive such betrayal. And now with Precious dead, he would go to his grave never knowing otherwise.

  I strolled down Rodeo Drive on a beautiful afternoon, ready to shop away all the memories of yesterday's visit from Detective Moore. Before I got started, I decided to make a pit stop at the Peninsula Spa. I needed a top-ofthe-line manicure so my hands would be stunning as I handed over Supreme's credit card to the cashier. Then my pedicure had to be flawless so when I tried on pricey stilettos my feet would be the perfect decoration.

  When I arrived at the spa, it was completely quiet. Since it was a one-person nail salon it cut out any hoopla. I sat down to get my Pacific Coast Manicure and watched the standard California bleach blond with over enhanced silicon tits sip champagne while getting a signature pedicure. It was a Reflexology, an herbal foot bath, and jasmine oil massage. It was a cool $155, but it was worth it for seventy-five minutes of foot heaven.

  "I love your purse," the bleached blonde babbled between sips of her bubbly. The Chanel, metallic calfskin bowling bag I was carrying was official. I couldn't even front on that.

  "Thank you. It was a gift from my boyfriend."

  "Your boyfriend has great taste. He seems like a keeper."

  "I would have to agree, on both."

  "Well you better hurry up and try to marry him while you can. We're in Beverly Hills, young lady. These women are treacherous. I'm in real estate, and although business is booming for me, with this economy being such a mess some of my competitors are willing to do anything, and I mean, anything!" she stressed, "To close the deal, if you know what I mean," she said, and winked her eye.

  "I know what you mean. It's pretty competitive in my business too. Women are willing to kill to get what they want," I laughed as if joking, and the lady laughed back, having no idea how serious I was.

  "Well, if you ever do get that man down the aisle, and when you're ready to start a family, call me. I sell the most luxurious homes money can buy. Whatever the request, I guarantee I can fulfill it." She reached in her purse and pulled out one of her business cards.

  "No, thanks. I appreciate the offer, but we already live in a beautiful gated estate in Beverly Hills."

  "Work it out! Kudos to you for learning at a young age to use what the good Lord above gave you to get what you want."

  I m trying.

  "With the bag you're carrying and an estate in Beverly Hills, darling, you're more than trying, you've seemed to have figured it all out."

  I was really enjoying the fake white girl bullshit with this lady and chuckled, then found myself imitating her phony hand gestures and the whole nine. I could see how chicks like Lil' Kim and them ended up 100% plastic after getting caught up in the allure of Hollyweird.

  "Hold on a moment, I have a call," I said, sounding all extra valley girl like the realtor did. "Hello," I said, speaking into my Blue Tooth."

  "Bitch, you shoulda stayed in that hotel room until you knew my black ass was dead!" I thought my heart had jumped out my chest when I heard Devon's voice on the other end of the phone.

  "Devon, is that you? You fell asleep the last time I saw you and I haven't been able to get in touch with you. I was worried," I said, trying my best to play this shit off with him.

  "Is that him on the phone?" I caught the realtor chick mouthing as I turned my head in her direction. She was cheesing from ear-to-ear while pointing her finger at my Blue Tooth. I smiled back and nodded my head `yes', wanting to quickly shut her down. My five minutes of pretending to be a Hollywood socialite were over. This phone call kicked me back into hood life reality quickly.

  "Shut the fuck up with that lying, Maya! You know fuckin' well I wasn't sleep. You drugged me and then tried to poison me, you triflin' bitch! Luckily, I'ma big nigga, and I had the strength before that shit kicked all the way in to pick up the phone and get some help."

  "Devon, I don't know what you're talking about, but I'm glad you're okay."

  "No you're not. You wanted me dead, just like your brother and Precious. I can't wait to tell Supreme how you murdered his wife."

  "Devon, calm down. There is no need for threats." The palms of my hands were sweaty and my fingers were shaking. The lady gently pressed down on them to stop it, but it wa
sn't helping.

  "Ho, this ain't no threat. I'ma fuck your schemin' ass up!"

  "Wait, I can get access to a lot of money it's yours." The phone went silent and I knew Devon's greedy ass was considering what I had said. "I'll give you a million dollars," I added, although there was much more in the suitcase I took from Mike, but he didn't need to know that."

  "How do I know you ain't playing games, Maya?"

  "Because you're holding all the cards," I spoke softly, not wanting anybody to hear what I was saying. "All I ask is you give me a week to get the money."

  "Fuck that! You got three days or I'm going to Supreme."

  "Devon, a million dollars is a lot of money. I need some more time. I'm good for it. If you blow up my spot with Supreme then you'll have nothing. We will both end up in jail and you'll be broke," I whispered.

  "Five days. That's all your evil ass gets. I swear if you don't have my million dollars by then, I guess we'll both be serving life sentences." Then the phone went dead.

  "Is everything okay?" the realtor asked a few minutes after she noticed my mouth was no longer yapping.

  "I'm fine. I just got some unexpected news."

  "Good, I hope."

  "What's your name again?"

  "It's Kitty."

  "Kitty, let me get your card. I think I will need your services after all."

  Last Bitch Standing

  From the moment Jamal placed Nina's address book in my hands I had been consumed with it for the last four days. She had so many names and numbers you would've thought it was the yellow pages. There were several addresses in Queens listed, and I had spent two days visiting those places and none of them were the spot. I got tired of knocking on doors and coming up with bullshit excuses as to why I was at their front entry. Based on the description Mike had given me, I knew most of the spots I rolled up on couldn't have been the correct place, but I was so desperate I would try regardless. Mike said the place was in a low-key neighborhood, but I would pull up on a block with a gang of dealers kicking it on every corner rolling dice knowing, shit wasn't going to be in my favor.

  Besides the address book, Jamal also gave me a pair of keys he found inside a jewelry box Nina had. Again, he wasn't sure but he thought that maybe they were the keys to the apartment I was looking for. When I would go to certain spots that seemed to fit the bill and I knocked on the door and no one would answer, I would try the keys but zilch was opening up so far.