“Hold on,” Van said as she woke Q
“What is it babe?”
“It’s El on the phone Q. She said they picked up Jason this morning.”
“WHAT!’ Q said grabbing the phone. Elbony explained to Q the only information the authorities would give her. He later found out that Jason’s right hand man, Tech, had been picked up before Jason.
“Jason Wright, you have a visitor.”
As Q approached the glass in the visiting room he noticed Elbony, Van, and Q had come to see him. Picking up the phone he spoke to El first. She was his heart. After talking to Van he finally talked with Q.
“What up homie?”
“I’m good, Q.”
“What type of shit they got you down here on?”
“Right now I don’t know myself, Q. They just kicked my shit in about two hours ago. But one thing is fo’ sho’. I ain’t sold nobody shit.” Q nodded his head in agreement. Looking through the glass at Jason he thought of himself. Seeing Jason in the midst of his struggle made Q even more thankful he left the game.
“You know they picked up Tech about an hour before they hit you homie.”
“Na I didn’t find out until I got down here. Some funny shit’s going on Q. Them mothafuckin’ Feds was asking me some shit only me and that nigga Tech knew about.”
“Did they find anything at your crib?”
“The only thing they found was my heat and some cash.”
“Aiight, as soon as your bond is set El will be here to pick you up.”
Q left the county jail thinking about what Jason had told him. He had already come to the conclusion that Tech was snitching. Jason had put Tech on when he didn’t have shoes to put on his feet. Now Tech was giving thanks by telling, thinking that was his get out of jail free card. But the only thing he was getting free was a certified Death Certificate.
Old habits are sometimes hard to break. Whenever the police made a major bust throughout the counties, Q and The Crew would always leave town for a few days until it cooled down. Q had been out of the game over two years, but still found himself on Highway #1 headed towards Fayetteville, NC. Before he realized he was running for no reason. Laughing to himself he drove on knowing that his favorite Continent was at the end of his journey ... Asia!
When he showed up at her apartment she was so excited to see him. Q had begun to feel bad because he could see the sincerity in how much she missed him. Jumping in his arms her first words were “I love you “.
His only response was a tight hug. His old lifestyle had caused him to cross paths with a lot of different women. Women he now cared deeply about. Asia was only one of many who became so close to him. Q knew women all to well not to play with their feelings or emotions, but his past was causing him to have to juggle with too many hearts. “What’s been up baby-girl?” Q said.
“Nothing baby, I just have been missing you so much. How long you gonna stay this time?”
“Well you know June’s court case is tomorrow. Hopefully they will dismiss that shit.”
“That will be good,” Asia responded.
“Look I wanted to let you know I will be laying low for a little while. Some shit went down, and I don’t want to bring no heat on you.”
“What you mean baby? You know I can handle whatever it is.”
Q knew that shit sounded good, but nobody knew how they could hold up against that time until they were tried. And he wasn’t gonna test Asia on his freedom.
“Yea I know you could baby, but you know I’m not trying to have anything happen to you.” They talked for a little while longer before Q headed back towards home. He wanted to get a feel for where Asia’s mind was. He knew you were only as strong as your weakest link. He had to make sure all ends were covered.
Chapter 29
Death Wish
“All rise!”
Everyone stood as the judge entered the courtroom. After taking his seat he gave instructions to both the prosecutor and attorney. He spoke, “What does the state recommend in the murder case of Mr. Hill?”
“Your Honor,” the prosecutor spoke, “We’re requesting a continuance.”
“Mrs. Cummings,” the judge interrupted her, “This is the fifth continuance in this case. Still you have produced no witnesses, not one shred of evidence against this young man.” He looked over at June’s attorney as he continued, “Do you have anything to add Mr. Williams before I make my final decision?”
June’s lawyer made a few short remarks dealing with the charge in the case. The judge then handed down his decision. ‘I recommend that the state take a voluntary dismissal on the murder charges against Mr. Hill. This court stands adjourned.” Rap. Rap. His gavel spoke the last words.
June walked out of the court house once again a free man. But before the ink on his dismissal papers dried, Tech had already given statements on Jason and the whole crew. The detectives had banged his head in about Q. They wanted anything they could find on him.
Tech’s statements were enough for the agents to haul Jason into the interrogation room. After four hours of trying to get cooperation they finally gave up. His bond was set at $250,000.
Elbony paged Q as soon as she got word. Jason was released later that afternoon. He met Q and June inside The Chill-Grill.
Jason spoke, “Yeah Q, they asked me all type of shit homie. That nigga Tech sold his soul Q,” said June.
“After everything you done for this nigga, he doubled crossed you.”
“Yeah that’s the difference between men and dogs. You can feed nigga’s for years and they will turn on you, like you never did one thing for them.”
“But don’t worry homie we gonna take care of that nigga.”
Chapter 30
Queen City
Q decided that he needed some time to think this shit out. He told Van and KiKi to get dress so they could head to Charlotte for some shopping. He also figured he could squeeze a couple of minutes in with Khris while he was up in the city.
Back in Rockingham things had gotten crazy. Big Kev, Poo, Corey, and Fat Dave, had been snatched up off The Block. They were being held on a state charge of conspiracy. June and Tim couldn’t move, figuring they probably had warrants on them. They sat in Tim’s apartment discussing their next move. Before they could speak there was a loud explosion before the front door came crashing down.
“Get on the floor. Get down. Get down.” S-R-T officers came in from the front and back doors. They were hauled downtown with the rest of The Crew.
Chapter 31
These Are the Bad Times
They all were charge with state conspiracy charges. Detectives were working around the clock trying to build a solid case against the notorious P.G. Crew. Each member was hauled down to the interrogation room every hour on the hour. Officer Stokely sat back and let the S-R-T detectives handle the situation, while Officer Jacobs hid in the confines of his office.
Big Kev and Tim sat on their bunks discussing the situations.
“Damn T, those bastards threw everything at a nigga but the kitchen sink homie!”
“Yeah, I feel you. Fuck them niggas Kev. If they want some info they betta’ get off their asses and go get that shit.”
Before Kev could respond the cell door opened with and an officer yelled. “Timothy Gregory, you have a visit.”
After giving Kev a pound Tim exited the main cell block with the officer. As he walked by the other blocks he could hear the rest of The Crew calling his name.
“Keep walking and don’t speak,” the officer ordered him.
“Fuck you,” Tim responded.
Entering the visit room Tim saw Terri through the glass window. Making eye contact brought a smile to both of their faces.
Picking up the phone Tim spoke first, “What up ma, you aiight?”
A weary eyed Terri answered, “I’m doing okay love. Just missing you.”
“Yeah I feel the same way ma, but we both have to be strong. If not we become the hunted… And that’s s
omething we can’t allow to happen. What about our son, how is he,”
“He’s doing fine. I let him spend some time with his grandmother but he really misses you.”
“I miss him too. Have you gotten in touch with Q yet?”
“Me and Tee have been calling him since yesterday and his phone just keep going to voice mail”
“Well, keep calling him; hopefully they haven’t picked him up too.”
They talked for the whole visit, which was only an hour. The Crew’s attorneys were frantically trying to get them a bond, but Officer Stokley and Jacobs fought against it with everything they had. As far as they were concerned the P.G. Crew was as good as finished.
Q’s ride home seemed long. For some reason Tee had been calling him back to back. She had even started calling from Terri’s phone. He figured she probably wanted to cuss him out for not showing up that night after he had promised he would see her later. Sometimes a woman just wouldn’t understand that shit comes up. He knew he would need some time on the phone to clear it up. With Van and KIKi in the car now wasn’t the right time.
Once he arrived home he took Van and KiKi’s shopping bags and all the clothes they had brought for little Umar in the house. “Hey babe I’m going to ride down to the block and check on the crew I will be home before dinner”
“Ok, I’m making your favorite tonight, so get here before Kiki eats everything up.”
Finally after getting into his car he picked up his cell phone and called Tee. No answer. “Where could she be?” he mumbled to himself. Dialing again he put the phone to his ear.
Ring… Ring…
“Hello,” Tee answered on the third ring.
“What’s up shawty,” said Q.
Before Q finished his sentence Tee was already speaking in codes. She told him everything that had gone down over the last few days. Crossing into town Q didn’t know what to expect. He knew he had been out of the game for over three years now, but he also knew how dirty the game was. He wasn’t worried about any of The Crew snitching. He was more worried about some trigger happy rookie cop trying to make a name for himself. Reaching inside his glove compartment he pulled out his Colt and laid it on the seat beside him. Turning off Hwy 74 he headed towards his kennel where he had told Tee to meet him.
Pulling on his property his dogs greeted him with the familiar sounds of their powerful necks yanking against their heavy chains. Tee hadn’t arrived yet but Q wasn’t worried. She was schooled by one of the best, so he knew she would take no chances. She would make sure she wasn’t being followed before exposing her location.
After thirty minutes of waiting Q noticed Tee pulling in the make-shift driveway. She immediately got out and began explain to Q what went down.
Her scent was driving Q crazy, but he knew he had to deal with the situation at hand. They sat and discussed every possibility that could come their way. Tee was a soldier. So was Van. She sat and listened to Q with calmness. Her expression was meek but he knew she was listening intently. Q grabbed Tee’s hand and walked her over to their storage building. After unlocking it they both stepped inside.
“Ma, I need you to make sure every one of The Crew’s attorneys receives a copy of each of these,” he said handing over three tapes. He continued, “Let them know that there are at least twenty-five more of these tapes along with hundreds of photos. They may snatch me up for some reason ma. If they do you already know how to handle this whole situation. Remember
Boo, if anybody strange tries to approach you, give them .380 reasons why they shouldn’t have.”
Tee only nodded before stepping out of the storage building. Reaching her car she turned and faced Q. She thought maybe this would be a good time to tell him that in a couple of months he would be a father again. But she didn’t want to put anything else on his mind. She knew he had enough going on already.
Q stayed around his kennel for a couple hours before heading home. Since he had already checked his messages on his phone he decided to clear his voicemail. Most were so old he just quickly hit the erase button. He pressed his last message which almost caused him to have a pile-up on the highway.
Message 25: “Yo’ Q, this is ya’ boy Tech homie. I’ve been trying to reach Jason but he wasn’t in town. Look homie, I got thirteen dollars and fifty cents for a half a bag of dog food. Call me ASAP.”
Q closed his phone, but not before storing the message in his memory box. His mind was so clouded with rage he couldn’t hear the many honking horns behind him. Only when the young white lady tapped on his window did he finally come to his senses. Slowly he eased his foot off the brakes with the long line of traffic impatiently following him. He rode in silence thinking only of the things that lay ahead. Q hoped to be able to hang his pistols up for good. Now that thought itself seem inevitable.
The game Tech was playing was for keeps. This nigga had the nerve of trying to play like him and Q had done business together. He was trying to set Q up like he was some new kid on the block. He knew Tech was going to have to be handled but how was the problem. Tech had his own reputation as a pistoleer. Plus he now had the law on his side.
Chapter 32
When Good Cops Go Bad
Back at the courthouse things had really become hectic. Mainly for the officers and DEA agents. Everybody was scrambling for any type of evidence against each of the P.G. Crew members.
Officer Stokely sat behind his desk fumbling with a stack of indictments on The Crew members. After reading over the first three he slammed the whole stack on the floor yelling, “Brooks get in my office… ASAP!” A very thin officer with paled skin peeked in the door as if afraid to enter. “Get in here Brooks,” Officer Stokely yelled again, this time much louder.
Petty Officer Brooks slowly entered the office on shaky legs. “Huh… huh… yes sir,” he answered. Officer Stokely gazed at Brooks in disgust. Brooks reminded him of the shell of a man he was before he became involved with his new friend…cocaine.
Cocaine had given him the only thing he lacked growing up in the predominantly black neighborhood where he was raised. It gave him something neither of his parents nor his few black friends could. It gave him heart to stand up against the bully’s he had feared all through his childhood.
Stokely spoke, “Brooks, has S-R-T looked over the charges in these indictments?”
“Yes sir,” Brooks answered.
“Bullshit,” Stokely screamed. “They will never get one conviction out of this garbage. Who approved this mess,” he said pointing at the stack of papers on his desk.
“The prosecutor, sir.”
Stokely leaned back in his office chair. His eyes tightly shut. He massaged both his temples. Opening his eye he gave Brooks one final order. “Get Jacobs in my office, pronto.”
“Yes sir,” Brooks answered before slamming the door behind him.
Officer Jacobs was about to exit the office when his phone rang.
He thought of not answering but quickly changed his mind. “Hello,” he spoke into the receiver as if irritated.
“Mr. Jacobs, this is Mr. Wright, The Crew mem…”
“I know who you are,” Jacobs said cutting him off. “And my answer is still no. I will not allow any of that scum the chance to get back on the stre…”
“Excuse me Jacobs,” Mr. Wright said cutting him off this time, “I have something here in my office that I think you need to see.”
“Can’t it wait?” Jacobs said.
“No, it cannot.”
“Give me fifteen minutes,” Jacobs said before slamming down the receiver. Before exiting the office he pulled out a small bag containing the one thing that had a solution to each and every one of his problems.
Mr. Wright sat alone in his office staring at the black television screen. He had replayed the tree tapes a dozen times. As his mind drifted he became lost in his thoughts. He wondered how did Jacobs and Stokely let things go this far. The evidence sitting before him was enough to shake up the whole county. Then he thoug
ht of the young lady that had delivered the tapes personally.
“Mr. Wright, there is a young lady who insists on seeing you today. I informed her that you were booked until Wednesday, sir.” It was his secretary speaking. Mr. Wright was about to answer through his speaker when his door suddenly flung open. The young lady entered with his secretary right on her heels.
“Excuse me ma’am, but…”
“It’s okay Wanda,” Mr. Wright said. Turning to the young lady he spoke. “What can I help you with, Miss… uh…?”
“It’s Van sir. Call me Teshonda.” Tee didn’t say another word. She simply pulled out the three tapes from her purse. Handing them to the attorney she then broke her silence. “This is only the beginning,” she said. “There are at least fifteen more of these plus several photos. As The Crew members lead attorney you are to inform the people in these tapes that they have forty-eight hours for each and every one of my people to be released. If not this evidence will by-pass the mayor on its way to the federal courthouse in Charlotte. There’s no need for us to exchange contact information, sir. It’s either or,” she said standing to leave. “If not me, someone will be in contact with you.” She turned and walked out of the office.
It had been close to an hour since the young lady had come and left his office, but the watermelon/raspberry lotion perfume she wore still lingered heavily within the confines of the room. Only minutes after she had left, his phone had begun to ring non-stop. With each phone call things had become more and more disturbing. In the span of only one hour every attorney involved in the case had received three tapes. Some contained different evidence than the others. But what shocked him the most was that they had all been delivered by a woman.
His speakerphone snapped him out of his trance. It was his secretary, “Sir, Officer Jacobs has arrived. Shall I send him in?”
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