“Thank you Wanda. Send him back,” he answered.
Jacobs walked in with a look on his face as if to say “What the hell is so important that I should have to rush out of my office?”
Wright had met his glance with one of his own. As he looked at Jacobs he wondered what happened. What had happened to the young man who once was so eager to uphold the law?
“Have a seat,” he told Jacobs.
“I’ll stand,” was Jacobs reply.
“Suit yourself,” Wright answered as he hit the rewind button on the VCR. When the tape stopped he pushed play. As the screen came to life Officer Jacobs’ wind seemed to leave his body all at once. As if too heavy to support himself his legs gave way, causing him to collapse into the chair offered to him earlier. By the time the tape had finished Jacobs was furious. His face was flushed with anger as he spoke.
“Where the hell did you get this? Where…”
“Sit down and shut your mouth,” Wright said cutting him off, in his own sullen growl.
“Do you realize what you have done Jacobs? Do you? If not, let me explain it to you then. This is only three of the tapes floating around town. I was advised and warned of at least fifteen more. Now I’m telling you Jacobs.” Wright was now standing towering over him, “You take this from a damn good attorney. If anyone of these tapes make it to that federal building in Charlotte, you and everybody else on them can kiss your sorry asses goodbye.”
Officer Jacobs spoke through clenched teeth. “I’ll see to it that none of these tapes crosses the county line. Whoever the scum was that gave these tapes to you will die.”
“Scum, huh,” said Wright. “Jacobs, if this information leaks out they will no longer be considered scum…You will. My suggestion to you… I think you should be heading towards the magistrates office.”
“What for?” Jacobs replied.
“You have only thirty-six hours to release the scum you were referring to.”
After his last statement attorney Wright turned his chair in the direction of the window. Jacobs knew that the conversation was over.
Chapter 33
Hitting the Bricks
It was 2:00 a.m. on a Thursday when Q and Van received the call.
Ring… Ring… “Yeah, what up.” Q said as he answered the phone.
“What’s up homie?” It was Tim.
“What’s up my nigga,” Q said now wide awake.
“Nothing much homie. I was just calling to let you know that they let us out of that mothafuckin’ roach motel.”
“Yeah,” said Q.
“Yeah,” answered Tim.
“Did they release everybody? And what about the charges homie?”
“Yeah homie, they came and snatched everybody out the blocks. After taking us downstairs, our attorney’s met us with handwritten dismissal papers.”
Q talked to Tim for a while longer before hanging up. He laid down on the bed with Van gently rubbing his chest.
“Is everything okay love?” she asked.
“Yeah ma, everything is fine. That was Tim on the phone. They just released everybody a little while ago.”
“A little while ago,” she said now sitting up looking down at him. “Q it’s almost three in the morning!”
“Yeah ma, I know. That’s what I was expecting them to do. Now they won’t have to answer to reporters or worry about the newspapers.”
Q was correct. Stokely and Jacobs hand met with the magistrate for over four hours trying to convince him to release The Crew. The judge expressed to both officers that he was firmly against dropping any of the charges without any of The Crew members appearing in court, but finally gave in after the officers assured him more charges were to come.
It had been three weeks since The Crew had been released from custody. This was the first day the guys had gotten together. Each one had spent the entire three weeks with their better halves. Now as they all sat on the hood of their cars at the local hotspot on a cool Friday afternoon, North Park Yard, Jason filled them in on his pending case.
“Yeah fellas, my lawyer can’t seem to get any type of evidence outta those mothafuckas… I keep telling him to get my shit threw out, but he keeps giving me some bullshit about C.I. willing to take the stand.”
“Don’t worry homie,” said June, “If the informant is who we think it is, he won’t be doing no testifying.”
Q nodded his head in agreement before he spoke, “Jay, look homie, if you need anything let any of us know, aiight.”
“I’m cool right now homie. Good lookin’ out,” he said.
They hung around the park all afternoon. No business was discussed but Q could see that some of The Crew members were ready to get back on the grind. As he sat and looked over his boys his mind began to wonder what it would take for them to realize the Hustle Game was all but dead. He had to figure out a way to remove his homies from the dope game. If he didn’t he knew the only other two ways out would eventually consume them… the penitentiary or death.
Chapter 34
Honeys
Tee had been at the shop all day and into the night. It was Sunday and she hated the idea of working on the Sabbath day, but she knew she had to get her books caught up. Her and the girls were planning a hair show which was only five weeks away. It would be the first one that they sponsored at the salon. El and Terri were so ecstatic about the whole thing. Tee allowed them to handle most of the preparations.
Jacobs and Stokely had been busy combing the streets for the last few weeks trying to get a description of the woman who had delivered the tapes. Their informants had given them little or no valuable information. Both officers knew their normally reliable sources feared for their lives.
Jacobs on the other hand was out of control. He had been furious at the whole crew since finding out about the tapes. Instead of looking at it as a way out, Jacobs looked at it as blackmail. Now, no longer willing to honor his already tarnished badge he decided to take matters into his own hands. Sitting in the driver’s seat of the white van Jacobs yelled to his passenger.
“Are you sure that she is alone?”
“I’ve been by here for almost two hours,” said the passenger. “No one has come by since she put the closed sign on the door.”
“Good,” answered Jacobs, “Let’s move.”
“Wait,” respond the passenger. “What are you planning to do?”
“I ask the questions, “Jacobs snarled at him. “Just follow my lead and your case is history. Besides, I just want to question the young lady,” he lied.
Tee had just pushed the record button on her phone when the knock came at the front door. She was leaving El and Terri a message as she always did before she left the shop the night before.
When she reached the front entrance she was surprised to see Tech standing at the front door. Tee hadn’t spoken to Q in almost three weeks. She had no idea what was going on. Opening the door she spoke. “Hi Tech. Is there something wrong?”
“Uh… Uh… No,” he answered. “I just spoke with Q and he told me to meet him here.”
“Oh, okay,” said Tee, noticing how nervous Tech was acting. Her sixth sense instantly clicked in causing her to realize she that she had left her gun in her purse.
“Have a seat,” she said turning towards her office. As Tee turned she saw the shadow before the figure pushed the door open. Her next step was followed by a sharp excruciating pain to her shoulder. Tee’s limp body fell to the floor with what seemed like the weight of the ceiling falling on her. Only it wasn’t the ceiling…It was the weight of a man. Tee had only one arm available, but she fought with every ounce of life in her body. Digging her nails deep in her attackers face. As she screamed his name over and over, “Tech! Why? Tech! Why?”
The only response she heard was repeated over and over. “The tapes bitch… The tapes bitch… Where are the fuckin’ tapes?”
Tech stood in shock as Jacbos unleashed his fury on Tee. Someone he had known since childhood. He knew he was a dead
man the moment he entered the shop and lied to Tee.
Jacobs had completely lost his mind. He had savagely beaten Tee nearly unconscious with the butt of his gun. Tech grabbed Jacobs hand in mid-swing stopping him from his brutal assault.
“Nigga are you crazy, you gonna kill her”
“I don’t give a damn, I need those tapes”
Well she don’t know or she‘s not talking, either way if she’s dead it doesn’t help you.”
“That’s ok I got something for her ass, Help me take off her jeans”
“What! Now nigga I know you crazy. I’m not helping you do no shit like that.”
“You right and wrong, I am crazy and you are going to help me. Because if you don’t. You about to get locked up for assault with attempt to kill. And I bet you will be dead before you get a chance to speak or explain.”
Tech began to help Jacobs pull down Tees pants; he had to admit even with all the blood she still was beautiful. Jacob’s climb on top of her and began to force himself into Tee’s tight walls. She had been beat so bad all the fight had been taken out of her. All she could do is call on Q; she remembered how he said he would always be there for her. Jacobs continue to thrust himself in and out of Tee with no emotion, just pure physical lust. Finally he reached his climax and came inside her.
“Damn this bitch got some good pussy” He yelled to Tech.
“Man fuck that let’s get out of here”
“We not going anywhere until you get some of this bitch too!”
“Man I don’t want any!”
“I don’t give a fuck if you want none or not. I’m not having a witness, I’m having a co-defendant. Now get your ass down there and fuck her like you want it!”
Tech unable to look Tee in the face turned her over and entered her from behind. It took him a minute to get his dick hard, but he had to admit Jacobs was right, Tee’s walls felt so good he couldn’t hold the cum that was shooting up his shaft.
“I want you to nut on her, not in her!” Jacob screamed.
Tech now feeling the pleasure complied and shoot his load over Tee’s back.
“Now let’s get the hell out of here” Jacobs said as him and Tech exited the shop. Fifteen minutes after they had left Tee was still laying in a pool of her own blood barley clinging to life. Her whole body was numb. She was in a deep sleep, but her thoughts seemed to be wide awake. She began to see flashes of her childhood… then her prom… graduation… Now she saw the new life in her… The baby, Tee cried from inside. She knew then that she had to live. Suddenly she began to pray. Praying someone found her before it was too late.
Tee’s prayers were answered. It was Sunday night and the cleaning company always arrived around 11:45 p.m. after the shop was closed. The husband and wife who owned the company did most of the cleaning themselves. They found Tee as soon as they arrived for work. She was rushed to Richmond Memorial Hospital with severe face and head trauma.
Elbony had received the call first. She still hadn’t seen Tee as she sat in the Emergency room. Terri was with her but hadn’t said a word. She was crying uncontrollably. A doctor finally emerged from the double doors reading Operating Room. His sullen expression told El and Terri that the news wasn’t good.
“Does Miss Davis have any immediate family here at this time?”
“No… No… No…,” El screamed.
“No, wait a minute young lady,” the doctor said reaching for Elbonys’s flinging arms, “Calm down Miss.”
El continued, “She can’t be de…”
“She’s not dead,” the doctor said cutting her off. “Miss Davis is alive, Miss… uh… What is your name Miss?”
“Elbony sir. Just call me Elbony.”
“Alright then Elbony. Like I said, Miss Davis is alive, but she has very severe internal injuries. The baby also seems to be fine, but we have to run some further test. Terri and Elbony looked at each other like did you know? Tee had told no one about the pregnancy. The doctor continued, “Our hospital doesn’t have the necessary equipment to treat her. She has to be airlifted to Duke Hospital in Durham, North Carolina. That is why I need an immediate family member.”
Before El could respond Tee’s mother rushed in the emergency room. After getting her calmed down the doctor explained to the mother that Tee and the baby were in very serious condition. In so many words the doctor seemed to be telling them to hope for the best, but expect the worst.
As Elbony sat and comforted Tee’s mother as best she could, fear suddenly gripped her causing Tee’s mother to look up into Elbony’s face, which had lost all of its color.
“What is it child?” she asked. “What is…”
Elbony cut her off by jumping from her seat and grabbing her purse. She spoke as she dialed the number. “I… I… I forgot to call Q.”
“Oh shit,” said Terri, her face now drained of its own blood, for they knew that whoever was responsible for this should have just as well stuck the gun in their own mouth, then pulled the trigger.
Chapter 35
“Welcome to Hell”
Van was awakened by the phone which had been ringing for what seemed like eternity. Q was still snoring lightly as she picked up the receiver. “Hello,” she said.
“Van,” the voice said in a whisper.
“Yes, this is Van,” she said now sitting up. “May I ask whose cal…”
“Van it’s El.”
“Oh, hi El. Let me wake up Q.”
“No,” Elbony said into the receiver.
“What’s going on Elbony?”
“Van; there has been a terrible accident… Please listen to me… No one can reach Q on this but you…”
Van sat quietly in bed as Elbony told her what had happened to Tee. Before she finished Van was wiping tears while gently rubbing Q’s back. Hanging up the phone, she stared at her man. A man whom she had loved since childhood, but even she didn’t know what to expect from him after this. Gently she nudged his shoulder. “Ba… Ba… Baby. Wake up.”
He rolled over to face her. “What time is it ma?” He asked with sleep still in his eyes.
“Do you love me Q?” Van asked him suddenly.
“What?” Q answered back. “Why would you…”
“Q,” Van said cutting him off. “Do you Love me?”
Looking at her Q noticed that something was terribly wrong. Then he remembered hearing the phone. “Yes ma, I love you. I love you more than my own life.”
Van looked directly in his eyes as she spoke. “Q, there’s been a terrible accident.”
“With who ma?” He said now sitting up facing her.
“It’s Tee, Q Tee was brutally attacked at the shop by someone. She is in critical condition. That was Elbony on the phone. They airlifted her to Duke Hospital in Durham.”
Before Van could finish telling Q what was going on tears had began to well up in his eyes. Before she finished they were slowly rolling down both cheeks. Q’s whole body was numb from rage. He slid from the bed and slowly began getting dressed.
Even with his back turned towards her Van could hear him sobbing. After walking up behind him she gently embraced him as she spoke. “Q, I know that you love me Boo. I’ve never doubted that. I also know how you feel about Tee.” Walking around and facing him she continued, “I’ve never hated her Q. I think you already know that. We only had our differences because we both saw the same beautiful person I’m staring at now. I’m just as angry as you are about what happened. But I will not let you walk out that door without me. If you die, I die.”
Q stepped around Van and grabbed his jacket, but not before sliding both guns under each arm. Turning back towards her they both held onto a gaze before finally Q reached out and grabbed her hand. “Come on ma,” he said. “I need you.”
“Wait a minute,” said Van pulling herself from his grip.
Q was about to ask her what was going on until he saw Van pushing her chrome .380 down inside the back of her jeans. He nodded his head knowing he was going to war with on
e of his biggest soldiers.
By now the whole crew had been informed about what had happened to Tee. Pandora and the girls were very upset about their friend, and the entire crew had death in their eyes. After meeting at the hospital they all prepared to make the drive to Durham.
Pulling June and Tim to the side Q spoke while wiping away his tears, “I know how much Tee means to the whole crew, but I need you both to keep them under control. I have very little details on what happened, but I intend to find out. Whoever did this to Tee, homies, whoever was involved… If I have to follow them down into the depths of hell, I will. I’m gonna murder them one by one…” Finally he broke down crying, his boys had never seen him emotional before.
Tim reached out and began to hold Q. “It’s good homie, she gonna be alright, and you right we gonna kill these nigga a hundred times.”
Q and Van left the hospital heading towards the salon. Q wanted to see Tee badly, but he knew he had to check the shop first. Maybe the police didn’t find anything, but he knew Tee. If there was some way she could have left a clue or sign she would have.
Van rode in silence until they reached the parking lot of the salon. “Are you okay?” she asked squeezing his hand.
“Yeah ma, I’m aiight,” he answered.
Q sat and stared at the salon’s entrance for a moment before opening his door stepping out of the car. Van exited the passenger side along with him. When they entered the salon Q was very cautious before he touched anything. They found no clues in the lobby or work area. When they reached the office Q knew this was where Tee was attacked. The placed was ramshackled.
As he stared at the dried blood covering the floor tears once again formed in his eyes. As Q wept he silently prayed. “Dear Father God. I know that I haven’t been the best person that I’m capable of, but I know and believe that you are the most high God… The beginning and the end… and nothing happens except through you…I ask that you stay with Tee, father God… keep her safe… in your own words Father you said an eye for an eye… those will be my rules of the game when it’s time to play…”
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