by Asia Hill
“Do I know you?”
I licked my lips and smiled. I had to be extra. It was time to let this lil girl know that she was indeed being replaced.
“No you don’t know me, but you should know that he loves me.”
I was fucking with her head some. I could tell that I had her attention because she had a dumb ass look on her face.
“Excuse me? Who the fuck are you?”
“I’m the bitch that replaced you. Jaw wants to be with me, so quit calling him. If you get out, you better stay away from my man. If I catch you, there’s gonna be problems.”
She stood up and looked me up and down.
“So let me get this straight. You came all the way up here to the county jail to tell me that? Bitch, you better hope and pray that I don’t beat this case; because if I do, where the fuck are you going to hide?”
We went back and forth for a while before she hung up and walked off. She had the balls to throw my cousin and my brothers being dead in my face. Hell yeah, I was going to enjoy taking her life. Jaw was mine!
Chapter 29
Detective Malone
I was fucked! Damn, that little shit Derrick. Today was the day that I was supposed to bring him to testify at court. He bailed on me. There goes my career. The mayor was going to have a field day over this case if she wasn’t convicted. I made it to the courtroom before court started. I needed to speak with the prosecutor. I found him in the restroom.
“Um, Mark? I need to speak to you like now!”
“Malone, good day buddy. Where is Derrick?”
“I, um, can’t find him.”
“WHAT?”
“I need more time.”
“We don’t have more time damn it. I need him on the stand today.”
“He’s gone. You can use me, can’t you? I can...”
“You can’t do shit! Without that boy, all of this will be for nothing. I’m going to lose my job. They’re going to demote me to the court’s clerk. You’ve ruined my career.”
“What about the jury?”
“What about ‘em?”
“Money talks.”
“Do you know what you’re saying? If that gets out, we won’t have a career. We’ll share a jail cell. I’m telling you now, if one of them rats us out, I’m telling on your ass, too!”
“How much?”
“Give me $10,000. We can split it with like three jurors. It’s three college students on the panel. I’m sure they could use it. You better hope this works.”
To my surprise, all three of the college students took the money. Maybe there was a God.
(JuJu)
I didn’t even bother to call Jaw and curse his dumb ass out. It was his fault that she was even able to get close to me. She definitely hit a nerve. I called ReRe and told her what happened.
“I’m going to ruin that nigga, Re.”
“That shit is crazy. He called me a few days ago, and told me that I had the green light to get at her. That let me know that he ain’t been fucking with her no more.”
“The girl was serious when she came up here. In her mind, Jaw is hers. Do you think they fucked?”
“Don’t think about that shit. I know for a fact that he loves the hell out of you. Yeah, he fucked up, but he’s our family. We look out for family.”
“I’m telling you, if I make it outta here I’m going to destroy this city until I find that bitch. Today, Lil Man is supposed to testify. I’m scared, Re.”
“I know. Just pray. We ain’t seen him around lately. E has been playing hostess to that little bitch, JoJo. She can’t go back home. I guess Lil Man figured out that she set him up.”
“That’s crazy.”
“Naw, the crazy part is that she’s pregnant.”
“It ain’t E’s!”
We started laughing our asses off.
“Damn, Re. She gave Lil Man some pussy? Yuk! They are calling me in for court. Where you at?”
“In front of the court building. I’ll see you in there. Love you.’’
“Okay, love you, too.”
I was scared. I said a small prayer. I wished that my auntie were alive. I needed her to be here with me.
“Damn, auntie Lil Mama, I miss you so much.”
When I got in the courtroom I saw Re, Poohman, and him. He looked at me and winked. I couldn’t help but smile. I had so many mixed emotions, but now wasn’t the time to figure them out.
“Everyone please rise. Court is now in session.”
The prosecutor wasted no time calling its first witness: Detective Malone. He walked his fat ass in the courtroom. He seemed so sure of himself. Ole dirty motha fucker...
(Boo)
I had something for that detective if he thought that he was going to pin that shit on my goddaughter. Today was going to make or break the case. JuJu’s lawyer had the evidence that was needed to damage the testimony of the detective. I watched Ashley’s kidnapping tape myself. His ass was seen on tape, clear as day, dragging that girl out of his car and into his house. Lil Mama decided not to show her face at court today. I wondered when she was going to tell JuJu that she was alive. Ashley was making progress. She secretly filed charges against her boss. The precinct where they worked also had a copy of the kidnapping tape. It was only a matter of time before he too had his day in court. I stopped by Dirty’s house to pick her up.Knock, Knock When the door opened, I wasn’t expecting to see JoJo. I look at her little bump in her stomach and couldn’t hold my tongue.
“I know that ain’t E’s baby, is it?”
“No ma’am, it’s not. Come in.”
I came in and looked around. She was definitely staying here.
“Where’s E?”
“In the shower. Want me...”
“No thank you. I’ll go get her.”
I walked to the bathroom and opened the door. She was so into singing her song that she never heard me enter the room until I flushed the toilet.
“Aww, JoJo, what the fuck?”
She snatched the shower curtain open, saw me, and screamed.
“UGH! Boo, you scared the shit out of me.”
“Un huh. What the fuck you got going on up in here?”
“It’s a long story, but to make it short I kinda put her in danger.”
“Um. I thought that you was supposed to...”
“I was, but the next time I saw her she was pregnant. I’ma goon, Boo, but I’m not a monster.”
I felt where she was coming from.
“Well, E she can’t stay here forever. If Lil Man finds out that she’s here, it’s going to be a problem.”
“Don’t worry. I’m on my shit. Let me get dressed so we can go.”
“One more thing.”
“Naw man, that ain’t my baby.”
Chapter 30
Young Meech
I’ve been handling a lot of my auntie’s affairs. I was glad that Lil Mama showed her face. I was tired of playing Suzie the homemaker. My pockets suffered a little. My mind hasn’t been right since I lost my three favorite girls. Boo and Lil Mama have been in my corner throughout the whole ordeal. I needed that. I had some big shoes to fill. I loved Re and Dirty, but I needed my own squad. It was time to show Chicago that King Meech lived on through me! I didn’t want to get down with too many niggas. All I wanted was three people.
I needed an enforcer, someone who wouldn’t hesitate to murk a nigga. I needed my left- and right-hand men. I knew just who to call.Ring, Ring
“Hello?”
“Heidi, this is Meech.”
“Hey baby, how are you?”
“I’m good. Is Money Man and Outlaw around?”
“Money Man in his room with his lil girlfriend. You want me to get him?”
“Just tell him I’m about to slide on him.”
“Um, Meech?”
“Yeah?”
“Money Man don’t like you.”
I laughed so hard I almost cried. That lady had no filters! She said whatever the fuck she wante
d.
“It was all a misunderstanding. I’m sure we gon’ be a’ight. Just tell him I’ll be there in 30 minutes.”
“You can tell him. Money Man, phone. If he curse yo ass out, I warned you. Be good baby.”
“Who dis?’
“Whud up, this Young Meech. I’m ‘bout to come holla at you. I got a business proposition for you and Outlaw.”
“Man, dude, you upped a banger on me. We ain’t got shit to talk about unless you tryin’ to let me get that fade.”
“Nigga you knew why I did that. It wasn’t personal. You wanna fight? A’ight I’m on my way.”
(20 minutes later)
I rung Heidi’s bell ready for whatever. I knew that it was a good chance that I was gonna get jumped, but him and whoever was gonna have to work for that ass whooping. When Heidi opened the door, Money Man, Outlaw, and Money Man’s girlfriend were all standing there ready. I had to laugh because they were dead ass serious. Now all I had to do was keep ‘em from jumping me. I even left my gun in the car. Staring at them, I knew that I had made a good choice with choosing then.
“Come on in, baby.”
I walked in and just got straight to the point.
“I want y’all to get money with me. Money Man, you got heart, and I need that in my line of business. Outlaw, I need you because I know that you won’t hesitate to buss yo gun.”
I had to butter the lil nigga up. When he gave me a side grin, I knew I had him.
“What about me?”
I turned to look at Money Man’s girl. She had her hands on her hip, with her head tilted to the side.
“What about you? What can you do?”
“I know how to buss my gun, too. Whatever Money Man tells me to do, it gets done.”
She could come in handy. I mean they could be Bonnie and Clyde or Ike and Tina. I really didn’t give a fuck, as long as we made money. Money Man finally spoke up.
“Aside from that bullshit that happened. I would be willing to get down with you. You cool as shit, but don’t ever pull another gun on me.”
I let him speak his peace.
“I heard stories about yo father. I ain’t no dick rider, but he was that nigga. It’s a gang of money to be made, so let’s get it. My girl got people in Indiana and Iowa, so when we ready we can expand.”
See I knew that I was on to something with this group.
“Then it’s official. I got another guy I want y’all to meet. He’s not your average hustler, but he gets doe and he is book smart.’
Outlaw cleared his throat.
“Whud up, shawty?”
“We need a name. How about the Young Money crew?”
“Lil Wayne already got that name. We ain’t no biters. Come up with something better.”
After a little deliberation, the Chi City Boys were born.
Chapter 31
JuJu
When that fat ass detective got up on the stand, I held my breath. You must understand that there is some dirty ass cops out there that will do any and everything to get a conviction. I mean, he held me illegally at the station for hours without my guardian present. I scanned the courtroom looking for Lil Man. I locked eyes with Jaw. He whispered, “I love you.” I just closed my eyes and tried to focus on the voice of my lawyer.
“So Detective Malone, you said that you received a tip from Crime Stoppers?”
“Yes, I did.”
“What was said?”
Clearing his throat
“Well the caller told me that he knew who was responsible for the double murders that occurred on 88th and Marquette.”
“I thought that Crime Stoppers’ tips were mostly anonymous?”
“Oh, well, that person decided to give his name.”
“Oh, okay. Let me ask you this. If I asked a few of your co-workers to describe what kind of person you are, they would say what?”
“Objection, your honor. Personal opinions are irrelevant.”
“Your honor, I’m trying to establish how good or bad the credibility of this witness is.”
“Overruled!”
“Detective Malone, please answer the question.”
“Well, um, they would say that I’m a hard worker, persistent and reliable. Hell, I could go on for days. What’s your point?”
“Who is Ashley Dixon?”
That question made him uncomfortable, because he started shifting around in his seat.
“She’s an officer under my command, why?”
“She disappeared into thin air a few weeks ago. Do you know anything about that?”
The prosecutor flew out of his seat.
“Objection, your honor. What does that question have to do with this murder trial?”
My lawyer was treading on thin ice, because I could see that the judge was starting to get irritated.
“Counsel, what’s the reason for all this?”
“I could prove that he has no business up here testifying against my client. His credibility is worthless. I would like to introduce Exhibit A, your honor.”
The judge pointed his finger at my lawyer.
“This better be good.”
I didn’t know what was happening, but I had a feelings things were about to work out in my favor. While the court clerk was preparing the DVD, you could have heard a rat piss on cotton. It was that quiet. The screen went black, and then a house popped up.
“Detective Malone, who’s house is that?”
“Th ... th ... that’s my house. What is all this, counsel?”
My lawyer didn’t say a word. He just pressed play. Thirty seconds into the tape, all hell broke loose. Everyone in the courtroom gasped. On the tape, you could see, clear as day, Detective Malone dragging a kicking and screaming Ashley by her hair. He punched her, and then pulled his gun out and pointed it at her. She put her hands up surrendering. He then put the gun back in the holster; and without warning, he punched her so hard in her face that he knocked her out cold. Damn, was all I could say to myself. The video went blank. The courtroom erupted in chaos.BANG, BANG, BANG
“Order in the court room.”BANG, BANG, BANG
“Order, damn it. One more outburst and I’m clearing this courtroom out.”
Detective Malone was caught red-handed. My lawyer looked at the jury and smiled.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, you have just witnessed the state’s star witness commit a very heinous crime. He also happens to be an officer of the law sworn to protect and serve the people. Yet he sits on this stand trying to play a part in convicting my client of a crime that she didn’t commit.”
I looked at the prosecutor and he looked as pale as a ghost. The judge looked at Malone with pure rage in his eyes.
“Detective, do you have anything to say?”
“I ... I ... I don’t know what that is your honor.”
“It looks like a kidnapping to me. Bailiff, escort his ass upstairs to booking, where he is to be charged with kidnapping and assault on Officer Ashley Dixon.”Bang
It took three officers to take him up out of the courtroom. When I looked at the jury to see their reaction, I zoomed in on three white girls. They appeared mortified. They kept whispering back and forth with each other and shaking their heads. I called my lawyer over and told him what I saw.
“I’ll check it out at recess.”
Chapter 32
Lil Man
Instead of testifying against JuJu, I decided to hold court in the streets. I enjoyed role-playing. I was going to be the judge and the jury. In my eyes, all of their asses were guilty! I still haven’t heard from JoJo. That made me want to hate her ass even more. I want my baby. I needed to find her. I knew that Mia was only being nice to me because she was mad at JoJo. You can’t manipulate a manipulator. I planned on killing her ass anyway. I know she was calling Jaw and giving him information on me. I bought a tape recorder when I first moved in with them, because I already felt as if I couldn’t trust ‘em. I taped it under the living room table. I know every
thing they talked about. I wasn’t tripping on JoJo telling Mia about my plans. I was pissed because they planned on getting me out of the way. That bitch, JoJo, is foul.
She really wanted me dead. The father of her baby. I’ma change all of that. After she had my baby, I was going to torture her to death. She was going to die a painful and slow death. I put that on my mama! That went for everybody. Anybody who plotted against me was going to feel me in a bad way. After I killed everybody, my baby and I were going to disappear for a while. I was outnumbered and out gunned. I hit up JoJo just to see if she would answer. When she finally did, I let her ass have it.
“Yes, Derrick.”
“Why the fuck you ain’t been answering the phone? Why you try and have me killed?”
“Um, you tripping. I just bought a charger and I...”
“BITCH, DON’T LIE TO ME! You have been lying. You and that whore sister of yours have been plotting on me for a while. I recorded you, bitch!”
I knew I had her then because she was quiet.
“I just wanna be done with all this killing shit. I want my baby to have a normal life, Derrick.”
“You are tired of the killing? You ain’t the one doing it, so why the fuck should you care? You thought that killing the father of your child was going to make things better?”