STONE: “BLACK LOVE, YOUR BABY MAMA MUST BE AROUND.”
It then dawned on Black, Stone was the receptionists from the abortion clinic. He shook his head and cracked a smile.
BLACK: “WHAT’S GOOD WITH YOU SHORTY, AIN’T THINK YOU WAS GOING GET AT ME.”
STONE: “LOL. YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW WHO THIS IS.”
BLACK: “LIL MAMA FROM THE CLINIC.”
There was a 5 minute pause before she responded. Black was in no rush to get to his next stop so he sat and had a mini text session with her. Wind chimes again.
STONE: “LUCKY GUESS.”
BLACK: “WHAT’S GOOD WITH YOU?”
STONE: “SHIT. WYD?”
BLACK: “BOUT TO BUST A MOVE.”
STONE: “ALL NIGHT THING OR YOU GOING BE FREE LATER TONIGHT?”
BLACK: “HIT ME LATER AND SEE.”
Two minutes passed with no response, Black stood and left headed to see Detective Edwards when the Addams Family theme song came from his phone, it was the ringer he had set to his father’s number. He picked up on the first ring.
“What’s good pops?”
“Nothing much, young man. Busy?”
“Not really, what you need?”
“Stop by the house, someone’s here to see you.”
“Really? Who?”
“A face you haven’t seen in a long time, come on through and see.”
“On the way.”
Black ended the call, got into his all black Chevy Impala. He took S. Bennett Ave toward E. 70th St. until he got to 69th St. and continued to Jeffery Blvd. Made his way to 71st and made a left on Stony Island. He took the 103rd St. ramp and made a left to Cottage Grove rode for about a mile and made a left on 111th and rode until he made it to his father’s house in Roseland in total it was about a 30 minute ride coming from his home in Jackson Park Highlands. He pulled in front of his father’s home, parked and turned the engine off. He climbed from the car, closed the door and hit the alarm on the key chain as he climbed the stairs to the porch. His father greeted him at the door as walked in without knocking.
“What’s up pops?”
“Nothing much young man, there’s this fella here to see ya say something about you owing him some money.”
Black stepped past the entrance into the foyer and saw a face he hadn’t seen in ten years. It was his childhood friend Parker Harris. He was taller than Black, 6’5 and heavier 200 lbs. Dark complexioned with a receding hairline, looked a bit brutish, Black attributed that to the left side of his face having a permanent droop to it a gift left to him from a mild stroke he had when they were younger, that and doing time, he was recently released from Joliet Prison. He spoke with a slow almost southern like drawl. Black was happy to see his old friend they embraced each other in a strong hug.
“Damn man, when you get home?”
Parker smiled. “Been home bout a month now.”
“Man, how it feel to be home?”
“It is what it is, know what I mean? I mean a lot has changed.”
“No doubt, so what’s up, what’s your plans since you’re out?”
“That’s why I wanted to talk to you.”
“What’s up?”
“Nunez.”
“Crape?”
“Yeah, since I’ve been home different folks been trying to come at me sideways want to get it squashed before it gets out of hand.”
“Sideways about what?”
“The Rhodium heist.”
The Rhodium heist, Black wasn’t familiar with the particulars of the case just a lot of rumors from the streets and around the courthouse he was glad he wasn’t assigned the case back then he was still fairly new to the D.A.’s office that would’ve been an uncomfortable position to be put in, tasked to help the state put his childhood friends behind bars.
“That’s what you went away for right? I thought that was over.”
“Supposed to be, a couple of youngsters new to his team talking bout I ratted out Robert.”
“Bronxwood?”
“Yeah.”
“Did you?”
Parker didn’t hide the hurt in his eyes from being asked the question concerning his level of loyalty.
“I was a stand up dude when we were kids and I stood up when it was time to do my bid. I ain’t never cooperated with law enforcement.”
Black wasn’t moved one way or the other he was looking at the situation from a non-judgmental stance he knew that Parker most likely didn’t see it so black and white but that didn’t matter. Black continued.
“I had to ask.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“So what do you want me to do?”
“Man you know how Crape is and you know how I am.”
“Yeah I know.” Black knew that neither man would back down and nothing but bad can come from this unless it is resolved quickly. He continued. “Don’t see how I’m supposed to help though?”
Black looked from Parker to his father back to Parker.
“Talk to him see if you can find out where his head at.”
“Just talk?”
“Feel him out find out if he thinks I dimed on Bronxwood.”
“How are you getting around?”
“Bus, Uber when I get a few dollars.”
“Working?”
“Not yet, looking though have to find something soon I want to get out of this halfway house.”
“Wait in the car, need to talk to pops we can speak more on Nunez on the way dropping you off.”
“Cool, good seeing you again Mr. Love.”
“You too son, you be safe out there in them streets.”
“Yes sir.”
Parker shook hands with Pops and went out to the car. Black made his way through the living room into the kitchen with Pops following behind. He opened the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of water.
“What’s on your mind son?”
“Wanted to talk to you about Trigger.”
“Nice girl, what about her?”
“Thinking of asking her to move in with me.”
Pops sighed.
Black smiled. “What?”
“You’re a regular speedy Gonzalez.”
“Too soon?”
“Only you can answer that son. All I would say is think about it some more before you bring it to her, weigh the pros and cons.”
“I will pops. Let me go, I’ll call you later.”
Black moved quickly from the house out to his car.
Chapter Ten
Black got in the car and turned the ignition over, shifted into drive and peeled from the curb.
“I see your ass still can’t drive.”
Parker said putting on his seatbelt. Black swerved in front of the car on his right cutting the driver off and turning the corner at the same time.
“Man, I taught your ass how to drive.”
“Let you tell it you taught me damn near all my life’s lessons.”
Black smiled. “And you’re welcome. Look bruh, I need to bend a corner before I drop you off.”
“What’s good with it? How long it’s going take?”
“Not long, this thing I’m working on for a friend trying to find this guy’s daughter she’s been missing for a month.”
“It’s cool, what you’re not working for the DA’s office no more?”
“Nah, might be going into this investigator thing full time.”
Parker immediately began laughing and continued for almost 3 minutes. Black became visibly upset.
“What’s so damn funny?”
“Nothing man, just pictured you as a short ass Kevin Hart-Shaft looking ass.”
Black laughed as he maneuvered the South Side streets. They rode the rest of the way in silence making his way to the 4th district on 103rd he pulled into the lot and parked. Parker looked around nervously.
“Man I know you ain’t brought me to talk to no police after I just told you what I’m dealing with Nunez.”
&nb
sp; “Be cool, it’s a missing little girl man all that other shit ain’t about nothing.”
Parker let it go, he knew arguing with Black was a waste of time they were already there. Black called Edwards and told him to come outside. Both men got out of the car and leaned against it. It wasn’t long before he came out. He immediately gave Parker a scolding look. Parker was used to it, he returned the unfriendly gesture. Black approaches Edwards.
“Detective Edwards this is Parker Harris, Parker, Detective Edwards.”
Parker nodded. Edwards grimaced. He spoke.
“Just got out huh?”
Neither Black nor Parker responded. Edwards flashed a menacing smile, spoke again.
“You don’t have to say it, I can smell the penitentiary on you.”
Parker no longer leaning on the car stood to his feet, spoke just barely above a whisper.
“Punk muthafucka.”
“What you say to me boy?”
“Detective, respect my friends.”
Edwards ignored Black staring Parker down, before turning to Black.
“I have to get back to work, what do you have for me?”
“I uncovered some information that may be pertinent to the case.”
“I’m listening.”
“I have reason to believe before your daughter became missing she was pregnant and got an abortion. Would you know anything about that Detective?”
Detective Edward’s forehead wrinkled, the muscles in his arms as well as the veins in his neck tightened.
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“Answer the question. Did you know?”
Detective Edwards began yelling.
“Yes I knew got damn it! How the hell do you know?”
“You didn’t think that was important enough to put in the case file?”
“No I do not think it was important, and furthermore it is personal, private family business.”
“You know how this looks don’t you?”
“Why don’t you tell me how this looks?”
“Why are you getting so upset about this Detective? And would you happen to know about bruises that Joanne supposedly received before she went missing?”
“Again, what in the hell does this have to do with finding my daughter?”
“Just connecting the dots.”
Detective Edwards folded his arms across his chest. Parker became a fly on the wall, he didn’t say a word. Once Black saw that Edwards wasn’t going to answer the question he moved on.
“One more question Detective.”
“What?!”
“We’re you the father of Joanne’s baby?”
“You son of a bitch!”
Detective Edwards rushed towards Black grabbing him by his collar, picking him up off of his feet and slamming him down on the hood of the car. Without thinking Parker immediately jumped into action throwing a right cross across Edwards’ jaw, he stumbled back letting go of Black, he simultaneously reached for his side arm. Black now back to his feet held an arm up to Parker telling him to pause. The other hand to Detective Edwards in a non-defensive manner. By this time other officers are approaching the scene of commotion. With his gun still holstered Edwards took his hand away from his gun and composed himself the best he could.
“Everything’s good here!”
He yelled at the officers approaching eager to join in.
“You sure Detective?”
One of the officers asked still approaching with his hand on his gun.
“I’m fucking sure alright?”
Edwards yelled as the officers went back to what they were doing.
“Look son, you ask me something like that again I’ll kill you.”
Black smirked at the threat.
“So who was the supposed father then?”
Edwards rubbed his jaw, he stared Parker down. Parker stared back silently still raring to unleash some of the anger that built up in his chest. Edwards turned his attention back to Black.
“Some punk kid she goes to school with named Hale Jackson, lives over in Englewood.”
“I’ll check it out.”
“The hell you will, you’re off the case.”
Black ignored him as he and Parker climbed into the car and pulled off. Black looked through his rearview mirror as Detective Edwards stood watching the car drive away. Black hopped on the express way headed toward The Focus Housing Apartments where Parker was staying. He pulled in front of the building and shifted into park but left the engine running.
“You going drop the case?”
“Fuck him, no I’m not dropping the case. Don’t worry about the Nunez thing, keep your head low until you hear back from me.”
Black and Parker gave a fist pound and Parker got out of the car and went into the building, Black pulled off.
Black sent a text message to Seshat, asked her to pull an address on Hale Jackson see if he had a criminal record. Next he called Trigger told her to meet him at his place. He contemplated texting Stone back she still hadn’t responded from earlier he dismissed the thought and headed home. Chicago traffic was the worst, every major city complained they had the worst traffic. New York, Atlanta, but Black was convinced Chicago’s had to be the worst it was rush hour and what should have taken him 40 minutes lasted almost an hour and a half. When he walked in Trigger was already there in bed lying underneath the covers listening to music. He placed his keys on the nightstand next to the bed and sat on the bed next to her. He gently pulled at the sheet revealing she had no clothes on. She stared back at him brown slanted eyes holding a seductive stare. She placed her hand his lap, felt his stiffness let her hand roam from his lap to his stomach until she reached his chest. She took a hold of his shirt and pulled him down so that his lips met hers and kissed him deeply until she felt she had to fight for breath.
Chapter Eleven
Black was unsure how long he had been asleep, he awoke to Trigger buttoning her top, she was fully clothe minus her socks and shoes. He quietly admired her as she moved around the room.
“Hey sleepy head.” Trigger said when she noticed he was awake.
“Hey yourself, where you headed off to?”
“Home.”
“Stay the night.”
“Want to sleep in my own bed.”
“At least if you’re going to treat me like a tramp you can leave a $1,000 dollars on the nightstand.”
Trigger laughed.
“You think that was a $1,000 performance?”
Black laughed.
“I am cheating myself, let me get my Square swipe I’m going need you to run that Black Card.”
“Boy please, anyway. How’s the case going?”
“It’s going.”
“You don’t sound too confident.”
“I’m working the leads I’m sure things will unfold the way they need to unfold, may not like the outcome when it’s all done but it will be in the open.”
“So is life, tell me Black.”
“What’s up?”
“Why the attitude when we were at the abortion clinic?”
“Abortion is murder. The killing of an innocent human being is wrong, even if that human being has yet to be born. Unborn babies are considered human beings by the US government. The federal Unborn Victims of Violence Act, which was enacted "to protect unborn children from assault and murder," states that under federal law, anybody intentionally killing or attempting to kill an unborn child should "be punished... for intentionally killing or attempting to kill a human being." The act also states that an unborn child is a "member of the species homo sapiens." At least 38 states have passed similar fetal homicide laws.”
Trigger rolled her eyes annoyed by the text book answer.
“I was looking for a Black Love answer not a lawyer’s answer.”
“I am a lawyer.”
“You know what I mean.”
“However you meant it my answer remains the sam
e, abortion is murder.”
“What about Roe v Wade counselor?”
“Now who wants to be an attorney?”
“You threw it out there. In 73 The US Supreme Court has declared abortion to be a "fundamental right" guaranteed by the US Constitution. The Constitution gives a guarantee of certain areas or zones of privacy, and that right of privacy includes a woman's decision whether or not to terminate her pregnancy, I mean damn it is her body.”
Black sat up in bed, leaning his back against the headboard.
“Does it or does it not take two to create a baby?”
“Not necessarily, it doesn’t.”
“You know what I mean.”
“Yes I know what you mean, and your point would be what?”
“If it takes two to create a life each parent should have equal say so on whether or not to terminate pregnancy.”
Trigger laughed sarcastically.
“Not when it’s her body.”
“And here comes the hypocrisy.”
Trigger sat on the bed next to him.
“And how am I being hypocritical?”
“Not yet, but it’s coming, tell me then if I were to get a woman pregnant and said no I don’t want the baby and she does it’s her choice to still have it correct?”
“Yes sir.”
“So why would I be held financially responsible to take care of a child I didn’t even want?”
“Should have strapped up.”
“That’s bullshit.”
“That my brother, is the law, I thought you were against abortion Mr. Right Wing.”
“Mr. Conservative, get it right. And I am just proving my point it’s not equal if I’m for or against abortion as a man I have no rights unless the child is born then I am financially responsible it’s all a crock.”
“I’m not going to go there with you Black.”
“Cause you know I’m right, you are not change the subject.”
“What do you think about co-habitation?”
“What do I think as a general rule?”
“No as in move in with me.”
Trigger laughed and stood.
“Where are my shoes.”
“Ahh, so just look over what I said.”
“It’s not that, I’m just tired Black have a long ride home, an early morning and…”
“And don’t worry about it.”
Cannibal in the City (Black Love Book 2) Page 4