by Gloria Obizu
The whole time I spent with Carlos was about a year and half before everything went downhill, she continued.
Why?
He started bringing home this other girl who does nothing but mess up the house and I will be the one cleaning up after every body. Eventually I got tired of all that crap and we started arguing a lot and I thought it was time to go. There was this other girl that always talked to me about moving to LA and I’ve been nursing the idea but while things were okay between me and Carlos, I did nothing about it. But now I sought her out, we talked about it again and she told me about this guy that took care of things like that and eventually we went to meet this dude. It turned out that what this dude does was moving run away kids to all sorts of places. Eventually I paid him about 500 dollars from the money Norman used to give me and he did his job.
When we got to LA he put me up with some other boys and girls about my age in some house but Latter, someone found us different homes and we parted ways. I myself ended up in a Home on Olympic Blvd.
Angles And Roses? Gary asked.
Sure! That was my Home for a while! Anyways, about six months latter Carlos came down there looking for me. I didn’t know how he found me but he came calling one Saturday evening looking sober and pleading with me to come with him but it was already too late. I didn’t want to have anything to do with him anymore and told him to go to hail. After I lived there for a while, I talked to my social worker about me finding a job and she didn’t say no. With her help, I found a babysitting job. I worked that job for about three months and because I didn’t fancy it so much I started looking again until I found another in a store. I worked so hard and never called off ‘cause I wanted to keep up with my saving. Norman already thought me something about the power of money and what it can do so I worked on it. With what I was able to save up in a year, I was like about two thousand dollars rich. Then I called my social worker and told her how much I saved up and that I would like to share an apartment with someone. She was so impressed with the much I could do for myself that she put up an AD on my behalf and a girl called Carissa showed up.
When I met Carissa I knew instantly she was exactly the kind of person I wanted to share with. Finally we found a place we liked and moved in and everything was going fine again and I began to make plans for the future. I had the ambition of becoming one of those movie stars I always watched on the TV which was one other reason I moved to California ‘cause I wanted to be close to where it’s all happening. I was planning to work even harder and save enough money to go back to school and get me some education to prepare me for my acting carrier. I just wanted to shine! I’m gifted with a cute kind of voice and I also wanted the whole world to share it with me but I never got a chance ‘cause suddenly, everything turned upside down again because of that guy that took the bullet at my party.
What is the name of this guy that took the bullet at your party?
Teri! Teri Parkinson. That’s what he was called. He was nothing but a kid from hail, she responded.
How did that happen? Gary asked.
the guy was dating my roommate kind of, not a real serious stuff, understand? But they liked to spend time with each other on weekends. Then my birth day party came. It was supposed to be something big to me since it was a celebration of freedom and triumph after all I’ve been through but this Teri of a guy ruined it all. He wasn’t even invited, get what I am saying? When he showed up from who knows where, I noticed, and kind of got curious, so I set my eyes on him. And what did he do? He started shooting everywhere and everyone started running ‘cause they were scared and I thought he was there to get me. So, I’m like, I’m gonna get this dude before he nails me, get want I am saying? So I took to a corner, followed and shot him.
Was it the same gun that shot Norman? Gary asked.
Yeah! Is the same gun!
And where did you go when you left the party scene?
I and Wallis were dating then, so when I saw him running, I went him and we got into his car. First we drove to his cousin’s house ‘cause we were both scared. But latter we went to his house.
Do you recall telling Wallis that you shot Teri? Gary continued.
No! She responded. I didn’t tell Wallis about it and I’m sure he is not aware of the fact till this day.
There is another person involved in this whole thing, a boy named Ricky. Gary said.
I never had anything to do with anyone that goes by that name. I don’t know who he is!
A long pause followed before Gary spoke again. What brought you to be here in this hospital in LA right now?
You know, when the divorce between me and Wallis came through, I moved in with a guy named Billy. And then, one day, I was in my room sleeping and suddenly there were gunshots everywhere. You know something like what they do in a war place. Till this moment I’m taking to you, I don’t know what the gun shots were for but I remembered rushing out of my room and trying to get away when I felt something hit me real hard on the leg and I fell. I tried to get up but couldn’t ‘cause my leg felt so heavy so I just laid there and passed out. Latter I woke up in the hospital. When I came by, I notice lots of people around me, cops and hospital staff and I was thinking real fast trying to understand what was going on. There was this nice lady holding my hands so I said to her, where am I? She told me I was in a hospital. Latter, a Doctor came by and told me I got shot and the same doctor told me I had contracted AIDS. What happened was that I lost so much blood and needed some blood transfusion and in the process of finding my blood type it was discovered I have the disease. Then suddenly all the talks about bringing me back to United States started then I realized the game was up and gave in.
A long pause followed before Gary said, I’ll take it from here. Billy is dead!
No! How? My money! The guy has some of my money. So how is he supposed to die like that? What happened?
The gun shots you heard was a Police operation at the guy’s home because of some drug and other criminal issues he’s been having with the South African Law Enforcement Agencies for many years. But then he and his men fought back, shot two Officers and Billy with some of his men got killed.
My money is with the guy. How am I gonna get that back?
Don’t worry about it right now. The LAPD is involved with the matter over there and everything will be covered.
Are you saying you guys are gonna help me get back my money? Isabel insist.
We shall do the best we can. That’s all I can tell you right now. Meanwhile, are there any more things you recall and wanna talk to us about, before I stop the tape?
Nothing! I’m only worried about my money and all my stuff in the guy’s house.
Like I said, we shall do what we can to help out. Meanwhile we thank you for sharing all these with us and we’ll like to wish you the best in your new struggle. Here is my card, in case you remember any other thing, please don’t hesitate to give me a call, okay?
That’s fine!
Another thing, your former roommate, Carissa Stevens is looking for you. Would you like to meet her? Gary asked.
Sure! More than anything in the world, I’ll like to see her and I hope she calls soon.
Ok! We’ll make arrangement to reunite you guys as soon as possible, okay?
What about my ex-husband Wallis? Where is he? Do you know what is happening with him? She asked.
He is here in LA. He was given the exact treatment you got on our extradition policy so we are in contact with him. By the way, he is also interested in meeting with you, I don’t know if you want that too.
Why not? I want to see him, Isabel said, before the officers thanked her for the last time, packed up and departed.
Gary left Isabel in mixed feelings. He did a good job of the interview; no one can fault him on that. But then, how much does the LAPD know of his own personal involvement
in the whole matter? This was his concern now as he headed back to the Police department with the other Officers.
Gary got the feedback with the very poor reception he got as soon as he stepped into the floors of his Department. By the mare fact he coordinated the interview so well and got all the facts of the matter which could stand in any court as evidence to convict was enough reason for any officer to receive a heroic welcome, but not Gary. Nobody seemed to even notice what he himself understood as a triumphant entry as he stepped in. And now walking towards his office he observed the way fellow Officers would steal a kind of casual but curious look at him and quickly looked the other way.
He ignored them all, sat down to putting finishing touches to his report but then the phone rang and he picked it up.
Is this Officer Gary! Immediately he recognized the voice of his boss and answered, yes sir!
I want you here in my office right away!
Gary rushed out and headed to his boss’s room. The superintendent of Police was present and that was the first shocker for Gary, seeing a man who regular officers shy away from is no fun for any cop. Actually the only time he recalled any encounter with such a personality was during his inauguration into the force and that was years ago so he kind of understood immediately that this meeting with his boss wasn’t ordinary.
Other Officers in the room were the three guys he went out on the field with and two other men he couldn’t recognize.
Sit down! His boss offered and he did.
How did your interview with Isabel Diamond go? He asked without mincing words.
Oh very well! Even beyond what I anticipated. It is all here because we got everything on tape. And the illusive gun, we got that too. Here they are, he said as he laid down everything on the table. I was just trying to put my report together when you called.
Yeah! That’s fine I understand! That was a great job you guys did out there and I wish to congratulate your team for that. He then offered handshakes with all the four men that worked with Isabel. You may leave us now the boss said and signaled to the other three members of Gary’s team.
His boss spoke again. Officer Gary, there has been ongoing investigation on you person and the degree of your involvement with this case based on information we gathered right from the beginning of it all and the outcome is the reason the superintendent is here today.
We know you were involved with Miss Diamond intimately at some point. We know you were at the party were Teri got shot and after the incidence you continued to see Miss Diamond until she suddenly disappeared with this other guy. With all these, it will be hard for anyone to believe you saw and heard nothing. And then all the efforts you made to find her after she went missing using Police paraphernalia under your disposal were all monitored and recorded. I talked to you a couple of times before the interview with Miss Diamond so you had the chance to say something to me over the matter as you are obliged to do as an Officer but you didn’t, even though you recognized how important the Police regarded this matter. Nobody disappears into thin air, at list not in our present time because we’re yet to develop such a technology and for this reason, the case of Isabel and Wallis was such a huge puzzle. You had the means of helping your collogues in some ways by providing useful hints that could have resolution this matter a very long time ago but you did nothing. And by so doing you defiled the oat which you swore as an officer of the law to abide by all of its rules and principles. Now, after all due considerations, we reached an agreement that you should proceed on an indefinite suspension pending the outcome of investigations to determine the degree of your involvement. So, surrender all your tools, I mean everything you got as an officer to enable you in the course of performing your duties of the enforcement of the law. And then you vacate the premises immediately.
Quietly, Gary got up, took out his badge first and placed that on the table. Then his gun followed and some keys too. I’ll have to go and be back with the rest of the stuff by tomorrow; he said and hurried out of the room.
Chapter Thirty-One
Sitting in the car with her daughter and her husband on the wheels on her way to Bootnix Hospital, Calais’s heart raced with the wheels. Her husband was aware of what his wife has been going through since she got information on her unification with Isabel and the dotting husband he was stood by his wife, giving all the words of encouragement and comfort that he could. Now that the whole drama was about to play out Carissa couldn’t contain her excitement.
Actually, It’s like both minds worked in the unity they were about to achieve once more because Isabel’s feeling wasn’t apart from what Carissa was feeling. She had been briefed earlier by some hospital staffs and a Police Officer on the imminent visit and it got her really excited too.
In the past few weeks her health had worsened because of all that was going on around a body already weakened by drugs and disease, yet the news of her former roommate’s visit did a lot to lift a dying spirit and with that the body.
Eventually, Carissa and her family got to their destination; her husband dropped her and Christiana and drove off.
Like someone in a trance she wondered towards the hospital with her daughter tailing behind, got to the Nursing Station and introduced herself. I’m Carissa Anderson here to see Miss Isabel Diamond.
Oh! We’ve been expecting you, the nurse at the station said excitedly. She is been waiting for you all day and seemed pretty much in high spirit for this visit. Are you sisters?
Yes! She is the only sister I have, Carissa answered.
Oh that’s great!
She was informed of the hospital protocol and she with her daughter dressed up as required by policy. Come with me, the nurse said and mother and daughter began walking towards Isabel’s room. Just by the entrance she was stopped by an officer for a run of her ID and a little interview followed after which she was allowed to walk in.
That moment Carissa stepped into the hospital room where Isabel’s frill body laid helplessly on a bed, would be better expressed in a photo album. The sight of her former roommate left her speechless for a brief moment as she struggled to figure out what was going on. She has lost so much flesh and looked so different from the robust, healthy and happy roommate she used to live with that Carissa was close to tears but managed her feelings well for the sake of her daughter and Isabel too.
Isabel! She called out, and like her strength returned at the instant, her voice gained strength and she managed to shout out, Carissa!
Carissa tried to hug her but she backed off. What’s wrong with you? Why can’t I give you a hug? Ooh my God! Why are you here in this hospital? She asked with genuine concern.
Grab a seat first! Look at you! You’ve changed a lot Carissa! You actually look so good that I almost didn’t recognize you. I can’t even begin to tell you how happy I’m right now. For real! And who is the young girl with you.
That’s Christiana my daughter.
She looks just like her mom! She is very pretty!
Thank you!
How old are you Isabel addressed Christiana directly.
Ten! The girl said.
Great! Carissa you already got yourself a big girl, ha? I’m so happy for you. Christina! Isabel called out and the girl moved closer to her. Listen to your mom when she talks to you and do exactly as she tells you, okay? And please don’t live the kind of life I lived. Your mom will tell you more.
You’ll be ok! I’ll be praying for you mam! Christiana responded.
Isabel, don’t say that! You were never a bad person! Not with Carissa! We simply found ourselves in situations and tried to do the best we could.
I don’t know about that Carissa? If I lived my life right, do you think I’ll be here on this bed right now?
Oh stop blaming yourself, okay? That doesn’t make it better. After all is the righteous that bears more of earthly burden.
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br /> Ok! If you say so! I see you are raising your daughter good and that makes me happy.
I try to do the best I can for her, Carissa said.
That’s really great! Just yesterday we were kids ourselves. Those days of running around and doing stupid stuff were soon over, right? And now we’re all grownups.
I know! Carissa reacted. How time goes, ha? You don’t know it but it just flies away right before your eyes. That’s why nobody can afford to mess around too much, understand? Get it right from the begging otherwise the catching up stuff is hard like I am feeling the heat right now. I’m now a married mama with two kids and struggling to get my education and that makes it harder, understand? You have to take care of family business and your schooling too. Even with all the help I get from my husband, I still find it hard.
Carissa the way things are with me now I really wish I’ve someone to call my own kid you know, Isabel said
Don’t let that bother you right now, okay? It’s not too late for you Isabel. You can still have your babies when you get out of here.
You may wanna let the nurse take Christiana to the guest room so we can talk, Isabel continued.
A nurse was called in and she takes Christiana out of the room. Her mama followed to make sure she gets comfortable and after that returned to Isabel.
Carissa, I’m never gonna make babies, Isabel said as soon as she took her seat.
Don’t say that Isabel.
I’m telling you as a matter of fact.
Why?
I am HIV positive and at the first stage of the full blown thing.
Although Carissa received the news as a big shock, she struggled real hard to play it down and won. After a short pause she said, even that is not as bad as it used to be when it was first discovered. Nowadays people live with AIDS and make babies that are free from the disease. So you see! You can have your babies when you get out of here!
I know! But who is the guy that wants to be with me like this! Isabel asked.