“You’re so worried about the black people that come into the town that you don’t even see that your own community is going downhill because of your people.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Have you seen a runner this morning?”
“Sean? Sean?” Lamar called out.
“I didn’t get on the shift until later.”
“So you do know about the woman that’s being running in the neighborhood?”
“I’ve seen her, yes.” He nodded his head.
“Have you been harassing her too?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Have you been harassing her too?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I’m sure that you don’t. If I find out that someone did something to that runner in this town, I’m going to turn this motherfucker upside down. And no, that’s not a threat. I’m a retired police officer. I know my rights, so don’t try me.”
“Sir, I apologize.”
“Oh, save that shit. I don’t want to see you again unless you’re bringing me some information on her whereabouts.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about but I’ll keep my eyes open and my ears closer.”
“Yeah,” Sean stated as he got back into his car.”
“Hello!”
“Did you jack the man up?”
“I almost did. I wanted to ring his damn neck. He got right once I told him that I was a retired officer.”
“They all try to straighten up when you say that.”
“It doesn’t work all of the time but it did this time.”
“Did he say anything about Brinley?”
“No. He said he’s going to keep his eyes open and his ears closer. Some bullshit like that. He got my blood pressure high.”
“I see. You sound like you’re ready to knock his head off.”
“I am. He tried to tell me to move to the store and wait for my people. Stupid fucker. I’m going to sit at this park and mind my black damn business.”
“Sean, take it easy. I’m on the west coast. It’s going to take me a minute to get to you,” he laughed.
“I’m going to hold my own. I will not be punked to leave because you don’t think that I belong. I’m not bothering them.”
“Calm down man.”
“I am. I’m ready though. I see a car coming.”
“What kind of car is it?”
“It has some dark ass tint in the back. I wonder if that’s the car that hit her?”
“Can you see any damage to the front of it? I’m sure there is some.”
“I can’t see. It’s dark as hell at this park. Let me get the license plate number.”
“Okay. Call it out to me.”
“FKY-464. The plate is from South Carolina.”
“South Carolina?”
“Yes. They probably got it from a friend or something.”
“Or it’s one of theirs. There is no telling. Can you see which way they’re going?”
“They kept straight.”
Joe looked at Bill as they were about to turn and see their newest victim.
“Who is that?”
“Who?”
“That car at the park. I’m sure it’s not a random car.”
“Are you scared?”
“I told you that we needed to let her go earlier. I don’t know what your deal is with her.”
“I want to make her sweat.”
“You better pray that she isn’t dead. That’s all I’m going to say.”
“And what, Bill? What’s going to happen? The damn police know what we’re doing.”
“Why did I decide to join you on this one?”
“You’re acting like I’m just killing random people.”
“What do you call it, Bill. I don’t understand what the big hype is on this.”
“It gives me purpose.”
“I don’t think that’s the meaning of purpose. You’re sick as hell and need to get it together.”
“Are you going to turn me in? Do I need to run you over next?”
“Shut up. You know that this is wrong.”
“And? I don’t care.”
Joe circled the block and drove behind the park and pulled up to the house from the backside, where Sean couldn’t see.
“DID THE CAR COME BACK?”
“I haven’t seen it. I see a lot of traffic at this house on the corner though.”
“Drugs?”
“Yeah. That’s what it looks like. A lot of zombie looking people are walking in and out.”
“Maybe they’re family members,” Lamar laughed.
“Shit even in the dark they all could pass for family members. You know how they say we all look and sound alike. They got the races backwards.”
“You got that right.”
Brinley heard a noise. She tucked her phone inside of her ponytail as she stared at the door. She was now sitting in one of the corners of the room that they left her in. She couldn’t tell if it was the living room or the din.
“Where you at?” one of the voices asked.
“If you didn’t bring food, an ambulance and a set of changing clothes, take your ass right back outside.”
“I see you still have that smart ass mouth.”
“And I’m going to keep it. Kill me. Stop trying to make me suffer. You don’t want to save me. Where is your gun, Joe? I know you have it on you.”
Joe stopped in his tracks.
“How do you know his name?”
“The same way you know mine.”
“You’re just guessing,” he chuckled.
“Maybe I am. I guess neither of us will ever know.”
“What have you been doing?”
“I can’t see you but I know you have a stupid look on your face. Did you fuck your sister before you came in here? I’m sure that’s who that was that put the dog on me earlier.”
“What dog?” Joe asked.
“Joe, I know that you don’t want to be here. It’s okay. Tell your redneck friend to let me go. I won’t tell on you Joe, but Bill’s ass is going under the jail. Hell, he’ll probably have to die for this.”
“How is that? You can’t even get out.”
Brinley smiled to herself. She wasn’t quite sure where she was but she wasn’t going to go down without a fight.”
“I’ll let you think what you want. It’s okay that you’re nervous. I would be too. Especially kidnapping a black woman that was minding her business. What drugs do you smoke? Or do you use the needles? I know you’re using something, Bill. You have to be to think that hitting someone a week before Thanksgiving was a good idea. My mother is going to come looking for me.”
“And we’re going to hit her too.”
“Who? I’m not,” Joe answered without thinking. Bill nudged him in his side.
“See. I knew it. He doesn’t want anything to do with you. Let the man go.”
“He can leave anytime that he wants. Just like you can.”
“Let me get up and walk out if that’s the case. Don’t touch me when I get up either,” she stated.
“You’re not going anywhere.”
“See. You’re hostile. What’s going on? Who wronged you as you were growing up? Did someone touch you inappropriately? If they did, I don’t give a fuck but let’s talk about it.”
“Fuck yourself,” Bill stated.
Joe was wearing a pair of dirty brown coveralls while Bill was wearing a pair of faded denim jeans.
“Did you bring any food?” she asked again.
“You’re training you don’t need to eat.”
She nodded her head. “You’re right. I sure as hell don’t.”
“That’s what I’m talking about. Let’s agree. When we let you go. You’re going to move the fuck out of our town and raise your baby somewhere else.”
“Let’s agree to it. I’m down,” she stated as she offered a hand shake.
�
��I’m not shaking your hand.”
“Interesting.”
“Joe, don’t you have a black girlfriend?”
“Excuse me?” He asked as he stepped closed to hear her correctly.
“You heard what the fuck I said. Don’t you have a black girlfriend?”
“I don’t know how you’re assuming that.”
“I know what y’all look like,” she lied.
“You don’t because you haven’t seen our faces.”
“I don’t need faces. I have a very photographic memory. All I need is your voice and I can see you.”
Joe stepped back crossing his arms over his chest. She pointed at him.
“What’s the next move? I don’t think you two know what’s going on. So, are y’all winging this or what?”
“Shut up! You haven’t stopped talking since we walked in.”
“If you let me go, you wouldn’t have to hear my voice ever again.”
MAVERICK: Damn, it’s like that. I wish you would have told me before I got this invested.
Brinley felt a vibration. She tried not to panic so they wouldn’t know about her phone.
“You have to die.”
“Why can’t one of you die? I’m sure nobody will start looking for you. My people are going to get you two. Mark my words.”
“I doubt it.”
“Alright, Mr. Cocky. You will not get away with this.”
“We will,” He stated. “Come on, Joe. It’s time to go.”
Bill locked eyes with her again.
“Bring your ass on, Joe.” Bill yanked his shirt.
Once she heard the door close she let out a sigh of relief.
Chapter Twenty
Sean sat outside of the park until the sun started to rise. He stretched before starting his car up. He noticed another police car ride by him.
“Oh there’s another one on duty that wants to bother me. I’m ready.”
Buzz. Buzz.
“Hello!?”
“Good morning.”
“Oh it’s good morning today?”
“Of course,” he laughed.
“What’s going on?”
“I was calling for an update.”
“I haven’t seen any suspicious activity. I’m about to head home and get some sleep. My intention was to go home around 12 or so but I kept watching this house on the corner of North Railroad street.”
“Man, you’re giving me names of the streets like I know where you’re at.”
“My bad. I forgot. But no I haven’t seen that car come back through here. They probably went another way.”
“Thank you. Be safe.”
“Yes. I see another police officer about to pull up behind me.”
“Don’t do anything stupid.”
“I’m going to stand outside of the car and wait for him to pull up. I haven’t had any sleep either. I’m ready.”
Lamar started laughing. “Don’t knock that man out.”
“I’m not going to .”
“I’m serious.”
“I am too. I’m going to let him see that I’m on a mission. They can’t take my rights from me.”
“I know. I still don’t want you to get into any trouble.”
“When have you known me to get into trouble?”
“You stayed in trouble.”
“I know,” he laughed. “I’m going to stretch and see if he comes back.”
“Sean.”
“I got it.”
Just like he suspected the officer turned around and pulled up behind Sean with his lights on.
“Sir, you do know there are certain hours for the park to be open?”
“Good morning to you too, officer.”
The officer kept walking.
“Oh, you’re in a shitty mood this morning?”
“Do you know about the rules of the town?”
“Do you know about the woman that’s missing? Sir, since you’re all in my face about a raggedy ass park. I don’t care about this park. I’m trying to locate my loved one.”
“What are you talking about sir?”
“You should know. you’re all in my face about the times. Let me know what’s been going on besides the drug activity. You’re all in my face. Let me know what’s really going on.”
“Sir, I really don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I bet you don’t.”
“I’m serious. Have you seen a runner around this area?”
“I’ve been seeing a lot of runners, walkers too.”
“No the one that looks like me. I’m sure she’s the only one that looks like me in the area.”
“Sir, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Have you seen a black young lady running around her lately?”
“Oh, yes I have. She doesn’t bother anyone.”
“So, you understand why I’m upset about her missing.”
“Do you think that she’s out on a date or something?”
“I should knock a hole in your chest. Do you think that I would sleep in my car at the park all night if she was on a date? One of your friends have her. I need you to take me to her.”
“Sir, I really don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ll have to ask around to see if anybody has seen anything.”
“I doubt they would. This place seems, what’s the word? Close knit with the right people. Y’all are going to protect your people but I’ll be back until I find her or get the people that snatched her up.”
“Sir?”
“Officer?” he paused.
“Officer Miller.”
“Officer Miller, don’t get in my way. I know what I’m doing. If you aren’t going to help me do what needs to be done, please don’t get in my way.”
“I’m here to protect and service.”
“Yeah. I know.”
“I don’t think you do.”
“You have a great day,” Sean stated as he climbed back inside of his car.
Officer Miller watched him drive off. As soon as he turned around to head to his car. He saw Joe’s car. He flagged him down.
“What happened to the front of your car?”
“Oh, that? I hit a deer last night.”
“That doesn’t look like a deer’s print.”
“Henry, you know I drive crazy.”
“Where are you headed?”
“You’re asking me a lot of questions.”
“Yes, because you’re not usually out this early in the morning. Have you seen the runner this morning? She’s usually out this time of day getting her miles in.”
“I have not,” he lied.
“Are you sure? You answered pretty fast there.”
“Henry, you know me better than that.” Henry leaned inside of the car and looked around.
“I hate to be rude but you need to back up. Unless you have a warrant to search my car you need to get out of it.”
“I was just checking my friend’s car out. We are friends, right?”
“Yes. I guess. But you’re acting like an asshole cop.”
“I got your asshole.”
“I’ll see you later. And no I haven’t see the runner. I’m surprised that you haven’t tried to talk to her.”
“Don’t get a ticket.”
“For what?”
“Reckless driving. I know you didn’t hit a damn deer.”
“I will never tell,” he stated rolling his window up as he pulled off.
Miller looked around and he realized that it was finally Fall and the leaves were starting to turn brown but nobody was around to enjoy the beauty of it. He hopped in his car and made his rounds.
BRINLEY OPENED HER eyes and tried to stretch but she couldn’t move the right side of her body. The fear started to set in again. She tried to envision herself walking outside for her morning walk. She cried as she was able to rub her right hand with her left. “Life was so different 24 hours ago. If only I would have messaged Maverick instead of heading out a
lone, I wouldn’t be in this house.”
She closed her eyes.
“Brinley, when are you going to let me take you out on a date?”
“When you can afford to take me somewhere besides, Applesbees,” she laughed.
“Excuse me? Applebee’s has some great food. Don’t sleep on that place.”
“That’s not a first date restaurant. That’s a happy hour place. A place you hit up with your girlfriends to get cheap drinks.”
“It can be a date night place for us as well.”
“I don’t think so. I will not be subjected to a cheap date because you’re ready to attempt to take me out.”
“I don’t think you know who I am. I’m Gavin.”
“Yes, broke ass Gavin. I know you fool. Don’t start. I’ll see you later.”
“Not if I see you first,” he smiled.
“About time you let me take your fine ass out.”
“You’re going to mess it up, I’m sure of that. Let’s go ahead and get this over with.”
“Why would I do such a thing?”
“Because that’s normally what a guy does when he gets the prize. You talked all that junk and watch us not make it.”
“I will not listen to that negativity on my watch. I don’t care what you’re saying but I will not listen to you fail us before we even get started.”
Brinley cringed as she thought back to those dates. She tried to sit up but the pain on her right side was becoming unbearable.
There was a knock and then a boom. The door came flying open.
“Who is it?” she called out.
“Don’t worry about it. I got you some food.”
“Joe, are you alone?”
“Please be quiet.”
“Where is Bill,” she whispered.
“I said hush.”
Brinley got quiet. She wasn’t sure what was going on but she could feel the aroma of food coming from his direction. She started crying. She couldn’t sit straight up. She leaned on her right side as she tried to scoop up.
“What’s wrong?” he asked as he got closer.
“Y’all fuckers hit me.”
“I didn’t hit you. That was Bill.”
“You were in the car with him. You were the one that threw me in the backseat. I remember your scent.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Where am I?”
“It doesn’t matter. You’re alive.”
Running Deeper Than a Race Page 13