Black Friday: Exposed

by Ashley;JaQuavis

  “I know who you are Mr. Williams,” the chief responded. He leaned back in his leather chair and put his hands behind his head as he swiveled in his chair from side to side. He squinted in suspicion and added, “The question is: what are you doing in my office?”

  “I’m here to help you help me. I’m sure you are aware that when I was arrested twenty kilos of heroine were found as well. I didn’t know that the drugs were in the house, but I know who they belong to,” Kasheef lied.

  The chief pulled out a notebook and a pen then slid it across the desk, his pale fat hand contrasting with the dark mahogany wood. “Start writing,” he instructed.

  In one swift motion, Kasheef tossed the pad right back at him. He sat back in his seat and folded one leg across the other. “I’m not going to do your job for you. I just have some information that will lead you in the right direction. Norelle Gibson. That’s whose apartment the drugs were found in. If you watch the company she keeps you will find your source. Norelle helps him move his product up and down the East Coast. If you check her accounts you will uncover a gold mine.” Kasheef stood up to leave, but turned to face the chief before exiting. “I trust that this will prevent the DEA from opening a fresh case on me?” he asked, making sure that he had dotted all of his i’s and crossed his t’s.

  The chief nodded and replied, “If this lead pans out then you have my word.”

  “I need better than your word. I need that told to my lawyer,” Kasheef replied as he slid Carmen’s business card across the desk. The man didn’t like the fact that he was bargaining with a criminal but he made the call anyway.

  Once everything was in place, Kasheef went to leave.

  “Oh yeah, and good luck on that murder rap. We didn’t need to open a fresh case on you for the drugs. You hung yourself when you killed that kid. You blacks get off on that ... killing one another,” the chief stated sarcastically as he picked up the phone.

  That’s what you think, Kasheef thought with a smirk. The chief did not know it yet, but he was going to have the last laugh when it was all said and done.

  Norelle stepped out of Fiasco’s BMW and kissed him gently before walking into the courthouse. Today was the day that she would receive her emancipation. She was getting ready to hear the testimony that was sure to set her free. She walked through the crowded building eagerly, hoping to run into Alija before the day’s proceedings began. She saw her being escorted out of the DA’s office.

  “Alija!” she called out as she maneuvered her way in and out of the crowd. Alija stopped walking and turned to see who had called her name. The DA waited and watched the interaction so that she could see who was interacting with her star witness. She did not need anyone throwing a wrench in the plan. Alija was due to testify that day and she did not want any interruptions.

  “I’ll be right back,” Alija told Nancy Schwartz as she made her way over to Norelle, looking her up and down as she approached. She couldn’t help but turn up her nose at the woman. How stupid can she be to give up a man like Kasheef? He would have taken care of her if she had just stuck by him.

  “I just wanted to make sure our agreement was still intact,” Norelle said discreetly as she stood in front of Alija.

  “Everything is going to go as planned,” she assured her. She turned and walked away to rejoin the DA. Butterflies filled her stomach as she was placed in a small holding room until it was time for her to enter the courtroom. The state had arranged for Nahla to be taken to a daycare so that Alija could be present in court. She took several deep breaths as she paced around the small office. She hoped that nothing went wrong. She desperately needed for things to go right. The contents of her stomach sent a wave of nausea through her body and she gasped for air. She was overwhelmed that she could not hold her breakfast. She rushed to the bathroom and barely made it as she vomited in the toilet. She heaved violently until nothing else would come up. She splashed cold water onto her face. Calm down, she told herself. It felt as if the room was spinning and she hoped that her nerves would settle before she was due to speak. She sat down and closed her eyes before sending a silent prayer up to God. She was going to need all the help that she could get to pull this off.

  “The State of New York calls Alija Bell to the stand,” the District Attorney announced. The large wooden door creaked open as Alija appeared. Kasheef’s heart melted when he saw her. Her skin glowed as if she had been personally kissed by the sun and her honey brown complexion complimented the cream H&M dress she wore. A large gold belt was wrapped around her tiny waist and her feet were blessed with gold, strappy stilettos. The way that her hair was pulled up away from her face allowed Kasheef to take in all of her features. At that moment he knew exactly why he loved her so much. She was his idea of perfection. She was his love. Her heels clicked against the floor as she glided up the aisle and into the witness chair.

  “Raise your right hand and place your left hand on this Bible,” the bailiff instructed. Alija inhaled deeply and did as she was told. She glanced over at the jury and Mickey gave her a discreet wink of reassurance.

  “Do you swear to tell the truth the entire truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?”

  “I do,” she responded.

  The judge looked at her and said, “Thank you Ms. Bell, you maybe seated.”

  Alija’s breath caught in her throat as her nerves took over her. She could feel the stares penetrating her as she watched the DA approach.

  “Ms. Bell can you tell us where you were and what you saw the night of March 21, 2008? Please don’t leave out any detail. Take us through that night as you can recall it.”

  “I was at Club Blaze with some friends. I was with Ahmad Simmons having a drink at his booth,” she began. She glanced at Kasheef who was staring at her intensely. His facial expression was calm. He trusted her completely to deliver her testimony just as they had rehearsed.

  The DA noticed her hesitate and urged her on. “Please, continue Ms. Bell.”

  “I was having a couple drinks with Ahmad Simmons and the club began to let out. I was a little drunk. I had been drinking all night. All of my friends had already left the club so I got up to leave too. I was halfway to my car when I realized that I had left my purse and keys inside of the club at the table that I was sitting at. I went back in to get my stuff. The club was empty, but there was light on upstairs and I could hear voices.” Alija’s eyes began to water and she closed them as tears began to cascade down her face.

  Norelle listened intently as she waited for Alija to identify Kasheef. She bit her nail anxiously and tapped her foot nervously. She was anxious for the trial’s conclusion and could not wait to move on with her life.

  Kasheef’s heart broke in two as he watched Alija relive that night. The tears on her face caused knots of guilt to form in his stomach. The love that he felt for Alija was unmatched by any emotion he had ever felt before. He just wanted to protect her. He wanted to be there for Alija and Nahla. He never wanted to be the cause of her pain again. He looked over at Carmen who returned his gaze.

  “Is all of this apart of the plan or is she going to turn on us?” Carmen asked in a furtive whisper.

  “We don’t have to worry about her,” he reassured.

  “Now what were these voices saying?” the DA grilled.

  “I don’t know,” Alija responded as she opened her eyes and caught Kasheef’s gaze. “I can’t remember.”

  “You can’t remember?” the DA asked as she gave Alija a look that sent chills up her spine.

  “No ... I’m sorry, I can not recall what they were saying,” Alija responded.

  The DA stalked over to her desk and flipped through her notes. “Okay, Ms. Bell well what did you see?”

  “I walked in and I saw two men. They were yelling at one another. Ahmad had a gun, but the other guy pulled his gun as a reaction and shot Ahmad. I ran after that. I did not see what happened next.”

  “And is the man that you saw shoot Ahmad Simmons in the courtroom t
oday?” The DA asked.

  Alija paused before answering. She looked at the jury and stopped at Mickey who nodded her head slightly, urging her on. The courtroom was so still that you could hear the faint sound of Norelle’s heel impatiently tapping against the floor. Alija felt herself gasping for air as she tried to calm herself down.

  What the fuck is she doing? Norelle thought as she set her sweating palms on her skirt and rubbed feverishly in anticipation.

  “No,” she finally answered.

  No! I know this bitch is not trying to cross me. I paid her $75,000! Norelle was livid as she stood to her feet. Before she could open her mouth to speak, the door of the courtroom opened loudly as four suited gentlemen walked in. Kasheef turned around in his seat and watched the scene play out.

  “Norelle Gibson?” one of the gentlemen asked.

  “Order in this courtroom!” the judge yelled as he banged his gavel and the crowd whispered in speculation.

  “Yeah?” Norelle responded unsurely. “Who are you?”

  “My name is Agent Greene and I’m the chief of operations for the United States Drug Enforcement Agency,” he stated.

  “And? What the fuck does that have to do with me?” she asked indignantly.

  “You are under arrest for the distribution of heroine and tax evasion,” he said as he turned her around and began to apply handcuffs to her small wrists.

  “What! Wait, you are making a mistake!” she screamed.

  “No, ma’am this is no mistake. Pretty girls like you make me sick. You’re almost worse than the drug dealers we lock up because they get involved with that life to chase tail like you. Now you have the right to remain silent ...” the agent continued to read Norelle her rights, but she didn’t hear one word. She gave Kasheef a pleading look, but the malice that she found in his gaze told her that he had set her up. They pulled Norelle out of the courtroom kicking and screaming.

  Bang! Bang!

  “Order in my courtroom!” the judge yelled as he hit his gavel against his desk.

  Carmen looked at Kasheef in disbelief. “Is that what you had me set a meeting up with them for?”

  “Just do your job, ma. If you want to represent your girl after my case is over then be my guest, but it was either her or me. The bitch tried to pay Alija to testify against me. She wanted me to get this time so that she could spend my dough. She had it coming to her,” he whispered and then refocused his attention toward the front.

  Carmen could not believe what had just happened. She knew that she could not help Norelle right now. She had to finish her job and represent Kasheef. She shook her head in blatant disgust at him as she mumbled, “Unbelievable.”

  “Believe it,” he whispered back.

  The judge slammed his gavel several times to regain control of the room. Once everyone was silent the trial resumed. Kasheef winked at Alija as she continued. “I don’t see Ahmad’s shooter in the courtroom.”

  A look of irritation spread all over the DA’s face as she persistently continued to steer her witness back into the right direction, “But Ms. Bell did you not tell a Detective Nielson of the NYPD and I quote ‘Kasheef did it. I’ll testify to protect my daughter’ end quote?”

  “I did tell the detective that I would testify in order to protect my daughter, but he is the one who brought up Kasheef Williams’ name. I had never heard of him before I was arrested. He is not the man I saw,” she said confidently.

  The DA walked back to her chair, her frustration and exasperation made clear when she flopped down in her chair and put her hand on the side of her face while in deep thought. This was Carmen’s cue to spring into action. “Your Honor, it is obvious that the state has done everything in their power to falsely convict my client. I would like to move for immediate dismissal!”

  The judge looked toward the DA. “Mrs. Schwartz, do the people have any other evidence against Kasheef Williams?”

  Nancy Schwartz’s face was flushed and red in anger. Holding back her emotions, she stood and replied, “Your Honor, even without Ms. Bell’s testimony we have provided evidence against Mr. Williams. I think that it is only fair that we proceed with this case and let the jury decide.”

  The judge nodded, “I agree. The trial will continue, but we will adjourn for the day. Closing arguments will resume tomorrow after which the jury will deliver their verdict.”

  Alija stepped down from the witness stand and if looks could kill she would have fell dead where she stood and been circled in chalk as hard as the DA was staring. She walked out of the courtroom, relieved that her ordeal was over. She had done all that she could for Kasheef. Now all she could do was wait.

  Kasheef left the courtroom with a huge smile on his face. Alija had pulled it off and her tears had only intensified the affect of the false statement she had given. He was sure that the jury had believed her. As he walked through the courthouse he felt rejuvenated and confident for the first time since the trial had begun. Alija was worth every penny he had agreed to pay her. He felt forever indebted to her. The performance she had put on was sure to get him off. He exited the courthouse and descended the steps then got inside the limo that was waiting for him curbside. He went straight to his accountant’s office to retrieve the remainder of Alija’s money. He could not wait to see her and share his future with her.

  “Are you sure you want to do this?” His accountant asked skeptically. He had witnessed Kasheef’s grind over the years and he knew how long it had taken him to accumulate his wealth. “This is a lot of money. You have worked very hard for this.”

  Kasheef nodded his head and replied, “I’m positive. I’m going to marry this girl. She just saved my life today. I trust her.”

  His accountant nodded and handed Kasheef paperwork to sign. Kasheef signed them without reservations. The accountant made him copies and put them inside of the suitcase that contained Alija’s money.

  Kasheef couldn’t wait to see Alija. When he arrived at the hotel he went to Alija’s room. Before he could even knock on the door Alija opened it with a smile on her face. “I was waiting for you,” she said. He scooped her into his arms excitedly and kissed all over her face.

  “Aghh!” she screamed playfully and laughed giddily as he spun her around in his arms.

  “I love you girl,” he told her as he set her down on her feet. “Where’s Nahla?” he asked.

  “She’s still at the daycare. I figured I would pick her up in a couple of hours,” she replied.

  “Here sit down, I need to talk to you,” Kasheef stated seriously as he pulled a chair out for Alija. He put the briefcase on top of the small eating table and popped it open. “Here is the rest of the money that I promised you.”

  Alija smiled and ran her hand over the neatly arranged bills. The amount of money was overwhelming and she had to stop herself from screaming she was so happy. Even after she paid Mickey $50,000 for all of her help she would still have more than enough money to live comfortably and give Nahla the best of everything.

  Kasheef removed two pieces of paper and handed them to Alija. “Read these,” he instructed.

  Alija began to scan the document. “Aloud,” he said gently. Alija frowned and looked up from the paperwork.

  “What is this about Kasheef?” she asked.

  “Just read it ma. It’s important.”

  Alija sighed and began from the beginning. “I Kasheef Williams hereby give Alija Bell joint ownership of Cayman Island Account 5487624008630 and Swiss Account 74639957203. There is a combined amount of $2,500,000 in these accounts.” Alija stopped reading the document and stared at Kasheef in disbelief. “Kasheef, I can’t accept this. This is too much,” she objected.

  “I want you to have that Alija. I’ll give you all that I have in order to keep you.” Kasheef stood in front of her and got down on one knee. “I need you ma. I know this is all happening kind of fast, but I know this is right. You are right for me Alija. I love you. You are the only person that I have loved besides my mother in my entire
life. Will you be my wife?” The three karat platinum princess cut ring was blinding.

  Alija closed her eyes. She could not believe what was happening to her. She could not breathe and she gripped Kasheef’s hand tightly. I’m not supposed to be in love with him, she thought frantically. She felt his hand grace her cheek and before she could come to her senses she responded, “Yes. Yes, Kasheef I will marry you.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Alija sat nervously in the back of the courtroom as she waited for the jury to come back with a verdict. She stared at her engagement ring and her stomach filled with knots. She wished that she could have talked to Mickey before the deliberations began, but it was too late. Whatever was going to happen was already in motion. There was no turning back now.

  Kasheef’s heart felt as if it would explode as he sat in the federal courtroom. News cameras were littered throughout while both supporters and the opposition awaited the verdict. It was the day that he would meet his fate, the day that the rest of his days would be determined by the decision that the jury rendered. On the outside, Kasheef was calm and collected. His chocolate Armani suit rested perfectly against his dark skin and medium athletic build. With his hair cut neatly in a fresh caeser and his eyes filled with sincerity, one would never guess that the man sitting before them was a drug kingpin. Kasheef scanned the jury with his eyes and couldn’t read their expressions. He didn’t know what tomorrow held for him and for the first time in his life he was afraid. Prison was not an option for him. To lock him up would be equivalent to stealing his pride and he refused to live on his knees. Kasheef hoped and prayed that the verdict would be delivered in his favor, because if it wasn’t he was already prepared to go out in a blaze of glory. A $10,000 cash payment to one of the assigned court officers ensured that he would have his weapon of choice, a chrome .45, taped underneath the defense table. He discreetly ran his hand along the underside of the cherry wood and felt the cold steel that was strapped securely in place. It was his insurance policy.