by Stacy-Deanne
“No.”
“If you think I’m gonna just sit back until you spoon feed me answers then you don’t know me as well as you think.”
“Are you forgetting that your life is in danger too? The person who killed Nadia might come after you too.”
“They know I didn’t see them. Even if they did I don’t care.”
“Sttttuuuuubbbbooorrrrnnn.” Steven sang.
“Shut up, Steve. I knew Nadia and you didn’t, Jayce. You need me whether you like it or not. Steve and I can help you out. Certainly you wouldn’t turn down help right?”
Steven opened a box of camera film. “Jayce is right. We should stay the hell out of it. You forget we have cases of our own right now anyway?”
“Do I look like I give a shit right now, Steve?”
“All these years I’ve known you Bree and I still can’t understand what goes on in your head sometimes.”
Steven tossed the film in a box. “Me neither.”
An officer walked in. “Detective Matthews we need you for a sec, sir.”
“I’ll be right there.” He turned to Brianna. “I’m just trying to protect you.”
“I don’t need your protection.”
“Don’t argue with her dude okay?” Steven searched another box. “It’s better that way.”
Jayce poked Brianna’s chest. “Just remember I call the shots. You jeopardize this case and you’ll regret it.”
“I wouldn’t do that. I just wanna help. I won’t be a pain in your ass.”
“Too late.” He stomped out the room.
“I think you pissed him off.” Steven put his wool cap on.
“I don’t care. I’m gonna find out what happened whether you both agree or not.”
“Come on. I’ll drive you to the hospital. We’ll tell one of the officers to get your car.”
She got her coat. “I don’t need a doctor, I need an Advil.”
“Just come on. We’re through with this discussion.”
Brianna cut her eyes to the officers in the hall. She waited until they left then signaled to the box of journals.
“Steve?”
“Huh?”
“Wait.”
“What? Come on. You know it’ll take forever at the hospital.”
“Get the box.”
“What?”
“We’re gonna take the journals.”
“Are you nuts? I’m not touching that box. You wanna steal evidence then do it by yourself.”
“It’s a box of journals not the murder weapon. Might not be anything useful in them anyway.”
“Then why the hell do you want ‘em?”
“Just do what I say.”
“I’m not taking those journals, Bree. And how will you explain them being gone?”
“Look at all the boxes over here. Jayce won’t remember this one’s gone.”
“Yeah right.” He scratched his nose.
“Steven I never ask anything of you but I’m asking you to help me now, please.”
“Shit.” He picked up the box. “You better be glad I’m still in love with you.”
She kissed his cheek.
CHAPTER THREE
“Just stop it, Aunt Jas!” Dylan stomped across Jasmine Hudson’s upstairs hallway Monday morning.
“No I won’t stop it!” Jasmine walked so close to Dylan she almost tripped her.
“Get out of my way!”
“Who do you think you’re talking to?” Jasmine waved a tissue. “You just don’t wanna face facts.”
“No I can face facts.” Dylan bumped into Jasmine when she turned around. “I face the fact that you’re completely nuts!”
“Am I? Because I speak the truth?”
“No because you are just so determined to keep the feud going with Bruce that you won’t see reason!” Dylan ran downstairs.
Jasmine chased her. “Get back here young lady!”
“I don’t wanna hear it! I cannot believe that you can’t be sensitive to what I’m going through. My mother was just murdered!”
“And she was my sister! I loved Nadia and I love you! I’ve always loved you like you were my own!”
“You coddle me just like Mom did. The point is you are dead wrong about Bruce. How dare you try to suggest he’s a killer?”
“Oh did I only suggest?” Jasmine flung grayish-brown strands out of her eyes. “I’m saying it straight out. Yes, I think Bruce did it. So there.”
“You stop it! That’s a horrible thing to say! Bruce would never kill anyone!”
“Oh yeah? He’s a criminal.”
“He was a criminal. He’s paid for his mistakes.”
“He could never pay enough in my opinion.” Jasmine straightened books on her bookshelf.
“I wasn’t even seeing Bruce when he got in trouble anyway. You’re no one to judge, Aunt Jas. You never done nothing wrong?”
“Yes but I never murdered anybody.”
“And Bruce didn’t either.”
“You know damn well he hated her enough to do it. Use your brain Dylan, that’s what it’s for.”
Dylan held her waist and threw her chin into the air. “Bruce couldn’t have done it because he’s been out of town.”
“You don’t talk to Bruce anymore or so you claim. How the hell would you know where he’s been?”
“His father died and he went out of town to see his family. Rhonda told me.”
“Oh yeah?” Jasmine bent over to straighten another shelf. “I still think he did it and that’s exactly what I’m gonna tell Detective Morris when she gets here.”
“Oh no you’re not. I don’t even want you in the room when she comes.”
“Well tough it’s my house!”
“Stop it you two!” Zoë Peron came from the living room. “You two have been arguing all morning! How can you act like this after what’s happened?”
They glanced at the gorgeous black woman but muttered instead of spoke.
Zoë stood between them. “You’re family! You shouldn’t be fighting right now but consoling each other. Detective Morris is going to be here any minute. You want her to see you two fighting like you got no common sense?”
“Aunt Jas I wish everyone would stop blaming Bruce for everything. That’s all I ask.”
“Well I’m sorry. Nothing you can tell me will ever convince me Bruce’s changed.”
Zoë turned from one to the other. “Wait how did this get about Bruce?”
“She thinks Bruce killed Mom.”
“What?”
“Now isn’t that the dumbest thing you ever heard, Zoë?”
“But doesn’t it make sense too?” Jasmine pulled Zoë close. “We all know that Bruce hated Nadia and he’s a very violent man.”
“That doesn’t make him a killer.”
“He’s even said he wanted her dead! Why don’t you wake up?”
“He didn’t mean it like that, Aunt Jas. Stop twisting things!”
“You keep on with that smart mouth and that’s not the only thing I’ll be twisting.”
“Hold it! Hold it!” Zoë held Jasmine back. “Jas you got no cause to throw around accusations like that.”
“I…”
“Thank you!” Dylan snapped her fingers.
“Come on, Zoë. You know Bruce could’ve done it.”
“Leave me out of this. I’m not going to accuse an innocent man of murder.”
“Innocent?” Jasmine guffawed. “Bruce and innocent are two words that never belong in the same sentence.”
Ding! Dong!
Jasmine gestured. “Would you please get that, Zoë?”
She went to the door.
“Aunt Jas please cool it.”
“No. If I feel there is anything the police should know, I’m gonna tell them. This is about your mother and not Bruce McNamara. Where the hell is your loyalty, Dylan?”
“I was just gonna ask you the same thing.”
“Hello, I’m Zoë Peron.”
Steven’s mind w
ent blank when he saw the gorgeous black lady at the door.
Brianna held out her hand. “Hello. Uh, I’m Detective Morris. This is…”
Zoë took Brianna’s hand. “Yes I know who you are, Detective. Dylan’s told me all about you.”
Her eyes landed on Steven. He tightened in a rigid stance. His mind void of any thought except how this woman looked naked.
“You’re Detective Kemp right?” Zoë put her hand out.
“Huh?”
“Steven.” Brianna nudged him.
“Oh yes. Uh I’m Detective Steven Kemp.” He shook her soft hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“You too.”
His face ran hot.
“How are you connected to Jasmine and Dylan again?”
“Oh I’m Dylan’s best friend. You two sure look young to be detectives.”
Brianna smiled.
It wasn’t everyday Steven saw a woman that looked like this. Sharp exotic features complimented her dark mahogany tone. She radiated, boasting a chic style that hypnotized.
Dylan walked through the front hallway. “You’re crazy, Aunt Jas! Nuts, nuts, nuts!”
“Me?” Jasmine waved fists. “Young lady, you could write a book on crazy!”
Steven stood on his tiptoes. “Let me guess, bad time?”
Zoë rocked with her hands on her hips. “It’s always like this when these two get together.”
Brianna peeked around Zoë. “Why are they fighting?”
Zoë batted her thick lashes. “Same reason they always are. Dylan wants to run her own life and her family won’t let her. They’ve been arguing like this since I got into town.”
“Where are you from?” Sweat streamed down the back of Steven’s neck.
Brianna glanced at him then back to Zoë.
“I live in NYC. I come down from time to time to spend time with Dylan.”
“I think that’s very considerate for you to help Dylan during this awful time.”
“Do you?” Brianna whispered.
“Yes well she needs me. Anyone who really cared would do the same.”
“May we come in?”
“Oh.” Zoë felt her forehead. “I’m sorry, Detective Morris. Come on in. You can put your coats there.” She pointed to the rack behind the door.
Brianna unbuttoned hers. “No thanks we won’t be staying that long.”
Zoë called for Dylan and Jasmine. Those skintight leather pants and turtleneck highlighted her fascinating physique. Her long brown hair fell down her back in a sleek ponytail that stopped at her luscious butt. That retro-style makeup illuminated her glamorous features. While other women got out of bed in the mornings she got off magazine covers.
Steven bumped into Brianna.
“Watch it.”
“Sorry.” He moved back.
She fixed her coat. “Maybe if your eyes weren’t connected to Zoë’s ass, you’d know where you were going.”
“What? That’s ridiculous.” He pointed to the floor. “I tripped on that tile that’s coming up.”
“Right. Then why are you staring at her ass?”
“And why are you being such a bitch, Bree?”
“You think this is something I haven’t shown you nothing yet.”
Who could blame him? Being around Brianna everyday drove him crazy enough. You throw a woman like Zoë in his path and his hormones popped like guppies in bowling water.
Dylan walked in. She wore her short jet-black hair in pristine layers. The shaven sides accented her slender face. Long, uneven bangs were gelled across her pencil-thin brows. Not many women could pull off a cut like this but it flattered Dylan’s sharp features and skinny neck.
The local artists of the underground culture scene had reincarnated this New-Wave style from the eighties into a modern phenomenon.
Of course Dylan’s eccentric look wouldn’t be complete without that zodiac choker, the studs crowding her ears and that mood ring.
Yep. This should be interesting.
Jasmine soared into the room with her arms stuffed in her robe. “Detective Morris I’m glad you’re here. I got something I need to say.”
“Shut up, Aunt Jas!”
“Don’t tell me to shut up!”
“Whoa just hold on, ladies.” Steven flapped his hand. “Is everything okay, Dylan?”
“No. I can’t even grieve in peace around here.”
“And to top it off Detective Matthews was here this morning. He grilled us like we were criminals. He asked me and Dylan if we had alibis. I’ve never been so insulted.”
“That’s standard procedure, Ms. Hudson.”
“With all due respect Detective Kemp I don’t take it lightly. I wanted to call Matthews’ superiors. That’s how upset I was.”
“Wouldn’t you prefer to be a little offended if it would get everyone closer to answers?” Brianna asked. “Jayce was just doing his job. It’s normal to suspect the ones closest to the victim.”
Jasmine gasped. “So we are suspects?”
“Not necessarily. That’s why Jayce asked you questions, to check you out and eliminate you,” Steven said.
“We’re gonna do our best to get answers. We promise.”
“You don’t have to look far believe me, Detective Morris.” Jasmine wiggled her finger in front of Brianna’s face. “I got answers.”
“Don’t listen to my aunt she’s warped as usual.”
“If you guys want to know who killed Nadia then you can go talk to Bruce McNamara.”
Dylan pulled Jasmine by her robe. “I’ve had it with you!”
“And I’ve had it with this trance that Bruce has you under!”
Zoë exhaled.
“I’m not under a trance!”
“Uh…” Steven raised his hand.
“Bull!”
“Hold it!” Steven flung his arms. “What were you saying, Ms. Hudson?”
“Bruce killed my sister.”
“You have no right to say that, Aunt Jas! You can’t go accusing people just because you don’t like them!”
“She’s right. You can’t accuse people without cause.”
“Detective Morris with all due respect I know Bruce did it. He hated Nadia and he’s a criminal. He’s been to prison before.”
“And he paid for his crime, Aunt Jas!”
“We know Bruce had a record. We checked it out.”
“Detective Kemp it’s not what you think. Aunt Jas is making it out as if he’s this monster and he’s not. Bruce made mistakes but he’s trying to get his life back together.”
“Oh please.” Jasmine huffed. “He said that a hundred times before and he never changed.”
“Aunt Jas you don’t know enough to speak about it.”
“I don’t know enough? I don’t know enough?”
“Ladies!” Steven clapped.
“Look Steven and I can’t help if you two keep fussing. We came to see if Dylan might be able to tell us anything about people Nadia knows.”
“Like what?” Dylan crossed her arms.
“Like men?” Steven put his hands in his pockets. “Was your mother seeing anyone?”
“Well we haven’t been talking lately but it wouldn’t have been a man anyway. My mother was gay.”
“She was?” Brianna gawked. “I…I never knew.”
“Wait but she was married years ago,” Steven said.
“Yeah well she was also confused and in denial for years.” Dylan walked to the stairs. “Lots of people are married to the opposite sex but are gay. You get married for different reasons, not always love. Plus if you’d known Clay Hollister you wouldn’t be surprised. Evil son of a bitch could turn any woman off to men.”
“Nadia said he drank himself to death,” Brianna said.
“With good riddance.” Jasmine brushed lint off her shoulder. “He treated Nadia and Dylan horribly. Didn’t deserve the affections of either one of them.”
"Detective Morris I thought you knew Mom was gay."
“Bruce is the only person I know who’d hurt Nadia,” Jasmine said. “You should see him when he gets mad. It’s outrageous.”
“Look I’ll admit that Bruce has a really bad temper but he couldn’t kill anyone. He just couldn’t.”
Jasmine shook her head. “I don’t know what hold he has on you.”
“Detective Morris he was out of town when Mom was killed.”
Jasmine waved her finger in the detectives’ faces. “I want Bruce arrested.”
“I’m sorry Ms. Hudson but you can’t just wave your finger and expect things to go your way.”
“Don’t bother explaining, Detective Kemp. Aunt Jas hates Bruce and that’s all she’s basing this on.”
“Dylan is there anyone else that we should talk…”
Jasmine cut Brianna off. “Bruce suckered you in from the beginning, Dylan.” Jasmine turned to Steven and Brianna. “When she met Bruce she was a virgin you know.”
“That’s my business, Aunt Jas!”
“He conned you out of your virginity and you were too blind to see it.”
Brianna and Steven exchanged glances.
“Dylan wanted to wait until she got married but Bruce suckered her out of that like he did everything else.”
“Bruce didn’t make me do anything I didn’t wanna do.”
“He conned you. You met Bruce on a Tuesday and by Friday afternoon you had your dress over your head.”
“Oh!” Dylan shrieked. “How dare you?”
Steven covered his grin.
Jasmine got in Dylan’s face. “You didn’t love Bruce. You only got with him because he was the bad boy and you were curious.”
“That’s not true!”
Zoë shook her head.
“You’re a wreck because of Bruce! He came into your life and tore it upside down. He ruined your relationship with Nadia. How much more will you let him take from you? How much?”
“Just shut up! You’ve embarrassed me enough!”
Brianna whispered to Steven. “I’ve seen wars more peaceful than this.”
Zoë leaned in. “Oh believe me this is mild compared to the fights they’ve had in the past.”
“Bottom line is that I’m grown, Aunt Jas. It’s not your business what I do.”
“Oh yes it is! Nadia always told me to look after you if something happened to her and I intend to! You stay away from Bruce!”
“I am but it’s not because you told me to! I’m so sick of this. I’m twenty-seven and you treat me like I’m two.”