Introduction To Hard 2 Da Kore (Hard2daKore Book 1)

by Mike Middleton

  Dr. Bobby spoke once we stepped in her office. “The John Doe we have down stairs is not a pretty picture. He has major blunt trauma to the face and body. Would you prefer to identify the body through pictures.” She asked. I stated no, and at the same time Carmen said yes. “I need to see if it’s him in person.” Carmen said, and began to cry. “Ok, we can go and view the body.” I said. I don’t know what made me change my mind. “Are you sure Tray? Rome asked. “Yes, I’m sure.” I said as I shook my head. “What was the cause of death?” I asked. “I think it would be best to make a positive identification first before answering any question. I can’t speak about this case until after the identification process is concluded, and we wouldn’t want to unnecessarily upset anyone.” The doctor said. We all followed Dr. Bobby out of her office and took the elevator to the basement. Rome held both mine and Carmen’s hands.

  “I can’t believe this.” Carmen said lowly to herself. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought.” She whispered. Dr. Bobby stopped in front of a mirrored wall and the closed curtains. “You guys ready? She asked, but she was only looking at me. I never did answer. She tapped on the glass, the curtains slowly opened and there he was. Sadique was lying on a gourney, looking still and motionless.

  “Oh God!” Carmen cried as she fell to her knees. Rome and Dr. Bobby comforted Carmen. I walked closer to the glass. My heavy panting began to fog the glass. “This can’t be!” I screamed out. “How, who could have done this to him?” I asked myself as the room began to spin and I began to cry. I opened the door to the room where he was. “Tray, don’t do this to yourself! Rome called out as he tried to comfort Carmen. Carmen was loosing it. If I didn’t know any better, I would have thought that he was her man. I walked inside and up to his body and just stood there. The way his head looked almost made it not look like him. I walked around to the other side of the table.

  Oh my God! The right side of Sadique’s head was beaten in very badly. He had a small hole in his forehead and what appeared to be an even bigger hole in the back of his head which made his head appear smaller than it really is, like maybe some of his brain was missing too. There were cigarette burns on his chest, his eyes were closed, bloodied and swollen shut. He looked like he suffered a slow and very painful death. I can’t believe what my eyes are seeing right now. The man that I love is laying here dead on this gurney almost unrecognizable. My heart felt as if it had fallen into my feet. “I can’t believe this is happening, this can’t be happening, God no tell me this isn’t him?” I whispered aloud. Rome walked into the room and touched my shoulder from behind. “Sorry Tray, you don’t deserve this and neither did he.” Rome said sadly. I’m so sorry Ms. Truesdale, but I have to ask you. Is this him? The doctor asked softly. “Yes, yes it’s him. I have to get out of here, I need to go home.” My mouth said, but my mind was nowhere near anyone else’s right now. Everything and nothing seemed to be running through my mind. The words that Rome are about to say to me right now will probably not even register in my brain, but I was listening to him as he voiced his concerns.

  “I don’t think you should go home alone Tray. I don’t think you should even consider even going home at all just yet. Suppose the same people that killed him and Freeway are looking for you right now too? You’ve covered a lot of crazy stories over the years and there are a lot of crazy people out there that know or heard of you. There could be a crazed killer stalker after you or something. I’m not taking any chances you’re not staying at your place right now. I don’t think that would be a good idea.” Rome said seriously. “Rome I’m scared, I can’t think about any of those things right now. I need to tell Sadique’s mom. Where’s Carmen? “She’ll be ok you’re my main concern now Tray.” Rome stated. “Rome can you find out who’s going to be working this case? I need some answers, and fast.”

  “I’ll get on that asap Tray, but let’s get you out of here first. Bobby said she would have a full report in a few hours, she’ll give me a call first thing.” Rome said. “Right now this isn’t a good place for you to be.” Rome stated. Whoever did this was going to pay, I promise. I thought to myself, but how am I gonna’ tell Sadique’s mama that she was right and that her only child is dead. I thought as I stared down on my fiancees’ still, cold, colorless and dead face and began to sob deeply, but quietly as we left the hospital. We pulled in front of the senior citizens building where Sadique’s mom was staying, of course the whole building knew where we were coming from because Ms. Staten couldn’t hold water if she were drowning. A group of young women were standing on the porch, and there faces seemed to light up when we got out of the car. “Carmen!” Some of the women called out as they all ran over to her. “We’re so sorry to hear about Sadique, do they know who did it?” One of the women asked, but Carmen was silent. I would have ignored them as we walked past, until I thought I heard one of them mention how Carmen's baby was not going to have a father. I think Rome heard it too. I stopped in my tracks. “Hold up, what did she just say?” I asked surprisingly.

  “What, who the fuck is she and who the fuck is she talking to like that.” One of her friend’s said angrily. “Carmen, who is this bitch and somebody betta check her before she get fucked up” said another. Did she just say what I thought I heard her say Carmen? Her baby just lost his daddy? And this bitch, I blacked. I reached over and grabbed a fist full of Carmen’s hair and pulled her out into the street. “So you were playing me out bitch?” I said as I began swinging at her face. Carmen tried to run, but I wouldn’t let her loose. Her face caught every punch I threw. I beat that bitch like the sneaky bitch that I just discovered she was. “Tracy I’m sorry!” She began to weep. “You wasn’t supposed to find out this way!” She added as I flung her to the ground. I was too hurt and way too angry, but more angry than hurt right now as I lodged straight for Carmen’s face.

  “You’re sorry, all this time you’re smiling in my face and you were secretly fucking my man, bitch and you got a baby by him?!” I screamed as I tried to attack her again. Rome grabbed me, and a few of Carmen’s friends grabbed her and pulled her to her feet. I felt sick and my knees grew weak. “Now tell me she didn’t just say Sadique was her baby‘s father?” I asked aloud. “Tracy let’s go.” Rome said as he pulled me back towards his car. “Yeah take that crazy bitch home!” A girl called out. “I don’t know what he saw in your bougie ass anyway, fake bitch! Now go and write about that in your newspaper bitch!” Someone also screamed at me. I was more shocked now than anything. I felt like I was just hit by a truck. Carmen didn’t even look at me.

  “So it’s like that huh Carmen?” I called back. “We could’ve handled this like women bitch, but you wanna try and be on some sneaky hoe shit. I guess Sadique didn’t tell you that I’m from the hood too! And I’ll fuck all you bitches up! Don’t get it twisted bitches!” I wanted to fight her again, but I should be fighting Sadique ass right now. Where is he? I thought, and then it hit me that I couldn’t fight with him because he‘s dead. “She’s probably hurting too Tray, let it go please, now is not the time. Besides you’re making yourself look bad out here fighting in these streets, you’re so much bigger than this. You know this already Tray.” Rome assured me. “But why should I.” I couldn’t even find the next words to say. I began crying hysterically into his chest. ‘The man that I love and meant the most to me in the world is gone, and to top it off is a cheater, with a baby! How can I grieve for him now?” I sobbed. He gave Carmen something he never gave me.”

  “They have a baby Rome, how could I not know? I feel so stupid.” I cried as Rome escorted me over to my car. “Ssshh, it’s gonna be alright Tray. Let’s get you out of here.” Rome comforted me as I sat down into my car. I glanced over quickly and noticed that a car that looked exactly like Sadique’s car was parked across the street, when I knew for sure that it wasn’t there earlier when we was here. My head was spinning even faster now.

  “I’ll follow you Tray, is that ok with you?” I got in and started the car. I didn’t ev
en know where I wanted to go, but home wasn’t where I wanted to be. Not right now. I needed a drink. I rode for a few blocks and pulled in front of the Candlelite Lounge, a local bar. “You wanna go in there?” Rome pulled up beside my car and asked looking confused and puzzled. “No not really, I don’t know, you got any other ideas?” I confusedly said and asked. “We can go to my place I have a spare room. You need a little space to sort all this out in your head right now.” Rome offered. “Ok I’ll follow you, but we’re going to have to come back here tomorrow so I can see Mrs. Parr!” I called out. I really didn’t want to be alone right now. My mind flashed back to Sadique’s body in the morgue. As much as I wanted to hate him right now, I couldn’t find myself to do that because I still loved him, and he’s gone now, so I forgave him.

  Sadique and I had never once gotten pregnant, because I was never ready for a family, but why Carmen and how could I not have known? I could’ve never seen betrayal coming by either of them. He played me, got me feeling like I’m living a Kelly Price song right now. He could have told me that he didn’t want me anymore and that he wanted to be with another woman and that he and Carmen had a thing going on. Am I having a bugging out episode right now? “Yo that was a bitchass move Sadique!” I yelled out loud as if he could really hear me. So that’s probably why Carmen went ballistics at the morgue.

  Suddenly my cell phone rang. I checked it and saw that someone was paging me. I didn’t even feel it vibrate. I thought to myself. I reached into my handbag and fumbled for my cell phone. I had three missed calls. Two were from my mother and one was from Jackie. I guess by now the word of Sadique’s death was circulating. My mother still had some friends in the neighborhood, so I knew someone had called her by now. I’ll call them back later. Rome’s town house was right off the Garden State Parkway. I parked in the garage as he instructed and he parked behind me in his driveway. I pulled into the garage and just sat there and waited. I should have at least gone by my place and grabbed a few things and I felt really bad about not going to see Mrs. Parr too. Rome came over to my car and tapped on the window. “Come on, I promise not to bite, beside I don’t want to mess with the champ. You almost looked like Tracy Ali back there.” He joked.

  “Cut it out boy.” I finally laughed. That was one of the things I like about Rome, he always made me feel good. Rome looked surprised to see me laugh. “Hey look, I don’t want you to go out of your way Rome.” “Tray stop and listen because I’m not going to repeat myself, so save the tough girl independent role for someone else. You’re hurt and need a friend right now, so why don’t you allow me to help. Jackie and your mother called. They got kinda worried when you didn’t answer your phone. They’re gonna be over first thing in the morning. I know I might be your boss but I’m still you friend, Rome. Remember me, are you hungry?” He asked while smiling as we entered his condo.

  Rome walked into his apartment and headed towards the kitchen. “More like starved, but I don’t have an appetite if that makes any sense.” I said as I followed him. “I haven’t eaten anything since breakfast.” How about I make us a few sandwichs or I can call for some take out?” He said. “Whatever you have here is ok Rome you don’t have to go too far out of your way.” Do you mind if I help myself? I need something to do right now.” I said. “Are you sure?” He asked. “Yes I’m sure, I think I can still manage to make a couple of sandwiches.” I assured. “Okay, because I need to return a few phone calls before it gets late.” He stated. I went into the kitchen, opened the refrigerator and found some fresh cold cuts, cold fried chicken, and some tuna salad in the fridge. Well someone’s been cooking, or getting cooked for. I thought out loud. I didn’t need for him to hear that.

  After taking a good look around it looks like someone’s been cleaning too. I pulled everything out of the fridge that looked good and was preparing some of the food that he had when. “Having a party are we?” Rome startled me. “You scared the shit out of me”. I never heard him come into the kitchen. “Sorry, didn’t mean to sneak up on you like that.” He said. “I didn’t take too much food out did I?” I asked. “No not at all, help yourself Tray. Do you want a glass of wine?” He asked. “That would be really nice right about now?” I said. And I meant that literally. All of this craziness was already making me feel like I was drunk, so I might as well be drunk. I thought as I prepared some food. I rolled some Swiss cheese and some roast beef up like a pig-in-a-blanket and placed it on a plate with some fresh fruit.

  “Is that’s all you’re going to eat after taking all that food out?” He asked. “I was really just being nosey I didn’t realize you made time to cook.” I said. “Well I have to eat don’t I?” He smiled back. “Are you in here playing detective?” He added. “No, but I’m about to become a P.I.” I said seriously. Rome looked at me with a puzzled look on his face. “What does that mean he asked?” I looked over at him with an im dead serious look on my face. “I have to find out what really happened to him Rome.” I expressed. “And that’s why we have a judicial system Tray, please Tray, please don’t start none of that Nancy Drew shit now.” He countered. “That’s messed up Rome, Nancy Drew was a white girl, I’m thinking something a little more darker like, Coffee Drew or Brown Sugar Drew. I joked, but I was dead serious.

  “So now you wanna go around shooting people? You need to get some rest Tray. Eat your food, drink your wine and go get some rest. You’re traumatized and not thinking clearly. I put a pair of fresh of pajamas on the bed in the guest room, or would you prefer a t-shirt and shorts.” “The pajamas will be fine.” I stated as I headed for the bathroom. I just wanted to wash the day away. I opt for a shower but Rome had already began running the bath water for me. How sweet. “Why did you let him go?” I could here my mother’s voice asking me in my head. “But that was years ago.” I said out loud. What made me think of that? You have enough issues to deal with right now, so please Tracy Truesdale don’t go complicating things more with some illusions de’ grandeur. I thought to myself as I stepped into the warmth of the bath water that smelled like fresh lemons.

  The aroma woke me up while the water eased away some of my stress, at least for a little whiles anyways. Who are Sadique’s friends and what did he really do during the day? There were far too many unanswered questions that began to run through my mind. It was time to take off my rose-colored glasses and see things for what they really are. Did I really know the man that I loved? I loved Sadique with all my heart, but I knew we could never truly make each other happy. I was chasing love and he was chasing paper. Is any of this even real? I thought as I looked at the engagement ring that he gave me.The money he chased caused him to ultimately chase after evil. Forgive me God as I forgive those that trespass against me. “I forgive you Sadique.” I whispered. “I’ll find out who did this to you, I love you to at least owe you that much.” I said as I sat in the warmth of the lemon scented bath water and quietly mourned my man’s death.

  16

  THE AFTERMATH

  (Korey)

  When I woke up I had one of the biggest hangovers that I could ever remember having. I looked at my watch. It was a little past twelve noon and I fell asleep on the couch with my clothes still on and all. My head was banging heavily as I slowly crept towards the bedroom. Luckily the bathroom was next to it because I felt myself getting ready to throw up and I did, again, and after that I felt a little better. I rinsed off my face, brushed my teeth then went into the bedroom, took off my cothes and laid down on the bed. I could overhear the radio playing loudly from the apartment next door. Lionel Richie’s ‘Easy Like Sunday Morning’ mellowed out the atmosphere as I rested comfortably on my bed.

  After the song went off I could overhear the news and weather report being told. I reached over and turned on my little alarm clock slash radio and listened in on the news being reported: “Today will be rather pleasant, highs in the upper 70’s reaching about 80 degrees later on today. The lows tonight will be about 65 degrees and chilly dropping even more as the fall season s
ets in so you might need to wear your light jackets tonight due to the moderate temperature drop.

  "In other news, 5 people were shot and 2 of them fatally wounded in the early hours this morning after a party celebration for rap star Xaviar from the rap group The Born Criminals. One of the fatally wounded was another well known rapper. Gregory Sumpter a.k.a. The Crazy Gunner and his friend Jerry Gomez were shot and killed late Saturday night early Sunday morning while they were leaving from the local nightclub ‘The Funnel’ located in downtown Manhattan.

  "Police witnesses say that shots were fired killing the two instantly and seriously injuring three others in a rare drive by shooting as they exited the popular nightclub. The well known rapper leaves behind a wife, two children, family and friends and many hurt fans which raise a lot of questions about the effects of rap music and the violence it promotes among the youth who listens to that type of music....”

  Oh shit! What the fuck! I thought as I snapped fully awaken by the news that I just heard. “I was just with that nigga last night!” I whispered to myself. I reached for my phone. I need to call Jay and see if he heard the news. My phone rang as I was grabbing for it. “Hello?” It was Jay. “Yo you heard? Gunna got killed last night.” He said.