---
Griff’s Confession
She knew she was losing control, so she called the only person she knew that would help her and not ask any questions. She called Griff Henderson and asked him to come and get her. She asked that he come alone. Griff arrived and helped her into his car. She was crying hysterically and rambling about being an officer of the court, what Savannah and Ruthann did, and covering up a crime. It made no sense to him, but he knew that he needed to get her calm so that he could help her. He was beginning to piece things together. Apparently, she had discovered what he’d always known. That Enoch murdered David Ban and that her friends covered for him. He’d hoped that she would never have discovered the truth, as it would destroy her. But if he was right, then she knew, and he would have to help her come to terms with the truth.
He drove Gemini home and helped her get inside. Her cell phone was ringing and when he looked at the caller ID, he saw that it was her office calling. More than likely it would be her assistant Antoinette, so he answered the phone. He told Antoinette that Gemini had taken ill and that he was with her. She had eaten something at lunch and was sick to her stomach. He decided to lie in order to give her time to recoup. He would have her call when she felt better, and no, she didn’t have to come over. If she wanted, she could call her later this evening.
He hung up the phone and walked over to Gemini, who was now sitting halfway on the couch. The dogs were sitting at her feet, they seemed to sense that she was not okay. Griff sat next to her and asked her to sit back. It was time that they had a talk.
“Miss Gemini, what’s going on with you? I couldn’t make any sense out of what you were rambling in the car. Tell me what’s wrong.”
And she did. She told him about the meeting she’d had with Harold Cartier and the deathbed confession he’d made about the murder of David Ban. She told him that Enoch had committed the murder and that Savannah and Ruthann had covered for him. Savannah went to her death knowing that she hadn’t murdered anyone. She told him that as an officer of the court she would have to inform the prosecutor’s office about the cover up, but that it would mean having her son investigated. She became angry then, telling him that she never wanted to see Enoch again, that he had let an innocent woman take the blame for something that he’d done. That there was no excuse for it. It was then that Griff decided to tell her all that he knew, to try to get her to understand the actions of her son and her friends.
“Enoch did kill David Ban, and Savannah and Ruthann covered for him, that’s a fact, Miss Gemini. But you got to hear the whole story before you make the decision to go to the authorities. You shouldn’t want to drum up any of this once you hear the truth.”
“You know all about this? You know my son is a murderer, and you never said anything to me?” Gemini shouted.
The dogs, hearing the tone of her voice, started growling at Griff. They sensed that he had somehow made her angry. Gemini quickly told the dogs to stop.
“I know that your son is a hero, and your friends loved the two of you enough to put their lives on the line. That’s what I know.”
“I think you need to explain, Griff,” Gemini said. “You need to explain how you knew, and why you never said anything to me.”
“I met Enoch a couple of months before he put that rabid dog, David Ban, down. He was on the street looking for a young girl named Treasure. I was looking for her too. She was the niece of one of my Vietnam buddies. We formed a bond and started to pool our resources to find out what happened to her. Your son is wise beyond his years, and I’m not a religious man, but I can tell you that somebody up there has a hold of your son and that hold is strong. We found out that Mamie Wells had given Treasure to a man named Lucerne Gorsuch, a trafficker who sells girls to the highest bidder. He sold Treasure to Ban, and Enoch found out about it. With my help and the help of “the ghost,” we contacted Ban and told him we wanted to get Treasure back. Enoch was willing to pay for her release. Ban wanted ten thousand dollars for her. Enoch gave him the money without consulting me. That was his mistake. When we went to the spot where we were supposed to pick up Treasure, she wasn’t there. Enoch found out later that Ban had given her back to Gorsuch, who sold her to someone else. Ban was trying to get out of the game because he was going to run for governor. So, Enoch did the only thing he could do, which was to kill Ban. That piece of shit hurt a lot of young girls and families. I’m convinced that once he was elected, he would resume his evil habits and have the protection of his office. He was certain to win; there were a lot of powerful people behind him. And they don’t forget when someone upsets their plans. Enoch has a target on his back, and he knows it. But he won’t stop looking for Treasure, nor will I.”
“How did Savannah and Ruthann find out?”
“I found out through a detective friend of mine that Savannah was looking for Enoch. She wanted you to know where he was. She also got in touch with Ruthann because she was on the police force, and between the two of them they worked hard to find your son.”
“How did Savannah know that Enoch would be at the rally?”
“According to Enoch, she didn’t. Again, I’m not a religious man, but I believe that it was divine intervention. She just happened to be at the spot where Enoch fired the shots. She, too, had a gun, and after he fired the shots, she put her gun in his pocket and told him to run. Ruthann knew the gun was in the evidence room and took it to protect Savannah. It wasn’t until later that she found out it was really to protect Enoch. Miss Gemini, I know you call yourself an officer of the court or whatever you are, but you better think long and hard about this. The public is satisfied that Savannah killed that rabid dog, and Savannah died protecting your son. Her child is dead and so is Ruthann’s son, but your son is alive. Thanks to their love for you. Love is the only reason they did what they did. The hell you three went through helped to form a bond, a bond where they were willing to give up their reputations and freedom for you and Enoch. They loved you just that much. Now it’s time for you to do the same. Make that sacrifice for them. For your son, for Savannah’s family who will have to relive that tragedy again. You said that policeman told you on his deathbed. Then the only ones who know are Cartier, you, Enoch, Ruthann, and me. I don’t see any of them coming forward, and I’m not going to say anything.”
Gemini remained quiet on the couch while Griff went into the kitchen and poured them a glass of whiskey that he knew she had in the cabinet. The drink was strong and burned her throat as it made its way to her stomach, but it calmed her, and she sat there letting all that had been revealed to her sink in. She was regaining her composure. She had been so close to having another episode, but Griff had helped her, told her a story, and helped to answer questions she’d had inside her mind for a while but never could bring herself to try finding the answers to.
“One more thing, Miss Gemini,” Griff said, “you got to be strong for Dr. Rodney, and he needs you right now. You can’t let the past stop you from helping him in the present. He needs you, and you owe him your life and your sanity. Let the dead stay where they are and let the living have a chance to live and make things right. Enoch is on a mission, and we need to give him a chance to make things right. That’s what you call street justice. Sometimes that’s all you got.”
Gemini’s cell phone rang. It was Harold Cartier’s son. He wanted her to know that his father died an hour after she’d left and that he’d died in peace. He thanked her for coming to see his father. It had meant so much for him to speak to her before he died. Gemini hung up the phone and turned to Griff.
“Harold Cartier died about an hour ago, so that narrows the amount of people who know. He never said anything to his family, and his son said he died in peace. The last words he said to me were that he loved Ruthann, which is why he never said anything.”
“Then let it be, Miss Gemini,” Griff said. “Let it be. Too many people will be hurt. Let the past stay where
it is. You concentrate on helping Dr. Rodney, who is doing great things with our youth. Let it be.”
They drove back the spot where she’d left her car and Griff followed her back home. Antoinette called her and she told her she was feeling much better. But she wasn’t, she still had doubts about what to do. She did realize one thing, that she had been loved by people who had proven time and time again how much she meant to them. Could she really hurt them and bring up the past?
chapter eight
Gemini
I returned to work the next day and spoke with Nobel about the possibility of speaking with Dr. Rodney. I would never visit him without her permission. Nobel told me that she was going to visit him early this morning, and that I was free to join her.
The morning paper announced that Pastor Day was going to deliver the eulogy of his wife and that the service would be the next day. I planned to attend and would call Griff and ask that he attend also. Between the two of us, maybe we could come up with something, for instance checking out who attended the service.
Our visit to Dr. Rodney found him in good spirits despite being in jail. Miss Aurelia had arrived last night and was going to visit him today. I told him that I would look after her and that he was in good hands with Nobel and Quinn. I left the two of them alone and returned to the car to wait for Nobel.
As I was sitting in the car, I saw Detective Weaver walking towards the building. I called out to him and motioned for him to come over to the car. He opened the door to the passenger side and got in.
“Just wanted you to know that I got a chance to talk with Harold Cartier yesterday. He died an hour after my visit.”
“I’m glad you got a chance to see him. I think he was only hanging on to speak with you.”
I knew that Maceo would never ask me about what we discussed, but I decided to tell him a bit of the truth.
“He was in love with Ruthann Lawson and wanted me to tell her.”
“Do you know where Ruthann is, Gemini? If you do, I suggest you tell me.”
“I don’t know where she is and if I did, I’m not sure that I’d say anything. She stole that gun out of the evidence room to protect Savannah. She wasn’t involved in the police scandal.”
“I figured as much, but Savannah confessed, so there was no need for her to do that. She needs to turn herself in and clear up this mess. But she is looking at some time. They make an example of cops that are labeled crooked.”
“What she did, she did out of love for Savannah. The three of us went through hell together and that does something to you. I can’t explain it Maceo, except to say that once you go through trauma, as we did as young girls, it distorts your perception of right and wrong. You develop an instinct to protect each other at all costs. We were raped at a young age. Savannah was eleven years old, I was fourteen and Ruthann thirteen. I suspect that Ruthann was raped by her stepfather. Yes, the honorable retired police commissioner, and her mother knew and said nothing. Savannah was raped by David Ban, and the woman of the home where we were sent to have our babies gave her baby to David Ban’s parents. They were killed and Ban raised Gina as his sister. But his love for her was twisted and his obsession is what drove her to her death. I was raped by someone I thought was my friend, and my parents sent me away because they didn’t want to relive events from their past. You may not understand how I feel, nor do I suspect that you would agree with me, but it is what it is. Sometimes the only justice you have is street justice.”
Maceo listened to what I had to say but remained silent. I expected him to respond with an obedience of the law or something similar, but he didn’t.
He took my hand and said, “Gemini, you are right. Sometimes street justice is all a person has. I can attest to that. And sometimes it takes hearing a story of someone’s tragedy to reinforce that belief. We’ll leave it at that. Now tell me, how is Dr. Rodney doing?”
I knew that in his own way he was letting me know that he understood my position.
“Dr. Rodney is holding up; his attorney is with him now. Her name is Nobel Cummings. She is our new associate. Quinn is the lead on the case, but she is doing the leg work. Is there anything you can share on the investigation, off the record, of course? Just between old neighbors?”
He chuckled at my request. Talking with the firm representing the prime suspect was strictly a no-no, but he had the same respect for Dr. Rodney that I did.
“We obtained a warrant to search his home and found the coat he stated he wore the night Tabitha Day was murdered. It had no fibers from her coat. The only blood on his coat was his. We checked Barney Austin’s clothes and there were no fibers on Dr. Rodney’s clothes that matched the fibers found on the victim’s. But he was at the scene of Tabitha Day’s murder, and he did have a rift with both victims. Either he is the smartest murderer I have encountered, or someone is framing him. The brass was pressured into arresting him, but I think we have the wrong man. Despite your advising Mattie Lightfoot to withhold information from the police, she did tell me that she overheard the first lady telling someone on the phone that she was going to meet Barney Austin on the crosswalk.”
That statement threw me off, but I remained calm. I surmised that Mattie Lightfoot was concerned about withholding information and decided not to take my advice. I just needed more time to investigate. I had every intention of advising her to go to the police; I just needed a head start.
“I was the only person she talked with, so this stays between us,” he said.
He got out of my car and walked toward the building. I knew he would never say a word to betray me. I hoped that I would never place him in the position again.
Nobel came out a few minutes later and we returned to the office. I assured her that she, with Quinn’s leadership, will have the best defense for Dr. Rodney, especially when we received the prosecutor’s discovery.
“What can you tell me about the prosecutor in charge of this case, Gemini?”
“D. L. Dreux was born to be a prosecutor. He’s smart, thorough, and goes after justice like a hound after a fox. I haven’t had the chance to go up against him in court, but I have heard from the other partners that he is a force to deal with. I have heard that he is quite charming and very personable, a hometown boy from Gary Roosevelt High. He then graduated from Harvard Law School and made Law Review there.”
“Who was the prosecutor when you defended Savannah Wooten?”
Funny how she changed the subject, but I answered her.
“Omar Robinson oversaw Savannah’s case. Her case never went to trial because she died before I could defend her. She made a deathbed confession, so he decided to close the case after her death.”
“Why did you defend her and are not defending Dr. Earls?”
She was smart and insightful; I liked that about her. I liked her more and more and I was glad that she is with Bookie.
“The bond that we had compelled me to defend her. We shared a tragic time in our lives, and it formed something that few people experience. We were brought together due to tragedy, but we relied on each other and our individual strengths helped us to come through it. Although we lost touch with each other, when it came time to support each other, we were there. We still are. Savannah continues to comfort me in my dreams.”
I don’t know why I confided that information to her; I had never told anyone except my therapist. But she was so easy to talk to. I didn’t have many female friends and I was finding myself wanting her to be one of them.
My workday didn’t last long, and I left work early to go home. The dogs were glad to see me when I got home. They wanted to go out and play and have their dinner when they returned.
I turned on the television just in time to see the story about Tabitha Day’s funeral, which will take place the following day. The story repeated that Dr. Rodney was being held for the deaths of the first lady and of reporter Barney Austin. I reme
mbered to call Griff, and when he answered the phone, I asked him if he would attend the funeral with me.
“I was going to attend, Miss Gemini. Wanted to see what I see.”
I suggested that we take separate cars and not sit together. That way we could each survey the room, hoping for a lead that would identify the killer. What if the killer had been a disgruntled church member who knew about the first lady’s activities and wanted to stop her before she brought shame to her husband? But what motive would the murderer have for killing Barney Austin?
I phoned Quinn and told him my plan. He agreed that it was a good idea. I then received a call from Mattie Lightfoot. The pastor wanted to know if I’d plan to attend the service. She said that God had put it in his heart to ask and wanted me to attend. I told her that I would be there and was told that I would be escorted to a section of the church reserved for the dignitaries attending the service.
I arrived at the church about an hour before the funeral was to begin in order to view the memorial and be seated. Griff was already there. I spotted him as I was being escorted into the church to be seated. An organist played softly as the church filled with people. There was a section of pews to the right of the pulpit that had been designated for dignitaries, and I was seated next to one of the councilmen. I exchanged pleasantries with him before making my way to the coffin to view Tabitha Day’s memorial. The damage to her body made viewing impossible, so there was a display of pictures depicting her life.
The coffin was gold with yellow roses surrounding it. The pictures were displayed in chronological order, showing her at various stages of extraordinary life. Her baby pictures showed a beautiful chubby angel with big, beautiful eyes, a toothless grin, and numerous short fat ponytails. Her childhood pictures showed a child who appeared to be full of innocence and life. She had been beautiful all her life and she appeared to be well liked and popular according to the pictures of her in elementary and high school. There were photos of her wedding day; the wedding dress train was almost the length of the church. The couple looked radiant, especially the pastor. It was obvious that he was in love with her. There were pictures of the couple attending various religious and community functions. The picture that affected me was the one where the pastor was standing at the podium and she was standing behind him. The look of sheer love on her face made me wonder if there was a time when she really did love him.
The Future of My Past Page 17