Baltimore Chronicles (13 page)

Malek was killed in front of his house with Halleigh watching as Detective Derek Fuller shot him. From that moment Halleigh had vowed revenge on Detective Fuller. After she started following him, she realized Detective Fuller was an associate of Scar Johnson. That's when Dayvid realized that Scar probably had Detective Fuller kill Malek because he was moving in on Scar's territory.

Ever since then, Halleigh and Dayvid had been shadowing Detective Fuller, Scar, and anyone associated with the Dirty Money Crew. They fancied themselves a cross between Bonnie and Clyde, and Robin Hood. They had made a pact and were determined to destroy the persons responsible for the death of Malek, the one person they both loved.

“I followed Tiphani to the courthouse, and shit was a circus over there,” Halleigh told Dayvid. “There were camera crews and reporters everywhere. They grabbed her up and propped her up in front of everyone as the mayor made a speech about cleaning up corrupt police and judges.”

“What? Slow down. What happened?”

“They played the tape we made of Tiphani and Scar fucking, right there in front of the whole city on a big screen so everyone could see. Detective Fuller must have leaked the tape we sent him. Holy shit! I can't believe this, Day. Our plan is working!” Halleigh was about to jump through the roof, she was so excited.

She reached over, grabbed Day, and kissed him passionately. Then they both separated and just stared at each other for a second, both stunned by the sudden passion. Before, it had just been more of a business relationship. Although Day definitely had a thing for her, he would never disrespect Malek like that. Not knowing how to handle the situation, he just moved on like it was nothing.

“We need to keep on track. I told you this would work. I have to get back to Scar. You go home, and we will meet up later to figure out our next move. Stay hidden in the shadows. Don't let no one see you.”

“Okay.” Halleigh got out of the car and ran into the shadows.

Dayvid sat there and watched her disappear. He whispered, “I love you. Be safe.”

 

Derek was elated when he'd heard of Tiphani's arrest at the courthouse. He was just waiting for the day the COs walked into the infirmary to tell him he was a free man. Today, when the COs knocked on the little metal hospital bed to tell him he had a visitor, he just knew it was someone sent by the mayor's office to let him know he would be free in no time.

When the visitor stepped into the room, Derek's heart started racing. It was Sticks who was ambling toward his bed. Derek almost shit his pants. He shot Sticks an evil look. He wasn't fully recovered from the stabbing, so he knew he had no chance of winning a fight with Sticks.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Derek growled in a low voice, so the guards wouldn't overhear his conversation.

“Scar sent me, nigga. You know the drill. He wanted to me to send you a message. The same strings you pulled to ruin your ex-wife and bargain for your freedom is the same ones you need to pull to help him get out of Baltimore unscathed,” Sticks whispered harshly.

“Tell Scar I said fuck him!” Derek spat. He winced. Raising his voice caused him pain.

“I don't think you will have the same attitude once you see this.” Sticks dropped some pictures onto Derek's chest.

Derek reached out with his one free hand and picked the pictures up. They were face down. He examined them, almost choking on his own spit as he stared down at pictures of his kids sitting on Scar's lap. He crumpled the pictures as he balled up his fist.

“What the fuck does he want?” Derek gritted, his body throbbing with pain.

“He wants your ex-wife dead. He also wants it to be arranged that he gets out of Baltimore without the beast breathing down on him. Scar knows about your little agreement with the mayor, soon-to-be senator, so he figures you can throw some words his way. It's either that, or receive your kids' body parts one by one as a care package here at the jail,” Sticks said with finality. He didn't even give Derek a chance to answer. He just stood up and walked toward the door, and the CO standing guard let him out.

“CO! CO!” Derek called out frantically.

The CO rushed to his bedside.

“I need a phone,” Derek said, struggling with his words. “I have an emergency at home.”

 

Tiphani and the truck driver made it through the police road block without a hitch. A few state troopers had climbed up into the truck's front cab to take a look, but they hadn't seen anything. Besides, the smell of the truck driver's cigars and his musty underarms had driven them right back out.

She came out of hiding when the truck driver announced they had made it all the way down to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She climbed into the passenger seat of the truck and stared out at the water. She began to cry. The reality of her situation had started setting in. She would be spending the rest of her life on the run. Not only was Scar Johnson looking for her with plans to kill her, but every single police entity in the state of Maryland had a bounty on her head as well. As she said a silent prayer for her children, she realized the truck driver had been speaking to her.

“So what you gonna do from here?” he said. “I'm headed back home to Texas to my family.”

“I don't know. But if you leave me your name and some contact information, I will make sure you are compensated for all of your help.”

“That won't be necessary. Let's just say a guardian angel sent me to save you from the boys in blue,” the man said.

Tiphani let a weak smile spread across her face. Then she opened the truck door and climbed out onto the street. She looked around at her new surroundings. She smelled the salt air, looked at the palm trees, and said to herself, “I will have the last laugh, you mu'fuckas,” as she walked to the beach to begin plotting her comeback.