Authors: Dorothy Phaire
Renee refused to believe she could be that wrong about a person’s character. Instead of believing rumors she’d help investigate the facts and find out what happened to Brenda’s first baby nine years ago. Renee didn’t like the way this investigation was heading. She turned to face Deek. “Before we jump to conclusions we should find out the identity of this unnamed source and what their motive is,” she said, her voice trembling with anger.
Deek leaned forward and clasped both hands in front of him. “I agree, Doc. Bradford’s theory is pretty much based on rumors and circumstantial evidence. Until lab results come in and give us some physical proof that points elsewhere, he won’t back off Brenda. In fact, that’s the reason I’m here. I’m supposed to take her in for re-questioning after the service,” he said matter-of-factly.
“You can’t be serious. Brenda’s already been through so much. Don’t tell me you believe these awful lies they’ve been printing?”
“No, I’m not 100% convinced of her guilt so I want to give her a chance to respond to the accusations. But it was either me or Bradford so I volunteered to come today.”
“I want to be there when you question her,” she said firmly.
“Your role is to advise, remember?” he turned to give her a stern look, “You’re not trained for law enforcement, Renee.”
“I know that Detective. It’s not necessary to keep reminding me what my limited role is on this investigation. But Deek, there are too many other possibilities to pin everything on her. For instance, suppose the torch is simply a pyromaniac who gets gratification from setting fires?”
“Don’t worry, Doc, I won’t let Bradford railroad your secretary. But I do have to consider all the evidence even if it points to Brenda,” he said, “In my book we can’t afford to exclude anybody as a suspect who knew the victim, had opportunity, and good reason to want him dead.”
Renee rose from the sofa, “We’d better get back upstairs.” Deek agreed and followed her to the door. Just as they had exited the room and were about to return to the sanctuary, a man appeared in front of them, standing at the bottom of the stairway. His attention was focused solely on Renee. “Hey, ain’t you that fine sistuh I’m always running into at Good Looks on Thursdays?” the man said, grinning and stuck out his hand for Renee to shake. “I’m Alonzo Woods, you remember me, don’t ya?”
The scent of cigarette breath preceded him as he edged too close to her, invading her space and accidentally stepping on one of her black, patent leather pumps. Renee stepped back a few inches away from him and briefly shook his outstretched hand out of politeness. His hand felt hot and sweaty, and when he wasn’t looking she wiped her hand on the handkerchief from her purse. She hoped if she didn’t talk or introduce him to Deek, he would get the hint and go away. That never worked at the beauty parlor and didn’t work any better at the church either.
“Ya’ll don’t mind if we talk for bit?” asked Alonzo, and without waiting for a reply he led them back into the counseling chamber. Deek and Renee sat down on the couch while Alonzo sat across from them in a wing-back chair.
“I’m Lt. Detective Degas Hamilton, MPD, Homicide. And you obviously already know Dr. Hayes. What can we do for you, Mr. Woods?” said Deek.
Alonzo stared down at his shoes as he spoke. “It sure is a damn shame how my man went down,” he said, shaking his head, “Jerome was my ace boon coon at Union Delivery Service. I was just at his crib a coupla days ago right after he got suspended from work for failing one of them piss tests. I mean a random drug test. Man, I can’t believe it. Just the other day, we was layin’ back, chillin’. Now this. Ain’t life a bitch?”
It didn’t seem to matter to Alonzo that he was in church since he didn’t bother to modify his language, Renee thought.
“Mr. Woods, I’m one of the detectives investigating the Johnson murder case,” said Deek and pushed back his jacket to reveal the badge attached to his belt. “Since you and the deceased were good friends do you mind if I ask you a few questions about him?” Deek retrieved his Blackberry™ from the inside pocket of his jacket, which Renee knew would have every feature activated. She also noticed that Alonzo got fidgety when Deek asked him questions.
“Uh, from what I been reading in the news lately, looks like ya’ll already got your mind made up as to who done it,” said Alonzo.
“You can’t believe everything you read, Mr. Woods,” said Renee, tersely. “I’m helping Detective Hamilton with the case as a criminal profile consultant. I assure you there are still more suspects left to uncover.”
“Me and Jay was best buddies ever since he started at UDS as a driver. I wanna do whatever I can to help ya’ll catch that mutha … the asshole that killed him. I don’t care what the papers say, I can’t see sweet, little Brenda doin’ something like that to anybody much less to Jerome.”
“Do you know Mrs. Johnson well?” asked Deek.
“No, not really. Only what Jay used to say about her. His locker’s full of her pictures and the baby. Some he claimed he couldn’t show me,” said Alonzo with a wicked grin. He and Brenda still acted like newlyweds hear him tell it.”
“Would you be willing to testify in court if it should come to that confirming their close relationship?” asked Deek.
“Sure Detective Hamilton. Believe me, Jay loved his family and he tried real hard to beat his drug addiction. Jay said his wife forgave him a lot of times in the past and he didn’t want to disappoint her again. That’s why at first he was scared to tell her he got fired for failing that random drug test at work.”
“Did Mr. Johnson have any enemies that you were aware of?”
“Enemies? I don’t know if I’d call ‘em enemies but lemme put it to you this way. My man Jay had a whole lotta drama queens in his life. From his ex-girlfriend, on down to his nosey mother-in-law. Me and him was just talkin’ ‘bout all his female troubles a coupla days before … you know, before he died.”
“Exactly how did these ladies cause Mr. Johnson problems?”
“Well, for one thing that damn mother-in-law of his was always in the mix. I think ole Jay woulda rather got both his eyes dug out with a rusty nail than get into a rumble with the Ice Queen. That’s what he called her behind her back. Not to her face of course. I think he was scared of her and who wouldn’t be? Have you met Brenda’s mother yet, Detective?” Deek shook his head and encouraged Alonzo to continue, which didn’t take much encouragement. Alonzo talked incessantly with a nervous edge in his voice. He kept licking his dry, chapped lips.
As Alonzo did what Alonzo did best—gossip nonstop, Deek took down his statement, typing rapidly into the word processing program installed on his hand-held Blackberry™ device. Renee marveled at how adeptly Deek handled the palm-sized device. He always kept up with the latest trends in technology. She recalled how his house overflowed with high-tech gadgetry and computer equipment. When they had first met at the beginning of the summer, Deek had told her that he always loved electronics and technology. After graduating with a BS in Information Systems at 21, he landed a contractor position at IBM Corporation as a systems engineer. He stayed there for a few years until the corporate routine bored him. Eventually, he joined the Metropolitan Police Department and moved up the ranks to Detective Lieutenant in Homicide Division at just 28 years old. Going from a world of developing and installing software to catching criminals responsible for murder was a huge leap. But apparently, Deek still considered himself a techie at heart.
“All that’s interesting Mr. Woods, but other than these two ladies from his personal life, did Mr. Johnson have any problems with anyone at work?” asked Deek.
“No way, man. Everybody at UDS loved Jay. He was a funny cat. Always kept us goin’. More’n half those folks takin’ up seats upstairs work at UDS. Even our boss is here and nobody in the yard likes her.”
“Hum, I see. So as far as you know nothing out of the ordinary happened at work before Mr. Johnson got fired for using drugs?”
“Now that you mention it, I do recall one incident. A coupla weeks ago, my load was running late so I waited out my time in the breakroom ‘til I could punch out. Anyways, I overheard Jerome talkin’ to this dude on the phone about payin’ back some loot. When he got off the telephone, he broke down and told me he was in trouble.” Alonzo paused and looked down at his feet, shaking his head.
“Yeah, go on.” Deek prompted.
“Jay told me he used to be down with this DC Mafia crew called Jett Set. He ran up a tab for about two grand and couldn’t pay it back. But growing up he was tight with some of the dudes so they gave him a few extensions. He told the crew he was gonna ask his uncle to take out a home equity loan and spot him the dough. Anyway Jay told me he was worried ‘cause Unk had bad credit. I dunno what happened after that. I doubt it worked out good for him the way the economy’s been going down.”
“Got any names for me, Mr. Woods? Did Mr. Johnson tell you who he spoke to from the Jett Set crew that day?”
“Naw. Jay got tight-lipped after he calmed down. Besides, those guys only go by nicknames. Nobody knows what name they Mama gave ‘em.” Alonzo’s face suddenly turned agitated as he spoke. “Maybe Jay couldn’t pay up in time and one of those Jett Setters whacked him.”
Deek glanced at his watch. “Thank you for the information, Mr. Woods. I’ll discuss your statement with my partner this afternoon. In case we have further questions, is it okay if we stop by your house sometime tomorrow morning?”
“Let’s see, tomorrow’s Saturday, ain’t it?” said Alonzo, rubbing his forehead, “My only day off is Sunday but they got me on night shift so I’m usually home in the daytime. Sure thing, Detective, I guess tomorrow morning’s okay if ya’ll wanna stop by around nine or so.”
“I appreciate your cooperation, Mr. Woods,” said Deek, writing down Alonzo’s telephone number and address of 19th Street, SE in the Lincoln Park neighborhood.
“Wait a minute Detective, if ya’ll do drop by tomorrow, it’s best if we trek on up to the corner store so I can talk in peace,” said Alonzo, “Otherwise Izza, that’s my wife, Isabelle—she’ll hang on every damn word. Sometimes I talk too loud ‘cause I can’t hear so good no more. Now, Izza can hear a fly walk. I can’t keep none of my damn business to myself. We been married 30 years and that woman’s ‘bout to get on my last nerve.”
“Whatever you prefer, Mr. Woods. I'll go over your statement with Detective Bradford, my partner and I’ll call if we need further information. Thanks again for your cooperation.”
“No problem, Detective. I’m glad to do my civic duty to help ya’ll fight crime. I hope you find the dude that done it,” said Alonzo.
“Don’t worry. We’ll get the person responsible, sooner or later.”
Just then Deek’s cell phone rang and he stepped out of the room to answer it. Alonzo got up from his chair and moved closer to Renee on the sofa. “You know Dr. Renee the repast is gonna be at Brenda’s mama’s house right after service. Ya’ll comin’?”
“I would like to be there for Brenda,” said Renee and hoped Alonzo Woods wouldn’t be attending, “I haven’t had a chance to talk to her privately for several days. I’m sure all the publicity around this case has been stressful for her.” She was relieved when Deek returned.
“Looks like I have to head on back to headquarters now. That was my partner on the phone. Something’s come up.”
“Roger that, Detective,” Alonzo winked, “I’ll look after the Doc for you.” Alonzo let out a yawn and stretched his arms. “Lord, this funeral is deader than poor Jay layin’ up there in that damn coffin. I hope I can hold on ‘til the repast. I dunno what the hell that priest’s been talkin’ about all this time. That priest don’t know my buddy from Adam. This is probably the first time Jay’s even been in a church. And now, looks like it’s his last.”
Deek and Renee glanced at each other briefly. Renee forced herself not to comment while Deek simply shrugged and shook his head. Their silence didn’t keep Alonzo from continuing the conversation on his own. “Me, I was raised Southern Baptist. I expect folks to be wailin’ and fallin’ out on the floor at a funeral. You know, something to keep you awake. This funeral’s too tame for me.”
“Mr. Woods, do you mind?” said Deek as he walked to the door and held it open, “I need to speak to Dr. Hayes before I leave.”
“’course not, Detective. I get the hint.” Alonzo rose from the couch. “I’ma go on back up there and comfort the widow. I guess this thing’s almost over.” Alonzo left and Deek closed the door behind him. Renee exhaled a sigh of relief. She picked up her purse from the couch and approached where Deek stood by the door.
“I dread running into that man whenever I’m at the hairdresser’s and now I find him here.”
“I don’t care who he is. If he’s got information pertinent to this case, I need to talk to him,” said Deek, “Right now, we don’t have any eyewitnesses or strong physical evidence that would take the heat off Brenda. Bradford just called to tell me he has more incriminating information against your secretary.”
“What did he say?”
“I can’t discuss it right now until I have all the facts. But let’s just say we need as many personal statements as we can get and hope it points somewhere else. Unless a confession drops in my lap, I have to depend on information sources like Mr. Woods to provide other leads.”
“You’re right Deek,” said Renee, “but from the tall tales I hear Alonzo Woods dishing out to the girls at the beauty shop, I wouldn’t put much stock in anything that man has to say.”
Deek smiled, “Well, Doc does that mean you’re not interested in coming out with Bradford and me tomorrow morning to further question Mr. Woods?”
Renee wrinkled up her face, “Surely you jest. I consider your partner to be several notches below Alonzo Woods on the obnoxious scale.”
“If I recall, Doc, you did say you wanted to work with us on this case.”
“I guess you do have a valid point, Detective,” she said while looking up into his dark, brown eyes.
“Good. I like having you around,” he said and pulled her waist close to his body as he kissed her gently with a few brief pecks.
She felt the soft, moistness of his lips, defined by a neatly trimmed mustache. Deek didn’t have those tickly, annoying facial hairs like some lazy men who wrongly believed regular grooming was only for women. And, he smelled so good. She closed her eyes and interlocked her arms around the small of his back as if to urge him not to leave just yet. She was surprised to realize that she had abandoned her fear of getting hurt because he might grow weary of her. Neither did she care that they stood only inches apart in the basement of a church. Renee only wanted to relish in how wonderful she felt at that moment. Deek teased her lips with his in a slow, circular motion then playfully met her tongue. They lingered in a tight embrace and tasted each other’s lips. Renee felt the hard metal glock fastened to a shoulder holster under his jacket. The gun didn’t bother her because she only focused on listening to his breath, and smelling the alluring, spicy fragrance of his cologne, while keenly aware of his body’s increasing hardness.