Both Sides of the Fence 4: Bad Blood (12 page)

 

 

“Missing?” I looked at Ashley in shock as she told me that her sister Diana was missing. Of course I was acting and acting quite well I might add. We were sitting in the living room of her house. She had called yesterday and told me that it was important for me to come and see her today. So here I was sitting with her, Alex, and Jasmine.

“Yes, and there is no time to waste,” Ashley said and then looked at me with urgency covering her face.

“True.” I nodded my head in agreement.

“So can you help us, you know, get the people involved in this case to make my sister a priority and not a black loose chick who has gone missing?”

“That is going to be hard to do.” I looked at her and then Alex and Jasmine. “I don’t know who is on the case or what district has it. And even if I did, there wouldn’t be anything that I could do about it. Once a case is assigned to a person or persons, interference can be treated harshly. I will look into it but that is about it.”

“You’re not serious are you?” She looked at me as if I was going to recant my last statement.

“I’m very serious,” I answered. “I want your sister to be found and found alive but there is a conflict of interest here. You are my girlfriend. We have been seen together by other officers so it is a definite no-no.” In actuality I really didn’t care; shit I was the kidnapper. I knew the whereabouts but that was for me to know and them to find out. And they would find out, when I wanted them to find out. And by then it would be too late for them all.

“Ain’t this a bit . . .” Ashley hopped up out of her chair and stormed into the bathroom and slammed the door. I looked at Alex and Jasmine because this behavior from her was new for me. I had never seen her this animated with anger or frustration.

“What did I say wrong?” I asked as I looked at Alex and Jasmine with bewilderment covering my face. I wasn’t moved by the big outburst. This question was all a part of the act that I was putting on.

“Well, she gets like that sometimes. She is a little frustrated right now. She is used to being in control of situations and this one is testing her. I mean it is our sister you know. You sure that there is nothing you can do?” Alex asked.

“I will try my best to look into it. But I have my hands full with my own case. Which brings me to the next situation.” I paused and looked toward Ashley’s bathroom to make sure Ashley wasn’t coming out. I needed to keep what I said right now between the three of us. “I need to see you two back down the precinct again. We have another murder on our hands and guess who was listed as the last contacted in her phone?” I looked at Alex intently.

“Who?” He looked a little nervous.

“I think you already know. But we can’t discuss this here and this stays between the three of us.” They both nodded their heads in approval.

“Let me go check on Ashley,” I said as I got up from my chair. I walked down the small corridor that led to the bathroom and main bedroom.

“Ash,” I called out as I knocked on the door. There was a brief silence before I knocked again. Still no response. I tried the doorknob but that too was a lost cause.

“Ash, babe, open the door. I want to explain myself some more. You have to know that I care greatly about your sister and I would do anything to get her back.” There was still silence on her behalf. Her newfound attitude was pissing me off but I didn’t want to deter her from thinking nothing but happy thoughts about me.

I heard the unlocking of the door and then slowly it began to open. I had on a bright smile as I peeked in and then walked in.

She sat back down on the side of her tub with her legs crossed and a perplexed look on her face. One thing about females that bugged me the most was the moodiness and uncontainable spasms of emotion.

“Ash,” I said as I walked over to her and sat next to her. I was in very close proximity to her. I wanted her to feel and know that I was for her and all of her interests. “I’m sorry for being so stubborn and close-minded. I was a jerk a few minutes ago and I should have thought before I answered.”

“True.” She nodded her head as she looked at me with an expression I couldn’t figure out.

“Look, I will try to pull a few strings to get a look at the evidence and who is working on the case. That is the best I can do right now. If there is more, then I will try my best to get that too. The last thing I need for you to be is mad at me right now when your sister is a priority.” I loved that last sentence because it made her smile a bit. I was such a great actor that I was shocking myself.

“You were right.” She nodded her head and then put her hand on my knee. “I should have been more considerate of your job and their protocol instead of getting pissed off because you didn’t say what I wanted to hear. I’m sorry for being such a hothead.” She laid her head on my shoulder.

“Don’t worry; if it was my sister who was missing I would be feeling the same way. We are going to get her back alive, believe me.”

“Yes, I know.” She nodded her head, but there was a little gloom that was mixed in with it.

“I said we are going to find her alive,” I spoke with pep in my voice as I was trying to motivate her because she looked like she was carrying the world on her shoulders. “Say it with me.”

“We are going to find her alive.” We both said it with life and alertness. She was now smiling as she normally would smile.

“You feel better now?” I asked as I stood up.

She stood up as well and then said, “I’m so glad that you are in my corner and that you put up with me, flaws and all.”

“No problem, Ashley. We all have our moments and then we move on. I got to see the crazy you a few minutes ago. I might have nightmares tonight but I’m sure I’ll be all right after that.” I snickered.

“Yes, I did lose it for a minute didn’t it?” She smiled. She looked embarrassed.

“All is forgiven.” I kissed her on the forehead.

“Thanks,” she said as she, in turn, kissed me on the lips. “It means so much to hear those words. Too many people don’t forgive. It will make you do things that you wouldn’t normally do. And most of all it will control you. Forgiveness is the key to happy living. Thank you for forgiving me.”

I can’t even lie and say that her last statement didn’t hit home for me, but it was too late for all of that now. The ball was already rolling and I was speeding toward the finish line.

“Let’s get back out there so we can go over some type of game plan to push the awareness of your sister’s absence.”

We both walked out of the bathroom and into the living room to get started. The whole time I was sitting there planning with them I was counter planning in my head. She would never be found alive and I was going to make sure of it.

 

 

Going to work was not happening at the moment. I called my boss and explained the situation to her. Like any human being she was immediately sympathetic to my request for time off and she even said I would get paid for it.

I knew my dad told me to not get involved in it, but that was like talking to a brick wall. I thought he knew it in the back of his mind, but he still said it anyway. I knew he meant it, too, but again, I was not going to have a half-assed cop pussyfooting around when my sister was missing. No, sir, not on my watch.

I was in my car with a stack of fliers that I had printed up. I had made a Facebook page for my sister. I even had a sign made of my sister’s picture and information with it plastered on the side of my car. I wasn’t playing. Everyone was going to be looking for Diana Black if I had anything to say about it. I had as many people as I knew posting and reposting on every social Web site that was well known and a few that weren’t.

Social media was cool but good old-fashioned hand-to-hand was better to me. As I walked down the street and handed out fliers to any individual who passed by me, I thought about the times that I was on the opposite end of this scene right now. I would usually give a sad face and a weak smile to the person who was handing me the flier and then I went on my way toward what really concerned me. People didn’t care until it happened to them. Murder, kidnapping, and violence were all experience teachers. I was getting taught right now that we as people took too much for granted and things in life could change drastically in a moment’s time and most people outside of your family couldn’t really care less and some inside as well.

“Have you seen her?” I said as I walked around a small shopping center a few blocks from where I had parked my car.

The older lady looked at me with concern as she spoke, “Such a beautiful young lady. Such a shame. Such a shame.” She shook her head and wiped a tear that escaped her left eye. “My baby girl disappeared about two years ago and we still looking for her. I know how you feel, baby. I’m still looking for my baby. She turned twenty-nine years old yesterday and sure would have been nice to hold her in my arms. Lord knows I miss her.”

She was crying pretty hard right now. I didn’t know what else to do but I reached out and pulled her into a hug as she sobbed on my shoulder. Pretty soon I was crying as well. Her story made me think that I would never find Diana alive. I knew she didn’t mean to make me feel this way but I was heartbroken right now. My little sister was missing and I was powerless to help her right now.

“Oh God, my baby!” The lady continued to sob into my shoulder. I pulled her in closer to me because I truly needed the hug right now as well. I was feeling all types of ways. This hug was everything right now.

After a few more minutes, she stopped crying and pulled herself away. “Thank you so much,” she said as she wiped the tears from her eyes. “That was the first time I really cried like that. I am so ashamed that it had to be with a stranger.” She laughed. I laughed a little as well.

“No problem,” I said as I smiled at her. “We both needed a good cry right here and now. It felt good to let out some frustration. Do you have a flier of your daughter so I can make some copies and pass them out with my sister’s information? It would kill two birds with one stone,” I offered.

“You would do that?” She looked at me with shock on her face. “I . . . I don’t know what to say. I have been doing all of this looking and searching by myself since I have very little family and now you come along and offer me help. I don’t know what to say. I am so grateful that you would even offer it to me. Young lady, you are a very rare kind of special. Walk me to my car so I can get you a flier that is in the trunk of my car.”

“Ma’am, that is no problem at all. One hand washes the other. We all need help in this world. I’m doing what I would expect others to do for me,” I said as we walked and talked in the direction of her vehicle.

“Young lady, you must have some mighty fine parents to train you the way that they have,” she said as we finally made it to her car that was only a few blocks away from the shopping center I was in at first.

“Yes, my parents did a great job in training me. Plus, it’s right to help someone else, especially if we are in the same type of situation.”

“You are so right, baby,” she said as she opened her trunk and pulled out a stack of fliers for me to hand out for her. My mouth hung open at the sight of the picture on the flier. It wasn’t what I expected.

“Are you all right, baby?” She looked at me curiously. “Something wrong?”

“Miss, this is a damn dog’s flier,” I said because I was instantly pissed off at this lady’s foolishness.

“What do you mean?” She looked confused. “This is my daughter.”

“I’m not passing out no damn dog pictures with my sister fliers. Are you crazy?” I looked at her as if she had two heads and a dog’s tail. I knew I shouldn’t have been so disrespectful to her but I was overheated with attitude right now. I mean this lady had me in the middle of public crying on my shoulder all because of a damn missing dog.

“But I thought you said that you would help me out. I really miss her.” She looked at me all pitiful looking. I was not falling for it though.

“That was when I thought it was a damn person I would be looking for instead of a hot in the ass dog.” That dog was probably chilling somewhere in someone else’s house and away from her crazy ass.

“So you not gonna help me?” she asked again as if I was going to change my mind.

“Miss, look for your own mutt,” I said as I walked off, pissed, in the direction of my car.

 

 

I pulled up to my home and exited my car with fatigue in my steps. I had walked for miles today passing out fliers in search of my sister. I had taken off of work for a few days so that I could focus my attention on what was more important right now, but that didn’t stop Lance from calling me asking me what I was going to do about the blackmail thing he had going on. I was waiting on Wallace to call me back with the information and help that I needed to get this thing to disappear for him. I still wanted to be broke off financially for going above the call of duty as an agent. His PR person was supposed to handle his messy stuff not me but with this type of situation I know he had very few options for help. I had to figure out how to approach him for a cut of the hush money. That little sissy boy wouldn’t be getting any but I damn sure wanted some. I knew it was wrong but hey it was better than playing the lottery. Both this and the lottery were once-in-a-lifetime chances and I wasn’t asking for a million dollars. A hundred grand would be nice. I could do a lot with that. Anyone could actually.

“Dude, you not that tired. I know they don’t work you that hard,” a voice said from behind me as I was about to enter my building.

I knew the voice well but it couldn’t be who it sounded like.

“Man, what are you doing all the way over here?” I smiled as I greeted Wallace, my deceased biological father’s lover and also one of my best friends. I embraced him with a tight hug and then pulled away. “Dude, you cut your hair?”

“Yep, it was time for a change.” He smoothed his hand over his low-cut hair. I had to admit he looked good without the dreads.

“Man, you came all the way back to Baltimore from California to help me out?” I looked at him in wonder. It was amazing how true friendship could cause you to react in unwavering dedication to another person.

“I would love for you to think that.” He laughed. “Truth is a friend of mine passed away and I flew back here to help his mom bury him properly. It was a plus that I get to help you out as well.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, Wallace, but I am glad you are here. Come on in the house with me so we can catch up a little.”

We both walked in my apartment. He sat in my living room while I went into the kitchen to grab us something to drink.

“Man, this is a real nice place you have going on here.” He nodded his head as he spoke. I sat down on the chair diagonally from him and handed him his drink. “Thanks, man.” He opened it and took a quick swig of it.

“Yeah, it a great place to be,” I agreed. “Nothing like having your own place.”

“That is true,” he said. “So why are you getting in so late? I know that you are not working this late at the office.”

“No, not at all.” I shook my head. “Truth is, man, my sister Diana is missing and I have been out for a quite a few hours handing out fliers trying to find her.”

“Man, are you kidding me?” He looked at me in disbelief. “For how long?”

“Close to four days now I think.”

“What are the police doing about this?” He looked at me with concern.

“They are doing their best and have been updating us daily, but it is still no leads on her whereabouts or cause. It’s like she disappeared into thin air.”

“This is crazy. I had a few friends working for me down at a few of the precincts when I was doing dirty business a few years back. I will make a few calls to see if they have been doing all they can do to get this case solved. We all know how inept cops can be at times.” He shook his head.

“True.” I nodded in agreement. “Not to change the subject but who got the restaurant while you are gone?”

“My mom and Rebecca are watching over it until I get back. It was a little hard to let it go and fly here but you have to do what you have to do when a need of a good friend or friends arises.”

“Dude, you are amazing,” I said in awe of his last statement. “Who talks or thinks like you?”

“Nah, I try to treat people the way I want them to treat me. It has been working for all of this time with a few exceptions so why stop now? My life is good and I am healthy with family all around me. Who could ask for more?”

“I see why James liked you. You are straightforward, honest, and you are passionate about peace. Who wouldn’t want a mate like that?”

“Well, I was lucky to have him for the time I did as well. I really can’t complain.”

I could tell that he was getting a little emotional about that subject so I moved on back to the other subject that I asked him about a few days ago. “So you think you can help my client out of this situation without it being illegal?”

“Alex, I have a few ideas and I will call in a few favors from some specialists in this area of expertise. I’m not going to say that it won’t be illegal but I will keep you clear of the drama. Did you get the information that I needed?”

“I sure did. I have it in the other room. I’ll be right back.” I hopped up off of the chair and made my way into my den to retrieve the information for Wallace. It felt so good to have help. Doing stuff by yourself was the pits.

I walked back into the room and handed him the papers with information on them. After he looked over the papers he nodded his head and a smile came over his face.

“I can’t lie and say I won’t enjoy this last caper of drama before I head back home and back to the normal life.”

“Yes, there is nothing like a good rush of adrenaline to get the heart going,” I said as I remembered some of our adventures out in California.

“We sure did have some adventures going on a few years ago didn’t we?” he said as if he had read my mind.

“Yes, but some of that was out of this world. Some of the stuff I still can’t believe to this day.” I laughed as I thought about Rebecca and Grace and the fact that they had so many people fooled for so long.

“Yeah, I’m still adjusting in some ways but all in all life is good.” He nodded his head.

“Wallace, you are welcome to stay here if you want. I don’t have a piece coming over tonight so you are good.” I laughed.

“Let me find out you have your father’s libido. He was insatiable at times in the bedroom.” He laughed.

“Well, let’s say the apple didn’t fall that far away from the tree.” I laughed again.

“I hear that. Be safe. It’s some crazy chicks out here. And to answer your question I wasn’t planning on staying anywhere else.” He laughed again and so did I. I loved Wallace and our friendship. It was free and comfortable.

We stayed up for a few more hours catching up before we went to bed for the night.

As I lay in bed and before I drifted off to sleep the fact that Troy needed to see me and Jasmine back down at the police station drifted to the forefront of my mind. There was so much going on that I almost forgot about it. How was I going to get out of this one? I couldn’t tell anyone about it, especially my parents, because I didn’t want to worry them at this time with Diana’s kidnapping on the forefront. I closed my eyes and prayed that it all would work out and work out for my good. Right now drama was escalating in my family and we didn’t need anything else to happen.