“What?” Starla's head jerked toward Tyson. Officer Grimes shifted in his chair.
“Dr. Kevin Jennings and I advanced seventy-five thousand dollars to Mr. Scott to help him restart his business, Star Construction, three months ago. We also set him up with work from several of our colleagues. Those are the side jobs he's been working on every day.”
“I knew my husband wasn't a thief,” Starla said repeatedly.
Officer Grimes cleared his throat. “Can you prove it?”
“I'm pulling up the banking transaction now. I can also open the file containing the repayment agreement.”
“Thank you, Jesus.” Tears streamed down Starla's face as Officer Grimes's countenance changed to a smirk.
“I'm in the wrong profession, I should have been a lawyer,” Officer Grimes commented once he viewed Tyson's account online. Grimes leaned back in the chair. “That proves your half, what about this Dr. Jennings?”
“He's outside. I'm sure he has access to his accounts online as well.”
Officer Grimes stood. “I'll be back.”
“Can I please see my husband?” Starla pleaded.
“If Dr. Jennings can corroborate this story, then I'll let you see him.”
As soon as Officer Grimes left, Starla ran to Tyson and hugged his neck. “Thank you so much. I am still going to fuss at Leon for not telling me about this little arrangement.”
“Cut him some slack. He wanted to do this on his own, and from the reports I hear, Star Construction is well on its way back.”
Starla smiled proudly. “He does do good work.”
“Congratulations on your pregnancy,” Tyson stated almost with excitement.
“Thank you.” Starla studied the ultra-conservative Tyson, wondering if she'd ever seen him smile or heard him laugh. “Tyson, is there a special someone in your life?”
“If you mean other than Jesus and my law practice, no.”
“Maybe you should find someone.”
Tyson zipped up the laptop case. “Why? I get more than enough drama from Kevin and Marlissa and, now, you and Leon.”
Starla shrugged and sat down. “Can't argue with you there.”
Fifteen minutes later, Officer Grimes returned with another officer and Leon, who was still in restraints. The officers allowed space for Starla to embrace him.
“Star, I am so sorry about this,” Leon repeatedly apologized. “I promise I didn't steal that money; you have to believe me.”
“I do believe you,” she answered after kissing him. “I've never stopped believing in you.”
Officer Grimes cleared his throat. “Mr. and Mrs. Scott, please take a seat.”
“Can't we leave now?” Starla didn't see the point in staying.
“You can, but he has to stay until his bail is posted,” Officer Grimes explained.
“I don't understand, didn't Kevin's statement clear him?” Starla was confused.
“Dr. Jennings confirmed Stokes's story, but West Coast Alliance has filed criminal charges against your husband; they want their money back.”
“But I didn't take it,” Leon protested.
“That's what you'll have to prove in court,” Officer Grimes stated flatly. Then he added, “Unless Lewis Mason drops the charges.”
Starla gasped. “What does Lewis Mason have to do with anything?”
“He's the owner of West Coast Alliance,” Officer Grimes answered. “He's the one who filed the charges.”
“He was my boss at the gas station,” Leon further clarified.
“I don't believe this,” Starla said, shaking her head. “That no good . . .” Lewis's threats were clear now. She knew Lewis owned a trucking company, but had no idea he also owned the gas station at which Leon worked. Lewis had planned to set Leon up all along.
“Star, how do you know Lewis Mason?” Leon asked Starla. Everyone in the room anxiously awaited her answer.
“Lewis Mason is the man I told you about from my old church.”
“Lewis is the one who wanted to marry you?” Now everything made sense to Leon. Lewis's intense interest in Starla and the boys and his constant prying into Leon's financial status, everything now fell into place.
“Yes, Lewis Mason is a low-down, dirty, sorry excuse of a man. I'll tell you all about that later.” Starla kissed Leon's cheek, then started for the door.
“Would someone like to tell me what's going on?” Officer Grimes asked.
“Officer Grimes, you can start preparing the necessary paperwork. When I get back, Lewis Mason is dropping the charges, and my husband is coming home with me!”
When Tyson caught up with her, Starla was already in the waiting room demanding Marlissa's car keys. “Starla, wait, I'll go with you.”
“Girl, what's going on?” Mother Scott demanded, breaking from the Bible Study session Pastor Drake had started with the waiting room visitors.
“I don't have time to explain.” Starla shook her head and reached for Marlissa's purse.
Marlissa grabbed the purse before Starla could retrieve the keys. “You're too emotional, I'll drive.”
Kevin didn't know where they were going, but he wasn't going to allow Marlissa to go alone. “Tyson and I are coming with you.”
“I feel trouble in my spirit,” Pastor Drake called after him. “I think we should have prayer before you all leave.”
“You're right, Pastor,” Starla said after opening the door. “I want you to pray that the Lord gives me the strength to lay hands on Lewis Mason and knock him out under the power if need be. Pray that I do just what Jesus did: whip his behind clean out the temple.”
“Well Amen,” Pastor Drake stammered as the four of them left.
Starla filled Marlissa, Kevin, and Tyson in with the details of Lewis's pursuit on the drive to her former church.
“Oh, no, he didn't!” Marlissa yelled. It was a good thing Kevin was seated in the front with Marlissa, because when Starla mentioned that Lewis had shoved the boys, Marlissa released the steering wheel and snatched out her earrings. Kevin had to reach over and grab the wheel of the Lexus to keep the car from swerving into another lane. Starla was too fired up to notice and Tyson didn't utter one word. He'd learned from his numerous female relatives never to scold an emotional pregnant black woman. Kevin couldn't say anything; he was too busy praying.
“Good!” Starla said when Marlissa pulled into the church's parking lot. “The monthly business meeting is still in session.”
The gearshift didn't make it into park good before Starla jumped out of the car and stormed through the doors of her former church. Tyson hurried after. Kevin followed with a firm grip on Marlissa's arm to keep her from running off.
“Lewis Mason, you low-down, triflin', dirty devil!” Starla screamed in slow motion when she barged into the conference room.
Lewis was seated at the head of the table. His jaw fell. The remaining twelve people seated around the oval oak table were taken aback by the sudden intrusion. Most stopped what they were doing and dropped their pens and paper. The secretary continued writing.
Starla started for the stunned Lewis, and Tyson followed close behind. “How dare you accuse a decent man like my husband of stealing your money, all because I refused to marry your tired behind?”
Murmurs of, “Oh my goodness” and “What did she say?” floated around the table.
“Sister Scott, I . . . What brings you here tonight?” It was apparent the chairman of the deacon board didn't quite know how to respond to the outburst.
“Is that the best you can come up with?” Marlissa said from the doorway.
The chairman hunched his shoulders. “I had to say something. It's my job to keep order in these meetings.”
Starla briefly glared at the chairman, then walked over and stood over Lewis. Kevin and Marlissa remained in the doorway. “You heard what I said,” Starla snarled. “The man you have representing this fine church tried to talk me into divorcing my husband to marry him, and when I refused, he had my husband falsely arrested.” She hit Lewis on the back of the head. “Tell them!”
The slap brought Lewis out of his trance. “Ms. Scott, you are out of order for bringing this ghetto behavior in here.” Lewis's voice came across as cold and demeaning. He detested public displays. “You are no longer a member of this church; therefore, you have no right to be here. Now leave!” Lewis tried to intimidate her by standing and stepping to her.
The murmuring grew and the secretary kept writing.
Lewis soon learned how ineffective his tactic was when Starla stepped even closer to him, and, with one hand on her hip, pointed a finger in his face. Kevin wasted his breath instructing Marlissa to stay put. She arrived next to Starla the second after Kevin stood next to Tyson.
“First of all”âStarla's neck rolled rhythmicallyâ“it's Mrs. Scott, and as long as my husband is in jail behind your lies, I will stay here. If you think my behavior is ghetto now, see what happens if you don't march down to the police station and drop those phony charges. You didn't know I am from the hood, did you? I'm saved, but I ain't forgot nothing!” Starla gestured around the room with her hand. “I will tear you and this place up and repent later!”
“Hold on a minute, Sister Scott, we don't want any trouble,” the chairman stuttered, then turned to Lewis. “Mason, what is going on here?”
“Tell them, Lewis. Tell them how you sexually assaulted me and attacked my boys,” Starla demanded.
Lewis's nostrils flared and his jaw flexed with the rapid pace of his breathing. “What did you say?”
The secretary spoke for the first time. “She said, âTell them, Lewis. Tell them how you sexually assaulted me and attacked my boys.'”
The murmurs instantly transformed into full voices and text messages were transcribed at a rapid speed.
Starla walked around Lewis and stood at the head of the table. “Go on, Lewis, tell the board how you pursued me and came to my townhouse and forced yourself on me after I refused you. Tell them how you physically attacked three- and six-year-old boys who were only trying to protect their mother.” Starla folded her arms. “Tell them, Lewis, because when I get back to the police station, I and Officer Grimes are going to have a long talk.” Starla cocked her head. “I wonder if Montel left any teeth marks.”
Tyson and Kevin grabbed Lewis's arms before his clenched fist could strike Starla. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Starla kicked him in the groin.
“Mason, you've gone too far this time!” the chairman said, and pounded his fist on the table. “This is the third time you've run a good member away with your obsessive behavior. This time I am not going to look the other way. We don't need this type of mess.” The chairman motioned to Tyson and Kevin. “Take him down to the police station. Mason, you're going to clear this up now!”
Lewis attempted to break free, but it was useless. He wasn't any match for Tyson and Kevin. “I'm not going anywhere!”
“Shut up, Haman!” Starla yelled back. “You're going to hang in the same gallows you set up for my husband.” Her eyes narrowed. “I assume you read that big Bible you carry to know who Haman is,” Starla said in reference to the man who'd plotted to kill God's chosen people.
Lewis grunted and jerked some more to no avail.
“Sister Scott, I am so sorry about this,” the chairman apologized. “Mason promised he wouldn't do this again and I believed him.”
Starla didn't have any words for the chairman or anyone else in the room. She turned to Tyson and Kevin. “Let's get back to the station. I want my husband home before midnight.”
“Excuse me,” the secretary called after Tyson and Kevin. “Can I have your names for the minutes?”
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“Whew!” Marlissa sighed and leaned against the back passenger door of her car. “This has been some day.”
After the confrontation at the church, Tyson and Kevin dragged Lewis down to the police station. After Lewis explained that he'd made an accounting error, Officer Grimes released Leon two hours later, but detained Lewis. Marlissa guessed it was for filing a false complaint.
“Tell me about it,” Kevin replied while opening the door for her. “This has been the most chaotic dayâweek, actuallyâthat I've ever experienced.”
“At least Leon is free.” An awkward silence followed. Momentarily, Marlissa surveyed her surroundings. The police station rested on the border of Oakland's Chinatown and Jack London Square. Surprisingly, the landmarks were overshadowed by the homeless population living on the streets.
Thank you for your grace
, Marlissa prayed.
I was almost one of them.