"You moved on rather quickly! ... Stacey, then Gabby ... oh and yes Kimberly!"
Shane chuckled. Those were female officers who he made acquaintances with at several police lyming events. "So you were keeping track of me?"
"I did then I gave up. You passed through a whole legion of women."
Shane laughed. "It shouldn't have been your concern who I slept with, and for the record, it wasn't a legion, maybe a platoon but not a legion."
Sunday Morning
Devon ran up to the admin building and immediately faced two fierce looking guards at the entrance. Luckily he had a good rapport with both of them, "Prado!" he yelled. "Prado, mi G, the teacher daughter need help!"
Prado aka Timothy McFarlane looked at him like he was growing three heads. Devon stood breathing heavily. The other guard Seivwright answered him politely, "What's wrong?"
Devon looked at him. "Mrs. Miller's daughter," he said, taking a breath, "Biggs attacked her, she's in the classroom. She's not feeling well."
Prado placed his hand on his pistol holstered to his hip. "Where's Biggs?" he asked.
"He's in there--" Prado walked past Devon. "Wait! Wait!" Devon shouted. "Mi knock him out already!" He turned to the other guard. "Stay here," Seivwright said, "I'm going to inform Mrs Miller and my superiors. Stay here," he said. He moved off quickly.
Devon waited patiently, but when he heard screams coming from the classroom's building he ran as fast as he could, to see Biggs and Prado in an intense wrestling match. Biggs managed to wrest the gun from Prado's hands and aimed it at him. Devon ducked away when he saw Biggs turn the gun in his direction, aiming it at him. "Is you cause this enuh bwoy! Yah informa! Yuh fi dead!" Biggs shouted.
He pulled back the hammer of the pistol and squeezed the trigger. The slug hit the wall near Devon's head. He dived and rolled. Prado lunged at Biggs, dropping him to the floor--fighting to get the gun away from him. Devon ran past him to Marsha, who fainted after Biggs fired at him. He lifted her in his arms and carried her out of the room, running with her towards the admin building.
Ten Correctional Officers ran out of the building with batons in hand, they moved quickly towards the school room. Mrs Miller ran towards Devon with CO Seivwright behind her. Seivwright took Marsha from his arms. While being passed to Seivwright Marsha opened her eyes and looked up at Devon. Something flickered across her face then she closed her eyes. Devon watched as Seivwright carried her into the office. "Thank you Devon," Mrs Miller said. She patted his shoulder then made her way back to the office.
Bang! Bang!
Devon whirled around to look at the school. He froze. Mrs Miller came to the front door and called him. He looked at her and pointed to himself. She nodded smiling. He walked slowly to the front door. She opened it wider so he could pass through. He was a little nervous.
"I'm not supposed to be in the office without my CO, Miss," he said sheepishly.
Mrs Monica Miller's smile broadened. "It's okay Devon. I asked permission. My daughter wants to speak with you."
His eyes grew round as saucers. "Okay," he answered, unsure. He stepped inside and followed her to the sickbay. When he entered and Marsha saw him, her eyes lit up. She was sitting on a cot in the room. She smiled at him. His heart skipped a beat. He moved towards her, but stopped short a foot away.
"Hi," she said quietly.
"Hi," he answered softly.
"Your name is Devon, right?" Marsha asked smiling.
He looked back at Mrs Miller who nodded at him. He smiled at Marsha and nodded. "Yes," he said.
"Thank you for helping me," Marsha said.
"You're welcome," he answered.
"You're not like the other guys here. Why are you here?" she asked.
He cleared his throat. "Haha ... it's a long story."
"Really?" She crossed her legs, the skirt shifted upwards to reveal just a hint of dark, smooth thigh. Devon stuttered. "Well ... uh, I ..." He scratched his head.
"I'll be a minute," Mrs Miller said. She stepped out of the room. Devon watched her leave. He heard a shuffling sound and turned back to see Marsha standing up and walking towards him.
He stepped back. "Miss, I don't want to get into trouble," he said, watching her. She only smiled, walked up to him, then reaching behind letting her body lightly brush against him. He smelt her perfume and took a deep breath.
She bent forward to take up a bag on the chair behind him. She moved back to the bed and sat down. She took out a card and stretched out her hand to him. He took it from her and read it. The thin piece of paper read: 'Steps of Hope Foundation', with two phone numbers. He looked up at her.
"My family started this Foundation. We help troubled youth. We make connections to assist them get a job or go back to school if they've been incarcerated, or been homeless, or coming from a girls' or boys' home and need a little support. If and when you get out we'd be happy to help you." She smiled at him. "And thank you again."
"You have a beautiful smile," Devon told her. She sleeked back a strand of relaxed hair behind her left ear, her nose crinkling as she smiled.
Just then the door opened and her mother stepped inside. "Done?" she asked her daughter.
Marsha nodded. "Yeah, we are," she said.
A Correctional Officer stepped inside. "Sharpe, time to go back to your cell," the CO said. Devon nodded. He looked at Marsha one last time then allowed himself to be led away.
Mrs Miller stepped forward. She placed her hand on Marsha's shoulder. "You okay?" she asked. Marsha nodded. "Yeah, I'm good. Thank you for the time to talk to him. I gave him our card."
"Card?"
"The Foundation's card," Marsha replied.
"Oh, okay." Monica brushed a hand on her daughter's hair. "Ready to go home?" she asked. Marsha nodded. "What happened? I heard gunshots?" Marsha asked.
"The guy that attacked you, Dominic, the officers shot him--"
"Is he dead?" Marsha's eyes were filled with concern.
Monica shook her head. "No, but he'll be in the hospital under guard for a little while. In the meantime, I'm going to petition that DCS moves Devon. No doubt Dominic's friends, or he will want revenge when he gets out."
"Wouldn't it be better if Dominic is the one that's moved?" Marsha asked. "When he gets back he may want to cause trouble, whether Devon is here or not." Monica looked at her daughter. She squeezed her arm. "You have a point. I'll ask and hear what will happen." It dawned on her that her and her daughter's safety could be at risk if he came back.
Marsha stood and slung her bag over her shoulder. She walked with her mother across the lawn, around the front of the facility to the parking area. Monica unlocked the car and Marsha slid inside. She lay her head on the back of the car seat and closed her eyes.
She remembered Devon's touch on her hand earlier and the weird jolt she felt. She also felt the same tingling when he held her as she was about to faint. She smiled. That never happened to her before. She always thought romance novels that mentioned that kind of stuff were corny, but now she wondered.
Her mother slid into the passenger side and looked at her, "Thought you'd sit up here with me?" She looked at her through the rearview mirror.
Marsha smiled at her. "Just want to lay down."
Monica's countenance changed. "You wanna talk about it?" she asked.
Marsha shook her head. "No, at least not right now," she said. She lay on her side using her bag as a makeshift pillow.
Monica nodded. "Okay baby, thank you for being a part of this Foundation with me."
Marsha nodded and smiled slightly. Initially, she was apprehensive about going into the prisons to help with teaching classes, but she had grown to like it. Now, she wasn't sure if she wanted to continue after what happened today. Although, she didn't mind seeing Devon again, especially his brilliant brown eyes. They reminded her of an auburn sunset.
***
He was just a few feet away from her. Just a few feet away, past her aunt and uncle's bedroom, but she feared knocking on his door. Isabel remembered the look her uncle gave her as she and Nes bid him, her aunt and cousins a safe journey.
He stared at her as if he was trying to bore holes in her. All she could manage to do was smile. Nesbeth did breakfast the next day because she had woken up late on Friday. They went out to eat later but she barely touched the food. Nes tried to get her to tell him what was wrong, but she remembered her uncle's threatening words and remained tight lipped.
Izzie sighed and sat up in bed. Her uncle had never hit her, but he could be cruel in other ways: depriving her the opportunity to go out with friends, confiscating her phone and keeping it for days, taking away her favorite clothes and shoes, and other things he would do to inflict mental anguish.
But when it came to his men she heard that he could be ruthless. Lequan told her of a few instances where her uncle was heartless enough to kill one of his men's family members to keep them in line, or burning a house down to keep a family compliant to his wishes. She didn't want Nes hurt. It would be best she kept her distance.
The work men came on Friday morning as her uncle said. Nes had gone to the office and so he never met them or supervised the work they did. Izzie was not sure what was wrong with the electricity because it worked fine in her room. She left them to do whatever they were doing, but when they insisted on entering her bedroom she flat out refused. They tried to enter when she went downstairs for a snack but she caught them and cussed them out.
It dawned on her then that maybe it wasn't electrical wiring was the reason they were there. Her uncle told her they were just going to rewire his office and the kitchen. She had no issues with the outlets in her room. One of the men said the house's whole electrical system needed a complete overhaul, but she refused and told him she would call the police if he and his colleagues didn't leave after they dealt with the kitchen.
She shook her head as she remembered the whole thing. Neither did uncle say the men were supposed to enter my room, she thought. She had an uncomfortable feeling in her stomach. Her uncle was always trying to invade her privacy one way or another. She wasn't surprised if he sent those men to bug the house to see what she was up to while he was gone. If that were the case, and she had a gut feeling it was. She couldn't risk any hint of affection between her and Nes. She didn't want her uncle to hurt Nes in any way. Izzie sighed. She missed feeling Nes's arms around her while they made love. He was so gentle with her. Her body was screaming for his gentleness.
Shoulders slightly bent, she took up her phone from the night stand and pressed the power button to see the time. It was 6:49 am Sunday. She could either sleep some more or get up and make breakfast.
She often fantasized about cooking for Nes. He liked the birthday cake she made for him. She was a pretty decent cook, so she wanted to wow him with her culinary dishes. She stood up and yawned, then stretched her long limbs lazily. She glanced at the time again: 6:51 am. Okay, she would start breakfast.
She dragged herself downstairs and was surprised to see Nes in the middle of the foyer doing some interesting stretching exercises. She stood on the stairs and watched him. His eyes were closed as his hands moved gracefully, his legs slightly bent. She was about to take a step forward when suddenly Nes's movements became more swift and forceful.
As he moved faster, his was still fluid and graceful but seemed more lethal. She watched with interest and felt the hairs on her arms stand-up He did a jump kick and landed on the ground in a somersault. Springing up, he moved quickly punching and kicking the air. She was transfixed as she watched him. His easily switched his kicks from right leg to left leg with precision and speed.
Tension filled the atmosphere around them, but then as quickly as it was built up, it lulled and subsided as his movements became slow and gentle again. He sat down his legs crossed, eyes closed. His hands resting in his lap as he took slow, deep breaths.
She was surprised at what he did. She had no idea he knew ... whatever that was. She had to get to the kitchen, but didn't want to disturb him. Taking her time, Izzie tiptoed on bare feet down each step. As she was about to pass him he reached out and touched her hand. She jumped with fright.
"Hhaa!" she shrieked.
"My apologies. I was just trying to say good morning," he said. "Didn't mean to startle you." Izzie could see his eyes were still closed.
"Uh .. okay. Good morning," she said, her heart almost bursting out of her chest
"Good morning," Nes said. He released her hand and opened his eyes. "Do you need any help with breakfast?" he asked turning slightly to view her face.
She shook her head. His blue eyes were a clear, icy blue: an unnerving color. He was staring at her like he knew something she was trying to hide. She swallowed and moved away from him. He closed his eyes and turned around. She went into the kitchen, and bent forward clutching the kitchen counter top. After her breathing steadied, she prepared breakfast.
Nes stayed in that position for half an hour more before he rose to his feet and went upstairs. When he came back downstairs he was showered and dressed in different clothing. She was eating breakfast. He smiled at her but she didn't reciprocate. "Your breakfast is in the oven," she said. He nodded, the smile still on his lips. He walked over and opened the oven to see his plate filled with a sunny side-up egg, steamed callaloo, bacon and three slices of whole wheat bread. "Thank you Izzie." he said. She grunted. "There's orange juice in the fridge," she said. She was almost finished eating. She stood to walk away, but he moved to block her.
"Izzie, what's wrong?" he asked. He wanted to touch her but didn't.
She shook her head and tried to move past him but he shifted his position and blocked her again. "Izzie, since I came to stay on Thursday night you've been distant with me." He lightly brushed his right hand on her arm and she shivered. But it wasn't the shiver of desire. He saw fear in her eyes. He stepped back and sighed. "Isabel, please just tell me what's wrong?"
'What was that you were doing earlier? The jumping and kicking and the slow movements: What is it?" she asked her eyes wide. He touched her face. She recoiled from him. He looked at her perplexed. 'There's no need to be afraid. It's something I do to calm myself. It's Wing Chun--Chinese Martial Arts. Nothing to be alarmed about."
"I felt strange." she said her eyes staring at the floor.
"Did I scare you?"
"Yes, a little," she said, bobbing her head up and down. She glanced at him briefly then looked away.
He lifted his hand to touch her face, but stopped when she turned her head and he saw the look in her eyes. He sighed. "I didn't know you were awake. I would never do anything to hurt you."
"How ... how long have you been doing that stuff?"
***
Marcus met Shane and his friend, Red Man at the Airbnb at 11 o'clock in the morning. When Shane walked in Marcus observed that the younger man looked happy to see him. He moved towards him and shook his hand with a smile. He was glad to see him also. Shane introduced him to Red Man aka Eugene and Marcus bought them all breakfast.
"Eugene, tell him what your nephew told you," Shane said, wolfing down a piece of roast pork and fried breadfruit. "You'll never guess who his nephew is," he said with a smile. Marcus looked at Eugene, curiosity showing in his face. "Okay," he said, "I'm all ears," he quipped.
Eugene smiled. "Shane mentioned on the drive over here that you also know my nephew. His name is Jason Singh."
Marcus's eyes flew open. "Jason is your nephew?" Eugene's smile widened. "Yup," he answered, "My favorite one too."
"Well now," Marcus said smiling. "A pleasure meeting extended family." He stretched out his hand, and Eugene shook it feeling amused. Shane smiled and continued to dig into his breakfast. He was having roasted pork, fried breadfruit and hot chocolate tea with condensed milk. The food was superb. He would take Dana here if they had any business in Mandeville. He listened to the two men talk.
"So how is your nephew, my nephew in law?" Marcus asked chuckling.
Eugene grinned, then said, "He's doing good enuh. I'm supposed to visit him later this evening, if I get back in time." He glanced at Shane who smiled sheepishly.
"We shouldn't be long," Shane said. He sipped his hot chocolate. "Tell him what Jason told you." Eugene watched his friend eating and shook his head. He turned to Marcus. "Jason told me that this police Inspector was asking for me, but I'm not involved in any wrong doing---"
"Anymore," Shane added.
Eugene shot him a look, and Shane shrugged his shoulders smiling. Marcus was amused at the interaction between the two men. He could tell that Shane and Eugene shared a genuine friendship.
Eugene sighed. "Yeah, so I was what you would call a don back in the day, but then a young blood rose up and tried to kick me off my throne. I was getting older and slower, plus I was in love. I left the gang life for my third child's mother. And I have not looked back."
Marcus smiled. Eugene looked over at his friend downing the last dregs of the chocolate beverage. "And this glutton here made sure I got out of the gang alive." Eugene slapped Shane on his shoulder. Shane grunted. "So I owe him a huge debt. My friend for life." Shane grinned when he heard Marcus chuckle softly. He looked over at Shane.
"So an Inspector came knocking? How can I help?" Marcus asked.
"I believe it has to do with my house. The one that was burned down," Shane revealed. "My girl, Constable Campbell, told me Inspector White is investigating the case. So if it's him, more than likely that is why he's fishing around."
"How is Eugene involved?" Marcus asked, looking over at Red Man.
"He probably thinks I know where this guy is," Eugene aka Red Man answered, giving Shane the side eye.
"Well, clearly you do," Marcus retorted. Shane laughed a little. "And Jason, how did he get involved?" Marcus asked.
"My nephew was just leaving his mother's house when the cop stopped him to ask questions. I used to live at that house but no more. On the police files that was my last known address. When I turned witness for the state against my gang, Shane put me and my family up for a while. Then he helped my family get a place when the case wrapped up."
"Did you serve time in prison?" Marcus asked.
"Yah I did, but got parole early and a pardon afterwards," Eugene replied. Marcus nodded, but feeling perplexed, he asked, "So why am I here? I'm glad to see you Shane, but why travel all this way to see me?"
"I need a lawyer. I know you're not a trial lawyer or one that does criminal cases but I need your help," Shane said. "Also ... I wasn't fully transparent."
Marcus leaned forward. "What do you mean?"
Shane cleared his throat. "I didn't burn my house down," he said.
Marcus's eyes widened. "But," he said then closed his mouth. "Explain," he demanded, his tone sharp. Shane sighed. "Okay, remember the guy who helped me the day those two thugs shot up my car on your road?"
Marcus nodded. "He's also Eugene's nephew," Shane said, gesturing his head towards his friend. Eugene smiled.
Marcus chuckled. "You're involved whether you want to or not, I guess," he said.
Eugene grinned. "Yeah bredda, it is what it is," he replied.
"So tell me what happened."
Shane sighed. "I had a girlfriend before I met your daughter," he said. Eugene snickered, knowing Shane's promiscuous backstory. Shane looked at his friend sideways then said, "My first, and real girlfriend I was serious about, besides Lissa and now Dana."
Eugene smirked, but listened.
Shane turned his head around to Marcus. "Her name is Jasmine Lewis. I was in love with her, but her family hated me because I wasn't a lawyer--no offense ..."
Marcus smiled. "It's all good," he said with humor in his voice. "Please continue."
Shane took a deep breath. "Anyhoo, they wanted her to stop being a cop also, but she decided she loved the job and wouldn't give it up. So her father told her, 'Okay you can keep the job, but you have to give up that police bwoy'. So she broke up with me."
"How did you know that's what her dad said?" Marcus asked.
"She told me," Shane said simply.
"That gyal deh cold fi tell yuh that and is yuh woman. She could of softened the blow," Eugene chimed in. Shane chuckled. It seemed like a lifetime ago. He didn't care anymore.
"Sergeant Lewis works in the Community Policing initiative," Shane revealed."Yeah, so Devon, Eugene's nephew met her while she was working in the inner city community where he lives. She was temporarily transferred because of the way she makes people feel at ease around her. People trust her. There were some flare-ups in that community so when the police managed to cauterize the situation they asked her to go in and find ways to gain the citizen's trust.
"Devon spoke to her and eventually told her of his connection to a big crime boss. She was the last person he spoke to before he came to help me. I was trying to find out where JCF's High Command was hiding him, and it dawned on me that maybe he would try to contact her again. So I called her. Luckily the number I had for her still works. I was able to get in touch with her and she invited me out to lunch. That was the time I was keeping my distance from Lissa."
"Did anything happen between you and her?" Marcus asked. He flattened his right hand on the table.
Shane shook his head. "No. She wanted something to happen, but no. At the time all I could think of was Lissa and the fact that I missed her. I just wanted to find out where Devon was. I was also hoping Jasmine would know something about Mr Z. She claimed she didn't know."
Shane rested his elbows on the table and clasped his hands. "The day when Lissa came to my house in Portmore, Jasmine was already there. I didn't know, but apparently she was listening in on my conversation with Lissa and Corporal Stewart--"
"So wait ... how she enter yuh house? Is never you let her in?" Eugene asked.
"No, I didn't," Shane said looking at his friend. He shook his head.
Eugene whistled. "A one a dem obsessed gyal deh!"
"Did you ever take her to your house?" Marcus asked.
"Yeah, I did but not that day," Shane answered. "I made her dinner. I was trying to get her to use her links higher up the ranks to find out where Devon was."
"She have links higher up?" Eugene asked, scratching his jaw.
Shane nodded. "Her dad has a classmate who is now an Assistant Commissioner. After we ate dinner and spoke, she promised she would ask him to find out about Devon. All I did was hug her. That was it."
Eugene aka Red Man shuffled in the chair beside him. Shane glanced at him then continued:
"She told me she missed our time together but I told her I was with someone else. I don't know how she got into my house. All I know is that after Corporal Stewart left with Lissa, I walked into my bathroom to pee. When I walked into the living room to put away my shotgun she was standing there. She told me she had good news: She knew where Devon was. I asked her to tell me, but she came closer to kiss me. I .. I pushed her off. Not rough, as gently as I could.
"She lit a cigarette and started smoking. She told me she needed water I told her she could go ahead and get some from the fridge. The next thing I knew she was running toward me saying the house was on fire. Before I could think she was dragging me out of the house. I only managed to save my shotgun and the clothes on my back."
Marcus looked down at the table. He took a quick breath and released it. "Why didn't you tell me? Does anyone else know?" he asked.
Shane ran his right hand across his face. "No, only you guys now. She begged me not to say anything, that it would look bad on her career. She told me it was an accident. She thought she properly put out the ciggy butt. She told me she would admit everything to her superior and see what disciplinary actions there would be. She figured he would be lenient and help her since they had a good rapport. I told her I wouldn't press any charges since it was an accident."
He sighed. "After that I heard from her about two more times. Once when the police were looking for me for questioning, and after when she heard I handed in my resignation. She said it made me look guilty. I told her if she told them the truth it wouldn't matter. That was the last convo I had with her."
Marcus sighed. "You need to get her to confess that she did it," he said.
Eugene uttered a curse word. "That's why some men don't deal with some women enuh! But mi know how fi handle dem type of gyal deh. Yuh should have given her a one sex to cool her down," he said angrily.
Marcus stared at Red Man, his eyebrows raised.
Shane adjusted himself in the chair. The hard seat was 'murder' on his spine and butt. "Eugene, remember I told you about the girl that I got pregnant--Lissa?"
"Mhm ..." Eugene responded.
"This is her father," Shane replied leaning back.
"Oh ohh ..." Eugene averted his eyes. "Sorry mi G. Mi nuh mean nothing." He clasped his hands.
Marcus shook his head and chuckled softly. "It's fine," he said. He turned to Shane. "You didn't have sex with her or anything like that?" he asked his eyes focused on Shane's eyes.
Shane shook his head. "I swear to you. I didn't touch her," he said.
This was the opportunity Marcus was looking for. "What happened with you and Lissa last Friday?" he asked. Shane was a little surprised by the shift in the subject, but decided to roll with it. He needed Marcus's help.
"I went to see her to--"
"Waitress!" Eugene called to a young woman passing by their table. She stopped and walked back to them. Smiling, she asked, "How can I help you, sir?"
Eugene winked at her. "What a nice looking girl," he said grinning at her. Marcus looked at the floor, a faint smile on his lips. Shane watched his friend, his eyebrows raised. The girl blushed. "Thank you, sir," she replied.
"Baby-love, my friends and I would like some water. Three bottled waters, one for each of us. How much is that?"
The girl smiled. "That's $500, sir."
Eugene removed his wallet from his pants' packet, took out the money and handed it to her. She took the money and smiled politely at all three of them. "Be back in a minute. You want them with ice in them?" Eugene put his wallet in his pocket and patted it down. "Mine with ice, please," he said. He looked at the two other men to confirm.
"Cold but no ice," Marcus said softly. "Please and thank you."
"A little ice, not too much, thanks," Shane answered.
The waitress nodded and said, "Be right back." She walked off.
Eugene turned to Shane. "You were saying?" he asked.
Shane shook his head. "Yes, I was about to say something and you interrupted me." He had an amused look on his face. In spite of everything Red Man was his true bonafide friend.
Marcus cleared his throat. Shane looked up at him. He scratched his head. "I went to see Lissa because as you know she broke it off with me. I'm with someone else, but our break up was sudden. I needed to know if I still had feelings for her. If that bond I told you about still has a hold on me."
Marcus nodded.
Shane took a deep breath and released slowly. "We sat on the couch and I leaned over to her to see if--"
The waitress returned with their bottled water. Each man took a bottle. Eugene smiled at her. "Thank you nice girl," he said, his voice had a sing-song quality to it. She blushed and walked away.
"And?" Marcus asked.
"Yeh, I sat beside her and leaned towards her to see if the old feelings would come back and I would kiss her. If the bond was still strong I would still be with Constable Campbell, but wait longer to give her an engagement ring."
Eugene opened his bottle and took a sip. "Hah," he exclaimed.
Shane opened his bottle cap and took a sip. He closed the bottle. "Your daughter is a gorgeous young woman, but the bond between us wasn't as strong as before. I was able to resist kissing her. But then she told me she felt something and wanted to try again." He looked away from Marcus to the wall behind him.
"I told her that she dumped me and there was no going back. I explained why I did what I did and apologized to her. She accused me of messing with her feelings but ..." He sighed. "But I reminded her that she was the one who broke up our relationship. She was upset but I managed to calm her down, afterwards I left to talk to my girl."
"And me did think my love life was messy."
Shane nudged his friend in the elbow. Eugene bent his head as air shot out of his mouth involuntarily. Shane frowned at him then turned to Marcus. "How is she?"
"She overdosed on antidepressants," Marcus answered calmly. He waited for Shane's face to express shock before he continued: "We found her on her bed, a bag with the pills at the foot of the bed."
"I-I'm sorry ..."
"Corporal Stewart overheard your conversation with my daughter--about her wanting to be with you. He confronted her about it--"
"I thought she broke up with him?" Shane asked. His mind was reeling.
"Earlier that day he came to the house and made up with her. She decided to give him another chance. When he heard her confession to you he confronted her after you left, and ended the relationship for good. She took the pills after he left. I couldn't get her to wake up so I put her in a tub of cold water to shock her awake. When she woke up I couldn't lift her out of the tub. It was a good thing Jordan--Mr Marx was there to help me. They've been inseparable since." Marcus observed Shane's body language.
Shane shoulders were no longer straight and square, they slumped forward. "I didn't know. I'll talk to Ryan," he said.
Marcus shook his head. "No need. She's no longer interested in him."
Shane's right eyebrow arched up. "What do you mean?" he asked.
"Exactly what I said," Marcus retorted. "She's set her sights on her bodyguard."
Eugene drank half of his water then closed the cap. He stood up. "I'll be back, just continue, I'm gonna find a bathroom."
Shane looked up at him and nodded his head. Eugene went to the reception desk and was directed to the bathroom. Marcus watched him enter through a door to the left then looked back at Shane.
"I'm not happy that she's showing an interest in Marx, but I don't know how to stop them from getting together," he said quietly. "For now I still need his services."
Shane didn't know what to say. He noticed the chemistry between the two, he felt a little uncomfortable about it, but Lissa was no longer his concern.
Marcus stood up. "Be a minute, going to the restroom." He walked off following the path he saw Eugene walk towards. Shane leaned forward. He took out his phone and looked at it. He toyed with the touch screen feature for a while then grimaced and put the phone back in his pants.
Both Eugene and Marcus came back to the table together. They were laughing about something. Shane watched them feeling a little left out. The men sat down and Shane looked pointedly at Marcus.
"I know things went haywire the minute I got involved with Lissa. Pretty much everything's my fault. I'm sorry. I'll find a way to make things right," Shane said, remorse in his tone.
Marcus looked at him. He still had a smile on his lips. He nodded. "It's fine. My daughter is a grown woman. She's made her own choices. And who she sleeps with is definitely her choice."
He looked over at Eugene who nodded. "Same thing wid my daughter dem," Red Man added. "Dem a big woman. Mi cyaa control dem again. Mi can only hope dem do better than me."
Marcus nodded. "Agreed," he said. "About your friend--Jasmine?"
Shane nodded.
"Give me her number," Marcus said smiling. Shane rattled off the number. Marcus looked at Eugene. "You have your cellphone," he asked him. Eugene took it out of his jeans' pocket and handed it to him.
"Thank you," Marcus said, leaning back in the chair. "Watch and learn gentlemen. What's the name of the Assistant Commish who her dad is close to?"
"Assistant Commish Swaby*," Shane said.
Marcus smiled. He knew the man. "Is Jasmine by chance the daughter of Harold "Harry Capone" Lewis?"
Eugene chuckled at the name.
Shane nodded, smiling. "Same one," he answered.
Marcus's eyes lit up. "Good. I know his number. He's a personal client of mine." He dialed Harold Lewis's number first. He stood up and walked away from the table. He spoke softly, but firmly over the line.
Shane and Eugene eyed each other then watched Marcus's back. They tried to hear what he was saying on the phone but it was futile. After a five minute chat with Harold Lewis, Marcus returned to the table with a smile on his face.
"You have something on him, don't you?" Shane asked. The cop in him had to know. Marcus's smile broadened. He looked like a pleased puss who had just drank a gallon of milk. "You should get a call from your female friend any minute now ..." While he spoke Eugene's phone began to ring. Marcus got up, walked away and answered it.
"Hello old friend," Marcus answered. "I heard you're an Assistant Commish now?" He walked towards the front door and exited the restaurant.
Eugene chuckled, then said, "Yuh see some people in this life. See how him look simple." He nudged Shane then continued: "A dem man sometimes weh yuh underestimate a di real dangerous man dem."
Shane felt his phone vibrating then it rang. He looked at the screen and saw that it was Jasmine calling just as Marcus said she would.
"Hello," he answered.
"I told you I would let my superior know. So you had to go above my superior's head?" she said angrily.
"When were you going to tell him or your dad, hmm? When I was already locked up in jail? You told me it was an accident, but I'm beginning to feel you deliberately set my house on fire. What are the odds the Crime Scene team will find evidence of that?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," she said with a hiss.
Shane laughed, his tone bitter. "What happened to you Jazz? You were a good girl. An idealist--a good girl and a very honest officer of the law."
She sucked her teeth. "I fell in love with a man I couldn't have and never got over him," she shot back.
"That's not my fault," Shane said sharply. "You walked away from me, remember? So what was this? Revenge because I had the audacity to move on? You told me to move on!"
Jasmine swore. "You moved on rather quickly!" she retorted. "Stacey, then Gabby ... oh and yes Kimberly!"
Shane chuckled. Those were female officers who he made acquaintances with at several police lyming events. "So you were keeping track of me?" he replied amused.
"I did, then I gave up. You passed through a whole legion of women."
Shane laughed. "It shouldn't have been your concern who I slept with, and for the record, it wasn't a legion, maybe a platoon but not a legion," he replied sarcastically.
"F*ck you Shane!" she shouted. "Okay, yes, I was jealous! My niece came back from meeting with that psychologist and told me you were seeing her. I wanted to call you, but I didn't have your new number. I was happy when you called me. I was hoping we could get back together."
Shane moved the phone from his ear and pulled down the device's status bar. He turned on the 'record call' feature and also put her on speaker so Eugene could hear. Eugene bent forward, his eyes fixed on the phone. Just then Marcus walked in, looking triumphant. Realizing what was happening, he sat quietly at the table and listened.
"When you called me and I saw you I fell in love again," Jasmine said. "I missed you Shane. All those nights we spent together. The things you used to do to me. That big dick. I missed everything about you."
"How did you get into my house?" Shane asked.
"Remember, you cooked me dinner at your place?"
"Yes?"
"I took a few pics of your key when you went into the kitchen and showed them to a locksmith to get a copy. You hang your keys on a nail by the front door. Very careless." She laughed, but it sounded forced.
"Maybe I shouldn't have, but I just wanted to be near you. I thought I would surprise you when you came back from Florida, and then I found out you resigned. I was upset. I couldn't believe it. Being an officer was your life. You love it. I said I would wait for you at your house and convince you to change your mind. I knew I could speak to someone higher up about ignoring your letter, and you could get your job back."
Shane remembered the day he called her, but hadn't gotten through. He left her a text. When he saw her reply after coming off the road he decided he would meet with her. Later, he invited her to his house to ask her to help him find Devon, and maybe ask her Assistant Commish friend if he knew anything about Mr Z.
"You were using me," she asserted.
"I told you that I needed help to find my friend, didn't I? I asked for help from the very beginning. Enough with this. Are you going to tell the police you were the one that set the house on fire?"
"You mean confess that I burned your house down?" she asked, her tone mocking. "Why should I? They have a suspect. You."
"But you did it, didn't you? Out of jealousy?"
"I was jealous, yes, but I did it out of spite. I did it because you pissed me off! I got the info for you and you still rejected me! There you were pining over a woman who didn't want you, and I was practically throwing myself at you and you rejected me!"
"So you burned my house down?"
"Yeah, to teach you a lesson," she said coldly. "Men like you think you're God's gift to women. I had to show you this woman was no longer impressed."
"You have one hour Jazzy," Shane said. He ended the call. He logged the recording as 'Sergeant Jasmine Lewis's confession of burning down my house'.
"Good news," Marcus said, watching him. "Assistant Commissioner Swaby wants to talk to you. Apparently, he and your ex's dad are not on good terms right now." He was feeling pleased with himself. Shane extended his hand for a handshake. Marcus shook his hand and grinned.
"Thank you sir King's Counsel," Shane said beaming.
Marcus laughed. "You're welcome. Glad to help."
Eugene nodded and smiled. "The ones you underestimate," he said softly. Shane looked at him and smiled. "Fi real," he said, "fi real." He stood up and went to the restroom. When he returned Marcus and Eugene were on their feet waiting for him. "We're going somewhere?" he asked.
"Going to clear your name," Marcus replied. His face held a hint of mischief to it. He led the way out the door. "You paid?" Shane asked, referring to breakfast. Marcus nodded. "Let's go," he said, heading to his vehicle while Eugene followed Shane to his car.
They got into Kingston within an hour and took another ten minutes to drive to the Assistant Commish's at his administrative office in New Kingston. When Marcus entered the building he spoke to the receptionist who ushered them in quickly.
"I wish you said something sooner," Assistant Commissioner Swaby* said after listening to the recording of Jamsine's confession. He looked at Shane, his eyes troubled. Shane sat up straight then responded, "I wish I did too sir, but I guess I let my feelings get in the way. Jasmine is an ex and I guess I was protective of her. She also told me more than once that she would let her superior know about what happened."
The Assistant Commish shook his head. "I see," he replied. Sergeant Jasmine Lewis's assigned to Community Policing you say?" he asked. He picked up his phone and dialed dispatch.
Shane nodded. "Yes sir," he answered.
"Good day, I'm trying to locate Senior Superintendent Brooks. It's urgent." The Assistant Commish said. He paused as he listened to the response. "Okay, thanks very much." He hung up. "Senior Supe Brooks is in a meeting with Senior Superintendent Killjoy."
"I have an idea," Shane said smiling. The Assistant Commissioner nodded. "Go ahead," he said. Shane took out his phone and dialed his superior's cellphone number.
"Hello, the prodigal finally returns," was the witty remark from the other end of the line.
Shane chuckled. "Good afternoon Superintendent Dacres, how are you?"
"I've been well. How are you?" Supe Dacres asked.
"I could be better but ... uh, I'm actually calling because I'm at the Office of the Commissioner. I'm specifically speaking to Assistant Commissioner Swaby*. I kinda need a favor from you. It'll help to clear my name." Shane paused. Supe Dacres remained silent.
"Supe, I didn't burn my house down. I was trying to protect someone, but I'm done being the white knight for damsels in distress. Damsels in distress no longer exist," Shane told his friend.
"Who did it then?" Supe asked.
"Sarge Jasmine Lewis," he answered.
Supe Dacres grunted. "Do you have proof?"
"I do," Shane replied.
What do you need me to do?' Supe Dacres asked.
"Her superior, Senior Superintendent Brooks* is at the Half Way Tree Police Station talking to Senior Superintendent Killjoy* right now. I know she and you came up the ranks together. Could you call her and get her to stall him from leaving?"
Supe Dacres chuckled. "Will do," he said.
Shane smiled. "Thank you," he replied.
"Mhm ..." Superintendent Dacres grunted then hung up. He dialed Senior Superintendent Daphne Killjoy's number. She answered after the third ring. "This is a pleasant surprise," she said laughing softly.
"Daphne, what's up? About that dinner and charity event?"
"I'm listening," she said.
***
Sunday Afternoon
By midday, Izzie's reticent demeanor towards him dragged out to a solemn silence that felt like the mood of a funeral procession. He couldn't stand it anymore. She was laying on the couch in the living room when Nesbeth grabbed her by the arm and pulled her up to his room. She protested hotly, screaming that he should let her go, but with his jaw set in anger he slammed the door behind them. "You are going to tell me what's wrong, right now, young lady!" Nes demanded.
Izzie opened her mouth then closed it. She stared at the floor and crossed her arms over her chest. He squeezed her arms.
"Izzie?!" he called her name, a hint of desperation in his voice.
She flinched. Izzie looked into his eyes and saw the hurt in their depths.
"You're bored with me? Is that it?" he asked, his tone quiet--pained.
She observed that the lines on his face looked deeper, as if he was aging right in front her. She did not answer. He swore under his breath. "If this is done then have the decency to tell me," he muttered angrily. Her heart sank.
He opened the door and stepped out. She loved him. She couldn't let him think she didn't care. But if she didn't and uncle Zav found out about them he would hurt Nes. She jumped, her nerves on edge when she heard the door rattle with the force Nes used to close it. She leaned on the wall behind her and stayed there for a minute more. Quietly, she exited the guest room and walked towards her room. She heard the front door slam. Her heart beat faster. Where was he going?
***
Marcus drove his car, while Eugene rode with Shane. They got a letter signed by both Assistant Commish and a Deputy Commissioner stating that Shane would be reinstated to his position of Sergeant if he could get a written confession from Sergeant Lewis. Shane was humbled that they would stick their necks out for him. He vowed to not waste this second chance.
They were on their way to the Half Way station to get Senior Superintendent Brooks to get his subordinate to cooperate, when Marcus got held up by a red light. Shane had gone ahead but slowed down expecting Marcus to pass through at any minute. While Marcus waited for the light to change, two men appeared at the sides of his vehicle, brandishing guns. One pushed a gun to his right temple while the other opened the front passenger car door and sat inside.
"What yuh have can give me, old man?" the one in the car said. He was wearing a black balaclava mask and full black clothes. The other guy was also wearing a mask, but had on a white t-shirt and black jeans. Both wore black military type boots. "Open the back door!" the one in the car said. Marcus unlocked the vehicle and the man outside slipped in. "We're going for a ride, old man," the man with the gun to his head said. Marcus started his vehicle and followed the man's instructions on where to go.
Shane realizing that Marcus was not following them, doubled back to where he last saw him.
"Weh him gone? And him have mi phone," Eugene said. Shane shook his head. He dialed his number, but it rang unanswered. He was at the stop light. He looked to his left then his right. He had a hunch. He turned the car left.
"Wait!" Eugene said excitedly.
"What?" Shane asked, looking at him.
"Mi have on tracking app on mi phone!" he said as he remembered. "Give mi yuh phone."
Shane gave it to him.
Eugene dialed his woman's number. "Mums," Eugene said to his baby mother, "mi need the code for the tracking app on my phone." He paused as he listened. "Babes a one emergency. Is mi bredrin have mi phone that's why mi a call yuh on this one. He's in trouble. Ye arite mi inna trouble too mi know, but hunny please. Trust me, okay. Give mi di code yuh can change it when yuh ready." He paused to listen.
"Okay hunny, muah. Thanks my angel. Mi soon come. Yes, I'll be careful. Love you. Yeah, later." He hung up. The phone pinged a notification. Eugene showed Shane the phone. "Unlock it," he said. Shane slid his thumb on the phone's screen and it opened.
Eugene hurriedly opened the phone's text message app and saw the code with information on how to log into tracking the app and locate his phone. He followed the steps and logged in. "I'm in," he said. "The phone deh Cross Roads. Oh ... now it turn down Slipe Road." He looked up at Shane and showed him where the red arrow stopped. Shane sighed. They both knew that area was a hot bed of violence.
"We have to go," Shane said.
"I know," Eugene said with a sigh. "Lucky for us my cousin run deh suh."
Shane chuckled while shaking his head. "I'll follow your lead then."
Eugene grinned. "That's right," he said.
Disclaimer:
* Assistant Commissioner Swaby, Senior Superintendent Daphne Killjoy and Senior Superintendent Brooks are all fictional characters and have no affiliation with the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). The author herself has no connection with the JCF All characters and events described in this chapter and other chapter of Lissa's Lover are completely fictional. This book is written strictly for entertainment purposes.
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