“Right. You’re right. I’m sorry. That was way out of line.”
“It’s okay. Let’s focus on making sure they walk on Thursday. Winning this case will be beneficial to both of our careers, no matter if they did the crimes or not.”
“You’re right. I’m trying to make junior partner, so I need to lock in.”
“I’m sure you will,” I said, giving him a soft smile. He smiled back, and I could see him subtly checking me out. I turned my head to look out of the window because I refused to give him any indication that I was attracted to him.
I knew what Emery did to people, and I didn’t want Jeremiah to be on the nightly news.
Chapter
Fourteen
EMERY
Iwatched as Terrica turned over and jumped at the sight of me sitting on her dresser, eating a bag of Famous Amos cookies that I’d found in her kitchen upon my arrival.
“What the fuck? Who the hell are you, and what are you doing in my house!” she yelled.
“Aye, stop all that fucking yelling, shorty. We in the same room. No need for all that loud shit.”
She hurriedly reached under her pillow but realized what she was looking for wasn’t there. I held her little .22 up so she could see. “Looking for this?” I could see her swallow deeply and her eyes water.
“Plea—”
“Aht aht, don’t start begging. Do you know who I am?” I asked. “Nah, don’t answer that. You can’t know who I am if you’re getting on the stand to testify against some niggasyoudon’t even know. Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t make you write a suicide note. This is your only chance, so you’d better convince me not to put this gun in your hand and make you blow your head off.”
“I was subpoenaed! That bitch Leyla said my name in court, and then the lawyers came by here and told me I had to testify!”
I frowned, cocking my head slightly. “What were you going to tell them exactly?”
“They told me to say that I saw who killed Ray and Al.”
“So, you were going to get on the stand and lie? Don’t you know that’s perjury, and you can go to jail for that?”
“I know, but they scared me and told me you guys were unhinged and were going to come for me since Leyla told them I was there that night.” She was now crying and shivering, something I didn’t give a fuck about.
“Damn. They put your ass in a trick bag. Set you up on some crazy shit because they wasn’t even thinking about your ass.”
“Please don’t kill me. Please. I’ll do anything you want!”
“That’s good to know. Because you’re going to get on that stand on Thursday to tell the judge and jury exactly what the prosecution told you to lie about, and don’t think they can protect you. I’d hate for Nova James, who lives on 11345 Rutherford Street, to bury her daughter.” I intentionally let her know I knew more than she thought I did. I got down from the dresser and advanced on her. I watched her cower and beg as I smiled at her, handing her the gun back. “Do what’s best for you, shorty.” With that, I left as quickly as I had come.
I satat the table at the warehouse, tossing out the brown M&Ms in the family-sized bag. I hated the brown ones. It was too much chocolate for me. Usually, I’d give them to my nephews, but they weren’t around me now.
I saw headlights approaching through the camera we had installed. I pulled out my phone just as a text came through.
Yummy: What time will you be home?
Me: Give me an hour, baby. I’m wrapping some shit up right now.
Yummy: I miss you.
Me: I miss you more, baby. Keep that shit warm for me.
Yummy: You better hope I’m not asleep when you get here, sir.
Me: I know how to wake that ass up.
