Jacques
Police were all over the room searching every inch of the apartment.
They had asked me and Coach to answer some questions since we stepped inside the place and asked the boys to go wait on the bus.
"Did Neriah seem a little funny or act differently when you last saw her? Like she was hiding from someone or looked scared or paranoid?" Detective Mallory Hernandez asked me these same questions that two other officers asked five minutes ago. She's a short Hispanic woman. Probably in her late Thirty's with a short hair cut.
I scratched the back of my neck trying to remember. "Not to my knowledge. We sorta had a falling out but that was days before. But at the end of practice she sort of disappeared." I bit my lip trying to keep from slapping myself. I didn't have to say what I said but it's to late to apologize for it. I overheard one of them say that she might be dead since theirs a large amount of blood on the ground. But their could be hope another mentioned.
"So you think she left out because of your falling out?"
"I don't think that's the case. She ignored me during all the other practices and I'm sure what I said wouldn't make her disappear like this."
"What did you say to Ms. Calvin to be exact?" I leaned against the hallway wall and looked down at her, getting annoyed with all her damn questions.
"I told the mother of my child who I was working back into a relationship with, that Neriah meant nothing to me. Just so my baby mama wouldn't start world war three with me because I was hanging out with Neriah."
"So you didn't mean what you said?" I rolled my eyes.
"No. Not at all."
"You have me a little suspicious." She looked me up and now. "I think that's enough for today. But I have one more question."
I sighed. "Ask away."
"We want to get a hold of Ms. Calvin's family but your coach said Ms. Calvin never gave him any of their contact information. Do you know anyone who might?"
My mind instantly went to Will. But the conversation in the back of the limo shook me. But then again..... Neriah is missing and could possibly be alive.... And I want them to find her.....
"His name is William Cox. Don't mention to him that I'm the one who told you his name."
"And why is that?" I looked down at my shoes and ignored her question. "Ah, I see. Here's my card if you need anything. Or if you're in any trouble." I looked up at her and she gave me a knowing look. "I know Will. And I know he's a very, very dangerous man. You stay away from him and don't piss him off. Your friend, Neriah, is probably dead. He probably has threatened you about her before. I've been trying to bust this guy for five years now. He's untouchable. If he tries something, you call me instead of 911. You got it?"
"Yeah." I took the card from her and she went back into the apartment.
I felt instantly paranoid. Like the fuckin boogie man was out to get.
I stuffed the card in my pocket and waited for Coach to finish getting questioned.
Will
"Who the hell is knocking at my door like the damn police?" I pulled the door open and to my surprise it was the damn police.
"What can I help you with?" I crossed my arms and looked at the pint sized terror before me.
"Nice to see you again Willy." She barged her short ass in and looked around. "I like what you've done with the place."
"Oh shut up and tell me what you want before I throw your ass out."
"And I'd blow your hands off before you could touch me. I'm investigating a case. A young man calls the station in a panic. He says a coworker of his was absent from work for a week and him and some other employees got worried. They went to see how she was doing. And found drops of blood at the door of the apartment. They went inside and saw blood everywhere. Long story short, I asked if the girl had friends and one of them mentioned your name." I sat down on my all white Tom Ford couch and reached for my cigar box.
"What is the name of the girl that the apartment belongs to?" She looked at me like I already knew the answer.
"Neriah Calvin-" I busted out laughing. "What's so funny?"
"You can't be serious? No one gives a fuck about that bitch. You here because of her? " I put my feet up on the couch table and looked up at her with a smile.
" I found your prints everywhere in that apartment. And then the first thing to fall out that person's lips when I asked if she had a friend they say your name."
I reached for my lighter and lit the end of my cigar. "How do you know their my prints?"
"You own that damn fancy ass apartment building. A lot of crime investigations like murder and rape has happened in there before. So I have all your information at my disposal. I've got my eyes on you Will. You may have been able to stay out of trouble before but I got you now." I stood up and put my arm around her.
She tried to pull away from me but I wouldn't let go.
"Hernandez. I like you. A lot. But don't make me do things I don't want to do." I handed her my cigar. "Here, smoke this. You'll probably never have a chance to do it every in your life again." She snatched it out my mouth and put it out on the arm of my couch. I clinched my jaw trying to keep my cool. "That was very rude of you."
She got out my hold and reached for her gun.
"I'm putting you away this time Cox. I know you did this shit."
"Yeah, yeah. You say that every time but I'm still walking around my house a free man. But I have a question for you."
"What is it?"
"Who told you my name?"
"I can't tell you that."
"Was it a boy? About 6'5". Sandbrown hair. Dark green eyes."
"I can't tell you that."
"Is his name Jacques Zion by chance?"
"I can't tell you. Even if I wanted to." She headed for the door but I ran in front of her.
"Your face says it all. You might want to put Ms. Calvin on hold. Because that little boy is about to come up missing. Tell him: If he doesn't keep his mouth shut. I'll make sure that baby of his never takes it's first breath." I opened the door for her.
She looked at me for a long time before moving around me.
"I'm watching you William. You better not fuck up anymore. Getting arrested after receiving that fancy ass award at that dinner you had would look bad. And I heard you're trying to get a $500,000 grant from Mayor Galloway. Like you don't already have it. But if he found out that America's sweetheart was facing a murder charge. He'd make some very haste decisions. You have a very nice day now Mr. Cox. I'll keep in touch. Oh and you should never answer a door naked when it's cold outside. It makes things, shrink." She winked at me and gave me slap on my ass before walking out the door.
I watched her get in the car with her fine ass.
She must be mistaken if she think I'm gonna get caught up in this bullshit. But I'll play along just to keep my eyes on that far ass of hers.
"Baby are you coming back o bed?" Lorraine stood at the top of the steps with the sheets wrapped around her."
"Yeah here I come." I watched her drive off before closing the door.
I know it's that rookie that said my name. I told him if he mentioned Neriah and I in the same sentence it was gonna be a problem.
I warned him didn't I?
Now I gotta pay him a little visit.
Hernandez
"Pickens get the lab ready. I have a DNA sample from William Cox." I dug through my glove compartment and grabbed a sandwich bag from the box I always keep in the cruiser with me.
I never know what I might find when I'm out on the field. I put my phone between my ear and shoulder and laid the cigar gently in the bag. I placed it in the glove compartment and started the car up.
"I'm headed that way now... Alright... Bye." I hung up the phone, tossed it in the passenger seat, and pulled out the driveway.
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