Chapter 44

On the back steps leading up to Parkchester Projects, Detective Gamble and Newsome looked over the crime scene after getting confirmation that one of their top informants had met a violent end. Detective Gamble suspected foul play. He told Newsome that he thought Carmelo Glover had something to do with the murder.

“Why you think that, partner?” Newsome asked as a lab technician walked up the steps past him to gather the physical evidence on the scene.

“Something in my gut keeps telling me that. What I want to know is how Glover knew Carter was working for us?”

“You know the streets talk all the time. Carter may have slipped up one day and let the wrong person know about his activity.”

“Naw, naw, that would be like committing suicide. Naw, somebody had to put Glover onto Carter,” Gamble said, rubbing his chin as if he was deep in thought. “Since he wants to play it that way, I got something for his bad ass. I’m going to get a warrant for his arrest,” Gamble said and he began walking down the steps.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. partner,” Newsome said, grabbing his arm. “Let’s really think this over first. I mean, if you do that, then how are you going to get him to eliminate our little problem with I.A.D?”

“That’s why I need the arrest warrant:  to give his ass some motivation.” Gamble smirked, causing Newsome to shake his head and laugh.

“You’re one evil muppet, I swear.” Newsome laughed. “For a minute there, I thought you really was going to lock his ass up.”

“Listen, partner, I don’t give a fuck if these assholes kill each other out here. Just as long as they out of my way and pay us when it’s time to pay, I can give two rat’s asses what they do to each other, you feel me?”

“Loud and clear, partner…loud and clear,” Newsome said as they headed towards their respective unmarked sedans, hopped in, and pulled off.

Gamble really wanted to get the arrest warrant so he could also get clearance to put a tracking device on Carmelo Glover’s cell phone so he’d always know his whereabouts. After their last meeting, Carmelo had gone into hiding, which rubbed Gamble the wrong way. He felt like Carmelo Glover was trying to duck him so he wouldn’t have to pull off the murder.

You got another thing coming if you think I’m going to let you off the hook so easily, you slick, murdering bastard. You fucking with the right one now! I own you for the rest of your life Mr. Glover, Gamble thought with a smile as he drove back to 7th District Police Precinct to start the paperwork process on getting the arrest warrant for Carmelo Glover and search warrant for his place of residence in Virginia.

 

Zetta had managed to calm Poobie down and get her off the phone. She couldn’t go on the rest of the day feeling upset, so she called up Carmelo to try and smooth things over with him.

When she got his voicemail after the fifth ring, Zetta began talking fast, “Listen Melo, I don’t know why in the hell you went off on me about some weak-ass thank you kiss. I was only showing my appreciation to you for hooking me up with the book publishing thing. You wrong as hell, talking about I fucked up a happy home. Nigga, when I first tried to throw this pussy on your faithful ass, you batted me down, so I don’t know why you coming at me with that bullshit all of a sudden. You really need to check yourself, boy, if you want this book. I can take a hint. You should have just told me that you ain’t want to publish my book…fake ma’fucka! No, I’m sorry…I ain’t mean that. You not fake, it’s just that you got me so heated, blaming me for your wife leaving you and shit! It ain’t my fault. You need to call me soon so you can apologize to me like the gentleman I know you are. Bye!” Zetta said and hung up. She turned on West Virginia Avenue and sped towards her mother’s house.

 

Meanwhile out in Alexandria, Virginia, Markita sat in the guest bedroom of April’s house, pressing a few numbers to check Carmelo’s voicemail messages. She listened to a few frivolous messages and then got a very shocking message. She sat there listening to every syllable.

The female message Markita heard shocked her, making her feel bad about accusing Carmelo of cheating on her. Now she believed every word Carmelo was trying to tell her—the same words her mother relayed to her over the phone. Markita learned enough from the message to know that the kiss was harmless and that Carmelo loved her enough to turn down the woman’s sexual advances. Markita knew she had to go back home to her man soon and replace everything she took out of the house.

Markita lay back on the bed smiling at the revelation that her man wasn’t a dog. She jumped up to go tell April the good news, having no idea that sharing the good news with April would change her life forever.