Chapter 35 Moses
MOSES
Kahlani was a mess that morning. Tears streamed down her face as she tried to get dressed. Her hands were shaking so bad she could barely pull her jeans up. I stood there watching her struggle, wishing I could take it all from her, wishing she didn’t have to go through this.
She was supposed to be getting ready to ride with Solae to turn herself in, but she could barely keep it together long enough to find her shoes. I crossed the room, grabbed her by the waist, and pulled her in.
“Baby…” I softly pressed my chin to the top of her head. “You gotta let it out now. Solae needs you to be strong. She doesn’t need to see you falling apart.”
“I know.” She sobbed harder into my chest, and all I could do was hold her.
I hated this for her. I especially hated that she was going through this at all. Because deep down, I knew my own day was coming.
As much as I wanted to believe otherwise, it was only a matter of time before my DNA came back and tied me to Carlos’ murder scene. And when that happened, she’d be going through this same pain all over again, except it’d be for me.
My phone started ringing in my pocket, breaking through the sound of her crying. I looked down at the screen and froze. It was the lawyer I’d consulted about my case. He’d been keeping tabs on the investigation for me.
My stomach twisted.
“Answer it,” she said with eyes filled with more worry as she stared at the screen.
I hit speaker and set the phone on the dresser. “Yo.”
“Moses,” the lawyer answered with a tone lighter than usual. “I’ve got good news for you.”
My brows rose. “Good news?”
“Yeah. I just got word Rah was surprisingly honest during his last interview. He told detectives you had no idea what he was about to do to Carlos and you were just caught in the crossfire.”
Kahlani’s head snapped up. “What?”
The lawyer continued, “You’re in the clear, Moses. They’re not pursuing any charges.”
I stared at the phone like I didn’t hear him right. “You serious?”
The lawyer chuckled, “You’re in the clear, Moses.”
For a second, neither of us said anything. I just stared at the phone, trying to let the words sink in.
The lawyer must’ve heard the silence because he added, “I mean it, son. You’re free. Go live your life.”
“Thank you,” I managed.
“Take care of yourself,” he said before hanging up.
The line went dead.
For a minute, I just stood there. Then my knees gave out, and I sank onto the edge of the bed with my face buried in my hands.
“Damn,” I muttered, shaking my head slowly. “I can’t believe this nightmare is really over. I still can’t believe he told the police the truth.”
Kahlani stared at me with red and puffy eyes that now had a hint of happiness in them. “I can’t believe he actually told the truth.” She shook her head in disbelief. “That man never protects anybody but himself.”
I gave a bitter little laugh. “Exactly. The only reason he did it is ‘cause he knew if I went down too, I might flip on him. He knows that would have offered me a deal to snitch, if I was charged. Rah only looks out for Rah.”
She crossed her arms, still staring like she couldn’t quite believe it either.
“Doesn’t matter why he did it, though. I’m grateful.”
She nodded slowly, watching me. “I still don’t trust him. I don’t care if he told the truth. That nigga is poison. I hope he never gets out.”