CHAPTER NINE #4
Zurie looked at me, and I gave her a slight nod. She left too, heading toward the kitchen but I knew she was listening.
Once it was just me and Nia, the energy in the room shifted.
She walked over to the window, looking out at the view, then turned back to me.
"You really did good for yourself, Sosa. I heard your name around over the years, but I never thought this would be you, but here you are."
"Here I am," I said, staying standing, keeping some distance between us. "And you a cop now. That's crazy."
"Is it?" She smiled slightly. "I always said I wanted to help people, remember? You used to clown me for it. remember you use to say I was too soft for the hood."
"I remember." I did, vaguely. She had been one of those kids who actually believed she could make a difference. I'd thought she was naive back then.
"Sontae," she said, her voice dropping lower, more serious, "I'ma be real with you.
Morrison wants to bring you in for questioning, maybe even charge you with something.
He thinks you're the one who pistol-whipped Darren Jackson, that's the guy in the hospital.
And he thinks you might've been one of the shooters. "
"And what you think?" "I think..." She paused, choosing her words carefully.
"I think you probably had your reasons. I know Zach McDonald’s reputation. I know what he's been trying to do by causing problems." I didn't say anything back I only listened.
"But here's the thing," she continued, taking a step closer. "They're going to keep digging. They're going to keep questioning people, pulling footage, trying to build a case. Morrison's like a dog with a bone, he doesn't let shit go. And eventually, they might find something that sticks."
"So what you saying?"
"I'm saying..." She glanced toward the door, making sure Morrison wasn't coming back in yet.
"I'm saying I could help you. Make sure certain things don't get looked at too closely.
Make sure certain witnesses don't feel pressured to say things that might not be...
entirely accurate. I still got love for the for people I grew up with. " I raised an eyebrow.
"You offering to help me cover shit up?"
"I'm offering to help an old friend navigate a complicated situation." She pulled out her phone, scrolling through something. "But I can't do it for free, Sontae. I got bills too. I got a life I'm trying to build. Being a cop don't pay as much as people think."
"How much?"
"We can work out the details later. Cash, obviously. But there's something else. It’s something that could benefit both of us long-term." She turned her phone toward me, showing me what looked like an event invitation.
“What’s that?”
"It’s a Captain's Ball coming up in two weeks. It’s a big charity event, with all the higher-ups. Everyone of importance will be in attendance, including the Police Chief."
"And?"
"And if you came with me as my date, I could introduce you.
Get you in good with him." She put her phone away, looking me dead in the eye.
"Chief Reynolds is the type of man who appreciates...
let's say, financial contributions to the right causes.
You scratch his back, he scratches yours.
Suddenly your club gets reopened faster, investigations get closed quicker, future problems get handled before they become problems."
I studied her face, trying to figure out if this was a setup. But she looked genuine like she was really trying to help.
"You want me to pay off a police chief," I said slowly.
"I want you to make a strategic investment in your future.
" She smiled. "And look good in a tux while doing it.
Think about it, you get your club back, you get protection from future issues with Zach or anybody else, and you get a direct line to one of the most powerful men in the police department.
All for the price of a donation and one night in a suit. "
I thought about the club being shut down, about Zurie on my ass about lost revenue, about Zach still being out there thinking he won.
Having a police chief in my pocket would solve a lot of problems. And if it cost me some money and a night playing dress-up, that wasn't the worst deal I'd ever made.
"Aight," I said finally. "We can work something out."
Her smile widened. "Good; Smart man." She pulled out a business card, flipping it over and writing something on the back.
"That's my personal number. Call me tomorrow and we'll discuss the details, you know the fee for my help with the investigation, and what kind of donation the Chief would appreciate, all that good stuff."
I took the card, looking at it. Detective Nia Williams. Who would've thought.
"One more thing," she said. "Whatever you got planned for Zach, Be smart about it. Don't do anything that's going to bring more heat on you than you already got. Morrison's not the only one watching you right now, and I can only do so much."
"I'm always smart," I said.
"Sure you are." She headed for the door, then paused, looking back at me. "It was good seeing you, Sontae. Even under these circumstances. We should've stayed in touch."
"Yeah. Life happens though."
"It does." She opened the door. "Wait. Are you still with Sheree? The girl who had the big booty back in high school?” She asked and I chuckled. “Nah, we still cool tho.”
“Aw damn, I thought y’all would’ve been togethere forever, but look, let me get back ova here, I'll be waiting for your call."
She stepped outside where Morrison was leaning against their car, looking impatient. They had a brief conversation I couldn't hear, then got in the car and pulled away.
I stood at the door watching them go, turning the business card over in my hand.
Zurie came back into the room once they were gone, with an suspicious expression on her face.
"What was that about?"
"Insurance," I said, slipping the card into my pocket.
"What kind of insurance?"
"The kind that gets our club reopened and keeps the haters off our back." I turned to look at her.
"Detective Nia, went to Dunbar with me, I know her. You probably don’t remember her because you were in college, but shorty is offering to help smooth things over with the investigation. For the right price.”
Zurie's eyes narrowed. "You trust her?"
"I don't trust nobody. But I trust money, and I trust that everybody got a price. She got hers, and I got mine. It's business."
"And what's her price?"
"Ion know yet, but she wants me to go to some police ball with her so she can introduce me to the chief and get me in good with him."
Zurie was quiet for a moment, then she nodded slowly. "That's actually not a bad move. Having the chief on your side could open a lot of doors. Make a lot of problems disappear."
"That's what I'm thinking."
"Just be careful," she said, her voice serious. "Cops are tricky, even the ones trying to help. One wrong move and she could flip on you."
"I know." I sat back down on the couch. "But right now, we need all the help we can get.”
"Aight." Zurie grabbed her purse from the counter. "I gotta go handle some shit. But call me after you talk to her tomorrow. I want to know exactly what kind of numbers we talking."
"Will do."
She headed for the door, then stopped. "And Sosa? Whatever you planning for Zach, just make sure you actually think it through this time. I can't have you fucking up my club again."
"Your club?" I smirked.
"Our club or whatever." She rolled her eyes. "Just be smart."
"Always am."
She left, and I sat there alone, looking at Nia's card again. Everything was about to shift in my favor; I could feel it. I just had to play my cards right.