Piece Keeper (5 page)

“What can I do for you, Morena?” she asked
again.

“First off, I want to say I’m sorry about what
happened to you. I truly am and—.”

Teresa cut her off midsentence. “Thank you, but it’s
not necessary I’m fine and I’m not discussing this with you.”

“Fair enough. Are you sleeping with Black?”

Finally, Teresa thought. The true reason she’s here.
“No, I am not sleeping with Black. That is the last thing you need
to worry about.”

Morena eyed her skeptically.

Teresa continued. “Nothing to worry about. That part
of my life is so done.”

Morena nodded knowingly. “For you perhaps. Black… I
don’t know so much.”

“Shouldn’t you be talking to Black about this? I
assure you I am not encouraging it. Believe me when I say I do not
want him.”

“What do you want?”

“Excuse me?”

“No offense but it has to be something. I
practically begged him not to pursue this case.”

“Again, that has something to do with me
because?”

“He says he has an obligation to you, something that
I would not understand. I’m asking you, woman to woman, can you
help me to understand?”

Teresa brushed the hair from her face. “He doesn’t
owe me anything. Honestly, he doesn’t.” Teresa sighed. Shoulders
slouched, she continued. “Before we began dating Black and I were
friends. I’d just moved to Chicago from Danville so I was a small
town girl in a big city. No family, no friends. I met Black and he
befriended me. Believe me when I say there was no physical
attraction there on my part. Don’t get me wrong, he’s an attractive
brother, just not my type you know?”

Morena nodded silently.

Teresa continued. “That’s just not where my head was
at, at the time. Shit, I don’t know, girl… and I don’t want to talk
about this. It doesn’t feel right, I sympathize with your
situation, but this is a talk you should be having with Black.”

“No. I’m having it with you and we’re having it
now!” Morena stated sliding her cup of coffee across the table in
front of her and standing to her feet.

Teresa stood to her feet. She hadn’t paid much
attention before to how tall Morena actually was. It became
apparent staring up at the woman sensing the onset of a physical
altercation. But that didn’t deter her. She wasn’t going to be
disrespected in her own home. Teresa chuckled. “That’s what I get
right? I tried to be civil, be the bigger woman…screw you and your
man. Coming to me with this screwed up non-sense… I am not a
marriage counselor. If Black has unresolved issues and you can’t
keep your man in line don’t come to me crying, bitch!”

“Keep my man in line?”

“That’s what I said. Keep your man in line. Now I’m
saying it’s time for you to go.”

Morena stood her ground with her hands on both hips.
Teresa stepped towards the woman aggressively. Morena began backing
up then turned and headed for the door. She opened the door, ducked
out and slammed it closed. Teresa stood staring at the door
dumbfounded. Now feeling drained her doubts about confronting her
attackers and returning to work came creeping back. Back in her
kitchen Teresa noticed that in Morena’s rush to get out of there
she’d left her purse on the kitchen table. Just as she picked the
purse up to put it away there was banging on her door. Figuring it
had to be Morena returning for her purse she carried it with her to
the door. She snatched the door open with attitude and was
immediately frozen in her spot as she stared at Officer Hunter.

Her mouth fell open and a dryness set in. She was
paralyzed with fear. Her legs wouldn’t move. She just stared.
Standing eye to eye he was a smaller man in height, almost 5’6.
Perhaps it was a coping mechanism but she found herself counting
the freckles in his red face. He grimaced at her as he placed his
hand on the wall and his foot in the door way blocking it from
closing. Her freckle count was somewhere between 25 and 30 when she
re-focused her attention to what he was saying. She was unaware of
how much she’d missed of what he’d already said. All she heard was
if she returned to work she would be sorry.

Looking to the left of her she spotted Morena
standing there listening. Teresa felt herself becoming hot. Sweat
trickled across her forehead. She stepped around Hunter walking
towards Morena and extending her arm to hand her the purse. She
tried her best to hold it together but she felt as if she would
break down at any moment. A sense of embarrassment made it hard for
her to look Morena in the eye. She stared down at her feet.

“Here you are girl,” she said nervously. “I was just
headed out to bring this to you.”

Morena accepted her purse and lowered her head
attempting to look Teresa in the eyes.

“Everything alright, girl?”

Teresa smiled nervously. She was unsure of how much
Morena had overheard. She did not want her to tell Black. “Sure.
I’m fine. Talk to you later, girl.”

Morena looked up at Hunter. She didn’t know what it
was but something didn’t seem right. “You know what, girl? I got
some time. I think I’ll sit and talk a while.”

Teresa took her by the arm and began walking her
down the hall towards the exit. “Sounds good girl, but right now is
not a good time.”

Morena pulled from her grasp and turned back towards
Teresa’s apartment. “Of course it is. I have all day. Maybe I can
give Black a call to come pick me up.”

Teresa felt her heart skip a beat. Rushing behind
Morena she placed her hand on the small of her back. “That’s not
necessary, girl. You’re right though…we can finish having girl
talk.” Teresa faked a smile.

Hunter approached the two women. “Everything alright
here, Teresa?”

“Don’t she look alright, Officer…what’s your name?”
Morena squinted at his badge.

Hunter curled his lips angrily. “Hunter. Officer
Hunter. And you are?”

“I am none of your damn business. There’s no
disturbance here, Officer. Thank you.”

“I’d like to hear that from Teresa. Everything is
alright…ain’t it, Teresa?”

“Yeah….yeah, Hunter. Everything’s just fine.”

“You ladies have a nice day now,” he said as he
walked down the hall and out of the building.

“Mmmhhmm….” Morena said as she watched Teresa step
into her apartment.

***

Black sat nursing a beer at the local bar, Under
Caution. He wasn’t much of a drinker. He only ordered it to not
appear out of place. He knew he was a stubborn man to a fault. He
knew he was wrong to be here for so many reasons, yet he felt
compelled to finish what he’d started. He couldn’t leave. Not
before the investigation even began. His conscience wouldn’t let
him. Digging his hand into the bowl of peanuts he felt a heavy hand
fall down on his shoulder. Without looking he continued crushing
the shells to the peanuts with his hand and popping them in his
mouth. “You following me now, Waeltz?”

The detective sat next to him. “Give me a
reason.”

“What are you talking about, Detective?”

“A reason, D.A. Love, not to request to have you
removed from this case?”

Black smiled and continued eating his peanuts. “On
what grounds?”

“Conflict of interest. You use to date the
victim.”

Black faced Waeltz. “Oh, she’s a victim now.”

“That’s not an answer, Love.”

“That’s what you call doing a thorough
investigation? Looking into me?”

“I was looking into her and guess who popped up like
zits on the face of a horny pre-teen boy?”

“I thought the law didn’t matter in Danville?”

“I’m going to the D.A. with this.” He slid from the
chair and turned to leave.

Black grabbed his arm. “Wait. You’re a good cop,
Waeltz.”

Waeltz yanked away from Black’s grasp. “How the hell
do you know what kind of cop I am?”

“You found out about me and Teresa didn’t you?”

“A four year old with an internet connection
could’ve found that out.”

“A four year old wouldn’t have cared. So tell me
your honest opinion as a cop. Do you think she’s lying?”

“Yes.”

Black turned away from Waeltz and continued eating
his peanuts. It wasn’t the answer he wanted to hear but he
respected the man’s opinion and his honesty.

Waeltz continued. “Lying…..about being raped, no.
About not knowing who did this to her, yes. I think it’s someone
she knows and it scares her to death to come forward with it.”

Black swiveled in his seat now facing Waeltz again.
“Someone she knows. So you’re really thinking date rape?”

“I believe so.”

One guy came to mind and that was James. He didn’t
like the guy but he didn’t have him pegged for rape. It would make
sense though, especially the way that he’d been behaving. Black
figured he’d keep his accusations to himself until he found out
what else Waeltz had. “Any suspects?”

“She was a true work hound. Never did the bar scene,
no hook ups, no internet date lines… she doesn’t even have Twitter,
Facebook, or Instagram accounts. She was seeing one guy who works
in the department. I’ve put off questioning him until she gives me
a time and a place at the very least. I can’t question his
whereabouts without it.”

“Who is this guy on the force?”

“James Collins.”

“You know the guy?”

“Not on a personal level. He’s taken down a few
doors with me on high profile warrants. Couldn’t say if I liked or
disliked the guy but he was professional.”

“Do me a solid and look into him.”

“If this case goes any further I’ll check it out. I
ain’t making no promises that it will.”

Black nodded before he spoke. “Why come to me
instead of going straight to get me kicked off this case?”

“Wanted to look you in the eye man to man first and
see what you had to say. I still might turn over this
information.”

Black reached out his hand. Waeltz extended his and
they shook firmly.

“I appreciate that,” Black stated. “It wouldn’t
matter though. The D.A. knows we were once engaged. She knew before
I got here.”

“You have some juice then huh?”

“A little bit. What’s your next move?”

“Interview Teresa again. Love, I have to be honest…
she doesn’t give me any new information soon the chief’s going to
make me close the case and move on to the next one.”

“What about you?”

“What about me?” Waeltz was confused.

“How was your relationship with Teresa?”

“I don’t know… about the same as my relationship
with James. We were cordial.”

“You’re not the type of guy I thought you’d be,
Waeltz. At least not on paper anyway.”

Waeltz placed one hand in his pocket and rested the
other on his gun. “Looking into me too, Love?”

Black shrugged his shoulders. “Force of habit.”

“What you find out?”

“Enough to know you’re being on the level with me
right now.”

“Right now, huh?”

Black placed a twenty dollar bill on the bar, stood,
and began walking towards the exit.

“You know as well as I do, Waeltz, in this line of
work things often change.”

Chapter Six

Black pulled into the garage at the house he was
renting and turned the motor to the truck off. He reclined in his
seat and closed his eyes. He wanted to see Teresa; just see her no
talking… just be with her. But he knew not enough time had passed
since they’d had their last fight. It was the same with Morena. He
wanted to go in and lay with her and just chill but she’d want to
talk about Teresa. He wasn’t in the mood for that. He had the right
mind to go to sleep in the truck. Thinking better of it he opened
the door, climbed out, and went into the house. Just as he expected
Morena was there to greet him in the kitchen. She was all business.
There wasn’t a smile or a look of happiness anywhere to be found in
her face.

“What’s up?” he asked as he threw his car keys on
the kitchen counter. When he was close enough he kissed her on her
cheek.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him
softly on the lips. “Cariño, we have to talk. It’s about
Teresa.”

He gently pushed her back and sighed. “Not tonight,
Baby Love. I’m not in the mood.”

He stepped around her and down the three steps into
the living room where he paused and turned to look back at Morena
who was standing behind him. He turned back to look at Teresa who
was sitting on the sofa. Placing his hands in his pockets he
continued into the living room stopping in front of Teresa. “What’s
this all about?”

Morena stood next to him, slid her hand into his
pocket, and held his hand. “She needs to tell you something. I’ll
go for a ride to give you two some time.” She kissed him on the
cheek, smiled subtly at Teresa, and exited the living room through
the kitchen then glided down the hall and out into the garage.

Black didn’t say anything he just stood and
waited.

“Can you not stand over me?” Teresa asked as she
patted the empty spot next to her on the couch.

He loosened his tie and sat.

She inhaled then exhaled before speaking. Black sat
in silence for the forty-five minutes of her explanation as to how,
where, and who raped her. He held it all in when what he really
wanted to do was run upstairs to get his gun and drive straight
over to the station and gun the three down. He knew that would be a
suicide mission. He was a lawyer. He fought his battles in the
court room and he won. That’s how he operated. He was determined
that he would not rest until all three never saw the light of the
streets again. He got what he wanted: to hear the truth. Now that
he’d heard it a part of him wished that he hadn’t. It was a hard
pill to swallow.

***

He didn’t know if she was being strong for him or
had become numb. She didn’t shed any tears or show any sign of
hurt. After much arguing and back and forth, Black and Morena both
convinced her to stay there with them. Black knew that it would be
awkward for all of them but he was glad that Morena suggested it
and that Teresa finally agreed. After making sure that she was
settled in he got in his truck and drove over to the police
station. He’d called Waeltz on the way and he’d agreed to meet him
at there. When he walked in hard stares fell on him coming from
both men and women. The women surprised him more than anything. No
matter how much he saw it, it never rested easy with him how the
loyalty amongst police officers was so immense it blanketed all
common sense, decency, and reason. As he made his way through the
crowd of officers standing and watching he reached Chief
Witherspoon’s office just as two plain clothes detectives were
slapping handcuffs on Hunter and Foster. He assumed they were
Internal Affairs detectives. He folded his arms across his chest as
he watched Waeltz put the cuffs on Witherspoon.