The Streets Bleed Murder Box Set Read online

  Gangsta vowed he wouldn’t be convicted on the murder charges, even if it took him spending every last drop of money he had to pay lawyers.

  “Jackson,” the female officer called his name.

  Gangsta hated the smell of the holding cell. It made him sick to his stomach, so he moved fast to get to the door as it was opened.

  He walked over to the glass window, and he was greeted by another young female officer. The woman passed him $800 in cash and his belt. They gave him his clothes and then directed him through another door. He did as he was told, and then he saw his lawyer, his mother, and the bonding lady.

  The district attorney had an officer put a black box around his ankle, and then he was released into his lawyer’s custody. His mother’s car was waiting outside.

  Gangsta held a quick conversation with his lawyer, took a picture for the bondsman, and then jumped in the car with his mother.

  “Gary, how did you get into this mess?” his mother asked when they pulled off.

  “I haven’t did a thing. One of my supposed-to-be friends just said I did.”

  “I told yo’ ass you do not have any friends,” his mother said as she drove.

  “Ma, let me see your phone,” Gangsta said as he ignored her comment.

  “Hell no. Now sit back and put on your seatbelt.” Gangsta just shook his head and enjoyed the drive home.

  The first person he called when he got to his mother’s house was NeNe, and she did not answer. He decided not to leave a message, but to call back later. He then called Veedo, who picked up.

  “Yo,” Veedo said when he answered.

  “Shawty, what’s happenin’?”

  “What up, bruh? Where you at?” he asked before getting too deep into the conversation.

  “Shit, I’m out, but I’m on house arrest, though,” Gangsta said.

  “Oh, okay. Well, I got that check for ya,” Veedo said, talking of the money he owed.

  “Ok, cool. I’ll send my lil’ ho your way in a bit. Just got home, and I’ll let you know what’s up in the next hour or so.”

  “Alright, dawg. I’m waiting on you,” Veedo replied, and they hung up.

  ***

  NeNe

  NeNe saw the missed call, but did not recognize the number when she got into her car after work. The call was made over an hour ago. She pressed redial while pulling away. She was tired, stressed out, and wanted nothing more than a nice, hot shower and some much-needed rest. NeNe knew it would be impossible, because Erica needed a shoulder and NeNe had promised she would be there to console her.

  “Hello,” a sleepy voice picked up.

  She was baffled at first because it was a male voice.

  “Ah, yeah, someone called me from your number.”

  “What’s up, this Gangsta.”

  She heard what he said, then recognized him instantly and almost missed her turn. She was happy to finally hear his voice, but at the same time shocked.

  “Thank God.”

  “Where you at?”

  “I’m headed home from work. Where are you?” NeNe asked as she turned her car onto the highway.

  “At my mama’s crib. The place you took me the first day we met.”

  “Ok, well, that’s good.”

  “You coming over? I cannot leave ‘cause I’m on house arrest.”

  He sounded so good, and at that second she realized she missed him and how sweet he was with her. He was nice and humble as he could be. She liked Gangsta for some strange reason.

  “I can, but where is your mom? Is it gonna be ok?”

  “I sure miss you, Miss Lady.”

  “Boy, hush,” she said and laughed.

  She indeed did miss him and his swagger. She enjoyed the small time they spent together, and most of all she enjoyed their conversations.

  “So, are you on your way?” he asked.

  “Yeah, I guess so.”

  “Okay, do you know the directions?” Gangsta asked.

  She could hear the joy in his voice.

  “I do,” NeNe laughed at bit, and then they hung up with each other.

  She tossed her phone into the passenger’s seat and pushed the pedal a bit more. He’s home, and that’s good, she thought to herself. She also wondered how he got out if Kash didn’t. It was strange, but she enjoyed the thought of being around him one more time.

  It didn’t take her long to find his mother’s house. The time read 8:10 p.m. when she finally pulled into the driveway. She became nervous all of a sudden as she sat in the car, looking to the nice home painted white and blue. The front yard was large with fresh green grass. A nice flowerbed trimming the walkway to the steps, and old but neat chairs sat on the front porch. She noticed the living room lights were on, and she saw movement on the inside.

  NeNe got out of her car, and she was still fairly shaken by her nerves. She made her way to the front door. She was dressed in jeans, a nice shirt, a small jacket, and boots. Her long hair was in a simple ponytail. NeNe started to ring the doorbell, but she heard the door already being opened. In a few seconds, Gangsta was standing face-to-face with her with a bright smile on his handsome face. He only wore some Nike gym shorts and a tank top. He had a box on his ankle, and he was wearing a pair of socks. He stepped to the side to allow her in.

  “What’s up?” he asked as she entered.

  “How are you?” she asked in return with a smile.

  He pulled her arm when she walked past him, making her come back toward him in a humble manner.

  “I missed this,” he said.

  He touched her face and pulled her into his arms. They shared a much-needed hug, one she did not want to let go of, and then he kissed her softly. She lost herself and gave him her tongue. She couldn’t help it.

  After the kiss, Gangsta closed the door and led her to the sofa. She felt so good just being in his presence. NeNe wanted that feeling to last forever.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  “Yes, I’m fine, but what about you? What’s going on with you? Are you okay? Is everything fine?” She asked questions a million miles a minute.

  “Yeah, I’m Gucci. I just got to beat this case.”

  “What happened? I heard yo’ friend told on you and Kash,” NeNe said.

  “He did, and for what I don’t know.”

  “How did you get out?” she wanted to know.

  “I bonded out,” Gangsta said and touched her face again.

  “I know that, but why isn’t Kash out, too?”

  “He got extra charges, I heard.” He leaned over and kissed her again, and she kissed him back. “So what’s up wit’ me and you?” he asked.

  “What do you mean?” NeNe asked in reply.

  Gangsta pulled her toward him.

  “I want to know, are we gonna be more than just friends?”

  “I don’t know. Are we?”

  She pulled away from his embrace to look him in the face.

  “Man, you’s mines,” Gangsta answered.

  “How are you so sure?”

  She laughed, because she enjoyed being near him and in his arms. She wanted to be with him more than anything, but at the same time she did not want to rush things.

  ***

  Kash

  “Man, can’t you get that statement Dank wrote tossed out?” Kash asked his lawyer while sitting in the lawyer’s booth.

  He was beyond mad. Dank snitched on Gangsta and him because he was afraid to take a fall. What made him even madder was the fact he killed the people who shot Dank.

  He was only acting in the solid form he would want his friends to do for him if the shoe was on the other foot, and being that Dank ate the cheese, it crushed him badly.

  “I’m pretty sure we could get this case beat, but it’s the mother on the stand that’s the cause of you not getting a bond,” his lawyer, James Pennet, said.

  He was a high-priced lawyer out of New York that Kash’s parents paid for to help their only child.

  “Yeah, I know, s
o what’s up now?”

  “Well, you’ll have to appear in court in the next three weeks. I’ll be working day and night to come up with a defense against Dank’s statements and the mother being the eyewitness to her children being killed.”

  “Ok, cool,” Kash said, and then stood up to leave.

  “Have a seat, Charles,” the lawyer said with a look of concern on his face.

  “What’s up?” Kash asked while sitting back down.

  “The district attorney is bringing up another murder charge on you.”

  The lawyer began to tell Kash that Dank wrote another statement about a murder committed years ago that Kash was well aware of, but acted oblivious.

  “Man, that dude just making shit up.”

  “Charles, I’m going to need you to be honest with me if you expect my best help,” the lawyer stated.

  “I’m telling you the honest God’s truth,” Kash stressed, looking his lawyer square in the eyes. After they talked a bit more, Kash was led back to his pod, where he walked directly to his room.

  “What yo’ lawyer talkin’ ‘bout, shawty?” his cellie, Dread, asked.

  “Same shit. Oh, listen, I need to get a jive to this sucka on protective custody. Shawty, can you handle that?” Kash asked as he took a seat on his bunk.

  He had put his head in his hands and attempted to rub away the stress that was building up. He was in shock at all the shit Dank was telling about Gangsta and him. Kash remembered the day he killed that witness like it was yesterday.

  He was fresh out of juvenile after serving thirty-two days for violating probation. He made a promise to Gangsta, who was on lockdown for murder with only one witness against him. He promised to rid the problem that held his partna.

  Kash was picked up by Dank in a gray Honda Accord with black tinted windows from Bankhead Train Station minutes after he got off the train. He jumped in and gave his brother from another mother a pound.

  “What’s up, bruh?” Kash asked.

  “You,” Dank said, and then pulled off onto Bankhead.

  “Who’s ride?” Kash asked, but truly didn’t care.

  “My old ho.”

  The two boys ended up on Hollywood Road in some apartments called Hollywood Brooks. That’s where Dank had an older female. They chilled at the crib until nightfall, then Kash decided to make his move, being that the girl stayed on Center Hill.

  Dank was in the bedroom with his girl when Kash knocked on the door. To his surprise, Dank’s girl opened the door in a long t-shirt and walked past him, so he entered the room. Dank was laid out under a sheet.

  “Shawty, you strapped?” Kash asked.

  “Yeah, why?”

  “I need a tone to get bruh free,” Kash said.

  “Ok, grab that Glock. It’s in the closet,” Dank said, and pointed to an open closet.

  “Bet, shawty, I’m gone get at you later. Give me a flathead.”

  Fifteen minutes after he left the apartment, he had stolen a car from Hollywood Manor Apartments across from Hollywood Brooks. It took him less than ten minutes to find Center Hill Church Street. He knew the area well because Gangsta stayed over on South Grand.

  Kash parked the stolen car on Baker Road and started walking toward Star’s house. She was the girl who was the witness set to take the stand against his second brother from another mother. He did not have a plan. He just knew she needed to go.

  When he finally made it to Church Street, he pulled the paper out and read the address Gangsta had written down. He saw the house, and the lights were on, which meant somebody was there. He kept walking past the house until he reached the end of Church Street.

  Kash started back in the direction he came from, and when he got to the house he walked into the yard. He walked on the porch as if he was about to knock, but he slick-peeped in. He noticed Star on the sofa talking on the phone. Her little brother was playing a video game, which meant her parents were probably asleep. Kash softly knocked on the door and looked in the window again as Star got up to see who was at the door. Kash had never met her, so he knew she wouldn’t know who he was. She opened the curtain to have a look and stared at him for a minute. He gave her a phony smile and a wave to make her feel comfortable, and then mouthed the words ‘Let me holla at you.’

  The curtain closed, and seconds later Kash heard the clicking of the door unlocking. That’s when he eased the Glock out from his back pocket. The door cracked open. He saw Star’s face peek from behind it, and Kash raised the Glock in one instant motion. He let off three shots.

  Pop! Pop! Pop!

  Three shells hit the porch as Star’s body tumbled back, and then the phone fell out of her hand. Two of the bullets tore through her cheek and jaw, and the other bullet missed her. She was dead before her body crashed to the ground. Kash jumped down the few steps and ran from the scene as fast as possible. He made it back onto Baker Road and to the stolen car. He cranked it and pulled off.

  “Just write the letter. I can get it to the kitchen dudes when they run trays this evening,” his cellie said, breaking his train of thought and bringing him back to reality.

  Kash shook it off and got hold of a pen and some paper, still with a confused mindset. What is Dank getting out of all this snitching? he wondered as he began writing.

  Pussy,

  What you doing isn’t cool, my nigga. Da game god gonna spank you one day, homie. I promise, boy, I wish you to be dead on arrival, nigga. I wonder what yo’ momma and yo’ kids gonna think ‘bout you, huh? You pussy, bruh. You lying to them folks to save yo’self. The streets gone eat you alive, nigga.

  Kash knew not to write too much, but he did want to get his point across.

  Chapter 9

  Gangsta

  The next morning, Gangsta was seated at the kitchen table in his mother’s house while Terry prepared him breakfast. NeNe had left last night with promises to come over the next day, so early this morning he called Terry over. His mother was at work, which gave him rights to smoke a blunt and look at Terry’s sexy ass in lust.

  He heard the doorbell and wondered who it could be at an early time such as this. Gangsta got up with the blunt in hand. He put it out as a form of respect and walked down the hall toward the front door. He peeped out the window and saw his lawyer, Michael Swinn. He instantly knew something wasn’t right, so he opened the door.

  “How are you, Mr. Jackson?” Michael Swinn asked and walked in holding a folder.

  Gangsta closed the door behind him and then asked, “What’s going on?”

  “We need to talk, so have a seat.”

  Michael Swinn sat in Gangsta’s mother’s favorite chair. He was lucky she wasn’t home.

  “What’s up?” Gangsta asked.

  The lawyer opened the folder and took a deep breath.

  “The district attorney is about to bring up more charges on you that date back to 1994. Dank is stating that you killed a guy called BL. Bobby Loon is his given name.”

  “That’s a lie,” Gangsta stated immediately.

  “Dank is willing to get on the stand and say that he witnessed the shooting.”

  Gangsta stood to his feet from the sofa. His heart dropped in his stomach because he knew Dank was the only dude who could rat him out on the case with BL. He could not believe Dank was going this far with the snitching.

  “Man, that’s bullshit all around.”

  “Maybe so, but that won’t stop a district attorney who thinks he has a strong case against you. He’s giving me three weeks to return you back to the county jail for a new bond hearing.”

  “Man, fuck naw, I ain’t doing that. I don’t even know no muthafuckin’ BL,” Gangsta stated, and he knew he was lying.

  By now Terry was standing in the doorway to the living room.

  “Listen, Gary, I’ll eat this case alive. I just may not be able to get you a bond this time, and if so, you would have to sit it out. Your parole hold will pop up this time around, too,” the lawyer said, which made Gangsta shake his head.<
br />
  “What about this shit I’m on bond for now? Can you beat that case, too?”

  “I’m sure I can. I’m 100% positive if your friend doesn’t take the stand I can put you there as Danny’s tight man for the prints found on the safe. If he says different, then it’s another ball game.”

  “Man, this some bullshit, real talk.”

  Gangsta couldn’t remember a time he was madder than at that moment. He wanted to kill the world to show his anger. He could not believe all this was crashing down around his feet. He reflected back on the day it all went down with BL.

  Dank and he went to West Fulton Middle School. Gangsta had only been out of juvenile two weeks and wanted to fly straight for a moment. They were walking down Bankhead when they made a stop at the gas station. All the afterschool students hung around at the store, so it was crowded with badass boys and fast ass girls. It was Gangsta’s third day at school, so most people didn’t know him, but they knew who Dank was.

  Gangsta walked through a crowd of guys and into the store, where he got two blunts from the clerk. Gangsta noticed three females looking in his direction, so he decided to holla at the baddest one, who was a slim redbone named Star. She was a known freak from the Grove Park Center Hill area. As he got his mack on, BL and two other dudes entered the store. BL was a known bully who had a major reputation in the streets and the school for being the best fighter out of young niggas. He stood 5’9” and weighed a solid 190 pounds at the age of fourteen.

  “Yo, nigga, get out my girl’s face! Bitch, get over here,” BL demanded with a mean look upon his face.

  Star quickly ran to his side out of fear.

  Gangsta just looked at the guy who was a few inches taller than him and shook his head. He walked out of the store after getting his two blunts and was met by another crowd of dudes. Dank was across the parking lot on the payphone. Gangsta said nothing to their slick comments and remarks as he made his way to his partna.

  “Let’s go, shawty,” he said to Dank, never looking back to the guys who began to follow them.