Queen Hustlaz Part 2 Page 12

  “I know that’s right. I’ma meet you there then,” Chris said.

  “That’s what’s up! Let’s turn up at the park,” Thad replied.

  Chris felt as if he was talking to the old Thad. He wondered when the change occurred. He could deal with this Thad.

  Thad got dressed and headed to the park. He needed to relax and clear his mind. His days had been consumed with revenge, mourning, and hatred. He was ready for a small change. Live jazz music and being surrounded by people who were enjoying life was exactly what he needed.

  When he arrived at the park, there were no parking areas available, so he had to park a block away and walk down, which he didn’t mind. The air was cool and crisp, and the music was bumping loud from the park. He passed a few beautiful women, but none of them were really the thugettes he was looking for. He checked his phone to see if Chris had called. Seeing that he hadn’t yet, he continued into the park. “What a gorgeous day,” he muttered.

  * * *

  Detective Rone dropped Emily off at the airport and decided to call and check on Dana. With the way Brittany and Rebecca were acting when he last visited, he decided he was going to check in on Dana more often.

  He dialed the house number and was about to hang up when Dana answered, “Hello?”

  “Hey, Dana, this is Detective Rone. How is everything over there?”

  “It’s going okay. Just wish I could get out of this house,” she replied.

  “Brittany won’t take you out for a while?” he asked.

  “She isn’t here, and neither is Stephanie. But I’m good, Detective Rone.”

  “Where is your nurse? She can’t take you out for a while?” he asked, prying a bit.

  “Today is her day off, and she is going out in a little bit,” Dana answered.

  “Well, I’m in your area, and I can stop by and take you out if you would like. I don’t like the thought of you being there by yourself,” he told her.

  “I’ll be okay, but thanks anyway. Look, I’m going to get off the phone and lie down for a little while. I got a slight headache. Thanks for calling, though,” she said as she concluded her call.

  Detective Rone hung up and headed toward Dana’s way anyway. He figured since he was close by he could check Rebecca out a bit. Dana had just said she was going to be leaving soon, and he could follow her and see where she was going.

  He drove quickly to Dana’s road and pulled back into a side road and watched Dana’s house. He saw that Rebecca’s car was still in the yard, and a few minutes later, Brittany arrived. Rebecca left moments later.

  Detective Rone tailed Rebecca for about five miles. She slowed down and turned into a huge parking lot. Detective Rone frowned as he realized they were at the rehabilitation center that Dana was going to.

  “What is she doing here without Dana?” he wondered aloud.

  He pulled in across the street at a store and watched. Thirty minutes later she emerged, pushing someone in a wheelchair.

  “That must be another patient of hers,” he thought at first. He couldn’t get a good look at the person at first, but as Rebecca pushed them to the passenger side door and wheeled them around to get them in the car, Detective Rone almost choked on the water he was drinking. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing, who he was seeing. He finally remembered how he knew Rebecca and who she was!

  His first instinct was to call Brittany and tell her he needed to talk to her. But he dismissed that idea quickly. He couldn’t understand why Brittany would hire that woman if she had truly run a thorough background check on her. It wasn’t adding up. Detective Rone decided that he would wait to talk to Brittany and do his own research.

  He called the precinct and talked to his pal of twenty years to get him to run a background check on both Brittany and Rebecca for him. He needed answers immediately. It was the only way he was going to rest. He couldn’t wait to tell Emily what he had just discovered.

  He knew she was still on the plane, but he dialed her number and left her a message: “Hey, this is Rone. Call me as soon as you get this! You aren’t going to believe what I’ve just discovered.” He hung up and continued to watch as Rebecca kissed the person on the forehead, shut the door, walked to the driver’s side, and got in. Once she pulled off, Detective Rone was on her tail. He was going to follow her all day if he had to. He had nothing but time.

  * * *

  Brittany and Dana were doing a few exercises on Dana’s legs. “All right, Dana you’re doing great today! I’m so proud of the progress you’re making. I knew you had it in you!” Brittany praised her.

  “Yeah, I got to get out of this chair. You were right, Britt: I can’t continue to sulk around and feel sorry for myself. I got to get back to my old self. I’m very thankful for having you and Stephanie with me. I love you guys so much. You know, when I was a little girl I used to dream of making it big as an actress, but as I got older and saw friends and family get railroaded by the system, law became my reality. Never once did I dream that I’d be this person,” Dana said as she waved her hand downward toward her legs.

  “The person you are is great. You made a few misjudgments, and hell, so did I for that matter, but we both made our decisions, and it’s too late to change them. We just got to deal with it the best we can. I’m here for you,” Brittany replied.

  “You think I got one more set of ten leg lifts in me?” Dana asked, smiling.

  “Hell yeah, let’s get it!” Brittany said, smiling.

  * * *

  Monday morning, Dana was dropped off at the rehabilitation center early. Brittany told her she had some business to take care of, and as of late, Stephanie was nowhere to be found. Rebecca hadn’t shown up to work in two days, which had everyone on edge. Dana didn’t really care if she returned. She just hated putting more problems on Brittany.

  Dana wondered why Brittany was in a such a rush that morning. Brittany had gotten a phone call early that morning that seemed to disturb her, and she wasn’t very talkative at all. Dana was working on the FES bicycle. Because of the little leg movement she had, the machine allowed her to pedal a stationary cycle called an ergometer. Mild electrical pulses helped her leg muscles contract, which let her pedal.

  She was on the bicycle for about twenty minutes when her heart felt as if it would burst in her chest, and her eyes collided with another patient who was being wheeled in.

  Brenda!

  Dana stared into the eyes of the woman she had attempted to kill over a year ago. Brenda smiled and turned her head. Dana sat confused, unable to think straight. I thought she was dead! She whispered to herself, “What else can go wrong?”

  No sooner than she asked, Detective Moore walked in with two other cops behind her. Dana dropped her head and saw them walking over to Brenda.

  Fuck. They’re ’bout to take my ass to jail. Fuck, man! Dana began to hyperventilate when she saw them all look in her direction. Calm down, Dana. As the police headed in her direction, Dana began to silently pray.

  “Ms. Dana Crisp?” Detective Moore asked as she approached, flashing her badge.

  “Yes, I’m Dana. What can I do for you?” Dana replied, trying to keep cool.

  “I’m Detective Moore, and I’d like to ask you a few questions about one Debra Fuller.”

  “I’m not sure how I can assist you, but ask your questions,” Dana said.

  “When was the last time you saw or spoke to her?” Detective Moore asked.

  “It’s been over a year now. We used to work together. I hope everything is all right,” Dana said.

  “Ma’am, Miss Debra Fuller was found dead a few days ago, and I was given the case. I went over a file that Detective Rone had on her, and I saw where you and Brittany were questioned about her disappearance. You know what else I do recall? That happened around the same time that Brenda over there”—Detective Moore nodded in Brenda’s direction—“was shot. You know she almost died. It’s a damn shame she has no memory of what happened. I’d love to find out who shot her as
well. But listen to me, jumping all off the subject. Do you by any chance remember the exact day that you last saw her? What she had on? What her demeanor was?”

  “I can’t recall. I’ve been through a lot myself lately, so I really don’t think I can help you,” Dana responded as she started the machine back up.

  Taking that as her cue that the conversation was over, Detective Moore reached in her pocket, took out a card, and handed it to Dana. “If you remember anything please give me a call.”

  “Sure,” Dana said, as Detective Moore watched Dana place the card on top of her belongings that sat in her wheelchair.

  As the officers left the building, Dana let out a calming breath of air. She had just learned two things that eased her mind just a bit: one, they didn’t have any idea who killed Debra, and two, Brenda couldn’t remember who she was. She smiled, but as she looked over, she saw Brenda watching her. It was eerie and uneasiness set in her once again.

  Thirty minutes later, Stephanie was there to get her.

  “Damn, bitch, where the fuck you been hiding?” Dana asked.

  “I had a few things to take care of, boo. I called Brittany, and she told me you were here, and she asked if I could pick you up. You ready?” Stephanie answered.

  “Yeah, I’m ready. Look over to your right and tell me who you see,” Dana said under her breath.

  Stephanie looked over and froze for a minute. “Well, damn, is that—”

  “Yes, bitch, it is!” Dana said before Stephanie could finish her question.

  “She’s looking over here like she lost something,” Stephanie said, obviously aggravated.

  “They said she doesn’t remember anything before the shooting, but she keeps eyeing me like she remembers something,” Dana whispered.

  “Well, let’s not worry about her too much. Listen, they are having Day in the Park today at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Do you want to go with me?” Stephanie asked.

  “I don’t know,” Dana answered. “That’s so far away.”

  “Girl, come on. You ain’t got nothing else to do, so we might as well have a little fun. Brittany said she is going to be out of touch for a while today, so let’s do something other than sit at the house,” Stephanie said.

  “Okay, Steph, let’s go. You are right. I can’t keep hiding in the house. I think that’s a great idea. Hey, I’ve got an idea: let’s go get Travis,” Dana said.

  Stephanie started pushing Dana out of the rehab center, but not without giving Brenda one last glance over as they walked by. To her astonishment, Brenda smiled and nodded.

  “Yeah, that bitch acting real suspect,” Stephanie said once they were outside.

  “I told you!” Dana replied.

  As the two girls hit the expressway and headed to Shirley’s house, Dana relaxed and was ready to see Travis. She didn’t see him as often as she used to or call as much, but she did love him. She just felt awkward being around them, knowing what she had done. Truth be told, every day Dana regretted killing Farrah. She knew that Farrah had been under extreme pressure and she only did what any mother would do, which was keep her child by any means necessary. “It should’ve been Jeryca’s ass!” Dana said aloud unknowingly.

  “What you say about Jeryca?” Stephanie asked.

  “Nothing, just thinking about my current situation,” Dana replied.

  Stephanie didn’t utter a word.

  * * *

  When they approached the exit to Shirley’s house, Dana looked at her watch. They had left the rehab center at nine-thirty, and now it was eleven. We made real good time.

  When they pulled up to the house, Stephanie went in to see if they could take Travis to the park. When she emerged with a jumpy Travis, Dana smiled and waved at Shirley.

  “Thanks for taking Travis out with you. I been wondering when he was going to see you again. He has been worrying me to death about you two,” Shirley yelled.

  “These doctor visits have been consuming a lot of my time, but we couldn’t come down this way without seeing our little man,” Dana replied.

  Travis got into the back seat and put his seat belt on. “I’m ready, Auntie Steph. Hey, Auntie Dana, you look very pretty today.”

  “Why, thank you, baby,” Stephanie replied. “You look handsome yourself.”

  “You ready for a fun day at the park?” Dana asked excitedly.

  “Yahhh!” Travis squealed.

  “All right, let’s get it then.” Dana laughed.

  Thirty minutes later, they arrived at the park and Stephanie was thrilled to see that it was a nice turnout. She helped Travis out of the car first and opened up her trunk to get Dana’s wheelchair out. As she was pulling the chair out, she heard a soft whistle behind her.

  “Looking good, babe,” a familiar voice called out.

  “Well, what are you doing here, Deondre?” she asked.

  “The same thing you are, I’m guessing. You need any help getting Dana out?” he asked.

  “Yes, please,” Stephanie said as she stepped a little bit to the side, allowing Deondre to open up the wheelchair.

  “Dana, I’m surprised but happy to see that you are out and about today,” he said as he opened her door and helped her stand up. After he assisted her into her chair, they headed off into the park.

  Deondre pushed Dana with Stephanie by his side, and the three of them laughed and talked. Travis was having a good time as well. He rode a few of the rides and happily asked Stephanie to get on the carousel with him. They ate hot dogs, and Deondre bought Travis some cotton candy, which he had all around his mouth.

  As they moved around the park and took a seat on the bench next to the creek, Dana heard Travis yell, “There go my Uncle Chris and T!”

  She turned and looked and before her eyes was Chris, with Thad next to him. Deondre excused himself, as he didn’t want to cause any problems, especially with Travis there.

  “Hello, ladies,” Thad said, eyeing Dana.

  Keeping it civil, Dana smiled. “Hello, Thad. How are you?”

  “I’ve been good,” he replied.

  “That’s great,” she said coolly.

  “You’re looking good,” Thad said.

  “Thank you. And you’re looking”—Dana looked him over—“like yourself.”

  Thad laughed. “I guess I do.”

  The two were so busy trying to be nice to each other, they hadn’t noticed that Stephanie and Chris had walked off with Travis, and were heading back on the carousel.

  “Well, it looks like it’s just you and me, Miss Lady.” Thad laughed.

  Dana looked at him long and hard. “I guess it is.”

  Thad and Dana spent the remainder of their time at the park talking. Dana figured she could tolerate him just for a little while.

  Later that afternoon, Dana and Stephanie dropped Travis off and headed back down the highway to go home. Neither of them spoke. Dana pretended that she was asleep because she wanted to avoid any questions that Stephanie may have had concerning what she and Thad had talked about.

  Once Stephanie arrived at home, she was glad to see that Brittany’s car was parked in the driveway. She promised Chris that she would meet him at his place once Brittany arrived to sit with Dana. She pushed Dana into the house and called out for Brittany.

  Brittany emerged from the kitchen with her apron on, and in her hand was a spoon that was covered in sauce. “Where have you two been?” she asked, smiling.

  “We went and picked up Travis and went to Day in the Park,” Dana replied, smiling.

  “Oh, yeah, how was it?” Brittany asked.

  “Shit, girl, it was lovely, but guess who mysteriously showed up?” Dana questioned with a smirk and side-eye at Stephanie.

  “Who?” Brittany asked, looking from Dana to Stephanie.

  “Chris and Thad were there. But it was a coincidence, Dana!” Stephanie replied, looking at Dana and frowning.

  “Humph, aren’t we being touchy about the Chris subject? You were all in his ass at the park,” Dana rep
lied snottily.

  “Well, Dana, you didn’t seem to mind it while we were at the park, so why speak on it now?” Stephanie asked in an agitated manner.

  “I’m just telling Brittany what happened at the park, Stephanie, don’t get so offended. Damn,” Dana said, rolling her eyes.

  “Man, whatever. I’m getting ready to go! I will see y’all later,” Stephanie replied, as she headed for her room.

  Dana started laughing, which caused Stephanie to pause and look back at Dana. “You were looking quite chummy with Thad at one point, Dana. Is that li’l twat getting heated to the point that you will fuck with Jeryca’s old flame?”

  Dana looked at Stephanie and laughed. “Bitch, I told you, I was just telling Brittany what we did today. Don’t get no attitude with me! I swear, you lucky I’m in this chair!”

  “You ain’t talking ’bout shit, ’cause even out that chair you couldn’t fuck with me on my worst day and you know it. Don’t think ’cause I’m Caucasian I couldn’t beat yo’ ass, Dana,” Stephanie said as she took a step forward.

  “Hey, now, you two chill out. It ain’t that serious, for real. Whatever you and Chris got going on is your business. I think Dana was just joking,” Brittany said, stepping in front of Stephanie. “I mean, I would’ve never asked about y’all’s day if I knew it was going to lead to this.”

  Stephanie turned without saying a word and walked into her room. She grabbed a few of her personal items and walked out of the house.

  * * *

  After Chris left the park, he and Thad went and grabbed them a bite to eat, and they discussed how great Dana appeared to be doing. Thad kept throwing shots at him about Stephanie, but he ignored it. He wasn’t trying to argue with Thad, period. However, what really caught his attention was a comment Thad made about himself and Dana. He’d said that he wouldn’t mind chopping up a few grand with her in the near future.

  Chris wondered why Thad would make such a comment after seeing and talking to Dana on only two occasions, unless something more was going on between the two that they weren’t telling. He was going to check with Stephanie once he fucked her a few times, and see if she had noticed any difference in Dana’s conversations about Thad.