Smooth Operator Read Online Free PDF Page A

glass set into the wall like a window. “Keisha Front
on the other side, huh?”
    “I know you and your sister had it real
rough. Maybe this is a way you can get her some help,” Detective
Harrison replied, ignoring her question.
    His words pricked at Charmaine. She let out
a shaky sigh, but managed to hold onto her emotions and not cry.
She wanted more than anything for Jessi to stop hurting, to live
without drugging herself into oblivion. Charmaine stiffened her
spine and steadied her breathing. She gazed back at him.
    “You’re hard-core. I get it,” Detective
Harrison said. He started to speak again, but stopped when the
interview room door swung open. A tall white officer came in.
    “The story checks out. Every detail,” the
police officer said and glanced at Charmaine.
    Twenty minutes later Charmaine walked out
between the two men. They went to a large room filled with desks.
Police officers came and went looking serious. A few talked on the
phone. When Jessi appeared accompanied by a policewoman, Charmaine
rushed over and hugged her.
    Charmaine brushed down her sister’s tussled
hair. “It’s going to be okay. I promise.”
    Two other detectives ushered in Keisha and
Lorenzo. Keisha glared at them. “This is a bunch of bullshit! What
do you mean I need to ‘go with this detective to an interview
room’? I’m not going anywhere.”
    “They want to get our statements is all.
Calm down,” Lorenzo said firmly as his gaze darted back and forth.
“Starting a riot up in here is not a good idea.”
    “They killed my poor husband. You need to
arrest those two,” Keisha yelled and brushed Lorenzo’s hand from
her arm. She pointed at Charmaine and then pressed a wad of tissues
to her eyes, even though not one tear had fallen. “James wasn’t a
saint, but he didn’t deserve to die because he picked up a psycho
prostitute.”
    “Maybe they will arrest us for something,
but not murder. Thanks for the text and phone call, Keisha,”
Charmaine spat out.
    “What?” Keisha frowned, an expression of
confusion twisting her face.
    “I told you to shut the hell up,” Lorenzo
mumbled.
    “I’m glad she’s so talkative. The police
wanna find out how you knew Jessi would be wanted for murder three
minutes after the 911 operator got the call.” Charmaine nodded as
Keisha’s mouth dropped open. “Yeah, and before the first cop found
the body.”
    “She’s lying!” Keisha shouted as two police
officers led her away. “You gonna listen to her? Don’t touch me!
I’ve got friends, important people. I’m calling my lawyer.”
    “Look man,” Lorenzo stammered and wiped a
large hand over his face. “I don’t know nothin’ about nothin’.
Okay? I’m just a friend who agreed to drive her down here so she
could get justice. All I’m doing is tryin’ to help the lady out. I
haven’t even known her that long,” Lorenzo protested frantically.
His voice faded as he was led away.
    Jessi leaned her head on Charmaine’s
shoulder. “I’m so tired, Char.”
    “We’ll be home soon, sweetie,” Charmaine
said quietly and kissed the top of her tangled curls.
    “How did you know the Front’s house had
cameras installed inside?” Detective Harrison asked Charmaine. His
dark eyebrows went up giving him a suspicious expression.
    “They live in a lovely home, nice area but
we have a high crime rate. Makes sense don’t you think?” Charmaine
kept her expression neutral.
    “That thing about Mrs. Front texting you was
shaky, circumstantial, even if it was suspicious. The video of her
and Thomas hauling what looks like a body out of the house is going
to be harder for them to explain. You two dodged a bullet this go
round. I strongly suggest you help your sister change her
lifestyle, ma’am.” Detective Harrison said, bass voice pitched deep
with intensity as he made his point.
    “Yes, sir,” Charmaine said and pulled Jessi
against her protectively.
     
    ****
     
    The next morning Scotty and Diamond sat