Chapter 5

Two days later, I received the call that I had been dreading. Lynda and I were asked to go down to the precinct and meet with a homicide detective. We drove down to the precinct right away although neither of us wanted to hear the news. We were directed to the third floor and brought to Detective James Wilson’s office. He stood up from behind his desk and shook both of our hands with a stoic look on his face.

“I regret to inform the both of you that Stacey Williams’ body was found a few hours ago in mid-town. We have the area secured and our crime scene unit is there now collecting evidence. So far, we have not found her vehicle or any other personal belongings.” he stated.

“Where exactly was she found?” Lynda asked, with tears running down her cheek.

“There’s a mini mart called Mary Jo’s off on the expressway about three miles from your home. She was found on the side driveway to the store.” he answered.

“She was just lying on the driveway?” I asked.

“No..., I’m sorry to say she was found in the dumpster on the side of building.” he said, softly.

Lynda burst into tears sobbing hysterically clutching my hand like she was drowning. At that time, I was sure if I felt more sorrow or anger. How could someone kill my mother and toss her into the dumpster.

He then led us to the medical examiner’s office and had us positively identify my mother’s body. Lynda couldn’t go in, so I went alone. They opened a large stainless-steel door and pulled a rack out that was covered in a white sheet. The medical examiner removed the top half of the sheet exposing my mother’s face. Never in my life had I seen life’s cruel reality up close and personal. I nodded to the examiner, and he quickly covered her up again. I helped Lynda back up to Detective Wilson’s office where we both sat back down.

He of course, expressed his condolences for our loss then asked us a few more questions. He also asked that we not say anything to anyone about any detail of the case. He said that other than a few standard details, the press was not going to be told much. Over the years, they had solved many cases by suspects revealing something that had never been put in the newspaper.

We left several minutes later and drove straight home. Lynda went right to bed and slept for days. I walked around the house aimlessly even skipping the gym for several days. Four days later we were called and told we could make funeral arrangements due to the completed autopsy.

Five days later, we had my mother’s funeral at the Davis Mortuary in town where probably sixty people in attendance including Roland Langston who I met for the first time. He seemed like a nice guy and appeared devastated by the death of my mother. Even my Uncle Jack showed up much to Lynda’s dismay. After wrapping up at the cemetery, I notice Jack and Lynda in a slightly heated argument. I walked over and asked if everything was ok.

“Chris, I would like to stay in town a few days, but she refuses to let me stay at your home.” he said, slightly annoyed.

“Well, that’s up to Aunt Lynda.” I answered.

“Why it’s your house ... why should she make the rules? I am your uncle after all.” he replied.

“It’s up to Aunt Lynda. If she says no ... it’s no.” I responded, walking away.

About a week later, the police found my mother’s car in the parking lot of Treasure Cove Casino. Since it was opened twenty hours a day, a car left unattended would easily blend in with the other cars that were in the lot. The car had been brought to the impound lot and was being checked for fingerprints, blood, or DNA. They always informed me that they were sure my mother had been killed on the side of the store where she was found. She had died of a head injury which we knew but her blood had been found on the corner on the dumpster. Almost like she may have been struggling with someone and pushed them striking the back of her head.

They were still going over surveillance video of the nearby stores but so far had nothing. The cameras at Mary Jo’s were down and waiting to be fixed. The camera across the street at the pawn shop was down as well. They promised to call back if they had any new developments.

About a month later, a store about half a block down had some security footage that was discovered. There were eight to nine people in front of the store with all but one having hoodies on. You could see my mother’s car pulled up and park. She got out but before she could go into the store she was surrounded by this group of people. She kept retreating down the sideway to her vehicle before two people grabbed her and drug her into the alley out of sight.

Then about ten minutes later, two people come out and get in her car. They made a sharp U-turn and took off away from the cameras. The rest never came out the alley, so it was figured they went around the back and exited on the side street. Other than the number of people involved the tape really did not show much.

Aunt Lynda went back home about a month later to try and give her marriage one last chance. When she left, I told her she was welcome back any time to stay with me if she wanted to. I then turned back to a life of working out and training with Master Garcia. Only know, I was angry ... very angry. I would spar with people now and would attack with a vengeance I never knew I possessed.

About a week later, on a Saturday night I felt like getting a pizza, so I went to Moe’s Pizza which had the best pizza in town. It was a popular hangout for young people with a bar, pool tables and pinball machines.

I went in and they seat me at the last booth in the back which was the darkest area. Thankfully, I didn’t see anyone I knew so I relaxed and made my order. Just before my order arrived Mark Boudreaux and Chrissy Haynes came in but took a seat in front in the first booth. The last thing I needed tonight was to deal with Mark Boudreaux. Thankfully, for some reason they left moments before I did, so I did not have to deal with them.

A few days later, I was pulling into my driveway when I noticed Cassie sitting on her front porch steps. She got up and started walking towards me.

“Hey Cassie, how are you?” I inquired.

“I’m better, thanks. How are you holding up?” she asked.

“Day by day, Cassie.” I responded.

“Hey, any chance we can talk later tonight?” she asked.

“Sure, any time ... kind of tired of being alone.” I answered.

“Ok, let’s say seven o’clock or so.” he suggested.

“Sounds good.” I replied.

I got cleaned up, made a pitcher of iced tea and straightened up the house a bit. I had no sooner finished when I heard a knock at the side door. I walked through the kitchen and let Cassie in. As she entered and walked past me, I got a scent of baby powder and soap. She had on black spandex shorts and a pink t-shirt which was a change from her normal attire.

I invited her to the living room where I had set out the pitcher of tea, two glasses and a container of ice. I poured two glasses, handing one to Cassie then sat back on the sofa. She seemed like she wanted to say something, but she was very hesitant.

“You ok, Cassie?” I asked.

“Oh, yes ... I’m fine. I told my mother everything that happened and even showed her a copy of the film. She was so angry at first that Will allowed that to happen. We talked for hours and as of now my mother thinks it is not a good idea to tell my father. My dad and Will’s dad know each other, and it could get real nasty.” she explained.

“I understand.” I replied.

“Oh, and by the way ... my mother loves you for kicking Will’s ass”, she giggled.

“He deserved it ... How long did you and Will date?” I asked.

We had been together since the eighth grade ... went to Columbus High same as you. Although I was two years ahead of you.” she stated.

“Oh, I bet Will played on the football team huh?” I asked.

“Yes, he did. How did you know?” she asked, amazed.

“Because I have a running feud with Destin Thibodaux, Marl Boudreaux, Ted Savoie, Darren Miller and Josh Klein.” I responded.

“Nice group of assholes you just mentioned.” she laughed.

“You know them?” I asked.

“Oh yea ... you know those Coyotes run in packs. How did you get on the shit list with them?” she asked.

I recalled the story at Haley’s pool party that night and what I did to Darren Miller. I explained ever since then whenever they see me, they try get me to fight.” I answered.

“Well, unless I’m mistaken, you just added Will and Tommy to that group as well. They played together with that group for two years.” she warned.

“It doesn’t matter ... sooner or later it’s going happen and it’s not going to be nice.” I replied.

“Hey how about we go to the Burger Barn and hang out for a while?” she asked.

“Sure, I guess so...” I stated.

Cassie went back to her house to change, and I did the same. I just threw some jeans and a Nike t-shirt on with a pair of tennis shoes. Cassie knocked on the door about thirty minutes later. She had on a short blue jean skirt and a sleeveless white pull over shirt. She looked good and much different from the black ensembles she wore regularly.

We arrived at the Burger Barn a little before seven o’clock and it was packed. We sat outside and waited for a booth for close to a half hour or so. We finally got seated close to the right wall and started looking at the menus. We ordered from the waitress and were waiting for our food when Will, Tommy and two girls came in. I nodded to Cassie to look by the front door. She turned and her face immediately became red with anger when she saw them.

“You want to leave?” I asked, leaning over.

“Fuck’em, ... I’m not running from them.” she answered.

“Good enough for me.” I replied.

They sat on the other side of the restaurant, and I was not even sure if they noticed us yet. Will’s two eyes and nose were still bruised severely but he seemed fine. Apparently, he had a new girlfriend since he was holding her hand and leaning all over her.

Our order arrived and we started eating and just talking about everything and anything. Cassie, as I was beginning to learn was quite different than the young lady, I met the first time. When she let her guard down, she was funny, smart, and sexy. We were really having a good time and I had forgotten all about Will and Tommy even being there until I heard a voice over my shoulder.

“Cassie, you better watch hanging around this guy. He’s a marked man...” Tommy laughed.

Before Cassie said a word, I stood up turned and faced Tommy ready for any nonsense he might try. He took a step back as everyone around got deathly silent.

“I’m a marked man Tommy ... by who ... you?” I asked.

He took another step back looking over at the table where Will was still seated. And out of the corner of my eye Will was making no attempt to get up at this moment.

“Tommy, when you threaten someone, you better be able to follow through. This is getting old with ex-football players trying to intimidate people. Now move along or we go outside, your choice.” I said, calmly.

Tommy turned around and went back to his table and I sat back down with Cassie. One of the girls sitting at the table across from us leaned over and told Cassie that she hated that group. They had been bullying dozens of the students at the high school for years.

We left without any more incidents and drove straight back to my house. We both went in and sat on the sofa where I switched on the television. Cassie asked for a glass of tea, so I got up and poured two large glasses and returned to the sofa. I noticed while I was gone, she had moved over to the center of the sofa closer to where I was sitting. I handed her the glass of tea and sat down next to her.