Karma: 1

By Antoinette R. Davis

Elston Amos grew up in the corrupt streets of Baltimore City by a single father, he worked hard to obtain success and status, and along the way, he has made a few enemies. After a night of drinking and celebrating, his future takes a deadly twist and turns to murder. He is torn between turning himself in to the law, going, or leaving the scene. A witness by the name of Brenda Vander walks out of the shadows of darkness with a scheme to help Elston with his troubles but with a price. Now Elston finds himself in a love triangle with Brenda and his devoted fiancé'. After several attempts to get rid of Brenda, Elston has reached a breaking point when she threatens to tell his fiancé and the police about the murder. Brenda is found murdered and Elston has a motive and is the number one suspect. Ultimately, four lives will hang in a balance for the murder of Brenda Vander.

• Language: English
• Publisher: ARD Writing with you in Mind
• Release date: Jun 12, 2014
• ISBN: 9781393650850

Antoinette R. Davis

An Entertaining and Compelling Fiction Author From Baltimore  In today’s fast-paced world where everyone is always busy and technology is king, sometimes it just feels good to sit back, take a break, and read a good novel. Hi, I am Antoinette Davis, and I am a fiction author that aims to spread the magic of reading in the world. At ARD Writing, I do my best to keep the world of books alive by writing wonderful fiction stories. To make sure that people enjoy my works, I always write with my audience in mind. By incorporating my thoughts and imagination with what my readers want, I am able to create beautiful and thought-provoking narratives that keep them entertained and compelled to read more.

Book preview

Chapter one

It’s July 15, 2015, one of the hottest days of the year, so it feels like. Elston looks outside of his window and sees kids playing in the street after opening a fire hydrant on Charles Street. Elston walks back over to his bed and lays down right in front of his small unit window air conditioner to escape the heat.  His cell phone rings, he looks at the caller ID and it is the call he has been eagerly waiting for.  Hello, Elston answers anxiously, Yes, this is Elston Amos.  Elston walks back and forth in his little studio apartment waiting to hear what the man has to say.

Mr. Amos the Board of Directors has reviewed your resume and completed a thorough background check on you and we have decided you are the perfect person to become the new Principal for John Eager Howard Middle School Academy, says the Gentleman.

Elston jumps up and down on his bare feet, Thank you, Jesus, Elston screams in his head,". 

He tries to hold his composure but the excitement is too much for him to contain himself, Thank you so much sir, Elston hangs up the phone and starts jumping all around the room; he lays on his back across the room kicking his feet up in the air,  Yes, yes, I got it, I got it! yells Elston.  He immediately starts thinking about all the things he can do now that he will be making six figures.  I can buy myself a new car, move out of this tiny apartment, and ask Samantha to marry me."

His cell phone rings," Hello, Elston is still in his excitement.

It’s his childhood friend Davon, Davon can hear something’s up by Elston’s tone when he answered the phone. Hey man, what’s going on you sound excited about something?

Davon I got the Principal Job.

Oh yea, that’s something to be excited about.

You don’t know the half of it,  I’m ready to make some moves and the first thing I want to do is move out of this apartment and get myself a new car.  I’m tired of showing up in that beat-up red car.

Davon laughs,

Elston laughs with him, I am so serious.

We need to go out and celebrate your new job; meet some ladies and have some fun.

I’m all for hanging out but I have to leave the ladies alone because I am not trying to get caught up and lose Samantha, especially now.

Why now Bro;

Now that I am making more money I can ask her to marry me.

Davon doesn’t say anything.

Elston hears dead air, Davon, are you still there?

Yeah I’m here, do you really want to settle down now? Why didn’t you ask her years ago; you two have been dating for years.

I wanted to be better off financially besides I wanted to make sure she could pull her weight financially; you know what mean.

Davon is quiet again.

I’ll see you tonight, call the frat brothers and we all meet down at the inner harbor.

Davon wasn't quite finished with the conversation about Samantha, You’re more interested in her tax bracket than her; is that it?

Elston shakes his head, yeah something like that.

But do you love her and does she love you.

I love her that’s why I waited to ask her.  I needed to be able to bring something to the table in our marriage; what was I going to do; marry her and live in my studio apartment.  No sir, I want a house with two or three garages and cars to put in them.  You know what I mean.

Money is not everything; you need love with it to make it work.

Elston breathes; he is getting frustrated with the conversation, Man you sound like Steven Harvey with that.  Yes, I love her and I know she loves me.  Look I have to go and call my family and Samantha.  I’ll see you tonight.  Elston cuts the conversation short.

Davon notices their conversation was about to turn into a great debate and even though Davon was up for it; he didn’t want to rain on Elston’s parade for now.

Elston calls his father and before Mr. Amos could say Hello Elston yells out, Dad I got the job!

Mr. Amos is startled for a minute, Well alright now we have a principal in the house, now maybe your sister will do better in school so she can impress you, Mr. Amos laughs, I’m happy for you son.

Dad, Elston hesitates for a minute. Now that I will be making more money I was thinking about asking Samantha to marry me what do you think?  Do you think I should do it? 

Mr. Amos had one wife and it was a disaster, marriage was taboo for him; he vowed never to do it again.

Elston if you love her and she loves you and you want to give up all this free,

Elston stops his father, Dad come on now, stop.

Mr. Amos laughs, Boy I’m just saying.  It’s a lot of young things out here. Seriously son if you two both love each other I say yes does it."

I do love her besides she’s a great fit for my future.

Mrs. Amos thought his son’s comment was strange but he didn’t question it.  How long have you been dating her?

We started dating when we were at Coppin together, so it’s been a long time.

Just go with your heart but you know you have to ask her mother for permission and Peggy is a pistol so good luck with that, Mr. Amos laughs again.

I know she is but I think I can handle her; you taught me well. Elston laughs with his father.  I’ll talk to you later dad.

Mr. Amos doesn’t hang up right away, Elston, I’m proud of you son. Mr. Amos is a little choked up with tears.

Elston can hear the emotion in his father’s voice.  I’m proud of you too because I couldn’t have done it without you and all of your sacrifices. 

Son if I had to do it all over again I would do the same thing.  I love my children and I was determined to give you the best life possible as a single father but it’s nice to be appreciated.

I’m getting ready to call Samantha’s mom and see if I can talk to her today.  I’ll call you later and let you know how it went.

They hang up.

Elston looks around his studio apartment to find something to throw on real quick so he can go over to Samantha’s house. Elston leaves his apartment and jumps into his old red 1997 Dodge Neon that is on its last leg and to top it off it doesn’t have air.

Elston is nervous about calling Samantha’s mother Mrs. Peggy, but he knows this is the proper thing to do. Elston takes his flip phone out, and takes a deep breath, okay here it goes, between the heat and talking to Mrs. Peggy Elston having a meltdown.

He stutters at first, Hello Mrs. Peggy is it okay if I stop by today, he wipes the sweat from his forehead, I have something I would like to talk to you about.

Sure Elston, you are welcome to come over but you know my daughter is at work

‘Yes, ma’am I know; I wanted to talk to you alone."

Alone you say, hmmm, okay I’ll be here in the house all day.  I’m staying out of this heat.  It’s hotter than hell out there.  Come on, I’ll see then.

Elston is relieved for now, "that went well

Fifteen minutes later Elston pulls up at Mrs. Peggy’s house in the beautiful Rosedale area of Baltimore. Elston steps out of his car and walks up to the front door.  He tries to straighten his clothes before she answers but he notices his shirt and armpits are stained from the sweat.

Mrs. Peggy answers, come on in honey. she smells the sweat from Elston’s body.  You smell like you just rode a horse over here.  Mrs. Peggy is known for speaking her mind.  Come in the kitchen and have a seat while I finish making myself some lunch.  Would you like something cold to drink?

No ma’am I’m fine, Elston looks nervous.

So what is it you want to talk to me about?

I came over to talk to you about me and Samantha.

What about you two.  She better not be pregnant.  Mrs. Peggy looks down through her bifocal glasses at Elston.

No ma’am nothing like that, Elston shakes his head.  I was thinking about asking Samantha to marry me.  I just got a new position and I am making enough money to start a family.  Elston is eagerly awaiting her response.

Mrs. Peggy stares at Elston for a minute.  She always admired his quirky way of dressing and his respect for her daughter.  She walks over to the kitchen table and sits down with her sandwich and an ice-cold cup of lemonade, Yes, you can marry my baby Samantha, Elston.

Whew, I was scared there for a minute I thought you were going to say no.

I like you Elston and my daughter deserves a good man just like her daddy and I believe you will take care of my baby despite the fact your father is a womanizing man.

Elston ignores her snide remark, Thank you, Mrs. Peggy I promise to give your daughter the best that I have to give.

Just treat her right and love her that’s all I ask.  Her father, God rest his soul wanted the best for her and so do I.  Oh and one more thing, I know people so don’t ever put your hands on her or you’ll be floating in the Inner Harbor you got that.

Elston laughs, Yes, ma’am I heard that.

Make sure you did.

The two of them hug.  Elston walks out to his hot car and drives home to get ready to hang out with the guys.  On the way home, he calls Samantha.  Hey baby

Samantha is excited to hear Elston’s voice, Hey baby!

Guess what?

What, Samantha eagerly awaits to hear what Elston has to tell her.

I got the promotion baby.  I am the new Principal for John Eager Howard Private Middle School, Elston is proud.

"That is great Elston your dream job came true.  Good for you babe, the fellows and I are hanging out tonight and I will see you tomorrow.

Okay I’ll see you tomorrow and Elston DO NOT drink too much and if you do get a ride home, okay, Samantha is stern with Elston.

Okay baby I promise.  I love you, Samantha. 

Samantha smiles, I love you too Elston.

The night out.

It’s ten o’clock and Elston is just parking his car at the Hyatt Hotel across the street from the Inner Harbor.  He walks into City Lights Bar and Grill and he sees his frat brothers have already started the celebration. Hey, I see you two have already started without me..

The men give a black man’s embrace and take a seat.  Just so we’re clear, I am the New Principal of John Eager Howard Private Academy, and to top it all off, I am about to ask Samantha to marry me.

Two hours have passed by and the men are still drinking and the rounds keep coming Elston’s way.

Davon looks at Elston and notices he looks like he has had enough.  Elston you look like you need to stop drinking.

You’re crazy man, I’m just getting started. Elston looks at the bartender, Hey homie, pour me another drink, and as a matter of fact, keep 'em coming until you see a hole in my neck, laughs Elston.

The guys continue to drink right along with Elston.

It’s now one o’clock in the morning and the bartender notices the guys have just about had enough. 

Look you guys, I’m going to have to cut you off.  You guys have had enough, says the Bartender.

No problem, total us up so we can get out of here. Elston’s voice is slurred.

The guys pay the full tab; a total of two hundred and fifty dollars.

Elston, how many fingers do I have up?

Elston looks up at Davon with blurred vision.  I see five, man, who are you the police?.

I’m holding up three fingers, we are putting your butt in a cab. Davon helps Elston stand up.

I got this. Elston stands up straight.  Look at me I’m okay see.

Davon lets him go, Okay, if you say so.

Elston walks over to his car and the other guys walk in the other direction to the Gallery garage to their cars.

Elston drives out of the garage and turns onto Calvert Street doing fifty in a twenty-five.  He makes it all the way to North Avenue speeding with no cops in sight.  Elston has the music from his favorite cd of K-Michelle blasting through his speakers.  His vision becomes blurred and his eyelids close over his eyes.  All of a sudden, Elston hits a bump and loses control of the steering wheel causing his car to land on the curb of Calvert and Twenty-Fifth Street right in front of a tree.  His eyes are wide open and he tries to get out of the car.  What in the hell just happen? Elston looks around and sees a man lying in the gutter right behind his car.  Oh my God, what have I done?  Elston looks around to see if anyone saw what just happened.  A few cars are driving by.

A five-foot-five-inch female, wearing a dark blue uniform,