The Player 2: Fooled: Sex, Murder, Lies and Regrets It's Not Over

By David Scott

After serving two years on a life sentence, David Scott is given a new trial because of new evidence that has come out, and once he is set free, he thinks that his past is in the past. But little does he know, everyone has someone who loves them, and after he's home and trying to live his life trouble-free, there are things going on around him that he doesn't see or feel, until after one night of drinking and celebrating an employee's four-month party, plus thinking he was about to have sex with one of his many lady friends, he wakes up tied to a chair. And there standing in front of him are people he's given a job or just plain trusted since he's been home, but to have these people tell him this is his last day, his heart starts racing, and his head and stomach seem like they're fighting against each other. But his mind gets clear enough to know that because of his past actions, there would be a hit out on him once he was set free from prison. So now thinking about everything, damn, he never pays attention to his surroundings and never thinks anything like this would ever happen. To his knowledge, all has been forgotten once he was sentenced to life, but now for what he did or they thought he did, the time for payback is standing in his face and in the form of people he has been around and trusted.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9781662449727

David Scott

Professor David Scott, PhD, MA, Adv DipEd, BA, PGCE, is Professor of Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment, Institute of Education, University of London. Previously, he served as Acting Dean of Teaching and Learning, Acting Head of the Centre for Higher Education Teaching and Learning, Director of the International Institute for Education Leadership and Professor of Educational Leadership and Learning, University of Lincoln.

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The Player 2

Fooled: Sex, Murder, Lies and Regrets It's Not Over

David Scott

Copyright © 2022 David Scott

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2022

ISBN 978-1-6624-4971-0 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-6624-4972-7 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Judgement Day

Homework and Brother Law

The Truth Hurts

The Trip?

I Want Mine

A Friend in Need

Back Home

Old Flames

Melissa and Trisha

Eyes Are Everywhere

Coming Together

Icing on the Cake

Surprise on You

Who Knew?

I Love When a Plan Comes Together

Daydreaming

Meeting

Family Roots

Making That Money

Focus Now

Well Played

Why

Who Did It?

Someone Is Losing It

Good News

We're Here to Help

It's Either You or Me

Things Are Starting to Get Real

The Letter Found at His Door

Life Decision Day

Martha

Massage Parlor

Sharon

Lonnie

Patty?

Li'l Man

Private Eye

Missy and Blake

Second Meeting

New Job

The Grave

Trisha

Ms. Tina

Motherly Love

Melissa

The Second Meeting

Convincing

Old Wisdom

Detective Walsh

Jermaine

Gotcha

Susan—Is She the Right One?

Text Message

The Breakup!

First Visit

Makeup Breakfast?

Surprise

The Letter

Mad About?

The Muscle

You're Mine

The Hood

The U-Haul Spot

Match Set

Where Have You Been?

Office Manager

The Walkthrough

Decision Time

Her Words, My Anger

Talk Too Much

What! Why?

What Should I Think?

It Was All Your Fault

Him Too

Missed

Home Time

I'm Back

Finally Looking

Back to Work

Comfort Zone

Preplanning

Another One

No Doubt

Tuesday—Worrying

More Information

Not Done Yet

Mini Vacation

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Thursday Evening

Friday Evening

Day of Elimination

About the Author

Judgement Day

The judge says, Will the defendant please stand.

As I stand, my mind is running a hundred miles a minute, wishing and praying to hear that the jury has just acquitted me of a double murder. In my mind, I am confident that the cops never really had good evidence on me, but Barbra's son Jermaine gave a statement saying he had seen me shot his mom right in front of him, which I knew was a lie. In that case, I would have killed his ass also. Now this trial is about to end, but the way the jury looked on the day he gave his statement, their facial expression had him looking like a credible witness, so if that decided their guilty verdict, the only thing I can hope for is numbers instead of life.

The head juror stands and starts reading their decision. "The people vs. David Scott, we, the jury, find you guilty of double murder.

I am so numb hearing that guilty verdict that I don't even hear my mom bust out yelling and my family and friends start crying. As I slowly turn to look at my family in the courtroom, I see the Levy family clapping and hugging one another, happy at the ruling.

Then the judge makes his speech. Bang, bang. Quiet. Settle down. Today, Mr. Scott, you have been found guilty by a jury of your peers. We will continue with the sentence hearing in one week. Let me advise you that this same jury will decide if you get life or death, so we'll see you in a week's time. Sheriff, you can take him away.

As I walk to the holding area, I happen to see my wife sitting in the back of the courtroom. I say I'm sorry and hope she can read my lips. I am broken. This whole situation has my mind running like I were on some drugs. This is the time I wished there was really a time travel machine. Damn, I really fucked my life up. The same game that I loved and thought made me the man now has me about to go to jail and never see my family again. Wow, stupid me.

Once I get to my cell, all I can do is sit down and hold my head. This is some crazy shit. I'm looking at life in jail or death. What the hell did I get myself into? And all for a woman who isn't mine! How dumb could I have been? I can't even lie down and sleep until my name is called to go back to State Road. Man, this isn't real, but I would have to come to reality that this is real and two people are dead and at my hands all because I couldn't take my own medicine. Damn, that player shit really got my ass in hot water.

I start to get a headache, so I finally relax and fall fast asleep only to be awakened by someone calling my name loud.

David Scott.

Over here.

The sheriff comes in my direction, and he says, Time to go back.

I'm like, Kool, then I can drown my sorrows in my cell, alone. But this shit is real now and will get more than real next week.

It's sentencing day. As I walk into the courtroom, I see my mom looking so sad. This situation really hurt her, and I can see it in her face. My sisters and my kids are there also, everyone looking sad and patiently waiting to hear what this jury has sentenced me to. I have already talked to every family member and told them if I were sentenced to life or death, my legal team will put in an appeal, so this isn't the end of my life. I have to stay strong. I will beat this. It will take time and money, which I don't have, but if I can get a lawyer who will take this wrongful conviction, I'm confident I'll beat this case.

The court starts off with the Levy family confronting me with how and why I killed their family members. Once everyone has said their piece, the judge asks the jury if they have their decision. As the jury foreman stands, I'm asked to stand again.

We, the jury, have sentenced David Scott to life imprisonment, so says the head juror.

My family cries again, and the Levy family claps and cheers for the verdict.

I turn to my family and whisper, I'll be okay.

The judge then says, Mr. Scott, you have been sentenced to life without parole for this awful double murder. May God have mercy on your soul.

Once again, I'm led to the holding cell and back to State Road, where I stayed for two more weeks. Then I make my way upstate, where I sit at Graterford prison to be certified for the jail I would be staying at for the rest of my life sentence.

Homework and Brother Law

Entering into the second year of my life sentence, I begin doing my own homework on my case, so I start going to the law library and working endlessly. Even though I was the guy responsible for killing two people, I work hard on looking for any loopholes that can get me either off life or a lighter sentence. As I read the transcript of my case, everything seems too connected. As I continue to read and think about the case, I get frustrated, then stop looking into the case this last six months. Then as I'm watching a true crime story on the television in the dayroom, it hits me that this case and its situation looks and feels like my case. Seeing this gets me off my ass to start working back on my case.

The next morning, I make my way to the law library, reading and thinking, but once again, as I'm reading every witness statement, out of all of them, I can't get past the statement of Barbra's son.

Here I'm sitting in the law library of the prison, a long day of reading and thinking to myself, focusing on Barbra's son Jermaine's statement against me. I begin to think hard about what happened that night, where he says I killed his mom in front of him, which makes me snap out, yelling loud by mistake, You fucking liar! How the fuck did I kill your mom in front of you? Then just as quickly as I lost it, I realize I'm in the law library and there are other prisoners looking at me strangely.

Then a wise older gentleman comes over to me, puts his hand on my shoulder, and says, Look, brother, I understand what you're going through. Take your time and look through every piece of them papers carefully, because you see, with all these law books around this room, I bet there is something that could get you back in that courtroom and soon. So calm down.

As he begins to walk away, I say, Thank you. What is your name?

He replies, They call me Brother Law and Order. If you can't find something, give me a holler. I'm down here every day.

Once he is on the other side of the library helping another prisoner, I whisper, Okay, I might need your help, sir. Now I think back to Barbra's son. Look, you little motherfucker, I would have been a fool to let you live and tell. I think to myself, What can I do to rebuff what he said without me looking like a liar myself? Five seconds fly by with me coming up with nothing. I find that his statement is the only point of attack, but I have to find what part I can attack to show he was lying, because I know he wasn't there when his mother was killed, and I also have to find out what's his angle for lying. I will need some outside help, because in here, there is nothing I can do, so I start calling some family members and friends to see what they have heard about Barbra's son and what he's doing on the outside.

On Tuesday morning, I wake up in the cell with a roommate who is not a woman. It has me feeling crazy just thinking that I'm in this situation for life because of a dumbass decision. Hoping there is a chance that I can find something to help me either get out of jail or get a lighter sentence is the only thing that gives me hope. As I sit sometimes and realize where I'm at, missing my family and true friends, this has me hurting and feeling stupid as well.

I dial home.

Hello.

Hey, sis, what's going on out there?

Nothing, bro. We really miss you. Have you heard any good news on your end?

Not at all, sis. I called you to ask if you can get in touch with my homie Cal to see if he can get someone to check on somebody for me. I can't say it over this phone, but tell him to come visit me soon so I can get some information on this other person who might get me out of here. And I know for sure if I can get to this person, things will change soon.

Okay, as soon as we hang up, I will go to the bar later and see if he's there and deliver the message.

I have to make a couple more calls, but I will check up on you tomorrow, okay?

Yes. Love you, bro.

Love you more.

Click.

I have to get my son to come up here and see me so I can get him to watch this bitch-ass Jermaine.

Ring.

Hello.

Hey, Dad, how are you?

Well, I'm okay, son, still trying to get out of here. I need you to come up here ASAP. I have a job for you, so come up here this week so we can talk to figure out something about my case, okay?

Yes, sir, I'll be up there Friday afternoon, okay?

Yes. How are my grandkids?

They're okay, Dad. Marcel asks about you, but I tell him you're on vacation. I guess it works because he never asks when you're coming home.

Well, keep him thinking about where Pop-Pop is until I get home. Give Jordy a kiss and tell the wife I said hi. I'll see you soon.

Okay.

Wednesday afternoon, I call again. Ring.

Hello.

Hey, sis, did you get that done for me?

Come on, bro, you know I got your back. As a matter of fact, hold on.

A deep, manly voice gets on the phone. Hey, bighead, what's good with you, brother?

I remember the voice. Hey, my brother Cal, man, this is a shock to hear your voice on the phone.

Well, brother, I had to come take your call. We thought it would make your day if you heard my voice instead of receiving messages back and forth. So tell me what you need, brother.

Now getting my thoughts together, I say, Well, my case has some loopholes in it, but I really can't talk over this phone about what I need you to do. My son is coming up here at the end of this week. If you can come with him, that would be well appreciated.

Say no more. I'll be there. I'm going to give the phone back to your sister, and we'll see each other Friday, okay?

Yes, man. Thanks, bro, for helping.

No doubt. Bye.

The Truth Hurts

Now that I have my plan in effect to watch Jermaine out on the streets, I need some expert eyes on my paperwork, so I'll wait till tomorrow and approach Brother Law and see how good he is, because with a nickname like Mr. Law and he's not in law enforcement, he better eat and sleep law work.

Freshly showered and waiting for the jail to call law library for today, I go to my cell to make sure I have everything. On cue, they call law library. I make sure I have everything, and I rush out into the portal as we're led to the library. I see Brother Law and Order sitting in the opposite end of the room, and he is reading something. I make my way to him.

Hello, brother. My name is David. I would like to get your help in looking at my case statements and see if you can help me get back into court on a witness lying about a murder case.

He looks up at me. Hey, I remember you. He laughs. You were the brother who had a meltdown and was yelling out in my library.

Yes, that was me. But you have to understand, as I read this statement against me, I burst out because I knew it was a lie.

He laughs again. Look, my brother, I understand what you might be going through, but you have to control your emotions because there are guys in here that's looking for ways out of here. And to call a DA and say they heard you say this or that is their easy way out. What you have in that folder is your business and yours only. Don't even share your case with no one.

I understand. But does that go for you also?

He laughs. Well, that only works if you don't need my help. Remember, you came to me. I didn't seek you out.

Okay, you're right.

So what can I help you with, my brother Dave?

Well, Brother Law and Order—

You can call me Law.

Kool. Well, I have been charged with murder, and the prosecutor's star witness said he'd seen me kill his mother in cold blood in front of him, which was a lie.

Okay, Dave, you have to be honest with me, and whatever you say stays with me and you. Brother Law looks around first, then he leans toward me and whispers, Did you kill her? Yes or no?

After pausing for three seconds, I whisper back, Yes. Then I go into explaining why. "I loved her with all my heart. She was playing me with another married guy. She had just left my house, saying she was sorry for hurting me and the other guy, but when you get that feeling that she or he is lying, either you investigate or ignore that feeling. I followed my feels. So once she left my house, I waited until eleven p.m. and went to her house and sat at the corner of her block, waiting in my truck, to see if my feeling was right of that punk, Melvin, pulling up fifteen minutes later. I saw Melvin's truck come up the block and park, then he walked up to the door. Barbra opened the door, and he walked in. Seeing this had me steaming. This bitch just lied to me about hurting us, but he gets to come over. With my anger boiling over, I found a way to calm down and sit outside for another thirty minutes before I decided to call it a night.

"Long story short, I left and came back to Barbra's house at six a.m., and I saw that Melvin's truck was still there, so this bitch really lied to me. I then sat on the corner for an hour and a half, then I saw him come out of the house and jump in his truck. As he got to the corner, I thought he won't see me, but to my surprise, this motherfucker looked my way and laughed, as if to say, ‘Yes, I had her all night long. Now go get my leftovers.' I snapped as he drove off. I chased him down in my truck. I tailspin his truck. Once his truck hit the telephone pole, I rushed over to his truck and shot him four or five times, jumped back into my truck, and went back to Barbra's house. I knocked on her door. To her surprise, when she opened the door, I pulled my gun out, placed it in her face, and told her if she screamed, I'd kill her right in the door. Once in the house, I made her sit on the couch and asked her plain and simple if Melvin was here last night. She said no. Now knowing he was here, I got more upset. Then I did the smell test. I took my hand and wiped her love nest, and to my sense of smell, it had the aroma of sex. I hit her in the head with the gun. As she tried to get loud, I put the gun in her mouth and said softly, ‘Try me, bitch. I was outside on the corner in my truck last night. I saw him come at about eleven and saw him leave after six, so who do you think you're lying to, bitch? And by the way, after I saw him leaving, he looked me right in my face and smiled. This made me furious, so I followed his ass and bumped his truck off the road by the closed gas station on Mount Airy Boulevard. Before he could react, I gave him two shots to the head and left him right beside his truck, so he won't be coming over here again. I promise you this, you fucking slut.'

After hearing that news, Barbra started thinking how could she get out of this with her life. As I was crying, she put her hands on my face and began to plead. I took the gun out of her mouth, so I could hear her. ‘Dave, I'm sorry. He forced me to have sex. I didn't want to do anything. Like I told you when I was leaving your house, we were just supposed to talk, and then he was to leave, but with the talking and his crying, it got late. Once I fell asleep, when I woke up, he was on top of me. I did fight him off as much as I could, but he's a man, and then it happened. But I did say to him as he was leaving to not come over here anymore after tonight. Dave, this is the truth. I swear. Look, if you want to, let me shower, and I can relax you. I see and hear you're very angry and tensed. We can make love to each other, or you can even go hard, baby. You can do whatever you want. Please don't kill me. Please don't.

After listening to her, I knew she was still lying. As she was sitting on the couch, she slowly opened her legs for me to take her offer smell from her clothing was Melvin's cologne, and seeing she had no panties on, once again, I started to unhinge. This was the final straw. I lost my mind. I grabbed a pillow as if I were going to prop her head up on it and placed the pillow over her face. As she screamed, I shot her in the head two times and walked out the front door and went home. Once there, I sat with my head in my hands and waited for the cops to come arrest me, but nothing happened for over a week. Then once I heard they didn't have any leads, I started feeling relaxed, then on the second week, I overheard that I'm one of the people the detectives wanted to question.

Then Brother Law looked at me and said, Damn, brother, she had you that far gone?

Yes, Mr. Law, I really thought she was the one. I was head over heels for this woman.

I hear you, my brother, but your love was so strong you took two lives. Wow, just hearing your story, sounds like there is no way you can beat this case, so I hope what's in that folder has some loopholes that can get you back in court, because from what you just told me, I have doubts already. Sit down. Let's look at what you have, and hopefully, we can find something. Now once we start this process, whether we find something or not, my fee will be ten dollars every time we sit down. Is that okay?

After thinking on it, I reply, Yes, that's fine with me as long as you live up to your nickname.

We both laugh and begin reading and sorting my paperwork from my case.

* * *

On Leadwood Street in West Oak Lane, Jermaine Levy is hanging on the corner and talking to his friend Basher. Man, I feel like getting some of that good shit Randy got on Napa Street for real.

Yes. My man Billy had some, and he was high as hell. Man, he was stuck on Napa Street wall shit for real.

Yeah, then we have to get down there fast before they run out.

Well, they have dealers out there all day.

Okay, let me go to the MAC machine, and we can go get some of that good shit.

* * *

Friday afternoon, I finally have my visit from my friend Cal and son Marquis. I hug both of them, and we sit down and start to finally get what I need to somehow get my murder conviction overturned.

Now, Marquis, I need you to watch that Jermaine dude closely. Whatever he's doing, take pictures, and if you hear anything he says to anyone, see if you can get that person to record it, and you get what they said certified. Then you, Cal, have some of the guys rough him up and try to get him to tell them why he made that lying statement to the DA, and then we can try to get things overturned, okay?

Both say yes, and we continue laughing and joking for the rest of the visit. Once my son and friend leaves, I go back to my block and rest just to get up in the morning and go meet Brother Law to see if he found anything that he thinks would overturn my conviction.

* * *

Okay, Mark, look, I need you to keep an eye on this guy named Jermaine. You'll know him when you see him. I think he lives off that block called Haywood near Moonlight. His sister is that chick named Yolanda that O'Neil used to date.

Yeah, I remember her, and I remember that brother who testified against Dave. His statement is what got him a life sentence.

Yeah, and we think he was lying on that stand, so we have to figure out why he lied and if he got a deal from the DA to lie on Dave.

Okay, Cal, so just follow him and see what he's doing.

Yeah, and if you can check with the people he hangs with to see what he has been saying about the case, then we might get that information we need for Dave so he can hand it to his lawyer, then maybe he can get a new trial.

Okay, I'm on it, bro.

Hope when I see you, I got some good news.

* * *

Hey, what's up, man? Can I get two of them shermsticks, please?

Yeah, it's twenty-five dollars.

Okay. Jermaine digs into his pocket, and he hands the dealer twenty-five dollars.

He and Basher make their way to his house to relax and smoke their dope. Once at Basher's house, they both sit down on the couch and begin smoking their dope. As they finish the first cigarette, Jermaine moves in slow motion to the bathroom, and Basher stares at the door, then he says, Did you hear that, Jermaine?

He looks toward Basher. What are you talking about?

Stop for a second. Listen, does it sound like someone is at the door?

I don't know, man. Go see. I have to piss.

Okay, go pee. I'll see who's at the door. Basher gets up, moving like a snail. Once at the door, he asks, Who is it? There's another knock on the door. Who is it? Then he opens up the door, but there isn't anyone at the door. Shit, I think someone is playing on my door. Then he yells while at the front door, I'm going to catch you, and when I do, it's about your ass! Then he slams the door.

As Jermaine is coming down the stairs, he asks, Who was at the door?

I don't know. I think it's these kids around here playing ding dong dicksey. When I catch one of them, I'm going to beat someone's ass. He laughs.

Knock, knock.

Jermaine says, Hey, Basher, I think someone's really at your door.

This time, he ignores what Jermaine just said and goes upstairs. As he walks up the stairs, he replies, I have to pee, bro. You answer it.

Jermaine finds it hard to get up from the couch, and as soon as he finally stands, the door opens, and in comes Basher's girlfriend, Yolanda. She looks him in the face, and she can tell that he's high. Well, damn, I know your ass is high, but you couldn't get the fucking door.

He's so high he can't reply fast enough, so he just mumbles, Sorry.

She then goes into the kitchen and yells, Basher, where the fuck are you?

Then he hears a yell back, I'm upstairs, baby, in the bathroom!

Well, come down here and help put up these groceries!

Okay, baby, I'll be right there in a minute.

Ten seconds later, a slow-walking Basher comes down the steps. As his girlfriend sees him, she shakes her head. "Damn, you couldn't wait till I got home before you get high. Where is mine?

As Basher turns and faces Jermaine, he laughs. Why you looking at me? If she wants some, give her some.

Then Basher walks up to him, and Jermaine hands him the last cigarette. He gives it to Yolanda. As she sits down and begins smoking the dope, Basher has to make another bathroom run. As he slowly makes his way up the stairs, Yolanda hands Jermaine the dope, and he takes four drags to save Basher some. Then Yolanda starts staring toward the door, and all he can think is, she is about to play the door game like Basher. As Basher comes down the stairs, Jermaine passes him the dope, and he takes long drags, then all is left is a small roach-like piece. He sits down on the couch, and there are now three people sitting on this one couch lost in mind, body, and soul.

Then just as there is peace and quiet, Yolanda starts screaming, The cops are coming! Hide the dope!

Basher starts to slowly stand up; he then runs into the kitchen and says to Jermaine, Come on, man, hide the rest of the dope. I don't want us to go to jail. Shit, you might run into that Dave guy you ratted on.

Haha, punk, so your bitch-ass heart can stop racing, I don't have no more dope on me. We only bought two shermsticks, so relax.

As soon as Jermaine stops talking, Yolanda says, Well, that's the rumor on the streets. They're saying you lied on that Dave dude saying he killed your mom in front of you when you know damn well your ass was nowhere around when your mom got killed.

Then he sits straight up on the couch and looks up at the ceiling. Jermaine then softly starts talking, "I tried to tell them I didn't see him kill my mom, but they said if I didn't say I'd seen him, they were going to send me to jail for the murder of Melvin, the guy my mom was dating. I asked them how they could do that, and they said they were the law and they can do anything they wanted to do, so I cooperated with them and lied that I saw him shoot my mom. And for me to not forget what I said in the first interview, they gave me these notes, and I was to remember every word. That way, in court and under oath, I would repeat the same thing over and over again, and it worked out just like they planned. That Dave chump went to jail, and after everything was over, the detectives also made sure I received that five-thousand-dollar reward that was to be given out for the conviction of the murderer who killed my mom, so fuck him. I'm paid now with my mom's insurance money and the reward. I'm okay.

Basher and Yolanda stare at Jermaine for a few seconds, then they both bust out laughing.

Man, you're crazy. There is no way we believe that story.

Then Jermaine looks at them and says, "I know I'm high, but that story is as true as us sitting here smoking, and by the way, I need to go home now. I have some things to do. So, Basher, I'll see you tomorrow. As he walks out the door, they both say bye.

* * *

Hey, has anyone seen that dope fiend Jermaine around here lately? asks Calvin.

Then O'Neil, a dope dealer, says, Yeah, he brought two shermsticks off Randy yesterday around five o'clock. Why? He owe you some money? I can go get it from him if you want me to.

Nah, I just need you to watch him closely as he comes to get his regular fix, and one day soon, we'll have the chance to ask him some questions.

Damn, I've never seen you so serious. What's going on, Cal?

That punk lied on Dave, and they gave him life for that double murder.

Yeah, that's right. I saw that on the news.

Well, all we have to do is find out the people he hangs with and see what he's been saying about the case.

Okay, but I also notice he's been spending a lot of money lately.

For real?

Yeah, Matt also said he saw him with new clothes, and in the past week, he's been buying lots of get high.

Damn, we got to find out how he got that money.

For sure, bro.

Okay, well, you keep an eye on him, and if you see something, hit me up ASAP.

Okay, gotcha.

The Trip?

Y olanda.

Yeah, Basher, what you want, baby?

I have a conference call with my lawyer at four thirty on that car accident, so can you go get the dope this time?

"Damn, Basher, I don't feel like it, but I do want to get high now. Okay, I'll go, but you got the money, right?

Yes, that Jermaine was so high he dropped a twenty-dollar bill in the bathroom, so I put it in my pocket. He laughs.

Good move, baby. Shit, Basher, if I was you, I would be trying to find a way to get some of that money from Jermaine. Shit, he don't deserve to have all that money, at least from the cops, because he lied. Now his mother's insurance money, I understand him getting that. But shit, baby, we need help around here also, and if we can get him to give us a couple of dollars here and there, shit, take it.

Come to think about it, Yolanda, you're fucking right. So from now on, every time Jermaine comes over here, we start slowly asking for money and see what or how he acts. Now go get the dope, baby.

Okay, I'll be right back.

* * *

Hey, O'Neil.

What's up, baby?

Nothing.

Hello, Yolanda, what's good? You still with that dopehead Basher?

Come on, O'Neil, why you got to be so mean?

Shit, you know I still care about you, but why are you still with that bum?

Stop it, man. He's a good guy when there isn't no get high around.

Shit, every time I see him, he's high.

Stop it, O'Neil. You sound like a hater.

I'm far from a hater, but I know you could do way better if you come back to me. We can get you some help, plus your still looking good.

Thank you, but I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, and what we had was a long time ago, and I know if I need something, you're there for me. But you also have a motive when you help.

Yes, I do, and that's getting you back. So let me guess, you're here to get some dope, right?

Yes, and it's not for me.

Stop it. If you're picking up the dope, it's for the both of you, and this is the shit I don't like. Look, come back to me so we can turn your life around. I'm begging you. I'll even stop selling drugs to help you stop getting high.

Sounds good, O'Neil, but I'm okay right now. So are you going to sell me the dope or not?

He digs into his pocket and hands Yolanda two shermsticks; otherwise, she'll go buy from another dealer. She pays him, and with a soft kiss on his cheek, she walks off.

* * *

Good morning, Brother Law. How are you today?

I'm good, Brother Dave. I've been up reading this paperwork over and over again, and what keeps running through my mind is the statement by this Jermaine guy. To me, his statement is the killer. If I were on the jury stand, I would convict you. He was an eyewitness as he says.

I know. What you're reading is my cliff-hanger, but he didn't see anything. Like I told you, when I killed his mom, he was nowhere around.

So, Dave, why is he saying he was there and saw you kill his mom?

I don't know, but I have guys out there on the streets to see if they can find out what's the real reason for him to say these things, because his statement put me in here for life, nothing else.

Well, brother, if you can't find something that can make him out to be a liar or find a payoff, with what I just saw and know about the law, I see your ass stuck in here for life. So you better get your guys or whoever out there on them streets to work hard, or this is your new home till you die, brother.

* * *

Let me stop in Sam's to get me two ice-cold Hugs. Damn, this store has the coldest sodas and Hugs in the neighborhood.

As Yolanda gets the Hugs and comes out the store, all she sees are red lights, and once she gets herself together, she realizes she just got sucker punched by O'Neil's girlfriend, Sonya.

Yeah, bitch, I told you to stay away from my man, and I turn the corner and see you kiss him on the cheek, so I waited until you was out of his sight. So now let's do this. You're going to learn today to listen when I say stay away from my man.

Look, Sonya, I don't want your man, and that was a friendly peck on his cheek. Nothing more. Look, I'm not going to fight you over a guy, so please leave me alone and let me pass.

Seeing the scaredness on Yolanda's face, Sonya takes the situation further by stepping right in her face as three other girlfriends of Sonya's block her escape. Then one of them chants, Hit that bitch, Sonya.

With her cheering section rooting her on, Sonya starts to beat Yolanda and stomps her as Yolanda screams for help, then to make things worse, after Sonya is finished beating Yolanda, the three women go through her pockets and take the dope and everything she has left in her pockets.

Now as the crowd comes running to the situation and the four women run off, Yolanda slowly gets up, crying, and wipes her clothes off as she makes her way home with no money and no dope. She says, Damn, Basher is going to be mad. I have no get high.

Once Yolanda walks in the door, Basher yells, What the fuck happened to you, Yolanda?

These bitches jumped me and took everything I had on me."

For what?

I don't know. All I know is, I got the dope from O'Neil and went to Sam's for a cold Hug, and when I came out the store, that bitch Sonya jumped on me, talking about me fucking with her man. And all I did was get the dope from him.

As Basher walks up to Yolanda and wipes her face, he asks more questions, So you telling me that the dope I sent you to get, now there isn't any at all?

Look, baby, I just told you they jumped me and took everything I had.

So you want me to believe this was just about you supposedly fucking with a guy?

Yes, and I told her I wasn't messing with her man, and she still jumped on me.

You know who it was?

Yes, it was O'Neil's girlfriend, Sonya, and her three stooge bitches, Dee Dee, Trisha, and Sheila.

You mean Dave's bitch was involved also?

Yes, that's her.

Okay, I see now. She's probably mad because he stopped fucking with her or that I got him locked up. I'm going to the park and see if they're out there. I've seen them out there many days. Someone's going to give me back my dope today.

As he walks out the door and slams it, Yolanda breathes a sigh of relief.

* * *

Randy, what's up, homie?

Nothing, Cal. What you need?

I called you because I need you to put someone on the Jermaine dude. Just follow him around to see who he hangs with or where he stays.

Okay. Why, homie?

Because we have to find out why his lying ass ratted on Dave.

For real?

Yeah, that's the reason he was sentenced to life in jail. He told the jury he saw Dave shoot and kill his mom right in front of his eyes.

Wow.

Yes, true, but to my knowledge, he wasn't there, and he's lying for the detectives.

So if he's working with the police, how can we touch him?

Easy. He won't know who we send or if they're affiliated with us before we send them to fuck him up, so get what you can from him, and before we really put the smack down on him, call me.

Okay, I got you, bro. Talk to you later.

I Want Mine

Basher walks to the park to see if he can find the women who jumped his lady. As he looks high and low for them, he even walks into the recreation center that holds meetings for recovering drug addicts. He sees a bunch of people, but no Trisha and crew. After looking around the park for about half an hour, as he's about to leave, he hears these loud women laughing. He follows where the laughter is coming from. It's a path that leads to Kelly Drive. As he gets closer to the end of the path, he can hear the laughter of the three women as they talk about what they did earlier. He pops out to where they can see who it is. As he walks toward them, moving with an angry walk, the first person to see him and come running and get right in his face is Trisha, then her posse stands and comes to her aid.

What do you want, Basher? says Trisha.

Look, I'm out here because you bitches jumped my girl and took shit out of her pockets, so I want everything back.

Well, first of all, your mother's a bitch, and all I can say is, if you even think of touching any one of us, my husband, Mike, will beat your fucking ass, so try me if you want. And we don't have anything of your bitch, so now what?

Look, Trisha, where is your girl Sonya at? Because all this started with her and about her boyfriend, so I want to talk to her.

Well, she's not out here, so now what?

As Basher is about to leave, he does something he would regret.

Sonya comes running down the path, yelling, Hey, girls, I hear that Yolanda's man, Basher, is looking for us! As she runs around the path and sees Basher, she freezes and says, Okay, I see you've found us, so how can we help you?

Then he loses it for a minute. Look, you bum bitch, how dare you jump my girl over a nigga she doesn't want!

And as he's yelling and spitting in Sonya's direction, she yells back, Hold the fuck up! Who you cursing at? You're the fucking bum, no job or car, motherfucker! And yes, I beat your girlfriend's ass. I caught your girl kissing my man, and I took it to her ass. Now you want to come get in four women's faces? Wow, you're a real man, but why don't you try getting in a man's face or my brother's face?

Look, I'm not scared of any of your brothers or friends. All I know is, you four bitches had no excuse to take my girlfriend's shit, which, by the way, was mine. And all I'm here to tell you, bitches, is, I want it back!

Then Dee Dee, one of the girlfriends, yells, Look, Basher, we don't have nothing of your girlfriend's, so please leave us alone! I'm getting tired of us going back and forth with you!

No, fuck this!

Trisha, call my brother Casey right now and tell him to get here to the park path ASAP.

Okay, girl.

Then Basher, who isn't a fighter, starts to walk off as the women start yelling, Shit, yeah, you better leave before you get your ass whipped! And by the way, that dope she had, we gave it to some other dopeheads. They said thank you!

Now hearing what they just said has him heated,