Infamous Part 2: Love, Power, and Hate

By Michael Hendricks

Infamous Part 2 sees a new life in exchange for the streets Infamous knows and loves. As he takes bigger risks, those around him feel the pain and pleasure of the fast life. Will he end up higher than he could have imagined or will it all come crashing down when the truth is revealed?

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Mar 16, 2023
• ISBN: 9781667889825

Book preview

Chapter 1

You know the robbery/homicide that happened at the salvage yard? I know the individual's full name that committed the crime.

Kelly's face remained impassive. She had dealt with many criminals that claimed they had information on crimes. In the beginning, it all sounded good. But in the end, it all turned out to be bullshit. So now she knew not to get excited too quick. She waited on Pat to continue. She knew he would. They always did. It took Pat about 72 seconds.

His name is Corey Johnson, but he goes by the alias Infamous, Pat snitched. Kelly picked up her pen slowly and wore down the name Corey Johnson a.k.a. Infamous.

Does this Corey Johnson have an address? she asked.

He don't stay in the city limits no more. But his mom does. I have her address, Pat said, smiling.

The D.A. nodded.

What makes you think Mr. Johnson...

Infamous! Pat corrected.

What makes you think Infamous committed the murder at the salvage yard? Kelly asked.

This guy Trey was there with him and told me what happened, Pat said and then repeated what all Trey had told him.

The D.A.'s heart started beating fast. She was familiar with the salvage yard murder, and some of the things Pat had just said to her only a person that was there would know. Not too much information was given to the public.

Thank you, Mr. Fredricks. I'll look into the information that you've given to me, and if it checks out, we'll be in touch, she said. She left the room, leaving Pat by himself.

Yeah, Infamous, I got yo' bitch ass!! Pat said out loud.

.........

I was filling my truck up at the Chevron when I got the call that Diva was in labor. I hurriedly put the gas nozzle back into the gas pump.

I jumped into my truck. I pulled out quickly. In my rearview, I saw a Harris County police car pulling up behind me. Usually I'd get nervous when the police pulled up behind me. But since I had retired from the game, my nervousness at seeing the police had died.

I stopped at the stop light. In my rearview I seen two more police cars pulling up. Damn! What the fuck they got going on? I thought. Suddenly I was surrounded. Red and blue lights were flashing. It's like the whole police force had surrounded my truck.

OUT OF THE TRUCK NOW!! one of the officers yelled over the loudspeaker.

GET OUT WITH YOUR HANDS UP!! Before I could move, the door was yanked open, and I was pulled roughly from the cab of the truck.

Corey Johnson, you're under arrest for the murder of David C. Carter. You have the right to remain...

Fuck! I cursed as I felt the cold hard steel handcuffs lock around my wrist.

Chapter 2

As I was going through the book-in process, so many things was running through my mind. I couldn't believe I was here again dealing with these pigs. Then I thought about Diva, who was going through labor, probably wondering where the hell I was.

After I was remanded without bail, I felt like I was at the end of the world. I had so many battles on my hands. I hung my head as I sat on the long bench next to some sweaty little Mexican man.

I needed to make a call. Somebody had to be there for Diva. We had distanced ourselves from so many people. After we both had went through our ordeal we just didn't know who to trust.

I was led to the 10th floor. Here we go with this, I thought. The 10th floor was what they called the gladiator floor. Now I would have to go through all the bullshit with the so-called gorillas.

I remained silent the whole way to my living arrangements. I listened to the chatter around me. The dudes complaining about their petty ass charges. How they needed someone better in their life. The persons they were currently with wouldn't post their bail quick enough.

I wanted to yell out to everyone to shut the fuck up! I had no bail. I had a murder charge. I probably would never see the light of day again.

.........

The door slid closed behind me. I looked at the large dayroom area. I was glad they had assigned me to a cell in the front and on the bottom row. Now I was just hoping I wasn't put into the cell with no one I would have a hard time with.

I walked to the cell I was assigned to. When I got to the door I seen a huge fat dude came awake. Eyes blinking at me as I walked in the cell, he said nothing to me as I sat my property onto the bunk.

He turned around and faced the wall. Good! I climbed to the top bunk and laid awake in the dark. Murder! What the fuck?! How the fuck?! Trey was dead. I know the nigga wasn't talking from his resting place.

I must have drifted off to sleep because I was jarred awake by a hard blow to my head. BAM!! I jumped up swinging. I felt my fist connect with a hard head.

Bitch! I cursed, mad that this muthafucka caught me sleeping. We tussled in the small cell. We exchanged blows. Before long, a crowd had gathered outside our cell watching. Some people laughing, some clapping, and cheering like they were watching a sporting match.

I was getting tired. I fought with every ounce of strength I had. I couldn't fall. I knew, if I fell, it would be over literally. Fortunately, the guards were alerted.

They ran in and broke us up. The crowd dispersed quickly. The Goon Squad entered the tank. Everyone moved around quickly.

What the fuck is goin' on? a big, musclebound, bull-necked, black guard asked as he entered our cell along with his coworkers. I knew not to play no games with them so immediately I started to explain my side of the beef.

Man, this bitch sucker punched me when I was sleep! I explained, breathing heavily. The guard looked at the big dude to get his version or see if he would deny what I was saying he did.

He looked at the officer and was about to lie until he saw the look in his eyes. Then he quickly switched up what he was about to say.

I thought I was missin' some of my shit and he had come in stealing, he lied.

Get your shit and let's go!! the guard spit. I watched the guy turn immediately around and start to pack his property. I said nothing, just sat there and watched the guy pack his shit and leave.

After he was gone I cleaned myself up and got ready to go to the dayroom and get ready to get my food. If you wasn't present when they passed the food out, then you might get stuck out, unless you had somebody to look out for you. I learned my last time around. Almost had to beat somebody to death.

When I entered the big dayroom area, everyone was watching me. I looked around for a familiar face in the crowd of convicts. From first glance, I saw no one I knew.

I went to the phones. I needed to make a couple of calls. I picked up the phone. The first person's number I dialed was Momma. She answered on the first ring.

Boy, what the hell??!! Momma yelled into the phone.

Momma, they got me for murder, I said. I heard her breath catch. We both were silent for a few minutes. I didn't know how to continue.

I need you, Momma, I said seriously.

What? she asked without hesitation.

I need you to find out where Diva is.

I had gotten the call that she had went into labor, but she didn't tell me what hospital she was gonna get transported to. Now here I was in jail worried to death. I just hope she's not thinking negatively.

What do you mean find out where Diva is?

She went into labor right before I got arrested. I didn't get a chance to talk to her, I answered.

How much is your bond? Momma asked. I sighed. Why did she have to ask that?

I don't have no bond right now, Momma, I said sadly.

NO BOND!!! What type of shit is that? Momma yelled, then caught herself and calmed down.

How can they do that? she asked.

I don't know, but the judge said it at my arraignment.

Do you got a lawyer? she asked.

I got to call her next, I said. I looked around and saw that I was being watched. I looked closely to see if I recognized the face that was staring back at me. I had to be on guard. I was already attacked while I was sleeping.

Momma, try to find Diva. I'm gonna call you later. I'm about to call my lawyer, I said.

I hung up the phone and dialed my lawyer's number. She was out of the office. Her cell wouldn't accept collect calls. So I just went to a table in the dayroom.

The dayroom was full. Everybody was moving around. Some people played cards. Some played dominoes. You even had dudes crouching around gambling, shooting dice.

I wasn't trying to get involved with no types of games. I had to somehow get my freedom back. I wasn't gonna be able to do this jail shit no more. This chapter of my existence was closed.

.........

Diva was laying in the hospital bed. She was exhausted. But she was staying up. She wanted to see Infamous. She knew he was gonna show up. It had to be a good reason he was late.

She had given birth to a 7-pound-3-ounce baby girl.

She turned around in the bed looking out the window of the hospital room. Life was good so far. She and Infamous had been able to stay away from the game and build up a decent nest egg. She meant despite the last job that Infamous had done.

She didn't know what happened that day. But something had changed in him. He tended to go extra hard in establishing them as legit businessmen/women. They had an investment account with a professional investment firm. They had some type of stock. Infamous kept track of all of it. All she knew was that they had a stock or stocks and that they were doing well.

Diva heard commotion at the door. When she turned, she saw Infamous' momma entering the room. She saw concern and something else that she couldn't quite read shining in her eyes.

Diva, girl, I'm glad I found you! Momma said breathlessly.

What's up, Momma? Diva asked, hearing the emotion in her voice.

Excuse my manners! Momma said, covering her hand with her mouth. She looked at Diva, horrified.

How is the baby? she asked.

She's fine, Diva answered.

Where the hell is Infamous?

From the look in Momma's eyes, Diva knew that she wasn't gonna like the answer she was about to receive.

Momma took Diva's hand and shook her head.

Diva, they got Infamous in jail for murder.

Diva gasped. Momma was afraid that she might have some type of stroke. She immediately started stroking Diva's hand soothingly and making sympathetic sounds with her mouth.

Murder?! When?! How?! Diva's words stumbled out of her mouth.

They got him yesterday. That's why he hasn't been to the hospital.

Diva looked at Momma long and hard. She was wishing she was dreaming, that Momma wasn't telling her that Infamous was currently locked away in the county jail for murder.

She knew it had to be a good reason that Infamous wasn't right there by her side. How could this be happening!?

What did they arrest him at?

I don’t know. He didn't tell me. He didn't even talk to me. He just told me to come find you.

Diva looked off into the distance. What was she gonna do now? Was Infamous gonna be able to get out? So many questions were going through her head. She looked at Momma without even seeing her.

Can we get him out? Diva asked hopefully.

Right now, he doesn't have a bond, Momma said sadly.

Diva almost lost it.

WHAT???

The machines went to beeping like crazy, and Momma rushed to calm Diva down.

That's only for right now. Eventually, we'll be able to get him a bond. It's just gonna take some time.

Diva shook her head and closed and opened her eyes. Just like that, she was exhausted again. It felt like she had just went through another 13 hours of labor.

Momma looked at Diva and felt bad that she had to deliver such news at this particular time. She knew that it wasn't good for her to get delivered such news so soon after giving birth, but what else could be done?

Diva's eyes closed again. She needed more rest.

You just try to recover from this right here right now, Momma said, stroking Diva's forehead with the palm of her hand.

When she seen that Diva had drifted off to sleep, she walked to the room phone. She had some calls to make.

Chapter 3

Pat walked out of the sub station with his cellphone to his ear. He listened as his lawyer told him that he could still be picked back up and rearrested.

Slick-ass District Attorney. They had gotten what they wanted out of him and were keeping a loose noose around his neck.

How can they do that? We had a deal! Pat argued. He listened for a minute and frowned. So I can still get fucked, Pat thought. He didn't say nothing for a minute, then he said goodbye to his lawyer.

His car was impounded, so Pat had to call for a cab. They had confiscated all the money he had on him at the time he got arrested, so he would have to pay the cab driver once he got to his place.

He wondered what Infamous was going right now and if he had figured out that Pat was the one or had something to do with his arrest. He knew he was somewhere in the bowels of the system, so he wouldn't have the opportunity to retaliate against him.

That's just the way that shit goes.

It's a dirty game!! Pat said out loud. He knew he had taken his beef with Infamous to a whole other level. He had just informed on him.

.........

Diva stood in the long line, waiting to show her ID. She had her newborn wrapped in the thick baby blanket. She was waiting to have the opportunity to see Infamous. She hoped she didn't have to go through no bullshit.

Last time she had come to see a dude in the county jail, the guy had three other females trying to come see him at a certain time. Two of the females almost came to blows arguing about who would have to wait until next visitation day.

The line was moving at a snail's pace. She wasn't gonna be able to do much of this, especially if she had to lug the baby around every time she came.

Before long, she had finally made it to the floor where Infamous was housed. Her hearted started beating this crazy type of rhythm.

She had missed Infamous the last week or so. She had settled the baby in the room that they had made for her, although the baby slept with Diva more than she did in her own crib.

Walking to the visitation booth, Diva almost cried when Infamous walked in. The jumper hung off his emaciated body. He looked like he had dropped a hundred pounds!

BABBBIIIEEE!!! Diva cried, her eyes immediately filling up with tears.

Infamous' eyes first went to the bundle that she carried in her hands. Then he looked at Diva, his own eyes tearing up.

Hey, baby, he said.

Diva wore a loose-fitting shirt and jeans. Her hair was in a loose ponytail. She still wore some of her pregnancy weight. But she still looked sexy and delicious to Infamous.

How are you, Infamous? That's the question that needs answered! Diva responded.

I'm good, ma. Don't worry 'bout me. Just make sure you keep my baby girl healthy.

Diva unfolded the banket so that Infamous could see his newborn.

What name did you put on the birth certificate? Infamous asked.

Her name is Denailie Michelle Johnson. Diva smiled.

Infamous looked at Diva. Damn, she was so sexy to him, even in baggy clothes and no fancy getups. He loved her so much. He had to get out of this shit. He didn't know what he was gonna do, but he was gonna pull some type of rabbit out of the hat.

They got a nigga on some humbug shit, Infamous said. They had to because didn't nobody know about the murder but two people, and one of them was dead.

What have they told you? Diva asked.

They ain't saying shit. They keep asking me about a damn murder weapon, Infamous responded.

You think you gonna be able to get a bond? Diva asked.

That shit gon' cost. Even when my lawyer gets them to set one, it's gonna damn near break us.

I don't care. I just want you home, Diva said with emotion.

Infamous just stared into her eyes for a long moment. He didn't know what all to say. He felt the weight of the world on his shoulders. Here Diva was fresh out of the hospital, worried about him. He had to come out from under this shit.

You know I love you, right? he said, looking deep into Diva's eyes.

Yes, and I love you too!! she said, her eyes tearing up.

The last thing he wanted to do was make her cry. So he changed the subject. He knew he had to keep Diva busy or she would lose it. He sat the whole visit giving her a mission and a task.

We gon' make it all right! he said, placing his hand on the plexiglass that separated them.

Diva put her hand on the other side of the glass. They stared in each other's eyes. She couldn't help the tears that came to her eyes. Infamous shook his head as if to tell her no. No tears!

They were gonna make it. He was sure of it, even if he had to pay all the money they ever owned to pay off whoever claimed that they witnessed anything.

He bet that that's why they had him locked up, because somebody said that they had witnessed him commit the murder. He was willing to bet his life on it.

.........

I sat in front of the detective, my face a mask of nonchalance. We sat with a table in between us. He had a legal pad and some other paperwork in front of him.

So, Mr. Johnson, are you gonna cooperate with us or not? he asked, a hard edge to his voice.

I am cooperating, I stated, hunching my shoulders. I don't know what you expecting of me. But I told you the truth. I don't know no David or a Trey. I didn't kill nobody! I looked him in his eyes. He stared back, his ice blue eyes needle prick-sharp.

Well, Mr. Johnson, we got information from a reliable source that you were the trigger man.

"Well, your reliable source is not that reliable because he fed you some false information,