Introduction To Hard 2 Da Kore (Hard2daKore Book 1) Read online

  “Hello?” said the very sexy and masculine voice. “You can stop with the sexy voice act Rome, you know it’s me.” I said. “What’s up Tracy, I take it you’re calling because you already heard about what happened to Councilman Hill at his wife’s funeral a little while ago?” He asked sounding somewhat hesitant. “Yes of course I did, it’s a tragedy isn’t it? Listen Rome, I’m not going to beat around the bush. I want this story.” I demanded.

  “Oh, so finally you’re asking Romey Rome to give you something instead of just jumping all over it and telling me the facts that you’ve accumulated on it thus far now huh?” “Stop playing Rome, I told myself that I wasn’t going to strong arm you on this one, that’s why I’m calling you now. You know I’m the man for this story Rome.” I argued. “Oh, you stand to be corrected my queen, there’s nothing manly about you at all.” He chuckled. “Okay Tray, I’m gonna let you have the story, but please, and I highly stress the word pleease make sure that you don’t get into too much trouble this time.” He said.

  “Don’t play with me Rome, you for real? You’re kidding with me right?” I asked in almost disbelief. “Didn’t you just ask for the story?” He said. “Yes, I did, but I didn’t th..” “I just said it was yours Tray, and mind you that I had 4 of your colleagues ask me for this story already too. One of them even threatening to quit if they didn’t get it and you did, so I told them all that I would think about it. So I thought about it, now I ask you again, do you want it or not?” He interrupted.

  “Yes, hell yes I want it Rome thank you thank you thank you!” I repeated. I was a little shocked because I thought that he was going to put up a little more resistance like he usually does, which made we wonder why, but why bother wondering why when the story is mine now. I smiled and then felt a little silly inside. “You see I told you.” I joked.

  “Told me what? Rome questioned. “I’m telling you that I’m wearing you dowwwwn baby, I am wearing you dowwwn.” I added, doing my best Steve Erkle impression. We both laughed. I could faintly hear a woman’s voice in the background. “Oh, company?” I asked curiously. “Ah, yeah, just dinner with a good friend” He answered in a casual tone. “Oh, well don’t let me hold you up boss. I have a few phone calls to make anyways.” I said. We both grew silent. “Rome, why are you giving this story to me so easily like this?” I asked him. He was silent for a moment. “Because, you’re the best man for this job, right? Besides something tells me this one might be kind of personal to you. I know how you get when it comes to cases when children are involved. So I’m confident that you’ll get to the bottom of it. It’s got you written all over it” He chuckled.

  “Something about the whole thing just doesn’t seem right to me.” I said. “Anyway I don’t want to hold you up, so enjoy your dinner and we’ll talk tomorrow, and oh yeah, please, and I do stress the word pleease make sure this one’s not a stalker this time, ha ha, I’ll see you tomorrow.” I joked and we hung up. Thank you Lord for showing me some favor on this, I prayed. Even though I was a good investigative reporter, Rome could have easily given the story to someone else. I’m just glad that he didn’t say that he was giving it to my co worker and rival archenemy Kelly Wheeler, also known as Ms. Big Bird. I chuckled at the thought. “Now you know you’re not right Tracy Truesdale.” I thought aloud. I bet it was probably her that threatened to quit if I got this story too. Well she might as well bring that resignation letter in with the rest of her tall lurching lanky ass.

  I immediately called my friend Gale who worked for the District Attorney’s Office and I left her a message. I told her that I was working on the Counselman Hill story and for her to get back to me when she got the chance. I wanted to know who was going to be the lead prosecutor on this case and if there’s going to be an indictment filed. Earlier at press time there still had been no charges filed by the DA’s office. There were about a hundred questions racing through my mind, like for starters what would make an 18-year-old pregnant girl shoot her father multiple times in the face? I needed to know how’d she manage to get a hold of that gun, and why of all places would she kill him at her mother’s funeral? Getting to the bottom of it all and finding the truth is what makes me the reporter I am today. I’m not too concerned about how, when, or where it happened. Most of that is irrelevant. I’ll leave that for those basic journalists to figure out. All I need to know what was in her heart, that’s where I’m gonna find the truth to the question of, why she did it?

  I got so caught up thinking about work that I forgot about dinner. I called Sadique earlier and asked him to take some steaks out of the refrigerator before he hit the streets. Not only did he do what I asked him oh so well, but he also seasoned and marinated them too. “Nice prep job love.” I thought as I took them out to the back deck and put them on the grill. Sadique did most of the cooking whenever he was home. It took a while for him to learn, but I insisted that he did. With me taking a few trips out of town when need be, I couldn’t leave my man hungry in a town full of women that would love to literally have him for dinner. I paged Sadique and left him a message to stop by Cossie’s and pick up a house salad and a bottle of wine. I went out to the patio to prepare the steaks. I needed to check my voice mail so I walked back inside to my office room I grabbed my pen & notepad beforehand.

  My first message was from my mother reminding me of the family bar-b-que this Saturday. Next there was a three minute message from my girl Jenny, wanting to know why I didn’t show up for her three-year-old son’s birthday party. She also went on to ask why I didn’t bring her son’s gifts in person, and why I haven’t returned any of her calls. I had 6 hang-up, 4 telemarketers, 2 breathers and then there was a message from an unknown call. The deep voice of the male caller said: “Fuck you at nikka, we around the block, hurry the fuck up!” Then the line went dead.

  “What was that about?” I asked to myself. You see, over the years I had to live with the fact that Sadique associated himself with drug dealers and other elements of the streets. I don’t know why because he has his own construction company, but he chooses to try and be the savior of his people. Seems like this maybe getting a little bit out of control. Most of his hommies probably have some type of criminal past. He gives them jobs working for his company, but they still sell drugs and going to strip clubs and doing stupid single guy type of stuff. I love Sadique enough to trust his judgment, but now these guys have our private home number and leaving stupidass messages.

  For all I know they probably know where we lived too. Which was something that we both had agreed would never be the case. Now that I recall, Sadique has been acting rather strange these past few days, real quiet and secretive. I wonder if he was in some kind of trouble. I’m pretty sure whatever the case he could handle it. He’s smart enough to never put us in harms way. “Oh crap, is something’s burning? My steaks!” I rushed out onto the patio, but was too late. One side of the steak was completely burned & the other still slightly raw. “Damn, I fucked that up.” I chuckled.

  “Freewaay, I got a nice steak for your dinner honey!” I yelled as I sliced up a nice portion of it and placed it into his bowl and threw the rest in the trash. I can’t eat this, what a waste of money.” I better call Sadique again and tell him to forget the salad. I called his cell phone which rang once, then went to voicemail.

  “Hey sweetie, cancel the salad, I just burned dinner so grab something before coming home, remember, I’m still on my diet too, love you, peace.” I turned the on television and plopped down on the soft plush leather sofa. Nothing much was on t.v. and I didn’t feel like sorting through any clothes for the shelter so I decided to take a nap until Sadique came home. So I stretched out and snuggled myself comfortably into the couch. “Finally, some good decent sleep.” I thought as I lay dozing off . I thought I heard the telephone rang in what seemed like a few minutes later, so I reached over and answered it. “Hello?” “Hey sexy, is your man home?” The voice on the other line asked. “No he isn’t, but if he doesn’t get home soon I’
m going to put him in the want-ads.” I joked.

  “Hey baby, so how’s my second favorite girl doing.” The mysteriously sounding voice said. “Second? Who’s your first?” I asked tiredly as if I didn’t already know. “Now don’t get me wrong I love my girl like a mafucka, but as long as my mama still alive, she’s numero uno, stop trippin’, what’s goin’ on baby?” He joked. “Did you get my message?” I asked him. “No, I didn’t check ‘em yet. Why what’s up?” He asked. “I wanted you to bring home a salad and some wine, but then I called back because I burnt the steak, and for you to grab something for us while you’re out. I’m not really hungry anymore though, and you never answered your phone.” I explained. “Damn Tray, I’m sorry, you skipping dinner again?” He asked. “No, I’m not, I’ll fix some tuna salad for myself.” I told him. “Well, why can’t I have tuna too?” He asked. “I’m not too beat for none if this bullshit out here either, so whatever my bae eatin’, that’s what I’m gone eat.” He pouted playfully. "Just wait for me bae, I’ll pick up a movie on my way home. You want some of that fat free popcorn too?”

  ‘Hell no, get the not fat free shit. To me fat free means don’t eat it because it ain’t gonna taste good, and you’ll just be wasting your money honey if you got that.” I said. “Not a problem, I gotta make a run with my mans real quick before I come home, ok? You need anything else?” He added. “Okay, and no I don’t, but you got a lot of boys with no names calling here and leaving weird messages. I was beginning to get worried.” I told him. “Aww, that’s sweet baby, but everything’s fine. I’ll see you later okay? Love you” He said sweetly.

  “Okay, love you back.” I said and we both hung up. Lately Sadique’s' I’ll see you laters could mean two or three days, but I’m glad he finally called. Freeway’s loud whining woke me up. “What time is it?” I asked myself and then looked over at the clock which read 4:03 a.m. and every light in the house was still on. “Sadique you home!?” I called out, but there was no answer. It seemed like we just spoke on the phone a minute ago. Was I dreaming? Please don’t tell me he came home and left without saying anything to me, and why is Freeway crying like that?” I asked myself as I got up and walked through the house towards the master bedroom. Freeway’s cries and whines became louder, but kinda muffled as I approached the bedroom.

  “Freeway where are you!?” I called out. I looked under the bed and checked the closet, but he wasn’t there. So I went to the bathroom and opened the door, and there was Freeway. He was lying on the floor gaged and tied to the bathroom sink with one of Sadique’s neckties. “What the hell, Freeway! Oh my God, who did this!?” He appeared to have been stabbed and his left paw, right ear, and tail had been sliced up pretty badly and bleeding heavily.

  “Who did this!?” I yelled as the fear of a possible still lurking intruder quickly rushed over me. I hurried back into my living room and grabbed my handbag and pulled out my gun. I flipped the safety switch off as a sense of fear surged through my entire body. It was clearly evident that someone had gotten into my place either while I was asleep, or had been here all along when I’d gotten in after work. I gripped my weapon tightly, aiming and pointing it straight ahead as I looked around my spacious condo.

  The sound of India Arie was still playing lowly in the background as my eyes and ears cased the room for anything that looked out of place, or if any unwarranted noises or movement that might happen. I’m not easily scared, especially when I’m packing my heat, but someone in my home and possibly while I was here made my head spin. I grabbed the remote and shut off the music. The sudden stillness of the silence seemed louder than the music, which only heightened my awareness. I grabbed the phone and dialed 911 as I hurried back towards the bathroom where my dog was slowly dying in a slowly mounting pool of blood. “Help me, someone please help me my Freeway is dying!” I screamed and began to cry.

  “Please, get someone here, hurry! I screamed into the receiver while grabbing some towels and tending to my dying dog. Yes I am!.. No I’m not hurt! Danger!? No, I don’t know if anyone is still here!” Why do they ask so many damn questions? Just get here. I thought to myself. After I screamed out my address and apartment number to the 911 operator, I then quickly called the building’s security.

  “Hello, yes this is apartment 6A, I need some assistance someone just tried to kill my dog! No I’m not sure if I’m alone. Yes, I give you permission to enter my apartment! Just hurry please, he’s dying”! I cried. “Hold on Freeway help is on the way.” I said as I grabbed a few more towels and applied them to his wounds. Freeway got quiet, and his breathing was slow. After a few minutes I heard voices entering the apartment and my name being called. “Back here!” I yelled, applying the safety back onto my gun and quickly placed it into my waist so as not to alert any of the oncoming officers. Two police officers, an EMS tech, and a few security guards all seemed to arrive at the same time. “Where is the victim?” One police officer asked.

  “The victim is the dog.” The security guard answered. “We’re here for a dog?” One of the officers asked puzzled while the EMS tech rushed over to Freeway and began to treat his wounds. “Yes you are, and what difference does it make!?” I screamed, sensing a bit of apprehension from the officer. “We’re out of here. This is not a police matter.” One of the officers snapped.

  “Excuse me, but it should be treated as one. Someone broke into my home and hurt my dog. I don’t even know if they’re still here or not! So can you do your job and take a look around and make sure nobody’s still in my home if you don’t mind!” I snapped back at him. Now isn’t breaking and entering, and cruelty to animals still considered a crime!?” I screamed at him. The older looking officer asked me to step outside of the bathroom. He seemed a little more concerned and easier to talk to, as the other officer looked through my place.

  “Mam, my name is Officer David, sorry about your dog. I own a German Shepherd myself so I can understand how you must feel. I want to apologize for my partner’s insensitivity, he’s a rookie. Now do you know why anyone would want to do this, or anyone who might want to hurt you or your dog, maybe some one else with another dog?” He asked sincerely. “No sir, I don’t.” I replied. “Do you mind if we take a look around?” He asked. “Sure, please, go ahead.” I agreed. The officers began looking around my apartment. I stood at the bathroom door in a daze, realizing that I hadn’t called Sadique. He’s out doing whatever at a time when I need him the most. I thought as I walked back into the living room to use the phone in private. This time the call went straight to voicemail.

  Where could he be at this time of morning? He didn’t say he was leaving town. It was about to break day and Sadique never let the break of dawn beat him home unless he was out of town. I didn’t know whether to be mad or worried. Everything is moving way too fast for me right now. I felt like I’m about to have an anxiety attack. I went into the kitchen a got a glass of water. Just when I was about to exit the kitchen, Officer David and the EMS technician met me at the door.

  “I’m so sorry to inform you Miss Truesdale, but your dog didn’t make it and your place seems to be clear, is there anything else that we can do for you right now. Do you need us to contact your husband for you?” He asked. “Please my name is Tracy, and no I’m not married.” I replied, my head spinning, trying to make sense of what was happening. “I’m sorry, I just assumed, well that photo behind you looks like you may have been on a honeymoon or something.” The Officer replied.

  “No just a vacation, and yes I’m engaged.” I smiled sadly as I looked back at the photograph. “It’s kind of late, but I can arrange for the ASPCA come pick up your dog if you like.” He said. “Oh, ok. Do you think I should have an autopsy done on him?” I asked. I was trapped between worring if Sadique was okay, and the fact that my Freeway has just been killed. “No, I don’t think that’ll be necessary because it’s not a human, but I’m not a vet so who knows.” He informed me.

  “Oh, I’m terribly sorry, for not introducing myself, my name is T
racy Truesdale, reporter for the Daily Journal, and I’m obviously also not a vet so I wouldn’t know either.” I sadly explained. “Ok, I’ll send them over as soon as possible, and again I’m very sorry Ms. Truesdale.” The officer expressed and then they all left, leaving me alone, confused, frightened, angry, grief stricken at the loss of my beautiful Freeway who was lying dead on my bathroom floor. My mind quickly shifted to investigative mode as to who what where when why and how of all of this is happening. My home and my life has been personally violated, and I will figure out all of this.

  My senses were also telling me that this was the beginning of something very shadowy and mysterious, and somehow involved Sadique, wherever his is. I slowly got up and walked back to the bathroom. Freeway was lying still on the floor with his eyes closed and mouth partially opened. “Somebody killed my baby.” I whimpered as I began to cry. “Somebody killed my baby, somebody killed my baby.” I repeated over and over as I made my way into my bedroom, flopped down onto my bed and cried myself back to sleep.

  10

  WHAT’S A GHOSTRYDR? (Korey)

  By the time I woke up it was nightfall and Sinnimin had already left. I showered and threw on a pair of jeans, Tims, Yankee fitted and headed out the door. I didn’t want to take my doo rag off, but my mom is one of those moms who couldn’t stand for you to wear a scarf on your head in the street. My moms didn’t live too far away from my apartment, so I decided to walk over. It was a nice night for a walk too, the kinda’ of night that reminds you of Ice Cube’s joint: Today was a Good Day. I said what’s up to a couple of my hommes from the hood as I turned onto Ocean Avenue.

  I saw what looked like a black Chevy Corvette headed towards me fast with the high beams on and music blasting. I couldn’t see who was drivin, but whoever it was was drivin really fast towards me then rolled up on me fast as hell then skid to a stop. Damn! I’m about to get robbed. I thought about just taking off and running fast as I could, until the window rolled down and I saw who it was. “What’s up my future rap star cousin?” Jay asked with a big ass smile on his face. “Oh! Damn Jay, you scared the fuck out of me! I shoulda known it was yo crazy drivin’ ass!” I screamed at him. “Oh, now how “The Mann” gonna be scared of a little fast car pullin up beside him huh? Where you headed!?” He asked, yelling over his loud music. “I’m goin over to my mom’s crib to holla at my little brother. My mom’s tellin me he actin’ up again. Talking back and cuttin’ class n’ shit like that!” I yelled.