Read Online Aftermath by Tracy Brown - Free Book Online Page A

the desk. Misa stared at the wall in the room she had been left in. Photos lined the wall like poorly applied wallpaper—pictures of crime victims. Misa read their names, read the details of their murders.
    Trina Samuels, shot numerous times in the head … Darin “Dusty” Fernandez, missing since August 2007 … Martin “Murk” Payton last seen leaving Top Cuts Barbershop … found with a bullet to the back of the head in the basement of 555 Steuben Street … a witness stabbed to death in his home … another bludgeoned to death in the parking lot of Staten Island Savings Bank.
    Misa looked at all the faces and all the stories and immediately felt like something was wrong. First of all, Frankie owned Top Cuts Barbershop. It was one of the many legitimate businesses he used as fronts for his illicit drug empire. She had also heard Baron mention Dusty’s name on at least one occasion—particularly in hushed tones during late-night phone calls with Frankie during a trip he had taken with Misa to Miami.
    Misa recalled the Miami trip now as she stared at Dusty’s name and face on the poster. She remembered hearing Baron admit to having killed Dusty, recalled how she had judged him for taking the life of another human being. And now she had done the same thing. She had never been the most religious person, but she did believe in God. She knew that murder was a sin, no matter how you cut it. Misa’s faith taught her that God himself would exact revenge against Steven for what he had done to Shane. But Misa’s maternal instincts hadn’t allowed her to wait patiently for justice. She had had to get some kind of immediate closure, and she had done that. Even as she sat there, knowing that she was facing a horrible immediate future in prison, she felt better knowing that Steven was dead—that she had killed him.
    She turned her attention back to the wall and read some more of the posters, although no other names, faces, or details jumped out at her. The white woman who had been seated at the desk came into the room, but the other officer stayed outside. She sat across from Misa and offered her a halfhearted hello.
    â€œSo, what happened tonight?” she asked.
    Misa ignored the question. She had asked for an attorney so many times she was sick of saying it. Plus, she was certain that the rookie outside had filled this lady in on all the details.
    The woman smirked at Misa. “You’re probably smart not to say too much. Is there anything you need? Any phone calls you need to get out of the way?”
    Misa shook her head. “No.”
    â€œWell, it’s late and I’m sure you’d like to get settled in for the night and lay down for a spell. Why don’t you take a look behind you and tell me if you recognize anybody?”
    Misa spun around in her seat and looked at the wall behind her. Unlike the wall she’d been facing, this one was papered with photos of wanted criminals and descriptions of the crimes they were accused of. Her eyes danced across it and settled on a photo of Daniel “Danno” Henriquez, an associate of both Frankie and Baron Nobles.
    Misa’s stomach flip-flopped.
    â€¦ wanted in connection with the rape and torture of Trina Samuels … DNA evidence found at the scene …
    Misa didn’t want to overreact, but she was stunned.
    â€œIf you recognize someone on that wall, I’m sure it would look good for you in court.”
    Misa wondered if they already knew that she was familiar with Baron, had vacationed with him, spent nights in his bed. She wondered if they knew that she had seen Danno plenty of times before. Her connection to Frankie was unmistakable, but she wasn’t sure if they knew how close she had gotten to the criminal side of it all, the things she’d heard over the past few months. Misa decided that now more than ever, she needed to keep her lips sealed. She