Page 116 of I Heard It All Before

Chapter 41

Kamari dropped his head and sighed as his attorney, Martin, continued to deliver the bad news to him. He’d just assumed that he was being locked up for missing his court date, but he was sadly mistaken. His lawyer had just informed him that he had a whole new charge of conspiracy to go along with it. When Kamari was approached about setting Cam up, he didn’t even have to think about it too hard. Cam was one his biggest problems and he didn’t feel an ounce of remorse for what he’d done. Not to mention, doing the deed got him out of prison, if only for a little while.

“You need to help me help you, Kamari. Now, I don’t know all the details of what happened, but Mr. Blaire is a very smart man. He’s gonna get to the bottom of it with or without you,” Martin advised.

“It’ll have to be without me then. Snitching is what got me in here. I’m not doing the shit to somebody else,” Kamari replied.

“Just tell me who the person was that bonded you out. Who is Maria Ruiz?” his attorney asked.

“I don’t know who she is,” Kamari replied honestly.

He was telling the truth because he really didn’t know who she was. The attorney who came to him about setting Cam up told him that he would handle everything, and he did. Kamari didn’t know who the woman was who bonded him out and he didn’t ask any questions. He was happy as hell and nothing else mattered.

“Do you realize what’s happening here Kamari? These people are offering you up to twenty-five years and that’s only a plea bargain. If you go to trial and lose, it’ll probably double. I can only do so much, but the evidence against you is strong. You were under surveillance for weeks. Not to mention, the video of you planting drugs in somebody else’s car. They don’t give a damn about you being a first-time offender. They’re going to make an example out of you,” his lawyer noted.

“Just make the deal and let me do my time. No need to waste money on going to trial, when we both know that I’m gonna lose.” Kamari shrugged nonchalantly.

“Is that your final answer Kamari? Do you want to think about it some more and get back with me?” Martin asked.

“Nope, I’m good with it. It’s not like I have any other choice,” Kamari replied as he stood to his feet.

Martin shook his head at the stubbornness of his client. He didn’t know what was going on, but he was sure that his employer, Carrington Blaire, was going to find out. He didn’t know how he ended up representing the same man who had set up the grandson of his boss, but Carrington was out for blood. The man who hired him on Kamari’s behalf seemed to be confused by it all too.

As soon as Martin walked out of the prison, Mr. Blaire was standing there waiting on him. He was accompanied by another lawyer in their firm, who was a shark in the courtroom.

“Did he tell you anything?” Carrington asked him.

“No and he wants to take the plea deal,” Martin replied.

“I figured as much, but I might not need him anyway. I found this Maria Ruiz person and I’m going to pay her a visit,” Carrington replied.

“How did you find her?” Martin questioned.

“Old fashioned detective work and a few friends in high places,” Carrington replied.

“Okay, well keep me posted on what’s going on. Let me know if you need my help,” Martin said before walking away.

Carrington and his associate walked away and got into the awaiting town car. He gave the driver the address and they were on their way soon after. Carrington wasn’t familiar with the area, but it seemed as if they were driving forever. They drove deeper into the low-income, poverty stricken areas with most of the houses seeming to be abandoned. The houses that were occupied were barely standing. Carrington noticed that most of the residents in the area seemed to be of Hispanic descent and were mostly women. When the town car stopped in front of a house, Carrington couldn’t believe his eyes. The house had boarded up windows and was slightly tilted, like it would fall over at any minute.

“Are you sure that this is the right address?” Carrington asked his driver.

There was no way in hell that someone who lived in that house could afford to post bail for anyone, no matter how much it was.

“Yes sir,” the man replied while nodding his head.

Carrington looked around a little longer before he got out of the car and walked up the creaking stairs, followed by his employee. There were a few kids on the porch playing as if they didn’t have a care in the world. His heart broke for the dirty little kids who seemed to be happy with their living arrangements. They were talking in their native tongue and he didn’t understand what they were saying. When he knocked on the door, he jumped back when a piece of the wood chipped off and fell at his feet. It took a few minutes, but a middle-aged Hispanic woman opened the door and smiled at them. None of the men spoke Spanish, so they were happy when the woman greeted them with perfect English.

“Can I help you?” she asked with a smile.

“Yes, we’re looking for Maria Ruiz,” Carrington spoke up.

“Yes, I am Maria Ruiz,” she said, wiping the smile from her face. She didn’t know what the men wanted and they didn’t seem to be too happy about being there.

“We need to talk to you about a few things,” Carrington noted.

“Is it my son, Jorge?” the woman asked sadly.

“No, I don’t know your son. I need to ask you some questions about someone else,” Carrington said.

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