The Diamond Syndicate

Dante also turned around in his chair and looked back into the faces of those who sat behind them. He had no idea who the witness was either.

Seconds later, the side door to the courtroom opened, and a man, escorted by two guards, walked in, dressed in prison khaki pants and shirt, his hands cuffed in front of him. His dreads were pulled back into a thick ponytail at the nape of his neck.

Prosecutor Swartz looked over at Peter, who looked at her and winked his eye at her. He seemed to be gloating over the witness. Dante who had been slouching in the chair was now sitting erect. He couldn’t believe his eyes. It was his cellmate, Preacher.

Kendall looked over at Dante. He leaned and whispered to him, “You know this cat?”

“Yeah, he’s my cellie.”

“Why would your cellie be here testifying for the state?”

Dante simply shrugged his shoulders.

Kyle leaned in to listen to their conversation when he saw them conversing. “Please don’t tell me that you told this man anything.”

Dante didn’t say a word. He kept his focus on Preacher, who was being sworn in by the deputy. Once sworn in, Preacher took his seat and then looked over at Dante. He winked his eye at him. Dante relaxed his shoulders. The gesture by Preacher was an indication that he wasn’t there to fry him.

Prosecutor Swartz approached the witness stand. “Hello. Can you state your name once more for the court?” Prosecutor Swartz asked.

“Certainly. My name is Wah

eed Akbar Dupree,” he said with confidence. “But I am known to most as Preacher.”

Kyle and Kendall looked at each other and then rolled their eyes up in their head with disapproval.

“OK, Mr. Dupree, how do you know the defendants?”

“Well, I only know one of the defendants.”

“Which defendant?” Prosecutor Swartz looked back at the defense table and noticed they were just as confused as she was.

“I know Dante Reed.”

Kendall looked over at Dante, but Dante never returned the look.

“Again, how do you know the defendant?”

“He is my cellmate,” Preacher said into the microphone.

The spectators whispered amongst themselves.

Prosecutor Swartz leaned against the jury box. “And what information do you have against the defendant?”

“I plan to reveal that the defendant Dante Reed is innocent of all charges and was brainwashed by his mother, Diamond Reed.”

“Objection, Your Honor. This witness is in no way qualified to make such an accusation.

“Sustained.”

“This is bullshit!” Kyle whispered to his brother.

Prosecutor Swartz asked, “Mr. Dupree, do you have any information on the murder of Dr. Michael Ricci?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Please proceed.” Prosecutor Swartz held her hand out, giving him the floor.

“Diamond Reed planned to kill Dr. Ricci when he refused to cooperate with her on insurance fraud.”