"At the police station; where else? When I was a rookie. I had just gotten off my shift and was on my way out of the building. There was this man walking in front of me. There was something about the way he walked. So confident, so regal, it was almost like he was saying, I command all I survey."
"That’s Black."
"I remember thinking that it struck me as being odd because most times when people leave the precinct, they walk out like they’re beaten, defeated and glad to be out of there. But not him, he walked with his head held high and his shoulders back. And his stride commanded your attention and respect. Then he stopped and turned around and said ‘That fragrance you’re wearing, is it bora, bora?’ I told him that it was and he told me that it smelled beautiful on me. He introduced himself and asked me if I worked there? I said Yes, I’m a cop. He said that’s a shame. So I asked him, ‘Why? Don’t you like cops?’ he said as a rule, no I don’t. And I can’t make an exception, even for very pretty cops like you. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms Hardy. And then he walked away."
"That’s Black," I said and smiled.
"The next day I asked my training officer, Dan Cavanaugh, now that was a piece of work." Felicia dropped, and then shook her head. Having the pleasure of meeting Cavanaugh I knew what she meant. "Anyway, I asked Cavanaugh about Black and he told me this story about how he was called to a domestic disturbance at Black’s apartment. One of his neighbors called the police, ’cause some woman was out in the hall beating on his door and yelling and screaming. But by the time Cavanaugh and his partner arrive on the scene, the woman is gone and Black is there in the hall with some guy. So Black tells him that he talked to the
woman and he was able to convince he to go home quietly. But Cavanaugh says he didn’t like Black’s attitude, so he tells he partner to go on back to the car. Well when he turns around, Cavanaugh gives Black and the other guy one in the gut. He said they took it, not because they were afraid of him or anything, but Black was just showing respect for his authority," Felicia gave me her version of a girlish giggle. "Well that’s my Vicious Black story. I don’t know how true it is, but that’s my story."
"Well, Felicia, that’s not exactly true."
Felicia sat up straight, "Its not?"
"No, its not."
"How do you know?"
"I was the other guy in the hall."
"Really."
"Really. That night Black called me and told me about the woman. Black told he that he came out and tried to talk to her, but it only made it worst. He told me he had something goin’ on and didn’t have time to deal with her. So he told me and Freeze to come get her before somebody called the cops."
"What was wrong? Did he have another woman in there?"
"No. He had something goin’ on in there, but there was no woman involved. Anyway, when we got there she’s still in the hall, raisin’ hell. Freeze walks up on her, puts his hand over her mouth, and carries her outside. I knocked on the door and let Black know that it was taken care of. I went inside and talked to him and Bobby for a minute, then I walked out with Black. That’s when your boy Cavanaugh gets there. Black did explain things just like you said. And Cavanaugh did say, I don’t like your attitude and sent his partner back to the car to wait, just like you said."
"At least that part is true."
"Yeah, but that’s where the story changes. After his partner leaves, Black went in the apartment and came back with an envelope and gave it to Cavanaugh."
"Cavanaugh?"
"Cavanaugh."
"Cavanaugh, huh? I guess you just never know."
As much as I was enjoying the conversation I worked it back to the business at hand. "How long did you know Pamela?"
"We were play pen buddies."
"Really?"
"We go back a long way. I grew up in that house and Pamela lived three doors down."
"What was her involvement with Jake?"
"As far as I know, they were just friends. She met him at one of Gee’s parties. There wasn’t anything physical, if that’s what you’re asking."
"What about LaShawn? Were her and Pamela close?"
"Yes, unfortunately. She met her at one of those parties and they became instant friends. LaShawn was nothing but poison. But Pamela seemed fascinated by that whole lifestyle. Not that she was a part of it or wanted to be. But she just liked being around them. She had never been around people like that and she just got caught up."
"Hmm. Growing up in LA, I would think she met plenty of people in the game."
"Pam’s mom didn’t play that. She kept a pretty tight reign on her kids. They weren’t on lock down or nothing, they did stuff, but they did it as a family and her moms was always around."