“No, thank you, Mrs. Black,” Dawkins said.
“We’re fine,” Kirk said.
“Then I will leave you all alone to discuss business,” Shy said and left the room because she never did like being around cops.
“What can I do for you, Detective?”
“There’s a rumor that Doc was murdered last night; true?”
Black nodded his head.
“I’m sorry,” Kirk said and paused. “I mean that.”
“Thank you, Detective. I know you mean every word you say,” Black said.
“I need to have a look at the body,” Kirk said and hoped that Black wouldn’t ask why. He didn’t want to mention the sniper.
“I understand.” Black glanced at Wanda and she nodded. “Your case?”
“Yes.” Kirk looked at Wanda. “The body … it at Young’s?”
“I’ll make a call.” Wanda stood up and took out her phone. “This is Wanda Moore. Detectives Kirkland and Dawkins are coming there,” she said as she left the room.
“Anything else?”
“I need this war to stop, Black,” Kirk said.
“You and me both, Detective,” Black said as Wanda came back in the room.
“At the request of the family, I cannot allow you to take the body. However, I will permit you and a medical examiner to perform an autopsy on the premises. Is that acceptable, Detectives?” Wanda asked.
“It’s a bit unorthodox, but I’ll make it work,” Kirk said.
“Good. I’ll see to it that arrangements are made,” she said and turned to Black and Bobby. “I’m going to go now. Call me if you need me.”
The Detectives stood up. “We’re gonna get outta here too,” Kirk said.
“I’m sorry for your loss,” Dawkins said and followed Kirk and Wanda to the door.
Once the door closed, Black looked at Bobby.
“Why are we still doing this?” Black asked. “I mean it ain’t like we need the money. We’re fuckin’ millionaires.”
“Honestly, Mike, I don’t know,” Bobby said.
“I know you were only playin’ with her, but you were right. We were done when I met Cassandra. I’m not blaming her, but how did we get so far from there?”
“I can tell you the answer to that.”
“What?”
“As long as we stay in it, it’s gonna keep happening. And it does. How many times have I said that every time we pull back from this shit something happens, and we are right back in the middle of the shit just like we are now.”
“Yeah, but when does it stop?”
“I guess it doesn’t.” Bobby chuckled. “It’s the natural order of things.”
Chapter Fifteen