Page 23 of Breeze and Melodie

“What do you mean he got arrested?”

It was a little after seven, and Shyne was on my phone telling me that Breeze had been arrested.

“The cops showed up when we were leaving the building. It was four or five squad cars. Tia jumped out of one of them, pointing at Breeze.”

“Tia? Shit! There’s no telling what she told them.”

“I couldn’t hear what she said because I was too busy processing the scene. The cops bumrushed him, threw him to the ground, put him in cuffs, and shoved him into the back of one of the squad cars.”

“They didn’t say what he was being arrested for?”

“No. They didn’t read him his rights. I recorded as much as I could.

I’ve already reached out to our business attorney and sent him the video.

He agreed to go down to the station to find out what’s going on, but he said he would connect us with a criminal attorney tomorrow.

They can only hold him for seventy-two hours if they don’t charge him. ”

“Seventy-two hours is too long when he ain’t done shit. What the fuck!”

“Calm down, Mel. I know this is fucked up, and I know I’ll be saying the same thing to Raine when I tell her. The last thing we need is you two stressing the babies out. As fucked up as it is, Breeze ain’t no bitch, and he ain’t new to this shit. He’ll be all right.”

“Do you think they’ll let him call me?”

“He should get at least one phone call, and I assume he’ll use it to call you.”

“This pisses me off. That ho made up some lies because he was done with her. Why can’t people bow out gracefully?”

“Some people can’t let go and move on. I’ll keep you posted if I hear anything, and you do the same.”

“Thanks, Shyne.”

We ended the call, and I tossed my phone to the empty space beside me on the couch.

I closed my eyes, let my head fall back, and took several deep breaths.

Tonight would be the first time I slept without Breeze since our first night together.

The thought of him sleeping in a jail cell pissed me off, but there was nothing I could do about it, . . . or was there?

I picked up my phone and found my sister’s contact. She answered after the first ring.

“Hey, what’s up?”

“I need you to come with me somewhere?”

“Where?”

“Meet me in the lobby in two minutes, and I’ll tell you.”

“Okay.”

Harmonee lived in my old apartment since Breeze had held me captive since our first night together.

I moved most of my things into the guest bedroom so she could have the larger room.

We hadn’t discussed what she would do when my lease was up, but she’d only been in Onyx City for a couple of weeks.

We had plenty of time to discuss her next move.

I was still dressed from the workday, so I grabbed my purse and slipped into my gym shoes. Quickly, I left the apartment and rushed to the elevator. When the doors opened, Harmonee was leaning against the wall.

“You’re fast.”

“It sounded urgent. What happened? Where are we going?”

“Breeze was arrested, and somehow, his ex is involved. We’re going to the police station.”

“Oh damn! Have you talked to him?”

“No. Shyne called me and told me all he knew. They were leaving the barbershop when the cops pulled up deep.”

“Damn. Are we going to pick him up?”

“He hasn’t been released. I’m going to find out his charges, and I need you to make sure I don’t get locked up with him.”

“Oh.”

On the way to the station, Raine called. I ignored it because I thought she might talk me out of going to the station. However, my friend was persistent and kept calling until I answered.

“Why does it look like you’re headed toward the police station?”

“Because I am. I’ll call you back.”

“Melodie!”

“What, Raine? I need to figure out what’s going on with Breeze.”

“I want to know, too, but I don’t think going up there is a good idea.”

“Well, I’m here now. I’ll call you when I leave.”

“She’s gonna kill you,” Harmonee said.

“I know, but hopefully I’ll have the information I need by then.”

I pulled into the first parking spot I saw, and we quickly got out of my car. As we rushed toward the building, I saw the attorney we hired for business related to Black Reign.

“Mr. Lincoln,” I called out.

He was a few steps ahead of us and stopped to turn around. “Hey, Ms. Norwood. I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

“I couldn’t wait to hear from you or Breeze, so I decided to see what I could find out myself. This is my sister, Harmonee.”

“In that case, I’m glad you didn’t get here before I did. Let me do all the talking. It’s nice to meet you, Harmonee.”

“Same.”

We followed him into the building, which was scarce of people.

I guess it was after hours, and most of them had gone home.

After going through security, Mr. Lincoln led us to an area that was a bit more populated.

Phones were ringing, conversations between people in uniform were being had, and regular citizens were seated in a waiting area.

“Excuse me. I’m here to inquire about someone who was arrested. I’m his attorney.”

“Name please?”

“Breeze Foster. He was probably brought in about two hours ago.”

The woman’s fingers moved quickly over the keyboard, and about a minute later, they stopped.

“Yes, he’s in custody.”

“And the charges?”

“No charges listed as of now. The system hasn’t updated yet?”

Harmonee and I quietly watched as Mr. Lincoln spoke to the woman. However, when she said there were no charges after two hours, I got fired up.

“You’re holding him with no charges. That doesn’t make any sense,” I said.

“And who are you?” the woman asked with an attitude.

“His fiancée. Why are you holding him with?—”

“I told you the system probably hasn’t updated.”

“Because there’s nothing to update. My man ain’t done?—”

“Ms. Norwood, can you and your sister go have a seat over there?” Mr. Lincoln suggested, nodding his head toward the waiting area.

Before I could say anything else, Harmonee looped her arm through mine, pulling in that direction.

“Mel, you gotta stay calm. These people barely want to help us, and if you give them attitude, you can forget about it. Chill out.”

I begrudgingly sat down and folded my arms across my chest. If somebody didn’t tell me something soon, I might lose it.

“I know what you’re thinking, Mel. This ain’t the place to crash out. Breeze would not be happy if you and his babies got locked up because you showing your ass in the police station.”

Harmonee was right. I would be of no help to Breeze if they locked me up. I closed my eyes and took slow, deep breaths until Mr. Lincoln’s voice got my attention.

“I’m headed back to see him. Don’t do anything to make matters worse while I’m gone.”

I nodded while Harmonee assured him that I would behave, . . . and I did, until I heard a familiar voice nearby. I looked around to see where the voice was coming from. It was right outside the waiting area in the small hallway with vending machines.

“Harm, I need you to go to the vending machine right around this corner and record the two people talking.”

“What?”

“Gimme your phone.”

I held my hand out and waited for her to place her phone in my hand after unlocking it. I swiped until I found her voice memos and pressed record.

“Now go. Take your time deciding what you want.”

She nodded and casually walked away. I was already seated in the chair closest to the opening of the area and peeked around the corner.

Just like I thought, it was Tia. Her back was to me, but I still recognized her.

The man she was talking to wasn’t much taller than her, and I was sure he couldn’t see past her, so I pulled out my phone and quickly snapped a picture.

“Why are you doing this?” he asked her.

“He needs to pay for playing in my face for six months.”

“I’m putting my job on the line for you. This better work.”

“How could it not? The only alibi he’ll have is that raggedy ass Melodie, and you cops know how often women lie for their men.”

“She won’t be lying because he really ain’t do shit.”

“That’s not the point.”

“We can only hold him for seventy-two hours without charging him with something.”

“Domestic violence, battery, assault, . . . take your pick.”

He rubbed his hand down his face. “You need to leave before someone sees you.”

He turned and walked in the opposite direction, and I quickly moved, turning my back to the entrance in case Tia peeked inside. Seconds later, Harmonee returned.

“That bitch is crazy. She’s trying to set him up because he dropped her ass?”

“It appears so. I can’t wait until Mr. Lincoln comes back. When Breeze finds out, her and her lil friend gon’ regret this dumb shit.”

“Ms. Norwood.”

I turned around as Mr. Lincoln walked toward us. He sat in the chair next to me.

“Hey! Can I see him? Did you find out anything?”

“Unfortunately, no to both questions. His attorney is the only one they’ll allow to see him tonight.

They’re just being assholes. He’s doing fine, though, and gave me this note for you.

” He gave me a folded-up piece of paper before continuing.

“No one has talked to him since he’s been here, but based on what he gathered when he was arrested, he thinks he’ll be charged with something related to domestic abuse. ”

“I’m positive that’s exactly what they will charge him with.”

“Oh? Why are you so sure?” he questioned, brows pinched.

“We can’t talk in here. Since I can’t see him, we might as well leave.”

We left the station and didn’t speak again until we reached my car.

“What do you know?” Mr. Lincoln asked.

“His ex is trying to set him up.”

“That’s what he said, but we need proof. Right now, we don’t know when the abuse supposedly happened to secure his alibi.”

“I got all the proof we need. Harmonee, play the recording.”

My sister took her phone from the front pocket of the hoodie she wore and swiped across the screen a few times before voices were heard. I listened as if it was my first time, becoming angrier than I already was. When the recording ended, Mr. Lincoln looked stunned.

“They made this easy. Can you send that to me? He’ll be out by tomorrow morning.”

“I snapped a picture of them talking. Tia’s back is facing the camera, and I got part of the man’s face she was talking to. I think there’s a camera right above them. Maybe you can request they pull the footage to confirm their identities.”

“Perfect. With this and the video Shyne sent me, they probably won’t charge him with anything.”

He gave us his number, and we sent him the recording and picture. After exchanging a few more words, we parted ways, with him assuring me I had nothing to worry about. It was easier said than done, but I managed to get through the night without my man after reading the note he’d written for me.

Baby, there’s a lot I want to say, but the most important thing I need you to know right now is, I love the fuck outta you.

I don’t want you worrying because it’s unnecessary stress on you and our babies.

I’ve been locked up before, and I’ll only be here a day or two, so this ain’t no biggie.

My gun is in my nightstand. Keep it close, and if you have to use it, don’t forget what I taught you.

Shoot first, ask questions later. Breeze