“Who was the suit against?” Marcus asked.
“She didn't say, but she did say that she was looking into something for you, and that she was planning on using it as an insurance policy to get what she wanted.”
“Mondrya left me a message that she had something for me, but was killed that same day. But I don't know anything about an insurance policy.”
“That's why I wanted to see you today. And I thought that we would talk alone.”
“Ms. Taylor is,” Marcus glanced at Carmen. “Intimately involved in this investigation. You can speak freely in front of her.”
“You see, Desireé Ferguson is my sister,” Carmen said looking Gloria in the eye.
“Oh, I see. I didn't know that was your sister. I'm terribly sorry.” Gloria picked up the envelope and handed it to Marcus. “As I mentioned over the phone, this is my first day back in the office since that night. This arrived here two days after, as you can see it was addressed to Mondrya, in care of this office. Judging from the post mark, Mondrya must have sent it right before she met me at Starbucks.”
Marcus started to open the envelope to examine its contents. “Marcus,” Gloria said, and Marcus stopped. “I would prefer that you do not open that in my presence.”
“Okay, Gloria,” Marcus said.
“Do you mind if I ask why not?” Carmen asked.
“I am convinced that whatever is in that envelope is the reason I was shot and Mondrya was murdered.”
“I thought that it was a random shooting during a robbery. What makes you believe that she was killed because of this envelope?” Marcus asked.
“I had a lot of time to think about what happened. I'm still having nightmares about it. Sometimes what happened plays like a movie. Over and over again in my mind. And then I came in to the office and this was waiting for me. Now I'm sure.”
“Do you mind telling us how it happened?” Carmen asked.
“Yes, Ms. Taylor, I do. But I know that this is important to you. It seemed to me that when they came in to Starbucks that evening; that they picked us out and shot us. There were three of them, one went to the register, and one stood by the door and the other one, the one who shot us. I couldn't help feeling that he walked around until he spotted us.”
“Did he say anything to you before he shot you?” Carmen asked.
“I don't think I'll ever forget what he said to me. He said, 'what the fuck you looking at, bitch.' Then he walked up to us and said, 'Oh, so I ain't nothin'! You pretty bitches, think y'all better than me. See if you better than this.' Then he shot me.”
“Did you tell the police any of this?” Marcus asked.
“No I didn't, and if you go to them and tell them that I think Mondrya was murdered over whatever is in that envelope, I'll deny this conversation ever took place.”
“I thought you said Mondrya was a friend of yours?” Carmen asked.
“She was. But she's dead now.”
“And it doesn't matter that whoever is responsible for this will get away with it?”
“Like I said, Ms. Taylor, Mondrya is dead, but I'm alive and I plan to stay that way.”
Carmen stood up quickly. “Let's go, Marcus.” Then she turned to Gloria. “Thank you for calling and turning this over to us, I appreciate it. You didn't have to do it, you could have destroyed it as soon as you found out what was in it.”
“Carmen,” Marcus said, knowing that Carmen was about to get off the chain.
“No, Marcus, it’s her kind of attitude, not willing to tell what she knows, is the reason whoever murdered Dez is walking around free.” Carmen opened the door to the office, “I'm glad I don't have friends like you,” and slammed the door behind her. Carmen stormed out of the office and headed for the car.
“Sorry about that, Gloria.”
Gloria stood up and walked Marcus out. “That's all right, Marcus. To be honest with you, I'm a little ashamed of myself, too. But I'm alive and if I have to leave the city, I plan to stay that way. Good luck with your investigation.”
Marcus put the envelope in his brief case and joined Carmen in the car. She was still on fire when he got there. Other than asking where he wanted to go, Carmen said nothing until she parked the car in front of Marcus's office. “Sorry I lost it back there, Marcus.”
“Don't sweat it, Carmen. I like a woman with a little fire,” Marcus replied, getting out of the car and going inside.