Betrayed (20 page)

“Fourth down,” the announcer said. “Central will go for the first down with a minute left to play.”

The crowd yelled at fever pitch as the quarterback received the ball. He handed off the ball to one his linebackers who ran for five yards.

“First down,” the announcer called. “The Eagles are in field goal range; forty seconds left on the clock.”

The Eagles moved swiftly into a huddle, wanting to capitalize on the play and the momentum they were riding. Adrenaline was running high; the guys wanted this win. Moving out of the huddle, the players reorganized themselves on the field. Snap. The quarterback received the ball and threw a long pass to his running back, who ran for ten yards.

“First down and goal!” shouted the Eagles' announcer. “The Eagles smell victory!”

Victor kept a steady eye on Afrika, noting that Asia was four girls down in the row. He thought she spotted him and moved from what he'd perceived to be her line of sight. The cheerleaders were in a fast chant, waiting for the next play to occur. They stopped and the quarterback threw the ball.

“Touchdown!” the announcer called. “We'll have time for the extra point and kickoff.”

The crowd was in an uproar. People were dancing where they stood.

“Eagles are number one! Eagles are number one!”

“The Eagles' kicker, Simon Perry, is ready,” the announcer said. “He looks, kicks…and the kick is good for the extra point!”

Victor watched as the cheerleaders were in high velocity, shaking what their mamas had given them, engaging the crowd in a chant. “Eagles are number one! Eagles are number one!”

Defense and the special team unit came onto the field for the Eagles. Simon Perry swung his foot preparing for the kickoff.

“The Eagles are ready for kickoff,” the announcer said with excitement in his voice. “Perry's leg is up. He kicks. You won't believe it. Perry kicked it into the end zone. The opposing team will receive the ball on the twenty-yard line with only three seconds left on the clock.”

“Defense! Defense!” the cheerleaders shouted followed by the fans. “Defense! Defense!”

“The opposing team snaps the ball…and…and the game is over. The Eagles have won it, thirty-one to twenty-one.”

All mayhem broke loose. Everyone cheered and cried. The Eagles were on target to win their conference. Victor left the fans and the stands to their celebration.

“Hey, Mom. You all right?” Trevor asked.

“Yes and no.”

“What's up?”

“I'm scared, Trevor.”

“Scared of what, Mom? Speak up. The Eagles are about to win this game and the fans are going crazy.”

“Your father has…”

“What about Dad? I can barely hear you.”

“Trevor, your dad has a gun. I'm afraid he's going to do something crazy.”

Pop, pop, pop!

“What was that?” Trevor asked, talking to Freddie.

“Your father…” Brenda began.

“Mom, I've got to call you back. Something happened. People are taking cover and running out of the stadium. I'll call you back when I find out what's going on.”

“Trevorrrrrrrrr!”

Trevor flipped the lid on the phone.

“Come on, let's get out of here,” Freddie said to Trevor.

“What happened?”

“I'm not sure, but it looks like a stampede.”

“Why is everyone swarming around the cheerleaders?” Trevor asked. “Let's go find out. My sister is down there.”

“Okay, let's hurry up. I don't want to be around any longer than I have to.”

“You don't want anything to happen to your brother's car.”

“Got that right.”

Out of nowhere, a siren began to blare. Trevor and Freddie looked up as the ambulance careened in their direction. Police officers were on the scene, pushing back spectators that were drawn to where the cheerleaders stood. Raw emotions and screams could be heard, the closer the young men walked.

A police officer stuck out his hand. “You've got to go back against the fence. You can't come any closer.”

“My sister is a cheerleader,” Trevor said in a huff. “Is she all right?”

“Who's your sister and what's your name?”

“My sister is Asia Christianson and I'm her brother, Trevor.”

“Let me find out. I'll be back in a moment.”

Two paramedics rushed to where the cheerleaders were gathered. They knelt down on the ground out of Trevor's view. Within seconds, the paramedics lifted one on the cheerleaders onto the gurney
and hurried toward the ambulance. In another few seconds, the siren was switched on and they were on their way.

The police officer returned with Asia close at his heels. Asia was crying and blood stained her uniform.

“Asia, what happened?” Trevor asked, fear in his eyes.

“It was awful, Trevor. Someone tried to kill Nikki. We heard this pop and then Nikki fell to the ground. Blood was running everywhere.”

“Did you see who did it?”

“No, there were too many people standing around. I can't believe this has happened to Nikki.”

“Has anyone called her mom?”

“I don't know, but I will as soon as I get my cell phone.”

“Oh, Asia, this is Freddie. He goes to my school.”

“Hey,” was all Asia could say. “I want to go home. I can't stay on campus tonight.”

“I'm taking Trevor home,” Freddie said. “You can ride with us.”

“No, the cheerleaders are going to the hospital to be with Nikki. I'll get a ride home later.”

“Asia!” someone shouted. “The police want to talk to you!”

“Oh, God. I don't believe this. Who could have done this?”

“They're probably questioning everyone to see if they saw anything,” Freddie offered.

“What if the killer is still here?” Asia asked.

“Get your stuff so we can get out of here as soon as we can,” Trevor said.

“No, I'm going to the hospital. Nikki is my best friend. Just think, it could've been anyone of us.”

M
ore than twenty minutes had passed since Trevor had hung up on her. Brenda paced the floor, her nerves unending. She'd tried relentlessly to call Victor, but he didn't bother to answer. She prayed to God that he wouldn't do anything stupid.

There wasn't going to be any waiting another minute longer. Brenda picked up her cell and dialed Trevor's number, the phone shaking in her hand. She moved from one foot to the other, anticipating Trevor's voice. She stopped when she heard him say hello.

“Trevor?”

“Yeah, Mom. Are you all right?”

“Why didn't you call me back?”

“Mom, I'm being interviewed by the police?”

“The police?”

“Yeah, Mom. Hold on a second.”

Brenda waited until Trevor came back on the line.

“There was a shooting at the game today. That's what happened when we were talking. Nikki was shot.”

“Nikki who?”

“Asia's best friend, Nikki.”

“You mean Afrika?”

“Nikki…Afrika—yes, Mom. It was horrible. The ambulance took her to the hospital.”

“Oh my God. Oh my God. I don't believe this.”

“Asia is all messed up.”

“Is Asia okay?”

“Yes, Mom. Asia's fine, other than being broken up about Nikki and she has blood all over her cheerleading outfit. She's going to the hospital to be with Nikki.”

“Did they catch the person who did it?” Brenda asked, realizing for the first time that Victor had entered her mind as a possible suspect.

“No. That's why they're interviewing everyone who didn't get out of the stadium before the police blocked off the entrances.”

“God, this is horrible. What hospital did they take Afrika to? I wonder if her mother has been notified?”

“I don't know where they took her, but if you have Mrs. Bailey's phone number, you may want to call her. Asia said Nikki was unconscious when they took her off the field. The cheerleading coach rode to the hospital with Nikki.”

“Okay, Trevor. Thanks for the information. I've got to call Mimi. When are you coming home?”

“When the police finish with us.”

“Okay. Hurry home as soon as you can.”

“Alright.”

Brenda ended the call and dialed Mimi's number. It went straight to voicemail. “Oh my God; I've got to find Mimi.”

“M
IMI, YOU LOOK DIVINE
,” J
OHN
C
ARROLL SAID AS HE SAT BACK
and watched Mimi approach the table in her short pale yellow brocade jacket, black knit turtleneck, and black stretch trousers.

“Watch what you say to a married woman,” Mimi responded, smiling as she sashayed to the table and sat across from John. “I love the atmosphere here.”

“So why is the married lady sitting down to lunch with me at her favorite restaurant?” John added with a smile.

“Because you asked and I could use a friend about now.”

“Good answer, but you know you started it.”

“You're right. How are you doing, John?”

“Great, now that you're here. And if I didn't know better, I would think you're flirting with me.”

Mimi blushed and fanned herself with her hand. “Flattery will get you most places.” Mimi picked up the menu and began to browse. She looked up to see John staring. “Are you going to eat?”

“I already know what I want.”

“I hope you're talking about something on this menu.” Mimi chuckled.

“You're funny, Mimi. I meant the menu, but I hope you don't mind if I stare. You look better than any of the desserts on this menu. In fact, they could spice up the walls of this place…take all that old nostalgic stuff down and replace it with your likeness.”

Mimi put the menu down. “I'm ready to order.”

“So,” John began, changing the subject, “all quiet on the front? No more calls or threats from Victor?”

“No. I hope he's gotten the message this time. But it's really too late since Brenda is privy to my secret.”

“If she asks Victor for a divorce, you better believe he'll be coming at you with a vengeance.”

“Let him. I'll have something for his ass this time.”

“Mimi, be careful is all I ask. I had an opportunity to size Victor up. He's no one you want to vex. He's already tried to get at you through Afrika.”

“Even more reason for me to have a gun. I want the spinach and shrimp salad. I'm going to call Afrika to see how the game went.”

Mimi pulled out her BlackBerry. “I forgot to turn this bad boy back on when I made one of my stops.”

“Sometimes it's good to have some peace and quiet if your cell rings all day like mine.”

“I know what you mean. Ummm, I've got a few calls from Brenda. Let me call her real quick. It won't take but a minute.”

“Don't let that woman spoil our lunch.”

“Be good, John. Excuse me; I've got Brenda on the line.”

“Mimi?” Brenda asked with a chill to her voice.

“Yeah, Brenda. I'm returning your calls.” Mimi laughed. “I had my phone off, and I just turned it on and saw your number…that you had called.

“So you haven't spoken to anyone?”

“No, Brenda. What's up?”

“There was a shooting today at Central…at the football game.”

Mimi looked across the table at John who sat upright with his hands on the table. “And what about the shooting, Brenda? Why are you telling me?”

Brenda began to cry and Mimi couldn't understand a word she said between the crying and the talking.

“Brenda, stop crying and tell me what happened.”

“Afrika was shot.”

“Did you say Afrika was shot?”

“Yes. She was shot and has been taken to the hospital.”

“Oh my God. My baby. Oh my God,” Mimi said over and over, trying to catch her breath. “What hospital, Brenda?” Mimi shouted.

“I don't know. Trevor told me the cheerleading coach rode with Afrika in the ambulance.”

“I've got to find Afrika. Thank you, Brenda. I'll call you later.”

Mimi stood up and covered her face. “My daughter's been shot. I don't know if she's dead or alive.”

“What hospital?” John asked, getting up from the table, trying to remain calm for Mimi.

The waitress returned to the table. “Can I get you anything?”

“No,” John said. “Sorry, we won't be eating lunch today.”

“Mimi, what hospital?” John asked again.

“I don't know,” Mimi said through her tears. “I've got the cheerleading coach's number in my cell. I'm calling her now.”

“Good.”

“Hello, this is Afrika's mother. I understand she's been shot.”

“Hello, Mrs. Bailey. I'm with her at Duke Medical Center; you need to come right away. We've been trying to reach you. The doctors say they need to operate.”

“I'm on my way.”

T
he freeway was crowded with late-afternoon travelers. Mimi sat in silence as John manipulated his way through traffic. The westbound lane seemed to bottleneck the closer it got to the exit for the NC State Wolfpack's stadium. It was too late to try and take a shortcut or maneuver around the city without getting caught up in football game traffic.

“How much longer to the hospital?” Mimi asked impatiently.

“Try and relax, Mimi. I'm doing the best I can, considering the parking lot we seem to have found ourselves in. Don't you worry; I'll have you there in a few.”

Mimi didn't say another word. The drive allowed time for her mind to wander…to wonder why her baby had been a target. The answer was not far behind.

“I need that gun,” Mimi said out of nowhere. “My gut tells me that Victor is behind this. If something happens to my daughter, I'm going to…”