Alibi II Read Free Page B

about.
    “Why do I even do this shit?” he said, looking at her, before he got up, walked away, and slammed the door behind him.
    It would take another pack of cigarettes, two beers, and the help of his girlfriend, FBI Agent Vivian Lang. Of course, Viv would cosign Tommy in a heartbeat. And for Daisy all it actually took was a little foul play to get her to cooperate. Tommy didn’t care what he had to do to get her statement and to get her to confess the truth. Besides, it was for Daisy’s own good in the end.
    “You’re gonna fucking testify. Shut up, I tell you what to do. You hear me? You want even more problems, see, I know what you’re thinking. I found out about the bank, kiddo. Not good, and guess what, if you don’t cooperate, the bank is going to want restitution on that fifty thousand.”
    “What’s that?”
    “It’s your ass, Daisy. It’s that fat ass of yours you walk around shaking at the Honey Dipper, and the FBI is going to come for it,” he said, smiling, knowing he had her. Tommy was from the streets, he knew how to speak her language.
    “No they won’t; I already cooperated,” she snapped.
    “Shut up, you think you know so much, Daisy Mae, what kind of name is Daisy Mae anyway? The fucking FBI is here, Daisy, and guess what, kiddo, you’re going to jail, and not only are you going to prison, you won’t have that money you’re holding on to. And I know what you’re thinking, you’re thinking that you got, what, close to fifty thousand dollars and you can keep yourself safe.” He smiled, having her all figured out.
    “That’s bullshit, that’s my money.”
    “Not if I say so. I’m the law, I am the law! And you are going to cooperate with the state now and sign that affidavit or so help me God, I’m going downstairs and I’m going to let Agent Lang hang you. Don’t believe me? Look here out the window,” said Tommy, pointing to his little covert operation that he orchestrated along with his girlfriend, Vivian.
    “You cooperate, not only will you get to keep your money, girlie, but you’ll have the state to protect you from these assholes,” said Tommy, hoping that she’d hurry up and sign the affidavit so he could go home, a job well done.
    “I’m scared,” said Daisy as she began to break down and cry at her reality, her life seemingly crashing.
    “Don’t be. It’s gonna be all right. I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise, Daisy, when I’m done you’re gonna have a good life, trust me, a great, wonderful life, you hear me, kiddo?” he asked.
    Little did she know that he would turn out to be one hundred on that. Daisy got off the stand and was escorted into the back of a room outside the courthouse doors where her cousin, Kimmie Sue, and her friend Billy Bob were waiting to say good-bye. It was decreed that she not have any contact with friends or family for her own protection. So she had no choice but to leave them behind, at least for now.
    Finally, it was time to say good-bye to Tommy and his partner, Merva. Daisy didn’t really care for her and it was apparent that Merva didn’t care for her, either. But Tommy was Daisy’s knight in shining armor. He was the one who, for some strange reason, did care. He wanted Daisy to make it. He wanted her to be all right. She hugged them both, but Tommy a little tighter.
    “Call me when you get to Arizona and get settled. Don’t worry, you have a security detail. You’re better than safe and nothings gonna happen to you. All right?”
    Daisy shook her head and kissed Tommy’s cheek good-bye. Tommy and Merva watched her get into the vehicle before being driven away.
    Daisy wanted to turn around, but didn’t. There was no more looking back for her. The only thing she wanted to do was look forward.
     
    Beverly Guess walked down Thirteenth Street, crossing the circle, making her way to the subway where she could catch the Broad Street line that would take her to North Philly, her stop Susquehanna and Dauphin.