George showed up at the BSEED office and met Malachi and Cynthia in the lobby.
“Hello Mr. Shaw,” they both greeted and he nodded.
“What did you two find out?” he asked.
Malachi sighed. “Cynthia came to me with some information on the individuals in those alleged blackmail photos.”
George turned to Cynthia. “I tracked them both down and got the information. The guy turned the pictures over to Sylvia and then they ended up on my desk with some fraudulent paperwork,” she explained.
George frowned. “What’s her angle in this?”
“That’s what we’re here to find out,” Malachi told him. “I contacted you because I know this is your case.”
“Good job, let’s see what Ms. Morgan has to say.” George said walking to the reception desk.
Five minutes later, the trio was seated across from Sylvia in her office. She smiled at them and sat back in her seat.
“What can I do for you today?” she asked.
George began, “Well you can start by telling us why you wanted to blackmail my son.”
She sat up quickly. “Excuse me?”
“There’s no need in denying it Sylvia. I’ve already got proof,” Cynthia told her.
“Proof of what?”
Malachi broke it down. “Proof that you were in possession of photos and paperwork that were doctored up to frame Corvus Shaw.”
“I have nothing to say,” Sylvia said firmly. “I don’t have to answer to you.”
Cynthia leaned forward. “Why would you do this to Corvus? What axe did you have to grind with him?”
She remained silent.
“What does Emanuel Hollins have to do with this?” Malachi inquired.
Sylvia cracked for a moment, then retreated again. “If you all are done, I’m here to do business.”
“Your next visitors are the police,” George told her. “And then it’s going to be your word against Emanuel’s.”
Malachi shook his head. “I don’t think he’s going to try to save your skin.”
Sylvia smiled. “I’ll take my chances.”
George looked at Malachi and Cynthia. “I think I’d like to speak with Ms. Morgan alone.”
Three sets of eyes widened before Malachi and Cynthia granted his request. When they were alone, George turned his attention to the woman behind the desk then looked around the office.
“You’ve got a nice set up here. Why do you want to throw it all away?” he asked.
“You can’t prove anything,” she told him.
He leaned forward. “Tell me, what did my son do to you?”
Sylvia looked away. “Corvus hasn’t done anything to me.”
“Are his deals dirty?”
“I’ve never said that.”
George nodded. “What has he done for the city?”
She looked back at him. “He’s done a lot.”
“Then just tell me why and if it’s not you, then who?” George asked plainly.
Sylvia sighed. “Mr. Shaw, I’m caught up in something that I wish I’d never started.”
“Help me and I promise I’ll help you.” George vowed. “I’m a man of my word.”
She fidgeted with some paperwork on her desk. “I know that. Everyone knows who you are.”
“Then you should know that I won’t stop until I find out who is trying to hurt my son and when I do, it’s not going to be pretty,” George told her.
Sylvia put her hands to her face. “May I tell you the whole story?”
“Please do…”
“Emanuel Hollins came to my office with some questions about building and licenses. He said he was expanding his church and wanted to be up to speed on what he’d need to do. He was handsome and somewhat charming initially,” she began.
“During one of our meetings he inquired about Corvus and I told him about Corvus’ reputation around the city. When he mentioned that he’d like to meet him, I invited him to escort me to Corvus’ birthday party.”
George listened quietly.
“That night, things started to get strange. I found out that Corvus was dating Emanuel’s ex-fiancé. After the confrontation between the two men, Emanuel started acting a lot different. If he wanted the land before, he became obsessed about it.”
“When he found out that the two had eloped and gotten married, I think his switch completely flipped. He asked me to find a way to help him get the land away from Corvus and made me all kinds of promises.”
George lifted a brow. “Exactly what kinds of promises?”
Sylvia shook her head. “That we’d profit on this deal and we’d have more than a business relationship.”
“How would you profit?” George questioned.
She blew out a breath. “Emanuel was going to get the church to buy the land and then do a backdoor deal with another developer.”
“So he was going to swindle the church into buying the land and then turn around and sell it for a profit?”
Sylvia nodded. “Not all of it, just a portion. He really does want to expand the church and become the leader. He also wants money in his coffers.”
“Who is this other developer?”
She smirked. “A convenience store owner, of all things. He owns liquor stores all over the city. Apparently, he’d tried to get Corvus to sell last year and got turned down flat.”
“So he sent in a church to buy the land with a side deal…”
“All Emanuel cares about is his reputation and status. The last time I met with him, he talked about getting Miracle back. That’s when I knew, I was in too deep and I had to get out.” Sylvia told him. “He’d already sent the paperwork and photos to try to discredit Corvus, which I did provide…but now he was talking about eliminating Corvus from the picture completely, and that was too much.”
She looked away. “I went directly to Corvus and Miracle to warn them. Although, I didn’t mention my involvement, I couldn’t let this go any further.”
“You tried to ruin my son’s reputation.” George told her.
“Honestly, Mr. Shaw, I knew that story wasn’t going anywhere. That was Emanuel’s idea as a way to get the land out of Corvus’ hands. I told him it wouldn’t work because Corvus is too powerful in this city and he’d easily be able to disprove it,” Sylvia explained. “I went along with it to appease him.”
“Emanuel is so far gone that nothing he’s doing now is making any sense. I’m actually afraid for both Miracle and Corvus,” she told him.
George sat back. “Now you’re going to help me put an end to this.”
Sylvia nodded. “Are you turning me in?”
“No, but I want you to stay away from my son. Remove yourself from any of his business with this department,” George told her.
“I’m sorry Mr. Shaw. I wish I’d never gotten involved in this. I could’ve ruined my entire career.”
“And an innocent man,” he added.
She sighed. “Please tell Corvus and Miracle that I’m sorry as well.”
George pulled out his phone and looked over at Sylvia. “You should probably get your lawyer, because it’s going to be a long evening.”
Sylvia nodded and picked up her own phone.
******
Emanuel sat in his office at the church and looked around the space. Pretty soon his office would be larger than the Bishop’s and he’d be in charge. There was a knock on his door and he went to answer. Opening it, he was surprised to see his mother.
“What are you doing here?” he asked.
“I came to talk to you,”
Emanuel looked up and down the empty hall then back at her. “Hurry up and come in here,” he ordered.
Quietly, she walked inside before he closed and locked the door.
“Why are you here? Why didn’t you wait until I got home?” Emanuel demanded.
“Because I wanted to talk to you away from your father.”
Emanuel blew out a frustrated breath. “What is it?”
“A man came to the house today. He said that you’re in danger.”
“Danger? From who?” Emanuel asked with a frown.
She placed a hand on his arm. “He says that you’re doing bad things Emanuel.”
“Who is this man?”
“His name is George Shaw.”
Emanuel pulled away. “He came to our house?” he asked angrily.
“He was trying to warn your father, but he wouldn’t listen.”
He slammed a hand on his desk and his mother jumped. “He had no right to come to my home!”
“What are you doing Emanuel?” she asked concerned.
Emanuel turned to her. “I’m doing the Lord’s will and nobody is going to stop me!”
“Is this about Miracle?”
He smirked. “Miracle thinks that she’s gotten away with all of her dirty deeds, but she will reap what she sown.”
“Don’t hurt her!” his mother yelled and he turned to her with an angry gaze.
“Wives are to submit to their husbands in everything…”
His mother slowly rubbed her arm. “I won’t let you hurt that girl any more than you already have,” she vowed.
“You should go home, where you belong.” Emanuel told her.
She looked at her son, so much like his father. “I’m praying for you Emanuel. That you will turn away from whatever it is you are doing.”
“Go home,” he repeated then walked to the door and opened it.
With one last look, she walked out of the office and out of the church. Shakily, she drove to the Pride Center and warily walked inside, looking around until a handsome young man greeted her at the board listing all the classes and programs.
“Welcome to the Pride Center,” he said with a smile. “Is this your first time here?”
She nodded slowly. “Yes…”
“I’m the Director, Khalil Lewis.” He introduced himself. “Was there any particular program you were interested in? I’d be happy to direct you.”
She looked down at the floor. “I’m here for your Domestic Violence class.”
Khalil looked down at the woman, then gently placed a hand on her arm.
“Ouch!”
He immediately removed his hand and stepped back. “Do you need medical attention?” he asked.
When she nodded slowly, cradling her arm, he spoke softly, “Come with me. We’ll take care of you.”
She looked up at him. “Thank you.”
“What’s your name?” Khalil asked.
“Hazel Hollins.”
He nodded. “Ms. Hollins, do you want to tell me the name of your abuser?”
She froze and Khalil waited. “You’re safe here,” he promised.
“My…my husband…Pastor Earl Hollins.”
******
Emanuel was livid! He couldn’t believe that Corvus Shaw’s father had been to his home and talked to his parents. How dare he! Who did these people think they were?
He’d sent his mother on her merry way, away from the church. She’d shamed their family by putting their business in the streets and causing his father to lose his position at their old church. The same way that Miracle had shamed him.
They were both shameful women who didn’t know and respect their place. He’d show Miracle, just like his father showed his mother.
His phone rang and when he saw Sylvia’s name, he answered immediately.
“Sylvia?”
“Emanuel listen,” she began, “I can’t talk long. Cynthia Walters and George Shaw were in my office today. They know everything and I’ve lawyered up. I suggest you do the same.”
Emanuel frowned. “What? What do they know?”
“They know that I provided you with the documents and the pictures.”
“What else did you tell them?” Emanuel demanded.
“Look, I’m saving my myself. I’m just giving you a heads up.”
The line went dead and Emanuel stared at the phone before throwing it across the room.
In her office, Sylvia looked across the desk at George. She turned to her lawyer and said,
“Am I done?”
******
Emanuel grabbed the bag he’d put in his office closet underneath his robes. Quickly, he locked the door and changed into the additional clothing inside the case. He glanced out of the window and saw the darkening sky.
Things were closing in on him and he had to accomplish his mission before it was too late. Tonight may be his last chance. Securing the bag and retrieving his cracked phone, he opened his door and checked to see if anyone was in the area, before briskly walking down the hall.
“Emanuel?”
He froze at the Bishop’s voice and turned. “Yes, Bishop.”
“We need to resolve this,”
Emanuel nodded. “Tomorrow, I’m on my way out.”
The Bishop looked over his attire. “Where are you going?”
“I’m doing the Lord’s work.”
“Dressed in all black?” the Bishop questioned.
Emanuel lifted the bag onto his shoulder. “Good night Bishop. We can talk tomorrow. It will be a new day for both of us.”
Bishop Chapman watched Emanuel walk out of the door and went back to his office where he sent one text.
He’s over the edge. He has a duffle bag with him and dressed in all black.
The phone buzzed a second later with a return message.
George Shaw: We’ve got eyes on him.
The Bishop took his chair. “I pray that you do.”
******
Emanuel got into his car, oblivious to the dark car that sat watching him. He drove slowly to his destination, careful not to garner any undue attention under the dark night. He parked a few blocks away and set out on foot with his bag.
Walking past the houses, he ducked in between two and headed into a backyard. Opening the gate to the dark house, he looked around before closing the privacy fence behind him. Now inside the yard, he went to the back and dropped his bag to the ground.
Quickly, he went about his task and headed back to the gate to leave. He was met by a tall man who asked, “What are you doing?”
“Who are you?” Emanuel demanded.
The man sniffed the air. “What the fuck is that?”
Emanuel took off running just as a ball of fire appeared in the backyard. The man let him go and raced to the source of the blaze.
******
Miracle sat in her office at home pouring over more paperwork since she wanted to be as knowledgeable about land deals as possible. Corvus had entrusted her with a lot and she didn’t want to let him down. He was now in his own office down the hall scouring his own paperwork and keeping tabs on what was going on with the Sylvia situation.
She picked up another page and began to read as a text came through on her phone. She looked at the message and jumped to her feet. “Corvus!”
Miracle ran out of the room and down the hall while dialing her neighbors’ number. Corvus met her at the door with his own phone to his ear.
“My house is on fire!” she yelled.
“I’m getting the details now,” he told her.
She turned her attention to her phone. “Hello?”
“Miracle, your house is burning. The firetrucks are here!”
“Oh my God! What happened?”
Her neighbor answered. “I don’t know, I just saw the fire out of my window and a guy was using the hose to try to put it out, but it was spreading. The fire department actually showed up right away.”
Miracle walked to her bedroom. “I’m on my way.”
Grabbing some shoes, Miracle headed out of the door only to be blocked by Corvus. “Where are you going?”
“My house is on fire! I have to go see what the damage is.”
He shook his head. “I just talked to Malachi and they believe Emanuel started the fire.”
She froze. “Emanuel set my house on fire?”
“And he got away from Malachi’s guy,” Corvus told her. “So until we locate him again, you’re not going anywhere.”
Miracle put a hand to her mouth and walked over to the bed, taking a seat. “He really wants to hurt me.”
“He’s lost touch with reality,” Corvus explained. “We don’t know what he’s going to do next, so I’m keeping you right here with me.”
She looked up at him. “What if he comes here next?”
“I hope he does.”
“No, don’t say that!” she protested.
They both stopped as they heard Corvus’ car alarm going off outside the front of the house. Quietly, he moved to the window and peeked out of the curtain. The lights on the car were flashing and no one was in sight.
Corvus grabbed his keys and stopped the alarm before turning to Miracle. “Go get your gun.”
“Corvus…”
“Now.”
Without another word, Miracle moved to retrieve her weapon while Corvus did the same. The car alarm went off again as he led her downstairs, shielded behind his back.
“Call the police!” Miracle told him.
“Stay away from the windows and be prepared to shoot first,” he told her.
She looked at him. “What are you about to do?”
He headed towards the back door. “Finish this shit right now.”
“Corvus!” she called his name as he headed out the door.
Frantically, she dialed her father-in-law’s number. “Mr. Shaw, I need you here!”
“I’m on my way, Miracle.” He told her calmly.
“Corvus is outside and I think Emanuel is here!”
“Stay inside and away from the windows,” George told her and she looked at the phone.
“Mr. Shaw, Corvus is outside!” she repeated.
“He can handle himself. Just do as I said and I’ll be there with the police in a minute.”
The call ended and Miracle dropped to her knees.
******
Outside, Corvus ran across his backyard and jumped the fence into his neighbor’s and then the next. When he was about four houses down, he made his way out to the street. He knew that Emanuel was waiting for him to come out of his front door to check his car that was sounding, yet again.
Corvus spotted the dark figure in the shadows out of the sight of his house. Emanuel was lying in wait and never knew what hit him when Corvus rushed him from behind. Both men fell to the ground before Corvus began landing punches to Emanuel’s face.
Emanuel tried to fight him off, but was clearly no match for an overly angry Negus. He yelled for Corvus to get off of him but that only seemed to spur him on more. George, Malachi and the police pulled up, then George ran to his son and grabbed him from behind.
“Let him up, Corvus!” He struggled to stop Corvus’ assault on the man until Malachi came to assist. Together they pulled Corvus away and he stood breathing heavily, staring down at the man on the ground bloodied and beaten.
“Where is Miracle?” Emanuel yelled. “Miracle!”
“Say her name one more got damn time!” Corvus yelled trying to get back at him.
Emanuel moaned. “She did this! This is all her fault. You’re going to burn in hell Miracle!”
“This motherfu…” Corvus yelled and broke free only to be grabbed again.
An ambulance arrived and the technicians went to work on Emanuel, who was still yelling in pain on the grass.
Corvus glanced at his porch and saw Miracle watching with tears streaming down her face. She turned away and grabbed her stomach before vomiting over the railing.
“Let me go!” Corvus yelled to his father and Malachi.
“Calm down Corvus,” George told him. “The police will take care of him now.”
“Let me go to my wife!” he demanded and George also looked up to see Miracle.
The men let him go, careful to make sure he didn’t make any stops at Emanuel. Corvus rushed up the stairs and carried Miracle back inside, away from the scene.
He closed the door and pulled her shaking body into his arms. “It’s okay baby,” he soothed.
“I didn’t want this…” she cried.
“It’s not your fault,” Corvus said rubbing her back. “Emanuel has some serious issues.”
Miracle laid her head on his chest. “He said I’m going to hell.”
“Don’t listen to anything he said because if there’s a hell, Emanuel has a first class ticket.”
She hugged him close. “Is this over now?”
“Yes, baby, it’s over now.” Corvus held her tightly. “I’ll take you to check on your house later.”
There was a knock on the door and Corvus answered. Miracle watched as George and Malachi entered the room.
“Are you okay?” George asked Miracle.
She nodded. “I think so. Thank you for coming.”
“My guy was able to keep the fire to a minimum until the fire department arrived,” Malachi told her. “Hopefully, there wasn’t too much damage.”
“Thank you Malachi,” Miracle told him. “I’m glad someone was there to keep it from spreading to my neighbors.”
George looked at Corvus. “They’re taking Emanuel to the hospital and after that he’s facing a list of charges, from arson to fraud.”
“Is he going to jail?” Miracle asked concerned.
“I’m going to see if we can get him some help first. I think Emanuel has witnessed and possibly been a victim of some abuse,” George informed her.
“His father?” Miracle questioned and George nodded.
“His mother swore it was all a mistake,”
“That’s not the case anymore,” George told them. “Khalil helped her file a report on her husband this afternoon.
Miracle looked sad. “Poor Mrs. Hollins.”
“She’ll get help now,” Corvus said, gently embracing her.
Miracle turned in his embrace. “This is all too much,” she cried softly.
Corvus held her tightly, which was a good thing, because she passed out in his arms.