Hold U Down (22 page)

Federal Agent Lansing, Legend, and a squad of policemen stood on the opposite side of the door, ready to tear it down. The warrants had just been handed off to Federal Agent Lansing, and the cue to proceed was given. Holding a battering ram in hand, two officers pounded on the door, causing it to break immediately.

Startled by the sound, Unique jumped up, wondering if she had just heard what she thought she heard.

“Bigg!” she called out, but it was too late. Their bed was already surrounded with officers.

“Kaylin McClain, you are under arrest for the murder of Antonio Robertson. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be held against you . . .” Federal Agent Lansing said with pleasure as two officers yanked Bigg out of bed and threw him on the floor.

“Get the fuck off me!” Bigg barked, trying his best to get away as the officers tried to handcuff him.

“Let him go!” Unique screamed.

“Resisting arrest. I'll add that to your list of charges as well.” Federal Agent Lansing smirked.

“Fuck you, white boy!” Bigg spat.

“No, fuck you,” Federal Agent Lansing said, grabbing a hold of Bigg's neck as he talked. “'Cause when I get done with you, your black ass will never see the light of day again.”

“Get off of him!”

“Unique, be cool. Don't say nothing.” Bigg spoke calmly, still dressed in a white tee, Girbaud jeans, and Timbs from the day before. He could barely look at Unique as he was handcuffed.

It was like her whole world was tumbling down around her. Bigg was her everything and he knew it. A part of him wanted to break down with her, but Bigg had to keep it gangsta. He could never let the cops see him sweat.

“No, don't take him! He didn't do anything. I did it!”

“Shut up, Unique!” Bigg ordered as he was led out of the room.

“Unique, what's going on?” Patience asked as she walked into the room.

“They're taking him away like they took Mommy away!”

“I'll be back home in no time, ma. I promise.”

“No, I won't let them take you! Please just listen. He didn't do anything. I did.”

“Ma'am, calm down,” one of the officers said, trying to grab her hand.

“Shut the fuck up! Don't touch me!” Unique shouted as she followed Bigg.

“Ma, you ain't got on no clothes. Let Patience take you back into the room,” Bigg pleaded. Unique only had a bra and lace boy shorts on.

“No! Bigg, I can't leave you.” Furniture was flying everywhere as the police ransacked her loft.

Locking eyes with her, Bigg saw the pain and frustration that was written all over Unique's face.

“Bigg, don't go,” she cried. Seeing Legend standing in their living room, Unique thanked God. “Legend, make them stop. They're taking Bigg away!”

“I can't,” he said, looking away. Noticing that his jacket read
FBI
, Unique's heart dropped.

“Oh, hell no!” she screamed, punching him in the face.

“Handcuff her now. She's going in too for assaulting a police officer,” Federal Agent Lansing ordered.

“On my momma, if any one of y'all touch my girl, you're dead.” Bigg seethed with anger.

“Threatening a police officer? I'll add that to the list of charges that I have on you.” Federal Agent Lansing smiled.

Restraining her with his arms, Legend said, “I'm sorry.”

Unique spit in Legend's face. “Fuck you, you heartless bastard!”

“Let my sister go!” Patience yelled.

As an officer began to cuff Unique, Legend stopped him.

“It's cool, don't cuff her. I deserve it.”

“Get the fuck off of me, pig!”

“Take her in the room, Patience!” Bigg yelled again.

“Don't touch me, Patience!” Unique warned.

Not knowing what to do, Patience stood still.

“Baby, listen. Just call my lawyer. He'll take care of everything.”

“I can't let them take you, Bigg,” Unique cried.

“Unique, just trust me.”

Frozen stiff, Unique stood in the middle of the floor as the police escorted Bigg out of the apartment. Turning around once more, Bigg mouthed the words
I love you.

At that moment, every aspect of their relationship replayed in her mind. From the moment they met at Club Plush to when he proposed to her on their bed.

Wrapping a sheet over her sister, Patience tried her best to console Unique, but Unique was inconsolable. Without Bigg her life didn't have a purpose. She walked over to the window and peeled the curtain back as they placed Bigg into the squad car. As if he could feel her watching him, Bigg looked up and winked at her. She was unable to speak or move as a waterfall of tears ran down her face. They pulled away, leaving Unique once again all alone.

“He was a muthafuckin' cop
and
had a girl? That nigga really played me,” Zoë said, still in disbelief.

“He played all of us, Z. Who knows how much information he got on Bigg.”

“I'm glad I didn't tell his punk ass about us stealing cars. Shit, we might be locked up too.”

“I just gotta get my baby out of there.”

“Everything's going to be fine. I promise you.”

“I just thought of something. What if they send him to the psychiatric ward instead of to a regular cell?” Unique paced the room, becoming more worried.

“Don't even let your mind go there, Nique. You got enough shit to worry about.”

“You're right, you're right. Everything's going to be fine,” Unique reasoned with herself.

“They just fuckin' wit' him. They ain't got no real evidence. Besides, neither one of you killed Tone.”

“Exactly. The real killer is still out there. We need to find out who did it.”

“Right, but look at this shit!” Unique picked up her torn couch cushion. “Look at my muthafuckin' house! How am I going to clean up all this shit?”

“Don't worry about it, Nique. I'll have a cleaning crew come over here to clean up for you. What you need to do is pack as much shit as you can and get the fuck up out of here.”

“You know what? They probably had a search warrant for Bigg's crib too. I know his shit is fucked up.”

“I'll have the cleaning crew go over there, too, but until this shit gets cleared up, you and Patience are coming to stay with me.”

“Where is Patience?”

“She's in her room packing.”

“Girl, what would I do without you?”

“I don't know, but you can quit wit' all that mushy shit and go pack up,” Zoë joked.

“That might be Bigg.” Unique rushed over to the phone. “Hello?”

“What's good, shorty?”

“You. I've been worried sick. What they say?”

“They said that they found the gun a couple of blocks from Tone's house with my fingerprints on it. They also got me on tape saying that I was going to kill that nigga.”

“Oh my God, this is all my fault.”

“Fuck all that. Don't you realize that nigga NaSheed set me up?”

“What?”

“Come to find out that nigga been working with the cops. Apparently he sold fifteen keys of coke to an undercover cop. Instead of him serving time, they told him that if he could get me, that he would get off scott free.”

“How you find that out?”

“Legend told me.”

“You actually talkin' to that pussy-ass nigga?”

“I'm using him just like he used me. That's the rules of the game. That's how it goes.”

“Just be careful, baby.”

“I will, but look, they not gon' give me bail.”

“What? Why not?”

“I'm a murder suspect, Nique. They ain't letting my ass back out on the streets.”

“How are we going to get you out when we don't even know who killed Tone?”

“I don't know, but I'm gon' think of something. I gotta go to court tonight at seven.”

“Damn, that only gives me enough time to wash my ass and jump on the highway.”

“Yeah, but look, I gotta go. My time is up.”

“Okay.” Unique's voice cracked as she tried not to cry.

“No tears, okay?”

“I got you. I'm a soldier.” She laughed, playing it off.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

 

 

Unique walked into the St. Louis City Circuit Court with her hair pulled back in a ponytail and her head held up high. As she walked into the building, news reporters stuck microphones into her face while the paparazzi flashed photos. Dressed in a peach floral top, white full skirt, Manolo Blahnik sandals, and peach Marc Jacobs Guinevere tote bag, Unique breezed past them all like a pro. With Zoë by her side, she felt as if she could do anything.

As they entered the courtroom, another court case was in session, so they sat down and waited until Bigg's case began. Ten minutes later, Bigg was escorted out in an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs with shackles around his feet. Unique couldn't stand to see her man chained up like a common criminal. If anything, it should have been her. Looking over to her left she saw a federal agent approaching the prosecutor's table.

Federal Agent Lansing had decided to prosecute for the state personally.He informed the judge that besides being charged with first degree murder, Bigg was also being investigated for drug trafficking, money laundering, and a series of assaults.

Leaning over and whispering to his lawyer, Bigg seemed to be upset by the news.

“Your Honor, the state is asking that bail be revoked,” Federal Agent Lansing requested as he returned to his seat.

“Motion denied. Bail will be set at one million dollars cash, and all assets of Kaylin McClain will be frozen until further notice.”

“But Your Honor,” Paul, Bigg's lawyer, tried to speak.

“Next case please,” the judge said, banging on the gavel.

“What the fuck just happened?” Unique yelled at Paul.

“I honestly don't know.”

“I don't know is not good enough! This is my fiancé's life we're dealing with here.”

“Unique, calm down!” Bigg shouted.

“I will not calm down!”

“You're not making the situation any better by yelling, Unique.”

“How am I going to bail you out if I can't get to any of your money?”

“An appeal will be on Judge Sheffield's desk by the morning. I promise.”

“It better be, as much money as I'm paying you.”

“Baby girl, just keep your head up. Everything's going to be a'ight.” Bigg gave his fiancée a half smile.

Seeing her man trying to be so strong made her defense weaken and tears came to her eyes. “I'm sorry,” she apologized, trying to fight back tears.

“Me and Paul will think of something!” Bigg shouted as he was led out of the courtroom.

“Come on, Nique. Let's go home.” Zoë held her hand.

“I can't leave him. He needs me!” Unique snatched her hand away.

“Bigg is gonna be all right.”

“No, he's not, because I'm not all right without him.”

“Come on, Nique. You're making a scene,” Zoë said as people began to stare at them.

“I don't give a fuck! Fuck these people! They can all kiss my ass,” Unique spat as she stormed out of the courtroom with Zoë hot on her tail.

“Hold up, girl. You know I got on heels,” Zoë yelled after her.

Not paying attention and in a mad rush to get out of the courthouse, Unique bumped head-first into NaSheed.

“What the fuck do you want?”

“I came to see you.” He smirked and rubbed his chin.

“What you need to see me for? I ain't got nothing to say to you,” Unique spat with her arms folded across her chest.

“Come on, Unique. You can quit bullshittin' now. Bigg's not here. You and I both know that there's this chemistry between us.” He stroked her hair.

“Negro, please. I don't think so.” Unique smacked his hand away.

“Eww, what are you doing here?” Zoë asked, finally catching up.

“I came to check on my girl.”

“Oh, so I'm your girl now?”

“Yeah, that's if you want to be.”

“Unique, you better check this nigga before I do,” Zoë snapped.

“How you gon' come at your man's girl like that? I thought Bigg was your best friend,” Unique questioned.

“First rule,”—NaSheed came closer and whispered into her ear—“there is no such thing as friends in this game, ma.”

“You know what, NaSheed? You're right.”

“Pause. He's what?” Zoë questioned, perplexed.

“He's right, Z. There is no love in this game. I'm glad you made me see that, NaSheed.” Unique smiled coyly.

“I'm glad I could, too, but check it. Here's my number. Call me when you need a shoulder to lean on.” He smirked and walked away.

“I will.”

“Bitch, is you crazy? He's the one who put your man behind bars and you sittin' up here macking wit' his ass? Bigg is going to kill you when he finds out. You know that, right?”

“Trust me, Bigg will get over it.” Unique smirked, fanning herself with the card.

 

 

“Hey, Unique, I haven't seen you in a while.” Nurse Sandy smiled.

“I know. Things have been a little hectic. I'm sure you've heard about Bigg in the news.”

“Yes, I have, and I have kept you and Kaylin in my prayers ever since.”

“Thanks, Sandy. So, how has she been?”

“She's been okay. We had a tough time with her last week. I think she might've sensed that something is wrong.”

“It's my fault. I've been so busy dealing with Bigg that I haven't had enough time to come see her.”

“Don't go beating yourself up. Just go on in there and see her.”

Smiling, Unique did as she was told. Nurse Sandy had been a godsend to her mother over the years. In front of the cold, steel door she peeked through the window at her mother. Syleena was still in the same spot as she was the last time Unique came to visit. Sitting in a wooden rocking chair, she swayed back and forth with a blank stare on her face.

“Mommy, it's me,” Unique said, slowly entering the sunless room. “How you been? I missed you. . . . So, you're not talking to me today, huh? That's cool. I understand. I haven't been here that much lately.”

Placing her purse down, Unique walked over to her mother and began stroking her hair. “Your hair is pretty. Nurse Sandy did a good job on your ponytail. Patience is still getting straight A's in school. For some reason, I haven't been feeling that well, but I'll be all right. You look so pretty today, Momma. I see you got on your new pink robe that I bought you for Valentine's Day.” Her mother didn't respond. Unique said, “Come on, Momma. Talk to me. I need to hear your voice right now.”

Standing beside her mother, Unique waited for her to make some kind of sound or movement, but she made none. “Okay, since you're not going to talk, I'll do all the talking. I got something I need to tell you, ma. . . . You're not gon' like it though,” Unique said, sitting on the floor by her mother's feet, with her head rested in her lap.

“First off, Momma, the doctors say that you're real sick. I didn't know how to tell you this, but you got brain cancer, Momma. The doctors are doing all they can to help you though.” Unique gazed up into her mother's eyes. Seeing no sign of a reaction, she continued on. “I haven't even told Patience. She wouldn't be able to handle it if she knew. Speaking of Patience, I let you down, Mommy. I was so busy trying to make sure that Patience and I had a roof over our heads that I neglected to protect her.” She sobbed.

“You remember that guy Tone I was seeing? Well, he did something really terrible to Patience. I don't know how we're going to get past this. I was so stupid, Ma, because I trusted him. Then there's Bigg. He's locked up for something he didn't even do, and I don't know how I'm going to get him out. Everything's fucked up, and it's my entire fault.”

Staring up at her mother, she immediately became angry. “Why don't you say something? Goddamnit, Momma, talk to me! I'm getting sick of this shit! When are you going to be there for me? I need you, Momma. Talk to me, please.” Unique cried freely for the first time all week.

“Let's have a tea party, Nique. You still got that tea set I bought you?”

“Momma, you know it's me?”

“Go get the tea set, Nique. I wanna play.”

“Momma, you remember that?”

“Of course I do, Nique.”

“Good, so you remember me,” Unique said happily.

“You're my child. Why wouldn't I remember you? Now go and get your tea set. I want some tea.”

“I'm sorry, Momma. I don't have the tea set anymore.”

“It's okay, Sweet Pea. I love you anyway, Diana,” Syleena spoke, caressing Unique's cheek.

“Momma, my name is Unique.”

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Syleena began to spaz out. “Get away from me!” she yelled, pushing Unique off of her. She jumped up and stood in the corner of the room with her hands shielding her face.

“Help! Get her away from me! What is she doing here again? Sandy!”

“Momma, it's okay. It's me, Unique,” she pleaded.

“I don't know you! Get away from me! I thought I got rid of you! Get out of my head! You make me sick! Quit controlling my mind!” Syleena shouted while hitting herself in the head repeatedly.

“I'm not trying to control your mind, Momma.”

“Yes, you are! You're the same one that controlled my mind a long time ago! I'm sick of you! I want you gone! You're not going to get me this time! I'm not going to let you!”

“It's okay, Syleena. I'm here,” Nurse Sandy gently spoke. “I'm sorry, Unique, but you're going to have to go.”

“Okay.” She nodded and left the room.

Gazing through the window, she watched as Nurse Sandy and two orderlies strapped her mother down to the bed. Sandy gently rubbed Syleena's head as she used a syringe to sedate her. The scene wasn't anything new to Unique. Most of their visits ended this way. It was just that this time she needed her mother the most, and once again she wasn't there for her.