Defenseless Read online

  Sonya realized she was gawking at the stranger and jerked her head away, chastising herself for her bold behavior. She reached and turned the ignition. It started. She gave a quick prayer of thanks, and then without a backward glance, drove away from the parked Lincoln.

  Thirty minutes later, Sonya arrived at her sister’s house. She was blinded by the flashing blue lights that lit up the small subdivision. She parked behind an Atlanta police car and jumped out and ran toward the house. But she was quickly grabbed by one of the officers at the scene.

  “Sorry, ma’am. This is a restricted area.”

  “This is my sister’s house. I have to see my sister!”

  “I’m sorry, ma’am. But I can’t let you through.”

  “Like hell you can’t!” Sonya pushed past the officer only to find herself jerked back.

  “I understand your situation, ma’am—but if you try to go on this property, I will have to arrest you.”

  “Arrest me? You can’t arrest me—”

  “What seems to be the problem, ma’am?” another officer cut in.

  “I want to see my sister,” Sonya answered, lowering her voice.

  “Your sister? Are you Sonya Walters, ma’am?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  “I’m Sergeant Freeman. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?”

  “Where is my sister?” Sonya ignored the sergeant’s question.

  “We’ve already taken her downtown for questioning.”

  Sonya turned to run back to her car when Sergeant Freeman grabbed her arm. Sonya turned back and flashed him an angry glare. He released her arm.

  “Sorry, ma’am. But I was hoping to ask you a few questions.”

  “Are you arresting me?” she asked coldly.

  “Well, no, ma’am,” he answered.

  “Then I have nothing to say to you.”

  Sonya left the crime scene and focused on getting down Peachtree Street where the Atlanta Police Department was located. I was nearly 3:00 a.m. when she arrived. She entered the station and found her way to the front desk, where she rudely interrupted the officer talking on the phone. “I’m here to see my sister, Laura Durden.”

  The heavy officer ignored Sonya’s interference and continued his conversation.

  “Excuse me! I want to see Laura Durden!”

  The officer held his hand over the phone and looked at her for the first time. “I’ll be with you in just a moment, ma’am.”

  Sonya straightened her shoulders and tapped her foot impatiently. By the time the officer hung the phone she was entertaining thoughts of strangling him.

  “Now, may I help you?” The officer rolled his eyes up to her.

  Sonya clenched her hands into tight fists, trying to control her anger. “Yes, I want to see Laura Durden, please.”

  The officer scrolled his plump finger down a list in front of him, then shook his head. “I’m sorry, ma’am. She is being questioned and arraigned in the morning. You won’t be able to see her until tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow!” Sonya asked, astonished.

  “Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry.”

  She turned away, disappointed, but immediately began thinking of different avenues to help her sister. She needed to find a good lawyer. And she knew just the person to see.

  Sonya arrived at the Valley Apartments at 4:00 a.m. and found her way to Sharon Ellis’s apartment. She knew she was asking a lot, showing up at her friend’s apartment at this time of night. She pounded on the door and waited a moment. When no answer came, she rang the doorbell a few times. This will wake her up. Still there was no answer and Sonya feared that she wasn’t home. She banged on the door again.

  “I’m coming!” came the irritated voice on the other side.

  The door swung open, and Sharon stood glaring at Sonya. “Please say that you drove all the way over here to tell me I have tomorrow off. Or shall I say today?”

  “May I come in? I need to talk to you.”

  Sharon sighed and stepped back, allowing Sonya entrance.

  “I need your help,” Sonya began. “It’s Laura.”

  Sharon’s eyes widened at the sight of water tracking across her Asian rug. “Oh no, Miss Thang. Twitch back over here and take off those wet shoes before you ruin my expensive rug. Let me get you a towel.” Sharon ran down her narrow hallway and returned with a pink towel for Sonya to dry off with.

  Sonya quickly dried off and returned the towel. “Now may I talk to you?”

  “If it’s about your hardheaded sister, I don’t think I want to hear it.”

  “She’s in trouble, Sharon.”

  “You woke me for that? What happened now? Did Curtis break her nose or black both her eyes again,” she asked sarcastically.

  “She killed Curtis.”

  Sharon’s honey-colored face paled. “You’re joking.”

  “No. She called me at my home and told me she thought she had killed Curtis. By the time I made it to her house, the police had arrived and arrested her.”

  “My God, Sonya. What are you going to do?”

  “I don’t know. I need to find her a good lawyer. I remember you said that your brother was a criminal lawyer. Is he any good?”

  “He’s very good. I’ll call him first thing in the morning for you.”

  “Can’t you call him now?”

  “Sonya, it’s four in the morning.”

  “I’m aware of what time it is, Sharon. Please, will you call him?”

  Sharon gave an exasperated sigh. “You’re lucky my husband is out of town because I would’ve had your rude butt thrown out of here by now.”

  “Just call, Sharon.”

  “I’m calling. I’m calling.”

  Sonya rewarded her with a grateful smile as Sharon walked into the kitchen and dialed her brother’s number.

  “Hello, brother dear, it’s me, Sharon. Yes, I know what time it is. I need a favor.”

  Sonya turned and walked away, giving Sharon privacy to talk to her brother. She entered Sharon’s pearl and peach living room. She twirled the golden coin absently as she studied the various pictures of Sharon and her husband, James.

  The pictures reflected a charming couple hopelessly in love, Sonya thought. She picked up one of the many silver picture frames and studied the beautiful couple’s wedding pose. Looking at the happy couple didn’t calm her any, so she placed the small frame back among the others.

  “Okay, kiddo. My brother may never speak to me again, but I got him to hear your case first thing this morning at seven. That was the best I could do.”

  Sonya smiled. “Thank you.”

  Sharon walked over and hugged her depressed friend. “You want to talk? I can make us a fresh pot of coffee,” she offered.

  “No, I don’t want to trouble you any more than I have,” Sonya answered with a fading smile.

  “It’s no trouble. In fact, I don’t want you driving back in that rain.”

  “Sharon, I—”

  Sharon held up her hand, silencing Sonya. “I don’t want to hear it. You will sleep in the spare bedroom, and I’ll get you something to put on. Anything will be better than what you’ve got on.”

  Sonya looked down and noticed her attire for the first time. She wore a pair of forest-green sweatpants, brown sneakers and an orange T-shirt. “I guess I won’t be posing for the cover of Essence anytime soon.”

  “I guess not. Let me get you something to wear and turn the bed down for you.” Sharon exited the room, and Sonya slumped down on the peach leather sofa. Despair swept through her body, leaving her feeling drained.

  She reflected on the night’s events and wished that she could have done things differently. She should have forced Laura to come home with her or called the police herself. Then she thought of her careless actions tonight. She didn’t remember locking her front door or turning on her security system. She placed herself in danger by speeding down the narrow street, then scolding that handsome man who was only trying to help her. Sonya sat up at that
thought. Why did I use the word handsome? She remembered the man’s short-cropped hair, neatly groomed, while sparkling drops of water caressed his black Adonis features.

  “Here we go!” Sharon swept into the room holding a long pink nightshirt with a large fuzzy teddy bear decorating the front.

  Sonya jumped up from the sofa, blushing from the vivid picture her mind had painted.

  “What’s wrong?” Sharon asked.

  “Nothing.”

  “So why are you blushing?”

  “Forget it.”

  “Okay,” Sharon said, shaking her head.

  Sonya dressed quickly. After she was settled, she went on to tell Sharon of the night’s events—except for the near car collision. Sharon listened with wide, disbelieving eyes.

  Sonya finished and began to massage the temples of her head. Sharon sat beside her, looking as if she was trying to absorb everything. “This is serious, Sonya,” she said, shaking her head.

  “I know. But I have to do something to get Laura out of this mess. I already don’t like the fact that she was taken downtown without a lawyer representing her.”

  “Don’t you have your own team of lawyers?”

  “Yes, but they’re experienced in tax cases and lawsuits. None of them are experienced in murder cases.”

  “Then let me assure you that my brother is good. I know that you’ve never met him. I wish I knew where I boxed up those pictures at. Anyway, I’m sure you’ll like him. And if he takes your case, you can rest easy.”

  “If?” Sonya asked, frowning.

  “He does have to decide if he feels right about this case. Trust me, he’ll do this—if for no other reason than as a favor for me.”

  Sonya started massaging her temples again.

  “Do you want some aspirin?”

  “Please,” she whispered.

  Sharon disappeared, then returned with the two aspirin and a small glass of water.

  Sonya swallowed the tiny pills and washed them down with the water. “I think I’m ready to go to bed.” She stood up from the sofa. “I remember where the guest room is. You don’t have to show me.” Sonya glanced down at her watch. It was 5:00 a.m. She had about one hour to sleep before getting up to meet Sharon’s brother. “Oh, by the way.” Sonya stopped halfway down the hallway. “Where is your brother’s office and what’s his name?”

  Sharon smiled, shaking her head. “I forgot to tell you. His office is in Buckhead, not too far from the Lindbergh Station. The building is called Hamilton, Locke and Associates. When you get there, look for the name Dwayne Hamilton.”

  Chapter 3

  Dwayne shifted the stacks of paper on his desk, searching for the notes on the Graham vs. Georgia case. He had waited for his seven o’clock appointment for more than an hour. Now he was running late for the courthouse. Obviously the woman didn’t want him to handle her case. Normally, he didn’t give his potential clients such leniency on his time, but he was doing this as a favor to his sister. He pressed the intercom button to his secretary. “Miss Deaton, could you please come in here?”

  “Yes, sir,” came the syrupy voice through the small speaker.

  Carmen Deaton entered the room. “You called?”

  “Uh, yes. The Graham case. I can’t find my notes.”

  “That’s because you gave them to me last night to type up.” Carmen left the room, then quickly returned, holding his lost notes.

  “You’re an angel. Did you ask Byran to meet Mrs.—” He searched for his small notepad.

  “Mrs. Durden?”

  “Yes, Mrs. Durden.”

  “Yes. He said that you’ll owe him for this one.”

  “Good. Just have him leave everything with you until I get back. I don’t know what the story is on why Miss Walters hasn’t shown up, but at least the sister will have someone to represent her this morning,” Dwayne said as he grabbed his jacket, briefcase and the notes, then ran out of the office.

  He had ten minutes to get to the courthouse, which was twenty minutes away. He scolded himself for waiting so long for Miss Walters. Still running, he glanced down at his watch. It would be a miracle if he made it.

  Sonya half ran, half walked while looking at the different names on passing doors. The building was huge, she thought. She hoped she could still see Mr. Hamilton. She was already over an hour late. Both she and Sharon had overslept. Turning another corner, she collided into a massive chest that caused her to land on the floor with a thud.

  “Oh, excuse me, ma’am,” a deep baritone voice said. A strong hand appeared to help her to her feet.

  Sonya accepted the hand angrily. She pushed her hair from her face as she started to give the assailant a piece of her mind. Yet when her eyes crashed with those familiar gray ones, an electrical charge surged throughout her body. She was suddenly aware of how warm her hand felt. Her hand was still enclosed with his. Her eyes studied his neatly manicured nails. She noticed the gold Rolex and gray Armani suit that enhanced his muscular frame. Gorgeous. There was no other word to describe him. Sonya realized that she was staring again and jerked her hand from his.

  “Are you all right?” he probed.

  Even his voice was perfect, she thought: rich and seductive.

  “Yes, I’m fine. Nothing broken this time,” she said, annoyed.

  “Well, I see that your manners haven’t improved much since our last meeting.”

  The sharp rejoinder hurt. “And I see that you’re just as boorish!” She watched his thick brows gather close together.

  “I assume you didn’t track me down to hurl insults at me!”

  Sonya dusted off her borrowed navy suit with hard, vicious strokes. “I didn’t track you down, your highness. I have an appointment here. But while I’m at it, maybe I should see about pressing charges against someone who demolished my back window.”

  “I’ll be happy to pay for your window. Had I known how ungrateful your reckless-driving butt would be, I wouldn’t have bothered.”

  Sonya’s cheeks colored deep red. “I don’t need your damn money!” she exploded. “In fact, I’d prefer that I never see you again!”

  Dwayne tipped his head and said, “Your wish is my command.”

  Sonya watched the stiff back of the most arrogant man she had ever met. She turned down the opposite hallway, still angry that she allowed him to upset her so much.

  “Ma’am, may I help you?” asked the secretary.

  “Yes, I’m here to see a Dwayne Hamilton,” Sonya said in her best professional voice.

  The secretary gave a beautiful smile, which sparked a little envy in Sonya’s eyes—even though she knew the secretary’s long, silky, straight hair was a weave, and the flashy red fingernails were pure acrylic.

  “I’m sorry. You just missed him. May I take your name?”

  Sonya dispensed a frustrated sigh. Because she was busy arguing with that no-account cad, she’d missed Mr. Hamilton. “Do you know when he’ll be back? It’s urgent that I speak with him.”

  Carmen smiled and glanced down at a copy of Mr. Hamilton’s schedule. “He’s busy most of the day, Miss…”

  “Walters.”

  “Oh, Miss Walters.” The secretary perked up, recognizing the name. “Mr. Hamilton waited for you. Would you like to set another appointment?”

  Sonya cursed herself again for oversleeping. “When’s the next available appointment?”

  Carmen flipped through the tightly scheduled book. “The next available date I have is Wednesday at nine o’clock.”

  “Wednesday? That’s almost a week away!” Sonya’s voice thundered.

  “I’m sorry, Miss Walters, but Mr. Hamilton is a very busy man.”

  Sonya rolled her eyes, annoyed with the pretty woman. “Are you absolutely sure there are no earlier appointments? This matter can’t wait a week.”

  Carmen checked her schedule book again. “I’m sorry, but I don’t have anything available.”

  Before Sonya could say anything else, the secretary’s phone ran
g. She promptly held up a slender finger and answered the phone.

  “Hamilton, Locke and Associates—Dwayne Hamilton’s office. Yes, Mr. Hernandez. Okay, I’ll let him know. Thank you. Goodbye.” She hung up the phone and smiled at Sonya. “You’re in luck. Mr. Hernandez canceled his four o’clock meeting. Do you want me to pencil you in?”

  Sonya squared her shoulders and gave a tight smile. “Yes.”

  “All right, Miss Walters, we’ll see you at four.”

  Sonya nodded and walked away. She knew she’d behaved rudely. After all, the secretary was just doing her job. By the time Sonya reached the elevator, she was ashamed of her behavior. Right now she wanted to go down to the police station and talk with Laura. Maybe she would get some answers as to what really happened last night. She stepped out into the scorching Georgia sun and put on her sunglasses. Georgia in the summertime was a very peculiar thing. There was no trace of the record rainfall from last night. It was just hot, humid weather.

  She walked to her car and frowned at the missing window as she got in. He thought she was tracking him down. Of all the conceited things she had ever heard. It didn’t matter. With a little hope, she wouldn’t have to see him again.

  Sonya arrived at the Atlanta police station in record time. She had no problem getting to the visitation room, where she sat in a small wooden chair, listening to the sobbing families around her.

  When Laura walked in, dressed in a dingy blue gown, Sonya stood. Their eyes locked, and a lone tear trailed down Sonya’s face. Obviously Laura hadn’t slept the previous night. Her dark brown hair looked dry and matted. Her eyes, circled by puffy bags, told she had been crying. Her soft brown eyes sat in a backdrop of crimson red.

  Sonya sat in her chair and waited for Laura to take her seat. Both reached for the phone simultaneously.

  “How are you feeling?” Sonya’s voice cracked. A sense of helplessness overwhelmed her. Never in her life did she imagine having to see her baby sister this way. After years of scolding Laura over her many abusive relationships, she could never get her to see things differently. Laura would accuse Sonya constantly of being jealous of her. Curtis wasn’t the only man who had abused her sister. There were scores of men that dated back to when they were in high school. Sonya had nursed plenty of broken noses and busted lips in her lifetime.