Chapter 7

Jasmine Howard was nervous. She didn’t like talking to cops and didn’t know anyone else who did. There was no upside. If they caught her with something, she would be pulled in and charged. Giving them information would make her a snitch and might get her dead. Police protection was a laugh. Even if they were serious about protecting a Black woman, the act of putting officers around her would signal the entire neighborhood. What would they do, guard her 24/7 for the rest of her life? Sooner or later, they would leave, and she would be exposed for retaliation.

She was sorry about Damon but understood the risks he had taken. This life was no joke, and if you swim with sharks, you might disappear. They had enjoyed fun times together, but this cop's arrival showed her own level of risk, and she had no time for sentiment. Mark had coached her on what to say, but you never know what questions might come up.

Jasmine made no bones about the affair and told the detective that the wife did not know about it. No, she had never met the kids either. Their trysts were at the club or out of town when Damon could get away for the weekend.

As he asked the questions, Jones kept a close eye for reactions. The girl was nervous, but most people were under police questioning. Otherwise, she gave the standard answers. It seemed like the usual affair that happened to families everywhere. Money struggles, bratty kids, and work stress pushed men into comforting arms wherever they could find them.

The detective sensed something was off but couldn’t put his finger on it. After hundreds of interviews, his senses told him this was not the whole truth. The problem was he had no evidence. Not even a clear lead to push on. He could pull in more staff for further interviews but had the idea this woman would not crack under pressure. Particularly since he had nothing to threaten her with. Without a body, there was no forensic evidence. No witnesses either. The man had just vanished without a trace. With reluctance, Jones ended the interview and watched Jasmine leave.

There was too much public pressure to leave it there. The detective decided to ask for surveillance on the club. Who knew what activities or associates she might have? At this point, investigating known associates was the best way to go. Jones sighed to himself, knowing that stakeouts required patience and time to bear any fruit.