That bitch Wanda recommended that Miles plead not guilty of the murder due to temporary insanity, and wave his right to a jury trial. Mike Black arranged to have his case heard in front of a judge that was on his card. All of the witnesses testified that they saw Miles and Jeff Ritchie fighting, and then Miles shot him. But none of the witnesses could remember seeing Miles leave and come back with the gun. That was Nick’s doin’. The judge said that Miles’s mental condition at the time of the killing, rendered him unable to determine right from wrong, or that what he was doing was wrong. The judge ordered clinical treatment until Miles could be certified safe to be released back into the community. But the DA fixed it so Miles had to stay at Rikers Island for treatment.

“What’s up, Miles,” I asked.

“I need to see you, Rain,” Miles said.

“How you doin’, Miles?”

“I don’t have time for this, Rain. I need to see you.”

“Look, Miles, today ain’t really a good day for me. I’ll try to make it out there tomorrow.”

“No!” Miles shouted. “It can’t wait until tomorrow, Lorraine! I need you to come out here today.”

Anytime Miles calls me by my name, I know it’s something serious, ’cause he knows I hate being called Lorraine. “Okay, Miles. I’ll be out there today, but I got shot and I just got outta the hospital.”

“Yeah, me too.”

“What? What was you in the hospital for?”

“We’ll talk about that when I see you,” Miles said and hung up the phone.

The last thing I wanted to do was ride out to Rikers. I was tired and my chest hurt. I probably did too much last night. Rollin’ wit’ Nick and gettin’ some dick this morning didn’t help. I wanted to do what my man told me to, and get some rest, but Miles needed me and that means I’m goin’.

When Miles came out, the first thing I noticed was the bandage on his face. “What happened to you?”