by Roy Glenn
“No, I’m not sorry I did it. I am sorry I didn’t tell you. I’m really sorry you’re mad about it. But no, I will not apologize for you being alive.”
Shy took a deep breath and put her hands on her hips. Her anger seemingly defused. “You know you had no right to do that, baby.”
Mike leaned forward. “I know. But believe me; I wasn’t trying to spy on you. I love you and I only want you to be safe.”
Shy walked back to the bed and looked at him for a second before sitting down on the edge of the bed.
“You’re making it really hard for me to be mad at you. And I am, I’m mad as hell.”
“And you’re so cute when you’re mad. Eyes get all Chinese,” Mike said jokingly. “Come on, smile. That was funny.”
Shy smiled and tapped him on the arm. “You have to respect my privacy.”
“I do. I know it doesn’t seem like it, but I do. I wasn’t spying on you.”
“I wasn’t doing anything worth talking about anyway. Until you came along, my whole life was my business. You know, it was so easy when I started. No problems. Just lots of fun and lots of money.”
“You’re getting large. Somebody wants what you have.”
“I’m almost ready to say they can have it. I’m not built for this gangster stuff. I’m a businesswoman. At least for now.”
“Well, let’s think about that for a minute.”
“What?” she asked.
“It’s not somebody trying to ruin your business.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Because you’re still doing business. You’re not making any money, but you’re still doing business. No, this isn’t business, it’s personal.”
“I say again, what makes you say that?”
“What, you had five, six people robbed? Bandits hit quick, but they took the time to tie people up. If I was trying to put you out of business or even take over, I woulda killed everybody. Not just some girl on a humbug. I’m talking everybody. This way there’s no witnesses, nobody comes after you. No, Ms. Sims, it’s you.”
“Thanks, I really needed to hear that. Why me?”
“You think about that. You think about everyone who would want to hurt you. Who wouldn’t mind killing you, who doesn’t care about your little dope business? Someone who wants you dead.”
“I don’t mind telling you that I’m scared,” Shy said, laying her head on his shoulder.
“They probably won’t try to kill you again, at least not while you’re so well protected.”
“No. No, I don’t want anybody following me.”
“I was talking about myself,” he said beating his chest. “I guess I can’t let you out of my sight until this is over.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Okay you can go to the bathroom by yourself,” Mike said with a straight face.
“You sound like a fool,” Shy said as she got out of bed and started once again for the bathroom. “Well, this time I’m really going to take a shower. You wanna come … with me?”
Shy turned around quick and went into the bathroom, followed closely by Mike, like an predator that had the scent of his prey.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
During the ride to the airport as well as the flight to Miami, Shy was very quiet. She sat on the plane staring aimlessly out the window. Her mind consumed with thoughts of murder.
Who were her enemies?
Black had given her entire situation a brand new flavor. It had been easier for her to think that all this was business. However, what he said made perfect sense. It had to be her.
Shy had gone to great pains to insure that her operation wouldn’t interfere with anybody else’s business, being spread out and so diverse. It was that diversity that had put her into a position for her operation to grow. Now it was the thing that was dragging her down. She was too spread out. Everybody who got hit was holding large quantities of product. Some of her associates were hurt pretty badly. It would have been easier to kill them.
No, she thought.
Whoever it is wanted her out of the way and her operation intact. Her first thought was Ricardo. She didn’t think he would have the heart to take over her business, much less kill her. But he was the only person she could think of with a reason. After all that was quite a beating Jack and Tony issued. He wouldn’t do any of the work himself, but Shy had no problem believing that he would pay someone to do his dirty work. Ricardo had met many people during his association with Shy. He could have developed a relationship with someone and paid them to kill her and take over.
Upon arrival at Miami International Airport, they caught a cab and headed for her meeting. The cab driver asked, “Where to?”
“Miami Beach, The Beekman Hotel, on Collins Ave,” Shy replied.
“The Beekman?” Mike asked with a frown on his face.
Shy leaned closer to him and whispered. “The deal is that I am supposed to check into that hotel and ask for messages, it will have instructions.”
Mike laughed and shook his head. “Sounds like something from an old spy movie.”
“Don’t it,” she replied.
The cab arrived at the hotel and Shy checked in.
“Are there any messages for me?” While the desk clerk went to check for messages Shy turned to Mike. “This is the part when the shady little man walks up with his henchmen and escorts you away at gun point.”
The clerk returned and handed Shy a note, which read; The pool at 10 tonight. You will be contacted.
Shy handed it to Mike, who laughed. “A cheap spy movie.”
“Well, since we have some time, let’s go eat,” Shy said.
“At fit for a king?” Mike replied eagerly.
“No baby, I’m hungry. I haven’t eaten a thing all day. After we eat, then we can play. But I got a taste for seafood.”
They returned to the hotel shortly before ten and went directly to the pool. They took seats at poolside and waited. Shy sat facing the ocean.
“This is really beautiful. I love the beach,” Shy said.
“I do too. But this doesn’t compare to the beaches in the islands. Maybe once things quiet down we can …” Mike was interrupted when a gentleman approached the table from behind him.
“Ms. Sims,” The gentleman said.
“Yes.”
“Mr. Villanueva will join you shortly,” said the shady little man that Shy was expecting. Shortly thereafter they were joined by Hector Villanueva, whom Shy had met months earlier and offered her a deal on product.
“Shy, it’s good to see you again.” Hector said, kissing her hand.
“Hello, Hector.”
“May I join you?” he said, reaching for a chair.
“Please have a seat.”
“Thank you,” Hector said as he took a seat at the table, taking a glance at Mike.
“My associate Mike …”
Hector cut her off. “Black! What are you doing here? You don’t do this type of business!” Hector said as soon as he recognized him.
“Hello, Hector, it’s good to see you again too. And to answer your question, I’m just keeping the lady company.”
“I guess you two know each other?” Shy asked.
“Yeah, me and Hector go back a long way.” Mike smiled. “By the way, how is Nina?”
“Why do you disrespect me in front of the lady, Black!” Hector said furiously. “Why do you want to know, Black? So you can fuck her again?” Causing Shy’s jaw to drop.
“Hector, I didn’t fuck your wife.”
“Why do you continue to deny it, Black? You fucked her!”
“Hector, please, lower your voice. Did you ask her about it?”
“Yes and of course she lied too.”
“Hector, I’m gonna say this one more time, I did not fuck Nina.”
“You fucked her Black, more than once,” Hector argued.
“Hector, what can I say to convince you.”
“Don’t say anything to me, Black. You and I bot
h know you fucked Nina.”
“Cool. I won’t say anything.”
“Is there anybody you don’t know, Black?” Shy asked. Mike didn’t answer. He just smiled at Hector without taking his eyes off him.
“You should be careful of the company you keep, Shy.”
Shy leaned forward and pointed in Hector’s face. “Look, if you don’t want to talk to him, that’s fine. But I definitely don’t want you talking to me about him. Are we clear?”
“My apologies.” Hector looked angrily at Mike, but then proceeded to the business at hand. “What can I do for you, Shy?”
“When I met you we discussed a business arrangement,” she said turning on her considerable charm. “I wanted to know if the offer was still good?”
Hector paused for a minute. “You know I used to live and do business in New York. I still have many friends and many business associates there. Some have told me about the problems you are having. In fact, they tell me that just last night you took another loss. Is this true?”
“Yes. But I am moving to correct that situation,” Shy said quickly.
“Shy, it hurts me deeply to tell you this, but I must retract my offer.”
“Why?”
“You’re not a good risk, at this time. Please understand, once you have settled these matters I would have no problem extending the offer,” Hector said.
“Just like that?” Disappointment manifested in her voice and her eyes.
“Well of course you can always do it all on the front end.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Yes I know, due to your problems. Of course, if Black were to guarantee your investment that would eliminate all of my objections.”
“Hector, you better than most know, as a matter of principle, I will not do that,” Mike said, “and you insult me by mentioning it.”
“My apologies, Black,” Hector said bitterly. “Once again, Shy, I’m sorry we cannot work together.”
Mike saw the disappointed look on Shy’s face. “Well, Hector, I do have a better idea.”
Shy and Hector both looked at Black.
“I’m listening,” Hector said.
“It’s simple. You extend to her the same deal that you offered her.”
“No, Black!” Hector shouted. “Only if you stand with her.”
“Hector, listen to me. All I am asking is that you stand behind your word. I know that you are an honorable man.”
“Understand me, Black. I can’t do that,” Hector said as Shy looked on, feeling left out of her own business.
“Hector, look at me,” Mike said, looking Hector in the eyes. “I would consider it a personal favor if you would stand behind your word and do this for her.”
Hector sat back in his chair and pondered Mike’s proposal. Shy sat quietly, looking back and forth at both of them. Finally, Hector said, “Shy, it would be my pleasure to do business with you.” He got up from the table and handed Shy a card. “Call this number in New York when you are ready to do business. It is always a pleasure to see you Shy. And you, Black, I hope this concludes our business together,” Hector said as he and his associate walked away.
As they walked away, Shy looked at Mike curiously. “You mind if I ask you a question?”
“Sure, I knew you’d have questions,” Mike said, continuing to watch Hector until he was out of sight.
“Well thank you. I only have a few questions. First of all, what just happened?”
“Hector owed me a favor.”
“What was that?”
“I introduced him to Angee.”
“That’s it?”
“Yeah. Hector used to buy from André back in the day. André hated Puerto Ricans, so he was killing him on price. So one night I was at the club and Hector was there, when Angee came in.”
“I can’t see Angelo hanging out,” Shy said.
“Why, nobody would bother with Angee. One, because everyone knew Angee wouldn’t care about killing them and two, because everybody knew I had his back. And besides, Angee likes black women. Anyway, Angee talks to me for a while then he sees a woman he likes and walked off. Hector runs up in my face telling me how André was beating him down on price and all that. So I asked him, ‘Hector, why are you telling me all this?”
“You know Angelo, right?”
“So what are you trying to say, Hector?”
“Can you introduce me to Angelo? Please?”
“Hector; let me make sure I understand you. You buy from André, who pays me. And now you want me to introduce you to Angelo, so you can stop buyin’ from André, who pays me. Is that what you’re asking me? Let me make sure I understand you. You want me to take money out of my pocket to help you. Is that what you’re saying, Hector?”
“Yes, Black,” Hector said.
“You owe me a favor, Hector,” Mike remembered telling him that night.
“Okay,” Shy said.
“So I take Hector over to Angee and I say, ‘Angee, this is Hector Villanueva. He’s an honorable man and deserves to be taken seriously.’ So Angee dismisses the woman he’s talking to. He says to me. “Is he a good guy, Mikey?”
“I said, ‘I wouldn’t introduce him if he wasn’t.’ That’s why he owed me.”
“That’s what all that honorable man stuff was about. You were reminding him that he owed you,” Shy said.
“You catch on quick college girl,” Mike said.
“Now, did you fuck his wife?” Shy asked, praying he’d say no.
“Yes.”
“Damn it, Black.”
“I didn’t know she was Hector’s wife, or that she was even married for that matter.”
“Sure,” Shy said, as she got up from the table and started walking toward the beach. Mike got up and followed behind her.
“Slow down, Cassandra. Come on, wait up.”
“What.” She stopped and faced Mike. “You must have fucked her after you did him that favor?”
“Years.”
“When?”
“Five years ago,” Mike said.
“How long were you with her?”
“Off and on for about a year.”
“So you’re telling me that you were having sex with this woman for a year and didn’t know she was married?”
“Yes. She never wore a ring, and I never asked her any questions. I never called her. I never even knew her number. She never knew mine. I’d see her around, we’d hook up, then I wouldn’t see her for awhile,” Mike said.
“So when did you find out she was married?” Shy asked as she began to calm down. She started walking along the beach. Mike walked along side her and offered his explanation.
“I saw her one night on the street, and she walks up on me. We talked for awhile then she says, ‘oh shit, here comes my husband.’ So I’m like ‘you’re married, to who?’ and she points at Hector. I never saw her again after that day.”
“Never,” Shy said in disbelief.
“No, not too long after that Hector shipped her down here.”
“That’s probably why you never saw her again.
“No, that’s not it. I don’t mess with married women.”
“I guess that’s something I just have to get used to. Women from your past. I don’t know. I just don’t know if I can.”
“I know I said this before, but I’m not like that anymore.”
“So you told me.”
“But you don’t believe me, do you?” he said, challenging her.
“It’s not that I don’t believe you. It’s just that I’ve heard that so many times from so many men. I want to believe you. I really do. I’m just gonna need some time. That’s all.”
“I got all the time you need. Which brings up another point.”
“And what might that be?”
“When do you want to go back to the city?”
“Why, you in a hurry?”
“No, I wanna go to the beach.”
“Baby, I hate to be the one to break this to you, but w
e are on the beach,” Shy said.
Mike stopped in his tracks and looked around. He shook his head and said, “No, let me show you a beach.” He took Shy by the hand and literally dragged her to their room. Mike picked up the yellow pages and began to thumb through until he found the number of the charter service he was looking for.
“Baby, it’s too late to charter a plane. Everything’s probably closed at this hour.”
Mike continued undaunted by her comment.
“Pete’s Charter Service, Pete speakin’.”
“Pete, my name is Mike Black. I’d like to charter a plane tonight to Grand Bahama Island.”
“The Bahamas,” Shy said.
“It’s too late tonight. We can get you there first thing in the morning,” Pete said.
“Really. My friend in New York who referred me to you said that time wouldn’t be a problem,” Mike replied.
“Oh yeah, who’s that?” Pete questioned.
“Carmine Fortine.”
“Why didn’t you say so?” Pete said with a new attitude.
“I don’t like droppin’ his name unless I have too.”
“Any cargo?”
“No cargo, just two passengers.”
“How long before you get here?” Pete asked.
“Half hour,” Mike replied.
“I’ll have it gassed up and ready,” Pete said as Mike hung up the phone.
“Grand Bahama Island. I've never been to the Bahamas. You’re going to spoil me, Mike Black,” Shy said, falling into his arms.
“That was my intention, babe.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Jack emerged from Tony’s apartment heading for his car. E came out behind him. They spent the day together trying to regroup from their latest setback. They had given up on figuring out who was robbing them, focusing instead on a way out of the situation. “There he is again Jack,” E said, looking down the street.
“Who, Freeze?” Jack replied, while walking back toward E.
“Every time I look around, there he is.”
“I know. He’s been on me too. What pisses me off is that he don’t even try to hide,” Jack observed, “Like he don’t care if we do know he’s following us.”
