by Roy Glenn
Payback
( A Mike Black saga - 3 )
Roy Glenn
Roy Glenn
Payback
Chapter One
Shy tried to stay as calm as she could with a gun pointed at her head. She’d just been taken hostage from Black’s Paradise, a reggae club on the beach in Freeport on Grand Bahama Island. She glanced over at her abductor and then to his stomach. He was losing a lot of blood. "This man is gonna die unless you do something to stop the bleeding," Shy yelled at the driver.
"How bad is it, Julio?" the driver asked.
"It’s bad, Sal," Julio said as he continued to hold his gun to Shy’s head.
"Hold on, man. I’ll get you to a doctor."
The sight of Julio’s blood took Shy back a couple of years to the night she got shot. She thought she was going to die sitting alone in the backseat of that car.
Shy could hear the cop yelling, "Freeze!" as she turned and pointed her gun at him. The bullet hit her in the upper right chest, near her shoulder. Shy shot back as she fell, and hit the cop with one shot to the head. When she got up, deciding not to take the time to ponder the ramifications of killing a cop, she picked up the briefcase and proceeded down the fire escape. That night changed my life forever, Shy thought as she felt Julio’s gun in her side.
"What’s your name, sweetie?" Sal asked.
"Cassandra Black," Shy answered defiantly.
"Cassandra Black, as in Mike Black is your husband, Cassandra Black?"
"Yes," Shy said, hoping that his name carried some weight, but unsure whether it was a good or bad thing. Where are you, baby? Shy thought. Mike Black had always been there for her. When someone was trying to kill her, it was Black who provided her with the lead that she needed. And it was Black who intervened when Hector told her, ‘no money, no product’. In the time that she’d known Mike Black, he had saved her life three times, if you count him sending Bobby and Freeze to save her when she had gotten in over her head. I need you to save me now.
"Shit," Sal said quietly. "So, that club was Black’s club? What the fuck am I askin’? Black’s fuckin’ Paradise. Shit!" He pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number.
It was answered on the first ring. "Quepasa?"
"This is Sal. I need to talk to Papi."
"He is very busy right now. Why don’t you call him back in about an hour?"
"I need to talk to him now! Just give him the fuckin’ phone."
"Okay, Sal, hold on. Papi!" He continued in Spanish, "Sal dice necesitahablar con elahora," letting Papi know that Sal needed to talk to him now.
Papi took a deep breath and reached for the phone. He set it down on his lap, lit a cigar, and took a sip of his tequila before picking up the phone. "Sal, what is so important that you must talk now? You should learn to relax, take things easy. You think with your mind. You move with your body. Mind and body are interrelated, and you must learn to maintain control of your own body. Relaxation techniques can help you to think clearer, focus more, and concentrate."
Now it was Sal who took a deep breath. He could hear what sounded like a woman laughing in the background. "I’m sorry to bother you, Papi, but shit went bad for us in the Bahamas."
"Really? What happened?" Papi said calmly.
"Julio went wild and just started shooting up the place."
"I did not go wild, Papi!" Julio screamed in his defense. "Those men were DEA!" Julio yelled as Shy held her breath. The last thing she wanted was for Julio to get excited and shoot her accidentally.
"Now he’s sayin’ that the money guy was DEA," Sal told Papi.
"So, you didn’t get the money?"
"No, Papi, we didn’t get the money."
"Why not, Sal?"
"The money guy wasn’t alone. After Julio shot the money guy, this other guy opened up on us and we had to shoot our way outta there. Then Mike Black’s wife starts shootin’ at us with a pump. She killed Manuel. Did you know that it was Mike Black’s club we wasmeetin’ in?"
"You ask too many questions, Sal."
"All I’m sayin’ is that we had to take her hostage to get outta there."
Papi laughed out loud, thinking that things were working out better than he planned. "I want you to take her to Miami and call me when you get there."
"I know this guy from New York. He’s a crazy muthafucka."
"I know who he is, and that is exactly why I want you to take her to Miami."
"I don’t think you understand. Mike Black is connected to some very powerful people. I don’t think we want to fuck with him. I think we should drop her off somewhere and be done with her."
"Sal," Papi said, no longer laughing. "I like you, Sal, and we have not worked together for very long, so I’m going to tell you something, and I know that I’m only going to have to tell you this one time. I don’t pay you to think. When you work for me, I demand your respect and your loyalty. I expect you to believe in me, and to do exactly what I say without question. Is that understood, Sal?"
"Yes, Papi," Sal said and rolled his eyes.
"That is good. Now, take her to the boat. The captain will take you to Miami, and you will call me when you get there. Comprende?"
"I understand, Papi," Sal replied reluctantly and drove toward the dock.
Papi hung up the phone and turned to his associate. "I’m sorry, my dear," Papi said.
"What was that about?" she asked.
Papi looked her and thought for a second. "This may be of particular interest to you. Sal had to take a hostage." Papi paused for effect. "Her name is Cassandra Black."
"Give her to me," the woman said and smiled.
"Why, so you can kill her?" Papi laughed.
"Yes."
While Sal drove, trying to heal his broken ego and Julio grimaced in pain, Shy thought about her situation. She tried to convince herself that she wasn’t scared, not really anyway. She was raised around all types of the criminal element: gangsters, hustlers, and dealers. These guys were no different. She could and would kill them if she got the chance. Shy had to laugh at herself as she thought back to the days when all she was good at was pulling her gun and talking big shit. Shy had shot at people, not knowing if she hit anyone. But things were different now. She had stood in front of a man, looked him in the eyes, pulled the trigger and watched him die.
Shy was relieved that whoever this Papi character was, he wanted her alive; at least for the time being. And the only reason for that was because she was married to Mike Black. He controlled a profitable gambling, prostitution and number running business, and although they lived in the Bahamas now, his name was still influential in the States. Once again, he had saved her life.
Mike loved Shy deeply and wanted to ensure that nothing would ever happen that would put her life in jeopardy. That was why he had moved Shy out of New York to the Bahamas. Black thought that she would be safe in their quiet island paradise.
She felt a chill as the idea that she might never see her husband again washed over her. She loved him so much and hated the fact that they had fought the night before. If Michael had been there, none of this would be happening. Shy didn’t want their fight to be the last thing they shared.
"Black’s not here because we had a fight last night," Shy remembered telling Nick. He came to the island to see Black, who he hadn’t seen in years, and to meet Shy. "He left the house and I haven’t seen him since. He may be in New York or he may be right here on this island. I don’t know."
"What was the fight about?" Nick asked.
"You hit it dead center when you said I was bored. I miss New York and I want to go home. I really haven’t made any real friends down here." Shy leaned forward and whispered, "Probably because I can’t understand what they’re sayin’ half the time." She la
ughed. "And these women. . Oh God, why they all gotta fall all over my man? And it’s not just these island bitches. The tourists are worse. Why do they have to have their half-naked asses all up in his face, gigglin’ over every word he says, while I’m standin’ right there? I mean, Nick, I try to rise above that `cause I know he really ain’t like that anymore, but it’s hard. Bitches ain’t got no respect."
"Sometimes gettin’ bitches’ respect is overrated. As long as Black shows you respect, fuck them bitches. You’re his wife."
"I know that, Nick. And Michael shows me nothing but love and respect. And I love him so much for that. I know that’s just something I got to get past. I guess I’m just a jealous woman, and I’m tired of it, you know what I’m sayin’?"
Maybe Nick was right. As long her man showed her love and respect, she couldn’t be stressed over it. It was all about trusting him, and since she believed in her heart that he would never do anything to put their relationship in jeopardy, what was the point? Shy would take it all back now if she could, because that wasn’t her real issue. The real issue was her legal status. Shy was wanted for murder, but her lawyer, Wanda Moore, was able to get the murder and conspiracy to commit murder warrants dropped. Without the murder weapon or any witnesses to place Shy at the scene, they had no murder case.
Wanda Moore always wanted to be a lawyer and she was good at it. Wanda had gotten Mike and his associates out of more cases than she could remember. She was smart, careful, and just a bit ruthless. In addition to being their lawyer, Wanda managed the money, making a small fortune for her partners, while developing a reputation as an excellent entertainment lawyer. However, despite Wanda’s efforts, there was still a warrant out for Shy for conspiracy to distribute that to this point she hadn’t made any headway with.
"The fight was really about me wantin’ to go back to New York," Shy told Nick.
"But you can’t, because of the conspiracy charge," Nick said.
"Michael lost it when I told him that I would rather go home and do my time than stay down here. I don’t want to be on the run for the rest of my life, Nick. I want to be free."
Sal pulled up at the dock and he looked back at Shy. "Now listen, we’re gonna get out of this car and go to the boat. You’re gonna go quietly. Some people seem to think that you’ve got some value, so you get to stay alive for a little while. But if you try to get away or call for help, I’ll put a bullet in your brain. You understand?"
"I understand," Shy said.
Sal got out of the car and pulled Shy out. He moved down the walkway quickly, practically dragging Shy along as he headed for the boat. Julio held his stomach and followed behind them as best he could.
As they made their way to the boat, Shy looked around the crowded dock and hoped that she saw someone she knew. You know, somebody who would question why this man was dragging her along, and do something to help or at least get word to Mike.
That’s when she saw him. Shy didn’t know what his name was, but she recognized him from the club. He’s practically a regular. Shy had seen him many times laughing and talking with Mike and Jamaica. But the only problem was he wasn’t looking in her direction.
Knowing that she would have to do something to get his attention, Shy pretended to stumble and fall. "Ouch!" Shy screamed, acting as if she was in pain and grabbing her ankle. That got his attention, as well as a few other people.
"All right, sweet cheeks, get up," Sal said as Julio caught up.
"I can’t! I hurt my leg."
"I said get up," Sal demanded, grabbing Shy by the arm and pulling her to her feet.
"Where are you taking me?" Shy asked as she struggled just enough to put on a good show, but not enough to get herself killed.
"We’re taking a little trip to Miami. Now, stop fuckin’ around and get on that boat," he commanded and pointed at the boat. As they continued walking, Shy looked straight at the man and mouthed the words, Help me.
Chapter Two
Nick hung up the phone and lay across the king-sized bed at the Lucayan Beach Hotel. He looked out the sliding glass door at the Caribbean Sea and tried to clear his head. He got up, walked over to the mini-bar, and took out a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black. Nick felt bad, very bad about allowing Shy to be kidnapped. What else could I have done? What could I have done to save her? There was only one answer. He could never have never been there in the first place.
And what would he say to Black?
How would Nick explain to him that he was not only the reason the shooting started, but that he had a shot, but was too slow in taking it?
He went to the door and looked out. As Nick finished the small bottle of Johnnie Black, he gave some thought to the fact that he had hung out in New York the night before, caught an early flight, and had been up the better part of the day. He did close his eyes during the flight to the Bahamas, but now, he suddenly felt tired.
As Nick laid back across the bed, his head began to spin. He realized the he and Shy drank quite a bit that afternoon. He closed his eyes and began to think back over what had just happened.
"Excuse me a minute, Shy. I’ll be right back." Nick got up and walked over to a man he thought he knew, sitting alone at a table by the door.
"Roman, Roman Patterson?" Nick asked.
The man didn’t answer at first. He looked at the door and then slowly at Nick. "Nick Simmons?" he said quietly and looked back at the door. "What are you doin’ here?"
"I’m visiting some old friends." Nick said as he started to sit down.
"Get away from me, Nick. I’m waiting for somebody," he said practically in a whisper.
"What?"
"I’m DEA, Nick. Get away from me."
Nick turned quickly and walked away, just as Sal, Julio and Manuel entered the club and sat down at the table with Roman. Nick went back to the bar and sat down. Shy came over to him.
"What was up with that? You didn’t know him?" she asked.
"He’s DEA." Nick saw the expression on Shy’s face. "Calm down. He’s not here for you."
Nick and Shy looked on as the four men talked and laughed like old friends, until Julio glanced in Nick’s direction. Julio stood up and looked directly at Nick, took out his gun and shot the DEA agent in the head, then turned and fired on Nick. Customers at Black’s club began running out the back door, turning over tables in their wake, while others dove on the floor.
"Get down!" Nick yelled at Shy.
Shy ducked down behind the bar while Nick fired wildly and took cover behind a table. Sal and Manuel broke out semi-automatic weapons and began firing at him. They had Nick pinned down as they moved toward the door.
Shy reached for the pump. "Finally a little excitement on this rock." She rose up, took aim, and fired at and dropped Manuel. Shy took cover as Sal and Julio began shooting at her. This time it was Nick that came up blasting. He hit Julio, and Julio went down.
Shy stayed low as she moved toward the end of the bar. She stood up and fired the pump just as Sal ran out the door. Nick came out from behind the table as Shy moved toward the door. With her back turned, she didn’t see Julio get up.
"Shy! Behind you!" Nick yelled and aimed his weapon, but it was too late. Julio had grabbed Shy and pointed his gun to her head.
"Drop it!" Julio yelled. Shy threw away the pump. "You too, drop it!" he yelled at Nick.
"Let her go!" Nick said, taking a step closer.
Julio fired, barely missing Shy. "I’ll kill her!"
Nick knew he could shoot Julio in the head before he got a shot off, but before he was able to, Sal burst through the door, firing that semi. It gave them enough time to get out the door with Shy. By the time Nick got outside, they were gone.
As he drifted off to sleep, he acknowledged the fact that his intoxication definitely played a role Shy’s kidnapping. With his level of skill, Nick should have been able to drop all three of the bandits, semi or not. He shot Julio, but Julio was still able to get up and walk out with Shy. If he had taken the
shot, would he have hit the target or Shy? Nick tossed and turned and the nightmare began again.
"Bobby put the gun down!" Mike yelled.
"I’ll kill you!" Bobby screamed at Nick.
Mike put his gun to Bobby’s head. "Bobby please," he said quietly. "Take the gun out of his mouth and put it down."
"Don’t think this is over. I’ll kill you!" Bobby shouted. "And that bitch!"
Nick sat straight up on the bed and reached for his gun. He was sweating and breathing hard. Slowly, he began to calm down. He looked over at the bed next to him; there was a man lying down. Nick aimed his weapon at the man. With the barrel of the gun, Nick poked the man in the back. "Get up. Nice and slow," Nick said as he backed away and the man began to move.
"Don’t you think I unloaded your gun before I laid down?"
"Black," Nick said as Mike Black sat up on the bed.
"Hello, Nick. Damn, it’s good to see you." Mike stood up and held out his arms. Although he was glad to see him, Mike would have preferred that it be under better circumstances than this. Mike was pretty excited when Wanda called and said that Nick was on his way to the island to see him. Now this had to happen.
"Good to see you too, Black." The two men embraced. "How long have you been here?"
"Not long. You still havin’ that same nightmare?"
"Yeah." Nick nodded his head. Mike understood; memories of that night haunted him too. His two closest friends at each other’s throats. "Why didn’t you wake me up?" Nick asked.
"I tried to wake you up, but you were dead to the world. I heard you and Cassandra had a lot to drink."
There was an uncomfortable silence that drifted between them. "So, you know what happened?"
"Yes," Mike said and sat down on the bed. "I talked to Wanda after you called her. She told me what happened. I went by the club and talked to the cook."
"I’m sorry, Black," Nick said as he sat down and started to tell his story.
"Never mind that now. Get up and let’s go. You can tell your story on the way."
