Back 2 Business (Candy Shop 2)

by Nicety

  “Who the fuck is it?” He yelled, words slurred from drunkenness.

  “Mr. Talbert, it’s the Chicago Police. Open up man I don’t wanna have to break down, now.” An officer yelled from the other side.

  He recognized that voice from anywhere but he never thought he’d hear it again. It had been a whole entire year since he was released from parole but every now and again when something went wrong his old officer, Haggley, harassed him for information. Skid, being an old timer to the streets, he figured he always had the connect on what was happening. But even if he did, Skid didn’t like to participate much. He wasn’t a snitch and even if he was he hated the fucking police.

  “Man, what the fuck you want Haggley? I ain’t did shit and you ain’t got no fucking warrant, so leave me the fuck alone.” Skid answered rubbing his face trying to straighten his self.

  “Awe, you know better than that. Open up, let’s go.”

  “Man, fuck man.” Skid snapped as his muscular arms turned the top bolt lock then the bottom door lock before opening the door. “The fuck you want, man.”

  Haggley looked around the room noticing that Skid was very neat and clean for an old bachelor. He walked over to the dining table that was adjacent from his large black leather sofa and took the glass Skid was using. He sniffed its contents then chuckled a bit as he placed it back down, returning it to its resting position. He glanced over into his kitchen and over towards his bedroom area of the studio apartment making sure the coast was clear before he spoke any further.

  “So, I see we are back on the wagon again huh?” Haggley smirked.

  “Man, what the fuck do you want? I ain’t did shit.” Skid snapped plopping down on the sofa hoping to fall asleep and cut the officer’s visit short.

  “No, you probably didn’t do anything, but I’m certain you know who did.”

  “Man, I don’t even know what you talking about.” Skid replied folding his arms and getting cozy.

  “Let me tell you a little story. One day I was walking down the street and heard some the streets talking. They told me you weren’t making that much money out here. Got your panties all in a bunch for chicken change. Now I, myself, couldn’t stand to hear that. So I decided to pay my ol’ pal a visit.”

  “And you come here all the time yipping that bullshit in my ear looking for something to eat and every time I tell you my motherfucking refrigerator is bare you don't seem to get it. Why do you come here? You know your ass is out, man. You need to be puttin’ your ass to the streets as in working. Fuck outta here, man, with that 1980’s Ed McMahon suit on. You don’t run me no more.” Skid waved him off.

  “I thought you might feel that way. That’s why this time I decided to extend a little offering, you know, man to man.”

  “What?” Skid looked over confusingly. “What kind of fucking offer?”

  “First I need the body of my buddy, Officer Crosby. I know he’s dead so don’t patronize me and I know your buddy Messiah is behind it. Secondly, I need Messiah, alive. And in return I’ll give you $1.5 million dollars.”

  Skid sat straight up staring Haggley dead in his eyes searching for a hint of bullshit in them. In all the times he came snooping for evidence or information he had never offered up anything let alone cash money. He was wondering why he decided to come to him in the first place figuring like he might already know something. But he played it cool knowing there was no way he could link the dead cop’s disappearance to him or Messiah’s business.

  “You see his partner reported him missing last night when he saw that he left some vital things behind that he normally wouldn’t. He didn’t take his car and he didn’t tell anyone where he was going. But we suspect that maybe he was going off to do some work on his own.” Haggley said snatching some playing cards off of the mantel next to the front door. “Now his family done bumped the arrest money up to a half a million dollars and that would look real nice in my nest egg.

  “What’s that got to do with me?”

  “We know that he was investigating the Candy Shop. Crosby was keeping a watchful eye on your boy for a reason. Your boy Messiah has a hefty bounty on his head and just like me he was trying to be the first to get at it. As his right hand man I’m sure you know about the debt he done racked up with the Italians up north. Tsk, tsk, tsk, it’s not looking good for ya boy! So all I need you to do is call me when you’ve got the body and your boy, together. Call me only! No one else! Just me. Is that cool?”

  “Meech is legit man. He don’t do no bullshit up in there—“

  “Hey man!” Haggley roared quickly. “This is some real shit.”

  “Aye, man. How the fuck I know it’s real? You talkin’ bout throwing me a million dollars and shit. I’m sayin’ how the fuck you gonna give me that kind of dough on a hood cop’s salary?”

  “Maybe I’m not your ordinary hood cop. Look, I know for a fact that you know something about this. Bring me the missing cop and your boy and you get paid enough cash to disappear and never have to worry about me again.” Haggley smirked as he headed for the door. “Serve them up, asap.”

  Haggley walked out of the door with a smug look as if he had won Skid over and feeling like he was big shit. He knew that kind of money would entice him to get up off of his ass to get him what he was looking for. Skid sat on the sofa pissed that Haggley always came to him for every little piece of bullshit he needed help with. Messiah was his man, a hundred grand, so the thought of betraying him in some shit like that had never crossed his mind. Until today. That money would definitely put him into retirement for good and send him under a rock where no one could find him.

  The only problem was the fact that he couldn’t exactly give Haggley what he wanted. Since his trip to the Stew Maker, he was unable to deliver the body of agent Crosby to him. The Stew maker very rarely kept any parts left over, being sure that she was as thorough as possible with clean up and everything. Besides anyone who stepped in her territory unannounced was fucked, period. He also had to think of how he would explain what happened to Crosby without implementing his self or Messiah so he could still get the money and bounce. Haggley didn’t give him a time frame and that was the only good thing he could think of at that point. It gave him enough time to figure some shit out.

  “Yeah.” Skid said as he took his cell out of his pocket, punched the talk button hard then placed it half way up to his ear.

  “Yeah, that business is taken care of?”

  “No doubt.” Skid replied walking to the table pouring another shot of Scotch.

  “Good. I’mma need you to go open up the shop. We ain’t got nobody to do it and I know you at the complex so you ain’t shit but up the street.”

  “Man…I really wasn’t trying to do that shit Meech. You can’t get your bro to do it? His ass ain’t on shit.”

  “Yeah and his ass ain’t answer the phone neither. Naw, I need somebody who I know is gone handle business. It’s just for today. Tomorrow, I’ll put Red up there til I hire somebody.”

  “Com’ on Meech, dude. Really?”

  “Yeah, really. Business needs to resume as usual. No question.”

  Messiah hung up the phone without waiting for another one of Skid’s whinny responses. He needed the Candy Shop open for business like nothing had took place there that morning or the night before. No one could be suspicious as to the abrupt unexpected closing of the joint and even if they were closed customers still had access to the place to be able to access their units. He needed to make sure that nothing was out of place or looked suspect, making sure that it looked as normal as it did before blood hit the pavement.

  He stuffed his phone back down in his pocket. “Com’ on baby. I need you to do something for me.”

  “What is it?” Red asked following him as he grabbed her hand in his.

  “I need you to go hold down the fort for me while I get a few things squared away.”

  “Huh? What fort? The Candy Shop? Oh naw dude you got me messed up if you think I’m about to si
t up there and do nothing all day.”

  “I’m paying you though.”

  “Are you serious right now Messiah?”

  “I know. But I need you right now. Skid is going to be there so you won’t be alone. But I need you, Red. You’re the only one who’s down for me and who I know will hold down the fort ‘til I get there.” Messiah sighed. “So what’ll you say? Will you hold ya boy down for a little while?”

  Messiah turned on the puppy dog eyes and gazed deep into hers. She wanted to slap the taste out of his mouth for even fixing his lips to say something like that. She was trying to be stuck to his hip like glue now that both his wife and his baby’s momma would summon him any chance they got. They were two bitches not to be trusted and she wasn’t about to let Messiah slip back into guilty love with either of them. Even though Red was still burning mad at his ass, she knew deep inside of her she wanted him. She needed him.

  “You owe me, so big!” Red snapped rolling her eyes.

  “More than you know. Thanks babes.”

  “Yeah, yeah. Let’s just get out of here before I change my mind.”

  In the truck, Red wanted to ask him about the conversation that he had with Alexis so badly. She itched to know what he told her and how she took the news. Messiah wouldn’t let me down, I know it. She thought as she gazed out the window shifting her mind over to MJ. In retrospect, she really couldn’t be mad about the baby. He was conceived before she came back into the picture but apart of her couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like if he was hers. Up until the time her feelings had sparked for Messiah, the thought of settling down and having kids with anyone hadn't crossed her mind at all.

  "I can't believe I have a son now." Messiah blurted happily, unconscious of his words.

  "Yeah."

  "He's so big. I can't wait to hold him again. Man, it's the greatest feeling in the world." Messiah wasn't even thinking about how all of this affected Red.

  "Okay. I'm just gonna go ahead and say what you're not supposed to say. Are you sure it's yours?" She snarled.

  "What? How could you ask me something like th— Of course he's mine."

  "Don't get defensive, I'm just saying. There could be a possibility and I know you know that. I mean you were fucking her sister for God sakes. Don't tell me it never crossed your mind." Red turned to make sure he hadn't shut down on her.

  “Yeah. It’s crossed my mind. But when I saw his eyes they just reminded me of old pictures of myself when I was little. You’re right though. I’ll think about it some more.” Messiah replied solemnly.

  The car was silent the rest of the way to the shop. Red was relieved that she had at least resurfaced the idea in his head about getting a paternity test done on the baby but she felt a little bad that she had blown the high he was on about being father. He wasn’t cheery or talkative anymore he had shut down. When he pulled up in front of the shop Skid was standing outside of the office door smoking a cigarette.

  “Ay, gimmie a kiss.” She said before placing her hand on the door.

  Messiah locked his lips with hers rotating and massaging his tongue with hers. The kiss was so soft and delicate that it sent vibrations right down to her v-like opening.

  “Mmm. I swear you owe me.” Red smiled as she exited the truck.

  “Yeah…I know.” He responded after she was already out.

  He nodded towards Skid as he backed out of the parking lot and swerved back into traffic. His mind ran a marathon trying to figure out his next move. That doctor needed to give him more answers than what he did as he headed back to the hospital in haste.

  Chapter 6

  Amy Cracks

  “You done lost your mind talking about you don’t want my fucking baby! Are you crazy?” Danger squeezed her neck tighter and tighter.

  Amy gasped for air digging her nails into his hands hoping to scar him enough to release her. Tears began to form in her eyes and slowly drip down the sides of her cheeks. Her throat was so compressed that she couldn’t even plead with him to stop. As her face turned a bluish green, the thought set in that she was about to die. He was trying to squeeze the very life out of her regardless of the baby she carried in her womb. Then Amy dropped to the floor abruptly, coughing wildly and holding her neck.

  “Don’t you ever say no shit like that again! You hear me?” Danger snapped. “Now you staying your ass here with the fucking baby and I don’t wanna hear shit else about it. I’m gonna let Meech know too, so you won’t have any work to do. Suck on that.”

  “You stupid motherfucka.” Amy cried and snarled in a raspy voice. “All the shit I done took from you, all the bitches…and this is how you do me? You don’t even want to fucking marry me but you want me to be your fucking housewife.”

  “Damn! You bitches always want a nigga to marry your ass but you ain’t willing to do what the fuck we tell you to do. Don’t no nigga want no disobedient wife.”

  “FUCK YOU! I’ve stuck by your ass through all the hoes and all the sleepless nights! The Gonorrhea! Obey you, motherfucka respect me!”

  “I was going to make you my wife, when the time was right Amy.”

  “I’m seven months pregnant, Nicholas. When will it ever be the right time, baby?” Amy responded tranquilly.

  “Man…I’m out. We talk about this later. Why don’t you fix yourself up and shit. We need to calm down.” Danger replied before walking out the door.

  Amy sat there with tears flowing carelessly from her eyes. She had heard stories from Danger’s past about him putting his hands on his other females but in the time that they had been together he had never put his hands on her. In some twisted way she thought he respected her more than that. Her heart was beyond crushed having never experienced anything like that from any man she had been with. No one ever got to the point where they needed to put their hands on her no matter how slick her mouth became.

  Amy picked herself up off the floor clenching her stomach. She could feel the baby readjust itself inside of her womb as she grabbed a hair tie to pin her long blonde hair into a low ponytail. Unable to stop her tears, she reached for her phone wanting to talk to him and make it right but ended up tossing it across the room. She didn’t want to work it out with him, not this time. This time was the last straw with her. As bad as she wanted someone to talk to she realized he wasn’t the one. An orphan of the state she never knew her parents or any other extended family members and friends weren’t wise to have in the field of work she was in. Sometimes friends got smoked too.

  “You wanna fuck with me, knowing what I’m capable of? Then I’m gonna hit you where it hurts.” Amy spat to herself as she walked out of the room.

  She went downstairs to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of Whipped Cream flavor Smirnoff out of the fridge, leaving the glass behind. Danger had been saving that bottle for them to enjoy after a candlelight dinner once the baby was born but she figured why wait. Her fingers quickly popped open the top and placed the opening of the bottle to her lips breathing in the sweet smell of the liquor. Amy licked her lips loving the smell rising up in her nose having not had a drink in six months since she found out she was pregnant. It was as if she hesitated for a minute, staring up at the ceiling awaiting the cool clear liquid to flow into her mouth and down her throat. It felt like heaven.

  “Stupid motherfucka.” She ranted as she walked back towards the stairwell. “You don’t own me. I do what I want. If I want to have a drink I’m just gonna have drink. I don’t need you!”

  She went on and on like that for a few minutes pacing back and forth from the kitchen to the hallway checking the window, making sure his car hadn’t pulled out front. She took another swig of the drink before rushing to the sink to pour the rest down the drain. It was only a matter of time before he noticed it was gone so she disposed of the rest of the evidence and shoved the bottle deep down into the trashcan. He wouldn’t see the bottle through the black trash bag.

  “Now, I feel better. The only person who cares about me is me. I’
m not about to listen to you anymore. I have to live for me.” Amy mumbled drunkenly as she walked back towards the window to catch one more glance before heading up to bed.

  She grabbed the curtain peeling it back slowly but was interrupted by the sound of Sex Ain’t Better Than Love reverberating through her cell phone. There was only one person who was assigned to that ringtone and she was amazed that he had decided to call. Usually when they had fights he would just storm off and not come back home until 3am unless he forgot something. But the fact that he called wanting to talk spoke volume. Amy hurriedly stomped the stairs rushing to the bedroom. She grabbed the phone but as soon as she pressed the button he had hung up.

  “FUCK!” She barked raising her fists in the air waving erratically.

  Amy’s anger rose higher than the clouds, staring down into her cell screen hoping that Danger would call back. She prayed over the phone yearning for him to call and beg her to forgive him and promise do right by her from now on without any restrictions on what she can do after the baby is born. In the middle of her prayer, Trey Songz interrupted again and this time her finger was already on the trigger.

  “Hello?”

  “Yeah, Amy, what you doing?

  “Is that why you called me?”

  “No. I just needed to know if you got that AK that I sat on the dining room table. I’m gonna need you to put that up for me. I’ll take it to The Candy Shop tomorrow since I know how much you hate the pieces being in the house.”

  “Is…is that the only reason why you called me?” She asked in a soft feeble voice.