Thin Ice

by KR Bankston

“You got your escape planned,” Jaleesa asked as Vanessa told her she did.

  “I’m getting out while you two are here,” she told her shivering involuntarily.

  Jaleesa again nodded but said nothing.

  “Mike’s been spending that money he’s supposed to be moving,” Vanessa told her, thankful for the chance to unburden herself.

  “He gives away dope tryna be a big man, snorting it, smokin’ it,” she went on as Jaleesa paid rapt attention.

  “So how are you gonna get away,” Jaleesa asked, having more than enough info to take back to Ryan.

  “I’m gonna go shopping while you guys are there, but I’m not coming back,” she told Jaleesa who frowned quizzically.

  “Big Mike won’t tip his hand with Ryan here,” she explained as Jaleesa nodded. “He can’t let Ryan see that he can’t even control his own woman.”

  “Tweety,” Vanessa began again. “Big Mike has been stealing from Ryan since they set up the organization.”

  “You know where he puts the money he steals,” Jaleesa asked.

  Vanessa told her some of it he kept in a safe there in the house, the rest she assumed he put in his account. She wasn’t sure because he never discussed business around her. The little she did know she’d found out through eavesdropping when he had various meetings and visitors.

  “Like I said Vanessa,” Jaleesa told her once more. “You’re straight, do your thing, and I hope you get out,” she finished as Vanessa thanked her, grateful she wouldn’t tell.

  *****

  Kaitlyn sat passively as Ice continued punishing the club manager. They’d stopped by Platinum to say hello and catch a couple of the auditions for the new girls when Tate approached them and said he had something to tell them. Stepping into the walk-in freezer just outside the office area, Tate told Ice about the skimming and side dealing that was going on.

  “He got them giving him 40% of their tips, then he takes the rest, pools them all, and gives you your cut,” Tate told Ice as the man listened wordlessly.

  Tate had learned his lesson the first time, when Kaitlyn originally set up the deal. He wasn’t doing anything to jeopardize his wellbeing or his livelihood. Ice paid extremely well.

  “He screwing em,” Ice asked plainly as Tate nodded and explained.

  “He tell ‘em if they don’t give him the booty, they can’t dance, and he has his boys come in and take it a couple times,” Tate told Ice, giving him specific examples.

  “Hmph,” Ice said calmly and Kaitlyn knew; Tyreece was a dead man.

  That muthafucka been working with Ice for three years, he should have known better, Kaitlyn thought as Ice told Tate good looking out and gave him 2K in cash, told him to secure the door and stay put until he told him otherwise. Tate wordlessly complied and left them alone.

  Kaitlyn continued to watch mutely as Ice pulled out his phone and made a couple of calls. She smiled slightly hearing one, knowing what Ice had in mind and thinking how evilly devious it was.

  “You need my help,” Kaitlyn asked calmly, never taking her eyes from Ice.

  “No,” he replied. “But come watch the show,” he added, kissing her lips softly.

  Kaitlyn smiled slightly and followed him back into the bar area. Ice made them both drinks while he waited for the people he’d called to appear. Moments later the door opened, and Tate led the four men inside.

  “Wassup fellas,” Ice greeted them as they all returned his greeting.

  “Tate,” Ice called out as the doorman stuck his head inside again. “Make sure we’re not disturbed,” he said evenly, giving him a look.

  Tate hurriedly nodded his understanding and returned outside.

  Reeling her mind in, Kaitlyn returned to the present, watching in fascination as Tyreece begged Ice for his life.

  “How damned long you been stealing my money, bitch ass,” Ice asked punching him hard to the face once again.

  Two of the four men present held Tyreece, keeping him upright so Ice could hit him.

  “You take 40%, then give my ass 50% of the leftovers,” Ice threw out landing another hard left. “That how the business is working for you,” he asked again hitting Tyreece hard to the midsection. “Then I hear my girls gotta give your ass pussy credit just to make their money,” Ice told him growing angrier Kaitlyn could tell.

  “I’ma remedy that today though,” he said ominously, holding his hand out as one of the men placed the straight razor in it.

  Tyreece’s eyes grew big as he watched Ice unfold the razor and walk toward him again.

  “You always did think you were a pretty muthafucka,” Ice told him as he cut him down one said of his face.

  Tyreece screamed as the blood began to pour from the wound. Grabbing the man’s hand, Ice looked at the three gold and diamond rings he wore.

  “Bought these muthafucka’s with stolen money,” he said calmly, taking the razor and cleanly cutting off Tyreece’s pinky finger.

  Kaitlyn frowned slightly, but said nothing as she continued to sit and sip her drink.

  “Please, Ice, man, please,” Tyreece was begging and crying.

  Kaitlyn thought how gross he looked with the tears and snot running down his face.

  “Please what,” Ice threw back. “How much mercy did you have on Punkin when she was pleading with you not to put your dick in her,” Ice threw back.

  Punkin was a young dancer. She’d just turned 18 and both Ice and she had taken quite a liking to the personable young woman. She’d confided in Kaitlyn that she was still a virgin, even though everyone thought she was so experienced because of they way she danced. She was simply working at Platinum to help her mom and pay for some tech school classes.

  “Now she gotta remember your nasty, sweaty, funky breath ass, as the first dick to ever be up inside her,” Ice told him as he cut off the ring finger and the other diamond ring it held.

  “Oh but I’ma let you experience how that feels,” Ice said calmly as the men smiled slightly.

  Kaitlyn had a sinking feeling, but again, said nothing. Is this muthafucka gonna do what I think he’s gonna do, Kaitlyn wondered as Ice began speaking again.

  “See, just like you, I called a few friends over to enjoy some fun,” he said speaking quietly in Tyreece’s ear, but loud enough for Kaitlyn to hear him. “And these friends, they like ass,” Ice told him as Kaitlyn stopped swallowing and her eyes grew a bit wider.

  “Male ass,” Ice clarified as Tyreece began to plead again.

  Ice stepped away as the other two men came forward. The stripped Tyreece’s pants and underwear from him, bending him spread eagle across his desk. Holy fuck, Kaitlyn thought, praying Ice was bluffing and would stop this. Instead, Ice handed one of the men a box of condoms and grabbed Kaitlyn’s hand.

  “Come on baby,” he told her calmly. “Show’s over,” he added as Kaitlyn saw the first man put on a condom, dick rock hard, and slam himself into Tyreece’s virgin asshole.

  34

  Day Six - AM

  Ben was pleased with the progress of their case. Tomorrow is the finale, he thought as his phone rang. He answered and conversed briefly with the agent on the other end. There were moving right along silently and efficiently. They couldn’t afford any slip ups or leaks. If Ian had even a notion or inkling that the GBI was about 24 hours off his ass, he would disappear never to be seen again. That shit definitely cannot happen, Ben thought frowning deeply. Taking a deep breath and focusing again, Ben remembered the things that’d transpired and smiled. Their case was definitely gaining even more strength and if his next interview went well they would be well on their way to eradicating a huge portion of the organized crime in Atlanta.

  “Good morning Deputy English,” Ben greeted the man as he entered the room, folder in hand and took a seat. “You still have nothing to say,” he questioned having gotten the report from the other Agent who’d done the initial interrogation that Giovanni was keeping silent.

  The question was met with silence and a sullen look as B
en sighed deeply and tried a new tactic. “Look Giovanni,” Ben was saying as he talked to the man. “We have everything on DVD, the dope, you taking the money, taking it out of the car, and you’ll be in jail for a very long time,” he threw at him, as the man continued to remain mute. “Your loyalty is in the wrong place,” Ben told him frankly, getting right up in his face. “Trust and believe, Henry Collingsworth, the man you sold the two keys to,” he told Giovanni, never losing eye contact. “Doesn’t give a rat’s ass about you or your buddy Carlos,” Ben continued. “He’s been singing like a canary since we picked his ass up 5 miles from the original exchange,” he finished for a moment letting his words sink in. “Henry has provided us names, locations, amounts,” Ben started anew. “He’s even got evidence on tape, on paper, in files for us to use to send you and Carlos away for a long, long, time,” he added chuckling slightly.

  Giovanni gave Ben a quizzical look.

  “You’re gonna have problems in jail, Giovanni,” Ben told him still somewhat amused. “Can you imagine how many of the fools you’ve put in lockdown are gonna really be looking forward to some up close and personal time with you,” he asked as reality began to dawn for Giovanni in earnest.

  Truthfully he was screwed and he knew it. They had the entire sale on DVD, Henry was selling his ass out, his career was already over, and if he went into lockdown with the same brutha’s he had sent there for dealing, his life would be short lived. After a few more moments of silent pondering, Giovanni English finally spoke.

  “So what do you want from me, and what do I get outta it,” he asked quietly as Ben sighed lightly, glad he was finally seeing reason.

  “For starters,” Ben began. “I want to know everyone who’s working with you from the force,” he threw out as Giovanni nodded slightly.

  Ben pressed the intercom button in the room and asked for a tape recorder and a stenographer. He didn’t want any slip-ups or loopholes for Giovanni to slip through once this thing went to court. After both the recorder and the stenographer were in place, Ben began asking questions again.

  “What are the names of the other officers involved with Ian “Ice” Bailey’s operation,” he asked calmly as Giovanni sighed deeply and swallowed hard to remove the huge lump from his throat.

  Opening his mouth, Giovanni began to name the other six officers involved. Ben listened intently making his own notes as the recorder and stenographer did their job.

  “Were there any government officials involved as well, and if so, what are their identities,” Ben asked.

  Giovanni again quietly supplied the information requested.

  “Mr. English,” Ben began again, gaining and holding eye contact. “Were you present or did you participate in any acts of violence with Mr. Bailey,” he asked calmly.

  Giovanni swallowed hard again. “A couple of beat downs, but that’s it,” he iterated.

  Even though Ice paid very well, Giovanni had made it clear at the beginning he wouldn’t kill anyone for him. Ben asked Giovanni to elaborate about the beatings, which the now subdued deputy did. The questioning went on for the next three hours as Ben and his team gleaned more and more information to assure the conviction and permanent incarceration of Ian Bailey. Giovanni again asked at the end of the questioning about a deal. Ben told him in exchange for his testimony against Ian at trial, they would waive the state charges and he would plead guilty to only the Federal charges. This would ensure Giovanni’s confinement in a moderate security Federal prison away from the other men he’d sent to prison and possible bodily harm. Ben promised him a sentence of not more than 25 years, with the possibility of parole and early release. Giovanni agreed to the deal, knowing with all the bribery, extortion, drug, and assault charges he could be facing, 25 years would be the minimum he would serve. After the agreement was signed and accepted, Ben had Giovanni escorted back to his cell, while he called DA Angela Saunders and let her know the arrangement. One down, one to go, Ben thought, waiting on his call to connect. Next they had to interrogate Carlos Davis. Ben knew that was going to be a hard nut to crack, but he vowed he would, as Angela’s voice filled his ear and brought his mind back to the present.

  *****

  Jaleesa was waiting for things to get crazy. She’d reported the things she learned from Vanessa yesterday. This morning Ryan was getting ready to do inventory. He’d made a couple calls last night and this morning, five men she’d never seen arrived. Jaleesa had to admit they made her nervous as hell. These guys had murderous killers written all over them. They’d been very pleasant so far, but Jaleesa knew when it was time for the drama to get thick, they weren’t going to have mercy on anyone set in the line of fire. Big Mike was still upstairs, probably sweating bullets Jaleesa thought, knowing his lies were about to be exposed. She hadn’t seen Vanessa this morning and that worried her. I hope that damned fool hasn’t done something to the woman, Jaleesa thought as she sipped her tea.

  Big Mike entered the room moments later. Before she could speak to him, Ryan walked in from another direction greeting them both.

  “Where’s Vanessa,” Ryan asked. “I was thinking her and Tweety could go to the mall and pick up that shirt and cologne I asked for.”

  Jaleesa knew exactly why she and Vanessa were being sent away. Ryan had given her 3K for the woman this morning, an appreciation for telling him the truth about the operation.

  “Uh, yeah, I can go get her,” Big Mike offered before Ryan spoke again.

  “Nah, Tweety go on up and tell her to get ready,” he said watching Big Mike calmly.

  Jaleesa instantly rose and headed up the stairs. She suspected Big Mike wanted to threaten Vanessa or force her to carry something, like money or dope, when they left together. Arriving at their bedroom moments later, Jaleesa knocked lightly. Vanessa opened the door cautiously and smiled slightly seeing Jaleesa.

  Jaleesa immediately frowned, ready to go down and put a slug in Big Mike herself, seeing the black eye and bruising on the woman’s face.

  “What the fuck,” Jaleesa said shortly as Vanessa began to apply makeup to the marks.

  “He interrogated me about our outing yesterday,” Vanessa explained. “Where did we go, who did we see, what did we talk about?”

  “What’d you tell him,” she asked casually.

  “Not what he wanted to hear,” Vanessa said calmly.

  “He didn’t believe me, so he figured he’d beat it out of me,” she finished as Jaleesa sucked her teeth angrily. “When he saw that wasn’t working, he just took some ass and left me alone,” she added as the tears sprang to her eyes at the recollection.

  “He is ‘bout one shady ass piece of shit,” Jaleesa said plainly as Vanessa laughed aloud.

  “And on that we agree,” she threw back, finally dressed and ready to leave.

  Grabbing her purse the two women descended the stairs.

  *****

  “Remember, I want that new Sean John they just came out with,” Ryan told Jaleesa as the two women arrived back at the sitting room.

  “No problem baby,” Jaleesa replied smoothly.

  “Hey Vanessa,” Ryan greeted the woman pleasantly.

  “Hi Ryan,” she returned amiably. “Did you want anything Mike,” Vanessa asked sweetly.

  Looking her over for a few moments, Big Mike finally answered that he didn’t.

  “See you guys in a little while,” Vanessa threw out as she and Jaleesa turned walking out of the door and heading to the Navigator.

  Once they were inside and down the road, Jaleesa handed Vanessa the envelope Ryan had given her earlier.

  “What’s this,” Vanessa asked confused.

  “It’s a token of appreciation from Ryan,” Jaleesa told her calmly. “Enough for you to get on a plane and get the hell outta Florida,” she added as Vanessa sighed lightly and smiled.

  “Thank you both so much,” she said softly as Jaleesa hit the airport exit.

  Arriving at the terminal moments later, Jaleesa hugged the woman gently before letting h
er out of the truck.

  “Go back home to your family and live your life,” Jaleesa told her as Vanessa assured her going home never sounded so good.

  Jaleesa watched until she made it inside the terminal and waved once more. She texted Ryan and let him know Vanessa was on her way out of Florida. Jaleesa was pretty sure things were about to get really deadly at Big Mike’s place. Turning back onto the interstate, Jaleesa headed for the same bistro they’d dined at yesterday, pulling out her phone and texting KiKi, hoping her bestfriend could talk.

  *****

  “Hello Carlos,” Ben addressed the man walking once again into an interrogation room. They’d deliberately kept both Carlos and Giovanni apart, with neither having any idea about the admissions of the other.

  “Man why you here,” Carlos threw back nonchalantly. “I told your boy I ain’t got shit to say,” he added as he stopped talking and leaned back in his chair eyeing Ben defiantly.

  Gotta be careful with this one, Ben was thinking, taking his time to leaf through the case file and formulate his thoughts.

  “Honestly Carlos,” Ben told him looking up again finally. “It doesn’t matter if you decide to talk or not,” he threw out as Carlos sneered at him. “See, I have more than enough to send you up for at least 30 years with just the dope sale,” Ben told him as Carlos continued to look bored.

  “Then why the hell are you in here on my ass,” Carlos threw out smartly. “If you got all the bullshit you say you do, then you wouldn’t be in here with me?”

  Ben smiled slightly before taking a deep breath and blowing it out slowly. “Well, I’m in here because I figured you might not want to be the only asshole sitting in a prison cell, becoming someone’s bitch every night,” he threw out bluntly.

  “The bottom line is,” Ben began again, once more gaining eye contact with Carlos. “Even if we don’t nail Bailey,” he continued. “We’ve got your ass, and you will do mad time,” he finished as Carlos sighed impatiently.

  “This the part where I’m supposed to crack and say, hey what do you wanna know,” he threw out and began to laugh.