60 Minutes

by Fire

  “Order, ORDER! I will not have my judgment questioned in MY courtroom! Marshalls remove that lunatic! He’s been causing a fiasco since the beginning of the trial!” Judge Florentino yelled. Truth be told, not only was Judge Florentino in Jani’rah’s pocket, but he had been a paying client of hers for fifteen years and he loved the services her women offered. He would be devastated if she went to jail and her operation was shut down. For years he had been able to keep her a free woman; but now that the FBI was involved, her freedom was out of his hands. Jani’rah understood this and she was very thankful to Judge Florentino; at least he thought so.

  Jani’rah turned toward the crazed man, made a gun gesture with her hand, and blew the smoke as if she had just let off a shot.

  “Did you see that?! Did you?” The man hollered as he was dragged out of the courthouse.

  “Will the court please rise?” the court officer commanded while staring at everyone in the room. Jani’rah stood and rolled her cat-like grey eyes at the judge as he exited the courtroom. Her lawyer faced her holding his hand out. She scowled at his gesture, “We didn’t win yet muthafucka!” She shoved him out of her way as she exited the courtroom.

  *****

  District Attorney Daniel Morrow was sitting outside on the court steps stressed out and smoking a Newport. A nasty habit he had quit before the trial began, but picked back up due to the pressure of the trial. Jani’rah, her name kept going through his head. When his boss introduced the case to him, he was ecstatic about trying it. He had spent ten years as a lawyer helping to keep street punks and gangsters locked away. His hard work didn’t go unrecognized, as he had been promoted to District Attorney at the tender age of thirty-one; just a year ago. He loved his work and the fact that he had a hand in building a better community by keeping the big time “bad guys” off the streets and out of communities.

  When he was younger, he used to pretend to be a super hero and play around saying he was going to save the world when he was older. He felt like his job as District Attorney allowed him to do that. Those were dreams that he used to share with Jani’rah when they were younger. She had dreams to; she wanted to be a model, own an agency, and be an entrepreneur. She was an entrepreneur now; just not a legal one! He couldn’t understand what made her choose the lifestyle she had chosen; she had so much potential. They grew up together on Chopsy Hill, the north end of Bridgeport, Connecticut. Both of their moms were nurses at Bridgeport Hospital and his dad was an electrician. He never knew what Jani’rah’s father did, but he always saw him in nice clothes and flashy cars and he spoiled Jani’rah.

  Jani’rah and Daniel were best friends; they started dating in high school. During their junior year, Daniel’s father’s company closed down, relocated to Virginia, and paid for the family to move out there. Daniel and Jani’rah were devastated, but they maintained a long-distance relationship. A couple of months after the move, Daniel received the worst news in his life; Jani’rah’s parents had been murdered. He was scared that she had been killed too, and he hadn’t heard from her since that time.

  After graduating from law school, Daniel moved back to Bridgeport to help his city fight crime. The day his boss brought over the file with the trial information in it, he almost fainted when he reviewed the profile and saw photos of Jani’rah. His colleagues were depending on him to take the high-profile case, and he knew it would be good for his career. He couldn’t believe his childhood best friend and high school sweetheart had turned into a Madame who solicited call girls, operated the city’s biggest sex ring, was a major player in human trafficking, and she was even tied up in a few murders. She was the type of person he had sworn to lock away when he took the position of D.A.

  00:45:59

  Jani’rah was seated in the back of a black on black Maybach discussing what went down in court.

  “Looks like we need to find the rat before recess is over; huh?” Larisse asked. She was originally brought into Jani’rah’s operation as a call girl a year ago; she was very smart and witty. Jani’rah liked the fact that she was a quick thinker and always had a solution to any problem. Larisse didn’t just want to be anyone’s prostitute or hooker, she wanted a top seat in Jani’rah’s escorting business so she convinced Jani’rah to sit and listen to a presentation she put together on how Jani’rah could double her yearly income. Larisse was also a pro in the stock market and she taught Jani’rah which companies she should invest in. Jani’rah was impressed with Larisse and later upgraded her to the business’s accountant

  “Best thing I’ve heard today!” Jani’rah said as a thoughtful look crossed her face. “I’m stunned how much information was leaked out about me…makes me question my operation; am I slipping Risia?”

  “It’s always like that when there’s a rat, especially an inside one, someone who knows the operation like the back of their hand, or your hand at that!”

  “Sounds like you.” Jani’rah responded raising an eyebrow.

  “Get the fuck outta here! You know I’m lactose intolerant and can’t eat cheese.” The two women laughed.

  Jani’rah got serious again and shouted to the driver, “Hanz, take me to the South End, I think I know who the rat may be.”

  *****

  Sharnice Brookes toted her food from Roots Man in one hand, and a bag of cleaning supplies from the Dollar Store in the other. She couldn’t wait to get to her small, but comfortable, apartment on Columbia Street which she had moved into a week ago. She used to share a condo with her sister before she passed away—before she was murdered. Sharnice always got a bad taste in her mouth when she thought about her sister and the people she was affiliated with. She never knew the name, nor had she seen the face of the woman who her sister used to work for until the news stations and newspapers became flooded with her images and stories. Sharnice knew that Jani’rah bitch had something to do with her sister’s death. Even though she didn’t have any proof, she could feel it in her gut. She pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind as she remembered that the mysterious Madame was now on trial facing a life sentence; she prayed that she got the book thrown at her and would rot in prison.

  Sharnice opened the door to her home and quickly ran in, running from the cold December air. She entered her house through her back door as she always did, and placed her things on the kitchen counter. As she made her way into her living room, her eyes nearly bulged out of her head at the sight before her.

  “You kind of favor your sister; a little uglier, but the resemblance is there.” Jani’rah said with a smirk. She was seated on a red love seat sipping on a glass of Pink Moscato she helped herself to from Sharnice’s mini bar.

  “You got a lot of nerve breaking into my home!” Sharnice shouted, standing with her fists clutched. “I advise you to see your funky ass out!”

  “Watch your tongue before I make you swallow it. It’s a cold day out, where you coming from? Anywhere important? Such as…” Jani’rah let her words linger as she stared hard at Sharnice.

  “None of your fucking business! You need to see yourself out of my home before I whoop your ass, or call the cops, and I’m thinking about whooping your ass first anyways!”

  Jani’rah laughed, “You’ve been talking to them boys a lot lately; haven’t you?”

  Sharnice looked confused, and then something clicked. She had been watching the live taping of Jani’rah’s trial on Court TV and she remembered the judge announcing a star witness taking the stand after the break. Jani’rah was there to off her because she must think she is the witness.

  “You crazy if you think I’m a rat, I got more pounds then Fort Knox in this bitch, I could give a fuck about you and hope your stankin’ ass rots!” Jani’rah’s nose flared. She stood up and punched Sharnice in her mouth, making her lose two of her teeth. Then she picked Sharnice up by her face and brought her face to face with her. “You’re lucky I believe you.” She dropped her and walked out of the house.

  Sharnice slowly got up and held her bleeding mouth. She was
upset with herself for not getting up and knocking that bitch out, but she heard how Jani’rah rolled and she knew she would probably be dead had she busted a move. She made her way into the bathroom to rinse her mouth. She grabbed a rag and rubbed her face.

  “Ooooow SHIT!” she screamed.

  As she removed the rag from her face, her vision began to blur do to the toxins that were on the rag. The skin began to bubble and pull away from her face. Sharnice was in so much pain and she couldn’t see. She could smell burning flesh, and realized it was her flesh that was burning. She used her hands to guide her into the hallway and she felt around for the light switch, hoping to get out of the darkness. She pulled the string she thought was connected to the bulb and a bucket fell on her head, releasing a deadly toxin that burned Sharnice from head to toe. The acid quickly ate away at her as her body dissolved. Hers was a quick, yet painful death.

  *****

  Judge Florentino settled in his office and picked up his phone pushing number three on his speed dial. It rang three times before a female voice picked up.

  “Can you see me? I only have fifteen minutes. Meet me at the McDonald’s bathroom ASAP!” He hung the phone up and quickly jumped up, excited and anticipating getting some head work from his favorite call girl, Euphoria. He quickly grabbed his jacket and jumped back as something pricked his finger.

  “Aaah! What the hell is that?” He examined his coat and noticed a little pin sticking through one of the buttons. He ignored it and quickly threw on his jacket and rushed out of the office.

  He made his way towards the elevator, pressing the down button. His body began to grow very hot, he waved his hand in front of his face trying to draw air in. He began sweating profusely and loud coughs escaped his throat. A lawyer getting on the elevator noticed how flush his face was.

  “Geesh Judge Florentino, are you ok? You’re sweating like a pig!”

  The judge grunted and walked out of the elevator ignoring the lawyer’s concern. He got half way through the main level before he collapsed on the hard cold floor and his heart stopped beating.

  00:15:59

  “What happened?” Larisse asked as Jani’rah got in the car.

  “It’s not her, FUCK!” Jani’rah rubbed her tmples and stared at the clock on the dashboard. “Well, I don’t have time left, the only option is to get to the court house and face what’s coming to me. Any way we can get a team in there? If I’m going down, I’m going down shooting!”

  “You got it J.” Larisse said with a grin.

  “Question, you built this whole empire up, what are you…”

  Jani’rah cut her off,” I already got it covered.” She had set up a few off shore accounts for her cousin and around-the-house help. She also donated over ten million to daycares, recreation centers and schools in the city. Her money was in a good place.

  “I want to go to my house and have one more strawberry daiquiri.”

  Hanz smiled and did as he was told.

  *****

  Jani’rah had Hanz drop her off at her house. She requested to be alone as she walked around her yard. She thought about her parents and her business.

  The front door flew open and her cousin Claudette greeted her with a smile. As soon as Jani’rah had enough money, she flew Claudette out of Haiti and shared her wealth with her. Claudette was an accountant student and very smart; she handled all of the finances.

  The two women embraced and walked hand in hand into the house making their way to the kitchen. Glendly, her cook, was already preparing a daiquiri for her. As soon as she saw the car in the security camera, she knew Jani’rah would want one with an extra shot of Grey Goose. Jani’rah took her glass and went into the foyer and sat on a plush ottoman she kept in the center of the room. The walls were decorated with photos of her and her parents. She drank and walked down memory lane, envisioning her happiest moments.

  Hanz cleared his throat, “I don’t mean to interrupt Madame, but it’s time.”

  “Ugh, already? I would like to drive myself—go in style; I’ll be taking the Maserati.”

  She walked over to Hanz and handed him a check, “May you never have to drive anyone again, especially a bitch like me.” She walked out of the room leaving him standing there in shock at the amount he was staring at. His family was GOOD!

  Jani’rah met Risia out front and informed her she was riding solo.

  “Well, I’ll be right behind you,” Risia said with a wink and walked to the Jaguar parked behind the Maserati. She got in and started the ignition; as soon as she did, the car filled with a gassy substance, choking her immediately. She fought to open the door but the lock was jammed. Frantically, Larisse beeped the horn, but Jani’rah had already pulled off. Hanz came out and was stunned by what he saw; he ran to the car and tried to open the doors. He kicked the windows to no avail. Thinking quickly, Hanz ran to the Maybach and grabbed a crow bar. By the time he smashed the windows to the Jag, it was too late. Larisse was gone.

  *****

  Daniel paced the courtroom. His normally light brown skin was almost pale. The trial was taking a toll on him. He was questioning his actions and wondering if they would pay off and be appreciated. He finally settled in his seat as his colleague made his way towards him. He noticed a member of his team walking towards him with concern and frustration on his face.

  “That’s it, she’s off!” Ronnie said exasperated and dropping a folder on the desk.

  Daniel stared at him in wonderment, “What do you mean? Who are you talking about?”

  Ronnie looked at him defeated. “Madame J. Agent Braxton is nowhere to be found. All the recordings, tapes and photos…gone! Judge Florentino passed away earlier, a heart attack everyone assumes.” Ronnie shook his head. “Un-fucking-believable! I feel like I’m in a movie and we can’t get no wins with this lady.”

  Daniel stared at Ronnie baffled then thought about the next step. Another Judge would be put on the case; would Jani’rah still stand a chance?

  00:5:59

  Jani’rah walked over to her lawyer and glanced around the courtroom, she nodded at a few people she recognized and ignored the rest. He whispered something in her ear and Jani’rah stared at him in disbelief. She looked around one last time and got out of her seat; she stood smiling, knowing she was a free woman. Another judge entered the courtroom and took a seat, Jani’rah grinned widely at the familiar face it was the face of Judge Lobank, who was another client of Jani’rah’s. Lobank made a statement about the untimely death of Judge Florentino before informing everyone that there would be a continuance in the trial to a later date when it could be retried again before a new judge if the State still wanted to proceed with the trial from the beginning. Jani’rah looked over at District Attorney Daniel Morrow and a frown took over her face. He was the one that ultimately would seal her fate and take away her freedom.

  When she heard about him taking the case, she was asked by her team what should be done with him. She said nothing in response. She couldn’t see herself offing the only other person that genuinely cared for her besides her parents. He stared back at her, she could still see love in his eyes; she returned a cold stare though. Fuck that! I should’ve murked his ass along with everyone else trying to bring me down. She focused her attention on the jury. She recognized at least four faces. This was too easy for her, almost unreal! What happened to the last witness though? She thought to herself, she never had a chance to discover who else turned their back on her. She heard the judge mention Agent Braxton, but Jani’rah had no idea who that was. She wasn’t complaining; she would once again leave a free woman. She made a mental note to keep her circle tight and no more new hires for a while. As the last remarks were made, Jani’rah stood to leave. She had no reason to be there any more, they couldn’t hold her.

  Daniel made his way towards the elevators and walked in, he pressed the button for the main level and the doors began to shut.

  “Hold the elevator please!” Jani’rah quickly entered and looked at D
aniel then rolled her eyes.

  “Jani’rah, please.”

  “Please what? Listen to the man that was ready to throw the book at me?”

  “It wasn’t like that. I was under pressure from my boss and colleagues!”

  Jani’rah laughed. “So much for having a mind of your own.”

  “Listen girl, I did what I could; it’s not a coincidence everyone disappeared.”

  “So you think I had something to do with that too?”

  Daniel looked at her seriously, “I know you did, I watched you set it up. The poison you inserted in the syringe would’ve been traced. I replaced it with a tiny syringe with cyanide; an autopsy would never be able to determine the cause. You did well with Sharnice Brookes; but you sat in her home leaving your DNA all over the place. I burned the house down after her body dissolved.”

  Jani’rah was shocked at what she was hearing, “But why would you sacrifice…”

  “Because unlike everyone else, when I look at you Jani’rah I don’t see a monster. I see a sixteen-year-old girl who probably lost her soul when her parents were killed. I will add that your attitude sucks and your choice of business…”

  “…isn’t any of your damn business!” Jani’rah snapped becoming upset. She knew this wasn’t the ideal way of living or making money.

  Not wanting to upset Jani’rah any more, Daniel dropped the subject and brought up another one. “And Jani’rah, you forgot one. The star witness was Agent Braxton Leandri, also known as Larisse. I took care of her.”

  “I let her in over a year ago; I’m ashamed to say I slipped. I let these muthafuckas catch me sleeping. Never again!”

  Daniel agreed, “She was able to get numerous photos of you, recorded conversations of your transactions, and her testimony would have been the nail in your coffin.”

  Jani’rah looked up at Daniel. “What happened to all of the evidence?”