Thick As Thieves

by Mariah James

  Thick as Thieves

  Thick as Thieves

  MARIAH JAMES

  Press 3 Seventeen Publishing

  P.O. Box 30133

  Rochester, NY 14603

  As Thick as Thieves Copyright© 2018 Mariah James

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form by any means without written consent of the publisher, except where permitted by law.

  This is a work of fiction. Any reference of similarities to actual events, real people, living, or dead, or to real locales are intended to give the novel a sense of reality. Any similarity in names, characters, places, and incidents is entirely coincidental.

  “Sometimes,

  you gotta use what you got,

  to get what you want.”

  (Ronnie |The Player’s Club |1997)

  The End

  “Bitch, I thought you said he was out of town?” Erin whispered to her twin sister Ryan. Ryan didn’t answer. Instead, she laid next to Erin scared to breathe.

  “Ryan!” Erin whispered harder.

  “Would you shut the fuck up before he hears us!”

  “I knew I shouldn’t have listened to you.” Erin was now contemplating her decision to roll with her sister, “this last time.” They were hiding away in a closet, praying to every god, that they weren’t discovered.

  This was supposed to be their last mark. Ryan had been dating this big timer, Deuce for a few months. She was really feeling him, but now, she intended to get him for all he had. Deuce was supposed to be on vacation. Although Ryan was a snake, for invading his home. She couldn’t stop herself from wondering, why Deuce wasn’t where he said he would be. It’s been 48 hours since she last spoke to him. Deuce was overseas handling business, and he didn’t carry his personal cell phone with him.

  “What the fuck?” Ryan whispered out loud, accidentally. Her words were intended for just her because she knew how her sister could be. Ryan had this get-it-by-any-means attitude. As far as Erin, she was more logical.

  “Yeah, man. I got ya shit.” Deuce entered the bedroom on his cellphone. Erin’s breathing picked up. Ryan nudged her in efforts to get her to calm down.

  “Iight, I’ll be there in a few. Gotta make a call right quick.” The girls were relieved to hear those words. Thankfully, Deuce was on his way back out. They could pull off their caper and leave town for good.

  Just as the twins released their nervous breaths, Ryan’s cell phone buzzed. Erin looked at her sister in distress. Ryan rushed to take her phone out of her pocket to stop the buzzing as she read ‘Deuce’ across the screen. Before she could get her phone back into her pocket, light shined into the once darkened closet. The Edwards’ twins looked up in unison and were face to face with a glistening desert eagle.

  August 2016

  Erin and Ryan Marie Edwards were born on June 8, 2000, to Donald and Marie Edwards. They also had an older brother, Donald Lee Edwards Jr. The Edwards’ were picture perfect. Everyone in the neighborhood looked up to them as if they were the royal family.

  Donald Sr. never stepped out the house without the finest tailored suit on. His cufflinks were clipped, his shoes were shining, and his hat was tilted to the side. Don was fly! And of course, his Mrs. matched his fly. Marie had all the women reeking in envy, as the jealousy seeped through their pores. Don made sure Marie didn’t have to work, he paid all the bills, and in return she cleaned, cooked and took care of the kids.

  The Joneses had nothing on the Edwards family. Everybody in Rochester, NY were trying to keep up with the Edwards. Women were always throwing themselves at Don. They saw the way he lifted Marie high on a pedestal. The options of men were scarce, so if it was one man they wanted to get, it was Donald Lee Edwards.

  What separated Don from the other men in town, was his loyalty. Although he had women coming at him from every angle, stayed faithful to Marie. He wasn’t a fool. Yeah, he made all the money, but Marie is the one who kept the house in order. There would be no Don if it weren’t for Marie.

  Marie had the body of a goddess. Her smooth, mocha brown skin, radiated under the sun. She walked with grace; her bulbous nose to the sky and her perfect heart shaped lips with a slight grin. Every surface her red-bottoms touched became her runway. Marie was the shit! And she didn’t need confirmation from anybody. Even after three kids, her body was snatched. All the other women swore up and down, she went under the knife, but it was hereditary. The snapback was passed down from generation to generation.

  Mrs. Edwards was more than just her looks. She was book smart, and most of all street smart. Her knowledge of the streets is what attracted Don to her in the first place. He was the man out front, but she was indeed the mastermind. His first lady.

  Marie Edwards didn’t just inherit good looks from her family. She also inherited an empire. Her father, Lenny Jones was the man of the 70’s at the tender age of 16. Lenny grew up without a father, so the rugged streets of Rochester raised him. Around this time, marijuana became second to heroin. Lenny watched how all the Ol’ Gs were living, and he wanted a piece too. They’d all tell him to go to school and make something of himself, but Lenny wasn’t trying to hear that. He wanted the fancy cars, clothes, and the girls. And he wanted it pronto!

  One of the hood’s, well respected, Ol’ Gs, Slick, finally put Lenny up on the game. He showed him the ends and out. Lenny was smart, he kept his mouth closed, and his ears opened. He hung on to each and every word that escaped Slick’s lips. Soon enough, Lenny was running things. He started out on consignment, but he soon proved to Slick, he was ready for the big league.

  There were cats, Slick had been running with for years, envious of this young buck. Lenny became Slick’s right-hand man, despite their age difference. Lenny earned the fancy cars and the nice clothes, which led the girls straight to him.

  It was obvious they were after his money, but it was nothing to him, he had it, so why not splurge. After all, he couldn’t take it to his grave. Then he met Stephanie. Stephanie wasn’t easily impressed. She turned her nose up at Lenny every time he spoke two words to her, but he was consistent. Sooner than later, he swooped her off her feet, and they became one. Stephanie’s parents didn’t agree with their young love. They knew what kind of business Lenny was into, and they were not pleased. Stephanie tip-toed around her parents, to see Lenny. And they fell in love. Two years later Marie was born. Their secret was out, and there was nothing Stephanie’s parents could do about it.

  Marie was his most prized possession. He loved the hell out of Stephanie, but his baby girl was his whole heart. He prayed for a boy, so he could someday show him the ropes, but when Marie was born his wishes went out the window. Her big brown eyes staring back at him taught him what love really meant.

  Lenny, Stephanie, and Marie were living the good life until Stephanie’s life was cut short after being diagnosed with a terminal illness. Marie was just two years old at the time. She didn’t fully understand her mother’s absence, but Lenny made sure she would never forget her presence.

  Lenny was left to raise Marie on his own, and he did just that. He did everything in his power, to coach Marie about the world they lived in. It was a dangerous world, especially for the black community. The funny thing is, Lenny contributed to the corruption, and he had no problem showing his baby girl all his tricks. Just as Slick took him under his wing, he spoon-fed Marie the same way. Like father, like daughter. Marie listened attentively, saving a Rolodex of drug game knowledge up top.

  They had a relationship like no other; a special kind of bond, that can only be created by father and daughter. Lenny set the tone for every man that would enter Marie’s life. And if that wasn’t enough, Lenny’s reputation was enough to set them straight. Donald on the other hand,
he wasn’t at all intimidated by Lenny. He actually looked up to him.

  Donald’s nose was wide-open for Marie. Marie was growing into a beautiful woman, just like her mother. Lenny knew it wouldn’t be long before someone tried to get at her. He took a liking to Donald, though. Probably because he reminded him a lot of himself. Donald was persistent. He remembered how hard Stephanie’s parents were on him, so he gave him a chance. Donald not only treated his baby girl right, but he was also a significant contribution to the family business. He was just as young and hungry as Lenny once was.

  Despite all measures to keep his baby girl, his baby, Lenny had to face the music. Marie was growing up, and it was out of his control. He was devastated when he found out his baby girl was 15 and pregnant. He thought he did all he could to prevent it. The teen pregnancy rate was high in the city, but not his baby girl. She was his angel, she could do no wrong.

  Marie was indeed happy to be carrying Donald’s seed. She adored Donald because he was just like her Pa. Donald was ecstatic to be having a Jr. After weeks of long sleepless nights, Lenny didn’t mind it either. He figured the more, the merrier. Just another person to teach the game too. Unfortunately, Lenny didn’t get that chance. When Donald Jr. was three, Lenny got caught in a massive bust and locked down for life. The Feds were looking to offer him a deal if he gave up names from his organization, but he didn’t budge. If Slick taught him anything valuable, it was to not snitch. Not only that, he would be telling on his own flesh and blood. There was no way Lenny would rat out his baby girl nor Donald. So, he kept his lips sealed. He had enough confidence that he gave his family everything they needed to survive.

  Lenny was right, even better than right. Donald was able to take their organization to the next level. Crack cocaine was introduced to the streets, turning Donald into Big Don. He had no problems serving his customers, despite the damage he was doing. He had to get it, how he lived. With Lenny locked up, he had to take care of his. His family had to eat, and he was their hustler, with Marie right beside him.

  After giving birth to Erin and Ryan, Marie’s involvement decreased. She made it her duty, to protect her girls. She wanted the girl’s life to be as healthy as possible. Marie wasn’t worried about Don Jr., though. As early as the age of ten, he had a heart of a lion inside him, she knew he was built for it. Sure enough, Big Don showed him the ropes. Don was close to retiring, he knew it was essential to begin investing his money into some legal family businesses. So, teaching Don the game was only, on a just in case basis. Don Jr. was going to break the cycle and become a legal businessman.

  The girls had everything they needed and more. It was nothing for their parents to go buy anything they wanted. Erin and Ryan were either hated or loved. Hated for all the glitz and gold they possessed and loved for being so popular. Not all the love was sincere, but they soaked up the attention, especially Ryan.

  Marie and Big Don both knew the streets didn’t love anybody. The life they chose to live was dangerous. No amount of materialistic assets was worth their lives. And that showed to be true on August 4, 2016, when Marie and Donald were gunned down in broad daylight.

  Marie and Big Don had no apparent beef, but it wasn’t a secret that they were hated on from every angle. Whoever it was, had it out for just the two of them. The shooter waited until the two were alone and snuck up on them at a stop light. Leaving Rochester’s most notorious couple, leaking blood into the plush white interior of their Caddy.

  Don Jr. was devastated when the police came to their doorsteps and delivered the news. Good thing the twins were out with friends because he wasn’t too sure of how he was going to break the news to them.

  It wasn’t long before homicide detectives came to question Don Jr. He answered as best he could, without giving out too much information. Don Jr. wasn’t lying about having no idea who was behind it, but he knew exactly why. Shortly after, their house was swarmed with the DEA and other law enforcement.

  The Feds finally took over, walking straight into the house, ignoring Don’s plead for them to stop. They weren’t answering any questions, just coming in and out, with bags full of their property. They seized everything. All the neighbors were outside, looking. Don just hung his head low.

  “Don, what’s going on?” Ryan asked. Don Jr. failed to notice the girls had walked up.

  “Don?” Erin chimed in. “What’s going on?”

  Don looked at his beautiful, sixteen-year-old sisters, at a loss for words. How the fuck am I supposed to tell them, our parents are gone and not coming back? He thought to himself.

  “Erin, Ryan…” Don began, still searching for the right words to say.

  “Donald Jr.?” A gentleman came and interrupted.

  All their attention focused on this stranger, “And you are?” Don spoke up.

  “I’m Mr. Leeper, from Child Protective Services.”

  “Child protective services? Don, who is this dude?” Ryan asked.

  “You must be Erin?” Mr. Leeper reached out his hand for Ryan to shake, but she ignored him and looked back at Don.

  “What the fuck is going on, Don?” She spat.

  “Ryan, Erin, you’ll have to go with Mr. Leeper for a while.”

  “What? Why?” Erin asked. Don Jr. bowed his head, this was harder than he thought it was going to be.

  “We can talk about it in the car. Let’s go girls.” Mr. Leeper chimed in. His shift was ending, and his low salary job did not offer overtime pay. He was ready to dump off these statistics and get home to a cold one.

  Ryan shot Mr. Leeper a penetrating look, “Donnie, wassup? Where is Ma and Pa?”

  “Ma. Pa. They’re gone.” He hesitated.

  The twins spoke in unison, “What you mean gone?”

  “They’re dead.” He whispered, but it was loud enough for the girls to hear. Don Jr.’s heart broke as he watched his baby sister’s break down in the middle of the sidewalk. He could no longer be strong, he let out tears, as he held them tight.

  “I promise, I got us. Don’t you worry about nothing. You hear me?” He spoke to them, but they were in so much shock they couldn’t respond.

  “Do you hear me?” He said, sternly.

  “Yes.” The twins managed to say through sniffles.

  “Okay, let’s go.” Don Jr. pulled himself together and led them to Mr. Leeper’s car. He opened the back door so the twins could climb in. First Erin, followed by Ryan.

  “Can they at least be placed together?” Don Jr. questioned the worker, once Erin and Ryan were secured in the backseat.

  “I’ll see what I can do.” The husky CPS worker answered.

  “Give me four months. Four months!” He shouted out to the girls, as they peered out the window with tears in their eyes.

  August 4, 2016, was a day the Edwards’ twins would never forget. It was the day that shaped their lives, forever.

  August 2016

  “Three months, two weeks, one day, fifteen hours, and twenty-eight minutes…” Every morning when Erin woke up, she counted down the days until she and Ryan were reunited with Don Jr. It’s been two weeks since Marie & Don Sr. died, and it hasn’t gotten any easier, especially in the living conditions they were in.

  The house Mr. Leeper took them to, was much smaller and less luxurious than their parent’s home. It reeked of mothballs and lemon-lime Pine-Sol. The walls were decorated in old yellow and white wallpaper, that had begun to peel, from the ceiling down to the baseboards. Creaking sounds echoed throughout the small home with each step taken. Old Gospel hymns filled the house every day, like white noise. Erin and Ryan were used to having their own separate rooms, but now they were now cramped into a small box, with twin size beds to sleep on. The twins were provided with clothing, but nothing they wanted to be caught dead wearing.

  The twins were so used to being draped in diamonds and pearls that they had no idea what the other side lived like, and they were soon to be acquainted. Ms. Mary, their foster mother, was sweet, but she was poor. Having been
widowed for fifteen years and out of work from a back injury. Ms. Mary relied on her monthly disability check to get by.

  “I can’t wait to get up out of here,” Ryan huffed, “this bed is killing my back.” Ryan was tossing and turning trying to find a comfortable position.

  “I miss Ma and Pa so much.” Erin moped.

  Ryan raised into a sitting position, “Look E, I miss them too, but they are gone! They’re not coming back, so just deal with it.”

  Erin was shocked at her sister’s response. She felt like Ryan didn’t even care that their parents were dead. What Erin didn’t know was, Ryan just grieved differently. Ryan was always the tougher of the two, having got her attitude from Don Sr. She was stunting to stay strong for her sister, but on the inside, she was dying. Ryan was just two minutes older than Erin, but she took that older sister title to the head, ever since they were told about their birth.

  Erin wasn’t holding up any better, and it showed. She barely ate, she was up all night, and her grades were slipping in school. Ms. Mary tried her best to accommodate the girls, but she was mentally and emotionally tired. The twins were her 19th & 20th foster kids. Ms. Mary couldn’t have kids of her own, so she and her husband opened their house to take in kids in need. At one point, they had seven kids at the same time.

  When her husband, Walt, died she decided to stop taking in kids. It was too much-added stress. It had been only three months since the last kid turned 18 and moved out. Ms. Mary was relieved at the thought of being done, but she took the girls in when Mr. Leeper called, anyway. Her heart ached for them. She barely had the means to take care of herself, but she was going to make it work.

  “Ryan! Erin! You girls get on down here and eat some breakfast. We gotta head down to the market.” Ms. Mary yelled up to the girls. Erin was obedient and perked right up as Ryan dragged her feet behind her.