One Way To Heaven (The Sequel to Heaven & Earth)

by J. M. Benjamin

  They say eyes were the window to the soul. Saleski was convinced that the woman staring at him didn’t have a soul. Her eyes appeared to be as black as coal. For what seemed like an eternity, Saleski and Mia stared at one another. He could tell she wanted to say something but couldn’t conjure enough strength to. He wondered what was going through the girl’s mind right now as he tried to read her face. Before he could make a guess, Mia’s eyes closed shut and her head fell onto her chest…

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Grim watched from a close distance as the massacre between his two intended victims and the police un-folded. Fortunate for him, he arrived a little too late or else he knew he too would have been in the middle of the gun battle. Thanks to the cops, he now only had to hunt down one of the remaining party on his death list responsible for the murder of his only friend. From where he sat parked, he couldn’t take the risk of pulling out and being seen so he was forced to abandon the stolen Honda and foot it out of the area before back up arrived. He wasn’t the least bit worried about the girl known as Heaven getting away. Although he didn’t have a clue where she had fled to he knew specifically where she intended to end up…

  Chapter Forty-Four

  “Next customer pleases,” the female Latina airline worker pointed to the right of her.

  Heaven made her way over towards the counter.

  “Where to?” the middle-aged black woman asked.

  “Cuba,” Heaven replied.

  “Name?”

  “Shirley Johnson,” Heaven replied as if it were her actual birth name.

  The flight attendant typed in the name given. She looked down at the screen and then peered up at Heaven. Heaven put on her best smile.

  “I see that you’re already checked in,” the flight attendant said. “May I see your passport and I.D. please?”

  Heaven handed the woman the phony passport. She held her breath as the woman studied the document. She was all too prepared to bolt out of the airport the first sign of any trouble.

  Heaven noticed the woman glancing back and forth from the computer’s monitor to her as she typed on the key pad.

  Her actions were making Heaven a little nervous. “Is there a problem?” Heaven asked. She was seconds away from making her exit out of the airport.

  “Just a moment,” the woman replied.

  Heaven did not like the way the woman had answered. Something in her tone did not sit well with Heaven. It gave her the impression there was a problem. Heaven looked to her right and then to her left. She didn’t know whether it was paranoia or not but something made her feel as if she were being followed. She noticed officers standing close to the exits on both sides. If she could only make it out of the airport she’d be good she thought. Heaven decided to take her chances going to the right. Just as she was about to walk off the woman’s voice stopped her in her tracks.

  “Got it,” the woman announced. “Sorry about that,” she then apologized. “My system was acting up, but it’s fine now.”

  “No problem,” Heaven managed to muster up another smile. In her mind, she had thoughts of strangling the flight attendant for scaring her like that. Her heart nearly jumped out of her chest from what she believed to be a close call.

  “Will you be checking in any bags?”

  “No,” Heaven replied. She was becoming antsy, ready to be done with this part of the process.

  “Okay, all set,” the flight attendant beamed. “You’re going to go down to gate 43 on your left.” The flight attendant smiled and pointed then handed Heaven her boarding pass along with her passport and I.D. “Thank you for choosing British Airways, have a wonderful trip.”

  Heaven let out a sigh of relief as she made her way to her intended gate. Moments later, she was floating through line waiting to go through the metal detector. As instructed, she placed her bag, watch and shoes in the bin and pushed it towards the machine. She walked through the metal detector with ease while her bag was scanned. She couldn’t believe how the part she was most leery about and didn’t know what to expect went smoother than her initial checking in. Including the wait, in about four hours or so she would be home free Heaven thought as she walked over towards the machine to retrieve the bin with her belongings. Her only regret was that none of her crew was able to make the trip with her. The whole while riding to the airport she couldn’t help but think about all Mia, Sonya, Shell and Melissa had sacrificed so that she could be free and live. They had put their own lives on the line in order to save hers. It was still a mystery to her how Monty had managed to locate where Melissa lived and had somebody murder her, Sonya and Shell. Heaven hurried and snatched up her shoes, bag and watch before she became emotional and fell apart. She fastened her watch and then sat down to put on her shoes. She could tell someone was standing near her or rather over her by the shadow that blanketed her as she tied her shoes. When she looked, a man in a royal blue and black TSA uniform was standing in front of her.

  “Excuse me Ms,” The TSA worker began. “Would you mind coming with me for a moment,” he stated rather asking.

  Heaven stared up at him. “Why? Is there some sort of problem?” she asked as calm as she could.

  “No, not at all. It’s just routine. Random picks is all,” he replied.

  Heaven cursed under her breath. Just her luck she thought. She knew she had thought too soon.

  She sighed and stood. “Is this going to be long?” She asked somewhat irritated. “Because my flight boards in about forty-minutes.”

  “You’ll be done way before then,” the TSA worker assured her. “Just follow me.”

  Heaven knew there was no way she could refuse the procedure. The last thing she needed was to make a scene or draw any unnecessary attention to her. She knew she was lucky to have made it thus far being a wanted woman and not to mention with over $150,000 strapped to her persons, so a few more minutes of delay wouldn’t make a difference she reasoned with herself.

  Heaven followed the TSA worker into the little tiny room.

  “Please have a seat,” the man instructed.

  “No thank you, I’ll stand,” Heaven replied.

  “Suit yourself. Someone will be with you shortly.”

  The TSA worker then let himself out of the room and closed the door behind him. Heaven posted up against the wall. The sound of the steel door slamming shut caused her stomach to jump. It reminded her of the sound of a door in prison. She was still shaking her head behind her luck. All types of thoughts were running through her mind. Heaven glanced at her watch. She couldn’t believe nearly fifteen minutes had gone by. She was ready to get whatever she had been placed in the room for over with. In about twenty-five minutes her flight would be boarding and she was all too eager to get on it. Heaven’s thoughts were broken at the sounding of the tiny room’s door opening. Finally, she thought, as a pretty Latina woman walked through the door sporting a grey pants suit. The woman turned and closed the door behind her.

  “Ms. Johnson is it?” the woman asked in a confirming manner.

  “Yes,” Heaven answered firmly. “How long is this going to take?” she followed up with.

  “Not very long Ms. Johnson. Can you please have a seat?” The woman pointed to the other chair across the table as she pulled out the one she was closet to.

  “Oh my god.” Heaven swore and rolled her eyes. She glanced at her watch for a second time.

  She noticed in fifteen minutes her plane would be boarding.

  “My flight boards in a few minutes,” she mentioned as she pulled out the metal chair and sat down.

  The Latina woman stared at Heaven longer than anticipated before snapping out of her trance.

  When she was first asked to question the woman sitting across from her, initially she was surprised considering the circumstances, but after listening to the reasons why she understood. The Latina woman took a deep breath and then looked up at the two-way mirror. She gave a reassuring wink then returned her attention back on Heaven. She lifted up t
he sleeve to her suit jacket and checked the time.

  “I’m afraid you’re not going to make this flight,” the Latina woman sternly stated.

  Before she even continued, Heaven had already realized the reality of her situation.

  “I’m detective Crawford of the New Brunswick homicide division; you have the right to remain silent…”

  Detective Saleski stood behind the two-way partition and listened as he watched his partner read Heaven her Miranda rights. When the call came in to the station that Heavenly Jacobs’s identity was flagged at the airport he nearly had a heart attack. In record-breaking speed, he and Detective Crawford arrived at the Newark International airport. It was actually Saleski’s idea to lure Heaven into the trap they had captured her in rather cause a scene in the airport and alarm her. He didn’t want to take the chance of backing her in a corner and forcing her to take drastic measures in attempt to get out of it. As he stood behind the glass, he was pleased at how well his plan had been executed. The whole ride to the airport Saleski was rehearsing and conjuring up ways to approach the woman he had been tracking down for nearly a year. This is the moment of truth, he thought as he exited the unmarked car, but as he entered the airport he realized that he couldn’t do it. He couldn’t bring himself to come face to face with the woman he had build a personal hatred towards and despised with a passion. The thought was too emotional for him. The case had been the basis of his life for almost 365 days. Just knowing Heavenly Jacobs was in custody had instantly drained him of all the fight he had left when he walked into the airport. He was glad that Crawford didn’t fight him on his decision when he asked her to do the honors. A grin appeared across Saleski’s face. He watched as the infamous Heavenly Jacobs stood and put her head down in defeat while his partner handcuffed her from behind.

  “No matter what, my bad guys never get away,” Saleski said aloud to himself. “Case closed,” he added before exiting the back room…

  Chapter Forty-Five

  Grim couldn’t believe his eyes. Ever since he saw the TSA worker approach her he had a funny feeling something wasn’t right. He was in ear shot distance when the worker informed her of the random routine flagging. Although it didn’t really sit right with him, he proceeded to the gate area. He sat and waited at gate 43 with his boarding pass until the plane had boarded and the gate closed. Realizing something had gone wrong, Grim doubled back to the area where the little room he had observed the TSA worker guide her to. That’s when he recognized the two detectives. He knew they were the ones on the scene and had slammed into the police car during the shoot out at the house on George’s Road. It didn’t take a genius for Grim to know that the body they escorted through the airport with a jacket over their head was none other than his intended victim Heaven. He gritted his teeth and cursed under his breath. He was so close he thought as he became angry behind his failed attempt.

  “Sorry boss,” he said, just loud enough for only himself to hear.

  Grim then walked over to the trashcan. He tore his round trip ticket up to Cuba and made his exit out of the airport…

  Epilogue

  Eighteen Months later…

  Heaven had just returned to the unit from a long and emotional day in court. Everyone stared at her as she made her way to her cell. News had traveled back from the bullpen to the female unit about the sentence she was given. Heaven paid none of the stares any mind as she entered her assigned cell. Ever since she had been sentenced and had to wait an additional two hours and a half to be transported back to the facility all she could think about was returning back to the jail to take a shower and for the day to end. She could still hear the judge’s gavel banging in her ears from when he imposed his sentence. Surprisingly to all in the courtroom, she was unfazed and didn’t flinch when it was handed down. Heaven had made her bed and now she had to lay in it she reasoned with herself. She had already made up her mind on the terms in which she’d lay. Heaven grabbed up her towel along with a few other items and made her way to the shower. Once she was done setting up all items, she placed her head up under the showerhead and let the water cascade from her head down to her back. Her entire life flashed before her very eyes as she squeezed them tightly together. A world of emotions built up inside of her began to pour out. During court, she was an emotionless rock but now that the reality had sunk in, she began to break down like a double barrel shot gun. Only God had the right to judge her she believed as she raised her head and let the waterfall onto her face. Heaven filled her mouth with the shower water and spit it out. She let out a gust of air behind it and then took a deep breath. Only God had the right to judge her she told herself as she prepared for her greatest escape…

  “Today, a suicide occurred at the Middlesex County Correctional Facility after a judge’s ruling. Judge Nathaniel P. Roberts sentenced, who people are calling a drug queen pen, to the death penalty under the Rico Act. Heavenly Jacobs of New Brunswick was charged and found guilty of countless of murders and other drug related charges. Nearly three years ago, Ms. Jacobs managed to break out of custody while being transported back to the Middlesex County Correctional facility, with the help of others, ultimately resulted in the death of four policemen and ten inmates. A year later, police apprehended Ms. Jacobs while trying to flee the country with over one hundred and fifty thousand dollars taped to her body. Authorities say, around 5:30 this evening, during a routine count, an officer noticed Ms. Jacobs was not in her cell. They later discovered Ms. Jacob’s body in the shower with a sheet wrapped around her neck tied to a showerhead and a slit wrist. Sources tell us that there was a suicide note taped in the inside of the woman’s shower. According to them, the note was written as a mockery to the court system. The words, “Only God Can Judge Me”, were written on a piece of paper. Police are not ruling out foul play as the matter is being investigated. Only God can judge 38 years old Heavenly Jacobs now. This is Channel 13 News reporting to you live outside of the Middlesex County jail.”

  Detective Saleski turned off the television. He shook his head and grimaced. He didn’t see the logic in the woman he had brought to justice taking her own life, but he understood. He knew that in the world that she came from and the type of lifestyle she lived, there were only a few options available to her based on the codes of the streets. Saleski knew that Heavenly Jacobs could have either walked away and got out of the life, continued living the type of life she was and subject herself to the rest of her life in prison or the graveyard. He realized she simply chose the latter.

  A huge grin appeared across Grim’s face. He was pleased by the news of the death of the woman he referred to as “the one that got away”. For the past year and a half, he had suffered from sleepless and restless nights thanks to her. He would sometimes stay up in the wee hours of the night plotting and planning on ways to get to the woman in order to take her life. He even went as far as contemplating on catching a case himself just to be in the same building as she was in order to execute one of his plans. Now, he had to plan no more. As far as he was concerned, justice was served, even if it was by her own hands and his man could rest in peace.

  “I guess there really was only one way to get to Heaven,” Grim thought as he switched the channel…

  -The End-

  Coming Soon…

  “My Manz And ‘Em The Movie”

  (Based on a J.M. Benjamin Novel)

  Starring:

  Jamie Hector (“Marlo” from HBO Hit Series The Wire)

  Jasmine Guy (Whitley from Bill Cosby’s A Different World)

  Directed By:

  Alrick Brown (Sundance Film Fest Winner Of Kinyarwanda)

  Produced By:

  J.M. Benjamin (Best Selling & Black Expressions Author), Lamar D. Mackson, and Deatra L. Harris

  For More Info:

  Visit; IMDB website and Indiewire.com

  Follow us on: Twitter/Mymanzand2012 and facebook/Mymanzandemthemovie

  ay To Heaven (The Sequel to Heaven & Earth)