by KR Bankston
“Auriel was trying to help them take away my Lauren, telling her lies, turning her against me,” Carlo stated once more, giving the doctor a look that said he should have known that.
“So you killed her because of the affair,” Rait asked, waiting for an answer and receiving none.
Sighing deeply Rait tried a different tactic.
“So you raped Lauren because of Auriel’s lies and sins,” he spoke.
Carlo was across the small metal table in the therapy room before he could react, hands around the doctors throat.
“Don’t you ever tell that lie again,” he hissed as his hands squeezed and Rait struggled to breathe.
Where the fuck is the guard, he was thinking as he grew lightheaded and almost blacked out.
“I would never hurt my daughter like that, not ever,” he continued to rant.
Kill him Carlo, he’s on our nerves always asking about Auriel, the demon told him as Carlo squeezed harder, never hearing the room door open or feeling the guard’s arms as they pulled him from the now unconscious man and his limp body dropped to the cold linoleum floor.
*****
Cartier and Horse were in the rec room, enjoying the boxing match and talking to each other.
“I may be able to help you with that issue, Socrates,” Horse told him nonchalantly, his voice quiet to avoid anyone overhearing them.
Cartier turned to the man sitting beside him and raised an eyebrow, giving him the green light to continue.
“My little brother, Spank, is getting out,” he told Cartier.
They’d talked about Horse’s family from time to time with Cartier learning that all three brothers were incarcerated. Horse was the middle son, both he and his older brother doing life bids. His younger brother has drawn fifteen years, already having served nine.
“Really,” Cartier returned.
“Yeah, he’s straight Socrates, you can trust him to get that package you need and set everything up,” Horse replied.
He knew all about Cartier and Carlo’s plans to pay their way out of Leavenworth and live the rest of their lives in peace. Cartier nodded as his mind continued to race. He didn’t want to get excited again just to be disappointed. Everyone they thought they could trust had let them down and they were still sitting in this prison almost six years after they should have been gone.
“What is his price,” Cartier replied.
Horse told him his brother only needed enough money to make a fresh start and live his life.
“Hmm, fine,” Cartier replied. “If he handles the deal, gets everything to everyone and we get out of here, we will give him half a million,” he told Horse as the man assured him Spank could and would handle every detail.
“He gets out day after tomorrow,” Horse told him as Cartier again nodded but said nothing. “I’m going to get a message to him tonight, so he knows what’s up and he can hit the ground running.”
Cartier nodded and told him that was fine as Horse rose and left him alone with his thoughts. Cartier sighed lightly praying this time everything actually went according to plan. He was more than sick and tired of being inside the steel cage he’d called home for far too long now. Carlo wasn’t well and he knew it. Cartier had his own suspicions about this friend’s illness but dare not voice them. He thought about the psychiatrist that was trying to probe Carlo’s mind on a daily basis. He must be a glutton for punishment, Cartier thought and chuckled aloud. He’d learned long ago that Carlo’s mind was a deep dark abyss of things best left alone and unsaid.
Once again returning his thoughts to Horse and his brother Spank, he had a new glimmer of hope he hadn’t felt in a long time. Need to include him as well, he thought of Horse when he and Carlo left this place. There was no reason they couldn’t take the man with them. He’d proven himself more than loyal and Cartier could definitely use someone like him outside. Maybe we can finally find Lauren, he thought of himself and Carlo with Horse’s help. Cartier hadn’t forgotten his godchild. She was always heavy on his mind. He’d confronted Carlo about allowing her to get caught up in the system and his friend had been genuinely remorseful, but adamant that he didn’t want his sister anywhere near his child. “She will turn Lauren’s heart from me with lies and propaganda from the trial,” Carlo told Cartier as they talked. “But she’s out there alone,” Cartier countered. Carlo smiled then and told him Lauren was more than capable of taking care of herself. “She has money,” he replied going on to tell Cartier about the report he received of Lauren returning to the house and emptying his private safe. “She has over half a million dollars, trust me she has started a new life,” he added proudly, though Cartier could hear and see the hurt and loss as he spoke. Sighing deeply Cartier pushed the thoughts aside, vowing to find the young woman when he left this place.
*****
Rait awoke with a start, the strong ammonia fumes burning his nose. His hands flew to his neck on impulse, pleased the Carlo Cisneros’s hands were not around it.
“Where is he,” Rait managed to croak.
His throat hurt like hell. Even breathing was painful at the moment.
“He’s been taken back to his cell,” the guard replied, giving the doctor a look.
Rait knew enough not to raise a stink about the incident. He’d found out quickly that the warden turned a blind eye and deaf ear to anything that involved Carlo or Cartier.
“Was he sedated,” he asked again, half hoping they said yes.
“No,” the guard again replied plainly, his expression never wavering.
Rait sighed deeply but didn’t push the issue. Instead he rose and began walking toward Carlo’s cell.
“I’ll be back tomorrow,” he told the man who was watching him calmly, eyes glazed over.
“I am finished,” Carlo said simply and Rait knew what that meant.
He couldn’t let the man shut down on him now; he was too close to achieving his goal and unlocking the root of Carlo’s irrational and dysfunctional behaviors.
“I apologize for offending you Carlo,” Rait tried amicably. “I promise we will not talk about anything you find upsetting,” he added as Carlo continued to enjoy his high, eyes now closed.
“Doctor, what exactly is it that you want from me,” Carlo questioned, his posture never changing.
Rait carefully chose his words. If he didn’t give the right answer he would fail. To fail would mean he could kiss his cushy position inside the DEA goodbye, not to mention his not being published in the Psychiatrist Journal.
“I only want to know about the real Hangman Cisneros and share that information with those willing to listen,” Rait replied and held his breath.
Carlo snorted at the response, chuckling slightly.
“You want to dissect me,” he threw out and dared the doctor to refute it.
“That’s not my goal Carlo, I promise you,” Rait lied smoothly.
“Come back tomorrow,” Carlo replied simply as Rait smiled and bid him goodnight.
He thought about the man during the entire ride back to his apartment. This assignment was beginning to consume him. Rait wanted to expose Carlo Cisneros to the world as the coward hiding behind violence that he was. He could have killed you tonight, is it worth it, his mind asked as Rait answered a resounding hell yes and parked his car, getting out and going inside. He needed a drink and a good night’s sleep.
******
Cartier began reading the letter that Ryan sent, enjoying the photographs that were enclosed. From all the things he was reading, both he and Ian were doing very well. He wasn’t sure how he’d felt about Ian branching out on his own and moving to Atlanta, but the young man was already twenty-two years old. He had to find his own way sooner or later. Ryan told him about the club in Alabama and how they were moving money and drugs. Of course the letters were coded, not that they needed to be, since all the guards knew the drill. None of Cartier’s or Carlo’s mail was ever opened or inspected. Ryan told Cartier of Ian’s involvement with Shelby and what her oc
cupation was. He sighed deeply again, slightly disappointed that Ian had chosen an obviously uninformed woman to be his companion. Cartier hoped inside that he’d gotten the opportunity to introduce his youngest son to Lauren. There was a perfect match, he thought of the two. That was only wishful thinking now and Cartier didn’t dwell on it. He instead finished reading the letter with Ryan telling him when he would be making his monthly visit.
“Socrates,” Horse greeted, standing at the entrance of the cell.
Cartier told him to come inside as the man complied and they began to talk again.
“I got the message to him and a reply,” he told him as Cartier nodded.
Spank was more than willing to handle the exchange for them and was excitedly grateful for the half million dollars promised.
“You’re leaving too,” Cartier told Horse simply.
“You don’t have to do that Socrates,” Horse returned, genuinely moved.
Cartier sighed slightly, giving him as look as he began to speak.
“Horse, since the day I arrived you have been loyal,” he told him. “You have seen us through many storms, and just as we desire to be free, I know you do as well,” Cartier told him, looking the man directly in the eye.
“You will have employment when we leave, working for me personally,” he began anew. “So there will no further discussion, just be ready to move when the blocks are put into place,” Cartier finished as Horse thanked him for his generosity and told him he understood.
“Hangman and the doctor had a run in,” Horse began anew, filling in all the blanks for Cartier.
“He doesn’t get it,” Cartier returned, referring to Rait. “There are some things that simply should be left alone,” he added, speaking almost to himself.
Horse understood. He was still recalling the ritual he’d attended at Carlo’s demand and all the things that happened. It still shook his core to this day.
“Tomorrow the wheels start to turn again,” Cartier said again aloud as Horse agreed and bid him goodnight just as the guards informed them it was lights out in ten minutes.
19
Hope was reeling from the news her doctor had given her. Cancer, I’m too young to have cancer, she was still thinking numbly as she arrived at the church and went inside. Sitting down on the second pew, Hope closed her eyes as the tears finally came and she began to weep. He’s punishing me, she thought, continuing to sob silently. Hope felt that her condition was bought on by the nights of blasphemy at Mama Sease’s with all the rituals and paganism she contributed too and participated in. It’s because of what you did to your brother and your niece too, her mind continued to torture. Hope held herself fully responsible for Carlo’s downfall and Lauren’s subsequent displacement. He would still be abusing her though, Hope’s wellbeing tried to interject. If nothing else she had to be glad that Carlo’s reign of terror in Lauren’s life was ended.
“But at what cost,” Hope whispered softly, the tears finally subsided.
The search became even more urgent in her mind. She had to find Lauren and tell her the truth, settle things between them, and find peace with her niece before she left this earth. What about Roderick, her mind pestered once again.
Sighing deeply Hope tried to figure out how she felt about the man now after almost six years. She had loved him deeply at one time. They shared the loss of a child together. He left you though, without as much as a goodbye, her subconscious brought back to her remembrance. Hope supposed if she really wanted to find him she could. She just wasn’t sure she wanted too just yet. Opening her purse, Hope removed the letter from Carlo. Even with their hate filled parting at his trial, he wrote her often in the beginning. Now however, he only wrote on occasion, perhaps one or twice a year. Hope turned the envelope over in her hands again and again, toying with the idea of opening it. She didn’t know what exactly Carlo could possibly have to say to her. How can he justify being the monster he was to Lauren, killing Auriel, she thought as she ripped the letter in half, just like all the rest, and rose heading for the trash to dispose of it. Hope returned moments later and lit a candle, kneeling at the altar and beginning to pray. Her doctor wanted to begin chemotherapy in a week. Hope prayed for healing, but she also prayed if she was going to die, that she be allowed to see Lauren one last time before she did.
*****
Cartier was enjoying his smoke and the slight morning sun that filtered into his cell as his mind whirled. Spank was doing everything they’d asked, but of course as with time, people change. A lot of the old contacts were gone, leaving some in their place that wouldn’t play the game. Detoured, they weren’t deterred. Cartier quickly gave Spank names of Association members who were still loyal, even while doing their own things. Ernie was among that small, elite group. He was still hanging onto his job at Erlanger Institute, and running diminutive dope runs for Dizzy; the new kingpin since his and Carlo’s departure. Ernie was working with Spank securing new people to put the plan into action, but it was moving slowly. Cartier was worried about Carlo. His health was starting to visibly deteriorate. He suspected it was from the rampant drug use with his friend shooting up three or more times a day. The visits with the shrink didn’t seem to be helping either. Carlo was always on a short fuse these days, going off without warning or provocation. Cartier was the only person continually immune from the outbursts and tantrums.
Spank was coming to see Horse later today and give him information on how things were going. They were only allowed visitors once a month, and Cartier’s were already taken with Ryan coming to give him reports. Thinking of his sons Cartier smiled again. The boys were doing very well. He had people in Alabama who kept him up to speed of the things Ryan didn’t disclose during his visits, like the much older woman his son was seeing. Ryan liked the ladies and Cartier couldn’t hold it against him, as he himself enjoyed plenty of female company. He just didn’t like this particular woman, especially with the reports from his lieutenants there. She was looking for a meal ticket and she assumed she’d found herself one in the impressionable young man. Cartier had plans for her though. He was also going to suggest to Ryan he date younger women; perhaps make a few babies with one. You already know his stubborn ass won’t listen, his mind told him as Cartier smiled again. Ryan was definitely himself when it came to attitude and being headstrong. Ian was his mirror image, well years ago anyway, Cartier continued to brood.
Hard time, fights, accidents, had disfigured him slightly. The resemblance was harder to catch now. His hand involuntarily went to his face, tracing the scar that adorned it from one of the last takeovers he and Carlo did together. “Let’s not waste time talking to this fool,” Carlo told Cartier as they walked into the tightly spaced dive that was passing for a club this month. They were looking for Juke, the man who ran the dive and almost 100 kilos of pure cocaine every month without detection. He was rumored to be heavily armed and protected at all times, except when he came home to his hood and the dive he called, Heaven. Cartier took in the sick green tint of the walls slathered with the cheap outdoor latex paint. The light bulbs were bare without shades, hanging in various intervals in the club as people danced to the loud blaring of oldie after oldie. Carlo’s eyes were flitting furtively across the club trying to spot their target. He didn’t like close spaces and wanted to get this done and gone as quickly as possible. “How you doing tonight handsome,” the woman greeted Cartier as he regarded her silently.
She was fine and the scant clothing she wore left little to his imagination. Reeling his thoughts in quickly, Cartier returned her greeting and once more focused his mind on business. The woman however didn’t want to be dismissed just yet. She boldly stepped to Cartier, grasping his manhood and kissing his neck. “Don’t you wanna fuck, big man,” she growled drunkenly in his ear. Cartier tried to push her away, but her grip on his now hardening member was firm. “Later baby,” he tried as she looked into his eyes now. “Why not now, my pussy is hot and wet for this dick,” she told him still smiling and c
aressing his now fully erect member. Glancing around, Cartier spotted Carlo having basically the same issue as the woman in front of him was caressing him and kissing his lips softly. “NO,” he yelled forcefully pushing the woman away. It was a set up and he needed to get to his partner and warn him. Right before he reached Carlo all hell broke loose. Gun fire erupted and Cartier saw the woman with Carlo go down. His friend hit the floor gun in hand firing back at the unseen assailant.
“Muthafucka,” the woman screamed as the straight razor came down across Cartier’s face. Only moments earlier he’d entertained screwing her, now he aimed the .45 at her and blew a hole in what was once her face. Scrambling to their feet he and Carlo caught the back of Juke as he scampered out of the club. Bleeding profusely and furious, Cartier gave chase, Carlo right behind him. They caught him as he mistakenly ran down an alley with a six foot high chain fence blocking the exit. Carlo snatched Juke down and began kicking him as Cartier stomped him the two men hell bent on killing him. “Wait, stop,” Cartier finally managed to bring himself back. They wanted to know where his stash was before they killed him. Snatching him up, they half dragged, half carried him back to the now empty club, forcing him into the small back room where he’d obviously been hiding earlier. “Where the shit at, who supplies you, where is the money,” Cartier fired at him all at once. Juke gave them a defiant look and said nothing. Carlo gave him a backhanded pimp slap and cursed him. Cartier’s face was throbbing and his anger was still at full tilt. “You better try to talk you sonofabitch,” he growled as Carlo gathered the long extension cord from the same outlet the lone lamp was plugged into.
Juke again defiantly said nothing. Cartier grabbed the lamp, sticking it directly to the dealers face, the bulb burning his skin as he finally cried out. “Talk bitch,” Cartier again barked. Juke’s eyes scanned the room as Cartier paid rapt attention and Carlo finished his makeshift noose. “Asshole,” Cartier mumbled getting up and going over to the cabinet resting against the opposite wall. Kicking it in the stacks of cash began tumbling out. “Tithes and offering,” Cartier chuckled as Carlo howled with laughter. Juke regarded them both as insane. Opening the cabinet completely they saw everything they’d come for. “Who is the supplier,” Cartier asked once more as Juke said nothing. Tired of being bothered and his face throbbing, he yanked the man out of the chair and put the noose around his neck, forcing him up into the chair he’d only moments earlier sat in. “I’m not going to give you a chance to repent for shit,” Cartier growled as Carlo’s eyes glowed with glee and satisfaction. “Fuck you, go straight to hell,” he spat and kicked the chair out from under Juke, watching his body drop, hearing the familiar pop of his neck and watching him kicking and flailing wildly until death consumed him.
