by KR Bankston
“What the fuck ever,” Roderick growled rising and swaying on his feet.
He was good and drunk and he didn’t care. The phone rang and he frowned deeply, stumbling toward the loudly ringing instrument.
“Hello,” Roderick managed. Listening he continued to frown. “Yes sir; tomorrow is fine,” he replied without slurring the words and alerting his boss he was drunk.
Disconnecting he began to curse again, kicking over the small coffee table in his living room. His superior wanted to meet with him tomorrow. Roderick already knew what they wanted. He was either about to get suspended, demoted, or fired. He didn’t relish any of the choices. He’d given his entire life to the DEA, losing his wife, his family and everyone that ever mattered to him in the process. I haven’t seen my son in years, he probably hates my guts just like his brother, Roderick pondered of Tariq. He’d contacted Emin three years ago asking about the young man. She’d told him of Tariq’s departure from her home, getting a place of his own. Last she’d heard Hasaan was living with him. I hope he’s not strung out on that shit too, Roderick continued to muse, making a silent vow to find the young man and observe his activities. He knew in his heart it was far too late for apologies and reconciliations, but Roderick at least wanted to know his blood was all right. What about your daughter, how long are you going to lie to her too, his mind wailed as the liquor tore down his defenses.
Roderick began to weep aloud. Sobbing deeply as he thought about the shambles his life had turned into. “Fucking Carlo Cisneros and Cartier Lemmings,” he shouted loudly, hurling the empty glass in his hands into the wall and hearing it shatter. All of his nightmares began the day he said yes to that assignment and approached the beautiful woman leaving the exclusive downtown Chicago boutique that fateful day almost eight years ago. For the first time in his life since joining the police force, Roderick Aames was facing the reality that he was soon to be just Aarick Taylor, civilian once again. His gut told him it was over. They’d been digging and digging making sure they stacked the deck well with evidence to dismiss him. He knew the game; hell, he’d done it to more than one of his own fellow colleagues. Sighing deeply Roderick picked up the bottle and headed into his bedroom closing the door, drawing the curtains, and shutting out the world as he opened the bottle and turned it up, drinking deeply until it was empty and he fell back onto the bed, passed out.
*****
Hope was numb as she walked the streets enjoying the crisp air, inhaling deeply. Her physician had confirmed her worst fears and told her the cancer had indeed returned, even more aggressive than before. Now what, Hope continued to brood, stopping at a small café and going inside. Sitting she ordered a small bowl of soup and a cup of coffee. Though she had many regrets about her life, Lauren was by far the biggest. Please God, if you would just allow me the time to find my niece, to see her and tell her how very much I love her, she prayed silently, wiping the tear away quickly that escaped and rolled down her cheek. Hope replayed her interaction with Carlo again and again, wondering how she could have missed the signs of his abuse toward the girl. Don’t forget he closed you and everyone else out of his life for years after Lauren’s 12th birthday, her mind recalled. Hope sighed deeply still blaming herself in part for the abuse. She should have pushed harder, asked more questions, Hope continued to think in hindsight. The server interrupted her thought asking if she wanted a refill. Thanking her Hope watched her walk away as her mind began to spin again.
This time it was Roderick that permeated her thoughts. He could have said goodbye, she thought growing slightly angry. Still she had only herself to blame yet again, Hope chastised. I should have never let him back into my life, my heart, or my bed, he continued to brood as her heart continued to scream its undying love for him.
“To hell with him,” she murmured aloud, sipping her coffee now.
As angry as she was with him, he was still Piper’s father and for that much alone Hope would always love Roderick Aames. That wasn’t even his real name, she thought once again, her mind traveling back to the fateful day she learned the truth about him. Unfortunately she’d been so distraught; she couldn’t recall the name she’d seen on the badge. There was no way for her to find him again unless he decided to show up on her door step.
“Hmph, I may not be there to answer it,” Hope again mumbled, her illness taking center stage in her mind yet another time.
Sighing deeply, Hope drained her cup, paid her check and rose heading back out into the day. She made her way to the church once again. Walking up the concrete steps, Hope stopped right in front of the large cathedral taking in every nuance of the structure before looking up toward the partly cloudy sky, the patches of blue supporting the brightly shining sun that graced everyone beneath it with its warmth.
“Before I leave this life,” Hope said softly adding nothing more as she lowered her head and continued on inside the church and straight to the altar, falling on her knees and praying anew.
26
Atlanta had changed a lot in the years that he’d been away Roderick thought as he rode. He’d flown in this afternoon after the meeting with his superiors three days ago. Not wanting to think about that at all, he changed his thoughts and continued to take in the scenery. Emin had given him the last known address she had for Tariq and he thanked her for her kindness in caring for his son all the years that she had. “How are you really Aarick,” she’d asked quietly looking deeply into his eyes. Forcing a smile, he told her he was fine, just desperate to find his son. Emin nodded her understanding, though her eyes told him she didn’t believe him, she didn’t push. Sighing deeply Roderick turned onto Cascade and began looking for the address he’d written down. Frowning he couldn’t say he was pleased about the neighborhood his son had chosen to call home. There was the usual urban blight present in the form of closed stores, young and old men hanging out on street corners. He saw a few obviously homeless people pushing their carts up and down the busy streets, several customized old fords and Chevy’s, music blasting as they passed through.
Finally he found the complex and turned in. Again the frown was almost instant. Roderick couldn’t understand how they were still renting the rundown, ramshackle units he saw in front of him. They need to condemn these damned things, he mused finding building F and pulling across from it. He wanted to observe his son unnoticed. He wouldn’t need to wait long as the young man emerged almost instantly moments later, apron thrown across his shoulder as he walked toward the front of the complex, and Roderick assumed, the bus stop. He doesn’t even have a car, he thought frowning. He’d been sending Emin more than enough money for Tariq to have not only a car, but better living arrangements. He made a mental note to go see Emin again and get some answers. As he thought the door swung open again and he saw Hasaan emerge looking frail and worn. He’s still a junkie, Roderick mused, frowning again.
“He’s going to self-destruct,” he murmured aloud removing his focus from Hasaan and seeing Tariq reach the top of the hill.
Starting the vehicle, Roderick moved toward the front, slowly and careful not to draw attention to himself.
The bus came some ten minutes later and Roderick again immediately fell in behind the huge multi passenger carrier and followed, watching intently as each passenger disembarked at the various stops. The trip took almost forty minutes when Tariq finally got off the bus and walked across the parking lot to the pancake house sitting in the plaza. Well at least he’s doing honest work, Roderick thought and sighed slightly. He wanted far more for his son than restaurant work, but he was pleased that he wasn’t on anyone’s corner selling dope or hustling for a living. So now what, his mind questioned. Roderick decided that Tariq would be at work at least four hours, giving him time to return to Emin and get some answers to his questions. Roderick also pondered his own future as he drove. He had to make some decisions and moves and he didn’t have the luxury of time to make them. Seeing the on ramp to the interstate, he once again pushed away the contemplation and conc
entrated on the task at hand. One thing at a time, he told the nagging in his mind as he drove and turned up the radio trying to drown out the sound.
*****
“Say man, when is your next hearing,” Poncho asked. He was getting out today. Seemed his lawyer had found a couple of loopholes in the case and the execution of their prosecution, filed an appeal and won it.
“Not for another 18 months, maybe 12 if they’re feeling generous,” Blue replied.
“You got people, plans, when you up and out,” Poncho asked as he continued to smoke and wait on the guards to retrieve him.
“Not really,” Blue replied calmly.
Poncho grumbled slightly before giving him his mother’s phone number.
“Moms will always know where I am,” he explained. “Get up with me,” he added as Blue nodded and thanked him.
“Come on down to Atlanta, you might like the south,” he chuckled as the guards finally arrived and opened the door.
Poncho bid him goodbye once again as Blue promised to contact him when he got out. Watching the man’s back until he left, Blue sat down on his bunk and exhaled deeply. He did indeed plan to contact Poncho just as soon as they gave him the word of his release. Lauren was still at the top of his list. What if she’s married, with someone else, has kids, his mind tortured.
Blue was sure Lauren had moved on with her life, carefully keeping her past a guarded secret.
“I don’t give a fuck,” he groused quietly.
She could have twenty kids as far as he was concerned. A man was definitely not an obstacle either in his book. Blue had waited too long to let small technicalities get in the way of what he wanted. Lauren was the woman he loved, he’d been the first man to love her and she would always be his in his mind. There ain’t nobody out there who knows that damned girl like I do, Blue thought longingly. His mind took him back to their time together years earlier. He replayed the night the cops showed up and the last time she’d called him. Blue wanted to hear her voice again, touch her soft skin and look into those beautiful brown eyes.
“Shit,” he swore softly, wishing he’d actually not been careful and gotten her pregnant when he had the chance.
At least then there would have been something tangible to always bond them together. Blue knew he had to stop brooding. There were months to go before he would get the chance to act on his plans, until then all he could do was bide his time and keep his nose clean. He didn’t want anything to hinder his departure from the place he was in.
He recalled Poncho saying that Lauren was in the game and doing well. Shit, what did you expect, his mind piped up. Grunting slightly, Blue nodded absently. With Hangman Cisneros as a father, Blue was pretty sure Lauren was a well on her way to being a millionaire. He already knew she had no qualms about killing, his mind going back to the botched robbery attempt by the two suppliers.
“Just stay put baby,” he murmured aloud once more.
Blue was terrified of the thought of anything happening to her, or that she would suddenly decide to pick up and take off. Calming down and assuring himself she would have no reason to run with things being so good there, Blue again concentrated on doing his time and getting out.
“White,” the guard barked as he walked up to the cell.
“Yeah,” Blue returned, giving him a curiously look.
“Come with me,” he told him, offering nothing more.
Blue shrugged slightly before complying with the instructions and followed wordlessly as they walked down the long hall way heading toward the warden’s office.
*****
“Everything in place for tonight,” Ian asked, taking in the marquee in front of the club.
He’d purchased the property only six months earlier. He and Ryan were doing very well in the business now and Ian was no longer hustling for change. They had quite the reputation in the game, completely warranted, for being ruthless and strictly business. Ian had even earned a new nickname; Ice. Smiling slightly at the memory of the kill that earned it, he sighed lightly.
“Yeah, all the liquor was delivered yesterday” Carlos replied, breaking his thought.
Carlos was Ian’s bodyguard and security.
“That’s good to hear,” Ian replied. “This club is going to be like nothing Atlanta has ever seen before,” he added as Carlos readily agreed.
“Where do you want to have lunch,” Carlos asked as they began driving away from the club.
“Let’s do something simple, steakhouse is fine,” Ian replied.
Carlos again nodded and headed toward the restaurant as they continued talking about the grand opening. Ian had managed to secure several celebrity appearances, promising free tables and VIP service.
Arriving they went inside and were seated. Carlos was still scanning the menu when he looked up and saw the expression on Ian’s face.
“What,” he asked simply.
“I know her,” he murmured as Carlos turned around to see who he was talking about.
“Oh, Tweety, yeah,” he replied recognizing the woman.
“She deals,” Ian half spoke, half questioned.
Carlos told him that the woman and her best friend did some small time dealing, but they mostly ran armor.
“Hmph,” Ian replied continuing to watch the woman.
She seemed to be with a different man every time he encountered her.
“So if they’re making cash, why is she always acting like a trick,” Ian questioned, having an immediate dislike for the woman.
Carlos shrugged before answering.
“Maybe she just likes spending other people’s money, or she’s addicted to dick,” he chuckled, laughing at his own pun.
Ian smiled slightly, but said nothing more. The man sitting at the table with her rose and left moments later, just as Ian and Carlos’s meals arrived. Another woman joined her moments later.
“Is that her partner,” Ian asked, looking the woman over appreciatively.
Carlos again turned around to take in the women, then answered Ian’s question.
“Yeah, that’s KiKi,” he replied as Ian again grunted.
“She a trick too,” he asked, intrigued now and hoping Carlos said no.
“Shit, hell no,” he replied.
Ian heard the venom and gave him a look.
“She’s deadly Ice, I mean seriously deadly,” he replied going to give Ian a quick rundown of the woman.
“I don’t even know if she likes dudes, I mean she’s supposed to be fuckin’ this dealer name Tripp, but hell,” Carlos trailed off.
Ian continued to regard the woman, as they ate. Changing the subject Ian once again began to talk about tonight and the things he expected from the club. He didn’t forget the woman or the things that Carlos told him about her, filing it away for some future use in his minds file.
“If tonight doesn’t go well, I’m going to hold you personally responsible,” Ian told Carlos, who assured him everything was under control.
His phone rang and he answered chatting pleasantly with his brother. Ian was still observant however, noticing the tension between the two women as they talked. He got a quick glance at the bruises covering KiKi’s arms as she gave Tweety a hurried glance. For reasons he couldn’t explain right now, it pissed him off to think someone had abused the woman that way. He saw Tweety give KiKi a look and her nod her understanding. They rose moments after that, paid their check, and left the restaurant as Ian returned to his conversation with Ryan and thought no more of it.
*****
Roderick was once again in place outside the restaurant some four hours later, waiting for Tariq to leave. He’d done a very quick glance inside the open side door and saw his son still working feverishly inside the kitchen. Roderick was still angry about his meeting with Emin earlier. She’d been taking the money he sent and supporting her new boyfriend, his three kids and her own four children. No wonder my damned son moved as soon as he turned 18, he thought the guilt descending that Tariq didn’t even have
a contact number to call and let him know what was going on. So are you going to approach him now, he mind questioned when the BMW pulled up and distracted him. The windows were tinted enough to obscure his vision of the driver, other than being able to ascertain it was a woman by the long hair and feminine fingers he saw on the steering wheel. Roderick watched as Tariq came outside and got into the car, hugging the woman slightly. Who is this, he wondered continuing to pay rapt attention.
They conversed for the next few moments before Roderick saw the exchange. He’d been in the field long enough to know a buy when he saw one. Obviously Tariq was the buyer, since he saw the money he handed to the woman. No, Tariq, damn, tell me you’re not on that shit too, Roderick thought angrily as he gripped the steering wheel tightly. He thought of following the woman when she pulled off, but decided against it. He had no jurisdiction here and he had no idea who she could be headed to meet. Sighing deeply Roderick continued to watch and wait, feeling helpless and praying against all odds that there was a reasonable explanation for Tariq buying the dope. An hour later his son strolled out of the restaurant as the red Monte Carlo pulled up. What now, Roderick mused. The man got out of the driver’s side and handed Tariq the keys as another truck pulled up. This one advertised the garage the man obviously worked for. So that’s why he was taking the bus, Roderick finally understood. His car had been in the shop. Smiling finally, Roderick started his own car and followed Tariq back to the apartment complex, after they made a stop at the grocery store.
Roderick waited until Tariq locked his car and went inside, giving him an extra fifteen minutes in case he came back outside, before exiting his own vehicle and casually strolling over to the vehicle and taking down the VIN number. Returning to his own car Roderick called in a favor from one of the few friends he had still willing to be associated with him and got all the info he needed. He quickly went to work. Roderick paid off Tariq’s car arranging for the title to be sent to him. He wanted to put money into an account for him, but Tariq didn’t have an account they could find. Roderick wasn’t ready to reveal himself yet, so that would have to wait. The only thing still bothering him was the assumed drug habit Roderick thought his son had. Taking a deep breath he got out of the car and quickly blended into the darkness that encompassed the complex, making his way behind Tariq’s building. Thankfully their unit was on the ground and he found it with ease. Roderick watched them unobserved through the sheet that didn’t quite cover the window of the bedroom they stood in. He saw Tariq take the small packet from his pocket and give it Hasaan. Thank God for that much, Roderick sighed deeply.
