by KR Bankston
Blue finished his smoke and put the butt out, checked his watch and prepared to board the train since it was now sitting and he only had another twenty minutes to wait. He felt the hand on his shoulder and quickly spun around.
“Relax,” the well-dressed man told him calmly, giving him a fleeting glance at the magnum attached to his shoulder holster.
The other man accompanying the first, did the same.
“What’s the problem,” Blue returned.
He had no clue who the men were, but he knew they were trouble and if they talking to him, then he was in trouble.
“King Diesel wants to see you,” the first man told him calmly.
Blue’s pulse began to race. Why in the world would the syndicate’s newest crime boss want to see him? Blue had heard plenty of stories about King Diesel and witnessed his ruthlessness firsthand in the streets of Chicago. The only people he hadn’t messed with were Boss and Mo, but he was definitely pushing.
“Come on,” the second man prompted, pushing Blue slightly. Shit, he thought as he reluctantly followed the men and got into the Cadillac parked at the train stations curb.
*****
Cartier was watching the monitors as they recorded every breath his friend took. There were machines everywhere it seemed and none of them reported anything good.
“Socrates,” Carlo managed his voice void of strength.
“Hello Hangman,” he returned, forcing a smile now.
Cartier had been making these daily visits for the last eight months, with each being closer to his last.
“Are you comfortable,” he asked as Carlo nodded slightly.
“Have you found her,” he asked.
Sighing deeply Cartier told him he hadn’t yet.
“It’s my punishment,” he croaked once again.
Cartier didn’t argue with him, supposing on some level that Carlo was right. God would never allow him to see Lauren again in this life because of the pain and torment he’d inflicted on her.
“You have all the documents,” he asked again.
Cartier assured him everything was as he requested and he would have them delivered personally when the time came.
“It will be soon Socrates,” Carlo replied.
He drifted off after that, much to Cartier’s relief. He hated to hear his friend talk of death, even knowing it was looming very closely as this point. Looking at the shell of the man he once knew lying in the hospital bed, Cartier’s heart grew extremely heavy. He thought of all the time they’d spent, the women, the money, the contracts fulfilled and it saddened him that even now that they’d escaped prison, they couldn’t escape death. Carlo was still a very young man relatively speaking, yet he was dying like an old one. Carlo’s breathing became very labored as the machine monitoring it began to scream loudly its distress. A nurse entered moments later and made an adjustment as the machine returned to its quiet humming.
“He’s extremely critical,” the nurse told Cartier kindly. “If there’s any other family, you should perhaps call them,” she added giving him a new look.
Cartier sighed deeply and told him he was the only family left. She nodded and left them alone once again.
“Hangman, damn,” he began talking to his friend, praying he actually heard him.
Cartier was struggling to keep his composure as he continued to talk Carlo who eyes had sunk even further into his head. His breathing was extremely labored now.
“I’m going to keep everything running and the money flowing until we meet up again,” he told him sincerely. “You and me seen some great times Hangman,” Cartier continued. “We ran this city and everyone in it with precision, had all the pussy we could handle,” he added smiling slightly now as his heart grew even heavier. “I never thought we’d part like this ya know,” Cartier told him. “I always figured shit we would eat some hot lead together and go out with a bang, not this fuckin’ disease shit,” he added angrily as the helplessness settled in. “I’m going to keep my promise Carlo,” he told him using his name finally. “I’m going to find Lauren and make sure she’s always taken care of,” he went on. “I’m going to see to it your letter is delivered to Hope, and I’m going to always, until the day I stop breathing, keep your legend and legacy alive,” he finished just as Carlo’s body relaxing and he heaved one final labored breath.
All the machines began to scream simultaneously as the nurse again rushed into the room. Taking his pulse, she looked to Cartier and sadly shook her head. It was over. Carlo Hangman Cisneros was no more.
30
The wind was blowing hard and the snow fell even harder as they all gathered in the funeral chapel. Cartier had insisted on the service, knowing the Carlo hadn’t been involved in the church in years. He’d been cremated as was his request and his ashes were to be scattered in the ocean when they went to Miami later this month. Cartier was still hurting deeply and Sapphire sensitively allowed him privacy to grieve. She was leaving in another week to spend the Christmas break with her son. Cartier hadn’t balked when she told him of her plans to spend the holiday out of town. She knew he was still raw and numb from the loss of his partner and best friend. Movement broke her thought as Cartier rose and walked up to the Priest thanking him for the kind words and lovely service. Picking up the urn he turned to leave the chapel. Horse met him at the door, taking it from him and holding the door as he and Sapphire exited.
“I’m going to drop you off at the house baby, okay,” he told her sweetly as she nodded and kissed his cheek.
Arriving moments later they pulled into the garage and she opened the door. Cartier grabbed her arm stopping her momentarily as he looked into her eyes.
“When I come home, I want to talk about Sa’Cari,” he said simply as her mouth almost dropped.
Quickly composing herself she told him okay, even as her mind raced and she contemplated leaving before he came back.
“Stop it,” Cartier told her, reading her thoughts. “I just want to talk,” he assured her, kissing her lips and allowing her to leave the vehicle.
As they rode to his new destination, Cartier’s mind raced. Sapphire meant so much to him right now. He also vowed to get closer to his son’s and finally tell Ian about his existence. Dialing Ryan’s cell he conversed with the young man as the rode getting all the latest updates about his and Ian’s exploits.
“Socrates,” Horse addressed him after his phone call. “This folder was dropped off for you,” he told him handing the man the package wrapped in brown shipping paper.
Cartier opened the package, removing the contents and carefully reading what was contained. Reaching the photographs included finally, he smiled as he held it up and admired it.
“Hangman’s daughter,” he said softly still smiling as they arrived at their destination.
*****
“You’re Lauren’s husband,” Hope questioned the tall nice looking young man standing in her room.
“Yes ma’am,” Tariq replied politely.
He could see the resemblance keenly as he looked at the woman in the hospital bed. She and Kaitlyn favored tremendously except for the eyes.
“How is my niece,” she questioned once again, very weak Tariq could tell.
He filled in all the blanks for Hope about Kaitlyn’s life at this point and their marriage.
“I’m glad she has you now,” Hope told him earnestly as Tariq smiled.
“There is something I need you to do,” she began anew as he listened carefully. “I know you hate him,” Hope told Tariq softly, her voice almost gone as the cancer ravaged her.
“But he’s right only about one thing,” she went on as Tariq listened. “Lauren deserves this, and he owes it to her,” Hope told him. “Please, love and take care of my niece,” she began again, growing weaker he could tell. “You’re all the family she has left now, and if anyone on this earth deserves happiness, it’s Lauren,” she whispered.
As much as he did hate Carlo Cisneros, the things he’d done to Kaitlyn an
d the scars he inflicted, Hope was right. He owed her all the money he’d left her and more.
“I will love KiKi, I mean Lauren, until the day I die,” Tariq promised earnestly.
Hope smiled weakly and squeezed his hand.
“Will you tell her something for me,” she began again.
Tariq nodded and she continued.
“Tell her I loved her with my entire being and I never, ever, stopped looking for her,” Hope told him. “Promise me, you’ll tell her and make her understand,” Hope pleaded growing slightly excited.
Tariq assured her he would tell Kaitlyn everything about her aunt and how much she was loved. Hope told him where she lived and how to contact the superintendent.
“There is an album in my closet,” she began, giving him more instructions. “One day, when you feel she’s strong enough,” Hope continued. “Show her, her family,” she added and once again closed her eyes, remaining quiet.
Tariq remained a few moments more until he was sure she wouldn’t awaken. Rising he felt deep compassion as he looked into Hope’s face. She looked exhausted. He hoped she could rest now that she’d talked to him and knew for certain that Kaitlyn was just fine. Tariq leaned down and kissed Hope softly on the forehead before leaving her hospital room.
*****
Mook and Shells were waiting for Tariq when he returned to the waiting room. He shared the things Hope had spoken and wanted him to do. None of the men noticed the shadowy figure with the camera or heard the soft clicks as the shutter took frame after frame. Gathering their coats the men headed to the elevator with Tariq making one last stop at the nurse’s station to give them instructions and contact information upon Hope’s passing. The elevator arrived moments after they pushed the button and the men disappeared from sight. The figure pulled out their phone and made a call.
“She’s alone,” they said simply as the line went dead in their hands and they waited.
The elevator doors opened and Roderick emerged. He threw a quick nod to the man with the camera and gently pushed the heavy wooden door open, entering it and coming to sit beside Hope as she continued to rest, eyes closed.
“You’re still so beautiful,” Roderick told her, stroking her face softly.
Hope stirred slightly but her eyes didn’t open.
“I had to see you,” he continued to talk to her. “Hope, I know I hurt you,” Roderick told her, fighting his own emotions. “You were such a perfect woman, and I wish things could have been different between us,” he went on, holding her hand now. “I wish I’d met you under very different circumstances, I wish you’d never found out who I really was, I wish that I could take back all the hurt and pain I’ve ever given you,” Roderick poured out his heart.
As he gently kissed her hand, Hope’s eyes fluttered open.
“Roderick,” she questioned as the tears filled her eyes and she blinked, letting them run onto her pillow.
“Yes love,” Roderick told her sweetly. “I’m here.”
Hope smiled, reaching up with her other hand and caressed his face. “I’ve missed you so much,” she told him weakly.
Hope was fighting to stay conscious. She wanted every moment of the time with him.
“I’ve missed you too Hope, so very much,” Roderick told her honestly.
“Why did you --,” she got out as he kissed her hand again and told her not to worry about that.
“I’m here now love,” he smiled as she nodded her agreement.
“I’ll finally see my parents, my daughter, again,” Hope told him as Roderick swallowed hard.
He heard the morphine pump kick in and knew she would be unconscious again soon. Biding his time, Roderick waited until Hope’s eyes were fluttering and he knew she would lose the fight, before leaning down and speaking in her ear.
“Piper is alive Hope, our daughter is alive and well,” he said sweetly, kissing her now closed eyelids as she squeezed his hand tightly before letting go, alerting him she’d heard him.
Roderick rose and left the room just as stealthily as he entered, getting on the first arriving elevator, the door closing as Cartier stepped out of the one right next to it.
*****
He glanced over at the nurse’s station before making his way to Hope’s room and entering it. Standing at the foot of her bed, Cartier regarded the woman thinking how beautiful she still was, even standing in death’s doorway. The room door opened again moments later and Monica walked inside. She was Hope’s primary nurse, but more importantly she was a loyal Association member.
“How is she,” Cartier asked, never taking his eyes off Hope.
“She’s very close,” Monica answered honestly.
He watched wordlessly as the woman checked vitals and sighed softly.
“What,” he asked, finally regarding her now.
“She seems to have slipped into a coma,” she answered as Cartier frowned slightly.
“Did she have visitors today,” he asked as Monica told him about the two men who came to see her.
“Was this one of them,” Cartier asked, handing her the photo of Tariq that was included in his packet.
“Yes,” Monica replied telling him there were two other men with him, but they didn’t enter the room.
“Hmph,” Cartier replied continuing to watch Hope and the monitors.
“What did the other one look like,” he asked, returning his thought to the visitors.
Monica described the man as the frown on Cartier’s face deepened. So that muthafucka is still sniffing around is he, he thought of Aarick aka Roderick. Cartier was pretty sure the man would find a way to attend any services for Hope and he made a mental note to be ready and waiting for him. He had quite the debt to settle with the DEA agent.
“Did she leave any final instructions,” he asked giving Monica a look once more.
“The first man left his information for contact,” she told him as he gave her another look and she left the room, coming back with a copy of the information Tariq left. Cartier put the paper inside his pocket with the photograph making note to deal with it later.
“Leave me with her,” he told Monica as the nurse hurriedly complied.
Cartier continued to stand and stare a few moments more before walking over to the bed and sitting in the chair Roderick had occupied only moments earlier.
“Hello Hope,” Cartier spoke calmly, close to her ear. “It’s Socrates, I needed to see you,” he continued as Hope lay unresponsive.
“I’m glad you did the thing that Carlo asked of you,” he told her, using the given name, knowing Hope had never called her brother by the street moniker. “He’s gone Hope, Carlo is dead,” he whispered as Hope gasped slightly but otherwise said nothing, her breathing returning to normal seconds later.
“I found Lauren,” Cartier began again. “She’s grown into an absolutely beautiful woman,” he continued. “The man she’s with seems nice enough, but he’s not who she needs,” he told Hope.
“I promised Carlo I would take care of Lauren, and I fully intend to keep that promise,” he began anew. “It has to be handled delicately though, as we both know Lauren is her father’s daughter and stubborn should be her middle name,” Cartier told Hope, chuckling slightly at the end of his sentence.
“I just wanted to let you know she was fine Hope and you can rest now,” he spoke one final time. Rising Cartier kissed her lips softly, told her goodbye and left her room.
As he returned to Horse and car waiting for him, Cartier began thinking about the future. He was alone now, but there was still business to handle and oaths to keep. Lighting the cigar Cartier began to make plans. He would deal with Sapphire when he got home, getting answers to his questions and satisfying his curiosity. Then he would set up the hit on Aarick, hopefully able to complete his mission quickly at Hope’s funeral services. Then it was time to bring his own family together, starting with his sons, Ryan and Ian. What about Rachel, his mind questioned. Cartier sighed deeply, finally letting that ghost die. T
he woman he knew almost thirty years ago wasn’t the woman who lived in Philadelphia with his other remaining heir. Cartier was still undecided about Jalen. The young man so far was proving quite the disappointment. Lastly, Cartier was going to bring Lauren home and keep his promise to Carlo. “Hangman’s daughter,” he said softly once more, exhaling deeply, eyes closed gearing up for the absolute fight of his life with the woman.
She was, in every way, admitted or not, Carlo Hangman Cisneros’s daughter.
A sneak preview of Thin Ice 7: Echoes of Reckoning follows this page. Also, check out these other offerings from the Author KR Bankston available at all fine online retailers: Amazon.com, BN.com, Smashwords.com and more.
Thank you for reading this novel. We hope you’ve enjoyed and will continue to follow the ongoing saga of Ice, KiKi, Ryan, Tweety and the rest of the crew as they allow us to tag along inside their worlds.
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The Gianni Legacy:
A Deadly Encounter (eBook/paperback)
Sins of the Father (eBook/paperback)
Smoke & Mirrors (eBook/paperback)
Other Books:
King of the Game (eBook)
Unraveled: A Short Story Collective (eBook)
Now You’re A Star (The Amour Noir Collection) eBook
Crossroads: An Anthology (ebook/paperback)
with Authors Elizabeth LaShaun, Keith Kareem Williams, DK (Keith) Gaston
Thin Ice Serial:
Thin Ice
Thin Ice 2 – Hide & Seek
Thin Ice 3 – Armageddon
Thin Ice 4 – Resurrections
Thin Ice 5 – Checkmate
Thin Ice 6 – Hangman & Socrates
