“That sounds like a plan,” Ball said not believing his ears. He’s about to give his whole empire to me? Ball thought as he looked at Seven.
“It’s all yours,” Seven said as if he could hear Ball’s thoughts.
“Listen man, just go... . Leave this game alone now. Leave these bags with me and go the other way. You and Li’l Rah should just go to Florida today.”
“What?” Seven asked, not understanding Ball’s logic.
“You have enough to live so why take a risk and try to make extra money?” Ball asked really wanting for Seven to leave for Florida at that moment. Ball had a bad gut feeling and just wanted Seven to go far away and never look back. Ball felt that the dope game would be better in his hands rather than in Seven’s. He contemplated skipping out on the feds and becoming the drug boss that Seven had been preparing him to become.
“One last time,” Seven said with confidence. Seven’s eyes were piercing and he was determined to follow through with his plans. He had already had his mind made up.
Ball started to contest Seven, but he decided to hold his tongue. He understood that once a man had made up his mind, it would be hard to convince him to do otherwise. Ball jumped back over to his boat and started up his engine. Seven did the same, but just before he pulled off so they could head back to shore and flood the streets with raw heroin.... He looked over at Ball.
“Yo!” Seven yelled over.
“I love you fam,” Seven said meaning every word. Ball paused and let the words sink in. He had never heard another man tell him that they loved him before. He looked into Seven’s eyes and knew that the words were sincere and genuine. Seven was a real nigga and he wanted to let his protégé know that he had love for him.
“Love you too, big homie,” Ball replied. Seven slowly nodded his head and quickly pushed the throttle making his boat’s front end rise up.
“Double or nothing!” he yelled just before he sped away. Ball burst into laughter and quickly kicked his boat in gear, ready to race.
Minutes later they were docking their boats and ready to unload the bags into Seven’s Range Rover which waited at the other side of the pier. Seven had a duffle bag over his shoulder and so did Ball. As they reached the end of the pier, Seven felt strange and stopped in his tracks. He then noticed a helicopter fly over his head and he stared at it. It seemed like everything was unfolding in slow motion. Federal agents came from every way with their guns drawn. Some were even hopping out of the water with automatic assault rifles.
“Freeze, put your motherfucking hands up,” one yelled as they quickly approached. Seven smiled as he dropped the bag and put his hands up.
“Don’t say anything Ball! I will have us out in the morning,” Seven yelled with a small grin on his face. Ball dropped his bag and put up his hands as the feds rushed them. Ball dropped his head and knew that they would not be getting out in the morning; at least Seven wouldn’t be.
Chapter Twenty
Untouchable
A custom made Gucci suit hung on the shoulders of the street’s king, Seven. He sat in the courtroom with a smile on his face as he fingers intertwined with each other. He sat with posture and strength as CNN cameras were all around giving up to the minute correspondence. He looked back at Rah, who was there with his social worker, and smiled while mouthing “I love you” to him. Seven didn’t mind sitting in jail or even fighting with the feds for his freedom. He was built for situations like the one that was placed upon him. Yet, the one thing that hurt him to his heart was being separated from his li’l man. That is what hurt the most in Seven’s world. Li’l Rah was his backbone and although Rah was a little boy, Seven needed him to survive. Seeing Rah sitting next to a social worker and not with him, made Seven want to drop a tear. He remained strong and smiled as Rah had tears in his eyes, seeing through his father’s phony smile. He knew that his father was fighting back tears and it hurt him to see his hero like that. Seven winked his eye and focused back on the district attorney who was trying his best to paint Seven as a menace to society and notorious drug kingpin.
Seven sat before the jury and next to his seven-figure attorney. The trial had begun and it was the eighth day. The district attorney was slated to bring his informant to the stand and Seven wondered who it could be. The truth came out about Lola, but she had fled and the feds couldn’t locate her. Lola decided that she couldn’t testify, so she disappeared and dropped off the face of the earth. This steamed the feds and all of their hopes and aspirations on locking Seven up, rested at the hands of the state’s informant, which was Braylon.
In Seven’s eyes, his odds of getting acquitted were looking good because they had no concrete evidence against him on drug trafficking charges. Little did he know, Braylon “Ball” Kennedy was about to take the stand and testify against him. Seven had been in the county jail for six months and was oblivious to the fact that Ball was an informant.
“I would like to call my next witness. I am about to present an informant who infiltrated Seven’s organization. He ate, slept, and ran with Seven. All the while gaining his trust and witnessing him break the law by bringing dope into our community. Please bring in the witness,” the prosecutor said as he looked at the double doors at the back of the courtroom. The courtroom was in complete silence. You could literally hear a pin drop as all eyes went to the backdoor. Seven’s heart dropped as he took in the news. He had just got delivered a powerful blow that made butterflies form in the pit of his stomach. When the doors flew open and he saw Ball walk in... . he dropped his head. He knew he was done. Ball was his right hand man. Seven considered Ball his family and seeing Ball walk in confused him.
“I can’t believe this,” Seven mumbled as he shook his head in disappointment.
Seven knew that with Ball’s testimony it was an inevitable life sentence. The game was now over. Seven stared at Ball as he walked up the aisle. Ball never looked in Seven’s direction. But he did get a glance of li’l Rah who was in the audience looking at the man who would bring down his father. Ball would never forget the look at the little boy’s face as he made his way to the stand. Ball walked pass his former mentor and took the stand.
“Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?” the bailiff asked as Ball stood before him with his left hand on the Bible, right hand in the air.
“Yes I do,” Ball said as he sat down in the chair before the courtroom. The prosecutor got straight to the point as he suavely stood up and buttoned the bottom two buttons on his blazer.
“Can you state your name for the courtroom, please?” The prosecutor asked as he slowly paced the floor with one of his hands in his pocket.
“My name is Braylon Kennedy.” Ball said clear and loudly.
“What did you go by in the streets?”
“Ball. They called me Ball.”
“Do you know the defendant sitting on the left side of the courtroom?” the prosecutor asked as he turned and faced Seven.
“Yes, I do.” Ball said as he looked at Seven who was staring a hole directly through him while being tightlipped. Seven was heartbroken. He knew that he would never be able to raise his sick son and would be going away for a long time. He then began to think about how Ball had shown nothing but loyalty over the past year. He couldn’t believe that he was working with the feds.
“You’re not a cop,” Seven mouthed as he shook his head in denial. He looked Ball directly in the eye. Ball quickly looked away as he understood every word that came out of Seven’s mouth.
“Can you explain your affiliation with the defendant,” the prosecutor asked.
“I ran with him over the past year. That was my man,” Ball answered honestly.
“Can you explain to us the extent of his drug operation?” the prosecutor asked as he grew a small smirk on his face and looked back at Seven. He knew that he was about to put the nail in the coffin with Ball’s next words.
“No I can’t,” Ball said as he sat up straight with posture.
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“What?” the prosecutor said as he quickly looked at Ball with a concerned expression. He could not believe his own ears.
“I can’t tell you about a drug operation because I did not witness that man sell any drugs. To my knowledge he is a bar owner and great father,” Ball said eliminating the grin that the prosecutor had worn just seconds before.
“What the hell are you doing!” the prosecutor yelled as he couldn’t contain himself. Ball was destroying the case that they had built. Dame also sat in the audience and stormed out once he heard Ball’s comment. Dame was furious. He couldn’t wait until Ball got off the stand because he was going straight to prison.
“You heard me. I don’t know shit about selling any drugs. I never witnessed or had any knowledge of that. Any more questions?” Ball asked sarcastically.
“This is ridiculous.” The prosecutor yelled as he went over to the bench, requesting a mistrial. But the judge wasn’t having it. The courtroom had grown into pure pandemonium. Everyone in the courtroom felt a type of way. Some clapped in victory others sighed in defeat. It was crazy. The judge banged his gavel to restore order and then looked over to Seven’s attorney.
“Would you like to cross examine?” The judge asked.
“No thank you,” Seven’s attorney answered as he closed his notebook. The judge dismissed Ball from the stand. Ball stepped off and headed to the rear of the courtroom when Dame was waiting with his arms crossed, visibly irate. Ball looked at Seven, who gave him a cold stare that symbolized nothing but hate and animosity. If looks could kill, Ball would have been circled in chalk right then and there in the courtroom. Although Ball didn’t snitch, Seven still felt betrayed. Ball dropped his head and walked to Dame. Ball noticed all of Seven’s goons giving him gestures such as pulling trigger, slicing of the neck, and ice grills. They wanted to dead him right there but they knew that they couldn’t do anything at that current moment. Ball just dropped his head and proceeded to the rear.
“You’re going to prison for life you son of a bitch,” Dame whispered harshly in Ball’s ear as he grabbed him by the arm and forcefully put hands cuffs on him. Dame pulled him out of the courtroom ready to deliver him straight to a cell.
When Ball and Dame made it into the hallway, Dame exploded. He gave Ball a shot to the mid-section folding him up. “You made the biggest mistake of your life mu’fucka,” Dame spat. Ball rose up and oddly he was smiling.
“What the fuck you smiling about?” Dame asked as the grin enraged him even more.
“Because I’m not going back to jail. You are going to let me go and honor your side of the agreement,” Ball said confidently.
“Like hell I am,” Dame replied as he stepped in Ball’s face.
“Yes you are. I know you’re little secret ... faggot.” Ball said as he maintained his smile. Dame’s heart dropped and he looked like he had just seen a ghost.
“What the fuck you mean? You got me fucked up. Ain’t nothing gay about me, mu’fucka,” Dame denied as he swallowed what seemed to be a golf ball in his throat.
“I have you on tape with your li’l boyfriend. Does Gay Tony ring any bells, huh? How would your wife and four kids feel about you being homo. Yo ... what’s that? The cat got your tongue?” Ball lied as he dipped his head as if he was waiting on an answer from Dame. Dame was speechless. The idea of his family or community knowing that he was a down low brother scared him shitless. He began to think about his fellow police officers, church members, and family. Growing up in a homophobic community had him jaded and he would protect his secret at all cost.
“I ... I,” Dame stuttered. Ball extended his arms and Dame had no choice but to release him. Dame would have to pull some strings to release Ball but it was something that he had to do. He was fucked.
“We, the jury find the defendant.... not guilty.” The petite Caucasian lady said as she looked at the notecard that she held in front of her face. The courtroom erupted and Seven’s goons, along with Rah rejoiced. Seven shook his lawyers hand and looked at his son smiling. He had just beaten the system. This Dopeman was literally untouchable.
Chapter Twenty-one
Can I live
It was the evening of the trial and Seven celebrated his acquittal at Hazel’s. All of his crew was in attendance and so was Li’l Rah. A live band played while everyone enjoyed drinks and shit-talking. One of Seven’s goons hired an escort service to provide beautiful girls with skimpy bunny outfits to serve the drinks, just to add a cherry on top. It was to be a night of good times and celebration. As a smooth rendition of one of Lauryn Hill’s old hits was being played, Seven smiled in the middle of the party and grabbed his son. He kissed him on the forehead and told him that he loved him. He was determined to take his son to Florida and move away from the madness. The party was a celebration of his acquittal, but in Seven’s mind it was also a retirement party for him. He couldn’t be happier. He looked over and saw one of his goons put Li’l Rah on the table and Rah danced and had fun with the fellas. “I love my family,” Seven thought as he smiled while looking at his son. For some strange reason, he wished Lola was there to share the moment with him. In the bottom of his heart, he knew if it came down to it Lola wouldn’t have had testified against him. It was just a gut-feeling that he had. The mood changed when the band began to play Jay-Z’s instrumental of “Can I Live” and the place went bananas. Everyone waved their hands from side to side, and the song felt fitting to their gangster way of life and triumphant victory. That’s exactly what Seven wanted to ask the prosecutor ... Can I live? He wanted to celebrate his night with one of his hand-rolled Cuban cigars that he kept in his office. He put his son down and headed to his office, getting pats on the back all the way to the door.
Seven grabbed a bottle of champagne from one of the bunnies’ ice buckets and went into his office. He walked in and flicked on the lights. He jumped when he saw a man sitting at his chair waiting for him. It was Ball. Ball slowly stood up and both of the men stared at each other, neither one of them muttering a word. Ball knew that it was dangerous for him to come back to Hazel’s, but for the past year it was all that he knew. Seven was his family, and honestly he was the only thing Ball had left.
As the men stared at each other the tension grew in the room. It was so thick that you could cut it with a knife. Ball knew that if Seven pulled out a gun and shot him in the middle of the forehead, he would be justified. Ball just wanted his old life back. For some reason, he believed that Seven would let him back in the crew to do what he did best and that was hustle. Seven smiled, breaking the tension and held out his arms. “I knew you weren’t going to turn on me,” Seven said as he stepped toward Ball. Ball smiled, feeling like the weight of the world had just been lifted off of his shoulder. Ball walked to Seven and embraced him.
“You’re my nigga. I couldn’t go through with it,” Ball said as he released Seven.
“It wasn’t a doubt in my mind, fam. After what we been through I knew there was no way. You all I got Ball ... I mean Braylon.” Seven said. They both began to laugh at Seven’s little jab of sarcasm. Seven walked over to his mini bar and poured them both a glass of cognac. Seven was genuinely happy to have his partner in crime back. They sat back in the office and talked and agreed to let the past be the past. After thirty minutes, Seven decided it was time to let his crew know that Ball was not an enemy.
“Now the problem is to get these niggas to accept you,” Seven said as he pointed at the goons having fun on the main floor. Ball looked through the window and saw everyone partying and having a goodtime.
“That might not be so easy,” Ball said just before he took a deep breath. He knew that the label of being a snitch would forever be on him, but if Seven forgave him then he figured the crew would eventually do so.
“Okay, let me tell these niggas what it is. You come out after I introduce you, cool?” Seven said and downed the glass of cognac. He stood up and headed to the door. “I’m going to call you out ... in style.” Seven said as he g
rabbed the bottle on the table and headed out. Ball raised his glass and smiled. He understood at that moment that niggas like Seven came once in a lifetime. Seven was in a league of his own and Ball was honored to call him a friend. That type of loyalty will make a grown man cry. Ball watched through the double sided mirror and nervousness sat in as he wondered how they would take the news. He watched closely. Seven signaled for the band to stop playing for a moment as he walked onto the stage.
“Everybody! I need your attention. I’m about to make an announcement.” Seven said as he spoke loudly so everyone could hear him. He looked over at his son who was standing on top of the bar which he was dancing on. “Come over here little man.” Seven said to Rah. One of the goons helped him off the bar and Rah ran over to Seven. But one of the bunnies stopped Rah and she bent down and whispered in his ear. “Hold on sweetheart. You can’t go up there right now,” she said. “Now close your eyes.”
Seven was so busy looking for Rah to come to him, he didn’t see one of the bunnies walk up on him with a gun drawn. Instantly all of the bunnies dropped their trays and pulled out pistols that were tucked under their skirt or in their bra. Seven never saw it coming. Millie was the bunny in disguise. She was there to settle an old beef. All of the bunnies in the room worked for Millie and they all weren’t afraid to put their murder game down. Seven’s crew was defenseless and they all had just got caught slipping. It all seemed to happen in slow motion and Ball couldn’t do anything but watch as she walked up on Seven and fired a hollow tip bullet clean through his head, killing him instantly. Ball’s heart dropped as he saw Seven’s limp body collapse to the floor. They had been ambushed and it happened right under their noses. Rah cried and rushed over to his father. He didn’t understand what was going on. The only thing he wanted was for his father to wake up, but that would never happen.
Dopeman: Memoirs of a Snitch (Part 3 of Dopeman's Trilogy) Page 16
