The Good Son

by K'wan

  “Even from the grave, Fat Mike is still a pain in my ass,” Tommy said, shaking his head. “Well, we’ll take care of that bitch and anybody else who wants to dance.”

  “You know I’m with you, T,” Hammer assured him.

  “Thanks for your support, cousin, and for saving my little brother’s life,” Tommy told him.

  “Ain’t nothing man. I told you when I showed up, I’m here for y’all.”

  “And you’ve proven it.”

  “If it’s okay with you guys, I’d rather not drive back into New York tonight. Especially in light of everything going on.” Hammer knew that by then the Italians realized he double-crossed them. For that and what he had done to Monet, he was surely a marked man and nowhere in New York would be safe for him.

  “No problem. I’ll have one of the maids make up one of the guest rooms for you. Go on to the house, I’ll be right behind you. I need to holla at Duffy for a second,” Tommy told him.

  “This shit is crazy,” Duffy said after Hammer was gone.

  “Crazy ain’t the word, but I tried to tell Shai this was coming. Them Italians ain’t to be trusted. Now maybe he’ll listen,” Tommy said.

  “So what now? You want me to get in the streets with the guys to try and track down the truck?” Duffy asked.

  “Nah, don’t waste your time. I already know who took it.”

  This caught Duffy by surprise. “How?”

  “Because I set it up.”

  EPILOGUE

  Tech rode shotgun in the truck, with Pietro behind the wheel. For the millionth time, he asked himself if he had made the right decision.

  They had an inside tip on a truck coming into New Jersey that would be carrying a shipment of cigarettes. Natalia’s job was to get the route it would be taking. She knew that it would have to stop for gas at a station in Delaware, and that’s where they would make their move. The driver barely put up a fight when Tech and Jewels drew down on him and forced him to get out of the truck, and Pietro jumped behind the wheel. Jewels, Belle and Ricky followed them in an unmarked passenger van as they tore ass up the highway. It took them less than five minutes. Just as Ms. Ruby promised, it had been an easy score… almost too easy.

  They pulled into the warehouse, where Ms. Ruby, Ricky and Natalia were waiting for them. As usual, Ms. Ruby was wearing a church hat, a dress and gloves, but this time they were all black. She flashed him her crocodile grin as they climbed out of the truck.

  “Behold the conquering heroes. You boys did good, real good.”

  “Man, this shit was so easy we could’ve pulled it off in our sleep,” Jewels boasted, as he got out of the unmarked van.

  Belle followed him. She tried to make eye contact with Tech, but he avoided her gaze. He was still mad at her for setting him up for the meeting with Ms. Ruby.

  “It’s just like I promised, easy work.” Ms. Ruby kissed Jewels on the cheek. “Now, I have something for you boys,” she said as she reached in her purse and pulled out two envelopes. One she handed to Tech, and the other went to Jewels. “There’s ten grand a piece in there for both of you. Come around my house in a few days and I’ll settle up what I owe you.”

  “Thanks,” Tech said, stuffing the thick envelope into his pocket. There was a questioning look on his face.

  “Something wrong, sweetie?” Ms. Ruby asked.

  “I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, and I damn sure ain’t looking no gift horse in the mouth, but why so much money just to rip off some cigarettes?” Tech asked. The question had been eating at him ever since he found out what they would be stealing.

  “Pietro, would you like to do the honors?” Ms. Ruby asked.

  “Follow me, boys,” Pietro led them around to the back of the truck. Tech and Jewels watched curiously as Pietro used a pair of bolt cutters to clip the lock away and opened the trailer. Inside were dozens of boxes of cigarettes, but there was something else. He slid one of several wooden crates out, and popped it open before stepping to the side for Tech and Jewels to see what was in it.

  “Holy shit! Are those machine guns?” Jewels’ eyes got big when he examined the contents.

  “Not just any guns,” Ms. Ruby said as she hoisted one of the weapons and handled it expertly, “the finest quality Russian AK47s.”

  “But you said we were jacking cigarettes,” Tech reminded her.

  “No, I said you would be jacking a cigarette truck,” she corrected him. “The cigarettes were just cover for the real prize. There’s a very important man who went through a great deal of trouble to get these guns into the tri-state. Couldn’t have happened without you boys. You should be proud.”

  “This is some bullshit.” Tech cursed, realizing he had been duped…again.

  “No, this is big business. Ms. Ruby don’t deal in no nickel and dime shits” she told him. “Now if your conscience is bothering you, you’re free to give back the money.”

  “Hell no,” Jewels chimed in.

  “That’s what I like to hear. Now you boys go home and get some rest,” Ms. Ruby dismissed him. Tech and Jewels started for the exit, but Ms. Ruby called after him. “Tech, if you got the stomach for it, I got some more work that needs doing. Ms. Ruby can always use able-body souls like you and your boys.”

  “Thanks, but this was a one-time thing,” Tech told her. He was done with Ms. Ruby and her double talk.

  “Suit yourself, but if you change your mind, it’s a standing offer.”

  “Do you think we can trust them to keep their mouths closed?” Pietro asked after the two men had left.

  “I don’t know about Jewels, but Tech don’t strike me as the chatty type.” Ms. Ruby replied. “Besides, I seriously doubt either of them want word getting out that they just robbed Shai Clark.”