“Thanks, it’s good to be here…” Coco said.
“The phones are already ringing off the hook, the response has been good. I guess callers are anxious to get atcha…” The deejay was in his zone.
“I’m from uptown. I’m ready.” Coco and Deedee smiled. Josephine rolled her eyes.
“You’re working on a new album with the best producer… you’re living your dream, having a top song on the radio. What’s been your greatest moment so far, Coco?”
“Without a doubt it’s good to work with the best, but graduating from high school I have to say is my greatest moment so far…”
“I’ll let the people out there know that you were valedictorian and that’s no small thing either. We’ve got C-O-C-O in the building and I heard her freestyle is nasty, but before she gives us some of that let’s take some calls… caller you’re on the air…”
“Yeah that’s right my girl, Coco… wish all the best. This is your man Naughty from BK… I love the way you do your thing.”
“This Tee from da BX and I’d like to holla at my girl C-O-C-O… hoorah! You holding it down for all the hot chicks…”
“Shout out from QB… keep doing ya thing, girl f’ ‘em ‘round da way girls and all the other ghetto bitches…”
“Good-looking out…” Coco shouted while Deedee and Josephine threw high-fives.
“All right, all right we’ve got time for one more caller before Coco bless us with a freestyle… and do kick a nasty freestyle... Go ahead caller make it short… Caller you’re on the air…” the radio jock continued.
“Yeah I just wanna let y’all bitches know that I’m glad you blow cuz now thurrs no place for you to run or hide…” the caller’s venom excited the radio jock. He smiled and applauded milking it.
“…That’s right folks… the world’s filled with haters and you heard it first right here… home of the best of Hip Hop and R&B… caller state your name…”
“This Lil’ Long bitches and I’m coming for ya and I’m gonna kill ya bitch-ass. Yeah, that’s right, in order for me to be immortal… all weak ass mutha…”
“Shut your mouth… Oops, I think we’ve lost that hater…” The radio deejay said smiling and turning to Coco. She opened her parched lips, but nothing came. Josephine hugged herself and was visibly shaken.
Deedee rushed out the studio and was already calling on her cell phone.
“Uncle E… you heard? More security… thank you uncle. I’ll let Coco know… see you later.”
The radio deejay kept rolling along through the entire fiasco as if it was rehearsed. A hard pulsing drum and bass provided background music.
“That’s right you heard it here first, a rapper calling himself Lil’ Long calling out Coco… as you know she’s in the building… Coco as promised, the microphone’s all yours. Let the people hear what you gotta say…I know Lil’ Long made you upset but no cursing... Take it away.”
Deedee walked back inside the studio and Coco was already in the midst of spitting a fiery gem. Deedee gave her the thumbs up.
“A born warrior like Laila…
I ain’t gonna stand around fearing ya
Here’s how it’s done...
My style is second to none…
Scars to your face I phantom jab this dagger in ya.
put you in your place/
The pen’s mightier than the sword
I might write a check send ya best man to kill ya…
You don’t really want it with Coco
Beat down ya lil’ ones it’ll be oh no/
Easy I know I’m on the radio so
Don’t get too intense catch me in the hood
I’ll end the violence sucka…
C-O-C-O’ll bury ya…”
“You don’t have to say no more, ma. What’s beef? You heard it right here. Ha, ha, ha.” The radio jock laughed.
FIFTY
The execution team known as Calisix had killed Nesto and all his cronies but still no ice had been recovered. They scouted the neighborhood searching for Lil’ Long. He was next on the hit list. Rightchus saw the pair, cruising on motorcycles and stopped to flirt a little.
“That’s a cool thing to do? Ride and chill in the hood. Maybe I can help y’all beautiful Chinese ladies with best of samplins from the hood. I’m Rightchus and ain’t nothing going down without me knowing.” He said and limped directly to where they sat.
“Do you know Lil’ Long?”
“Not only do I know him, I know why you searching for him. You’re looking for the diamonds he sold to Maruichi and…” Rightchus said and one of them pulled out a gun.
“Hold up, easy now, put that cannon away. I ain’t tryin’ to start no fight with y’all. If I did, I’d come with my kung-fu shit, see you don’t know me. I’m a master at this.”
“Is there something you’re trying to tell us?” One asked.
“I’m saying, is there a reward or not in this for me. I ain’t goin’ ‘gainst Lil’ Long with no compensations.”
The assassins looked at each other and smiled.
“If you know something, you’ll be rewarded for your information.”
“Ahight then let’s talk pc,” Rightchus said. “I did my homework.” He added when they gave him a strange look.
The Calisix called for permission to hit the mob. The request was granted and they went after Maruichi.
The family, two brothers and father, sat in the back of the pizza parlor.
“I want those damn cops, Kowalski and Hall dead. I want them dead now.” Maruichi yelled. His sons dialed rapidly on their cell phones.
“It’s a done deal dad. Those bastards are dead, dad.” The words grabbed his father’s undivided attention. “I had a wonderful pay off on a huge sum on both their heads. They wont be bothering us anymore, dad.” Both sons were too preoccupied with pleasing their dad. Neither saw when the riders approached the group. With guns drawn, they easily snatched all three and took them home. There they made Maruichi get on the phone and called his lawyer.
“Yeah, you gotta bring that thing here right now.” Maruichi ordered. Within minutes, the attorney brought the diamonds and was surprised to see who the buyers were. Once they had procured the loot, the Calisix fired shots in each of the Maruichi’s heads killing them. The lawyer was set free.
Rightchus made a call to Hall who was doing paperwork at his desk. He mentioned that something major was going down in the hood. Hall told Kowalski who was ready to jump at the informant’s tip.
“We should check into it…” Kowalski said immediately on hearing.
“Give him some time he’ll call again,” Hall said.
“Let me guess you don’t want to play partner? Or the rigors of the job getting to you old man?” Kowalski asked his partner.
“I remember when I was young and dumb like you. I used to jump for everything. I wanted to solve crimes and lock-up criminals.” Hall answered.
“I didn’t know you could remember that far back.” Kowalski shot back.
“Damn right. My partner back then was this old man. He used to try and slow me down. Telling me things like, ‘boy, you gotta take it easy’”
“The way you do me?”
“He was one of them good ol’ boys and I thought he was being condescending.” Hall said looking at the document on his desk.
“There’s a point to this story, right?”
“I’m trying to make it if you hold on to your horses. He told me this story about him walking the beat one day when a man ran up to him saying ‘arrest me officer, arrest me.’ He asked the man ‘why should I arrest you?’ The man answered ‘I was born and surely that’s a crime.’”
“All right old man, take your time. I’m going outside to get some fresh air. I’ll see you in a minute.” Kowalski yawned.
“Give me ten more minutes,” Hall said and went back to the paperwork on his desk.
Kowalski walked outside and glimpsed a figure moving quickly away from the back of the gray seda
n.
“Hey what’re you doing over there? Come here,” he yelled.
The man ran and Kowalski gave chase. “Don’t make me have to run after you. Halt I said! What the hell!”
Kowalski ran a few more yards after the man. “Halt this is the police!” he screamed and fired ending the pursuit. The man was wounded but still alive. Kowalski moved closer for a better look. “What were you doing to the car back there? Why’d you run?” He asked.
There were no intelligible answers, the victim grunted in pain. Kowalski held the gun on the man.
“You better tell me something…” Kowalski said but the-man had passed out. “Oh no, you’re not gonna die, I need information from you. Who sent you?”
Kowalski rifled through his victim’s pockets. He gazed at the man’s driver’s license. Then he saw the matchbook with 1-800-Hit Body WE DONT STOP. He glanced at it, smiled and got on the horn requesting medical assistance.
Detective Hall was finished with the paperwork at his desk. He walked out the precinct looking for his partner. Hall spotted the parked grey sedan and peered through the window. His phone rang just as he opened the door. Hall reached for his cell phone and at the same time turning on the car’s ignition.
“Hall, don’t get in that car. It’s been booby-trapped,” Kowalski screamed.
He held his breath as the loud booming sound rocked the surrounding buildings. Kowalski screamed as he pumped several shots into the body of his victim.
Later that night the Calisix met with Rightchus and put a thousand dollars in his hand. He ecstatically tried to kiss the giver.
“Oh shit, oh shit. This is all for me, this all me?”
He jumped jubilantly and yelled until his legs hurt. “Did you get Lil’ Long yet?” Rightchus asked nervously. They rode away without saying a word. “I’m a buy me some fly gears, get me a nice girl, oh it’s on now, mu’fuckaz.”
Not long after they rode away, Lil’ Long appeared and saw Rightchus limping on crutches and singing heartily.
“Yeah I got that dough now, see in da stores now, buying all ‘em fly gears. That Sean Jean and Akdmiks shit…”
“What da fuck you so happy bout?” Lil’ Long asked. “Didn’t I tell you not to let me catch your black ass out here on these streets?”
“Yea-yeah, I only came to cop ci-ci-cigarette.” Rightchus said. Lil’ Long stared at him for a fluttering heartbeat. Rightchus was nervous and trembled his voice shook when he saw Lil’ Long’s guns. “You already shot me wi-wi-with both yoyo-your guns…” Rightchus stuttered.
“You trying to mock me, uh nigga? Here hold this then.” Lil’ Long aimed both guns at Rightchus. “In order for me to be immortal all y’all weak muthafuckas, bitches and snitches must die…” Lil’ Long shouted then squeezed the trigger.
“Nooo…”
Rightchus’ blood curdling scream filled the air along with the explosion echoed loud into the night’s air, then dissipated. Rightchus’ fell silent. Lil’ Long walked slowly away whispering.
“Snitch-ass nigga, yeah you had that coming. Now I gotta go see them muthafuckin’ rappin’ ass bitches and that music producer.” He said and waved. Seconds later, a taxi pulled up.
“Where to, mister?” The driver asked. Lil’ Long took a look and smiled.
“I like you already,” he said to the driver. “I’m goin’ to see this rap show at club Deep.” He said.
“Can do…” she said and drove off. There was a motorcycle following close behind them.
“Y’all Chinese peeps have y’all hands in everything in da hood, huh?”
“Can do,” the driver smiled. Lil’ Long relaxed and enjoyed the ride.
FIFTY-ONE
Inside the club there was hollering and hooting as Coco rocked the microphone and the crowd moved to the beat. All through the club the heads bobbed to Coco’s masterful flow. She sang and danced, performing magnificently like she never had before.
“Bring that beat down some. This goes out to all my peeps, who may be down and think there’s no way they can get up… yeah. I been there, yeah. And I’d like to say thanks to my team, Eric Ascot producer of the year. Uptown’s own, Silky Blizack, Show Biz, my girls, Jo and Dee. Yeah… Thanks y’all, I’m still here. RIP, to Miss Katie, my Godmother, I’ll always love you. Rip to my girl Bebop, and the one and only Danielle, there’ll never be another like her. But life goes on and for that we gotta give thanks and praises to God…”
When you look inside my life you’ll see
Pain and heartaches rolling through me…
Josephine sang as she bounded on stage. She immediately launched into a crowd pleaser duet with Coco.
When you look inside my life you’ll see
Pain and heartaches rolling through me
Can’t let that stop me no never not being me…
The girls sang and Coco busted out her rap.
“Yeah, one two it’s C-O-C-O...
Just clap your hands
Everybody act like you know...
God gave me the gift to spit this sh...
The ability to rise above this sh...
You know me sometimes low-key
But when I smoke on dro
It’s like oh no she’s loco
But I’m straight up being me…Coco…”
“Go Coco, go Coco… Go…Yo, you own this girl…”
The audience sang along.
“Whose house…?” Coco asked.
“Coco’s …” The crowd roared.
Having pleased the club audience with her verbal skills, Coco dropped the microphone and let her body shake. The uptown flavor of the Hip Hop sound blasted through the speakers. She raised her middle fingers bobbed her head and then bopped off the stage; the chanting of the sweaty crowd rang loud in the air.
Deedee and Eric greeted the girls. They stood offstage watching the featured act. Coco lit a cigarette.
“Your performance was great. Congratulations, Coco,” Eric said hugging Coco.
“What about my vocals? What am I? Chopped liver?” Josephine joked.
“No, you’re not. Jo c’mon girl, you were there too. Coco was in a zone that’s all. You both did your thing up there onstage,” Eric said.
“I’ve been crying all day and now most of the night. My eyes can’t stay dry. I love you Jo. I’m soo happy for you. Coco you’ve come along way. Tonight you owned the house.” Deedee said and the girls hugged, while Eric smiled.
Outside on the streets, Lil’ Long struggled in the back seat of the cab. He wanted to get to the club, but realized that he was not going there. Desert Eagles locked and loaded, he fired at the driver, to no avail. Angrily, Lil’ Long ducked as bullets ricocheted off the bulletproof glass that separated driver and passenger. He sat back in the yellow cab.
Further down the road, the driver glanced back to see Lil’ Long firing into the door until it was open. She tried to bail out, but the bullets from Lil’ Long’s guns scorched her flesh. She became distracted and the cab hit an embankment and flew onto the oncoming lane. A motorcycle rolled up to the driver.
“Are you okay?” the motorcyclist asked.
The driver shakily got up and got on the motorcycle.
“We have to kill him.” The motorcyclist said. “Igor’s word was to bury him alive.” They rode off.
Lil’ Long crawled with some difficulty, slowly from under the car. Groggily he moved away from the car. He gathered his wits and raced to safety. He hailed a cab.
FIFTY-TWO
Back in the club, the atmosphere was electrically charged with energy fueled by the high-octane performance of Coco and Josephine. Silky Black and the Chop shop Crew got busy and took the excitement to another level with their performance. Club-heads were still going wild as the show drew to a close. The audience was pleased but wanted more.
The group was still in a celebratory mood, Coco and Josephine glad-handed with club goers while giving autographs to fans who sought them. Eric, Silky Black and Show Biz stood talkin
g while Deedee sat cooling her heels, sipping a soda.
“Yo, I’m mad hungry,” Josephine said joining Deedee at the table.
“That makes two of us, yo,” Coco said pulling out a cigarette and plopping down next to them.
“You both should be exhausted; I know y’all brought crazy energy to that stage tonight.” Deedee said and high-fived both girls. They were busy sipping sodas when Eric approached the table.
“All right ladies, looks like you are all tired. It was a great show. I enjoyed every minute of it. Coco before summer ends we’ve got to finish an album. I think you’re ready.”
“Thanks, Uncle E.”
“Yes I agree.” Silky Black and Show Biz gave Coco a hug.
“What about me?” Josephine asked.
“Come on girl, we’re a team.”
“Me I’m ready to get some shut eye,” Deedee said.
“I’m with you on that,” Coco said.
“We gonna check out the honeys.” Silky Black and Show Biz walked away.
“Let’s go,” Eric motioned to the bodyguard.
The party was still in effect but the girls were tired. A bodyguard followed closely as all three girls hugged and lumbered behind Eric. Another bodyguard was busy on his cell phone. The group was making their way to the parking garage when suddenly the bodyguard in front stopped.
“What’s the matter? You had one too many?” Eric asked. “The Range is over there.” Eric pointed.
“I know but our driver ain’t responding like he’s supposed to.”
“He’s probably asleep. We’ve been gone for over two hours…”
A chanting interrupted Eric’s words. He turned around to see who it was.
“In order for me to be immortal …”
The bodyguard in the rear was felled by the blast of two guns.
“All weak muthafuckas and bitch-ass-niggas must die…!”
Again gunshots exploded and the bodyguard up front lay crumpled. A pool of blood formed around his head. It happened so quickly the girls had no time to hit the asphalt. They heard a gruff voice.
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