The Starks Trilogy (Book 1 & 2)

by Nesly Clerge

  Felipe looked at him. “Want to try again, amigo?”

  “Okay, it bothers it a little, but—”

  “We’ll wait until next week. Don’t overdo the weights thing. Only what’s comfortable then stop.”

  “I guess there’s no point arguing with you. Okay, I’ll leave you to it. Going to pick back up where I was when that idiot interrupted me.”

  Starks’s crew had returned to their activities, as though nothing had happened. None walked out. Maybe he’d be okay. He called to Tank then went to the bench.

  “Thanks for what you said. Anybody making noise about what happened?”

  “I think they’re okay. If they’re not, they’re not talking about it. Not with me.”

  “Could be because you stood up for me.”

  “Could be because you fixing to put money in their pockets.”

  “Keep me informed about any static. If I need to talk to them, I will. In the meantime, spot me.”

  Starks completed ten reps then did some ab work. During one of his sit-ups, he noticed Felipe stood, shoulders slumped and dumbbells in hand, not moving. He finished his set then joined Felipe. “I know downcast when I see it. Anything I can do?”

  “Nothing anyone can do. My papa’s dying.”

  “I’m sorry. That’s the last thing you want to hear at any time, but especially when you can’t be with him.”

  “Like I’m being fucking ripped in half.”

  “He’s being taken care of, right?”

  “I thought they were okay. They didn’t want to tell me how bad it is. I found out this morning that Mama quit her cashier’s job to look after him. Papa’s on hospice, but that doesn’t take care of everything else. My brothers and sisters are too young to work or too young to earn much, when someone does hire them for small jobs. The rent’s behind three months; they just got the eviction notice. There isn’t enough food, unless a neighbor brings something to them.” Felipe threw the dumbbells to the floor. “I’ve let them down. They suffer, and there’s nothing I can do to help them.”

  Starks gestured to the bench. “Let’s talk.”

  Starks reached the corridor that led to his cell block. Jackson turned into the corridor from the opposite direction.

  “Starks, I gotta to talk to you.”

  “Not now, Jackson. I need to make a call.”

  “The call can wait. Sanchez wants to know when he can expect the powders. He’s getting impatient.”

  “I told him it would take a while.”

  “A lie I recall well.”

  Starks slowed his steps. “Tell him I want to meet with him.”

  “I’ll do that, but what are you going to tell him?”

  “Exactly what I want him to hear.” They stopped at Starks’s cell. “I won’t be long. Wait for me in your cell. We’ll talk then.”

  CHAPTER 78

  THE EIGHT O’CLOCK count went as usual, including no mail for Starks. None for Kane either, he noticed. They started toward the chow hall when CO Brunson, carrying a paper bag, stopped them halfway out of their corridor.

  “Need to see you, Starks. Alone,” Brunson said.

  “Kane, wait here for me. I shouldn’t be long.”

  Brunson scraped Kane’s chair across the floor and plopped into it. Starks turned his own chair around and faced the CO.

  “Got fourteen phones instead of twelve. I put a thousand minutes on each phone. When minutes get down to about three hundred, let me know. Phones, minutes, my time and gas—fifteen hundred. Make sure it’s added to my payment next week.”

  Starks took the bag from Brunson. “No problem. Good thinking about the extras. Anything else?”

  “Just make sure payments are on time. My wife says I’m no fun when I get cranky.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind. And, thanks for the cellmate swap. It was fast and smooth.”

  “That’s what my wife says about my dick.”

  “Sounds like your wife has a lot to say about you.”

  Brunson chuckled, hoisted himself from the chair, and exited without another word. Starks turned in a slow circle, contemplating where to hide the phones.

  Kane cleared his throat. “You in trouble, Starks?”

  “Just the opposite. Right now, I’ve got to hide these phones until I can give them to the crew. Keep watch at the door without looking suspicious. Tell me if anyone’s coming, but don’t yell.” It seemed ridiculous to have to provide such details to the kid, but so far, he hadn’t demonstrated a great deal of common sense.

  Kane took his post. Starks placed each phone flat under his mattress, as close to the back wall as possible, along with the paper bag. “Let’s get some breakfast.”

  As they walked the corridors in silence, Starks wondered if he still had a crew. He felt fairly certain Tank would stay with him, but the others? His sigh of relief was genuine when he saw the members seated at their usual table. Jackson was working the breakfast shift in the kitchen; Trevor was nowhere to be seen. Starks and Kane got their trays and joined the others.

  Keeping his voice low, Starks said, “I got phones ready to go into service today. After we eat, meet me in the laundry room. I want to get this taken care of so we can start bringing in some cash. Stagger who gets up and when from the table.”

  Once half the group left, Starks and Kane followed protocol then returned to their cell. The phones went back into the paper bag and under Starks’s few dirty clothes in the cardboard box, with Kane’s added on top.

  Nick and another inmate assigned to laundry duty were the only people in the rectangular room. Starks arranged to comp each man with commissary and told them to leave for about fifteen minutes. They didn’t hesitate. Two minutes later, his crew was in place, with Jackson the only one absent.

  Starks handed phones to nine members, including Kane, but not Ethan. “Each of you is responsible for your phone. Someone steals your phone, report it to me. You lose or destroy it, replacement cost of the phone and minutes comes out of your earnings.

  “Each phone has a thousand minutes. When you get down to three-fifty, let me know. Every Friday afternoon take turns meeting me in the library or meet me in my cell. Bring the phone and the money collected. I’ll confirm everything’s in order and you’ll get paid. If for some reason I’m not available, Tank takes over for me.” He glanced at Tank, who puffed his chest and nodded. It was a strategic move as much as a tribute, and they all knew it.

  Starks turned to Ethan and said, “You’ve already got something going on. If you need a phone, I’ll let you use one. Better if you don’t get caught carrying.”

  “N-n-n-no one to c-call.”

  He rested a hand on Ethan’s shoulder, smiled and said, “Maybe not now, but that could change, right?” He turned back to the men clustered around him. “Keep in mind what I said: Don’t cheat. You don’t need to. Any of you have some unusual circumstance that comes up and you need extra cash, see me. I don’t want any of you to go without something you really need. That includes your families. Everyone clear?” Heads nodded in response; several inmates’ expressions revealed their surprise at his generosity. “Any questions?”

  Mike said, “Do we have to do laundry now?”

  Starks grinned. “Up to you. Remember to be careful who you tell, and don’t get caught. If you get caught, say you found the phone in the yard, or anywhere plausible, and were on the way to turn it in or were turning it in at the next count.”

  Starks dropped the extra phones, including Kane’s under the clothes in his box. “Let’s go back to the cell.”

  “Stand watch, Kane.” Starks removed his cell phone from the book and deepened the hole cut into the pages. He dropped the extras into the slot, handed a phone to Kane, and then used his phone to call Jeffrey’s number. The call went to voicemail. He left a message about Brunson’s additional payment and hid the phone.

  “What do we do now, Starks?”

  “Let’s go to the yard. I want to see if business is kicking into gear like I e
xpected.”

  “You gave me a phone, but I don’t know anyone but the guys. Plus, truth is, I’m scared to approach anyone.”

  “I know, but it would’ve looked odd not to give you one. When I think you’re ready, you can start your own operation. For now, your phone can be another spare, if we need one. As for the money side, you’re not going to be left out. I’ll give you a percentage of my take, for keeping your phone safe.”

  “But I won’t be contributing anything. I shouldn’t get anything for doing nothing.”

  “That’s my business. Hide your phone and let’s go.”

  “Where should I hide it?”

  Starks shook his head and sighed. “For now, stick it in your underwear. Later, we’ll make a slit in your pillow or mattress.”

  Starks watched his crew move around the yard like they were at a networking event, yet they were careful, inconspicuous. And they were smiling. He smiled as well.

  The door to the yard swung open. Jackson looked around, spotted Starks and started toward the bleachers.

  “We’re now in the phone business, Jackson. I’ve got an extra one for you. We can go to my cell now, if you’ve got the time. Need to be there for the next count, anyway.”

  Jackson nodded. “Sanchez wants to see you this afternoon. One thirty, out here.”

  Starks searched the yard for Tank, found him and said, “I’ll be right back.”

  Tank noticed Starks heading his way and went to meet him. Grinning, he said, “I think we gonna be needing extra minutes before mid-week.”

  “Good to hear. Get word—quietly—to the crew to meet me here in the yard at one twenty. Sharp.”

  “What’s up?”

  “It’s what’s may be going down.”

  “We need shanks?”

  “Carry, just in case.”

  “What’s this about?”

  “Strategic business maneuvers.”

  On his way back to join Jackson and Kane, Starks smiled at how fortune had been on his side. He’d swapped Saturday in the library for today, without realizing how that would work in his favor.

  It was almost like old times. Almost.

  CHAPTER 79

  NO REWARD WITHOUT risk. Starks had printed, framed, and hung those words behind his desk at his office, as a reminder to him and his staff every morning. He was now minutes away from putting the phrase into practice and himself to the test in very different circumstances.

  Starks patted the freshly prepped needle secured in place. “Time to go, Kane.”

  “What’s this meeting about?”

  “You’ll see. However, if it goes south, get yourself out of there.”

  “Now I’m really scared.”

  “There’s something you have to learn and learn now: You need to adapt to feeling scared and taking action anyway. No way to escape either in here. You can’t allow fear to paralyze you, kid. That’s no way to live, and it’s a sure way to die. Even while you’re still alive.”

  Jackson stood with the crew; his expression was tight, and Starks didn’t like seeing that. Ethan, however, bounced on his toes, his demeanor eager, or just damned pleased to be included. Starks wasn’t sure which.

  The last thing he wanted was to draw attention to the meeting, if he could help it. He scanned the yard. Only about four dozen inmates were scattered around the enclosure. Six guards alternated between observing prisoners and carrying on their conversations with each other.

  “Okay, men. Hector Sanchez will be here soon, and I’m sure he won’t come alone.”

  Stinky said, “The Razor?” Mumbles erupted in the group.

  Starks held up his hands to quiet them. He pointed at Stinky. “How’s the start of your phone business going so far?”

  Stinky laughed. “Cha-ching.” Others nodded and stated similar success.

  Starks raised his hands again. The men settled down. “And I’m sure you not only want to protect this enterprise but see it boom. Right?” Affirmations and nods came from the group. “That’s what this meeting’s about. My intention—my commitment to each of you—is for you to succeed big. For that to happen, certain measures have to be taken.” Starks’s focus shifted to the door to the yard. “And that’s going to happen now. Sanchez and three of his men are heading our way.”

  Sanchez’s expression went from complacent to a scowl. He said something to Felipe, whose smile faltered and was quickly replaced with concern. The other two Hermanos’ postures stiffened.

  Sanchez stopped, keeping a distance of two yards between him and Starks. “Amigo, why so many men?”

  “Training. It’s good for them to learn about negotiations and deals.”

  “There’s no negotiation, no deal. Only the promise you made to me. I think you’re stalling. This makes me question your intentions. And your respect.”

  “I can see why you’d think that. And it’s time I address it. You’re not getting the product. I’d be a fool to provide it to anyone else, and you know it.” In his peripheral vision, Starks saw Felipe flinch. “And I’m taking over the cell phone business. You and your people can continue to operate, but I get forty percent. The other sixty can be split among you. I think that’s generous on my part.”

  Sanchez’s dark eyes were flat, cold. “You a loco motherfucker. I think a little worm has crawled into your brain and needs to be cut out.”

  “I’m not loco, I’m determined.”

  “No.” Sanchez moved forward and jabbed Starks in the chest. “What you are, amigo, is muerto. When I tell Crazy D and Seth about you, no one’s going to be able to find all the pieces.”

  “Crazy D doesn’t scare me. As for Seth, I don’t know who the fuck he is, but he doesn’t scare me, either. The fact is this: Align with me, and you, your partners, and your men will profit. I’ll see to it. And, you’ll keep your rep.” Starks smiled. “Hell, it’ll probably improve.”

  Sanchez snarled and said, “You fucked up, hombre. I’m going to give you to Crazy D; you deserve it. Me? I like to take care of things fast.” He grinned. “Maybe not so clean, but fast. And, Seth? You may not know him now, but you will. Seth does what Crazy D tells him. Crazy D likes to play with his victims. They gonna start with your soldiers and play with you last.” He pointed to Kane. “Maybe they do your pet first. Maybe they make you watch.”

  “They, or you, touch any of my men or me, and—”

  Sanchez laughed. “What? We’ll regret it?” He put his face inches from Starks’s. “I was fair with you. I did deeds for you. Now you fuck with me?” He backed up and looked at Starks’s crew. “If you want to keep living, join me. Me and my hombres know who you are. We know where you sleep. I give you until tomorrow to decide.” He looked at Jackson, who shrugged and shook his head once. Sanchez, glaring, pointed a finger at Starks then sauntered toward the prison door.

  Stinky kicked at the dirt. “What the hell kind of negotiation training was that?”

  Starks hoped his smile camouflaged his concern. “The kind that gives you a feel for your opponents.”

  Stinky shook his head. “You can bet your ass I’m feeling them now. They’re gonna slice and dice us.”

  “I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

  “But you can’t be sure.”

  Starks glanced at Ethan, who stopped twitching and winked. “Pretty sure.” He faced forward. “We’re all safe until tomorrow, but stay in groups as much as you can. Stay armed, but don’t get caught. And I’m asking you to stay loyal. No reward without risk.”

  “It’s a damn big risk you’re asking us to take,” Stinky said.

  “One I’m taking myself. One I’m taking for all of us. Think about what you have to gain with me driving the bus.” Starks faced his crew. “I swear that if you leave me, there will be no penalty other than handing back your phone and forfeiting any payment. I also swear that if you stay with me, you won’t regret it. Sleep on it. I’ll be on the bleachers after breakfast tomorrow. If you join me, I’ll know you’re in.”

&n
bsp; Starks tracked where Jackson was, which was almost to the door. He told Kane to follow him to the bleachers, where he sat and watched Tank talk to the crew. Watched what seemed to be a debate flair then settle a few times. Tank strolled to the bleachers and sat facing the yard.

  “I think it’s gonna be okay, Starks. Told them Sanchez ain’t gonna let them live if they switch teams. They might as well stay where terms are more than fair. Told ’em you’re climbing the ladder in this shithole and willing to take them up with you. Asked them to think of it like a mowing machine: why push when they can ride.”

  “What a ride,” Starks replied.

  CHAPTER 80

  JACKSON WASN’T AT the three o’clock count, where he should have been. Starks wanted an explanation about the silent exchange between his former cellmate and Sanchez.

  He abandoned the idea of going to the gym and then to the showers. It was best not to be too readily available to Sanchez, Crazy D, the yet-to-be-identified Seth, or any of their soldiers. He dropped to the floor and repeated his morning routine, pushing himself to the point of dripping sweat, stopping before he tipped into exhaustion. Stripped down to his underwear, he did an abbreviated bath at the lavatory. Starks didn’t look at Kane, but he felt the young man’s eyes watching every move.

  “How do you do it, Starks?”

  “Do what?”

  “How do you face off with those kinds of people, especially after… after what’s been done to you?”

  Starks shifted his stance in front of the small mirror so he could see Kane reflected in it. The kid’s eyes were fixated on his scars. “They don’t exactly give me a choice, do they?”

  “I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but did you break a promise with that guy?”

  “Not exactly. He ordered me to do something I didn’t want to do, had no intention of doing, and for good reason. He was right that I stalled him. It was necessary. I had to set some things up before I gave him the news.”