by Glenn, Roy
“I didn’t come here to argue with you. I just wanted to say that I’m sorry. Sorry about the way things turned out, sorry about where we are, sorry about Rain, sorry about everything.”
The mention of her name made Wanda’s blood boil. “Why her?”
“What?”
“Why her? Of all the women you could have had, why did you choose her to humiliate me with?”
“I never meant to humiliate you.”
“Well that’s what you did,” Wanda said sharply. “By the way, where is the low life bitch?”
“She’s with Black and Bobby.”
“Are they going to kill her?”
“I don’t know. All Bobby would say is that she couldn’t come to the phone.”
“I hope they’re torturing her before they kill her,” Wanda spit out.
“Is that what you want?”
“Yes, Nick. I want her to die. Do you have any idea how you made me look? Parading her around the way you did and then you gave her power.”
“If you wanted to be honest with yourself, you’d admit that she did a good job.”
“Well I don’t want to be honest with myself. I don’t give a fuck how good a job that bitch did, you had no right,” Wanda said louder than she need to. She was so loud that she got the attention of the people at the surrounding tables.
“And that’s why I’m sayin’ I’m sorry.”
Wanda took a deep breath and looked at Nick. “Mike wants me to make peace with you. If I’m sorry is all you’ve got to say then fine, we’re at peace.” Without another word, Wanda got up and walked out of Cuisine.
Rain pulled the Suburban over and parked. They got out and went inside the convenience store that had been run by Sherman Williams. “He here?” Black asked.
“He’s in the back,” Debra said and pointed.
“Thanks,” Black said and headed for the back.
“Hey, Bobby,” Debra said flirtatiously. “Long time no see.”
“Hey, Debra. We’ll talk later; okay?” Bobby winked and followed Black.
“I hope so,” Debra said and poked out her lips.
Black shook his head.
“I told you I’m back,” Bobby said and opened the office door.
“I thought you said she couldn’t fuck?”
“Pussy’s pussy,” Bobby said and Rain laughed a little. Black allowed Rain to enter and then followed her in.
“Evening Rain,” Sherman said, and then he saw that Black and Bobby were with her. “Black, Bobby.”
“What’s goin’ on, Sherman?” Bobby asked.
“Money. Same as every other day.”
Black got right to the point. “Where were you in all this?”
“I was the only place I could be, Black. I’m with you, always have been. You put Nick in charge and to me, that means he’s in charge until you say different,” Sherman said.
“You didn’t have a problem with the way Ms. Robinson did things?” Black asked.
“No. Should I have?”
“Some people did,” Bobby said.
“Hell no, Bobby. I thought it was a good move. I understood why he put her out there like that,” Sherman said.
“Why?” Bobby asked.
Sherman looked at Rain and pointed. “That bitch there is Freeze with titties.” Black and Bobby laughed, but Rain didn’t. “Don’t slap me, Rain,” he said.
“I ain’t gonna slap you, Sherman. I know you meant it as a compliment. But you ain’t got no more times to call me a bitch, ’cause if you ever call me a bitch again, I’ll do more than slap the fuck outta you.”
“See what I mean,” Sherman said and put his arm around Rain. They got along from the first time Nick bought her around. “No, Black, I ain’t got no problem with this one. And the people that say they do, got a problem with her for one of two reasons.”
“What’s that?” Black asked.
“Some,” Sherman paused for effect. “Got personal issues. And the others got a problem with her ’cause she kept everybody standing at attention, if you know what I mean. If you was slack, she made you tighten up or you had to deal with her. Everybody was too comfortable with Nick ’cause of the history he got with everybody. Others didn’t like him ’cause of that shit with Freeze dyin’. She don’t have that problem. Only one she gives a fuck about is Nick and doin’ what he need done.”
“That’s pretty high praise comin’ from Sherman, Ms. Robinson. Be sure you live up to it,” Black said and turned his attention to the real purpose of his visit. “Take a look at this picture, Sherman,” he said and handed the picture to him.
Sherman looked at it and recognized both men right away. “That one there is Raheem Lindsey and the man with him name is Marley. What you want with them low rent niggas?” Sherman asked.
“They’re dead men,” Rain said.
Black and Bobby looked at one another. “Just tell me where I can find these niggas.”
“They’re muscle sometimes for a guy named Billy Jackson. They call him Billyjack.”
“Never heard of him,” Black said.
Sherman smiled. “Yes you have, Black. And you definitely know the man he works for.”
“Who is that?”
“Billyjack is Russell Stokes right hand man.”
Now it was Black and Bobby that were smiling along with Sherman. “I’ll have a talk with Mr. Russell Stokes when we’re done with these two.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Billyjack drove down White Plains Road feeling pretty good about himself. He had manipulated the events with the skill of a Roman general. Once Russell gave him the go head, he arranged the hit. The target was supposed to be Rain Robinson. That changed when Nick pushed her out of the way.
He didn’t want to kill Nick, because Billyjack knew that killing Nick would bring Black back to the city the next day if not sooner. Nick getting shot and not dying was the break he needed on that one. After Raheem and Marley got away from Rain he told them to leave the van outside of Grant’s. Rain took the bait and went after Grant.
At every turn he was a step ahead of Rain. It was Billyjack that had the man killed outside of Rain’s warehouse spot. Then he put the word out that they were Grant’s people and they were at his number joint on Bronxwood. After Rain drove the Suburban through the window and killed everybody, he sent the men that caught her outside the store. He figured by that time, Nick would have recovered enough to retaliate. Only thing he hadn’t planned on was Rain surviving the attempt.
Now that Rain had just about wiped out Grant’s whole set, he planned to drag Doc and his people into it. It was getting late, and Billyjack thought he would stop by and see Russell and have a drink before calling it a night.
“What’s up, Russell?” Billy asked when he walked in.
“How’s it goin’, Billyjack?”
“Everything is goin’ just the way we want it.”
“What’s your plan to bring Doc and them into it?”
“Tomorrow night, Raheem and Marley are gonna rob and kill one of Doc’s runners,” Billyjack said.
“What makes you so sure that they will think that Rain did it?”
“Don’t worry, I already put the word out that she was gonna go after Doc next.”
“I’ve known Doc a long time, he might not just rush in like that,” Russell cautioned.
“If he don’t, they’ll just keep ambushing his runners until he does something about it,” Billyjack assured him.
“Where is Wanda in all this?”
“She been keepin’ a low profile.” Billy poured himself a drink. “When you gonna start movin’ on Grant’s spots?”
“Already in progress. I had a conversation with Castor last night. He scared and lookin’ for some protection ’cause he thinks Rain is coming after him next. I told him that I could provide him with some men.”
“What he say?”
“He said he would think about it.”
“Where the nigga hidin’? I’ll make sure that
he thinks he’s next on Rain’s hit parade,” Billyjack said as Russell’s phone rang.
When Russell got off the phone he looked at Billyjack. “We got a problem.”
“What’s up?”
“Mike Black and Bobby Ray are back in the city. Right now, them and Rain are ridin’ around with a picture of Raheem and Marley.”
“How they get on to Raheem and Marley so quick?”
“I don’t know, but I know that Black will find them and he will make them niggas talk. We need to cut ties with them niggas. I can’t have this shit coming back on me,” Russell said and thought back to the last time he had to deal with Black.
Billyjack thought for a minute and then took out his phone.
“Who you callin’?” Russell needed to know.
Billyjack held up his hand. “Hello,”
“Raheem, this Billyjack. Listen, somehow, Black, Bobby and Rain Robinson got a picture of you and they showin’ it all over town, tryin’ to find you.”
“How they get a picture of me?”
“That’s not important right now. What you need to do is get out of the city for a while. Lay low until this blows over.”
“Okay.”
“You got any money?”
“Some.”
“Well, look here, I’ma meet you at your apartment and I’ma give you some money. Enough money to hold you for a good minute. I want you to get out of the city, Raheem and I ain’t talkin’ about to Jersey either.”
“Where should I go?”
“Shit, I don’t know, Miami, LA, Vegas or some shit like that, but we gotta do it quick; understand?”
“I understand.”
“How soon can you meet me there?” Billyjack asked.
“I can be there in half an hour,” Raheem promised.
When Billyjack ended the call, Russell looked at him like he was stupid. “Nigga is you crazy? I ain’t givin’ that dumb nigga no money to go lay low in Miami. Shit, if anybody goin’ to Miami on my money it’s gonna be me.
Billyjack laughed. “Calm down, Russell. I ain’t givin’ him no money to go no where.”
“What you gonna do then? And what you gonna do about Marley?”
Billyjack smiled. “Come with me and find out.”
Russell got his gun and left with Billyjack.
Thirty minutes later, Billyjack and Russell arrived at Raheem’s apartment. “I don’t see his car,” Billyjack said.
“Maybe he decided to leave without the money.”
“I doubt it. That nigga will be here soon, trust me.”
“You right, niggas, even a dumb nigga like Raheem will show up for money.”
Almost on cue, Raheem’s car came speeding down the street. He got out of the car and ran inside so fast that he didn’t even notice that Billyjack and Russell were there.
“Told you that nigga would be here,” Billyjack said and got out of the car.
Inside Raheem’s apartment, he was busy throwing things into a suitcase when he heard a knock at his door. Afraid that they had found him, Raheem got his gun out and went to the door.
“Who is it?”
“It’s Billyjack. Open the door.”
“Who that with you?”
“It’s Russell. Now open the fuckin’ door,” Billyjack said and kicked the door.
Raheem opened the door and Billyjack and Russell walked inside. “Who you think it was; Black and them?” Russell asked.
“Mighta been,” Raheem said.
“You really think Black woulda knocked on the door?” Billyjack asked.
Raheem laughed a little. “Yeah, I guess not.”
“You packed?” Billyjack asked.
“Almost. I just gotta get a few more things and I’ll be ready to go,” Raheem said and went in the bedroom. They followed him.
“You decided where you wanna go yet?”
“Miami. I’d spend too much money in Vegas.”
“Not as dumb as I thought,” Russell whispered to Billyjack.
“Now I want you to drive to Philly and from there you catch a flight to Miami. By the time you get to Philly I’ll have it all arranged. You lay low in Miami for a couple months. Have some fun and I’ll bring you back when it’s safe,” Billyjack said and reached in his pocket to get some money. “That’s a grand. I’ll wire you some more when you get to Miami.”
“Thanks, Billyjack and you too Russell,” Raheem said and put the money in his pocket. He picked up his suitcase and started for the door. When he turned his back Billyjack shot him twice in the back of the head.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Billyjack knelt down and took the money he had just given Raheem and the rest of the money he had on him. “Why you bother givin’ it to him, if you was just gonna shoot him and take it back?” Russell asked.
“It just worked out that way. That was the first clean shot I had at the back of his head.”
“What you gonna do about Marley?”
Billyjack took out his phone again. “Yo, Marley, it’s Billyjack man.”
“What’s up, Billyjack?”
“I just got the word that Mike Black, Bobby Ray and Rain Robinson is looking for you and Raheem.”
“No shit,” Marley said. “That shit was gonna happen sooner or later anyway. Let them niggas come. I’ll put them in their grave just like any other mutha fucka.”
Billyjack rolled his eyes. “I just talked to Raheem. He wants you to come by his crib and pick him up. Way I see it, you niggas need to find them before they find you.”
“You right. Best defense is to go get a nigga ‘for he come get you. You tell, Raheem that I’ma round up the boyz and I’m on my way,” Marley said and ended the call.
“What he say?” Russell asked.
“Some dumbass shit about goin’ lookin’ for Black and puttin’ him in a grave.”
“He just don’t know,” Russell said.
“Yeah, but what I wasn’t countin’ on was Marley roundin’ up his crew first.”
“What was you gonna do?”
“Same shit. When he get here I was gonna put two in his head. But him comin’ with his boyz changes that plan.” Billyjack looked at Russell. “Unless you wanna shoot it out with them?”
“What is you crazy, nigga?”
“Let’s get outta here,” Billyjack said.
“So what you gonna do about Marley now?” Russell asked as he followed Billyjack out of the apartment.
“I don’t know, but sooner or later either Black or Marley gonna show up here.”
“You’re right, gettin’ outta here is the best move.”
“We’ll figure out what to do with Marley later,” Billyjack said.
“Maybe we ain’t gotta do shit,” Russell said.
“What you mean?”
“Marley knows Black and them are lookin’ for him, and he now he’s lookin’ for Black, right?”
“Right?”
“What you think the chances are that either one of them is gonna sit down and talk it out first?”
“None. That will be a shoot first set for sure,” Billyjack said and drove away with Russell.
“So either Black kills Marley or Marley kills Black. Either way the shit is cleaned up.”
At the same time, Black, Bobby and Rain were on their way to Raheem’s apartment. Earlier in the night they arrived at the apartment of a friend of Raheem’s. Since it was almost four on the morning, they didn’t bother knocking on the door. Bobby kicked the door in. Once inside they politely asked him to tell them where Raheem was. “I ain’t tellin’ you shit,” Raheem’s friend said defiantly. So, when that didn’t work out, Black and Bobby picked him up and carried him to the window. “Open the window, Ms Robinson,” Black requested.
Rain laughed. “I like rollin’ wit’ you niggas.”
Rain opened the window and they put the man out the window, while holding on to his legs. “Please don’t drop me,” he yelled.
Rain leaned out the window next to him. “I’m thinkin’ right
now your ass is lookin’ down and thinkin’ about dyin’. If I was you, and it was me hangin’ out the fuckin’ window about to get dropped.” Rain stuck her head back in the window. “What floor we on?”
“Fifteenth,” Bobby said.
“Thank you, Bobby,” Rain said graciously and leaned out the window again. “Now, where was I? Oh, yeah; if I was you, and it was me hangin’ out the fuckin’ window about to get dropped fifteen floors, I would tell these niggas what they wanna know. ’Cause, this just me thinkin’, it ain’t the drop that gonna be a problem, it’s the fuckin’ concrete that gonna hurt. Probably kill you, that is, if you don’t die of a heart attack or some shit on the way down. So what’s it gonna be; die or give up your boy?”
“Okay, okay, I’ll tell you where he lives. Just please don’t let me go.”
Black and Bobby pulled him back in the apartment slowly. “Go get the bed sheets,” Black said and Rain left for the bedroom.
Bobby punched him in the face a few times. “You know how heavy your ass is? You need to go on a fuckin’ diet.” Bobby hit him again. “Fat ass.”
When Rain returned with the sheets, she handed them to Bobby since Black was busy punching Raheem’s friend in the chest. While Black worked, Bobby tore the sheet into long strips. When Black was finished, he put the man in a chair and Bobby tied him up.
Once he was done, Rain stepped up. “Now, you was gonna tell me where your boy Raheem is hidin’.” Now that they had the information they wanted, Rain took a piece of the sheet and gagged him.
Now they were on their way to Raheem’s apartment and drove right past Russell and Billyjack as they were leaving the apartment. “That was Rain Robinson drivin’ that Suburban,” Billyjack said.
“Good. Marley will be there soon and we’ll be rid of him too. Give me your phone.” he got Marley on the phone. “Marley, this Russell. Black and them are at Raheem’s right now.”
“We five minutes away,” Marley replied.
“How many people you got with you?”
“There’s four of us.”
“Make it quick. Don’t let them get away,” Russell said and ended the call. He relaxed thinking that one way or another, this shit was cleaned up and there was nobody to tie any of it back to him.
