by Corey Bryant
Luckily, Renaldo had already found out who owned the house directly across the street and bought it. He quickly and quietly moved the family to a better house miles away and paid them handsomely.
We were at that house watching. After the driver and passenger made sure the coast was clear. The back doors of the Suburban flew open and out stepped Carlos Desendez with 2 more men assumed to be his bodyguards.
“Fucking piece of shit.” Said Renaldo as he was looking through a pair of binoculars.
“What, that’s him ain’t it?” I asked. Reynaldo passed me the binoculars. I looked through them and affirmed my curiosity. “Yea, that’s him!” I said.
“Wasup?” Said Brainhead as he was grabbing his AR15.
Renaldo held up his hand. “Wait, let’s try to figure out his movements. We have to be careful on his turf.”
“Shit, how long that gon take? Said Brainhead.
“I don’t know, we just have to wait until the time is right!” Said Renaldo.
“Man weight broke the wagon!” Said Dingo using an Alabama saying. “I was getting antsy myself. I don’t know Renaldo we can’t be bullshittin.”
“I know it’s dangerous down here, but we got to get it while the getting is good!” I know, I know but we can’t slip right here! Our lives depend on it!” Said Renaldo.
We all looked at each other. “Right, Renaldo we agree but we got to strike soon. If we have to wait him out and put a tail on him. Find where he stays or just run-up in that bitch over there across the street or try to sniper his ass off over here.’ I Said.
Everybody was quiet as the wheels were turning in our heads on what to do. Nobody wants to be on any suicide type of time, but I wanted to get this muthefucka just as bad as Renaldo for what he did to those women. I went ahead and sat down and relax because I had been pacing like hell? We sat there for hours and hours and no movement across the street except the people that was coming to gamble.
“Damn, that many people fuck with this rat? Said Brainhead referring to the people who were going to his gambling spot.
“Unfortunately, people tend to forget, or they just don’t give a fuck.” Said Renaldo.
As we sat there sweating the gambling house, I was thinking to myself.
Here I am, a fucking mogul, a big-time black entrepreneur that owned a hot record label known publicly and had almost celebrity status by default. An ex-con that came up from nothing when I got out with nothing but balls and my word. Now, I’m back knee-deep in the game and rich as a fuck.
Yet, I’m facing some charges and maybe going back to a unites states federal penitentiary or the grave. Loyalty is not just a word it’s a way of life. In the words of big-meech and oh so true.
“Yo, he’s coming out!” Said Renaldo.
Snatching me out of my thoughts. I jumped up and grabbed my AK. I peeped out of the blinds and just as he said. Carlos was heading down the steps with one bodyguard in front and one behind him. I almost took a shot out of the window.
Renaldo got on his phone and called some of his people who were already riding around the area.
“ Estas cerca condominio?(Are you close to the condominium?”)
“Yes,” Says Renaldo’s people.
“Be on the lookout for a black Suburban!” Said Renaldo. “Trail her from a safe distance and keep me informed on their movements. We’ll catch up with you! Let’s go.” Said Renaldo.
Renaldo had a driver outside in a white old Excursion in the backyard. We went out the back door and piled in with our artillery and eased off in the direction of the black Suburban.
Chapter 32
Meanwhile, back in Atlanta
Federal Investigative Building
The feds had Paul Fredricks under intense questioning concerning Deangelo Transportation-Logistics and Warehousing and the 400 kilos of cocaine and 100 kilos of heroin they found in a secret package stored in the warehouse Paul was running.
“Um telling you! I don’t know anything about any drugs!”
“Bullshit” Said DEA agent Thornton. “We’ve done a background check on you buddy! You did time with Antonio Deangelo and he recruited you to run that business for him because you have a degree in logistics!”
“So, what does that mean?” Said, Paul.
“It means that you had full knowledge of the whole operation and what comes in and out of that warehouse. Plus this syringe we found in your arm when we busted in on you and the dope we got out of your hand when you were damn near wigging out and nodding. It is the same product we got out of the warehouse. High quality and all!” Said DEA agent Thornton.
Antonio already knew of Paul’s drug use from doing time with him. He used to sell Paul synthetic marijuana and heroin in the joint. He knew Paul had a degree in logistics like the DEA agent said so he truly recruited Paul! So to speak Paul didn’t know he was being recruited. Antonio had locked it in his mind and added Paul to his vision. As a top prospect in his scheme of things.
Once they both were out and Antonio came up. He went and found Paul in Birmingham, Alabama, and gave him a job. Once he realized Paul was still an addict, but a functioning addict though. He kept Paul straight with the girl and boy(cocaine and heroin).
“Explain that smart ass!” Explain the ounce of cocaine and the ounce of heroin we found at your condo.” Said DEA agent Thornton.
This surprised Paul because he didn’t know that they would get a search warrant for his place after he was arrested. That information brought Paul all out of his stupor.
Now, federal agent Johnson of the Georgia FBI office was about to pour it on nice and thick. “Son, you’ve already been in prison for 2 felonies. One for vehicular homicide and the other was for federal bank fraud. Paul, these are all federal charges you’re facing.”
“How’s 2 ounces federal?” Said, Paul.
“Because this is a conspiracy investigation. An ongoing R.I.C.O investigation and continuing criminal enterprise investigation. Son, the felonies you already have will enhance your points to your base offense level which enhances your sentence. If found guilty.”
“No, no, nooo! How am I in conspiracy with anything that I do?”
“Son, your actions and the role you played in furtherance of the conspiracy to distribute and traffic…”
“You keep saying conspiracy, I didn’t know anything about drugs coming in on these trucks till one day Antonio and his partner Chi-Chi was there looking through pallets of turkey in the freezer. That’s the only time I swear!” Squealed Paul.
The room full of feds and the DEA agent who was on the other side of the dark windows gave each other high fives as the DEA agent and federal agent Johnson looked at each other. That’s when agent Johnson like magic produced a motion for a rule 5k1 downward departure form/snitch form.
DEA agent Thornton pulled out the syringe and the same pack of heroin that he pulled from Paul’s hand during the raid and sat it on the table between them and Paul.
Paul was salivating at the mouth like a rabid dog. He had a mean monkey on his back and he was damn near going through withdrawals.
“Paul, you want a cigarette?” Asked federal agent Johnson as he produced a pen and sat it on the form. He gave Paul a cigarette and a light.
Paul was thinking about his freedom and he was hurting like hell.
“Are you going to give me that?” Asked Paul as he damn near grabbed the syringe and dope.
“Not until you talk.” Said DEA agent Thornton as Paul snatched the syringe and dope.
“Let me get a shot first I’m sick.” Said, Paul.
“Fuck you!” Said DEA agent Thornton as he jumped up as if he was about to leave.
“Okay, okay, okay” Screamed Paul as he took off his glasses, rubbed his eyes, and shook his head. He took a hard pull off the cigarette and once he was through blowing the smoke out he opened his eyes and took a deep breath.
“Okay, where do I start.” Said, Paul.
Meanwhile
2 Floor up
Federal Building
“Maam, we can charge you with conspiracy to money Laundering so far!”
Said Federal agent Bill McCarthy.
“Oh yeah, how are you gonna do that? Said Tanya whose Antonio’s girlfriend and business partner in their real estate company.
“Simple, you were helping your boyfriend Mr. Antonio Deangelo clean up drug proceeds by laundering it through the real-estate company and you had knowledge that it was drug money.”
Tanya wasn’t fazed by the questioning at all. She knew that they didn’t have any evidence on her with anything. She had been through questioning with the feds years ago in the early 90s when she was dealing with her ex-husband. Plus, she and Antonio went through this before and if anything happened. They were careful how they talked on the phone so she knew they didn’t have any recordings or records that incriminated them.
All of their paperwork was legit. The only thing she was worried about was if they picked the lawyer chic up would she hold up.
Birmingham, Alabama
Federal Headquarters
“Ms. Janice Riddlesburg, am I pronouncing that right?” Asked federal agent John Vickers from the Birmingham FBI office.
“Yes, attorney Janice Riddlesburg and I demand to know what’s going on.” Said Janice.
“Maam, that’s what I want to ask you.” Answered Federal agent Vickers. The feds had been doing their homework on Antonio and swiftly connected Attorney Janice Riddlesburg to Antonio’s real-estate company and she was the trustee of some land trusts and he was the beneficiary. In a land trust, the beneficiary owns the trust and the trust owns the property. In a land trust, nobody knows you’re the beneficiary except for you and the trustee.
The only way they will find out is through a court order. So, when the feds got their search warrants for Antonio’s businesses. The warrants allowed the seizure of all computers and records. Once, they ran the trust agreements they got a hard-on. Trust agreements in real estate stay with the beneficiary & trustee and it discloses the beneficial interest. Numerous holdings got their attention like an overseas property named Aniyavest, GA. An apartment complex in the Virgin Islands, timeshares, 300 condos, and a full-fledged spa resort.
The feds and the IRS were saying that the offshore corporation Aniyavest, GA was used by Antonio Deangelo to channel drug money through the apartment complex and resort spa. They’re making claims that money was laundered by making off-the-books and under-the-table transactions with the sub-contractors involved in the construction of the apartment complex and resort spa.
With their line of questioning Janice knew that they didn’t have anything on her. They just saw her name on record as the main attorney for Deangelo’s real-estate company.
“I see that you’re on a witch hunt. I have nothing to say and I want to see my lawyer.”
“Ms. Riddlesburg, you’re a lawyer so I’m sure you understand the type of investigation you’re caught up in. All I need is your cooperation to grant you immunity.”
“Am I under arrest?” Interrupted Janice.
“Ms. Riddlesburg, I repeat that this is a federal investigation on some R.I.C.O charges.” Said the agent slowly. “Against the owner and operator of Deangelo Enterprises. Your clients which implicate you by default.”
“I have nothing to say give me my phone call.” Said Janice calmly.
Agent Vickers made a bridge out of his fingers and placed them on the table then shook his head stood up and went to get a phone.
Chapter 33
Chicago, Illinois
West Town
D’Anthony, Antonio’s son was ducked off in his baby mansion in the West Town. He left Alabama as soon as he heard the feds were looking for his father and crew. His stepfather relayed the message through a throwaway flip phone as soon as the investigation got heavy.
Once he found that his name wasn’t implicated in anything he got the fuck on. Got out of dodge before his name was implicated in anything. They already knew the ties he had with his father both legal & illegal could easily put him in the mix of an investigation. He was very cautious in his dealings with Antonio on the illegal side. He heard about his pops when he was growing up through his mother and some of the people in her family but when he met him he knew he was the real Mccoy.
Once he went around him and witnessed the kind of work he was moving he had to stay sharp. He fell right into the groove because he had it in his blood. Plus, he was already hustling good on his own. Pops just gave him that boost that he needed. What every young dope nigga dreams of. A fireplug that don’t mind putting that work on you and dealt fairly across the board with quality work and product.
D’Anthony had a plugin Chicago where he grew up with his grandfather and family, but it wasn’t like Antonio’s work and organization. Pops dope was fire like Chi-town’s dope and he had a lot of it. He would give him a price just a few thousand above the price he was paying for a key of heroin and cocaine. So, it was a must that he was fucking with Antonio full-time. At first, he had that young nigga attitude towards his pops.
“I’ll jack my plug, he ain’t been in my life anyway. I don’t know him as a father" but he quickly dismissed that thought. His pops was making up by making him rich. Had him where he was strong in Alabama and he had a crew of his childhood friends in the Chi-town eating like pac-man which in turn had him eating like a king. At the same time that made him some enemies up there. Like his old plug slash mentor and o.g.
So, now he had his own problems that he would handle accordingly. First, he had to make sure his name wasn’t on any federal indictments. He grabbed his phone and texted his stepfather on one of his throwaways. “Name ain’t on nothing?” After about 3 minutes his phone vibrated as a call was coming through, but it stopped immediately then a text came in shortly from the same number.
“No, but lay low will find out more.”
D’Anthony’s vice narcotics stepdad got back to him and D’Anthony was confident he wasn’t on any indictments with his father because he was real smart. He didn’t do business recklessly. In fact, he took more precautions than the average young man. After meeting and chilling with Antonio a couple of times clubbing and doing a little business. They planned an exclusive way of doing business.
A suggestion that D’Anthony made that he would be dealing head up with pops instead of the middleman. That’s how a lot of people ended up in a conspiracy investigation. If the middleman is under investigation or he got popped and started cooperating with the feds. Plus, he talked Antonio into getting a phone and that they were the only ones who kicked it on that phone
In codes only.
Antonia liked that idea because he operated in that manner anyway. The only thing was if his office was bugged whenever he went there he didn’t talk illegal business at those meetings. He may talk about rap groups in Birmingham, Alabama, but that was it.
When D’Anthony left Alabama, he took the remainder of work and stash money with him. The only thing left was dope that was already in circulation. Once his two main lieutenants get that money and sent it to him. He wasn’t going to be fucking with Alabama for a while. If it caused a drought fuck it, because if the feds missed him in their current investigation. He wasn’t going to give them a second chance especially in Alabama.
Interrupting his thoughts was a computerized buzz through surround sound in his house that was letting him know that someone was buzzing at the gate. Which was the gun line in D’Anthony’s mind, so he immediately grabbed the AR-15 and looked at the monitors which were connected to the cameras surrounding his property. Even though only a few people knew where he laid his head when he was in Chi he still took precautions. He smiled at the face which was looking up at the camera.
“Sharita!” Said D’Anthony. Sharita was a pretty reddish-brown Dominican chic. A face and body like Tahiry, Joe Budden’s ex-girlfriend. Sitting behind the steering wheel of a snow-white Bentley GT Coupe that would make the average nigga smile and do a quick appraisal of
this woman.
“Are you gonna let me in D’Anthony or are you gonna just stand there and stare me down through the camera?” Said Sharita knowing she got him pegged just right. He hit the open button without a word for Sharita. Sharita was about 2 or 3 years older than D’Anthony so she was just finishing college and was pursuing her career as a journalist.
She was interning with various magazines, but her dream was to own her own magazine. D’anthony helped her all the way through college financially. When she graduated, he got her the all-white Bentley GT Coupe and he got an all-black Bentley. She knew what he was doing and she didn’t agree with it especially when he got his own record label.
When she pulled up he greeted her at the door.
“What’s up mami?”
“Wassup papi!” Said Sharita as they engaged in an intimate kiss. “Wassup with all the mushy shit?” Joked Sharita as they entered the house. “You glad to see me and do you miss me papi?
“Of course!” Said D’Anthony as he turned her around and kissed her some more. He loved Sharita like crazy. She proved her loyalty when she stuck by him when he went to juvie two times. Once for possession of crack and the second for shooting somebody in a gang-related incident. She was his heart and he was hers. She just wanted him out the streets. D’Anthony didn’t waste any time showing Sharita how much he missed her by undressing her and making love to her all day. After they got through they went to sleep for 3 or 4 hours.
His throwaway kept buzzing so it woke him up. It was a call and text from his stepfather.
“Talked to some friends in high places! Pops wanted for questioning about some missing drug dealers in South Carolina and some R.I.C.O investigation. More specifics later!”